Chapter Text
Obi-Wan Kenobi was on a war path. Everyone in the temple could feel it as he thundered down the halls to the council chambers. It didn’t take much thought to know what he was upset about.
There had been a rumor going around concerning his Padawan. Usually, that wasn’t something that could rattle the rather unshakable knight, it was what the rumor was doing to his Padawan that had him willingly going before the council. Obi-Wan, like every other sane Jedi, dreaded the times when he’d have to appear before the council. It wasn’t that the council wasn’t kind or caring, they were, it was just uncomfortable to have so many powerful Jedi masters evaluating you and pressing against the shields in your mind.
But alas, his Padawans comfort must come before his own.
As Obi-Wan approached the council chamber, he took a steadying breath before barging in.
“Been expecting you, we have,” Master Yoda remarked as Obi-Wan entered the council chamber.
“Then you must know why I am here, Master Yoda,” Obi-Wan replied, his voice full of barely contained betrayal.
“Concerned about the rumors surrounding your Padawan, you are. Wish to know who started them, you do.”
Obi-Wan took a deep breath, trying to steady his rage, “Yes, Master.”
“Disappointed, you will be. Have answers, we do not,” Yoda said, ears drooping in regret.
“I mean no disrespect, but surely you all must have some suspicions about who told. After all, Qui-Gon told only the council his suspicions about Anakin being the chosen one.”
“Knight Kenobi,” Master Windu cut in. “The moment we heard of these rumors, we did a thorough investigation into which one of us told someone. Unfortunately, it seems that no one on this council has told anyone of your old masters suspicions, which means that either someone overheard a council discussion, or your Padawan went against your advice and told someone.”
Obi-Wan pondered what Master Windu had said for a moment before saying, “Unfortunate indeed, as Anakin assured me that he did not tell anyone when I asked him.”
Master Windu looked as though he didn’t believe Obi-Wan. “The council will continue looking into these matters, Knight Kenobi. Is that all you wished to discuss with us today.”
Obi-Wan took a deep steadying breath, guiding all his doubts and fears out of him and into the force. “I wish for the councils approval to continue my padawans training outside of the temple.”
For a moment, no one breathed. All at once the council broke out in murmurs, some voices being louder than the rest.
“This is preposterous!” Exclaimed Oppo Rancisis.
“Completely unheard of!” Even Piell piped up.
“Simply not done!” Yarael Poof contributed.
“Order!” Master Windu yelled, a vein on his forehead making itself known.
The council quieted down, murmurs fading away to silence.
“Thank you,” Master Windu continued. “Let’s all hear what Knight Kenobi has to say. He must have a reason for making such an.... unorthodox request.”
“Masters of the council,“ Obi-Wan said steadlily, his commitment to getting what he wanted clear in his voice. “Ever since my old masters claim of Anakin being the chosen one was revealed, he’s had a difficult time. He is constantly singled out during class. Being demeaned for not being good enough, when he has done the level of work expected of any other Padawan his age. It seems as though his teachers expect more of him than any of his classmates, simply due to an unproven suspicion.” Obi-Wan took a calming breath, trying to reign in his emotions. “Not to mention, some of his fellow Padawans and senior initiates have been giving him trouble. They seem to resent him for all the attention he’s getting, never mind the fact that he never wanted the attention in the first place. Just yesterday Anakin had an altercation with a Padawan that almost ended in violence. I believe that the best course of action to assure the continual good mental and physical health of my Padawan, is to allow me to finish his apprenticeship outside of the temple.” Obi-Wan finally took a breath, hoping that at least one thing he said would get through to the council.
“Make a fine argument you do,” Yoda said with a far off look in his eyes, one that meant he was looking into the force. “Deliberate, the council must. Call you back when it is time to vote, we will.”
Taking the unspoken dismissal for what it was, Obi-Wan exited the council chambers.
As Obi-Wan waited outside the council chamber, he pondered what he would do if the council denied his request. He could try to raise Anakin in the temple, but that could lead to Anakin feeling worthless and alone. The things his fellow Padawans said about him could make him doubt his place in the Jedi order even further. He already felt alienated by joining the Jedi so late, this could only make it worse. The only other option Obi-Wan could think of, would be to train Anakin outside the temple without the councils permission. The council wouldn’t like it, they would likely expel both of them from the Jedi order. Although being expelled from the order would be less than ideal, it would still be better than keeping Anakin in the temple.
Of course, all that could be avoided if the council simply allowed him to train Anakin outside of the temple.
All too soon, Obi-Wan was called back into the council chambers. As soon as he entered the beautiful room, he could feel the tension in the air. He reached out slightly with his mind to try to sort out all the emotions in the room, but quickly withdrew back into his own mind when he was overwhelmed with conflicting emotions.
“Ready to vote, we are,” Master Yoda proclaimed, breaking the silent tension.
“All those in favor of letting Knight Kenobi train Padawan Skywalker outside of the temple, please indicate by raising a hand or species equivalent,” Master Windu declared.
Obi-Wan could barely breath as he watched first Yaddle raise a clawed hand, followed by Plo Koon, Adi Gallia, Oppo Rancisis, Sifo Dias, and Jocasta Nu.
The Jedi council seemed to look around at each other as they realized that they were split perfectly in half, none of them willing to change their vote.
Finally, Mace Windu broke the standstill by slowly raising a reluctant hand.
Obi-Wan let out a relieved exhale, releasing tension that he hadn’t noticed he’d been holding.
“That concludes the voting, the council has officially approved your request to train Padawan Skywalker outside of the temple, Knight Kenobi,” Master Windu said.
“Thank you, Masters,” Obi-Wan replied, preparing to leave.
“Of course, there are some conditions,” Master Windu interrupted as Obi-Wan started making his way towards the exit. “Your Padawan must keep up with his course work, you are to keep in touch with the temple and update the council as we see fit, and we expect you to spend at least one Coruscant standard month a year in temple, for us to be able to evaluate how your Padawan’s training is going. You will still be expected to take on missions, they will just be missions that allow your Padawan to accompany you.”
Obi-Wan thought about the councils demands for a moment. It was more generous than he was expecting. He was already planning on keeping in touch with the council, even if they didn’t make him. Keeping in touch with the council would be good for them, it would help both him and Anakin feel less isolated from the other Jedi. Taking on missions would be good for Anakin as well. It would give him a chance to learn skills he wouldn’t be expected to learn until he was a senior Padawan. Spending a month in the temple every year wasn’t ideal, but it would give Obi-Wan a chance to catch up with his friends, and would let Anakin learn things from other master he couldn’t teach him. It would also, hopefully, allow Anakin to be at least semi-friendly with some of his age mates.
“I accept your terms.”
With that Obi-Wan left the council chambers, mentally preparing the best way to tell his Padawan what had happened.