Chapter 16. Home at the Temple
Unlike the ceremonial pomp surrounding the arrival of the Jedi upon Naboo, their arrival at the Temple was somber and deliberately low key. The two injured Jedi were both whisked to the Healers Ward. An Initiate Master waited there to take temporary charge of the boy, for it was deemed best he not be separated from Qui-Gon's side immediately upon landing and given into the care of one who would be, to him, a complete stranger.
Whatever his grumblings that he could at least sit up, if not walk, to the Ward, Qui-Gon was quickly silenced by his new padawan's plea he take it easy and settled back on the repulsor stretcher with his arms folded over his chest. Young Anakin trotted at the Jedi master's side.
The little procession separated in the Ward, with Qui-Gon, Anakin in tow, taken into one room while the following repulsor stretcher with Obi-Wan continued down the hall.
"Careful, careful," Anakin shrilled as the Jedi master shifted into the waiting bed with just a little assistance. He did not quiet until shushed by Qui-Gon. Once settled in place, Qui-Gon laid a warm hand on Anakin's arm. "Ani, you can't stay here with me – but I don't think I'll be kept here too long. You'll be in the temporary care of the Initiate Master over there. Have patience; I'm sure they'll release me in a few days and we can begin your training."
Anakin stuck his chin out, his lips quivering. "Is he going to be nearby?"
"He?" Qui-Gon paused, then for the merest fraction of a second his face almost crumpled before wiping blank in confusion. "I guess that depends on how you define 'near by' but not to worry; Obi-Wan's in no shape to upset you."
"I don't want him to upset you, Master Qui-Gon."
Understanding broke over the Jedi master.
His padawan was concerned for his master; he was such a compassionate boy, but of course he had already known that. Needing to reassure the boy, Qui-Gon reached out and brushed his chin with a fond hand.
"Ani, Obi-Wan is in no shape to upset anyone. I know he's hurt you, but you cannot dwell on that – it seems the Force has seen to it that he has reaped what he sowed. We must both move on and let him recede into our past. We must focus only on the here and now - and on each other. You are my padawan as I am your master."
"Wizard!"
"Wizard, indeed." The Jedi master chuckled at his padawan's sudden enthusiasm. The weight of his years seemed lessened around the boy; he was now just as eagerly looking forward to the coming years as he had not so long ago dreaded them.
"Now, Master T'ikara here will introduce you to your age mates and you will stay in the Initiates Quarters for a short time. Make the most of it, Padawan, for you shall have little free time shortly." Qui-Gon lifted a hand to Anakin's cheek and lightly stroked it. "We shall have your braiding ceremony as soon as I'm on my feet."
Down the hall, Padawan Bant Eerin, on duty healer, waited. She steeled herself to react as a healer, not friend as the other repulsor stretcher passed by, but it was difficult. She had reviewed the med chart but that hadn't prepared her to see Obi-Wan as he looked now: pale, with bruised skin about his eyes and no Force presence to speak of. She had not expected to see him looking so incredibly young and battered.
Once he was transferred to a med bed and the attendants left, Bant slipped into the room and sat down by his side. She took one of his hands within her own. "Hey, Obi, you're home. You'll get better, I promise."
Healer Jorak finished updating his med chart and gazed a bit sympathetically at his fellow healer though he frowned slightly at her words.
"He'll get better," she said firmly, understanding the wordless exchange. "I didn't say he would be the same as before, or better or – or worse. Just…better than he is now. He has to believe that, as well, so I'm going to start reinforcing that with him, even now when he's sedated and unaware of anything."
"That's well and good, Padawan, but don't encourage him to strive to what might well be unrealistic goals; his lack of success will harm his recovery."
No matter Jorak's meant-to-be-reassuring words to the Council, Bant was well aware that the true test of her friend's recovery from the twin blows on Naboo was still to be determined.
Obi-Wan could not be shielded forever by Master Windu's mind block. Even now, it was being allowed to naturally dissolve under close monitoring.
It was hoped that since the physical damage was slowly repairing itself, potential mental damage might well be kept to a minimum if not staved off altogether. The unknown factor was the impact of the second, all but fatal injury.
Obi-Wan might well yet be permanently impaired.
Her nod of understanding prompted Jorak to add, "The Force echoes are baffling and unlike anything I have yet seen. Qui-Gon shows signs of spontaneous bond regeneration, yet Kenobi does not." He tapped his finger on the datapad in his hand. "We have too little data to predict what comes next, especially when we can't even explain how he kept Qui-Gon from dying – not even a trained healer would have been capable of what he did and quite frankly, Kenobi is not that powerful in the Force – no Jedi is."
Bant supposed she might care about that someday, but right now she was more concerned about Obi-Wan than anything he might have done, no matter how miraculous it may have been.
She could not restrain the question that burned within her – the question that could be asked for it did have an answer.
"Did…did his master truly break the bond – while Obi-Wan was channeling the Force into Qui-Gon?"
Her fellow healer hesitated, and then offered, a bit reluctantly to be sure, "He has all but admitted that to Master Yaddle; he has said he had his reasons for anything he may have done. We are not to judge…but the consequences we are here to fix, if possible."
His glance at the padawan made it quite clear just who and what that consequence was.
Bant bit her lip, trying to let her anger and confusion flow into the Force. Such behavior was not in character for the Jedi master – she knew that, but the truth was the truth, no matter how hard to accept.
Bant lifted Obi-Wan's limp hand and leaned her cheek against it. "I don't understand, Obi…just as I'm sure you don't. You and Qui-Gon have been so close for so long. I can almost believe – almost – that Qui-Gon might have set you aside if the Force truly asked it, but not without letting you know in private and not in front of the Council. He owed you that much, at least, and besides, that boy is still initiate age – there was time, plenty of time for you to be knighted, time to vacate that position before Anakin took it.
"I just want you to know that Garen, Reeft…all of your friends will stick by you and help you get better. They've made a promise to the Force, so you don't worry about anything but trying to heal, okay? Just make us one, too – you'll let us help you when you need our help."
Healer Jorak nodded. "He'll need plenty of support and understanding."
"He'll have it," Bant said resolutely. She stood and looked down at Obi-Wan's peaceful countenance. "I've gotta go now, Obi; I've other patients, but I'm here within call should you need me. I'll check on you a bit later. I want you to see a friendly face when you first wake." With a last squeeze of her hand, Bant left.
Obi-Wan slept on.
Temple speculation as to what happened, and why, continued.
Despite the Council's best intentions, it seemed most of the Temple had known about the Council meeting, of Qui-Gon casting his padawan off and the Council's refusal to allow the padawan to take the trials even before the Council left en masse for Naboo.
Sympathy generally lay with the padawan.
Right or wrong, Qui-Gon Jinn's pattern of obeying the Force at all cost, no matter who was hurt in the process was unpopular, disliked not just because the Jedi master was often tactless and roughshod in execution of its will, but because he was always so certain only his interpretation if its will was valid.
That did not mean sympathy lay entirely with the padawan.
Padawan Kenobi was generally conceded to be quite capable, if a bit headstrong. His generally reserved manner and self-contained personality meant he was well enough liked but not especially popular. Those who were not privileged to see his prankish side thought him rigid and unyielding; those who did not understand his dry wit thought him sarcastic and somewhat lacking in compassion.
Few knew details, only of the departure of the Council to Naboo. Now all had returned, along with the small boy rumored to have been the impetus for Qui-Gon's repudiation of his padawan before the Council.
The Council was not blind to this.
Bowing to the inevitable, the Council released as little information as possible to protect privacy while hoping to forestall incorrect rumors: Qui-Gon Jinn had been severely injured in battle, the padawan damaged as well, and the young boy in Master Jinn's custody had been accepted for training in recognition of his feats on Naboo and was to be made welcome.
Yet the rumors continued unabated: hushed speculation abounded.
Obi-Wan Kenobi had slain a Sith – and had slain his chances at knighthood. Why else was the Council otherwise silent on his status, keeping him listed on the roster of padawans?
Just what had happened on Naboo?