The Foundling, Chapter 1

Disclaimer: Star Wars isn't mine, etc.

Pairing: Reylo

Universe: AU, medieval fey set between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts

I've been very inspired in this AU by Elithien, an amazing artist who's drawn some breathtaking Reylo pieces in addition to ACOTAR art, and some crossover. Faeries have always held a soft spot in my heart, so this AU made so much sense to me.

In addition to Elithien, I've been devouring a lot of Holly Black and brushing up on my favorite chapters of ACOTAR. The Poison Prince by blossomtoxin was also a huge inspiration for this.

There's definitely been some research put into this, HOWEVER, I'm being pretty loosey goosey with how I'm defining faeries and their court system. I'm also still describing people as men and women as opposed to "fey women" or "faerie male," because it's not to my taste.

XXX

The party moved along the desolate landscape at a steady pace, their horses picking their way through craggy rock and sharp ravines. Riding in twos, they had paired themselves off into like-minded companions. The leader, a dark-haired man with bright eyes and a quick smile, rode next to a young women with black hair pulled back in a bun, blunt bangs contrasted by round cheeks.

Behind them were two others who sat in their saddles with significantly less confidence. They too were a man and woman. Astride a white mare rode the youngest member of the party, a slight girl with tanned skin and short brown hair just brushing her shoulders. A bridge of freckles peppered her snub nose. The man beside her rode a chestnut stallion. He had darker skin and kind eyes, and when he was relaxed he smiled easily with brilliant white teeth. Today he was uneasy, a heavy tension in his broad shoulders.

Finn, the only human in their party, kept a close eye on the scenery. He was careful not to stray too far from Rey, even though he was partnered with Rose, who rode ahead. Being newer to the group, they were companionable in their anxiety.

Rey's stress was less apparent. She kept one hand close to the hilt of her sword. Though being fey herself, it was all very new to her as well and it was the first time she had ventured beyond the court's territory since her arrival a few months ago. She mostly wanted to keep her spirit's up for Finn's sake, who tended to panic a little more easily than the others in their party.

"They still haven't said why this guy is so important," he murmured to Rey. "We're traveling all this way for a hermit?"

Rey shrugged. "He is supposedly the queen's brother and was once one of the best knights of any court."

"That still doesn't explain why we're tracking him down. He clearly doesn't care to be found." Finn gestured to the unforgiving landscape around them. "No one who wants visitors lives in a place like this."

Poe half-turned to call back, "The queen needs him. That's all we need to know."

Rose rolled her eyes, smiling. "It probably has something to do with the fact that he's the only one the Unseelie Court has ever been afraid of. Luke was the one who ended the last war between the courts. My guess is with the new king, Leia wants some insurance against another war happening."

This seemed to make sense. Rey reflected on what she'd heard of the mysterious Luke, the last of his ancient knight's order, the brother to the king who had been powerful beyond belief, and then one day simply left the protection of the Seelie Court.

"Why did he leave?" she asked absently. She'd only been in the Seelie Court for two months. The politics were confusing and Rey feared she would not fully grasp them for years to come.

Poe seemed to have relented on his no-gossip rule. Rubbing the back of his neck, he considered. "There have been rumors that he fell in love with the lady of the Autumn Court. They're the lower court to Unseelie," he explained to Rey. "And if it's true, it was a forbidden tryst. The courts do not tend to mingle, unless making alliances."

"And why wouldn't the Seelie approve of such an alliance?"

"Mara's court took a firm side with the Unseelie in the last war. There were things the Autumn Court did that some would deem unforgivable."

Finn exchanged a look with Rey. As the two newest members of the court, they had formed a bit of bond. Finn had stumbled into the complex fey court around the same time she had. Despite his infatuation with the faerie he'd followed, he had still found himself treading water at times. Having both come from human upbringings, they'd struck a quick rapport.

Rey was thankful for his friendship — and thankful that Rose, his partner, did not seem to mind their closeness. Finn had been found by Rose during a hunt, lost in a forest that bordered Seelie lands. She'd taken an instant liking to him and Leia had graciously allowed her to bring him to court. It was not unusual, especially in the Seelie Court, for fey to have human companions — though Rey speculated on the willingness on the humans part. Finn's presence was voluntary. He was smitten with Rose. Rey, having spent the majority of her life around humans, found him far more comfortable than the fey that were to be her "people."

Two months ago, she had been living on the outskirts of the village where she'd been found as a child. Raised among an order of nuns until she was thirteen, she'd then been sent to a local farm to act as a maid to the family. When the home's patriarch proved to be more than a little interested in cornering Rey in the scullery and putting his hands up her skirt than, she'd fled. And from then on the die had been cast — she was rejected from the others in her community, labeled a whore and worse.

When she had been found by Poe, she was living on scavenged mushrooms, foraged berries, and what she could catch in snares, living in what was little more than a shack. Poe immediately recognized her as something more than human. She was brought to court, where being tested she was found to be surprising proficient in magic.

Indebted to the Queen and her foremost knight, she had not questioned Leia when the queen asked her to join the party to find Luke. Now she wondered after the purpose in finding someone who clearly did not want to be found.

Luke reminded her a little of herself. She'd been hardly more than a hermit when Poe found her. Perhaps the knight might understand why she'd been left behind.

That question had occupied her far more. Changelings were not uncommon by any means, but for the fey left behind to be returned to the world of faerie was exceedingly rare.

She felt grateful that Leia had accepted her into her court. As Poe explained it, the Winter and Autumn Courts were known for leaving their weaklings with mortals. Since Leia had taken up the throne of the Seelie, the Summer Court, she'd abolished the practice. The lower Spring Court, controlled Lando, had followed suit. There was little doubt that Unseelie blood ran through her veins, yet she was welcomed. Rey was determined to prove herself, to pay back her debt to her queen and her friends. Perhaps finding the queen's brother would be a first step towards showing her worth.

XXX

Dameron was a familiar face, as was Tico. She appeared pale at the sight of him. He noticed that she edged closer to the serious-faced young man. Kylo Ren was surprised to see her with a human — Rose Tico was perhaps the last fey he'd ever consider to entrap a human.

The only person who truly held his attention, however, was the slight female behind the human. Her hazel eyes were wide but unflinching as they took him in. There was no doubt this was the one Snoke was looking for. Poe moved to stand before her as if sensing Kylo's interest.

"Strange to see such a large party of Seelie Fey in a place such as this." He let the statement hang in the air as the group shifted uncomfortably.

Ever brash, Dameron responded, a hand casually stretching back to the crossbow strapped to his shoulders. "A pleasure seeing you as well, Ren. I'm surprised your master lets to stray so far from home by yourself."

The words prickled, but he paid them no mind. "Unfortunately I rarely see the comforts of home. I'm often kept working. What brings your party to these parts?"

He could see Tico squeezing her companion's forearm, reassuring him.

Poe spoke too casually. "We're on our way to the Spring Court. Her highness has correspondence to share with Lord Lando."

"Such an impressive group for just a few letters." He could not help but look at her again. She watched him, impassive as he observed the group.

Poe shrugged. "Her highness is particular in her desires."

He had no doubt that they were, in fact, searching for the blasted old hermit. And they were not too far off if the info that pixie gave him was at all accurate. Based on what Snoke had told him, they were hoping to bring Luke back to the Seelie Court to train the new arrival — the girl, Rey. He's determined to prevent this.

"Best of luck," he murmured. And without another word, he passed, knowing that they watched as he rode away. Soon enough, they would be the ones being watched.

It was only a matter of hours before they were foolish enough to separate. They made camp for the night, with Tico caring for their mounts, Dameron building a fire, and Rey and Finn being sent to find something for dinner. Finn didn't seem like he was capable of doing more than berry picking, but the girl had a bow and appeared perfected adept at using it. Silent, Kylo Ren tracks their progress, listening to a weary Rey guide her friend through some of the more basic tenants of scavenging. She's done this before.

When she runs off to retrieve a rabbit, he makes himself known. Standing before the dead creature, he waits for her to approach. Her fear is palpable, though she does little more than freeze — just like a rabbit. In moments (though longer than it should have taken, if Kylo were being honest) Finn appeared at her side. He too was soon overwhelmed by fear. His reaction was overly bold. Taking Rey's hand, he made to put himself between them.

"You're slowing her down," Kylo Ren said simply, handing over the rabbit. "I've no doubt if she were by herself, she'd have ten of these by now."

"What are you doing here?" the young man snarled. He truly wasn't much younger than Kylo himself. But it felt better to think of him as naive.

"I don't believe you are the master of these woods." One brow rose.

"I've heard of you,"' Finn said. "You left your own court to sit at the feet of Snoke. His loyal dog."

Kylo chose to ignore him. "What do you think? Could you have felled more without this one hanging on? It seems that might be all he's good for, anyway. Trailing behind like a dog"

That struck the appropriate nerve. Finn shoved forward, not seeing the flash of steel from inside Kylo's cloak in time. The dagger was swift, cutting through the leather of the young mortal male's jacket with ease. He stumbled onto the forest floor. Rey let out a cry and followed, hands fluttering over the wound in her friend's side. Kylo stood over them, waiting. When it was clear that Finn was not inches from death she rose quickly, withdrawing her own sword.

The steel's surface gleamed even in the dim forest light. Kylo let the echo of his sword being removed from its saber follow hers. He already felt breathless with the prospect of defeating her.

The girl struck first, and with surprising force. She was clumsy, of course, and seemed to have only the basics down, but she didn't falter when he struck back. The clatter of their blade striking was music to his ears. In some ways, it felt like dancing as they move back and forth, back and forth, to a rhythm only they knew.

Of course, she was soon on the ground, his blade at her throat. He held her there with a sheer push of magical power, pushing down with what appeared to be some effort.

"You are good," he said, breathing heavily. Sweat drips down her brow. He has the strong desire to haul her back up and throw her back into the fight — the adrenaline sings in his veins. "There is some pure instinct there that is serving you well. But you could be so much better. Come to the Unseelie Court. You'll learn more than poetry or flower-arranging or whatever fluff they're filling you within Leia's court."

"Never," she said through bared teeth.

He smiled down at her. He could see it now, see what had been hiding behind those hazel eyes earlier — a storm. A delicious swirl of rage.

To his surprise, a sudden force was thrown up against his loosened grip against her. He very nearly stumbled as the clumsy, unfocused power was shoved forward. His own hold had to quickly tighten to ward off shifting. With a twist of his fingers, she was pushed down again, ground into the dirt.

The knowledge that someone so new to their world, so untrained could get in such a lucky shot made Kylo smiled.

"They'll not understand you," he murmured, almost gently. Kneeling so he was level with her, he looked at her with eyes that were dark and amused. "Not as I can. I can see the stuff you are made of, and it's not Seelie."

"Rey."

They both looked up. Across the clearing, Finn had managed to sit up against the trunk of a nearby and was wincing, hand pressed against his side. Scarlet seeped through his fingers as he rasped her name. Without a single thought of the knight looming over her, Rey shoved off the magic forcing her down, surged to her feet and sprinted towards her companion.

Finn's face was bloodless. Her hands fluttered over him, murmuring curses as she packed the wound with the scarf she tore off her neck.

When she looked back, Kylo Ren was gone.

Too far from their camp to simply run and get help, Rey was forced to drape Finn's arm around her shoulder and coax him to stand and allow her to slowly drag him back to the others. She could already picture the horror on Rose's face.

Finn was close to losing consciousness. She wasn't sure what would happen then — she wouldn't be able to carry him. Leaving him behind was hardly an option, not with Kylo Ren still stalking about. And the night was coming.

"Stay with me," she said through gritted teeth. They were fighting for every inch of ground. "We're nearly there."

They weren't but she had to keep him awake — keep him awake — keep him aw—

A figure stood before them, on the higher ground. For a fearful heartbeat, she thought it was the black cloak of the fey she'd just finished fighting. But the figure shifted, and it was soon clear that it did not have the same bulk as Kylo. Just as they moved forward, their slate-colored cloak whipping through the mist that had descended upon them, Finn sank to his knees and fainted, dragging Rey with him.

Too worried for her friend she ignored the approaching figure. Kneeling, she patted Finn's cheek frantically, repeating his name over and over —

"Your companion has lost too much blood."

The face peering down at her was weathered with age and bearded. Rey realized with surprised that while this person was fey, they were entirely unglamored. When he pulled back the hood of his cloak, revealing a hand cast in silver, her heart leapt to her throat.

She took a risk. "Can you help us?"

XXX

Rose let out a cry when the trio stepped into the firelight. Slumped between Rey and Luke, Finn's head lolled. He was no longer bleeding, but rust-colored stains had claimed most his linen shirt. They lay him gently on one of the pallets along the large boulder that protected the south side of their camp.

Poe remained standing while Rose examined her companion. "What happened?"

"Kylo Ren," was all the Rey said tightly. "I take it we are lucky to be alive."

"If he kept you alive, it was for a reason," said the older fey, eyes on the stranger in their midst. "Who is your friend?"

An amused expression crossed the older man's worn features. "I take it you have been looking for me. When I found Rey in the woods I thought I might make the hunt easier for you."

Poe's on-edge demeanor shifted immediately to awe. "Forgive me, my lord. I did not recognize —"

Luke wave him off with his silver hand — the hand that supposedly his own father had removed when he was little more than a boy — a took a seat before the fire. "None of that my lord, business. I left my birthright long ago."

Poe followed him, taking a seat on the log that they'd hauled to one side. He gestured for Rey to follow, and she hesitantly left Rose and Finn's side.

"It's your sister, sir. Her majesty has sent us to request that you accompany us back to court. There are rumors that the Unseelie Court is planning a strike. She would ask that you return to fight and help train our people."

Luke was more preoccupied with the stew that hung over the fire. "She summons me about every ten years, boy," he said, lifting the lid of the pot to examine its contents. "The courts get their feathers ruffled every so often and she puts out the call for me and nothing ever comes of it."

Rey glanced at Poe. He did not seem surprised that the old knight was refusing, making light of the danger. He set his mouth into what Rey recognized as his "negotiation smile," and forged ahead.

"There is a new king. Snoke has no interest in peace. He rules with an iron fist — pardon — and keeps two vile creatures to do his bidding." Here Poe paused, presumably for dramatic effect. "Kylo Ren is one of them."

Luke, for his part, did not appear concerned. He had begun ladling out three bowls of soup, passing one to Rey and then Poe.

"My nephew made it clear long ago that he did not require my meddling. I don't know why my sister believes it would do any good."

"Nephew," Rey cried. "He's your —"

Luke's smile was bitter. He glanced at Poe, shaking his head. "You didn't tell them before embarking on this quest?"

Poe had the decency to look embarrassed. "It was not mine to tell."

Luke scoffed. He turned to Rey. "Kylo Ren, or as he was formerly known, Ben Solo, is my nephew. He left his mother's court and ceased being my apprentice nearly over a century ago after he killed his father."

It was a lot to take in. She cradled her soup and watched as Luke sat to start on his. He appeared untroubled as he spooned the thin broth into his mouth. Rey turned to Poe.

"He trained Kylo Ren? The greatest knight in the realm and he trained the fey who sits at the right hand of Snoke."

"Which is exactly why they want me to train you," the knight in question said around another spoonful.

Eyes wide, she nearly gave herself whiplash turning to look at Poe. "Is that true?"

"Eh," He rubbed the back of his neck. "We hoped that if Luke could be persuaded to return with us he might be open to the proposition. You and Finn both."

"Finn's a human!" From where she sat by his side, Rose gave Rey a dark look. "Sorry," she said hastily. "I only meant he's not got any magic."

"No," agreed Poe. "But he's got some potential with a sword, much like you. Leia believes it would be best if you were both trained. If we are going to war…."

He didn't finish that thought. Luke placed his bowl on the boulder next to him, leaning back. He evaluated Rey, scanning her with a detached expression. Awkward, Rey simply looked back. After a moment, he nodded, seeming to be satisfied with what he saw.

"I won't go back with you," he announced. "I don't have a place in the courts anymore."

"Please, your sister —"

"Will get on fine without, as she had for over a hundred years." He folded his hands. "Leia doesn't need me. She needs new blood, which is why you are here."

This was directed at Rey. She didn't respond.

"You held him off," Luke continued, conversationally. "Hell, you impressed him enough that he let you live."

"He asked me to join the Unseelie Court."

Rose, who had found a seat around the fire, exclaimed the same time as Poe. Rey ignored them. She was too focused on the old knight, who was smiling.

"My nephew must have found you special, indeed, to invite such competition to his court." Luke was thoughtful. "I will train you."

Relief swept across Poe. "You'll come back?"

"No." The knight snorted. "Certainly not. But Rey may stay. Three months. I'll give her a trial run."

"What about Finn?" Rose asked. She had approached the group. Rey could tell she wanted this, badly, for her partner. How difficult it must be, she thought.

Luke glanced at the sleeping young man. "I've never trained a human. If he makes a full recovery, we shall see."

This seemed to assuage the dark-haired fey. She moved away from the fire, bearing two bowls as she made her way back to her companion.

Poe sighed. "Leia will not be happy."

Luke shrugged. "I suspect this is exactly what my sister hoped for. She might huff a bit upon your return, but I doubt any of you will see the dungeons for this."

XXX

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