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Topic:
Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's funeral
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Persephone_Kore
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
10/7/07 12:53pm
Subject:
Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's funeral
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Title: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre
Author(s): Persephone_Kore
Timeframe: TPM, shortly before Qui-Gon's funeral
Characters: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Anakin
Genre: Vignette
Keywords: Knighting, braid, Padawan, waterfall
Summary: The thunder of a waterfall and Yoda's silence give Obi-Wan shelter to feel until he's ready to think. His Knighting and a promise give shelter to Anakin.
Notes: Originally inspired by the Prequel Trilogy Rewrite contest, but completed too late for an actual entry. Also, I think it kind of wandered off the prompt.
Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre
Obi-Wan knelt.
The stone beneath him was cold and very slightly uneven, lumpy, though the surface was smooth and slick. Dampness seeped up through the fabric that cushioned his knees, and he could feel his boots squeak if he shifted his weight. Most of his skin was dry, the moisture in the air not penetrating the shield of his clothing, but a fine spray misted his face every few breaths. He didn't know what caused it, but he accepted it. It was refreshing.
His eyes were open and unfocused. There was little light, and the occasional faint gleam was moon-silver fractured into rainbows. He couldn't see the rainbows; they weren't bright enough to activate human color vision. But he could feel the spectral splay when they passed through the water.
The waterfall he rested behind thundered in his ears, loudly enough to drown out his heartbeat.
When he closed his eyes, he still saw red light and heard its dispassionate electronic hum.
The Sith's lightsaber was minor. The buzzing in his ears, the scarlet across his vision, were the force fields that had held him back. He had been too slow. Qui-Gon hadn't waited. Qui-Gon had rushed ahead alone, not waiting to work as a team; Qui-gon had been confident that Obi-Wan would keep up, and Obi-Wan had failed him. Obi-Wan was too drained and his head too full of buzzing red lights to meditate or to think rationally about which it was.
He liked the waterfall. It gave him privacy. It blotted vision and drowned sound, as long as he focused on it.
On the here and now.
Qui-Gon might have approved. Qui-Gon might even have said that staring into the waterfall and letting it fill his eyes and ears was a form of meditation in itself.
For Qui-Gon, it probably would have been.
Perhaps Obi-Wan was meditating too, in a way. At least, he was sufficiently in tune with the Force to feel the tap of stick and scratch of clawed feet on uneven rocks when he could not possibly have heard it, and he was unsurprised when Master Yoda walked behind the waterfall. Obi-Wan shifted to the side, and Yoda sat next to him. There was just room.
They sat in the water-thunder for a while without speaking. Obi-Wan decided the third moon had risen, since the glints of light came brighter and more often.
At last Master Yoda said, "A Jedi Knight, you are, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan blinked. "So you mentioned before. I admit I'm still surprised by the decision."
"A greater Trial than most have you passed."
"I lost my temper."
"And found it, too."
"I failed my Master."
"Disagree, Qui-Gon would. He gave you his trust." Yoda was silent again, then looked up at him. "Wish to come again before the Council to cut your braid, you do not, I think."
Ah, so that was why Yoda had come. Obi-Wan shook his head and felt the damp length of the braid drag on his shoulder. "No. But I suppose I must."
"No." The gravelly voice was barely audible.
After a moment Obi-Wan turned his head toward Master Yoda and bowed it. Hot green lit the small cave for less than a second, and the noise burned in his ear.
"Your oath you may record later, for the Republic," Yoda grunted. "No words do I need from you."
Obi-Wan nodded and wrapped his hand around the slender cord of hair. His head felt light and slightly off balance, and his shoulder and neck tickled with the feeling that something was missing. A spray of water left fine droplets on his lips.
Qui-Gon was missing, and some words did need to be spoken. "I take Anakin Skywalker as my Padawan Learner."
Yoda huffed, loudly enough to be heard over the water. "You do! And have him, you will."
"As the Council has agreed. But you don't, or so you told me." That had been strange to him. He had heard the Council debate before, if briefly. He had not previously heard one of them, especially Master Yoda, of all possibilities, bow to the group's decision and still declare objections.
"Like him, you do not."
"No." Obi-Wan frowned slightly. That was hardly a good start, he had to admit. "Perhaps I will learn to." That tasted true.
"Think him dangerous, you do!"
"Yes." Had he admitted that before the Council? A moonbeam shot through the water and struck his fingernail, where his hand rested on his knee. "As do you. But Qui-Gon saw something else in him, and I made a promise." Qui-Gon had liked the boy. Anakin had liked Qui-Gon. That meant the boy was right about something. The thought made him smile, and shock at that almost made him laugh.
It didn't hurt any less, but this was right.
Yoda grunted again, getting to his feet. "Tell the Council it is done, I will," he said. "Have a Jedi Master past eight hundred years as your errand boy, you do! Hehn." His ears flared forward. "Unless more arguments you have for me, first."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and saw a deluge of water, and moonbeams in tiny rainbows. "I'm not going to argue, Master Yoda," he said deliberately. "I'm not even going to try."
"There is no try."
"Exactly. I will do." He opened his eyes. "What I already said I'd do."
Yoda's stick cracked loudly across Obi-Wan's knuckles before the old Jedi left.
Obi-Wan didn't move. The blow did not sting, and it left no mark.
The spot tingled, though, when he felt another set of footsteps approach. These ones swayed and slid over unfamiliarly water-slicked stones until Anakin, half-soaked, slipped behind the waterfall and fell sprawling halfway across Obi-Wan's lap.
Obi-Wan set him upright without comment and let him settle. He felt as if Anakin sat closer to him than Master Yoda had, and the feeling didn't seem to be only because Anakin took up more of the small space. Or because Anakin was less still.
After most of the squirming was over, Obi-Wan glanced sideways. Anakin was sitting with his head down, not watching the moonbeams.
"Did Master Yoda send you?" Obi-Wan asked.
Anakin answered without raising his head. "No, sir. But he told me where you were." A short hesitation. "Does that mean I should go?"
"No. I was curious, that's all." Obi-Wan turned back toward the waterfall; the spray fell across his open eyes this time. The noise wrapped around him, his robe clinging heavily and comfortingly around his shoulders in the damp.
Anakin wasn't quite shivering, but he still gave the impression of being chilled. Obi-Wan wondered if he ought to hug him. He wasn't particularly in the habit of hugs himself, but some of his friends were -- and when you were hugged by someone with four arms and the strength and enthusiasm of Dexter Jettster, you knew you'd been hugged. Anakin, he thought, had probably been in the habit of it. Living with his mother, and all. The boy did need to let go of his old life, though, and Obi-Wan shouldn't be making that more difficult.
He sighed and draped an arm over Anakin's shoulders anyway. Anakin jumped, stiffened, and then evidently took this as permission to scoot closer. Obi-Wan doubted that this was really much more affectionate on Anakin's part than his own; he hadn't exactly been friendly or welcoming to Qui-Gon's new charge. His now. He sighed again.
"They said there's going to be a funeral," Anakin said. "They said they're going to burn him."
Qui-Gon's funeral. It would be later tonight, when the moons began to set. There should be just enough time for the pyre to burn to completion before sunrise. "Yes." Obi-Wan glanced down at him. "Burning the body symbolizes letting go of his old life and state of being." Which was going to be difficult. "Why? What do you do on Tatooine?"
"Bury them," Anakin said. "And put down rocks or something so nothing digs them up. At least, if we get a chance." He looked down at his hands. "I miss him."
"Yes, well. We still have to let go." At least the red buzzing had stopped. Obi-Wan let out another quiet sigh. "I miss him too."
The waterfall poured down before them. They did not speak again until the first moon dropped behind the mountain, taking some of the rainbows with it.
Yoda was watching for them when they returned.
As Qui-Gon's apprentice, Obi-Wan lit the pyre. The flames spread quickly, and the dry heat lashed out to drive the cold dampness from his robes.
The flames crackled and roared, making him think of the waterfall. The smoke rose twisting straight up without stinging his eyes.
He did not weep, but he could see rainbows in the fire.
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KELIA
Title: Hostess: 20 Questions and Bet Your Knowledge
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
10/7/07 2:05pm
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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Oh Obi!!
Too quick you are to place blame on your shoulders.
I loved his chat with Yoda, though I'm surprised the Grand Master wasn't more concerned Obi-Wan didn't like Anakin.
Oh well. This was a beautifully written piece.
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Cole_Kenobi
Registered:
Aug '05
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Date Posted:
10/7/07 7:33pm
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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Oh wow, it was so beautiful, the waterfall and the spectrums, and Anakin scooting closer to Obi-wan, and he's actually trying to befriend his little charge.  But this was still sad, the lose of a loved one is hard, and I could just feel the symbolicness of the waterfall and Obiwan's grief. Loved it! Please keep writing! Awesome story!
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ratna
Registered:
Mar '07
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Date Posted:
10/8/07 1:37am
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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The pyre scene was very short compared to the rest, but what a punch it packed!
The flames crackled and roared --- a horrific thought when one remembers that those flames are coming from the burning body of someone that Obi-Wan loved.
And then this --
He did not weep, but he could see rainbows in the fire.
wow.
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Faster than the speed of light is the speed of darkness. Faster than the speed of darkness is the speed of thought.
Fic linx in my bio
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Persephone_Kore
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
10/9/07 2:07am
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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KELIA: Thank you! Yoda at this point is generally unthrilled with the whole situation.
Cole_Kenobi: I'm glad you liked it. I do think Obi-Wan and Anakin liked each other most of the time they were Jedi together, despite the rocky start -- and, er, rocky finish. The fact that they were frequently exasperated with each other doesn't negate this. It had to start somewhere.
ratna: Funerals are never really easy, I guess. I'm glad you liked the final line; I wanted to tie the flames back to the waterfall.
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jedidas3
Registered:
Apr '07
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Date Posted:
10/9/07 5:54am
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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This was beautiful and yet heartwrenching at the same time. You wonderfully captured the thoughts that would have gone through Obi-Wan's mind. What a tremendous job with this!
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ROTSFan
Registered:
Jul '06
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Date Posted:
10/9/07 10:22pm
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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That is beautiful, simple and heartfelt. Loved the last line.
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Reincarnation: (post ROTS V/A/P AU) Vader encounters a cloned Padme. http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=21382105&replies=7 Nominated--Best Collaborative Work FanFic Awards 2007  Fics in profile; ask me to unlock
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Persephone_Kore
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
10/13/07 3:47pm
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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jedidas3: Thank you. I'm really glad you liked it and felt the characterization was realistic.
ROTSFan: Many thanks to you as well.
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silverfighter
Registered:
Apr '07
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Date Posted:
11/7/07 2:49pm
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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 Wow. That was so good.
~Silverfighter
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Jedi Uprising-- http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28548057&brd=10475&start=28562924 Adopter of Ferus-Olin. e-twin to TrulyGhent.  Apprentice in AoD This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
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Count_B
Registered:
Aug '03
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Date Posted:
11/7/07 8:45pm
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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I've always loved fics that deal with the immediate aftermath of TPM, and this was no different. The conflicting feelings Obi-Wan felt towards his new position and his new role in life were excellently described and the emotional impact could easily be discerned.
And the other reviewer was right about the last line. That was something that sticks with you for a while. Great work!
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wolf_kenobi
Registered:
Nov '07
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Date Posted:
11/14/07 4:54pm
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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That was totally awesome! so well done!!
Obi blaming himself is so sad but so typical of him.
And giving Anakin the half hug to comfort him- so sweet.
The last line was indeed very well done.
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Is God willing to prevent evil but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God. -Epicurus
Proud Vegan
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divapilot
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
11/15/07 2:58am
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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Beautifully written. The opening imagery is remarkable. I love the layers of meaning you have here.
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Never tell me the odds. AKL The Hunter's Tale http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28648552/p1/?9 A Shaak Ti vignette
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Jade_eyes
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
11/15/07 3:32am
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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Beautiful imagery, I felt i was right there. The emotions fit the situation and the characters perfectly. Of the PT characters, Qui is my favoritie, so thank you for writing such a sensitive moving viggie.
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Stoked to be a sponge & magnetized to the best sweetest authors of Luke/Mara  !  ! Proud to be one of the Jagateers--their J/J is superb--cool action; hot mush!  
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Gkilkenny
Registered:
Mar '04
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Date Posted:
11/15/07 4:34am
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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Excellent story.
I love the fact he sat by the waterfall, I always find waterfalls calming
and I think it broke the ice between Obi and Anakin.
Excellent description of the aftermath of Qui-Gons death.
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* More stories in my Bio * "You were right about one thing Master. The Negotiations
were short. "If they find us, they will CRUSH us and grind us into TINY pieces & BLAST us into oblivion.
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EGKenobi
Registered:
Apr '05
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Date Posted:
11/15/07 9:58am
Subject:
RE: Behind a Waterfall, Before the Pyre (Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin) - Obi-Wan's Knighting, Qui-Gon's fun
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Lovely story
if you update this please PM me
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