Scott's Fiction
Love's Journey
Part 1
What Happened To Us?

 

Love's Journey is a Voltron Fan Fiction by Scott. This Fiction is rated R18+ due to extreme violence, adult concepts and the odd sexual encounter. The story focuses on the relationships between ALL the Voltron characters but especially on the relationship between Captain Keith and Princess Allura as they struggle with their feelings for one another. The story is VERY soppy in places so if that ISN'T your thing, turn away now.

I don't own Voltron or any of the characters depicted in this story save for the Original characters I introduce. Those characters are mine and please ask me first if you intend on using them at all. Voltron and all other characters are the property of W.E.P. This is an amateur fiction and no profit is being made in anyway from this venture.

I would like to thank SGB for his fantastic collection of Voltron and Golion images, without which many of the pictures in this fiction would not exist. Finally, thanks must go to Moira, who is responsible for not only the AWESOME pictures that feature throughout this book, but for encouraging me to post this fiction too! Thanks again Moira, thanks for all your support and encouragement!

NB. Some screenshots that may feature in the story I have had on HDD for some time and can't remember where I found them! If they are yours please, drop me a line and I will credit you for them! Any way, I hope you enjoy Love's Journey!

Love's Journey
Part 1

What Happened To Us?

Princess Allura and Princess Romelle were heading back to the Castle Of Lions from the lake where they had enjoyed the afternoon swimming and sunning themselves by its golden shores. Allura listened to her cousin talking about her engagement to Sven and how she dearly loved him, trying not to think about the man SHE loved. Romelle explained how she really wanted to get married, but knew that Galaxy Garrison may transfer Sven at any moment and they both wanted to wait until they knew exactly what was going on. Romelle was head over heals in love with Sven and Allura enjoyed teasing her about it. "So are you two lovebirds going to the Ball tonight?" She asked.

"Oh yes, I can't wait, Sven is such a good dancer, he wouldn't miss taking me for the world".

"Well you're lucky, I wish I had someone to go with!" Allura frowned.

"What ever do you mean Ally? What about the Voltron Captain? You ADMIT that you are in love with him, why not ask him to the dance?"

Allura frowned and looked away to the horizon, running her hands through her long blonde hair "Because I don't think he wants to be seen ANYWHERE near me! I haven't seen him since that day of the picnic over a week ago! He even sent a message via Nanny that he couldn't come to Kendo!"

"Ally! That..... That doesn't make any sense! You both looked so happy together at that picnic....Hmm, maybe I should go and speak to him myself and find out what is going on?"

Allura nearly died and she stood in front of her cousin, "Romelle nooo! Don't you dare!"

"Well then YOU had better go and ask him to take you to that dance tonight! Sven told me that he is about the only one left in the castle who ISN'T going, soooo he obviously needs a partner!"

"Romelle my dear cousin, you are missing one very important point, what if he doesn't actually WANT to go!"

"Ally are you going to ask him or do I have to get Sven to do it for you?"

"Romelle! You wouldn't...........Wait..... You would! Romelle please! Don't........this hurts enough as it is!"

Romelle placed her hands on Allura's shoulders, "I am not going to stand by and watch true love walk right past you cousin! Now are you going to do what you have to do or am I going to have to fetch Sven!"

Allura finally conceded, "Okay, Okay I'll ask him! You are such a pain sometimes Romelle!"

"That's why you invited me here, to straighten out your VERY messy love life!" Romelle giggled.

"Thank you cousin! You really are a big help!" Allura replied sarcastically as they continued into the Castle proper.

Keith was still hiding himself away in his room, hiding his true feelings from himself and everybody else! Nanny and Coran had both tried to see him at different times, without success, they were very concerned. He had been missing appointments, constantly making excuses as to why he couldn't make them and he wasn't eating properly either. He hadn't been seen at the dining room table since the picnic! His friends had given up trying to get him to come out for social events such as the nightly pool games they would always have or the jam sessions they had in secret way down in the castle basement. They had their own little band and when no one was watching they would all disappear down into the sound proofed room to play, Keith was not only their lead guitarist but he also provided their vocals.

The others were dreadful singers and they relied on Keith's fine singing voice. Without him they couldn't jam properly and it was annoying Lance in particular, he loved playing his bass guitar and he decided enough was enough! Since Keith would ignore them whenever they knocked on his door, Lance decided he would BREAK IN! It was up to him to solve the problem for Keith. He, Sven and Keith had all been together since they were children and if anyone had a chance of finding out what was eating at Keith it was him.

He entered the override card into Keith's door and it slowly opened. "Keith, where are you its....yaahhh!........" He froze as a pistol barrel sat against his ear.

Keith relaxed and he holstered his pistol, grumbling at his very shocked friend, "Aww LANCE!!!! For heaven's sake, haven't you ever heard of knocking!"

"Well Sorry but you have developed this habit of pretending you're not here!"

"THAT"S NO REASON TO JUST BARGE IN I............, I'm sorry, I haven't been myself these last few days."

"I'll say! Jeez Cap! You look terrible! Tell me, what's wrong? Honestly, what's got you like this? I haven't seen you like this since.......well in a while!" Lance realised that he may have just figured out the riddle.

"I just don't know if I am ready to be shipped off the planet I love and thrust across the galaxy some place else! I have worked hard here and I have come to think of it as home! I really don't want to leave!" Keith sighed.

"Yeah, well I don't really want to go myself but why punish US for it?"

"Punish you? What ARE you talking about Lance?"

"Well how can we jam without a singer and lead guitarist? I asked Allura if she could sing and she said that she sounds like Hagar's cat and besides, she doesn't need to know about our little band anyway, it’s a guy’s only thing!"

Lance saw Keith's eyes close and the expression of pain on his face when he mentioned her name, "It’s HER isn't it Captain! It’s the Princess! SHE is bothering you, come on spill it, I saw that look!"

"Lance, it’s just... Ah you wouldn't understand!"

"TRY ME!"

Keith's heart made a valiant stand against his head and he stared at the floor, "I love her Lance! I love her with all my heart and she's the one person I CAN'T have!"

Oh brother he IS in a bind! I can only imagine how THAT must feel; to be in love and know that no matter what you do you will never be able to be together! Lance thought as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place and the riddle began to make sense. "That day at the picnic! When we found you and Allura, you looked really flustered! I thought you were just worn out but........It’s all starting to make sense to me now!"

Keith sat with his head in his hands as he filled in the gaps for Lance, "I was just about to tell her when you guys found us! I'm glad I didn't now! I know she has feelings for me too Lance and if she knew I loved her, it would break her poor heart. To have to stand there on the day my transfer arrives and watch me walk away! Can you imagine what that would do to her?"

"I see your point Keith, it all makes perfect sense now, it’s so plain I don't know why I didn't see it earlier! Let’s get you someplace where you can burn off some steam!"

"Lance I have been trying to get it out of my system for days, I can't help the way I feel and there is NOTHING...that will change the way I feel!"

Lance crouched in front of the Captain, "Keith, come and do a work out with me, burn off some of that frustration, it will help you think better! Its gotta be a good start!"

"Lance I can't afford to bump into Allura! If I see her................"

Lance shook his head, "Don't you think you're going to have to see her at some stage? She is going to want to know what the hell is going on Cap, she's been VERY worried about you, we ALL have!"

Keith looked up with a tear in his eye. "I will tell her when I am ready, for now, I just....I don't want to see her okay!"

"Alright Cap, look there IS a back entrance to the gym, she won't see you if we go that way!" Lance replied putting a hand on his shoulder.

Keith took his 'Bugieto' Katana down from above his bed and followed Lance to the gym where after a short workout they headed out to the training area. Keith gloved up and stood toe to toe with a punching bag, he had stripped off his overalls and was wearing only a singlet and long cotton boxer shorts. Lance supported the punching bag, "Okay Skipper, lay in to it!"

After a few moments he was forced to let the bag free and stand back, as Keith let his frustrations fly. I don't know how I am going to get him out of this one! He thought as he watched Keith open up with a fierce volley of kicks and punches. After a half hour session Keith finished with the punching bag and took up the Katana he had brought down with him. He dressed in his Kendo Gi and set the training combat robots to maximum difficulty taking on six at a time! Lance scratched his head in bewilderment as Keith unleashed his fury upon the robots, besting them one after the other. "Increase hostiles to eight at once Lance!" Keith called.

"CAPTAIN?" Lance couldn't believe his ears! Six at once was madness, eight was just ridiculous!

"You heard me Lancelot!"

"Okay, alright.....Ix nay on the 'Ull fey ame Ney' " Lance yelled as he adjusted the control panel. He HATED it when Keith called him by his full name!

Come on you bastards, hit me!........HIT ME! Keith thought as he brought his blade crashing through a robot, the metal clang of his blade echoing out through the gym. Romelle walked into the gym for an afternoon session with a towel over her shoulder and stopped as she heard the sounds of battle coming from the next room. Inquisitively she walked into the training room and saw Lance standing near a control panel watching his Captain in the ring. Seeing how outnumbered Keith was she ran over, "What are you doing Lance? Are you trying to kill him!"

"Princess Romelle, HE ordered it, he is just blowing off steam!"

"Have you found out what's actually wrong with him?" She asked.

"I can't tell you Princess!!" Lance answered looking away.

Romelle frowned, "Okay, then I will figure it out myself!"

She had her suspicions anyway and she leaned over the railing looking at the blank expression on Keith's face. The pained look that she saw on his face made her heart stop, He had tears in his eyes and instantly Romelle was SURE she knew why! She thought about the changes she had seen in him herself and heard about from Allura. From the morning of the picnic when she had seen them both asleep on each other to the change in his behaviour in the afternoon. Keith wasn't SICK that afternoon! He was in LOVE! For some strange reason he was fighting it! "Ten Lance!" He barked out.

Lance nodded reluctantly and added two more robot warriors to the fight.

Romelle looked up at Lance, "What IS he trying to do?"

"Oh Keith is just trying to destroy himself, nothing serious!" Lance grumbled.

"What ever do you mean, DESTROY himself?" The Princess of Pollux gasped, not believing she had heard him correctly.

Lance looked at her with a sorry look on his face, "Yeah, you heard right! This was my idea for him to blow off a little steam and now I think it was a particularly STUPID idea. I can't get him out of that ring! He's in there punishing himself!"

"For being in love with Allura right?" Romelle asked with her hand on his shoulder.

Lance looked uneasy and he turned away as he thought, how the hell did she just figure THAT out? I can't TELL her, I have to play dumb on this one! He took a deep breath and sighed,"I.....I CAN'T answer that Romelle!"

What IS it with MEN? Why can't they just.....Oooooooh! Romelle fumed to herself. She glared at Lance in frustration and snapped at him, "You JUST did!"

Sheez, Romelle is worse than ALLURA! I can't see anyway out of this! Lance thought to himself, "Yeah, he is in love with the one person on Arus he can't have! There! You know! Are you happy now?" The Red Lion Pilot growled as he walked over and sat down on the bench shaking his head in disgust.

Romelle chased after him and sat down beside him, "Lance! I only want to help! Of course I am not HAPPY! If you think he is the only one who's miserable then you've obviously been walking around with your eyes closed this last week!"

"What are you talking about Romelle?"

"Oooooooh you men can be so THICK sometimes! ALLURA Lance! Allura! The Princess! Have you not noticed how terribly upset SHE is?"

"I admit I haven't payed it much attention I.............."

"Why doesn't that surprise me? Lance she practically cries herself to sleep every night! She IS in love with Keith and every day he hides from her it hurts her just that little bit more! She thinks she has done something wrong and until HE talks to her about it nothing is going to change!"

Lance put his arm around her, "I had no idea it was that bad! What are WE going to do about it?"

There was a loud thump and they both looked up in shock as Keith went flying into the side of the ring. He clambered back up to his feet and said nothing as he charged the robots again. "Lance why doesn't he just tell her? Why don't they at least talk about it?" Romelle asked.

"He doesn't want to hurt her!"

"He IS hurting her Lance!"

"I know but........"

They were interrupted by a loud clang as Keith crashed into the floor yet again and his blade went skidding away from him. "Lance he is killing himself in there!" Romelle cried.

"I'm keeping an eye on him Romelle, this is what HE wants and if it is going to help him in ANY way to get over this then I am right behind him all the way! I won't let him hurt himself too badly, I have the remote control unit right here in my pocket" Lance replied.

"Well we can't just let him.......................Uh oh....Lance!" Romelle fell silent as Allura walked in with a towel over her shoulder.

Lance looked away and swallowed hard, Aww shit now it’s going to be on!

"Hi Lance, Hi Romelle what’s making all that......................." She gave a long gasp as she saw Keith struggling in the ring.

There was the man she hadn't seen in a week. The one man in the entire castle that she really, desperately, wanted to see! He was bloodied and wet with sweat swinging wildly and erratically at the training robots. "What on Arus is he doing Lance!" She asked her friend with a worried look on her face.

Lance tried his best to sound convincing, "Umm....well....he's TRAINING Princess! Keith ALWAYS has a tough workout!"

"LANCE, I have trained with Keith for over a year now! I KNOW how he trains! He trains with around four opponents! How many is out there, two, four, six.........." She began to count.

"Ten Princess! He's fighting ten, he's just blowing off some steam that’s all!"

There was a mighty crack and pieces of the timber fence splintered into the air as Keith slammed into it, his sword clanging to the ground in front of him, "Lance shut it down!" Allura yelled as she lifted the bar on the arena and ran over to the exhausted Captain.

Her pretty face was etched with concern as she put a hand on his shoulder, "Keith are you alright?"

He looked up, panting heavily, Oh no, Can't she just STAY AWAY! Its hard enough fighting these feelings as it is without........Be strong Keith, ignore her and she'll just go away. He told himself as he wearily clambered to his feet. "I'm fine Your Highness".

Allura looked at him with a puzzled smile on her face. "Your Highness? Since when have I been called that around you guys?"

"Since Ohh.....I don't know, I'm sorry alright!" Keith replied.

"Oh Keith your bleeding" She replied in a concerned voice as she wiped his lip with her handkerchief.

Keith sharply turned his head away from her, "Allura it’s just a scratch, its okay!"

"Am I interrupting your training Captain I can go if you................."

Lance interrupted her, "Princess its fine, Keith was just about to finish anyway! I'll see you at the Dance tonight".

Keith glared at Lance and tried his best to lose Allura, "Umm Princess I have to go for a shower now, I will see you later!"

"That's okay I'll wait in your room for you! I really need to talk with you!" She grinned.

Allura are you thick or something! Man, why can't she just take a hint! Keith grumbled to himself as he gave her a fake smile, "Okay Allura, if you want to!"

Keith grabbed his sword and towel, charging off up the stairs, the Princess trailed behind and she laughed as she tried to keep up with him. "Keith is it a race or something?"

"Look Allura I have a lot to do okay, so yeah I am kind of in a hurry!" He snapped.

Allura frowned, "Okay, I'm sorry I was just kidding!"

The young Princess sat on the bed in Keith's room as he showered. She finally took a deep breath and sat up straight as Keith came out toweling his hair. He said nothing to her but walked past and sat down at his desk pretending to be busy flicking through reports and papers that he had already completed, trying his best to ignore her. What IS going on here? Isn't he at least going to acknowledge me? The Princess thought as she folded her arms and pouted.

Finally she tried to break the very awkward silence. "Umm Keith ...It’s good to see you, I haven't seen you since the picnic!"

He continued to flick through his pile of reports, not daring to look at her, "I umm, I've been busy, It’s nice to see you too".

Something is REALLY wrong with him! He's moody and grumpy and he won't even look at me! Why won't he talk to me? Allura thought as she nervously fiddled with her hair. She was terribly nervous, she took a deep breath and walked over to the Captain kneeling in front of him on the floor, "Well I am not just here to say hello, there's a Ball on tonight and I wanted to know.....if....well if you.... would be my partner?"

Keith was horrified as he thought about the prospect of taking Allura to a romantic dance ball, Oh you gotta be kidding me? ME! Oh no! This is going from bad to worse! "Ah....me!...Well gee....Princess...I'm honoured that you have asked me and I'd really love to but I have to file a briefing tonight! I....you know, Galaxy Garrison stuff. I'm sure Lance or Hunk will be happy to take you". He was trying his best to ignore how he felt, to ignore the fact that in all honesty, he would LOVE to take her to a dance and hold her in his arms all night long.

"Keith, I really wanted to go with YOU! Lance, Hunk and Pidge all have dates! You wouldn't want to see me go with Coran would you, Oh Keith please! Please don't do THAT to me, its so humiliating, he gets tired and we have to come home really early, please Keith? Won't you take me?" She pleaded.

Keith still refused to look at her, He knew there was NO way he could refuse if she flashed those baby blues at him! "Well I wouldn't really be any better company than Coran tonight Princess, I am tired already and I haven't even filed this report on the Lion's maintenance schedule! Now if you will excuse me, I really have to get this done".

Romelle is wrong! He really doesn't want to go with me at all! Allura thought to herself. There was another long uneasy silence before Allura stood up and dusted herself off, "Keith you have been nothing short of abrupt with me since the gym and I can only think that it is because you don't want to see me at all! You have been in hiding since the day of the picnic! You told me that if I ever needed to talk to you about anything I knew where to find you! Well I found you and Keith, if you don't want to see me then just SAY so! I THOUGHT we were friends, MY mistake!" She yelled and stormed out of the room.

Keith dropped his reports as she ran for his door, "PRINCESS? Princess wait!" He yelled as the door slammed in his face. Shit! Aww Hell! He thought as he wrenched the door open and chased after her.

He caught up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Princess stop! Please!"

She turned with tears in her eyes and he hugged her, "I'm sorry, please come back!"

"Keith what happened to us?" Allura asked as she faced away from the Voltron Captain with tears running down her cheeks.

 

"Allura I've just been under a lot of pressure lately, I didn't mean to take it out on you, I'm sorry. Will you come back with me?" He asked extending a hand to her.

"Will you at least acknowledge me this time?"

Keith nodded, "Yeah.....I promise".

He led her back to his room and sat next to her on the bed. "I haven't been myself lately Princess, this transfer stuff is really messing with my head, I'd rather stay here than end up on the far side of the universe somewhere!"

The Princesses normally radiant glow was none existent and she looked at the floor, "Keith have I done something wrong? What did I do that made you so angry with me?"

"Okay hold up Princess, who said I was angry with you? Who said you had done anything wrong?"

Allura frowned and fidgeted with the belt on her gown as she continued to stare at her feet, "You don't have to say it Keith! You used to joke around with me, laugh with me and you EVEN used to tickle me if it looked like I wasn't smiling. Only a week ago at the picnic we were having so much fun together! I really enjoyed myself and I thought you did too! I thought we were both happy and now, well now it feels like you'd rather I wasn't here at all! What happened? What did I do?"

Keith took a deep breath and tried to explain himself, "Princess I had a lot of fun that day and you're right, I did enjoy myself! You haven't DONE anything and I am NOT angry with you or I would have told you so! It’s just that all the paper work here is getting me down and I have been rather stressed with this transfer! I'm sorry if I made you feel that you weren't wanted, you are one of my closest friends! Look, I'll make it up to you, do you still wanna go to that dance?"

"Yes, I want to go with you".

"Alright, I'll take you, it's the least I can do after the way I treated you".

Allura's face lit up! She looked up at him and smiled broadly before she leapt into his arms, knocking him backwards onto the bed "You WILL!!!!.........Oh Keith Thank you! Thankyou! Thankyou and thankyou!"

For a few moments Keith forgot what he was doing as he held her tight, he soon realised and let his arms fall away, "I ahm, I guess you're welcome! Now Princess I really have to finish up here". He replied trying to hide the fact that he was blushing.

Allura frowned, "Keith, the dance is in an hour's time! Don't you want to get ready?"

He straightened up his jumpsuit, "Sure, look as soon as I finish here I will get ready! Where do I pick you up?"

"From my bedroom Captain! I'll meet you in a half an hour okay? She whispered as she gently kissed his cheek.

"No problem, anything for you Princess! I'll see you in half an hour!". Keith replied.

After she had left, Keith banged his head against the wall. No problem, anything for you Princess? Arghh! How could I let my guard down like that! I've made matters worse now! Well done Keith, real slick! He cursed at himself. As bad as he felt he was not about to back out now. He had a shave and a shower and then took his very elegant Dress Uniform out of the wardrobe, taking special care to line up his medals. He quickly polished the gold handle of his dress sword before clipping it to his belt and slowly heading up to Allura's room.

The Princess was so happy as she left Keith's room that afternoon, she practically skipped up the stairs and burst into her room twirling and dancing about. Nanny hadn't seen her so happy in days, "Princess, you're looking happy this afternoon!"

The young Princess picked up a rather large teddy bear and continued to dance around the room, "Oh Nanny, there is a ball on! You know I absolutely LOVE dancing!"

She hurriedly showered and then dressed in her trademark sparkling pink gown before sitting at her dresser as Nanny brushed her hair for her. "Princess Allura, you look so radiant tonight, you're going to make some Prince a happy man one day!"

Allura frowned and grumbled to herself, here we go again, can't they just leave me alone! Oughh! I love Keith not some pompous, toffee nosed, overdressed, self absorbed, show pony! She looked up and asked calmly, "Nanny, What if I should fall in love with someone who ISN'T a Prince?"

Nanny cringed at her young charge's suggestion, "Oh Princess! Don't say such things! Trust me child, don't go there!"

"Its just theoretical Nanny, come on humour me! If I did, could I marry him?"

"Well, you could but it would be better if you married some one who was of Royal blood. A commoner has no idea of how to behave and our planet needs a strong king, someone who knows what has to be done and how to do it! Imagine a commoner trying to learn to be King! It would be so hard on him that it would end up driving you both apart! That's not to say it hasn't happened before, but not for........oh this is silly! One day a handsome Prince will sweep you off your feet, maybe even tonight! I hear there are two Princes going to the ball. One is from Tores and one is from Lurvana Four, I hear the one from Lurvana has his eye on you!" Nanny winked at her.

Allura stuck her nose up in the air, "Well that's too bad, I have a date and I am going with HIM!"

"Yes I know but I'm sure Captain Keith won't mind you having a dance or two with someone else". Nanny replied calmly she adjusted Allura's dress.

Careful Ally, don't go dropping any more hints! Allura warned herself. "No, of course he won't, I suppose a dance can't hurt".

"That's right, remember Princess, your planet needs a King, you HAVE to find one and soon! Now I know that you want to marry for love and I wish that.....OH! That will be Keith!" Nanny replied as they heard the knock at the door.

"Good evening Nanny, is Allura ready?" Keith asked in a nervous voice, rocking back and forward on his heels.

"Well bless me, don't you look handsome tonight! Come in, Come in!" Nanny grinned as she pulled him inside. She had a soft spot for Keith, though she rarely let it show. He was the most responsible out of the 'Hooligans' as she called them. "Allura, it's the Captain!" She called out.

"I'm coming Keith, just a minute!" Allura yelled from her bathroom.

Oh hurry up girl! Where is.....Ohhh Stupid perfume bottle open!!! RRRRGHH ah!, that’s better, two puffs? Better make it three for good luck! Allura was rushing to finish getting ready. She finally came out and met Keith standing next to Nanny.

"Good evening Your Highness are you ready to go?" Keith asked as he bowed.

"Yes Captain, shall we?" She asked offering her elbow to him. She was trying to hide the fact that she was absolutely elated and she couldn't help but stare at him when he looked away. He looked so magnificent in his uniform and as usual the faint scent of his aftershave tormented her. The couple walked slowly through the castle towards the castle entrance and Keith kept a stern and straight face, he still dared not look at her. He had made THAT mistake when she had come out of her bathroom. The sweet smell of her perfume, her wonderful smile, those happy sparkling blue eyes fluttering at him! It had almost overwhelmed him then and he was trying his level best to maintain his cool. The Princess had moved so close beside him that their hips were practically colliding as they slowly walked along. She whispered tenderly in his ear, "Thank you for taking me tonight Keith, thank you so much!"

"It's the least I can do, sorry I was so rude to you this afternoon Your Highness!"

She pulled her head back and scrunched up her face, "Keith, will you please call me Allura! You KNOW I hate it when you call me by my royal title!"

"Oh yeah, right, okay..........sorry, Allura".

"Thank you!" She replied with a grin.

Three young maids watched them walking past, "Ohhh she is so lucky, isn't he just to die for!" One blushed.

"Oh yes, he's so regal, look at him, oh he's such a dreamboat!" Another added.

"You know, there is a rumour going around that he kissed her at that little picnic they went to! I think he's in love with her!" The other grinned.

The other two turned to each other and scrunched up their faces before scolding their colleague, "THAT is ridiculous, he doesn't LOVE her, they're just friends!"

Allura caught them staring at Keith and she giggled to herself, He's all mine tonight girls! The three maids instantly turned around and returned to their chores as they realised they had been caught ogling.

Lance, Hunk and Pidge were sitting in their coach riding to the Ball. Hunk asked Lance if he had figured out what was bothering Keith and Lance explained he had a good lead but he wasn't sure yet. The conversation soon turned to Lance's partner for the ball. He had been seeing this girl for nearly two months and Pidge and Hunk both enjoyed ribbing him about it with silly remarks like, "Wow two months is a record for you isn't it Lance" And "So you must be about ready for a new girl hey Lance?"

Unfortunately for Hunk and Pidge they themselves always ended up losing these little jousting sessions as Lance was far too witty for the pair of them put together. "What are you pair talking about? At least I HAVE a date! You pair are going to look so cute dancing together! They might even grant you the cutest couple award!"

Pidge was horrified, "We are not dancing together Lance, we are just going to have a drink and maybe meet some nice Arusian girls afterwards!"

"Well I hear that a certain blonde haired Princess, whose name we won't mention, knocked you back! Did you wanna talk about it Pidge ol buddy!" Lance chuckled.

"She ONLY knocked me back because she's sweet on Keith! How can I compare to the Captain?" Pidge replied defensively.

Lance's ears pricked and he asked with keen interest, "You think Allura is sweet on Keith? What makes you think that?"

"Lance are you completely thick or something? You only have to look at the way she behaves around him! Who's she going with tonight?" Hunk asked him.

Atta boy Lance keep playing dumb! He chuckled to himself.

Meanwhile Keith helped Allura up into her coach and followed after her. He sat on one side of the coach and she on the other. "Keith you can SIT next to me I won't bite!" Allura grinned as she looked across to him.

"Allura we get more room this way, it's pretty squashy on the same seat!" Keith answered, trying to keep his barriers up and be nice to her at the same time.

That was my point! Allura fumed to herself. She sighed and looked out at the stars. Keith was still trying his hardest to ignore her, she was almost driving him crazy! He was tortured the whole journey as memories of THAT day flooded into his mind. He remembered her giggling uncontrollably as he had piggy backed her through the forest when she had sore feet from all the walking. He remembered EVERYTHING about that day, her happy smile, the sun glistening in her hair and inside him, his heart opened up a new offensive against his head.

He remembered the way he had held her on his shoulders after she crashed over the try line during their game of rugby and he remembered her putting the four leaf clover he had found in his hair after she had wrestled it from his grasp. It was taking every ounce of his willpower not to move over and take her into his arms. He had to remain strong, he knew they couldn't be together, no matter HOW much he may have wished it! She was WAY out of his league and what's more she was a Princess. No Keith It CAN'T work! It can't! He told himself as he looked out the window.

The Ball was spectacular, it was like the glory days of Arus again, even though the planet was in ruins. Inside that room it was so elegant and so grandoir that you could easily forget about the world outside. There was a small band on stage and there was a magnificent bar over against the wall. Tables and chairs surrounded the dance floor and there were dignitaries everywhere. The bright lights of the crystal chandeliers made Keith think of the roaring twenties in Earth's twentieth century. He led Allura inside but he maintained a set distance from her and put up a million barriers to keep her out. She could feel how stiff and tense he was and she KNEW something was wrong. She also knew Keith well enough to know that he wouldn't tell her even if she asked so she just remained quiet. Keith danced with her in standard boring waltz routines and it was soon pretty clear to the Princess that there were a million other places he would rather be.

Later on in the night a pretty young teenage girl asked Allura if she could have a dance with Keith. "Why of course you can, you don't mind at all, do you Keith?" Allura asked.

"No not at all, it would be a pleasure milady!" Keith bowed to the Fifteen year old lass and they began to dance. Allura made her way over to the tables for a seat and Prince Oridan Keringas of Planet Lurvana Four saw his chance and sat beside her. "Is this seat taken Your Highness?"

Oh no, its one of the Princes! Oh here we go again Ally! Allura groaned under her breath. "No, of course not!" She replied. The Prince began to tell her of his planet and his VAST wealth.

He was a sleazy looking man for a Prince and he made Allura's skin crawl when ever he leaned over to her. She yawned loudly as he bragged to her of his wealth. He told her why HE was the most worthy Prince in all the universe and how she should think herself lucky to have found him! "Princess Allura, Where I come from we have so many riches I could fill your WHOLE Castle with them and still have left overs!"

"Then perhaps you should help the poor people on the planet Yesok, They are starving and we send as much aid as we can! Perhaps if you traded some of your wealth for food parcels, you could help them too!" She replied softly.

The Prince nearly choked, "H....Help the Yesok's! THEY are only poor because they are all gamblers and drunkards!"

The Princess wasn't amused, "SOME have a few problems but why should the little children suffer? What did they do to deserve starvation?"

"Princess Allura if you were to offer me your hand in marriage I would see to it that there WERE no more poor people in the Galaxy!" Prince Keringas replied.

"Come now Prince Keringas! You could do that now and without marrying me! Furthermore, if a man of your obvious influence and power wanted to do that, you would have done so have already!" Allura replied calmly.

"Yes but what I meant was that now that I have made sure that none of MY people live in poverty I can look elsewhere, I may have quite INNOCENTLY overlooked the other planets of the galaxy!" The Prince replied trying desperately to get SOME respect from her.

Allura smiled, "Prince Keringas, How could that be so? Last week the poverty rate for planet Lurvana Four showed that fourty-five percent of the population live in poverty! I think you must have missed a few people somewhere!"

"Princess Allura you aren't being very fair to me, I am trying to explain to you about the good things I am trying to do and you aren't listening!"

"I'm sorry Prince Keringas, so far you have told me that you are rich, that’s wonderful! You have told me how ..'LUCKY' I am to have found you and how you alone are the most worthy Prince in the Galaxy! Forgive me Good Prince but I have heard these boasts before and you haven't told me ANYTHING that makes me think you would be a good match for me!" Allura replied in a sweet and soft voice.

"Well, if your very poor and plain planet were to join in a union with my beautiful and rich planet there would be plenty of riches to go around! Planet Arus and Planet Lurvana would be the jewels of the Denubian galaxy! Others would pay fortunes to live in our wondrous cities!"

Why you arrogant........ Oooooooh Allura fumed to herself, "Prince Keringas, You really aren't grasping my point are you?"

"What must I do to win your heart Princess? tell me!"

"Okay, you can't win my heart because it belongs to another! However I can give you a few pointers on winning somebody else’s! Firstly, Stop with the riches routine, we are all royalty and most Princesses you meet will have PLENTY of riches of their own! Secondly, try explaining what a loving and kind person you are! Tell them about yourself and what sort of things they can look forward to being with you! Also tell them about the planets you have helped, the people you are helping throughout the galaxy! Don't LIE though! We Princesses do our homework well, we KNOW who is doing what! Thirdly Prince Kerringas, just be yourself, don't put on a silly clown's costume and pretend to be someone you AREN'T!"

"May I ask which Prince has stolen your heart away?"

"Umm not yet until we officially announce it good Prince". Allura replied.

"I understand Princess and thank you for your sound advice!" The Prince replied as he stood and walked away.

Hmmph like an arrogant pig like you will listen to it! Allura grumbled to herself as he left.

Meanwhile Keith had finished his dance and gone for a walk outside where he met some of the children playing on trees near the cliff face. Below the cliff lay the flood swollen river, Densur. Arus had received a lot of rain in the past week and the Densur was a raging mass of flowing brown water. The Children all gasped as they saw Keith, to them HE was their hero, he WAS Voltron. Every child, boy AND girl wanted to grow up to be a hero like Keith! A little boy stood in the tree and gave a stiff salute, "Atten...HUT!" he yelled. Keith grinned and snapped to attention, returning his salute before reaching up and lifting him down.

He crouched in front of them and pointed to the river below, "Children be careful near the edge of the cliff, with all the rain we have had lately the river is swollen and you don't want to fall in there, it’s very dangerous! I think you should stay out of this tree for the time being! Why not play on the tree that's over there! It’s got a lot more branches to climb and it’s a lot bigger!"

"Oh yes sir Captain Keef, wheel pway in dat won! Come on wets cwimb da new twee!" A little girl called out as they all ran towards it.

The Captain walked slowly along the river bank kicking stones until he found a park bench. He lay down and stared up at the two moons that orbited Arus, grateful he wasn't near Allura. It gave him time to clear his mind and think straight. He knew the time had come and he knew he HAD to tell her what was wrong! He couldn't fight it anymore. He also decided that after he told her, he would leave Arus altogether, maybe he would go to Pollux and serve there or maybe Earth for a while, even though he HATED Earth in comparison to Arus, Arus felt like home! One way or another he WAS going, he couldn't stay. The thought of seeing his love marry someone else was unbearable, the only other problem was that leaving her was just as bad and so he was in a real fix!

His date meanwhile, was sitting by herself with her head resting on her hands on the table. Oh Father, I wish you were alive to help me, am I destined to be married off to some creep like Keringas? If your poor planet and my proud planet....., BAH! These Princes are all the same! I am so sick of Princes! She thought to herself as she dragged her fingers around the patterns on the table in circles. Lance called over to her from the next table, "Hey Allura!" He patted his lap, "Care to talk with your best friend?"

She looked up and smiled, "I'll be right over Lance!" She stood and walked over to him, tucking her skirts underneath her as she sat down on his lap, "Of course what is it?"

"Allura I don't mean to pry but can I ask you some VERY personal questions?"

The Princess was unsure just what Lance would want to know but she agreed reluctantly. "Umm I suppose, what did you want to know?"

Lance put a hand on her shoulder, "First you must promise to keep this between us, NO ONE can know what we talk about here!"

"Lance is this another talk regarding how to really make a girl happy?" She asked remembering how he had DESPERATELY asked for her help in courting the girl he was with now.

Lance shook his head, "No Allura, this is QUITE different".

"Okay then I promise it’s our secret, I won't tell a soul, what did you want to know?" She asked, fidgeting with her dress.

Lance took a long pause, "Allura how do you feel about Keith?"

She choked and gave a cough, "I beg your pardon? Lance! What kind of question is that? What do you mean how do I FEEL about him?"

"You know EXACTLY what I mean! Take that day at the picnic for example. You two were having so much fun, you were rolling around and laughing together and I can't remember seeing you or the Captain so happy, so.....I'll ask again, how do you feel about Keith?"

Allura took a deep breath and smiled, gazing up at the ceiling, trying her best not to blush. "Well I like him a lot he's....He's Keith, what’s not to like!"

"Maybe you even love him a little? Huh?"

"LANCE!"

"Look Allura, I am not playing games here! Nobody else is ever going to hear this, do you LOVE HIM or don't you?"

Allura went very quiet and looked down at the floor, tears welling in her eyes. "Yes, yes I do! Lance I swear if you tell anyone I'll..........!"

"Allura, I'm not about to tell anyone. I think Keith is also in love with YOU!"

Allura did not need to hear that and she became extremely annoyed, "Oh well thank you very much Lance, gee thanks heaps! In case you are blind let me inform you that Keith does NOT love me, he doesn't even like me. Do you see him anywhere? Look around at these couples Lance! THEY like each other, some no doubt LOVE each other! Just look at them, the way they hold each other close and the way they look at each other! Do you know where MY partner is? I certainly don't!"

Lance pulled her back down onto his lap and rubbed her shoulders, "Hey Allura, settle down, sheez! Come on calm down! I think you're being too hard on Keith! Let's slip into his shoes for a minute shall we. You're a Pilot who's in love with a Princess, and the sovereign ruler of planet Arus. You are waiting for orders to arrive, orders that will see you shipped out from the planet you love to....well..........well who knows where! Shipped away from everything you hold dear INCLUDING the Princess! You are in the very unfortunate position of being in love with someone that you can NEVER have! She has to marry a Prince and aside from that with you having to leave is it fair to tell her you love her only to break her heart when you go?"

"He loves Arus?..........He LOVES me?" Allura gasped.

"YES! Why do you think he was so torn up today! Why do you think he has been so torn up since the picnic! He knows just as you do that it can never be, so he is trying his best to fight it. What else do you EXPECT him to do?"

"But Lance its all wrong! I don't HAVE to marry a Prince at all. Nanny said so! She said I should and that it would be easier if I did but she also said I didn't HAVE to. If he showed me just SOME sign that felt the way I do, I would leave my crown, my palace, I would do ANYTHING to be with him. Let's slip into my shoes for a moment, shall we. She is a Princess, the leader of a war torn planet! She is in love with a Hero and a great champion. A man who is both admired and adored by the people! She TRIES to be close to him, she tries desperately to make him see how she cares for him! But he stays back from her, he NEVER lets her close and the second that they even look like expressing their feelings for each other, he shuts himself off completely. She practically has to BEG him just to take her to a dance and when he begrudgingly agrees, he leaves her sitting in the dance hall alone! Tell me, just WHAT is SHE supposed to think?"

"Yeah, I can see your point too, Allura, I am not saying this is your fault and I am not saying it's Keith's. Blame has no place here! You are both victims of circumstance! Surely you must know he loves you?"

Allura looked at the floor again, "Well I WISH he loved me, I wish Lance! He was so cold towards me in the coach tonight and even more so here, it was like dancing with an ice cube!"

"Well, I know Keith pretty well! I agree he does tend to bottle his feelings up inside but Princess I am SURE, once you break through to him that he WILL show you how he feels! I think you should at least talk to him about it!"

Allura raised her voice again, getting rather upset, "WHAT? Me! I just go and.... Oh yes, hello Keith, look I love you, do you love me? Make a real fool out of myself that's wonderful advice Lance, thanks!"

Lance could see he was wasting his time and he shook his head in frustration and lifted her from his lap as he stood up. "Princess, you are as stubborn as a Pythrazean Mountain Goradt! The pair of you are as bad as each other! Ask yourself these four words! Preferably some time BEFORE he ends up finding a transfer he likes! IS HE WORTH IT? Now I need a drink if you'll excuse me!"

"Hmphh! I am NOT a Goradt! And I am NOT stubborn!" Allura replied indignantly, folding her arms and turning her nose up in the air. She soon realised that Lance wasn't interested in what she thought and that she was alone. Is he worth all this fuss? Oh he is, he is worth it all! DOES he really love me? Allura thought as she headed outside to find Keith. It was time to end this nonsense, time find out just where she stood.

"Arjazz, da Captain said not to go on da twee, he said it wuz dangerwus!" A little girl cried as her friend climbed the forbidden tree.

"I am bwave like Keef, heez not scared of a wiver!"

"Arjazz, don't...............Arjazz? Arjazz? Wereware you?" She called in terror.

The young boy had slipped and landed in the river below. He was clinging to a rock that he had managed to swim to that jutted out from the raging flood waters and he yelled to her, "Hewlp meeee, I can't hang on, helwp! Get Keef! Get Keef!"

The little girl ran in the direction she had seen Keith walk, "Keef, Keef!" She called!

After asking around Allura found the Captain lying on a park bench looking up at the stars, "Keith may I talk to you for a minute?"

"Oh Allura! Of course, look I am so sorry I haven't been inside, I just......"

"Its okay, I think I know why you have been so COLD to me lately. I also think it’s very unfair on both of us and you should stop!"

"Cold? Allura I ........."

"Yes Keith COLD! You have hardly spoken a word to me in a week, not since the picnic and tonight you wouldn't even SIT next to me in the coach! I have been sitting alone in there for a half an hour! Now here you are exiling yourself outside, what do you call it if not cold?"

"Allura I'm really sorry, I HAVE been ignoring you since the picnic I admit it. There is also a very GOOD reason why! I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you!"

She crouched in front of him, resting her hands on his knees to support herself. She looked up and gazed into his eyes, "You love me...... don't you!"

"Allura! I..... I mean I...."

"Come on Keith yes or no? Am I wrong? Am I wasting my time?"

"Captain Keef, Captain Keef!!" A little girl came running over crying her eyes out in panic.

Keith sprang to his feet, "Jeanna? Is that you? What's wrong?" He knew many of the children of the surrounding villages and he knew them on first name basis!

"Its Arjazz, he fell off da tweee, he's stuck in the river!" The little girl cried in fear. He wiped a tear from her terrified little face and ran for the tree. Allura and little Jeanna trailed along behind him as he flew past the confused people enjoying the nice moonlit night. As he reached the tree he looked down into the river and there was Arjazz, hanging desperately from a rock in the middle of the river, the raging white water tearing past him. "Arjazz!!!! Hang on! I'm Coming!" Keith yelled.

He surveyed the situation and grimaced as he realised what he had to do, he knew only too well what a reputation that river had for claiming lives! He turned to Allura and handed her his tunic. He gently kissed her forehead and his heart finally triumphed over his head, "Princess I love you with all my heart!"

She took the jacket as the tears welled in her eyes, He did LOVE her! She turned to respond but he pulled away and with a running leap he charged over the edge of the cliff face, the water engulfing him as landed.

"Oh God Keith, Please be careful! Please come back to me!" Allura cried as she watched in terror.

Little Jeanna ran into the dance hall and had managed to tell just about everybody about Arjazz and Keith, They all came running out to where Allura was standing. She pointed to the small figure in the river, her heart gripped with fear. She knew what that river was like when it was flooded, many strong men had died trying to swim it in years gone by. Hunk took her into his arms while Sven ran to the edge of the cliff and looked down to see Keith battling his way to the rock Arjazz was on. He tried to climb down the cliff but it was too steep. "Let's go for the Bridge Sven, come on!" Lance yelled as he helped him up. They ran towards the bridge, the bridge that was two kilometres away!

Keith had never found swimming so hard, it was like swimming in flowing mud! Logs, branches and all sorts of flood litter crashed into him as he made his way across. Suddenly as he neared the rock the water swept the boy off. The crowd above sighed with relief as Keith managed to leap across and grab him by the wrist.

"Captain were gowna die!" Arjazz panicked.

"Arjazz, we are NOT going to die! Now, I have to fight the current! Put your arms around my neck and hang on tight, don't let go now!" Keith reassured the terrified young boy.

He slowly battled his way towards the opposite bank with the boy on his back hanging on for dear life. The raging water continued to bombard him with sticks and flood litter until finally, he reached the other side and found a small ledge above the water line. He pushed Arjazz up and told him to stay there! As he turned he saw a branch jutting out of a fallen tree heading straight for him and it knocked him off the small lower ledge he was standing on and sent him flying back into the swollen river.

Allura had been relieved as she saw him push the boy up but as he was knocked back in her heart froze, "KEITH!" She yelled.

There was a long pause as everybody held their breath, Keith was no where to be seen. More and more rubbish sailed over the top of the water where he had disappeared and Arjazz stood up calling out to him.

The crowd were beginning to panic as the minutes went by, Allura was beginning to panic! Their eyes nervously scanned the water looking for any sign of him, suddenly they all breathed a sigh of relief as the water seemed to explode, the powerful man launching out like a missile! His strong shoulder muscles gleamed through his badly torn shirt in the pale moonlight as he slammed into the cliff face with his dagger in his hand. He grimaced in pain as he struggled to climb up, digging the dagger deep into the cliff side.

"Oh Keith please, be strong, please make it!" The Princess begged as she looked across and saw him hanging on the vertical face.

Romelle put her hands on her cousins shoulders and rubbed them, "He's strong Ally, He'll make it, you watch!"

In the moon light they could see the Captain's desperate struggle, inch by inch he crawled up the cliff, withdrawing the dagger and lunging higher, stabbing it back in as he made ground. He was using every ounce of his strength, knowing that to fall meant certain death! The sharp rocks tore at him mercilessly and his eyes filled with dirt as he battled his way up. He scrambled for foot hold after foot hold and finally scraped himself up over the edge of the cliff face, crying out in pain as he rolled away and onto a patch of wet and muddy grass at the top. The desperate crowd all cheered as they saw him reach the top safely. Allura hugged Romelle, "Oh thank goodness Romy! I was so scared!"

"I told you he was strong!" Romelle grinned as she hugged her cousin.

Keith lay motionless in the muddy grass atop the cliff face, he was exhausted. As a local farmer approached only the rising and falling of the Captain's chest and the breaths of steam from his face gave any indication he was alive. Meanwhile many townsfolk had run across the nearby bridge and while some retrieved Arjazz, others helped the worn out and battered Voltron Captain to his feet. Arjazz’s mother ran over and picked the wet little boy up while his father hugged Keith and thanked him from the bottom of his heart. "May all of Arus Praise you Captain, thank you for saving my boy, I offer you this, it's all I have but please, take it......."

"I can't take your money Sir, I did what ANY man would have done in the same situation, look, take poor Arjazz home, and he must be freezing!" Keith replied.

"You are truly noble Captain......... you remind me of our late King sometimes!"

Keith stood there with his jaw open, "I.......I remind you of King Alfor?"

Arjazz’s Father turned as he left, "In more ways than one, I'm not the only one who thinks so either!"

Keith grinned and shook his head, thinking about the unusual comparison as he slowly walked towards the bridge, me, like King Alfor...........Puh! That's a good one!

The villagers bowed their heads in respect as Keith slowly stumbled and coughed past them on his way back to the dance hall. All he thought about was how to tell Allura he was leaving! As he reached the bridge Lance and Sven rode over on horseback with another horse behind them, "Here Cap, save you walking!" Lance replied handing him the reins.

"Thanks guys". Keith replied as he wearily mounted the horse and led them back over the bridge. The trio rode slowly, townsfolk continuing to bow in respect as Keith past them. When Keith reached the Dance hall, the huge crowd that had gathered there cheered and flocked around his horse.

If he was a hero BEFORE he rescued Arjazz, he was an idolised celebrity now! He didn't quite know how to handle the new found fame, he was sopping wet, battered, bruised and tired. The crowd cheered and clapped but Keith didn't even hear them! He just looked across to the only person that mattered to him at that moment, the Princess he adored.

She returned his gaze, her blue eyes glowing with tears of pride. Oh man.....I can't do this, I can't leave her! There must be another way! I have to try, I owe it to her after the way I have behaved towards her! Keith thought to himself and he let his barriers come crashing down, no more avoiding her, no more trying to fight the truth! They continued to stare at each other until he sat up straight in the saddle and proudly saluted her. She giggled and curtsied in response, she knew how he felt now, she knew he felt the way she did! Her heart was beating so fast that she was trembling!

Keith finished his salute and broke his stare with her, turning his horse for home at full gallop. She ran forward a few steps with a hand on heart as he turned but then stopped, she wanted so badly to be on that horse with him. She looked to the tunic she held in her arms, the tunic that was weighed down with medals and tour of duty ribbons. She ran her hand across the gold plate on the top of the left breast. "Taylor K.S" She grinned and gently pulled the tunic on over the top of her gown, the sleeves being far too long and the tunic itself hanging down well past her waist. Lance put his arm around her as the Captain's horse disappeared into the distance, "Joining Galaxy Garrison are we Princess!" He chuckled.

Allura grinned and gave a cough to clear her throat as she snapped to attention and saluted him. "Yes sir!"

Lance shook his head and laughed, "No no, you’re a CAPTAIN, I must salute YOU my poor Love struck Princess!"

"Well, I should send YOU to the brig for calling me a Goradt!" Allura pouted looking away.

Lance scratched his chin and replied in a very defensive voice, "I never SAID you were a Goradt, they're ugly, hairy things that resemble goats! However, I DID say you were as stubborn as one and Princess, you ARE! So is Keith for that matter, the pair of you deserve each other!"

The Princess put a hand on his shoulder and pecked him on the cheek, "I know Lance, and I thank you! Thank you for kicking me in the pants when I needed it the most! Thanks to you I KNOW how he feels now!"

Lance nearly fell over backwards, "He TOLD you! Princess! Wooohooo!" He picked her up and spun around with her in his arms.

"What's all the fuss about?" Pidge asked as he walked over flanked by Hunk, Sven and Romelle.

"Lance looked at Allura and she at Lance, "Guys, Keith and I are in love!" The Princess announced with a grin.

Hunk and Pidge looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders, Pidge gave a chuckle, "Oh who doesn't know that already!"

"You KNOW?" Allura asked in disbelief.

"Princess, it’s only obvious, well to everyone EXCEPT you and Keith it would seem, it sure took you long enough!" Hunk replied.

"And just why isn't the good Captain here with his date? Why did he have to ride away and just leave you here?" Romelle asked.

"Oh Romy he's muddy and wet and quite tired I would imagine. He left me this though!" Allura giggled, twirling around in Keith's coat.

"Well you must be a mighty warrior, look at all your medals Captain Allura!" Sven teased as he came to attention and saluted her.

She grinned and saluted back, pulling a stern military face. They all walked arm in arm back to the dance hall, laughing with each other and teasing 'CAPTAIN Allura'.

As Keith rode home he let the horse have its head and held his arms out behind him like wings. His thoughts were clear, Man I feel good! She knows, she KNOWS! Wooohooooo! "ALLURA I LOVE YOU!" He shouted as he headed towards the Castle Of Lions. Later as he walked towards his room Nanny spotted him, "CAPTAIN! Oh you brave and foolish man! I heard you saved a little life tonight! You are such a blessing to this planet, no wonder the people adore you the way they do!"

"Nanny really, I just did what anybody else would have done in my place! Somebody had to save the poor little guy!" Keith remarked, trying to hide his blushing cheeks.

"Captain Keith you are too modest! You really are!"

"Nanny, could I talk to you a moment, in here?" Keith asked as he gestured towards his room.

"Of course Captain, you know my ears are always open, well for MOST of you hooligans!" Nanny smiled as she walked into his room.

Keith walked into his bathroom and spoke to her through his door as he quickly showered. "Nanny have you ever been in love but wondered if...well if it could work?"

Nanny looked at his door with a puzzled look on her face, He's in love, oh poor Allura won't be happy! Well she can't hold him back forever, the poor Captain has a life to live too! Nanny sighed to herself. "Well yes of course Captain, that happens when ever you fall in love, its natural!"

"What if that love is really not what people would have expected, what if...Oh I don't know!" Keith called as he stepped out of his shower and towelled himself off.

"Captain, what are you trying to ask me? Love often comes right when we least expect it and usually right when nobody else would have either! Do you love this girl?" Nanny asked, scratching her chin.

"Only more than anything, more than anything in the world!" Keith replied as he dressed in his red jumpsuit.

"Well that is all that matters, don't let ANYTHING or ANYONE stand in your way!" Nanny answered in a defiant voice.

"Love conquers all huh?" Keith replied as he walked out brushing his long black hair.

Nanny nodded and looked up at him, she caught the expression on his face, this was serious, not a hypothetical, the Captain WAS in love and it was hurting him! "Captain, sit down for a moment, tell me what's bothering you! Tell me about this girl!"

Oh what if she.........I mean Allura might......Oh I don't care anymore! Keith thought as he sat on the bed next to Nanny. "What do you want to know Nanny?"

"Well Captain for a start tell me a little bit about her, what is she like?"

"Well she has these eyes that just.......and her smile! Oh her smile is so wonderful, she's got lovely long blonde hair and she's such a loving person! She loves me as much as I do her but there are so many complications, not the least of which is me staying on Arus! I have every intention of TRYING to stay! I just don't know how I am going to go! Galaxy Garrison seems to have my life all figured out for me and I just trod along behind them, following the path!"

So Keith, this girl, does she know you may be forced to leave?" Nanny asked.

"Yeah, I think so. I just wish......You see I told her I loved her! I had planned to leave anyway after that, I figured that it just couldn't be, even though we both WANT it to!" Keith replied.

"Captain, running away solves nothing! It just leaves broken hearts and they take a LONG time to mend! I think you should stay the course! Why not see it through! She may want to go with you? If she loves you as much as you say she does she will WANT to be with you and she will help you as much as she can! The LAST thing she will want is for you to leave her! All that tells her is that she was foolish and that YOU weren't serious about her"

"She can't leave Arus, even if she could, her family won't allow it!" Keith replied.

"What is her family like, what's her Father like?" Nanny asked.

Keith coughed and felt rather uneasy as he tried to answer, "Her...her Father, well umm....I mean he's........He is her father! I don't know what more I can say!"

"What does he think of you I meant?"

"Oh umm, well I think we get on, I haven't spoken to him in a while!" Keith replied.

"Keith you need to stay the course, talk about your concerns with this girl, she will understand! Running out on her though, that isn't the best course of action you could choose!"

Keith sat his head in his lap and continued. "Yeah I guess you're right Nanny! There's just so much more I haven't told you yet though, so many MORE complications that grip us both like a giant pair of hands, holding us apart!"

"Well Keith I am not in a hurry to go anywhere, Well.....except to pick Allura up later, but that can wait, she is with Romelle and Sven, she called in to let me know shortly before I found you!" As Nanny finished she saw the look in his eyes at hearing Allura's name. Wait a second is.......Could it be? "Nanny what if I should fall in love with someone who isn't a Prince? Could I marry him?" Come on humour me! If I did, could I marry him? Nanny thought, remembering Allura's questions before she had left that night.

"Captain, may I ask you a serious question?"

"I can't see why not Nanny?" Keith answered as he lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

"Captain, you and the Princess share a very close bond don't you?"

Shit! Keith be careful here! Be careful how you answer this! Keith thought as he swallowed hard. "Umm...yeah, we are very close friends Nanny! Why do you ask?"

"Well I just wondered why.....no forget it!" Nanny cleverly baited him.

"No no, Why WHAT?" Keith replied sitting up.

"Well Captain, you're both close and Allura is VERY fond of you, did you never think of taking things any further with HER?"

Uh oh, Alarm! Alarm! Umm....oh man...umm.... Keith panicked to himself. "Nanny I uh....Well what I meant was, that I.........I mean me and Allura well we....."

Nanny knew she was RIGHT, the girl Keith was talking about was none other than Princess Allura and yes, there were a few complications with THAT match up! "Keith, this girl you mentioned, she had long blonde hair, a wonderful smile and eyes that just....whatever it was you meant. Princess Allura has beautiful long blonde hair, she has these pretty blue eyes that just fill you with happiness and her smile is gorgeous! Am I right Captain?"

Keith rolled over on the bed and buried his face in the sheets. Aww shit! Now I am for it! Nanny will KILL me! Oh I don't care anymore! He thought to himself.

"So THAT is what you meant by complications! You and Allura ARE in love! Oh Captain, sit up! Come on, sit up and talk with me!" Nanny grinned, shaking him by the shoulder.

Keith sat up and looked away, "Okay you got me Nanny! So I suppose I am to face a firing squad?"

"Well Captain, you certainly WILL! That is if you try and run out on her!" Nanny replied waving a finger at him.

"Umm, run out I.....Nanny she is a Princess, I am nothing but a lowly old pilot! How can I be with her, I don't know how to be a KING! I could NEVER be the kind of leader this planet needs, Allura deserves better than me......." Keith replied staring at his boots again.

Nanny's jaw dropped, she couldn't believe that he thought so little of himself! "CAPTAIN KEITH TAYLOR! You are MORE than a lowly pilot let me tell you! You mean so much to this planet and to the royal court of Arus that......Oh I could go on for forever! You came right when Arus needed strong leadership and you filled that role in our most desperate hours! You took charge and you converted catastrophe into triumph! You converted defeat into victory and you took Zarkon by the nose, spun him around and kicked him in the backside! The effect you have had on this world is monumental! The people look to you! They adore you and they feel comforted by the fact that you are here to protect them! You lead the Voltron Force! You lead their PRINCESS! If anybody in the whole universe was deserving of sitting on the throne beside her, then it is YOU, dear Captain! I know you aren't a Prince by title! But by your actions you ARE a KING! You are a King every bit as worthy as Alfor himself! What more do you think you have to do for this planet, to be worthy of our love and respect Captain?"

Keith was stunned! He sat there in a state of complete shock! "Nanny I........I never really......I mean..."

"Keith do you LOVE Allura?"

"Yes Nanny, I love her as much as a man can love a woman!" Keith declared.

"Then for heaven's sake go and be with her! Don't leave her all alone and wondering! That girl has been through hell this past week! She thought you hated her, she thought she had really upset you at the picnic! She thought it was because she innocently kissed your cheek when you were piggy backing her, she told me so! Captain go! Go get her and bring her home while I talk to Coran!"

"Nanny I told her I love her tonight, I told her WHY I had been avoiding her! I would love to hold her in my arms, I want to be with her so badly that it is KILLING me but..........This transfer.......I mean....."

Captain......I have an old friend I haven't spoken to in a long time at Galaxy Garrison! Coran and I both have a certain amount of PULL with him. He may be able to help with your transfer issue! I will go and talk to Coran, YOU, go and get that girl!" Nanny ordered as she stood up.

The End of part 1.

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