Reflection of Fire

Part III Chapter 1

After the initial shock of Rey and B.B.'s sudden arrival, the household quickly returned to what must have been business as usual. Bedrooms were found and arranged, a schoolroom was set up, several more manservants were hired. The last of these was a confusing addition, but she supposed it was to better protect B.B. It had not been explained to her exactly why Snoke and Ben – Kylo Ren – would care about the child. Was it just her connection to the Princess? Was there more that this family wasn't telling her?

She resumed her willingness to let things that were not her business remain that way. For now, at any rate. The normal routine they'd had in the country was not exactly maintained here, but there was a reasonable equivalent. Rey taught her pupil for most of the day, taking lunch with her, and then let her spend the evening playing. Breakfast was no longer a family affair, as Master Dameron and Finn were at Parliament late into the night and rose around luncheon.

Afternoon was the only time she ever saw the two men of the house, which was a little unfortunate. Especially as she had questions she wanted to put to them. It was perhaps not her place, as an employee of theirs, but she felt it was in her best interest to know exactly what was going on. With B.B., with the House of Lords, with the rivalry between Snoke's people and the Princess's people. She told herself it was not because she was looking for news of Ben, but knew she was not being truthful.

What had he done after she left? Did he allow Snoke to return? Did he take over what that evil man had been doing? She felt it would certainly come up that their adversary had disappeared, but neither Finn nor Master Dameron mentioned anything when she was around. Not that there were many opportunities to be around.

Since this was a house in town, riding was no longer an option. Well, not the kind of riding she'd enjoyed doing in the country. She could certainly go for a gentle walk to the nearest park, but that held little interest for her. BB was more or less confined to the house, and it was made clear that she shouldn't be leaving without a significant escort of servants. This being more of a hassle than anything else, Rey didn't make any plans to take the girl anywhere.

It was fortunate that B.B. did not seem particularly inclined to leave. Though sometimes she got restless, she was mostly curious about the house and the idea of living in Town. She confessed to Rey that she had never been allowed to accompany her papa before and was worried about being sent away again. Rey soothed her but couldn't promise that they would be allowed to remain here as long as Master Dameron did. No one told her anything, and she hated the thought of lying to B.B.

The library in the house was expansive, but it was also where Master Dameron and Finn spent most of their time. Not wanting to interrupt their serious conversations, Rey took to finding a book in the morning, before they monopolized the space, and otherwise avoiding it. Her evenings were spent reading or going down to the stables to talk to Rose. Since fewer horses were kept here, Rose had less to do and was always happy to see her.

It was to Rose that she first confessed any of what happened to her while she was at Master Skywalker's house. She hadn't intended to, but the burden of the secret had been growing on her for nearly a month, and it was difficult to contain.

"I wish I could go for a nice long ride," Rey said wistfully that morning, brushing her favorite gelding.

"I don't see why you couldn't," Rose replied in that matter-of-fact tone that Rey found soothing. The other woman was busying herself with tacking a beautifully matched pair of beasts and Rey supposed Master Dameron must be going somewhere.

She let out a breath. "I mean a real ride, where you can gallop for miles, the wind in your hair, driving out all your thoughts."

Rose stopped what she was doing to glance at her with a slight smile. "What kind of thoughts are you having that you want to be rid of?"

Biting her lip, Rey just shrugged in return, thinking she may have said too much. After all, what could a governess in such a fine position really be upset about?

"Did Master Skywalker let you go riding every day?" Rose changed the subject, returning to her task.

"I'm sure he didn't care what I did with my time."

That made Rose pause again. "You weren't expected to teach the little mistress?"

"No, he did that."

Her brow furrowed, then she nodded sympathetically. "It is always trying when the quality tries their hand at your job. Is that why you left in such a rush?"

From her smile, she was clearly teasing, but Rey hastened to correct her. "Oh no! I could have endured that as long as was required of me."

"Endured. Yes, good word for it. So, tell me, Rey. Why did you leave?" Rose asked, looking at her intently.

Thinking of another intense stare – Ben's – Rey felt a flush suffuse her cheeks, looking down quickly in hopes of hiding it. "I... B.B. wasn't safe," she stated awkwardly.

"And how did you come to that conclusion?"

When she didn't answer, Rose left the nearly-ready animals and stepped into the same stall Rey was in. Rey continued to fix her gaze on the gelding's withers and wished the ground would swallow her up.

"Rey."

She looked up finally and was struck by the kindness in her face.

"You don't have to tell me anything. But we are friends, aren't we? And something obviously happened there that's got you all muddled. I've got a good ear for listening, is what I'm saying."

Rey could only give her a short nod, struck by the gesture and uncertain of herself. Did she want to tell Rose any of it? She wanted to get it off her chest, somehow. Maybe it would help her sleep at night.

"You know, my sister and I used to be inseparable. She was an older sister, of course, so she did think it part of her role to order me about. But we got along just fine. She was very brave. I believe she's the reason I have this job. Our father was the ostler before us, and having no sons, intended to apprentice some local boy. But Paige insisted he teach us instead. We were his own lineage, she said, and needed to be set up so we wouldn't have to depend on some man to feed and clothe us."

Rose spoke conversationally as she finished the brushing Rey had ceased doing. Though they had been chatting regularly for some time, Rey hadn't known she had a sister. They had stuck to more trifling topics, and she could see this overture for what it was. If Rose was willing to open up, surely she could do the same?

"What happened to her?"

"She died, last year. There was an accident."

Rey clenched her hands together, uncertain what kind of comfort she could provide. "I'm very sorry that happened."

"Me too."

"I never had any siblings, so I can only imagine how hard it is to cope with losing one."

Rose considered. "It's like... like when you lose a tooth. There was something that was always there, but, suddenly, it's gone. And you don't think about it all the time, not constantly. But, frequently, unexpected, you realize there's just emptiness there now. A wound that will never heal." She cleared her throat and flashed Rey a smile. "Though, of course, a sister is a lot more important than a tooth."

"Of course," Rey answered, wondering why she suddenly felt an unexpected emptiness.

"Well, do you want to help me get those two into the collar for the carriage?"

With a nod, she hastened to help her friend. When they were finished, Mr. Bacca showed up to drive the carriage away. He smiled politely at Rose, but much more warmly at Rey. Returning the expression, she wondered if he had told anyone what really happened at Master Skywalker's house.

"Rose," she said suddenly, as soon as the carriage had sprung into motion.

"Hmm?"

"I knew B.B. was in danger because Snoke was questioning me about her whereabouts."

Rose turned to look at her sharply. "You met Snoke?"

"Yes. I went to his estate."

"Why?" was the mystified response.

Rey swallowed. "Because I wanted to bring Ben Solo back to his family."