One more chapter!

Thank you for coming back again and again to read! You have blessed me so much!

Some warnings first, there is a battle scene. I'm not the greatest at writing these, but there is one. When Rey and Rose ride over to where Ben and Snoke are talking… I still can't believe that there's only one more chapter!

So far, the weather on the edge of Exegol was alright. Rey wouldn't call it pleasant, but like anything else, it could always be worse.

The day the scouts came back, it feels like the worst follows them back to camp. It's still nowhere near winter, but a snowstorm begins even before sunset. And while she usually loves the snow, this one seems intent on destroying everything in its path. Who wasn't staying in a wagon, the rest bundled into a tent with their friends and family.

Which leads to Rose, Hux, Poe and Finn coming into Rey and Ben's tent so several others who previously didn't have a tent, could use theirs as a place to shelter from the storm.

Somehow, they were able to get more pallets, so everyone had somewhere to sleep and even as the winds howled outside, the friends were safe and warm.

Then the dawn comes. At least it got lighter outside but the wind still blows and the snow falls. One of Ben's cousins brings them breakfast.

"I just wish we could—you know, go invade," Rey says.

"You know how mother will say that everything happens for a reason? Maybe this snow is an example of that." Finn takes another bite of this bread.

"This is a way that Snoke delays. Which you could look at is encouraging, because deep down, he's scared," Poe says. "You would think that he would be ready for us."

"And he just likes showing out that he can control the weather," Ben adds.

They are quiet for a moment, then Rey says, "I still can't believe he wrote that letter." Rose grabs her hand. "What if he tries something—"

"And he will—" Ben adds. "But we aren't going to let anything happen to you or the babies." He says as he pulls her over to his lap. She feels her face heating up as he kisses her in front of their friends.

"Ben—if anything happens to you during this—I don't think I can go on without you," she whispers.

"Rey—don't say stuff like that!" Rose fusses.

Even as Ben cups her jaw, forcing her to meet his eyes. "You have to. You'll have to take care of the babies. Even as I prepare to go fight for my family, nothing is going to happen to me. Maybe that's why everyone is insisting that we do this together."

"You know, Mom used to talk about this part of the prophecy. Something about a dyad?" Finn says.

"I remember that," Poe offers. "The two will become one, part." He looks at Ben and Rey. "Is that talking about you two?"

"Maz thinks so," her almost whisper fills the tent even with the winds howling outside. "I just want my little family to be safe. And I'm trying to be brave, but the closer we get—"

"Shhh—it's like Snoke feeds off your fear. All this delay and the storm is just to keep up on edge. Let's do something," Ben says. "Don't worry, the babies are asleep. But close your eyes. Search your feelings. You know what's going to happen."

"Is it that we're going to defeat Snoke?" she asks.

"Are you asking or telling me?" Ben mutters in her ear.

"Telling you?" Rey meekly answers.

"Oh wife, you have to have more faith." He grumbles as he tickles her sides. "Now enough of this. Poe! Do you not have your bag with you?"

Rey looks from her husband to his friend and back to Ben. Both of their eyes are sparkling like they have a great secret. "What are you talking about?"

Poe reaches behind him and pulls out a leather bag. It looks well-worn and soft. The strings at the top are loosened and Poe dumps the contents on the pallet bed. She sees several different kinds of dice, cards, even some chess figures.

"You have a gaming hall in your pocket?" Rose quips with a grin on her face.

"I think it's a good idea." Ben smirks. "But that one cheats," he adds as he nods towards Poe.

"I do not! That card got stuck in my tunic—"

"His biggest weakness is Hazard," Ben whispers loudly.

"But I like Hazard," Rose says mostly to herself. Rey recognizes that look, it's the coy look she gets when she's planning something that's a little mean and mischievous. "But I think we should play Fox and Geese."

"Alright," Poe says with a grin. "I love that game. Let's play."

Rey chuckles. "They'll be doing that all day. Do you two want to play something or are we going to watch the carnage?"

"Let's watch the carnage," Finn says with a smirk. He doesn't miss Ben's raised brow. "Rose won't stop until she wins, or Poe quits—"

"I'm not a quitter," he interrupts.

"And Poe's not a quitter," Finn adds.

"That means that I'm going to win," Rose cheers.

"Well that gives them something to do, what are we going to do?" Rey asks.

"We can play hazard," Finn suggests.

"That's alright with me." Hux shrugs.

"What are we betting with?" Ben asks.

"Do we have to keep track?" Rey asks. "Or I know, whoever wins the most gets a prize later?"

"What kind of prize?" Hux asks.

"We'll think of something. I'd say their hearts desire, but I don't think we could get that for everyone." Ben smiles.

"Too bad, I could really go for a nap." Rey yawns.

Ben grabs her pillow and motions for her to come to his side. Somehow, they are sitting on two of the pallets, while Rose and Poe share one. Rose hands her a blanket and Ben fluffs her pillow. And the princess lays down surrounded by her closest friends and rests.

Brbrbrbrbr

No one is sure what happens, but the storm breaks later on that day. The clouds remain, and there's a chill in the air that feels colder than normal. No one talks about it, afraid that if they give what has come to hang over them a name, then it will strike again.

So the entire camp, without waiting for the scouts to come back, head south west to Exegol. No misses how the march feels like a funeral one instead of a war one. That is until they reach a stone altar that Ben, Poe and Hux barely remember from their time here.

They stop, if only for a moment when Maz, Amilyn and Luke approach. Even from where she waits on B.B. Rey can see that they are praying. Even as their voices raise in prayer the kings and queens join them.

She goes to dismount to join Ben but as her feet touch the ground, intense nausea washes over her. As she stumbles to the edge of the wood, Rose appears. "Are you alright?"

"No, I don't think so? I'm taking a little walk and I hope our people don't think less of me—"

"Hush, if they do, then they've never been nauseous. Do you want to go find a stream? I think there's one here somewhere?"

"Yeah, some cold water sounds amazing right now." The two friends creep through the trees, wanting to get away, but not too far away. They don't want to worry their friends and families after all.

"I hear the water—let's go that way?" Rose offers.

"I'm following you—" but as soon as they turn to follow the sound, a different noise demands their attention. Leaves that they aren't stepping on, crunches under someone else's feet. Rey is close enough to Rose to grab her arm and pull her back.

"There's our little princess, and she's got a friend with her this time," one of the former knights of ren taunts her from behind his mask.

While one of the others begins to sing:

"Come little princess

Don't be afraid,

For the Master only wants your children today.

They hold the key

That you'll never know

Come little Princess

Don't be afraid."

"I'm going to kill him," Rey growls as she pulls her sword from its sheath.

"And I'm going to help," Rose grunts as she pulls her bow over her head and notches an arrow.

Moving in amongst the trees are two men. They have on masks and helmets from what Rey can tell, but different. "You weren't awake when we fought them in Alderaan but they ended up being fake. These look real," Rose hisses.

"Oh, we are," one of them calls. "This time, you're on our territory."

"And no man can defeat us on our lands," the other one teases.

"Good thing that we're women then?" Rose quips.

"You start shooting, and I'll attack?" Rey mutters.

"Yeah, we need to stay together, don't let them separate us," Rose adds.

"You two really think you can kill us?" one of them goads.

"They are just two weak girls who don't know how to use that bow or sword," the other one ridicules.

Rose doesn't say a thing but raises her bow, kisses the notched end of the arrow as she aims for the weak place in his armor and let's the arrow fly. Unlike Queen Jyn's several months ago, this arrow finds it's home in the chest of the same knight who just tormented them with that stupid song.

They all watch him sink to his knees, then the other knight mutters, "You really did kill him."

"And you're next," Rey growls as they take off chasing him. But before they can catch up to him, he vanishes.

"Damn it!" Rose swears. "I'm tired of them doing that!"

"They've done this before?" Rey asks.

"Yes in Alderaan and then again, the Queen said when they fought against Snoke in the valley. Do you remember?" Rose asks, worry making her voice more pitchy than normal.

"I do now." Rey watches the dead knight lying there. "Should we take his helmet or something?"

"I like that idea. How do we get it off?"

"It should just pull off, shouldn't it?" Rey wonders outloud.

"Yeah," Rose mutters as she bends over. "Help me."

Somehow the two of them get the dark helmet off the man. "Can I separate his head from his body?" Rey looks up to meet Rose's stare. "You know, because he beat me every day for a week."

"As a member of your court, and your best friend, I'd be happy to help you achieve this goal." Rose says most sincerely. "If you want his head, then sever away. If not, then let's go look for your Prince. I bet he's looking for you."

As much as she wants to, that voice inside her that she now knows is the force, tells her not to. She turns to her oldest friend. "Let's go back to camp. We have a battle to win."

Brbrbrbrbr

By the time they get back, the people are discussing what to do next. For some reason, rey isn't at all surprised to see that Lando and his army have indeed joined them.

When King Cassian sees his niece walking out of the woods, he rushes over to her. Before he can embrace her or ask her where she has been, she hands him the knight's mask.

Ben, Hux and Poe walk over to join them. Ben accepts the helmet then looks up to meet her stare. She can't quite make out what he's trying to tell her with his wide eyes and confused look. But a sudden feeling of exhaustion washes over her and she has to sit down, if only for a moment—

She must stumble, because Rose has one arm, and Finn grabs her other. "I need to sit down," she whispers.

"Take her to my wagon," Nana Padme offers. That's when Finn starts to pick Rey up but Ben stops him with a touch.

He kisses her forehead, then murmurs against her skin, "What did you do?"

Rey doesn't have to answer, because Rose starts to tell them what happened.

When her friend gets to a natural stopping place, he asks, "What in the world were you thinking going off into the woods without me? Or even a guard?"

"We held our own," Rey says, picking up her head off of his chest. "We would have killed the other knight if he hadn't disappeared.

"How do you know this one is dead?" He whispers, his deep baritone more than a little scary.

"We separated his head from the rest of his body." Rose supplies. "Rey felt like she was allowed a certain measure of revenge."

"That's a delicate way of putting that." He enters Nana's wagon and puts her on the bed. He meets his bride's eyes once again and mutters, "Was it worth it, wife?"

"We just wanted a drink of water, why don't you understand that? Then they showed up. We didn't go looking for them."

"And when are you going to understand that you are the most important person in the world to me. It's not just because you're pregnant with my babies. I love you, Princess. And I think if anything ever happened to you, I'd die, that is after I killed everyone who dared to put a hand on you."

"Ben—"

"Yep he loves you," Rose quips with a wink as she quickly exits.

"I didn't mean to worry you," Rey adds. "We were only getting water."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It was important that at least one of us stayed. And you were up there next to the altar. The people and our families needed you. It's alright now."

"Do you realize who you killed?" She shakes her head no and he continues. "That was Cardo. His favorite thing? Torturing his victims until they died. I have no doubt that he was going to do that to you—" his voice hitches and it makes tears spring to Rey's eyes seeing him get so emotional. "And our babies. Rey, sweetheart, you can't keep putting yourself in danger." He grabs her hands as he sits on the bed beside her. "If something else was to happen to you—"

"I promise I'll be careful." She kisses his cheek.

"You do?" He asks, this time she can hear his underlying meaning.

"I love you," she whispers.

"And I love you," he echoes before he shows her just how much.

Brbrbrbrbr

The closer they get to Snoke, several things happen. Mara realizes that Rey will be fighting and starts getting her some armor together. Rey doesn't think too much about it at first, but then a different Skywalker brings her something during dinner to try on, or with a measuring tape to measure another part of her.

Then their friends continue to sleep in their tent with them. Yes, several friends and families continue doing this once the snowstorm left. But even in the quiet moments when it's just her and Ben, one would ask, and the other would shrug. Honestly, Rey liked having them close and to be selfish, they made their canvas home warmer during the late autumn months.

But what Rey notices the most, is how close everyone grows. Yes, her people and the Skywalkers are already friendly but even the extra men and women who've joined their cause while they were marching to Exegol, they feel like extended members of her family and Ben's.

Which helps as they round the bend and a horrible castle greets them. Over the past several months, she's learned what evil feels like. It's the feeling that something is always watching. It's being too scared to go into your childhood favorite places. It's clinging to your husband, praying that you go to sleep before he does so the thing under your bed won't get you because you hope and pray that it's afraid of him.

Yes, she knows what fear feels like.

The castle itself is set on the side of a mountain. Nothing grows on this hill, not even a speck of grass. It's solid and sheer and nothing but rock. There are no romantic towers for secret loves to meet to steal kisses in. No sweet spots to have a picnic and catch up on the worries of the day. No windows to look out in excitement for who might be visiting.

Instead what is left is a sad, dank place. It's already a cloudy day, snow clouds have been gathering over their heads even as they watch and plan, making it even darker.

But what makes Rey want to cry is how there's no life. No birds. No villagers. no excited squeals from the children playing in the courtyard. No swords clanking together as men practice.

"That's his castle?" Rey whispers.

"It is," Ben answers. She glances at him. He's just sitting there on his horse, acting like nothing is at all wrong. While she can't stop feeling like whatever is in that castle would rather split her open just to hear her scream for mercy. She shifts in her saddle and that's when her husband turns his attention back to her.

He watches her with those same amber eyes, but there's something else she can't quite explain—it's like he's never seen her before. "Ben?" she asks. "Are you alright?"

She's not sure what he's thinking, but he blinks once, then again, slowly if that's possible. His inhale is quick as he looks around like he Is lost. "Where are we?"

"We're at Snoke's castle," she reminds him. "Don't you remember?"

It's like she gives him permission to look around because when he does, understanding then what looks like horror dawns on his face. she nudges B.B. to go over to his side. When she's there, she reaches out for him and thankfully, he takes her hand. "Ben, do you know who I am?"

"You're the princess," he almost struggles to say the words. "And I'm the Black Knight."

"Yes, but there's more—" the horse side-steps, interrupts, and breaks their touch. She feels his loss immediately. "Ben—don't leave me."

"Rey? What are we—" he ties his reins to the saddle and jumps down. He rushes over to her

but before he climbs up behind her, he focuses on her pregnant belly. "You're pregnant?" He backs away like this is the first time seeing her. "I'm sorry miss. I'm assuming too much—"

"Stop it, Ben. The babies are yours. We are married, actually got married during midsommar and we love one another. Why don't you remember anything?" She looks around from anyone, really who could come and help. She waves at Leia and calls for Poe. But bless him, he and Hux look as confused as Ben does.

"Why are your men as confused as you are?" She slides down, landing beside Ben in the dusting of snow.

"I'm not sure. It's like—it's like I'm trying to remember but I can't."

She's not sure of what else she could do, so she takes the crystal Nana gave her before they left Naboo. She holds it in her hand and puts her hand on his torso. The words Nana and Amilyn told her to say escape her brain, so she does the only thing she can. She closes her eyes and pictures Ben healthy and whole again.

"Mama! Is Daddy alright?"

"We've got to make him better. Can you help, I'm not sure I'm doing it right."

"Yes!"

"We love Daddy."

"I do too," she finds herself saying out loud.

"Who are you talking to?" he asks.

She looks up and her heart breaks to see him so lost. "I know you probably won't believe me, but I was talking to our children. They're worried about you."

"You can talk to our children?" He snorts an unbelievable laugh. "Yeah, right."

"No really." She grabs his hands. "Now close your eyes and take a deep breath." As soon as he closes his eyes, the twins are there.

"daddy!"

"Mama said that you were sick. What's wrong?"

"Daddy?"

"What—am I really talking to you? how?"

"The force, Daddy. We are sensitive like you and Mama."

"We need you to come back. The evil man did this to get to us. He still wants us."

"I remember now. We're here in Exegol to defeat Snoke—"

"Ben?"

"I'm alright now." He pulls her close for a kiss. "Snoke is doing this. Take Poe to his family and Hux to Rose. We have to be reminded of why we fight. I bet this is what he did to Bodhi."

"Oh no, poor Bodhi. Will you be alright while I—"

"I'm coming too." They hurry as fast as they can to Poe and Hux. Once they start to talk to the ones they are fighting for, their memory loss vanishes like campfire smoke.

"I think we need to hurry and invade. I'm not sure how many more snowstorms and memory losses we can handle," Rey suggests.

"But are you ready to fight, princess?" Amilyn asks.

"I don't have a choice."

"She can stay back with you," Han says. Rey starts to protest but he continues, "You're pregnant with my grandchildren. You will stay with the archers until Ben needs you. Then you will be escorted by my personal guard to him. I think this entire thing is stupid. But if the babies say this will defeat that monster, then so be it."

"I don't like it either," Cassian agrees. "Hopefully, this will be over quickly."

"Amen to that," Jyn says.

"I know this is not a normal situation, but I think we should just march right up the castle. He already knows we're here. or have the archers get into position—" Ben adds.

"At long as Rey's safe, I don't think it matters. My question is, we're here at his castle, how in the hell are we going to get Snoke to come out of there?" Leia asks.

Brbrbrbrbr

As they go to the places their leaders assigned them, there is very little talk or none at all. Even Rey feels how nervous everyone is. "You know, if they could have told us what they are going to do—" Rose mutters.

"I don't think they knew." Rey huffs, "After Snoke attacked Ben, Hux and Poe, they are ready to get this over with I think. Hopefully that will be today. I'm ready to go home."

"Me too," Rose agrees. Suddenly a loud creak from a rusty and rarely used hinge squeaks all around them. "Who's that?"

"Is that Snoke?" Rey whispers. she only saw him once on the other battlefield and even then it was just a glimpse. He was there to fight Ben, and that's what he did.

Today though, Ben rides up to meet him. Rey can't keep the smile off her face as she admires her husband. This is only the second time she's seen him in his armor. He does cast an awe-inspiring figure, whether it's good or frightful. But he still makes her heart flutter as she remembers how he was in bed last night, before their friends joined them in the tent of course.

So when he turns and waves at her, it's not until Rose nudges her that she realizes that her husband is waving her over. "Why does he want me? Come with me Rose."

"Can I do that?"

"Of course you can. You're my handmaiden. Who happens to be very good with a bow."

"You owe me."

"I'll name one of the babies after you."

"Who can say no to that?" Rose tries to smile. "I'm going to stop following you around the countryside."

They are almost to Ben. But Rey says anyway, "You'd be bored at home."

"True." They stop on the other side of Ben, not willing to get any closer to Snoke.

"Husband? You need me?" Rey asks, trying not to show Snoke how much she actually loves this man of hers.

"Snoke has challenged me," she can hear the amusement in his voice. "When I defeat him, we win. Simple. If he wins—"

She remembers the threat of this vile beast taking her children away from her. "That will not happen. My children will be raised in Naboo and Alderaan among their relatives, not here in this God-forsaken waste land—"

She's never seen a creature that looks like Snoke. So when a look of pure hatred crosses his face as he steps closer to her—for a moment Rey is truly afraid. But then, her Rose, has the tip of her sword at the man's throat. "You need to step back," is all her friend says.

A supernatural silence falls over the crowd. Snoke watches Rose out of the corner of his eyes. Rey steps back, unsure what else to do. while Ben draws his own sword. Then as easy as Rey can say, one-two-three, Rose grabs her sword and slices his head off while Ben has his sword buried in his old master's stomach.

A battle cry echoes across the land. Rey isn't sure where it comes from but it's a call to action because out of nowhere dozens and dozens of soldiers dressed in red armor come marching, filing out of the castle. The men and women rise up to meet them, their swords sound like thunder as they clash. Rose presses her sword in her hands while her arrows fly.

The thing who attacks her is tall, but a quick blow to their stomach brings them to their knees. another one, cling, clang, clunk as they fall. Another one takes the one before's place and lands in the snow at her feet.

After the tenth one, she stops counting and instead gets lost in the rhythm of the sounds of battle around her.

It's not until she hears Ben's shout that she snaps out of that false lull. She finishes off the man in front of her and goes to her husband's side. Together they finish the solder he was facing.

"There has to be a way to stop them!" She shouts over the sounds of the fray.

But then, one of the last of the Knights of Snoke comes striding over to them. as if she could see his smirk through the metal mask he draws his double edged sword. With a flick of his wrist, he raises his blade and starts to lower it, aiming it right at Ben. At the last minute, Ben blocks it and pushes him back. But when Ben goes to attack, he finds a sword sinking deep in his side.

She hears someone scream as she places her sword in the enemy in red's stomach. They haven't even hit the ground when she's turning to Ben. His face is pale and he gasps for his last breath—she remembers what Amilyn told her as she lays her hands on her husband. She whispers the simple prayer, "be with me," as she wills her husband whole again. She feels the force inside her closing her eyes and it even feels like someone is trying to get her away from Ben. But just as the twins pull her to them, she hears Rose as she tells them to leave her alone.

"Be with me. Be with me. Bewithmebewithmebewithmebewithmebewithme—"

"Mama? What's wrong with Daddy?"

"Why can't we feel him?"

"Pray babies, pray."

She starts to cry when she hears both of her children say with her, "Bewithmebewithmebewithmebewithmebewithme—"

"Rey? Babies?" He answers them in the force first.

Her eyes fly open and while she can still hear the twins in the back of her mind, she's looking for those whiskey colored eyes that she loves—"Ben?" She whispers as she cups his cheeks.

His eyes flutter open and even before he can take another breath, she's kissing him all over. She must pull him up, because his arms are around her and he's returning her kisses.

"You scared me—" kiss "don't ever do that again," she says.

"I'll try not to," he chuckles as his arms tighten around her. "Is it over?"

She doesn't let go of him, but they manage to stand together. Everyone else on the battlefield is standing and waiting. There are several men still in red on the field, but they are either tied up, or have their helmets off in surrender. It looks like that happened when they realized that Ben was dead for a moment.

"It would appear that way," Rey mutters. "Can we go home now?"

"Give me a day to make sure things will be taken care of here—"

They end up staying another week. The armies stay, just in case, but the extra men and women who followed them here, they go back to their homes.

Luke and Amilyn trap what's left of Snoke in a crystal. With Maz's help, of course.

While Ben and the rest of his knights secure, imprison, put someone in charge: which surprisingly is the old royal family of Exegol who had been imprisoned this entire time Snoke lived there. They were more than happy to reclaim the throne back.

Ben confessed to her that night that if he'd known the forgotten Prince was under the castle in the dungeon, he would have freed him years ago. Then she took him gently in her arms and told him that while she knows he would have done that, that he has to forgive himself because the what if's will destroy you if you let it.

After that, they were ready to go home.