Wings of Beginning

Wings Arc: Wings of Beginning

~Wings of Beginning - 2~

Qui-Gon found himself witnessing the Naming Ceremony, watching the twins in particular. They were tiny before, but now they seemed almost a proper size for a humanoid infant that was recentlythedthed. Most infants were first born with blue eyes, which then later developed into another color as they grew older. The Kenobi twins were different. Their eyes would change with their emotions, switching between blue, green, and gray. Sometimes, in an odd mood, they'd be violet, but that was rare.

Rosa held up the older twin and proclaimed his name while her bondmate held the younger, "The Divine has whispered to me my children's names. This child will be known as Ben-Lars Kenobi."

The crowd that had gathered to witness the naming of twins cheered. After a while, they hushed as Rosa and Umbra switched twins. Where the older twin had blond hair, the younger had a more reddish color. Even by looks, the younger looked frail next to his twin brother.

Rosa held up the younger twin and proclaimed namename, "This child will be known as Obi-Wan Kenobi."

The Force sang with the pronounciation of the child's name. This twin was worth keeping watch over. Qui-Gon could feel the astonishment sweep through the crowd. To them, their Divine was singing at the sight of the newly named child. There was something special about that one.

The Divine Magi stepped forward and looked at the twins. They were going to do the testing in public. Umbra, holding Ben-Lars, stepped towards the Divine Magi and everyone watched as the Divine Magi helped the infant hold a small crystal. Taking care not to touch the glowing crystal with their flesh after the infant had touched it, the Divine Magiced ced it onto a pure white pillow and looked into its depths. The Divine Magi could see the pureness of white with hints of red in the very heart of the clear crystal, set apart from the white pillow.

After a few moments the Divine Magi nodded and looked towards Rosa and Umbra, "This child will be blessed."

The crowd sighed in relief. When children were blessed, it meant that they would lead long happy lives. Though, not without their hardships of course. Umbra and Ben-Lars stepped back and let Rosa and Obi-Wan come forward. The Divine Magi helped Obi-Wan hold another small crystal. Also taking care not to touch the glowing crystal with their flesh, the Divine Magi placed it onto another pure white pillow and looked into its depths. This crystal was noticably brighter than Ben-Lars'. The Divine Magi could see a multitude of colors within its depths. It was highly unusual for that to happen.

After a few moments the Divine Magi nodded and looked towards Rosa and Umbra, "This child will lead a life full of emotion, but the Divine has blessed this child."

The crowd sighed after a moment of letting what the Divine Magi said sink in. It was as close to a direct blessing as the child will ever get. Qui-Gon was puzzled at their response.

Sophus stepped forward and announced, "Tomorrow morning shall be when the Jedi Master chooses the children who will enter the Jedi Order."

The celebration and welcoming of the children went on into the night. Qui-Gon only stayed long enough as required to answer questions from concerned parents before going to his assigned room and going to bed.

The next morning, Qui-Gon prepared himself to test the children who were brought to him. As expected the midichlorian counts were high and difficult to choose who would stay and who would be brought back. In the end, Qui-Gon chose two girls and two boys to bring back. He thought that was all there was to it. He had checked all the children brought before him. Then Rosa came in with Ben-Lars and Obi-Wan.

"Jedi Master, the Divine spoke to me last night in a dream." Rosa announced.

The crowd grew hushed. No one spoke of the Divine in vain. Everyone respected it, just as the Jedi respected the Force.

"The Divine informed me that my children should not be ignorant to the Jedi Order. They will have a basic understanding of the Jedi Order, but one of my sons will become a Jedi Knight. But he shall not be ignorant to our own customs. I have spoken with a Divine Magi and they have urged me to action. Since you are testing children to see who shall be brought back, I wish for you to test my children. Though it may be some time before I relenquish them to you, I ask you to test them and choose one of my sons." Rosa said gravely.

Qui-Gon knew which one of the twins he wanted to take back, but he must test them to make sure. Qui-Gon took Ben-Lars and tested him. The midichlorian count was slightly higher than the others. Qui-Gon then exchanged Ben-Lars for Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan looked up at Qui-Gon calmly, with an almost jedi-like serenity, unafraid of the big man who held him. Qui-Gon tested the child and found the midichlorian count to be definitely higher than the others he had tested that morning.

"With your permission Senator Kenobi, I would request that Obi-Wan be allowed to join the Jedi Order." Qui-Gon said.

"And you shall when he is of age to leave me and has learned of our culture enough to satisfy me and my bondmate." Rosa announced.

Qui-Gon looked down at the infant who stared up at him unblinkingly. He could feel the force trying to tell him something about this child, but he couldn't quite listen to it clearly. The hum of the Force flo fro from the child blurred a great deal of the message. But one thing stood out clearly. This child will be a great Jedi Knight.

The rest of the day flew by as preparations were made for departure and goodbyes were said to the chosen children. For the parents of the children from Salus, they were granted special permission to visit their children and check up on them. Most of the time they wouldn't come, trusting the Jedi to take care of their children, but they would often communicate with them to keep in touch. Qui-Gon, Rosa, Umbra, Ben-Lars, Obi-Wan, and four other children watched as the pilot flew their ship away from Salus and towards Coruscant.

Once on Coruscant, Rosa and Umbra took Ben-Lars and Obi-Wan to Rosa's senator quarters. Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan stared back at him from his mother's arms as she walked away. The Force was singing again, but he paid it no mind while he had duties to perform. He escorted the four new initiates through the temple, telling them about their new home. Hft tft them with a crèche worker.

"Master Jinn, the Council has requested your presence once you are finished with the new initiates." the crèche worker informed him.

"Thank you." Qui-Gon said, bowing before exiting the crèche.

Walking to the Council chambers, he waited outside to be allowed in. The Force, from Yoda, notified him of the Council's permission.

"Master Qui-Gon Jinn, how went the mission?" Yaddle asked.

"Well Masters. We arrived without trouble and Senator Kenobi gave birth on the planet. We have four new initiates and one more promised to us." Qui-Gon reported.

"Promised?" Mace asked.

"Senator Kenobi bid me to test her newborn children. One of the twins will join us when he is ready and Senator Kenobi is willing to give him up to us." Qui-Gon explained.

"Which twin?" Yoda inquired.

"The younger." Qui-Gon said, watching as the old master beemed at the thought.

"Much will happen by that young one's hand no doubt." Yoda said. "Much will happen."

"How was the rite ortilrtility?" Mace asked.

"It is sacred to these people. With Senator Kenobi being pregnant with twins, it is a great honour to bear children. I shall document it for the archives." Qui-Gon replied.

"Very well." Mace said, dismissing Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon bowed and walked out of the room.

To Be Continued...