Vision
By B.L. Lindley-Anderson: anderson@hiwaay.net
Rating G
Disclaimer: The characters and venue of Star Wars belongs to Lucas Films Limited. I receive no profit from this story or its distribution.
Vision
by B.L. Lindley-Anderson
Qui-Gon sighed heavily as he turned from the window. He walked to the sofa and tried not to fall onto it, but to sit. Now was the time to be in control. His actions, no matter now small, would show just how much he was in control. That is why it was important to him to sit carefully instead of letting his weight pull him down.
He sat back and closed his eyes. He had been in meditation when the Force gave him a view of the future. This did not happen often. As Yoda frequently said the future was hard to see because it was always in motion. However, occasionally the Force would present a clear picture of an event to a chosen Jedi. An event that was not in motion, but was already predetermined to happen.
The Jedi master had just been the recipient of such a vision. He knew inside, because the Force made it clear to him, that this would happen just as he had seen it. Now he settled himself back into the Force, not to confirm or to seek more detail, but to find peace and to prepare himself for what was to come.
Qui-Gon knew he couldn't change what would be. And even if he could, he knew he would not. Because of his strong connection with the Force, he believed in the will of the Force...and knew that will to be for the best. Better than his wisdom, better than what he would choose...if he could choose. So, for the Jedi master there was no questioning it, no fighting it. There was acceptance and facing the future, as he knew it would unfold.
That is why he settled back into meditation. To prepare, to be centered, to be ready when the moment came. To be certain he would not back down from what he knew he must face. If face it he did not, then the balance of the Force would be upset...and someone else would suffer instead of him. Qui-Gon was too much in tune with other beings around him. The living Force made it so. He could not sit by and let another endure a trial he must face. He must be certain of himself. He must know that he would walk willingly into the scene the Force had just unfolded before him.
So it was that the Jedi master went deeper and deeper into his trance. He wanted the strongest bond he could forge with the Force at this moment. The scene had not been a pleasant one. It would not be simple to face it...knowing what the outcome would be. However, he knew he need not face it alone. There was the strength of the Force to encourage him and aid him to walk into this. That is why he sought it out so completely now. Qui-Gon knew with that help he could face this. If he could not, then he would not have been chosen.
How much later it was when the Jedi came back to himself he couldn't say...wasn't concerned about. It was unimportant. The sense of calm and strength and certainty that he now possessed...and which possessed him was the only important thing. He rested in that. Now he was certain. When the moment came, he knew he could face it without hesitation.
Slowly he stood and began to prepare himself to meet the day. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon and he knew Obi-Wan would be along shortly to walk with him to the dining hall. The Jedi showered quickly, wrapping the Force around him as he stood in the steaming shower. Warmth inside and outside allowed him to put the future out of his head and concentrate on the moment. Now that he had prepared himself for it, it was time to let it go and live the moment. Not denying the future, but not letting it consume him. His attention must be more on his current task than on what was to come. That would only serve to distract him.
The Jedi master dressed himself and tied back his damp hair. As he smoothed his beard he studied the face that looked back at him. It was strong and determined, yet peaceful. His blue eyes were clear and bright. Yes, he was at peace. That sense of peace must be his constant companion. Not only for his sake, but also for the sake of those around him. For Obi-Wan's sake, for Yoda's sake. The Force had not instructed him to reveal this to them. Therefore, for their peace of mind, he couldn't allow any anxiety about the vision to be transmitted to them. Especially to Obi-Wan. Yoda would be able to handle this Qui-Gon knew. But his padawan...he was still uncertain about. Obi-Wan still had much to learn of the Force and the Jedi master wondered how this would affect him. He must make best use of the training time with his apprentice to make sure he knew as much of the Force as Qui-Gon could instill in him before then.
Then the door chime sounded. Qui-Gon stood straight and tall. He turned and walked to the door.
"Good morning Master."
"Good morning Padawan," Qui-Gon said fondly.
"Are you ready for breakfast?"
The elder Jedi smiled a small smile. A simple thing like a meal with his apprentice suddenly seemed important. He had a new appreciation for it now. Qui-Gon put an arm around Obi-Wan's shoulders as they walked down the corridor.
As their boots tapped against the floor, Qui-Gon's mind was drawn back to the vision. A red and black faced man dressed completely in black. A double-edged red light saber. The hilt of the saber met his chin. As his head was knocked backward, he felt the burn of the saber as it entered his body. Too startled, too much in pain. His mouth opened but no sound came out...and he collapsed to the floor. Then the vision faded to black...no more was revealed to him. The Jedi master had been given a vision of his death. But no more. When, where...he couldn't say. Would Obi-Wan be present? It wasn't revealed. Who was this dark man? The Force didn't tell him. Only that he would die at the hands of this man.
Qui-Gon held on to his peace...and to his padawan. The Jedi master was prepared. Now he had to prepare his apprentice. But how to prepare without revealing the vision? He would not worry. The Force had shown him the vision. The Force had prepared him. The Force would show him what he now must do.
He would face it. He must. That much was already certain to him. However, a new resolution crept up on him as he thought. If he didn't face what the Force showed him he must, then the balance would be shifted. Another would have to suffer in his place. What if it were Obi-Wan? No...no. He couldn't ...wouldn't allow that to happen. If he were certain before, that only made him more so. If there were a chance that his padawan would have to suffer his fate, then Qui-Gon would rush to meet the dark menace. He didn't realize that the thought had cause him to clamp down his grip on Obi-Wan's shoulder.
"Master," the apprentice eyed Qui-Gon carefully. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Qui-Gon forced a small smile. "Just a little preoccupied."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" He searched his master's face.
"You already have Padawan. You already have."
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