You are truly an exceptional writer. I cannot express how much I love and appreciate your gift.

Yes. This. Thank you.

On another note, you convey wonderfully how much of Qui Gon's lessons are unspoken, and how attuned and open to understanding Obi Wan is. I couldn't help feeling a pang through each of these moments, because in so many ways Anakin will be closed to this style of teaching. Poor Obi Wan. Poor Anakin. Poor everyone. ;_;

Like many others here, I was initially disappointed that we as readers were not granted access to Qui-Gon's memory of Dooku. In the moment it seemed a strange, uncharacteristic narrative choice. But as I took the time to think about it, I saw how your decision to withhold that information from the reader accomplished something masterful; the most subtle, meaningful fourth wall break I think I have ever seen in any piece of media. By emphasizing the weight of this decision of Qui-Gon's to trust Obi-Wan with something that no one else, save Tahl, would ever get, we become more than omniscient, incorporeal observers - we are participants. We, as readers, are actually forced to respect this character's privacy, and, with patience, humility, and obedience, allow the story to continue to flow without demanding knowledge that, as was emphasized, it is not our place to ask for. Perhaps I'm reading too much into your process here, but this was a revelation more powerful than any piece of fiction has brought me for a long, long time. Astounding work.

I still keep coming back to this story - it is truly one of your most beautiful pieces of literature; the simple, yet complex story about regaining trust keeps touching my very soul every single time... But perhaps you could someday reveal to us just what exactly Qui-Gon's memory of Dooku's wrath entailed?

OH wow...this is SO powerful...and it made me cry. I wanna be you when I grow up...

Some powerful truths about trust and vulnerability here. Well said.

What was the memory?!

Oh, this is just cruel. Still, it's also slightly amusing. I can't wait to see what will happen next.

Poor them. This is so hard!

Aww, I wanted to see that particular memory of Qui-Gons' :( Perhaps it is planned to make an appearance later?

(clapping wildly) An amazing journey to know more about each other and test their trust in each other. I wondered if he would actually strike Qui-Gon, and yet when it happened I realised that anger can make us hit out, before we regret our actions. Nice ending, "I should like to learn about breakfast now, with your permission, Master."

Man, what a day. This is really going to make or break their relationship. If I didn't know they manage to repair it somehow, I would be really worried. As it is, I merely want to know what else they're going to do.

Ah amazing wrap up I understand where u were going with this now awesome story!

The candle's wicks merging into one was a lovely symbol.
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I loved everything Qui-Gon (you) had to say about trust-between master and student and for the Force.

Also, I loved the implications of this meditation on trust for the time in the current Lineage book where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan *are* separated. It makes me a bit nervous that there will come a time in the current timeline when it will seem that Qui-Gon should question Obi-Wan's actions and intentions and in contradiction to reason won't only on the basis of this declaration of trust and faith in Obi-Wan's dedication to the Light. In other words, it makes me nervous that this is another sign that Obi-Wan will be treading in dark waters, but it reassures me that Qui-Gon will still have faith in him.

The talk about betrayal by apprentices makes me wonder whether Obi-Wan remembers this conversation some day when Anakin turns and if it colors his attitude then.
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And finally we get a return to the norm of humor. A very nice ending. :)
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By the way, I think this may be my favorite chapter of anything I've read from you. I love all the meditation on the meaning of trust and how a Jedi has no guarantees about personal safety, only of being part of forwarding the Light. Mmmm. Thank you, Master RB!

"I trust you, Master! I trust you to make me insane! You know why apprentices Turn, don't you? Don't you?"

Ouch. Obi-Wan is capable of inflicting biting pain with his sharp tongue even accidentally when his wit just gets ahead of him. But when he's cornered, hurting, lashing out and *means* it in at least some sense...whew. That was a solid hit. Not that Qui-Gon doesn't deserve to know how badly Obi-Wan is hurting.
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"I can see through his guttering rage to the uncertainty just beyond, the place where a silent keening wail is already building."

Oh! Poor lad!
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I loved the brief moment of humor-"the ceilings are too low." Ever a swordsman's eye even in utterly trying circumstances completely divorced from saberplay. :)
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Then all humor flees quickly. I don't know why I didn't see this coming, but it was a complete shock. Though it makes a kind of sense that Qui-Gon would like to close the circle so to speak.

"Understand this: the Force commands us both, and there comes a time when its mandate is so all-consuming, so clarion clear, that it can be neither distinguished from passion nor divorced from emotion, its certainty a kind of blinding ignorance, submission to it will a kind of death."

"He did the right thing, took the hard path of self knowledge, was completely open and honest, not hiding or repressing the anger, not living by a code or by rote or by stricture but by the heart, in the Living present, in the maelstrom of shifting Balance. "

It's so interesting to see Qui-Gon's perspective on the Force, passion, and emotion.
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"It hurts like Sith, because it is inflicted by one who loves."

This is something I'm glad Qui-Gon has come to understand-how much it hurt Obi-Wan that it was his *master* who did that to him.
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I'm relieved they seem to have turned the corner. Qui-Gon offering the opportunity for punishment or revenge and letting Obi-Wan discover that it didn't lead anywhere he wanted to go was a great twist. Now they can hug and make up. :p