Star Wars: Giver of Light Book I-Finding a Father in a Memory (AU)

Chapter Ten

Obi-Wan stepped hesitantly into the quarters he shared with Qui-Gon Jinn. He looked around and his eyes quickly landed on the form of his Master. Steeling himself for the punishment he knew was forthcoming, he entered the room fully.

Qui-Gon gazed at his apprentice as the young man approached him, shoulders hunched. He looked like a lost, lonely young child. Only one thing could have put that look on Obi-Wan's face, and Qui-Gon was certain he knew exactly what that one thing was.

"Your father told you, didn't he?" Qui-Gon asked quietly. "About the test?"

"You knew?" Obi-Wan questioned.

"I was informed by the Council after we returned that Xanatos had been sent to Praxus to test your commitment to the Jedi," he admitted. "What prompted him to tell you the truth?" Qui asked, very interested in the answer.

Obi-Wan walked over to the couch and sat down next to his mentor. "We were in the training room watching the Initiates compete in their lightsaber tournament and we were talking. He asked me a few questions about Anakin Skywalker and I...," he began, but Qui-Gon interrupted.

"He asked about the Skywalker boy?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "He was watching him in the competition. You know how Anakin likes the acrobatic style of saber fighting. Father was impressed with his ability, that's all."

Qui-Gon merely nodded. He knew there was something more behind Xanatos' interest in Anakin Skywalker. He himself had often noticed the immense talent and power in the Force young Anakin possessed.

"Running away from me was unacceptable, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said, changing the subject.

"I know, Master. I was just so angry at you for forbidding me to have any contact with my father," the young man uttered quietly. "I'm sorry, Master. I don't mean to disobey you, but...," he stopped, not sure how to convey his feelings on the matter.

Qui-Gon stood and began pacing in front of Obi-Wan. "I realize that the novelty of having a father is enticing for you, Obi-Wan. Unlike many other young Jedi in this Temple, you have always wondered about your father. Now that he's here and you've had the opportunity to meet him and spend a little time with him, I expect that your curiosity has abated."

"It hasn't abated at all, Master," Obi-wan stated clearly and decisively. "If anything, my curiosity about him has deepened. I want to know my father, Master; everything there is to know about him. I can't accomplish that in a few days or a few hours. It'll take years to even come close. I want the chance, Master."

Qui-Gon couldn't believe his ears. "Why is knowing him so important to you, Padawan?" he inquired.

Obi-Wan stood as well. "I don't know how to explain it to you, Master. You've never been in this situation and you likely never will be. He's my father, Master. There's this connection between us that I can feel, that I can touch. That's how I remembered him in the first place when we were on Praxus. He gave me that memory when I was an infant, Master, and I was able to recall it all these years later. It had very little to do with Jedi powers, and much to do with the connection that I share with him. Our blood is the same, Master."

"Obi-wan, blood is not what connects people to one another. Biology has very little to do with being a parent," he informed Obi-Wan.

"I know that too, Master. You've been like a father to me in the two years we've been Master and Padawan. But...," he paused, weighing his next words very carefully before speaking,"...the blood my father and I share means more to me than anything else right now."

Staring into Obi-Wan's blue-gray eyes as the young man made his speech; Qui-Gon knew he was losing him. In the short time they'd known one another, Xanatos had managed to work his way into Obi-Wan's thoughts, into his heart.

Steeling himself against the answer he knew would follow his question, Qui-Gon asked the question he was dreading. "Is it your wish to accompany Xanatos back to Telos when he leaves next week?"

Tears pooling in his eyes and despair boiling in his heart, Obi-Wan met Qui-Gon's stare with his own. "Yes, Master," he whispered, his voice cracking as his tears fell.

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After having told Obi-Wan the truth behind their meeting on Telos, Xanatos now found himself seeking out the presence of young Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan had reacted to his news surprisingly well and now he had decided to turn his attention towards the boy he believed was the Chosen One.

"You're looking for me, aren't you?" came a young voice from behind Xanatos.

Xanatos spun on his booted heel and came face to face with Anakin Skywalker. Being only twelve years old, Anakin was very tall. His blonde hair was shaggy and disheveled. His bright blue eyes were full of mischief and happiness. Xanatos could immediately sense that despite the anger he'd been told Anakin possessed, the boy was full of goodness and the wish to make things right, to do things right.

"Yes, I am. I'm Knight Xanatos Renashaii. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Anakin Skywalker," Xanatos said as he executed a small bow towards the boy.

Anakin smiled. He liked this man. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Knight Renashaii. I saw you watching me earlier during my lightsaber competition," the youngling confessed.

Xanatos smiled brightly. "I understand you triumphed over your competition. Well done."

Anakin simply gave an embarrassed shrug at the praise. He was used to hearing people praise his accomplishments, but also berate him for his failures.

"Be proud of your abilities Anakin, but do not let them make you arrogant. You're very gifted and you'll be a great Jedi one day, but you must always remember that you are merely one of many Jedi in the galaxy. Your abilities will naturally set you apart from the others, but I caution you to not let them set you above the others," Xanatos told Anakin, his voice very serious.

Anakin contemplated those words for a few moments. "I understand, Knight Renashaii."

Xanatos patted the boy on the shoulder. "Now, we must discuss the reason I was seeking you out in the first place."

"Which was what exactly?" Anakin asked.

Xanatos knelt on one knee in from of the tall boy. "Anakin Skywalker, I would be honored if you would consider accepting me as your Jedi Master."

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"Are we seriously considering letting Xanatos have control of both Obi-Wan and the Skywalker boy, Master?" Mace questioned Yoda as the pair sat together sipping tea in Yoda's quarters.

Yoda's ears rose slightly. "Decided, I already have. Go with Xanatos, Obi-Wan and Anakin will."

"You're willing to put the two most powerful Jedi to ever exist under the tutelage of one man, a former fallen Jedi?" Mace asked, his voice betraying his skepticism. "I know that Xanatos is a Knight and that he has become one of the best, but is this truly the wisest course of action, Master?"

"The wisest choice we have, no it is not. The best choice we have, it certainly is. Save or destroy the Republic and the Jedi, Obi-Wan and Anakin will, together. Sure of that, I am."

Mace took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He understood what Yoda was trying to tell him. He had no idea how the future would unfold. The Force would not grant him a vision of that, but he did know that no matter what the outcome, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker would travel their paths together.