Aboard a substantial ship traveling across the Caribbean Sea, REY sword plays with BEN SOLO using empty scabbards. She blocks his every attack in earnest, with their faces mere inches away from each other as they parry.
Ben taunts her, "I reckon you'll get the hang of this, if you manage to grow."
Rey pushes her scabbard forward, forcing Ben to step back.
"I'll show you, Ben Solo!"
Men step aside as the two adolescents run and weave between the bustling crew.
The toe of Rey's slipper catches her skirt hem and she falls forward, landing in a heap at the mercy of her adversary. He spins around with his scabbard held high ready to strike when-
"Ben!"
Ben turns at the sound of his name, while Rey delivers the final blow to his stomach.
Ben huffs at the smarting jab to his stomach, as well as his pride. He drops the scabbard in his hand, allowing ADMIRAL HAN SOLO to catch the metal sheath.
Han gripes, "Why am I not surprised."
Rey gives a one-shoulder shrug, and takes Ben's hand to stand back up.
Hans smiles.
"Little scavenger."
Behind Han, CAPTAIN UNKAR PLUTT rushes forward and snatches the scabbards from him and Rey.
Plutt hollers, "These are not to be trifled with!"
Ben steps between Plutt and Rey. She rolls her eyes at Plutts' hysterics.
Plutt continues, "I knew it! I knew there'd be regret taking this voyage. It's bad luck to have a woman onboard, no matter how small."
Making their way at their leisure, GOVERNESS LEIA SOLO and LORD PRYDE join the group.
Leia intervenes, "Then it's fortunate that we are above hogwash superstition, for there are two women on aboard, Captain Plutt. Imagine the tragedy that would befall us."
"However, the Captain is correct in his order. The children should not be treating these objects as toys," Lord Pryde eyes Rey, with displeasure, "especially Miss Rey."
Ben retorts, "My father says Rey should know how to defend herself."
Leia tells him to hush.
Han chuckles, before turning to Captain Plutt, "That will do, Captain. On your way."
Captain Plutt turns his back on the gentry and stalks off.
Hans turns to Lord Pryde, his tone apologetic, "My son means no disrespect, but I thought it best to teach Rey how to handle a sword. Circumstances of how she came to be with us being…"
Lord Pryde nodded, acquiescing to Hans' logic.
"She has grown up to be a little rough around the edges, but nothing a few lessons from my wife cannot adjust."
"Pray what she was doing with the child these past twelve years. But let her make her adjustments swiftly. My benefactor expressed his adamant desire that young Rey be restored to him with all the refinement of a proper lady."
"Rey is perfect, and anyone who thinks otherwise is not worthy of her," Ben cuts in vehemently.
Before Ben's parents can reproach their son, Lord Pryde hisses, "You have spoken more than enough, and far more than you ought," to Han, "Your family and their faults are under your charge, but your skills reflect poorly from what I can see, Admiral."
Finally Rey steps forward and glares up at Lord Pryde.
"You can go to hell, Lord Pryde. And if my grandfather does not like me, I will become a Solo."
Everyone stares at Rey, mouths agape. Until Lord Pryde begins to spit in his censure,
"Why you insubordinate she-devil-"
"You look absolutely parched, My Lord, how about a drink," Han cajoles, slugging a strong arm around Pryde's shoulders and maneuvering him toward their cabin.
Rey shoots Ben a sly smile, as he drops his hand from covering his laughter. He turns to his mother, who wears a grim expression.
"Rey, Lord Pryde need not be treated so callously. Let us remember, he is merely doing his job."
Ben inputs, "It is ungentlemanly of this… whatever he calls himself, not to meet his granddaughter in person after learning of her existence."
"These important men have important things that keep them from going where they please. You and I have never had that disadvantage with your father, bless his soul. However, I hold no doubt that no matter his occupation, Rey's grandfather is a good man."
Rey does not hear a word Leia said.
"Rey?" Leia addresses her.
Rey walks past Ben and Leia.
"It is only proper that you live with the remaining member of your family."
Rey sighs, before speaking, "I believed I already had a family."
Ben reaches forward, but he misses her hand.
Resigned, he lets her go.
LATER THAT NIGHT…
Out on the stern, Hans stands next to the wheel and looks out at the waves crash against the ship. The sky is dark, almost sinister, in spite of the late hour.
"Where did these clouds come from," he murmurs.
Leia comes to stand next to Hans.
"Come to bed, the distance will not lessen with you staring at it."
"And who is saying it is the water holding my attention?"
Hans nods in the forward direction and Leia's eyes turn to see…
ON THE DECK, Rey leans against the wall of the ship, her eyes cast out to the ocean.
Next to her, Ben still waits for her to come back to him.
"I remember," he starts.
She shifts, still not looking, but he continues quickly.
"You were a scrawny thing."
He laughs at the memory.
"Hiding behind the skirts of your mother, as she made our introductions."
"I never saw so many children before."
"I thought you would be like the other girls. Flittering around without a lick of sense."
"I thought you were too proud. Strutting around with your nose stuck in the books."
"You shoved me."
"You deserved it!"
"You became my first friend that day."
She blinks, taken back.
"The morning that my mother found you huddled inside the schoolhouse wearing nothing but your bedclothes, she was beyond terror. Do you remember?"
Rey nods. She pulls at a soft leather cord around her neck, until a small triangular piece of emerald glass sits in her palm.
"So you must understand, it is not our wish to abandon you."
Finally, she turns to him and he sees the tears at the corner of her eyes.
"How am I to misunderstand? I count more years spent with you and your parents than my own, and I can barely remember…"
"We would never forget you. Just as we would never leave you unless we were certain of your safety and happiness."
She sniffles and turns away. He reaches into his pocket and draws out a handkerchief. The gesture is so formal for a fourteen-year old. She wipes her eyes, almost embarrassed.
"I spoke with my father, and he has agreed with my aspiration to seek employment at the navy quarters once we reach Port Royal."
Rey's expression turns into a radiant smile.
"You are to be a navy officer?"
"I am to be the greatest sailor, just like my father."
Ben's tone is passionate and earnest. Rey finds comfort in the familiarity, and she leans closer until her head is on his shoulder.
BACK ON THE STERN, Hans and Leia mirror the same body language.
ON THE DECK, Ben pulls something else from a compartment inside his coat.
She sees the object in his hand, a palm-sized circular device engraved with etch lines.
"A compass?"
"It is a star compass. My father shared it with my mother's deranged brother."
She defended, "I admired him."
He teases, "Two oddballs. How fitting."
She uses his own handkerchief to hit him in the face.
"He used to sail with my father on many voyages, but the one I remember most acutely is the one place they could never find. Exegol."
He holds the compass out between them and Rey looks upon it with wonder.
"The mythical island that hides the secret to grant a man immortality. One life to live a thousand lifetimes."
BACK ON THE STERN, Hans groans loudly and steps forward.
"And pray tell, where are you going?" she asks him.
"To holler at them. The view is nauseating enough to make me ill, and I do not speak of the water."
"Hans, they are innocent lambs. Let them have their secrets. I suspect in another year, then we may begin to worry."
She walks ahead of him, nodding for him to follow her to bed. He glances once more at the young sweethearts, before heeding his wife's advice.
ON THE DECK, Rey reaches behind her neck to pull the leather cord over her head. She lifts it over Ben's head and situates the glass over his chest.
"Every sailor is paid for his ventures. For my safe delivery to Port Royal and your promised friendship, please accept this necklace as token of my sincerest gratitude. Since I have yet to receive an inheritance, this will have to suffice."
"I cannot accept your heirloom-"
"One of a matching pair. Only two were ever made, I was told."
She tucks it under his ascot, until hidden well enough.
"Pray, do not speak of it in front of Lord Pryde. It would be awful should my grandfather demand I return it to him."
Ben laughs.
"Did I say something to amuse you?"
"This afternoon, what you said to Lord Pryde was the silliest thing I ever heard. You cannot simply be a Solo. In order to do so, we would have to be…"
"Wed," Rey whispers.
Ben nods, uncomfortable with how much he does not oppose the idea.
Rey takes advantage of his silence.
"Until then," she announces, "I will have to borrow the name, Skywalker. I am confident that your uncle will have no qualms."
Ben rolls his eyes.
"Until when? I have voiced no agreement to this proposal."
"Rolling your eyes is the epitome of rude."
"Then, you are the epitome of silliness. Perhaps you did grow up to be like the girls under my mother's tutelage."
With a huff, Rey snatches the compass from his hand and holds it behind her back.
"Give that back," Ben commands.
"Allow me this consolation."
"Rey," his tone holds a warning.
"Or I will tell your father about his compass."
"You are a traitor of the highest caliber."
They are at a standstill.
"Very well," Ben gives in, "you may claim the name Skywalker."
He steps forward, but she steps back.
"And?"
He is uncertain.
"I… I apologize for calling you silly."
She steps closer, but he does not step back.
"And?"
Ben looks upon her face, close enough for him to count her freckles, and at her sincere expression.
"We can be wed… if you wish."
Triumphant, Rey jumps forward to peck Ben on the lips.
"Rey!"
Rey bursts out laughing when-
THUNDER CRASHES overhead, and the ship rocks violently, causing them to fall.
Both look up at the sky, the canvas of the sails vibrate wildly against the riggings.
The sailor at the helm, leans his body one way and fights to hold the wheel steady.
A flash of lightning streaks across the sky, and another bout of thunder follows.
Ben wraps an arm around Rey.
He shouts, "Stay down!"
Lightning hits the mast and a tremendous flash lights up the dark, causing a moment of blindness.
A fire erupts from the wood, and pieces of the mast begin to fall upon the ship.
"Hans and Leia!" Rey screams.
"We have to wake the crew!"
Ben helps Rey to her feet. Another bout of rocking unbalances them both, causing Rey to fall forward against the side of the ship but Ben falls back.
The momentum and force knock him overboard.
"Ben!"
Rey's eyes move frantically but she sees nothing in the black waters.
"BEN!"
Above her, the mast gives out. She turns at the sound of the breaking wood and watches it fall.
She shuts her eyes tight-