| Author |
Topic:
Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui) - *Part IX, updated 08/09*
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Princess_Arulmozhi
Registered:
Nov '04
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Date Posted:
3/9/06 6:07am
Subject:
Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui) - *Part IX, updated 08/09*
- Date Edited:
9/8/06 10:02am (9 edits total)
Edited By:
Princess_Arulmozhi
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Title: Stones
Author(s): P_A
Timeframe: Pre JA, AU
Characters: Obi, Qui, assorted OCs
Genre: Mush, Fluff, Some action (I think)
Summary: An unexpected adventure
Notes: Indulge me. I know I have countless unfinished fics, and it is with a view to getting started on my writing again that I began this. Hopefully, just one more post.
This story takes place, actually, in the 'Gah!' universe. Since it happens a little later than where I've left off in the thread, I'm posting it separately. When I've written enough to bridge the gap, I'll probably repost this bit over there.
Blame Ophelia and her 'Lone Wolf and Cub' comment for this. That inspired me, in part. 
***************
It was hot.
Very hot.
As hot as the famed Jundland wastes, about which stories circulated even in the inner core worlds. The heat was bearable if one took shelter under a few trees that clustered around boulders abounding in the rocky terrain.
Thankfully, it was past midday, however, and the heat would begin to lessen any moment. Within the space of a few hours, one would wonder whether such heat had actually existed.
Especially as one started climbing the mountains of Elhao, the foothills of which were even now visible, and which one would begin to ascend within a matter of minutes.
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn adjusted the small canteen that held water against his hip, brushed away a droplet of perspiration that dotted his forehead, and stared up into the clear violet sky. His chestnut tresses insisted on plastering themselves to his neck, and he gathered them carefully, knotting them in a loose fashion. His feet were beginning to feel hot and damp within his boots, and he longed to pull them off. Not that this would help much when he had to put them back on again – it would feel worse.
Nevertheless, he eased himself onto a boulder, muscles in his hip and waist feeling sore from more than a day’s hard walking, and dragged off his boots, wriggling his toes. Idly, he thought back to the warnings he had assimilated even before he left Coruscant, the ones that he had tucked away in a corner of his mind. Unfortunately, the warning had been just another tiny detail in the vast databanks that carried information on the small planet Elhain IV, only inhabited system in the quadrant 67II, and which was famed for its natural beauty.
Thank you, Orein, he murmured silently, thinking back to the pandemonium that had raged barely a day ago, following the Prince Regent’s assassination. He had warned them – Force knew he had warned them … and then it had happened in a few gory moments, just before the coronation. He remembered it as though it had happened just then; the roar of voices, shrieks, the First Minister’s look of complete horror, the horrified audience, his own hands as they raised a light-sabre towards the assassin – and the blood that spurted from a severed neck.
He clenched his eyes shut. Assassin or not, he could never get used to taking a life. And he hadn’t truly meant to lop off the murderer’s neck, but merely to stop the actual deed. But the Force seemed to have different ideas. Too many people. Confusion. They had heard his shouts of warning – the Regent was dead just as his sabre reached him.
“To murder the Regent is to murder our Life Source Ka,” the First Minister had intoned in a most superior voice, when he had first broached the matter to him. “None will dare.”
His sense had warned him of impending disaster. Jedi had been called to act witness to the coronation. Celebrations, Flowers. Happy voices shrieking through the air. Muffled conferences in two street-corners. Heads that ducked when he had ventured into the market-places.
It had been too perfect, the happiness – happiness that came after long years of bloody skirmishes and outright battle. And the events leading up to the coronation. Too swift. Too soon. Again, he had warned them.
He should have been swifter. Faster.
He shook his head. What was done was done. Fortunately, the Prince’s consort was in Alderaan—a near connection of its Royal Family. There had been plans of bringing her back home in state, to start a new reign of peace and prosperity, once the Prince had ascended the throne. Now, it was doubtful if she would ever be able to come back.
There had been anger at the Jedi too – fuelled, mostly, by the faction that had ordered the assassination. The son of a mistress had dared to sit on a holy throne occupied by the purest blood for a thousand years … and the Jedi had aided and abetted this act of treason. Never mind that said son of a mistress had been a most worthy ruler, completely qualified to rule his people. Never mind that the majority of his subjects had known him for well over a decade, and were prepared to accept his rule with equanimity. Never mind that upon his untimely death, the contender was a man entirely incapable of ruling even himself, let alone a whole planet.
For the Prince Regent had no offspring. He had been married for only six months.
“There will be no scent of danger,” Orein, the Chief of Security had promised with absolute sincerity. “Peace has returned to Elhain, Master Jedi.”
Orein's tight, drawn face, with his grief-stricken eyes flashed in his mind's eye.
Fool, he berated himself, as he stared sightlessly at the hillocks. I should have known. I should have known.
He had been tired. Tired from a succession of missions, tired of negotiations, of preserving a diplomatic silence at spats, at greeting and acquiescing to royal whims, at showing a polite façade where stupidity and sheer naivety reigned. He was a Master negotiator and diplomat. He had had years of experience in what he did. He could prevent entire wars and battles at a word.
Barring assassinations, that was.
There was no excuse, he knew. There was excuse for failure. There never is. A life had been lost – a good life, a promising life, a life that would have ushered in a golden age for others.
Must I see blood and gore even when I desperately crave peace?
And he had been forced to flee the carnage, having brought order, after a fashion. It had taken an inordinate amount of time to persuade the First Minister into bringing back normalcy – there was no need to hunt for the assassin, since said assassin was already dead – courtesy Qui-Gon’s own hand. Since he had also seen fit to advertise the faction he belonged to, by roaring out in a stentorian voice before he died, there had been no need to hunt for a motive either.
The Faction For Justice and Truth had lost no time in proclaiming the Jedi its enemy either.
And he had been forced to leave, to make for the mountains, where there would be a temporary shelter of sorts. He was a target – and were it not for another, he would tried to effect a negotiation process then and there.
Not that it would have had any effect – but he would have had liberty to try.
Not now, though. Not now.
He brushed at his eyes and face, and leant back on his elbows, resting them on another broad boulder, squinting into the steeply rising hills in the distance, shimmering in the heat, calculating how long it might take for him to reach them.
Then he turned his attention to the small figure that sat beside him, wriggling.
“Wait,” he said, as he detached the offending strap from fumbling fingers. He felt for the tiny knot and worked on it slowly, forcibly calming himself as he concentrated fully on the task at hand. No more time for the past. The past was done. Done. Concentrate on what must be done.
Escape from the capital – Accomplished.
Cross the steaming desert – Accomplished, though the degree of difficulty had risen.
Climb the Mountains – to be accomplished.
Leave the Planet – Ah. Considerably difficult, since he had lost his com unit in the fracas – he had had time to send just a hurried message to the Temple. Force knew if it reached its recipients.
Protect his padawan - …
He looked down into the elfin face bent over his boots, clutching toes considerably smaller than his own. Thank the Force. Thank the Force that the boy had been away, in another section of the Palace when the crisis had broken – at least, he had retained some presence of mind.
He reached out and covered the toes, one large hand engulfing a whole foot. Pressed it gently.
“Can you walk now?” he asked.
“Yes, pwease,” came the three–year old’s calm answer.
He felt inordinately proud, but was too much the Master to show it. “Well, then. Shall we?”
He rose to his feet, strapping his own boots into place. “I’m sorry you didn’t have your holiday, padawan,” he held out a hand, and saw the small head shake in disagreement.
“Is all right,” came the determined answer, and he had to smile.
“Our journey will not be easy. We will have to climb that mountain.”
His padawan raised his head and stared at the steep cliffs that rose in the distance. “Oh.” Then, a moment later, “Can climb.”
He smiled again, though worry and guilt gnawed at him. How could I have brought him? He does not deserve this. We came here to rest. Not to fight and flee. This was supposed to be a haven of peace.
You did not want him coddled, said the small voice within his heart. You could not have foreseen this.
I am a fool, he told himself again.
“Masser?” Came the small voice again, and he turned his head.
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry.”
He chuckled gently. “Indeed.”
A moment later, he felt five fingers hold his forefinger – so small were they.
“Tired, Obi-Wan?” he spoke, his heart tingling with a strange warmth that had no reason to be there, considering recent events.
“No masser.”
“Nevertheless,” he bent down and picked up the child, over his protests. “You may walk a little later. You’ve been walking for a long time.”
He knew he was right to do what he did when his padawan buried his face in his neck, and subsided into silence.
Why did I bring him, you ask? taunted the small voice again, as he walked with a light step. How could you have not?
(tbc...)
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Perceptions (Xanatos/Obi/Qui/Anakin) AU:http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25276178/p1/?7 - *vignette* Stones (Li'l Obi/Qui) - http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/23371821/p1/ Best Author, WFFA (BtS) 05/06 Lore-Master to 7
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Musing
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
3/9/06 7:12am
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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I got it! I got it! First post! 
Nice look into Qui-Gon's thoughts as he works to put the past aside to focus on the present (his favorite time ) and the future with Obi-Wan's help.
Hmmm... The title isn't really referring to the beginning of Obi-Wan's rock collection, is it?
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
Registered:
Feb '04
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Date Posted:
3/9/06 7:41am
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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You portray Qui-Gon flawlessly, as usual! Bravo! 
-----signature-----
If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories.
Proud New Army Mom - off to bootcamp!
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Fat_Bird
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
3/9/06 8:35am
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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Little Obi-Wan is so cute!
-----signature-----
Obi-Wan Kenobi is the greatest Jedi Knight of the saga.
Anakin who? Mace what?
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dianethx
Registered:
Mar '02
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Date Posted:
3/9/06 8:50am
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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OH, another one. I'm so glad your muse is back although I wish you'd work on some of your other fics - yes, I know you know which ones I mean! 
Loved all the description. I could just feel the heat and the tiredness of spirit as well as body for one Jedi Master. That he has to protect his young one as well makes it doubly difficult. Perhaps he should leave Obi-Wan in the creche a little longer...
Great job. Loved this.
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Layren
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
3/9/06 9:07am
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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Escape from the capital – Accomplished.
Cross the steaming desert – Accomplished, though the degree of difficulty had risen.
Climb the Mountains – to be accomplished.
Leave the Planet – Ah. Considerably difficult, since he had lost his com unit in the fracas – he had had time to send just a hurried message to the Temple. Force knew if it reached its recipients.
Protect his padawan - …
Awww even in the midst of an aftermath of chaos, Qui still worries about Obi-Wan... so sweet I just love how you write their relatinoship, Princess 
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Indra
Registered:
Dec '03
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Date Posted:
3/9/06 10:00am
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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That was very sweet, PA. Your characterisation of Qui-Gon is wonderfully done and the little scene between him and Obi-Wan really tugged at my heart. Beautiful work. 
-----signature-----
I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by. - Douglas Adams Picking Every Blade of Truth http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/23113954/p1/?1 - collaboration with VaderLVR
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Dragonlady
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
3/9/06 3:31pm
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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I'm glad to see a post from you. I greatly enjoy this universe you've created. And I love the glimpses of Obi-Wan's canon character that we see in the adorable child you've written. Can't wait for more.
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Healer_Leona
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
3/9/06 4:00pm
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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OH my, how utterly delectable. With all that Qui-Gon and his padawan have just recently been through I'm sitting here smiling, nearly giggling at the mush. If I might, may I ask for a PM when you update this? 
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Still crazy after all these years.
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Seven
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
3/10/06 7:03am
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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So cute!
Hello Master!
Just wanted to drop in and say that this is a most wonderful story. Lil' Obi is just far to cute.
And I think Qui's little voice is right. How could one not bring precious little Obi with him? The very idea is scandalous. SCANDALOUS I tell you.
At any rate, this was a most wonderful chapter!
May I be bold enough to ask for more soon?
Your little one,
Seven
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DarthMousche
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
3/10/06 9:47am
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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Sweet!
Even as a tot, Obi-Wan is so devoted and determined to please Qui-Gon. Having to cope with a little one on such a difficult trip seems like such a burden, but somehow I suspect that the little padawan will do as much as he can to lift his master's spirits.
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Former padawan to the illustrious Jedikma
~
Out to lunch - back soon!
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-Darksaber-
Registered:
Mar '05
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Date Posted:
3/10/06 10:53am
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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I'm upset with you, P_A. Writing a Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan story without informing your biggest fan? For shame. 
This is lovely, very sweet. Well done.
-DS
PS: Three year old Obi-Wan is a darling.
-----signature-----
I literally do not know who I am. It's all untested. Am I funny? Am I sarcastic? Sexy? Right old misery? Life and soul? Right-handed? Left-handed? A gambler? A fighter? A coward? A traitor? A nervous wreck? Judging by the evidence, I've certainly got
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Valairy_Scot
Title: PT Rewrite Winner
Registered:
Sep '05
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Date Posted:
3/10/06 1:09pm
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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Aw...I like this story. I would like a PM if you do them.
-----signature-----
http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/25405090/p3/?52 Prolific Author thread: list & links there. Muse fueled by coffee. Often AWOL despite frequent sipping. Writes on inspiration, not a schedule. Proud master of several padawans
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LuvEwan
Registered:
Mar '02
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Date Posted:
3/10/06 9:12pm
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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You have so much freaking talent, and it comes through beautifully in anything you post. I love when you write Qui-Gon, because you have a grasp on his character that makes the story vivid, like you're lending your readers his eyes and heart.
How I loved the ending, with Obi-Wan. My heart squeezes when I read about those two, when it's you writing them. So much emotion, expressed in such a subtle, sweet way. Wowie zowie, P_A.
I eagerly await more, whenever you can get to it.
-----signature-----
So it was Anakin's butt after all. He supposed he might take a modicum of comfort from that.
-Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, by Matthew Stover
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Lady_Snow_Kaguya
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
3/10/06 9:55pm
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
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gah! Even when the situation is dire...aww...leave it to Obi to do something to lighten the mood.....this looks good! Can't wait for more!
-----signature-----
Former Padawan of MASTER_KAYM
Jedi = Intergalactic Therapists
I ship Qui/Tahl
Republicans for Voldemort
"You threw yourself into a lake of acid just to spite your Master. I think that makes you mentally unstable in most galactic dictionaries!"-Tahl
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Star_Drifter
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
3/11/06 5:09pm
Subject:
RE: Stones - (Pre JA, Obi/Qui)
- Date Edited:
3/11/06 5:10pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Star_Drifter
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Why did I bring him, you ask? taunted the small voice again, as he walked with a light step. How could you have not?
Precious moments with Obi-wan in the midst of such turmoil and sadness... 
You do seem to be smitten with plot bunnies, PA! 
Star
-----signature-----
In the beginning was the Word...In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend it.  one nation, UNDER GOD Darth Mom  and Master to Ani-maniac
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