Reflections

By KittyShan

Disclaimer: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Any and all new/original characters belong to the author.

Rating: PG for some very mild language and very mild innuendo.

Author's Notes: Thank you to my beta reader, KittyLynne... I don't know what I'd do without you... You don't just correct mistakes and help me to look at things from a new and different perspective, but you are one of my dearest friends, and you *never* let me down... Much love to you! :)

Chapter 3 - The Blossoming Monarch

Within just a few days, Princess Romelle and Sven (who was now the Captain of her Personal Guard), would be taking their leave and returning to planet Pollux. They had stayed longer than originally planned in an attempt to help their friends cope with the aftermath of Princess Allura's kidnapping. Both Princesses had been held hostage by Prince Lotor. Although Allura had not faced the kind of sadistic abuse her dear cousin had at the hands of the Prince of Doom, she had nearly been forced into marriage with the brute. Both of the young women leaned upon one another for understanding and support, their relationship growing stronger day by day.

On this bright and beautiful afternoon, they walked arm in arm through the Arussian gardens surrounding the Castle of Lions, silently and unknowingly observed by Allura's governess.

Nanny had been tidying up in one of the observation decks when she had noticed the pair enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. She had stopped to watch the Princesses with a mix of pride and heartache. They were such strong and resilient young women - qualities that made them respected leaders and cherished monarchs. Yet, it was terribly sad that they both had been left so alone in this universe.

Now, she hadn't known the Polluxian Princess long, nor did she know her well. However, in the short time that she had spent with Romelle, the governess had found her to be a lovely girl, smart and kind - and Nanny had grown quite fond of her. She also saw just how much it benefited Princess Allura to have a female companion her own age. For those reasons, and several more, she hated to see her leave, but understood it was necessary for her to return to planet Pollux.

The girls seemed to be having a deep conversation, their heads bowed together in a conspiratorial manner. Suddenly Romelle threw her head back and laughed, while Allura brought her hand up to cover her mouth - obviously whatever they were talking about was something they both found amusing.

Nanny smiled, her heart filling with joy at the sight. Laughter was truly a great balm to the soul - after their terrible traumas, to see them filled with mirth was a sign that their hearts and minds were healing.

For a moment, the governess allowed her mind to wander through cherished memories.

Once, she had a dear friend, and the two had walked through those same gardens, arm in arm. They had talked about their hopes and dreams, their fears; they gossiped about some of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting - not maliciously, but about silly things like who had been kissed by which of the King's knights, and who had the most beautiful gowns. They talked about their men...and the war that was just beginning.

Her friend had not been an Arussian by birth - she had been from a planet named Verdant. But she had become an Arussian citizen by marriage, and its Queen, too. That friend had been Allura's mother and Alfor's wife, Natori.

After her husband's death, Nanny had come to the castle to live, under the protection of the Royal House of Arus. She had been so lost, so heartbroken. Her family had gone into hiding when Zarkon's forces attacked. It was later discovered that they were safe and well, but it had taken nearly a year for them to be located and reunited with the young widow.

It was during that first year that Natori and Nanny had become fast friends. They didn't have much in common - although they both had a great love of gardening - but they were both young women away from their families for the first time. That created a special bond, one that turned into a cherished friendship.

The Queen had been a beautiful woman, but not just in appearance. Her heart was pure, her soul gentle. She was filled with a light that touched nearly everyone she met. Her marriage to King Alfor had been a love-match - a beautiful tale that their daughter held close to her heart and still told to anyone who would listen.

Nanny blinked, her vision cleared and her attention returned to the young women who were now sitting on a garden bench with their backs to her. She heaved an involuntary sigh, thinking of what might have been if Allura had been allowed a normal upbringing - one where her parents had lived to see her blossoming into a sweet young woman.

The Arussian Princess was the spitting image of her mother - every bit as beautiful, every bit as kind. Her soul shining with that same brilliant light.

But the young monarch took after her father, too. She was strong-willed and stubborn - and there was no changing her mind once she'd made a decision. Those were most definitely King Alfor's traits.

And, just like her father before her, she was determined to do whatever it took to defend her planet and keep her people safe. It was one of the things that she admired most about her Posy - and yet she found it absolutely terrifying that the young woman was so willing to sacrifice everything, including herself, if the occasion arose.

But, she supposed, it was a good thing that Allura was decisive and independent. Even if she didn't always agree with the decisions her young ward made - like zooming around in that Blue Lion. Or swimming in the lake with those hooligans, wearing nothing more than a few strips of fabric that she insisted was a bathing suit.

The recollection had Nanny shaking her head in exasperation and frustration.

The Princess was a wonderful girl, but she certainly did her best to add to her governess's grey hairs. Nanny's mood shifted and she gave a rueful chuckle. Apparently grey hair was a rite of passage for anyone raising teenagers. What else could one do but accept it?

She returned her gaze to the gardens. Allura and Romelle were now making their way back toward the castle, the sunlight shining around them, much like an angel's halo.

Nanny watched for a moment more before returning to her chores, left to wonder exactly when it was that her sweet little Posy had blossomed into the Princess of Arus.