This Chapter is the begining of where of where I start to explain things previously mentioned in the story, so that hopefully, it begins to make sense and starts to all tie in together. I know Obi-Wan hasn't been in recent chapters, but we will get to him soon. Like next chapter soon.

Chapter Nine

Padawan Bant Erin sat gawking at the entity that called herself Arthenia. She was one of the few people to ever meet the ancient Jedi Master in recent times. But this was not the first time that she had ever met the omnipotent being. Last time, though, she had met with Arthenia to deliver a desperate plea to save her best friend's life.

"Master Arthenia, we left in such a hurry that my Padawan and I were unable to be briefed on the situation. What disaster would require the presence of such a powerful Jedi as yourself?"

"Obi-Wan has been kidnapped."

"Again?"

"I'm afraid so. It's a very sensitive situation. The Force warned me that Obi-Wan was in danger, but it could not be averted, no matter what I did. There is something amiss with this current situation that is much bigger than any of us. As much as I hate to say it, Obi-Wan was meant to be captured, again." Tears welled in Bant's eyes. She remembered all to well what the outcome was last time Obi-Wan had been kidnapped. The Mon-Calamarian was not sure Obi-Wan could survive another attack like the last one.

"Don't worry Bant, Obi-Wan is strong. He will make it." Arthenia said softly, as if she could read Bant's thoughts. Bant nodded her head.

"How did you know that Obi-Wan was in danger?"

"I had a vision. I had hoped to change it by warning Qui-Gon, but it was not to be."

"How did you warn Qui-Gon?"

"I sent him messages through our bond."

"Master Arthenia," Bant inquired, "how is it possible that you have a bond with Qui-Gon?"

"Ahh, quite an inquisitive question, young one."

"I'm sorry if I've overstepped my boundaries."

"Ohh no, young one. I am happy to answer this question. See, through all the years that I have lived, I have become connected with all Jedi in the universe, I have a bond with all of them. Padawans, initiates, knights, everyone."

"Even me?"

"Even you. If you dig down deep inside you will find it. But what Qui-Gon and I share, is special, I once saved his life."

"Ohh, tell me the story!" Everyone would expect this to be the words of Bant, but no, it was Tahl who squealed the words out of excitement. She began to blush when Arthenia quirked her eyebrows at the Jedi, but Arthenia's face turned into a devilish smile, mischievousness shone in her bright blue eyes.

"I would love to, Master Tahl." Arthenia said with a slight twinkle in her eyes. "It all started shortly after Qui-Gon passed his trials. You know he has a history of defying the council. Well now that he was no longer under Yoda's watchful eye, his rebellion really began."

"You don't need to tell me, I know how Qui-Gon can be. To say the least, it's frustrating." Bant giggled when she was Arthenia roll her eyes.

"Qui-Gon was sent on a mission to a planet that contained a very proud species and very strict rules. If you looked at the princess wrong, you could be sent to prison."

"Ouch."

"Well, the council did warn Qui-Gon, that he must obey the laws no matter how stupid or silly they sounded. But Qui-Gon did not listen to them. He was appalled at the trivial laws, so he blatantly disregarded them."

"What did he do?" Tahl asked, intrigued by this new possible blackmail on Qui-Gon.

"Qui-Gon was there as a negotiator, there had been some rebellion amongst the people against the ridiculous laws and Qui-Gon was there to oversee the process. But the rulers were immovable on most issues, refusing to compromise with their people. Qui-Gon was young then, he did not have as much patience as he does now. He ended up arguing with one of the kings trusted advisors. He did apologize for it and the matter was put to rest. The King, to relieve tensions, invited his advisors and Qui-Gon to diner. Qui-Gon declined the offer."

"Why?"

"Well, it was a legitimate reason, he had gotten horribly sick from the food on the planet and wanted to regain his strength for negotiations, but he knew that he was insulting the King, he simply did not care.He inadvertently caused a disaster."

"What happened?"

"The King took it as a very personal insult that the Jedi should refuse his hospitality and his attempts to play nice. So he wanted to subject Qui-Gon to the punishments of his planet. Quite naturally, Qui-Gon refused. He blatantly told the King that he could not resolve their problems and another Jedi would be sent to help with negotiations."

"What did the King do?"

"The King was appalled at Qui-Gon's disrespect, so he planted a bomb in Qui-Gon's shuttle."

"Isn't that a little overboard for the crime?"

"The bomb was not meant to kill. It was just supposed to keep Qui-Gon from leaving the planet."

"What went wrong?"

"The bomb did not go off at the right time. Something went wrong with the timer. So Qui-Gon took off without any problems. When he was a few solar systems away, the bomb exploded, tearing a huge whole in the side of his ship and setting off a series of explosions within the ship. As he made it to the escape pod, the ship was so damaged that the process did not quite work as it was supposed to. An explosion occurred as he took off, horribly damaging the escape pod. The escape pod, under normal circumstances should not have held together, it should have torn apart in space."

"But you saved the pod didn't you?"

"Yes, the Force had told me to go to that very same area that Qui-Gon ship's exploded. Quite naturally, I followed the Force. It leads me were I must go and I was supposed to save Qui-Gon. Though I don't know why." Arthenia had said the words so seriously, but there was a slight twinkle in Arthenia's eyes and a mirth to her voice that told Tahl and Bant that she was merely kidding. Both Tahl and her apprentice could not suppress their laughter. When all had calmed down, Arthenia continued with her story.

"I managed to hold the ship together with the Force so that Qui-Gon would not become lost in space forever. I pulled his escape pod into my ship, but all was not well yet. Qui-Gon had been seriously injured in the last blast. He thought I was an angel as I pulled him out of the wreckage of his escape pod. He was so young then. I nursed him back to health and took care of him till we reached Coruscant. Instinctively he reached out to form a bond and I used my powers to consummate that bond. It is not as strong as a Padawan/Master bond, but when I need to, I can talk to Qui-Gon across great distances and he knows that he can always call me, when he needs my help." Bant stared in awe at the amazing creature, but the pilot interrupted her gawking.

"We will be landing on Trintonomia in a few minutes."

"Ahh, we must get ready to leave." Tahl walked out of the room, Bant following closely.

"Bant…"

"Yes Master Arthenia?"

"If you ever need me again, or if you ever want to hear more of my stories, I'm only a call away." Arthenia winked at the Padawan and she heard a startled gasp escape from the young one's lips. Bant,on the other hand, felt a small warmth spread through her mind. It was like nothing that she had ever felt before. Arthenia had bonded with her. Bant stared at her shocked, but Arthenia simply smiled andushered her out of the room, but not without these parting words.

"One day, you will need it, Bant, one day you will see the importance. But until then, I'm always here for you. Even if it's just to tell a story. Think of me as your guardian angel." And Arthenia shut the door, leaving a very stunned Padawan standing in the hallway, even more mystified than she had been just two minutes ago. She would just never understand that mysterious creature.

Arthenia sat starring at the space previously occupied by Bant, her eyes clouding over. "Till the sun sets on your bright future Bant. " Arthenia whispered to the empty room. "Then you will understand young one, then you will understand."