Saga This Weapon Is Your Life: The Lightsaber Meditations... Leia 3/22

Title: This Weapon Is Your Life: The Lightsaber Meditations
Author(s): Jennifer_Lyn
Timeframe: spanning the eras
Characters: Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa Solo, Asajj Ventress, OCs and others
Genre: introspection
Summary: This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or as random as a blaster, but an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.
Notes: The writing of these pieces is as a meditation in itself for me. I've started with Qui-Gon Jinn and plan to keep adding to this thread, even beyond the listed characters, as I explore the connection between the Jedi and their blades.
Disclaimer: It's all George's!

To all Mods, indexers and other interested folk: while I'm starting with a Padawan Qui-Gon, 95% of these vignettes will be taking place in the Saga time period which is why I've chosen to post it here.

 

Qui-Gon Jinn: Becoming As One

The saber gave off a cool, green glow in the dim light of the chamber. The gem that powered the blade from within was true and perfect as it emerged from a metal hilt which held the perfect balance of heft and grace. This was no child?s plaything, no toy, but the weapon, the tool, of a grown man. The Living Force flowed through the blade and its owner, its power shifting and changing as the strong, long-fingered hand swung the weapon about the room.

When he emerged from the chamber, none of his waiting peers was surprised to see the color of the young man?s blade. Qui-Gon Jinn was a Jedi with a passion for life and living things. It reflected in all he touched, now including his new lightsaber. He nodded to them in recognition, but did not speak a word as the next student prepared herself to enter the chamber. As he had done, she would not emerge for several days.

Qui-Gon?s body ached from many hours spent sitting in meditation. His stomach, too, was rebelling against his control thanks to his three-day fast. Many years of training taught Qui-Gon how to push these needs aside as knew he must do now. There was an important task he must complete before returning to everyday Temple life. Leaving his agemates behind, he made his way quickly and quietly to the nearest lift chamber. After pushing the button that would bring the lift, he waited, head bowed and hands clasped behind his back, until the doors opened. A wordless sigh of thanks slipped past his lips upon the small chamber's arrival. It was empty and remained so for the duration of its upward journey.

The lift reached its highest point and stopped. Qui-Gon stepped out into the small hallway, the door sliding shut swiftly behind him. He approached the portal on the opposite end of the passage and palmed the button on the control panel to open it.

Strong winds whipped his long Padawan braid about his face as he stepped out onto the high platform that overlooked the city below. The shining light of day had faded into black and the bright lights of Coruscant now spread out before him in a blinking tapestry of color and motion.

Quickly tucking the braid inside his tunic, Qui-Gon walked calmly and smoothly to the center of the platform. Following the urgings of the Force, he took a deep breath, filling his lungs to their utmost capacity. Taking a neutral stance and lowering his gravity, he reached down into the well of Force energy that formed the foundation of the Temple, miles below his feet. The power rushed through the masonry, blasting him like a thunderbolt from below. The Force filled him completesly and he looked down in wonder as little, green sparks of energy shot from his hands. He soon felt he could handle no more. With the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end, he ignited the new saber.

The blade grew instantly out of the hilt as it began to pulse and sing. Sparks flashed from its tip as Qui-Gon entered the first position of his kata. Expecting to go through a simple, basic exercise, he was surprised to find that the Force told him where to place his foot next and what his next saber move should be. As he took each new position, peace blended with the power until he was completely relaxed and at ease. Each new motion was as economical as he could have devised and took full advantage of his height and long reach. Each move incorporated every muscle in his body, but without leaving him fatigued. Qui-Gon realized that, for the first time since he was a small child, he felt truly graceful and at one with the Force.

Block, parry, punch, and kick. Each move made sense and acted as a balance to the one before it. His muscles, at first aching with recent disuse, began to relax as they warmed to their task. Reaching out into the Force, he could sense the teeming multitude of life inside the Temple and, stretching further, also the many presences within the buildings and traffic streams surrounding him. The blade glowed more brightly as he swung it through each move. It felt, truly, like an extension

 

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Forging His Own Path

Peace.
It does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise,
trouble or hard work.
It means to be in the midst
of these things and still
be calm in your heart.
- unknown


Sweat soaked his inner tunic. It clung to his chest and chafed his arms as they rubbed against the fabric, the skin growing raw and red with the rough treatment. His muscles alternated between searing pain and throbbing numbness. At times his legs shook with the effort of holding his stance. Yet it was all little more than a mild distraction to him.

Listening to the Force thundering in his head, Obi-Wan Kenobi swung his lightsaber rapidly through the air, the azure blade providing the only light in the room. Its dim blue glow reflected off the wooden surface of the training salle floor where Knights and Masters, advanced disciples of the blade, were given space to push their limits and travel on journeys of self discovery. The lack of any padding or ornamentation in the large space allowed for an easy clarity of mind, free of outside influence.

Yet Obi-Wan?s mind was not clear, a fact he had come here to try and overcome. Night after night he slipped from the rooms he now shared with young Anakin. Away from the memories of a lifetime spent with Qui-Gon Jinn, his Master, his father, his friend. For he heard the call of a new Master.

Darth Maul was a more ruthless taskmaster in death than Qui-Gon, despite his gruff exterior, had ever been in life. Though gone these three long months, the Sith still held sway over the young Master?s mind. The daily distractions provided by the Temple, his duties and the training of Anakin were enough to keep Maul at bay during daylight hours. But after nightfall, when the Temple quieted into the dull thrum produced by thousands of sleeping beings, he would come calling and they would begin again.

It mattered little that Obi-Wan could not see him, he knew who it was he was battling against as he paced the floor, pushing through each kata, maintaining each crouching or reaching stance until his muscles screamed. At times the pressure on his mind was so palpable he could envision the Zabrak, his tattooed face and yellow grin shining in the darkness as he lurked in the corner, always a triumphant sneer upon his visage.

?No, Jedi, not quite good enough. Do it until you do not have to taint yourself with the Dark side to defeat me.?

The Dark side. It?s cloud grew daily over the galaxy. Obi-Wan swore to himself he would do all he could to prevent that plague from covering all the galaxy in darkness. For he had touched it, using it in that moment of angry desperation to defeat the one who now taunted him from beyong the grave and while it gave him the victory that day, it also seared his soul with a wound that still sat open and sore.

So now he was in the crucible, searching to clarify and refine his inner being, that he may be an instrument of Light. The transformation was beginning to make itself visible, in subtle ways manifesting itself upon his countenance. His Padawan braid now no more than a memory, he began to allow his hair to grow for the first time in his life. Already the ends covered his ears, the tips fading into a bright copper as they were exposed to the sun. His beard, too, began to grow in quickly, aging his appearance faster than a more vain man would have wished.

His physical presence was shifting and changing as well. Hours spent in training transformed the finely toned muscle of his teen years into the taught strings of adulthood, now carrying with them a fierce power. Drill after drill in footwork honed his energetic posture into the most graceful of bearings.

Despite all his work, the intent behind these changes still had yet to bear the fruit he sought with such unrelenting dogmatism. He was growing weary of the looks of admiration mixed with pity he received in due course from so many of his peers. Still he was Qui-Gon?s Padawan and now also Anakin?s Master. Knight Kenobi, a title he had worn for scant minutes as he

 

Argh, can't believe I didn't leave a reply!

Anyway, you know I love the Obi piece...it was a lovely surprise for my b'day and I adore it.

A wonderful description of Qui-Gon JL - you took my breath away actually.

Strong winds whipped his long Padawan braid about his face as he stepped out onto the high platform that overlooked the city below. The shining light of day had faded into black and the bright lights of Coruscant now spread out before him in a blinking tapestry of color and motion.

Beautiful image.

As he left the platform he thought of the trials that were soon approaching and after that many missions and someday, a Padawan. A grin crossed his features as he shook the thoughts free. Thoughts of the future did not matter now to Qui-Gon Jinn. He would face it all with confidence, for he had connected to the Living Force and it would be, now and forever, his ally.

Just lovely and so Qui (if that makes sense!)...

Fantastic job old Master of mine . I very much look forward to reading more.

 

Great meditations and character studies. Loved this image of Qui-Gon reaching down into the well of Force energy that formed the foundation of the Temple, miles below his feet. You have definitely portrayed him as someone that sees a clear path with no doubts of the direction he must take.

The Dark side. Its cloud grew daily over the galaxy. Obi-Wan swore to himself he would do all he could to prevent that plague from covering all the galaxy in darkness. For he had touched it, using it in that moment of angry desperation to defeat the one who now taunted him from beyond the grave and while it gave him the victory that day, it also seared his soul with a wound that still sat open and sore.

Amazing picture and poignant with that advancing plague that he could not stop.

You?re doing a great job with this and I look forward to more!

 

These are really fabulous, JL.
You can see so much of the character in the way they connect and view their weapon. You're always adding new dimensions to the way that you craft Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.

Brilliant work.

 

I really like these. Your characterization of Qui is spot on.

 

Oh replies! these two little pieces being rewritten things, i wasn't expecting anyone! thank you!

Kes: so glad you liked the Qui one and you are welcome again for the Obi!

PadwanKayla: thanks! i hope to get another up soon!

oqidaun: what else can i say? thank you!

Alley_Skywalker: thanks! i hope to share more soon!


so, up next is either Luke or Leia. we'll see which twin steps up first, perhaps both at once.

 

Leia Organa Solo: In the Footsteps of the Past

The darkened room became blessedly quiet as the doors slid shut behind her. Oh, when was the last time she was in the presence of silence? Just a few short minutes ago she was still grappling with a senator over his seating placement in the New Republic's Senate chamber. It was simply one of all the million little details that still battled within her weary head. Now the solid durasteel doors, meant to protect her from terrorists and assassins, closed off the outside world, protecting her from diplomats and lawmakers as she entered in her private code. This was the secondary code that only she and Han knew. It meant that no one would be bothering her until she was ready to be bothered.

Leia Organa Solo walked across the carpeted floor, stopping to reach into her bedside table drawer for her lightsaber. The sleek weapon once belonged to an ancient Jedi, Vima Da Boda. Leia felt a kinship with the old woman every time she picked the weapon up as she, too, had lacked an overwhelmingly powerful connection to the Force. It still eluded Leia, time and again she tried to connect as her brother did to that elusive feeling of oneness. Time. Leia scowled slightly, the frown creasing her brow, she wish hopelessly for more time to complete her scattered training.

Walking out onto the large balcony, she turned purposefully to the Noghri guard she knew was hiding in the shadows. Stretching a hand back toward the bedroom, she watched with a smile as her silent protector slipped through the portal and closed the door behind him. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath to clear her head. Focus came easily, the simplest part of her meager Jedi training. A lifetime spent keeping track of encyclopedic amounts of data and delicate diplomatic situations did much to prepare her for this part of Jedi life.

All thoughts now pushed aside, Leia brought the shining hilt before her, grasping it softly with both hands. Gently depressing the activation switch, the familiar snap spoke to her ears of the power that now hummed before her. She opened her eyes and stared at the long green blade for a few moments before taking a simple defensive stance. Her diplomatic training did her service, the dance steps she learned as a girl aided her greatly in learning the technical movements required of the katas Luke taught her. Still, they did little to aid her connection to the Force. That was something that must come from within her.

As she grew up, her father... no, that thought was not right anymore. Bail Organa told her stories of the Jedi. Many thought the Jedi to be traitors, but Leia learned otherwise. She learned of their venerable history, their great service to the Old Republic and how they were betrayed years before in order to build the Empire. Never did she even dream that those tales were a part of her heritage. And yet, here she stood, glowing saber in her hand, the Force dancing just out of reach.

How did Luke do it? How did he connect so easily to this great power that was always present, but always slipping through her grasp. Perhaps it may be part of her heritage, but it was not meant to be part of her future. She knew, though, that there was no avoiding its impact on the years to come. Even now, her infant children showed signs that they were both Force sensitive. What challenges would their potential present to her? No, she must find a way to help and guide them in the ways of the Force. It was part of her duty.

She worked through one of the katas slowly and deliberately, thinking as she moved. Her duty, was that all the Force meant to her? It was ingrained on the genetic blueprint of her lineage, so there was no denying that it was a part of her, but was there more to it than that? If that was all, then why didn't she train with Luke more; why come out here by herself to work?

Sweat began to coalesce on her brow, but she ignored it. Her muscles burned with effort and she pushed the distraction away. Twilight fell over the horizon as she worked, moving even questio

 

Great job Jennifer_Lyn


I think your description of Leia and her strugle with becoming attuned to the living Force, while remembering her past and comming to terms with her Skywalker heritage is really good.


Also the Kenobi part included things I've never thought of before. The fact that Darth Maul haunted his memories long after the battle on Naboo is a great idea.

 

Darth_Laudrup: thanks! glad you enjoyed it. i figured Leia would have a rougher time than her twin accessing the Force. he seems to have gotten more of the midichlorians.