The Seventh Ring

Chapter 3 Bree

Soundtrack: Strider from "The Fellowship Of The Ring"

It was nightfall when they finally reached Bree. It had begun to rain shortly after sunset, so they had decided to go to Bree and spend the night at the Prancing Pony, instead of camping in the rain.

Kylo looked over at Rey, she was drenched and shivered slightly in the cool, wet night air.

Kylo removed his cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

She jolted slightly as he touched her shoulders. "What are you doing?" she asked, sharply.

"Giving you my cloak," he answered. "I don't want you to catch a cold...or get washed away, shorty." He scrubbed her head then pulled the hood up.

"Don't call me that," she said.

"Why not? You are short," he said. 

"So are you," she pointed out.

Kylo didn't know how to reply, so he stayed quiet.

"Why is it always raining when we go to Bree?" Kylo asked his brother after a moment.

Hux looked to him from under his clock. "I don't know," he snapped. "But what I do know is your going to catch a cold without your cloak."

"Better me than her," he said.

Rey looked at him.

He realized too late what he had said. "We'll never accomplish this task without a burglar."

She seemed a little angry.

"Besides I'm used to life on the road, and she's used to a nice warm...dry home," he added, trying to cover his tracks, but she only seemed to get angry.

"I may be used to the 'comforts of home,' but at least I'm not a stubborn,  pigheaded dwarf," she snapped.

He opened his mouth to reply, but she cut him off.

"I'm nothing but a burglar to you." She turned and began walking ahead of them.

Hux looked to Kylo. "Now you've done it."

"Me? You're the one who said that I would catch a cold without my cloak."

"I'm your older brother I'm allowed to do that worry about you," Hux said.

Kylo nodded. "But as long as she's with us, she is our responsibility."

Hux's nodded. "Well... yes she is."

Kylo hurried to catch up to Rey, just as she reached the door to the Prancing Pony. He opened the door, then the three of them went inside.

Kylo found a table and they all sat down.

Rey crossed her arms, refusing to look at him.

Hux cleared his throat. "He didn't mean it in that way."

Kylo nodded. "I'm sorry, Rey... I only meant that it was more important to keep you from catching a cold than me."

She looked at him. "I forgive you."

"Thank you," Kylo replied, sounding relieved.

A waitress came over. "Can I get something for you?"

"Cheese and bread" Hux answered.

"I'll have the same," said Rey and Kylo nodded.

The waitress nodded and went get the order.

Hux sceened the crowd, the Prancing Pony could get very dangerous and people tended to nose into others bissus here. He didn't see anyone at the moment but they needed to keep there eyes open. "Kylo," he whispered. "Don't get distracted."

Kylo nodded, looking away from Rey to scan the room.

"So, no fraternizing with the girl," Hux continued.

"I wasn't," Kylo said defensively.

Rey looked back and forth between them. She hadn't heard exactly what Hux said, just something about the girl and she knew that he was talking about her. Kylo's defensive reply was what had made her curious. "What do you mean?"

Hux blushed from embarrassment he didn't think she could hear him. "Uh well... we uh...need to be on guard," he said.

"Oh...yes I heard this was a dangerous place," she replied in a low voice as she looked around cautiously.

"It is, many bad things have happened here," Hux replied.

Rey looked around again then grabbed the knife next to her plate and moved it a little closer to her.

Hux smiled, at least she could protect herself.

The waitress returned and gave each of them a plate of cheese and bread.

Hux nodded his thanks and then dug into the food on his plate, still keeping his senses alert just in case.

When they had finished eating, Kylo stood. "I'll go pay for our meal and get our rooms," he said.

Hux nodded. "Alright."

"Take care of Rey while I'm gone," Kylo whispered to his brother.

Hux rolled his eyes. "What do you think I've been doing all night?"

"I know.. I know, I just want to make sure that she's safe," Kylo replied, in a low voice.

"I can take care of myself, you know," she said.

Hux turned to look at her smiling. "Yes, I can see that and she has amazing hearing as well," he added turning to Kylo.

Kylo nodded. "We must remember to be careful what we say when you're around."

She nodded.

"I'll be right back," Kylo said, then he left to pay for the food and get a place for them to stay for the night.

"Your brother is a little.... odd, if you don't mind me saying," Rey told Hux.

"Yes he can be at times," Hux agreed.

"Why does he keep staring at me?" she asked.

"Well he's like that a lot, I just think he just doesn't want anything to happen to you. He did say it would be hard to find a burglar and well we need you," Hux answered. He knew that wasn't the reason, but he couldn't have both of their heads in the clouds.

She nodded. "I understand."

Kylo came back to their table. "I got our rooms," he said. "I hope you don't mind, Hux I had to get one with two twin beds in it for you and me, but we share a room at home anyway."

"I don't mind at all," Hux replied.

Kylo nodded, then led them upstairs to their rooms.

"Be careful," he warned Rey as she turned to go to her room.

"I'll be fine," she replied.

"We'll be next door if you need anything," he added.

She nodded. "Goodnight Kylo, goodnight Hux."

"Goodnight mistress Rey," Hux said then walked into their room.

Rey nodded then went to her room and closed the door.

Kylo turned to follow his brother.