I have to admit I enjoy the idea from sunshineleo with Keith playing to Merla's lust. I might have to incorporate that later on. Oh the plot bunnies are running wild once again. No fear reader, things will be moving pretty quickly in the next few chapters. I'm really enjoying writing this. It is exactly what I needed after writing a more professional document for nearly half a year.

Anyway, glad you seem to enjoy the story thus far. And without further ado, chapter 7 coming at you. Enjoy!


"Now then," Merla began seeing that all was going as planned, "what I need from Arus is quite simple."

"Then why did you have to go to these lengths?" Lance asked as he and the guard members put their weapons away as requested by the blue-skinned woman.

"Come now Lance, don't feel put out." She smiled as she took the hand restraints that Keith carried in his belt and threw them at the Red Lion pilot. "I very much enjoyed our time together. And I know you're too smart to actually think I'm going to explain my reasoning for everything now. So be a dear and cuff yourself to those pillars, along with your guard members, of course."

"Merla you don't have to make this worse. I've already agreed to come with you." Keith spoke up, not liking having the majority of the best-trained guardsmen and women tied up and unable to move if Merla decided to start killing people.

"Relax, if I had wanted to massacre people, I wouldn't have gone to the lengths I have. I know what I risk by doing all this. And as a ruler with responsibilities, I must do what is best for my people. Just like you are now."

Keith remained silent thinking about the truth of her words. Things could be a lot worse. Thinking of his wife in the infirmary, fighting for her life and that of their unborn child, Keith knew that he would do almost anything to ensure they remained on Arus and safe. It appeared as if Merla didn't want Haggar's staff, nor was she interested in starting an all-out war with Arus. And yet, he didn't fully understand how having him at her side could benefit her. It was frustrating to say the least that he couldn't fully comprehend Merla's reasons.

"Now, I need your minister of political affairs present, if you would be so kind." Merla walked up to Keith and took his communicator from his belt. She shoved it in his chest and smiled. Taking the device from Merla, still kneeling on the top step near her feet, Keith spoke into the unit in a calm voice. His mind continued to wonder how this could positively play out for Merla, and why Coran, of all people, was needed for at this juncture.

"Also, if you would have my shuttle prepared and fully stocked. We do have a long trip ahead of us."

"Are you seriously kidnapping the King of Arus?" Lance asked from his seated position, tied to the other guards. "I kind of think that taking control of the castle, attacking the queen and now kidnapping a ruler of a planet looks a lot like an act of war to me."

"Ah, it may look that way to some… but I too know how to play at your more diplomatic games, remember? I brought along a little insurance." Opening a pouch attached to her belt, an official looking document appeared. The doors of the throne room opened slowly as Keith strained to see what was written on the parchment.

"Your majesty?" Coran looked around the room and found the guards tied up near a pillar, and Keith kneeling on the steps near the thrones with Merla.

"Just the man I needed to ensure that no one else will be injured." Merla motioned for the elderly advisor to come forward.

The survivor of many narrow escapes and hardships looked to Keith concerned on what to do. A nod from the serious looking man told him it was best to approach the pair and do as instructed.

"I wanted to ensure that my actions were not construed as an act of war. I need two high-ranking officials to sign a few little documents to ensure my people are not punished. This is not an act of war. I am simply making a few adjustments to the order of things. Now, if you will sign this Coran, I assume you carry the official seal of Arus?"

Looking at the queen before him, Coran didn't know what to make out of the situation. Quickly scanning the documents, he again looked at Keith for an order.

"Sign it Coran," Keith advised, "as long as we play nice Allura is safe, correct?"

"You have my word as someone who has also suffered under Zarkon and Lotor. I will take what I need and leave after tying up some loose strings. And speaking of strings… I do need you to sign this Keith." She handed the parchment to Keith once Coran had affixed the seal and looked at him with a serious, no-nonsense expression. "And with all these witnesses, it should be legally binding."

Taking the pen and papers, Keith turned his eyes to the document.

"Are you serious?" Keith couldn't help but let out a snort of disbelief after reading the first few lines of the paper.

"Sign it and read it," Merla's command held a deadly tone to it.

"I guess I'm getting divorced then." Keith gave Merla an annoyed look. "And resign all Garrison commissions and privileges. So I'm leaving Allura and retiring." His tone was not amused as he signed the document and reached for the seal of Arus from Coran.

"The hell?" Lance uttered not knowing what kind of ploy Merla was pulling.

"So, now that I am no longer an Arusian, soldier or even a citizen of Earth according to this, what are your plans?" Keith asked and then it clicked. "You really think that no one will come after you for all this just because my political ties have been severed?"

"I do enjoy your quick mind." Merla patted Keith on the cheek and motioned for him to put his hands behind him to be bound much like his friend and guards. "You are just too good to pass up Keith Kogane. You are partially correct, but all in good time. Now that the documents have been signed let's be on our way."

"The deal was to let Allura go," Keith replied as Merla pulled him to his feet and began to push him down the steps from the thrones.

"The phantoms in her mind have released her, but she isn't completely free quite yet. Until we get to our final destination, she will remain in the magical trance. So the sooner we go, the sooner she will be back to her normal sweet self. And that month old child growing inside her will not be threatened."

"Keith," Lance's voice spoke volumes of worry for his friend about to be taken yet again. "This is insane."

"Allura is all that matters Lance. Remember that." Keith said turning his head to look at his friend. "Keep her and Johnny safe."

"Merla, you gotta re-think this. Come on babe." Lance tried to get the woman to stop. "You're too smart to know that there isn't a document in all the universes that will stop us from coming after our friend."

"That just means I have to work faster to make it so there is nothing you can do to stop the wheels of fate from moving. Goodbye Lance, it really was fun while it lasted, but now it is time to get back to business."

The Queen of the Drules, holding Keith's arm, walked past the group of tied up guards and out of the throne room.

Merla found no resistance from the guards of Arus or the former king as they boarded the Drule shuttle. Once again the situation had changed so much in the last few hours. The mission of peace had been tainted and Keith's gut instinct on Merla was proving true.

Merla strapped Keith into a chair in the cockpit and pulled out a small vial of purple liquid.

"You'll have to sit tight for a while. Once we land, all will be explained. Until then, drink this and please don't consider yourself a prisoner."

Keith had to laugh at that statement. How could he not feel he was yet again a captive of Doom? While he much preferred the current situation to those of over a year ago, it was still similar.

His mind went back to Allura and how he should have seen this all coming. It made sense now - all the flirting, insinuations… he could pretty much guess what was in store for him if the force couldn't find him or he escape.

"I'm not thirsty." He knew that the contents were more than likely some kind of drug. If we were unconscious during their travels, it would make it all the more to his disadvantage once they got wherever they were going.

"It will help you go to sleep. I need you to sleep until we get to our destination. I offered it to you the other day and I assure you, it won't hurt you. But, if you won't take it freely, I guess I'll have to punish your former wife for your stubbornness." The look in Keith's eyes went from pure rage to submission. Merla smiled and opened the vial and poured the contents into her mouth before locking lips with Keith and slipping the liquid inside his mouth.

Her kiss continued, as he remained passive, his hands still tied behind him and restrained in the seat. Their eyes were locked on one another - she was playing with him, challenging him to see how long he could hold out. It was only when she pinched his nose and a few minutes passed that he gave in and swallowed the burning liquid.

"Happy?" He asked as she ran her fingers up and down his cheeks and neck.

"With you, always." She purred as she licked his lips. "You'll see Keith. You may not love me right now, but things will be good for us."

"I... doubt that... Mer...la." Keith felt his body instantly reacting to the drug. "I love... Ally... always A...lly"


The smell of incense was the first thing that came to Keith's attention as the fog cleared out of his mind. He felt relaxed and well rested- something that he had not been accustomed since before he entered the academy. How long had it been since he got a full night's sleep, he wondered and that lead to also trying to figure out how long he was asleep from the drug. If he felt this relaxed, he was either out for a good amount of time or the drug was still in his system. So many thoughts seemed to bombard him once his mind was awake.

Faint noises and soft music could be heard from around the room as he scrunched up his face, trying to remember what had happened before he opened his eyes or alerted those around him that he was awake.

Groaning from a throbbing headache, he slowly allowed the rest of his senses to kick in. It was then he realized he was on a silky plush mattress. There was a light breeze in the room that he could feel, which also told him that he was nearly naked.

In normal circumstances, waking up only in his birthday suit, or in his underwear would not alarm him too much. Allura and he often did fall asleep together nude, enjoying the feel of their exposed skin, but there was something off about the current situation.

Opening his eyes, Keith found himself looking up into a sheer green canopy. Though the fabric made for a more private area, he could still see out and into the room.

Similar fabrics were draped around the room, creating semi-private sleeping areas here and there in one large room. Several people walked freely around the room, some carried trays with pitchers and glasses. The majority were scantily dressed and just wandering the room. It almost felt as if they had nothing else to do – both men and women mingling and chatting.

Looking down at his attire, Keith felt awkward. Someone had taken his clothes and left him in a small short-like pair of underwear and a sheer white fabric that appeared to wrap around the back side of the shorts and meet up with a jeweled clasp along the waistband, centered below his belly button. It did nothing to cover the front of the tight shorts and Keith felt as if he was completely revealed for all to see. Gold ornate cuffs with jewels covered his wrists and ankles.

His appearance and those of the others in the room could only indicate his current location had to be a royal harem. Closing his eyes once more, he took a deep breath and quietly exhaled.

The dull throbbing in his head kept him from fully getting his bearings, no matter how many times he tried to do so. His limbs ached a bit as he started to move them as well – that was more than likely a side effect of whatever was in that liquid Merla gave him or possibly the incense in the room.

Summoning up his strength, he quietly sat up and moved to push back the green fabric surrounding the large mattress. He tried to not make it known that he was awake, using all the stealth he could muster. It seemed that the others in the room didn't notice, going about their normal activities, whatever that was when not servicing whoever owned or employed them. The traditions of these places, especially among royalty dated back for millennium, but that did little to alleviate the disturbing feeling he got when actually seeing them in person. Apparently on Arus the practice had long died out, much like on Earth. However, Doom was one of the many planets that continued to see them as an acceptable part of life for those with power.

Now, it seemed that he found himself smack dab in the middle of Merla's…

Slipping from the mattress and through an opening in the canopy, Keith found that the bed he was placed on was by far the largest in the room and on a raised platform. Crouching low, he quietly used the hanging curtains and fabric to hide and take in the room.

Scanning the walls, looking for the exit, he found what normally would be a welcoming mural of blue skies and lush gardens, but no doors.

In the center of the room was a deep fountain - or was it a pool, he didn't really know or care to find out- where several men relaxed in. Pillows, couches and several other of those canopy beds were scattered around the room as well as a small garden of sorts.

Keith certainly was not a prude, but seeing several of the room's occupants engaging in certain activities out in the open took him a moment to get back to the task at hand - locating escape routes.

In his momentary distraction, Keith had failed to sense a figure approaching him. Quietly a hand reached out to touch him on the shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

Startled and on the defensive, Keith turned and threw the individual to the ground without so much as a second thought or looking at his would-be attacker.


Allura laid on the ground of the prison that was her mind. The pains in her abdomen scared her. The blood that continued to slowly trickle down her leg terrified her.

"Keith…." She murmured wishing her husband was there. "I can't do this…"

The silence of the room seemed to surround her, adding to her confusion and defeatist mindset.

"Mommy…" A small voice called out from the darkness. "Mommy, where are you?" It came a little louder. Allura turned her head towards the direction of the sound.

"Who is there?" She asked, hoping for whatever was coming to be a friendly presence.

"It's me, Mommy." A small child appeared before her.

It was hard to see the figure in detail, the light it brought to the room hurt her eyes after being in the dim lighting for so long.

"I'll help you."

"What?" Allura once again had the feeling that she knew the child before her. The curly golden hair blended well with the light the child brought with it. Allura rolled onto her stomach and reached out for the child, hoping that it didn't change into something horrid like before, but still willing to try.

"You got rid of the scary lady... I can help now. Come on, Daddy and Johnny will be sad if you stay here. You've got to get up."

"Baby, it hurts…" The Queen of Arus whispered back after trying to move closer and her body was not complying.

"I know Mommy. We'll both be lost if we stay any longer."

The light surrounding the child flickered and a more urgent and worried voice kept coaxing her to move.

"We've got to help Daddy! Mommy, please!"


Allura sat upright with a gasp.

As she did, several nurses were there to keep her from jumping off the medical med. Doctor Gorma instantly came running into the room.

"Your majesty!" He smiled after getting the queen to lie back down. "You had us worried for a while."

"The baby…" She asked, her voice sounding panicked and full of pain.

"You need to relax. Take a few deep breaths." He instructed as Allura closed her eyes and tried to calm down, still a little unsure if this was yet another strange magic induced dream.

The light from around the child had become blindingly bright, and her desire to help the girl and save Keith had overpowered the magic that Merla hoped to keep her contained.

"Is the baby safe?" She asked again touching her abdomen, noticing the heavy and pained feeling subsiding.

"Yes, majesty. You both are fine. The stress of your ordeal had us worried. You need to rest." The doctor said in a calming manner, patting the women he looked to as a daughter on the shoulder.

"And Keith? Where is he? Oh gods, what happened?"

"Nurse, can you inform Coran and the commander that her majesty is awake?" The old man asked and the nurse left the room. "You were under some sort of magic spell. Similar, we believe, to when we thought you were dead."

"Haggar… and Merla… Doctor! We have to stop them." Allura tried to sit up again, knowing that she had to act quickly. There was no time to lose, she needed to warn Keith.

"Allura. Please. You need to lay down."

"Something bad is going to happen doctor. I need to stop it."

"You've done a great deal in making the situation better already." He replied once again fighting to keep her in bed. "Right now, I need you on complete bed rest for at least a day. Your body is still worked up from whatever you were fighting in your mind."

"Please… where is Keith?" She cried out needing to see him and know that she was back to the real world. Seeing the real Keith, the one with the kind eyes, and touch that could make her feel loved and safe all at once could take away this empty feeling.

"Doctor, her heart rate is going up again." A male nurse came up, handing the doctor a readout.

"Allura, this is not good for the baby. Please, you must calm down."

As Allura continued to struggle, a worried looking Coran entered, followed by Nanny, still holding the young prince.

"Allura. Thank the heavens." The old man sighed, tearing up that the queen had either defeated the powers of Doom or Merla had been true to her word, releasing the magic- either way, Allura was safe.

"Coran, what is going on?" Looking around the room, the ruler of Arus felt dread welling in her heart. The only thing that took her attention off the worried face of her oldest adviser was little Johnny turning his head and reaching his chubby hands towards her.

Coran and Nanny shared a look before both approached.

"Your majesty, it appears that Queen Merla, acting with Haggar did have alternate plans for her visit to Arus." The old man sighed once more, not knowing how to tell Allura the situation.

Merla and Keith had been gone for hours, their shuttle going off the radar soon after it left Arus' orbit. The tracker that each member of the force, staff and advisory council wore was not preforming as they all had hoped long range or with magical interference.

Pidge had since returned to the castle to begin tracking Keith by trying to boost the signal, leaving Hunk and Alex to watch the scientists as the mission continued down in Alfornia. Lance had since began contacting allies and putting out a galaxy-wide request for information. While they had not been fully honest with the whole of the situation, fearing it would cause instability among the alliance, the message to be on the lookout for the 'malfunctioning' ship with the leader of the Drules and other dignitaries was circulating.

Nanny handed the fussy infant to his mother, and Allura seemed to calm as she hugged her child to her chest. The news that Coran gave her had yet to sink in fully.

Merla was after Keith. His gut feeling had once again proven correct although there was little that could have been done to prevent any of this. Merla had definitely planned this day for a while. Using Haggar to help, then betraying the witch, didn't make Allura feel any better. If anything, it made another unknown variable in the mix that they would have to deal with later. In the end, Merla forced Keith to end ties with the alliance, and took him… Keith was gone.

The tears welled in her eyes as the baby in her arms continued to mumble happily not understanding what was going on around him.

"What are our options?" Allura asked wishing she could wake up from this newest nightmare, but unwilling to sit back and have the others take over.

She had kicked Merla out of her mind, and now she was dead set on getting her husband back.

"Merla cannot get away with this. That bitch thinks she can walk in here and take my husband, well she certainly did follow in Zarkon's footsteps by underestimating me..."


Allura in beast mode! I love it! The pieces keep coming together little by little. It might be a slight delay in the next upload. Mini-vacation ahead and not bringing the pc. Then again, I just might bring the baby computer or go old school and write on paper so I can pump out the massive cat fight that you all know is coming! So much excite!

Thanks again for the support and amusing comments!