A/N: Sorry for the wait, but I assure you, the next will be longer.
The ach inside Eldarion was almost too much to live with. However, he had much else to do too keep his mind occupied. Master Obi-Wan questioned him about a great many things, stretching his mental abilities to their maximum.
"Now, youngling, you are not technically my Padawan yet. The Council must first decide as a whole. I am not worried a bit about the decision. In the meantime, I am to prepare you as all younglings in the temple are. You will learn about the Force, how it moves through us all and works to our advantage. Put this on and try to sense this sphere." He handed the boy a helmet that covered his entire head, leaving no way to see.
Eldarion stood listening to the hum and hiss of the remote as it shifted positions. "Can you sense it, youngling?"
"I can hear it, Master Kenobi, if that is what you mean."
"The sound will only cloud your senses, search deeper, ignore the obvious. Try to visualize the sphere with the Force."
Eldarion held his breath and concentrated on seeing through the blackout visor. At first nothing came, then his sense of hearing faded, leaving silent darkness. The darkness was permeated by a streak of light. He could see the path of the remote. "There!" He stretched out his hand and pointed at the object, following it along its path.
"Very good! Now try to make it be still."
Eldarion was confused. "How do I do that?"
"Use your instincts. Make it motionless." Obi-Wan was ecstatic. This boy had sensed the remote on his first try! But Eldarion was unable to stop the motion after many tries. He stretched his hands toward it and his breath came in puffs, but the remote eluded him, though it did slow down a bit. Finally, after nearly an hour in the helmet, Obi-Wan turned off the remote and let Eldarion rest.
"How do you feel?"
The little boy thought a moment. "Tired." He finally said. "But a good tired. I miss my family terribly, though."
"It was your choice." Obi-Wan said sadly, knowing there was no turning back, and sensing the similarities this boy had with his last padawan.
Eldarion nodded. "Yes, sir. And I don't want to change my decision."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Now you must learn the writing of the Republic. It is very different from your writing." He presented the boy with a datapad filled with the odd script. Eldarion's eyes lit up.
"I like learning languages!" He eagerly took the pad and listened as Obi-Wan explained its functions.
"I have entered your alphabet for comparison. The program will walk you through the process. He left the boy hunched over the pad assimilating the new information with vigor.
Obi-Wan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Was this a mistake taking this primitive boy from his home? Will he survive on Coruscant? The Jedi adjusted the calculations and looked out at the swirling colors of hyperspace.
Because the planet dubbed Middle-Earth was actually on the furthest spiral of the Outer Rim, it took Obi-Wan and Eldarion nearly a standard week before Coruscant appeared on the sensors.
By this time, Eldarion had become accustomed to space travel. He had even learned what each of the levers and buttons on the ship's console did. He had also assimilated Republic Standard in both written and spoken forms. Obi-Wan could not help by marvel at the scope of the boy's learning.
"Look, Eldarion," Master Kenobi pointed to the planet which had manifested itself onto the screen. "That is to be your new home for some time." Eldarion joined Obi-Wan and peered at the screen.
"What is it?"
"It's a planet called Coruscant. It is one huge city with very tall buildings, lots of lights, noise and motion."
"Why do you live here?" Eldarion looked a bit disgusted, he had been told before, but he thought that it was dumb to live in a huge city.
Obi-Wan chuckled. "It is not my choice. The Jedi Temple has been here for as long as the Republic has existed. This is the center of the Republic, we Jedi keep an eye on things from the capital." He was satisfied as Eldarion grudgingly nodded.
The landing at the port near the temple was uneventful. Eldarion was nervous as the small ship rocked in the atmosphere, but did not say a word.
The ramp hissed down and Obi-Wan and Eldarion stepped out into the bright sunlight of the main port of Coruscant. Eldarion blinked and rubbed his eyes. Without thought he slid his tiny hand into Master Kenobi's. Obi-Wan looked down, somewhat startled at the unconscious trust. He gripped the hand and led the boy toward the waiting transport.
The ride from the port to the Jedi Temple was uneventful. Eldarion gazed out the window in awe of the sites. He still said nothing, instead taking in everything. The many colors dazzled his eyes. The bustle of people and odd looking aliens intrigued him. Never before had Eldarion seen so many being in one place. Never had he seen so much activity. When they finally arrived at the Temple, Eldarion once again took Master Kenobi's hand. He swiveled his head constantly, eyes roving to catch every detail. Through massive stone gates, Master Kenobi led him. Enormous statues of Jedi flanked the gates and lined the hall within. Each was fashioned from a creamy colored stone. The Jedi depicted were in various forms of combat or meditation. Many brandished the same sort of weapon Master Kenobi carried. However, the living blades were solidified in immortal stone.
Their feet made soft noises on the smooth stone corridors, but the vastness of the halls caused this slight sound to be magnified. The sound seemed to grow as they approached a wide set of shallow steps. Beyond the steps, the hallway narrowed and Master Kenobi led Eldarion down the left branch and pushed a button on the wall. Part of the wall whooshed up, startling Eldarion.
"Come on." Kenobi said kindly, stepping onto the lift. Eldarion complied obediently. The door hissed closed and Eldarion braced himself as he felt himself hurtling upwards. Master Kenobi seemed to be fighting a grin, his eyes were filled with mirth, but he gently laid a hand on the boy's shoulder for reassurance instead. Because of the amusement in the man's eyes, Eldarion began to relax. He realized something very important: that he was nervous of things everyone in this world used every day. Instead of being resentful that he was thought of as silly for this, Eldarion began instead to mask his fear. He began to tell himself that he was not afraid anymore. It seemed to be working too. He could breathe easier and his muscles could uncramp. From that point on, he mimicked Obi-Wan's expressions and attitudes concerning his surroundings.
After a few moments the lift stopped and the door hissed open once more. Eldarion did not allow his surprise to show at the vast difference between this hallway and the one they had left. This hallway was floored with smooth black agate that was polished to an almost blinding shine. The walls were soft and seemed to absorb the glaring light, leaving only a dim yellow resonating from the ceiling. Eldarion was led down this corridor, his soft boots making very little sound. The hallway was not long and it did not branch. At the end was a single door which slid aside as they approached
In chairs which ringed the room sat many strange creatures. Behind them was open space. Upon further brief inspection, Eldarion realized it was simply some transparent material, but it overlooked the entire city.
Master Kenobi led Eldarion to the center of the round room and there they stood, silently, for a full minute. Eldarion glanced about the room surreptitiously. Only one of the chairs was empty. He briefly wondered who should sit there. Finally, the silence was broken. The one who did so was a surprise to Eldarion. It was the smallest, and perhaps the ugliest member of the assembled. He was very small, shorter even than Eldarion, and his ears were long and stuck out from his head at right angles. To top it off, his skin was a sickly shade of green.
"A new one, you have brought, Master Kenobi." The green thing said.
Kenobi nodded "From the fourth planet in the Iluvatar system." Every being in the room nodded.
"Strong he is in the Force." Stated the green one again. He turned his gaze from Eldarion to Obi-Wan. "Tell him you did not, about us. He knows not who we are."
Kenobi nodded again. "He observes, Master Yoda, and patiently waits. It is a test."
Yoda surveyed the rest of the beings. "Train him you may."
Kenobi gently turned Eldarion and together they headed back through the door and down the corridor.