Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi pushed his slightly worn tunics and extra robe to one side of his closet, reaching toward the back for his nicest and newest set; the ones that were still dark tan and brown, with intact knees and elbows. Behind that set of tunics hung a dark brown leather vest and matching trousers, but those were for the final ceremony, not the preliminary one that he and his apprentice were to attend tonight.
He heaved a sigh as he tossed the clothing onto the sleeping couch in his bedroom. There were times over the past couple of weeks that he wasn't sure they were going to make it to the preliminary ceremony, especially after the initial disaster of that first date. If you could call it a date.
After that night, Obi-Wan had taken it upon himself to arrange their evenings out, which consisted of visits to museums and attending concerts.
He had outdone himself when he and Anakin had fixed dinner for the senator in their own quarters. Four courses, and not one of them over or undercooked. But then Obi-Wan had grown up during a time when it was up to the padawan to do most of the cooking. Poor Qui-Gon had suffered through many bland and burnt dishes until he finally learned how to prepare a decent meal.
Times had changed though. It seemed that he and Anakin rarely had time to sit down to a dinner, much less prepare one. Most of their meals were taken in the dining hall. But like Anakin said, 'just like riding a speeder' – the knowledge came back to him, and they had prepared an edible meal and had a memorable evening. Anakin had even behaved himself like the gentleman his Master had taught him to be.
Since that first date, Anakin had truly come around. No more the bumbling, self-centered adolescent, it seemed that the boy was finally taking his Shidoki Ceremony seriously.
But there was something that still worried Obi-Wan. Although his padawan and the woman he was bondmatched to appeared to like one another, there were obvious feelings lacking. One of them was love. He knew it, his apprentice knew it, and he didn't doubt Padmé knew it as well.
He had talked to Anakin about it on a couple of occasions. His apprentice had put his trust in Obi-Wan to provide his bondmatch, and since Obi-Wan was sure that he had heard the Force clearly, the boy had no choice but to trust that everything would turn out all right. Anakin would fall in love with Padmé…eventually.
Obi-Wan remembered counseling with his own Master about his bondmatch with Siri. He had loved Siri, but it wasn't that overwhelming, brain-melting type of love that he had heard about. He cared for her deeply, enjoyed her company, and grieved when she died. That was love, wasn't it?
What he had worried about, and what he had discussed with Qui-Gon was he and Siri's lack of telepathic communication that accompanied most bondmatches. Qui-Gon had informed him that no two bondmatches were the same. Some were simply stronger than the others. It didn't mean that he and Siri's weren't meant to be, it just meant that their bond was…different.
He supposed that was how it was going to be with his own apprentice. Maybe he and Padmé's bond was going to be the same. Different.
"Are you about ready?" He called out to Anakin who was in his own rooms.
"Yes, I think so Master." Came the reply.
The two walked together in silence toward the Jedi Council Room, stopping just outside the large double doors.
Obi-Wan turned to his apprentice before entering and brushed away some lint from his shoulder.
"You're fidgeting again, Master."
"Sorry. You cannot honestly tell me that you aren't nervous about this."
"Actually, I am a little." Anakin admitted with a shaky grin.
Obi-Wan smiled back. "Good." He then palmed the control that slid open the doors and he and his apprentice entered into the grand circular room.
Padmé was waiting there, along with Masters Windu, Gallia, Poof, Mundi and Billaba. Mace Windu motioned for them to take a seat next to Padmé in the center of the room. Anakin sat to her left and Obi-Wan to her right.
Obi-Wan glanced over to see that Anakin had taken Padmé's hand in his and a twinge of indigestion hit him. He suddenly wished that he had brought the medicine that the healers had provided for him. Ever since this whole Shidoki thing had begun, his stomach had taken the brunt of his emotions -- his worry, his anxiety. Having been admonished by the healer that a Jedi does not experience such things, he quickly informed said healer that most Jedi don't have to deal with an upcoming Shidoki Ceremony involving the Chosen One. The healer had no further comment.
Obi-Wan brought his attention back to the ceremony. Mace Windu had stood and approached the three of them, his face as solemn as usual.
"The Force has revealed to you that Padmé Amidala is indeed Anakin Skywalker's bondmatch?" Mace's dark eyes probed Obi-Wan.
"Yes, Master Windu."
"Then stand Anakin. Stand Miss Amidala."
"Understand the implications and seriousness of a bondmatch and the Shidoki, do you?" The tall, dark Jedi addressed the young couple.
"I do, Master." The apprentice replied dutifully, if not a little nervously.
"Do you?" He questioned Padmé, who nervously flicked her gown in between her finger and thumb.
"Yes, I do."
"Then as a Jedi Master and Member of the Jedi Council, I am hereby granted the authority to pronounce that Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala have been bondmatched by the Force."
Master Windu turned to face Obi-Wan, who then stood. "Under your tutelage, their bond will grow and in three months the Final Ceremony will occur, at which time, the Force will bind them together for this life and the next."
At that moment, Obi-Wan could have sworn that he heard a gulp, but couldn't discern whether it had come from Anakin or Padmé.
"I understand and I accept the responsibility." Obi-Wan bowed deeply before Mace.
"May the Force be with you."
The final ceremonial words repeated again and again in Obi-Wan's mind. He hadthe strongsuspicion that over the next three months, he was going to rely more on the Force than he had ever before in his life.