Disclaimer: Melody and all other random characters mentioned belong to me. Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi belong to Mr. George Lucas. All songs (titles of chapters) in this story belong to Nightwish.
Chapter 2: Higher Than Hope
Walking into the Jedi Temple, Qui-Gon glanced down at Melody in his arms. She was so light, it worried him that she might be half-starved. He had to give her as much help as he could as a Jedi Master.
There was also something else about her that Qui-Gon sensed before…something more than what he saw. In the plaza, he had just been moving through the streets in no real hurry. Just scanning and inspecting the people there as he often did when he was outside the Temple. Then, without any warning, he heard something, a scream, but it had real power behind it. That was what drew him to the main part of the plaza.
Qui-Gon had heard the girl's thoughts pleading for help, and he saw her lying on the ground. She had struggled to rise even with her injury and also tried to find someone to aid her. Melody had called to him through the Force…without her knowing. It wasn't as strong as some, but she did have the Force with her.
He looked at her closed eyes, recalling when she looked up at him from where she lay on the ground. Her eyes were a bright green and held great strength despite her helpless state. It amazed him to see something so very pure and beautiful on the streets of Coruscant. And he knew that under all the street dust, she was pretty…there was no doubt.
"Master Qui-Gon!" A young voice called, making him look up. Qui-Gon smiled after seeing the teenage youth practically running down the hallway towards him.
"Obi-Wan, you know running is not allowed inside the Temple corridors."
Leaning over to catch his breath, the youth panted, "Yes, Master, I'm sorry." Then, Obi-Wan rose and tilted his head to the side after seeing what was in his master's hands. "Who's that, Master?"
"She's a new friend, Padawan," Qui-Gon answered, turning his face to Melody again. "Her name is Melody, and she needs to see a doctor."
"Her ankle's been injured," Obi-Wan stated, staring at her right leg.
Nodding, Qui-Gon told him, "Come, Obi-Wan. Let's get her to the medical level."
XXX
Inside the medical chambers, one of the physicians finished setting and wrapping Melody's ankle. She dusted her hands and turned to face Qui-Gon, saying,
"She should really try and stay off it for the next 12 hours. It will help the swelling go down."
"Of course. We'll let her rest in my quarters after she's washed up," Qui-Gon told the physician.
"Then, it's a good thing I used water-resistant wrappings," she said, smiling at Melody still sitting on the table.
The young girl just stared at all of the new people around her, glancing from the female physician to Obi-Wan standing next to Qui-Gon. However, her gaze always returned to Qui-Gon, and he approached her, saying,
"I hope you don't mind me carrying you to mine and Obi-Wan's rooms, Melody."
Blinking at him, Melody shook her head, murmuring, "No…I don't mind…"
He smiled at her warmly and once more scooped the girl into his strong arms. Qui-Gon held Melody carefully and strode towards the door with Obi-Wan trailing just behind.
Loosely placing her arms around Qui-Gon's neck, Melody scanned the corridor as they walked. They passed several large rooms where she saw children younger than her performing some type of art movements. At least that was what it appeared to her. Tilting her head to the side, she looked at Qui-Gon, meeting his eyes before glancing back as they passed the room.
"They are pacing through their katas, forms to help them learn self-defense without the aid of a weapon," he answered her silent question.
"Why are they…so young?" she asked, confusion wrinkling her brow.
"We have to begin training at an early age," Obi-Wan said. "Usually, kids are tested to see if they have Force abilities at around four or five years if not earlier. If they have enough, then they're brought to the Temple to be trained into knights like Master Qui-Gon."
Looking from Obi-Wan back to Qui-Gon, Melody's eyes were wide at hearing all of this. She had never known much about Jedi or their ways, and it was amazing to hear all of the things they learned. 'I wonder...if I could possibly become a Jedi,' she wondered. Then, she frowned, biting her lower lip.
Qui-Gon faced her, inquiring,
"What troubles you, Melody?"
"I don't have…the skills…to be tested, do I?" She inhaled and released her breath in a sigh. "And I'm too old...right?"
Stopping in the middle of the corridor, Qui-Gon moved to one of the windowsills and gently lowered Melody to sit down. Then, he placed a hand under her chin, making her meet his eyes. He gazed at her intently before saying,
"Melody, there are different ways to test if one is Force-sensitive. The trials of the Jedi Council are some of the most challenging, and for someone of your age, it would be…difficult for the Council to allow you to become a Jedi." When she threatened to lower her head again, he bent his head down to where he could still gaze into her green eyes. "But I know that there is strength within you, Melody. I sensed it in the plaza, just as I sense it now. We just need to find a way to harness that strength."
Blinking, Melody slowly smiled at him, and Qui-Gon returned the smile before picking her up again. She placed her arms around his neck again as he continued down the corridor. He felt so warm where she touched him, and Melody bit her lower lip to stifle the giggle that threatened to leave her mouth.
XXX
Qui-Gon turned down a smaller corridor and stopped at the doors at the end of the hall. He moved back so Obi-Wan could press in the key code for their quarters, and the doors slid open with a quiet hiss. Stepping inside, he set Melody down on one of the chairs, saying,
"Wait here, Melody. Obi-Wan will keep you company."
He gave her a reassuring smile before heading into the larger bedroom where he slept. Entering the refresher, Qui-Gon went to the tub and started filling it with warm water. Then, he heard light footsteps approach, and Obi-Wan entered the refresher, saying,
"Master, the doctor's protocol droid dropped off these for Melody to use when she washed. She said something about it being better for a girl to use."
Taking one of the bottles in his padawan's hands, Qui-Gon smiled at the lunarian flower scented soaps. Yes, they were definitely more suited to a young girl. Looking at his student, Qui-Gon said, "Thank you, Obi-Wan, and send thanks to the doctor."
After Obi-Wan headed for the infirmary, Qui-Gon walked back to where Melody sat and picked her up. He went back inside the refresher and set her on her feet near the tub. Turning off the water, the Jedi master faced the young girl, saying,
"I need to check on a few things, Melody. Will you be all right here alone for a while?"
She looked up at him and nodded before glancing at the huge tub of warm water. Then, she stared at the bottles he had placed on the edge of the tub, asking,
"May I use these?"
"Of course. They're for you," Qui-Gon answered. "I'll find some clothes you can change into once you're finished and set them on the bed. Then, I'll need to see to my errands."
"Thank you…Qui-Gon, sir," Melody told him with another small smile.
"You're welcome, Melody." He returned her smile before exiting the refresher to allow her privacy.
Going into Obi-Wan's bedroom, Qui-Gon opened the closet and pulled out one of his padawan's uniforms. The tunic looked a little big in the shoulders for her, but it would do for now. Folding the tunic and a pair of pants, Qui-Gon went back to his bedroom and placed them at the foot of his bed. He heard quiet splashing and chuckled, shaking his head before leaving his quarters.
XXX
Inside the refresher, Melody had removed her tattered and dusty clothes. She was a little confused on where to put them since the quarters were so clean. It would be a shame to have her dirty clothing spoil it. Then, she noticed a basket near the entrance and dropped the clothes inside.
Standing next to the tub, she dipped a hand in the water, and it was so warm, almost hot. But it would feel so good to be clean again. Slowly, she stepped into the water and sat down. The water came up to the middle of her upper arms, and she sank even further until her entire body was submerged.
Melody sat up in the water, gasping and then giggling. Splashing water over her body, the dust was washed from her skin, but she soon noticed how filthy the water looked. 'Yuck...all the street dust and mud is clouding the water. I'd better drain it.' She frowned and reached down in the water to find the plug for the tub and pulled it loose. Watching the water speed down the drain, Melody turned her attention to the knobs above the spout. 'Hmmm...I wonder which of these is warm water...'
Rotating one, hot water gushed into the tub…a little too hot. Hissing at the feel of the heat on her skin, Melody turned another knob, and the water temperature decreased just enough. 'Much better.' Replacing the plug, the tub soon filled with fresh water, and she scrubbed her body. The girl grasped one of the bottles of lunarian flower-scented soap and poured some of the milky white liquid into her palm. Then, she rubbed it through her long hair, making sure it covered all of her tangled mane.
Once her hair was cleansed, Melody took one of the other bottles and poured it in her hand. She washed her entire body with the soap and submerged to rinse all the residue from her hair and skin. The water was beginning to grow cooler, so Melody unplugged the tub once more and stood up. She was careful not to place too much weight on her ankle as she reached for the towel Qui-Gon left for her.
Quickly drying off, Melody wrapped the towel around her and peeked outside the refresher. Qui-Gon hadn't come back yet, so she went inside his bedroom. Lying on the bed were fresh clothes to wear, and she dressed in the leggings and tunic. It was a little bit loose, but the tunic did fit with the help of the sash and belt. The cloth was so soft and warm, and she hugged her arms around herself, laughing a little.
Limping outside of the bedroom, Melody made her way to the soft chair Qui-Gon had placed her in before. She sat down and immediately began feeling more fatigued. 'Why am I...so tired now?' Her mouth opened in a wide yawn, and she laid her head on the armrest of the chair. In the quiet living area, her eyes closed and sleep settled over her.
XXX
"So what are the midichlorian levels in her blood?" Qui-Gon asked the doctor who had treated Melody's ankle.
"Considering her age, they are rather high …almost 12,000," she answered, showing him the chart on screen.
"12,000 count…" he repeated, staring at the screen. "Still, the Council wouldn't allow her to be trained as a Jedi. She's too old."
"That is rather sad, Master Jinn," the doctor told him. "To see such potential go to waste…"
Qui-Gon nodded, then looked at the wall as though seeing something past it. He remembered that the sound of Melody's scream had drawn him to the central plaza. 'If she could do that with a scream…perhaps she is capable of more.' Still, he would need to see more of her skills before determining anything. After thanking the doctor, the Jedi master headed back to his quarters.
Punching in the code to enter his rooms, Qui-Gon stepped inside and saw a different Melody curled up on the chair sound asleep. She had cleaned up rather well, and her still damp hair draped over part of her face. With her clothed in one of the Jedi uniforms, it almost looked as though he had two padawans. He smiled and walked over to the chair, brushing back the long, wet hair. Her face was soft and pink tinged her cheekbones.
As he gazed at Melody, he thought she looked a little uncomfortable in her current sleeping position. Carefully sliding his arms under her body, Qui-Gon lifted her and softly walked into his bedroom. He gently laid her on the large bed and covered her with a blanket. Then, the Jedi sat beside the bed and closed his eyes to begin his meditation.
Entering the plane where his mind met with the Force, Qui-Gon slowly expanded his senses beyond the physical means. Someone was troubled, and it surprised him to find the feeling coming from nearby. He opened his eyes and looked at Melody finding her brow wrinkled with worry or fear. Placing a hand on her head, he saw the dreams that bothered her; the boys from the plaza were chasing her down a long, dark alley.
To ease Melody, Qui-Gon ran his hand down her hair, sending tendrils of warmth through the Force into her mind. Soon, her face grew slack, and her lips curled into a small smile. He smiled at her calm mind and softly grasped her hand. Then, Qui-Gon was surprised to find her fingers grip his, but he didn't remove his hand. Instead, the Jedi remained where he was, watching her sleep.
XXX
Time it took the most of me
and left me with no key
to unlock the chest of melody
mother, the pain ain't hurting me
but the love that I feel
when you hold me near
the hopes were high
the choirs were vast
now my dreams are left to live
through you
red sun rising
drown without inhaling
within, the dark holds hard
red sun rising
curtain falling
higher than hope my cure lies