Reflection of Fire

Part III Chapter 7

Rose didn't press her to talk further about her experiences and soon B.B. was ready to go home. The ride was peaceful, which helped Rey's churning emotions. She hardly dared to think about what might be going to happen. When they arrived, Master Dameron and Finn were awake and in the library. One of the maids, Connix, told Rey that she was expected to join them upon her return.

"Will you be alright, B.B.?" she asked, supposing she might be otherwise occupied for the rest of the day.

"I'll keep an eye on her," Rose offered.

B.B. smiled. "Can we play with the horses?"

"Well, we can work with the horses," was Rose's good-natured correction.

"Thank you," Rey said gratefully to both of them and headed toward the library.

"Have you thought of any way this might not work out for us, Rey?" Finn wanted to know as soon as she had opened the door.

Startled, she looked at the two of them, standing over the table in the corner as usual. "No," she answered with some chagrin. Was that what she was supposed to be considering? She had been too wrapped up in trying to figure out Ben. Which was what Master Dameron had warned against. Oh well.

"Neither have we," Master Dameron told her, glancing toward Finn, clearly bothered by the turn of events. It was unlikely he'd gotten any sleep.

"I don't understand why he would do this," Finn grumbled.

Master Dameron shrugged. "Perhaps it is an olive branch," Rey suggested and they both turned to look at her sharply.

"What do you mean?" was the master's level question.

"I... I mean, perhaps he hopes to reconcile with... with you."

They were silent, watching her carefully and she swallowed uncomfortably.

"Did Luke tell you who he was?" Master Dameron asked slowly.

Realizing that they did not expect her to know that Kylo Ren was Ben Solo, she nodded quickly. "He told me a lot of things."

"Really?" Finn sounded surprised.

She smiled slightly. "With some persuasion."

That made both of them laugh. "I'm glad to hear you did more than just read law books while you were there," Finn stated, still smiling.

"Well, if we're going to present this tonight, we have much to do," Master Dameron told them, and they got to work.

To her surprise, Rey was invited to attend the session – well, to view it from the designated area for ladies, of course. Hurriedly, she went to her room to change from her riding clothes into something more formal, then checked in on B.B. and Rose before they left. The ride in the carriage was silent and the tension was palpable. Though her concerns were somewhat more hopeful than her friends'.

Master Dameron offered his arm to help her down, which only served to make her more uncomfortable. "An olive branch, you think?" he murmured, looking at her intently.

"I don't know. But maybe," she offered, and he frowned a little in thought.

It was pleasant to go into the building with people who knew where to go, and she found herself at the bottom of the stairs to the viewing area almost immediately. She wished them luck, then ascended. Finding that the Princess was already present was something she accepted with mixed feelings.