Saga The Long and Winding Road---Link to Sequel NOW up! 5/11

Everyone loves quoting yoda!

I like An-Paj being able to admit that he still has doubts. Honesty is a good thing. But it's also nice he sees the potential in this. Great details in the post, JKOW. Incredibly well-written!

 

LOL! I really liked An-Paj's suspiscions! And how he reacted, aww!

 

An-Paj's suspicions were fun to read and so was poor Alex's reaction!! LOL! I really liked the way that Alex has already begun picking up on Meri's needs and current problems. Like he just knew that she hadn't been sleeping well lately. It sounds like this is coming through the bond forming between them already and not even due to his Jedi training.

You are doing a splendid job, JKOW!

I'm making a list of my favorite stories that will need upping during finals. Lucky me I only took art classes this term.

 

Thanks Julie, imzadi and HALina!
I can sleep knowing all that time typing was worth it.

Julie, Yes! In the "meeting" post Alex sensed Meri was having nightmares so thats where he got his first idea that she was. He just wasn't sure what he sensed was all true.

Whew, I'm tired. Lurkers if you're out there please delurk and give a finales-depressed college student a lift! Thats how much I enjoy feedback! Know I'll definitely be thinking about this story, and Darkest and all my readers while gone studying.

 

Very good and informative post JKOW.

Loved how he got flustered! It's nice to get a discription of Meri's past as an initiate. Soaping the hall, LOL!

Good luck with the exams, and don't let those plot bunnies distract you!

 

Yeah, good luck JKOW!

 

I like the interaction between An-Paj and Alex, especially Alex's doubts and worries and his determination to "do" despite them. I also like the calm, competent, fatherly and yet still professional way you've described An-Paj. That's pretty much exactly how I imagined him! And the "soaping" incident was funny! Write some more of Meri's escapades (with or without Obi-Wan.) I wish you successful and effective studying so that you have enough time to write more story.

 

fantastic! i absolutely love this!

good luck with finals, and post ASAP!!

 

I guess I'm lurking, I can't wait to see how Alex gets through to Meri, and more antics with Obi of course.

 

Very cool JWOK. We get the whole wonderful story.

Alex's first meeting with Meri was awesome, that instantaneous bond and Alex's reaction and thoughts on it were great.

Can't wait to see Meri's reactions.

More Meri and Alex please????

 

This just keeps getting better.

 

Aaaaaaaaand delurk!
More!

 

Well, now that my exams are finally over, I can finally catch up on my favorite stories!
Indeed I have a lot of reading to catch up!

Let me levitate this thread!

 

Levitating!

 

I love reading this. I'm looking forward to reading more. ;-)

 

I just found this and it's so cute! Meri and Alex have always been a favourite couple of mine so i'm way glad they got their own snapshot series.. I can't wait to see what's next.

 

Up again!

 

*Begins to bang head on desk*

Where have I been and how could I have missed this for so long?
I love this JKOW. I love Meri and Alex! Please post for us soon and I promise not to lurk!

 

WOW, I can't tell you how surprised I was at all these replies. You guys are so great!
Okay, DUE to the weather,very nasty weather at that, my final tomorrow has been canceled and moved to Saterday. Therefore I had this evening pretty much free, so I decided to try to write a post, which I did. I hope it is okay. It's sometimes hard to switch over from studying mode to writing mode.

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Pulling her thick brown robe closer about her shoulders, Meri's small frame trembled. It was not a physical cold, but seemed to originate from inside and radiate outwards in shocking waves. Nothing could warm the chill and loneliness she felt.

It had been several days since she had met Alex Arieh. At first, she had been surprised that the Knight was the same person as the padawan she had bumped into only a year ago. The feeling did not last. She'd found if she squashed any emotion--even surprise--before it had a chance to grow, she wouldn't lose control.
The memory of that day had brought back so many happy times. Memories she didn't want to remember. However, even now, the day was as clear in her head as though it were yesterday. The flash of humor in her Master's hazel eyes, her long honey colored hair swinging free. The padawan knew that if she had had a mother, she would have wanted her to be exactly like Ariana.

Swiftly Meri slammed a lid on the thought. Balling her hands in her lap, she bit the inside of her cheek, willing the flood of pain to put at bay the tears that pricked her eyes. It was rare since her Master's death that she allowed herself to cry. She knew that it was a dammed flood, that if let loose might never stop. Today, she knew, would test any strength she had left in that area. Today was the day she was to be apprenticed to Alex Arieh. Maybe in another life time she would have cared who the Knight was, but she only cared that the one person she had loved like a parent was lost to her. She only cared that she was being passed to a new Master as though the precious bond she had cherished with Ariana were nothing. In her pain, she could see no good from it.

Silently she sat waiting, her eyes focused on the hands in her lap. Her long hair had been braided and then looped up out of the way, giving the fourteen-year-old a more mature look. Her padawan braid of before, long and slender, hung down her shoulder.

As if from far away Meri heard the door to the quarters open, and she knew that it was time. Not bothering to look up, she heard soft footfalls approach. Taking in a shuddering breath, the padawan let out a ragged sigh as she felt someone take a seat next to her. Slowly she looked up to find the same two intense blue eyes studying her. As before, the brilliant blue eyes caught her gaze and held it, but Meri, remembering what had occurred before, tore her gaze away and looked back down at her hands.

With the only witness as An-Paj, the vows Master and Padawan gave each other began. She answered in all the right places, never once looking up. Then came the question that tore her heart.

"And do you, Meri Irhanah, swear that you will fight at your Master's side, and protect him at all cost, as he has sworn to protect you."

For once Meri looked up, but her fiery gaze was not directed at Alex. Instead, her flashing brown eyes sought out An-Paj. Although he was only asking the traditional questions that formed the padawan oath, she needed to strike out at someone.

"IF I'm allowed," she said bitterly, her gaze challenging. The memory of being forced to stay at the Temple while her Master went alone to her death was never more clear in her mind.

An-Paj never wavered, but gazed at the padawan, his eyes full of understanding tenderness.

The gentleness of the healer worked as a cold bucket of water splashing on a hot flame, effectively dousing the flare of anger. The one thing Meri couldn't bear to see in others was compassion, and all the fight drained out of her. Quickly she dropped her gaze and blinked back the tears, knowing the hardest was yet to come.

 

Oh man, that was sad. The part with Meri thinking she would have liked her mother to be like Ariana was incredibly heart wrenching!

Wonderful post, JKOW. No iffiness there at all.

 

Wow, that was an excellent post! Meri's emotions and thoughts were really poignant. I'm glad you were able to post! Good luck on your exams JKOW!

 

I never thought I'd be grateful for snow! Thank you so much for sending us a post!

That was heart-wrenching and I caught myself tearing up by the end. Ooo I can't wait to see how Meri and Alex cope with each other! I absolutely adore this story, JKOW!

 

Hmm, anybody up for some more?

 

YES!!!!!!

 

Yes, Julie I thanked God for snow and ice and all manner of nasty weather. HEHEHE I was so happy I walked around smiling for the better part of an hour.

Okay Imzadi, you better reply tonight then and tell me how this is. It's a longer post than the last one. Not as iffy I hope.

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Alex had never had such a strong urge to comfort someone, as he did his new apprentice. He wanted to stop her from hurting and make her smile again. The wave of protectiveness he felt was a whole new feeling. He could see that this ordeal had been very hard for her, and he instinctively knew what was about to come would be even more difficult.

After the oaths had been spoken, Alex paused, knowing what he was supposed to do next, but afraid of how Meri would react. An-Paj shot him a glance that said ?go ahead.? So gently, he reached for the braid lying on Meri?s shoulder and quickly unbraided the silken cord; stealing small glances all the while at the downcast face so near his own. It wasn?t until he was braiding a few short strands of his own jet black hair into the braid that he heard the choked back sobs. Quickly he finished braiding the dark brown strands and tied it off with a royal blue thread. By now, his new padawan was shaking with the suppressed sobs, and for the first time in his life, Alex was at loss for what to do. He knew she needed comforting, but wasn?t exactly sure how to go about it. Slowly he scooted closer and hesitantly put one arm half way around her, glancing at the healer as he did so. An-Paj nodded at the unspoken question, and Alex brought up his other arm to encircle the trembling girl. Instead of fighting, Meri collapsed against him, too lost in her tears and memories to care who was holding her.

After a while she pulled back with a start, as though realizing what she had just done. Stiffening, she scooted as far away from the tall Knight as she could get. Silently the blue healer handed her a tissue and the padawan scrubbed away the tears trailing down her cheeks with quick swipes. Alex could almost see the walls she was resurrecting around herself, and it was the first time he realized what was ahead.

Rising gracefully to his feet, Alex looked down at his apprentice. ?Are you ready to go to our new quarters, Meri?? His lilting voice was soft, yet firm.

Without looking up, or speaking aloud, Meri nodded and gathered her things sitting near her feet on the floor. As she rose to her feet, Alex saw her glance at him, then take a double look. Slowly her eyes traveled up and up until they found his face. At 6?1, Alex was much taller than her 5?5. The healers had once told her she would probably grow to around 5?8, but at fourteen she still had some growing to do.

Alex could see something akin to surprise, and realized she had never stood near him before. She was always sitting down, and even then wouldn?t look at him. His height obviously surprised her, but he knew she mustn?t be too surprised if she knew Master Jinn. //That man is rather tall,// Alex mused as his eyebrow rose at his apprentice?s stare.

Following an inner urge, Alex smiled boyishly at her and then winked. He saw her start with surprise and then look quickly down at her feet. Glancing at the healer he shrugged, and smiled. An-Paj only shook his head, obviously fighting the smile that wanted to come.

?Ready?? Alex asked again.

Meri nodded, hugging her things to her chest, but didn?t look up.

After bidding the healer good bye the new pair left, heading towards their new quarters together. Alex felt an overwhelming sense of unbelief at what was happening to him. Those who did know he had taken an apprentice were shocked, and Alex wasn?t sure what some of his other friends would think either. There was still Rani. She was away on a mission with her Master and was to return in a few days. What the strong-minded young woman would have to say about this, he could only imagine.

Glancing behind him, he saw his padawan looking quite lost as she trailed after him. His heart softened and he knew