hehe I know I update frequently but I've already written like half the story, so what's the point in holding back right? ;)
Also, I just realized I've been spelling 'Nima' wrong the whole time. It's supposed to be
'Niima'...sorry about that. I'll go back and fix it later.
As always, I love reading all your comments and I'm so happy you're looking forward to this!
Jakku
As dawn came and went, the sun rose over the sand dunes of Jakku and bathed the palace and the town of Niima with its halo of sunlight. It was a beautiful bright day, but the atmosphere in the palace was far from it.
Rey had not been able to sleep properly for days. She sat on the floor in front of the alcove in her room where she kept the idol of her Goddess, leaning forward on the altar, her face buried in her arms. Around her, her ladies and servants were carefully packing her belongings into wooden trunks and boxes.
Raising her head, Rey surveyed her chamber for the hundredth time that morning. The custom was that once a woman was married, she could never return to the room in which she had slept in as a child. Rey wanted to be able to remember the place where she had spent most of her nineteen years. The room where she had slept, danced, learned, laughed, cried in, she wanted to remember it all for the rest of her life. Thinking of the massive life changes ahead made her numb with grief. Not only would she be leaving behind everything that was dear to her, but she would be moving into the home of the enemy.
"May I come in?"
The Queen was standing in the doorway, smiling, despite looking weary.
"Of course" Rey answered
She tried to stand, but her mother gestured for her to remain seated and instead, settled herself on the floor next to her daughter.
"You and I haven't had a chance to speak properly these past few months" The Queen began, looking guilty "But there are some things that I must tell you now as your mother"
Rey watched her mother, unsure of where the conversation was heading
"Rey, I know you haven't even met the Emperor yet, but do you know what happen happens after a man and woman are married?"
An awkward silence proceeded
"I know what happens" Rey assured her mother
Afterwards, her mother seemed hasty to change the subject
"Just think!" She said, trying to appear excited "You'll be moving to Naboo and I heard it's the most beautiful place in the country!"
Rey looked away. He mother reached out and placed her hand on Rey's shoulder
"As the wife of the Emperor, you'll have everything you could possibly want, beautiful clothes and jewels, all kinds of food…"
"No" Rey dissented "I will never be happy…"
"Nonsense!" Her mother interrupted her "I know we didn't plan this, and none of us wanted this, but it has to be done"
"Why mother?" Now Rey's eyes were swimming with tears "Why me?"
The Queen took her daughters face between her shaking hands
"You have to be brave my love, whatever happens. The Gods are with you"
If this was her destiny and if this was what the Gods had planned for her, then Rey would accept it, even unwillingly. She raised herself from the floor and reached over the altar to remove the statue of the Goddess.
"What are you doing?" Her mother asked, confused
"I'm taking her with me"
Her mother's eyes widened
"I don't think you'll be allowed to keep that in the palace of Naboo my dear, our worship is forbidden there"
"I'm taking her with me whether anyone likes it or not" Rey said in a low voice
Her mother sighed. Her daughter always preferred to learn her lessons the hard way.
Jess entered the chamber, and noticing the Queen she bowed her head in greeting.
"Good morning Your Majesty. I think it's time for Rey to get ready"
The Queen stood up, adjusting her skirt.
"I think I would like to help dress my daughter as well Jess, I'll be back in a while" she said, before leaving the room.
Jess waited until she was out of sight before scurrying up to Rey. It was only at this point that she noticed Jess was holding a vial of clear liquid in her hands.
"I was hoping to catch you alone. I want to talk to you" She led Rey away from the door towards a corner
"You know, I have a plan"
"What plan?"
Jess, teary eyed, trembled slightly
"Jess what is it?"
"What if we just sent another girl in your place?" Jess blurted out "he doesn't even know what you look like, he wouldn't even know!"
"No Jess" Rey shook her head "If he ever found out, he would destroy our kingdom out of spite"
"I suppose you're right" Jess agreed, dejectedly "But there's something else"
She held up the vial
"What is it?" Rey asked
"Poison" Jess said simply, in a breathy voice
Rey looked horrified
"What for?"
"It's for us. We can take it with us, just in case something goes wrong. We'll have nowhere else to go and no one to turn to so we can just take this if there's no other way out"
Rey's eyes filled with tears. She reached forward and embraced her dearest friend
"Oh Jess…I hope we never have to do that. We have to be stronger than that!"
Jess sighed and bit her lip "I hope so too. Come, let's get ready"
She got up and rushed across the room to Rey's wardrobe as if she hadn't said anything at all.
Everyone in the palace, servants and nobility alike, had gathered in the courtyard to see their Princess one last time, before she was handed over to the First Order.
Rey stood alone one last time in the middle of her room. Once her sanctuary, it now felt cold and empty without her belongings. She wanted to cry, but she had cried so much in the past few days that she felt she had no more tears to shed. Jess, who was standing behind her, put a hand on her shoulder.
"Rey, they're waiting. It's time to go"
Reluctantly, Rey let herself be led outside. Her knees almost buckled as she descended the polished sandstone staircase and walked into the waiting crowd. Their Princess was going off to be married, but the mood in the palace was that of a funeral. People knelt at her feet, clasping her hands and crying into them. The wails of her ladies echoed around the high walls. The men stood, silent and somber, hanging their heads.
"Take care Princess!"
"May the Gods be with you!"
"Our prayers are with you!"
Only the young children, who were oblivious to what was going on, clung to her shawl and skirt, chirping happily like little birds all the way to where her palanquin was waiting outside the gates. At the gates, her father and his delegation had already mounted their horses, they waited patiently, and as she boarded her palanquin, her father signaled to the others and they were finally off through the streets of Niima. They were crowded, but silent. No one cried out or wept, they just stared pale faced, as though they were carrying her corpse to be cremated.
As the procession reached the gateway of the Niima fortress, Rey pushed aside her curtains and looked out. She had dreamed of this moment as a child, when she would finally be leaving Jakku to make her future in more lush, greener lands. She lost count of the times as a little girl when she had snuck out of the palace, out of town and raced across the sandy dunes, only to be dragged back inside by her angry, scolding mother. A steady stream of tears began to tumble down her face and onto her lap. She would have given the world to be that little girl again, cursing herself for longing to leave home and now as she sat being carried away into a strange land, she wished more than anything that someone would drag her back home this time too.
The Unknown regions
"I won't be attending this impure ceremony" General Hux remarked.
He watched on as several troopers raised tents and hung decorations for the Emperors wedding, which was to take place in a few days. Snoke stood beside him, lost is contemplation. He did not like the idea of the Emperor agreeing so readily to the proposals of enemy kingdoms and wondered whether he would be making a habit of it. No doubt, for all their talk of honor and dignity, once the other kingdoms got wind of this new arrangement, their kings would push their daughters on the Emperor as well. Snoke promised himself that he would not allow this to happen again, but King Prana was fortunate indeed.
"Attendance is mandatory" Snoke said to Hux
Hux sniffed
"I shall keep my eyes and ears closed then" He said, his voice filled with contempt "Jakku was supposed to be mine. I would not have given it back like this and agreed to marry a heathen Princess"
"Well, he hasn't exactly given it back. They are still under our rule but King Prana and his people will be allowed to stay as they are" Snoke observed
"But in a few days they will be family to the Emperor and not just his subjects" Hux spat "Can you imagine those parasites overrunning our palace in Naboo?"
Snoke turned to Hux, smiling
"Well, that's why I'm here" He said "to make sure that never happens"
The King of Jakku, his Queen, daughter and their retinue arrived at the First Order campsite after several days of travel, just as they blazing afternoon sun loomed overhead.
As Rey had hoped, her intended was nowhere in sight when they arrived and as the troopers were raising her tent, she and Jess snuck out to the water well with some clay pots.
"Do you need some help with that Your Highness?"
Rey spun around
"Finn!"
"I saw you arriving just now and wanted to give you my best wishes"
He looked around
"I'm not supposed to be here talking to you like this Your Highness, but I just had to see you. The last time we met I…"
"How did you escape?"
Finn smiled "Ah, that's a secret"
Rey rounded on him, anger in her voice "Do you know what your First Order's done?"
Finn recoiled "I'm truly sorry for what happened to you Princess" and there was sympathy in his voice "But know this, I will help you how ever I can"
Suddenly, they heard footsteps approaching. Finn dove behind a boulder, as one of their Jakku guard appeared.
"Your mother wants to speak with you Princess"
"Tell her I'll be there"
She and Jess picked up their pots and as they left, Rey glanced at the boulder behind which Finn now stood hidden.
As the day went by, the glare of the sun mellowed and the air cooled. Rey and Jess sat in her tent, sorting out their jewellery when they were interrupted by the sounds of men shouting outside. They peeked through the entrance to see dozens of galloping horses and their horsemen, and inquired from the guard about the source of the commotion.
"It's the Emperor, Your Highness. He has just returned from business at the border"
Rey's heart skipped a beat. Would he ask to see her?
She waited with bated breath for a long time, but soon found out that Kylo Ren had met with her parent's minutes after his arrival, and thankfully, had never asked for her or about her. But there was still an issue Rey needed to get off her chest and one she'd been thinking about for days, ever since her mother had told her she would not be allowed to bring her Goddess into the palace of Naboo. Even though she felt she might be going too far, she plucked up the courage.
And she knew just the person to help her with the job. She called Finn to her.
"Inform the Emperor that I wish to speak with him" Rey told him
"My lady, you may call on the Emperor whenever you wish" Finn replied
Rey raised her eyebrows
"I meant that I want him to come to me" She explained "Can you tell him Finn?"
Finn stared at her, lost for words. He had promised Rey that he would help her with whatever he could but no one had ever 'fetched' the Emperor before. People usually went to him and never the other way around.
Finn left, distracted and apprehensive. When he reached the opening to the Emperor's tent, he hesitated before entering.
Kylo Ren was lying on his couch, legs outstretched and one arm over his head, tired from the day's work.
"Yes, what is it?" He inquired, not opening his eyes.
"Your Majesty" Finn began, unsure whether this was wise "The Princess requests your presence in her tent. She wishes to speak with you"
Kylo Ren opened his eyes
"What?"
Finn faltered, unsure of whether he should leave or remain where he was and face the Emperor's wrath.
"The Princess requests your presence in her tent, Your Majesty" Finn finally continued. He then watched helplessly as the Emperor raised himself from the couch, his face livid.
"And may I know the reason that I am being called to her presence?"
Kylo Ren's voice was steady, but Finn could tell he was almost close to losing his temper.
"I was not given a reason Your Majesty" Finn replied "But I'm sure that…..Your Majesty?"
Kylo Ren had stood up and was now striding out. As he stepped out, he pushed the curtain aside so hard that it struck a tall brass vase nearby, it toppled over and slid across the stony ground.
He marched towards the Princess's tent, his fists clenched, gritting his teeth. He had never forgiven Rey since he had last overheard her talking about him and for her (in his opinion) unfair estimation of him. He also felt that she was in no position to be making any demands. Their marriage was suggested by her own father, King Prana and Kylo Ren had agreed only because of the benefits it would bring to him, she was under no obligation to him, and he was certainly under no obligation to run to her side like a dog whenever she called him. Many bitter thoughts ran through his head as he approached Rey's tent. Her ladies, who were standing outside, scattered like pigeons as he drew near, as if his aura had burned them.
As he entered, he was met with the magnificent sight of many beautiful silk banners that hung along the walls and the floor was covered with exquisite hand woven carpets. Some candles burned in the corner and he caught a whiff of sandalwood, which he assumed was from burning incense. Half of the tent was separated from the other half by some net fabric like a veil, which hung from the ceiling down to the ground. From behind it he could make out the figure of the Princess. The bells that hung around her anklets, tinkled softly as she glided towards him on the opposite side of the veil.
Though they could not see each other, Rey and Kylo were now alone, face to face for the first time as Emperor and Princess.
Rey got the shock of her life as Kylo Ren burst into her tent, and though he was composed she could almost feel his anger as he stood before her. She had anticipated this reaction from him and therefore knew she had to choose her words carefully so as not to annoy him any further.
He spoke first, his tone firm, his tall figure straightening.
"You asked to see me?"
Rey was momentarily caught off guard by how deep and soft his voice was. She felt as if she recognized it from somewhere.
She took a deep breath
"I cannot find words to express my gratitude to you, for respecting and honoring my request" She said mechanically "I called for your presence to tell you that I will give you my personal consent to this marriage if and only if you are able to meet my conditions"
Kylo Ren sniffed disdainfully
"And what are these…conditions?" he asked
Rey's heart started to beat faster. But she had to speak her mind, for the sake of her own interests.
"My first condition, is that you allow me to keep my faith and follow my customs and traditions after we are married"
As she spoke, her voice was surprisingly steady
"and under no circumstance should I be coerced into conversion"
Her words were met with deathly silence
"Do you accept?" She prompted him, tentatively
"And?" He pressed her in return
"My second and final condition is that I will be allowed to bring the idol of my Goddess with me to Naboo, and that a special shrine and altar be built in my chamber for her. Those are my conditions" She finished hastily.
The silence between them stretched on for what felt like ages to Rey. Neither of them moved or attempted to speak and Rey could not tell what Kylo Ren was thinking or what his expression was, she could only make out the outline of his tall figure on the other side of the veil. Then, without warning he turned on his heels and exited the tent, just as swiftly as he had entered it.
Now Rey was frightened. Why hadn't he said anything? Where did he go?
King Prana and his delegation were seated around a fire outside the campsite with some First Order officers, discussing the implementation of their rule into the newly acquired kingdom, when one of the footmen announced the Emperor's arrival.
Everyone around the fire sprung to their feet as Kylo Ren advanced on them, and as he stood before them, the firelight reflecting in his dark eyes, he turned to King Prana.
"King Prana, your daughter called me into her tent just now"
King Prana's eyes widened
"Your Majesty, I had no idea..."
But Kylo Ren cut him off
"Your daughter laid before me two conditions for our marriage and said if they weren't met, there would be no wedding" Kylo Ren spoke so that everyone around the fire would hear, his face and tone were impassive
"The first condition, is that I would let her keep her faith and practice her traditions and customs. The second is that I would let her bring an effigy of her goddess into my home and build a shrine for her in her chamber"
King Prana's eyes widened further in horror
"Your Majesty, I will speak with my daughter immediately, I'm sure that…"
Kylo Ren raised his hand, interrupting the King for the second time.
"There is no need, I have made a decision. I greatly value the alliance between your people and mine King Prana and therefore your daughter's conditions are acceptable to me"
A hush fell over the group and the First Order officers exchanged bewildered glances. King Prana and his delegation however, smiled at each other and the King.
"God willing, her demands will be met to her satisfaction" Kylo Ren declared, before bowing his head to King Prana and turning to leave.
It was only a matter of time before Snoke's spies informed him of what had transpired between Rey and Kylo Ren that evening. The details of the story shook Snoke to his very core. He was outside Kylo Ren's tent in no time, demanding entrance.
The Emperor was at this moment, in his bath, enclosed in a white screen. A manservant was feeding wood to a burning fire nearby to keep the cool night air in the tent warm. Although Snoke could not see him, he was quite sure the Emperor would be able to hear whatever he had to say to him.
"I heard about your decision on the Princess's conditions" He said "I don't know what you were thinking Your Majesty, but do you realize that you have just committed sacrilege?"
Kylo Ren's head snapped around to face him from behind the screen
"How so General?"
"Your Majesty, God has appointed you as his representative on earth. He has entrusted you with the task of upholding our faith as the Emperor of the realm and you have just permitted idolatry and false worship under your roof, in your own home!"
Kylo Ren was silent
"And is it not the custom of a woman to adopt her husband's faith, traditions and customs when she marries?" Snoke continued
"I Know God will understand General. My reasons for agreeing to the Princess's conditions are purely political, I assure you" Kylo Ren asserted
Oh, but I'm not quite so sure Your Majesty, Snoke thought to himself.
When Snoke left the Emperors tent that night, his mind was on Princess Rey. Was the Emperor about to fulfill her every wish and act on her every whim, purely for political reasons? In Snoke's mind, the Princess's 'conditions' were unreasonable requests and she had no right to be making any stipulations, especially when the Emperor was only doing her father a favor by marrying her. Or was he? What was the Emperor not telling him?
He needed to know more about this Princess Rey.
