A Matter of Time - Chapter 3 & 4

By JinnaraQ

Summary: Sometimes – time is the only solution to a problem…

Archive: Yes to ‘Early Years’ & ‘The Master’s Pathway’

@ http://www.geocities.com/jinnaraq/index.html

Rated: G

DISCLAIMER: Star Wars and all publicly recognizable characters, names and references, etc are the sole property of George Lucas, Lucasfilm Ltd, Lucasarts Inc and 20th Century Fox. This fan fiction was created solely for personal use and private entertainment . No money was made from it. No copyright or trademark infringement was intended. This work and it’s author is NOT in any way connected with or to Lucasfilms Ltd.

Chapter Three:

Slowly the ancient diminutive Master became aware of uneven stone beneath his cheek, and a snug ring of some kind about his neck. His head whirled dizzily, but when he tried to reach out to the Force to help himself - it was as if no such thing existed, on any level! He could not sense it even the tinest bit! He swallowed past a lump in his throat. In all his days of life, his adventures and mistakes as a Jedi, this had never ever happened before. Not to him anyway!

His alarm grew as he tried to cast his anxieties off and into the Force, only to find they stayed perfectly as they lay in his mind, intertwining more and more with his every thought. He had heard of devices that cut a Jedi off from the Force - He had seen others who had been subjected to them…. Had listened to them when they appeared before the Council, recovering from the experience even….but nothing he had ever heard about it conveyed the deep sense of loss - and yes - the nearly overwhelming sense of fear - that the experience caused in him.

Slowly he sat up. The room he was in consisted of a stone floor and walls… yet no window of any kind. One wall was damp and cold and in the crevasses seemed to be a kind of blackish, slimy mold growing. The room reeked of mold, must and mildew. In one dark corner was heaped a pile of hay …. With a primitive bucket nearby for toileting needs. Carefully, the shaken Jedi moved to the corner of dry hay, pressing farther and farther back into the deep shadows there where he sat down, making himself seem as invisible as possible. Yoda slumped back against the cool stone of the wall in the semi-dark room. Silently he berated himself for not looking further into the little known customs of this world. Primitive was hardly the word for such things. And all he could do was wait. Sit and wait.

Qui-Gon stirred as the cool night breeze crossed his cheek. Slowly he rolled over, trying to remember what had happened, then suddenly his heart leapt as it came back to him. They had taken Master Yoda!

Quickly he sat up – and grabbed his head. Never before had he felt such overwhelming dizziness! Slow – he must take slow breaths – call on the Force to help him – he realized, and tried to focus on doing so. Still – it was an hour more before he could rise to shaky feet and stumble over the wreckage of their campsite. Pitch blackness covered the entire area there below the heavy foilage of the trees. The ground still seemed to heave up and down almost at times under his feet, and he couldn't stop shaking. He tripped heavily over something and crashed down with a groan onto what he realized had been the cooking area. Well – at least now he knew where he was in this darkness.

Gradually it occurred to him to start a fire – which was nearly impossible to do with his hands so unsteady. He focused on trying to find something to burn in the dark wreckage. For another hour he groped and crawled over the bits and pieces of what had been their campsite. Finally, hands shaking from the cold and teeth chattering with more than just cold, he was able to light a small flame... But - in the firelight, the damage seemed much worse even. With a moan he sank to his knees, head still whirling, then sat down heavily, fighting back the tears that threatened to overwhelm him. // All because of a communicator! And his Master had not even trusted him enough to tell him he’d brought it – much less had been in contact with Coruscant. // his muddled thoughts ran in a wave of almost desperate emotion.

Suddenly – every doubt he’d ever had about his Master’s reason’s for bringing him here – his fears that this was just some prelude to Master Yoda giving him up as untrainable - his absolute failure as a Padawan - assuaged the boy. It did not help any when he found the blood smeared on his tunic and recalled that it was his Masters’. Devastated and not knowing what to do or where to turn for help, the cold, shivering boy wrapped his arms around his knees, gave up fighting for control he did not yet possess, and let his tears come. He was afraid for his Master, alone in the dark, hurt, and wanted very, very, much to go home!

Instead of any kind of a trial – or being allowed to contact Coruscant, the ancient Jedi had been publicly beaten – long and hard. Now they were leaving him chained here on the platform in the middle of the public square, for a period of 3 days it had been declared . Then he was to be sent off to some ‘re-education camp’ – for a period of no less than 3 years! Yoda’s mind drifted vaguely as he sagged against the restraints that held his arms and legs immobile. He still could not sense the Force at all, and now had only the years of experience to draw upon to strengthen his resolve.

And what of his Padawan? The boy was only 12 years old, and until now, Yoda had protected him from exposure to missions of great danger or hazard! Qui-Gon would know how to keep himself warm and fed…. But it was the deep doubts that would assault the youngster that Yoda feared would be the more harmful. He prayed fervently that the boy did not get any ideas about coming in search of him alone!

He had instantly shut down his training bond with Qui-Gon the minute he realized what was in store for him – even if HE could not sense the Force – he knew it would still be there and his Padawan did not need to share this experience with him. Even if he were able to, it would be some time before he dared allow it to be re-opened, not with the sensations his small body still shook with.

He shivered with the cool night breeze and the shock of his injuries. At his age, such things were a greater issue for his body he well knew. Without the aid of the Force, he could not even try to heal, or even set a beginning level healing trance. For the first time, the ancient Jedi Master wondered if it was not folly for one of his age to take on another learner. What if his age and injuries were to be of such consequence that he did not survive? This really had not seemed to be an issue to him when he considered taking the boy…. His only true concern now was his Padawan. He did not even know if the boy was conscious, if the communicator was still usable. With a deep, shaky sigh he settled in to await the passage of the cold, cold night. Some things were only a matter of time, he thought to himself.

It was the singing of the dawn’s birds that stirred the boy eventually, and he lifted his head, surprised to find that he’d slept with his head on his knees there by the now dead fire. He felt stiffer and more sore than he’d ever been as slowly he rose to his feet and surveyed the demolished campsite. It was worse by day than it had been by night. He was more than freezing cold now… Slowly he picked through the remains of the campsite – and found nearly nothing of use, EXCEPT for the completely undamaged communicator he finally located in the bottom of his Master’s pack, saved by the extra tunics folded over it thickly. Just the sight of the thing made him nearly burst into tears again.

He almost automatically went through his morning meditation and katas, swam in the pool, then sat for a long time on the rocks beside the water feeling completely dazed. He shivered now and then despite the growing warmth of the day… He had tried to use the communicator, but all he had gotten was static… and he was afraid now to try again. What if it brought back the ship with more soldiers? He would never be able to help his Master if he ended up in custody himself! He didn’t even know how one was supposed to proceed with this kind of problem! He obviously could not expect Yoda to come back for HIM…. Not after what had happened….

Could he find his Master? Could he find a way to help him – to free him? The boy’s thoughts swirled in a whirlpool inside his head at a fierce speed. He was not aware of how much time passed as he sat there. Now was not the time for imagined acts of heroism… nor of childish fantasy come to life… this was the real thing – and he could sense that his Master needed him. Desperately the boy tried to find his center and reach out for the Force…. Yes…… it was here in the forests around him – the villages beyond the hills….even in the stars that would soon be shining above him…. With a sigh of relief Qui-Gon Jinn reached for it with a purpose and acceptance he had never had cause to do before – and the sensation of being wrapped inside it’s protection and acceptance of him, just as he was, was intensely profound.

The sun was starting it’s descent towards the hills when Qui-Gon came out of his mediation. He shoved the device that had cost him his beloved Master into his tunic pocket, took his light saber and that of his Master, and started off down the hill with only his cloak. Where had they taken his Master – where was the town even – of these things he had no idea… he would just have to trust in the Force to lead his steps.

Eventually, just after sundown, Qui-Gon did come to the outskirts of a small town. Silently, stealthily, he prowled the edges all the way around…. Carefully he waited for all inside the village to settle down for the night… then waited even longer, shivering in the coolness. Fear, fear ruled here. He could feel it from the people he had watched earlier. It hung over the village like a heavy mist. The boy settled himself within the concealing ferns and forest, then closed his eyes and let himself sense the Living Force that flowed so strongly around him. It calmed him, soothed him… and slowly he let himself drift further and further into it. When finally he seperated himself and opened his eyes, only the stars shone above him. It was time – time to find his Master.

Slowly, he slunk silently through the dark alleyways, hardly able to see anything in the darkness of this moonless planet. Carefully he proceeded, closing his eyes often, reaching out with his mind and letting the will of the Force guide his way through the maze of streets and alleys. Finally he came to a public square – where in the middle was a platform, and on it one lone, small, short figure that sat huddled on it in misery. He could feel the pain radiating from the figure, and the cold that permeated.

His heartbeat quickened at first glance of the figure, and he stifled his gasp as he felt more than heard the low moan that came from it. Even more silently he slipped his way around the edge of the square, then across to the platform, then crossed to the figure and gently touched the ancient shoulder. His touch alone was enough to summon a soft groan, and he felt his eyes sting with tears at that sound.

“Master – Master it’s me…. Shh now – you’ll be all right… I’m gonna get you out of here –“ he whispered as he drew his lightsaber and carefully cut the chains. Slowly the ancient one raised his head, blinking as if in disbelief and the boy smiled mildly…gently lifting his ancient Master into his arms, then frowned as the one stifled a deep groan.

“What?” he asked anxiously, and the ancient one shook his head, his eyes closed against the pain from the beaten flesh of his back. The boy forced back the tears that came to his eyes at the waves of pain he felt coming from the tiny Jedi Master.

“Put me down… carry me – you cannot.” Yoda rasped faintly and the boy frowned.

“I am NOT going to leave you here Master! Here – get on my back… can you hold on” he asked as he resituated the elder, who nodded as he locked his hands in front of the boy’s neck…. Then let the younger drape his cloak around the both of them. It was all Yoda could do to keep his grip. His mind whirled with just the fact that Qui-Gon had come. Had managed to get so far into the village without raising any cry of alarm.

“Qui-Gon… exhausted I am… not slept have I…. Hold on, I cannot much longer like this…” Yoda whispered in his ear, and felt the boy’s anxiety jump… then ease as the child paused, leaned into an ancient tree… and let the Living Force come to him, and to his Master, lending them both energy and strength. Despite the collar Yoda could feel something swirling strongly around the boy…. Feel the young body being re-energized, as was even his own. How could this child muster so much, his mind wondered dizzily. Such a task was not usually possible until after many, many years of training – yet this one had barely begun his!

“It’s nearly dawn Master – we need to get as far from here as we can. Trust me Master – hold on –“ Qui-Gon nearly begged as he started off, first at a quick walk, then at a trot. As the predawn came, the boy finally broke into a steady run… yet using the Force with each step to cushion and support the Master he loved so much and was so determined to see safe once again. He only stopped when he felt his Master’s grip loosening, quickly kneeling to lower the ancient one to a soft patch of grass.

“Don’t give up on me Master Yoda – please –“ he begged, tearing his cloak now with his hands to fashion a sort of makeshift harness. Gently he slid it around the ancient Jedi’s frame, then picked him up and draped him over his back and tied its ends over his shoulder’s and around his waist. The result had Yoda nestled firmly against the young body, unable to see where they were going, but preventing him from falling even if he were to lose consciousness totally…. Which the small Jedi Master soon did.

How long passed before he again awoke he did not know, but it was dark when he did so – the sensation of soothing coolness against his back being what aroused him. He opened his eyes to find himself up to his chin in water, the body under him moving steadily in a swimming stroke that carried them forward. Finally they came to solid ground, and he felt the boy climb laboriously out of the water, breathing hard and rasping now as he started off at a slow trot through more of the trees… then he slowed, leaning heavily on a tree and gasping for air.

“Qui-Gon – stop we must… exhausted you are –“ Yoda murmured and the one shook his head.

“C-C-Can’t Master…. They’re – they’re not that far behind us…. There isn’t time… They – they have some kind of animal… for hunting… that can track us… and they’re – riding on things…. Animals bred for the steep terrain. A – a ship is coming for us…. Not that much farther…” he gasped shakily, shivering hard in the night air and wet tunics even as he reached back and pat his Master reassuringly, then started off again.

Onward the boy ran, stumbling now at times as the coldness of his wet clothing sapped his strength… and Yoda forced his head out of the harness, and gulped at the utter blackness that seemed to surround them. They were deep, deep in the virgin forests of this moonless place… and so there was absolutely no source of light at all… and yet still, for the most part, the boy kept up a steady, determined, quick half run. Yoda felt helpless, tied to the child’s back…. He reached out with his mind – and gasped as he realized he could again feel the Force – finally! He touched at his neck and found that the collar was indeed gone.

“To the left Qui-Gon….. caves – “ the ancient one rasped weakly, and felt the boy nod as he veered off. Finally he stumbled into one, sinking rapidly to his knees. His Master had become very limp after telling him of the caves in the hillside and with great alarm he now hurriedly undid the sling and gently lowered the limp being onto the ground. Quickly he felt at the small forms hands and face – only to find them ice cold. Unable to see in the darkness, Qui-Gon took out his light saber and ignited it. It cast a small circle of light that allowed him to see the ancient one’s unconscious features.

Gently the boy touched his saber to the nearest boulder beside him – then another, and another, and another – until finally the heat of the rocks began to warm them both. Carefully he scooped Yoda up and lay him as near to the largest of them as he dared. The warmth radiated vigorously over his chest and face, but did nothing for his back. The boy slid the wet tunic from his chest and laid it over one of the heated stones. It sizzled at first with the heat, but was dry in only minutes. When it was done he took it and spread it entirely over the small still figure before him. At least his Master would not be cold – not if he could help it!

It worried him that the ancient Jedi had not awakened again, and now, carefully, Qui-Gon centered himself, reached out… and when the swirl of the Force came – now he directed it towards the small body. He caught his breath at the injuries that it revealed…. None life threatening alone – but in combination and with the element of too much cold and the shock…..

No- that would not help Master Yoda now! He must not let himself get mired in his anxiety! The boy tore his mind away from the fear and worry – and instead focused on healing…. Yes… picture sharing his own lifeforce with that of the one before him… Picture it flowing into the small form, strengthening him… closing the gashes and cuts…. Melting the bruises and scrapes…. Infusing the body with white light and pervading warmth…

Slowly, as his confidence grew, the boy pushed more and more of himself into the healing that was taking place before him. He could tell it would not be enough to completely heal his Master – but it would be enough to bring him back and pull him away from the hungry tendrils of death. Gently he laid his hands on his Master’s chest and settled himself down beside him, head bowed as he concentrated on letting the energy flow…..

Several times during the night the boy patiently reheated the stones and his tunic and used it to cover the ancient one, then resumed his untrained attempt at healing. And slowly, ever so slowly, the ancient one’s breath became easier and deeper, his limbs warmer, and his skin closer to the shade of green it should be.

TBC…