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When Ben Solo was just nine years old, Han decided to take the boy with him on a trip to Scotland. At least, that's what he told Leia. They were supposedly going on a vacation to see the beautiful cities of Edinburgh, lively Glasgow, and the cultural Stirling. But the truth was, Han Solo had a mission alongside his former partners, Lando Calrissian and Chewie. They were on a treasure hunt."Listen, kid," Han began as he placed young Ben on a large rock near the seaside of St. Andrews Castle."Daddy's going to do some work with Uncle Lando, so I need you to sit here on this rock until I come back," he said, looking into the boy's eyes with a serious expression. "Uncle Chewie is right over there." Han pointed to the big, hairy Irishman, who was busy setting up what looked like large screens and cameras in the back of their van."Don't wander off where Uncle Chewie can't see you, okay?" The black-haired boy nodded silently in response to his father, and Han smiled warmly at his son. "That's my good boy." He tousled the young boy's hair, eliciting a joyful giggle from him. Han then hurried towards his waiting friend by the sea, casting one last glance back at his son."Remember, no wandering, or the mermaids might snatch you up and have you for dinner!" he shouted playfully before putting on his diving gear and giving Ben a thumbs-up._As Ben watched his dad and Uncle Lando venture deeper into the sea until they disappeared beneath the surface, he finally took a moment to observe his surroundings. The castle ruins of St. Andrews lay before him, radiating a kind of beauty and enchantment that reminded him of the royal knights and fairy tales his mother often shared. With an insatiable curiosity and the heart of an adventurer, young Ben climbed down a large boulder, eager to explore this place."Uncle Chewie, I wanna look around the castle," he called out."Your dad said no wandering," replied the burly man with a gruff Irish accent, preoccupied with gadgets inside their vehicle."I won't go far, I promise," little Ben pleaded."Sorry, Kiddo, your daddy's orders," Chewie replied."But Uncle Chewie..."Chewie removed his headset and glanced back at the raven-haired boy."Merrows, lad, this place is rumored to have them.""Merrows?" Ben questioned."Merrows, muruchs, mermaids... they're mystical creatures," Chewie explained loudly, then turned his attention back to the black and white monitor displaying an image of what appeared to be an underwater shipwreck. He was monitoring Han and Lando underwater."Do you really believe in those?" Ben shouted incredulously."Yes, laddie, I'm Irish," Chewie yelled back."And what about Dad and Uncle Lando?" Ben gestured toward the monitor screen. "Won't they be in danger?""That's what the harpoons are for," Chewie pointed to the sharp spears lined on the door of the truck, "and they have earplugs to protect their ears, so they're safe. They're professionals.""Oh, fine..." Ben sighed, squatting on the sand and leaning against the boulder, gazing at the turbulent waves of the open sea. "You're a killjoy," he huffed, crossing his arms, and listening to the crashing of the waves.However, amid the sound of the waves, something unexpected occurred. Ben began to hear singing, a beautiful and captivating melody, unlike anything he had ever heard before. The song seemed to echo, carried by the wind, drowning out the noise of the crashing waves. His curiosity was piqued, or perhaps he felt compelled to follow it. Glancing back at his busy uncle Chewie, he considered that he could slip away for just ten minutes. He decided to follow the singing.Ben wasn't entirely sure where he was going, but his feet seemed to guide him—leading him through the ruins and fallen debris along the shore, further away from the castle.Ahead, he spotted sharp, rugged cliffs, and his feet led him beyond a small arch at the base of the cliff. When his feet touched the water, Ben hesitated, aware that there were no more sandbars. He pondered whether he should venture beyond the arch. Just a few more steps, and he would cross it."What if the water is deep?" Ben worried aloud. As if sensing his hesitation, the song changed, becoming soft and reassuring. The wind seemed to caress his face, urging him forward. Ben's feet once again seemed to have a mind of their own as he began to wade into the shallow water.Beyond the arch, he discovered a small circular pool connected to the sea. What greeted the nearly ten-year-old was beyond his wildest imagination.In the pool, like a nymph goddess from one of his mother's paintings, sat the most beautiful creature Ben had ever seen. She had a slender fishtail with scales that sparkled like diamonds, long flowing brown hair cascading over her slender neck, and sun-kissed shoulders, partially concealing her modest chest. The ends of her hair dipped into the crystal-clear water, swaying gracefully beneath its cerulean surface. Her hazel eyes widened for a moment, then she fixed her gaze on the little boy with an air of recognition. Her wet, pink lips continued to sing softly in a language he couldn't understand."You... you're a mermaid!" Ben exclaimed in awe, paying no mind to her nakedness.The mermaid stopped singing and smiled, revealing her small fangs."I was supposed to lure a man, but instead, a little boy came," she teased with a sigh. "But I suppose it's you." She gestured for the boy to come closer, but Ben shook his head and crouched at the rocky edge of the pool."You might eat me if I come closer," Ben stated.Rey laughed at the little boy. He was an endearing lad with funny-looking ears, messy dark wavy hair, and curious golden-brown eyes. This secluded pool beyond the archway was one of her favorite spots, and no merfolk or finfolk frequented it anymore. It was the ideal place for her to practice singing her heart song, a melody meant only for her future intended. That's why she was surprised when she felt a pull, like a thread tugging at her chest. "My soulmate is at the end of it," she thought to herself, her excitement mingled with trepidation. She wasn't sure what kind of creature her soulmate would be—merfolk, fae, or human.She had expected a grown-up male and was taken aback to see a boy.The boy stared at her with wide, curious eyes and an open-mouthed expression. "You have a beautiful laugh too, um... ma'am?" Ben blurted out, his cheeks turning a shade of red.Rey chuckled. "Why, thank you," she replied, tilting her head as if asking for his name."Ben," the little boy said softly and shyly."Ben..." Rey tested his name on her lips, still gazing into his eyes. Wordlessly, the boy nodded.She swam closer to him, moving slowly so as not to startle him. "I won't bite," she assured him, extending her hand to him. Ben hesitantly placed his hand in her cold, wet one, which strangely wasn't wrinkled but glistened in the sunlight. She smiled again. "I'm Rey," she said. Then, with a hint of mischief, she pulled little Ben closer until their faces were just inches apart. Her wide golden eyes met his innocent golden-brown ones. "Your future wife."
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Ben stared in astonishment at the mermaid named Rey, his mouth hanging open. "Ha... huh?" were the only words that escaped the young boy's lips. Rey couldn't help but giggle as she released his hand, causing Ben to turn beet red, his face and ears flushed."You're so cute, Ben," she said amidst her laughter."Oh... um, thanks, I guess," Ben replied, unsure why the enchanting creature found amusement in him. He couldn't help but feel embarrassed, considering he thought he looked like a bit of a nerd with his big ears and awkward demeanor. He believed he didn't inherit his parents' good looks, which made him somewhat melancholic.The mermaid's beauty was striking, and she appeared to be in her late teens, while Ben was just nine years old. "She's teasing me," Ben thought to himself."Hey," Rey whispered softly, pulling Ben from his thoughts. She was smiling again, this time with a friendly and kind expression."I wasn't kidding," she said, then hoisted herself up onto the ledge and moved Ben closer to her.Ben had closely observed the scales on her fish-like tail, which shimmered like tiny crystal shells transitioning from silver to light cool green, then yellow-green, yellow, and blue. It was mesmerizing to watch. Even the tips of her chestnut brown hair resembled the color of seaweed.Rey noticed the boy's scrutiny and tilted his chin up gently to meet her gaze. "I am and will be your future wife," she stated matter-of-factly."I'm nine," Ben deadpanned."Oh, fret not, you'll grow up, little man," she said, playfully ruffling his hair. Ben defiantly swatted her hand away, and Rey couldn't help but giggle."And you? How old are you?" Ben inquired."Almost a century. That's still very young," she replied while tracing Ben's blushing cheek, nose, and jaw with her fingers. Ben responded with a quiet "Oh," his brows furrowing as he processed the impossible."I'd still be the same," Rey explained, waving her hand through the air. "We age slowly and live very, very long." She flashed a wide smile, revealing her pearly white teeth and fangs, while the tip of her tail traced circles in the cool water.Ben couldn't help but be astonished and anxious at the same time. Everything felt surreal, like a dream straight out of the pages of Peter Pan or Alice in Wonderland. And then there was the issue of having an instant girlfriend, not a simple school crush, but a mature mermaid girlfriend. "I'm dreaming all of this," he repeated like a mantra.Rey splashed water on his face to regain his attention. "You're thinking deeply again." She carefully took his hands, gently opened his palms, and placed them on her cheeks. "I can feel the conflict in you. I am real... this is real," she whispered softly.Ben nodded wordlessly, his face growing even redder.-------------------------------------------------Rey liked the boy. He was still very young, but she could wait. What mattered was that she had found him—or perhaps he had found her. As the boy grew more comfortable around her, they began to share stories. Little Ben told her about life on land, his home in America, towering buildings as tall as cliffs, and amusement parks. He spoke of human schools, music (although she didn't know what a piano or saxophone was, she eagerly anticipated hearing him play someday), ice cream, and cakes (some of his favorite treats). Ben spoke animatedly, and Rey found herself captivated by his stories. She realized that life above the water, where Ben came from, was filled with fun and exciting things. She had ventured to the surface every full moon but had only seen small village cottages and numerous trees."I wish I could see the things you're telling me about; they sound delightful and exhilarating," Rey said dreamily, resting her head on her arms as she floated in the water."Maybe you can come and visit me," the raven-haired boy suggested, prompting Rey to consider the idea."I don't know where America is, or this New York... I haven't been anywhere past the North Seas," Rey frowned."I think it's across the Atlantic," Ben explained."That's... that's really far," she replied, feeling disheartened. The Atlantic Ocean was the second most treacherous body of water in the world, and aside from sharks and stormy seas, it was also home to Snoke the Sea Demon and his army of ghostly sea creatures called Stormies.Ben noticed Rey's disappointment. Her eyes were cast downward, her pink lips pressed tightly together. Perhaps suggesting that she visit him had not been a good idea, he thought. She had mentioned it was very far, which was undoubtedly true, and she would have to swim across the treacherous Atlantic Ocean to reach North America."If you can't, then I'll visit you," Ben blurted out.Rey straightened up immediately, her face lighting up at the boy's words."Really?" Her forest-green eyes sparkled with delight, and her previously tight lips broke into a joyful smile.Ben nodded, feeling a sense of happiness as he watched his mermaid's radiant smile return."You know, I could just take you away with me and watch you grow," Rey confessed, “but you wouldn't want that” her fingers gently caressing Ben's face as she looked at him affectionately.
"I wouldn't want that," he agreed. The boy and the mermaid locked eyes, smiling at each other, utterly fascinated by each other's presence.Whatever connection had formed between the two creatures was interrupted by the sound of a motor engine. Ben quickly turned his gaze away from Rey to look at the motorboat approaching in the distance. Han was on board with binoculars, searching for something—or someone. Ben looked up at the sun, which continued to shine relentlessly in the crystal-clear sky. It was late in the afternoon. It had been morning when he had been exploring the ruins of St. Andrews."Oh no, it's my dad," he exclaimed, standing up abruptly and waving his arms to get his father's attention. Han spotted him but shook his head, and the boat changed direction, heading back."He can't see you; this place beyond that arch is invisible to normal humans," Rey explained."I'm in so much trouble; I have to go back," Ben muttered anxiously, running his hands through his hair in a panic. His dad would be upset and angry with him; after all, he had promised to stay and wait with his uncle Chewie. He looked back at Rey and saw a tinge of sadness in her eyes."I have to go back; they're going to be worried about me," he said regretfully."I know," Rey replied.With her eyes tightly shut, Rey dove down into the water and swam away. Ben panicked and knelt down by the ledge, calling out to her. "Rey... wait," he pleaded, reaching down below the water's surface. He felt a sense of sadness seeing her swim away without saying goodbye, and his eyes grew heavy, glassy, and red as tears streamed down his face. He cried silently.
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"Ben," Rey whispered to the boy, who was curled up into a ball with his head buried in his arms, his knees pulled up to his chest. Tearful and frustrated, Ben looked at her, hastily wiping away his tears with his palms and knuckles."You left me," he accused, his voice hoarse from crying. "I thought... sniff I wouldn't see you again. sniff""I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," she apologized, her eyes briefly clouded with worry and guilt. When Ben had told her he had to leave, Rey had panicked. Ben was just a child and lived far across the Atlantic Ocean. Young human soulmates like him rarely returned, as the older merfolk had told her.
"They either think it was all a dream from their fairy tales, or they find a human lover and never come back... or worse, they're gone forever."
"That's why we take them away and let them grow with us, bonding with them when the time is right," she recalled the stories of the older merrows.Rey had been alone for as long as she could remember. Though there were other merfolk around, they were much older than she was. She didn't want to lose Ben, her future husband. So, in her anxiety about these possibilities, she had rushed off to find something to ensure he would remember her and return.She was relieved to find him still on the ledge."I went to get this," she said, holding a small, shiny blood-red pearl in her hand. She reached for his hand and placed the pearl in his palm. "It was given to me by an ancient clam many years ago, her last pearl. It's the only one of its kind, my treasure."Ben gazed at the red pearl in his hand. It was shiny, smooth, and about the size of his pupils. "It's beautiful," he exclaimed, his eyes still red and his face blotchy as he examined the perfect scarlet gem."Keep it," Rey insisted, covering Ben's hands with hers and closing his fingers around the precious sea stone. "A gift to remember me by. No, I insist you keep it," she said firmly when Ben tried to hand it back to her."But I have nothing as magnificent and beautiful as this to give you," Ben's head drooped sadly. He wanted to give Rey something special."A kiss would suffice for now," she said.Ben blinked in astonishment. A beautiful girl—or in this case, a beautiful mermaid—wanted a kiss from him. "Oh, wizards, besides my mom, I've never kissed a girl in my life. How should I do this? Should I just bend and kiss her?" Not wanting to disappoint, Ben leaned closer, perhaps a bit too eagerly, toward her face to kiss her. Rey placed her finger on his lips."...And your promise to come back to me," she added firmly, her eyes serious.Shyly, Ben nodded. "I promise." His trembling lips touched her cheek, sending a strange, electrifying sensation through his veins. She tasted of the sea and, surprisingly, honey. Ben licked his lips when the kiss ended. There was something intoxicating about her; his body felt light and warm. Although he was only nine years old, he didn't fully understand these feelings yet. When he looked at her, her brilliant smile made his young heart flutter wildly."Are you an angel?" he asked in a daze."No, I'm a merrow, my dearest lad," she replied, giving him a quick peck on the jaw.Rey followed him to the arch as Ben waded through the shallow water. He felt strangely light, even though the seawater should have felt heavy on his legs. His cheeks, chest, and stomach fluttered with a sensation he couldn't quite comprehend. Was he getting sick? He felt like he was flying.When they reached the archway, he looked at Rey, who gracefully emerged from beneath the water."I'll be back," he promised before crossing the arch to return to St. Andrews Castle."And I'll be right here waiting for you," Rey promised in return.As Ben had anticipated, Han was furious. It was late in the afternoon, and the sky was painted with yellow-orange hues. Han spotted him from the bass boat while retracing his steps to the ruined castle. The boat docked ahead, and Han ran frantically toward his son."You foolish boy! I told you not to wander!" he exclaimed through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with anger. He shook his son's shoulders, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear, worry, and relief."I'm sorry, Dad... I...""This isn't like you, Ben," his dad interrupted. "I was worried, we were worried..." Han gestured toward Chewie on the boat. "I was so scared something might have happened to you." Han wiped the sweat from his face with his hands."I'm really sorry," Ben said quietly. "I wanted an adventure like you always have."Ben watched as his dad let out a long sigh, his fingers running through his wavy brown hair as he tried to calm himself. His dad squeezed his shoulder, not too hard, signaling his understanding. Ben understood why his dad was angry, but he couldn't care less. Meeting Rey was the greatest thing that had happened in his nine years of life on this planet.They boarded the boat and headed back to St. Andrews. Uncle Lando patted him on the back, while Chewie and Han packed their instruments and gadgets into the van."You scared the daylights out of your dad, Benny boy," Ben sat on a boulder, his uncle Lando standing beside him."I know... I didn't mean to," Ben replied, feeling guilty for worrying his dad but not regretting his adventure. "But I'm glad I went on my own." He squeezed the lump in his pocket."Oh, did you meet someone special?" His uncle's eyes sparkled with curiosity."Yes... she's like a sea goddess," Ben answered, flashing a lopsided grin.