As soon as Ben realized something was amiss, his panicked nature forced him to awaken Poe from his sleep too. This later turned out to be the right move as his footman immediately took off for the dungeons, choking out panicked words about Finnegan.

Ben didn't understand the relationship between Poe and Rey's footman, but with Rey missing, he simply no longer cared.

And as he paced his quarters, the little fox sleeping contently in his arms, he found the only thing he cared about was Rey's safe return.

"My Prince!" Poe gasped, bolting into his quarters, "I have found Finnegan!"

Ben watched as the man in question stumbled in, clearly hurt. Blood covered his face and clothes, and by the way he was walking, Ben recognized the evidence of a brutal fight.

"Where is the Princess?" He asked instead. While he wanted Rey's friends safe, his only priority was her.

Poe swallowed and helped Finnegan to a chair, his touch gentle. Once satisfied the man was comfortable, he looked to Ben. "She was not in the dungeons, my Prince. I found only Finnegan. The guards were insistent he stay, but I threatened your sword."

Ben clenched his fists and looked to the injured man. "Well?" He asked, his tone harsher than he knew was necessary, "Where is Rey?"

Finnegan frowned and winced, clearly in pain. "I don't know! They came in the night. They took her and before I could even react, I had six men on me," He groaned and rubbed at his eyes, clearly exhausted, "I am lucky I am still alive."

"Did they say anything?" Ben hissed out, stepping closer to the man, "Who is they?"

With another wince, the man looked down. "You are aware that Princess Kira is Rey, correct?"

Ben ignored Poe's gasp of surprise and continued studying the man. "Yes. I am aware."

"Rey was not entirely honest with you. Princess Kira does not exist. Rey and I are street urchins. Street rats. Abandoned orphans who steal and scavenge to stay alive."

Her footman's words made no sense to him. There was no way Rey was simply a scavenger. Not with the beautiful gowns she wore. Not with the gold she gifted his mother.

"Lies," Ben spat out, irritated by the man's fictitious words, "Rey is a Princess but took the identity—"

"Rey is a street rat!" Finnegan hissed out, wincing at he moved in the seat, "We were only able to act on this charade with the crystals."

Suddenly, Ben felt the air leave his lungs.

"Crystals?" He forced out, surprised by his own words, "What crystals?"

"The Kaiburr crystals," Finnegan explained, his eyes weary, "Lord Snoke forced her to retrieve them. He threatened to kill us otherwise."

Ben dropped to the foot of his bed, his heart beating widely. The tale of the Kaiburr crystals was not a new story to the Prince.

The quest for the same crystals had killed his only Uncle approximately a year prior.

"Lord Snoke?" He asked aloud, looking back to Finnegan, "Lord Snoke? My mother's advisor?"

The injured man nodded. "Yes. He brought us to the Cave of Wonders. Rey retrieved the crystals and was forced to turn them over but…" He glanced at Bebe, who still snoozed in Ben's arms, "Bebe somehow got them back."

"And then you used them?" Ben inquired, his own eyes weary, "You used them to pretend to be from a wealthy, faraway land. Why?"

Finnegan shrugged and looked down. "Because she wanted the chance to be with you. To be more than your concubine."

Ben swallowed and glanced at his feet, understanding his words. He too wished he could be with Rey. He wished their circumstances were different.

That they weren't from different worlds.

"But now he has retrieved the crystals," Finnegan forced out, his voice cracking with emotion, "And I am afraid he has gotten rid of Rey to do so."

The footman's words brought tears to Ben's eyes. He couldn't be angry with the deceit on their part, or the treachery of his mother's most trusted advisor.

All he thought about was Rey.

"What do we do?" Ben forced out, his own eyes watery, "How do I save her?"

The three men stared at each other for a moment, before Bebe's yipping broke their attention. The tiny fox jumped out of Ben's arms and moved to the balcony, disappearing from their line of sight.

That was, until, she slowly reemerged from the hidden space, sitting on top of a luxurious carpet.

A carpet that was floating through the air.

While Poe made a squawk of surprise, Ben leapt to his feet.

"The carpet!" He cried out, rushing forward to run his fingers along the soft material, "The carpet still flies!"

As if having a mind of its own, the carpet rubbed against Ben's hand, appearing eager. Ben turned to look at Poe and Finnegan, a new hope in his gaze.

"I'm going to find her," He explained, before stepping towards his array of swords and grabbing the grandest one, "And when I do, I'm going to kill Snoke."

With one final glance, Ben climbed onto the carpet, unable to prevent his yelp of surprise as it whisked away, navigating Ben and the little fox through the Coruscant sky.

-x-x-x-

Ben spent hours on the carpet, Bebe tucked carefully between his legs, searching everywhere for his Rey. Every peak of sand and every hidden building was explored. Not an inch of his city was untouched.

But no matter where he looked, he simply couldn't find her. He was forced to return to the palace, weakened by his exhaustion and hunger. While he desperately wanted to simply keep looking, he knew his tired nature would do nothing if he did find Rey.

Especially if there was a battle he needed to fight.

Unfortunately, his return to the palace wasn't pleasant. His mind was set on immediately returning to his quarters for a quick meal and nap, before venturing out again.

However, he was intercepted by a few of his mother's servants, who practically forced him into her chambers. She sat in one of her favorite chairs, looking regal, her eyes glowing.

"My son," She began, studying him carefully, "I have news for you."

Ben cleared his throat and shifted, not wanting to disrespect his mother but desperate to rest before returning to Rey. "Yes, mother?"

The Queen hummed and handed him a scroll; her demeanor eerily calm. "I have sent out a royal decree. You are to marry Princess Bazine of Naboo."

He staggered back, unbelieving of her words. "Excuse me?" He shrieked, every nerve in his body now on high alert, "I was told I could choose my Princess! How dare you issue a royal decree!"

His mother did not move, unaffected by his anger. "Do not test me, son. Within a fortnight, you will be wed. Naboo is the strongest alliance we could ask for. Their resources will be necessary when we go to war."

Ben clutched his sword, his eyes never leaving his mother. "Who is to say we are going to war? We are a peaceful kingdom!"

But the Queen merely hummed. "My advisors disagree. We are doing what we must."

Immediately, Ben knew who was behind his mother's change of heart. He had to find Snoke. Not only did Rey's life depend on it, but so too did the entire kingdom.

"And where is your most loyal advisor, mother? Where is Lord Snoke?" He spat out, unable to hold back the venomous way he said the man's name.

The Queen waved her hand. "He is by the water, overseeing our troops. We have drafted one man from every family. We will be the strongest army in the world!"

Ben felt sick.

Suddenly, food and sleep meant nothing to him.

Before his mother could say another word, he was out the door.

-x-x-x-

When Rey came to consciousness, she was floundering in freezing cold water. Pure instinct and adrenaline pulled her to the surface, causing her to burst with a cough and gasp for air. She pulled herself to the shoreline, shaking in the chill of the air.

After catching her breath, she realized she was in bordering territory, by Coruscant Lake. Yoda was nowhere in sight.

But mere yards away, she spotted men training, some as young as at least ten. Her stomach flipped as some boys, some men, charged at each other, clearly preparing for a fight.

She watched for a few moments, wishing she wasn't shaking in the cool breeze or sitting in soaking wet clothes. When seconds later her shaking stopped, and the clothes that sat upon her skin were as dry as the desert, she began to wonder what power she held.

What had Yoda meant? Could she really use the powers of the crystals without actually having them in her possession?

How powerful would Snoke be if she was the true master?

Gingerly, she rose to her feet, moving towards the training men. Nobody paid attention to her, the men too busy attacking each other with wooden shafts designed to look like swords. She moved towards the tents, knowing leadership would certainly be there.

The real question was what this army stood for. Coruscant was a peaceful nation. Why would they be training at a time like this?

At the sound of voices, she hid behind a tent, holding her breath as two men stepped out. One was the sniveling redhead that she so unfortunately had come into contact with before. The other was older, and somehow, more nefarious looking.

"General Pryde, Lord Snoke gave an order!" The redhead scoffed, glaring at the man beside him, "The Prince is to be kept on lockdown. We must make sure he does not make a run before his wedding takes place."

The man Rey was unfamiliar with, General Pryde, continued his marching. "I hardly understand why a wedding is necessary. We have a war to focus on!"

Hux growled and shoved the man. "Without a wedding, the war will not happen! Until we get resources from Naboo, we are not strong enough to invade Alderaan."

The General sighed and nodded. "Where is Lord Snoke now?"

"He's observing from his watch tower. If everything goes perfectly, Lord Snoke will come to his full power," Hux explained, a twinkle of delight in his eye, "And finally, the Skywalker bloodline will disappear."

Rey watched as Pryde and Hux disappeared into the hoard of training men and pressed herself against the tent. Her heart was nearly beating out of her chest.

Prince Ben was getting married? Coruscant was invading Alderaan? Lord Snoke intended to get rid of the royal family?

She felt sick to her stomach.

Without another thought, she stormed towards the watch tower, willing the force to be with her.

If this mythical power was real, it was now or never.

She needed it on her side.

-x-x-x-

The magical carpet whizzed through the air, twisting and turning through every curve of the Coruscant sky. As he neared the water, the sparkling outline of the Coruscant Lake, he knew he was close.

Something in his body just…sensed it.

The carpet dropped just outside of the training facility, allowing him to go on foot. Bebe remained on the carpet, keeping a watchful eye on the world around them.

With his sword in his hand, he continued onward.

-x-x-x-

He was forever a disgusting looking man, shriveled from old age and poor health. But despite his terrible looking disposition, Lord Snoke was energized from the sights before him. From the crystals in his hand.

"A weapon shortage, you say?" He hummed, his boney fingers clutching the glowing red crystals, "I hardly doubt that will be an issue."

Before his eyes, the racks of armor seemed to multiply, the body suits looking stronger and more plentiful than the Kingdom of Coruscant had ever seen. The old man grinned, pleased with his power, before turning to look at his admiral.

"Make sure our troops are ready. Within a fortnight, Coruscant will have no opposition. We will reign supreme! No one will ever question—"

His booming voice was cut off by the presence of the young Prince in his watch tower. Where his admiral once stood, holding news of his troops, a corpse lay instead. The prince seemed undeterred, a sword in his hands, his black boots standing in a puddle of blood.

"Prince Ben—"

"Where is she?" The Prince growled, stepping forward with his sword drawn, "YOU TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!"

Lord Snoke merely grinned and held up his hands in surrender. "Are you looking for your little whore? The trashy little street rat you took on as a concubine?"

The Prince screamed and held out the blood coated-sword, his eyes mad. "TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!"

Despite the Prince's frustration, Lord Snoke was amused. "Where is she? If I were a betting man, I'd say rotting in the middle of the desert, her arms being used as a chew toy for a tiger."

Ben let out a scream and charged forward, his sword drawn. But as he neared the older man, the force of thousand waves shoved him backwards, sending him into the wooden arches of the tower. He dropped with a thud, his sword dropping from his hands.

"It is not wise to mourn," Lord Snoke explained, before kicking the sword away from the young Prince. His beloved crystals twinkled between his skinny fingers. "Especially not easily replaced loose women."

While the Prince was distraught, tears streaming down his face, blood from the impact of his injury covering his skin, he couldn't move. He was paralyzed.

"I won't kill you," Lord Snoke continued, his fingers tracing the crystals, "Not yet, at least. Not until you wed Princess Bazine. And you will," He hummed, holding up the glowing red stones, "For I control man and the sea with these."

Lord Snoke took a step forward, hovering over the injured Prince, a grin across his disgusting face. "You are just a man. You too will fall to me."

"No!" A feminine voice cried, surprising them both, "No, he won't. He's not weak. Not like you."

Despite his injuries, Ben looked past the older man, his face softening. "Rey…" He croaked out, his eyes wet with relief, "You're alive."

Rey clenched her fists, her eyes locked on Lord Snoke. "I am. He tried to kill me, though. Thankfully, kittens are much easier to manage than tigers."

Lord Snoke laughed, his lips twitching into a grin. "Ah! Don't let anyone ever say I lacked compassion. My Prince, you may say goodbye to your whore before I end her."

At that moment, the tower exploded in a fury of movements. Lord Snoke waved his hands towards Rey, the glittering crystals shifting in the cool breeze. But despite his wish to destroy her, to end her life in the way that he had previously failed, she stood strong.

Rey shut her eyes and stepped forward; her mind locked on the crystals. She dreamed of Ben—of marriage, of children, of food, of happiness.

A scream filled her eyes.

But when she opened her eyes, it wasn't her who had made the fatal blow.

Ben kneeled at the old man's feet, his sword piercing Lord Snoke's heart. With cries of misery and defeat, his body collapsed to the ground, the crystals flying through the air.

It was a split-second decision—one that Rey wondered if she'd later regret—but the moment the thought crossed her mind, she knew what she had to do.

With a flick of her wrist, and the thought of freedom, the blood red crystals exploded before her. Only piles of dust remained where the glowing stones once sat.

There would be no more unlimited power. No more trickery. No more death, or deception, or suffering.

Just her and Ben.

She dropped to her knees and crawled to Ben, avoiding the puddles of blood. The powdered gems. The proof of their fight. With gentle hands she cradled his cheeks, her eyes filling with tears.

"Ben…" She croaked out, unable to stop shaking, "You killed him."

"For you," He hurried out, clearly exhausted, "I was so worried. I thought you…" He shook his head and looked away, a fat tear dripping down his cheek, "I thought you were gone."

Rey wrapped her arms around him and let out a sob. "I'm here. I'm here and I love you and I want to be with you. Please."

He managed a smile, his skin pale, before collapsing into her arms.

She screamed, shaking his limp body, unsure of what to do.

But before she could let out a sob, a familiar flying carpet flew through the window of the tower, her beloved Bebe sitting steady.

She had so many questions at that moment. But all that truly mattered was Ben. With her last bit of strength, she dragged them onto the carpet, letting out a sigh of relief as it flew into the evening air.

-x-x-x-

When Ben came to, he wasn't sure how long it had been since the fight. Since he last saw Rey. Since he plunged his father's trusty sword into the treacherous man's heart.

He did know, however, that he was tucked safely into his bed back in the palace, his body absolutely aching. His mother sat to his side, cradling one of his hands in her lap, watching him carefully.

"Oh my," She began, her voice soft, her eyes filled with tears, "You're awake."

Ben couldn't process any of this. He had one thought on his mind.

"Where's Rey?" He asked, frantically attempting to sit up in his bed.

His mother quickly pressed a soft hand to his chest, forcing him to lay back. With a laugh, she waved to Ben's other side, where the girl in question sat. She held Ben's other hand, except unlike his conscious mother, Rey was snoring softly, her face buried in his bed's quilting.

"She's been with me the entire time. She started dozing off about an hour ago. It's been nearly twelve hours—I thought she could use some rest as well," his mother explained, never taking her eyes off him, "Just as you did."

Ben studied Rey for a few moments, taking his fill. He needed his mind and heart to register that she was safe before he could do anything else. He took careful stock of her pursed lips, flushed cheeks, and long eyelashes, memorizing every last angle of her face.

When he was finally satisfied, he looked to his mother. "Mother—"

"Don't worry about it, my son," She cut in, her elegant fingers brushing against his bruised ones, "I was told what happened. By Rey. And Poe. And the footman."

Ben swallowed and closed his eyes, enjoying the soft petting. After a deep breath, he continued. "They were real. I saw them. Just like the legend said. But then Rey destroyed them."

His mother pressed a kiss to his hand and hummed. "As she should have. The search for those crystals took my father and brother from me. It would have destroyed me if they also took my son."

"What about invading Alderaan? About me marrying Princess Bazine?"

His mother shook her head. "I sent messengers to meet the royal party midway. They are being instructed to turn around. We will not be invading my mother's homeland, and you certainly will not be wedding Princess Bazine."

"And Snoke's men?"

She offered a tight smile. "Already in the gallows."

Rey let out a whimper in her sleep, drawing both of their attention to the sleeping girl. As Ben studied her, a dazzling smile growing on his bruised face, his mother sighed.

"As for the girl," She began, quickly drawing his attention, "I can see that you fancy her."

Ben shook his head. "I do not fancy her. I love her."

"I see. So this would be the girl you pick for your wife?"

He let out a harsh breath and forced himself to sit up, ignoring his mother's protests. "I will fight to the death about this, mother. I don't care if you don't approve. I don't care if our people don't approve. All I know is Rey is the woman for me and I will do everything in my power to make her my wife!"

But his mother merely hummed, amused by his outburst. "Are you finished, my son?"

"No! I am not!" He practically screeched, his cheeks flaming red, "Because I know every reason you will give against our marriage and—"

"Who said I was against it?" His mother interrupted.

Ben blinked, taken aback by her words. "Come again? Of course, you're against it! Rey doesn't come from royalty! She's a street rat! A scavenger!"

"You're right, my son," she began, gently brushing away some of his bloodied hair, "She is not royalty. But after witnessing the power of those crystals, I realize that blood means nothing. Anyone can be anything. A street rat a Princess. A carpet a flying machine," She grinned softly, pressing a kiss to his head, "Perhaps even a Prince pretending to be a man by the name of Kylo Ren."

He swallowed, ignoring her knowledge of the alias he used when he first met Rey. "What are you saying, mother? Do you approve of Rey as my bride?"

The Queen smiled. "Most definitely."

As he broke into tears, his mother embraced him, her cheeks equally as wet.

-x-x-x-

A few hours after his discussion with his mother and being given approval for him to make Rey his bride, Rey finally woke up. During her rest, Ben was given a sponge bath, fed multiple meals, and even visited by Poe and Finnegan. Ben had desperately wanted to wake her up, especially when food was involved, but decided against it.

If she was even partially as tired as he was, she desperately needed her sleep. That was perhaps why when she finally awoke, their reunion felt even more delicious. Her eyes slowly blinked, adjusting to the dim light of the day.

Hazel met his deep brown.

"Ben," She sobbed, before shooting herself into his arms, "You're alive!"

"I am," He whispered, his lips pressed into her head, "I'm alive and you're alive and we're together."

She sniffled and cupped his cheeks, pressing a frantic kiss to his lips. "I was so afraid I was going to lose you," She croaked out, hot tears dripping down her cheeks, "I didn't care about death. I didn't care about what would happen to me. But when he hurt you…"

Ben shook his head and pulled her closer, relishing in the feel of her soft body pressed against his. "Shush, my love. It's alright. We're together now."

Rey whimpered and kissed him again. "He's dead. The crystals are gone. I…" She looked down, wiping a few tears from her flushed cheeks, "It's all my fault. As soon as I retrieved them for him, I should have gotten help. Not used them for my own selfish gain."

"Don't punish yourself," He rushed out, cupping one of her wet cheeks in his massive hand, "Your decision ultimately led us to where we are right now. Together."

"But are we?" She whispered, her hand finding his, "How could the Queen ever approve of love between you, a Prince, and me, a dirty orphan who scavenges and steals?"

Ben hummed and kissed her gently. "It doesn't matter how she approves. It simply matters that she does."

Rey blinked a few times, registering his words. "Are…are you saying your mother approves of us?"

He nodded, a glorious smile appearing on his face. "She does."

"Like…" Rey swallowed, her cheeks flaming, "As in she approves of our marriage? Not me as your mistress?"

Ben kissed her hands. "Rey, will you be my bride?"

It didn't matter that both were battered, bruised, and downright exhausted. It didn't matter that servants were wandering in and out, removing dirty linens and bringing in trays of food. It didn't matter he had no ring, nor romantic declaration of his feelings.

It was simply the most perfect moment in Rey's entire life.

"Yes," She croaked out, tears streaming down her cheeks, "1000 times yes."

-x-x-x-

Their wedding wasn't a grand affair. After her time with the crystals, Rey had no desire to be dressed in the finest Endorian silks or be carted around on parades of elephants and tigers and other fantastic animals. All that mattered was having Ben by her side.

Well, and some delicious food.

Food was very much still Rey's vice.

So, the pair married in a tiny ceremony in one of the gardens in the palace. It was simply a minister, the happy couple, the Queen, Ben's loyal footman Poe, Finn, and Bebe, chirping happily from the sidelines.

And lots of food.

Because even though the wedding was small, they agreed to open the doors of the celebration to the entire kingdom. No matter how rich or poor the occupants of Coruscant were, everyone was welcomed to celebrate the marriage of the Prince.

As they sat to the side, massive plates of food in front of them, Ben took the hand of his new wife and pressed delicate kisses to each of her knuckles. Rey took a moment from gnawing aggressively at a turkey leg to smile at Ben, her heart and stomach full.

"You have made me the happiest man to ever exist," Ben explained, his voice soft, "I will spend forever proving just how much I love you."

Rey swallowed a chunk of the meat and blushed. "If you keep feeding me and kissing me, I dare say I'll never need anything else again."

He hummed happily and kissed her hand again, his eyes drifting to a corner of the ballroom, noticing Poe and Rey's dearest Finnegan, engaged in hushed conversations. "They seem to…get on well."

After swallowing another bite, Rey discarded the turkey leg and nodded. "They do. Poe is going to train Finn. Since he's living with us and all."

Ben chuckled and glanced at his wife. "I don't recall that being discussed with me, my dearest wife."

Rey simply rolled her eyes. "I'm a packaged deal. Me, Finn, and Bebe. Take it or leave it."

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her lips. "I dare say I'll take it."

She hummed. "Wise choice, my husband."

"I love you, Princess."

"And I love you, my Prince."

The End