I think you'll enjoy this one.

But first I need to thank you. Thank you for reading, thank you for coming back. I just finished chapter eight last night, and it's—let's just say there's a point in hopefully every story where the characters take over and the author is just there to take notes and beg them to slow down so you can get every word. This story has reached that point lol… yay!

Let me know what you think!

"And I can take care of myself," she replies.

"I can see that," he says, his voice deeper than it was moments ago.

"Now, if you'll pardon me, I must be going."

"You are no serving wench," he accuses trailing along with her. "Are you a lady or are you the Princess?"

Rey shakes her head at him. She wants to run, but she can't stop looking at him. He's dressed in a grey tunic with black leggings, much like hers and black boots up to his knees.

But where her clothes are loose, hand-me-downs, his are perfect, like they were made just for him.

She's been training for years with her knights. She's seen many men in various stages of dress and undressed.

He's the first one she wonders what he looks like underneath his clothes.

She doesn't understand why it's suddenly hard to breathe. Or why her palms are sweaty. Or why she can't look away from those amber-colored-eyes…

Her breath shudders in her chest as she tries to inhale. She's got to… "I'm nobody."

"Then if you are nobody, do I need to drag you before the king and queen?" His words, his voice changes as he accuses her.

"Why would you do that?" She demands as she twirls on her heel to confront him.

He steps closer, and as much as she wants to back up, she doesn't allow herself to run. At least not from him. He grabs her bag that's hanging around her torso. "Perhaps you're a thief? Is that the Princess' room? What did you steal?"

At first his voice was light, almost joyful. But the more he talks, more of his anger comes dripping off his words. "I am not a thief. You need to be wary of who you accuse," her voice is sharp in her anger.

He holds up his hands in surrender. "I apologize, Princess," sarcasm dripping from each syllable that comes out of his mouth.

She cuts her eyes at him and creeps past him without making a sound. The path leads through a patch of trees then to the road. She pauses as she looks back towards the stables wishing she could go get B.B. And she also knows with so many visitors at the castle, there's no way she can escape with her horse. but she also knows that she needs to go before someone from the castle sees her.

"Why are you still here?" She growls as she stomps off in the other direction.

"I told you, you might need some help."

She sees the lights of the pub, so she ignores him as she walks faster. She's been coming here whenever she can for years now. When she walks in, her old friend, Kaydel is behind the bar, while her mother, Phasma is on the other side of the room talking to other patrons.

The pub is only half full tonight. Most of them are at the castle helping with the feast, while the rest are getting ready for Midsommar.

"Rey!" Kaydel calls and Rey cringes. Well I guess he knows who I am now. "What are you doing here? Where is your husband?"

"I am not married as of yet. And I need-" she glances around and of course he's followed her into the bar. "To talk to you in the back."

"What about him?" Kay asks.

"He's of no concern," Rey answers. She waits until they are in the storeroom and no one else is around. "I have to disappear until after Midsommar."

"What? You can't do that! You said-"

"I know what I said," Rey hisses. "He said some bad things… I know he won't be faithful and I don't expect him to. But he asked Rose to meet him the stables later on-"

"So, you left?"

"So, I left." She tries not to let her emotions show, but Kay wraps her in a hug anyway. "Why can't he be discrete? Once he's back in his castle- and not with one of my oldest friends."

"What now?" Kay asks as they pull apart.

"Are the Travelers still at the edge of the forest?"

"The Gypsies! You're leaving with them?"

"No! Nothing like that. I have some coins, and I thought that I could stay with them for a couple of days."

"You know, they'll come looking for you," Kaydel says. "I wish you could stay with us."

"I can't. Uncle is being odd about all this. I'm nervous about what he might do when he finds me missing, not to mention what that ass of a betrothed will do." She snorts. "He might be relieved that he doesn't have a bride after all."

"Rey-" before Kay can finish her mother is calling her. "We're getting busy. Stay for a moment, let the sun set and then go find the Travelers." She pulls something off the shelf behind Rey. "Give this to the chief-" Rey starts to refuse. "Take it, you can pay for it later."

Kay hurries out of the room, leaving Rey to stuff the bottle of ale in her bag. Just as Rey follows, she runs into someone. As she stumbles back, someone grabs her arms. Grey fills her vision before she looks up.

Into his stupid whiskey colored eyes.

"Let go of me!" She grunts.

He doesn't immediately let go of her. Instead, he looks upset, but then softens as he looks at her. "Princess-"

"Don't call me that! I told you, I'm nobody," she whispers as she jerks herself out of his grip then stomps down the hall.

The sounds from the now full bar greet them as they step back into the room. Then the smells of their supper being served reminds Rey that she has not eaten since she broke her fast that morning.

Kaydel motions for her to come back to the bar where two empty stools wait. As much as she doesn't want to think about mister tall and dark following her, she knows he still does.

So, what if she feels guilty for ignoring him as he claims the seat next to her. Even though she is hyperaware of…

His leg pressed against hers.

The way his arm settles against hers like it belongs there.

The way he smells like her favorite meadow in the summer.

Kaydel sets down a plate in front of each of them, with a tankard of what Rey knows is their best winter ale, brewed just for this week of midsommar.

More curious, Rey asks, "What do I call you?"

"Oh, you're going to talk to me now?" He asks before he takes a sip out of the tankard.

"Well it seems that you're not leaving me anytime soon."

His chuckle makes her smile. "Ben. My given name is Benjamin."

"Ben," she repeats. "I'm Rey."

Their eyes meet. His lips move and something brushes her knuckles and there is something gathering in her stomach…

"James!" A shout comes from the other side of the pub making them both jump.

She tears her eyes away making herself look anywhere but at him. "I know that you're probably not hungry, but this is the best-" She nods towards her plate. "Phasma only makes this once a year and it's the week before Midsommar."

Unable to wait any longer, Rey cuts into the venison and vegetables. The meat is fork tender after roasting in the dugout pits behind the kitchen. And when she bites into the deliciousness, she can't help the moan that escapes her.

She also doesn't notice how Ben drops his fork that clatters when it hits his plate.

After a couple of bites, she looks over at him. "Eat," she encourages. "Oh, you ate at the castle."

"I did, but you make this look so good," he says before he takes a bite. "Oh, my Lord," he mutters around his mouth-full of food.

"That's amazing, isn't it?"

"I haven't had anything better," he hums around the food in his mouth.

"Phasma used to be one of our cooks at the castle." I've said too much. Oh well, he's already figured out who I am, I'm sure. "When left to open the pub, she told Uncle- the king. He let her have this building, and gave her some of his wine and ale."

"That's really generous of him," Ben says.

"The King likes to say, happy people, happy country."

Ben nods as he looks at something behind the bar. Rey gets another bite, and wonders if she'll be able to come back tomorrow to eat. Cold dread settles in her stomach. If I go back now, will I be married on the morrow? Or is it the next day? Does it really matter? I just have to find a place to hide for at least four days.

"What did you say?" Ben asks.

"Did I say something out loud?"

"You were muttering about something."

Her face heats up. "It doesn't matter." With the last bite of bread, she wipes up what's left of the gravy and potatoes. That last bite is always the best in her opinion.

Since she isn't sure where she'll end up before the night is over, she wishes she could take some with her.

Something makes her look up, and she meets Ben's gaze. He stares at her and she isn't sure… "A princess wouldn't eat like that, would she?"

"But you're not the Princess, are you?" He rumbles.

"Who me?" She tries to sound nonchalant. "Couldn't be." She checks her bag that is still hanging around her and says, "I'm going to go tell Kay bye." She wants to ask but then she doesn't want to encourage him to stay either.

"Then I will sit here and wait, or can I go with you?"

"It's like I said earlier, you're a knight. You can do whatever you want."

When she rises, he does too. Kaydel isn't in the dining room, so Rey walks out the other door that leads to the kitchens behind the pub. It's easy to find her friend who is serving up more plates for the villagers inside.

"Are you going?" Kay asks, embracing Rey.

"Yes," Rey answers.

"Take care of her," Kay says to Ben.

"I can take care of myself," Rey hisses.

"I know you can. But just ask yourself-"

"I know. I have to do this," Rey whispers.

Rey doesn't see the look on Ben's face, but Kaydel does. But when he shakes his head, she rolls her eyes.

"Be safe," Kaydel wishes one last time.

"Do you know where you're going?" Ben asks.

Rey almost trips over a root. "I've only been in this part of the forest a couple of times. Why didn't I get a torch when we were still at Kay's?"

"Is that a campfire?" Ben asks.

"I think it is." Rey exhales. "Thank goodness."

"Were you doubting yourself?"

"Never."

Rey hears the violins and the guitars after she sees the campfire. For some reason, the melody reminds her of something she used to love. As they get closer, she notices the wagons surrounding a huge fire. She stops before she reaches the light dancing across the forest floor. A huge oak provides her hiding place as she ducks behind it.

"What are you waiting for?" He whispers in her ear.

"What?!" She shrieks. Surprisingly, no one in the camp hears her. "Ben!" She swats him away. He chuckles, but his merriment does not help the way her stomach twists. "Do you think they'll be welcoming?"

He moves to join her. She stares at his profile in the little light she can see from the campfires. "They always like strangers."

"They do?" She squeaks.

"They do."

"How do you know that?"

"It's good luck to be nice to them. Especially when they ask for help. They are no doubt here for the Midsommar celebrations. And probably heard that the Princess is getting married. Travelers love weddings." He looks over her shoulder at the people around the campfire. "How about I go first?"

"Are you sure?" She pauses and he nods. "Wait, I can't go with you?"

"Let me go first and talk to them. I'll just be a moment. They might be more welcoming."

"Fine," she grunts as he walks away. From behind the tree she watches. When Ben steps into the light cast by the fire he walks over to an older man. The traveler is dressed in a long brown robe like father Tekka. They embrace like long lost brothers. "What is he doing?" she whispers.

Ben looks back towards her and waves, beckoning her to come closer. "He's smiling, so they must be alright." She touches the sword on her side and then steps out from behind the tree.

It's only several feet to where she can see where the light reaches the forest floor. Sudden nerves stop her as she approaches. Ben still talks to the older gentleman, but then he looks up and their eyes meet. Even in the shadows of the setting sun, she can see his smile.

And her heart speeds up.

What would it be like if he looked at her all the time like that?

He doesn't beckon for her to come closer, instead he walks towards her. He doesn't force her to take his hand, he simply holds it out for her.

When was the last time someone let me choose for myself what I wanted?

But because he offers, she smiles her most gracious smile and puts her hand in his. Her touch seems to surprise him, for his eyes widen and his smile- poets could write sonnets about those dimples that appear- but more than that she feels something…

"Uncle, this is Rey," Ben introduces her.

"Your uncle?" Rey looks from Ben to the gentlemen in the brown robes.

"That's me." Royal manners demand that she offers him her hand, and while he does accept her, he lowers his head as if he's going to kiss her knuckles. But what happens instead is his lips don't make contact. He instead kisses the air above her hand. "You can call me Luke."

"You can call me Rey."

Luke's brow arches and she knows that he wants to say something, but thankfully a red-headed woman comes up to join them. Rey has to smile when Luke finds her hand. "Rey, Ben, this is my wife, Mara Jade. Love, this is my nephew Ben and his friend Rey."

Rey's too busy watching Luke and Mara that she doesn't see Ben shake his head when Luke is introducing her.

"Welcome to our camp. Since Ben here is the long-lost nephew that I've heard so much about, you two are welcome here. Did you eat? Would you like anything to drink?"

"Ale? Wine?" Rey answers. "This is for your people." She pulls out the bottle from the pub.

Mara smiles as she accepts the ale. "Sit by the fire. I'll be back.'' Rey watches her walk away as Ben and his uncle start to talk again. Even though they aren't that far away, she can't hear what they're saying.

There's mummering behind her when more people come to gather around the fire. For the most part, they ignore her, instead they gather around Ben and his Uncle Luke.

"Here you go," Mara's back and gives Rey a mug of beer. "Salute," Mara says, lifting her own tankard in a toast.

Rey clicks her tankard to Mara's, which is something she's only seen the knights at her castle do. She takes a sip, then asks. "Who are all these people?"

"This is Ben's family, of course. That's Jaina, and Jacen. They're twins. Then there's Zekk and Kyp Durran. Then Amilyn and Tobias. And don't forget Grandpa and Nana or Anakin and Padme. They're Luke's parents, Ben's grandparents." Mara hesitates like she wants to say something else, but smiles instead.

Rey doesn't ask about it because an older lady who is dressed like a traveler but carries herself like a queen comes over to sit on the other side of Rey. "My name is Padme. And that's my grandson who brought you to us."

"He's been very kind to me," Rey says as she watches him interact with his family. "When was the last time you saw Ben?"

Padme looks down but Mara says, "It's been a long time. Before he went to train with Snoke."

He is one of the black knight's knights.

"I'm glad the war is over and he's back where he belongs." Padme looks up. "Now tell me dear, who are you?"

"Nobody," she says. "I'm just Rey." she takes a sip of her beer, as she tries to avoid any more of their questions. If these people are indeed here for her wedding, then she doesn't want them to be disappointed when she doesn't show up tomorrow.

So, she sits there in silence. She watches, and listens. Interacts when they ask her direct questions but doesn't volunteer anything else. Mara and Padme get up with different excuses, leaving her all alone on the log by the fire.

Ben hasn't come back, he still stands on the other side of the fire talking to who could only be another cousin. She can't help but to be a little, well a lot envious. She's always imagined what a big family would be like. Always someone around to love.

Not that she would trade Aunt or Uncle for anything in this world. But she has wondered what it would be like to have brothers and sisters. Nieces and nephews. Children of her own… "Here ya' go." Another tankard is pressed into her hand. She looks up and sees Ben's dark eyes looking back at her.

"I probably shouldn't, but thank you."

"That's right, you're getting married tomorrow," he teases.

"Shhh-" she looks around to make sure no one else hears him. "I don't want to marry that red-headed fool," she hisses.

"Who do you want to marry then?" The light-heartedness that was just in his voice is gone and he's deadly serious.

"It doesn't matter what I want," she says and stands. He lets her walk away from the camp but he also follows her. She can hear several shouts after him, but doesn't pay attention to what he says back as she walks deeper into the woods.

She hears him call, "Rey, please." And only then does she stop.

When he catches up to her and before he can say anything else, she continues, "I don't understand. He's rude and arrogant. How does someone like him become the Black Knight?"

"His master-"

"Don't bring up Snoke right now. We already know he's a sadistic fool. And a bully. And was determined to paint our countryside red with the blood of his enemies."

"How did you know he said that?" She doesn't miss how deadly his voice sounds in that moment.

"Did you think Snoke was the only one who had spies? We had them too," she whispers. "Already, I give away too much."

"Who do you think your spy was, little Princess?" He whispers. All she can see in the dim forest is an outline of him.

"You? You were the spy?"

"The one and the same."

"Oh," she's speechless. So many emotions fill her. Joy that with his help, the war is over. Relief that she can finally say to him, "Thank you," as she reaches out for his hands, the first time she willingly touches him. "You helped in so many ways."

"It's my honor, your Majesty," he murmurs as he brings her hands up. Instead of just kissing one hand, he brings her hands together and presses his lips where her fingers touch. In her twenty-four years of life, this is the most intimate thing anyone has ever done to her. Instead of pulling her hands away, she watches his dark figure, wishing she could see him more clearly.

He moves her hands down from his lips, but he doesn't let go of her yet. His thumbs caress her fingers. And she feels things…

"Ben! Are you off then?" Someone asks from the traveler's camp.

"Family," he exhales and she thinks she sees a smile on his face. "Not yet," he answers before he asks her, "unless you want to go back to the castle?"

"No, not yet." she squeezes his fingers back. "I was actually thinking of asking your uncle if I could stay with them, at least until Midsommar is over-"

"And the wedding stuff too?" Why does he sound disappointed?

"It's just for a little bit. I would like to have a conversation with my groom before we stand before the priest-"

"How about if you marry me instead?" he proposes.

"What about the Black Knight? What about returning Alderaan to its rightful citizens? What about the agreement he made with my uncle? Won't he be mad? Upset that you've taken his bride?"

"Hux mad?" She can hear him as he tries not to chuckle. "I don't think he cares, honestly." She can feel something in her turn over at his words. Did her bridegroom not take this seriously then? Ben continues, "Where we have talked, shared a meal. I even met your family and you've met mine." He whispers, "I think Nana Padme likes you."

"I like her too. But-" she tries not to get hopeful at his proposal. He is handsome. And he already makes her feel something… she's not sure if this is what Aunt Jyn and Uncle Cassian have, but maybe- "Are you sure? Besides, what about a priest? Where are we going to find one at this time of night?"

"My Uncle Luke is a priest."

"He is?" she squeaks. "Alright then, I'll marry you." She pauses and for once, she's grateful that the dark hides her. "Will you kiss me? I've never been kissed before and while it is our wedding day-"

He doesn't give her a chance to finish because he touches her, interrupting what she was saying. His warm hands are on her arms, trailing up and over her shoulders like she always imagined a lover would do. Then his touch is feather light on her neck as his hands, those big gentle hands cup her cheeks.

"Princess-" the way he says her title isn't teasing like he's been doing all evening. Instead he says it like it's a benediction to an unknown deity. She can feel the tip of his nose, brush along hers. She wants to follow his touch, but his hands are still there on her. Then he says, "You are everything I imagined and everything I need." His exhale is light, and for the first time, their breaths mingle and line up, so they are both breathing at the same time.

His lips are there on hers, then she feels his tongue. She gasps and he whispers against her lips, "Open your mouth for me, sweetheart. This is how you kiss your beloved." His lips brush hers again and she opens her mouth to let him in.

He's gentle when he sweeps into her mouth, as he draws her tongue out to touch his. A sudden urge that demands she touch him, leads her to grasp his wrists and step closer to him. She groans when she can't get the access to his body that she craves. That's when he drops his arms, and he wraps his arms around her waist to pull her into him as close as they can possibly get.

Ben is the one who stops the kiss. "I need-" she murmurs.

"I know sweetheart. Let's go hand fast, then we'll finish what we started."

It should have surprised her how quickly everyone agreed with them that they need to be married tonight. No, it can't wait, even Nana Padme insisted, they need to do the handfasting now.

Jacen brought out the family tartan for Ben. Mara and Jaina pull her into a wagon. "I know it would be better if you had your tartan-"

"But I do." Rey pulls out a length of wool woven together in a blue, yellow and white plaid. They help her to wrap it around herself. She almost doesn't hear them as the guilt of not waiting for her sweet Aunt Jyn and Uncle Cassian washes over her. She almost runs back to the castle to wake them.

Instead of running away, she takes a deep breath and goes to find her groom.

When she steps out of the wagon, the camp site is lit by even more torches and even more people. She swallows hard as she tries to commit all this to memory.

Ben stands by his Uncle Luke, but there is a new couple on his other side. They're older, she has intricate braids and a grey-haired gentleman, who looks a little like her groom.

"These are for you," someone mutters as they give her a bouquet of daisies. She turns to say thank you but they are already gone.

Ben's gaze finds her and his smile lights up the dark like the dawn. She even finds herself returning it. He walks over to her and says, "Are you ready?"

"I am," she says as she nods.

He tucks her hand into his elbow and together they start walking towards Luke. They stop just in front of him and Luke says, "Thank you all for joining us this evening. These two have expressed their wishes to be joined together in marriage today."

Luke says a couple of other things but Rey is too busy taking her groom in. Still in his grey tunic, his tartan of red, purple and black makes him look even more like a fierce warrior that he must be. After all, he trained with Snoke too. He also turned his back on him to follow the Black Knight.

But when he smiles at her…

"Please join your left hands," Luke says. For the second time that evening, he touches her. Warm tingles start where they are connected. Mara steps forward with a long piece of ribbon.

As she loops and ties, Luke recites:

"These are the hands of your friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

As your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. The bond of marriage is not formed by these cords, but rather by the vows you have made."

"Do you Ben take Rey to be your wedded wife?" Luke asks.

"I do," he whispers.

"Do you Rey, take Ben to be your wedded husband?"

"I do," she mutters.

Luke closes his book. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Rey, you may kiss your husband."

They pull each other close. He lowers his head and his lips touch hers briefly. Someone starts cheering, and the whole camp joins in the celebration as they all come forward to offer their hugs and kisses.

Here we have the first hint that they might be Scottish… and probably the best kissing scene I've ever written lol… and this makes the second fic I've written in a row where they get married within the first several chapters. I'm not sure why, I've never done that before lol… when I started this, it was from a simple prompt I found on Pinterest. And I was actually working on it for an anthology I dropped out of. And now… well you'll see soon.

The handfasting vows are borrowed from a site. I don't own anything but the computer I write on, and even now I need a new one.