Cold
a Star Wars story
by Hermione Eveningfall
Obi-Wan stood in his chambers, following Qui-Gon's cremation ceremony. He felt a cold numbness wash over his body, as the realization that his beloved Master and companion was gone. He removed his brown cloak, draping it over the chair in the corner, and then sat down on the edge of the bed.
He barely noticed when the heavy doors slid open with a familiar WHOOSH, and it was only when someone touched his arm that he acknowledged another presence.
Anakin Skywalker raised his dark eyes to his new Master, wetting his lips and shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot.
"Hullo, Anakin," Obi-Wan murmered as he watched the boy shuffle towards him with an air of uncertainty. "There is no need to be frightened," he added, taking the child's hand and giving it a comforting squeeze. Anakin gave a small yip of surprise, shivering a little.
"Your hands are like ice, sir! Let me warm them up for you if I can." The boy began rubbing the Jedi's hands vigorously, and Obi-Wan felt an intense but relaxing tingle spread from his fingertips.
"Thank you," he told Anakin, allowing the boy to hop up onto his knee. "We have many months of diffcult training ahead of us, my Padawan. I will teach you everything I know, and naturally things will come up in your time as Jedi that you will not have been taught. You must learn to trust the Force in everything you do."
Anakin nodded, looking down at his worn leather shoes. "I'll make you proud, sir, I promise. But I do miss Master Qui-Gon very much..." he frowned. After all, Qui-Gon had saved him from the binds of slavery, and he would not even be sitting here if it had not been for him.
Obi-Wan gave the boy a week smile, but it was then he realized the all too familiar tickling sensation welling up in his nose. "Excuse me..." he turned away, snapping forward. "Hushhhhuh! Etshhhuh!" he swallowed past his raw throat, and quickly retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket.
"Bless you, sir!" Anakin told him, cringing as Obi-Wan gave his nose a strong blow.
"Thank you."
Anakin looked at his new Master with great interest. He had not seen very much of Obi-Wan prior to the past couple of hours, and many questions welled up in his mind. But, judging from Obi-Wan's weary state, he decided to leave them for a better time.
"Hah-kshhhh! Uh-shhhhh!" Obi-Wan sneezed again, rubbing his throbbing forehead. "We should both make it an early night...I think it's best if you take my quarters for now, until we find a proper room for you." Things had happened too quickly for anything to settle into place for Anakin yet. The boy started to protest, but Obi-Wan insisted.
"It is all right. I will take Master Qui-Gon's quarters...it is my way of handling grief. I will be right next door if you need me."
Anakin nodded, backing away a bit, but accepted an affectionate squeeze on the shoulders. "Good night, Ani." He made his way towards the doors that divided his quarters from Qui-Gon's.
"Good night..." Anakin swallowed. "Master," he added, and Obi- Wan smiled proudly back.
This story takes place at the end of Episode I, following Qui-Gon's cremation scene...so it's kind of like a "before the end of the movie but not quite" type of story. This was my very first Star Wars fic that I ever wrote, but I just never actually got around to typing it...so here you go!