SERIES and TIME FRAME: The Oraclyne Series of which "A More
Certain Path" was the first; this story follows six five months
later; Obi-Wan is 13 1/2.
RATING: PG
WARNINGS: None needed
SPOILERS: For Jedi Apprentice books, esp. #5, "Defenders of the
Dead" ARCHIVE: to the JA list archive and M_A archive only;
also on my new website for this series.
DISCLAIMER: They belong to George Lucas. He has more of my
money than I want to think about. I'm not making a dime off
this, ever.
NOTE: The alternate universe of the Oraclyne series is
explained in more detail in the Appendices for "Path to
Oraclyne". The appendices, which explain the four Jedi
"Disciplines", are archived at the Oraclyne website,
http://jinn.iwarp.com/oraclyne/www/oraclyne.html
SUMMARY: The newly strengthened Master-Padawan bond leads
Obi-Wan to seek out his master who is remembering a painful
event four years ago.
Obi-wan paused in mid-sentence, hand poised in mid-gesture, the
Force abruptly stilling him to listen within. His companion,
Padawan Garen Muln, peered at him, wondering what had caught
his attention.
Master Qui-Gon... Obi-Wan thought, his brow furrowing.
Something is wrong... He looked up abruptly at his
friend. "My master needs me," he murmured, rising from the
table where they'd been studying together. "I gotta go, Gar."
Garen nodded, keeping back a smile. Knowing his friend's
history intimately, he knew that Obi-Wan was growing closer to
his Master at last, their minds having formed the proper
communion of Master and Padawan that would be needed for
Obi-Wan's training. Garen himself had recently managed the same
with his own master, Knight Viterren, and knew how important
this was to his friend. "We'll pick up on this tomorrow, Obi,"
Garen murmured unnecessarily. Obi-Wan had collected his things
and was already moving off in the direction of the Diplomat's
Tower, residence sector for others of their Discipline here in
the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
He's shielded, more than usual, Obi-Wan worried,
contemplating the ripples in the bond he shared with his
master. He nodded politely to a Master Contemplative in a dark
green robe, then to a pair of Knight Diplomats as he passed
them, then entered the lift and entered the code for their
floor.
Within, he felt a subtle disturbance, something leaking through
Qui-Gon's shields and into their mental link, whether purposely
or not he could not discern. Something either worried or hurt
his master, something he may need his apprentice's help with.
Or...
Obi-Wan felt again the happy little twinge in his heart, his
fierce pride in being Master Diplomat Qui-Gon Jinn's padawan
learner, and his joy in their new closeness since the remaking
of their vows six months ago. Even though he had six months of
probation to go still after his return to the Jedi Order, he
was now serenely confident that he would pass all the rest of
his monthly evaluations, his bond with his Master now well-made
and strong. His heart is part of my responsibility now,
he reminded himself, closing his eyes and wrapping the
voluminous brown robe of their Discipline more closely about
him.
The lift opened and he departed, walking the last few meters to
their door. Again stilling, he considered their bond again...
there it was, the little worrisome twitch in the Force that
shouldn't be there. Resolute, he entered their quarters, and
strode to the table in the common room. He's in his
room, Obi-Wan noted, laying his datapad on the table. He
went to hang up his robe in his own room, then approached the
door to his master's room quietly.
He'd been careful not to touch the bond as yet, as well as not
to send thought to his Master, respecting his privacy. But he
knew that his presence in the outer room would register. And,
now that he was here, he could carefully communicate his
concern to his master.
Gently he lay a hand on his master's door. Master, I sense
your sorrow, he whispered into their bond, a feather touch
of Force added to communicate his concern. Please, perhaps I
may give you comfort, if you will allow it? His query was
shy; it still amazed him that at long last he'd been allowed
closer to this great Jedi's heart.
The other stilled, the bond between them smoothing to a perfect
calm... well, nearly so. Sensitive now to his master, Obi-Wan
knew all was not well. Obi-Wan, the august mental voice
sent back, touching their bond in return with grave sadness.
I did not mean for you to sense this... please forgive
me...
The sorrow touched the inner goodness and innate empathy of the
young padawan's soul, and he winced at the hint of pain.
Dear Master, please, it is my duty to help you... may I come
in?
The pain receded, but he knew immediately it was not from its
cessation, but from the stiffening of weakened shields. The
heart of a Jedi Master is a terrible burden for a padawan to
have to deal with...
Padawans have burdens, just as Jedi Masters do, Obi-Wan
returned, his palm and forehead against the door, his eyes
closed. I do not ask that you tell me all that is wrong, but
that you let me help you feel better. That is my duty to you,
to assist my master in times of need.
There was a pause for a few seconds, then the soft mental sigh.
Come in, my Padawan.
Straightening, Obi-Wan opened the door and entered. His master
was sitting on the floor, folded up, robed arms hugging his
knees, back to the door. Wondering, Obi-Wan came up beside him
and sat cross-legged on the floor. He looked over the bowed
back, and the long fall of dark brown hair pouring over it.
Qui-Gon's head was bowed, his face hidden in the circle of arms
around his knees. "Master?" the padawan shyly whispered as he
reached and laid a hand on the man's arm.
At the touch, Qui-Gon brought his head up and glanced over to
regard his apprentice. To Obi-Wan's shock, the man's face was
wet from tears, his eyes red and a bit puffy. Qui-Gon,
crying?? he thought, his heart pounding with a sudden fear.
Have I hurt him?
As if the Master Diplomat had heard his thought, Qui-Gon was
quick to reassure his padawan. You've done nothing to elicit
this response from me, trust me, my Obi-Wan. He sniffed and
swiped at his face with the back of his hand.
"Oh..." Obi-Wan said lamely. He patted his master's arm,
feeling abruptly inadequate and strange. Obviously he was
intruding on something very private within his teacher, and he
ducked his head, unsure of what else to say. When a large hand
closed over his, he looked up again, curious.
Qui-Gon straightened, stretching out his near leg and taking
Obi-Wan's hand in both of his. "Unconsciously I allowed you to
sense my distress... I'm sorry, I should have shielded better.
I was... indulging in some uncharacteristic self-pity, I'm
afraid. Today is the fourth anniversary of Xanatos's betrayal."
"Oh," Obi-Wan replied in a small voice, "you wish he was still
your padawan?"
The Diplomat's eyes widened in dismay. "Oh, no, Obi-Wan, not at
all. If... if he had not betrayed me, he would have been long
Knighted by now."
Something in the man's voice warned him. "You were friends,
weren't you?"
Qui-Gon looked at him long, the deep blue eyes gazing at him as
if reading his soul. Obi-Wan made himself return the gaze,
though he felt something turn to jelly somewhere deep inside
him. "Yes," the Master said finally. "More than friends. I'd
hoped we could be lifemates one day."
Obi-Wan suddenly understood. They were lovers! Or Qui-Gon
wanted to be and... The padawan's head was spinning with
possibilities. Oh, Force, no WONDER he hurts! I wonder if he
could love me someday... But that notion he dismissed
immediately. The great Master Diplomat Qui-Gon Jinn could not
give his heart like that to just anyone, and certainly not his
silly little padawan, no matter what they'd vowed to one
another. Obi, he told himself sternly, don't be
stupid...
Qui-Gon was still watching him. "Does it shock you that I could
fall in love with a padawan of mine?"
"No, Master," Obi-Wan replied, his eyes wide. Then he suddenly
ducked his eyes. I know you feel things deeply... and you
have a big heart.
The large hands released his considerably smaller one as the
Master leaned to the side against his bed. Thank you,
Padawan, he returned, whispering into his apprentice's mind
gently. I think we may be alike in that. You have a big
heart as well.
"Thank you, Master," Obi-Wan said with a quick grin. Shyly he
patted the other's arm again. "Are you feeling better?"
Qui-Gon took a deep breath, then smiled wanly. "Starting to."
"You need bond time," Obi-Wan said in a matter-of-fact,
no-nonsense tone that surprised even himself. He smiled at his
own vehemence.
The Master Diplomat's eyes widened at his padawan's insistence,
especially since it had contained an unintentional
Force-suggestion. "Well, then I suppose I do," he replied,
winking. Then he sobered, raising a finger to touch a knuckle
to the boy's cheek. "You are a comfort to me, Obi-Wan. Thank
you."
Pleased and embarrassed, Obi-Wan hid his face in the wide
sleeve encasing his master's closest arm. Then the arm lifted
to circle his slim shoulders. Come here, you, Qui-Gon's
mental voice tickled at him affectionately. As one long, lean
leg shifted, Obi-Wan scooted into the circle made for him,
slipping his arms around his master's ribs under the dark brown
robe. Sighing, he laid his head on the broad chest.
Home.
I will never betray you again, Master, he whispered into
their bond. He sighed as the long, muscled arms closed around
him. I'm here now, dear Master, and I will help take care of
your heart.
Qui-Gon squeezed his eyes shut, now careful to keep hidden the
surge of emotion he felt, holding his still-new padawan in his
arms. The boy had a generous heart; now that he'd allowed him
closer, Obi-Wan freely gave of his love and caring, taking very
seriously his vows to serve and honor his master. I know
you'll never betray me again, Padawan mine, he replied,
allowing his pride in the boy and his caring leak into their
bond. The true fullness in his heart he kept from him. He
mustn't come to care too deeply for this one, not so soon and
not as his wounded heart might thirst for.
Yet Obi-Wan was becoming very important to him. The boy's
bright promise was everything that Xanatos's had been, with one
critical difference - Xanatos of Telos had never had the
generosity of spirit that Obi-Wan Kenobi had in full measure.
Still, Qui-Gon must let him go when Knighted one day, releasing
that beautiful, bright light into the galaxy. Perhaps I can
heal enough to be able to do that when the time comes, he
thought, his fingers filtering into the short, brushy light
brown hair. And I will be forever blessed to have been close
once to this treasure...
Obi-Wan felt his master's affection and settled into a warm,
glowy peace. Their Master-Padawan bond shimmered with a shared
joy and quiet contentment.
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