FIC: Page of Wands - Part 2: Time Being - Anakin, Obi-Wan - PG
Ripples in time only make matters worse between Master and former Padawan....
PROMPT: arcana_fic: Page of Wands, au100: Ends
STATUS: WIP / unfinished
GENRE: alternative universe
CHARACTERS: Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé Amidala
TIMELINE: during Revenge of the Sith
RATING: PG
WARNINGS: none
( Did you miss part 1? )
Anakin returned to the Temple in shock after his meeting with the Supreme Chancellor. The promise Palpatine had made seemed inconceivable, unattainable, yet at the same time inevitable. Anakin knew he was destined to sit on the Council. Like Palpatine's mending of the rags of the old Republic, Anakin knew the Jedi needed a strong leader to reshape them and guide them.
Making his way up the tall spire to the Council chambers, Anakin thought back on the war, and the long nights laying in trenches, unable to sleep knowing the morning would bring a new battle. Lying awake next to Obi-Wan, Anakin had revealed parts of himself and what he saw in his future-or, at least, what he wanted in it.
"I said much the same thing to my master, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan had admitted in hushed tones beside him. "'Be the change you want to affect, Master,' I said. 'Follow the Code, and soon you will be on the Council.'"
"I take it Qui-Gon wasn't much for following the Code any more than I am," Anakin had retorted softly with a chuckle.
Obi-Wan had scolded him, "If you're serious about wanting a position on the Council, Anakin, you must be more mindful of your emotions." His master's face had been stern in the moonlight, but his eyes had glittered with hope like the stars above. "Your feelings give you a connection to the living Force that far outweighs mine-or Qui-Gon's. But don't let it overrun your good judgment like Qui-Gon did."
He hadn't said anything at the time, but Obi-Wan's comment had stung Anakin. He didn't like the fact that Obi-Wan was dishonouring Qui-Gon's memory by saying such things. Qui-Gon hadn't been wrong about Anakin. If only the Jedi, especially Obi-Wan, could just see that.
Anakin approached the Council chambers and looked up at the tall doors. His eyes caressed the reliefs carved into the door's arch, flowing over the depictions of ancient battles against the Sith and piety of a Jedi's life and its code. Although it was meant to remind a Jedi of his place within the Force, it only served to remind Anakin how out-of-place he had always been with his fellow Jedi.
Today would be different. As the doors began to open, Anakin squared his shoulders and held back a smirk of pride. For the first time, he would have his place and enter the chamber as an equal.
With determination, Anakin strode toward the centre of the chambers into the circle round which the Council sat. He quickly glanced about the room, looking for the one with whom he could share his pride with a hopeful smile. Anakin's eyes sought out the chair of his master-
-And found it empty.
Frowning, Anakin pushed down his disappointment and concern. It wasn't like Obi-Wan to shirk his responsibilities. Not once, but twice today Obi-Wan was not where he was supposed to be. Surely, Obi-Wan had heard of Anakin's appointment to the Council? Wouldn't he want to share with Anakin this moment of triumph? Anakin released his worries into the Force. Now was not the time to think of such selfish things.
As Anakin turned to face Masters Yoda and Windu, the sound of heavy footfalls echoed across the chamber, and all heads turned.
Looking pale and drawn, Obi-Wan slowed his step as he entered. His eyes met Anakin's, and for the first time in the young man's life, Anakin saw genuine apprehension reflected in his master's eyes.
Obi-Wan turned and bowed to the Council masters. "Forgive me for my tardiness," he said slightly out of breath. "I have no excuse." Obi-Wan straightened and turned toward his chair. For a moment, Obi-Wan's eyes fleetingly found Anakin's again, and again Anakin was filled with dread to see suspicion reflected in his master's eyes.
As Obi-Wan brushed past him to make his way to his seat, Mace spoke, "Anakin Skywalker, we have approved your appointment to the Council as the Chancellor's personal representative."
Yoda continued, "Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not. Disturbing is this move by Chancellor Palpatine."
Anakin returned his attention to the Council and found his voice to reply solemnly. "I understand." And he truly did. The Jedi didn't like someone telling them what to do. They didn't like it when Qui-Gon told them he was the Chosen One and should be trained. They certainly weren't going to be happy that a non-Jedi-even the leader of the Republic-was telling them who to appoint to its Council.
Licking his lips, Anakin afforded himself a side-ways glance. It was one thing to have Chancellor Palpatine to booster his confidence in his abilities both as a Jedi and as a leader, but it was his master who could tip the scales. If he were proud of Anakin, then surely everything would be all right.
Sensing Anakin's eyes upon him, Obi-Wan glanced up warily. When their eyes met, Anakin's heart was struck cold by the distress he saw mirrored there. Then something seemed to close over Obi-Wan's face, a mask of disappointment and sorrow, and his mentor looked away.
"You are on this Council," Mace spoke pointedly, "but we do not grant you the rank of Master."
So preoccupied was Anakin with his thoughts, he almost hadn't heard Mace.
Anakin's anger ignited anew, for at once he knew the truth. It was obvious to him now. His master had been avoiding him because of this. Palpatine must have contacted Obi-Wan, telling him of his plans to put Anakin on the Council, certainly. It had to be the only explanation for Obi-Wan's errant behaviour. Obi-Wan didn't want Anakin as his equal, he never did. He never wanted to share Qui-Gon's training, he never wanted Anakin to be a Jedi, and now Obi-Wan wouldn't allow Anakin to share the mantle of Master.
"What?" Anakin questioned, as if he needed Mace to repeat himself. Anakin glimpsed at the other masters before him before continuing. "How can you do this? This is outrageous! It's unfair! How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?"
Unflustered by Anakin's outburst, Mace's eyes hardened as he gestured to an empty chair. "Take a seat, young Skywalker."
"Forgive me, Master." Embarrassed, but not entirely humbled, Anakin turned to the empty chair. His eyes flickered to Obi-Wan once more. A stoney facade had replaced his earlier expression, and he refused to return Anakin's gaze.
So certain was Anakin that he would finally be looked upon as an equal, to hear otherwise was a dagger thrust into his belly. His nightmare about Padmé, Yoda's "advice," Mace's silent retort, and now this. How could his day possibly get any worse?
He wasn't even listening to the conversation anymore. All Anakin could think about was the unjustness of life. For every battle he won, a whole war was lost. He'd won his freedom, only to lose his mother. For Padmé's heart, he would lose his life as a Jedi. To become a great Jedi, Anakin faced an unequal partnership with his fellow Knights. Worst of all, to accept his destiny was to sacrifice the life of his beloved.
And it was all Obi-Wan's fault.
Anakin glanced over at his so-called friend, the man who had once been the only person he thought understood him and gave him support amongst the Jedi. He found Obi-Wan's grey eyes focused upon the floor, also apparently not listening to the conversation in the Council.
Thinking of how to stab me in the back, Master? Anakin angrily thought to himself.
Anakin realised he had been right to advise Padmé not to confide in Obi-Wan about his nightmares. Obi-Wan had dismissed his dreams about his mother. But this-not allowing Anakin to obtain his mastership was worse than simple dismissal. It was a complete rejection of Anakin and the Jedi he had become.
( Other alternative universes for Obi-Wan and Anakin. )
PROMPT: arcana_fic: Page of Wands, au100: Ends
STATUS: WIP / unfinished
GENRE: alternative universe
CHARACTERS: Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé Amidala
TIMELINE: during Revenge of the Sith
RATING: PG
WARNINGS: none
( Did you miss part 1? )
Anakin returned to the Temple in shock after his meeting with the Supreme Chancellor. The promise Palpatine had made seemed inconceivable, unattainable, yet at the same time inevitable. Anakin knew he was destined to sit on the Council. Like Palpatine's mending of the rags of the old Republic, Anakin knew the Jedi needed a strong leader to reshape them and guide them.
Making his way up the tall spire to the Council chambers, Anakin thought back on the war, and the long nights laying in trenches, unable to sleep knowing the morning would bring a new battle. Lying awake next to Obi-Wan, Anakin had revealed parts of himself and what he saw in his future-or, at least, what he wanted in it.
"I said much the same thing to my master, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan had admitted in hushed tones beside him. "'Be the change you want to affect, Master,' I said. 'Follow the Code, and soon you will be on the Council.'"
"I take it Qui-Gon wasn't much for following the Code any more than I am," Anakin had retorted softly with a chuckle.
Obi-Wan had scolded him, "If you're serious about wanting a position on the Council, Anakin, you must be more mindful of your emotions." His master's face had been stern in the moonlight, but his eyes had glittered with hope like the stars above. "Your feelings give you a connection to the living Force that far outweighs mine-or Qui-Gon's. But don't let it overrun your good judgment like Qui-Gon did."
He hadn't said anything at the time, but Obi-Wan's comment had stung Anakin. He didn't like the fact that Obi-Wan was dishonouring Qui-Gon's memory by saying such things. Qui-Gon hadn't been wrong about Anakin. If only the Jedi, especially Obi-Wan, could just see that.
Anakin approached the Council chambers and looked up at the tall doors. His eyes caressed the reliefs carved into the door's arch, flowing over the depictions of ancient battles against the Sith and piety of a Jedi's life and its code. Although it was meant to remind a Jedi of his place within the Force, it only served to remind Anakin how out-of-place he had always been with his fellow Jedi.
Today would be different. As the doors began to open, Anakin squared his shoulders and held back a smirk of pride. For the first time, he would have his place and enter the chamber as an equal.
With determination, Anakin strode toward the centre of the chambers into the circle round which the Council sat. He quickly glanced about the room, looking for the one with whom he could share his pride with a hopeful smile. Anakin's eyes sought out the chair of his master-
-And found it empty.
Frowning, Anakin pushed down his disappointment and concern. It wasn't like Obi-Wan to shirk his responsibilities. Not once, but twice today Obi-Wan was not where he was supposed to be. Surely, Obi-Wan had heard of Anakin's appointment to the Council? Wouldn't he want to share with Anakin this moment of triumph? Anakin released his worries into the Force. Now was not the time to think of such selfish things.
As Anakin turned to face Masters Yoda and Windu, the sound of heavy footfalls echoed across the chamber, and all heads turned.
Looking pale and drawn, Obi-Wan slowed his step as he entered. His eyes met Anakin's, and for the first time in the young man's life, Anakin saw genuine apprehension reflected in his master's eyes.
Obi-Wan turned and bowed to the Council masters. "Forgive me for my tardiness," he said slightly out of breath. "I have no excuse." Obi-Wan straightened and turned toward his chair. For a moment, Obi-Wan's eyes fleetingly found Anakin's again, and again Anakin was filled with dread to see suspicion reflected in his master's eyes.
As Obi-Wan brushed past him to make his way to his seat, Mace spoke, "Anakin Skywalker, we have approved your appointment to the Council as the Chancellor's personal representative."
Yoda continued, "Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not. Disturbing is this move by Chancellor Palpatine."
Anakin returned his attention to the Council and found his voice to reply solemnly. "I understand." And he truly did. The Jedi didn't like someone telling them what to do. They didn't like it when Qui-Gon told them he was the Chosen One and should be trained. They certainly weren't going to be happy that a non-Jedi-even the leader of the Republic-was telling them who to appoint to its Council.
Licking his lips, Anakin afforded himself a side-ways glance. It was one thing to have Chancellor Palpatine to booster his confidence in his abilities both as a Jedi and as a leader, but it was his master who could tip the scales. If he were proud of Anakin, then surely everything would be all right.
Sensing Anakin's eyes upon him, Obi-Wan glanced up warily. When their eyes met, Anakin's heart was struck cold by the distress he saw mirrored there. Then something seemed to close over Obi-Wan's face, a mask of disappointment and sorrow, and his mentor looked away.
"You are on this Council," Mace spoke pointedly, "but we do not grant you the rank of Master."
So preoccupied was Anakin with his thoughts, he almost hadn't heard Mace.
Anakin's anger ignited anew, for at once he knew the truth. It was obvious to him now. His master had been avoiding him because of this. Palpatine must have contacted Obi-Wan, telling him of his plans to put Anakin on the Council, certainly. It had to be the only explanation for Obi-Wan's errant behaviour. Obi-Wan didn't want Anakin as his equal, he never did. He never wanted to share Qui-Gon's training, he never wanted Anakin to be a Jedi, and now Obi-Wan wouldn't allow Anakin to share the mantle of Master.
"What?" Anakin questioned, as if he needed Mace to repeat himself. Anakin glimpsed at the other masters before him before continuing. "How can you do this? This is outrageous! It's unfair! How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?"
Unflustered by Anakin's outburst, Mace's eyes hardened as he gestured to an empty chair. "Take a seat, young Skywalker."
"Forgive me, Master." Embarrassed, but not entirely humbled, Anakin turned to the empty chair. His eyes flickered to Obi-Wan once more. A stoney facade had replaced his earlier expression, and he refused to return Anakin's gaze.
So certain was Anakin that he would finally be looked upon as an equal, to hear otherwise was a dagger thrust into his belly. His nightmare about Padmé, Yoda's "advice," Mace's silent retort, and now this. How could his day possibly get any worse?
He wasn't even listening to the conversation anymore. All Anakin could think about was the unjustness of life. For every battle he won, a whole war was lost. He'd won his freedom, only to lose his mother. For Padmé's heart, he would lose his life as a Jedi. To become a great Jedi, Anakin faced an unequal partnership with his fellow Knights. Worst of all, to accept his destiny was to sacrifice the life of his beloved.
And it was all Obi-Wan's fault.
Anakin glanced over at his so-called friend, the man who had once been the only person he thought understood him and gave him support amongst the Jedi. He found Obi-Wan's grey eyes focused upon the floor, also apparently not listening to the conversation in the Council.
Thinking of how to stab me in the back, Master? Anakin angrily thought to himself.
Anakin realised he had been right to advise Padmé not to confide in Obi-Wan about his nightmares. Obi-Wan had dismissed his dreams about his mother. But this-not allowing Anakin to obtain his mastership was worse than simple dismissal. It was a complete rejection of Anakin and the Jedi he had become.
( Other alternative universes for Obi-Wan and Anakin. )