Chapter 8

Pain was his world. Fire ripped through his body, ravaging it and leaving him limp with exhaustion. Obi-Wan drifted in and out of consciousness, aware of little other than that he was somewhere soft and dim. Voices floated through his consciousness, but he didn't register anything they said. Hands touched him, moved him, and provided soothing coolness to his heated skin.

He was in a bed. Obi-Wan slowly opened his eyes as he became more aware of his surroundings. But the room was too bright, so he quickly closed them and turned his face away from the light with a groan. Even that small movement hurt.

“Ah, you're finally awake, Sir Jedi,” came a melodious voice. Cracking his eyes open again, a kind female face framed by dark curls swam into focus. “We were worried for awhile that you would not survive, though you are much improved this morning.” She continued, giving him a small smile.

Obi-Wan blinked and tried to clear his head. Suddenly, it all came flooding back to him. The King, walking with him, pain, and then . . . nothing. “Survive what?” he asked, dismayed by how weak his voice sounded even to his own ears.

“You didn't know?” the woman asked, sounding both dismayed and delighted.

Obi-Wan merely shook his head, not wanting to make the effort to speak. He didn't appear to be in any danger now, but it would be wise to conserve what little strength he had.

“You poor, fortunate child,” she said sympathetically, giving him a smile. “I'm sure that His Highness will want to tell you himself. Sleep, now; you're not well yet.”

Obi-Wan, by now, was feeling very confused, but found himself slipping back into sleep despite his best efforts to stay awake. Muzzily, he wondered why he should be considered fortunate, but he didn't have the time to think about it before he drifted back into unconsciousness.

~*~

When Obi-Wan woke again, the faint red glow of sunset filled the room. More aware than he had been before, he now saw that he was in a spacious, almost cavernous bedroom done in pale shades of blue and grey. The bed he was in was incredibly soft, and for a moment he just wanted to go back to sleep, weary as he was. Resisting the urge, he hauled himself upright and scooted to the edge of the huge bed. Carefully, he swung his legs over the side and stood up, nearly passing out as the blood rushed from his head. He steadied himself on the bedside table, but nearly lost his balance again as he saw his hand.

It looked like an ordinary human hand . . . but not his hand. It was too delicate, and too pale. Startled, Obi-Wan put his hand to his face, and felt only smooth skin. Not even the slightest hint of stubble could be felt. More than startled now, Obi-Wan moved towards the door on shaky legs. Something was very wrong, and he needed to find out what. It didn't take two steps for him to realize, though, that that something was his own body. He felt lighter, as though gravity had less of a hold on him. Everything about him felt wrong, even his sense of the Force.

The sight that met him in the mirror was a shock, to say the least. As he opened the huge wardrobe in search of something besides a thin night shirt to wear, he was met with his own reflection. Unable to register that it was him at first, Obi-Wan sank to his knees and touched his hand to the reflection. Looking back at him was not the man that he was, nor was it the youth that he had been. Instead, he saw a pale, too-thin young man with tousled reddish waves and fever-bright blue eyes. It was him, only younger . . . but not quite.

“How are you feeling, Sir Jedi?”

Obi-Wan turned his head sharply and was met with the sight of King Elhosan, dressed in understatedly elegant pale green robes. “What have you done to me?” he rasped, and was distressed to note an almost imperceptible change in his voice's pitch.

The King closed the small distance between them and knelt down beside Obi-Wan. “My dear young one, I have given you the greatest gift that I can give.” he said sincerely. “I have made you one of my people. An Aurën.”

A moment passed in silence. “One of you? I don't see how making me younger would make me one of your subjects,” he said calmly, though inside his mind was whirling. Deep down, he knew that it was more than that.

“Younger?” the King asked, bemused. “That injection I gave you didn't make you any younger than you already are. It was for our Ritual of Induction.” His face took on a sympathetic expression. “You truly don't understand, do you? It changed your genetic structure. You are one of us now,” he said matter-of-factly.

“You mean to say that you're not human?” Obi-Wan said weakly, looking the King in the eye. He looked human enough.

“Certainly not,” he scoffed. “Humans, as all other outsiders, are an inferior species. Of course, they can have redeeming qualities, as your Jedi do, but they lack our grace and Sense.” He smiled then. “But you, my young Jedi, need not worry about such things any longer. Now that you are one of us, you may remain here. My gift to you.” With that, the King rose from the ground, pulling Obi-Wan up with him.

A gift. He had been turned into an unknown alien species as a gift. In retrospect, Obi-Wan could see how these people could be different than humans. Of slender build, fair skin, and jewel-toned eyes, the Aurën did have some unique features. And if his own youthful appearance was any indication, they appeared to age differently as well. “Your Highness,” Obi-Wan began carefully, “While I appreciate your . . . gift . . . I really can not accept it. I am sure that your species is a successful one, though I was brought into the galaxy as a human and I would like to leave it in the same state. And I certainly cannot stay here . . .” he trailed off, suddenly and intensely weary. He swayed where he stood, would have collapsed to the floor had the King not steadied him.

“Rest. Recover.” the King told him as the same woman from earlier appeared at his side to support him and lead him towards the bed. “Prince Tylen will see you tomorrow.” With that, he turned and left, though Obi-Wan barely noticed his departure as the woman eased him onto the bed and covered him with blankets.

Too weak to protest, Obi-Wan laid back onto the pillows and was asleep within seconds.

~*~

“Obi-Wan? Are you awake?” came a young voice, as the bed rocked. Opening his eyes, Obi-Wan blinked blearily and saw Tylen sitting on the far side of the bed, looking at him inquisitively.

“I am now.” Obi-Wan replied, sitting up with a groan. He ached all over, and felt weak as a kit, but not so likely to pass out as he had the last time he'd been awake. Looking at the sincere, happy young face before him, Obi-Wan considered his next words carefully. “Tylen,” he began, “What has happened to me?” His first thought had been that a child might not be able to answer his question . . . but given what the King had told him, he suspected that this boy was no young child at all.

“Didn't father tell you?” Tylen answered, confused. “You're one of us now! You can stay here on Aurën, now, isn't that wonderful?”

“Tylen, I--” Obi-Wan began.

“You've been in and out for days, you must be hungry.” Tylen continued on, cutting him off. “Mela will be bringing in something to eat – oh, there she is.” The woman Obi-Wan recognized from before entered the room at that moment, carrying a tray laden with food. She set it down on the bed between Obi-Wan and Tylen, who thanked her, and she then exited with a small bow.

“Please, eat,” Tylen urged. “You need to regain your strength – not to mention some weight. Your Transformation took a lot of energy.”

Obi-Wan complied, selecting a small bread roll to nibble on. Tylen simply watched, not taking anything for himself. “Tylen,” Obi-Wan began again, “Thank you. Your father did speak to me about this . . . change . . . in my physiology, and while the thought is appreciated, I really must decline and request that I be returned to my original human form.” he said gently.

“But don't you see, Obi-Wan? Now that you're Aurën, you'll be allowed to stay here, with us. You won't have to go chasing evil people around the galaxy, and there is no evil here,” Tylen said persuasively.

“Tylen, as lovely as your home may be, I simply cannot stay, nor would I choose to. My duties, and my home, are elsewhere.” he said honestly.

Tylen gave him a long look, and then stared down at the bed. “Father said you were upset.” he said quietly. “But he thought you were just sick still. And I didn't believe that anyone could actually want to be a human instead of Aurën.” Abruptly, his head shot up and he gazed intently at Obi-Wan. “But why? I don't understand!” he said fiercely.

“And I do not believe that I can make you understand.” Obi-Wan answered sadly. “But still, I must ask that I be returned to my human form.”

“You're the one that doesn't understand, Obi-Wan.” Tylen said regretfully. “Your genetic structure has been permanently altered. You are an Aurën now, and you can't ever go back to being human. It would kill you. And you will stay here – our people are not allowed to leave the planet.”

“Not allowed to leave?” Obi-Wan repeated incredulously. “Then what were you doing?”

Tylen reddened and turned his head away. “I – wanted to see the galaxy. I was curious.” he admitted. “But now I see that its better here. This really is a gift, Obi-Wan. I know you'll be happy here,” he said emphatically. Tylen stood, then, and headed to the door. “You have to be.”

“Tylen--” Obi-Wan began, but the boy had already slipped out the door. Alone now, Obi-Wan bowed his head, and wondered belatedly why the Force had not given him any warning.

Chapter 9

It had been almost two days since Obi-Wan had seen Tylen, or anyone else besides Mela. The quiet older woman would come and go swiftly, providing meals and gentle smiles but little in the way of words. Despite having done nothing but rest in this time, Obi-Wan still felt far weaker than he would have liked. His muscled ached, and his limbs trembled under the strain of even light motion. But he was improving, so that would have to be enough for now. Until he was more fully recovered, he resolved to simply wait, and get acquainted with his new physical self. If what Tylen had said was true, it looked as though he may be stuck this way for the rest of his overly-long natural life.

Though he very much wanted to return to his old form, he had to admit that the body of an Aurën was by no means inferior to that of a human body. Although he'd estimated his age to be around eighteen or nineteen by his looks, he was relieved to find that he didn't have any of the gangly awkwardness that he'd experienced as an older teen. He was vaguely bothered by his youthful appearance though – he would barely be able to pass for a Senior Padawan, let alone a Master. He had enough trouble getting Anakin to respect him as it was, and this certainly wouldn't help matters at all.

Obi-Wan let out a small sigh at the thought of his difficult but much-loved Padawan. Anakin had never been skilled at releasing his feelings into the Force, and was probably very worried about him. Their training bond had inexplicably snapped during Obi-Wan's transformation, and though Obi-Wan had tried to provide some comfort as it happened, Anakin may very well think him dead. Well, if that were the case, at least Anakin wouldn't get in trouble by coming to look for him.

Though he really could use a rescue right now, even one of Anakin's. He was treated more like an honored guest than a prisoner here, but the moment he'd stepped into the hallway to explore he'd been met with a pair of palace guards that politely, but firmly, guided him back to his room. And from what he could tell, the palace was filled with many such guards, and was a vast structure. Escape would be difficult if he were healthy, but weak as he was, and without his lightsaber, it would be nearly impossible.

For now, all he could do was wait. An answer would present itself, in time.

~*~

Obi-Wan awoke with a start and looked carefully around the dark room. It was late at night, and he had been soundly asleep . . . but something had woken him up. Or rather, someone.

“Tylen? What are you doing here?” Obi-Wan asked softly, addressing the shadowy form by his bedside.

Tylen put a finger to his lips. “Shhh. Mela let me in, but the palace guards don't know I'm here.” He sat on the bed beside Obi-Wan. “I . . . I was wrong.” Tylen said haltingly.

“About?” Obi-Wan asked, looking at Tylen calmly.

“I'm sorry for bringing you here, I'm sorry for everything,” he said quietly. “I thought about it, hard, and I still can't understand why you wouldn't want to stay. But it should be your choice to make.” he said resignedly.

Obi-Wan nodded in understanding. “A wise conclusion.”

“Hurry, we don't have much time,” he said urgently, motioning that Obi-Wan should get up. “I hope you're up to another daring escape.”

“Always,” Obi-Wan said as he got out of bed and followed Tylen to the door. As he was about to open it, though, Tylen turned around and eyes him critically.

“Wait.” he said abruptly, and scurried off into the room's shadows. Returning, he thrust a soft bundle into Obi-Wan's arms. “So you won't be so conspicuous.” he explained. Obi-Wan nodded as he pulled on the plush floor-length cloak, glad for the warmth against the chilly palace air. Tylen crept out into the dimly lit corridor, and Obi-Wan followed cautiously.

As they approached an intersection, Tylen motioned for Obi-Wan to stay put. Quietly, the boy crept around the corner, and Obi-Wan could hear his loud, anxious voice as he spoke to the guards. Obi-Wan couldn't make out what they were saying, but whatever Tylen had told them must have had quite an impact. When Tylen drew Obi-Wan around the corner, there were no guards to be found.

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow in question, and Tylen gave him an impish grin. “I told them that Mikka, er, my little sister, got into the conservatory and let the animals out,” he confessed.

“And they believed you?” Obi-Wan asked skeptically.

“Oh, yes. Mikka's been terribly interested ever since we got that. . . well, never mind.” Tylen said sheepishly. “This way.”

Obi-Wan followed Tylen through the quiet palace, and marveled at how dark and sinister it seemed compared to how bright and beautiful it had looked in the day. Twice more, Tylen told his made-up tale to the palace guards they encountered, sending them racing in the opposite direction. Rounding a final corner, the entry to the palace hanger came into view and Obi-Wan followed Tylen inside.

“You can have one of my ships to take, Obi-Wan.” Tylen offered as he showed Obi-Wan a mid-sized cruiser. “Father will be mad enough without a missing ship. But he never said I couldn't give mine away,” Tylen said with a crooked smile. He then led Obi-Wan inside, and showed him the small but comfortable cockpit. “There's no time to explain how everything works, but I'm sure you can figure it out.” Tylen said apologetically.

“Thank you, Tylen.” Obi-Wan said sincerely, touched by the boy's consideration and maturity. “I am very grateful for your help.”

“Well, I'd better go now, so you can leave.” he said reluctantly. “I'll open the launch doors for you, and you shouldn't run into any problems from security.” The boy turned to leave, but stopped. “Obi-Wan?” he said hesitantly, “Thank you too.” As he left, he called over his shoulder, “And for the record, I'm eighteen!” And with that, the hatch closed, leaving Obi-Wan alone in his new ship.

“Eighteen!” he muttered to himself in disbelief as he powered up the cruiser. No wonder the boy had seemed nearly as mature as his Padawan at times.

The launch doors opened, and Obi-Wan clumsily maneuvered the strange ship out of the hanger and up into the city. As promised, no one tried to stop him or give chase, and after a few moments of fiddling with the controls he was able to take the cruiser into orbit and finally out to open space. He spared one last glance towards the luminous green planet . . . only to see nothing but empty space. Unsettled, Obi-Wan returned his attention to the controls, and was able to figure out how to activate the hyperdrive.

Obi-Wan allowed himself a small sigh of relief as the stars streaked by, and settled back bonelessly in the pilot's chair. It had not been a difficult escape, though even that light effort had taken its toll on his weakened body. Obi-Wan reminded himself that his body simply needed time to recover, and released his frustration into the Force.

Obi-Wan checked the ship for a long distance communicator, but none could be found. Well, he certainly would have a time explaining this when he got home.

Chapter 10

Try as he might, Anakin simply could not concentrate.

After his bond with Obi-Wan had been so painfully broken, Anakin had been staying in Master Yoda's quarters. He would have preferred to stay alone, but his own quarters were also Obi-Wan's, and it would have been too painful to stay there. Staying with Master Yoda wasn't all that pleasant either, though. Besides the uncomfortably high humidity and the strange smells that emanated from the kitchen area, there was the little Master himself to deal with. Anakin was numb, and wanted nothing but to be left alone with his anguish. It was very likely that Obi-Wan was dead; Anakin had felt his Master's pain and then the nothingness that had taken its place.

Master Yoda, however, had not been so sure.

“A great and simple change, there has been, in the path of the Force.” Yoda said cryptically. “Despair you must not, young Skywalker. Alive, Obi-Wan may yet be.”

“But, Master, I felt it myself.” And it had hurt, so much. “How do you know?” Anakin argued.

“Ask this of me, you should not.” Yoda replied sharply. “To the Force you must look for your answers.”

Anakin wanted to believe Master Yoda, but he just couldn't forget the intense sense of pain and that last, sweet mental caress from Obi-Wan. Any answers that the Force may have had eluded him, and despair threatened to overtake him. All he wanted was to be left alone. But again, Master Yoda had different ideas. Seeing the state that Anakin was in, the small Master had shooed him out of his quarters – using that pointy stick of his -- and sent him to the gardens to meditate.

And meditating was what Anakin was doing; or at least, what he was trying to do. With little success. All he could think about was his beloved Master, and he doubted that was what Master Yoda had had in mind. Suddenly restless, Anakin rose from his position on the ground and left the gardens, not quite sure where he was headed. Master Yoda may have told him to go meditate, but he hadn't said that he had to do it in the gardens.

Before he even realized where he was going, Anakin found himself in the Jedi Temple's hanger. It was one of his favorite places to go when he was upset, and the familiar sights and sounds of the place did not fail to soothe him. But only a little. He figured he should at least try to meditate here, though, so he wouldn't have to lie to Master Yoda. But before he could settle on a spot, something in the far corner of the hanger caught his eye, or perhaps something else.

It was a strange ship, like none other that Anakin had ever seen, and a beautiful one at that. Small and lightly built, Anakin could still tell that it was one powerhouse of a ship. Unable to resist a closer look, Anakin allowed himself to be drawn closer, and felt a thrill through the Force. There, reaching into one of the ship's maintenance hatches, was a slim young man, perhaps a bit younger than himself. Judging by his flowing blue cape and tousled hair, Anakin could tell that he was no Jedi. What, then, was he doing in this part of the Temple hanger?

“Are you lost?” Anakin inquired politely as he approached him from behind. Abruptly, the young man withdrew from the maintenance hatch and whirled around, and Anakin took in a sharp breath at the vision that greeted him. Translucently fair and unhealthily slim, the young man barely reached Anakin's shoulder. But it wasn't his physique that made Anakin's breath still. Looking back at him were a pair of bright, beautiful blue-green eyes that were just like Obi-Wan's. Anakin internally cringed and looked away, disturbed by the uncanny sight.

“Lost?” came a soft, familiar voice in reply. “Certainly not. But what about you, Padawan mine? Do you not recognize your Master?” he asked gently.

Anakin jerked his head up and looked into the face, suddenly so familiar. His eyes widened as realization hit him. “Obi-Wan?” he whispered. Reaching out with the Force, Anakin brushed against the other's mind and felt a warm, familiar presence that welcomed his touch. He didn't know how, but this slight young man before him was without a doubt Obi-Wan Kenobi.

“Yes, Anakin. For a moment there I was worried that no one would recognize me.” he offered with a slight grin.

Not trusting himself to speak, Anakin instead gathered Obi-Wan up in his arms, nearly lifting him from the ground. Obi-Wan tensed for a moment, then gently returned the embrace. The feel of slender bones and the lack of weight against his body frightened Anakin, and he quickly loosened his grip so as not to cause harm.

“Master . . . how? What happened to you?” Anakin asked worriedly, stepping back to look Obi-Wan in the eye. Where was the strong man who had left him outside the Council chambers?

“That, Anakin, is a very long story. Suffice it to say, I ran into a few problems on my way back from Neskya,” he said wryly. “I should report to the Council, now,” he said regretfully. Anakin followed Obi-Wan's gaze across the hanger, and saw the tall form of Master Windu waiting off to the side. The Master inclined his head in their direction, indicating that they should follow him.

~*~

For millenia, the Aurën people have lived peacefully, neither known nor touched by outsiders.

And this was not about to change with one man.

In all the four-hundred and thirty-four years that he had served the Crown, Marcall had never seen his King accept an outsider into their home. Certainly, the Right of Induction by Transformation was an age-old tradition, and as a people they had gained many valuable members this way. King Elhosan, however, had never before granted this gift of their blood to an outsider, and tended to be slightly more wary of them than his predecessor had been. At first, Marcall had been pleased that an outsider had rescued the young prince, especially since the Jedi were known to be an honorable clan.

But as soon as the King had granted his gift, Marcall had known that it would be a mistake. Besides being honorable, Jedi were also reputed to be very resourceful. He had feared that the Jedi would try to leave, and by doing so break the new regard that the King had gained for outsiders. And leave the Jedi had, with the help of the prince nonetheless. Ironic as it was, the King had not been amused. He had been furious, and immediately sent Marcall and a handful of officers after the escaped Jedi. Apparently, the King had decided that the risk of discovery by means of the escaped Jedi was greater than the risk they'd take by leaving the planet.

Reluctantly, Marcall had obeyed. He'd never truly understood the isolationist policy of his people, though he supposed that there was a good reason for it. Still, he wasn't looking forward to his task of hunting down the escaped Jedi, and was infinitely grateful that it would not be his job to try and integrate him into Aurën society.

“Sir? We've made orbit.” Lieutenant Callem informed him, looking at him expectantly.

Marcall nodded. “Prepare a cruiser. I'll be taking two guardsmen to the surface.”

Staying hidden from Coruscant Air Traffic Control would be easy. And so would catching the Jedi. Or at least, he hoped that it would be – he didn't particularly want to have to kill him.

Chapter 11

Once again, Anakin found himself at his Master's side in the Council chambers, though he was not the object of their scrutiny this time. As Obi-Wan calmly recounted his tale for the Council, Anakin listened raptly, torn between fascination and horror.

“As there was no communicator on board, I was unable to contact the Temple and returned immediately.” Obi-Wan finished, and for a moment the chamber was strangely quiet. The Councilors looked unusually pensive, and Yoda regarded Obi-Wan with an unusual softness in his gaze.

“Undergone a great transformation you have, Master Obi-Wan,” Yoda said, breaking the silence. “But strong in the Force you have always been, and changed that has not. Strong, are the Aurën people, as well.” the small Master said emphatically. Obi-Wan gave him a quizzical look. “Yes, know of them I do, but many years it has been." Yoda shook his head. "Directly to the Healers you will go now, so that recover you may. Much have we to discuss,” he said, directing his last comment at his fellow Councilors. Obi-Wan hesitated only slightly before giving a small bow and turning to leave. Anakin moved to follow him, but was stopped by Master Windu's firm voice.

“Stay, Padawan.”

Obi-Wan threw a curious glance over his shoulder, but left as he had been told to. Alone with the Council now, Anakin shifted his weight restlessly as he wondered what they could possibly want of him. Was he somehow in more trouble?

“Nervous you are, young Skywalker,” Yoda observed. “Have reason to be, do you?”

“No, Master,” Anakin replied respectfully, bowing his head slightly.

Yoda made a vague sound that could have been one of displeasure. “Much changed, your Master is. What think you of this?” he asked abruptly, gazing at Anakin intently.

“I . . .” Anakin found himself at a loss for a moment. He wasn't quite sure what to make of Obi-Wan's new form just yet. So his first impressions would have to do. “It worries me, Master. I want to see him well again,” he answered honestly.

“Well, you say.” Yoda harrumphed. “Unwell he is, now?”

“Of course he isn't well, Master.” Anakin said, somewhat indignantly. “You saw him. He's weak and frail, and needs to have whatever made him that way reversed.” Anakin fervently hoped that the healers would be able to help Obi-Wan; he didn't know what he'd do if they couldn't. He wanted, needed, his Master back.

Yoda let out a small, sad sigh and looked to Master Windu.

“Thank you for your time, Padawan.” Master Windu said calmly. “Please wait outside while the Council convenes.”

“Yes, Masters.” Anakin bowed low and left, and seated himself in the waiting area outside. Uneasily, he recalled the last time that he had been here, but quickly pushed such considerations from his mind. He had been on his best behavior lately, so he was confident that the Council would find no fault.

~*~

The Jedi Temple was not a particularly grand structure, at least not in comparison to those around it. But Marcall and his men did not need it pointed out to them – they knew it right away by the unique Sense of its existence. Marcall gazed out the viewport from his vantage point of their ship, which was safely concealed from detection yet able to move about the city at will.

Coruscant disturbed him deeply, with its varied population and its dizzying bustle. A small part of him, though, was equally fascinated by the spectacle. Bringing his attention back to the matter at hand, Marcall let his gaze rest on the Temple, aware that his quarry was safely inside it.

And where Obi-Wan Kenobi was was where they needed to be as well. Contemplating their options, a slow smile spread across his lips as he came to the only logical conclusion.

“Lieutenant?” he said smoothly, “Prepare our cycles.”

~*~

The Council had convened for more than an hour, and by the time Anakin was able to get to the Healer's wing it was late in the evening. As he entered, the Apprentice Healer on duty recognized him and pointed him towards Obi-Wan's medical suite. Anakin nodded curtly and made his way back, but stopped just short of entering. The short walk from the Council chambers had given him little time to calm his rising anger, and perhaps panic, at the Council's decision. Apparently he had said something wrong, because when the Council had called him in again they had told him, quite calmly, that they were considering a new Master for him. Anakin had protested vehemently and had nearly resorted to begging, but in the end all he had been able to get was a glorified 'maybe.'

But maybe wasn't good enough. He would have Obi-Wan or no Master at all.

He didn't want to think about that when he went in to visit Obi-Wan, though, for fear that his always-observant Master would pick up on his anxiety. Anakin paused momentarily to clear his thoughts and release his tension into the Force, and then took a deep breath and entered.

Obi-Wan was asleep, as Anakin had guessed he would be. Not wanting to disturb him, Anakin quietly slid into the chair beside the bed and watched him sleep. Obi-Wan was sleeping only lightly, though, and Anakin's mere presence was enough to wake him.

“Hello, Padawan,” he said quietly as he turned to look up at Anakin.

“I'm sorry I woke you, Master. You need your rest; I'll leave now.” He started to rise, but was halted by a slender hand on his arm.

“It's quite all right, Anakin. Stay.” Obi-Wan's voice was soft but firm, and Anakin hesitantly sat back down. “What is on your mind, my Padawan?” First and foremost on his mind was the fact that he may not be Obi-Wan's Padawan for much longer, but he didn't want to tell that to him now.

“I'm worried about you, Master,” he said honestly. “And . . .” he hesitated, unsure if it was the right time to ask.

“And?”

“Our training bond . . . it's gone, Master.” Anakin said in a subdued voice. “Will we be able to reform it?” he asked worriedly. “And why did it break? I thought you had died.”

Obi-Wan gave him a comforting smile. “Of course we will reform it, Anakin. And since Force bonds do have some physiological basis as well, I suspect that the sudden change in my genetics was what caused it to break as it did.”

“I suppose that makes sense.” Anakin replied thoughtfully. “Can we do it now?” he asked abruptly.

“What, reform our bond?” Obi-Wan asked, surprised. “I don't see why--”

“Please, Master?” Anakin pleaded, giving Obi-Wan his best needy look. As anxious as he was for their bond to be reformed, he still could have waited. But if they were bonded, he figured, it would be more difficult for the Council to take Obi-Wan away from him.

Obi-Wan gave him a long, inscrutable look, and then let out a quiet sigh. “Very well, Anakin.” He slowly sat up in bed, then, and held his hands out to Anakin with an encouraging smile.

Carefully, Anakin took them, aware of how fragile they seemed in his own large hands. He reached out with the Force then, and felt Obi-Wan do the same. He welcomed the warm, much-loved presence, and allowed it to take root in his mind. Delving into Obi-Wan's mind as well, Anakin was relieved to find it to be familiar as it had always been, unchanged by his Master's physical transformation. Wordlessly, they completed the bond, and the Force hummed around them in recognition.

It was perfectly formed, and just as it had been before . . . but not quite. Anakin could not pinpoint where the difference was, though, so he allowed himself to ignore it. If anything, their bond was improved, so whatever it was was surely of little consequence.

Chapter 12

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan asked slowly as he rose from the training room floor. “What was that?”

“What, Master?” Anakin ducked his head, lowering his 'saber.

“I'm sure you know very well what I mean, Padawan. You're hardly even trying,” he replied, frustrated. In the past weeks Obi-Wan had recovered nicely, and was feeling almost completely healthy. For better or worse, though, he would never regain his human form; the Healers couldn't even understand how he had changed in the first place, let alone how to change him back. His new form would take some getting used to, but training with Master Yoda had helped him to get a feel for how his body worked now. He lacked the physical strength and the sheer size that he was used to, but he felt that his much increased agility and speed more than made up for it. And now that he had attained a sufficient level of competency with it, Master Yoda had suggested that he begin practicing with his Padawan as well. Being a team, Anakin would also have to become familiar with Obi-Wan's new form and fighting style.

So far, it wasn't going well. Anakin, for whatever reason, refused to engage him properly. He didn't do it outright, though. Rather, he fought hesitantly and half-heartedly, and withdrew immediately, but subtlety, if their matches became too heated. Like he had done just now. Obi-Wan had tolerated it for a time, aware that his physical change had shaken Anakin more than it should have.

“You want me to do what?” Anakin asked, looking at Obi-Wan with disbelief.

Obi-Wan stood in the center of the training room and gestured Anakin towards him with a curious smile. “Spar with me.”

“But I can't,” Anakin protested.

“And why not?” Obi-Wan asked, cocking his head slightly to the side.

“I . . . you'll . . .” Anakin stammered, trailing off as he mumbled something unintelligible.

Obi-Wan simply looked at him, raising an eyebrow in inquiry.

“I'm afraid that I'll hurt you.”

And Obi-Wan had understood. The look that Anakin had given him was so worried, so full of fear, that Obi-Wan had thought it would be best to allow Anakin some time to adjust before pressing him further. But enough was enough.

“I am trying, Master.” Anakin sounded miffed, and he gave Obi-Wan a wounded look.

Obi-Wan only looked at his Padawan for a moment, exasperated. “Anakin . . .” he began, a slight warning in his tone. “Try harder, then,” he said patiently. He moved close to Anakin then and looked up directly into his eyes. “I won't break.”

Anakin's cheeks took on a reddish tint, and he looked away. “Of course you won't, Master.”

Obi-Wan gave him a hard look, but did not press further. Yet.

He headed back to the training room's center, and drew his borrowed 'saber. “Again.” They would get past this.

~*~

It had been a long day, and Obi-Wan was bone-tired by the time he had collapsed on his bed in their quarters. He had been irritated with himself for over doing it with training that day, especially since it hadn't done anything to ease Anakin's worry for him.

But even tired as he was, he should have sensed them coming. He woke from a sound sleep, unsure as to what had disturbed him, only to feel a slight prick on the back of his neck. Two slim shadows appeared at his sides, and the room suddenly started to get darker. The shadows moved closer, and Obi-Wan dimly recognized one of them as a guard from Aurën.

“Time to come home, Jedi.” one of them whispered.

Obi-Wan couldn't sense them in the Force, a fact that disturbed him greatly. As he slipped into unconsciousness, his last thought was to hope that other Jedi could sense them.

Anakin . . .

~*~

Anakin bolted upright in bed, startled awake by his Master's faint mental call. Or had he dreamed it? Reaching out with the Force, he could not sense anything amiss in his Master's bedroom, though Obi-Wan's presence was strangely muted. Alarmed, Anakin threw off the covers and dashed across the hall to Obi-Wan's room. The bed was empty and tousled, and Obi-Wan was nowhere to be seen. Cocking his head to the side for a moment, Anakin ran over to the window just in time to see his unconscious Master being spirited away by two strangely elegant looking men riding the most unusual swoop bikes that he had ever seen. Without a second thought, Anakin took a flying, Force-aided leap through the window and latched onto the bottom of the one that Obi-Wan was being held on as it departed.

The bike dipped under his weight, then stabilized, and Anakin started to climb onto the back. The dark haired man in the seat gave Anakin an annoyed look, clutched Obi-Wan tighter, and began to guide the small vehicle through a series of complex twists and turns in an effort to lose his unwanted passenger. But Anakin would not lose his Master so easily, and he held on tenaciously. It did him little good, though, as the man activated some type of shock-shield where Anakin was holding on. Startled, Anakin released his hold and plummeted downwards.

With a bit of maneuvering and judicious use of the Force, he was able to land squarely on the hood of a speeder several levels down. “Sorry,” he said hastily to the astonished looking driver, who leaped out onto a nearby rooftop in panic. “I said I was sorry,” Anakin muttered, miffed. Turning his attention back to the matter of hand, he hopped into the seat and grabbed the controls. He then focused in on Obi-Wan's Force signature, and sped after the escaping abductors. I'm coming, Master.

With a bit of careful piloting – though he doubted Obi-Wan would have called it that – Anakin caught up with the pair of swoop bikes and came up along side the one driven by the man who held Obi-Wan. Before he could do anything, though, the light haired man on the other bike came up behind him and rammed into him.

Anakin cursed under his breath as his speeder went careening around, and he activated his lightsaber as the light-haired man drew a blaster-like weapon. Anakin deflected the shots back as they were fired, trying desperately but failing to keep up with the dark haired man and Obi-Wan on the other bike. Furious, Anakin leaped onto the shooter's bike, knocking him off with a powerful kick. Anakin didn't even spare a glance downwards as he gunned the bike's engines and raced after his captive Master.

Sighting his quarry from above, Anakin zoomed downwards to intercept. As he came closer, though, his sense of anticipation turned to shock as he saw Obi-Wan wrestling his captor for the controls.

Anakin couldn't tell who won, but it didn't seem to matter as the bike took a sharp dive downward.

Chapter 13

He was moving far too fast.

Shaking off the effects of the sedative, Obi-Wan became aware of this as well as the fact that he was being held in a rather uncomfortable position on a swoop bike of some sort. Then he remembered – it was Marcall, the Aurën guard from the Palace.

He remained limp, and then 'slid' to one side, causing his captor to shift. In that instant Obi-Wan sprung into action and made a grab for the controls, but Marcall's grip was too strong for him to break. Instead, Obi-Wan wriggled upwards and leaped over and behind Marcall, and then shoved him forward with all of his weight.

Startled by the sudden move, Marcall was pushed up against the controls. The swoop bike plummeted downwards, headed straight for a building side. Obi-Wan took a spinning leap off of the doomed vehicle, and landed gracefully on the walkway below. Marcall also jumped off, but landed a few buildings up. Looking first at his destroyed vehicle and then at Obi-Wan, his eyes narrowed as he took off swiftly in the opposite direction.

Obi-Wan took off just as quickly, leaping up and after him.

“Master!” came a yell from nearby.

Obi-Wan took a quick glance back and registered his apprentice's presence, but did not stop his pursuit.

~*~

Anakin cursed loudly as Obi-Wan raced ahead, but quickly started after him, trying not to let his fear get the better of him. Obi-Wan had just gotten free of his kidnapper, and Anakin couldn't help but wish that he would have just stayed put and let him deal with it.

Obi-Wan and his kidnapper quickly outpaced him, though, and even at his fastest Anakin just managed to keep them in sight. The dark haired man was blindingly fast – but so was Obi-Wan, to Anakin's surprise. They were led on a dizzying chase, over buildings, through them, and down into the levels below. Anakin experienced a brief flash of panic as he thought he lost them, but they soon reappeared as Obi-Wan practically flew off of a rooftop, slamming into the dark-haired man and taking him down with him.

Anakin winced as he expected to see them to roll to the ground in a heap, but miraculously the grappling pair landed upright. Though perhaps miraculous was the wrong word, as Anakin could feel a foreign Force-like undercurrent rushing around them. Strangely enough, it only served to ease his anxiousness.

By the time Anakin reached the rooftop where the fight was taking place, it was as good as over. With a final and rather impressive flying kick, Obi-Wan knocked the dark haired man to the ground, and he lay unconscious where he fell.

“Master! Are you all right?” Anakin asked solicitously, looking Obi-Wan over critically. His Master had a few scrapes and bruises, and looked rather winded, but he could detect no serious injury.

“I'm fine,” Obi-Wan replied briefly, offering Anakin a reassuring smile. “Thanks for the rescue,” he said teasingly.

“You're very welcome,” Anakin replied in a similar tone as he flashed a grin. Toeing the unconscious man, he asked, “Master, who could this be? I can't imagine anyone who'd want to kidnap you.”

“This, Padawan, is one of the head guardsmen from that lovely planet of the Aurën. If I recall, this one is named Marcall.” He paused for a moment, looking pensive. “I suppose the King was more upset by my departure than his son thought he would be,” Obi-Wan commented wryly.

“Shall we take him back to the Temple, then?” Anakin inquired. Given what he'd seen of this man, he didn't trust him to law enforcement.

“I suppose so. The Council may want to speak with him – or the Senate may, for that matter,” Obi-Wan replied.

Anakin nodded in agreement, and quickly bent down to hoist the unconscious man over his shoulder. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow as he did so. “You caught him, let me carry him.” he said, a bit defensively. “I wouldn't want to have come chasing after you for nothing.” He was impressed by Obi-Wan's astonishing new speed, and had to admit that his Master had shown that he was more than capable in a fight despite his slim stature. And though Obi-Wan obviously didn't need any rescuing, Anakin still wanted to be useful. “Shall we go now?” he asked dutifully.

Obi-Wan lifted his eyes to meet Anakin's, and grinned. “Certainly.” he replied with a small smile. “I don't suppose you have a speeder anywhere nearby?”

Anakin just rolled his eyes.

~*~

“He may present his case to the Senate if he chooses to, as he claims to have been acting on the direct orders of the planet's monarch.”

Obi-Wan looked at Master Windu in surprise as they paused outside the Council Chambers. “Master, I hardly think that he will want to have any interaction with the Galactic Senate. From what I've seen of them, the Aurën are isolationist to the point of being xenophobic.”

“I'm afraid you may be right, Obi-Wan, but we will still offer him the option.” Master Windu told him.

“And if he refuses?” Obi-Wan queried.

“We'll have no choice but to try him in the criminal courts.” he admitted.

“No.” Obi-Wan shook his head. “If it comes to that, I won't file charges. The Aurën have enough dislike for outsiders as it is.” Obi-Wan said resignedly. He certainly didn't appreciate the King's forceful attempt to bring him back to Aurën, but he couldn't fault the guardsman for doing his job.

Master Windu looked at him skeptically. “We'll see.”

~*~

Anakin had given up trying to sit still as he sat outside the Council chambers. He had never been good at waiting, and today was no exception. That morning he had received a summons that was quite possibly the vaguest that he had ever gotten, so he wasn't quite sure what the Council wanted to see him for. But since it had been for him alone, and not for Obi-Wan as well, he suspected that it was in regards to the matter of his apprenticeship under his current Master.

Anakin knew that the Council wouldn't go so far as to revoke his apprenticeship for his behavior, but he wasn't so sure that they would let him keep Obi-Wan as his Master. Silently, he pleaded to any part of the Force that might hear him not to take Obi-Wan away from him.

Chapter 14

“Loud your thoughts are, young Skywalker.” Master Yoda observed as he hobbled past Anakin towards the Council Chambers. “Fear loss, you should not.”

Anakin quickly stood, embarrassed at having had his mental wanderings heard by the wise old Master. “Sorry, Master, yes,” he stammered out.

“Why stand there, do you?” Yoda asked, peering back at Anakin as he opened the door to the Council chambers. “Have an appointment, we do.” Without saying anything further, Yoda made his way inside.

Anakin looked after him for a moment in surprise, and then quickly hurried in just as the door shut. Yoda was seating himself comfortably in his chair, and looked up at Anakin when he had finished.

“Master?” Anakin began, looking around the empty room uncertainly. “If I may ask, where are the rest of the Council members? If I recall, I was summoned to meet with the Council,” he emphasized.

“So you were, yes. But speak first with you alone, I will,” The small Master replied. Anakin mentally squirmed under the penetrating gaze that studied him, feeling unusually self-conscious.

Unable to stand the scrutiny any longer, Anakin spoke up. “Have you decided yet?” he asked, not bothering to say what about.

“For me to decide, it is not. Determine if Obi-Wan is a fitting Master for you, your own behavior will.” Yoda answered serenely.

“And what has my behavior decided, then?” he replied tersely. He really didn't want to deal with Yoda's unique brand of wisdom now. He just wanted to be told that he was still Obi-Wan's Padawan.

“What think you of your Master, young Skywalker?” Yoda asked abruptly. “Worried, are you, for him?”

Somewhat taken aback by the straightforwardness of the question, Anakin replied, “I know that a Jedi should not worry, Master. But if I did, then yes, I would worry for Obi-Wan.” He chose his next words carefully, while at the same time abandoning all care as his feelings crystallized for the first time into words. “But that has nothing to do with the change that he has undergone. It's because I care about him and want him to be safe.”

For a long moment, Yoda only looked at him. “But trust him, do you, to care for himself?”

~*~

“How did your meeting go, Anakin?” Obi-Wan greeted Anakin pleasantly.

Anakin grinned broadly. “Very well, Master, very well.” He had just gotten out of what may very well have been the most nerve-wracking Council meeting that he had ever experienced, but the end result had been favorable. He still wasn't sure what he had said to convince them, but the Council had decided to allow him to continue his apprenticeship with Obi-Wan.

“And what did the Council want with you, anyway?” Obi-Wan inquired, looking at him curiously. “It wasn't about last night,” he stated.

“No, Master, it wasn't.” He hesitated for a moment as he decided how to continue. He didn't want to tell Obi-Wan . . . but he didn't want to lie to him either. “The Council had my apprenticeship to you under review,” he admitted.

“Ah.” Obi-Wan said non-commitally. “Master Yoda had mentioned something along those lines.”

“You knew?” Anakin gaped.

“Not much, really,” Obi-Wan amended. “I was told only that the Council was 'concerned' about my ability to be a dominant role model as I am now, if I couldn't manage the same before,” he said wryly. “Though now I see why you were so anxious to restore our training bond.”

“I'm sorry, Master,” Anakin said sorrowfully. “I do respect you. And I did miss you,” he added. The last thing he wanted was for Obi-Wan to doubt his motivations. He could live with it if the Council doubted him, but not Obi-Wan.

“I know.” Obi-Wan said, regarding Anakin fondly. “And I need you to trust me, to take care of myself and your training as well.”

“I'll try, Master, I promise,” Anakin said sincerely.

“I just hope that's not what you told Master Yoda.” Obi-Wan said with a teasing smile.

A brief look of horror crossed Anakin's face, but was quickly followed by one of relief as he recalled his conversation with Yoda. “No, Master.”

“Good. Now how about you show me?” Obi-Wan flashed him an almost mischievous grin, and Anakin followed him as he headed out the door.

~*~

“I yield.” Anakin panted out. Sweaty and tired, he knelt motionless on the training room floor, Obi-Wan's new 'saber at his chest. The pale green blade quickly withdrew at his words, and Obi-Wan offered Anakin his hand to get up. Anakin looked at the small offering doubtfully, thinking he would be more likely to pull Obi-Wan down. He quickly caught himself though, reminding himself that if Obi-Wan could beat him so thoroughly while sparring then he could certainly help him up.

Anakin accepted the proferred hand as he rose, and then walked gingerly over to the bench to grab a towel. Trying to keep up with his Master had been a difficult task, as Obi-Wan had incorporated so many leaps and aerial maneuvers that it almost made him dizzy, and he'd used many rarely used muscles to keep up with him. He still wasn't quite used to Obi-Wan's new fighting style, so his Master had beaten him worse than usual today. He would definitely be sore tomorrow.

But seeing the calm, satisfied look that Obi-Wan wore was worth it. They had both needed this. True, Anakin was still on probation, but he was confident that he could be a better Padawan if only he tried harder.

“Very good effort, Padawan,” Obi-Wan observed. “You are much improved,” he commented with a knowing smile.

“Thank you, Master,” Anakin said modestly. “But just you wait until I get a better handle on your style. Then we'll have some real fun,” he said slyly.

“I look forward to it, my young Padawan,” Obi-Wan acknowledged with a tilt of his head.

Obi-Wan headed to the showers then, and Anakin followed. As he was enjoying the feel of the warm water against his tired muscles, a sudden, unwelcome thought popped into his head. “Master?” he called, directing his query to the stall next to his.

“What is it, Anakin?” Obi-Wan replied as he felt around for the soap.

“What are they going to do with that Aurën guardsman that tried to kidnap you?”

“Marcall, you mean? Nothing, I'm afraid. The containment cell they put him in didn't even hold him for the night. He's long gone by now,” Obi-Wan replied off-handedly.

Anakin's eyes widened in surprise, both at the information itself and by how unaffected by it Obi-Wan seemed to be. “What if he comes back?”

“I doubt King Elhosan would send the same man twice, Anakin,” Obi-Wan corrected him.

“But--” Anakin bit his lip.

“And besides, I think its safe to say that we've seen the last of the Aurën. This last incident has surely demonstrated that they will risk more exposure trying to capture me than by leaving me free.” Obi-Wan reasoned.

“I suppose you're right, Master,” Anakin admitted. Obi-Wan probably was right about this, as he was about just about everything else like this. And even if they did come for him again, Anakin was secure in his knowledge that Obi-Wan could, and would, put up a good fight.

“Though if there is a next time,” Anakin added, “Don't have all the fun without me.” He shot Obi-Wan a playful grin, and was rewarded with one of his Master's rare, amused looks.

“I shall try.”

END

~*~*~*

Forum  Figures  Links   Mail



Disclaimer: Star Wars and all associated characters and images belong to George Lucas, not me. I am not associated with LFL in any way and am not making any money from using them on this site.