Thanks to all those who have read the story and who are following! And thank you to the guest who left a review. If you have any suggestions, reviews are more than welcome! So for this whole story, I am using what happens in The Force Awakens novelization and the movie. If you have not read the novelization, you should. It gives great insight to the characters! And this is a Reylo fanfiction, but don't expect anything to happen between them for a while. I want their relationship to be believable, so it will happen over time. Enjoy the chapter!
I do not own Star Wars or any of the characters.
Chapter Two
Luke was apprehensive to the girl's unexpected presence, looking at the lightsaber in her outstretched hand. He recognized the weapon immediately, of course– the rubber slits at the bottom, the way the light flickered across the silver metal. It was all too familiar.
Sorrow filled his being as the young girl gazed at him, silently pleading for him to take it. After a few long moments, he slowly walked to her, his beige robes swaying in the soft breeze. He stopped before her extended arm and brought his hand up to the saber hilt, raising the lost relic up to his face to examine. It still looks the same, feels the same, he thought to himself. He felt like his younger self again, the hasbeen legend, holding tight to the plasma blade, wanting ardently to go on an adventure.
The girl shifted her weight from side to side, the movement pulling Luke out from his memories.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, still able to have some sense of manners.
The girls brows scrunched together, confused that that is the question he decided to ask her.
"Ummmm, yes," she replied, her response almost sounding like a question rather than a statement. Softly, he smiled at the girl as he clipped the saber to his belt.
"I think I still have some smoked fish and porridge left over from the other day, if you'd like to join me." He walked passed her, but then stopped and turned, realizing that she had not moved. Mouth ajar, her eyes remained transfixed upon him. Luke had seen this type of reaction before, the one where people would meet the legendary Luke Skywalker, only to realize that there was nothing mythical about him. He was just a man. An old man now.
No one.
The girl quickly shook her head and composed herself, closing the distance between them so she could walk by his side.
"What is your name?" he asked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. She looked up, then back to the long stretch of rudimentary stairs.
"Rey."
"How did you get this weapon, Rey?"
"Someone on Takodana wanted me to have it. I don't know how she got it, though," she admitted. "Didn't have time to ask."
Luke nodded, trying to calculate just how someone came to own the lost relic. Many years after the fall of the Empire, Lando Calrissian had returned the saber to Luke, explaining that it had been found in a Tibanna mine. From there, Luke had kept it locked away, not needing it, for he had long become accustomed to his own weapon. But then Ben came to the academy, and Luke wanted to see his nephew wield the very saber that had belonged to his father, Anakin Skywalker. So he had given the young boy the weapon, tutoring him in the art of lightsaber combat.
Teaching him the ways of the Jedi.
Luke swallowed, remembering the last time he'd seen his nephew. How he had failed him... and how he thought he would never see his father's saber again.
But here it was, swinging on his belt, tapping against his hip. When did Ben lose it? How?
His mind repeated those questions over and over again as they walked the rest of the way in silence.
()()()()()
Rey sat in the middle of the small hut, taking in the simplicity of its coziness as Luke heated the porridge over the fireplace. There were a pile of blankets to her left and a small table and chair to her right. Near the hearth were some pots and a few baskets, probably filled with various foods and spices. The hut was sparse looking on the inside, but she could feel herself relaxing inside its warmth. She watched Luke grab some wood to his right and place it into the ongoing fire, stoking it to its full potential. He then stood and opened one of the baskets to his left, retrieving a sliver of something red. Handing her the food, she scrutinized it in her hand, giving it a sniff.
"It's a fish fillet that I smoked and dried out." He grabbed two bowls and went back to stirring the porridge. "There's not a lot of animals that live on this island. Some small game here and there, maybe even some birds, but there is an endless supply of fish to be caught." He started to scoop the meal into the bowls. "I never really learned how to fish until I came here. I actually converted one of these huts into a big smoker to dry them out. Took me a few tries to learn how to do it properly." He chuckled to himself. "Almost burned down a hut in the process."
Luke walked over and placed the small bowl on the ground in front of her. He was still smiling as he sat, crossing his legs and giving out a content sigh.
Rey wanted to scold him that his content life came at the cost of those fighting this war. Of losing their lives. But she needed to make a good first impression. So she held her tongue, quieted her frustration.
She glanced at the piece of fish in hand, realizing she still had not taken a bite. She tore off a piece with her teeth and chewed the rough meat, finding it to be close to leather in texture. But to her surprise, it tasted quite good. It had a salty, earthy flavor that she enjoyed savoring.
She looked up at Luke, seeing him watching her. Giving him a shy smile, she raised up the fillet and said, "Thank you. I've never had fish before and it's surprisingly delicious." He nodded, seeming satisfied that she enjoyed his cooking. Silence fell upon the hut as they went back to eating the fish and porridge. Knots wringed Rey's stomach like a rag, her nerves becoming a hindrance to her appetite. But she shoved the food down, the survivalist in her reminding her that one could never know when the next meal would come.
Bowl now bare, stomach packed to bursting, Rey finally mustered up the courage to speak with Luke as to why she came.
It was rather odd that he hadn't asked her himself.
"Your sister misses you," she started abruptly, unable to stop herself from twisting her fingers in a her lap. The Jedi Master went still at her comment, slowly lowering his bowl to the floor. Rey leaned forward. "She can't keep fighting the First Order without you. Everyday that you're gone, the Resistance becomes weaker. We need you to come back. The galaxy needs you." He lifted his somber, tired gaze. "Please," she implored.
His stare shifted down to the bowl, lips pursed shut. While there was so much hope and expectation in Rey's expression, patience also lingered in those youthful lines of her face. Please say you'll come back. I can't face the General without bringing you back! her thoughts screamed, growing more desperate the longer the silence continued.
His head snapped up. "My sister is not as intimidating as you think." Rey's breathing hitched, her eyes growing wide. Luke lifted his hand in a calming gesture. "Don't be alarmed that I read your thoughts with little effort. You were basically yelling them at me."
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "Yeah, I guess I was."
Luke cleared his throat. "Do you know what this place is? This island?"
"Well," Rey paused to think, "someone told me that they thought you went looking for the first Jedi temple. So... I'm guessing this is the first Jedi temple?"
"It is."
Excitement entered her voice. "This is really the first Jedi temple?" Her body inclined a little closer to him, curiosity getting the best of her. Luke nodded; she couldn't believe he actually found the temple.
For being a temple, it doesn't look like much.
"Some things are not seen with the naked eye." Her smile fell as she gave him a dry stare, annoyed that he had read her thoughts. Again. "I apologize. It has been a while since I've been around another person, and this place seems to amplify a persons Force abilities. I'll try not to invade your thoughts." He paused as she relaxed.
"Is it possible to block others from sensing you emotions?" she inquired.
"Of course," Luke answered. "As long as you can control your emotions, it's not that difficult to do. The tricky part is controlling your emotions so they do not control you."
"And what of blocking someone from entering your thoughts?" The face of Kylo Ren came to mind.
Luke narrowed his eyes. Blinked a few times. "That would require some skill in mental barriers. And also for one to be Force sensitive... which you are. But you already knew that." He studied her more intently, the flames from the fire casting an eerie glow across his face. "I can feel that the Force is strong with you. Stronger than you probably realize." He rose suddenly, grabbing the bowls before heading outside.
Rey immediately went after him.
"Master Skywalker," she called out, but the man didn't slow his pace.
He only stopped when he came to a nearby stream, kneeling down to wash out the used dishes before placing them on the grass to dry in the sun, totally oblivious to the sight before him. But Rey wasn't. She neared the cliff's edge, taking in the vastness of the dark ocean, watching the waves crash against the rocks nearby while breathing in the salt of the air. Down below was a tiny stretch of a beach, the soft curls of the sea crawling along the sand, stretching itself thin before being drawn back home. This place was truly peaceful and far more beautiful than the harsh sands or the blazing sun of Jakku.
Maybe after all this is over, I can find a place by the ocean. Maybe live there for a while. Her throat constricted. When would that opportunity present itself though? This conflict could go on for years…
Rey lightly kicked a loose rock over the ledge, watching as it flicked off the rocks and landed on the shoreline.
"I can't join the Resistance quite yet." Rey spun around, not expecting Luke to be standing behind her. "I feel as though I have something more to learn from being here. Something vital." His stare became suspicious. "And you have things you want to learn as well. Don't you."
"I–." she stumbled over her words. "I do want to learn how to control this power within me," Rey confessed.
"Do you fear it?"
She nodded. "And I don't now what to do with it. I don't know why I have it."
Luke's eyes wondered over the sight Rey had been appreciating only a moment ago, his aged face becoming contemplative. "You want me to teach you about the Force."
"I need someone to," she explained. "I just... I know if I don't learn to control it that it might end up controlling me."
He rubbed at his beard, his gaze going beyond what was before him. "I haven't taught in a very long time. I told myself that my days as a Jedi Master were over."
"Over?" Rey placed herself in his line of sight. "Look, I'm just looking to learn some general techniques. I don't think that's asking for much. I could probably learn all I need to know in a matter of days, if your schedule seems too..." she looked around at the desolate island, "busy."
"General techniques?" he questioned her. "You'd be satisfied with only learning general techniques?"
She opened her mouth only to find that she was about to say no, she wouldn't want the lessons to end there. If she were to learn about the Force, she would want the title to go along with it. A title long since glorified.
"You wish to become a Jedi?" he asked, reading her far too easily.
Rey contemplated her answer, finding a swirl of confusion and doubt, mixed with the desire to have a purpose.
The memory of Maz talking to her after that vision came to mind. Whatever you've been waiting for-whomever-I can see it in your eyes, you've known it all along… they're not coming back. But there's someone who still could. With your help. She assumed Maz meant Luke. The belonging you seek is not behind you. It is ahead. It was like Maz could see right through her. She always wanted to have a family, have that feeling of belonging. Maybe becoming a Jedi could give her a bit of that future she's always wanted. To be a part of something other than scavenging.
Luke could give that to her.
But she knew what the Jedi code entailed.
"I do…" she hesitated.
Luke arched a brow. "But?"
She shook her head and brought her gaze up to the deep blue sky, seeing the black dots of birds soaring high above them. "Jedi are not allowed to have attachments and I'm not sure I can give up the ones I already have." Her mind immediately went of Finn. He was the first person to ever outwardly care for her well being. He came to rescue her on Starkiller, and even fought that monster in an effort to protect them. He was her first friend. She didn't know if she had it in her to give him up.
How she longed for Finn to be here with her, giving her support where it was needed. Was he awake yet? Has he asked for her?
"What's stopping you from having such attachments?" Luke asked, like he was challenging her line of thinking.
Rey gave him a puzzled look. "The Jedi code. It says–"
Luke shrugged. "The Jedi code is a part of a dead religion. There is not a single person in the galaxy that practices it anymore. So why should you?"
"But the Jedi code has been around for thousands of years. You can't just... get rid of it?" She could not conceal the shock in her voice.
"I don't have to get rid of it. The Jedi are no more."
Rey jerked her head back. "But you're the last of the Jedi. And a Master. You could bring the Order back."
The man went silent, the sound of the sloshing water filling the void. With his tone just above a whisper, he said, "I already tried. And I failed."
"So try again," Rey said insistently.
Fortunately, Luke didn't seemed fazed by her bluntness. "The last time I tried to establish a school for teaching future Jedi, it was extremely difficult to find those who wanted to."
That... can't be right. "How would anyone turn down becoming a Jedi?"
He chuckled mirthlessly. "The code was always off putting."
Rey spread out her arms, trying to get the man to see reason. "You just got rid of it, so that doesn't even matter anymore. If people knew they could have a family while training–"
"My nephew destroyed everything I had built," the man unexpectedly retorted, expression becoming hard. "He killed his fellow students. And I was too naive to see how the dark side was slowly turning him. And now you're asking me to take that risk with someone else. With you?"
"I am." Her heart accelerated. But she was able to keep her voice level. "Look, I'm not your nephew. I haven't lived the same life as him. Nor will I fail the same way he has."
"How can you be so sure?" he challenged.
She shook her head. Shrugged. "I just am. I know I have nothing to give you as a guarantee, but... I know who I am. And I will not fall."
Features softening, Luke let his tense shoulders relax as he gazed at Rey with pity. "I sense you truly believe that. But destiny is never so kind."
And with that last statement, Rey knew the conversation was over. For now.
Luke turned, heading over to the island's staircase. Rey wasn't sure what she should do, so she just followed him, feeling a bit defeated. "We should go down to the Falcon," Luke suggested, talking as if the previous discussion never happened. "I haven't seen Chewie in a very long time, and I can feel him becoming anxious from your extended absence."
Her spirits lifted somewhat at the prospect of getting to the Falcon and checking in with the Resistance. Maybe even talking with Finn.
As they made their way over to the steps, Rey remembered the time it took to climb them all the way up here. It's going to be fun doing that again later, she thought dryly. At least she will be forced to keep her strength up.
"Would you mind telling me more about yourself and what has happened to you these last couple of weeks?" he asked her with earnest curiosity. "You seem to know more about me than I do about you."
All Rey wanted to talk about was if Luke would train her or not, but she had a feeling that pushing him too soon for an answer would leave her with a definite no.
So she would have to somehow entertain the old man with her boring tale of mediocrity until they reached the Falcon.
Where to even begin, she thought. Nobody has ever really asked about her life before, other than Finn. And as she pondered the question further, she realized that the only person who actually knew the most about her was surprisingly Kylo Ren. He had seen her dreams, her fears and wants when he invaded her mind. She hadn't even told Finn some of the things that Kylo Ren now knew. And what has always bothered her about that encounter the most was what she'd sensed from that man, that Kylo really was genuinely interested in knowing who she was.
Rey remembered how he stared at her after calling the lightsaber into her opened hand, how he gazed at her as if he knew her.
It is you, he had said breathlessly. Now, walking beside Luke, she had the feeling that this man was extremely curious to know who she was as well.
I'm no one.
She was used to people not paying attention to her, used to going through a whole day on Jakku without talking to another living soul. How she wanted someone to share her day with, though...
Rey took in a deep breath and started her story with the moment she was left on Jakku.