Where Fools Rush In…
By Jemmiah
"Nervous?" Master Windu asked, glancing Anakin up and down for any outward sign of tension. The young man guarded his own emotions pretty well in terms of shielding with the force, but according to Obi-Wan usually his padawan wore his feelings on his face for all to see. If Anakin was resentful towards somebody or was unhappy with any particular task it would soon be made plain.
To his credit, Anakin seemed perfectly relaxed and confident. Maybe overconfident, Windu mused as the tall apprentice strode casually alongside him towards the start line. Obi-Wan had confidence in Anakin's abilities too, but on this occasion had not seemed terribly keen on allowing his padawan to face this test. It seemed as if Obi-Wan had all the caution and prudence that Anakin himself did not possess, whilst the apprentice had all the daring and bravado that had been knocked out of Obi-Wan after Qui-Gon's death seven years earlier. Between the two of them, if they could ever learn to work seamlessly together as a master and padawan should, they would display a perfect and complimentary array of skills. Getting to that point was proving difficult for Obi-Wan, however.
Anakin was a youth, full of ingenuity and instinct. Obi-Wan was full of guile and cunning. It was the methods that the two men employed that were the cause of the friction between them. Young Skywalker had an unnerving tendency to throw himself headlong into situations without due thought, so convinced was he of his own success. Perhaps there was much to be said for this approach, for Anakin's insight was considerable, but there was still only so far one could go without listening to the experienced voice of one's own master…
"Not especially, Master Windu." Anakin replied, his voice sounding almost bored. "I believe I can successfully complete the task. I'm not so sure my own master believes it, however."
"He did allow you to take part in this test." Mace frowned; not particularly appreciative of the padawan's implied criticism of Obi-Wan's judgement. "And you are younger than most who face this particular trial. Most padawans are at least eighteen before they tackle this exercise. I think it not unnatural that your master should have some concerns as to whether you are ready to take on such potential difficulties…"
"I suppose so." Anakin sighed. "I do not mean to sound so negative, Master Windu. It's just that I don't believe that Master Obi-Wan thinks I am capable of coming out of this in one piece."
Mace pursed his lips. "That you are here at all speaks volumes for his trust and confidence in you. He has great belief and pride in your skills, young Anakin. Now see that you do your best to prove him right. Do you know, only two people have ever completed this task within the allotted time. One of them was Master Yoda. The second was your master, whose own support you seem to doubt. In fact he holds the record time over the distance."
Anakin's face broke into a crooked half-smile. "Master Obi-Wan completed the test inside the time?" He repeated, his chest swelling with pride. "He never said!"
"He probably did not wish to place you under any pressure." Mace's eyes sparkled with unspoken mischief.
"So you thought you would do so instead, Master Windu?" Guessed Anakin with a deferential nod of his head.
Mace shrugged. "I believe that a little competition can help to spur a person on. You have a lot to live up to, but if you are as good as Master Kenobi says you are then I have little doubt that you will succeed."
But will I do it within the time limit? Anakin frowned, looking across the muddy grassland towards the distant line of trees. Master Windu thinks I can, and my master appears uncertain despite his agreeing to let me try. If only he would tell me to my face that he believed I am ready to take this on! I'm faster than Obi-Wan, so perhaps I can do it after all. And as for what might lurk in the trees, I'm ready for anything!
He'd heard some nasty horror stories as regarded this test. Qui-Gon had nearly lost a leg, according to Obi-Wan, and even although he knew his master was using it as a cautionary tale it wasn't like him to exaggerate a point in order to dissuade somebody from doing something potentially dangerous. Nobody had been killed in the forest for a good many years, and those who had were clearly unready to sit the exercise, unlike himself. Nonetheless he sought and found Obi-Wan's reassuring presence at the start line, glad to see his master standing by in support.
"Anakin." Obi-Wan smiled pleasantly. "Are you certain that you wish to do this? It is not too late to pull out of the test."
"I want to do this, master." Anakin's voice and face became sullen. "I'm ready to do this. I wish you would believe it too."
Obi-Wan arched a single eyebrow. "I have every confidence that you will complete the distance in the allotted time, padawan." He reproached his apprentice with a knowing look. "However, you must forgive me if I perhaps display a certain degree of caution. This test is taxing and dangerous, especially for one so young, and I would not like to see you hurt."
This time Anakin smiled warmly at his master. Of course, any nagging by Obi-Wan was done out of concern…out of love. Not disapproval, or lack of respect. And it was after all fair to do so, as Obi-Wan was more than just a mentor to Anakin: he was his friend, his brother in arms…even a father figure of sorts. It would be fair to say that he worried and fretted whenever Obi-Wan was wounded or hurt on missions. The very idea that one-day he might lose his master through accident or injury caused Anakin's stomach to twist with anxiety.
No. He would never allow it.
"Are you alright, Anakin?" Obi-Wan frowned, sensing instantly the shift in the young man's mood.
"I am fine, master. I assure you." Anakin replied seriously. "And I won't fail you, or the trust you have placed in me. I realise that I am young for this exercise and that you think perhaps I am not ready…"
"Ah." Obi-Wan's expression became almost melancholy. "As to that, it is not a matter of years but of maturity of thought and wisdom. You are brash and talented and skilled - ready to take on the galaxy - but the one thing this test is about above all others is finding out what your own flaws may be and then working on them. That way, whether you complete in the time or not, you will not lose. You have no doubt heard many tales regarding this exercise over the years," Obi-Wan placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder, "and of the hazards you might face. In my experience the greatest hazard is what lies in here." The master pointed to his own skull. "Not wild creatures, hidden traps or difficult terrain. You are skilled beyond your years, but you have a tendency to rush in where only fools dare to tread. I implore you to be cautious, and above all else to listen to what I say!"
Anakin, eager as he was to get to his task, felt his initial enthusiasm beginning to wane. What Obi-Wan failed to realise was that his confidence was his biggest asset, carrying him through seemingly impossible tasks. His skills were indeed unmatched at his age level, and he knew it! He could no more tame his ways than he could ask a Jawa not to steal. Why couldn't Obi-Wan understand that?
"I always listen to you, master." He replied, feeling slightly crestfallen and hurt.
Obi-Wan replied by fixing him with his best 'and Gundarks will fly' look.
"I have nearly covered all that needs to be said." Kenobi steered Anakin towards the start line, with Mace flanking Anakin on his other side. "Master Windu will officially record your time. Now, if you are utterly determined to carry out this exercise, please listen to what I have to say and then when you are satisfied you may start when ready. Things are slightly different to how they may have been in the past. The distance between the start and the trees over in the distance," he pointed at the boundary with an outstretched hand, "is one mile. The full distance of the course is measured at ten miles. You have three hours in which to run the full distance of the course. Is that understood?"
"Yes, master." Anakin's eyes were positively gleaming with delight at the prospect of taking on and beating Obi-Wan's record time. His master put his hand in his pocket and pulled out what looked like a white handkerchief to signal the start of the race.
"In that case, it just remains for me to say that I'd like…"
Obi-Wan turned to face Anakin, but his sentence was abruptly cut off as the padawan signalled his readiness to Mace and then tore forwards across the ground towards the trees.
There was a moment's silence before Obi-Wan shook his head, sighing deeply.
Clearly it was going to be one of those days.
Anakin had run. And run. And then run some more.
His was as quick as a Togorian and as stealthy as a Corellian Sand Panther. The trees seemed to respectfully bend out of his way as he ran past, and any that did not were dealt with in customary lightsabre-ish fashion. Every now and again a branch would whip him in the face or cut his brow with little dagger-like thorns but Anakin did not slow for so much as a second. Aboraxia was indeed every inch the nightmare planet that Obi-Wan had described to him, but the difference was that Anakin relished the challenge. Every stinging insect - every biting gnat - would be ignored as he ploughed onwards. Scars were nothing more than a trophy of what would be a stunning victory for he, one of the youngest padawans to take on this exercise. His name would be revered and respected throughout the temple.
Of course Obi-Wan would caution him on seeking self-glory, but hadn't he too once revealed the way that he would carry out daring tasks in order to gain Qui-Gon's recognition and love? Then again, Obi-Wan had reminded him that Qui-Gon had not approved of that attitude any more than Obi-Wan condoned Anakin's desire to be recognised as special and above the ordinary. But it was a perfectly natural thing to want, surely? To do one's best? To be better than others? Why, Master Windu himself had said there was nothing wrong with a little competition…
A quick look at his own chrono told Anakin that he was going to beat the allotted time easily. If only he had asked Master Windu what Obi-Wan's record time was! No matter, it had spurred him on towards the edge of the forest and back towards the path that led to the final half mile of the course.
He was battered and sore, and his feet felt badly bruised where he had stumbled on some rocks into the swamp. His clothes were wet and smelled of earthy, marshy, decomposing sludge: no doubt the air-droids had managed to record and relay that particular slip back to the two awaiting Jedi at the finish. His short hair was plastered against his head and without stopping to count Anakin could only begin to guess at the number of leaches that had managed to attach themselves to his skin. Even the giant shebru-skunk had been fought and overcome, although Anakin felt certain the aroma would linger on his flesh for days. His ribs ached where he'd missed his footing and pitched forward headfirst over a log. No doubt he looked a terrible mess, but all would be worth it when he made it back to the finishing line.
He half ran/limped past the last of the overhanging trees and then urging himself for one final effort summoned up the force, speed-dashing over the ground to where the pacing figure of Master Windu and the smaller, still figure of his master could be seen against the eternally dusky skyline.
Whatever Obi-Wan's time, he had completed the course. Whatever his injuries and pain, he had joined the elite and become one of three esteemed persons to do so in under three hours. Anakin felt elated, knowing that Obi-Wan would be so unbelievably proud of him. His heart almost burst to think of his achievement! Maybe his master would start to give him a little more credit now? Was it too much to ask?
Grinning through his exhaustion Anakin trotted breathlessly up to the line and stopped his own chrono at precisely two hours forty nine minutes fifty three seconds, then held up his chrono and tapped repeatedly at the static numbers on the face. Victory was indeed sweet, if tiring. Sweeter than he'd imagined if the stunned expression on Obi-Wan and Master Windu's faces were anything to go by.
"There." Anakin gasped, holding his ribs whilst beaming uncontrollably at his master. "I did it! What have you got to say about that, master?"
Obi-Wan sighed and held out the white handkerchief.
"…as I was saying before you ran off, I would like you to take this token with you and hand it to Master Yoda, who is sitting in the swamp waiting for you and who will then give you a special message of roughly three hundred words to recite and relay back to us at the end of the course…"
Anakin said nothing, merely standing rooted to the spot in shock.
"But now, however," Obi-Wan took the handkerchief and spat on it, reaching up to Anakin's forehead and wiping away the dirt and grime with a harsh, circular rubbing motion, "I think you need this more than Master Yoda does. Just look at the state of your face, padawan - why, anyone would think you had fallen into a bog…"
"Thank you, master." Anakin shied away from Obi-Wan's handkerchief. "I appreciate the gesture but it isn't necessary."
Obi-Wan smiled back at Anakin's stony expression.
"Just as you say, padawan." He grinned mischievously. "After all, you always know best, don't you?"