Hello, everyone! I finally decided to update this thing! A little note - keep in mind that this story is still based off of Merlin, a show that I just...really like. And really found a ton of similarities to the Clone Wars. However, some characters - some important characters - couldn't quite match up with those in the Clone Wars, so I had to bend some rules...and make an Original Character-thing in his place. I know that's usually a turn-off for readers, but...bear with me? Please?

Chapter Five. William

Part one of chapter five.

It was early in the day when Obi-wan ventured out to the forest. No one was quite awake yet – no one except the birds and of course, the people who lived in the outer villages. But for the most part, Obi-wan had left Coruscant in its own quiet state before the sun could properly rise. And that was, of course, because Qui-Gon had instructed him to go out and pick mushrooms. Being the physician's ward, as it seemed, included going out on chores at the break of dawn. (But Obi-wan didn't mind it too much – after all, once he would shake off any leftover needs to go back to sleep, he would be ready to head out for the day.)

So that seemed to set a perfect picture of peace – with only a bit of light filtering through the leaves of the trees and Obi-wan completely alone, with nothing but a pile of mushrooms, his thoughts, and a few birds for company.

That is, until Obi-wan heard something screeching only a few feet away from him. Jumping to his feet, Obi-wan whipped his head around – and found with sinking heart that a creature (with wings? And legs? What?) was glowering right back at him. Sucking in a surprised breath, Obi-wan stumbled backwards as the creature started to paw at the ground, its gaze never leaving the young man's face.

Run, Obi-wan automatically thought, and sprang away as the creature started to bolt for him. Legs pumping wildly underneath him, Obi-wan tried to ignore the sound of the creature's frantic pace from behind. He ducked past trees – pushed through bushes – jumped over uplifted roots – and even though he had tried to keep himself away from the creature, he still found himself being too close to it.

"It'll be perfectly safe", Qui-Gon said; "There's nothing to worry about in those woods", he said, Obi-wan thought indignantly as he scrambled through a pile of leaves. If Obi-wan was to get out of this alive, he would most certainly –

"Back! Back!"

Obi-wan frowned to himself. He spared a second to turn around – to find that a man was standing before the creature, a sword drawn out before him. Obi-wan came to a slow stop, watching as the man braved a few swings of his weapon. The creature reared back, letting out another deafening shriek – and for a moment, Obi-wan thought that it was going to be defeated. But then the man put away his sword and when he turned, Obi-wan could see evident panic on his face. The man caught sight of Obi-wan – and without warning, the man grabbed his arm and shouted, "What are you doing? Run! Run!"

Obi-wan didn't need to be told twice. He took the gesture without questioning it – and the two men sprinted away. "There! There!" the man hollered, pointing to a clearing in the woods, where there was nothing but a few small trees and dead logs. Obi-wan nodded his head; both men dove into the clearing and thinking the same thing, they ducked down to the logs. Obi-wan held his breath – turned to the man, who gave him a grimace in return. He slowly lifted a finger to his lips as the creature ran into the clearing.

Please don't see us; please don't see us, Obi-wan thought wildly – and almost laughed out in relief when the creature spread out its wings and flew straight over the two men without even a second glance. Obi-wan watched as it gradually disappeared over the trees and then, in a whisper, he said, "It's gone."

He turned to the man, saying, "And you saved my life." When the man didn't respond right away, Obi-wan hastily held out a hand. "I'm Obi-wan," he said. The man nodded his head and taking the hand, replied, "William."

Obi-wan smiled in return – though it quickly faded when the man's hand dropped. William's eyes fluttered and then, breathing in a deep breath, he let his head fall back against the log with a low groan. Obi-wan's eyes widened – and they quickly travelled down to William's shirt, only to find that the side was blooming with red.

xXx

"The wound itself is superficial," Qui-Gon said, cleaning up the blood around William's side. "The fever will pass. He should be fine by morning." Obi-wan nodded in response, relieved. William was asleep on the spare cot – and after a difficult and tedious trip, Obi-wan had just barely managed to get the man to Qui-Gon. It only somewhat occurred to Obi-wan that the prince would be furious to find that his manservant was taking a longer break than usual – but this was an important enough excuse.

xXx

On the other side of Coruscant, however, Prince Anakin wasn't thinking about his manservant. More so, he was thinking about the destruction of the village he was looking at. Smoke was rising in lazy tendrils above the roofs of the houses; flames were only just dying – but Anakin could still hear the cries and groans of the people, which marked the evident impact they had suffered.

"What creature could have done this?" Anakin heard his father ask. The prince pressed his lips together and turning to the king, he replied, "We found no tracks in or out." He nodded at the village, saying, "What the villagers are saying must be true – it has wings and…" His voice drifted in uncertainty.

"What?"

Anakin glanced over to his father, saying slowly, "It took no livestock – only people." At King Palpatine's horrified look, Anakin finished, "Whatever it is, it has a taste for human flesh." Palpatine's head turned back to the village. Shaking his head, he instructed, "Post sentries at all the outlying villages. Put the lookouts on full alert. If this thing should make for Coruscant, we must be ready."

xXx

"Ever since I was a child, I…I've dreamed of coming here," William said from Obi-wan's window. The next morning did come – and Obi-wan had been pleased to find that William was awake and, as Qui-Gon had said, was feeling much better. The two had started to make conversation – and Obi-wan was glad to know that William wasn't at all hesitant to any gestures.

"It's my life's ambition to join the knights of Coruscant," William added, looking back at Obi-wan. In response, Obi-wan only smiled. William nodded his head, saying, "I know what you're thinking. I expect too much." He lifted his hands. "After all, who am I? They have their pick of the best and the bravest in the land."

"William," Obi-wan said simply.

"Yes?"

Obi-wan leaned forward, replying, "They're going to welcome you."

William looked doubtful. "They are?"

Obi-wan let out a laugh. "Yes," he responded. "I've seen you in action, haven't I? Against that creature? You could join those knights in a heartbeat." William shook his head, though the grin on his face couldn't be missed. "I hardly think so," he replied. Obi-wan stood up. "In fact, I think I'll talk to Prince Anakin right now." He said enthusiastically.

William's face fell at that. "You know Anakin?" he called after Obi-wan.

Obi-wan grinned. "Oh, yes."

xXx

"Right, you jumped-up dung-beetle – this is it. The final test," Anakin said, putting on his gloves. "Pass this," he circled around a man in chainmail, "and you'll be made a knight of Coruscant." He turned and said, "Fail – and you're no one." At that, Obi-wan looked over at William, who was watching with a nervous expression on his face – it only intensified when Anakin added, "You face the most feared of all foes; the ultimate killing machine. You face me."

"Now he's just bragging," Obi-wan muttered to William, hoping that it would lighten the mood. To his credit, a smile flickered over William's face, only to be put out when the man in chainmail started swinging with two, long swords. Anakin remained to look unimpressed. "Your challenge – to last one minute, free combat," Anakin said, taking up his own sword.

"Grimond, second son of Wessex," Anakin called to the man. He turned to nod at a different man, who in return, flipped over a sand-timer. The prince looked back at his opponent – Grimond – and with a smile, Anakin said, "Your time starts now."

At those words, Grimond took no time to attack first. Swinging his swords, he let out a shout and dove at the prince – only to quickly have him sidestep. Obi-wan watched as Anakin moved with ease – the prince stepped behind Grimond and butted him instantly with the hilt of his sword. When Grimond couldn't turn around, Anakin let out an audible sigh – and kicked him forward. Grimond instantly fell to the ground. At that, the spectators all started clapping and laughing. Anakin, however, looked visibly bored – and somewhat frustrated. He looked over to a pair of servants, saying dismissively, "Take him away."

xXx

"Grimond is the third to fail this month," Anakin said indignantly to Obi-wan as they walked through the streets. He was taking off his glove and his helmet – and handing them over to the manservant as they continued to walk along. "How am I supposed to defend Coruscant with rubbish like that?" Anakin asked, shaking his head. Obi-wan shifted the armor under his arms, saying slowly, "Well…I think I might be able to help with that."

Anakin let out a scoff. "You, Obi-wan?" he asked, turning to look at the man. "You haven't the faintest idea of what it takes to be a knight – courage, fortitude, and discipline." The prince said the last word by handing his sword over to Obi-wan. He grunted a little under the added weight – but all the same, Obi-wan said, "No, of course I don't – but I do know someone who does." Anakin didn't sound too impressed when he responded, "Yeah?"

"Of course," Obi-wan replied with feeling. "He saved my life."

Anakin let out another scoff. "That's blown it for starters," he muttered. Obi-wan quickly shook his head. "No, no, no – he's really good, honestly." He protested, following Anakin as they took a sharp corner. "That's great, Obi-wan – I'm sure he's terrific," Anakin said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. He turned around and said, "But I'm afraid you're forgetting the first code of Coruscant." Obi-wan frowned, stopping short. "The what?" he asked, bewildered. Anakin stared. "The first code – only those of noble blood can be knights," he said simply. "So…unless you're friend is a nobleman…"

"He is," Obi-wan blurted suddenly. When Anakin looked up, Obi-wan repeated, "He is…a nobleman."

Anakin frowned. "Is he?" he asked slowly. Obi-wan pressed his lips into what he hoped was a convincing smile. "Absolutely," he said, trying to sound enthusiastic. Anakin's eyebrows jumped to his hairline. "Very well," he said, placing another bit of armor in Obi-wan's arms. "Bring him to the training grounds tomorrow." As Anakin started to leave, he shouted over his shoulder, "And make sure he brings his seal of nobility."

Obi-wan nodded his head and replied, "Thank you, Anakin! You won't regret it!" The second Obi-wan started to turn around, however, he thought to himself, Well. That went brilliantly.

xXx

"Well? Did you speak with him?" William asked, perking up when Obi-wan walked into Qui-Gon's work chambers. Obi-wan chewed down on the inside of his cheek and replied, "Yes, I spoke to him." It killed Obi-wan how hopeful William looked – and especially when he continued to ask, "And?"

"And…" Obi-wan's voice drifted as William's expression started to fade. Unable to say anything else, Obi-wan forced on a smile and said, "He said he'd like to meet you." Joy flooded into William's face. Grasping Obi-wan's arms, he breathed, "Thank you. Thank you." Obi-wan only replied, "It was no problem. Really." He hesitated and then asked hurriedly, "You're not a nobleman by any chance, are you?"

William was still grinning as he shook his head. "A nobleman? Good Lord, no," he said with a laugh. He gestured to himself, as if that was enough proof. "Why do you ask?" Obi-wan felt his heart sinking lower and lower into his stomach as he replied slowly, "It's just that…"

"The first code of Coruscant states that only those of noble blood can serve as knights," Qui-Gon finished. Obi-wan's eyes travelled down to the floor, already knowing what must be going through William's head right now. Qui-Gon, however, continued to say, "King Palpatine created the knights to protect this kingdom from those who wished to destroy it." Obi-wan could feel the physician's eyes on him as he added, "He knew he'd have to trust each of his knights with his life, so he chose them from the families that had sworn to protect him."

"The nobility," Obi-wan slowly said, looking back up at William. The young man was sitting down, the happy expression on his face long gone. "Thus the first code of Coruscant was born," Qui-Gon said with a nod of his head. "And ever since that day, only the sons of noble families have served as knights." As William remained silent, Obi-wan broke out, "That is not fair."

"Fair or unfair, that is the way how it is," Qui-Gon replied. He looked down at William, saying, "I'm sorry. I truly am." The older man looked back up at Obi-wan – and with those words uttered, he left the room. The second he was gone, all that could be heard was a long sigh from William.

xXx

As Obi-wan lit the candles around the work chambers, he asked William, "Why do you want to be a knight so much?" William took his time to respond. Then, after a few moments of silence, he replied, "When I was a boy, my village was attacked by raiders from the northern plains. They were slaughtered from where they stood…my mother, my father, everyone…" His voice drifted as Obi-wan sat down. "I managed to escape, only with a few other villagers," William said. He started to pace the room, saying, "I vowed on that day that never again would I be helpless in the face of tyranny. I made sword craft my life. Every waking hour since that day, I devoted to the art of combat." He smiled sadly. "When I was ready, I set forth to Coruscant – here." He lifted his hands halfheartedly. "And now it seems my journey ends." He let out a sigh. "Everything I've fought for – wasted."

Obi-wan's voice was low when he spoke, "I give you my word – I'll try to make this right. It's the least I can do."

A/N - Another thing: I am very much aware that some of you guys are just itching for some of our favorite clone troopers to appear. And trust me, I'm just dying to get them here as well. And I know it might seem to take forever, but hold on with me! I have plans for them! I want them to appear as soon as possible, but that all depends on how quickly I can write for this story. And you guys know that drill - motivation plays a big role. (I've gotten a few negative guest reviews - and they're all funnily enough asking me to and I quote - "just bring in the clones; that's the only reason why I'm here". *sighs sadly*) So...reviews are nice! Constructive criticism is tolerable, but flames are not!