Murder the Dawn: Chapter Five: The Beginning of The End

[ladyofleithian]

In which Qui-Gon's funeral is had, and though the Battle of Naboo is won for now, the worst is still yet to come.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: Not sure if I got Anakin's voice down very well, but I still think I did okay.

It was long after the battle was over that Obi-Wan returned to Mandalore’s surface, still bearing the burden of Qui-Gon’s body -- which the Jedi agreed to give a proper funeral soon. Even now, Obi-Wan could not help but feel slightly guilty for being unable to truly cope with his grief -- if anything, amongst Jedi, nothing was truly permanent, and attachment was a selfish thing. Grief was an attachment. Despair was an attachment. And even now, Obi-Wan was, truthfully, finding it hard to cope with both of them.

It was there that he saw Anakin, clearly exhausted but triumphant, exiting from a Naboo fighter with Artoo-Detoo in tow, and in spite of himself, Obi-Wan felt relief, sheer relief, descend on him. Anakin had not suffered the same fate as Qui-Gon. He was all right. 

“Anakin!” Even now, Obi-Wan never imagined that he would be that relieved to realize that Anakin had managed to survive the space battle above Mandalore -- granted, he wouldn’t have wanted to see the boy dead, but even so...he hadn’t expected it to be this joyous. Almost as if a brother or friend had returned to him safely -- he barely knew Anakin, and even now, looking into that gentle, guileless face, he couldn’t imagine how he could even think differently.

“Artoo was absolutely amazing,” Anakin said -- even now, the boy’s excitement was almost infectious. “I really doubt I would have been able to do it without him. Blow up the ship, that is.”

“You blew it up all by yourself?”

“Well,” Anakin said, seeming to blush a bit, “Not entirely by myself...”

Artoo let out a few beeps and whistles, which sounded, to Obi-Wan at least, quite irritated.

Anakin shot him a playful glare. “Oh, come on, Artoo,” he said, “I’m not that incompetent with all those buttons...”

Obi-Wan stifled a laugh -- he almost didn’t want to laugh, but in spite of himself, he found himself doing so. Anakin grinned, almost as if realizing the humor himself. Then he grew more serious.

“I just hope that Master Qui-Gon won’t be mad at me,” he said. Even now, watching the boy scuff a small rock with his foot, Obi-Wan felt a pang of guilt. How was he going to explain what had happened to Qui-Gon?

Satine shot him a look that said, quite clearly, Tell him. He deserves to know the truth.

“Obi-Wan?” Anakin looked concerned. “Are you all right?”

Obi-Wan swallowed; somehow, there was no avoiding it now.

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said. “Qui-Gon...he’s one with the Force now.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s dead,” Obi-Wan said. “He fell in battle.”

And even now, seeing the look on Anakin’s face, that crushing look of grief and shock, Obi-Wan almost wished he hadn’t said it.

“I’m so sorry,” Obi-Wan said. “I...I should have helped him. Should have saved him -- ’’

“Don’t say things like that,” Anakin said. “It’s not your fault.”

Ah, Anakin, Obi-Wan thought. If only you knew...

***

It was at the funeral that Anakin finally found the words to speak. He was no stranger to death -- he had been naive about it when he had been slightly younger, as most children were. And yet at the same time, he was still naive. He only wished he could bring Qui-Gon back, to stop Obi-Wan’s pain...

Then again, he thought, what were the odds that he could?

“What is going to happen to me now?” he asked Obi-Wan, almost in spite of himself.

“I don’t know, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said. “The Council, however, has granted me permission to train you. You will be a Jedi -- I promise.”

They turned back to the flames, listening to the faint conversation between Master Yoda and Master Windu, listening to “always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice.”

“But which one was destroyed? The Master, or the apprentice?”

Anakin didn’t know what it meant. But in a way, he was glad that he didn’t.

***

In the streets of Mandalore, Gungans and humans and Mandalorians mingled in the streets in a victory march, rejoicing at taking back Mandalore from the oppressive hands of the Trade Federation. Mandalore would be prosperous again -- new life would grow there, and it would return to its former glory -- almost as if the Trade Federation never tainted it.

Satine only hoped they would not forget. On the other hand, she would have been happy to never take up arms again.

Next to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker stood, now wearing a Padawan braid. R2-D2 also stood beside him, whirring and beeping.

Obi-Wan turned to look at Satine, smiled -- it was not often that Obi-Wan smiled, but when he did, it was a sight to behold. It was a smile that could light the stars themselves.

And in spite of herself, Satine found herself smiling back, before turning to celebrate with Boss Nass and Jar-Jar Binks -- as the latter received medals for his bravery in the Battle of Naboo.

The war was far from over -- but in the end, the galaxy would be at peace.

And as long as they were together, no power in the galaxy itself could stop them.

Comments

[estora.livejournal.com]

I'm really enjoying this!! Poor Obi-Wan, having to cope with Qui-Gon's death. *tear* But he has Anakin now, which was so sweet.

It ends on such a hopeful note!! But OMG I have read the others - what will happen??!

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D *hugs* And poor Obi-Wan, I agree. :(

Well, Sidious definitely has to regroup from losing Maul, so...yeah.

[angel-in-tears.livejournal.com]

Oh Obi-Wan. I want to hug him!!!! I love how you've described his feelings and how he feels about Anakin when he sees him and that was adorable!

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :D I loved writing that part too. :) I just love their relationship, all around. :)

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

A bittersweet and good chapter, thanks. :)

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

Both thanks and you're welcome! :D Don't worry; more's coming soon. :)