Bound

As Goes the Master

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

"Master!" came a semi-impatient whine from the common room. Qui-Gon strolled into the main room to find his padawan literally bouncing in place by the door, his hands grasping his saber in a white knuckle grip. With effort, Qui-Gon was able to suppress a smile at the young boy's antics. He had promised the boy that, after midmeal, they would go to the training salles and do some saber work. That promise had been made three hours ago and Obi-Wan had been a bouncing bundle of excited energy ever since.

"Are you ready to go now, Master?" Obi-Wan asked hopefully as he shifted his bouncing to a marginally more restrained full body vibration. As endearing as watching his padawan lose the battle of controlling his anticipation was Qui-Gon needed to speak with the boy about rather serious matters.

"In a moment, Padawan. First there are some things we must discuss," he said and immediately Obi-Wan responded to his master's formal tones, his frenzied energy draining out of him like gas from a broken seal.

"Yes, Master. Of course, Master," Obi-Wan replied with a bow, looking once again the composed and proper padawan. Pleased at how quickly the boy had calmed himself, Qui-Gon gave an approving nod before addressing his apprentice again.

"As you know and as I promised, today we will start your lightsaber training in earnest as you now have a real blade with which to practice. I know you are excited to take this next step along your path to becoming a knight, but even so, you need to understand the gravity of this step and the responsibility that comes with learning to wield a lightsaber," he spoke and after receiving a nod of understanding from Obi-Wan he continued. "Hold out your lightsaber, Padawan."

As ordered, Obi-Wan held out his saber for his master's inspection, but instead of taking it from him like he expected, his master rested one hand on top of the hilt and knelt in front of him.

"Tell me, Padawan, what is a lightsaber?"

"It's the main weapon of the Jedi," Obi-Wan answered carefully. He tried to read his master's expression for a clue as to what the older Jedi was after, but the Jedi's face revealed nothing so with some thought and a deep breath Obi-Wan continued. "It's a defensive weapon and its crystal provides a meditative focus for us. It's a symbol of our Order and of our promise to others as peacekeepers."

Qui-Gon nodded.

"Yes, a lightsaber is all that, but is there nothing more?" the master pressed. When he saw Obi-Wan's brow knit in confusion he decided to try to guide the child a bit further. "What is our responsibility in using such a weapon?" he asked.

"Um," Obi-Wan started as he bit his lip with a pensive expression marking his young features. "It's a powerful weapon... and a dangerous one, so we would have to be careful with it, very careful," he finished. Again, Qui-Gon nodded.

"Yes, that is quite true, but this lightsaber is still far more than a simple weapon and though it is very dangerous, it is potentially more dangerous to its wielder than its target."

"I don't understand, Master," Obi-Wan answered honestly. His master nodded and Obi-Wan had the distinct feeling that his utter confusion was completely expected.

"How is a weapon more dangerous to the being holding it?"

"It would generally not be true of any weapon, but a Jedi's lightsaber is quite different from other weapons. This lightsaber," Qui-Gon said as he patted the hilt in his padawan's hand. "It is your life. It is a part of you and a part of who you are just as my lightsaber is a part of me. And because it is a part of you there is an aspect of risk when wielding such power," Qui-Gon answered, pausing as he could sense through the bond the strong befuddlement dominating Obi-Wan's thoughts.