It's not long after Din's private meeting with Queen Amidala when the Jetii return for Anakin. He had known, of course, that they would be back, but that doesn't make any easier for him. He doesn't want to let Anakin go, but it's for the boy's own good. This is what Anakin wants.
They're alone – the Jetii are waiting outside, giving them privacy to say goodbye to each other. Anakin reaches out to lift Grogu into his arms first, laying a gentle hand on the kid's head. "I promised," he whispers to him, and Grogu coos, a little sadly, but he doesn't protest or throw a fit when Anakin sets him down again. Din doesn't know what Anakin is talking about; it must be something private between the two of them, so he doesn't pry.
"Buir…" Anakin begins, and Din feels the familiar swell of emotions which accompany Anakin's use of that title. He seems to be at a loss for words though because he lunges forwards, wrapping his arms around Din and hugging him tightly, resting his face against Din's beskar'gam. Din holds him close, relishing in the feeling for what could well be the last time for years. It's easier, in this way, because Din knows that it's not a goodbye for forever.
He remembers how he took off his buy'ce when he gave Grogu to Luke and wonders if he should do it again. He wavers for a moment before deciding against it. Not here. Not in Senator Palpatine's home. The buy'ce gives him anonymity, and he doesn't want to lose that.
"If you want to stay, An'ika, you can," he reminds him softly, stepping back when Anakin lets go of him.
Anakin doesn't falter, though he looks as if he wants to. "I'll come back, Buir, I promise."
Din cards his fingers through Anakin's hair, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "I know you will."
He watches as Anakin goes to Shmi, hugging her as well. "I love you, Mom," he murmurs into her dress.
"And I love you, Ani," she assures him. "Now go, and don't look back."
Anakin turns, moving for the door, and Din's heart skips a beat. He can't let his foundling leave before saying one last thing. "Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, ad'ika." The words slip out before he can stop them, not that he would have stopped them anyways.
Grogu coos, and Anakin pauses, glancing back, a smile lighting up his face, his eyes bright. "Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, Buir," he echoes, and Din knows then, for sure, that he knows what the words mean. Anakin steps through the door, and it closes behind him, sealing him out of their lives for the indefinite future.
Din picks up Grogu, cradling him in his arms, suddenly feeling oddly empty. "It's okay," he promises, though he doesn't know who he's trying to comfort most: Shmi, Grogu, or himself. It will be okay though. Anakin will be back; Din knows it.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Anakin stops, once, to say goodbye to Padme, but to his disappointment, she's not there. He had hoped he could see her one last time. The Jedi take him to the Temple, and Anakin thinks he'd be able to appreciate and admire the beauty far more if he wasn't so nervous. Qui-Gon tries to calm him as they walk through the halls towards the Council chamber, telling him about the – the Jedi Masters on the Council. There are twelve of them in all, and they'll be testing him to decide if they will accept him for training. Which is strange because Anakin had thought that, by coming here, he would be trained, that it was a foregone conclusion.
He is ushered into the chamber, and he takes a moment to look around before walking to the circle in the center of the floor as seems to be expected of him. The Council members ask him questions, and Anakin quickly figures out that Qui-Gon must have told them everything which he knew about Anakin. The Jedi are… looking at him and not only physically. It's unnerving, and it makes him think about the slave auctions which he's seen in the past. That comparison alone is enough to scare him though he does his best to remain calm. The Jedi are good. They won't hurt him, and if they don't want him, he'll go back to Buir who does want him.
Still, it's scary.
He's asked to name the objects flashing across a datapad screen in the Korun's hands – Qui-Gon said his name is Windu – and he does, somehow knowing what is there without seeing. It's similar to how he races pods, to how he feels the obstacles ahead of him in his path, to how he knows instinctively which way to turn to avoid crashing and dying. "A ship. A cup. A ship. A speeder," he says, stopping when the image no longer seems to change.
"Hmm, how feel you?" asks Yoda. Anakin recognizes him, mainly because he's the same species as Grogu.
Anakin ponders that for a second. "I'm okay," he decides. In truth, he does feel rather calm, albeit nervous and uncertain about the future. He'll miss Buir and Mom and Grogu, but for now, he knows they're not far away, and they'll be alright. If he's scared, it's because of the memories lingering on the edges of his consciousness.
"Afraid are you?" Yoda prods.
"No, sir," he answers truthfully. He's not afraid of them. But he is – maybe – afraid of the future. He's still not used to relying on someone completely and utterly to take care of him, the way Grogu relies on Buir.
Yoda's ears twitch. "See through you we can," he states, and Anakin isn't sure if that's meant to insinuate that he's lying or what. Jedi magic, as Buir would say.
"Be mindful of your feelings," Windu cautions.
Anakin keeps his head as high as he dares, even as his heart hammers in his chest from anxiety. He won't back down. He won't be cowed. "Your thoughts dwell on your mother and the Mandalorian," notes the Cerean – Anakin can't remember his name.
"They're my family," he answers, thinking about how Buir taught him – and Grogu – the Resol'nare. He knows what it means to be a Mandalorian, and the most important thing to them is family. Loyalty is the Way.
"If a Jedi you become, your family they will not be," Yoda contradicts. "Let go of them you must. The deepest commitment to their path a Jedi must have."
Then maybe I'm not meant to be a Jetii, is the thought that instantly pops into Anakin's head, but he swallows it back, bowing his head instead and saying nothing. He knows better than to talk back to adults who have a position of authority over him – Mom and Buir don't count.
"Afraid to let go of them, are you?"
Anakin frowns. "I don't even know what that means."
"If you become a Jedi, you will not be permitted contact with your mother or the Mandalorian. Your attachment to them will distract you from your training," Windu elaborates. "You will have to learn to let go of your attachment to them."
The 'and you'll never see them again' is unspoken but still there. Anakin purses his lips, contemplating. Would it be considered lying to accept those words and still plan to eventually return to his family? What would Buir say? Mando'ade believe in honor, and they never break their word. But it's not as though Anakin is making a promise to stay a Jedi for the rest of his life, either.
"Okay," he agrees calmly.
"Sense fear in you I do," Yoda declares, a bit disapprovingly. "Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."
Ugh. Jedi are so complicated. Mandalorians at least make sense. Anakin is almost – almost, but not quite – beginning to doubt his desire to become a Jedi. But he wants to be trained. He wants to know how to use a laser sword and how to wield magic like they do, so he stands firm.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Obi-Wan is finding it hard to conceal his disapproval as his master does yet another thing which is not only unorthodox, but also is in defiance of every rule of the Jedi. "The boy will not pass the Council's test, Master. He's too old," Obi-Wan finally points out, turning away from the windows in the hall.
Qui-Gon is completely unphased by Obi-Wan's words as he'd expected. Instead, there is a steely determination in the maverick Jedi's eyes. "Anakin will become a Jedi, I promise you."
He wants to sigh. Or scream. It's so typical of his master, but it is so infuriating. "Do not defy the Council, Master, not again," he practically pleads. He knows how much his master's leniency with the rules upsets the Council. It upsets him too, because he doesn't understand how Qui-Gon can be so casual about disregarding the Council.
"I shall do what I must, Obi-Wan." That is… not reassuring in the least.
"If you would just follow the Code, you would be on the Council. They will not go along with you this time." Of that, Obi-Wan is certain.
It's not that he doesn't like Anakin, because he does, but Anakin is… well, he's too old, too wild and untrained. Besides, he is – or was, at least – in the care of a Mandalorian. Regardless of the boy's strength, he could easily become dangerous. Maybe it's because of his strength even. Mandalorians and Jedi have a history of fighting, and should worst come to worst, Obi-Wan would not want Anakin to have to choose between the sides. Or maybe, it's that he doesn't want to face off against a wild, uncontrollable, dangerous Force sensitive who is impossibly strong.
Qui-Gon only quirks an eyebrow. "You still have much to learn, my young apprentice."
He remains silent after that until they're summoned into the Council chambers once more to hear the results of Anakin's testing. They stand side by side in the center of the room, right behind Anakin. Obi-Wan can sense the boy's tension, though he appears outwardly calm.
"The Force is strong with him," Mundi admits, but still Obi-Wan thinks he already knows what the Council will decide. He told Qui-Gon; his master wouldn't accept it though.
"He is to be trained, then?" Qui-Gon guesses.
The Council members look at one another. "No," Windu says at last, voice flat. "He will not be trained."
There's a flare of surprise, disbelief, and anger from Anakin, though the boy's expression remains neutral. And Obi-Wan… he sends a mental 'I told you so' to his master, though Qui-Gon isn't paying attention to him. "No?" he echoes, anger creeping into his words.
"He's too old," Windu states, "Too attached to his mother and the Mandalorian."
Anakin twitches slightly, and Obi-Wan glances at Qui-Gon out of the corner of his eye. The solution is simple: take Anakin back to the others. However, he suspects that his master won't accept that, even if he silently wills him not to start a commotion as he, inevitably, protests the Council's decision.
Qui-Gon, of course, does not accept that. What else could Obi-Wan have expected? "He is the Chosen One," he snaps back. "You must see it."
Yoda's expression is disapproving, and Obi-Wan finds that he is very glad not to be on the receiving end of it. Why does Qui-Gon always do this?! "Mm, clouded this boy's future is," Yoda replies.
"I will train him, then," the maverick Jedi insists, laying a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I take Anakin as my Padawan learner."
Obi-Wan feels a quiet hurt, which quickly morphs to anger, welling up inside of him, and he can't stop himself from practically glaring at his master. Qui-Gon would cast him aside for a child? It's not that big of a deal! Anakin's mother and the Mandalorian will be willing to keep him safe. Why does it matter so much that he be trained? Or it simply that Qui-Gon is being stubborn and picking a fight because he can? Sometimes, Obi-Wan has wondered that, but he never thought that it would be at his expense. He never thought that Qui-Gon would do this to him. It stings far more than he thought possible to know that Qui-Gon would abandon him if he thought it necessary.
"An apprentice you have, Qui-Gon," Yoda retorts, twitching ears betraying his irritation. Or maybe Obi-Wan is only imagining it in his own anger. "Impossible to take on a second."
"The Code forbids it," Windu agrees.
"Obi-Wan is ready," Qui-Gon counters, shocking Obi-Wan.
He – what? His master really thinks that he's ready for the Trials, ready to become a Knight. Why didn't he say anything to him? "I am ready to face the Trials," he confirms as soon as he recovers himself. He's been thinking it for a couple years now, but Qui-Gon had been resistant. Or maybe, he thinks bitterly, this is simply another way for his master to be rid of him without actually disowning him and leaving him without a master.
"Our own counsel we will keep on who is ready," Yoda reproves.
"He is headstrong, and he has much to learn of the living Force, but he is capable," Qui-Gon argues. "There is little more he can learn from me."
Why didn't you tell me? Obi-Wan thinks angrily. Why are you only saying this now? Do you even believe it? He keeps his mouth shut though, even though he can feel the growing gap between them. They have had conflicts before, but none like this, and he doesn't know if they'll be able to mend their relationship this time.
"The Council has made its decision," Windu declares, leaning forward. "Take the boy back to his mother and the Mandalorian." Qui-Gon tenses, angrily, but before he can get a word out, Windu continues, "Queen Amidala is returning home, which will put pressure on the Federation and could widen the confrontation. Return with her to Naboo. May the Force be with you."
After a strained moment, Qui-Gon bows his head wordlessly, before turning to leave the Council chambers. Obi-Wan and Anakin follow him without speaking. They take a speeder, leading towards the landing platform where the Queen's starship is waiting. Qui-Gon is sitting in the front seat, brooding, Obi-Wan suspects, while he and Anakin are in the back.
"I'm sorry." Anakin's voice is quiet, gentle, and when Obi-Wan looks at him, he sees that the boy is staring at him, expression torn with indecision. "I don't understand why – why Qui-Gon is so… adamant that I become a Jedi."
Obi-Wan isn't either, but he finds himself softening, some of his anger fading in the face of Anakin's earnestness. The boy is not at fault for this; he doesn't deserve Obi-Wan's ire. "He has never been one to follow the Council," Obi-Wan answers wearily. "He's convinced that you're the Chosen One."
"What's that?" Anakin wonders.
"There is an ancient Jedi prophecy that tells of the Chosen One who will be born of no father and who bring balance to the Force," Obi-Wan elaborates, expression twisting. "There are not many who even believe in it anymore, but my master is one of the few who does." He can't help but notice the way Anakin flinches slightly when he calls Qui-Gon his master, and he mentally chides himself. The boy was a slave. There's no way the term 'master' could mean anything good for him. It's not a term of respect, like it is for Obi-Wan.
"And he thinks that I need to… what?" Anakin asks, brow furrowing. "I don't even know how to use Jedi magic."
Obi-Wan is torn between disbelief and amusement as Anakin again refers to the Force as magic. That is definitely the Mandalorian's influence, he suspects. "You don't need to worry about it," he assures Anakin. "The Council has already made a decision."
"Why does it matter if I'm older?" Anakin demands, a bit heatedly. There's a flare of hurt which is smothered, and Obi-Wan wonders how badly the rejection actually hurt the boy. He himself is hurt because of Qui-Gon's careless words, but Anakin, he could tell, dreamed of becoming a Jedi. Those dreams have now been shattered by the Council. It makes him feel bad for him, the first stirrings of sympathy rousing in his heart.
"Jedi need to be trained from the time they're very young," Obi-Wan explains gently, "Because then they'll have an easier time learning to control their attachments."
Anakin huffs, staring dismally out at the passing traffic. "It doesn't make sense," he grumbles. "Mando'ade encourage attachments to family and friends. That's what Buir taught me."
His words make Obi-Wan's heart skip a beat. He knows the Mando'a words; he picked up a number of them while he was on Mandalore for a year. "At least this way, you'll be with your family," he offers, knowing it won't do much to make Anakin feel better, but it's the thought that counts, right? "I know you want to be with them."
Anakin sighs, but he nods. "Yes, I do," he admits, "But I – I want – need to learn how to control my Jetii magic." He looks down at his hands, and Obi-Wan finds that he has nothing to say to that. If Anakin isn't a Jedi, he shouldn't learn to use the Force, because it could be far too dangerous. All he can do is hope that Qui-Gon will agree with him.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Padme is more frustrated than ever in the aftermath of the Senate meeting. A part of her had hoped, foolishly, that the Senate would see reason and be willing to help in the face of such an obviously unjust and illegal invasion by the Trade Federation. Initially, the Chancellor had been willing to push for support for Naboo, but then, the rules and regulations and procedures had gotten involved, and he'd folded, just as Senator Palpatine predicted.
The system is a mess. It's outrageous that a Republic system – any system – be denied the opportunity to receive aid simply because of – of rules. Outrageous indeed. The system isn't working the way it should be, the way Padme wishes it was, but there is nothing more she can do here on Coruscant.
"My fate will be no different from that of our people," she had told Palpatine in the aftermath of the failed Senate session. She didn't tell him what she plans to do, of course, because she is Queen, and she'll keep her cards close to her chest. Palpatine has no reason to know about what she plans next. It's time to move on to the next – and only – plan, and that will involve exactly what Padme has feared most: war.
She'll have Mando with her, of course, but he is only one man. But he is still a Mandalorian, and he has already given her valuable advice. She has no idea what will happen next, to any of them, but she knows that she will never sign the treaty that the Trade Federation is demanding, regardless of what happens.
"Prepare my ship," Queen Amidala orders. "I am returning to Naboo."
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Mando'a Translations:
Jetii - Jedi
buir - father, mother
beskar'gam - armor
buy'ce - helmet
Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum - "I love you."; literally: "I will know you forever."
ad'ika - little one
Resol'nare - Six Actions, the tenets of Mando life
Mando'ade - Mandalorian (literally, sons/daughters of Mandalore)