Emotions welled up inside Obi-Wan Kenobi's heart as his former apprentice knelt down on the floor before him. "I'm ready," Anakin Skywalker said, turning his gaze upwards to the one he had called Master since childhood.
But the child was gone. He was a man, an experienced warrior, and now, a full-fledged Knight. He had earned it the most difficult way possible...on the battlefield. The scars he now bore were testimony to that. The trials weren't what they once were; Obi-Wan had passed his in a way that had been unusual. Now it was closer to the norm rather than the exception.
Memories of Qui-Gon Jinn could not help but haunt this moment. This was what the fallen Master had sacrificed for and now it was finally coming to pass. When one attained full Knighthood within the Order there was little pomp and circumstance to mark it. The Council conferred it in a brief conference and the only other ceremony was the removal of a padawan's braid and antelock. It was generally done in private by the former Master.
Qui-Gon hadn't been there to perform the simple ritual for Obi-Wan. His braid and antelock were removed by Master Yoda. It was a tremendous honor and the great Master had been a part of Obi-Wan's life since he could remember. Yet it had filled him with sorrow that Qui-Gon couldn't have done it.
Thus, Obi-Wan was touched at the opportunity to perform the ritual for Anakin. He felt like a father and at the same time an older brother to his former padawan. They had been through much together and sometimes things were difficult between them, especially in the last few years before the Clone Wars as Anakin made the turbulent passage through adolescence. As terrible as the Clone Wars had been, being brothers-in-arms allowed them to bridge some of their differences and grow closer. Even though the Code taught against attachments, Obi-Wan knew he was going to miss having Anakin as his apprentice. This is what it must be like for a parent to have to let a child go, he thought. But it was the natural course of things and he had to accept it. He had to have faith the bond he forged with Anakin would remain strong.
Obi-Wan picked up an ordinary vibroblade, took Anakin's padawan braid and severed the braid at its root. He then severed the antelock. As the newly-minted Knight rose to his feet, Obi-Wan remembered when Anakin received his first padawan haircut. He had kept running his hand through his short, spiky hair, shocked that his moptop was gone forever. He recalled the day Anakin first constructed his lightsaber. Then there was the time when he turned to ask Anakin something and he had noticed for the first time his young padawan's eye level was above his. Obi-Wan smiled warmly at the flood of memories and at the grown man before him. Anakin smiled back, then he seized a surprised Obi-Wan in a tight hug. He was always taken aback by Anakin's sudden displays of affection, not typical among the Jedi. Yet it was one of the things Obi-Wan loved best about Anakin. Slowly, Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Anakin's shoulders and said, "Well done, my friend. Well done."
**********
"A gift from the Grand Emir of Farahtooine has arrived, Milady. Shall I have the security team inspect it?" the hooded young woman asked.
The young senator from Naboo shook her head. "No, it's all right Moteé. You can bring it in."
"Is that wise given the bounty the Separatists have placed on you?" Captain Typho gave her his usual you're-too-reckless-for-your-own-good look.
"I trust the Grand Emir," Padmé Amidala said. "He is a valued ally in the struggle against the Separatists."
Typho sighed. "Very well." The Chief of Security and the handmaiden strode out of Padmé's main office. She chuckled to herself; she knew full well the true identity of the Grand Emir of Farahtooine. As far as Padmé knew, Farahtooine didn't even exist.
Moteé returned with a small rectangular box affixed with an elaborate seal, placing it in Padmé's hands. "Captain Typho insisted on scanning it for explosives," the handmaiden explained. "It's negative."
"Thank you," Padmé said. Moteé bowed and left Padmé alone in her office, the door shutting automatically behind her.
Padmé's formal demeanor relaxed and she anxiously broke open the box's seal to see what her husband Anakin had sent her. Inside the box was a scroll of flimsiplast. She set down the box, took out the scroll, and unrolled it. Written on the scroll was a note and tucked within it was a long lock of braided dark blond hair. Padmé gasped. Her heart pounding, she read the message on the scroll.
My Dearest Padmé,
I am now a Knight.
I was brought before the Council this morning and informed that by virtue of my wartime service for the Republic and the Jedi Order, I have passed my trials. Then they had me kneel before them as the Council conferred upon me the rank of Knight. I worked so hard and sacrificed so much for this day and finally it has arrived. But I shall never forget the love and pride in Master Obi-Wan's eyes as he witnessed the ceremony or as he removed my padawan braid and antelock. It's what I wanted from him for so long, to have him be proud of me.
You enjoyed playing with this braid when we were together. Now accept it as a token of my gratitude for your unwavering love and support, without which this day wouldn't have been possible. It represents a lineage of sorts. Obi-Wan wove strands of his own padawan braid into mine right after I became his apprentice, since my hair wasn't long enough for a braid yet. Strands of your own hair are woven in as a symbol of our union. One day, when I train our children, they will have strands of this woven into their own braids.
Each day I become more powerful in the Force and now that I am no longer an apprentice, I can work even harder to reach my potential.
The only shadow upon this day is that my mother isn't here to see it happen. I still miss her so much.
Keep well, my light, my heart...I shall see you tonight.
With all of my love,
Anakin
Padmé fought the urge to jump and shout with joy, but nothing could stop tears from welling up in her eyes. "You did it, Ani," she whispered. "You did it."
**********
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine rose to receive his lone visitor. "You may leave us," he told his scarlet-clad personal guards. Silently, the crimson pair of guards turned and left the office to stand outside its door.
"Welcome, my young friend," Palpatine said warmly. "What brings you here this fine afternoon?"
Anakin Skywalker wore the hood of his Jedi cloak up, even though it was a sunny, warm day. The young man respectfully bowed in greeting. "I have good news that I want to share, sir."
"Very well, let's hear it."
Slowly, Anakin peeled back his cloak hood to his shoulders. Palpatine quickly noticed the padawan braid was missing. "My word, Anakin! Has the Council at last made you a Knight?"
"Yes," Anakin said, beaming with pride. "Just this morning."
"I congratulate you," Palpatine said in a grandfatherly way. "I told you that your patience will be rewarded."
"Thank you, Chancellor. But I couldn't have done it without your help and guidance over the years. So, I am presenting you with a gift." Anakin produced a small purple velvet pouch and placed it in Palpatine's palm. The Supreme Chancellor opened it and found inside the antelock now shorn from Anakin's hair.
"I am deeply moved," Palpatine said in an awed, hushed tone, as though he had just been given the rarest corusca gem. "I know what it means for a Jedi to bestow such a such gift..."
"It is a simple token of appreciation. I am indebted to you for all you've done," Anakin said earnestly. "I can't thank you enough."
"It is I who cannot thank you enough," Palpatine said, placing a paternal hand on Anakin's shoulder. He set the velvet pouch on his desk. "I will never forget how you saved my homeworld and I will not forget your valiant service protecting Senator Amidala. And now, your destiny awaits. I've always believed in you, Anakin. You are powerful, and now with the war, you are our last best hope."
Anakin, his eyes shining, bowed. "You are most kind, Chancellor. I shall not fail the Republic. Or you."
Faintly, the old man smiled.
