Some make think this chapter a bit harsh, my apologies if you are offended by the content, but sometimes you must put in things that would normally be thought of as unthinkable.

I make no claims to Voltron or any other WEP characters.

Enjoy Chapter 4

Mertz

In the antechamber off the ballroom, prepared for guests who are in need of medical services during the ball, Allura awakens moments later to voices around her... an oxygen mask held to her face. Opening her eyes, she looks up to see Dr. Gorma smiling down at her as he says, "There we go…"

She tries to push the mask off and sit up only to have her shoulders pressed back down by the doctor, "Not so fast Princess…" Relaxing back against the pillows, she notes the concerned gazes of Keith and Coran behind Dr. Gorma before placing a hand to her suddenly aching head and asking, "What happened?"

Dr. Gorma places the mask back on her face and advises, "Breathe deeply…"

Keith takes a step closer to her bed as he looks closely at her. Noting her still pale face, he states, "Princess, I came back with your drink to find you pale and crying. You fainted on me moments later… Do you remember what happened to make you so upset?"

Allura searches her memory as she continues to inhale the oxygen before looking up into Keith's eyes and shaking her head. Keith watches her a moment more before turning back to Coran who sighs and states, "Could have been too much excitement in one evening Commander…or she could have gotten too warm and overheated…"

Shaking his head, Keith replies, "I don't think so Coran…she was upset. Anyway, I think Dr. Gorma should check her over thoroughly before releasing her."

Coran nods in agreement and turns to the doctor, "Please do a thorough examination."

Allura pushes the oxygen mask off her face again as she sits up angrily, "Don't act like I'm not here and can't understand what's going on!"

Stuttering, Coran apologizes, "My Princess…please…understand…"

Keith cuts him off as he steps forward. His gaze meets hers as he states, "Princess Allura, people don't normally faint for no reason. Please let the doctor examine you to ensure your health."

She holds his gaze and swallows the nasty retort that had come to mind as she notes the look of concern on his face as well as fieriness in his eyes, warning her he would fight with her about it. Lying back against the pillows once more, she quietly replies, "Very well."

Releasing a sigh of relief that she didn't argue with him, Keith nods to Coran before looking back at Allura to say, "I'll leave you to Dr. Gorma's care then." Turning around, he leaves the room.

Allura watches him go and withholds a sigh as she turns her gaze to Coran who smiles at her, "I'll leave as well so Dr. Gorma can examine you, but will be out in the hallway if you need me." At her nod, he turns and walks out of the room.

Dr. Gorma smiles at her as he says, "Well…let's get this over with shall we?" Allura sighs resignedly as she nods at the doctor.

xxxxxxxxxx

Half an hour later, Dr. Gorma steps out to find Coran and Keith sitting and waiting near the ballroom doors. He holds up a hand to keep them seated as he tells them, "Her Highness seems to be fine. Her blood pressure is a bit elevated, but with the excitement of the evening and fainting…well, that can be expected. I see no reason to put her in MedTech overnight."

Keith relaxes as he listens to the doctor, Thank God…one less thing to worry about… He stands up and looks over at Coran, "Since she is alright, I'm going to leave her to your care and go make sure everything went alright with the ball."

At Coran's nod, Keith re-enters the ballroom. Coran waits until he is gone before looking up and asking Dr. Gorma, "The fainting spell wouldn't have anything to do with the night terrors she had all those months ago would they?"

Sighing, Dr. Gorma walks over and sits beside Coran before answering, "I don't think so…it very well could have just been too much excitement, a warm ballroom, not enough fluids and that tight gown she is wearing." He turns his face to smile at Coran as he adds, "A good combination for a fainting spell."

Coran nods then slowly stands up, "Well…I'll escort her back to her room and I'm sure Nanny will hover over her until she is asleep." Dr. Gorma stands as well and places a hand on Coran's arm, "Coran, you told me…she hasn't had those dreams in the months that the team has been here. Be thankful for that…hopefully she has moved on."

Nodding once more, Coran replies, "I hope you are right…" and turns to walk toward the antechamber Allura is resting in.

xxxxxxxxxx

Two hours later, Nanny sighs as she quietly moves about Allura's room putting her things away. After Coran had escorted her back, Nanny had insisted on a warm bath to relax the princess before forcing her to eat a small meal and drink more water before forcing her to bed.

She listens to the young woman's deep breathing in sleep before bending over to pick up her shoes and walking over to the closet with them. Quietly, she places them in their spot on her shoe rack then turns when she hears a sound coming from the bed.

Nanny watches as Allura starts turning over in her sleep and hears a whisper of, "Coran…I want my Mommy…"

"Oh no…I thought she was over those!" Her expression anxious, Nanny walks over to the wall and presses a button then moves over to the bed. Sitting down on it, she listens as Allura starts crying and thrashing about in the bed before she grabs her arms, "Princess! It is but a dream…wake up!"

Allura screams, pushing Nanny away as she climbs out of the bed. Running over to the wall, she curls into a ball near it as she continues to cry. Nanny is barely cognizant of the door to the room opening as she rushes over to Allura and tries to grab her again, "Princess, please!"

Nanny starts to turn her head as she hears Coran say, "Nanny no! Stay away…" but too late, Allura's open fist flies up into the air and hits Nanny between the eyes.

Coran watches in horror as Nanny crumbles to the ground beside Allura and rushes forward as Allura continues to scream.

A guard appears in the open doorway after hearing the screams and yells, "Coran! What is the…" but doesn't get his words out as Allura screams again and tries to attack Coran, as he attempts to pull Nanny's still form out of the way.

The guard turns and runs the few steps to the alarm and pulls down on the handle.

xxxxxxxxxx

As the alarm sounds in his room, Keith is pulled out of a deep sleep. He quickly jumps up and runs out of his room. Meeting up with Lance, Hunk and Pidge in the hallway, Keith questions, "What's the alarm?"

Lance shrugs and all four turn to run down the hallway. The commotion in front of Princess' room has them stopping and Keith glances in as he hears Coran yell at the guard outside the door, "Get Dr. Gorma! Now!"

His gaze moves about the room as he takes in Coran leaning over Nanny's prone form then he looks over to find Allura near a wall, crying and holding her hands over her head as if to protect herself. Keith moves into the room as he asks, "Coran, what's going on?"

Coran looks over at him, then stands, "Princess is suffering a night terror…Nanny tried to wake her up. But with the training Princess has received from you…I'm afraid to say, she hit Nanny hard enough to knock her out."

Keith grimaces as he moves across the room, "Princess?"

He listens to her whimper and cry out, "No…not my daddy…please…not my daddy…" Keith stops in front of her as she cries out, "NO! MOMMY!" Reaching carefully, Keith tries to gently grasp her arms as he speaks softly to her, "It's alright Allura…wake up…"

She screams and begins to try to strike at Keith, hitting and kicking at him as she becomes hysterical. Lance glances at the horrified looks on Pidge and Hunk's faces before turning back to watch Keith grab both of Allura's hands. Holding them in one hand, Keith flips them around so he can use his legs to trap hers and holds her tight against his chest while loudly saying, "Wake up Allura! It's just a dream!"

Keith holds on tight to Allura and keeps calling her name as she continues to struggle against him while crying and screaming. Trying one more time, Keith yells, "ALLURA! YOU NEED TO WAKE UP NOW!" The screaming stops and he feels her body slowly begin to relax in his arms. Taking a chance, Keith releases her legs, turning her slightly to look into her face.

Confused, sapphire blue eyes filled with tears look back at him as she utters, "Daddy…" before burying her face into his chest and clinging to him as she continues to cry. He glances up as Dr. Gorma's voice sounds off as he enters the room, "What's going on?"

Coran stands up, "Princess Allura suffered a night terror…but seems to be out of it now. However, she knocked Nanny out when she tried to wake her."

Dr. Gorma steps over to Nanny to check her pulse as she moans and begins to move around. Coran steps away to walk over to Keith and Allura as he quietly says, "Princess?"

When she doesn't respond to him, Coran looks up at Keith who lets out a deep breath before using his hand to move her hair out of her face so he can look at her again. "Princess…Coran is speaking to you."

When she doesn't respond to Keith either, he starts to pull away from her only to hear her scream, "NO!" As her fingers dig into his arms, Keith wraps his arms back around her as he speaks calmly, "It's alright Princess…it was only a dream."

His eyes drift over to Nanny as she slowly sits up, her hand to her eye as she slowly rises with the help of Dr. Gorma and one of the guards. Looking out her other eye, she questions, "What happened?"

Looking into her eyes, Dr. Gorma replies, "Princess Allura hit you and you fell unconscious. I'm going to have you escorted to MedTech so I can check you there."

Keith looks up as Dr. Gorma asks one of the guards to escort a now awake Nanny to MedTech before he walks over to where he is sitting with Allura. Dr. Gorma kneels beside them and tries to touch Allura's arm only to have her cry out.

Struggling with her, Keith watches as the doctor pulls a needle from his pocket. Their eyes meet as Gorma tells him, "Hold her tight Commander."

Keith tightens his grip on Allura as Dr. Gorma grabs her shoulder and pushes the needle into it. Minutes later, Allura goes limp in his arms as she falls unconscious and Keith pulls her up against his chest as he stands up with her. Walking over to her bed, he gently lays her down and pushes the hair off of her face as Coran pulls the blankets up around her again.

He watches her for a moment more before looking over at Coran, "What the hell was that?"

Coran sighs deeply as he turns to look over at the other men in the room before glancing over at Dr. Gorma, "Doctor, would you please stay with the Princess for a bit…"

Dr. Gorma nods at him, "I need to check her over anyway."

Nodding back, Coran gestures the men to follow him out of the room. They walk down the hallway and Coran leads them to his office. Once inside, Coran walks over to a side table, pulls out a bottle with whiskey inside and turns to the men standing in the room, "Anyone else need a drink?"

After filling up five glasses, Coran takes his and walks over to his desk with it. Sitting down, he sips the drink and watches as Lance hands out the glasses to the rest of the men. Keith takes his and sips it as he moves to stand in front of the desk. Setting it down he inquires, "What's going on Coran? Why would Princess be suffering night terrors all of a sudden?"

Coran sighs deeply as he studies the amber liquid in his glass. Taking another sip, he grimaces as it burns its way down his throat before he looks over at the Commander to answer him, "It isn't all of a sudden…"

Keith opens his mouth to reply only to have Coran cut him off as he states, "I should have told you about them before…but I thought she was over them. I was wrong."

He finishes his glass off before sitting up and looking at the men in the room, "You know that Zarkon killed her parents…but what you don't know is that Princess Allura witnessed it."

Lance drops his glass as he whispers, "Son of a bitch…" As it lands on the floor and shatters, the other men in the room glance at him briefly before turning away.

Hunk sits down heavily on the couch in the room, Pidge sits down beside him. Keith slides into the chair in front of the desk, his face pale with shock, he responds, "What happened?"

Coran stands up and walks back over to the whiskey bottle. Retrieving it, he returns to his desk, refills his glass and downs the contents before turning back to the men in the room, "At the time of the attacks, King Alfor knew that Zarkon was going to breach the castle defenses. He asked me to get his wife and daughter out...to take them down to the caves and protect them as he went out to slow Zarkon's invasion of the castle."

Sitting back down at his desk, Coran continues, "The Queen…God rest her soul, pulled away from me to run after him. Unable to stop her, I ran to Princess Allura's room and pulled her out of bed. I was running down the halls with her in my arms as she cried for her parents when I passed by a window facing the court yards."

He pauses in his story to refill his glass again. Sipping on it, he looks over at Keith as he resumes, "Zarkon was in the court yard with his soldiers surrounding him…also the King and Queen and some of the soldiers and staff. They were all on their knees before him. I could see King Alfor pleading with Zarkon as he tried to push the Queen behind him and away from Zarkon. I tried to keep moving, but Allura had seen out the window as well. She struggled against me and I lost my grip on her. She fell to the floor and ran back to the window."

Coran stops for a moment, unable to speak as he takes several deeps breaths to try to calm himself. Tears run out of his eyes as he continues, "Allura watched as Zarkon used his sword to cut off first the King's head…then after enjoying a sick moment of listening to the Queen's screams, he did the same to her."

He shudders and downs the rest of his drink before carrying on, "Allura was screaming hysterically as she beat on the windows. I saw the Doom soldiers looking up at the windows so I grabbed her again and had to knock her out with my fist to stop her from fighting me. I ran with her to the depths of the castle and used the secret passageways to reach the caves."

Keith pulls the bottle away from Coran to refill his own glass, after downing it quickly he turns to Coran to ask, "What happened next?"

Coran looks back up to the pale faces of the men in the room before he responds, "When she first opened her eyes, she was completely catatonic. She would lie, curled into a ball, on the pallet I found for her. She wouldn't eat or speak, wouldn't respond to anything. I dreaded the thought that she might end up joining her parents in death from the shock."

He glances across the desk into Keith's eyes , "Can you imagine watching your parents die that way at the age of eight?" Keith sits there speechless for several moments before Coran speaks again, "Two days passed…on the third day I woke up to her touching my face as she smiled at me. I thought she must have somehow accepted what happened until she asked me where her parents were and informed me that she was hungry."

Keith listens to the gasps in the room before he speaks, "She repressed the memory…" At Coran nods, he asks, "So when did the night terrors start?"

Coran shudders before responding, "That night…she woke up screaming and fighting me. I guess I shouldn't say woke up, because she was still caught in the throes of her nightmare. I overpowered her and held her tightly until she fell back into a deep sleep." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "In the morning, she remembered nothing of the dream. They continued almost nightly for months, slowly it turned into once a week…then she would go for a month or two at a time without them, but they always came back. She has suffered from them on and off since the invasion."

Lance swears in the back ground as Keith asks, "You said you thought she was over them…why?"

Sighing, Coran closes his eyes for a moment, then looks Keith in the eye as he states, "She hasn't had one since you and your men showed up…I don't know why they stopped or what triggered this one."

Hunk speaks up in the background, "She needs help Coran…"

Before Coran can answer him, Keith asks, "Is the memory still repressed or does she know what happened?"

Coran wipes his moustache with his hand before responding, "Repressed…she knows that Zarkon killed her parents, but doesn't know the details or the fact that she witnessed it." His eyes almost plead with Keith, "I did the best I could to protect her…there were no doctors or psychologists to help her. Even now, we only have Dr. Gorma and he isn't knowledgeable about matters of the mind. I spoke to him about this when he returned."

Keith stands up, "You did what you could at the time Coran...but Hunk is right, Princess needs help."

Nodding in agreement, Coran stands as well, "I agree, but we must use discretion, the Arusian Council has just reformed and I do not want to give them a reason to think that Princess Allura is unfit to rule."

A bit irritated, Keith replies, "Very well, I'll call Galaxy Garrison and see if they have a doctor they can send that specializes in this kind of thing. It should be easy enough to justify needing one without stating specifically that it is Princess that needs the counseling. I'm sure that there are others on Arus that would benefit from having a doctor of this type around."

Coran smiles gratefully, "Thank you, Commander…"

Keith takes a deep breath before turning to the men in the room, "Let's get back to bed…morning drills are at 0900, after breakfast. Treat the princess as you always have and do not let her know anything about what was discussed here tonight."

At their nods, the group rises and leaves the room. Keith pauses before the door to look at Coran once more, "I hope this doesn't get any worse Coran…" and he leaves the room. Coran walks back to the bottle on his desk and pours himself another drink and gulps it down before replying to himself, "You and me both…Commander."