Ritual of Two

by Marag (clearasmud@sympatico.ca)

Archive: Master Apprentice

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan

The tradition was already considered ancient when Yoda's master had been an initiate in the Crèche.

Passion leads to possessiveness leads to jealousy leads to obsession leads to fear leads to anger….

The Jedi required an efficient way of dealing with the sexual needs of species that had such concerns. And Jedi are nothing if not efficient.

So the Ritual of Two was developed. A Master, or an experienced Knight, chose a bed partner. Over time, it became tradition for an older Knight to choose a Padawan who had come of age sexually and gently initiate them into the ways of lovemaking. The only requirement was that the Padawan had to give consent freely, and that the two species had to be more or less sexually compatible - no matter how much a Mon Calamari loved a Tenct, some things were not meant to be.

The partnerships usually lasted until the Padawan became a Knight, then they moved on. Sometimes the partners developed something more. Many lifetime parings had come from the Ritual of Two.

Very rarely, it became more. Soul or life bonds were discouraged in races where such parings were not biologically necessary. They were inconvenient and tended to affect the efficiency of Jedi. But if the Force decried it, it was so.

The Jedi served the Force, even when it was…inefficient.

Obi-Wan was in the middle of an Exobiology exam when they came.

The four white robed figures silently entered the classroom and stood waiting. Obi-Wan wondered if they were here for Bant, or perhaps one of the older Padawans.

He didn't want them to be there for him. He wanted his Master, no one else, but Qui-Gon had given no indication that he wanted or needed the Ritual of Two.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi, we are for you. The words have been spoken, the Ritual has begun."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and sighed. He stood and walked to the front of the room, apprehension and hope mingling in his soul. He had no idea who had initiated the ritual. He could only hope that it was Qui-Gon.

He walked in the middle of the formation as they made their way through the temple. All they passed stopped and bowed. He made eye contact with no one. He was taller than the two who walked in front of him. Traditionally he would know none of them, but often the Knight who chose would ask a friend to be with the initiate during the ritual preparations.

He chanced a glance at the two who shadowed his movements, and recognized neither of them. He had hoped to see Mace Windu, a friend to his Master. Neither of the two in front of him was tall enough to be the imposing figure of Master Windu.

He savoured his disappointment, and then released the emotion to the force. He would wait and discover who had chosen him, then politely reject the selection. He would then speak to Master Yoda about the possibility of taking a vow of celibacy. These past few years at the side of his Master had been enough for him to understand that there was no one else for him. He would be the soul-bonded mate of Qui-Gon Jinn, or mate to no one. That, he believed, was the will of the Force.

He had studied the Ritual of Two, all initiates did. He knew what would be involved as he was questioned, examined and them prepared for his first lover. He would be given one final chance to say no, without repercussion, and then would be left in seclusion with his new lover.

They arrived at the Chambers. Here he would remain in preparation for the next three days. The four entered the rooms, and the doors were sealed behind them. They would not leave until the Knight arrived and the Ritual consummated. Obi-Wan could stop the ritual by rejecting the Knight, or the Four could stop the ritual if they were to decide that the Padawan had not reached a level of physical or mental maturity to consent to a sexual relationship.

With a feeling of dread Obi-Wan removed his clothing and folded himself into a position of subjugation in order to prove his willingness to honour the traditions of the Jedi…

… and came face to face with Yoda.

"Promised my Padawan look after you I would." The ancient eyes shone with affection and mischief, and Obi-Wan's heart and soul sang with joy.

"My Master has chosen me?"

"Guided together by the Force you were. Together always you will be. Do you accept the will of the Force? Mate to Qui-Gon Jinn will you be?"

"I accept. I accept the Ritual of the Two. I wish to be the Bond-mate of Qui-Gon Jinn."

Yoda's ears folded back as Obi-Wan was unable to keep the emotion out of his voice. But there was no hesitation as he spoke the words. "Begin preparations."

Naked, Obi-Wan was lead to a pool of warm water. From this point on, no hands other than his own would touch him, but every action would be directed and carefully watched.

"Wash."

Obi-Wan took the cloth he was handed and began to carefully wash his body. The water felt strange on his skin, and he realised that it had been treated in some way. It didn't feel oily or soapy but it seemed to have the same effect on his body. He cleaned himself thoroughly, paying special attention to his genitals, as the ritual prescribed.

When done, he looked around for a cloth to dry himself. He was handed a dark brown bundle. He began to rub the cloth over his body and realised he had been given his master's robe for the task. He inhaled deeply, lost in the scent of his much-loved master. He did not notice his profound physical reaction to the robe, but the watchers did.

"Good sign this - ready his body is. Come Obi-Wan, now you must eat."

Obi-Wan was presented with a glass of thick, blue liquid. "No solid food shall you have, but well nourished and refreshed you must be." Obi-Wan opened his mouth to ask why, then blushed deeply as the answer came to him. The liquid tasted good, and left him feeling surprisingly full. He wondered what it was, then decided he didn't care.

"Meditate now. Then questions we have."

Obi-Wan dropped to his knees, and lost himself in the Force.

"Virgin you are, hmmm?"

"Yes, Master."

"Kissed another have you?"

"No Master."

"Never? Hard to believe it is. No lack of offers, I think."

"I have had no interest, Master."

"No interest? Then how know you ready you are?"

"I have no interest in any other than Qui-Gon."

"Thought of this you have?"

"Yes, Master Yoda, I have."

"Young you are for such a commitment?"

"I am a Jedi, Master Yoda, I am old enough to kill."

"Required not is sarcasm Padawan, to take life is easy, to revere it, most difficult."

"Forgive me Master, I meant no offence. I have thought of little else once my physical need became apparent."

"Tell us."

Obi-Wan thought of the dreams, awake and asleep, that had contained his master. At thirteen, he had felt the first hint of longing as he had watched his master depart without him. The longing had turned to desire shortly after their desperate escape from Xanatos' cage. For years he had harboured hopes, dreams and desires for Qui-Gon, and now it was tinged with an anticipation that burned in his veins like fire. Soon he would be able to speak aloud the words he had spoken so often in his heart.

…But, somehow…

"I, uh, I um. Master Yoda, is it necessary to tell you this? I love my master, and I want very much to be with him, but somehow it feels wrong to speak to another of this before I have spoken with him."

"Indeed? A test it is, what say you now?"

Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a second and sought the answer within himself. "I cannot."

"A test it is; passed it, you have."

The questions continued late into the day. Obi-Wan initial reticence faded once he understood that he would not be forced to provide answers to questions if he felt that they were too personal. As long as Master Yoda and the others knew that he understood the nature of the question, and the consequences of the answer.

Finally he was presented with another glass of blue liquid, and led to the sleeping chamber. He was taken aback as the four followed him into the fresher area and he realised that he would be watched as he rid his body of waist and cleansed his teeth, but he accepted it as a necessary part of the ritual.

"Sleep now, and dream."

Obi-Wan awoke the next day feeling refreshed, sticky and dismayed that he was unable to remember his dreams.

The day was spent in guided meditation. It seemed as if every second of every hour of every day spent with his master over the years was examined. Every thought, every whim, every action, was taken apart, motives questioned, contemplated and meditated upon. Every dream, desire, random thought. Every word spoken in anger, or in despair, was discussed. Every action reflected upon.

They stopped only long enough for Obi-Wan to drink more of the blue liquid and to have a Force-induced mid afternoon nap.

Then the second day came to an end. Tomorrow would be spent in physical preparation. And then the final question would be asked and answered and on the morning of the fourth day Obi-Wan would awake with his lover beside him.

On the morning of the third day, Obi-Wan was again told to remove his clothing. He would remain naked until he and Qui-Gon left the chamber after the consummation.

"Present your body."

Obi-Wan stood before them. He was neither ashamed nor proud of his body. He was not unaware of his appearance, but tended not to think of himself in terms of the physical. He was more concerned with what came from within than what housed it. Now he tried to see himself as others might. He was not tall, but he sensed he was perhaps as tall as he was going to be. He was thin, but he had a wiry tone of muscle that spoke of training and missions. He had no hair on his chest, but a fine gold-red nest of downy curls covered his groin. His braid caressed his shoulder and the tip curled enticingly around his nipple. He was slight, but his chest no longer had the concave tell of youth. He looked to his genitals and realised he had nothing to compare them to. He had seen only his and Qui-Gon's - and he knew better than to compare his to those of his master.

He had no idea of how he presented himself physically to others. He was Jedi, and that in itself was intimidating enough. He was often not a being, but a uniform, a presence rather than a person. So he simply stood there, waiting.

The Four said nothing, and Obi-Wan wondered what they were waiting for.

"Center your thoughts on Qui-Gon."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and did as he was told. It wasn't difficult, as his thoughts had dwelled upon little else. Taking the order literally, he began by focusing on the physical manifestation of his Master. The first thing one noticed about Qui-Gon was his height. He was tall, so very tall - with large hands and long fingers and a long slender throat and…

Graceful. That was the next thing you noticed. Often large men such as Qui-Gon were ungainly or seemed to take up a lot of room. Qui-Gon was a presence, no doubt about that, but he was also graceful - he didn't walk, he glided. When performing an exercise his movements were fluid and effortless. It didn't matter if he were making a cup of tea or fighting for his life his hands seemingly flowed.

Qui-Gon was beautiful. The silver of his hair and the lines on his face only enhanced his beauty for they spoke of wisdom and experience. His mouth was a thing of beauty, for it when it spoke to Obi-Wan it spoke only words of truth. Sometimes harsh, sometimes blunt, but more often the tone was that of love, of understanding and of the belief that Obi-Wan's destiny was to be a Jedi.

Obi-Wan had come to him a child wise beyond his years, but still with all the insecurities that a child could cling to. Obi-Wan was a child no longer and when he thought of Qui-Gon he could envision spending eternity growing and learning with this man.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes unaware that all of his love and respect for his Master shone in them.

The watchers saw, and were pleased.

"Galen Meditation Exercise - fifth form."

Obi-Wan slipped effortlessly into the slow sensuous movements that were more of a dance than an exercise. The purpose of Galen was to enable the one performing it to center and lose oneself within the movements. It allowed the mind and the body to work as one, gathering and using the Force as an aid, a tool and as spiritual nourishment.

It took Obi-Wan only a few moments to gain his rhythm, the movements well known to him. He soon lost himself within the sensuous dance. His hands fluttered in the air gathering the force and then slid over his body, his nerves tingling where the force skittered across it.

He loved this exercise, for it enabled him to lose himself within the dance - the sensuous flow of movement and the power of the force as enfolded him. Soon his thoughts began to dwell on Qui-Gon as he often used his Master as a focus during meditation. His arousal was swift and powerful, and totally unnoticed by Obi-Wan as he lost himself in the Galen. It did not go unnoticed by his watchers.

"Master Yoda, I have concerns that the boy is not ready, his thoughts dwell only on his master."

"Hmmm? Question that this pairing is the will of the Force you do?"

"No Master, but the boy is a romantic…"

"Blind you are if see this you do not." Yoda's voice took on an edge that the other Masters in the room understood to mean that as usual the ancient master had knowledge they did not. "Realist is Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon the romantic. Together they are by the decree of the living Force."

In spite of this, Master Pat'ik still voiced doubts. "I would not presume to doubt you Master, but if the child were to change his mind…"

"A child he is not, proven that to us he has. Presume too much you have. Obi-Wan will not change his mind, a soul bond this will be."

Any further discussion was avoided as the Four noticed that Obi-Wan had finished the Galen and was again becoming aware of his surroundings. Master Yoda went to the apprentice of his apprentice and took his hands in his own. For a moment Obi-Wan was terrified that he had somehow failed, as no one was supposed to touch him, but he felt the wave of love and joy flowing off the small body and he relaxed. "Master Yoda? Has something happened?"

"No Obi-Wan, love and understanding fill this room and your heart. Different this is from the Two, more, so much more. Together for eternity and beyond you shall be." The tiny Jedi drew himself to his full height "Master Vibeke, time it is."

The Master took her place before the young Padawan. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, do you here and now agree that you will become the Bonded of Qui-Gon Jinn? Will you give your soul to him and receive his in return. Do you agree to join his life-force to your own."

There was no hesitation, "I do."

"Then it is agreed. Master Yoda, will you go to the Master who was once your charge and again offer him your wisdom as he prepares for this night?"

Yoda bowed to her. "Go to Qui-Gon I will. Prepare young Kenobi you shall?"

The tall Master bowed, her blue eyes sparkling "An honour it will be Master Yoda to ready this young man."

Obi-Wan watched, eyes wide, as Yoda and the other two masters left the room, leaving him with Master Vibeke. Knowing that they were both now required to remain totally silent, and no one was permitted to touch him either mentally or physically, he wondered exactly what would come next.

Master Vibeke used a simple gesture to bid Obi-Wan follow her into the fresher area, where she simply handed him the soap, and an odd looking device. He pondered for a second, then blushed endearingly as he ascertained it's use. Once he had again cleansed himself thoroughly, he wrapped him self in his Master's robe and waited for further instructions.

Master Vibeke watched him for a moment, having enjoyed watching the young man perform his ablutions far more than she would ever admit, and then led the way to the inner chamber, where her handsome change would await his new lover.

Obi-Wan gasped when he stepped into the room where he knew Qui-Gon would soon join him. He had been prepared for anything, and there was much speculation as to the contents of this room. He had expected it to look like something out of an Endorian Brothel. Instead he was stunned to learn that this room that had been the location of a multitude of consummations over the centuries was in fact, a very simple comfortable sleep chamber. One with the largest bed he had ever seen in his life.

There were pillows everywhere, filled with the down of the Gan'dar, the ticking spun from the web if the Sylka night crawler. The only lighting in the room was from the fires that burned in the sconces on the wall, and from the two fireplaces in the room.

Obi-Wan was startled out of his observations by a gentle brush of cool air as Master Vibeke slid the robe from his shoulders, careful not to make physical contact. Without a word she folded it, and placed it on a chair by the door. Naked again, prepared and ready for Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan could do nothing but wait.

Ignoring his companion for the moment, he considered meditation. He quickly rejected that as doomed to failure. He had spent the last three days thinking of nothing but his love and desire for his Master, and he was long past ready to act on that desire. He began to pace, but then noticed himself and forced himself to sit in front of one of the fires. He noticed that Master Vibeke seemed to be waiting for him to do something; it was only when she handed him a small glass vile, wrapped in a soft warm cloth that he remembered that he still had one last rite to perform before he would be allowed to be with Qui-Gon.

This was not an ordinary Ritual of Two; tonight it was very likely that a soul bond would form. Tonight Obi-Wan would take his first, and his only lover, and that lover was the male of his species, who would be unable to bear children. Obi-Wan had a duty to the Jedi; he was required to contribute his genetic material.

He had pleasured himself many times, but never with anyone else in the room, he found it was as arousing as it was nerve-racking. Knowing what he must do, he gathered his thoughts and focused them on Qui-Gon. Soon, his Master would be here. What would happen then?

He closed his eyes and tried to imagine what it would be like to finally be with his Qui-Gon. He imagined touch, taste, sound, but found his thoughts lingering not on the physical, but the emotional. Soon his beloved Qui-Gon would be here, and he would say the words that Obi-Wan so longed to hear. And he would speak words of love into the ear that had listened to him so many times. Had heard litanies of pain and sorrow, of hope and despair. Tonight they would hear only words of love and desire. His body reacted to these thoughts more strongly than they had to his dreams of physical love, and his release was a joyous one.

When it was over, Master Vibeke simply sank to the floor in front of the fire, and to all appearances began to meditate. In reality she was praying that Yoda finished with Qui-Gon early, for being here with this highly aroused, highly impatient, and highly desirable young man was causing her to seriously reconsider her decision not to explore the Ritual for herself. Padawan b'L'ar was still three seasons away from his trials; perhaps she would reconsider his offer…celibacy it would seem, is highly overrated.