The lost princess-on hold

Ren's true intentions

The next morning after Rey's departure, Queen Leia was sitting on her throne looking out of a window. The queen seemed pensive but thought she did the right thing. She was also certain that Rey was on her way to Stewjon and finally seek her origins. The last thing Leia heard about Stewjon was that the old Duchess Satine apparently died childlessly. There was no heir apparent to this kingdom. There were rumors about Sir Kenobi who valiantly fought some of the enemies of the former duchess. However, there was no record of it in his journals. 

Suddenly, the memory of her son came to the queen's mind. She remembered him laughing and running around the castle hallways with Chewie following. Some handmaidens and staff would comment that Kylo was very energetic. Leia began to wonder about her son's whereabouts. He became a knight but never gave up his royal titles. Kylo had a lot of King Anakin in him and thought his grandfather did well to Birren. He just wanted to reign Birren like the old king did.

But what if he was dead? No. That she hasn't felt it yet. Leia could sense her son and so far her heart hasn't been broken into pieces. Kylo was a true warrior and Leia still believed there was some light in him. 

Hurried footsteps entered the throne room alarming some of the royal courtiers and musicians playing that morning. Leia turned to look at her two most loyal guards; Finn and Poe Dameron. The two were trying to catch their breaths after running back to the castle. 

"Poe, Finn, what's the meaning of this?" The queen asked both guards.

Finn looked at Poe and then at Leia. He then decided to speak first but not before bowing to the queen. Leia sighed, as she always disliked curtseying. "Your Highness, we were riding through the nearby woods, training with other guards when.."

She gestured the young man to keep going, "Go on, Finn. Tell me what happened."

"When we just found one of your carriages... abandoned in a ravine." Poe decided to finish it for Finn. His tone was a concern one. The people in the throne room began whispering loudly at each other.   

Terror overtook Leia's features as she quickly rose up. Her hand was on top of her chest. Two handmaidens hurriedly went up to their queen. "It can't be... Rey..."

 "My lady, that carriage was the same one the handmaiden was traveling," Poe added noticing how pale Leia turned. 

 Leia was then helped to sit back down on the golden throne trying to recompose herself.          "Are you two sure about this?"

Both men nodded.  "It was empty. No sign of the other guards nor the girl." Finn said.

"Then we must find her!" Leia shot at them desperately. "If the carriage is still intact that means she was taken somewhere."

Finn tightly gripped the hilt of his sword, "She's a strong girl, my lady. I know Rey is alive and won't let anybody try to hurt her."

Both Rey and Finn grew up together. He was the son of two bladesmiths in charge of making swords and knives for the royal guards. Their son always wanted to become a guard and protect the queen. He made Rey laugh even in sadder moments. Whoever took her was going to pay and Finn vowed to get revenge. 

"My lady, just tell us when should we start making preparations," Poe added.

"Today," Leia answered. "Get the other guards ready to depart tomorrow morning. Our mission is to find the girl." 

Rey spent the whole day inside the tent, hearing footsteps everywhere and men laughing as they passed nearby. Her wrists were throbbing and there wasn't anything she could use to break the rope. An overweight soldier would occasionally come with bread and water but Rey wasn't hungry. All she wanted was to be rescued already and be back at the castle. Leaning her head back against the pole, she thought about Finn and Leia. Both must be sick worried about her well being.