Three weeks had passed.
Anakin Skywalker was not granted to become a Padawan Learner; the Council recited their reasons and quickly Qui-Gon became overwhelmed. The elder Jedi took his time accepting the decision while he escorted the Queen and her entourage when they wanted to leave the Senate guesthouse.
It was one of the only other ways he knew how to deal with his frustration.
He just never imagined it was taking this long.
Obi-Wan woke the morning after Padmé had seen him; he had no recollection of anything that had happened before he collapsed. A very relieved Padmé was happy to hear of it; he didn't need to remember anything disturbing while he healed.
But healing he didn't need. All the cuts, bruises…gone. By the third day he was already on his feet and walking around the Temple showing no evidence of former weakness.
The Handmaidens' visited the Temple more often. With not much else to do, they offered their services whenever they could. Some helped Padawans' Shan and Crys with the younglings and catching up their hustle and bustle of energy, and the rest offered their services in the infirmary. Jedi Maidens Ivory and Lyn were always appreciative with the extra hands.
The Council did not interfere since the young women were guests. Qui-Gon grew ever the more uncomfortable concerning Obi-Wan's relationship with Handmaiden Padmé. Yet he knew he could ruin his Padawan's moment of happiness…it was good to see Obi-Wan smile again.
The Force shimmered in Obi-Wan whenever Padmé came to see him. Her presence sparked a fire that left traces wherever they walked. A few Jedi that were strong in the Force even sensed this. Master Yoda was able to walk the exact path the young couple took…which all ended in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, where after a time—a very long time—they would part ways.
Yoda allowed the couple the freedom. Against Qui-Gon's wishes, Obi-Wan didn't participate in any Temple activity—more of like he was forbidden to do so. Yoda and the rest of the Council knew what this meant, but the Will of the Force wouldn't permit them to interfere.
And interfere they did not.
Yoda sat, or rather crouched, on a rock in the far corner of the Fountain Room. He completely surrendered himself to the Force and fell into a meditative state. Across the large waterfall on a bench sat Padawan Kenobi and Handmaiden Naberrie. He used the Force to shield himself from the couple, so as not to alert Kenobi to his presence.
Their attachment was vital.
Yoda counseled Qui-Gon on this many times throughout the past weeks. He had yet to convince the stubborn man that if Obi-Wan were not in a calm state of mind…nobody wanted a reoccurrence like Tatooine. Such a catastrophe to occur in the Temple would mean the possible end of the Jedi. Something Master Yoda didn't want to happen.
And happen it would not if things continued peacefully.
Padmé's laughter echoed towards Yoda, and he couldn't help but to smile. Younglings laughed and played all day, as did the many teenage Jedi, but none ever laughed as did the young lady sitting next to a flustered Obi-Wan. The sight was calming, really. He himself hadn't smiled in a long time. A moment like this he wouldn't allow to pass unnoticed; with the reemergence of the Sith and Obi-Wan's rapid healing, a smile and living in the moment was called for.
But even Yoda bared one thing in mind.
Kenobi would soon make a choice that was vital to fulfilling his destiny. Whether it be Padmé pulling him from one end or Qui-Gon on the other, the choice was Obi-Wan's alone.
There was no third option. Every Jedi knew this.
His smile faded as he fell back into his meditative state, sitting on the rock and enjoying the afternoon.