Saga What is Left - Obi-Wan one post

title - What is Left
author - Athena Leigh
chars - Obi-Wan, Padme
timeframe - 5 years post-TPM
rating - G
summary - Obi-Wan makes a small unexpected discovery on Naboo.


What is Left

Naboo was such a beautiful world. As they wandered through the gardens, Obi-Wan couldn't help thinking how even the cities on this planet held a magnificence which most cities obscured. It was simply a lovely place.

"Congratulations on your reelection, your Highness."

"Thank you, Master Kenobi, but it was not much of a surprise; there was little opposition to my second term." Padme was clad in the full vestments of her position but spoke to Obi-Wan without the royal lilt traditionally used at formal occasions.

"The people love you. It is good that you have united so many." Obi-Wan glanced around at the gardens, noticing that many of the flowers were similar to those in the Temple gardens.

"I could not have done it without the Jedi. You and your Master were instrumental in keeping our world peaceful, as was Anakin. How is your apprentice?"

"He is well. He is an exceptional student." Obi-Wan nodded. His 14-year-old apprentice had remained at the Temple; it was deemed unnecessary for him to miss his classes just to retrieve a datafile on suspicious activity, and Obi-Wan thought it better that he not face the distraction that was Naboo. "Qui-Gon was right to insist on his training."

Obi-Wan paused and walked off the path. Padme followed. "Excuse me, your highness, but were these bushes planted here?"

Padme looked at the white flowers and shook her head. "No, they just started to grow there a few years ago. None of the gardeners are quite sure the reason. Why do you ask?"

Obi-Wan looked away from her and gathered a breath to calm his racing heart. "This is where I spread my Master's ashes." The flowers were exactly like the white roses he and Qui-Gon had kept in their garden at the Temple. It was a small thing, but it was their project, to grow together, and they would meditate there together next to the garden. The rose bush had never died, at least not until Obi-Wan had neglected it after the passing of his Master.

Padme gently touched his arm and smiled sympathetically. They continued down the path. "Are you sure you won't stay with us for just one more day?"

Obi-Wan returned her a small smile. "I think that I will, your Highness."


Night did not sit heavily upon this place, instead lightly covering Naboo in a gentle veil. For Obi-Wan, it was a cloak to hide him. It was late, and everyone else was asleep, so there were no eyes to spy him anyway. He made his way down the path as he had earlier, finding the location and kneeling silently before the roses.

"I'm sorry, Master." He hung his head, feeling like an errant Padawan again. "I failed you, and I can never be forgiven." His eyes washed out to a diluted grey. "I'm doing my best with Anakin, but you would have done so much better. He's arrogant and proud, and I don't know what to do. How did you do it with me? If only you were here to guide us both." He shifted, silence broken only by a forlorn sniffle. "I'm sorry about our garden. I failed at that too. I just couldn't go in there without you. It was too hard." A hand that didn't seem so small any more wiped at the unrestrained tears glistening on his face. "I miss you."

The dawn came grey to Theed; apparently even Naboo had clouds. The light grew around the Knight with head bowed. At last he lifted his gaze just as a finger of sunlight broke through the overcast sky and touched upon a single bud. Obi-Wan looked at the flower it pointed to and thought that it was the most beautiful in the whole garden. He reached out and caressed it with both hands, before gently separating it from its fellows and taking it with him.

Returning to the Temple, Obi-Wan tentatively approached the special meditation garden and slowly entered. Kneeling at the center, he carefully dug a spot for the bud. This time he would not be afraid to take care of it. He would always honor and cherish Qui-Gon's memor

 

That was lovely, AthenaLeigh! I liked the idea of the flowers growing over Qui-Gon's ashes. Actually, was it ever established what happened to his ashes? I did read the novelization of TPM but can't remember if it was mentioned.

Anyway, I love your version of what happened to the Jedi Master's remains. Thanks for writing this.

 

That was lovely that Qui-Gon continues to live in the garden. It was sad that Obi-Wan felt so badly about his death that he had let the garden die but now it is blooming again.

Good job.

 

Oh that was great! So heartfelt and touching! He can now have some peace of mind with the lil plant! Excellent work!

 

That was so beautiful! It was very appropriate for Qui-Gon to love the garden, he felt such a connection for all living things. Obi-Wan's sadness and guilt were very much in character. You did a wonderful job with these two characters. I loved this! It was beautiful and touching. Simply incredible!

 

Awwwww Atheny! that was so beautiful, poor Obi-Wan. So sad that he felt afraid to tend his master's rosebush and that roses grew where Qui-Gon's ashes were -- that makes such perfect sense.

I'm sure Qui-Gon would be very proud of Obi-Wan.

Great job!

 

Arwyn I have no idea what happened to them, hence my own idea for it. I thought it was an appropriate image. Thank you for reading!

Diane Where else would Qui-Gon spend the afterlife? Yes, poor devastated Obi-Wan, he just needed time to heal. Thanks!

Kyn Yup, Obi-Wan always has Qui-Gon with him, in many forms! Thanks!

VaderLVR Thank you, I was so pleased with how it came out, I'm glad you like it. I just couldn't imagine Qui-Gon without his own garden. Thanks so much!

Layren Well, he felt that he had failed Qui-Gon and couldn't bear the reminder. Yes, Qui-Gon attracts the most beautiful part of nature. Yes, he would, Obi-Wan just has to remember that. Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.