I make no claims to Voltron or any WEP characters.
Origins: A Legend Unfolds: Chapter 9
A sigh escapes her as she feels his lips moving along the soft skin of her neck. Sitting in his lap with her legs wrapped around him, she grips onto his shoulders. His fingers move along her upper arms, teasing the soft skin as they move down. She feels her skin tingling with goose flesh and she whispers his name in his ear tenderly. His lips part and his tongue gently torments the skin under her ear as his hand shifts from her arm to caress her breast.
She moans softly as his expert fingers tease her nipple, driving it to harden. Her grip on his shoulders tightens as she leans back away from him. He kisses his way down her chest, reaching her hard nipples. Pulling one into his mouth, his tongue teases the tip then he suckles hard on it. A deep moan escapes her as he shifts to pay the other breast equal homage.
Her fingers move up to his hair, tugging on it in demand. He lifts his head, as she leans forward and meets his lips. Pulling her bottom lip between his, he nibbles on it then releases it only to deepen the kiss. Their tongues duel gently as their hands move over each other. She uses her fingernails to tease his nipples. He slips a hand between her legs, finding the passion slick folds of her core.
She gasps, her mouth open wide against his. Smiling against her lips, he kisses the corner of her mouth then slides a finger into her. His lips move back along her neck once more, as she moves her hips against his fingers. His other hand slides behind her, caressing her long hair then drifts down to cup her buttocks. Nearing the edge, she cries out, her head thrown back as she screams…
"LANCE!"
Opening her eyes, Maia sits upright in her bed as she gasps for breath. Her body still aches from the vivid dream as her mind relives it. Shaking her head at the dream, she whimpers, "No…I will not."
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Lance sighs as his eyes open then groans as his morning arousal throbs with need once more. Unbidden, his mind immediately brings up the image of Princess Maia and he feels his arousal throb even harder. Groaning in irritation, he throws back the covers and slowly makes his way to the bathroom, "Time for a cold shower…"
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Leaving his bedroom, Keith makes his way down the compound hallways in an attempt to find his way to the dining room. Pausing when he becomes lost, he rubs at the bandage on his forehead then turns down another hallway. Finally spotting the double doors at the end along with the portraits that line the hallway leading to the dining room, a relieved sigh escapes him.
Walking into the room, he finds the others have already gathered. Keith nods to them as he finds his seat at the table. Sven smiles at him as he says, "Good morning. How's the head today?"
"Better than it was yesterday," he replies then looks over at Hunk and Pidge. "Did Lance fill you in on retrieving the key to Red lion?"
"Yes," Pidge replies, "He told us how you got your key as well. I think you got off easy," a smirk firmly planted on his face.
Keith snorts then states, "Be that as it may, you will need to be ready for anything when you go after your keys."
They stop talking when they hear footsteps nearing the door. The advisor walks in and greets the entire group, "Good morning men. Princess Allura is to spend the day resting, so will not be joining us. After breakfast, we can meet to discuss our day's activities."
Nodding, Keith looks at the others, "Very well."
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Finishing his breakfast before everyone else, Keith rises while saying, "I'm going to check on Princess Allura before the meeting." Coran looks up curiously then nods to him in response before returning to his meal. Leaving the dining room, he makes his way down the hallways of the compound. Reaching his destination, he knocks softly on the door. He waits until he hears the soft female voice calling for him to enter then walks into Allura's bedroom. Moving across the small room, he finds her sitting up in the bed with a book in her hands, her injured knee propped up with pillows and what looks to be a bag of ice lying across it.
Keith smiles at her as he sits down in the chair placed across from her bed for visitors and says, "Good morning, your Highness."
She nods to him but does not return the smile as she sets the book aside. He studies her closely, taking note of the light bruise on her forehead where the guard had hit her. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, Keith asks, "How are you feeling this morning?"
Allura shrugs but finally responds to him, "My knee is swollen, hurts horribly and I have a slight headache. Dr. Gorma has ordered me to stay off my feet for today."
"I understand the headache," Keith smiles at her, "I still have one of my own." He points up to the bandage on his forehead. When she does not respond, he sighs. "Look Princess, I know we got off to a bad start and that was my fault. I've been told I make a terrible patient and tend to be irritating, and have a bad temper when I'm injured." He stops then looks her in the eye as he finishes, "I'm sorry. I was a complete ass yesterday."
A smile finally creeps across her face as she nods at him then replies, "I was not at my best yesterday either. I responded poorly to your…request…to remain behind." Allura pauses, her eyes moving over him when she states, "I do not react well to men giving me orders."
Laughter erupts out of Keith as he nods at her in response. She smiles back at him then it falls off her face. Looking away, Allura says, "Look, Commander Kogane, while I appreciate what you did for me yesterday, that does not mean I am going to walk away and let you take over my kingdom."
"Princess Allura…" he stops for a moment then starts again, "I have no intention of taking away your right to rule here. However, we do need to work together. Perhaps, I can share my knowledge of military strategy with you and you can teach me diplomacy and tact."
It is Allura's turn to laugh and she nods at him, "I would like that very much."
Keith smiles at her then rises, "I need to get going. We are meeting with Coran soon to go over the order in which we will visit the other kingdoms. I just wanted to check on you and apologize for my poor behavior yesterday."
"Thank you," she replies then adds, "Good luck with the rest of the keys."
Nodding, the commander replies, "We will get them Princess, have no fear."
Allura watches him go then sighs as she looks toward her virtual window. Blue skies and sun shine through them back at her. After picking up the book she had been reading before the commander had arrived, she holds it in front of her unseeingly. She whispers a small prayer, "Please let them be the ones…"
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Walking into the conference room, Keith finds the advisor studying him as he asks, "How is the princess?"
"She is fine," he responds then looks over at the rest of the men. "Ok, two keys down, three to go and the glider only holds so many people."
"Yes, so does that mean those of us without keys are going and you are staying behind today? Maybe get a bit of rest?" Sven questions lightly with a smile on his face.
Keith glares at his second-in-command for his imprudence then replies, "Yes, Lance and I will remain behind." He turns his gaze to Coran, "What order are you going in?"
The advisor pulls up a map on the video screen behind him as he replies, "I think we will start with Wind Kingdom. Actually, I think we will need one of you along that has a key. Though we rarely have contact with them, they have people guarding the lion. The man in charge is rather unpleasant. I do not think he will allow us to try for the key to Green lion unless he can see the mark on your hand and the key to one of the other lions."
"Damn," Lance mutters then looks over at Hunk and Pidge, "That backseat is going to be very tight…"
Keith nods then states, "You're going Lance. I think I proved yesterday that with my head injury, riding in that glider is a bit too much for me right now."
"How bad?" Sven suddenly demands, his eyes narrowed on the commander.
"I'm all right Sven, just a persistent headache this morning."
Coran clears his throat, "I think we would all feel better if you would allow Dr. Gorma look you over again, Commander."
Sighing, Keith gives in as he replies, "Very well." He changes the subject back to the lions, "Assuming you succeed in Wind Kingdom, where to next?"
"The final two kingdoms do not guard their lions, so I do not foresee any problems accessing their caverns. However, Earth Kingdom is closer to Wind Kingdom than Water Kingdom is, so we will go there next," Coran informs them as he looks up at the map.
Twenty minutes later after they had finished discussing the possible trials, Keith stands up as he says, "Good luck men."
The other four nod at him with Sven, Hunk and Pidge looking none too confident as they leave the conference room. Coran walks up to him, "Since you are staying behind, will you do me the favor of watching over her Highness today? She gets rather impatient with bed rest."
Keith manages not to smile as he answers, "I'll check in on her from time to time, yes."
"Thank you Commander," Coran replies then walks out of the room.
Waiting until the door to the room closes behind the older man; Keith finally sits back down in a conference room chair and holds his head with his hands. Closing his eyes, he wills the pounding in his head to ease.
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An hour later in the glider, Pidge sits in silence as the others talk, his mind on the possible trial to gain a lion key. A sudden thought occurs to him and he asks, "Lance, why were you the one that went after the key to Red lion?"
"It's a feeling you get," replies Lance, looking sideways at him, then he sighs, "I don't understand it, but the minute I looked at that lion, I knew it was mine." Pidge nods in understanding then goes back to his musings as the others continue to talk around him.
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They reach Wind Kingdom thirty minutes later and stop in front of two, large closed doors. Pidge follows Lance out of the vehicle and watches the advisor walk up to the doors to pound on them. They open a moment later to find two soldiers standing on the inside, blasters in hand, as they look them over. The eldest one glances at Pidge then looks back at the advisor, "You are welcome Coran, but I do not know the rest of the men with you."
"Yes, they are here from Galaxy Garrison on Princess Allura's request. They want to try to procure the key to Green lion," Coran responds then waits.
The man snorts in derision as he retorts, "No one can get that key…"
"Perhaps…" Coran interjects then adds, "If you would contact Master Barden to give us access, I would be most appreciative."
Nodding, the man gestures to the younger man next to him. He takes a comm. unit from his belt and steps away from the group as he talks into it. The younger man returns a moment later to say, "Barden says to escort them to the lion cavern, he will deal with them there."
"Well, there you have it," Coran cheerfully states then he gestures to the older man, "If you will lead the way."
The man releases a snort of disdain then gestures for them to follow him. Pidge glances back when the sound of the doors closing echoes in the tunnel and finds the other man following behind him, gun held at ready. Repressing his instinct to take the weapon away, he looks over at Hunk to find an agitated look on his face as well. He hears Sven speaking quietly from the other side, "Easy…do not provoke a fight…yet."
Pidge nods in understanding then his attention is drawn to the lion cavern as they enter it. His eyes travel up the length of the Green lion and he feels a pull toward it from within him. He cannot tell if the voice in his head is his own or another's as he hears, 'Mine…Green lion is mine.' His eyes travel away from it to the door off to one side. A lion with the symbol of wind wrapped around it is engraved on it. Before he can move in that direction, he hears, "Coran Montrane, why do you bring strangers into Wind Kingdom?"
"We have come for the key to Green lion, Barden," the Storm Kingdom advisor starts to say only to be interrupted, "No one can get that key. Many have died trying." Small in stature but broad in the chest and legs, Barden has short cropped, brown hair and narrow eyes. He looks from Coran to the men behind him as he adds, "Return to Storm Kingdom and take the strangers with you."
As Barden turns to walk away, Coran goes after him, "Please wait. We have come so far and I know one of these men can do it." The other man turns back to him, "How? You of all people know it is impossible to get the keys to the lions. How many men have died trying for the key to Black lion?"
"I don't know Mister, but I know it can be done." Lance steps forward holding up the key to Red lion, "Since I already have the one to Red. My commander has the one to Black lion."
Barden incredulously looks at the key in Lance's hand then turns his attention back to Coran when he hears, "That is not all, Lance, please show him the mark on the back of your hand."
Taking a deep breath, the lieutenant steps closer and turns his hand over, showing the mark tattooed into the skin for the Fire Kingdom. Barden grabs Lance's hand and examines it closely as he utters, "Impossible…"
Lance rips his hand away from the man as he retorts, "It isn't…"
"Please Barden, I know you recognize the mark," Coran steps forward as he adds, "It is the mark of the Fire Kingdom's king."
Pidge studies the confused look on the man's face then steps forward, "I can do this."
The other two members of the party that had been silent until that moment share a surprised glance as Lance turns to him, "You got the feeling?"
Nodding, Pidge looks away from them and back at the door, "I need to go in there." As he turns to look back at Barden, his gaze stops on someone hiding in the shadows behind the lion. The figure takes a step closer in her attempt to observe the proceedings and Pidge can make out a small frame and features with long, dark hair and green eyes. She reminds him of a fairy before her eyes widen in alarm when she finds him staring at her and steps back into the shadows, disappearing.
Forcing his attention back to the situation, Pidge meets Barden's gaze once more, "I know I can do it sir. Please allow me to try."
Barden holds his gaze then coming to a decision, nods. "Very well, if you want to risk your life, I will not be the one to stop you." He gestures toward the door on the other side of the room, "After you…"
Taking a deep breath, Pidge shares a look with his teammates then starts walking toward the door. Reaching it, he reaches for the handle and hears the roar of a lion. Startled, he glances back to find an apprehensive look on Sven and Hunk's faces and an encouraging one on Lance's. The lieutenant smiles at him as he says, "You can do this Pidge…I know it."
Feeling bolstered, Pidge returns the smile then firmly grabs the handle. Opening the door, he quickly walks inside before he can change his mind. He stops abruptly as the door closes behind him and he takes another deep breath. Slowly walking into the chamber, Pidge looks around the dimly lit room to find very little visible. The room's walls consist of rock and he can barely make out the symbol of the Wind Kingdom carved into the floor in front of him. He steps forward then freezes when he hears, "What do you seek?"
Fighting to keep the trembling out of his voice, Pidge replies, "The key to Green lion."
"For what purpose?" the deep voice inquires.
"I wish to protect Arus and its people from Planet Doom," Pidge responds as he keeps looking around the room, waiting for something to happen. Silence fills the room for several long moments before the voice says, "Many have tried for the key to Green lion, none have succeeded. What makes you think you shall?"
"I do not know," Pidge replies then adds, "But I feel the need to try."
"Very well, but it will take more than strength to reach your goal," the voice states calmly.
Resisting the urge to ask what it will take, Pidge instead says, "I know." He looks around the room once more, waiting for something to happen when he spots a light at the far end of the room suddenly shining. Sitting up on a high ledge, the light shines on the key to Green lion.
Glancing from side to side and finding no danger, Pidge steps forward. A light wind suddenly fills the room, brushing his hair off his shoulders. The youngest member of the Garrison troops stops, his gaze moving about the room again as he thinks, 'This is it? Perhaps I will get off easy like Keith did.' He takes another step forward and the speed of the wind rises.
Holding up a hand to protect his face, Pidge keeps walking forward, with each step the speed of the wind increases. He feels the wind pulling at his clothes and soon he is fighting to take the smallest step forward as the force of the wind pushes him back. He finally falls backward against its might and slides all the way back to the door, hitting it with a hard thud. Gritting his teeth against the gale force still pounding at him, Pidge struggles to stand up and tries to walk forward again. Instantly, he is pushed back against the door once more.
Rising, he looks about the room but there is nothing to aid him forward. No ropes, no cracks in the walls or floor to hang on to, nothing. His mind searches for a solution when Pidge suddenly remembers what Coran had told him the day before; each king valued a different trait. His gaze moves up to the ledge containing the key as he remembers the voice's statement that it would take more than strength and a smile crosses his face.
Turning his back to the wind, Pidge takes a step backward away from the door then holds his hands out away from his sides. Saying a little prayer and closing his eyes, he falls backward but does not land on the floor. Opening his eyes, Pidge looks out the corners to find himself floating forward on the breeze. The wind surrounding him now a warm, gentle caress that runs through his hair, over his face and along his body as it carries him toward the ledge and the key to Green lion.
Feeling his feet landing on the surface of the ledge, the wind suddenly dies around him. Pidge looks around and spots the key to the lion once more. Before he can reach for it, a ghostly ball of light appears in front of him. The voice from earlier comes out of it, "Congratulations my young friend. Only someone who had faith in his fate could have reached this ledge. The key is yours."
The ball of light fades away and Pidge reaches for the key. As he touches it, a bright light shines around him and he feels an energy go through him. When the light fades, he finds the key to Green lion in his palm and the symbol of the Wind Kingdom tattooed into the back of his hand. Jumping off the ledge, Pidge lands on the floor with a smile on his face as he runs across the room to rejoin his friends.
