Chapter 4. The Council
Obi-Wan led us into the Jedi Temple. We passed a few Jedi as we walked down a long hallway. They greeted Obi-Wan warmly and nodded politely to me and my mother. I had a feeling it was going to take most of them a long time to get used to the new rule.
"We'll go directly to the High Council Chamber. I will introduce you and Emma to the members of the Council," Obi-Wan explained to my mother as we entered the High Council Tower. "Then the Council will meet privately with Emma in order to test her Force abilities and evaluate her readiness to begin training."
"They want to meet Mom too?" I asked him, a little surprised.
"Yes," Obi-Wan replied. "They requested an introduction to her as well."
"I hope they like us," my mom said, a little nervously.
"Don't worry, Lara," Obi-Wan said to her, gently squeezing her hand. "The Council will treat you with kindness and respect."
My mom seemed more reassured by the time we reached the top of the tower. Obi-Wan led us toward the doors of the Council Chamber.
"Remember, Emma, answer the Council's questions honestly. Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions. Be positive and clear your mind of any anxiety or worry. Be present and trust in your destiny."
"I'm ready," I told him, hoping I sounded confident. I was a little nervous. After all, I was about to meet the leaders of the Jedi Council. I hoped they would deem me worthy to join the ranks of the Jedi Order. I didn't want to disappoint my father. But I was somewhat reassured by the knowledge that I was, after all, Obi-Wan Kenobi's daughter. That had to carry a lot of weight, even if I had been born in a different galaxy and was considered too old to begin training. Hopefully they would give me the benefit of the doubt.
But it was more than that. I wanted them to accept me not just because I was a Kenobi, but because I was Emma.
We entered the Council Chamber. It was a large circular room, with high windows that revealed incredible views of Coruscant. There were twelve chairs arranged in a circle. We walked into the center of the room, in the middle of the circle of the ten Jedi Masters.
I stared in awe around the room. I couldn't help myself. It looked exactly like it had in the movies. Except this was the real room, I reminded myself. I tried not to stare at all of the Jedi Masters before me, but it was difficult. I glanced surreptitiously around the circle. There was Grand Master Yoda, green and diminutive, the oldest and wisest member of the Jedi. Next to him was Mace Windu, looking stern and intimidating. All of the Council members regarded us solemnly. All, that is, except for Anakin Skywalker. Seated next to Coleman Kcaj, he was handsome, with golden-brown hair and brown eyes. He was staring at me as if in shock, as if he could not believe his eyes. I wondered what that was about. He quickly composed his face into the same serious expression as the rest of the Council members.
"Welcome back, Master Obi-Wan." Yoda was the first to speak. "Successful your trip was, I see." He peered at me with interest.
"Welcome home, Master," Anakin said, bowing his head respectfully.
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said with a bow before the entire Council.
"This is my wife, Lara, and my daughter, Emma," Obi-Wan introduced us.
"How do you do?" my mother said, following Obi-Wan's lead and bowing gracefully as well. I quickly followed suit. "It is a great honor to meet all of you." She smiled delicately at them, unsure of our welcome.
"Pleased to meet you both, we are," Yoda said, nodding his head. He did not smile, but he seemed cordial enough.
"Present to you the members of the Jedi Council, I will," Yoda told me and my mother. "This is Master Windu, Master Koon [I recognized him by his signature metal mask and goggles], Master Allie, Master Ti [the two female members of the Council], Master Fisto [the green Nautolan who had apparently killed General Grievous], Master Billaba [Kanan Jarrus' old Master], Master Kcaj [the Ongree member of the Council], Master Skywalker, and Master Mundi" [the Cerean whom Master Yoda had trained as his Padawan].
There was one empty seat on the Council. I wondered who they would ask to fill it.
The Council members inclined their heads toward us one by one as Yoda said their names, looking serious and imposing. Anakin Skywalker was the exception. He nodded his head gravely at us like the others had when it was his turn, except he couldn't stop the broad smile that spread over his face when Yoda finished his introductions. I supposed the idea of meeting Master Obi-Wan's wife and daughter was hilarious to him.
"Long trip you have had," Yoda commented to my mother. He looked at Obi-Wan. "Master Obi-Wan, perhaps you two can wait outside in the lobby while we speak to Emma." He seemed to be studiously avoiding saying Mrs. Kenobi. I supposed the whole concept of that was still too strange and baffling to them.
Obi-Wan hesitated. "I thought I would be permitted to stay here, as a member of the Council, and take part in Emma's assessment?"
Yoda shook his head. "Too close to the matter are you, Obi-Wan. Difficult to judge impartially it will be for you."
"We will call you back in when the Council has reached a decision regarding Emma's training," Master Windu told him.
Obi-Wan looked at me briefly, then nodded. He and my mother turned and left the room.
I took a deep breath and met Yoda's level gaze. I had counted on Obi-Wan being present during my interview for moral support. But I wasn't really that surprised. After all, Obi-Wan was my father, and the Council obviously felt his personal feelings would interfere with his rational decision-making abilities. The thought troubled me, but I pushed it aside and focused on what was coming next. I had no idea what these tests would be, but I would stay calm and do my best.
"How do you feel about leaving your home world, Emma?" Master Mundi began the questioning. "I understand it is located in an entirely different galaxy. How do you deal with change and new situations?"
"Pretty well, actually," I answered. "I've always been flexible. I know that things are always changing, and it's important to be able to adapt to change and kind of just go with the flow of things." I didn't want to admit to them how devastated I had been when I thought my father had died. I hadn't handled that change very well. In fact, I had almost sunk into a depression. Luckily, I had my mom and the rest of my family, teachers and friends as a support system. My mom was the one who had helped me the most, though. She had handled her own grief at Obi-Wan's departure and helped me through mine as well.
"But you thought you had lost your father forever," Kit Fisto said solemnly. "You were lost in a deep despair, I sense?" He didn't say it as a condemnation, just as a statement of fact.
I remembered that the Jedi were able to sense the emotions of others. "Well, yes," I admitted. "But I pulled myself out of it. I guess that makes me resilient."
"Come on," Anakin said, jumping to my defense. "She was just a little kid. Surely you're not going to hold that against her?" I imagined he was remembering how the Council had chided him about fearing to lose his mother.
"You were able to overcome your deep grief. It does show you possess a good amount of self-control," Master Billaba stated, nodding in approval. The Council members glanced at each other and nodded in agreement. Then Mace Windu spoke.
"As you know, the Council recently changed the Jedi rules regarding attachment and marriage." Master Windu frowned briefly, obviously disagreeing with this decision. "There is always going to be a concern about attachments leading to the dark side. You have a strong attachment to your mother and, to a lesser extent, to your father. How do you think that will affect your ability to perform as a Jedi?"
What was this, an interrogation? Surely, they didn't expect a ten-year-old to have the universal answer to this.
I remembered to answer respectfully. "Well, not everyone who forms an attachment is going to turn to the dark side," I said, studiously avoiding looking at Anakin. "And love is the strongest emotion in the world. Love is a central part of Jedi teachings. Just because someone experiences intense love or intense emotions doesn't mean they are going to become evil. I think love makes you stronger. And I fully support the Council's decision to change the rule. Suppressing emotions isn't healthy for anyone. It's best to be open about how you feel, so you can face any problems head-on and not hide from them."
Master Windu looked at me thoughtfully, then at Yoda, but said nothing.
"We're going to give you a Force test now, Emma," Mace Windu said.
"Ok," I replied, squaring my shoulders and standing up taller. I was ready for this. I wondered if they would give me the same test that they gave Anakin in The Phantom Menace.
Sure enough, Master Windu pulled out a monitor. "I'm going to ask you to identify the pictures that come up on this screen," he said. "Please tell us the names of all of the objects that you see."
I waited until the first image appeared on the screen. "A book." The next shape emerged. "It's a chair. And that's a cat."
Mace Windu nodded at the other Council members. I breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like I had passed that test.
"Have you had any visions?" Anakin asked, leaning slightly forward in his chair, staring at me intently. There seemed to be a hidden meaning in his words.
"Visions?" I repeated. "Err … no, no visions. But I did use the Force a few days ago to lift my toys. And my TV," I added proudly.
Anakin looked a little puzzled. "What is a TV?" he asked me.
"Oh, it's like … like a holoprojector. You turn it on and watch … holodramas on them."
Anakin nodded, satisfied with this explanation.
"Oh, you have used telekinesis?" Master Ti inquired. I couldn't tell if she was impressed or not. Hopefully, she was.
"Yes," I told her.
"Can you lift up this chair?" Anakin motioned to the empty chair next to him, where Master Kolar had sat.
Lift the chair? Wow, this was turning out to be really intense. I didn't remember the Council asking Anakin to lift anything. And wasn't this something they should be asking me once I actually began my training? Shouldn't they be going a bit easier on me, since I was Obi-Wan's daughter? Oops, stop this entitlement thinking, Emma, I reminded myself. I had to prove myself just like any other youngling or Padawan.
I glanced at Master Yoda for his reaction. He nodded his head. "Let us see, Emma," he said, waiting expectantly.
"Ok." I took a deep breath. "I'll tr-I mean, I'll do it."
Yoda chortled a bit and sat back in his chair.
I mustered up my courage and raised my hand toward the chair. I closed my eyes and concentrated, picturing the chair rising in my mind.
"Hmm ..." I heard Master Windu say.
"Impressive," Anakin said to the room at large. "Most impressive."
I opened my eyes. The chair was in the air, almost up to the ceiling. I had done it!
Satisfied, I dropped my hand to my side. The chair clattered to the ground and rolled to one side. Well, that wasn't a very smooth landing.
"She will have to learn control," Master Koon commented to Master Windu.
"The training will be long and difficult," Master Kcaj said. "It will require a lot of self-discipline. Are you fully committed to becoming a Jedi?"
"Yes!" I responded enthusiastically. "I've always dreamed of becoming a Jedi and helping others. And I'm not afraid of hard work. My mom and dad always work really hard to help others. My mom is a nurse. And my dad ..." I trailed off. How could I convey how much admiration and respect I had for Obi-Wan, dedicating his life to the selfless pursuit of being a Jedi? Well, some might consider it debatable whether it was so selfless now that the attachment rule had been changed. But I still thought it was.
"Not afraid, are you?" Yoda queried, scrutinizing me closely. He seemed to be satisfied with what he saw, for he nodded once and said nothing further. I was thankful he hadn't sensed much fear in me, the way he had with young Anakin.
"What know you about fear?" Yoda questioned me.
"Sometimes I'm afraid," I admitted. "But everybody's afraid at some point in their life. What's important is how we handle the fear. The main thing is not to let the fear control you." This was something Obi-Wan had said to me when I was a young child.
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," I continued, quoting President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The Council members quietly regarded me after this proclamation. I wasn't sure how they would respond to this. Then Master Allie murmured quietly, "wise child."
"We have one more question for you, Emma," Mace Windu said. "You are at an age that is usually considered too old to begin training. You have missed youngling training. Why do you feel you are ready to begin training at the age of ten, as a Padawan?"
"If Master Skywalker did it, then I know I can do it," I said confidently.
Anakin coughed, obviously trying to hide a laugh.
"I will work very hard," I added, trying to make a good impression. I didn't want them to feel that I thought I was entitled to this or anything. Even though I was Obi-Wan's daughter and that had to count for something. This wasn't about making a name for myself. I wanted to become a good Jedi, a great Jedi, and really make a difference in the galaxy. I wanted my life to mean something. I wanted to make a positive contribution for the greater good.
As I said this, I felt a feeling of great peace and certainty wash over me.
"Thank you, Emma," Yoda said. He exchanged a look with Master Windu.
Then Yoda closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, he regarded me calmly. I couldn't tell if he was pleased or not. "Clear, this girl's future is," he declared.
Well, he sounded pleased.
"We will deliberate amongst ourselves and call you back in when we have reached a decision," Master Windu told me.
Wow, so now I had to wait for the jury verdict.
I walked out into the small lobby outside the Council Chamber and found my mother and father talking together.
"How did it go, Emma?" my mother asked anxiously. "Is everything ok?"
"They're deciding what to do with me," I told her. I was relieved that the interview was over. I thought I had done well, but there was no guarantee. Although I believed the Council members had faith in me. Well, some more than others. I sensed Anakin had been inclined to be on my side from the beginning, but he had attempted to show some semblance of impartiality. Master Windu had seemed every bit as intimidating to me as he had in the movies.
"Let's have some optimism and hope," Obi-Wan said to us. He smiled and patted my shoulders. "I believe that the decision has been made. Most likely, they are now selecting who will be your Master."
"I hope it's you," I told him sincerely.
"We will accept whomever the Council chooses," Obi-Wan reminded me, but he smiled when I said this.
About fifteen minutes later, Anakin opened the door.
"You may all come back in," he told us. He smiled at me.
Well, that had to be a good sign.
We all walked back into the Council Chamber and stood before the Council members.
"She is Force-sensitive, Master Obi-Wan," Mace Windu told him.
"Trained as a Jedi, she will be," Yoda declared.
Wow! I was really going to be a Jedi! I felt elated, then tried to calm myself. After all, a Jedi does not crave adventure and excitement.
Obi-Wan smiled and nodded his head. "And who will be her Master?"
"You, of course," Anakin said, grinning at him. "It is only fitting."
"I am grateful," Obi-Wan said.
"You have the approval of the Council," Master Windu said. He looked at me briefly, then back at Obi-Wan. "She has a great deal of potential."
This was high praise indeed, coming from Master Windu. I humbly bowed my head, thankful for the Council's belief in me.
"Begin your training tomorrow, Master Obi-Wan will," Yoda told me. "Work hard you will. Listen closely to him. Much to teach you, he has."
"Yes, Master Yoda," I said, bowing my head again.
"The Force will guide you," Yoda continued. I waited for him to say more, but he just looked at Obi-Wan and nodded.
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said, and we all bowed and then walked out of the Council Chamber.
"Well, Emma," Obi-Wan began as he led us out of the High Council Tower. "It sounds like you made quite a first impression on the Council." He sounded proud.
Exhilarated, I hugged first him, then my mother, as we walked into another tower. Obi-Wan seemed a bit startled, but he didn't admonish me for my obvious exuberance.
Obi-Wan then took my mother and me on a brief tour of parts of the Jedi Temple, our new home. He showed us the locations of the Temple Museum and Jedi Temple Library. Then he escorted us downstairs to the residences section of the Temple. Obi-Wan showed me the chambers he and my mom would have, in the Masters' wing. Then he showed me to the Padawan dormitories on another floor, where my room was. There was only a small bed and desk in the room, nothing else. I dropped my duffel bag on the floor and looked around the small room. Welcome to austerity, I thought. It was a good thing I hadn't brought many clothes with me.
"Where am I going to keep my books?" I grumbled. "You are going to give me books to study, right? There's not even a chair to sit on!" Then I bit my lip. Jedi were not supposed to complain about living in simple conditions. I had better get used to it.
"You'll become accustomed to this way of life, Emma," Obi-Wan told me, his tone slightly chiding. "You can keep your books on the desk."
We walked back to my parents' apartment. Mom wanted to freshen up a little before we went to dinner. At least she had closets and bookcases. I could always put some clothes in her closet. If I had more than one pair of Jedi robes to wear, that is.
Obi-Wan mentioned that there were several dining halls at the Jedi Temple. There was also the Jedi Temple Main House, of which my father was not a big fan.
"The food is exotic and strange," he told me while my mother changed her clothes. He wrinkled his nose in obvious distaste.
I wasn't too worried about it. Maybe we would eat most of our meals at Dex's Diner.
We were standing outside the door to their apartment, waiting for my mom, when I saw Anakin and Padmé approaching us. At least I thought it was Padmé. The height difference between the two was striking, reminding me of my parents. The tall Anakin was walking next to a petite, beautiful woman with brown hair and brown eyes. She wore a simple blue cotton dress. I remembered how many different articles of clothing Padmé had in the movies. She would probably know the best places to shop on Coruscant. Maybe she would take my mother shopping with her. My mother would like that.
Anakin said, "Hello, Emma. It's nice to meet you again."
Once again, I had a feeling that there was some secret meaning in this statement.
"I suppose I should call you Padawan Emma now." Anakin smiled. "You did a great job before the Council, kid," he continued, not sounding the least bit condescending.
Padmé smiled at me. "Welcome to Coruscant, Emma. I'm so happy to meet you."
"Thank you, Senator Amidala," I replied, smiling back at her.
Padmé laughed lightly. "Oh, I'm no longer a Senator. You can call me Padmé."
At that moment, my mother opened the door and walked out wearing a green cotton top and skirt. She and Padmé were going to look like fashion models around the Jedi Temple.
Padmé walked toward my mother and took both her hands in hers. "I am Padmé Amidala Skywalker. I am so pleased to meet you," she said warmly, and embraced my mother. My mother looked a bit surprised at this affectionate welcome, after the somewhat aloof reception we had received from the Council. But Padmé wasn't a Jedi, after all.
"I'm Lara Kenobi," my mother told her with a smile, returning the hug.
"You left the Senate?" I asked Padmé, surprised. "Did the Queen of Naboo make you give up your seat?"
"Emma!" my mother scolded me. "Please don't be rude." She turned to Padmé with an apologetic smile.
"It's fine," Padmé said, not the least bit bothered by my question. She looked at me. "No, she didn't force me to resign. I decided to leave on my own. I've had enough of politics. I've dedicated my entire life to the public good, serving in government. I want to be a mother and focus on my babies. It's time for me to devote myself to my family." She gazed lovingly at Anakin, who returned the look.
"Being a mother is a full-time job," my mother commented.
"So how come you are all living here, at the Council? What happened to your apartment?" I asked curiously.
Padmé looked somewhat surprised that I had known she had an apartment, but she just said, "It was in the Senate Apartment Complex and was reserved for the use of the current Senator of Naboo. We had to depart from the apartment when I left the Senate. Besides, I think the Jedi Council prefers having all of us living here." She looked at Anakin, her eyes twinkling.
"Yes, this way they can keep an eye on all of us," Anakin remarked, but he didn't sound upset by this possibility.
"Perhaps I will return to the Senate when the twins are older," she mused.
"Where are Luke and Leia? Can I meet them?" I asked, eager to see the Skywalker twins as babies.
Padmé smiled. Her whole face lit up with happiness when she talked about her children. "They're in the nursery right now, sleeping. But you'll definitely get a chance to meet them soon." She turned to my mother. "If you like, I can show you around Coruscant tomorrow while Obi-Wan and Emma are training."
"Thank you," my mother told her. "I would appreciate that." She looked at Obi-Wan. "Perhaps you can show me the locations of some of the nearest hospitals. I would like to see if there are any nurse positions available."
"You're going to work here, on Coruscant?" I asked my mother, surprised at this. I had wondered what she was going to do here while I was busy training with Obi-Wan. "But isn't medicine different here? Are you going to know what to do?"
My mother laughed. "I expect it will be like going to nursing school again. If they're willing to train me a bit, maybe I can work as a nurse again. I would like that."
Obi-Wan didn't look the least bit surprised by my mother's announcement. I was sure my parents had already discussed this.
"It's settled, then." Padmé linked her arm through my mother's. It appeared they were going to be good friends. "We'll go after breakfast tomorrow morning.
"Don't forget the Halls of Healing," Anakin reminded Padmé. "They have an infirmary."
"What's the Halls of Healing?" I asked Obi-Wan.
"It is located here in the Jedi Temple," Obi-Wan told me. "It is a place where Jedi go to recover." He turned to my mother. "You might want to try there first. I will go with you right after breakfast, before I start training Emma, and introduce you to the Chief Healer. Perhaps they can utilize your skills."
"And I would like to invite all of you to visit us on Naboo this summer. We have a house there, in the Lake Country." Padmé looked at Obi-Wan. "If Emma's training schedule will permit, of course."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I'm sure we can find some time. Besides, it might be good for her to train in a different location in a few months."
"That sounds lovely," my mother told Padmé. "Thank you for the invitation."
"And now, I have an invitation of my own." Obi-Wan turned to Anakin. "I was going to take Lara and Emma to Dex's for dinner tonight. I thought their first meal on Coruscant should not be in the Jedi dining hall. Care to join us?"
Anakin laughed. "Yes, that would really give them a most unfavorable impression of Coruscant cuisine."
"Is the food really that bad?" I asked Obi-Wan as we left the Temple and headed for the industrial area of Coruscant where the diner was located.
Obi-Wan grimaced. His expression said it all. "You'll see tomorrow morning at breakfast. You can judge for yourself."
Dex's was packed. When we entered the diner, we had to wait a while for a table. Finally, a droid waitress led us to a booth near the back of the diner.
"This is real home-style cooking," Obi-Wan said as I scanned my menu.
"I'll bet mom's cooking is better," I said loyally.
I was familiar with at least some of the food listed on the menu. Obi-Wan and I both ordered the same meal. I was relieved to discover they had hamburgers and french fries here. My mom ate a salad and a vegetarian stew and was satisfied with her meal.
Dexter, the owner and cook at the diner, and Obi-Wan's friend, came over to meet us while we were eating. He was very friendly. He exchanged hugs with Obi-Wan and shook my mom's and my hands with great enthusiasm. He looked exactly the way I had pictured after watching Attack of the Clones.
Later, back at the Jedi Temple, my parents helped me settle into my room. Well, there wasn't much to settle into.
"We are so proud of you, Emma," my mom told me, giving me a hug after wishing me a good night. "You have been so brave throughout all of this."
"And they accepted me to be trained as a Jedi!" I was looking forward to tomorrow so much I didn't know how I would ever sleep tonight.
Obi-Wan paused at the door and said the words I had only dreamed I would ever hear.
"Your Jedi training begins tomorrow morning."
