Saved from the Queen by the Princess
Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron. This is for fun only and it was waaaaaaaaaaaay too much fun to write. Don't tell anyone!
Inspired by the KAEX challenge of "Allura Saves Keith"
Setting and Rating: DotU Universe, 2nd season– Rating M – while it's not citrus, it is more M in nature than most of my other stories (M&V, HH and the one-shots). This chapter doesn't warrant any warnings, but later ones might – and no, it's really not citrus. You'll see.
Chapter One
Allura stood with Lance, Hunk, and Pidge near their Lions at the village of Alder. They all watched as Keith walked with Queen Merla towards her shuttle. As Merla placed a hand on Keith's back in a somewhat possessive gesture, Allura's eyes narrowed. When Merla glanced back at them, she winked at Allura. Balling her hands into fists, Allura quickly asked, "When do we leave to get him Lance?"
Earlier…
The alarms were blaring as they ran into Castle Control. Coran spun the chair to face the incoming team. "It's Queen Merla! She came out of nowhere and is firing on the village of Alder. The townspeople didn't have a chance to evacuate to the shelters. They are trapped in the village!"
"Time to go team!" Keith yelled out as the dais rose and the sound of their shoes hitting the floor echoed in the control room.
"Wait!" Coran called out, not looking away from his console. "There's a call coming in from the queen!"
Keith and the team paused and backed up so that they could view the screen. Queen Merla's pale white face was soon visible on the large screen.
Standing stiffly with her hands in fists at her sides, Allura asked, "What do you want Merla?" She looked at the beautiful Drule queen. She had always admired Merla's confidence and beauty, but hated that she was of the same mindset as Zarkon, Lotor, and most other Drule: defeat and conquer. She also secretly hoped that Lotor would change his obsession from herself to this sensual queen.
Seated in her dark red leather command chair, she looked to be in no hurry as she slowly scanned the group and let her eyes rest on Keith. "What do I want? Well, I want Commander Kogane." Merla smirked at their perplexed faces.
"What are you talking about Merla? What do you want with me?" Keith saw out of the corner of his eye that Allura was moving to position herself behind him.
Merla leaned back in her command chair before she spoke in a rather languid tone. "Why Keith, you are the commander of the Voltron Force. You are the Black Lion. Everything in the military runs on your command. Without you, Arus will be crippled. What other reason could I possibly have Commander?" She reached out with her mental powers, but the castle was too far away for her to reach them.
Lance was noting Merla's body language and her not-so-subtle hints; he knew exactly what Merla wanted with him. But then, Keith was always bad at picking up subtle hints from women. So he walked up behind his friend and spoke so that only he could hear. "Captain, I think she wants more than that. I think she wants to jump you."
Snapping his head around to Lance, Keith raised a quizzical eyebrow. Lance wouldn't be joking at a time like this, but Merla's reasons weren't the primary concern. "It doesn't really matter what she wants. If she'll leave the villagers alone, I have to go."
"Well Commander? Are you going to come with me or shall I blast the villagers off of the planet?"
Allura walked up behind Keith. "Keith, I…" She had heard part of Lance's comments and she could see the predatory gleam in Merla's eyes. But the villagers would die if he didn't go.
"There's not another option Allura, I'm going." Turning back to the view screen, Keith said, "We'll meet you outside the village. You will allow all the villagers to get to the shelter and then I will go with you."
"If you were Lotor, I could count on a double-cross. But since it's you Commander, I'll trust you to do as you say. Merla out."
Every eye turned to Keith. "Don't do anything until the villagers are safe then come get me." He didn't wait for any acknowledgement but headed for his chute.
Allura had started towards her door when Lance grabbed her arm, stopping her.
Looking from Lance's hand to his face, she asked with irritation,"What is it Lance?"
"Allura, it's not the Voltron Commander that Merla wants. She wants Keith."
Keping her voice was cool and confident, she looked the red lion pilot in the eye as she said, "I know she wants him, but she's not going to have him."
Now that Lance was certain that Allura understood what was at stake, he let her arm go and headed off.
Allura's mind was spinning as she tried to process Lance's words. Her face heated as the meaning of his words sunk in. By the time she dropped into her Lion shuttle, her resolve was hardened. Merla wouldn't have him. It would be her turn to save Keith.
Back to the present…
Now here they were watching Keith walk away with Merla. She had been true to her word and all the villagers had been released or allowed to go to the shelters.
"When do we leave to get him back?"
Turning to the Princess, Lance heard the impatience in her voice and saw her resolve. Merla's wink was meant for her and it had ticked her off. He was glad to see that she had figured out Merla's game. "When he boards the shuttle we head to the Lions."
Nodding her agreement, she moved closer to him. "I have a plan Lance. I haven't thought it all the way out, but you and I will need to go back to the castle and get a smaller ship. When we get back to the Lions, I'll tell everyone my plan. Tell Pidge to follow that star cutter so we don't lose them."
As Lance turned back to watch his best friend go into the shuttle with the queen, a smile started forming on his face. After seeing the look on Allura's face as they headed to their Lions, he knew that Merla had picked the wrong woman to trifle with.