Please see first chapter for disclaimer and other info
A/N: As promised, a new chapter hot off the press! I sincerely apologise for the long and somewhat agonising wait for this chapter. I had a rather horrible case of writer's block combined with silly season and extra uni work. Hopefully there won't be such a ridiculous wait in the future. I hope you all enjoy :D
Chapter Six: The Prince and the Smuggler
"Can you repeat that please Solo, I could have sworn you just asked my permission to marry Leia," Anakin asked steadily. It couldn't be. Sithspit, could he be the unluckiest father in the history of the galaxy?
Han gritted his teeth. What was it about this request that sent people into such a confused state. He, the dashing and charming ex-pirate wanted to marry a galactic Senator and crowned Princess. It wasn't that hard to believe.
He felt an urge to pull a blaster on himself and end the misery and gathered his thoughts. "Yes, Paps. I want to marry Leia. Soon. In fact, I might just ask her at this stupid celebration thing."
"B-b-but that's this weekend!" stammered Anakin, scrambling to find one of the prime insults he had used on Han in the past. He found none. Instead all he found was an alarming amount of dread in his stomach. This weekend was not looking good at all anymore.
Han looked at Anakin expectantly. He was increasingly getting nervous. For all the times he had wished Anakin would shut up, he was feeling kind of stupid. He would have given anything even for an insult or a punch at this point. Silence coming from the great Anakin Skywalker just wasn't right.
"Come on old, man. Give me something here!" Han practically yelled; his annoyance apparent in his tone. Meanwhile, Anakin seemed to be off in his own world. What could he possibly say that would fix this entire situation?
An image of him kidnapping Leia and taking her to the safest planet in the Unknown Regions far, far away from her two potential suitors came to mind. That was the most favourable option at this point in time. Who did he want as his son-in-law?
The annoying, cocky, pirate smuggler whom his daughter had spent the better part of five years with? Or the handsome, rich, pretty-boy, rich, dashing and did he mention rich Prince Isolder?
As he was about to open his mouth to finally give Han a retort worthy of their constant verbal sparring, a loud and intrusive noise interrupted him from behind. "Excuse me, Master Skywalker. I do believe it is rude to not accompany royalty to specified meeting places, especially when it concerns something as important as the future of your stunning daughter…"
Han and Anakin turned simultaneously to come face to face with long, flowing blonde hair and a not-so-amused face of Prince Isolder.
"Future of whose stunning daughter?" interrupted Han, eyeing the Prince. Anakin mentally slapped himself. This was not going to be good.
"Han Solo, I'd like you to meet Prince Isolder of Hapes. He will be Leia's honoured guest at tonight's proceedings," Anakin said, puffing out his chest slightly. The moment he was dreading was finally upon him. Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Master, pilot and most handsome man alive was actually a little scared. May the Force have mercy on me.
"Yeah, yeah, nice to meet you and all that. And whose stunning daughter are you proposing to change the future of?" Han pressed, getting that annoyed look in his eyes that was usually reserved for Anakin and losing Sabacc games.
If Isolder was insulted by the bluntness of the shabby smuggler in front of him, he took no notice. He flashed a perfect white smile. "The daughter of the grand Skywalkers, of course. I take it you have yet to meet the stunning beauty, Mr. Solo?"
"Captain Solo," Han replied through gritted teeth.
"Well, Captain Solo, I shall let you in on a little secret. Tonight Leia Skywalker-Organa is going to accept my marriage proposal and become the Queen of Hapes," he said, pride and cockiness thick in his voice.
Steam could have been coming out of Han's ears if his face was any indication. His face had become hardened and taken on an amusing shade of red. His hand clutched his blaster much in the same way Anakin had clutched his lightsaber.
To his credit, Han did not pull the weapon. For a moment, he simply stared at the Prince, like a nexu staring at a wounded bantha. "That's very interesting," he finally said. "Considering I'm the man who's spent most of the weekend in Leia's bed,"
Thousands of disturbing images ran through Anakin's mind at that point. He had already seen too much. To have Han actually say those words in front of Anakin made him feel like getting his knuckles ready for another shot. However, they both seemed to have bigger problems at this point in time.
Han's statement had no grand effect on Isolder. His facial expression turned a little more pensive than usual but then quickly returned to his smiling, somewhat sadistic manner. "That may be so, Mr. Solo. However, I assure you, the Skywalkers and Organas will be granting me permission to wed young Leia. Sixty-three gifts from the Hapan worlds will not have to compete with what I assume can only be worth a pocketful of credits and shabby looking pilot's clothes. She may have been in your bed Mr. Solo, but rest assured, after tonight's function, she will be in mine, practicing for an heir to the throne of Hapes."
Anakin Skywalker's The Galactic Dictionary
Awkward: To feel unease at a situation. For example, standing between two young men (though much less handsome and certainly less toned and built and strong…) who both have openly declared their intentions to court and make smoochies (still refusing to call it anything else) with his daughter.
Maybe I should just leave them to kill each other, thought Anakin. It would solve both my problems. Then I could lock Leia up in her room and she wouldn't be making smoochies with anyone.
The tension in the air was so thick that someone could have cut it with a vibroblade. Clapping his hands together in an attempt at a friendly gesture, he smiled at the two men who were shooting daggers at each other.
"How about we all go up to the palace? The function won't start for a few hours and maybe we can talk about his privately…"
Han snorted and Isolder simply glared. Anakin put on his best father-of-the-bride look and grasped his lightsaber. "Go," he commanded. With a flash of his robes, the Prince turned on his heel and headed back towards the palace.
Instead of following Isolder's lead, Han stayed, rigid and a look of annoyance plastered on his face.
"Going to stand there all day, Solo?" Anakin asked gruffly, rubbing his head due to the enormous headache that was coming on.
"Depends, Paps," Han replied through his teeth. "When were you going to tell me that you're planning on marrying Leia off to some pompous prince?"
Well at least I'm not the only one who thinks he's a pretty-boy…
"I'm not marrying Leia off to anyone yet," Anakin replied shortly. "At least Prince Isolder does not have manners resembling those of a bantha in heat!"
A Jedi's weapon is their Life
A Jedi's weapon should not be used to dismember any integral part of offending future son-in-laws…however tempting it may be.