Ben hurried to Rey. He needed to get to their room as fast as he could for he knew she might be upset.

   He didn't know how she would handle the news, he didn't even know when was best to tell her about what he had spoken with his mother. He only wanted to do as to make sure no harm came to her. But as he could see, she was not that kind of person. She was an active one, she needed to have something of her old life back. An he was glad the meeting did not take long and did not ruin his plans at all.

Rey
   Rey heard steps hurrying toward the door, and relief surged through her when she realized it was Ben.

   She ran to him and greeted him with a smile. He smiled back as he saw her puzzled at his hurry.

   "What exactly did you have to do when you would get back?"

   But he ignored her question. "Put on something comfortable on you. Breeches, boots, a light tunic, what you wore normally."

   She didn't have time to process it so she just followed him around. "Ben, I... What exactly are we doing?"

   And then he stopped and put his arms on her shoulders, as he could see she was beginning to worry. "I have prepared a surprise for you." he smiled as he couldn't hide the enthusiasm in his voice.

   "Ah," she gasped. "So that's why you were so anxious this morning." she crossed her arms.

   "Actually, yeah. Now hurry up." he urged her.

   She took up a new pair of leather pants and a new white shirt laced over her chest and her new crimson jerkin from the wardrobe and headed to the bathroom to change. She had tied a part of hair in a braided bun ar the back of her head, the rest of it was left loose down her neck and shoulders.

   When she was done, she took up her staff and realized Ben was waiting outside.

   "Go to the stables. I'll meet you there. But I need to do something first."

   She nodded and hurried along. What had he prepared? What was he up to? It seemed it was definitely not a party like those she had attended in the past days. But what could he have thought at?

   She entered the stables and found that someone was already preparing his horse. She stopped in the middle of the way. She has just realized he meant to ride out of the city. But if he wanted to take her with him, why was there only one horse? Maybe he had somewhere important to go alone, after all.

   But she saw him walking toward her. He wore leather pants and his long leather tunic over a shirt, strapped with a belt at his waist, where two swords hung from.

   He came next to her and led her to his horse. He gave the animal a pat, and told Rey to do so.

   "I don't understand." She complained.

   "Rey, it's a surprise."

   And a sad smile crossed her face. "It's the first time someone makes me a surprise. I can't remember if my father ever did such thing. If he did, I must have been so young, I don't remember."

   And he took both her hands and squeezed them. And she looked up at him.

   Then she saw him slid a black blindfold from one of his pockets. The thought of it made her shudder.

   " Do you trust me?" was all he asked.

   She didn't know what to answer. And she realized she has been looking at that fold for at least fifteen moments straight and her eyes moved back to Ben.

   "Yes." she muttered at last.

   And then she could feel his fingers slid behind her head as he tied the cloth around her eyes. At first, she drew back her head in refuse, and he stopped. But she wanted it to be a real surprise, wanted to know how one was, so she let him tie her eyes. After that, he gently brushed her jaw with his fingers and slid an arm across her shoulders to lead her to the horse that was waiting.

   And then it occurred to her that he had meant to ride with her, not alongside her. She gave in to his lead, and when she was near the animal she could feel its warmth, it's smell.
   She smiled as she remembered tending to horses when she was with her father. He would always let her brush them and feed them. She reached up with her hand to touch the horse, but the direction was wrong. Until she felt another warm hand gently taking hers and guiding it to the horse's mane, and then into short brushes. Then Ben let go of her hand, and Rey continued to wonder at the softness of the dark pelt.

   "You ready?" she heard Ben ask as he placed his hands on her waist.

   She nodded. His hands on her sent a chill through her, a pricking sensation, and her heart began to race.

   She placed both hands on the saddle and, when Ben lifted her off her feet, she swung one leg over the horse's back. Then she felt Ben do the same behind her. She gripped the saddle with both hands, and felt Ben's hand slid around her waist to keep hold of her.

   It was horrible to be blind. Rey always hated the idea of not being able to see exactly what was going on around her. And, for a moment, she could feel she was losing balance as the horse began to walk, but Ben held her tighter to him.

   "Hold on to the saddle." he told her. "I'll hold you, don't worry about that."

   It was the first time Rey rode a horse in a very long time. Since arriving in Braavos, she never got the chance again.

   And she gripped the saddle until her hands were aching when the horse began to canter out of the stables. She let out a nervous cry and gritted her teeth.

   And for a brief moment, she feared she would fall off. But Ben was holding her close to him. And she knew nothing could happen. Somehow, being in his arms reassured her.

   And, as she felt the wind rush through her hair and cause it snap anainst her neck, she began to laugh. She could tell they were out of King's Landing now, for a river rustled in the distance.

   Rey could feel Ben's laugh as well as hers and their horse ran with the wind.

   "Let go of the grip!" he told her. "Spread your arms wide in the air."

   She couldn't stop laughing. But as she controlled herself, she did as Ben told her. She spread her arms in a line, and for a moment she could taste the feel of freedom. But she bent down as soon as she lost her balance a bit.

   "I got you." Ben whispered, close to her ear.

   And then, as she held her hands in the air and smiled, he let go of the grip on her. Slowly, to make sure she was holding on.

   Rey now stood alone, until she realized Ben's hand was not on her anymore and a panic surrounded her.

   "You can do this, Rey. I know you can." he encouraged her and she kept going.

   She knew she could. And she just had to try farther. He has just given her an impuls, to show she could do anything.

   "I told you Rey! Nothing is impossible."

   In was maybe the best sensation she had felt in the past days, maybe in the past years. It was more than she could ever ask for.

   And she felt Ben's hand slid back on her waist as the horse rode into a trot, then stopped. She looked around, as if to see anything, when she felt him dismount behind her. Then she felt a hand gripping hers.

   "Now bent down and swing your leg over" he told her.

   Yet she was still a bit afraid of the height. What if he wouldn't catch her? What if the horse would break into a gallop with her still mounted?

   But as she did as he said, he got hold of her waist and she made to place her hands on his shoulders. But because of the blindfold, she grabbed hold of his face.

   "Sorry." her hand wandered from eyes, to nose, to mouth until it found the shoulder.

   She felt relief surge through her when her feet touched the ground, even though she never wanted the ride to end. And it saddened her that there would never be one like that, where she went through so many emotions.

   And she found herself hugging Ben. She wanted to thank him for bringing these feelings to her, for making her know what a surprise was.

   She felt a hand through her shoulder-length hair, and the blindfold was gone.

   Ben watched her closely as she opened her eyes so slowly, as if she were afraid everything was just a dream.

   "Tell me it's not a dream. Tell me this is truly happening." Rey said as she buried her face in his chest.

   "It is true, Rey." he said as he stroked her hair.

   Then her eyelids slowly began to rise.

   She had enjoyed the ride to that place, she never wanted the mistery to end.

   She gasped when she opened her eyes. It has been a very long time since she had seen so much green, since she had been in the middle of such place, surrounded by peace.

   There was no one around in the clearing they stood. A few feet away was flowing a river, and on their other side, trees were bordering the large, grassy shore.

   "We are in the Kingswood now." he told her as she continued to wonder. And he gazed at her face.

   "I've only been here when I came to King's Landing. It's wonderful. Thank you so much, you can't imagine how much I wanted to see those places again, to feel the freedom again."

   He smiled as he rubbed her back.

   "It's more than I could have asked for."

   "I never said it was all."

   She tilted her head to one side, and frowned. "What do you mean?"

   "You told me you were missing something very much, just a few days ago."

   She frowned. What could he remember and she did not? Then it occurred to her.

   "Yeah, I said I missed fighting very much. But I don't have a sword." She smiled sadly.

   "That's why I took two with me." he said as he drew one from his belt and handed it down to her.

   She took it, reluctantly. She weighed it in her grip and swished it up and down. The moves seemed to come out of nowhere, she felt that extension of her arm again. That was how much she had missed that feeling, a feeling of strength. The sword might have been a bit too heavy for her, but now it didn't matter. Any sword was perfect now, after so long of not using one.

   Ben drew his own and came toward her.

   "Ready for a training session?"

   "More than I've ever been!" she answered as she charged at him. And she took him by surprise, for her sidestepped and almost had time to swipe her sword away.

   But he laughed as he slashed at her again, and she barred the attack, wheeling back. Their swords clashed many times and the sound of steel on steel rang above them and up in the air.

   He made for a slash above her head, but she arched back, and came forth with a new series of blows that made him retreat. She was quick like a snake and swift as still water. Ben's moves were rather strong, but she dodged them easily.

   She has never really known how fighting him felt, and he was good, very good. No one before him took her so long to bring down. And she found she was beginning to tire.

   But still, she resisted. She clenched her teeth as she aimed for his throat. His blow landed, and her sword was brought down.

   "You're quite a good warrior."

   "Just good?" she teased as she sparred her sword with his again. 

   Their eyes were locked.

   "Not good, brilliant." he smiled.

   Rey let out a laugh before her new blows landed on Ben. And he seemed surprised by her speed and might. She realized he was afraid not to hurt her, that he was holding back.

   "Don't be gentle, Ben. I can fend for myself very well." She said as she stabbed at him.

   "I see it. Yet I don't want to be the one who hurts you." and he lunged for her.

   "Hmm." She smiled slyly at him, before slashing at his face. He bent to one side, avoiding the blow, and tried to slash at her legs, but she was quick and side-stepped.

   "Ha!" I told you I can defend myself. "You don't know that I fought all my life through this damned jungle!"

   "I know you, Rey."

   "It seems you don't pretty well."

   "I do."

   She frowned at him as they continued to spar.

   She had that determination in her eyes that defined her, Ben noticed.
   A moment of not looking out, and he caught her off guard, taking her hand and spinning her toward him.

   Rey let out a yell and doubled over, slamming into his chest. He put his sword beneath her chin, but at the same time, the tip of her sword came to rest pointed toward his heart.

   They had a moment lo lock eyes.
   Rey had just realized how close they were to each other, their noses almost touched. She could feel he was proud of her, the way he looked at her, with admiration. The way he had looked at her since they had first meet.

   Yet he had made her let her guard down with his words. And she couldn't forgive herself for that. She had to make up. She smiled at him, and then she knew he had forgotten about their fight.
   So she elbowed him in the stomach and bent down to the ground and tumbled away on the grass. She jumped to her feet and laughed when she saw his confused face.

   "Who is the smart one now?" she jested.

   "I thought..."

   She gave him a side smile. "I think you let your guard down a bit." She smirked as she held the blade out in front of her.

   "Rey..." he said affectionately. 

   "Come on, we're not done yet!"

   And he went first this time, and Rey parried his blow. He was stronger than her, yet she bent to the side and escaped his grip, wheeling around him and slashing at his neck.

   It seemed like they were caught in a dance, their eyes locked, as they fought and laughed at the same time. Rey held the sword with one hand, for Ben had chosen a lighter one for her. Yet how did he know her fighting style? She didn't remember being with him when she practiced. 

   Her first swordfight Master here in king's Landing has been a Braavosi, and he had taught her to fight the dance of waters, the style the swords of Braavosi used.
   She stood side faced across from Ben as they circled each other, her sword held in one hand, the other at her back.
   She realized he held his sword usually with both hands, especially when preparing for landing a blow.

   She could feel sweat pouring down her face from her hair, and her hard laugh only made her grow hotter. And he was happy, happier than she had ever seen him before. And she loved his smile, loved his laugh, loved those moments more than anything.
   She wheeled around him, clashing her sword with his high in the air and then spinning fast like a snake to the other side.

   Ben could hardly pay attention now. His laugh made him lose control. He did not remember ever being as happy as he was now. And did not want those moments to end. And Rey's happiness was contagious. He was glad he had finally done something, to make her enjoy it.

   He could feel she was losing control too, as they spun around each other, sparring. But all that mattered now was that they were happy together.
   Rey was now advancing on him and he just kept backing down. Her stabs and slashes were not straight anymore, but neither were his. The happiness had worn them off.
   She was running towards him, with her sword held carelessly in the right hand.

   He backed and backed, black hair and sweat falling down in his eyes and blinding him, until he stumbled over a small rock.
   At the same time, before losing balance completely, Rey came extremely close to him and he grabbed her arm.

   As he took her hand, Rey tried to do one more scheme, but it failed completely, resulting in her losing balance, too, and falling down with him, in a tangle.

   He fell on his back on the grass, and she on top of him.
   Reluctantly, she landed on her knees, one of his legs between hers, and propped herself on her palms, Ben's head between them.

   Rey could laugh all day, she wouldn't stop. She couldn't do that, didn't want to. She wanted to feel like that forever, wanted to stay in that place forever. Not alone, but with him. Him happy forever, like he was now. Her ecstasy had made her forget about everything, just live the moment. She forgot about hiding her feelings for him, instead she let them show without even realizing it.

   They stopped laughing for a moment and locked eyes. She smiled at him and rose a hand to brush his sweated hair away from his face. Then let her fingers linger against his cheek, as she caressed his soft skin.
   And he reached out, too, and tucked a stray hair that had escaped her bun behind her ear, then stopped there to caress her jaw.
  
   Then Rey let her hand slid to his chest and it rested there, as she let her eyes drown into his dark ones.

   His hand then descended on her arm, on the soft fabric of her thin white loose-sleeved tunic she wore under her laced leather jerkin, as the other was clasped on her waist.

   This time, her eyes dropped to his lips, but she averted them as quickly as she realized that. But when their eyes meet again she felt like her face was about to burn. He smiled.

   He caught me. she thought. He caught me off guard and I let my feelings roam free through me.

   And, all of a sudden, he rolled to one side and slid an arm on Rey's back to support her as he pinned her to the ground.

   Now he was standing on top of her like she did before and grinned, suppressing a laugh. One of her arms was splayed on the grass above her head, the other grasped his arm.

   Her short soft brown hair was scattered on the ground around her lovely face.
   Ben felt the urge to touch her, to kiss her. But he wasn't sure whether she wanted that or not yet. So he thanked just to drink in her face.

   Then, it surprised him when Rey kicked him and rolled him until they switched places again.

   "If that's what you want , so be it." he said as he put her to the ground again, and then her.

   Without realizing it, they rolled in each other's arms until they almost neared the stony bank of the river.
   But Ben stopped on the grass on his back, and Rey slammed on him and put an arm around his chest to support herself.
   His arm went behind her, wrapping around her shoulders protectively. He placed his free hand on top of hers, caressing it.
  
  
~Thanks for reading!~