Obdurate Heart – III

Thanks for reviewing, guys, it's most appreciated. And thanks very much for continuing to read. I hope I don't disappoint you. I realize that some aspects of the story are a stretch, and will make you go, "….Whaaaat?" But, you know…I don't have the time or the ability to be perfect. I try and stay in character. Thank you thank you and thank you. :D

"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less."

-Robert E. Lee

"I want you to oversee him, yes." Qui Gon repeated, regarding his gawking apprentice with a bit of a pleased smirk.

"You aren't serious." Obi Wan said, shaking his head. "You aren't."

"What makes you doubt yourself so?" his master prodded, crossing his arms as he watched the younger lad start to pace.

"Master, I…I just wonder if it is wise. For myself, I mean, to be the one presiding upon his containment. It seems an unnecessary…awkwardness, being that I am also the one responsible for taking him down." Obi Wan explained as he rubbed a hand over his brow.

"Awkward? I was thinking rather along the lines of appropriate." Qui Gon countered. "Aside from that, I trust no one else to do so. Maul is a very wicked and cunning creature. If I should place my trust anywhere, it is upon your ability and your mind. And it will only be until he is in a proper condition to speak with an official to obtain information."

Obi Wan bit his lip, attempting to conceal his discomfort with this idea. He did not want to disobey his master, but the very notion of being responsible for the notorious Sith menace made him feel a bit lightheaded. It put quite a weight on his shoulders, and he wondered how Qui Gon could not see this. And it was almost humiliating when considering the perspective that this meant he would essentially be caring for a would-be Jedi-killer. "…Yes, Master…" he heard himself reply.

"Good." Qui Gon nodded again and paced a couple of steps to look out at the city, leaning slightly against the wall.

Obi Wan released a deep and silent sigh, resigning from the conversation for a brief moment to wander in his thoughts. This whole situation was madness in its truest from. Was he really expected to be in charge of this poisonous serpent? If so, he surely felt himself only a small and vulnerable rodent. "…Where is Anakin?" he brought up suddenly, just now realizing that, for the first time since they had found him, he did not sense the boy's presence nearby.

"Hm? Oh, I had him stay with the other younglings while I saw to my affairs. I thought it was about time the boy got to know a few Padawans his own age, all the same. I'm sure he's dazzling them with tales by now."

Obi Wan stalled for a long while, brow furrowing as he examined his own hand rather idly. "You…truly intend to train him then." He said this with due caution, as though fearing some eavesdropping passerby would scoff at the notion.

Qui Gon turned his attention to Obi Wan with patient calculation before offering him a gentle nod in reply. "Did you think I'd've changed my mind? …I don't want this to bother you, Obi Wan. I dearly hope that you know that."

"It is not for myself I am concerned, Master." Obi Wan shook his head and began to rub his wrist in a bit of nervousness. "I do not so easily forget the things the council said about this. I worry."

"I understand perfectly, I do." Qui Gon said reassuringly, though Obi Wan drew no reassurance from it. "You are torn. All your life you have been bred to listen to the teachings of the council, to respect their judgment and obey their will. At the same time, you have been taught to obey the teachings of your master without question, for he is in charge of instructing you on just how to serve this council. What are you to do when your council says one thing, and yet your master says another?"

Obi Wan was ultimately dismayed when Qui Gon did not continue on to answer that question. In his life, however, he should have learned by now that no grave answer comes so easily. "Yes Master. But…"

"But which do you choose, that's what you want to know." Qui Gon finished for him.

Obi Wan shrugged helplessly.

Qui Gon took a long look over the scope of his surroundings, taking his time as though it had no limit. "…It's quite the turmoil every man must face. Does he listen to his head? Or does he listen to his heart?" he decided, and Obi Wan resented the metaphor.

Obi Wan could only look up at him with an almost pitiful expression. "And which are you, Master?"

Qui Gon only smiled. "That's what you've really got to think about, Padawan." he allowed a hand to fall on the side of Obi Wan's neck. "Meditate on your anxieties, Obi Wan. They're threatening to consume you."

"Yes." He agreed dismally.

"Keep me posted, will you? I want to know the moment our prisoner awakens." Qui Gon stepped away.

"Of course, Master." He echoed back, feeling completely…

…dissatisfied.