School Days
Part VII
A Brush With Fear
By KittyCaro
Disclaimer: Characters from the Adventures of Voltron and the New Adventures of Voltron are copyright 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1997 by WEP. Any and all new/original characters belong to the author.
Rating: PG-13 for adult themes/situations, violence and bad language.
Author’s notes: This is an AU fic about Keith and Allura. The description about the Doomian Empire is loosely based on the Roman Empire.
Lynne (A Ray of Hope), what can I say? Thank you for being my friend, editor and for keeping VoR busy long enough so I can write. BTW check out the name of the nurse, I hope you don't mind ;-)
Ariane, I'll need your help for part VIII, okay?
Oh Gina! (First Crush), please forgive me for what I'm about to do to Lotor, I know I'm treading on dangerous territory. C&C are welcomed.
Originally Published 11/03/2000 - Revised 03/07/2015
Rating: PG-13 for adult themes/situations, violence and bad language.
Author’s notes: This is an AU fic about Keith and Allura. The description about the Doomian Empire is loosely based on the Roman Empire.
Lynne (A Ray of Hope), what can I say? Thank you for being my friend, editor and for keeping VoR busy long enough so I can write. BTW check out the name of the nurse, I hope you don't mind ;-)
Ariane, I'll need your help for part VIII, okay?
Oh Gina! (First Crush), please forgive me for what I'm about to do to Lotor, I know I'm treading on dangerous territory. C&C are welcomed.
Originally Published 11/03/2000 - Revised 03/07/2015
Click on the following links to move along to that chapter.
PERSONAL.LOG.STAR DATE.2302.08.28.1
Pidge just gave me a synopsis about the history of the Doomian Empire. It includes eyewitness' accounts of former slaves and information submitted by Coran and the Galaxy Alliance.
After the death of King Hazan in the year 2260, the Empire was divided up between his two sons, Zarkon and Honorius.
Zarkon, the older son, was given the most important military post in the Empire called Galra, and Honorius who was highly skilled in finance and law received Arlag, with its mines filled with lazon and other precious metals.
Hazan thought that Zarkon would be content to share the empire, but he was badly mistaken. Zarkon was a man of independent spirit. He had his brother put to death, and then he reorganized the army from top to bottom.
He was determined not to pledge himself to the Drule Empire, and for that he was branded persona non grata. He didn't care and committed himself fully to the expansion of his own empire. He particularly sought the help of the Isaurians, an unruly group of Terran ancestry made wonderful fighting material.
The Isaurian leader, Gainas, wanted to ingratiate himself with his new master and he offered his beautiful teenage daughter Lunette to Zarkon. They were married in Isauria under the Doomian rite.
The new Queen had come dreamy-eyed and full of hope to Galra, only to discover her bridegroom was a monster. The poor girl had been in love with Zarkon-
"In love with Zarkon?!"
[Keith stopped reading and looked at a picture of a young Zarkon, with his Queen by his side. She was beautiful; she had long, straight golden hair and bright blue eyes. Incredible as it may seem the evil King was considered handsome in his youth]
The passage of time has not been kind to you, Zarkon.
Queen Lunette couldn't bring herself to face the truth about her husband. Nevertheless, she accepted her fate and bore him a son, Lotor.
Six years later, she mysteriously disappeared. There's a rumor that she tried to escape with her lover, a Drule soldier called Hadrian but were captured by a young, ambitious lieutenant Yurak, and taken before her husband. It was said that Zarkon forced her to witness the torture and death of her lover, and then had her eyes put out and threw her into the Pit of Skulls to face a certain death.
But no one has been able to confirm this.
After this small setback, Zarkon was more determined to make himself master of the near universe. He succeeded in carrying out his program, with the aid of his new commander Yurak, and a sorceress from planet Mágos, called Hagar.
Thirty years later, the Doomian Empire had established itself in various sectors of the Denubian Galaxy; it also took parts of the Magenta and Cyan Galaxies.
This branch of the Drule race is more vicious. When someone rebels, or if a space colony rebels, Zarkon just eliminates every living thing within the rebellious village or planet. He has turned millions of people to slavery, pulling them away from their homes and bringing them to Doom to work in their mines or fight in the coliseum. He's the master of a cruel and exploitative system.
And his son, Prince Lotor is following his footsteps.
When he turned eight, the Prince was enrolled at the Drule Space Academy. Upon graduating with high honors, he was given his own fleet and spent the next six years in the campaign of the Diamond Sector, conquering planets and earning a reputation as a brilliant commander and great leader among his men.
Some Alliance officials fear that the teenager who had gone to meet his destiny, has come back a man, ready for a new, but different campaign.
Taking the throne away from his father.
Lotor threatens his enemies with a smirk on his face. Once he was taken prisoner by a group of space pirates. They didn't believe his claims that he was the Prince of Doom. He made the best of a bad situation. He treated them like his servants and even forced them to listen to his plans of conquest. When Cossack finally rescued him, the Dark Prince ordered the crucifixion of his kidnappers, but in a certain way he admired their tenacity, so presumably to lessen their suffering, he first slashed their throats.
He's very competitive and he wins by virtue of trickery-
[Keith rubs his forehead and winces]
I should know… the son of a bitch hit me with a stone!
Men of all classes have succumbed to his charms and he has seduced many ladies from various courts. Everyone agrees that he loves all hedonistic pleasures and he spends large sums of money to gratify his passions. He has a harem of beautiful women, most of them princesses and their ladies in waiting.
[Keith's brow furrowed. Just thinking that Allura could be part of that harem… he would cut his *family jewels* before he does that]
At night, Lotor takes part in the frivolous society of Doom, hosting a series of lavish banquets and countless orgies, where drugs and liquor flow endlessly. During the day he's a completely different man, a conspirator, a bully, a thug. Those who oppose him have to face the brutal repression at the hand of his henchman, Cossack.
The monstrous nature of the Dark Prince lurks behind his easy-going manner and friendliness. But those closest to him know that if they resist him, there would be bloodshed, so when he arrives on a conquered planet, he meets with no opposition.
"No opposition until he came to Arus and met with the Voltron Force and experienced his first defeat. He has vowed repeatedly that he will destroy us, but we will continue on our quest of protecting this planet we now consider our home."
Save... close.
Pidge just gave me a synopsis about the history of the Doomian Empire. It includes eyewitness' accounts of former slaves and information submitted by Coran and the Galaxy Alliance.
After the death of King Hazan in the year 2260, the Empire was divided up between his two sons, Zarkon and Honorius.
Zarkon, the older son, was given the most important military post in the Empire called Galra, and Honorius who was highly skilled in finance and law received Arlag, with its mines filled with lazon and other precious metals.
Hazan thought that Zarkon would be content to share the empire, but he was badly mistaken. Zarkon was a man of independent spirit. He had his brother put to death, and then he reorganized the army from top to bottom.
He was determined not to pledge himself to the Drule Empire, and for that he was branded persona non grata. He didn't care and committed himself fully to the expansion of his own empire. He particularly sought the help of the Isaurians, an unruly group of Terran ancestry made wonderful fighting material.
The Isaurian leader, Gainas, wanted to ingratiate himself with his new master and he offered his beautiful teenage daughter Lunette to Zarkon. They were married in Isauria under the Doomian rite.
The new Queen had come dreamy-eyed and full of hope to Galra, only to discover her bridegroom was a monster. The poor girl had been in love with Zarkon-
"In love with Zarkon?!"
[Keith stopped reading and looked at a picture of a young Zarkon, with his Queen by his side. She was beautiful; she had long, straight golden hair and bright blue eyes. Incredible as it may seem the evil King was considered handsome in his youth]
The passage of time has not been kind to you, Zarkon.
Queen Lunette couldn't bring herself to face the truth about her husband. Nevertheless, she accepted her fate and bore him a son, Lotor.
Six years later, she mysteriously disappeared. There's a rumor that she tried to escape with her lover, a Drule soldier called Hadrian but were captured by a young, ambitious lieutenant Yurak, and taken before her husband. It was said that Zarkon forced her to witness the torture and death of her lover, and then had her eyes put out and threw her into the Pit of Skulls to face a certain death.
But no one has been able to confirm this.
After this small setback, Zarkon was more determined to make himself master of the near universe. He succeeded in carrying out his program, with the aid of his new commander Yurak, and a sorceress from planet Mágos, called Hagar.
Thirty years later, the Doomian Empire had established itself in various sectors of the Denubian Galaxy; it also took parts of the Magenta and Cyan Galaxies.
This branch of the Drule race is more vicious. When someone rebels, or if a space colony rebels, Zarkon just eliminates every living thing within the rebellious village or planet. He has turned millions of people to slavery, pulling them away from their homes and bringing them to Doom to work in their mines or fight in the coliseum. He's the master of a cruel and exploitative system.
And his son, Prince Lotor is following his footsteps.
When he turned eight, the Prince was enrolled at the Drule Space Academy. Upon graduating with high honors, he was given his own fleet and spent the next six years in the campaign of the Diamond Sector, conquering planets and earning a reputation as a brilliant commander and great leader among his men.
Some Alliance officials fear that the teenager who had gone to meet his destiny, has come back a man, ready for a new, but different campaign.
Taking the throne away from his father.
Lotor threatens his enemies with a smirk on his face. Once he was taken prisoner by a group of space pirates. They didn't believe his claims that he was the Prince of Doom. He made the best of a bad situation. He treated them like his servants and even forced them to listen to his plans of conquest. When Cossack finally rescued him, the Dark Prince ordered the crucifixion of his kidnappers, but in a certain way he admired their tenacity, so presumably to lessen their suffering, he first slashed their throats.
He's very competitive and he wins by virtue of trickery-
[Keith rubs his forehead and winces]
I should know… the son of a bitch hit me with a stone!
Men of all classes have succumbed to his charms and he has seduced many ladies from various courts. Everyone agrees that he loves all hedonistic pleasures and he spends large sums of money to gratify his passions. He has a harem of beautiful women, most of them princesses and their ladies in waiting.
[Keith's brow furrowed. Just thinking that Allura could be part of that harem… he would cut his *family jewels* before he does that]
At night, Lotor takes part in the frivolous society of Doom, hosting a series of lavish banquets and countless orgies, where drugs and liquor flow endlessly. During the day he's a completely different man, a conspirator, a bully, a thug. Those who oppose him have to face the brutal repression at the hand of his henchman, Cossack.
The monstrous nature of the Dark Prince lurks behind his easy-going manner and friendliness. But those closest to him know that if they resist him, there would be bloodshed, so when he arrives on a conquered planet, he meets with no opposition.
"No opposition until he came to Arus and met with the Voltron Force and experienced his first defeat. He has vowed repeatedly that he will destroy us, but we will continue on our quest of protecting this planet we now consider our home."
Save... close.
Meanwhile, on Planet Doom…
Lotor raised his hand, hitting the harem girl a second time.
"You will do as you're told!" he growled.
"Please," she cried dropping on her knees and covering her face with her hands, "don't hit me."
He chuckled darkly. As a rule he didn't like women. They were sly and deceitful creatures, even his mother, who had escaped with her lover, leaving him behind.
He remembered that talk he had with his father, when he was only six years old. Zarkon had sat him on his lap, and told him that his mother had left them because she didn't love them, that she only cared about herself.
The little Prince began to cry; Zarkon became angry and slapped him.
"Listen to me, boy," he said slowly, in a low, ominous voice. "This is the last time you cry for your mother, is that understood?"
"Yes, father," he replied sobbing, rubbing his little cheek.
Lotor shook his head to clear those painful memories from his mind.
No, women were not to be trusted, only to be used and then disposed of.
Looking down at the young woman he said, "You're to do nothing but keep yourself in readiness for my lust, and be an amusing and charming companion when I desire you to be,"
"I understand, Milord," she replied meekly.
"Get on your back, and raise your skirts."
She raised her skirts high, revealing her luscious naked body beneath. He fell upon her immediately and used her lustily. She was not eager as he, although she pretended to be for fear of losing her life.
Finished with her, he arose and straightened out his clothing. He offered his hand to her. "Come," he lovingly asked her.
He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her hard.
At that moment there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Sire,"
"Enter."
Cossack came in and bowed. "His Majesty King Zarkon requests your presence in the throne room."
Lotor turned to the girl and kissed her gently on the lips. "Today is your lucky day, my pet," he said in a hushed tone, "go to Hagar, she has a surprise for you."
The wide-eyed girl hesitated for a few moments.
The Prince chuckled softly. "Go on, there's nothing to be afraid of."
She bowed slightly and then whirled around. Cossack gave Lotor his laser gun and he fired at the girl, whose body slumped to the floor instantly.
He shrugged. "I still prefer the sword," he sighed wistfully, returning the weapon. "It gives me more time to play with my victim."
Cossack smirked. The Prince really enjoyed the thrill of a killing.
Lotor knelt before her, leaning back upon his hunches. "Poor girl, she didn't seem to understand her purpose in life."
Swiftly, he stood back up. "Remove this carcass from my room, before it stains the marble."
"Yes, Sire."
Moments later, Lotor entered the throne room, and found his father and the old witch in deep conversation.
"Father," he said reverently.
He looked down. "Ah! Lotor, there you are. Hagar was telling me about your failed mission on Arus,"
Lotor's lip twitched. "That was Yurak's fault, but keep in mind that I managed to hurt Keith, the leader of the Voltron Force. And my spy has informed me that the pilot of Blue Lion hasn't yet recovered from the injuries inflicted by Hagar's robeast."
"I'll grant you that," Zarkon noted.
He stepped forward. "Please father, let me talk to Princess Allura, I know I'll convince her to join our Empire willingly."
Zarkon laughed evilly. "My dear son," he said mockingly, "You have the appeal of a salamander."
Lotor winced slightly. ~And you look like an old toad, so what?~
"Don't waste your time with that little bitch; my plans to overtake her planet have been set into motion already."
"Sire," Hagar began, "What would it hurt to let him make a final conquest, and capture Princess Allura?"
Zarkon pondered for a few moments, and then erupted in roaring laughter. "All right son, you can go back to Arus. After all, I was young once myself."
Hagar chuckled softly. "I thank the stars I never was!"
Lotor smiled appreciatively. "Thank you father, you won't regret it."
He returned to his chambers and lay down on his bed. He would love to see Allura as part of my harem, where she could be showcased and the public would get an opportunity to see her defeated, submissive.
"She would be my favorite," he whispered, and his groin tightened as he imagined himself taking her purity, satisfying his baser needs. They would have sex so many times and in different positions that it would be like an endless episode. And she would learn to love it.
What approach should he take with her? The way she defended the leader of the Voltron Force from his attack was that of a lioness. It must have been a fluke, he thought.
"I can help you," Hagar offered, with a wicked glee.
He groaned inwardly. He hated when she came into his chamber unannounced. He quickly sat up. "How?" he asked, barely glancing at the old hag.
"We must go to Arus. You will look for the Princess and capture her. I'll bring you back to the ship with my magic, where you can have your way with her. When the Voltron Force finds out she's missing it will be too late," she said triumphantly.
Stroking his chin slowly and thoughtfully, he narrowed his chatoyant eyes in contemplation.
Then a slow smile lit his azure features as he realized the cleverness of the witch.
"I like your idea so much, Hagar, that I could kiss you."
"You can, on my cheek," she replied, flustered.
He laughed. "Commence preparations!"
Lotor raised his hand, hitting the harem girl a second time.
"You will do as you're told!" he growled.
"Please," she cried dropping on her knees and covering her face with her hands, "don't hit me."
He chuckled darkly. As a rule he didn't like women. They were sly and deceitful creatures, even his mother, who had escaped with her lover, leaving him behind.
He remembered that talk he had with his father, when he was only six years old. Zarkon had sat him on his lap, and told him that his mother had left them because she didn't love them, that she only cared about herself.
The little Prince began to cry; Zarkon became angry and slapped him.
"Listen to me, boy," he said slowly, in a low, ominous voice. "This is the last time you cry for your mother, is that understood?"
"Yes, father," he replied sobbing, rubbing his little cheek.
Lotor shook his head to clear those painful memories from his mind.
No, women were not to be trusted, only to be used and then disposed of.
Looking down at the young woman he said, "You're to do nothing but keep yourself in readiness for my lust, and be an amusing and charming companion when I desire you to be,"
"I understand, Milord," she replied meekly.
"Get on your back, and raise your skirts."
She raised her skirts high, revealing her luscious naked body beneath. He fell upon her immediately and used her lustily. She was not eager as he, although she pretended to be for fear of losing her life.
Finished with her, he arose and straightened out his clothing. He offered his hand to her. "Come," he lovingly asked her.
He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her hard.
At that moment there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Sire,"
"Enter."
Cossack came in and bowed. "His Majesty King Zarkon requests your presence in the throne room."
Lotor turned to the girl and kissed her gently on the lips. "Today is your lucky day, my pet," he said in a hushed tone, "go to Hagar, she has a surprise for you."
The wide-eyed girl hesitated for a few moments.
The Prince chuckled softly. "Go on, there's nothing to be afraid of."
She bowed slightly and then whirled around. Cossack gave Lotor his laser gun and he fired at the girl, whose body slumped to the floor instantly.
He shrugged. "I still prefer the sword," he sighed wistfully, returning the weapon. "It gives me more time to play with my victim."
Cossack smirked. The Prince really enjoyed the thrill of a killing.
Lotor knelt before her, leaning back upon his hunches. "Poor girl, she didn't seem to understand her purpose in life."
Swiftly, he stood back up. "Remove this carcass from my room, before it stains the marble."
"Yes, Sire."
Moments later, Lotor entered the throne room, and found his father and the old witch in deep conversation.
"Father," he said reverently.
He looked down. "Ah! Lotor, there you are. Hagar was telling me about your failed mission on Arus,"
Lotor's lip twitched. "That was Yurak's fault, but keep in mind that I managed to hurt Keith, the leader of the Voltron Force. And my spy has informed me that the pilot of Blue Lion hasn't yet recovered from the injuries inflicted by Hagar's robeast."
"I'll grant you that," Zarkon noted.
He stepped forward. "Please father, let me talk to Princess Allura, I know I'll convince her to join our Empire willingly."
Zarkon laughed evilly. "My dear son," he said mockingly, "You have the appeal of a salamander."
Lotor winced slightly. ~And you look like an old toad, so what?~
"Don't waste your time with that little bitch; my plans to overtake her planet have been set into motion already."
"Sire," Hagar began, "What would it hurt to let him make a final conquest, and capture Princess Allura?"
Zarkon pondered for a few moments, and then erupted in roaring laughter. "All right son, you can go back to Arus. After all, I was young once myself."
Hagar chuckled softly. "I thank the stars I never was!"
Lotor smiled appreciatively. "Thank you father, you won't regret it."
He returned to his chambers and lay down on his bed. He would love to see Allura as part of my harem, where she could be showcased and the public would get an opportunity to see her defeated, submissive.
"She would be my favorite," he whispered, and his groin tightened as he imagined himself taking her purity, satisfying his baser needs. They would have sex so many times and in different positions that it would be like an endless episode. And she would learn to love it.
What approach should he take with her? The way she defended the leader of the Voltron Force from his attack was that of a lioness. It must have been a fluke, he thought.
"I can help you," Hagar offered, with a wicked glee.
He groaned inwardly. He hated when she came into his chamber unannounced. He quickly sat up. "How?" he asked, barely glancing at the old hag.
"We must go to Arus. You will look for the Princess and capture her. I'll bring you back to the ship with my magic, where you can have your way with her. When the Voltron Force finds out she's missing it will be too late," she said triumphantly.
Stroking his chin slowly and thoughtfully, he narrowed his chatoyant eyes in contemplation.
Then a slow smile lit his azure features as he realized the cleverness of the witch.
"I like your idea so much, Hagar, that I could kiss you."
"You can, on my cheek," she replied, flustered.
He laughed. "Commence preparations!"
After attending some royal affairs with her advisor, Princess Allura went to visit the Commander of the Voltron Force, who was still resting in his hospital room. At first he didn't like the idea of staying, but Allura pointed out that it was the perfect excuse to see each other without causing suspicion. She would come to visit him as the leader of Arus, who's worried about the health of the Commander of the Voltron Force. And of course he liked her idea.
When Allura entered the room she found Marcus Bøgh, a male nurse, removing the splint from Keith's right arm.
"Good morning," she said.
They turned to her. "Good morning, Your Highness."
"How's our patient, Marcus?"
He smiled gently at her. "Much better, he won't need the splint anymore."
"I'm glad," she replied. She then picked up her diary and settled herself beside his bed.
The nurse then excused himself.
She looked up to see Keith rubbing his shoulder.
"Are you in pain?"
"Just a bit." He tried to smile, but she could see the truth in his eyes.
"You did too much today, planning strategy, preparing your report for the Alliance and reviewing the information Pidge gathered about Lotor. You should be resting, not working."
"I don't like being idle. Besides, I'll feel much better in the morning, after lion practice."
"Dr. Gorma gave you permission?" she asked surprised.
"He had to, we must be ready for Lotor's return," he replied grimly.
"What about Sven?" she asked, "He can fly Black for you."
"Gorma won't give the okay, because his leg hasn't healed completely."
"Poor Sven," she whispered.
"I know how he feels," he sighed, "it's really frustrating to be grounded."
"I'll ask the nurse for an ointment for your shoulder."
"Please, don't," he replied wearily, "I'm getting tired of the endless parade of nurses checking me out, taking my temperature or poking needles at me."
She smiled. "Keith, don't be such a cry baby." She set aside her diary and walked away.
Minutes later she returned carrying a tray with a tube of liniment and a box of facial tissues.
"Where's Marcus?"
"He's attending other patients. You will need to bare your shoulder and lie on your stomach,"
He blinked. "I need to what?" he asked alarmed.
Then it dawned on him, she was going to place her hands on him. His lips curved into a slight smile.
Taking off the top of his light blue pajamas, he lay face down on the bed.
Allura began by rubbing a small amount of the mint-scented pomade on his skin. At first contact, she felt a surge or warmth, and cautioned herself to think of him not as the man she loved, but as a patient.
~Poor thing,~ she thought, ~he's so tense. But that's the price of carrying the weight of so much responsibility on his shoulders.~
As her fingers kneaded his flesh, Keith couldn't suppress a sigh escaping from his lips. "Tienes el toque de un ángel," (you have an angel's touch)
"You'll regret those words very soon," she giggled softly. "Marcus said that it will burn before it soothes."
"No me importa; el sentir tus dedos en mi piel es lo más dulce que he conocido." (I don't care; feeling your fingers on my flesh is the sweetest thing I've ever known)
She went very still, wondering if he could read her mind. She was just thinking the same thing. The feel of his muscled flesh beneath her fingertips was unlike any other she had ever experienced. She wanted to touch him everywhere. And she wanted him to do the same to her.
"¿Qué sucede? ¿Por qué te detuviste?" (What is it? Why did you stop?) He rolled over and caught sight of the flush on her cheeks.
He sat down and caught her hands in both of his. "Lo siento, ¿dije algo malo?" (I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?)
"No," she whispered. She lifted her face, and he noticed that her eyes were bright with tears. "Solo pensaba lo cerca que estuve de perderte." (I was just thinking of how close I came to losing you)
"Allura," he sighed, warmed by her admission. He framed her face and stared into those blue orbs with such intensity, that she felt shivers up and down her spine. She closed her eyes, waiting for his kiss as his warmth breath fanned over her face.
Their lips were almost touching, when a discreet cough interrupted their interlude.
"God dag!" (Good day)" Sven greeted them happily, his dark blue eyes dancing with mirth.
Startled, Allura flushed and drew back. "Good morning, Sven."
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked innocently, "I can come back later if you want me to."
"No- not at all," was her quick reply, reaching for a facial tissue to clean up her hands.
"T-thank you, Princess," Keith stammered. "For applying the ointment, I feel much better."
"Y-you're welcome, Commander," she blurted out.
Sven brushed a hand over his mouth to hide his smile. He felt bad for sneaking up on them, but not too much.
"Excuse me," she said grabbing her diary and hurrying off.
Sven watched her go. She looked lovely when she blushed, he thought appreciatively.
Turning his gaze back to his friend, he asked, "Do you want help with your pajama top?"
Keith gave him an icy glare. "No thank you, I can manage."
Sven shrugged his shoulders. "All right," he replied, taking a seat. ~Better not push it.~
The rest of the Force then entered the room.
"Hey, Keith," Lance said, "How are you doing?"
"Much better, thanks!"
"That's a nasty cut you have on that shoulder," Pidge said grimacing.
He chuckled softly. "Yes, but Dr. Gorma is a very skilled surgeon, in a few days I will be as good as new."
"Hmm- what you need for that shoulder is a good, invigorating Swedish massage," Hunk suggested.
"He already had one," Sven added matter-of-factly.
"Really?" Lance asked, arching an eyebrow at his friend.
Keith ran his fingers nervously through his hair. "Well yeah, a while ago-"
Sven leaned his head on the wall. "Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky to be given a massage by an *angel*," he said, rubbing his own leg. "Isn't that right, Keith?"
Keith flushed at the double meaning of his words. He could have sworn there was a hint of laughter in his friend's voice. How much did he see? He wondered.
Sensing the burning gaze of his friend, Sven thought amusedly, ~Don't worry my friend, I won't tell anyone- yet.~
When Allura returned, they immediately became engaged in deep conversation about the Castle's defenses, much to Keith's relief.
When Allura entered the room she found Marcus Bøgh, a male nurse, removing the splint from Keith's right arm.
"Good morning," she said.
They turned to her. "Good morning, Your Highness."
"How's our patient, Marcus?"
He smiled gently at her. "Much better, he won't need the splint anymore."
"I'm glad," she replied. She then picked up her diary and settled herself beside his bed.
The nurse then excused himself.
She looked up to see Keith rubbing his shoulder.
"Are you in pain?"
"Just a bit." He tried to smile, but she could see the truth in his eyes.
"You did too much today, planning strategy, preparing your report for the Alliance and reviewing the information Pidge gathered about Lotor. You should be resting, not working."
"I don't like being idle. Besides, I'll feel much better in the morning, after lion practice."
"Dr. Gorma gave you permission?" she asked surprised.
"He had to, we must be ready for Lotor's return," he replied grimly.
"What about Sven?" she asked, "He can fly Black for you."
"Gorma won't give the okay, because his leg hasn't healed completely."
"Poor Sven," she whispered.
"I know how he feels," he sighed, "it's really frustrating to be grounded."
"I'll ask the nurse for an ointment for your shoulder."
"Please, don't," he replied wearily, "I'm getting tired of the endless parade of nurses checking me out, taking my temperature or poking needles at me."
She smiled. "Keith, don't be such a cry baby." She set aside her diary and walked away.
Minutes later she returned carrying a tray with a tube of liniment and a box of facial tissues.
"Where's Marcus?"
"He's attending other patients. You will need to bare your shoulder and lie on your stomach,"
He blinked. "I need to what?" he asked alarmed.
Then it dawned on him, she was going to place her hands on him. His lips curved into a slight smile.
Taking off the top of his light blue pajamas, he lay face down on the bed.
Allura began by rubbing a small amount of the mint-scented pomade on his skin. At first contact, she felt a surge or warmth, and cautioned herself to think of him not as the man she loved, but as a patient.
~Poor thing,~ she thought, ~he's so tense. But that's the price of carrying the weight of so much responsibility on his shoulders.~
As her fingers kneaded his flesh, Keith couldn't suppress a sigh escaping from his lips. "Tienes el toque de un ángel," (you have an angel's touch)
"You'll regret those words very soon," she giggled softly. "Marcus said that it will burn before it soothes."
"No me importa; el sentir tus dedos en mi piel es lo más dulce que he conocido." (I don't care; feeling your fingers on my flesh is the sweetest thing I've ever known)
She went very still, wondering if he could read her mind. She was just thinking the same thing. The feel of his muscled flesh beneath her fingertips was unlike any other she had ever experienced. She wanted to touch him everywhere. And she wanted him to do the same to her.
"¿Qué sucede? ¿Por qué te detuviste?" (What is it? Why did you stop?) He rolled over and caught sight of the flush on her cheeks.
He sat down and caught her hands in both of his. "Lo siento, ¿dije algo malo?" (I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?)
"No," she whispered. She lifted her face, and he noticed that her eyes were bright with tears. "Solo pensaba lo cerca que estuve de perderte." (I was just thinking of how close I came to losing you)
"Allura," he sighed, warmed by her admission. He framed her face and stared into those blue orbs with such intensity, that she felt shivers up and down her spine. She closed her eyes, waiting for his kiss as his warmth breath fanned over her face.
Their lips were almost touching, when a discreet cough interrupted their interlude.
"God dag!" (Good day)" Sven greeted them happily, his dark blue eyes dancing with mirth.
Startled, Allura flushed and drew back. "Good morning, Sven."
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked innocently, "I can come back later if you want me to."
"No- not at all," was her quick reply, reaching for a facial tissue to clean up her hands.
"T-thank you, Princess," Keith stammered. "For applying the ointment, I feel much better."
"Y-you're welcome, Commander," she blurted out.
Sven brushed a hand over his mouth to hide his smile. He felt bad for sneaking up on them, but not too much.
"Excuse me," she said grabbing her diary and hurrying off.
Sven watched her go. She looked lovely when she blushed, he thought appreciatively.
Turning his gaze back to his friend, he asked, "Do you want help with your pajama top?"
Keith gave him an icy glare. "No thank you, I can manage."
Sven shrugged his shoulders. "All right," he replied, taking a seat. ~Better not push it.~
The rest of the Force then entered the room.
"Hey, Keith," Lance said, "How are you doing?"
"Much better, thanks!"
"That's a nasty cut you have on that shoulder," Pidge said grimacing.
He chuckled softly. "Yes, but Dr. Gorma is a very skilled surgeon, in a few days I will be as good as new."
"Hmm- what you need for that shoulder is a good, invigorating Swedish massage," Hunk suggested.
"He already had one," Sven added matter-of-factly.
"Really?" Lance asked, arching an eyebrow at his friend.
Keith ran his fingers nervously through his hair. "Well yeah, a while ago-"
Sven leaned his head on the wall. "Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky to be given a massage by an *angel*," he said, rubbing his own leg. "Isn't that right, Keith?"
Keith flushed at the double meaning of his words. He could have sworn there was a hint of laughter in his friend's voice. How much did he see? He wondered.
Sensing the burning gaze of his friend, Sven thought amusedly, ~Don't worry my friend, I won't tell anyone- yet.~
When Allura returned, they immediately became engaged in deep conversation about the Castle's defenses, much to Keith's relief.
On the edge of the forest bordering the Castle of Lions, the Crowned Prince of Doom was waiting for the right moment. He didn't trust any of his men for this undertaking. This was something he wanted for do for himself. He looked up the hill and saw the castle's walls. He needed to get closer.
He moved from the woods onto the narrow path leading up to the walled enclosure. There was a platform where the royal guards stood on watch, and there were certainly more armed men as he had anticipated. They had taken additional precautions now that Keith was incapacitated and were unable to form the damned robot. It was time to take their most prized possession.
The fair Princess Allura.
At that precise moment, Lotor saw her coming out of the castle and heading for the gardens. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders, almost touching the small of her back.
His eyes narrowed. His spy was right about her. He could see that her subjects both loved and respected her by the way in which they greeted her and tended to her needs.
He realized he was, for the first time in his life, in the presence of a good woman. He had never thought such a creature existed.
That gave rise to another question. What was a good woman like in bed? Would her cool elegance extend to her master's bed, or would she be passionate and hot in his arms?
He smiled wolfishly. He would soon find out.
The princess decided to get some fresh flowers for Keith's room. She had already changed into her pink jumpsuit. She entered the tool shed to get her gardening gloves and pruning shears.
She had finished putting on her gloves when the wooden door to the shed opened. "Is that you, Johan?" she asked, "I can't seem to find the shears-"
There was no answer.
Allura turned around. Her mouth dropped in surprise and her eyes widened. Fear took a stranglehold on her throat. "What," she demanded, "are you doing here?"
It was Prince Lotor, whose saffron eyes glowed with triumph and who gave a mocking bow.
She tried to slam the door, but a huge, booted black foot stuck in the threshold. Lotor grunted as the heavy wood struck his knee, but when she leaned with all her weight, he pushed inexorably inward.
"Keith!" she cried.
"No Princess, your Captain isn't here to rescue you." He had the door completely open now. She craned her neck to scan the corridor behind him. He was telling the truth, they were alone. The Prince took in her wide-eyed bewilderment, then crushed her hopes and illusions with one phrase-
"My dear Allura, I came for you."
Before she could scream, he stepped inside, crowding her backward, exuding a large, dark, evil aura. She darted around him. His hand shot out and grasped her wrist, swinging her around.
But she wasn't studying judo for nothing- if only she could just control her fear, think and remember.
Sven's words came to mind. A strong person would probably defeat a weaker one of the same skill, but if the weaker person is the more skillful he or she may very well win.
She assessed the situation. Lotor stood at the right angle to her- vulnerable and fair game. Yet even though he was bigger, stronger, and willing to use his strength against her, she found herself unable to ruthlessly do the same.
"Release me this instant."
"No, Princess." He sounded very sure of himself, and as his grip tightened, her glove escaped from his other hand. She followed its descent with wide eyes. It landed next to his black boot. Then slowly, her gaze traveled up his long legs, clad in blue trousers, his black skirt-like garment, and his skull belt- the same horrible skull that Keith had tattooed on his arm. Up his torso, with its blue shirt with red ruffles.
And finally his face. No kindness softened his features. He appeared to be dangerous, harsh… evil.
She had to escape.
~Princess- when your attacker approaches you, don't try to struggle. Remember- the element of surprise is on your side.~
Quickly, she reached up and grabbed his mane of white silky hair, pulling back and taking him off balance.
"What the-"
She then struck him with full force in the groin with her knee, making him yelp like a dog. She pulled all the way back and let him fall to the floor.
He looked up at her in disbelief. "Where did you learn that?!" he gasped, "Tell me-"
But instead she struck him with a foot stomp on the stomach, and he curled up in agony.
Dumbfounded, she stared at the sight of her attacker. The maneuver worked. It really worked!
~Come on Allura, don't just stand there! Get out!~ her mind screamed.
She ran toward the door. His hand shot out grabbing her ankle, knocking her off balance. She landed on the floor, the wind temporarily knocked out of her.
Slowly, Lotor rose to his feet, his manly pride hurting like hell. Seizing her under the armpit, he dragged her back up, slamming the door behind them. Letting go as quickly as she could, she stumbled to her feet.
His scowl permeated his voice, now deeper. "If you hadn't hesitated-"
She glared at him. If she hadn't hesitated, she would be free.
"You have to let me go."
"No- you'll come back with me, whether you like it or not."
"Back? Where?"
"Planet Doom."
"I'm not going!"
"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you!" he barked, grasping her arm and hustling her along. They stepped out of the shed. He then took out his communicator and said, "We're ready."
A familiar cackle came out of the device. "Very well, Your Highness."
Allura's face blanched. Hagar was here too! She had to do something!
She glanced back and saw Johan walking toward the stables.
"Help!" she yelled. "Help me-"
"Silence!" Lotor hissed, dragging her into the shadows of a eucalyptus tree and held her there, unseen by the young man. He pulled her close and shoved her face into his chest, holding her by the back of her neck as a feline did with its prey. She tried to struggle, but his powerful arms wouldn't let go.
Then their bodies were surrounded by a greenish fog and vanished from the gardens.
The brown-haired man heard her cries and came running into the gardens, but he only found a delicate gardening glove lying on the floor. He picked it up and said, "I'm sure I heard her voice."
Sensing that something dreadful had happened to her, he ran to the control room to inform the Royal Advisor.
"Master Coran," Johan cried, "Something has happened to Her Majesty!"
"How do you know?"
"I was on my way to the stables when I heard her cries coming from the gardens. I went to her aid and only found this gardening glove."
Coran immediately summoned Nanny, but she didn't know anything about the Princess' whereabouts. Fearing the worst, he pressed the alarm button, and the castle was engulfed with the blaring of claxons. The Voltron Force came into the room in a matter of minutes.
"What's wrong Coran?" Lance asked.
Keith frowned, looking about the control room, searching. "Where's the Princess, Coran?"
"She was kidnapped," he replied bluntly.
There was a collective gasp in the room.
"Tell us what happened," Sven pleaded.
"She was in the gardens, Johan heard her cries and when he went to her, he only found this glove. We have searched for her, but couldn't find her, that's when I raised the alarm."
Keith stood stock-still. The gardens… one of the two places where there weren't any surveillance cameras. He had done it on purpose, so he and Allura could meet secretly.
He now regretted that fateful decision.
"Who could have taken her?" Hunk wondered aloud.
"Lotor, who else?" Keith's voice was rising, as was his temper. There was a red mist forming before his eyes as his rage rose.
It was his fault that Allura was taken away too easily. He had failed to protect her.
"But his ship wasn't detected by Castle Control," Pidge said agitated, clenching his hands into fists.
"He must have used special stealth protection," Hunk offered.
"Dammit it! We must rescue her," Lance exclaimed, his balled fist drove into his palm. "Let's go to the Lions!"
"Lance, Wait!" Keith snapped, "We must plan this, I don't want to risk her life. It has to be well thought out."
He narrowed his eyes, the red mist fading slightly, but now there was anger centered in the middle of his chest.
He had to think with a cool head.
After a few agonizing moments, he said, "We'll surrender the Lions to Lotor."
"What?!" Hunk gasped.
"Are you crazy?!" Lance asked shocked, "That's what that asshole wants!"
Keith glanced at him. "We'll make him believe that we're giving up in exchange for the Princess' safe return. And to complete this charade, we're going to give him phony keys."
"That's a great idea!" Hunk exclaimed.
"I'm sure it's going to work," Sven added.
Keith walked over to the console, and pressed the button of the comm unit.
"Nanny?"
"Y-yes, Commander?" she sobbed.
"We need the key to Blue Lion, do you know where it is?"
She sniffed. "Yes, I'll fetch it for you."
"Thank you," he replied, releasing the button.
"Everyone, give me your keys." Reaching for his own key, he turned to Pidge and said, "Pick up the key from Nanny and then go with the royal locksmith."
"Right, Skipper!" he replied grabbing the keys and dashing off.
Turning to Sven, Keith said, "We need you, but we you could get in trouble with Dr. Gorma."
Placing a hand on his left shoulder, his friend replied, "I don't care, Keith, we must save her."
He nodded. "Thanks."
First thing was to go and search for Lotor's hideaway. Gazing at the view screen, Keith couldn't help but wonder if his beloved was safe. ~Ally!~ he cried in his heart, ~we'll rescue you, I promise.~
He moved from the woods onto the narrow path leading up to the walled enclosure. There was a platform where the royal guards stood on watch, and there were certainly more armed men as he had anticipated. They had taken additional precautions now that Keith was incapacitated and were unable to form the damned robot. It was time to take their most prized possession.
The fair Princess Allura.
At that precise moment, Lotor saw her coming out of the castle and heading for the gardens. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders, almost touching the small of her back.
His eyes narrowed. His spy was right about her. He could see that her subjects both loved and respected her by the way in which they greeted her and tended to her needs.
He realized he was, for the first time in his life, in the presence of a good woman. He had never thought such a creature existed.
That gave rise to another question. What was a good woman like in bed? Would her cool elegance extend to her master's bed, or would she be passionate and hot in his arms?
He smiled wolfishly. He would soon find out.
The princess decided to get some fresh flowers for Keith's room. She had already changed into her pink jumpsuit. She entered the tool shed to get her gardening gloves and pruning shears.
She had finished putting on her gloves when the wooden door to the shed opened. "Is that you, Johan?" she asked, "I can't seem to find the shears-"
There was no answer.
Allura turned around. Her mouth dropped in surprise and her eyes widened. Fear took a stranglehold on her throat. "What," she demanded, "are you doing here?"
It was Prince Lotor, whose saffron eyes glowed with triumph and who gave a mocking bow.
She tried to slam the door, but a huge, booted black foot stuck in the threshold. Lotor grunted as the heavy wood struck his knee, but when she leaned with all her weight, he pushed inexorably inward.
"Keith!" she cried.
"No Princess, your Captain isn't here to rescue you." He had the door completely open now. She craned her neck to scan the corridor behind him. He was telling the truth, they were alone. The Prince took in her wide-eyed bewilderment, then crushed her hopes and illusions with one phrase-
"My dear Allura, I came for you."
Before she could scream, he stepped inside, crowding her backward, exuding a large, dark, evil aura. She darted around him. His hand shot out and grasped her wrist, swinging her around.
But she wasn't studying judo for nothing- if only she could just control her fear, think and remember.
Sven's words came to mind. A strong person would probably defeat a weaker one of the same skill, but if the weaker person is the more skillful he or she may very well win.
She assessed the situation. Lotor stood at the right angle to her- vulnerable and fair game. Yet even though he was bigger, stronger, and willing to use his strength against her, she found herself unable to ruthlessly do the same.
"Release me this instant."
"No, Princess." He sounded very sure of himself, and as his grip tightened, her glove escaped from his other hand. She followed its descent with wide eyes. It landed next to his black boot. Then slowly, her gaze traveled up his long legs, clad in blue trousers, his black skirt-like garment, and his skull belt- the same horrible skull that Keith had tattooed on his arm. Up his torso, with its blue shirt with red ruffles.
And finally his face. No kindness softened his features. He appeared to be dangerous, harsh… evil.
She had to escape.
~Princess- when your attacker approaches you, don't try to struggle. Remember- the element of surprise is on your side.~
Quickly, she reached up and grabbed his mane of white silky hair, pulling back and taking him off balance.
"What the-"
She then struck him with full force in the groin with her knee, making him yelp like a dog. She pulled all the way back and let him fall to the floor.
He looked up at her in disbelief. "Where did you learn that?!" he gasped, "Tell me-"
But instead she struck him with a foot stomp on the stomach, and he curled up in agony.
Dumbfounded, she stared at the sight of her attacker. The maneuver worked. It really worked!
~Come on Allura, don't just stand there! Get out!~ her mind screamed.
She ran toward the door. His hand shot out grabbing her ankle, knocking her off balance. She landed on the floor, the wind temporarily knocked out of her.
Slowly, Lotor rose to his feet, his manly pride hurting like hell. Seizing her under the armpit, he dragged her back up, slamming the door behind them. Letting go as quickly as she could, she stumbled to her feet.
His scowl permeated his voice, now deeper. "If you hadn't hesitated-"
She glared at him. If she hadn't hesitated, she would be free.
"You have to let me go."
"No- you'll come back with me, whether you like it or not."
"Back? Where?"
"Planet Doom."
"I'm not going!"
"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you!" he barked, grasping her arm and hustling her along. They stepped out of the shed. He then took out his communicator and said, "We're ready."
A familiar cackle came out of the device. "Very well, Your Highness."
Allura's face blanched. Hagar was here too! She had to do something!
She glanced back and saw Johan walking toward the stables.
"Help!" she yelled. "Help me-"
"Silence!" Lotor hissed, dragging her into the shadows of a eucalyptus tree and held her there, unseen by the young man. He pulled her close and shoved her face into his chest, holding her by the back of her neck as a feline did with its prey. She tried to struggle, but his powerful arms wouldn't let go.
Then their bodies were surrounded by a greenish fog and vanished from the gardens.
The brown-haired man heard her cries and came running into the gardens, but he only found a delicate gardening glove lying on the floor. He picked it up and said, "I'm sure I heard her voice."
Sensing that something dreadful had happened to her, he ran to the control room to inform the Royal Advisor.
"Master Coran," Johan cried, "Something has happened to Her Majesty!"
"How do you know?"
"I was on my way to the stables when I heard her cries coming from the gardens. I went to her aid and only found this gardening glove."
Coran immediately summoned Nanny, but she didn't know anything about the Princess' whereabouts. Fearing the worst, he pressed the alarm button, and the castle was engulfed with the blaring of claxons. The Voltron Force came into the room in a matter of minutes.
"What's wrong Coran?" Lance asked.
Keith frowned, looking about the control room, searching. "Where's the Princess, Coran?"
"She was kidnapped," he replied bluntly.
There was a collective gasp in the room.
"Tell us what happened," Sven pleaded.
"She was in the gardens, Johan heard her cries and when he went to her, he only found this glove. We have searched for her, but couldn't find her, that's when I raised the alarm."
Keith stood stock-still. The gardens… one of the two places where there weren't any surveillance cameras. He had done it on purpose, so he and Allura could meet secretly.
He now regretted that fateful decision.
"Who could have taken her?" Hunk wondered aloud.
"Lotor, who else?" Keith's voice was rising, as was his temper. There was a red mist forming before his eyes as his rage rose.
It was his fault that Allura was taken away too easily. He had failed to protect her.
"But his ship wasn't detected by Castle Control," Pidge said agitated, clenching his hands into fists.
"He must have used special stealth protection," Hunk offered.
"Dammit it! We must rescue her," Lance exclaimed, his balled fist drove into his palm. "Let's go to the Lions!"
"Lance, Wait!" Keith snapped, "We must plan this, I don't want to risk her life. It has to be well thought out."
He narrowed his eyes, the red mist fading slightly, but now there was anger centered in the middle of his chest.
He had to think with a cool head.
After a few agonizing moments, he said, "We'll surrender the Lions to Lotor."
"What?!" Hunk gasped.
"Are you crazy?!" Lance asked shocked, "That's what that asshole wants!"
Keith glanced at him. "We'll make him believe that we're giving up in exchange for the Princess' safe return. And to complete this charade, we're going to give him phony keys."
"That's a great idea!" Hunk exclaimed.
"I'm sure it's going to work," Sven added.
Keith walked over to the console, and pressed the button of the comm unit.
"Nanny?"
"Y-yes, Commander?" she sobbed.
"We need the key to Blue Lion, do you know where it is?"
She sniffed. "Yes, I'll fetch it for you."
"Thank you," he replied, releasing the button.
"Everyone, give me your keys." Reaching for his own key, he turned to Pidge and said, "Pick up the key from Nanny and then go with the royal locksmith."
"Right, Skipper!" he replied grabbing the keys and dashing off.
Turning to Sven, Keith said, "We need you, but we you could get in trouble with Dr. Gorma."
Placing a hand on his left shoulder, his friend replied, "I don't care, Keith, we must save her."
He nodded. "Thanks."
First thing was to go and search for Lotor's hideaway. Gazing at the view screen, Keith couldn't help but wonder if his beloved was safe. ~Ally!~ he cried in his heart, ~we'll rescue you, I promise.~
Coran and Sven waited for almost an hour for Keith's signal. Sven stood and began to pace, until pain caused him to sit down again. He idly rubbed his right leg, despising this weakness. It was something that was alien to him. But the pain was something he could endure. It had been an accepted part of being a space explorer. And so he focused on the pain, using it to fire his blood.
Gritting his teeth, he pulled himself to his feet and waited until the dizziness passed before making his way to the console. He was determined to help his friends rescue the Princess from the vile Prince of Doom.
Coran sank heavily into the armed chair of the console. "Why hasn't Keith called?" he asked, "We need to know what is happening to Her Highness. Nanny can't stop crying."
Sven sighed. "I have waited long enough. I must go to them."
"Yes," the man agreed calmly, but his demeanor did nothing to restore his confidence. He feared for the girl he loved as a daughter.
"Good luck, Lieutenant," he said, pressing a button for the portals.
Sven looked up as the console was raised. "Thank you," he said quietly and then walked to his chute.
Gritting his teeth, he pulled himself to his feet and waited until the dizziness passed before making his way to the console. He was determined to help his friends rescue the Princess from the vile Prince of Doom.
Coran sank heavily into the armed chair of the console. "Why hasn't Keith called?" he asked, "We need to know what is happening to Her Highness. Nanny can't stop crying."
Sven sighed. "I have waited long enough. I must go to them."
"Yes," the man agreed calmly, but his demeanor did nothing to restore his confidence. He feared for the girl he loved as a daughter.
"Good luck, Lieutenant," he said, pressing a button for the portals.
Sven looked up as the console was raised. "Thank you," he said quietly and then walked to his chute.
Allura was in Lotor's ship locked in his bedchamber. She was sitting on the bed. Covering her face with her hands, she fought the hard, cold truth, and lost. She knew she couldn't fight against Hagar's magic.
Standing, she smoothed her pink jumpsuit and resumed her dignity. ~Father, mother, please protect me.~
At that point, Lotor entered the alcove, followed by a red-haired girl dressed in a brown sheath carrying a tray with a carafe of red wine and two onyx goblets. The Princess gazed at her captor. He was a young man, a few years older than her. He had the soft, humanlike features of his mother. He was so tall, at least five inches taller that Keith.
"Keith," she sighed. She felt tears pricking against her eyelids and blinked them back. She wouldn't allow this monster to know she was afraid. ~Keith, please come for me,~ her heart cried out for him.
Lotor turned to the slave and glared at her. "Leave us!" he snapped. The girl curtsied and then scampered out.
He turned his head back to her, and a smile touched his lips, transforming his face. Taking her hand, he said, "Allura, if you come with me, I promise not to destroy your planet."
"I don't believe you!" she snapped.
"I'll give you everything you heart desires and then some. We shall give each other so much pleasure," he said, caressing her jaw line.
Allura felt a hot flush creep up her neck, but didn't look away. At the same time, she was overcome by a wave of nausea, forcing her to take several shallow breaths to keep control. She opened her mouth and said in an even voice, "Never."
His grip tightened and he pierced her with a fierce look.
"Never is a word that I don't like."
She lifted her chin. "The Voltron Force will rescue me."
He smirked. "I don't think so, without you they can't form Voltron. Those puny lions don't have a chance against my fleet."
The Princess didn't respond and that pleased him. She had finally accepted her fate. But he didn't know that behind that fragile exterior hid a strong, determined soul who would do anything to protect her people and her kingdom.
"I hate you!" she screamed, and began to pound upon his broad chest. He caught her wrists in a cruel grasp. "Face the truth!" he demanded and then cuffed her. "We belong together!" He gave her a shake.
"Let me go!" she cried, "You're hurting me."
She rubbed the wrists he released.
"You're a foolish girl," he said, tossing her onto the bed. She brought her hands up, but nothing could hold off the full weight of his descent. She tried to adjust so she could get her hands out from beneath him. But he moved to crush her deeper into the mattress.
He tried to force her to kiss him. "Don't fight me, Allura, This is for your own good!"
"You're mad!" she cried jerking her head away.
"Stop squirming!" he growled.
"I can't breathe!"
"You will not move unless I've told you so!"
"Lotor, please…"
Abruptly she was released. She lay gasping, sucking in the air that had seemed too thin. Lotor hovered as if waiting for a trick, and when she didn't move, he said, "That's much better."
She tried to sit up, but the soft mattress insisted on enveloping her. Bracing herself on her elbows, she watched him as he sat down on the edge of the bed and reached for the carafe. He poured some of liquid in the goblet.
He lifted it to her lips, forcing her to drink. She pretended to do so, and when he removed the glass, she spat at him.
"Allura!" he snarled.
She tried to pull away again, but this time he held her face inches from his. "It's a Drule tradition," he said in a tight voice, "that lovers-"
"Let me go," she insisted.
"Shall drink from the same goblet. It's a symbol of the joining of their bodies and souls."
"You don't have a soul!"
He smirked. "We could find it *together* my love," he replied mockingly.
Hearing those words coming from his mouth made her quiver with disgust. She whimpered slightly and shoved against his shoulders, but she had as much chance of pushing him away as she had of destroying a robeast by herself.
"Look at me,"
"No!"
"Allura, *look* at me."
Unwillingly, yet unable to deny the command of his voice, she looked. The amber of his eyes blazed with possessiveness. This was a man who would do anything to get what he wanted.
She swallowed hard. It was the same look Keith had when they were together.
But she knew that Keith loved her deeply and would never hurt her like this. Lotor only wanted to prove his superiority by bedding her. Oh God! How she hated him!
But she had to accept his conditions for the moment, to give her teammates enough time to rescue her.
He noticed the sadness in her eyes, and for a fleeting moment he felt remorse. "This is not what I wanted Allura, but I can't let you go, so don't struggle."
"All right, Lotor, I'll go with you."
A slow, satisfied smiled curled his lips. "Yes. Yes, that's what I wanted to hear."
He quickly stood up, bringing her with him. "We need to hurry," he said, "we haven't had much time, and I still have a-"
The sound of shattering glass jerked his head up. Allura gazed at the window and caught a glimpse of a shiny missile flying through the air.
"What?…" Lotor tried to say.
A soldier burst into the chamber. "Milord!" he cried, "The Voltron Force is here, they have requested to speak to you about the Princess' release!"
"Tell them they're wasting their time!" he growled.
"They're willing to turn over the lions for her safe return!"
Lotor spun around, a smirk on his face. "Really?" he asked. "This is much better than I had ever anticipated."
Allura gasped loudly. ~No! Without the Lions, Arus will be lost!~
"Come," he said brusquely, dragging her with him to meet her teammates.
As they exited the ship, she noticed that her teammates were standing next to their Lions. They gasped at her appearance. The sleeves of her pink jumpsuit were torn. She had a bruise on her right cheek. Her hair was in disarray. As for Lotor, his uniform was bungled up and his long white hair was unkempt.
Had he taken advantage of her?
The mere thought was unbearable for Keith. He reached for his blaster to kill Lotor, but immediately discarded the idea. They had to rescue Allura first.
"You have won, Lotor, release her," Keith commanded.
"Give me the keys first," the Prince retorted.
"No!" Allura cried, "Don't listen to him; the safety of Arus is first!"
"We can't let him get away with this!" Lance spat.
"But if we don't give him the keys, he will hurt the Princess!" Pidge cried.
"You'll pay for this, Lotor!" Hunk snapped.
"There's no other way, we must surrender the keys," Keith stated.
Reluctantly, they complied.
"Here," Keith said, clenching his teeth as he offered him the five keys.
Lotor had almost reached for his prize, when a flurry of lion claws blocked his way.
Keith, Allura and the rest of the Force looked up and their faces beamed with delight.
It was Blue Lion! But who was inside the cockpit?!
"Looks like I made it just in time!" a heavy accented voice said.
"Sven!" Allura cried, stepping forward.
"The one and only, Princess."
Grabbing her hand, Keith said, "Princess- let's go!"
"Right!"
"Stop them!" Lotor ordered his guards, but when they began advancing toward them, Sven fired another round of missiles, and they were blown into bits.
Lotor watched helplessly as the Princess ran away with Keith, holding hands. He cursed himself. He should have ravished her when he had the chance.
"Cossack!"
"Sire?!"
"Launch the robeast!"
"Yes!"
The team hurried to their ships and then joined Blue Lion in mid-air. Keith gave the order to form Voltron and Hagar's latest creation was destroyed in a matter of minutes, much to Lotor's dismay. Realizing that the remains of his fleet would not be able to finish the robot, he ordered a hasty retreat.
Lotor looked at the screen as Arus became just a blue speck in the vastness of space.
His mouth, firm and full-lipped, twisted in disgust. Dammit! He loathed these feelings of defeat and despair. His mind was blurred by images of Allura, the softness of her body, her sweet smell…her pleading, yet defiant eyes… her lips resisting him.
One part of him wanted her dead, the other wanted to love her, cherish her.
He groaned softly. What was happening to him? He couldn't understand.
"You should have taken her virtue the moment you captured her in the tool shed," Hagar noted.
Lotor clenched his teeth. "Shut up, you miserable old witch!"
"Don't insult me, my devious little prince," she snapped, "I did my part of the plan, but it seems that you were overpowered by that girl."
"Nonsense! Instead of wasting your time mocking me, you should be thinking of a way of capturing her!"
"Take it easy, Lotor, I'll find a way- for a price."
He laughed. "Of course, how about a subscription to Witches' Home Journal?" he asked sarcastically.
She cackled. Even under the worst conditions, he always managed to keep his sense of humor. "That would be nice, if you throw in a few lazon mines to the mix."
"Consider it done!"
"Very well, Sire," she replied, vanishing from the control room.
Lotor glanced back at the screen, and a slow smile crept on his lips. ~Allura, you will be mine!~ his dark heart cried.
Standing, she smoothed her pink jumpsuit and resumed her dignity. ~Father, mother, please protect me.~
At that point, Lotor entered the alcove, followed by a red-haired girl dressed in a brown sheath carrying a tray with a carafe of red wine and two onyx goblets. The Princess gazed at her captor. He was a young man, a few years older than her. He had the soft, humanlike features of his mother. He was so tall, at least five inches taller that Keith.
"Keith," she sighed. She felt tears pricking against her eyelids and blinked them back. She wouldn't allow this monster to know she was afraid. ~Keith, please come for me,~ her heart cried out for him.
Lotor turned to the slave and glared at her. "Leave us!" he snapped. The girl curtsied and then scampered out.
He turned his head back to her, and a smile touched his lips, transforming his face. Taking her hand, he said, "Allura, if you come with me, I promise not to destroy your planet."
"I don't believe you!" she snapped.
"I'll give you everything you heart desires and then some. We shall give each other so much pleasure," he said, caressing her jaw line.
Allura felt a hot flush creep up her neck, but didn't look away. At the same time, she was overcome by a wave of nausea, forcing her to take several shallow breaths to keep control. She opened her mouth and said in an even voice, "Never."
His grip tightened and he pierced her with a fierce look.
"Never is a word that I don't like."
She lifted her chin. "The Voltron Force will rescue me."
He smirked. "I don't think so, without you they can't form Voltron. Those puny lions don't have a chance against my fleet."
The Princess didn't respond and that pleased him. She had finally accepted her fate. But he didn't know that behind that fragile exterior hid a strong, determined soul who would do anything to protect her people and her kingdom.
"I hate you!" she screamed, and began to pound upon his broad chest. He caught her wrists in a cruel grasp. "Face the truth!" he demanded and then cuffed her. "We belong together!" He gave her a shake.
"Let me go!" she cried, "You're hurting me."
She rubbed the wrists he released.
"You're a foolish girl," he said, tossing her onto the bed. She brought her hands up, but nothing could hold off the full weight of his descent. She tried to adjust so she could get her hands out from beneath him. But he moved to crush her deeper into the mattress.
He tried to force her to kiss him. "Don't fight me, Allura, This is for your own good!"
"You're mad!" she cried jerking her head away.
"Stop squirming!" he growled.
"I can't breathe!"
"You will not move unless I've told you so!"
"Lotor, please…"
Abruptly she was released. She lay gasping, sucking in the air that had seemed too thin. Lotor hovered as if waiting for a trick, and when she didn't move, he said, "That's much better."
She tried to sit up, but the soft mattress insisted on enveloping her. Bracing herself on her elbows, she watched him as he sat down on the edge of the bed and reached for the carafe. He poured some of liquid in the goblet.
He lifted it to her lips, forcing her to drink. She pretended to do so, and when he removed the glass, she spat at him.
"Allura!" he snarled.
She tried to pull away again, but this time he held her face inches from his. "It's a Drule tradition," he said in a tight voice, "that lovers-"
"Let me go," she insisted.
"Shall drink from the same goblet. It's a symbol of the joining of their bodies and souls."
"You don't have a soul!"
He smirked. "We could find it *together* my love," he replied mockingly.
Hearing those words coming from his mouth made her quiver with disgust. She whimpered slightly and shoved against his shoulders, but she had as much chance of pushing him away as she had of destroying a robeast by herself.
"Look at me,"
"No!"
"Allura, *look* at me."
Unwillingly, yet unable to deny the command of his voice, she looked. The amber of his eyes blazed with possessiveness. This was a man who would do anything to get what he wanted.
She swallowed hard. It was the same look Keith had when they were together.
But she knew that Keith loved her deeply and would never hurt her like this. Lotor only wanted to prove his superiority by bedding her. Oh God! How she hated him!
But she had to accept his conditions for the moment, to give her teammates enough time to rescue her.
He noticed the sadness in her eyes, and for a fleeting moment he felt remorse. "This is not what I wanted Allura, but I can't let you go, so don't struggle."
"All right, Lotor, I'll go with you."
A slow, satisfied smiled curled his lips. "Yes. Yes, that's what I wanted to hear."
He quickly stood up, bringing her with him. "We need to hurry," he said, "we haven't had much time, and I still have a-"
The sound of shattering glass jerked his head up. Allura gazed at the window and caught a glimpse of a shiny missile flying through the air.
"What?…" Lotor tried to say.
A soldier burst into the chamber. "Milord!" he cried, "The Voltron Force is here, they have requested to speak to you about the Princess' release!"
"Tell them they're wasting their time!" he growled.
"They're willing to turn over the lions for her safe return!"
Lotor spun around, a smirk on his face. "Really?" he asked. "This is much better than I had ever anticipated."
Allura gasped loudly. ~No! Without the Lions, Arus will be lost!~
"Come," he said brusquely, dragging her with him to meet her teammates.
As they exited the ship, she noticed that her teammates were standing next to their Lions. They gasped at her appearance. The sleeves of her pink jumpsuit were torn. She had a bruise on her right cheek. Her hair was in disarray. As for Lotor, his uniform was bungled up and his long white hair was unkempt.
Had he taken advantage of her?
The mere thought was unbearable for Keith. He reached for his blaster to kill Lotor, but immediately discarded the idea. They had to rescue Allura first.
"You have won, Lotor, release her," Keith commanded.
"Give me the keys first," the Prince retorted.
"No!" Allura cried, "Don't listen to him; the safety of Arus is first!"
"We can't let him get away with this!" Lance spat.
"But if we don't give him the keys, he will hurt the Princess!" Pidge cried.
"You'll pay for this, Lotor!" Hunk snapped.
"There's no other way, we must surrender the keys," Keith stated.
Reluctantly, they complied.
"Here," Keith said, clenching his teeth as he offered him the five keys.
Lotor had almost reached for his prize, when a flurry of lion claws blocked his way.
Keith, Allura and the rest of the Force looked up and their faces beamed with delight.
It was Blue Lion! But who was inside the cockpit?!
"Looks like I made it just in time!" a heavy accented voice said.
"Sven!" Allura cried, stepping forward.
"The one and only, Princess."
Grabbing her hand, Keith said, "Princess- let's go!"
"Right!"
"Stop them!" Lotor ordered his guards, but when they began advancing toward them, Sven fired another round of missiles, and they were blown into bits.
Lotor watched helplessly as the Princess ran away with Keith, holding hands. He cursed himself. He should have ravished her when he had the chance.
"Cossack!"
"Sire?!"
"Launch the robeast!"
"Yes!"
The team hurried to their ships and then joined Blue Lion in mid-air. Keith gave the order to form Voltron and Hagar's latest creation was destroyed in a matter of minutes, much to Lotor's dismay. Realizing that the remains of his fleet would not be able to finish the robot, he ordered a hasty retreat.
Lotor looked at the screen as Arus became just a blue speck in the vastness of space.
His mouth, firm and full-lipped, twisted in disgust. Dammit! He loathed these feelings of defeat and despair. His mind was blurred by images of Allura, the softness of her body, her sweet smell…her pleading, yet defiant eyes… her lips resisting him.
One part of him wanted her dead, the other wanted to love her, cherish her.
He groaned softly. What was happening to him? He couldn't understand.
"You should have taken her virtue the moment you captured her in the tool shed," Hagar noted.
Lotor clenched his teeth. "Shut up, you miserable old witch!"
"Don't insult me, my devious little prince," she snapped, "I did my part of the plan, but it seems that you were overpowered by that girl."
"Nonsense! Instead of wasting your time mocking me, you should be thinking of a way of capturing her!"
"Take it easy, Lotor, I'll find a way- for a price."
He laughed. "Of course, how about a subscription to Witches' Home Journal?" he asked sarcastically.
She cackled. Even under the worst conditions, he always managed to keep his sense of humor. "That would be nice, if you throw in a few lazon mines to the mix."
"Consider it done!"
"Very well, Sire," she replied, vanishing from the control room.
Lotor glanced back at the screen, and a slow smile crept on his lips. ~Allura, you will be mine!~ his dark heart cried.
PERSONAL.LOG.STAR DATE.2302.08.28.2
The five Lions landed in front of the Castle. Lance slipped easily from his ship and taking off his helmet and throwing it on the grass, ran to Allura who had just come out from Black Lion.
He picked her up in his arms and carried her through the open gates of the Castle.
"You don't have to do this," she said, blushing.
Lance smiled down at her. "You must be tired after that ordeal," he said quietly. Mon Dieu! She was the sweetest armful he had ever carried. She was lighter than a feather and so precious.
From the moment he had seen the princess, he had been attracted to her, and she was so kind and tender with him. He was so relieved that she was safe. Those bruises on her arms and lovely face will heal soon.
"Oh thank God!" Nanny's voice cut into his thoughts, and he focused his eyes to see her hurrying forward.
"My child! Is she hurt?"
"Please put me down, Lance, I can stand, I assure you." She noted his concern for her in his hazel eyes and was deeply touched.
"My baby!" Nanny cried pulling her into her arms. "Come; let's go to your room, so I can tend you to your wounds."
Hunk stopped next to Lance and slapped him on the back. "You can close your mouth now," he teased.
Pidge joined them and after glancing at Lance, he chuckled softly. "Look, Hunk, he's blushing."
Lance rolled his eyes at him. Was it that obvious that he was entranced by the princess?
"Fuck off," he whispered, still staring at the retreating figure of the princess.
Lance's reaction didn't go unnoticed by Keith. He wanted to be the one carrying her in his arms, but Lance beat him to it.
"You have a bad shoulder, Commandant," he had said mischievously, "this time I'll have the *pleasure* of carrying the Princess."
Keith rubbed his shoulder and winced. He was right, his shoulder hurt badly, but so what?
Putting on his helmet, he said, "Let's return the Lions to their rightful places."
Sven shook his head when he saw that Lance wasn't moving. "Hey, moody, let's go."
"Oui, I'm coming," he said softly.
Hours later…
The Voltron force was visiting the Princess in her bedroom. She was resting in bed, with Nanny standing beside her.
They couldn't stop laughing when Allura told them how she had used her defensive skills against Lotor. They could just imagine the bewildered look on his face!
"Bet he didn't expect that royal treatment," Hunk laughed.
She blushed. "The problem was that I was so surprised that it worked, I just froze, and gave him enough time to recover. But it won't happen again, I promise."
"You might enjoy this," Pidge said laughingly, "while doing my research about Lotor, I entered his name in the royal database and found something very interesting,"
"What?" Hunk asked curiously.
"Well, you know that I have always been interested in the wildlife. I have dozens of compact discs with info about species from many worlds, and the Princess has given me free access to the Royal library and database-"
"Pidge, get to the point," Lance sighed, exasperated.
Keith and Sven shared a knowing smile. They knew that his friend didn't have too much patience.
The teenager rolled his eyes at him. "Anyway, I entered his name and this is what I got." Reaching for a computer printout, he adjusted his glasses and began to read.
Raccoon– scientific name Procyon lotor. This animal characterizes the North American spirit. Ranging all across the continental United States, Canada and México, the raccoon holds a very special place in the Native American folklore and mythology. The raccoon is the trickster, the sly and crafty one who may appear slow, but who is quick and agile; the opponent who outsmarts his enemies."
"So," Lance smirked, "Prince Charming shares his name with a raccoon, how fitting."
"Hey!" Pidge snapped, "Don't insult the raccoons."
"The description doesn't fit exactly," Sven observed, "we were able to outsmart him."
"But Lotor, like his father," Keith said, "relies heavily on Hagar's magic. The Princess' kidnapping has proved the need to improve our security system and keep practicing with the Lions."
"And the judo lessons," Allura added.
Coran entered the room. "Your Highness, I just received a message from Per Andersen, the Dean of Arus University. They're going to open their doors next week for the refresher courses."
Her face lit up. "Really?" she breathed, "That's wonderful!"
"Congratulations Princess!"
"You don't mind, do you, Sven?" she asked turning to look at him.
He smiled. "Of course not, Princess," he answered, "I'll return to my post so you can focus on your studies."
She smiled back at him. "Thank you."
"I don't know if it is a good idea for you leave the castle," Nanny observed, her face filled with concern. "Why don't you reconsider your decision?"
"Nanny- I won't let Lotor and Zarkon run my life. I want to attend the university. My parents earned their degrees there and I want to do the same."
"I'm sure we'll find a way to solve this, Princess," Coran said gently, placing a hand over hers.
"Coran," Keith began, "We could place guards on the premises and the Princess could be accompanied by one of us, who would leave her at the door of the university and then picked her up at the end of the day."
"And we could connect the security system of AU with the Castle," Hunk offered, "So that Nanny here won't worry about her."
Turning to Allura, Keith asked, "What do you think, Princess?"
She smiled. "Yes, Keith, let's do it."
A mischievous smile appeared on Lance's face. "And who's going to be her escort on Monday?" he asked eagerly.
"Me," Keith replied breathlessly, still gazing tenderly at her.
"That's not fair, Keith," Sven said, feigning outrage, "We must leave it to chance, everyone here wants to escort our *angel* of mercy."
"Comme il faut," (As it should be) Lance added, glancing at her.
"Yeah!" Hunk and Pidge exclaimed in unison.
Allura smiled tenderly at them as they cajoled Keith into using playing cards to decide their posts. They really cared about her. But her smile faded away when she realized that she would never be safe roaming around her planet without her teammates or armed guards protecting her as long as Lotor was on the prowl. Losing her independence saddened her deeply. She folded her arms around herself and lowered her gaze.
A brush with fear had shown her how vulnerable she really was. She had somehow been able to fend off Lotor's lewd attacks, but what about next time?
She tossed the thought aside, replacing it with pleasant images of her going back to the university and joining her friend Christian once again, and her heart filled with excitement.
And this new adventure, raised a very important question-
~What am I going to wear on my first day of school?~ she asked, smiling, ~I need to go shopping.~
Things were beginning to fall into its rightful place.
The End.
11/03/2000
Revised 03/07/2015
The five Lions landed in front of the Castle. Lance slipped easily from his ship and taking off his helmet and throwing it on the grass, ran to Allura who had just come out from Black Lion.
He picked her up in his arms and carried her through the open gates of the Castle.
"You don't have to do this," she said, blushing.
Lance smiled down at her. "You must be tired after that ordeal," he said quietly. Mon Dieu! She was the sweetest armful he had ever carried. She was lighter than a feather and so precious.
From the moment he had seen the princess, he had been attracted to her, and she was so kind and tender with him. He was so relieved that she was safe. Those bruises on her arms and lovely face will heal soon.
"Oh thank God!" Nanny's voice cut into his thoughts, and he focused his eyes to see her hurrying forward.
"My child! Is she hurt?"
"Please put me down, Lance, I can stand, I assure you." She noted his concern for her in his hazel eyes and was deeply touched.
"My baby!" Nanny cried pulling her into her arms. "Come; let's go to your room, so I can tend you to your wounds."
Hunk stopped next to Lance and slapped him on the back. "You can close your mouth now," he teased.
Pidge joined them and after glancing at Lance, he chuckled softly. "Look, Hunk, he's blushing."
Lance rolled his eyes at him. Was it that obvious that he was entranced by the princess?
"Fuck off," he whispered, still staring at the retreating figure of the princess.
Lance's reaction didn't go unnoticed by Keith. He wanted to be the one carrying her in his arms, but Lance beat him to it.
"You have a bad shoulder, Commandant," he had said mischievously, "this time I'll have the *pleasure* of carrying the Princess."
Keith rubbed his shoulder and winced. He was right, his shoulder hurt badly, but so what?
Putting on his helmet, he said, "Let's return the Lions to their rightful places."
Sven shook his head when he saw that Lance wasn't moving. "Hey, moody, let's go."
"Oui, I'm coming," he said softly.
Hours later…
The Voltron force was visiting the Princess in her bedroom. She was resting in bed, with Nanny standing beside her.
They couldn't stop laughing when Allura told them how she had used her defensive skills against Lotor. They could just imagine the bewildered look on his face!
"Bet he didn't expect that royal treatment," Hunk laughed.
She blushed. "The problem was that I was so surprised that it worked, I just froze, and gave him enough time to recover. But it won't happen again, I promise."
"You might enjoy this," Pidge said laughingly, "while doing my research about Lotor, I entered his name in the royal database and found something very interesting,"
"What?" Hunk asked curiously.
"Well, you know that I have always been interested in the wildlife. I have dozens of compact discs with info about species from many worlds, and the Princess has given me free access to the Royal library and database-"
"Pidge, get to the point," Lance sighed, exasperated.
Keith and Sven shared a knowing smile. They knew that his friend didn't have too much patience.
The teenager rolled his eyes at him. "Anyway, I entered his name and this is what I got." Reaching for a computer printout, he adjusted his glasses and began to read.
Raccoon– scientific name Procyon lotor. This animal characterizes the North American spirit. Ranging all across the continental United States, Canada and México, the raccoon holds a very special place in the Native American folklore and mythology. The raccoon is the trickster, the sly and crafty one who may appear slow, but who is quick and agile; the opponent who outsmarts his enemies."
"So," Lance smirked, "Prince Charming shares his name with a raccoon, how fitting."
"Hey!" Pidge snapped, "Don't insult the raccoons."
"The description doesn't fit exactly," Sven observed, "we were able to outsmart him."
"But Lotor, like his father," Keith said, "relies heavily on Hagar's magic. The Princess' kidnapping has proved the need to improve our security system and keep practicing with the Lions."
"And the judo lessons," Allura added.
Coran entered the room. "Your Highness, I just received a message from Per Andersen, the Dean of Arus University. They're going to open their doors next week for the refresher courses."
Her face lit up. "Really?" she breathed, "That's wonderful!"
"Congratulations Princess!"
"You don't mind, do you, Sven?" she asked turning to look at him.
He smiled. "Of course not, Princess," he answered, "I'll return to my post so you can focus on your studies."
She smiled back at him. "Thank you."
"I don't know if it is a good idea for you leave the castle," Nanny observed, her face filled with concern. "Why don't you reconsider your decision?"
"Nanny- I won't let Lotor and Zarkon run my life. I want to attend the university. My parents earned their degrees there and I want to do the same."
"I'm sure we'll find a way to solve this, Princess," Coran said gently, placing a hand over hers.
"Coran," Keith began, "We could place guards on the premises and the Princess could be accompanied by one of us, who would leave her at the door of the university and then picked her up at the end of the day."
"And we could connect the security system of AU with the Castle," Hunk offered, "So that Nanny here won't worry about her."
Turning to Allura, Keith asked, "What do you think, Princess?"
She smiled. "Yes, Keith, let's do it."
A mischievous smile appeared on Lance's face. "And who's going to be her escort on Monday?" he asked eagerly.
"Me," Keith replied breathlessly, still gazing tenderly at her.
"That's not fair, Keith," Sven said, feigning outrage, "We must leave it to chance, everyone here wants to escort our *angel* of mercy."
"Comme il faut," (As it should be) Lance added, glancing at her.
"Yeah!" Hunk and Pidge exclaimed in unison.
Allura smiled tenderly at them as they cajoled Keith into using playing cards to decide their posts. They really cared about her. But her smile faded away when she realized that she would never be safe roaming around her planet without her teammates or armed guards protecting her as long as Lotor was on the prowl. Losing her independence saddened her deeply. She folded her arms around herself and lowered her gaze.
A brush with fear had shown her how vulnerable she really was. She had somehow been able to fend off Lotor's lewd attacks, but what about next time?
She tossed the thought aside, replacing it with pleasant images of her going back to the university and joining her friend Christian once again, and her heart filled with excitement.
And this new adventure, raised a very important question-
~What am I going to wear on my first day of school?~ she asked, smiling, ~I need to go shopping.~
Things were beginning to fall into its rightful place.
The End.
11/03/2000
Revised 03/07/2015
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