FAITH FINDS

CHAPTER 1

Shortly after lunch was finished, loud noises coming from the kitchen could be heard all the way to the rec room where the guys were relaxing. With each clang, slam, and bam, the Voltron Force cringed knowing that Nanny was in some sort of snit. Her temper was something that the team feared more than any robeast. Normally, they were the cause of her tantrums by just being their usually 'hooligan' selves. But right now, not knowing exactly what they could have done has the guys on edge.

After thinking for a moment, Keith thought he might know the answer, "Hunk, have you been sneaking snacks again?"

"Not after the last time. I couldn't stand straight for two days after I had to clean all the fireplaces as punishment. What about you Pidge? I know you have that hot chocolate addiction. Did you pilfer her chocolates again?"

"Do think I have a death wish? I save up and buy my own now." A shiver ran down the Green pilot's back as an image of his punishment flashed through his mind. The castle matron had forced the young man to scrub down all the bathrooms in the east wing as repayment for taking her expensive chocolates from the pantry.

"What about you and Lance? I know that the two of you occasionally sneak shots from her liquor cabinet after really intense battles."

"Like hell Shorty. Not since we noticed she started marking the bottles. We weren't going to get caught like you two. My ladies wouldn't appreciate it if I missed a date with one of them due to a Hurricane Nanny punishment."

"As Captain, I have to show some restraint. It wouldn't do well for the team's standing if I was seen by the staff on my knees scrubbing the castle floors, now would it? OK so it's not one of us…maybe the space mice ate her prized gouda again?"

"I seriously doubt it Keith, not after she chased them down with her broom. They wait till the food is out of the kitchen before they sneak any. Besides, Princess takes good care of feeding them behind Nanny's back…hay! You don't think she caught Princess and because of who it is, she's taking out her frustrations on the kitchen?"

"No Pidge, remember the last time she caught Ally doing anything 'unprincess like'? She couldn't sit down on anything hard for the rest of the day and her eyes were red and puffy. No one is beyond her wrath."

As Lance brought up the Princess' punishment, Keith recalled just how enraged he was over that. But Allura implored him not to do anything. His heart ached over seeing his beloved's pain but he abided by her wishes. No matter what, Allura loved the old woman. Hunk's booming voice brought him back to the present, "So Keith, what could it be? If she keeps up that noise, I doubt we'll have a kitchen left in this castle."

"Guys I think we best just stay away and hope for the best."

They all agreed to steer clear of Hurricane Nanny until after the storm passed.

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"Please Nanny what is the matter?! You are scaring everyone in the castle! Calm down and tell me what has you so upset?" Princess Allura pleaded with her former governess, trying to get to the bottom of her tirade.

"OH, Princess, I am so sorry to worry and scare you. It is just that I have no more button mushrooms! How am I supposed to make Coran's favorite dishes for his birthday dinner tonight without button mushrooms! I've called all the markets and not one has enough on hand and not even if I purchase from all of them! Whatever am I to do?! I always make his favorite mushroom soup and stroganoff every year…he'll be so disappointed if I don't!" Nanny flops down in despair upon a kitchen stool and uses her apron to cry into.

Allura sighs deeply and places a comforting hand on her shoulder, when an idea pops into her head. "Nanny, stop crying, grab a basket and let's go. I know just where we can get the button mushrooms you need."

"But your Highness, they only grow in regulated caves and the workers are done for the weekend. Where do you plan to get them?"

"Remember the caves we hid in? The people grew them in there and now they to grow wild. I remember Pidge telling me not long ago after he did a routine patrol through them. If we go now we'll be back in plenty of time to fix dinner."

Nanny's eyes widen and a big smile spread across her face. She raced to the pantry and returned with her basket. Allura jots down a quick note for the kitchen staff to let them know she and Nanny would be back with the mushrooms soon. Then they left by way of the kitchen door so as Coran and the boys wouldn't see them leave on their mission. As the door closed, a breeze blew in and the note floated off the counter and under the prep table.

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The dark, damp cavern was showing serious signs of dilapidation and desolation. Princess Allura used an abandoned lantern to light the treacherous pathway further down into the cave where she knew they would find their quarry. Nanny gripped her hand tightly as she slipped several times on the loose gravel underfoot.

"Oh Princess I'm not so sure about this anymore. We should turn back and just forget this foolish venture."

"Nonsense, we're here Nanny! Look at all these mushrooms!"

The women began to gather their bounty and soon had more than enough for Coran's dinner and then some.

"I do believe we have plenty, we should be heading back Nanny. Oh, Coran will be so pleased with his dinner. Your button mushroom soup is delicious and stroganoff is so sinfully rich. I just wish you'd make them more than once a year."

"Because it is so sinfully rich is exactly why I only make it for his birthday my dear. You would never fit into your gowns otherwise."

After laughing long and loudly, the two began their trek back to the entrance when suddenly they heard the sound of first small stones falling followed by larger rocks and boulders. Immediately, Allura's fighting instincts kicked in as she shoved Nanny backwards and dove for cover. After a few moments, that felt like hours, the cave in ceased. The Blue pilot and castle matron laid still, covered in dust and dirt. Slowly, Allura rose and groped for the lantern, finally finding it several feet away. She relit the flame and raised it high to take in her surroundings, as the beam lit the cavern she saw their exit was completely encased in large rocks and boulders, then it shown on the still form of her governess, "NANNY!"