I Know Who I Am Now

A newcomer.

That afternoon Rey headed down to the edge of the lake, a bundle of dirty clothes in her arms. 

Water still fascinated Rey and she couldn't resist slipping off her shoes and wading out up to her ankles, kicking her feet in the cool liquid.  Rey felt a smile creep across her face for the first time in days and she began to hum as she rinsed the dust from her clothes.  "Sorry to interrupt".  A woman's voice from behind her made Rey jump, the clothes tumbling into the water.  Rey spun around, her hand flying to her hip and then realising that she was without a weapon.  "I'm sorry to startle you, I landed behind the hills to the west and I'm trying to find a community to settle with".  Rey studied the lady in front of her.  She was probably of a similar age to Rey although quite a bit taller and strikingly pretty with auburn hair and piercing blue eyes.  "Who are you?" Rey asked as she gathered up her clothes, never taking her eyes off the newcomer.  "Ginny.  I was separated from my people in a space battle with the first order.  Please, I mean no harm".  Rey considered the stranger for a moment.  She looked harmless enough.  "Are you armed?" Rey asked as her eyes scrolled down to the strangers hip.  Ginny shook her head, "No, my weapons are with my people, wherever they are.  You can see my ship too.  I'm unarmed."  Rey nodded, "Ok, follow me".

Rey found Leia sat around a table in the base of the castle.  She had asked the girl to wait outside but now Rey wished that she hadn't gone looking for Leia.  Sat next to her, one on one side and two on the other were Poe, Finn and Rose.  As Rey walked in all four of them looked up at her.  Only Leia smiled and Rey swallowed hard as she approached the table.  "Rey, do you wish to speak with me?" Leia asked using her stick to push herself up onto her feet. Rey nodded and the older lady took her arm and led her to one side of the room. "I was at the lake just now when a girl called Ginny approached me. She's unarmed and looking for a safe place to hide from the first order". Leias brow had furrowed and her eyes scanned the area behind Rey as if making sure the stranger wasn't there "Where is she now?", "Outside. I told her to wait, that I would have to speak with you first", "Take me to her" Leia said leaning in close to Rey.

Rey led Leia out into the sunshine. They turned the corner of the castle and Rey stopped so abruptly that Leia almost crashed into her. The girl had gone.

"Supreme Leader we have news from the bounty hunter. The resistance in its entirety has been located on Chandrilla. Shall we make plans for a surprise attack?". Kylo who had been stood looking out at the stars from behind his mask stiffened and his head turned slightly to take in the pale features of Hux. They had found them already? Kylo closed his eyes for a moment. What now? Could he really stand by and let her die? And what about his mother? "Supreme Leader do I have clearance to begin preparations for an attack?". "Yes". Kylo said simply, his voice mechanical behind his mask before turning away and heading towards his chambers, his heart pounding, feeling sick to his stomach, his tiredness taking over more than ever making every bone in his body ache.

"I swear she was right here" Rey cried as various resistance members returned from searching the woods which surrounded the lake. "No sign, no girl, no spaceship" Poe said coldly, his eyes on Rey. Rey straightened, her hands in fists at her side, "I didn't imagine her if that's what you're implying". Poe rolled his eyes and Rey stepped forwards, her face set and determined. Leia stepped between Poe and Rey with her hands raised. "Now look, there's no need for any of this. Rey I believe you. The question is who was she and what was her purpose for coming here?". Rey dropped her eyes from Poe as she spoke, "She may not have been lying. She may have been running away from the first order", Poe snorted "So why run? Why not wait for you to come back? No, no way, she was working for the first order, right now she's probably heading back to their base, hell they could be here anytime". A frightened murmur went through the crowd and Leia shot Poe a look, raising her hands "That may be true. We need to be ready. I want all weapons gathered and I want to sort out sniper posts. If they attack they will bring troops, lots of them, we need to be able to pick off as many as possible". Leia gave each resistance member a job and then she turned to Rey, "Come with me".