Princess. | obi wan kenobi

*°•*°•*° e l e v e n *°•*°•*°

The council reconvenes when they are ready to receive Anakin. Zara has rejoined Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and the light is beginning to fade in the sky.

"The boy will not pass the Council's test, Master. He's too old," Obi-Wan says.

"The boy has a name," Zara reminds him with a light elbow to the stomach.

"Anakin will become a Jedi, I promise you," Qui-Gon replies.

"Do not defy the Council, Master. Not again," Obi-Wan says, exasperation in his voice.

"I shall do what I must, Obi-Wan," he responds calmly. They walk onto a balcony overlooking the city as the sky turns to a vibrant orange,

"If you would just follow the code, you would be on the Council," Obi-Wan reminds him. "They will not go along with you this time."

"You still have much to learn, my young apprentice. Both of you do. The Jedi code is not everything. Sometimes you must follow what you feel," he says.

They invite Zara, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon back into the room when they have sufficiently tested Anakin. Zara holds his shoulders gently.

"The Force is strong with him," Master Ki-adi admits.

"He is to be trained then?" Qui-Gon asks.

"No," Master Windu says regretfully, "he will not be trained."

"No?" Qui-Gon echoes, as though not believing what Windu is saying. Zara feels some anger coursing through Anakin and her grip tightens slightly. He looks up at her and she sends him a calming gaze. It seems to work. Master Yoda sends her a curious look.

"He is too old," Master Windu declares.

"He is the Chosen One," Qui-Gon continues. "You must see it."

"Mmm. Clouded, this boy's future is," Master Yoda says, his eyes closed.

"I will train him then," Qui-Gon says, moving to stand next to Anakin and Zara. Zara catches Obi-Wan's shocked expression. "I take Anakin as my Padawan learner."

"An apprentice, you have Qui-Gon. Two of them," Master Yoda says. "Usually, impossible to take on a second, it is. Unheard of, taking on a third is."

"The Code forbids two, let alone three," Master Windu states.

"Obi-Wan is ready. As is Zara," Qui-Gon says confidently.

"I am ready to face the Trials," Obi-Wan agrees.

"Our own counsel we will keep on who is ready," Master Yoda says.

"He is headstrong and he has much to learn of the living Force, but he is capable. And you all know what Zara can do. She worries too much sometimes, but she is rarely afraid and she has impeccable instincts," Qui-Gon tells them. "There is little more either of them can learn from me."

"Young Skywalker's fate will be decided later," Yoda says.

"Now is not the time for this," Master Windu declares. "The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor and Queen Amidala is returning home, which will out pressure on the Federation and could widen the confrontation."

"And draw out the Queen's attacker," Ki-adi adds.

"Go with the Queen to Naboo and discover the identity of this Dark Warrior," Windu commands. Qui-Gon nods. "This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith."

"May the Force be with you," Yoda says, in way of dismissal.

They leave the room and Zara guides Anakin gently. They don't stop to discuss the ruling, instead making their way to the docking station to return to Naboo.

"It's not disrespect, Master, it's the truth," Obi-Wan says.

"From your point of view," Zara says sharply.

"The boy is dangerous. They all sense it, why can't you two?" he sighs.

"His fate is uncertain. He's not dangerous," Qui-Gon says. "The Council will decide Anakin's future. That should be enough for you. Now, get on board."

Anakin approaches once Obi-Wan is gone. "Qui-Gon, sir, I don't want to be a problem."

"You won't be, Ani," he assures the boy. "I'm not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me and be mindful. Always remember: your focus determines your reality. Stay close to me and you'll be safe."

"Master, sir, I heard Yoda talking about midi-chlorians. I've been wondering— what are midi-chlorians?" he asks.

"Zara, would you like to answer that?" he asks, smiling at his Padawan.

"Uh... midi-chlorians are basically a microscopic life form. It's in all the living cells in the universe," she explains.

"They live inside me?" he asks.

"Inside your cells, yeah," she nods. "We're symbionts with them."

"Symbionts?"

"Life forms that live together for mutual advantage," Qui-Gon answers as Zara is pulled away to help carry some things on board. "Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist and we would have no knowledge of the Force."

She steps onto the ship with a few boxes and nearly crashes into Obi-Wan.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you," she says suddenly. "I just... I want to help him, you know?"

"No, I get it," he sighs. "I'm just worried. Yoda thinks he might be dangerous."

"I think he'll turn out just fine with a bit of training, if they let us," she smiles. "But I get where you're coming from. Help me put these away? The Queen will be here any minute."

She was right, the Queen arrives just after they've finished putting the boxes away. They're leaving Courscant behind again sooner than she'd like. They all meet in the main room, apart from Anakin who stays in the cockpit.

"As soon as we land, the Federation will arrest you and force you to sign the treaty," Captain Panaka says.

"I agree. I'm not sure what you wish to accomplish by this," Qui-Gon says gravely.

"I will take back what's ours," the Queen says. Zara looks around and realises that Padmé is actually sat on the throne this time, not Sabé.

"There are too few of us, Your Highness," Panaka argues. "We have no army."

"And we can only protect you," Zara points out. "I can't fight a war for you."

"Jar Jar Binks."

"Mesa, Your Highness?"

"Yes. I need your help."