Lance waddled across the flowerbed of purple juniberrys. His stubby little toddler legs did their absolute best to keep him up and steady. They weren't the best trained however, and occasionally gave in to letting Lance fall. His father, King Alfor and sister, Princess Allura sat next to one another atop a regal purple blanket, laughing and chatting away. But Lance, not understanding most of what the older Alteans were saying, decided to have a little adventure of his own.

As Lance walked, looking to and fro for some sort of entertainment, he hummed the melody of his favorite nursery rhyme. "Little Troll", as his teacher taught it. He didn't know much of what the lyrics meant, but always loved to hop and dance to the beat. "Little Troll, Little Troll, Don't mind your family. They love you, so long as you hide." He sung, urging his stubby legs to move faster beneath him.

Lance ran to the mossy garden wall. He laughed, and continued to sing as his hand ran across the sturdy, brick surface. He always wondered why it was here, and why he couldn't get past it. From his bedroom window, he saw so much beyond the wall. But sadly, that's all he could do. Stare longingly to the world beyond, which seemed so close, yet so far from reach. The young adventurer Lance tried many times to find away past. Alas, the wall was always there to halt his pursuit.

"Little Troll, Little Troll..." Lance continued his song, looking suspiciously at an up and coming bush. It wasn't like the others. Untrimmed and messy, stuck in the far corner of their ever so expansive royal garden. "Can't possibly love ugly children..." He continued in a mutter, inching closer and closer to the overgrown bush. "Hide that hideous face, shield their glaring eyes."

The bush rustled. Lance jumped back, nearly falling. The troll, he thought. It must be him! The song must have attracted it somehow.

The stealthy Lance, staying his absolute quietest with a bubble in his mouth, tiptoed toward the hedge. "Wear the mask, wear the mask..." He held his arms in front of him in a defensive gesture. "You are unlike them, so you wear the mask of beauty. But you pay a hefty fee."

Lance reached out, and grabbed one of the branches. His pudgy fingers could barely wrap around it. He pulled it back, and ducked his head into the bush. There was just barely enough room to maneuver between the mess of twisted wood and leaves. Lance adventured far into the hedge, as he whispered the final verse of the nursery rhyme. "Wear the mask, wear the mask... Over that face of shame, so love comes unconditionally."

Lance saw a flash of purple behind one of the messes of leaves. He gasped, and quickly pushed the plant out of the way. Behind, he found a hole. It was only about the size of about Lance's head, and had vines twisting around the edges. On the other side, he met the gaze of something incredible. A child! And one of which Lance had never seen before. He had furry purple skin, and glowing yellow eyes. His pupils were dark blueish, and he had a single pointy, snagged tooth hanging from the right side of his lip. He had slightly darker purple hair, and was wearing tattered brown rags. A great contrast to Lance's fancy blue armor, and glistening gold cape. "A troll!" Lance exclaimed enthusiastically.

The purple boy gave Lance a puzzled look. "Troll?" He asked. "I'm not a troll."

Lance smile stretched from ear to ear. "Of course you are. You're Little Troll, like the song." Lance was so excited. He had never seen an actual troll before! They weren't at all like he had imagined. A lot prettier, that was for sure. Prettier, and more purple looking.

The purple boy frowned once more. "I'm not a troll... I'm Altean."

Lance's eyes widened. Altean! But he was Altean too! So was Allura, his father, and all of the other residents in the Castle of Lions. None of them looked quite like this boy did however. "I didn't know Alteans could be purple!"

"I'm the only one." He explained, moving his face closer to the hole. "That's what Mom said."

"Whoa!" Lance gasped. This was such a shocking revelation. A fluffy, purple Altean... How could this be? It was as if Lance's knowledge of the world, had just doubled in size in this single instance. It was the first time he had the opportunity to talk with an outsider, and already he knew so much more! How many colors were there? Blue, green, red! There was likely hundreds... No, dozens of different possibilities! "What color is she?" Lance asked curiously, addressing the purple Altean's mom.

The boy looked up, likely trying his best to remember how the color was pronounced. "Um... Pe- Peach? I think that's it."

Peach... Just like their royal adviser, Coran. That was a normal shade, which many other Alteans possessed. "How are you purple then? Shapeshifting?"

The boy shook his head, and shrugged his shoulders. His tattered brown blanket, which he used for a shawl, blew in the wind. "No. I don't know. Mom won't tell me."

"Hmm..." The gears in Lance's head were churning. "What's your name?"

"Keith."

"Ke- Keef?"

"No! Keith! Keeeeiiiiiiith."

"Keeeeeeeeefffffffff?"

The boy sighed, and nodded. "Close enough."

"My name is Lance." Lance responded, puffing his chest out proudly. "Prince Lance of Altea. And my dad is the king."

"King Alfor?" Keith gasped.

Lance gleamed with pride. "Yeah. And my sister is Allura, the princess."

Keith's jaw dropped, his yellow eyes glistening. His pointy purple ears perked up, and toothy smile widened. Lance was glad to see his new friend so happy. "I'm talking with a prince?" Keith gasped. He attempted to come closer, but the thick stone wall would not allow it. "I've never talked with royalty before!"

If only the hole was bigger. Then Lance could see the outside clearer. "I've never talked with a villager before!"

"Never?"

"Not until now!" Lance jumped up and down excitably. He wanted to know everything. About the village houses, the people, the plants and animals. Absolutely everything! It was a strange world out there. Like traveling from one planet to another. If only there was some way to get past this wall...

An idea flicked in Lance's head. "Keef!" He yelped suddenly. "Can you get me out of here?"

"Why would you want to?" Keith's fluffy ears twitched.

"Because... Because it's boring!" Lance answered, swinging his arms in the air for extra emphasis. They hit the tangled branches of the bush, giving Lance a nasty scratch. He couldn't bother to care however. "It's terrible. They keep me in here, and never let me see anything!"

"But, nowhere is better than a palace!" Keith countered.

"But... but..." Lance stuttered. He wasn't too good at coming up with arguments yet. "It is so small. The planet... It is so big. But I can't see any of it."

Keith once again looked up, getting lost in thought. A few ticks later, he looked back at Lance and shrugged. "How?"

"Hmm..." Lance mumbled. What could be done? He had no clue... Still, there had to be a way. Maybe someone else could help. Someone, like an adult... "Keef! How about your mom?"

"Huh? What about her?"

"Can she get me out of here? Can you ask her?"

"She's back at home... I'm not sure. I can ask."

Lance nodded, his giddy grin doubling in size. "Met me back here at..."

"When the Wazn reaches strait up?"

"Yes!" Lance agreed. He didn't really know when that would be, but didn't have any knowledge on time to suggest something different. He just needed to watch Wazn (the Altea star) really closely. But not too closely, because King Alfor had warned him about blindness after watching it for too long.

Keith smiled. His fang like teeth were now fully on display. Lance wondered what he did to make them so incredibly sharp. "See you soon, Lance!" Keith waved his taloned paw.

"Bye, bye!" Lance waved back.

Keith rushed off, disappearing from Lance's view. No more than a tick later, he heard a distant voice calling out for him. "Lance? Where are you?" It was Allura, his older sister.

Lance pushed out of the shrub, back into the garden. When Allura saw him, she gasped. "Lance! You're all filthy!"

Lance looked down at his cloths and arms. She was right! Moving around in that bush must have done it. His clothes and hair were entangled with leaves and shrubbery, as well as mud smeared on his light brown skin, and fancy prince getup. Now he looked like a troll! "Um..." He mumbled, trying to come up with a reasonable excuse. (He couldn't). "Whoops."

"Whoops?" Allura's nostrils flared, and fist clenched. "You mess around in a bush, and all you have to say for it is, whoops?"

Lance paused, nervously tapping his little finger against his leg. "Um... Yes?"

"That's it! You're coming back inside with me. No more picnics for you!" Allura, who was only a little bit bigger than her little brother, attempted to lift him in her arms. She did it with great ease, like any good, strong Altean princess, and carried him back to their picnicking spot. There, King Alfor was waiting for them both. Allura huffed, and placed Lance down right in front of him. "Father! Look at Lance! He got himself all dirty!"

King Alfor inspected his sons muddy face, and leaf infested white hair. Instead of Allura's expected reaction however, the king chuckled. Both kids looked at each other in shock. "Well, well, well." The king said in his deep, fatherly voice. "Looks like Lance has grown to be quite an adventurer. Maybe one day, when he's old enough, he will take over my role as a mighty Paladin of Voltron."

Allura's jaw dropped. "Lance? But- but... Him? He's much too... disobedient! How could he ever... It's an insane thought!"

King Alfor's eyebrows furrowed, and arms crossed. (Not a good sign). "Now, Allura! Don't you dare say those terrible things about your brother! Lance is perfectly capable of becoming whatever he pleases. A Paladin, a knight, a baker. Whatever he chooses, is what he will be."

"But, he's a prince!" Allura complained irritably. "He's second in line for king! He can't just be whatever!"

"Sure he can!" Alfor stood, making himself tower far above both Allura and Lance. "And so can you. If you choose not to be queen, that is. There are still many others in line for the throne."

"But! But..." It seemed Allura had nothing else to say. Her head drooped down in shame. "Sorry."

King Alfor offered her a reassuring smile. "All is forgiven, my child. Now, let's not fight any longer, and get back inside. Mother is waiting."

"Yes sir." Both children nodded in unison.

When Wazn was directly overhead, Lance raced out to the garden, and found the previous untrimmed hedge. As he pushed himself past the branches, he payed no mind to his newly cleaned clothing. He didn't like the tightly fit, and uncomfortable suit anyhow. He would much prefer to be naked, if his family wasn't so against it. "Keef? Keeeeef?" He called, squinting his eyes to find the previously discovered hole in the wall. Lance saw a flash of purple, and gasped. "Keef!" He grinned giddily, and raced over.

When he moved a few more leaves from his view, Lance was met with the familiar purple face of Keith. But, he didn't look like he had previously. Instead of the smiling face as Lance remembered, Keith wore a droopy, saddened expression. "Keef?" Lance asked, worried. "What's wrong?"

"I can't be here." He responded, backing away timidly.

"Wha- what?" Lance's eyes began to water. "But... Why?"

"My mom..." Keith stuttered. It was obvious he couldn't find the right words to explain. "I'm sorry... I have to go..."

Before Lance could say another word, Keith rushed off. He wasn't seen by Lance for many years to come.

Many decades later, the now teenage Lance was sitting lazily on his throne, facing the crowd of regal guests, and servants with trays of food. Parties were always the worst. All he could actually do during them, was sit on his throne, and watch as the elderly guests chat about politics and other boring junk. All that made up for them, was the food. The cooks put their best foot forward every time so many guests showed up. Even with that, Allura would always tell him to not eat so much, unless he wanted to grow fat. "What's so bad about being fat?" He would complain, stuffing another tray worth of food in his mouth, swallowing it down with one gulp.

But this party? Ten times worse than all the previous combined. He didn't even know the purpose of it, and all he was supposed to do was sit on his throne bored out of his mind. Allura was also on her throne, opposite King Alfor's and the queen's, which were in the center. Of course, his mom's throne hadn't been used in years. After she died when he was still only a kid, layers of dust began piling atop the blue, unused cushion.

"Attention!" King Alfor raised from his throne, and called the guests attention. He wore two golden gauntlets, and a tall crown atop his white mane of hair. He looked more regal than usual. Even considering the many fancy events he had attended before. Whatever this party was for, it was likely something really important. If only Lance knew what that purpose was. But alas, no one bothered to say.

The king continued, the ballroom now giving him their full attention. "Thank you all for coming here today. As you know, just recently, something big occurred. Our fight against Lord Zarkon and his enemy forces have been won. Thanks to the Alteans, our many allies, and Voltron of course, the reign of tyranny has come to an end. And finally, after decades of terror, we can all finally rest, and enjoy our newly freed galaxy."

A wave of cheers came from the onlookers. Allura also clapped her hands together, and smiled proudly at her father. A dobash passed before Alfor raised his gauntlet, and waited for quiet. "Yes, we are all quite excited. And I would just like to thank, not only our fleets and those of us who lost their lives, but also our allies who risked so much to bring Zarkon down. And that does include the Galran soldiers who risked their own lives to rebel against Zarkon's devilish deeds."

This time, no one cheered. Not even Allura, who looked more irritated now than joyful. Lance couldn't blame her however. It was the Galra who took their mother's life. Still, Lance didn't think it fair to categorize them all as killers. There were so many good Galra who fought alongside the Altean empire after all.

King Alfor cleared his throat, and continued. "But, I have greater news to announce today. As you know, my dearest daughter, Princess Allura, has officially become an adult after meeting her one hundredth birthday just a few quintents ago." Allura stood, and everyone praised her with cheers and claps.

King Alfor motioned Allura to come closer. She took her place beside her father, her tiara gleaning with jewels, and her shiny blue cape dragged behind her gown. She looked just like a queen. Alfor placed his hand on her shoulder, and smiled proudly. "Look at her. She looks just like her mother. Bless her soul. Though it's sad, seeing Allura like this makes me almost excited to announce my retirement."

Lance practically fell from his chair. What did he just say? Retirement? Allura looked out to the crowd, her face glowing with pride.

"Yes, indeed." Alfor took his gauntleted hand from Allura's shoulder, and raised his arms in the air. "You are all here today, because I would like to announce my daughters up and coming coronation!"

Allura bowed her head humbly. Lance watched in horror. Dad... King Alfor, was no longer going to be king? But... why? It wasn't as though he were old! Well, middle aged perhaps, but definitely not old enough to step down! And Allura. She was still so young. Her hundredth birthday was only a few quintents ago for Voltron sake! All throughout the history of Altea, there has never been such a young ruler. Lance stood, and stealthily took a standing on the other side of his father. "Father..." He mumbled, while the subjects continued to cheer away. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"Son!" Alfor gleamed. He placed a hand on his shoulder, and answered in a hushed voice. "I wanted it to be a surprise. Not just for our quests, but you as well. It's a historic moment!"

Lance brushed his father's hand off his shoulder. "But, I'm the prince. Don't I have any say in the matter?"

"Any say?" Alfor looked confused. "But you have always known that Allura will one day have to step up and take the position. It was inevitable, it just came faster than we anticipated."

Lance felt a lump beginning to form in his throat. He couldn't believe it. True, he didn't have a great relationship with his father as Allura did, but not warning Lance beforehand? That didn't seem like a very fatherly thing to do. Everything King Alfor did, didn't seem very fatherly to Lance. Putting his kingdom before his own kids, never giving them the time of day. Ever since the war with the Galra started all those years ago, King Alfor no longer seemed to have the time to go on picnics, or have family meals as he used to. He became less of a Dad, and more of a king. And kings have responsibilities. Kids aren't one of them.

Lance fidgeted with his cape, as Alfor concluded his speech. Afterwards, the guests went back to chatting, and Allura took her place back on the throne. Lance saw her eye the queens seat sadly. She was likely imagining herself in that exact chair, just as her mom had been.

Two long, drawn out vargas later, the party ended, and Lance was finally allowed freedom. He imminently ran to the garden, and climbed to the top of the mossy brick wall. He looked out towards the village below, and the luminescent glow coming from each window, lighting up the night sky. Lance then turned his attention up. The stars glistened brightly overhead. He wanted to reach out and touch them, but knew that was a fantastical thought. There was no way he would be allowed up there. Especially after Allura's coronation. If he thought she was strict before, he did not want to imagine how she would act as a ruler. She would likely have him locked up in a prison cell, saying it was only for his 'safely'. Yeah, right. The Castle Of Lions felt like a prison already. A really big, fancy prison, but one nevertheless.

Quite a time later, Lance finally jumped down, and headed back towards the castle. He stopped mid-step however, a crazy thought popping in his head. Would anyone notice if he fell asleep out here?

After a tick of consideration, Lance decided to do it. He laid himself in the middle of the field of wild juniberries, and closed his eyes. The grass felt wonderful beneath him. So soft, but not in the artificial way his mattress was. It felt completely organic, and he loved the smell of the flowers and nature surrounding him. It wasn't long until Lance found himself drifting off in a deep, peaceful slumber.