Chapter Fourteen

Mace Windu leaned back in his chair and sighed. Yoda glanced over at him and nodded. Then he directed his attention back to the young jedi standing before him.

"Understand, you do, the inappropriateness of your actions?"

Tamerlane nodded slowly.

"I know what I did was wrong. I know I broke the code. I'm willing to be punished. Just let me continue my training," she said evenly.

Obi Wan shifted uneasily beside her. "Master Yoda, if I may--"

Yoda's upraised hand effectively silenced him. Yoda wanted to hear from Tamerlane first.

"Wrong you are certain?" he questioned.

"What code do you think you broke?" Mace Windu interjected.

Tamerlane frowned. "I admit," she stressed, "That what I did was wrong..."

"So, what did you do?" Ki Adi Mundi inquired.

"What do you mean? Surely you know?" Tamerlane retorted. "Please don't make me go into details. I'm very shamed by my actions."

"Tamerlane," Yoda began. "What we need to know, is why think you did wrong. Heard from your master, and worried were we. Only because fled you did. From us you turned. Think not that we could have helped you, hmmm?"

"You were still grieving, for Master Zack. Your emotions were unstable," Ki Adi Mundi pointed out.

Anakin, who had stood beside Obi Wan in silent observation of the proceedings now spoke up. "Masters, I think I can understand how Tamerlane felt. What she was going through. Strong emotions, like grief...and love, are difficult to control even in the best of circumstances. I think it would have been easy for her to mistake the bond she had with Master Seal Erons. Knowing you are loved, is a great comfort."

Tamerlane glanced over at him and smiled in gratitude. "I wanted to be loved. Perhaps this intense need I felt convinced me that I was," she explained. "You must know I would have not turned to him, if I didn't think he loved me too." She took a deep breath and bowed her head.

"We understand that the bond you shared with Master Seal Erons was strong. You not only admired him as a jedi master, but as a person," Adi Gallia added. "We understand that the way you reacted to your emotions, however inappropriate, were natural."

"Unfortunate that Master Erons feels the need to sever the bond," Yoda said, shaking his head. He looked up at Tamerlane. "Condemn you for this, we do not."

"She shouldn't be 'condemned' at all," Obi Wan said, determined to be heard. "Master Seal Erons must know that whatever crime he is accusing Tamerlane of, he was responsible for. He's the one who failed to instill in her a sense of propriety. Surely he must have encouraged her somehow, even if inadvertently. She has told me again and again that she thought he felt the same about her. If he stands so strongly in self righteousness, why isn't he here to shed light on those turn of events? He is to be held responsible, for Tamerlane is merely an apprentice. Instead of rejecting her, he should have recognized her misplaced emotions and offered her insight. Her motives are justified by her feelings. She had cause. That should be enough for you."

"Obi Wan," Yoda began solemnly. "On trial Master Erons is not." He paused and exchanged a disquieted look with Mace Windu.

"We have already spoken with Master Seal Erons and have reached a decision regarding his role in all this," Mace Windu explained. "He has been made aware of our feelings and therefore should be no further concern of yours."

Obi Wan sighed heavily, bowing his head to acknowledge the master's gentle rebuke, but felt somewhat justified in what he had just been told.

Adi Gallia sat forward and addressed Obi Wan. "What we are trying to say is that we understand. There is no crime in what she did. What concerns us is that instead of seeking out one of us, she ran away."

"I was frightened of the consequences of my actions. I thought for sure you would make me leave the order." Tamerlane chewed her lower lip nervously.

"That doesn't make any sense," Mace Windu stated. "You were afraid we would force you to take the disarming oath and leave the order, then you flee the order on your own?"

"Maybe she just needed time alone to think things over," Anakin said quickly.

"I was afraid," Tamerlane added. "I was humiliated beyond realms. I thought I had failed everyone. Failed as a jedi. I just had to leave."

"So you do understand what it is that we feel you were wrong about?" Ki Adi Mundi asked softly. "It is important that you do."

Tamerlane nodded. "If I could go back, I would have done things differently. I would have come before you and relayed my fears. I would have asked your counsel and guidance. It was very foolish of me to run away the way I did. But it was a mistake and something I have recognized as such. I will put it down as a learning experience and go forward from here." She glanced at Obi Wan. He smiled, pleased his words had made such an impression on her.

"I am satisfied," Mace Windu said with a nod. "I sense we are all in agreement."

The council members nodded silently.

Tamerlane looked shocked. "Then I am not to be punished? I'm not to be disarmed?"

"Free to continue your studies you are," Master Yoda replied. "Until apprenticed once more you become."

Tamerlane smiled thankfully. Anakin and Obi Wan exchanged triumphant looks. All three bowed deeply and turned to leave.

"Tamerlane, one moment please," Adi Gallia called. "Perhaps later you will meet me in my offices. I would like to speak with you alone."

Tamerlane nodded and bowed again. "Yes Master Gallia. I look forward to it."

Once outside the council chamber, Tamerlane turned to Anakin and Obi Wan. "Thank you both for speaking on my behalf. It meant alot to me to know someone was on my side. I've felt so alone lately. Your friendship is something I will always cherish."

She hugged Anakin and kissed his cheek. "Thank you Anakin. What you said to defend me was so sweet. You're a very special young man." Anakin smiled sheepishly and hugged her back.

"It's hard to find your way sometimes," he offered. "I'm just glad we were there to help."

Tamerlane turned to Obi Wan. "Please don't take this the wrong way," she began softly. "This is just a gift from me to you, a special thank you for everything you have done for me; everything you taught me in the short time we were together. I'm sure you'll be a fine master, Obi Wan." She captured his face in her hands and began to thoroughly kiss him.

Anakin's eyes grew wide and he tactfully turned to look out the window. When he saw Tamerlane's reflection finally step back and walk away, he peered over his shoulder at Obi Wan.

His master stood unmoving, staring down the now empty passageway with a far away look in his eyes. The hint of a smile lit his handsome features.

Anakin turned to face him. He cleared his throat until he had Obi Wan's attention.

"Isn't that what got her into trouble in the first place?" he asked, trying hard to sound nonchalant.

Obi Wan merely shook his head. "No," he began, wrapping himself in rationalism like a cloak. "Like she said, it was just a gift. Of thanks. She knew exactly what she was doing this time. I feel perhaps it was a way to test herself...to prove to herself she knew precisely what she was feeling."

"Master!" Anakin laughed. "Come on! She's had the hots for you ever since Naboo. I could tell she's been wanting to kiss you. She's just been waiting for the right moment so it wouldn't be misunderstood."

Obi Wan turned and began walking slowly down the hall passage. "I know, Anakin, so have I."

There was something about the look in his master's eyes and the slyness of his smile that told Anakin he would have to wait until he was older to understand.

The End