*****
The view of the waterfall never failed to comfort Obi-Wan. Standing on the terrace of Anakin's room, he could taste the faintest bit of moisture that drifted on the current. Dawn was fast approaching; the hint of bright orange trickled through the trees and refracted a thousand times in the steady downpour of water. The pounding rush never abated, the soothing rhythm lulled his mind into relaxation as he contemplated the force of nature. `Such strength, all beginning with one drop of water.'
A small flare of light touched his senses and he returned to Anakin's side just in time to see him wake. "Good morning," Obi-Wan's voice was barely above a whisper. Bright blue eyes and a sleepy smile greeted him, "Morning."
"How are you feeling?"
Anakin slowly sat up, resting his back against the headboard. Obi-Wan was pleased to see the action was not as painful as last night. "Better. The herd of banthas has stopped trampling my lungs."
"Sounds like an improvement."
Obi-Wan stood uncertainly for a moment, watching Anakin take in his surroundings in daylight, and then moved to sit in the chair. His eyes drifted to the prisan flower just above the headboard, resting so closely to Anakin's face it could have been weaved into the braid flowing over his shoulder. With blue petals fading into a light yellow, the prisan looked as if it were designed just for Anakin, a stunningly natural complement to his eyes, once again bright with curiosity and fascination.
The urgency which drove Obi-Wan vanished. There was time now, a curious pause in a chain of events, and he didn't know what to do with it. Or rather he had an idea, but didn't know where to start. But perhaps he wouldn't have to.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi." Anakin's smile was infectious and hetilted his head in a question. "Who are you? What is this place? I've heard a few stories about Eldalye but…nothing that compares to this."
"I should hope not. It takes a great deal of effort to keep this valley concealed from outsiders."
"An enchanted forest overflowing with the Living Force… hidden by Force-sensitives." There was a hint of awed disbelief in Anakin's voice which made Obi-Wan both proud and uncomfortable at the same time. The pride was understandable, it was an amazing feat; though Obi-Wan hoped Anakin's astonishment would fade after he learned how long it had taken to achieve effective concealment and how many it took to maintain it. Unfortunately Anakin's reaction was also a reminder that his presence endangered the very feat he marveled at now.
"Force, life-power, different names for the same energy. But you'll have to explain the concept of Unifying and Living… I've never been able to understand the Jedi's distinction between the two."
"Anytime, but you'd be better off attending a lecture by Master Yoda. But why would this even be necessary? What do the Quenya have to hide?"
The question startled a laugh out of Obi-Wan, and he knew whatever issues the Elders currently had with him, the problem had just multiplied by Anakin's unexpected knowledge. "Trust Nauco to toss out my secrets so casually."
His reply seemed to sober Anakin, who leapt to the Ranger's defense. "Only to me. There was no one else to overhear us, and he only mentioned `the Quenya' when I asked about you. And Nauco refused to tell me anything else," the rest was muffled garble that Obi-Wan just barely caught, "...even used all my tricks."
Knowing that Anakin had asked about him, and that Nauco was having a little too much fun at both of their expense, it was difficult to smother the urge to retaliate in kind and instead assure Anakin that Nauco was far from being in trouble. Well, perhaps a bit of `trouble' when Obi-Wan got his hands on him. "No real harm done, Anakin. Nauco wouldn't know so much if I didn't already trust him. For him to tell you who we are says a lot about you."
"But it doesn't tell me much more about you."
Obi-Wan smiled at his persistence. "Then to answer your question, the only thing we have to hide is ourselves." The Jedi's puzzlement was obvious in his open expression. Just as Obi-Wan was about to explain, a strong feminine voice broke in. "There's a good reason for that." Ren'aki had always possessed an immaculate sense of timing, a flare for the dramatic that Obi-Wan alternately admired and cursed. Right now the latter seemed more appropriate.
She spared Anakin a glance and a nod, and turned her attention to Obi-Wan. "Arda Kenobi, the Elders have kindly requested your presence at your earliest convenience." Translation: now.
The formal address revealed as much as the tight lines around her eyes. But whether her displeasure stemmed from the Elders, Anakin's inquisitive demeanor, or his own stubbornness Obi-Wan couldn't determine. "Thank you, Ren. I'll be along shortly."
After a sharp nod, she hesitated, and then, "It is good to see you are recovering nicely, Jedi Skywalker." Obi-Wan was surprised when the normally protocol-bound Ren'aki left without waiting for a reply.
With great reluctance, he stood and gave a weak smile. "I should be back soon. Explore as you like, but don't strain yourself. Another day or two and you should be back to flying through the air."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "If I recall correctly, that's what landed me here."
"No, what got you here was a fast equara and a determined rider."
*****