CW/TW: threatening behaviour (not by Kylo) see authors notes at the bottom if you are concerned

'

Occasionally the mist would part, and Rey would be surprised by the light of the full moon, sailing white and bright in the velvet black sky, but those moments were fleeting.

It was frustrating being unable to tell how far she had come, and how far she had yet to go, but she was comforted by the fact that she would recognise the bridge that marked the lane to Varykino.

At some point (it was difficult to tell how long she had been travelling), she was alarmed to hear a howl split the silence. She came to a shuddering stop, frozen in horror, because this was the first time she had heard that sound and been outside.

Before she could tell herself that it was simply her overactive imagination, another howl came, it sounded closer, though how close it was impossible to guess.

Maz had told her that no livestock went missing, at least none that weren't accounted for, so surely that meant the wolf wouldn't prey on people?

The thought didn't particularly comfort her at that moment, and she started moving again, going as quickly as she was physically able.

The sound didn't come again, but she felt as if she were being watched, a prickling between her shoulder blades and up her neck, a shiver of unease over her skin.

Perhaps it was because she was going too quickly, or that her eyes were busy darting from side to side as she scanned the hedgerows and trees for movement, that she didn't see the man till she was almost upon him.

She managed to arrest her motion but almost tipped over in doing so. A long fingered hand curled around her forearm to hold her steady and she looked up into the cold eyes of a tall, slender man, but on recognition of his clerical attire, she breathed a silent sigh of relief.

"I am so sorry, please forgive me," she gasped, startled and out of breath.

She stepped back to give the man space, but he didn't release her arm and now his clothing did nothing to reassure her. There was something skeletal about his spindly shape, something menacing in his mien and the way his pale eyes studied her.

"There is nothing to forgive, child," he said, voice soft and cultured but threaded through with iron, "Are you in need of assistance? You seem frightened and it is not a good time for young ladies to be out alone."

"Oh," Rey said, flustered because she could not pull out of his grasp without exerting a large amount of effort, which would feel foolish, "I am on my way home - the Ullswater boat stopped at Glenridding on account of the mist and there were no cabs to be found."

"What ill-fortune," he tucked her hand into his elbow and turned in the direction she had been going, "Allow me to escort you home, it is my duty as a gentleman and a man of God."

His smile failed to add any warmth to his face, if anything it made her feel even more uneasy.

"I could not possibly trouble you, I think I must be close by now and wouldn't want to take you out of your way."

"Nonsense, my dear," he started walking and she had to do the same or risk being dragged, "But forgive me, I must introduce myself, I am Reverend Snoke of Matterdale."

There it was, that must be the reason she felt nervous - this was the man that Poe told her hated Varykino and its owners, the man who had slandered Lady Solo and her family and was the reason she herself had lapsed in attending church.

"I am-" she gave the slightest pause, then inwardly winced as her manners dictated her response, "Pleased to meet you, Reverend Snoke, I am Rey Johnson," she bit her lip, then added reluctantly, "I am in service at Varykino."

The grip on her hand tightened, "You work at Varykino?" his voice was sharper now, "For Kylo Ren and his ilk?"

When he said Kylo Ren, his pointed tone had oozed contempt and Rey found herself wishing for an empty road and howling in the distance.

"I work for Lord Ren, yes, though I was engaged by his mother, Lady Solo."

He tutted and shook his head, "Dear child, that house is not a safe place for you, or any good person. I happen to be in need of a maid at present, indeed this meeting is most serendipitous, perhaps even a gift from God so I may help you out of a bad situation."

Rey bit the inside of her cheek briefly to remind herself not to be rude, but she just could not allow this stranger, reverend or no, to speak of her home like that.

"That is… very kind, but you are quite mistaken, I am very happy at Varykino and am glad to be there."

Mr Snoke tutted, as he came to a stop and faced her, "My poor child, already bewitched," his cold, slender fingers cupped her cheek and she couldn't suppress a shudder of revulsion in response to such over familiarity, "Have they already defiled you?"

Rey sucked in an appalled breath and tried to pull away, but his grip on her had become vice-like. "How dare you-!"

"Have they already tasted the carnal delights of your flesh? Were you willing?" his hold moved downwards till his fingers were wrapped around her throat as he leaned in until he was but a breath away, "Did you fall from the path of the righteous, or did you jump?"

Rey was attempting to push him away, but it was like scrabbling at a rock or trying to uproot a tree and the pressure upon her throat was making it impossible to emit anything more than frightened whimpers.

"It is written on the doorway to paradise that those who falter and those who fall, will pay the ultimate price", he pronounced fervidly, "By sword and by flame."

With her recent jogging, tight corset and now being choked, Rey was becoming light headed as she attempted to struggle and get enough air to continue doing so. But nothing seemed to help her.

"Repent!" Snoke spat, his voice growing manic and his eyes burning into hers, "Repent with me and you shall know the mercy and forgiveness of God." He slowly began pushing her downwards, as if he wanted her to kneel right there in the road.

That was when she truly panicked, up until then, she had tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, had wondered if this were some sort of mad impromptu sermon, but the danger felt real and urgent, so much so she could taste it.

It was time to fight for all she was worth.

If only now was the time Rose and Paige would appear or Poe and Mr Hux come to search for her or anyone at all, even the wolf would be preferable.

It was at that moment, as if her wish were granted, that she heard a growl, it was low and deep and utterly thrilling. She couldn't see anything, her sight was eclipsed by Snoke, but her ears drank in the sound as it morphed from a warning growl into a viciously guttural snarl.

Something large impacted Snoke and the second he let go of her she staggered away, heaving in breaths of sweet air as she regained her balance… and that was when she saw him, when she finally laid her eyes upon the wolf. Whether this confirmed she wasn't mad or simply that her insanity had taken a turn for the worse, she hadn't the wits to consider right then.

The creature was huge, black as pitch, with huge white teeth that were currently sunk into Snoke's arm, golden eyes flashing in the dim light… she stood frozen for a moment, stock still with shock, then reality came crashing in and she turned tail and ran.

It was perhaps not a very Christian thing to do, to leave a man alone to be savaged by a beast, but she experienced no pang of guilt as she ran as fast as was possible.

It felt as if her feet barely touched the ground, her skirts gripped in her hands, uncaring of the amount of leg she was showing or that her hat was no longer on her head and her hair was coming loose to whip behind her in the wind of her passage.

When the bridge came into view she almost broke down, but there was that prickling feeling again, the one of being watched or hunted and she dared not stop or turn, for fear that she was right, that the beast had finished with the unfortunate Reverend Snoke and was going to make her dessert.

Finally, Varykino emerged from the mists, a lantern burning bravely in the front porch like a beacon and she ran straight towards it.

As she reached it, she dared a glance back, for a moment, there were eyes, golden and luminous staring back at her from the darkness, her hand twisted the door knob and she practically fell through the door, trembling like a leaf as she shoved it closed again and sank to the floor as her strength and breath left her.

"Rey?"

Rey jumped, gasping and holding her hand to her already frantically hammering heart as Mr Hux came into the hall, face deeply lined with concern.

"My goodness, whatever is the matter? Are you hurt?"

At first, Rey only had the strength to take deep breaths and shake her head and when she felt able to speak, her mouth and throat were so dry that she coughed instead.

She barely registered that Mr Hux had left her until he returned to press a glass of water into her shaking fingers.

The water helped calm her, that and Mr Hux's steady presence and the inherent safety of the house.

"I am so sorry, sir," she was able to say eventually as she tried to gain her feet under her, but ultimately failed, "I know I am awfully late, but the-"

Mr Hux held up a hand and she stopped, "That doesn't matter right now, I want to know if you are hurt? You came in as if you were being pursued?"

Rey bit her lip, unsure how much to divulge - after all, how much of it was believable? That she had been attacked by a clergyman or effectively rescued by what looked suspiciously like a wolf?

While she didn't wish to lie, she felt as if the truth (as she had witnessed it, anyway) would seem more of a lie than an actual lie, it was somewhat of a paradox.

She gave herself time by accepting Mr Hux's hand to help her to her feet and straightening her clothes as well as she was able.

"I was on my way home when I… met, ah… bumped into Reverend Snoke?" she bit her lip again, "He was rather, ah, unpleasant and I was eager to get home."

Mr Hux frowned, opened his mouth, then closed it again, only to open it once more, "I can see how that would be upsetting," he said slowly, "He is a most unpleasant man. You must be awfully tired, I believe Dopheld left you a sandwich and cup of tea in your room. Why don't you go to bed and we will speak further in the morning?"

It was like he had spoken a magic word, with an effort Rey stayed upright but she could feel an impending collapse on its way, her exhaustion trying to swallow her whole now her nervous energy was swiftly dissipating.

"Yes, or course sir," she said softly as she made her weary way to the stairs, "Good night."

"Good night, Rey. I hope you sleep well."

'

Although she was hungry, Rey barely managed a sip of cold tea before her fatigue won her over. As she closed her eyes, half asleep already, she thought she heard a lonely howl but it could have just been a precursor to a dream.

'

If she dreamt that night, she wasn't sensible of it when she woke again, still enervated, and every muscle stiff and aching. Added to this was a headache that throbbed in her temples like the tolling of a great bell.

Miserably, she roused herself, washing and dressing slowly as if she had aged thirty years overnight. As she went to leave her room, she found a note had been slid underneath the door. It wasn't Mr Hux's hand, she knew that immediately, it was very elegant penmanship whereas Mr Hux's was neat and simple.

With a thick swallow, she perused its contents, it was short and to the point -

Miss Johnson, See me in the library straight away. K.R

After such a tumultuous night, she was unable to prevent tears from filling her eyes. This was it then, she thought wretchedly, Lord Ren was going to dismiss her and likely write to his mother to dissuade her from employing her herself.

With a short, bitter laugh, Rey realised she could always go to Snoke, (if he was still alive, of course), to take up his offer of a position.

Dejectedly she cleansed her face of tears and left her room to trudge downstairs.

The library door was ajar, she almost lost her nerve, half tempted to just run back upstairs, pack her things and escape out the back door, but she was made of sterner stuff than that. She would at least try to argue her case, however inconceivable the idea was that Lord Ren would deign to hear her.

Gathering her courage, Rey knocked on the door.

"Come."

With a dry swallow and a quick straighten of her apron and cap, Rey opened the door and with no small amount of trepidation, stepped through.

Lord Ren was standing by the fireplace, his back to her, large hands clasped behind him. He turned when she was a few feet away, expression unreadable but nonetheless intimidating.

"You wished to see me?" Rey asked, voice embarrassingly raspy.

He didn't speak, just stepped closer and she dropped her eyes to the floor, "I know I broke the rule of arriving home before sunset," she began when he didn't speak, "But there were extenuating circumstances, you see, the mist -."

She faltered to a stop as one of his huge hands reached out to gently touch the skin of her neck. At first she flinched at the contact, but when he didn't comment she finally looked him in the eyes.

They were intense, and for the first time she noticed that there was a little green in them. Unsure how to respond, and feeling not a little mesmerised, she stayed where she was as his huge fingers delicately examined her neck, the movement so at odds with their size.

"Where else did he hurt you?" he asked softly and she blinked, for a moment confused until she surmised that Mr Hux must have spoken to him, though she could not recall mentioning any details.

"Just my arm," she said quietly, looking back at the floor, off kilter by this version of Lord Ren.

His hand fell away from her neck and she instantly missed the warmth.

"Show me."

Tugging up her sleeve, she displayed the finger shaped bruises that wrapped around her forearm, looking at them made her realise that something similar must be decorating her throat.

While they certainly weren't the worst injuries she had ever received in her short life, they shocked her the most. Discipline at the workhouse had been harsh, and on occasion Mr Plutt would lose his temper with her, or Teedo would smack her for talking back, but this had been done by a relative stranger, someone she had thought was the least likely sort of person to commit wanton violence.

Until now, Ullswater had felt like a place without crime, the only danger being the mists and possibly a wolf, nothing more.

As with her throat, Lord Ren carefully examined her arm, turning it over in his hands, lightly stroking over the mottled skin, before letting it go.

Upon looking back up, she found him studying her again, full lips pressed together as his nostrils flared slightly.

"It was clearly a distressing encounter and you need to rest, Miss Johnson. I am giving you the day off, go back to bed and sleep."

At first, all Rey could wonder was why every time he told her to go to bed, did her stomach fill with butterflies and her cheeks flush? It was most vexing - she was normally a sensible person!

Then her mind caught up with his meaning and she was unable not to gape at him in astonishment and her unguarded tongue blurted, "You mean you won't dismiss me?" before she could think better of it, and she flushed further as a result.

"You must really think me a monster, to conclude I would punish you for being attacked and injured," his low tone sounded pained, and she immediately felt guilty.

Twisting her hands together, she lowered her eyes and answered quietly, "I was not sure you would believe me."

There was the sound of a scoff, but she didn't look up.

"I will contact the constabulary today."

At this, she did look up, suddenly afraid, "Please - don't," she bit her lip, but kept on, "Don't trouble yourself."

His eyebrows, which had been marred by a frown, now climbed upwards, "Why ever not? Even clergymen aren't above the law, Miss Johnson."

She opened her mouth, then closed it again, anxious about what she was about to say, on how he would judge her for it, but unable to remain silent.

"There was a wolf," she blurted finally, uncomfortable but determined, "There was a wolf, or maybe a large dog, he... he stopped Snoke, bit him so I could get away, and I…" she swallowed, "I do not wish him to come to harm."

Oddly, his expression softened, lightened and for a moment she thought she saw his lips attempt to twitch upwards.

Instead of telling her there was no chance of a wolf being in the area or that the dog was dangerous and should of course be caught, he merely nodded, "As you wish, Miss Johnson."

The wave of relief she felt was surprising, the creature had scared her, but hadn't once tried to hurt her, no matter what her fear had whispered in her ears at the time.

"Thank you, Lord Ren."

He nodded and turned back to the fireplace, and Rey took it as dismissal. Rather than facing more questions in the kitchen, she went back upstairs and ate the stale sandwich from the night before, drank the remains of her tea, then fell into bed with a thankful heart.

'

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CW/TW: threatening behaviour. Rey runs into Snoke in the mist, he holds onto her arm and insists on walking her home, he won't let go and when he finds out she is working for Kylo, he gets angry and chokes her while trying to get her to kneel… Then a 'wolf' rocks up and bites him in the arm and Rey gets away.

Snoke also verbally abuses Rey somewhat, and makes some slanderous, lewd accusations.


A/N: For some reason, some of Snoke's dialogue is taken from the song Stars from Les Misérables (sung by Inspector Javert)... it just… happened ¯\_()_/¯

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Me starting a oneshot: Hmm, actually probably be a two-shot

Next day: oh, ah, yeah, probably 3 chapters

Later: Shit, no, 5, definitely 5 chapters

A bit later: *facepalms* it's gonna be 8 chapters

Much later: Dammit, 12 chapters, but that's the limit

While writing chapter 16: I give up, it'll be whatever length it turns out to be.

Conclusion: Sorry to anyone who started reading this thinking it would be short *giant facepalm*

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(I wrote that before finishing, so don't worry, this is still 25 chapters. Sorry, I planned to update yesterday but my cat (read furbaby) had surgery and I was a nervous wreck! But thank you so so much for leaving such lovely reviews!)