Chapter Two: A Soldier and an Attendant.

Planet Dalah, Palda City.

30 A.D (After Darkness).

Queen Leia.

Poe continued to mutter curses under his breath as he led Leia and her new friends towards the palace. BB-8 rolled next to Chewbacca's feet while Rey questioned the droid. Leia's features softened at the sight of happiness on Rey's face as she chatted away to Poe's best friend. She didn't know what it was, but Leia felt that Rey was about to change life within the castle.

They began the trek up the golden slabbed steps that led up to the large entrance doors of the palace. Rey laughed behind her as BB-8 effortlessly glided up them.

"He's a fascinating droid," Leia said.

Rey's smile faltered when she looked at her, and Leia knew it would take a while for the girl to trust her. She could tell that Rey and Chewbacca had seen some horrific things that had led to them being treated with cruelty. Leia didn't know whether she'd made the right choice, because Rey would eventually cross paths with her son, and Leia knew how cruel he could be — how cruel he would be to her.

Leia had seen the terrible conflict that had happened inside Rey's mind. The girl had shook like a leaf when she'd taken hold of her wrists. It was a story for another time, but Leia wished to learn what had happened to Rey and her friend. She imagined the story was unpleasant, and perhaps in time, Rey would allow Leia to share her own story so she knows she isn't alone.

"It was a stupid move, milady," Poe grunted. "Anything could have happened."

Leia rolled her eyes. "Yes, something good happened."

"Congratulations, you found some more staff members," Leia should have reminded the man who he was talking to, but she'd stopped correcting him a long time ago because he didn't listen anyway.

"They will be a great asset to the palace," said Leia. "The Wookie will be useful for any military jobs, and the girl...well, I haven't decided yet."

"I know that look," Poe whispered. "What are you plotting? And do you truly think it's wise to expose more people to the prince."

Poe and Ben didn't get along. So, they stayed out of each other's way as much as possible, but they came to blows when Ben took Poe's soldiers off to the battlefield without informing their commander first.

"The girl is headstrong, she can handle herself against my son," Leia believed that Rey may come as a shock to Ben. She'd been under the hands of cruel people her whole life, so she doubted that she'd let Ben's actions fly without confronting him. Perhaps he needs to be knocked down a few pegs?

"Well, whatever your plan is, you could have at least found someone to fill the role of attendant to the prince. Elden fled for the hills this morning after the prince used his twisted powers to fling him out of the second floor window."

Leia sighed. People thought her son was a monster, and his actions were only furthering their views, and it hurt. He had the potential to be the greatest King that ever lived, but his cruelty was pushing him towards the actions similar to the feared Darth Sidious. Leia didn't know if she had the courage to strike down her own son like she had the Lord of the Sith.

Her eyes moved to Rey and her friend, then back to Poe. "No…" Poe muttered. "You cannot be serious, Your Highness."

"Oh, I'm very serious, Ser Poe."

"He'll destroy her."

"You don't know that," she said. "She's strong."

"That's what you said about the others! And where did they end up? Shitting their pants, being thrown out of windows and running off into the night."

"Have a little faith," she placed a hand on his arm. "There is something about her."

"You're doing this off a feeling?"

Leia nodded. It was true. She felt something odd when she looked at Rey, and a part of her hoped that she could save her son somehow. Whether that be challenging him or as a friend.

They continued their journey up the hillside, and Leia took notice of the smashed window on the second floor. Her heart relaxed when she spotted the indent in the rose bushes — at least something had broken that poor man's fall. They arrived at the concrete stairs that led up to the enormous doors. Leia led the way only to realise her new employees weren't following her.

Rey and Chewbacca stood at the bottom staring up at the imposing palace. Leia had no idea whether this was the first large piece of architecture they'd seen. The whole place flaunts royalty and riches; such things that Leia assumed they had no knowledge of. The Wookie would much prefer the tropical climate of Palda City, but Leia knew that the buildings were a daunting contrast compared to the jungle life he must have grown up in. As for Rey, she swallowed hard as she stared up at the palace's golden features. Leia could see the troubled look on her face, and it was obvious that she still hadn't accepted that Leia was offering such generous hospitality.

"Come now, we have lots to do," said Leia. "The kitchen awaits you for a lovely meal."

Chewbacca roared in excitement and ascended the stairs. However, Rey took a few moments before she followed after her friend.

The palace Steward, Lorenzo Kalpaso, appeared in the large doorway as the soldiers opened the doors for them. He was the first obstacle that she hoped Rey and her friend could conquer. Lorenzo wasn't a bad man, but his old age of fifty-six had soured his disposition to a cranky one. This led him to be involved in many of the arguments between her staff. And on a whole, her employees were certifiably crazy. Lorenzo's hands rested behind his back, and the customary gold petticoat glistened in the clear day.

He bowed as Leia came to a stop. "Your Highness...who are your...guests?"

"New staff," Leia chirped. "Meet Chewbacca and Rey."

Lorenzo made no move to shake their hands, and the pair didn't make any move to extend their arms to him. "We don't need anymore, Your Highness."

"We do," she gestured for them to follow her inside, and Poe stayed behind the party as Lorenzo took his spot by her side. "There is plenty of work to be done around the palace."

Lorenzo cast his eyes over his shoulder, undoubtedly scrutinizing Rey and the Wookie. "There are already too many maids, and…" he leaned closer. "What use do we have for a Wookie?"

Leia leaned in as well. "We have plenty of use for them both."

He moved away with a scowl, and they journeyed through the red and gold foyer and up another staircase. The white marble floor caused Leia's heels to make an irritating sound that she would never get used to. She once again realised her two new employees had stayed behind. Rey's head was tilted all the way back as she stared at the diamond chandelier above her. While the Wookie was fascinated with the marble floor.

Leia chuckled while Lorenzo scoffed. "Come on! We must hurry before the kitchen staff start to prepare dinner."

Chewbacca pulled along a wide-eyed Rey as she continued to glance around at her new surroundings. Leia ignored Lorenzo's scathing comments, and led the party towards the staff wing. They arrived at wooden doors and Lorenzo pushed them open with reluctance. This part of the palace was older than the rest, so its interior was outdated. Instead of marble floors and diamond chandeliers, the foyer was concrete all over and lined with scournes that cast a dim light throughout the large area. Up ahead was a grand staircase that led up to the servants' quarters, and to the right was a smaller set of stairs that led out to a quaint courtyard where the maids did most of the washing. Then, to Leia's left was a single step that led up to another set of doors that would take them into a long hallway that contained many doors — behind each was supplies and necessities — and at the very end of the hallway was the grand kitchen that she had once spent a lot of time in, cooking.

Rey let out a loud sigh behind her. Leia turned to see a relieved look on her face, and she was clearly more comfortable in this part of the castle than the parts that screamed glamour.

"Almost there," remarked Leia as they headed through the double doors and down the long hallway.

Chaos ensued after that. Leia was careful not to get in anyone's way with her puffy dress, and the staff moved around their Queen without a second glance. Shouts of instructions and arguments echoed around, and Leia couldn't help but smile. Her staff always worked hard, but this area of the castle tended to turn into a madhouse in the afternoon. The palace had over six hundred rooms, all of them different sizes and grandeur. The room count didn't include the servants' quarters and the barracks — which housed almost double the amount of rooms. Four of the palaces rooms were ballrooms that always needed to be kept clean. Her throne room was kept so polished that Leia could clearly see her reflection in the floor.

They walked out into the kitchen and Leia stifled her laugh at the sight of the apprentice cook covered in flour. Esta stared blankly at her hands as the head chef, Herald Bano, screamed at her. The chef was fifty-five years old and still had a set of lungs on him that frightened Leia at times; she swore she heard his voice from down in the city sometimes. However, he has met his match with eighteen year old, Esta. She seemed to be immune to his loud voice and harsh words, everytime he shouted, she stared at him in boredom — which was the look she wore at this moment in time.

The girl almost made Herald's hat fly off his head when she yawned at him. "You impertinent little brat! I should have your head for — Your Highness!"

His announcement seemed to snap everyone out of their haste, and a chorus of people bowed and curtsied to her. She waved her hand at them, then they returned to their tasks.

"What brings you to this part of the castle?"

"I have two new members of staff who are in need of some food—"

"Chewie!" Rey exclaimed, and Leia turned to see the girl hanging off her friend and pointing at a plate of pastries. The Wookie gurgled in excitement.

"Those are for dessert!" Herald snapped. "No animals are allowed in my kitchen."

"There goes your dream of being a chef, Chewie," remarked Rey, and Leia chuckled at her sass.

"They are in need of food, and the Wookie is called Chewbacca, and the girl is Rey," explained Leia. "They will be joining the staff, so I expect them to be treated fairly."

Herald bowed his head. "As you wish, Your Highness."

"They can have a pastry as well," Leia added, and she didn't need to tell the pair twice. However, before she could tell them that she only meant one each — and no matter how much Herald screeched in protest — half of the plate had disappeared. Leia chuckled at their crum covered state, and they started licking their fingers, sated for once in their lives.

"I guess you should have listened to me when I said we'd need more," Esta said, which was followed by Herald throwing a rolling pin her way. And boy, could Herald chase someone if his heart was set on it. Leia watched the apprentice flee the kitchen with her master hot on her heels.

"I've tried to control them," Lorenzo sighed.

"I think it's funny," added Poe.

"Of course you would."

"Hey! I'm the Commander — I outrank you."

Lorenzo made a mouthing action with his hand, and the pair were roped into a heated argument of insults and childish hand waving. Leia focused her attention on Rey and Chewbacca, who after demolishing all that food, were now wary of their new surroundings.

"You've brought us to a madhouse," Rey said.

"Many people describe it that way, as well as describing me as having a bleeding heart," Leia stepped in front of them. "I take in a lot of the unfortunate and give them a place to call Home."

"So we're another one of your little projects to take on so you feel better about yourself," Rey's face was set in a ferocious scowl, and Leia realised she'd just set herself about ten steps back from where they'd started off at.

"No, but I do wish to help you," Leia smiled. "What I mean to say is that these people may know something about the type of life you've been living. The chef, Herald, was once a known alcoholic in the city, but since I took him in, he hasn't touched a single drop. Although some people may wish he'd drink to get himself to calm down, he is better off here than anywhere else."

Rey hummed in response and watched some of the cooks who walked around the kitchen.

"Chewbacca," Leia turned to the Wookie. "Can you fight?" He replied with a grunt. "Good! How would you like to train as a soldier?"

The response from the Wookie was a delighted shout, but Leia's smile faltered when Rey cried out in outrage. "What about me? Because I'm a girl, I can't fight?"

"I never said that," Leia said. "I led my own armies, Rey, I'm not blind to the fact that there are women who are stronger than men."

"Then why did you ask him instead of me?"

"I have a different opportunity for you," Leia clasped together her shaking hands.

This was it. The moment that she hoped would change her son's life for the better. However, the more she observed Rey's defensive nature and her ability to speak nothing but her honest truth, the more she thought that it was a terrible idea.

They are going to kill each other.

...

Rey.

She was angry at everything. The noise was too much and the people had all been dosed with an injection of crazy. Rey regarded the Queen with a bitter expression. She would thrive learning how to fight, and perhaps that was her calling in her life. Perhaps she was destined to become a great soldier.

"What job?" Rey spoke through gritted teeth.

Had she really accepted the Queen's kindness just to end up scrubbing floors for the rest of her life? She has changed her mind, she would prefer the life of a petty thief.

"As of this morning, a position has opened for someone to be the prince's personal attendant."

Rey laughed. Firstly, because she had no idea what that meant. Secondly, because the mention of the prince meant that she was now going to be under a new master. The irony shook her body with trembles of laughter. Gods, she should have stayed in that alleyway.

"Did I say something amusing?"

"N-No," Rey clamped a hand over her mouth. "It's just…" she glanced at the floor slightly embarrassed. "What does that mean?"

The sympathetic look on the Queen's face reminded Rey of a caring mother. Something that she knew nothing about. Her shoulders sagged and she kicked a lone pea that had fallen on the stone floor.

"You would be attending to my son's needs. There are many duties involved: preparing his clothes, making sure his meals are ready in his chambers, keeping his quarters clean, as well as joining him on outings and at meetings."

Rey clenched her fists. "You want me to be his damned Nanny!"

She hadn't heard much about the prince, but that wasn't because people didn't talk about him, it was because she hadn't bothered to stop and ask anyone. Rey didn't have the slightest clue what type of person he was.

"Although he may act like it at times, he isn't a child," Leia said. "He doesn't need a Nanny."

Rey muttered 'unlikely' under her breath, then crossed her arms over her chest. Her movements made her look at her filthy rags. She stank. She felt dirty. And the golden clothes the servants wore were starting to appeal to her. Chewie leaned closer to her and muttered encouraging words.

"I know," Rey gnawed on her bottom lip, then groaned. "Fine! But I'm not happy about it— " Chewie nudged her hard. "I mean, thank-you."

He gurgled highly and Rey smiled up at him. Chewie would thrive being a soldier, although Rey was jealous, she was happy for him. At least he gets to do something he likes.

The Queen clapped her hands together. "Right! Chewbacca you go with Poe — Poe stop arguing with Lorenzo, and say hello to your new soldier!" Poe looked Lorenzo up and down, then stepped over to them.

"Well," he regarded Chewie with a smirk. "This is going to be interesting."

Chewie turned to her, and Rey accepted his warm hug and patted his back as he left the kitchen with Poe. Nerves fluttered in Rey's stomach. She had no idea how to go about her duties. How was she supposed to dress another man? Did she have to actually undress him? Gods, she'd never seen a naked man before. Her cheeks flooded with colour, and she immediately hit them both to rid herself of the idea. However, the thought lingered in the back of her mind.

"Now, let's get you in a tub and find you some clothes," Leia waved her hand as she walked down the hallway. Rey hurried behind her as they passed through the foyer and up the staircase. Rey spotted some women in the courtyard up the smaller staircase. They were washing clothes and hanging them to dry on a piece of string. Two droids helped to put the wooden pegs on, while a third bleeped in excitement as it poured a purple liquid into a washing tub.

Rey's distracted eyes caused her to trip, but she scurried to her feet and chased after Queen Leia. They went down the right corridor from the top of the staircase, and Rey took notice of all the doors she passed. There were a few people in the rooms with open doors, but they weren't resting, some were clearly searching for something and others appeared to be taking a quick drink or food break.

"This is the servants' quarters," explained the Queen. "It's quite a busy place, but you'll be granted peace and quiet in your room. Now, I'm afraid the bad news is that your friend, Chewbacca, will be residing in the barracks —"

Rey stopped her rushed steps. "W-What?" She hadn't slept away from Chewie for so long. To be exact, it had been five years. Ever since she was fifteen, Chewie's snores had drifted her off to sleep.

Queen Leia's hand came to rest on her shoulder, and Rey flinched, but the Queen didn't show her any sympathy. "However, if you follow me around this corner, you'll see that he is nearby."

Rey took her word for it, and as they took a left, the corridor she faced was different than the others. Instead of doors lining both walls, only the left was covered with the doors, while the right side was open with a half wall and arches. It looked over an open courtyard that was unlike the one the ladies had been washing clothes in, whereas that one had been small and contained within the castle, this one was out in the open and full of life. A fountain stood large in the centre as soldiers moved around it. Rey had never seen so many swords and shields in one place. There were groups of men going through training exercise, while some were sat on wooden tables and chairs, laughing and drinking. Opposite Rey stood a stone building that might as well have been a mansion. Who had a mansion within a palace? She noticed a door that was at the end of the corridor she'd just come from, which led to a long set of stairs that led down the four stories into the courtyard.

"And…" Queen Leia wiggled her finger to the door nearby. "Number 102."

Rey swallowed hard as she looked at her room. This was really happening, wasn't it? She looked at the Queen for a few moments. Rey had been unkind to her, but she couldn't help but feel like there was a catch to all of this. There had to be. No one was this nice to someone they'd just met.

Queen Leia pushed open the door and Rey's heart swelled at the sight. Although the room didn't have a window, it didn't matter because she had a room with a double bed in. A double-bloody-bed! Her smile hurt her cheeks as she surveyed the room. There was a tub in the corner; some shelves and a trunk for her belongings; a table and two chairs for her to dine at when she pleased; and a desk filled with parchment, an inkwell and quills.

The catch. There had to be a catch.

"This is all yours," said Queen Leia. "Now, you can relax for a bit and I'll find someone to fill up your bath and get you some clothes."

"All right," Rey whispered and she slowly sat down on the bed. The comfort it brought her caused her to throw herself back against it and bury her face into the sheets. She'd never owned a bed before. Never.

When Rey got over her excitement of finally having a bed, she sat up to find the Queen had left her on her own. The open door allowed the noise from the barracks to enter her ears, so she walked out into the hallway and placed her hand against a pillar of an arch. She watched through heavy lids as men trained vigorously.

None of them were fighting with their bare hands.

Rey didn't know how she was with a sword, but she would undoubtedly best some of these men in a fist fight. A smile grew on her face as she spotted Chewie walking with Poe, he managed to find her four floors up and he let out a loud roar that caused her to wave at him with a laugh. However, it faltered when some of the soldiers looked unimpressed at the sight of Chewie.

Oh, how she would hurt them if they did anything to him.

AN:/ Thank-you to those who left a review and followed this story! Let me know your thoughts on this chapter!