Inheritance

Promised Fulfilled

Some limited spoilers from Jedi Apprentice.
No betas, therefore the mistakes are all mine.
See chapter one for disclaimers.

The High Council room is disturbingly quiet despite the presence of over half a dozen Jedi and several holograms. Obi-Wan Kenobi stands silently in the middle of the chambers, his hood down, his chin up, his shoulders squared. He stands there, his feet firmly planted a shoulder's width apart, his expression immaculately serene. He stands there like a Jedi. The Councilors around him stir uncomfortably in their seats. Even the ones present by holo-transmission seem disquieted.

Obi-Wan, for his part, has never felt calmer. It is the lingering effect of Nai'gia's gift. After her uncharacteristically blunt proclamation the master had fallen silent for a time, unable to move, speak, or think. It was Nai'gia who comforted him laying him down upon a blanket of grass humming softly to him as she moved slowly around his prone form; dancing as easily as a leaf on the wind. It was in that state, in that surreal moment that she helped him achieve something the master thought might be lost to him forever.

Obi-Wan Kenobi fell into deep meditation.

It wasn't so much that he fell into the Force, but instead it seemed the Force fell into him. Guided by her presence, somehow, in ways the young master may never understand, the Force allowed its Vessel to channel itself temporarily through his body. The collar he wore presented no obstacle to the living instrument of the Force's will. The transition was sudden, but gentle, apart from him yet encompassed his being. There was no desperate rushing ecstasy as before. No, this experience, this reconnection was deeper. It was the stomach tightening gasp of tremulously ebullient expectation, the soft embrace of a returning lover whispering warm and breathless nothings on his neck, the fantastically incandescent rapture of his soul being lifted and smiled upon by something greater than himself. In that instant, in the lush and lively gardens of the Room of a Thousand Fountains, Obi-Wan Kenobi was reborn into the Force. He emerged from his meditation with the open eyes of a newborn; seeing the world in unbridled wonder, his spirit resting in unparalleled calm.

Even now, away from her luminous presence and once again cut off from the Force, Obi-Wan is still settled deeply within his center; truly serene, truly tranquil, truly at peace with the moment. Truly a Jedi.

He only wishes his fellows could share his calm resolve.

"Is there no mistaking the Vessel's message?"

Obi-Wan shakes his head.

"No, Master Gallia. On this she was quite clear," he answers. A slight rumbling can be heard throughout the chamber. It is Master Windu, however, who finally gives voice to the room's displeasure.

"I do not believe this is the way."

"You would question the Vessel? The will of the Force?" Master Tiin asks, his stony visage twisted in incredulity. Windu is not intimidated.

"I question the words of a powerful, yet notably unstable young woman," the Master of the Order intones. Before Tiin can give a rebuttal, the clack of Yoda's gimer stick striking the floor resonates through the chamber. All eyes fall at once to the tiny Grand Master.

"Enough. Spoken to the child myself, I have. Correct in this she is. A path she presents, but choose to walk it only one can," he says pausing as he lets his gaze fall heavily upon the master standing serenely before him. "Go you must. Preparations to make you have."

With that, the master bows deeply before his fellow Councilors. For a moment, Obi-Wan is faced with only silence thinking, perhaps, his dismissal, the traditional Jedi benediction is not forthcoming, but after a breathless minute Master Windu speaks, his intimidating baritone a gentle roll of thunder resounding within the chamber.