Another Spring-time Tale
by (Kitty)Shannon
C&Cs to [email protected]
Disclaimers: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.
Rating: PG - Mild Language and Innuendo
Author's Notes: A quick thanks to Lynne for beta reading this for me - and for her suggestions! :)
Originally Published on "The Hunk's the Real Hunk Fan Club" site in 2002
Rating: PG - Mild Language and Innuendo
Author's Notes: A quick thanks to Lynne for beta reading this for me - and for her suggestions! :)
Originally Published on "The Hunk's the Real Hunk Fan Club" site in 2002
There was only one week left until the Spring Festival - the first on Arus in years. Zarkon's endless raids had forced the kind and gentle population into caverns and caves to avoid being caught and taken away to be used as slaves, and worse. But, with the Voltron Force standing their ever vigilant watch, things on this once dying planet were looking brighter and brighter. And the heavens seemed to cheer them on with the warm radiant weather only occasionally punctuated with a gentle rainstorm. To the Princess of Arus, it seemed the spring had already come, her planet being reborn to become all it had once been and more.
Allura smiled brightly at the faces assembled around the table. 'Breakfast is always an interesting meal in the Castle of Lions… at least it is now…' she thought absently as she watched her assembled friends - no, her new family.
Coran, her trusted advisor. Her guardian. Her surrogate father. She smiled softly as she watched him eat slowly, savoring the fine meal, occasionally pausing to glance up at one (or more) of the boys - sometimes giving them an amused smile, more often giving them a stern look. Allura believed that these four young Space Explorers had done much to heal the advisor's heart. In many ways, they had helped to fill the void that had been left when his wife and son had been lost so many years before.
A little further down the table sat Pidge, the youngest member of the Voltron Force and pilot of the Green Lion. Allura's smile visibly warmed. Pidge was a very special child - brilliant, kind, generous to a fault. And next to him, sat Lance, pilot of the Red Lion and ladies man extraordinaire - or at least that's what he'd have you think, underneath it all, Lance was a soft-hearted, sweet man.
The Princess couldn't help but grin when she saw Lance lean over and say something to Pidge and point across the room. The youngster quickly looked up and over, and while distracted, Lance reached over and snagged his last piece of bacon. When the boy turned back to his plate, he stared for a brief moment before turning an accusatory glare onto the pilot of the Red Lion.
Allura continued her inspection of the room's occupants. The next person to grace her table this morning was Hunk, pilot of the Yellow Lion and the best mechanic in the Denubian Galaxy. The burly pilot sat smiling up at Nanny as she placed an extra apricot muffin on his plate.
Nanny, the Princess' governess since birth, would be quite happy if everyone believed her to be a stern, quick-tempered matron. But, as they all knew, under that tough exterior lay a sweet and kind-hearted soul. Nanny's constant nit-picking wasn't due to a need to criticize, but stemmed from her desire to protect and love them all. Allura smiled, her governess was truly a 'mother hen.'
Finally, the beautiful monarch's eyes came to rest to the quiet figure of the Captain of the Voltron Force, Keith. Now this was the one person she couldn't seem to quite figure out. Whenever she thought she had the answers, the dashing young man would say or do something to completely blow her theories. 'He's truly an enigma. An impeccable Garrison Officer, to be sure, but so much more. Kind, generous, caring. And he's so handsome.' She often dreamed of what it would feel like to run her fingers through his hair while his strong arms engulfed her and his lips claimed hers…
"Princess?" Hunk said quietly, but caught up in her daydream, Allura never heard him.
When Keith's dark eyes met hers, she felt the immediate telltale stain on her cheeks and dropped her eyes to her plate.
"Princess? Are you okay?" Keith's voice was filled with concern.
"Yes, I was just, um… thinking. I'm sorry."
Lance, never missing a beat, commented, "Musta been a really interesting thought for you to miss Hunk's big mouth."
Keith gave Lance a silencing glare before his eyes returned to the beautiful young woman's face, but she was now looking to the Big Guy. He wondered what she had been thinking about. Her eyes had been so soft and dreamy, her lips just slightly parted as she watched him, almost as if beckoning to him...inviting him to kiss her senseless. He shook his head, clearing it of the fanciful notions. There was no room in his life - nor hers, for that matter - for romance. He turned his attention to the conversation now taking place between the Princess and Hunk.
"…won't take too much of you time." Hunk was saying.
"Of course," Allura replied then glanced at Pidge and Lance, carefully avoiding Keith's soulful eyes. "Any time one of you boys needs an official audience with me, just ask. There's no need to consult with my assistant, is there Coran?"
The Royal Advisor nodded. "Indeed, after all you've done for Arus, it's the least we can do for you."
"Then it's settled." The Princess smiled. "Meet me in my study in about twenty minutes and I'll be happy to help you with whatever I can." As she rose, so did the room's occupants. "Gentlemen, have a good day."
Allura smiled brightly at the faces assembled around the table. 'Breakfast is always an interesting meal in the Castle of Lions… at least it is now…' she thought absently as she watched her assembled friends - no, her new family.
Coran, her trusted advisor. Her guardian. Her surrogate father. She smiled softly as she watched him eat slowly, savoring the fine meal, occasionally pausing to glance up at one (or more) of the boys - sometimes giving them an amused smile, more often giving them a stern look. Allura believed that these four young Space Explorers had done much to heal the advisor's heart. In many ways, they had helped to fill the void that had been left when his wife and son had been lost so many years before.
A little further down the table sat Pidge, the youngest member of the Voltron Force and pilot of the Green Lion. Allura's smile visibly warmed. Pidge was a very special child - brilliant, kind, generous to a fault. And next to him, sat Lance, pilot of the Red Lion and ladies man extraordinaire - or at least that's what he'd have you think, underneath it all, Lance was a soft-hearted, sweet man.
The Princess couldn't help but grin when she saw Lance lean over and say something to Pidge and point across the room. The youngster quickly looked up and over, and while distracted, Lance reached over and snagged his last piece of bacon. When the boy turned back to his plate, he stared for a brief moment before turning an accusatory glare onto the pilot of the Red Lion.
Allura continued her inspection of the room's occupants. The next person to grace her table this morning was Hunk, pilot of the Yellow Lion and the best mechanic in the Denubian Galaxy. The burly pilot sat smiling up at Nanny as she placed an extra apricot muffin on his plate.
Nanny, the Princess' governess since birth, would be quite happy if everyone believed her to be a stern, quick-tempered matron. But, as they all knew, under that tough exterior lay a sweet and kind-hearted soul. Nanny's constant nit-picking wasn't due to a need to criticize, but stemmed from her desire to protect and love them all. Allura smiled, her governess was truly a 'mother hen.'
Finally, the beautiful monarch's eyes came to rest to the quiet figure of the Captain of the Voltron Force, Keith. Now this was the one person she couldn't seem to quite figure out. Whenever she thought she had the answers, the dashing young man would say or do something to completely blow her theories. 'He's truly an enigma. An impeccable Garrison Officer, to be sure, but so much more. Kind, generous, caring. And he's so handsome.' She often dreamed of what it would feel like to run her fingers through his hair while his strong arms engulfed her and his lips claimed hers…
"Princess?" Hunk said quietly, but caught up in her daydream, Allura never heard him.
When Keith's dark eyes met hers, she felt the immediate telltale stain on her cheeks and dropped her eyes to her plate.
"Princess? Are you okay?" Keith's voice was filled with concern.
"Yes, I was just, um… thinking. I'm sorry."
Lance, never missing a beat, commented, "Musta been a really interesting thought for you to miss Hunk's big mouth."
Keith gave Lance a silencing glare before his eyes returned to the beautiful young woman's face, but she was now looking to the Big Guy. He wondered what she had been thinking about. Her eyes had been so soft and dreamy, her lips just slightly parted as she watched him, almost as if beckoning to him...inviting him to kiss her senseless. He shook his head, clearing it of the fanciful notions. There was no room in his life - nor hers, for that matter - for romance. He turned his attention to the conversation now taking place between the Princess and Hunk.
"…won't take too much of you time." Hunk was saying.
"Of course," Allura replied then glanced at Pidge and Lance, carefully avoiding Keith's soulful eyes. "Any time one of you boys needs an official audience with me, just ask. There's no need to consult with my assistant, is there Coran?"
The Royal Advisor nodded. "Indeed, after all you've done for Arus, it's the least we can do for you."
"Then it's settled." The Princess smiled. "Meet me in my study in about twenty minutes and I'll be happy to help you with whatever I can." As she rose, so did the room's occupants. "Gentlemen, have a good day."
Fifteen minutes later found Hunk standing outside the door to the Princess' study. He wondered if he should wait five more minutes or just go ahead and knock. His dilemma worked itself out when the Princess rounded the corner, making her way down the hall toward him.
"Hi, Hunk! Hope you haven't been waiting too long." she called with a smile.
"Hi, Princess, I just got here a minute ago."
"Good," she said as she reached his side. She quickly entered her password into the security panel next to the door and grinned up at him as it slid open. "Shall we?"
The big man returned the grin and followed her inside the cheerful room. He'd never admit it to the guys, but he loved the Princess' study. It was warm and welcoming, even if a bit femininely decorated. There was something about the room that made him feel at home.
As she settled herself in behind her desk, he took a seat in one of the opposing chairs. Once they were both comfortable, she began.
"So, Hunk, what is it that I can help you with today?"
The Big Guy began to speak and she leaned in close to listen, absolutely fascinated by his words. He stopped occasionally, allowing her to ask a question about this or that, happily answering, explaining as much as he could. It wasn't long before they were both grinning.
"Well, I think that's something we must add to our Spring Festival." She smiled warmly, "What do you say to being put in charge of this project?"
Hunk grinned broadly. "Princess, you've got yourself a deal."
"Hi, Hunk! Hope you haven't been waiting too long." she called with a smile.
"Hi, Princess, I just got here a minute ago."
"Good," she said as she reached his side. She quickly entered her password into the security panel next to the door and grinned up at him as it slid open. "Shall we?"
The big man returned the grin and followed her inside the cheerful room. He'd never admit it to the guys, but he loved the Princess' study. It was warm and welcoming, even if a bit femininely decorated. There was something about the room that made him feel at home.
As she settled herself in behind her desk, he took a seat in one of the opposing chairs. Once they were both comfortable, she began.
"So, Hunk, what is it that I can help you with today?"
The Big Guy began to speak and she leaned in close to listen, absolutely fascinated by his words. He stopped occasionally, allowing her to ask a question about this or that, happily answering, explaining as much as he could. It wasn't long before they were both grinning.
"Well, I think that's something we must add to our Spring Festival." She smiled warmly, "What do you say to being put in charge of this project?"
Hunk grinned broadly. "Princess, you've got yourself a deal."
"Ma'am?"
Nanny turned to find the young messenger looking up at her with wide, soft eyes. "Yes?"
"Her Highness asked me to deliver this to you." The little boy held out a folded sheet of paper.
Nanny took the note and patted the lad on his head. "Would you like a cookie?"
The youngster nodded excitedly and smiled. "Oh, yes ma'am."
The Royal Governess gave a warm smile as she called out to one of the kitchen maids to get the child a cookie and some milk. She turned back to the boy. "Well? Go on, now."
The child began to scurry away but paused and turned back to the matron with a warm smile. "Thank you, Nanny."
"You're welcome," she replied as she shooed the child on, then turned her attention back to the note and frowned slightly. She had no idea what in the world her ward could possibly need. She opened the parchment and began to read, her frown quickly growing into a smile.
The Arusian monarch's kind and gentle nature never failed to surprise her - nor did Hunk's. Apparently, this was what the big man had needed to discuss with the Princess this morning. Well, Nanny decided, it certainly seemed a worthy cause, and she'd be more than happy to aid them in whatever way she possibly could.
Nanny turned to find the young messenger looking up at her with wide, soft eyes. "Yes?"
"Her Highness asked me to deliver this to you." The little boy held out a folded sheet of paper.
Nanny took the note and patted the lad on his head. "Would you like a cookie?"
The youngster nodded excitedly and smiled. "Oh, yes ma'am."
The Royal Governess gave a warm smile as she called out to one of the kitchen maids to get the child a cookie and some milk. She turned back to the boy. "Well? Go on, now."
The child began to scurry away but paused and turned back to the matron with a warm smile. "Thank you, Nanny."
"You're welcome," she replied as she shooed the child on, then turned her attention back to the note and frowned slightly. She had no idea what in the world her ward could possibly need. She opened the parchment and began to read, her frown quickly growing into a smile.
The Arusian monarch's kind and gentle nature never failed to surprise her - nor did Hunk's. Apparently, this was what the big man had needed to discuss with the Princess this morning. Well, Nanny decided, it certainly seemed a worthy cause, and she'd be more than happy to aid them in whatever way she possibly could.
The following evening, the Princess of Arus found the Voltron Force enjoying a game of cards in the rec room.
"Hi guys," Allura called cheerily as she stepped into the room and made her way to where they all sat. A chorus of 'hellos' and warm smiles greeted her when she joined them at the card table.
"So, Princess, did you and Hunk get your 'official business' taken care of?" Lance asked. Patience was never his strong suit, and his curiosity as to the need for Hunk to speak with the Princess privately was about to drive him crazy.
Allura glanced up at Hunk with apprehensive blue eyes before turning her attention to Lance. It was a gesture noticed by all. But, before she had the chance to speak, Hunk began.
"Sure Lance, we sorta finished things up."
"Sort of?" The pilot of the Red Lion wasn't giving up that easily. Which was exactly what the wide-eyed girl and burly mechanic were counting on.
"Hunk and I are working on a project together," the Princess said with a sweet smile and a little wink directed at her current comrade.
The Big Guy blushed a little and grinned back at Allura.
"A project?" Pidge asked as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"Yep." Hunk responded.
Lance looked from the blushing Hunk to the shyly smiling Allura. "What kind of project?"
"I really don't think you'd be interested," the Princess answered.
"Oh, I don't know about that," Lance said before glancing to his commander. "What do you think, Skipper?"
Keith, who had been silently watching the ongoing display, decided he knew exactly what was going on. He'd seen that look on the Princess' face many times before - usually right before he was talked into one of her schemes. Well, if Hunk was involved, it probably wasn't too bad, he decided. "I think we'd like to hear about your project."
Allura chewed on her lower lip as if uncertain. Finally, she looked up at the Big Guy. "I dunno… Hunk?"
There was a loud sigh as the pilot of the Yellow Lion rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and looked around at the group. He glanced back at the Princess as if he might find the answer in her eyes. "Well, we could use some help…"
"That's true…" she answered.
"We could help - couldn't we guys?" Pidge asked, excitement in his young voice. Lance gave Keith a quick glance and when he saw that his leader was nodding, he added his own consent.
Hunk again turned to look at the group. His expression began to change, uncertainty becoming determination. "If we tell you, it has to remain a secret."
There was a chorus of promises, and the Big Guy turned to look at the Princess for her final consent. She took a deep breath and looked around at the men before nodding.
"Okay," Hunk began, "so, here's the plan…"
"Hi guys," Allura called cheerily as she stepped into the room and made her way to where they all sat. A chorus of 'hellos' and warm smiles greeted her when she joined them at the card table.
"So, Princess, did you and Hunk get your 'official business' taken care of?" Lance asked. Patience was never his strong suit, and his curiosity as to the need for Hunk to speak with the Princess privately was about to drive him crazy.
Allura glanced up at Hunk with apprehensive blue eyes before turning her attention to Lance. It was a gesture noticed by all. But, before she had the chance to speak, Hunk began.
"Sure Lance, we sorta finished things up."
"Sort of?" The pilot of the Red Lion wasn't giving up that easily. Which was exactly what the wide-eyed girl and burly mechanic were counting on.
"Hunk and I are working on a project together," the Princess said with a sweet smile and a little wink directed at her current comrade.
The Big Guy blushed a little and grinned back at Allura.
"A project?" Pidge asked as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"Yep." Hunk responded.
Lance looked from the blushing Hunk to the shyly smiling Allura. "What kind of project?"
"I really don't think you'd be interested," the Princess answered.
"Oh, I don't know about that," Lance said before glancing to his commander. "What do you think, Skipper?"
Keith, who had been silently watching the ongoing display, decided he knew exactly what was going on. He'd seen that look on the Princess' face many times before - usually right before he was talked into one of her schemes. Well, if Hunk was involved, it probably wasn't too bad, he decided. "I think we'd like to hear about your project."
Allura chewed on her lower lip as if uncertain. Finally, she looked up at the Big Guy. "I dunno… Hunk?"
There was a loud sigh as the pilot of the Yellow Lion rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and looked around at the group. He glanced back at the Princess as if he might find the answer in her eyes. "Well, we could use some help…"
"That's true…" she answered.
"We could help - couldn't we guys?" Pidge asked, excitement in his young voice. Lance gave Keith a quick glance and when he saw that his leader was nodding, he added his own consent.
Hunk again turned to look at the group. His expression began to change, uncertainty becoming determination. "If we tell you, it has to remain a secret."
There was a chorus of promises, and the Big Guy turned to look at the Princess for her final consent. She took a deep breath and looked around at the men before nodding.
"Okay," Hunk began, "so, here's the plan…"
It was the night before the Spring Festival. The Castle of Lions practically hummed with last minute preparations for the next day's festivities. There would be dancing and singing, food and drink, games and entertainment. It would indeed be a fun time for all.
Near the castle's kitchen several wagons were being loaded up with crates and baskets of all kinds, their contents hidden away by the darkness of the night. The people doing the work hurried from here to there, stopping occasionally to speak with the young woman holding a clipboard. After endless trips back and forth from the kitchen, it seemed the work was done and the four young men gathered close to the woman so they could coordinate their final plans.
"Is that everything, Princess?"
Allura looked over her clipboard one last time before answering the Captain's question. "Yes, Keith, it seems to be."
"Okay guys, let's head out - but remember, we've got to be as quiet as possible." Hunk said, thoroughly enjoying his role as leader.
Near the castle's kitchen several wagons were being loaded up with crates and baskets of all kinds, their contents hidden away by the darkness of the night. The people doing the work hurried from here to there, stopping occasionally to speak with the young woman holding a clipboard. After endless trips back and forth from the kitchen, it seemed the work was done and the four young men gathered close to the woman so they could coordinate their final plans.
"Is that everything, Princess?"
Allura looked over her clipboard one last time before answering the Captain's question. "Yes, Keith, it seems to be."
"Okay guys, let's head out - but remember, we've got to be as quiet as possible." Hunk said, thoroughly enjoying his role as leader.
The wagons quietly rolled along with only the occasional squeak of a wheel and the horses' hooves clattering on the hard, dirt-packed roads, breaking the silence of the dark night. They made several stops that night, climbing from the wagons to make their special deliveries. They spoke in hushed tones and hurried about their work, wanting to ensure their anonymity. It didn't seem long before they had arrived at their final stop…
When they heard the wagons come to a stop, the two women stepped out in the night to greet the passengers. One of the women was older, her hair graying in its chignon, lines beginning to appear around her brilliant blue eyes. The other was young, brilliant red highlights visible even though her hair was pulled into a neat braid, her eyes the same brilliant blue of the older woman's. As soon as they saw the Princess step down from the wagon, they hurried forward to meet her.
"Your Highness," both women greeted as they dropped into low curtsies.
Allura smiled widely. "Mrs. Tirsly, Emabell, please, that's not necessary." She placed a hand on each woman's arm, guiding her up. "Commander Tirsly gave his life defending my father's, his wife and daughter needn't kneel before me - if anything, I should kneel before you." The Princess of Arus swept into a low curtsy. When she stood, she was wearing a bright smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Mrs. Tirsly's eyes were bright with unshed tears.
Allura patted her arm and nodded. "Now, we need to get these things inside and set up before any of the children are awakened. Where would you like us to set them up?"
"Here, let me show you," Emabell spoke up before she hurried inside the dark confines of the orphanage.
The Voltron Force began unloading the wagons, unpacking an assortment of colorful baskets, stuffed bunnies and chicks, coloring books, crayons, small toys and what seemed an endless supply of candy - jewel-tone jelly beans, chocolate molded bunnies and a myriad of shapes wrapped in brightly colored foil. When they were finished, they began unpacking crates of beautifully painted eggs and hiding them throughout the gardens.
Before long, the small group again stood outside the orphanage's door.
"Thank you so much, Your Highness, Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge." Mrs. Tirsly said with a bright smile, "The children are going to love this."
"You're so very welcome," Allura began, "but the credit goes to Hunk. This was all his idea."
Hunk rubbed the back of his neck as a dull red color crept into his cheeks. "Aww, it was nothing. It's an old Terran tradition this time of year."
"Well," Emabell began, "regardless, come morning, there are going to be many happy children, thanks to you."
"We really should go. It's going to be a long day for all of us tomorrow." Keith stepped in close to the Princess as he spoke.
"Go ahead," Hunk said, "I have one last thing I need to do before we head back."
"We'll meet you by the wagons, Big Guy," Allura patted his arm and gave him a wink as she passed by.
As the rest of the team headed back to the wagons, Hunk smiled sheepishly at the orphan's guardians. He pulled a small container from his pocket and said, "Baby powder."
The women looked at him in confusion, but continued to watch anyway.
Hunk opened the top of the container and dipped two fingers and his thumb into the powder. He then proceeded to make "bunny tracks" from the door to where they'd left the children's surprises and back again. As he finished and replaced the lid onto the powder, he quickly explained to the two women. "On Terra, the Easter Bunny comes and delivers baskets full of goodies for the children."
The response to this was two muffled giggles. Hunk grinned in reply and hurried off to his waiting friends.
When they heard the wagons come to a stop, the two women stepped out in the night to greet the passengers. One of the women was older, her hair graying in its chignon, lines beginning to appear around her brilliant blue eyes. The other was young, brilliant red highlights visible even though her hair was pulled into a neat braid, her eyes the same brilliant blue of the older woman's. As soon as they saw the Princess step down from the wagon, they hurried forward to meet her.
"Your Highness," both women greeted as they dropped into low curtsies.
Allura smiled widely. "Mrs. Tirsly, Emabell, please, that's not necessary." She placed a hand on each woman's arm, guiding her up. "Commander Tirsly gave his life defending my father's, his wife and daughter needn't kneel before me - if anything, I should kneel before you." The Princess of Arus swept into a low curtsy. When she stood, she was wearing a bright smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Mrs. Tirsly's eyes were bright with unshed tears.
Allura patted her arm and nodded. "Now, we need to get these things inside and set up before any of the children are awakened. Where would you like us to set them up?"
"Here, let me show you," Emabell spoke up before she hurried inside the dark confines of the orphanage.
The Voltron Force began unloading the wagons, unpacking an assortment of colorful baskets, stuffed bunnies and chicks, coloring books, crayons, small toys and what seemed an endless supply of candy - jewel-tone jelly beans, chocolate molded bunnies and a myriad of shapes wrapped in brightly colored foil. When they were finished, they began unpacking crates of beautifully painted eggs and hiding them throughout the gardens.
Before long, the small group again stood outside the orphanage's door.
"Thank you so much, Your Highness, Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge." Mrs. Tirsly said with a bright smile, "The children are going to love this."
"You're so very welcome," Allura began, "but the credit goes to Hunk. This was all his idea."
Hunk rubbed the back of his neck as a dull red color crept into his cheeks. "Aww, it was nothing. It's an old Terran tradition this time of year."
"Well," Emabell began, "regardless, come morning, there are going to be many happy children, thanks to you."
"We really should go. It's going to be a long day for all of us tomorrow." Keith stepped in close to the Princess as he spoke.
"Go ahead," Hunk said, "I have one last thing I need to do before we head back."
"We'll meet you by the wagons, Big Guy," Allura patted his arm and gave him a wink as she passed by.
As the rest of the team headed back to the wagons, Hunk smiled sheepishly at the orphan's guardians. He pulled a small container from his pocket and said, "Baby powder."
The women looked at him in confusion, but continued to watch anyway.
Hunk opened the top of the container and dipped two fingers and his thumb into the powder. He then proceeded to make "bunny tracks" from the door to where they'd left the children's surprises and back again. As he finished and replaced the lid onto the powder, he quickly explained to the two women. "On Terra, the Easter Bunny comes and delivers baskets full of goodies for the children."
The response to this was two muffled giggles. Hunk grinned in reply and hurried off to his waiting friends.
The sun was just beginning to crest the mountains behind the Castle of Lions when they returned home. Tired, yet filled with a sense of euphoria, they made their way toward the dining room where Nanny had promised a warm breakfast would be waiting upon their arrival.
Allura looked over at Pidge and felt her heart tighten just a little. Sometimes, they all seemed to forget that he was little more than a child himself. She smiled a bit sadly as she stepped in close and put an arm around his shoulders.
"You know, Pidge, I'm very proud of you."
"Huh?" Pidge replied, looking up at the Princess with confusion written all over his features.
"You're always helping us give to the orphans, doing kind and generous things, and you often miss out on the fun because of it." She smiled at him again, then ruffled his hair. "I'm very proud of you for all that you give."
The youth crimsoned under the praise. "That's okay, Princess, I'm too old for the Easter Bunny to visit me, anyway."
Hunk, who had been listening closely to the exchange, stepped over to the duo. "Hey, you never know, Little Buddy," his voice was just a little too gruff, betraying his emotions. 'Man,' he thought, 'how could I have been so thoughtless?' In his haste to do something kind for the orphans, he'd completely forgotten about his best friend.
When they had reached the door to the dining room, Keith pushed the button, and it slid open. They were immediately greeted by the delicious smells of Nanny's cooking. The Captain of the Voltron Force stepped into the small room, but froze in the middle of the doorframe.
"Hey, what's the hold up?" Lance demanded as he pushed his way past his leader. Once inside the room, he, also, stopped in his tracks. "Whoa…"
Hunk, the tallest of the group, peered over the heads of his companions, and what he saw made his jaw fall slack. "But… but…"
"What is it Hunk?" Allura asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Pidge echoed.
Something about Pidge's youthful voice immediately brought them all back to themselves. Keith and Lance stepped aside, allowing the rest of the group to enter the room.
"Oh wow!!" Pidge cried, rushing forward. He hurried over to the breakfast table, where upon each of their chairs sat a brightly colored basket, full of surprises.
Keith smiled warmly at the sight of Pidge excitedly digging through his vibrant green basket. "Good thinking, Big Guy."
Hunk shook his head and placed a hand on his leader's shoulder. "It wasn't me, Chief."
"Huh?" Lance said, glancing back at his friends, "It musta been Nanny."
Allura looked unconvinced. "Um, I don't think so guys…" She tugged on Hunk's sleeve before pointing to the floor where a trail of foot long bunny tracks led to the window across the room.
Hunk's eyes grew wide as he looked up, meeting the Princess' gaze. "Did you tell anyone?"
She shook her head.
"Tell anyone, what?" Keith and Lance asked at the same time.
Hunk quickly and quietly explained the bunny tracks he'd left at each orphanage, and that only he and the Princess had known about them.
The group took a moment to again look at the tracks then back up at one another, mouths agape. As one, they rushed over to the window where the tracks seemed to lead.
"Pidge! Hurry!!" Hunk almost shouted to the youth.
Pidge hurried over to the group where Hunk lifted him up so that he was sure to see the unbelievable sight.
Just as he reached the edge of the Arussian forest, the six foot tall, white bunny turned to wink and wave a furry paw at the group of Space Explorers watching from the castle window.
End
Allura looked over at Pidge and felt her heart tighten just a little. Sometimes, they all seemed to forget that he was little more than a child himself. She smiled a bit sadly as she stepped in close and put an arm around his shoulders.
"You know, Pidge, I'm very proud of you."
"Huh?" Pidge replied, looking up at the Princess with confusion written all over his features.
"You're always helping us give to the orphans, doing kind and generous things, and you often miss out on the fun because of it." She smiled at him again, then ruffled his hair. "I'm very proud of you for all that you give."
The youth crimsoned under the praise. "That's okay, Princess, I'm too old for the Easter Bunny to visit me, anyway."
Hunk, who had been listening closely to the exchange, stepped over to the duo. "Hey, you never know, Little Buddy," his voice was just a little too gruff, betraying his emotions. 'Man,' he thought, 'how could I have been so thoughtless?' In his haste to do something kind for the orphans, he'd completely forgotten about his best friend.
When they had reached the door to the dining room, Keith pushed the button, and it slid open. They were immediately greeted by the delicious smells of Nanny's cooking. The Captain of the Voltron Force stepped into the small room, but froze in the middle of the doorframe.
"Hey, what's the hold up?" Lance demanded as he pushed his way past his leader. Once inside the room, he, also, stopped in his tracks. "Whoa…"
Hunk, the tallest of the group, peered over the heads of his companions, and what he saw made his jaw fall slack. "But… but…"
"What is it Hunk?" Allura asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Pidge echoed.
Something about Pidge's youthful voice immediately brought them all back to themselves. Keith and Lance stepped aside, allowing the rest of the group to enter the room.
"Oh wow!!" Pidge cried, rushing forward. He hurried over to the breakfast table, where upon each of their chairs sat a brightly colored basket, full of surprises.
Keith smiled warmly at the sight of Pidge excitedly digging through his vibrant green basket. "Good thinking, Big Guy."
Hunk shook his head and placed a hand on his leader's shoulder. "It wasn't me, Chief."
"Huh?" Lance said, glancing back at his friends, "It musta been Nanny."
Allura looked unconvinced. "Um, I don't think so guys…" She tugged on Hunk's sleeve before pointing to the floor where a trail of foot long bunny tracks led to the window across the room.
Hunk's eyes grew wide as he looked up, meeting the Princess' gaze. "Did you tell anyone?"
She shook her head.
"Tell anyone, what?" Keith and Lance asked at the same time.
Hunk quickly and quietly explained the bunny tracks he'd left at each orphanage, and that only he and the Princess had known about them.
The group took a moment to again look at the tracks then back up at one another, mouths agape. As one, they rushed over to the window where the tracks seemed to lead.
"Pidge! Hurry!!" Hunk almost shouted to the youth.
Pidge hurried over to the group where Hunk lifted him up so that he was sure to see the unbelievable sight.
Just as he reached the edge of the Arussian forest, the six foot tall, white bunny turned to wink and wave a furry paw at the group of Space Explorers watching from the castle window.
End
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Please Note
"The Lion's Keep: The Next Chapter" is the most recent version of the "The Lion's Keep",
and was originally established November 08, 1999
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