Scott's Fiction
Love's Journey
Part 5
Allura's Quest

 

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 5
Allura's Quest

The next morning Lotor stumbled up the hill side following his witch, the cold snow was biting at him and his gashed arm was still bleeding, despite Hagar's crude bandaging. None of this was of any real concern to the Witch, she just continued to mutter and chortle to herself as she made her way up the hill. Suddenly with a wave of her arms there was a huge fire blazing in front of them and she stopped. "Where the hell are we Witch?"

"This could work to our advantage!!" She cackled back at him.

"What ARE you dribbling about Hagar? Where are we? Why aren't we on Doom? Your portal was supposed to take us to..............".

"This storm must have disrupted my magic Sire, but don't worry, as I said, this will work to our advantage!"

"You'd better tell me how Witch!"

"The Captain of the Voltron force came after us, no doubt he's lost in the Blizzard somewhere too. I have left the portal open but it’s only very small, they won't fit a Voltron Lion through it and the very nature of this area prevents communicators from working. Those sentimental fools will no doubt follow us and try to find their Captain! Once they're here there's no going back, like flies drawn into the spiders web heheheh! They'll be stumbling around in the snow all alone, a dangerous business sire, a dangerous business!!"

"I see, but what do you propose WE do about it look at my arm!"

"We won't have to do anything Sire!"

"WHAT?" Lotor barked, confused yet again by her strange rambling. "Explain yourself Now Witch!!!!"

"My King there are allies here we can enlist to do our dirty work for us and all we have to do is provide them with the tools, while we sit back and watch. The Voltron force will be destroyed and Arus will be brought to its knees!" Hagar replied as an evil glint came into her eyes. Lotor turned to see the crate of Doom blasters she had magically summoned.

"Tomorrow after the storm subsides, find the chieftain of the Vulkar barbarian tribe in the east and enlist his aid, give him these weapons to arm his troops. Then send THEM after the Voltron Force, they will be overwhelmed and we will be victorious".

"You want ME, The King of Terror, to arm a bunch of simpleton fools with.........Hmmmm It may work, you had better be RIGHT this time HAGAR." Lotor growled.

Lance, the Princess and Hunk had set out early the next morning, pleased to find that the blizzard had subsided. I hope Keith found somewhere warm last night! The Princess thought to herself as she fought her way through the heavy snow, Please be safe my love!

They had been attacked by two huge bears earlier that morning and Lance had killed them both before they could hurt anybody. Hunk was an experienced hunter and he never went anywhere without his trusty hunting knife strapped to his ankle. He skinned them both for their furs to help keep each other warm and Allura found herself dry reaching as he wrapped a bloodstained fur around her. "I know Princess, it stinks but better that than freezing!" He told her. He then set about salvaging some meat for them to eat.

"You don't actually expect us to........Oh my God!" Allura replied as she saw Hunk placing some meat over the fire on a crude spit style system. The smell of it cooking was enough to make her sick and she was going green as hunk offered her a piece, she shook her head and sat huddled against the wall.

Lance crouched in front of her, "Princess I know it smells funny but its food, it may be a long time between meals and we have to eat, you have to eat too, you have to keep your strength up, for Keith!"

"Lance just watching you two, eat that....... it........it makes me................"

"Ermm okay, okay" Lance replied as the poor Princess turned and vomited in the corner. What an education she was having, she was utterly revolted by the behaviour of her comrades, eating BEARS of all things.

Later as they trudged through the snow they looked more like Earth Eskimos than Voltron force members as they searched for any sign of Keith. Lance noticed footsteps in the snow, and a blood trail. He shivered, the footsteps were hours old and the bloodstains had gone black. Something also caught the Princess's eye and she walked over to a tree branch, there hanging upon it was a bloodstained red and white striped piece of cloth, "Lance look he was here, he was HERE”!!! She cried as if she had found Keith himself.

Lance picked up the damp cloth, it was frozen solid. Not wanting to upset Allura he merely replied “Well at least we're on the right track".

Hunk gasped, "But Lance look at..........." Lance silenced his big friend and nodded towards the Princess.

"Oh" Hunk replied in acknowledgement.

Allura knew things were grim, she closed her eyes, Keith! My love! I know you are out there, we are coming, you've got to hold on. I can't lose you! Not now and not like this! "Come on guys we have to keep moving" she commanded, charging on with new found hope.

 

Keith had gone as far as he could, he was almost frozen and he was very weak. Not only was he going in circles but he had fallen down at least five times within the last ten minutes and each time he found it harder to get up. His vision was beginning to blur and he was starting to go dizzy. Once more he fell to the snow and lay almost motionless, it was then he heard a voice in his head, "Keith! My love, I know you are out there, we are coming, you've got to hold on. I can't lose you! Not now and not like this!"

"A....Arghhh.... he cried as his head hit the snow again.

"Father! Father! Look at! Look over here!" The pretty young woman pointed and danced around the strange man in the snow. She had literally leapt off their sled and ran over to the strange man she had seen. Earlier that day she had begged her Father to take her hunting with him and had pleaded with her Mother for a week before they had finally buckled under pressure. This man was handsome, like a Prince she thought, stroking his long black mane of hair.

"Wait Shania, be careful!" A lumbering hulk of a man bellowed with his mighty axe drawn as he leant over the battered man. "He's no Vulkar and he's no Greyskin Father! He looks like a Lowlander and he's hurt. What in the name of Snow Wolves is he doing out here and with no warm clothes?"

"I don't know my girl, he's been in a fight I think! Bring the sled over! We better get him back home, he's in bad shape. The Snow Mother has almost claimed his spirit". Her father replied.
Hennigor was such a giant of a man that he would make Hunk look like Pidge. "Unnngh" Keith stirred, through blurred vision he could see the huge man was adorned with furs and carried an enormous axe.

"He's alive, Father, He's alive!" The girl squealed.

"Well he won't be if we don't get him to the healer's yurt Shania. Take those clothes off him off him girl! I'll dress this nasty leg wound! "What have you done to yourself my strange friend?" He asked Keith as he wrapped a cloth around his bleeding thigh. The woman unclasped the wounded Captains belt and he tried to reach up to hold on to it but his arms were limp. It fell to the ground with his Blaster and Sword still attached. He tried to speak but all he managed was "Ally.........I need..............Ally, let me see Ally...........". He was delirious and soon passed out again, He didn’t even feel the young woman cut away his bloodstained shirt and trousers.

"Father what is an Allee?" Shania asked.

"Probably his God Shania, All warriors call to their God in their last hours, he is preparing himself for his journey no doubt" Hennigor replied.

Shania gasped, "Father No! We have to save him.....Dennoran can save him!"

"Well we won't save him standing around out here, wrap him up in these furs girl. Be careful, move quickly now, those wounds are grave, don't hurt him now!"

Shania understood, she had helped many warriors who had been injured by the Vulkar attacks. She had seen badly wounded warriors and she'd held them as they had their last moments in her arms. Shania was a beautiful young woman of seventeen years and she had a smile that could just about melt a glacier. The dim alpine sun light up her golden hair and made it shine as she helped her Father load Keith onto their sled. She cradled him in her arms as Hennigor climbed on, their sled wolves howling in joy as they heard the master's command, "Mureey! Mureeey!" They dropped their heads and the sled raced off towards their village.

Meanwhile Princess Allura led her weary companions, chasing after Keith on the trail that has his wounded leg had provided for them. They found several more pieces of cloth attached to the thick brush as they made their way through. Hunk turned to Lance when she was out of earshot, "Lance this doesn't look good, these bloodstains are hours old, and if the Captain's lost that much blood..............."

Lance interrupted, "I don't wanna hear it Hunk, and neither does she!" He snapped as he pointed to the small figure of pink and white in the distance. Let’s just keep going!"
Hunk almost felt ashamed for his outburst, but he knew he was right, He was a seasoned hunter and he knew that with the amount of blood that Keith must have lost, he would be dead before they caught up to him, If they found him at all.

A wolf team and sled was an extremely effective means of transport and Hennigor, Shania and the Captain reached the Barbarian Village in the late evening. A journey by foot would take a strong warrior two days at least! As the Barbarian and his daughter tied their sled up to the rail a woman called to them! "Shania, Shania you're home! Why so early? Have you the food already? What’s th........" She stopped short as she realised what Hennigor was carrying and instantly snapped into nurse mode. "Hennigor! Hennigor let me see! Let me see! She lifted the furs and glanced her eyes over the body of the wounded Voltron Captain. Oh my..... Quickly, get him to the Healers Yurt immediately! Shania! I'll light the fire, you run and get the Shaman, hurry daughter!"

Shania ran to Dennoran's yurt as fast as she could move. Dennoran had been the Healer and shaman of her village since before she was born. He was a kind old man but he was rarely seen and he frightened Shania a little bit.

"Dennoran! Denoran!" She yelled as she reached his ancient and rickety yurt. "Denoran where....." An old man came from around the back, he was strange and was adorned with all sorts of odd things, on his head he wore a bear skull and around his neck a necklace of wolves teeth. He bore scars all over his body and smelt of horse. Shania had always been frightened of Dennoran since she was a child. "Dennoran we have found a man! A man in the snow! He's hurt, he's hurt! Come quick!"

"All right slow down my girl, let me gather my things, I haven't seen you like this since Haylden!" Haylden was her brother, he had fallen two winters ago to a Vulkar hunting party, They tried for days to heal him but his spirit had already left him for the hunting grounds of Atumli, there to hunt Buffalo for the rest of his days in peace. A tear trickled down her cheek as she thought of her brother lying helpless in those sad days.

"I'm sorry Shania my girl, I didn't mean to upset you". The old man whispered in her ear, putting a kindly old hand on her shoulder. "Now let’s see to this injured man of yours shall we"!

Keith regained consciousness as they lay him on the bed in the Healers yurt. He panicked, closing his eyes he could see his Princess smiling back at him and he cried out, AAAALLLLLY!!!!!! , Where ar............" Delirious, he passed out yet again.

"AAAALLLLLY!!!! Where ar.........." the voice hit the young Princess like a meteor and she froze! To Lance it seemed like she had been snap frozen! She turned to face him with tears in her eyes, "He's alive Lance! He's alive! Hurry!"

With that she ran off along the trail while Lance yelled after her, "Wait Princess, we're coming! Wait!"

Allura would have none of it, she ran down the hill side as fast as she could, I know we're close I can feel it, I heard him! She told herself. Twice she tripped over on the way down, yet she felt no pain and simply dusted the snow off herself before continuing on her way. Hunk was beginning to feel as if she had lost her mind. She had spent the past hour murmuring and humming to herself and now she had run off claiming she had HEARD Keith? He was concerned, but he didn't want to alarm Lance. Better to keep quiet, I can't imagine what she's going through. Keith's gone, he couldn't possibly have survived, even as strong as he is. He will be dead when we find him, I know it! Oh well, I'll keep quiet, let Allura have her last chase, she deserves that much.

Allura darted through the thick, frozen foliage, its frozen branches jutting out like evil claws scratching and grabbing at her pretty face. She followed the blood trails to the next hillside where she suddenly stopped, tears starting to flow as she choked and her heart stopped beating.

"GET AWAY!" she yelled firing her laser pistol at the frightened Snow Wolves who were licking at the bloodstained clothes in the snow. They ran off in all directions scattering into the trees as she ran over.

"Oh no!....Keith!...........Its not true! It’s a trick!...., it’s not real....Its not......" She fell to her knees in the wet snow, her hands covering her distraught face. Her strength failed and she was defeated, a broken and shattered mess. All her hopes and dreams had just come crashing down around her. The shredded remains of Keith's bloodied and torn uniform lay in a giant bloodstain in front of her, his unclasped belt lying on top of it. She could see the outline in the snow where he had been lying, Strands of his jet black hair still stuck in the blood and snow, lost to her grief she didn't even notice the footprints all around it. "KEITH!" She cried.

Lance heard her blaster fire and her scream, He came belting through the thick bush like a wounded Buffalo fearing something had happened to her. "Allura where are you, Allura!" He called but no response came. Then he saw her and he swallowed hard. She was on her knees, her face buried in her hands and he could see the large red stain in the snow. She turned to look at him, tears racing down her pretty cheeks.

Lance froze, the look of futility on his friend's face nearly tore him apart. He saw the fresh bloodstain, the torn uniform and the shattered look on the Princess's face. Yet he saw no body? He walked over to her and she looked up at him, her blaster still in her hand. "Lance there were some Wolves here and they.....No...They...!" She couldn't finish she just buried her face in her hands. So that's why we didn't find a body, those animals must have carried it off! He realised in a horrific thought.

"Princess I......", She was inconsolable as he pulled her close to him, trying to offer what comfort he could whilst also trying to remain strong himself. Eventually her cries overwhelmed him and his composure left him. Tears formed in his eyes, Dammit Keith! He thought to himself. Hunk finally reached the two, he didn't have to look, he knew what she must have seen. He reached the slope and saw the look of despair in Lance's eyes as he nodded towards the bloodstained pit and the torn uniform. Hunk understood immediately, his worst fears realised.

"Hunk, hold Ally for a moment I need to look around a bit" Lance remarked as he passed the devastated girl over to him.

Hunk turned to Lance and whispered to him, "There's no body........?"

"HUNK!" Lance put his finger to his mouth and nodded at the Princess. Hunk ceased his questions and he looked at the sobbing girl in his arms, his big heart bled for her and he was beside himself. He had no idea what to say! He had been expecting this outcome since that morning but it still hit him hard. The fear and the shattered look in Allura's eyes didn't help him either. He wanted to comfort her, but what could he do? It was taking every ounce of his strength not to break down himself. He just sat down and held his weeping friend in his arms.

Allura cried rivers of tears, "H..h..how could he leave me alone like this! How could he..........!" Her cries were getting louder and louder, "He said he loved me! He said....." She looked to Hunk's big teary brown eyes for answers, and he held her close to him, afraid she'd see he too, had tears in his eyes. "Princess, I don't.... He loved you so much, he loved you with all his heart and if it were his will he wouldn't have left you! Sometimes things just don't turn out as you plan....."

She turned her face back into Hunk's big shoulder and sobbed loudly. Lance knew their hunt was over, he knew that Keith was gone. To distract himself from their awful plight he examined the footprints around the bloodstain not wanting to believe it. Wait a minute if animals dragged him off there would be drag marks and there aren't. But there ARE two separate sets of foot prints here one lot are huge and the other small, like a girl's. I wonder if they're Lotor and Hagar's! He thought still trying to block the tragedy of his loss from his mind and still trying to remain strong.

No these aren't Lotor's footprints, they're too big! He remembered Hunk teaching him how to track while hunting Boar on one of their many hunting sessions. Then he noticed the small drops of fresh blood and the tracks the sled had left leading across the hill side. Holy Shit, what if? I don't wanna raise her hopes, only to dash them again but if there's just a slight chance! Hell it’s gotta be worth taking!

He walked calmly over to the shattered Princess, "Princess......, PRINCESS !! He said shaking her shoulder gently. "I need you to be strong, I need you to listen to me!"

"I don't want to be strong, I just want Keith, maybe I'll die too, then we'll be together!" She cried raising her blaster to her head. Lance instinctively wrestled it out of her hands before she could make good her threat.

"Hunk!" Lance gestured for him to step aside. Obediently Hunk stood back and Lance moved in, lifting Allura up on her feet. Placing a hand on each of her shoulders he looked into her devastated eyes. "I think Keith is still ALIVE!" He hated himself for saying it, if he was wrong she would never forgive him but it was a chance he had to take. As her friend it was his responsibility, as Keith's friend it was his responsibility and as the leader of his group it was his responsibility. Allura just fell into his arms, crying loud sobs, unable to control herself. "He's gone Lance, He's gone, those things.....!"

"Allura.............., Ally" he said softly. She knew that name, that was Keith's name for her, apart from her closest family, he was the ONLY one who called her that. "Ally there are no drag marks, there ARE strange tracks, like some sort of vehicle and blood spots in the snow here where it was no doubt loaded! They lead east of here, someone carried him off! He IS alive and we WILL find him!" He shook her shoulders again forcefully, "But not with you like this! I need you, Keith and Hunk need you. We can't do this without you, you're a member of the Voltron force, and like us you're a soldier too! We have to be prepared to deal with death everyday, but we won't be today. Keith is alive and we will find him! Now can I count on you Princess?"

She sniffed, slowly regaining some of the strength that had lead her this far. There was an intensity in Lance's eyes that she saw confidence in, almost reminding her of her beloved Keith in a way. Suddenly she felt terribly ashamed. Keith would never have given up on me like that, I must be stronger! She thought to herself as she wiped away a tear, "Yes Lance" she coughed, "You can count on me!"

"That's a girl, now if I give you this back I want you to promise me you won't do anything STUPID with it!" Lance gestured as he held her blaster to her.

She was now very embarrassed, "I....I'm sorry I said those stupid things, I.....".

"Here Princess!" He cut her off and handed back her pistol. "We all say silly things when we're upset!"

He pulled her into his arms and she felt comforted, she even felt confident her Captain may yet be alive. Lance picked up Keith's bloodstained belt and wiped it off, his blade and holstered pistol still attached to it. He knelt before Allura, "Here's something else Ally! Keith will want these back when we find him!" He took the Captain's belt and wrapped it around Allura's petite waist, "Hmm It doesn't adjust far enough" he smiled looking up at her. She gave a little half smile as he took out his pocket knife and punched a hole in the belt to suit. "There we go".

Allura looked down at Keith's belt with pride, she remembered unbuckling it the night of the ceremony and she remembered him showing her Kendo the first night she had seen him practicing a year ago. All of a sudden those memories overwhelmed her and tears began to fall down her face again.

Lance hugged her tight and whispered, "Ally, come on, no more tears now remember, you'll make me cry and if that happens we're all lost!"

"I'm sorry, it isn't that easy you know!" She cried, wiping the tears away.

Lance nodded, "I know Ally, unfortunately it’s going to get harder, we can't continue any further today, the sun has nearly set and if we don't find shelter we are ALL going to freeze!"

"I agree, but where are we going to find shelter out here?" Hunk asked.

Lance looked around at the nearby pine trees, "Okay, Princess, Hunk, head up there and use your laser pistols! Cut down a couple of those trees! Ally, while Hunk is cutting the firewood, you bring those long branches over here to me I am going to build us some shelter!"

"Hey Lance, shhhhh" Hunk whispered.

Lance and Allura both froze as Hunk drew his pistol and slowly crept through the trees. A deer was out looking for some food and Hunk had just found their main meal. Allura sighed, "Isn't she beautiful! Wait, what are you....Hunk you're not going to KILL her? DON’T!" She screamed as Hunk let out a single shot, dropping the animal.

"Do you want to eat tonight or not Princess?" Lance asked.

"I....that was horrible!" Allura replied covering her face with her hands.

"That's why we leave you at home when we hunt boar!" Hunk replied as he drew his boot knife.

"We didn't have to SLAUGHTER that poor deer, look! There are berries on this bush! We could have eaten THEM!" Allura snapped.

Hunk was rather surprised and he stood with his hands on his hips, "Okay well nobody said you HAD to enjoy some nice warm meat! You go ahead and enjoy your frozen berries! I won’t stop you……"

"Hey Hunk, Ally! No bickering with each other, look we're all friends here okay! Ally, our next step WOULD have been to hunt for some food! I'm sorry but frozen berries aren’t very nutritious! Hunk did well and you wait until you have some nice warm meat tonight! You will think so too! Hunk, you could have warned Ally! She isn't used to seeing us butcher animals for food, try to be a little more considerate!" Lance replied as he stood in front of them.

Hunk hugged the Princess, "I'm sorry Allura, I...I know how to survive and I don't plan on dying out here! Next time I will warn you! That doe has a nice thick winter fur, more to keep ourselves warm with! She also has nice sweet meat, Venison we call it on Earth! When you don't have food, you have to find it I am afraid!"

"I'm sorry too, I didn't mean to turn on you like that, it's been a long day! I'll go get the fire wood and the branches while you do……… what you have to do with her!" Allura answered, still upset over the whole business.

While she and Hunk were carrying out THEIR tasks Lance was carrying out his. He set his laser pistol to full power and after many shots he had dug a deep fox hole for them in the ground. He also dug a pit for a fire, and as Allura brought long branches over he began to place them over the top of the hole. Hunk brought the deer's hide over and lay it over the inside of the hole. He had butchered the animal well away from their camp so that the wolves and bears who would no doubt smell the blood, would get their fill from there and not come wandering into the camp site. Lance had rigged up a spit cook set up over the fire and Hunk brought the thick slices of Venison over to be cooked.

While Allura helped him to cook the meat Lance had found a nearby stream that they could all drink from, dehydration after all being a problem because they were not sweating. That night the three friends slept huddled together in their foxhole, wrapped in their warm furs as the wind and snow howled over head.

Meanwhile, Dennoran had reached the healers yurt and had seen the young man Shania was so taken by. "H'mm, odd to see a Fenrull in these parts!" He had said as he first saw him. (A Fenrull being the tribal word for Lowlander). He had set up torches and candles before chanting loudly as he rubbed a strange balm over Keith's wounds. Shania's mother Landara had also chanted and lit incense candles. She sat Shania beside her and had explained to her about the ritual. "Its time you learned of the power of the healing spirit, you will come of age next winter and it will then be one of your new responsibilities". Shania had smiled, so happy to feel important.

Dennoran would break his chant every now and then only to issue a command, "Shania, water girl, bring me water", or "More Falgum petals, Shania, more Falgum petals". By dusk he was finally leaving, "He will live Shania, he is lucky you found him before those bloodthirsty Vulkars. Now you must remain here with him, the Spirit of the Ancient Healers cannot work unless someone with Bearclaw blood is present and since you found him, the task falls to you". He had told her as he left.

Shania nodded and stayed in the yurt with Landara. She said nothing to Dennoran as he packed up his things. This was their custom, (To talk back to the elders when given an order was a grave sin and she had been punished harshly for it before). She must have watched the snowman for hours, she watched him turn and toss, and wondered what he dreamed about, where he was from? Her handsome snowman, maybe when he was healed he would take her as his wife?

The next morning Lance and Hunk cut some thick branches and tied their new cooking utensils and the deer fur blanket to them. Allura picked some more berries and wrapped them in a small piece of fur before stacking them on top. The three of them dragged the light weight wooden trailer behind them and they headed east. Luckily for them the Barbarian snow sled had left deep indentations in the snow! They were only barely visible after the heavy snows that night gone by and Lance breathed a sigh of relief. He and Hunk were tracking like bloodhounds, fighting and blazing their way through the thick foliage and heavy snow. If these tracks stop or fade we are lost! Lance thought.

As the suns first morning light began to creep in the doorway of the healing yurt Keith was dreaming. He dreamt he and Allura were dancing in the castle ballroom again, he dreamt of their glorious night together, then it started to fade. She turned and walked away from him, he tried to call out to her but his voice was silenced. Waking up he opened his eyes to see a dimly lit room, there was a small table and a fireplace in the middle of the room. A pretty young woman was sponging his head and whispering to him. As he looked up he noticed he was dressed entirely in furs! His wounds were cleaned and his right hand was in a splint. "Ughh" he moaned trying to move.

"You're awake, you're awake"!! The young woman cried and ran from the room.

"W...wa.ait!" Keith tried to call after her but his voice was weak.

"Father!, Father! Shania cried as running to the family's Yurt. Hennigor came bursting outside with his mighty axe ready in his hands.

"Shania!!!!" His booming voice echoed out, "Are you okay child?"

"He's awake father, he's awake!"

Keith saw the flap of the tent lift back and a big barbarian entered, he was a towering monstrosity of a man with aged battle scarred skin and a long grey beard. "You are finally awake Fenrull!"

"F.. Fenrull?" Keith gave a hearty cough, almost unable to breathe.

"Lie back Fenrull, take it easy, you are unwell. Fenrull means Lowlander in our tongue. I can tell by your clothes that you are a lowlander for neither we Bearclaws or the savage Vulkars have such cloth high up here".

"Keith coughed again, M.. My name is.....".

"Hush now Fenrull, Mother Snow has inflicted you with her burden and she is testing your abilities as a warrior. You must rest if you are to succeed!" Hennigor tried his best to explain to Keith, but he knew nothing of chest colds, only that Mother Snow's test had claimed many young warriors in times gone by.

Shania sat beside him and stroked his hair, "My name is Shania Lightseer, I found you dying in the snow. What is your name Fenrull?"

Keith scratched at the bandage over his forehead, "Uh uh! no scratching!" Shania grinned as she pulled his hand back down.

"But...Shania it’s itchy!" Keith replied with a half smile.

Shania smiled as she took the bandage off and rubbed a strange ointment over his gashed forehead. "Alright, let's rub some more Falgum petals on it then!"

She kissed his cheek and Hennigor raised an eyebrow as he saw her behaviour, Hmm my little girl is growing up! She sees something in this silly Fenrull warrior too, Landara WILL be pleased! He thought to himself as he remembered how Landara had been trying for weeks to get Shania to pay some attention to young Gregor. She continually denied his affections, and it was worrying Landara no end. Now she was paying this STRANGER some attention, Hennigor couldn't figure what she saw in him. HE was a pale skinned lowlander and not a particularly bright one either! Wandering the snowy wastes in next to nothing all wounded was a great way to die but that was about all one could hope to achieve with such actions!

Meanwhile somebody else was also trudging through the snow drifts! King Lotor was nearing the Barbarian camp his Witch had directed him to. His arm was still aching even though Hagar had bandaged it for him. At the village gate stood stakes that were adorned with human skulls, I like it already! He mused to himself. With out warning three giant thugs charged at him from the side, he smiled and drew his pistol, felling each of them effortlessly. "Hahah these miserable wretches are going to beat the Voltron Force! This I have to see Witch!" He laughed as he approached the gate.

He walked straight in to the village and stood there amidst the stunned barbarians. They were afraid of him and stared at him as they stood motionless. "TRIBE of VULKAR! I DEMAND TO SEE YOUR CHIEFTAIN!" He roared.

A lumbering Barbarian came out from a tent flanked by two body guards. He was repulsive, blood dripped from his mouth and he smelt like a rotting boar corpse, "What do you want Greyskin?"

Though it sickened Lotor to the core he obeyed his Witch, his desire for victory over the Voltron force burning like fire in his evil heart. "Good chieftain I come seeking your aid, and to aid you in return!"

"Aid us? HA HA HA HA, how would you do that little Greyskin? guffawed the Chieftain. He had seen these Greyskins before, with their magical birds.

"Why by helping you destroying your enemies!" Lotor grinned menacingly at him.

"Hmmm the Bearclaw are our enemies and they are strong how would we destroy them?"

"With these firesticks!........Watch!" Lotor exclaimed as he fired a laser blaster at a tree igniting it inflames instantly.

The Chieftain looked on in awe, but he was smarter than the average fool. "With what price does your help come?"

"There is a group of strangers in the wilderness and I wish for you to destroy them. I will provide six of your mightiest warriors with Firesticks, kill the strangers and I will arm your whole tribe!"

The Barbarian agreed to Lotor's offer without any further question. He began to arm his best warriors at once with the strange Fire sticks. Long had he desired to slaughter the troublesome Bearclaw tribe, yet he had never been able to defeat their powerful warriors. Now, he would have the opportunity.

Even their mighty warriors would not be able to withstand these new firesticks and to think all I have to do is kill a few miserable Lowlanders! He laughed to himself.

"I will leave you this magic rock, when you have destroyed the Strangers put it in the fire! It will signal me and I will return with enough weapons for all your warriors!" Lotor grinned as he handed the chieftain a strange looking stone, covered in runes. The Chieftain studied it intensely and then put it in his yurt. Simpleton fool, I wonder if he even knows how to do that? Lotor muttered to himself as he headed back to his Witch.

Meanwhile the Vulkars sent out their raiding party to track and find the interlopers, The Chieftain growling at his Lieutenant, "Urzgog, I want ALL of them dead, leave no one alive!"

The Barbarian grunted a response to the Chief and led his massive war party outside the encampment. There they slaughtered a deer fawn, and painted themselves in its blood, as was their custom before a hunt. They roared and yelled at each other before setting off in the direction Lotor had told them!

Three days later Allura and Hunk continued to follow Lance as he desperately tried to pick up the trail he had lost. Lance was panicking, trying not to let the other's see that he was hopelessly lost. The trail had faded in some hard snow and he had no idea where he was. He continued to head east but had to stop continually to get his bearings and the going was VERY slow. There was also another concern, though she was with them, Lance knew Allura was little more than an empty shell. She was plodding along more out of obligation than anything else and he began to sense that she had resigned herself to the fact that she would never see Keith again.

He was beginning to think the same thing himself, Was he just leading them on a wild goose chase? He stopped mid thought as he noticed smoke on the horizon early that morning. "I think we are close to a settlement, look!" He pointed.

"We haven't eaten anything except berries and deer in three days! Perhaps at the very least we can get a hot meal there!" Hunk answered trying to distract his friends from their awful plight. They had found only hintings of food, berries, the odd deer but nothing substantial, they were all starving and they were all sick. Allura's face was expressionless, she had cried for hours the night before until falling asleep. One thing was certain, if there was a chance Keith was alive then she would take it. The group pushed through the ever dense forest and made their way toward the smoke. As they passed through a small clearing arrows began to fly out of the thick foliage, one striking Lance in the leg. "Yarghhhh" He yelled and fell to the ground holding his leg. Hunk pushed Allura behind a thicket, "Stay here!" He bellowed.

With a roar he charged through the arrows and attacked their assailants with a wooden club he made the day before and his pistol. Hunk was a crack shot and he didn't miss! Like a wounded tiger he fought, this was something he could do and he could do well! He was a mighty warrior and he must have felled at least twelve of them before he was finally overwhelmed. They cast a net on him and leapt on top of him, like animals they piled on, eventually driving the big man to the ground, punching and kicking at him. One struck him across the head with a club and the other beat him with his fists. Allura wanted to jump out, she wanted to help, but she remembered Hunk's order, "Stay Here" it rang out inside her head and she stayed hidden. She looked on hidden in her thicket as the barbarians leered over Lance and Hunk,

"Hey watch it you overgrown oafs" Lance growled as they seized him and threw him on top of Hunk.

He was silenced by a giant fist. They stood above the two Voltron team members kicking them and waving their axes. Finally Urzgog propped Lance up against a tree with one hand and began to beat him with the other guffawing loudly.

Allura was frightened and shaking all over, L...L....L.Laaance.....Hunk! She whispered as she began to panic. Finally as Urzgog continued to hit Lance and a club crashed into Hunk's forehead yet again she could take it no more. Something inside her snapped and a fury burned within her like nothing she had ever known. She had lost her love, possibly forever and now her friends were being bludgeoned to death by a pack of savage thugs!

She would be damned if she would just sit there and watch them die! She shook off her cumbersome furs and her hands were shaking as she unclipped her holster…… With a bloodcurdling cry, she sprang forth from the thicket like a Lioness in ambush. She dropped the Arrow Slinger who had shot Lance with her first shot. The Barbarians were completely taken back by the small woman dodging their attacks and dropping them one by one.

They were huge and she was outnumbered by five to one but still she came at them her pistol blazing. She dropped the first three in a matter of seconds, then another three, then four more, a column of smoke was flowing out of the barrel of her pistol as she dodged laser blasts, arrows and spears.

Urzgog smiled, he threw Lance to the ground and charged towards her, these would be his last steps however as Allura's laser blasts found their mark. She thought of nothing but Keith as she fought, remembering what he had taught her! Five more barbarians ran at her swinging Axes and clubs. She holstered her pistol and drew Keith's Katana, standing her ground and stopping their blows just as Keith had taught her in Kendo.

She parried their blows and felled them one after the other. She was deadly with that sword and Lance and Hunk looked on in awe as she stood defiantly between them and the Barbarians. Her moves were perfect and she tore through them as if they were nothing!

She had a bloodstained Katana in her hands and she looked more like a samurai warrior than a Princess. They came at her with everything but she was focused and she was determined, Keith had trained her well! She deflected their attacks and slowly, barbarian by barbarian, she decimated their ranks. One managed to knock her onto her back and she dropped her blade, but with a quick roll and a couple of well placed Kicks she sent him flying! As she ran forth and took up her blade again she thrust it deep into his chest before withdrawing it and turning to parry yet another Great Axe that was hurtling towards her.

Finally the last barbarian came crashing down at her feet, a stream of his blood spraying across her face as she relieved him of his head, "That's for my Keith!" She snarled through her gritted teeth as she sheathed her blade, drew her pistol and shot him. She then gave an evil smile and shot him again, "And that’s for me!" She continued emptying her pistol into his lifeless corpse at least six more times and each time she would dedicate his death to one of her friends.

It was Lance who eventually managed to calm her down, stumbling to his feet, still a bit dizzy and fighting the pain of the black arrow sticking out his leg. He hobbled over to his trembling friend. "Ally? Ally its okay now, he's dead! Ally put the gun down now he's dead, ALLURA!" He rested his hand on her wrists and slowly lowered her aim to the ground.

She was shaking to the point of convulsion from the adrenaline and she felt strange, unable to comprehend the events that had just transpired. Hunk clambered out from underneath a pile of dead Barbarians rubbing his bleeding head.

"Wow that was some nice fightin, are you okay Princess?" He asked looking at her seemingly lifeless eyes.

Allura sank to her knees breathing heavily, cold shivers running up her spine. She tried to respond " I.... I.."

Lance limped over and sat down next to her, still rubbing his sore jaw. He put a hand on her shoulder, "You did well Princess that was the single most valiant thing I have ever seen. You saved us from those hairy apes!" She was still shaking but slowly, bit by bit, Lance was managing to calm her down. She glanced down at his bleeding leg,

"Lance, your leg! We've got to get you to that settlement! Maybe they can help us!"

"That may not be the best plan Princess, What if these Barbarians came from that village?" Hunk asked wiping the blood off her face with his sleeve.

"Well its better than staying out here in the cold, look at your head! You and Lance are hurt, maybe we can reason with them!"

"Reason with these primitive people!" Hunk looked at her in disbelief as she tore off her sleeve and tied it around his head.

"Father often spoke about the strange tribes in the mountains. As far as I know we haven't ever had contact with them, they live here in the hills and we leave each other alone." The Princess answered.

"Can you walk Lance?" She asked him as she tore off her other sleeve and torniqued it over his leg.

"Yeah, don't worry about me, I'll just lean on good Ol' Hunk here". He answered with his usual boyish grin.

Allura led her friends out of the forest and towards the village, she walked ahead of her friends, there was purpose in her steps and pride in her gaze. To Lance she looked like a war weary general leading her army home from battle, her pistol by her side and Keith's blade in her hand always ready. They reached the village outskirts around noon, and a huge barbarian strode towards them, his big axe glistening in the pale alpine sun.

Allura stopped and she stood between her friends and the barbarian, glaring at him. Her eyes were alive with fury and she held her bloodstained blade horizontally across her brow in full battle position, ready for his attack. "If you are considering attacking us again I suggest you reconsider! We mean you no harm but we will defend ourselves!" She growled at the stunned barbarian. Her first battle had left her FULL of confidence……She didn’t fear barbarians!

Surprised by her courage, Hennigor stopped and looked into the strange young woman's eyes, closing his own as he did. This tender young woman had suffered and suffered the way women just weren't meant to suffer. The God's forbid women to be warriors and it saddened his heart to think this young woman (who reminded him of his own daughter in a way), had seen the horrors of war. Her tattered uniform was torn and dirtied by snow and blood. Through the furs she wore he could see a similar uniform to that of the snowman he had rescued days before. Her hair hung down in messy clumps and her face was bloodstained and filthy!

It was her eyes that REALLY caught the old warrior’s attention though, they seemed to him to be burning with an intense flame. This Hennigor was all too familiar with, always he saw it blazing in his warriors eyes, it was the flame of the warrior! He knew she had seen death and suffering and he knew she needed his help. Though strangers were forbidden to enter the village he wasn't about to turn her away. After all he had one snowman in his village, a few more couldn't hurt he thought.

One of her companions had an arrow sticking out of his leg and the other looked badly bruised around the head. Hennigor recognised the arrow instantly. He had dodged almost as many of them as he had helped pull out of his comrades over the years, he lowered his axe and bowed his big head to the valiant young woman in front of him.

"We mean you no harm Sir but members of your tribe have attacked us and we will defend ourselves should they make a similar mistake again!" She cried glancing down at her wounded comrades, before looking back at him.

"No Bearclaw has attacked you child, do not fear, you are safe, your friend has a Vulkar arrow in his leg. If you happened onto a group of THOSE evil savages then it’s lucky you are here to tell me about it. You must be a powerful warrior to have driven off a pack of Vulkars! Now then, we will see to your injured friends, come, take rest!"

Allura slowly lowered and sheathed Keith's blade. "I think we're in luck Princess!" Hunk whispered into her ear.
The Barbarian Village was a strange campsite of Animal hide tent structures. There were sleds and wolves in fenced pens and children were playing in the middle as the three battered friends entered. They all ran inside their huts in terror as they saw the strange people. A barbarian put his hand around Lance's waist and helped him to a nearby yurt where a woman began to lead him inside. Instinctively Allura went to follow them but big Hennigor stopped her, "Please wait friend, we have things to discuss you and I, as the leader and most powerful warrior of your tribe I must speak with you!"

Allura grabbed hold of Hunk's arm. "Go with Lance and see to his safety Hunk! If they try anything you yell for me, understand?"

"Sure Princess, holler if you need us too! And I'll be right outside!"

"My Name is Hennigor Lightseer, of the Bearclaw tribe and I am the Chief of this village" His big voice boomed at her.

"My name is Princess Allura Deville, I am the Sovereign ruler of planet Arus". She replied.

"The Princess of the Lowlanders? I have heard of you! I had no idea you were such a ferocious warrior!" He responded, gesturing her into his yurt. Allura was tired and worn out. She could barely feel her feet and the small scratches on her cheeks were stinging her as she sat down.

"Why are you in these lands Princess?" Hennigor asked. Before she could raise her weary head and answer him, a young woman rushed into the yurt.

"Father! He is speaking! He is speaking now, you must ......." She stopped her excited cries and froze at the sight of Allura. "She's one of them isn't she father, one of the Snowmen?"

"Yes my child, and I suspect she will want to hear of her wounded warrior". Allura didn't even hear him, she was too busy lost in thought, concern for Lance, concern for Hunk and concern for her planet. The thought that horrified her most was the fact that she would have to find a Prince to marry. Some arrogant fool like Prince Keringas! It was her duty to her people, she knew she could never love again but she also knew she would have to try, some how! Keith was gone, she had lost her one true love and he was not coming back. She tried to shut all these thoughts out but they continued to haunt her.

"My Warrior Princess! Did you hear me?" Allura looked up, realising the girl was gone. "Huh, oh I am sorry, what was it you were saying?"

"I said we found a warrior from YOUR tribe, four days past, bleeding and dying in the snow! We brought him here so the spirit of the healers could be worked on him".

Allura gave a cough and her heart stopped. Keith! He's talking about Keith! He has to be! She suddenly thought as she remembered her purpose for being here. Could he be alive after all this?

"The healing mothers are with him now in the Healers yurt over yonder, come, I will........."

The young Princess forgot all about her sore body, she sprang to her feet, desperate tears running down her cheeks. "Where is he? Good Chief please tell me, where is my Keith? Where is my love?"

"Well as I was saying he.... Your love?" Hennigor asked in shock. "How do you know that it is your love we have found Princess?"

"I know it and I feel it in my heart! He was the only other member of our tribe out here! Please tell me he is alive, tell me he is alright!" She pleaded.

"He is still suffering from the affliction of the Snow Mother but he is recovering well. He had a gash on his forehead, his left hand was broken and his right leg badly cut but these wounds are healing. He has incredible courage coming to these harsh lands without warm cloth!" Hennigor replied.

Allura smiled, "He does, that's my Keith alright!" She couldn't believe he had survived, for hours now she had been telling herself he was gone. Lance was right, how did he know? She thought as she smiled.

Hennigor looked down at her, "Come....I will take you to him, he is very confused and seeing the face of his Love is sure to speed up his recovery!"

Hennigor had no Idea how his words would ring true. Keith just lay there motionless and expressionless, mumbling sometimes through his cold, he would often talk of strange things to Shania when she asked but mostly he just lay there. As a matter of fact Shania had grown very fond of him, Hennigor suddenly remembered this and stopped. "What is it? What’s the matter?" Allura asked with a concerned look on her face.

"There is one more thing, my daughter Shania, has become rather infatuated with this Fenrull man, she has tended his wounds and performed the ritual of healing upon him, I must be careful how I do this!" He replied.

Allura's eyes burned with an intense anger that frightened him to the bone. It was a look that he had remembered seeing in his wife's eyes whenever another tribeswoman would sit too close to him, he understood almost immediately.

"I understand" He chuckled putting a hand on her shoulder, "I understand Princess!"

"I am afraid I don't.....I didn't say anything!" the young Princess replied in a confused voice.

"Your eyes spoke for you, one doesn't always need their mouth to speak. Now come, He waits for you!"

In a way Hennigor was happy, this strange man knew nothing of their ways or their customs. He was clearly not suitable for his daughter anyway he thought to himself as he led Allura to a lonely looking smoke filled yurt not far from where Lance had been taken. The Princesses heart was racing, Keith, finally they would see one another again, finally she would hold him in her arms again!

Shania approached Keith. "Mr. Keith, Mr. Keith your friends are here, you're friends are here!"

Keith couldn't believe what he was hearing, "My, my friends, what are you talking about Shania? My friends are far away!"

"No, Mr. Keith they are here, two are wounded but......." At hearing that he shot up in bed and cut her off.

"Who, who was wounded"? He asked almost demanding an answer out of her. Not Ally, please don't let Ally be hurt! He prayed as he waited for Shania to respond.

"They wear a white cloth like yours Mr. Keith, only theirs are like this and this!" Shania responded pointing to yellow and blue items.

"Lance! Hunk! What, how did they? What happened to them? Please Shania tell me are they alright?"

"They're okay now Mr. Keith, nasty Vulkars hurt them but they'll be ok".

She lay Keith lay back down into his bed, "You lie down now Mr. Keith, you need rest and you need sleep! You're lady friend she'll be here soon!"

Keith sat up again, "Lady Friend? Allura?" He did not get to finish his conversation.

Hennigor lifted the flap of the yurt and entered, Allura followed behind him to see her Captain in a bed, wrapped up in furs, the young woman she had seen earlier was now talking with him. Keith instantly stopped talking as he saw her and his eyes lit up! His Princess was here! She was not as he remembered her, she was covered in scratches and he could see she had been crying by the redness in her beautiful blue eyes. Her hair hung down in a messy pony tail and her ripped and torn uniform was covered in blood and dirt. Around her waist she had her own holstered pistol, his pistol and his katana too! He forgot about the conversation he was having and cried out "Ally!"

She couldn't restrain herself and she ran over and leapt into his arms, (he grimaced as the shock went through his broken hand, but it was pain he would tolerate fifty times over if it was necessary).

She planted her blistered lips to his in a lasting embrace. "KEITH! Oh my Love, I have finally found you!" she cried. Shania stood there, a surprised and sullen look on her face. This woman was in love with her snowman? SHE had not helped him when he was dying! Where had SHE been then, we he really needed her? Shania wondered. She couldn't claim to love him to much if she just allowed him to wander out from his village alone, injured with no warm clothes! This PRINCESS was their tribe's leader? She should have known he needed healing? Which lead Shania to believe she either didn't care about the snowman or that she wasn't very bright! Either way she wasn't going to give her snowman up THAT easily.

Hennigor stopped her and gestured his daughter outside. "But, but Father! She complained bitterly! Hennigor just looked down and glared at her, she knew that look. Reluctantly she left her snowman and followed her father outside. She glared holes thorough Allura's skull as she left and if looks could kill, the Princess would be dead five times over! Allura noticed but she just smiled to herself, she wasn’t bothered. She couldn't let go of her Captain and she just lay there holding him in her arms. "Ally?... Ally...? Are you alright?... You haven't said a thing?" Keith asked, but no answer was given. She just buried her head in his chest and wept. The Captain had no idea what his poor Princess had been through.

Finally she looked up at him with tears running down her pretty face. "I..... I thought I had lost you forever, I thought you were dead! I thought....." She could speak no more, she just let her head fall into his chest again and sobbed, holding him close to her. Keith could see his love had been to hell and back, she winced as he gently ran a finger down her scratched cheek to wipe away a tear. "Ally it's alright you have found me, I don't know how, but you have".

She looked up at him with tears still streaming down her face, "DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN!" She yelled and pounded her fists on the bed next to him.

He pulled her close and hugged her tight, the emotion totally overwhelming him. A tear began to run down his cheek, deep and sincere feelings of guilt and regret also started to set in.

"Ally...I, I'm so sorry, I........." She looked up at him and put her hand to his mouth.

"No I'm sorry.....I shouldn't have said that. I seem to have lost control of my emotions, I'm sorry. You did what you had to do Keith! Lady Amanda told me how you saved her girls before we came after you. You did what you always do! What the KING should do! You defended your subjects and you saved them from Lotor's tyranny yet again! If not for your valiant stand he would have completely destroyed that village and the people would all be slaves! Now....no more apologies.....I love you my brave Captain, I'm sorry for my silly behaviour, please................just hold me!"

She tried to wipe away the large tear that had run down the side of his face, but as fast as she did a new one arrived to take its place. "Come now Keith, you don't want Lance to see you crying like that"! She teased.

Keith buried his face into HER chest and let out a muffled reply. "I don't care if he does Ally!"
She lifted his head and the two kissed as if they never had before. A powerful embrace of love found and hope restored! A strange picture it must have been too, a young Head of State in her bloodied, dirty and tattered Voltron uniform lying atop an injured hero, a planet's Champion and future King, dressed only in wolf furs and bandages. Eventually they parted from their embrace and she wiped the tears away from his eyes as she lay her head on his chest, twirling her fingers in his long raven locks. He smiled and gently rubbed his hand up and down her back.

"Aww and I never thought I'd see the day when the Captain would shed tears". Lance teased from the doorway.

"SLAP!" Hunk's hand connected with the back of Lance's head.

"Yeoww!" Jeez I was only kidding. Hunk and Lance smiled at each other as they looked at the overjoyed Princess with her head resting on Keith's chest. She smiled back at them, “How did you know Lance?"

"Oh it was obvious really Ally! There was no body, just some dirty old clothes, our intrepid Prince had just gone for a skinny dip!"

They all broke into hearty laughter before Keith remarked, "I am only TRULY alive because of Shania and her village!"

"Shania? Is she the pretty young thing I saw you with earlier? The one who is completely and hopelessly in love with you?"

Keith blushed, "In..love with me...? Ally I didn't......, I mean I ...."

Allura smiled at him. "Keith you don't have to explain!" She whispered putting a finger to his lips". She's young, and she's got a crush on you, who can blame her? I happen to know for a fact that there's a castle full of maids who are a lot older than she and yet seem to be suffering from the same affliction".

He blushed even more, turning bright red.

"Hah, well I HAPPEN to know there’s a certain Princess in that castle who'd have them for breakfast if she caught any of them trying anything". Lance laughed.

She giggled in response, blushing herself as she buried her head into Keith's Hair.

"Did I hear a laugh then Princess? Surely not!" Hunk Asked.

"Allura, laugh? You must be hearing things Hunk!" Lance grinned.

"Oooooh you two can be so annoying sometimes" She replied with a muffled giggle.

Finally emerging from her hiding place she flashed them both a beaming smile and lip synched out a silent but very visible, "Thank you!"

"Now that's the smile I remember, what about you Hunk"? Lance teased.

Hunk and Lance walked over to Keith's side, Lance put his hand on his shoulder and Allura instinctively stood up and moved back, making room for her friends. "Oh no you don't Princess", Hunk replied as he grabbed her gently. Confused, Allura stopped and cocked her head quizzically at the big man. He lifted her up in the air, and lay her down next to Keith.

"That's right! We didn't come all this way to only to have YOU two parted again! You stay right there!" Lance chuckled.

Blushing, she flashed a content smile, snuggling back up to Keith, "Thank you, for everything, guys!"

Lance ruffed up her messy hair, "It’s good to see you happy again Princess!"

Keith gave out a chesty cough and all three of his comrades turned to him with worried looks on their faces. Snuggling even closer to him, Allura whispered in his ear "I'll get you all fixed up my Captain!"

Keith cleared his throat. "Thanks for coming after me team, for a while there I thought I was a gonner".

"Oh it was our pleasure boss, we haven't had a skiing trip in years!" Lance laughed.

"Lance what happened to your leg? Hunk you too, what happened to your head? Keith asked with a concerned look on his face.

"Some barbarians mistook us for a pack of wild boar I think!"

"I'll tell you about it later Keith, right now, you have your hands full", Lance smiled and nodded down to Allura who had fallen asleep next to him with her head resting against his chest. "I haven't seen her this happy since that night of the ceremony!"

"Keith looked down and stroked her hair past her ear, she wriggled and snuggled up to him. So tired, so completely worn out and emotionally discharged the young Princess slept soundly, clinging to Keith like a child who just found her lost teddy-bear.

"Keith spoke softly so as not to wake her, "Guys I hate to break up the mood, but is there anyway we can reach the castle, Coran and the others must be worried sick. That’s assuming Lotor hasn't seized the opportunity and attacked them. Who knows, what ..........".

Lance cut him off. "Well even if he DID attack Keith......Between Sven, Pidge and the Castle he'd wanna come up with a better solution than that Robeast he sent against you.

"Yeah the Robeast I could handle, but those Skull tanks were a different story! They were armed with a strange new missile. They tore poor OL' Black to pieces, the Robeast just added the finishing touches when it jumped on top of me". Keith replied.

"I'll say, one of those missiles hit Red and man it did some damage.

"Cap why didn't you signal for help?" Hunk asked.

"I tried, but my communicator didn't work until later on in the battle. I didn't know it was working then either until I saw Coran appear on it. I couldn't hear him but I could see him, I don't know whether it was faulty or being jammed? With that old bag of warts, Hagar on the scene, either is possible!"

"Well, when we figure a way to get home we better get Coran onto it right away, we don't need any more break downs in communication confusing matters more than they already are. Its bad enough that Lotor has some how managed to raise a small fleet without our knowing about it and even worse still is the fact that he sailed it right up underneath us and booted us in the arse!" Lance piped up.

"Do your Wristcoms work here?" Keith inquired.

Lance shook his head "No, and Hunk's the only one with a working handheld, not that it matters, it doesn't work either!"

"It must be the area, I only wish we knew where the blazers we were". Hunk added in frustration.

"We'll find a way home, listen guys thanks very much for looking after the Princess for me".

Hunk smiled at Keith, "No problem Captain but it was SHE who looked after us".

"And saved our butts too I might add! You may have trouble getting your sword back off her, I think she's grown rather fond of it". Lance smiled.

Keith looked down to the katana hanging from Allura's waist. "Aww heck she can keep it if she wants it, she’s earned that much!"

Their laughing soon woke the sleeping Princess and she stirred, looking up at Keith. "What's so funny?"

"Oh Lance was just telling me I may have trouble getting my sword back".

"Oh... I forgot, sorry did you want it?" She reached to unclip his belt from her waist but he stopped her..

"No its okay Ally.....really! Did YOU want it?"

"Well I do like it...." She replied with a tired smile.

"Then you keep it Ally, but tell me, what's this I hear about you saving Lance and Hunk from a tribe of bloodthirsty Barbarians?"

Blushing she looked over at Lance and Hunk with a smile, "Ohh, that! Umm it was a team effort".

"Oh yeah it was a team effort alright, Hunk was on the ground with a pile of the brutes on top of him and I was propped up against a tree, getting the daylights pounded out of me. Some team we were!"

"Hey.....You were keeping them distracted for me" Allura giggled.

Her two comrades knelt down along side her and each gave her a hug.

"It’s good to see you happy again Princess. Kinda makes getting shot in the leg seem almost worthwile".

"Oh my gosh...! Is it alright now? Will you be okay?" She asked feeling terribly guilty for having totally forgotten about their injuries.

"Nothing a few days rest won't fix", Lance grinned.

"What about you Hunk, how's the head?"

"Oh I've had far worse than this before Princess. I'll be okay!" Hunk chuckled.

"What about YOU Princess, are you alright?" Lance asked looking down at her. "From a medical standpoint I mean, I can tell by the smile on your face that you’re more than just alright".

"I'm okay a few scratches and bumps, nothing a nice hot bath and a few kisses along the way won't fix". She smiled as she snuggled up to Keith again. He lifted her chin and looking into her eyes gave her a long slow and passionate kiss.

He finally pulled away and asked, "Will that help?"

"Oh it’s a great start but I really do need more of THOSE! My condition is quite severe!" she replied with a grin.

Keith kissed her again and in minutes it was like the night of the Ball all over again! The pair of them were completely lost in the moment.

Lance grinned and turned to Hunk, "Well Hunk I think we should leave these two lovebirds alone for a while, they may want to get some sleep.....”

"Yeah I think so, maybe we can find some food I'm starved!" Hunk replied as they headed for the door.

"Well It will mighty uncomfortable for the poor girl to get any sleep where she is don't you think?" A cranky voice chimed in silencing everybody.

An elder lady entered the Yurt and Keith recognised her as Hennigor's wife. The four of them were all quiet, as she walked briskly over to Keith's bed, "Come on move over you great Ox!" She ordered poking Keith in the shoulder, "Make some room for your poor Princess".

"Oh.....Of course", Keith replied sliding over in the bed..

"Oh Milady, you don't hav........"

"Nonsense child! Its getting cold in here the snows are picking up outside. Now come on, you'll be much more comfortable UNDER the blankets!" She interrupted as she helped Allura up.

A very tired, but happy Princess crawled in next to her love and Landara pulled her pink boots off for her and placed the fur blankets over them both.

"On behalf of all of us my kind lady, I thank you and your Kind people, for everything you have done for us". Allura said in a sleepy voice.

The woman smiled, "We don't mind helping strangers when they need it, now, you get some sleep now Princess, you to Mr. Keith". Allura snuggled up to her Keith and ran her arm across his chest under the blanket.

"I hope I smile like that one day mother" Shania grinned as she entered the Yurt and saw the content smile on Allura's face.

"Your turn will come Shania, now come along" Landara replied as she put her arm around her daughter’s shoulders.

"Shania........!" The weary Princess looked up at her.

"Yes Miss Princess Miss?" The young woman replied with a sorry face. Hennigor had drummed into her just how unfair she was being to the Princess, standing in the way of true love. He had asked her how she would feel if somebody did it to her and she was very remorseful. Though she still HATED the fact that Keith should be in love with someone so unworthy, someone who sent him into the wilderness without furs!

"Thank you for looking after Keith, he'd be dead right now if it wasn't for you and your village".

"Oh Miss Princess it was my pleasure miss, you take good care of him now, he's really special" She replied with a distant smile.

"He is and don't you worry, I'll take good care of him!" Allura nodded.

"Come Shania, time to go now" her mother said smiling back at her.

"Yes Mother, but Father sent me to bring a message first. "Mr. Lance and Mr. Hunk, Father just cooked a whole boar this afternoon and he's in the mood for celebrating! He wondered if you would be joining us?"

"Well if that isn't the best Idea I've heard all day I don't know what is!!" Hunk answered as he looked to Lance.

"I couldn't agree more Hunk, I couldn't agree more!" Lance grinned.

"Sleep well you two, we'll be right outside, just call us if you need anything". Hunk replied softly as he closed the flap on the yurt.

Allura was finally content, her fears and concerns were gone! She was in HIS arms and as far as she was concerned no harm could ever come to her there!

On their way to the fireplace in the centre of the village Hunk pulled Lance aside. "Hey Lance, how DID you know Keith was still alive, did you know the whole time"?

Lance shuddered he knew he would be grilled over his actions regarding this matter. He cleared the lump in his throat and replied. "Well Hunk, I HOPED he was alive, I knew he had been taken away, the footprints were proof of that, I just wasn't sure whether he was taken away dead or alive".

"But you made a promise to Allura, What if he HAD been taken away dead?" Hunk asked.

"Hunk, she was a mess, I had to think of something I couldn't just let her tear herself apart like that, we needed her help".

"Yeah, you did Lance, you held us together and your ideas for shelter saved us from freezing to death! You did really well! Anyway, let’s eat, I'm starved!"

"Good idea Hunk", Lance responded glad to end their little discussion.

Back in the Yurt Keith snuggled up to his sleeping Princess. "I love you Ally" He whispered as he stroked her hair.

Lance came in an hour later with a plate of food. "Princess I thought you might be.............. "

Keith put a finger to his lips to hush his friend. "I think she needs this more!"

Lance and Hunk looked down at Allura who was sound asleep with her arm draped over Keith's chest.

"I agree Lance we should let her sleep", Hunk replied.

Lance gasped, "Yeah I agree! However, what do I do with this plate of food?"

"Now I can help you out there buddy, waste not, want not!"

And with that the pair left the yurt, one devouring the Princess's meal and the other teasing him about it.

"Hunk, you already ate two plates full!"

"What can I say, I am a growing boy!"

"Hah, I'll Say!"

 

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