Jakku

Rey sat in front of the large gold framed mirror in her room, looking at her reflection, but not really seeing herself. Jess sat behind her and was gently combing out the knots in her long hair from her afternoon nap, to get it ready for the ceremony that evening. She peeked around from behind Rey and smiled at her reflection.

"Aren't you excited? It's your betrothal ceremony!" She exclaimed, light dancing in her eyes

Rey tried to smile. After tonight she would be as good as married and she would be seeing her future husband for the first time. Well, not really the first time. She met him last year at the spring festival and he had followed her around like a lost puppy, much to her annoyance. But she had assurance from her father that he was a good, loving man. To Rey however, a 'loving' man was only half a man. He needed to be strong, he needed to be willing to fight for his kingdom, his people and his faith, and he had to be willing to lay down his life. Her father had laughed at his daughter's naivety; of course, those were qualities that all princes possessed.

Her mother had sat, silent, throughout this entire conversation. In fact, her mother had hardly ever spoken to her at all since the day she came back from the shrines and that was nearly two months ago. She wondered if it was because she was still angry with her, but no, she couldn't be that angry, even after all this time. Besides, she had never missed an opportunity to chastise Rey whenever she stepped out of line, and Rey thought that the scene she made when she rode back to Nima on a horse covered in dirt and blood would be enough to set her off. But no, not a word from her, she just stood there, pale as a ghost.

Neither Rey nor Jess spoke of what happened on Rey's birthday. Even after their physical wounds had healed, the whole experience had been emotionally trying for the young women, both of whom had led quite sheltered lives and had never witnessed bloodshed before that day.

"Poe Dameron came to see me this morning" Jess said matter-of -factly

"Oh"

Jess bent forward to whisper in Rey's ear

"He wants to talk to you after the ceremony; it's about that First Order prisoner"

"Why are you whispering?" Rey asked "and alright, tell him to come see me tonight"

Jess clicked her tongue "What if your mother's set spies on us? I don't know if you've noticed, but she's been acting really strangely, ever since we got back from…"

"Yes yes, I know" Rey cut across her

Jess sighed "I'll be sure to tell Poe Dameron"

And with that, she got up from her stool and clapped her hands. About ten serving girls entered the chamber carrying Rey's outfit, Jewellery and other accessory's and began the long process of preparing her to meet her future husband.

"He's definitely an outsider" a woman whispered to her friend "I've never seen him around here before"

"A young merchant perhaps, from another land" the man next to her suggested

"Oh, that's no commoner" said a younger man, coming to stand beside them "Look at the way he carries himself, he must be of noble blood at the very least"

The subject of their ruminations was standing about twenty feet away, admiring a stall on the streets selling reed baskets. He had a striking physique, being taller than most men in Jakku, with broad shoulders and muscular arms. Even the plain clothes he wore couldn't hide his imposing figure. His soft brown eyes took in the surroundings as if he were trying to memorize them. He certainly wasn't doing a good job of trying to blend in, if that was his intention.

"Can I help you sir?" The old woman at the basket stall asked him "it seems as if you might be lost"

"Is it that obvious?" the stranger chuckled; he had a deep but soft voice "could you tell me why your streets are decorated today? Is there a festival?"

Indeed, the streets had been lined with silk flags and hangings. Music was playing in every corner and children were dancing in the middle of the town square. More street vendors than usual were crowding the town of Nima and spirits were high.

"Ah yes!" the old woman said "today is our Princess Rey's betrothal ceremony"

"Rey" he whispered "she's betrothed?"

"Yes, to a Prince Sahan of Coruscant" The woman said happily "They'll be making an appearance at the town square in a few hours, if you care to wait"

"Of course" The young man replied

He would wait all night if he had to.

The ceremony couldn't end soon enough for Rey who was exhausted and weighed down by her elaborate outfit and jewellery. Beside her, her father looked on proudly and even her mother had managed to hold a smile. After the important rituals had been performed, she and her future husband were finally allowed to talk to each other.

"I hope you remember me...from last year…" he began, nervously

"Of course I do, how could I not?" She said, smiling

He beamed. He was probably not much older than she was, with a handsome face and was very agreeable. But Rey was not easily charmed. She had only agreed to enter into the marriage because she was hoping it would strengthen the ties between the provinces, which was probably what both his and her parents were hoping for in the first place. With the looming threat of the First Order and war at their doorstep, everyone was desperate to make ties with their neighbours. However, to Rey this was not just political, it was personal. She had promised the goddesses that she would take Kylo Ren's life in exchange for what he had done to the shrine, and she intended to keep her promise. Turning to look at the lanky boy sitting next to her, she was now unsure if he was the perfect candidate to help her in her mission.

"You're so beautiful" He said, noticing that she was watching him

She smiled again, eyes downcast, trying to play the bashful bride.

Her betrothed was just about to say something again when King Prana rose from his throne

"And now, it's time for the people of Jakku to meet their Prince and Princess!" He said, smiling broadly

Kylo Ren sat on the dusty pavement in front of the town square of Nima. If the old woman was right, then he would be seeing the princess very soon and then he could leave as soon as possible. He had wondered if anyone would recognize him, but nobody had ever really set eyes on Kylo Ren despite having heard of him. He overheard several conversations about him and the First Order, most of which had been very amusing to hear despite of the fear in the voices of those who were conversing. Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined that the Kylo Ren himself would show up in Jakku on a whim. Kylo Ren was afraid of no one, yet he did not wish to fall into enemy hands. He saw a few of the royal guards of Jakku roaming the town and tried his best to avoid them, he had to be careful.

A few moments later, he thought he heard people cheering in the distance. He got up and followed the rest of the throng who were crowding around the large square. It was dark now, but the roads were lined with large burning torches, which cast a glow on the faces of all the people there, making them appear ghostly.

A procession was making its way down the road ahead. In front, a young man rode on a horse, his golden coat gleaming in the torchlight and a rope of pearls hanging around his neck. Kylo Ren guessed that it might be the princess's betrothed and he was not wrong, people cheered and called his name, scattering rose petals onto the path of his horse. And behind him, came a gold and red palanquin, carried by eight men. Kylo Ren's eyes followed its progress up the road. Without thinking, he moved with it, his eyes fixed on it, the crowd parted to let him through. He could just make out the shape of the person inside; the shadow of the outline of the silk cloth draped over her head and her beautiful profile through the satin curtains. His heartbeat quickened.

At the centre of the square, the prince dismounted his horse. The crowd cheered again and Kylo Ren watched as he strode over to the palanquin and parted the curtains. A small, bejewelled hand appeared, which the prince took gently in his own, and as Kylo Ren watched, mesmerized, the object of his fascination emerged from within.

She was more beautiful than he had imagined. As she stood there in her finery people called to her, congratulated her. Kylo Ren just gaped at her dazzling smile and glowing hazel eyes. The beast in him wanted to possess her, to take her in his arms and ride off into the desert and for an instant he saw her as his own wife, she was his and only his, he imagined them, alone in his chamber and she was running her hands through his hair. His daydream was broken as he was suddenly pushed forward into the crowd by a group of children who were trying to get a better look. He turned to frown at them, but when he turned back, the prince and the princess were leaving. Around them, the torches were almost burning out, threatening to engulf them all in darkness.

No. He was not satisfied. He had to get a closer look.

After Rey and her prince had returned to the palace, he kissed her tentatively before retiring to the guest chambers where he and his family were lodged. Rey and Jess waited until he was out of sight and then turned to the other ladies that had accompanied them.

"You can all go to bed, Jess will help me undress" Rey said

Gratefully, they did as they were told

"Go and get him" Rey whispered to Jess "Bring him to the courtyard"

Rey walked down to the courtyard, removing the silk cloth from her head and wrapping the long material around her arm. Removing her nose ring she sat down by the edge of the pond, and admired how its still water reflected the stars, moon and surrounding walls. It had been built there by her three older brothers, for her. When she was a child she had begged and begged her mother for a pet, but was refused. Her brothers had built the pond and stocked it with colourful little fish they had brought home from their travels. Rey sighed. It was one of the many things she would be leaving behind when she married.

She sat up suddenly, eyes wide. Behind her, sitting on the wall, was a man. She froze, too afraid to move. From what she could see of him from the reflection in the pond, he was tall, with dark hair that waved down to his shoulders and the most intense eyes she had ever seen on a man, or perhaps it was just the look he was giving her. Just as she was looking at his reflection in the water, he too was gazing at her reflection.

"Rey!"

It was Jess, descending the sandstone staircase in front of her, Poe Dameron followed behind. Rey shot up from her seat near the pond and whirled around to look up at the wall behind her. Nothing. He was gone.

"What is it?" Jess asked, seeing the alarm on her face

"Nothing" Rey said "It was nothing"

She turned to Poe

"You wished to speak to me about the prisoner?"

"Yes my lady" Poe said

He was a very handsome man adored by all her ladies. Rey admired him for his bravery and loyalty and so did her father, who had made him the captain of his guard.

"He wishes to speak with you"

"With me?"

"He says there's something important he wants to tell you, he wouldn't tell me what it was, but rest assured I'm the only one that knows about this"

"Didn't anyone interrogate him?"

"Of course, but we went easy on him, on your request and he had nothing to say then"

Rey remained silent for a while. What could a First Order trooper have to say to her? Why her and not the captain of the guard? But he had saved her life and maybe it was something to do with that. Or, Rey thought, excitement rising within her, it could be something to do with the First Order's military plans.

"Alright, we're going right now" Rey said

"Right now?! It's the middle of the night, and how will it look if someone found you sneaking into the prisons to speak to an enemy prisoner? What if you're mother catches us?" Jess looked scandalized

"it's fine my lady, I am the captain of the guard after all" Poe interjected "I can sneak you both in without anyone noticing"

He winked at Jess, who rolled her eyes.

"Fine, we'll go, if you insist" she said to Rey

Kylo Ren made his way down the now empty roads of Nima. He had taken a stupid risk in sneaking into the palace, but it had all been worth it. He had seen her and had even managed to scare her a little. He smiled as he remembered the look on her face.

Ahead of him he could hear people coming down the road. From the sound of their footsteps, it sounded like two royal soldiers; he could tell they were wearing heavy boots and carrying heavy weaponry. He managed to slip between two empty vending stalls and disappeared into the shadows.

"I won't be able to go home tonight. Prison duty"

"Ah, I heard the First Order trooper still isn't talking"

"Honestly, if it was up to me, I can think of a hundred ways to get him talking, but apparently the princess insisted had that he not be harmed"

As they walked up the road and into the darkness, Kylo Ren emerged from his hiding place, his mind working furiously. They had a First Order trooper? But how?

But it was one of his men. He couldn't just leave knowing that one of his men was in enemy hands, and in a second he had made up his mind. He was going back.