Greetings. This is my first Star Wars fic; in fact my first fic that isn't Lord of the Rings. I know a lot about Star Wars, and I love it, but I'm more of a LOTR fan, so if anyone finds any mistakes or something totally AU please let me know. This might be slightly AU, but I really would like suggestions: )

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Star Wars save for the Obi-Wan poster on my bedroom door, which keeps falling off because there is somehow hair in the tape holding it up and it therefore won't stick.

Enjoy!

The Depths of the Mind

Prologue: Cryptic Prophecy

"Master Yoda?"

There can be no turning back on a road that has no end...

"Master, they have a ship, and access to shuttle transportation once they reach the area."

Whispers of the past, to haunt the living and the dead...

"Are you...well, Master?"

Fate repeated...

"Master Yoda!"

A small gasp escaped Yoda when a hand grasped his shoulder, and his eyes opened suddenly as he was reeled back into reality from the dark thoughts that were plaguing him and the images that flashed through his mind. His heart was still racing. He reached down, gripping the arm of his small seat in an effort to calm himself. As vessels raced through the air against the pale morning sky before his eyes, he realized that his back was to the council chamber, and that he was facing the window. Yoda slowly turned the chair. There stood Windu, concern evident in his dark eyes.

"A strange feeling, I have, Master Windu," Yoda said quietly. "Against sending them, I am."

Windu seemed confused as he took a seat beside his associate. "We are out of time to answer this call. Do you doubt Master Jinn? Yes, his views are unruly and he has been denied a spot on the council, but you know that his skills at diplomacy and fighting should be useful in this matter. What's more, it is not exactly a pressing call—just a trivial mission, really. All the arrangements have been made and the Supreme Chancellor has demanded that we address it."

"Yes, yes..." Yoda waved the facts away impatiently as one would a frustrating insect. "But heard the subtle voice of the Force in the past, have you not? The warning of darkness?" He looked at Windu out of the corner of his luminous eye, his gaze full of a terrible sincerity.

"Prophecy is cryptic, my friend," the other Jedi replied with a sigh. "You of all people know that the extent of its reliability is limited. Turn your thoughts rather to the matters addressing us right now...it is far more useful than attempting to predict the future."

After taking a few moments to think it over, Yoda nodded. "Correct, you must be. Then ready to leave, they are?"

"Yes, Master Yoda. Young Kenobi is quite excited, if I might say so." A small smile finally broke Windu's worry as he stood and began to walk towards the exit of the council room—which was empty, save for Yoda's seat at the middle of the semicircle formed by the chairs. However, when he reached the doorway, he turned, the smile gone.

"Do not be worried, my friend. The Force will reveal itself to you. In the meantime, I have full confidence in these Jedi."

Yoda nodded, but doubt clouded his mind as he watched Windu exit the chamber.

He swung the chair around again, looking out at the immense expanse of Coruscant that stretched out before him, at the main city's usual chaos and traffic. The ground was so many miles below. Yoda knew of the murders, assaults, misdemeanors and poverty that characterized that level of the planet; it was something even the Jedi could not correct, for that was a matter for politicians, not warriors. He himself had never been to the farther reaches to which Qui-Gon and his apprentice had been called, and wondered at the dark feeling that his thoughts possessed, and at what the two would find there.

Fate repeated, a dire mistake

To affect both Master and Apprentice the same...

The words that were revealed to him through the Force sent chills up Yoda's spine. He tried to remember Windu's words—prophecy was cryptic, and best avoided. The peoples of the universe had come to rely so heavily on the ancient prophecy of the Chosen One, and the Jedi feared that another full prophecy would invoke the same following, when their meanings where often shrouded and it was nearly impossible to know for sure the details of how prophesied events would be carried out. Yoda wanted no part in predicting the future...though with the Force so strong within him, it was certainly possible, and difficult to shut out the words and images when they came to him.

Yoda was relieved to have a reprieve from his thoughts, from the whispers that were beginning to creep back into his mind, for he heard the sound of the door sliding open behind him again and the footsteps of three Jedi entering. He could feel the power of the Force within them. His brothers, they were...his family. The brotherhood of the Jedi was where Yoda had always and would always belong.

He faced them. Qui-Gon was young yet, especially for a master, but lines of experience were beginning to form on his face and it could be seen in his deep, kind eyes as he swept into a low bow which was mimicked by his apprentice, young Obi-Wan-Kenobi.

When both were standing straight again, Yoda found some peace in his heart. The look of mirth on Obi-Wan's face was contagious. Young Jedi were always so eager to prove themselves...the old Jedi found himself smiling.

"We come, seeking your blessing before our voyage, Master," said Qui-Gon.

"Do well, you both will," Yoda replied. "Much will young Obi-Wan learn from this mission." The apprentice smiled, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his lightsaber.

Then, Yoda looked them straight in the eyes, and had a strange feeling that this undertaking would prove to be more than it seemed. He did not want to lose these two.

Prophecy is cryptic...

Giving a small sigh, Yoda raised his hand slowly.

"May the Force be with you."