Helloooo? Are there any readers left here?

I'm so sorry for taking forever to update - as some of you may know, my laptop is dead and though I still have Microsoft Word, I don't have Internet. And so, it's been a bit of a struggle to write these days. And post as regularly as I used to, which stinks, because it's summer vacation for me. (Seriously. Why?!) However, I'm hoping for a new laptop soon - until then, I'm afraid I'll just have to make do with doing the best I can. Sorry.

Chapter Five. William

Part two of chapter five.

Obi-wan liked going to the library, and he didn't mind the librarian (an old woman named Jocasta Nu), even if she was sensitive over what books might possibly be too damaged to read from. He often came to this place on a chore for Qui-Gon – and after multiple trips that ended rather disastrously (with falling books, an old, broken stool and Jocasta firmly telling Obi-wan to be more careful), Obi-wan liked to think he had mastered the art of subtlety. And this, surely, would fit whatever he was planning to do next.

Tilting his head to look at the thick volumes that shelved the walls, Obi-wan pretended to look as casual as possible – and tried not to notice that Jocasta was only a few steps behind him. Don't mind me; I'm not doing anything suspicious, he thought to himself. Obi-wan walked along the shelves, keeping his head cocked to the side as though he was in deep thought – until he found a particularly large book that seemed to cover what he was looking for.

With a small smile, Obi-wan gently took the book down and turned to see Jocasta giving him a questioning look. Feeling a small stab of guilt in his chest, the young man quickly explained, "Homework." Though she still looked puzzled, the older woman shrugged her shoulders and looked back down at a different pile of books she had been working on.

Obi-wan exhaled a quiet, relieved breath and with that, started to walk around to one of the larger tables in the corners of the great library. Instantly, when he was seated at a table, he opened up the old book with some satisfaction that he hadn't managed to drop it on the floor. He was greeted with – sure enough – old-looking, yellowed, curling pages filled with colorful illustrations of noble family crests, designs, names…

The young man briefly wondered why the king would allow such a book to exist, even though he was so paranoid about a careful selection of knights…

Obi-wan pushed aside that flawed logic and instead focused on the task at hand. Flipping through some of the pages, he tried to look for a name or a title that might possibly suit William – or might not be quite as suspicious as any other title. He already had something of a plan, though it was extremely vague – he was hoping that maybe, he'd simply know which name to choose when the right one came by.

Richard, Obi-wan read, flipping to one of the last pages in the book. As he traced over the imprint of the old ink, he continued, fourth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria.

Well, the young man thought to himself. If Lord Eldred has four sons, it wouldn't hurt if there was a possible fifth one, now would it? King Palpatine wouldn't be able to keep track, after all. Satisfied enough by the possibility, Obi-wan carefully and quietly pulled out a roll of parchment he had nicked from Qui-Gon's work chambers and placed it next to the page in the book.

Obi-wan tossed another uneasy look over his shoulder – Jocasta had yet to notice what suspicious activity was going on in her library. Inhaling a quick, sharp breath, Obi-wan closed his eyes and passed a hand over the page on the book. As he always had, the young man felt a surge of energy go through him – and when he re-opened his eyes, the exact same letters and illustrations were on his fresher piece of parchment. Obi-wan allowed himself a small grin of triumph before quickly rolling the forged material up – and a good thing, too, because shortly after, he heard someone clear a throat behind him.

Slamming the book to a close, Obi-wan turned around to face Jocasta. He lifted the book and walking over to the older woman with his most casual smile, he said, "This is a…real page turner!" Heart pounding loudly against his chest, Obi-wan shelved the book back in its place and even risked a wave at the librarian before darting out.

xXx

William was delicately peeling away the skin of an apple when Obi-wan walked into Qui-Gon's work chambers. The man didn't even bother looking up until Obi-wan was directly in front of him – and when he was, William asked, "What's that?" He nodded over at the roll of parchment sitting in Obi-wan's hands. Grinning, the young man flicked his eyes around the room – and after doing so, he leaned in and said excitedly, "Your seal of nobility."

William didn't seem too convinced. "I don't understand," he simply responded, still cutting away at his apple.

His grin widening, Obi-wan undid the parchment and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you William, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria." William placed his apple on the table – and shaking his head, he said, "Obi-wan –"

"So you don't want to be a knight then?" Obi-wan asked, making his voice as light and teasing as possible.

William looked back up, an indignant look on his face. "Of course I do!"

"Is it because the rules don't allow it?" Obi-wan inquired, putting the scroll down. "Because if so, damn the rules – the rules are unfair!" William pressed his lips together and crossing his arms, he murmured, "But it's a lie. It's against everything the knights stand for." Obi-wan picked the scroll up again. He passed it between his hands, and after some silence, he said quietly, "You have as much right to be a knight as any man – I know it."

"But the rules, Obi-wan," William argued.

"We're not breaking the rules," the younger man responded, determined. "We're just bending them – you can get your foot in the door and after that, you'll be judged on your merit alone." Warming up the idea, he added, "And if you succeed – if they make you a knight, it'll be because you earned it, noble or not." William didn't respond – still, there seemed to be some thoughtfulness in his face now. Obi-wan could feel his friend bending a little for the idea as well.

"I can't change the way the rules are done here," Obi-wan said softly, "but you can if you let me help you."

William sighed.

xXx

Obi-wan was relieved when Padmé didn't even question bringing William into her small house. ("Always seems like you're trying to do one thing or another," the young woman simply sighed. "I've grown used to it.") He excused himself to the corner of the house, watching William fidget as Padmé took certain measurements around his legs and arms.

"It's – er – very kind of you to do this…?" William's voice drifted uncertainly until Obi-wan's friend looked up. "Padmé," she said sweetly. "My name's Padmé."

"Ah – well, thank you, Padmé," William said, turning his head only slightly as the woman started to circle him. Holding a measuring cloth in her hands, Padmé set to work on taking in the length of William's shoulders – and after a pause, she responded, "Don't thank me – thank Obi-wan. He would do anything to help anyone, wouldn't you, Obi-wan?"

The younger man blinked in surprise, and when William turned to look at him, he modestly waved Padmé's words away. William grinned over at him, anyways, and then his attention was back on Padmé when she said, "I think it's wonderful that Obi-wan's decided to give you a chance. Arms up, please."

As William obliged, Padmé added, "We need men like you around here – good knights."

"You do?"

Padmé looked up from her measurements. After a pause, she said quickly, "Not me – I wasn't talking about me. Coruscant. Coruscant needs knights. Not just Anakin and his kind, but ordinary people like you and me." William rubbed a hand behind his neck, responding quietly, "I'm not a knight yet, my lady."

"And I'm not a lady," Padmé said with a smile.

"I apologize, my –" William cut himself abruptly, to which Padmé laughed gently at. "Well, then," she said simply, outstretching a hand. "It was still a pleasure to meet you, William." Obi-wan only smiled as William pressed a quick kiss to Padmé's hand instead of giving it the shake that the woman might have been waiting for.

"She seems lovely," William said later as the two men strolled through the hallways of the castle. When Obi-wan gave the man a questioning look, William reminded quickly, "Padmé." Blinking, Obi-wan nodded and responded, "Yes – she is. And she's the best seamstress in Coruscant." William stopped in his tracks, and turning to face Obi-wan, he asked slowly, "Are you two…?"

It took a few seconds for the younger man to understand what William was trying to point out. And once Obi-wan did understand what his friend was trying to say, he replied with a laugh, "No – just good friends."

xXx

"One – two – three – four," Obi-wan heard Anakin instruct along the beating of a drum from the training grounds. He tried not to notice how William stiffened with each beat, though Obi-wan couldn't blame his friend for being so nervous in the first place. Fixing the last of William's armor, Obi-wan stood up before just barely catching a glimpse of Padmé's expression. She was standing on the other side of William, for she had agreed to come along and watch what was to happen – and exchanging a look with Obi-wan, Padmé mouthed, nervous.

Obi-wan flicked his eyes at William's back and shook his head, trying to ease the woman's added-on tension.

"One – two – three – four," Obi-wan heard Anakin say again – and before William could possibly unravel from the already-tense atmosphere, the younger man stood in front of his friend. "Well," Obi-wan chose to say, "you certainly look the part." And it was true – under one night, Padmé had managed to whip up a typical knight's uniform, with an orange tunic and the family crest and all. Obi-wan would have actually taken some more time to admire his friend's beautiful skill – but that would have to wait for now.

"Doesn't he just," Padmé agreed just as Anakin ended the training session. With a bright smile, Obi-wan clapped William's shoulder and murmured, "Here's your chance – go on, talk to Anakin."

William gave Obi-wan and Padmé an apprehensive look – but with a small nod, he walked forward. Obi-wan couldn't help but to hold his breath as his friend approached the prince – and he felt Padmé do the same beside him.

"Yes?" Anakin asked, looking up from his sword to face William.

"William, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria," the man responded, bowing his head. Obi-wan watched with bated breath as Anakin slowly walked in a circle around William.

"William," Anakin said aloud, hands clasped behind his back. "My servant spoke of you. Your seal?"

Immediately, William ducked down to a lower bow, holding out the parchment with both hands. "Sire," was all Obi-wan's friend said as Anakin took up the scroll. And then, faster than lightning, Anakin's hand shot out and punched William on the face. The man instantly fell backwards and into the grass. Obi-wan and Padmé winced in unison – and then the man was cursing himself for not warning William about that sooner. Anakin had always done that, to –

"Sluggish reaction; in a battlefield, you'd be dead by now," Anakin said simply. Turning around, he added, "Come back when you're ready."

William scrambled back up to his feet, hands wrapped around his sword hilt. "I'm ready now, sire," he said.

Anakin turned back around, an amused smile on his face. "Are you?" he asked. William only nodded in response. Anakin rolled his eyes. "Fine," he responded loftily. "I guess you'll start by cleaning out the stables, then." The laughter that came from the other knights was humiliating – but the moment William turned to face Obi-wan, the younger man forced himself to grin and stick up his thumbs. The dejected look William gave Obi-wan only told the younger man that his gesture hadn't done too much to help.

xXx

"I'm sorry about William," Qui-Gon murmured that night from his workbench. Obi-wan looked up – and after a heart-stopping pause, he responded, "Oh – yes. Yes, it's awful." Trying to make his voice sound as nonchalant as possible, he added, "But I suppose that's life. You win some, you lose some."

There was a silence before Qui-Gon observed, "You're taking it very well. I have to say – very mature."

Obi-wan looked back up with a grin. "Thank you, Qui-Gon."

The sound of the door opening made both men turn to see William practically staggering through the entrance, his shirt dirty and neck covered with dark, suspicious-looking splotches. Obi-wan forced his voice to be light as he asked, "How did it go?" William stopped in front of Qui-Gon and Obi-wan just to give a small, "uh" before walking up to Obi-wan's room.

The moment the door closed, Qui-Gon turned to Obi-wan with a questioning look. After a pause, the younger man responded, "He found work at the stables."

"Oh, I see," Qui-Gon said with exaggerated patience. "And what else, before I lose my temper?"

Obi-wan grimaced and pretended to be interested in the floor as he replied, "He's been thinking about trying out for the knights."

Qui-Gon's reaction was immediate, just as it had been the other day. "The first code of Coruscant has never been broken for any man – what have you done, Obi-wan?" he asked sharply. Cringing, Obi-wan responded as hurriedly as he could, "I bent the rules a little." As Qui-Gon opened his mouth to undoubtedly start another lecture, the younger man added quickly, "But the rules are wrong!"

"Bent the rules?" Obi-wan's mentor seemed less than pleased. "And was that by using your gift?"

"It was nothing – honestly," Obi-wan replied. "It was – it was more of a trick than an actual –"

"Your gift is not a toy, Obi-wan," Qui-Gon said, shaking his head in disappointment. "It is not yours to use or abuse as you see fit." Obi-wan paced the room, mumbling, "I know – I know." He didn't stop, even when his mentor asked, "Why did you do it?"

"I owe William my life," Obi-wan answered, looking over at the older man. "I am paying for that debt the only way I can – by giving him the opportunity he deserves." When Qui-Gon didn't say anything, Obi-wan added boldly, "Punish me – go ahead." With that, he turned on his heel and headed into his room where William waited.

xXx

Anakin liked to walk in the marketplace of Camelot, even though he knew there were eyes on him all the time. He sometimes wished that he could be anonymous in the crowd. However, that wouldn't do for today – or for the rest of the days to come, as he was so often told by his court and his father. Now, Anakin walked around the stands that people were selling from – until he came to a familiar sight.

William was sitting on a stool, sharpening a sword roughly and quickly. Anakin paused to look at him, and then, with a small smirk appearing on his face, he picked up a broom and threw it at him. Hand shooting up, William grabbed the broomstick and looked up at Anakin. "Not bad," Anakin said with a small nod. William stood up quickly and bowing his head, he asked, "Would you like me to sweep the guardhouse again, sire?"

"It certainly needs sweeping," Anakin said casually, picking up another broom. He fingered the edge of it and snapped off the sweeping part of the thing before saying, "But first, I'd like you to kill me." He looked up to see William gawking at him, lips parted and eyes wide. "Sire?" he asked unsteadily.

Anakin played around with the broom handle, saying, "Go on – don't pretend you don't want to." He looked at William, who instead swept at the ground with eyes averted from Anakin. "Hell, if I were you, I'd want to," Anakin pressed, and couldn't help but to feel a small thrill of delight as William snapped the sweeping side off.

Spinning the handle again in his hands, Anakin gestured to himself. "Come on," he urged, and then William lunged forward. Anakin ducked to the side, holding up the handle just in time as William dove at him. When he did it again, Anakin spun out of the way, lashing out his handle. William blocked it again, and then the two sprung back. Twisting the handle, Anakin said, "A bit harder, William – you're not beating a carpet."

At those words, William jumped forward again, this time aiming for Anakin's stomach. The prince put on the dullest expression possible, not flinching until William dove again. This time, his handle got dangerously close to Anakin's face. He ducked to the side, sticking out his handle and pushing William to the pile of hay behind him. Anakin neared in, about to land the handle, when William suddenly spun out of the way.

Anakin turned around instantly, grinning as William caught up with him. Slow reflexes or not, it seemed that William could deal with a weapon, even if it was just a broomstick.

Whacking his stick lightly across William's back, Anakin stood and straightened himself. He tossed his broomstick at the man. William caught it with a somewhat surprised look on his face, and feeling another grin curl up on his lips, Anakin said, "Congratulations, William. You just made it through basic training." He felt William's stunned eyes follow him even after he walked away.

A/N - As always, reviews would be great, because one of my biggest problems with this story is motivation. So the more reviews there are, the more motivation I'll have to keep up with the updates. Constructive criticism is okay, but flames are not.