Princess of Darkness

Chapter Ten

A/N: We are now entering the realm of Empire Strikes Back. This is like the 1/3 mark. In my head. Let's go!

A/N #2 Yes I am slightly rushing the Lily/Eli relationship. The way I have the last chapter written it needs to happen around here, and its not important to the story anyway. But I'm still trying to keep chemistry and adorableness between them.

Lily decided she hated desert planets, hot or cold. Maybe snow was worse than scorching sun. Of all the planets they had visited, Hoth was, by far, the worst. So, of couse, being promoted to Commanders, Luke and Lily had to set up their base here with Ava, Han, and Chewie. Most of the people went to her for questions, for some reason. She considered herself a terrible person for advice. When she told Eli this, he laughed.

"You are a natural leader, you just don't have a lot of experience." 

This had changed of course. It had to. Like a lot of other things about the twenty-three year old Jedi-in-training. She slept less, and slept lighter. The first high stakes mission she had gone on had resulted in capture at night. Not an experience she'd like to repeat. There was still hope, still lots of light in her blue eyes, but they were clouded by the acknowledgment of reality. 

The group had grown close, and closer. Saving each others backs and fighting with each other did that. Han, Luke, and Lily fought and teased each other constantly. Luke was less shy, more mature, and more comfortable with the stressful situations the war through at them. However, they all agreed that Lily was the chaotic one in battle, but somehow always knew what to do and found ways to win, or get out. 

Lily never missed the to long hugs and lingering touches and looks between Luke and Ava. She ignored it though, for both their sakes, just as they ignored the relationship between her and Eli, even if everyone knew it anyway. Their love life just wasn't priority number one. 

But they did go out after settling the bases after every move. They called them dates, and Eli had something special planned for the last one. He just needed to consult with Luke.

"Hey, Luke, got a second?" He raced up to the blond haired boy.

"Just about to head out for a quick sweep, why?" He paused. "This is about my sister, isn't it?"

"You Skywalkers and your observantness." He muttered. "Yeah. I wanted to um... ask... uh..."

"You want to propose?" Eli nodded. "Well its about time!" Eli looked at him in confusion. "Half the base already thinks you two are married. I'm surprised you asked me first, actually.'

"I figured if I was gonna do it, do it right. Thanks Luke. Really."

"When are you planning on asking?" 

"After you and Han get back."

"Well, we won't keep you waiting. I should probably go. Ava might kill me if I'm much later."

Eli chuckled. "You're not wrong. I won't keep you. Have fun!" He added sarcastically.  Luke rolled his eyes and left. 
***

Lily was worried. Solo came back. Luke was nowhere in sight. 

"He said he was checking out a meteor. I would have expected him to be back by now."

"That's what worries me."

Han then proceeded to scare the daylights out of the nearest sergeant to figure out if anyone saw him. No luck there.

"Are the speeders ready?" He asked.

"Not yet,  sir,  we're having some trouble adapting them to the cold."

"Then I'll go out on a tauntaun. "