I probably would have posted this sooner, but I had lost what I had printed out to work on and the motherboard on my laptop broke (not my fault!). What's even worse, is everything I have worked on with this story and others is still trapped on the harddrive of my laptop. I'm in the market for a motherboard, just have to wait to purchase it and then I hopefully will be back on the road to success. For those keeping tabs on me, yes, I'm doing well in my college classes and am even taking a summer course, which I'm not sure was such a good idea, but I have to take this(these) class(es). But, hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you for sticking with me!
I make no claims to Voltron or any WEP characters.
Duvessa was up early. She'd packed her things before the ball, so all she needed to do was shower, dress, and talk to Allura as she'd promised before leaving. Once she finished with the first two, she picked up her things and headed down to Allura's office, knocking softly.
"Come in," Allura called.
Duvessa opened the door, walking in and setting her things down by it. "Good morning, Allura."
Allura stood, walked around her desk and met Duvessa halfway across the room. "Are you sure about doing this?"
"You have that conference to go to with Coran today. I can handle a little ceremony," Duvessa assured her.
"Should I have Lance go instead of Keith?"
Duvessa grimaced and shook her head. "No, Allura. Lance is an active duty pilot, Keith isn't. if something were to happen, we'd need Lance in Red. It will be bad enough that I am going to be away from the castle, and you off world, but the Cadets can cover and, if needed, come get Keith and I. And, really, Keith and I will only be gone two days and you'll be home tomorrow. Everything is going to be fine."
Allura shook her head, not completely convinced. "After last night…"
"Allura, nothing happened last night. I was tired," Duvessa hedged, earning a look from Allura. She sighed. "Really, it's all right. We're adults, we can figure things out."
Allura sighed, knowing this argument was lost. "All right. Just be careful?"
Duvessa nodded. "We will. Now, don't you need to get to the hangar4 to meet Coran?" she teased with a smile.
Allura laughed. "Yes, and so do you," she stated and they both collected their bags and headed for the hangar.
They walked from Allura's office down to the hangar where they found Coran and Keith already waiting.
Coran turned at the sound of their footsteps as Keith straightened. "Your Highnesses," Coran stated with a smile.
"Good morning, Coran," Allura stated with a bright smile. "Keith."
"Good morning, Allura," Keith answered with a nod. "Duvessa."
Duvessa nodded. "Good morning," she echoed. She looked to Coran and Allura. "Do have a safe journey and return soon."
"We will, Princess," Coran assured her. "And the two of you, be safe as well, please?"
Duvessa nodded as Keith answered. "We will, Coran. See the two of you later."
Allura and Coran disappeared into their Fractal.
Duvessa turned to the Fractal they were taking and climbed aboard, stowing her things as Keith closed the ramp. She moved to the front, surprised to see him in the co-pilot's seat. "I told you that I would let you fly today," she stated quietly.
He looked up at her, startled. "I thought after my remarks last night you would change your mind."
She shook her head. "No, I keep my word. You can fly, Keith."
He nodded, moving to the other seat as Duvessa slid into the seat he'd just vacated. "All right. Pre-flight," he stated.
Duvessa's fingers flew over the control panel before her and, as Keith watched, the pre-flight checks were quickly checked off green. "Pre-flight complete," she stated. She looked to him. "Whenever you're ready, Keith."
He grinned and shook his head. "All right. Let's get moving," he stated, powering up and taking off.
The silence was almost deafening as they flew, neither one willing to break it.
"Duvessa?"
"Yes, Keith?"
"Are you all right?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
"That's not exactly what I meant."
Duvessa turned her gaze to him. "Then what do you mean, Keith?"
Keith sighed, setting the auto pilot. He turned and looked at her. "I know I upset you last night. I was only trying to be honest with you."
She frowned, glancing away. "I know. It – it was rather disturbing to hear you tell me that you didn't trust me at first after you woke from cryostasis. I – I had to stop and pull myself back and try to see it from your point of view. Given the circumstances and what you've been through, I can see how you could have thought that, even with your own recordings saying the opposite. Yes, it did upset me. Shocked me even, but I can understand it."
He watched her, frowning. "You're – very forgiving."
She looked up at him, a faint shine of tears in her eyes. "Keith, I can't stay mad at you. I – I know you remember nothing of our relationship, but I can't just turn my love for you off. It doesn't work that way. And, that is a large part of why I get so uncomfortable and nervous around you. You don't remember anything and I…"
Keith nodded as she trailed off, still frowning. "I'm not the only one my amnesia is hurting."
She pressed her lips into a firm line, blinking back tears as she nodded curtly, not trusting her voice.
The auto pilot beeped and Keith turned back to the controls, taking over as they circled the village that was hosting the celebration. He carefully landed in the open field outside of town and began shut down.
Duvessa stood and moved to the back as he powered the craft down. She angrily wiped at her eyes, fanning her face, hoping that her eyes wouldn't be red and upset before she greeted the village elder.
Keith sat in his seat for a few moments after he'd finished the power down procedures, knowing she needed a few minutes alone and letting his own mind process what she'd just said to him. He noted a crowd gathering outside and slowly got to his feet, moving to the back to collect his things.
Duvessa looked up as he came into the rear compartment. "I apologize, Keith."
"Don't," he murmured. "I understand. Let's get moving. The elders are gathering outside and are expecting us."
Duvessa nodded and pasted a smile on her face. "Right. We have a duty to perform."
He waited until she'd gathered her things, then opened the cargo doors, stepping out into the sunshine to greet the elders.
"Princess! Commander! Welcome to Altuna," the village elder stated, bowing. He walked forward and shook their hands. "We are most honored to have you join us for the celebration! To have the legendary Black Crown back…" He trailed off, tears in his eyes.
Duvessa blushed. "It is an honor to be here, Elder Guinn," she stated with a smile.
"Come, Your Highness and Commander. Let's get you to your quarters and you can freshen up before the ceremonies begin," Guinn stated and led the way to the village as some of his aides offered to take their luggage for them.
Duvessa and Keith turned over their things and followed alongside Guinn as he talked about the village and various landmarks.
Some children ran up to Duvessa and handed her some flowers.
She squatted down and smiled. "Thank you, they're beautiful."
"Just like you are, Princess," one of them whispered shyly.
She smiled at the little girl who'd said that. "Oh, thank you. You're beautiful, too. All three of you are." She carefully smelled the flowers and beamed back at the girls. "Thank you so very much."
The girls curtsied and ran off.
Duvess watched them go as she stood. She turned back to the others, seeing Guinn beaming proudly and Keith softly smiling at her. "Apologies, Elder Guinn."
"Oh, please, no, Your Highness. It is such a great beauty to see the Royal House listening to the youth of our village," Guinn assured her. He bowed to her. "Thank you for such a sight."
Duvessa nodded. "You're welcome," she whispered, her cheeks flushed.
"Come, your accommodations are this way," Guinn stated and headed towards a local bed and breakfast.
Keith and Duvessa were taken inside and shown to their rooms, Guinn's aides dropping off their luggage.
"The festivities will start in about three hours, so please, relax, refresh, and we will see you then," Guinn stated and left the building.
Duvessa looked to Keith. "Are you all right?" she asked softly, concern in her eyes.
He nodded, a smile on his face. "I'm fine, Princess," he assured her.
She nodded back. "You've just been quiet."
He chuckled. "I would let you know if I wasn't all right. Besides, trying to keep my eyes out for any potential threats to your safety."
She smiled. "I don't say it enough, but thank you."
He moved over to her and lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back of her hand. "I will protect you to the best of my ability, Duvessa. And Guinn was right. It was a beautiful sight seeing you talking to those girls. They will never forget that."
Duvessa blushed and swallowed hard, her heart hammering in her chest. Gods, it never fails to make my heart race when he says such things to me. I just wish his damn memories would return. "Thank you. I will, um, I will go and prepare for the opening ceremonies. See you after awhile?"
He nodded, releasing her hand.
She stepped back, turned, and left the room, doing her best not to run or look like she was running, as much as she wanted to. It was either run or do something that would make him feel terribly awkward, and she didn't need that on this trip.
Coran looked over at Allura, who had gone silent, her gaze focused on the stars as they flew by on their way to their conference. "Princess, is everything all right?"
Allura startled out of her thoughts, turned her attention to him. "I apologize, Coran. Just worried about Keith and Duvessa."
"They are both competent pilots and skilled warriors, Princess. They will be fine, I'm sure," Coran assured her.
Allura smiled softly. "That's not exactly why I'm worried about them, Coran."
"Oh?"
Allura sighed. "His memories haven't returned yet and last night at the ball he told her he had suspected her of being a spy and apologized for it, but she left early. I think it may have upset her, but she wouldn't admit it."
"Well, they are adults," Coran mused. "Perhaps they can still work things out."
Allura sighed again. "I certainly hope so, Coran. I would hate to see them avoiding each other."
"Has Doctor Gorma said anything else about his memory not returning?" Coran asked.
"Not much, really. The brain is a complicated organ and there is no telling when or if his memory will return to him. It pains me to see Duvessa pining over him and him with no memory of her and their love," Allura whispered.
Coran nodded, a sad look on his face. "If it is meant to be, it will be. Give them time, Allura."
Allura wiped a tear from her eye. "I know. It's difficult sometimes. I just want them to be happy and together."
Coran smiled. "I know you do, however we should discuss our plans for this conference."
"Yes, of course. My apologies, Coran," Allura stated. She pulled out her datapad and faced him, beginning to discuss their hopes and plans for this conference.
Duvessa and Keith met Elder Guinn outside the bed and breakfast and followed him to the celebration site along the river. It seemed that the town's population had tripled for the celebration with all the tourists in town for it.
"Security is going to be a lot harder than I thought," Keith murmured softly as they stood near the stage, awaiting introductions to begin.
Duvessa nodded. "Their security forces will do what they can. If anything happens, we will need to be ready to defend ourselves. We aren't exactly helpless."
Keith looked at her. "I know. I just wasn't expecting there to be this much of a crowd."
She smiled at him. "It is a very popular legend," she murmured. "It always has been."
Elder Guinn made a speech, welcoming everyone to the opening ceremonies of the celebration. "And with us, celebrating this legend with us, someone thought lost to time, please welcome Her Royal Highness, Princess Duvessa of Arus!" he called as applause erupted through the crowd. He held his hand out towards her as Duvessa climbed the stairs.
Keith waited by the stage as Duvessa gave a brief speech and officially opened the celebration to loud applause. Then she rejoined him.
He smiled at her. "Nice and short."
Duvessa laughed softly. "They're here to have fun and celebrate. A long speech would spoil that."
"So, what do we do now?" Keith asked, noting that the elders were on the far side of the stage, seemingly absorbed in some other conversation.
"We don't have anything to do until tomorrow and the actual reenactment of the legend," she stated. She waved around at the various vendors and exhibits around them. "I suppose we could…mingle and enjoy ourselves?"
Keith nodded as he looked where she had indicated. "I suppose we could if you'd like." He offered her his arm.
Duvessa carefully took his arm and walked with him through the town, sampling food, occasionally purchasing wares from other vendors. As the night progressed, they were talking and laughing, their awkwardness around each other lessening.
They finally ended up in front of the bed and breakfast where they were staying, both smiling and laughing softly. Duvessa sat down on one of the chairs in front of the building. "Oh, what a wonderful night," she whispered, smiling up at the moons in the sky before turning her gaze back to him.
Keith smiled as he leaned against one of the posts that held the roof of the porch. "Yes, it is a good night," he agreed. "Did you have fun?"
She nodded. "Yes, thank you. Did you?"
"Yes," he answered with a nod of his own. "I don't remember the last time I enjoyed myself like this."
She stood and moved over to him. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," she stated, her voice soft.
He caught her free hand in his, brought it to his lips, and kissed the back of it, his eyes locked with hers. "And I'm glad you did, too. It feels like the two of us are more relaxed around each other now."
Duvessa nodded in agreement. "I noticed that, too." She gently worried her lower lip briefly. "Well, I suppose we should get to bed. We have things to do tomorrow."
Keith nodded, but made no move to go inside.
Duvessa watched him silently, worry beginning to nag at her mind. "Keith?"
He slowly straightened and touched her cheek. "It would be so easy," he whispered.
"Easy to what?" Duvessa asked, curious.
Keith took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Nothing." He picked up their purchases from the day and moved to the door, opening it for her.
Duvessa watched him in silence for a few moments longer, then walked inside towards their rooms. She paused outside her room, taking her things from him. "Thank you. I did have fun tonight."
He nodded. "You're welcome and I'm glad. Good night, Duvessa."
She smiled. "Good night, Keith," she echoed, then went into her room, closing her door softly.
Keith looked at her door for a few moments before going into his own room. He leaned back against the door and stared up at the ceiling. It would be so easy to fall in love with her…again. But, I want my memories back. It wouldn't be fair to her. He sighed and set his things down by his luggage, pulled his boots off, and prepared himself for bed.
Lotor stood in his throne room staring at a holographic projection of Arus as Maahox walked into the throne room, Sylvan behind him. "What now, Maahox?"
"My Lord, I understand tomorrow is a day of celebration on Arus," Maahox purred.
Only Lotor's eyes moved to him. "Yes. What of it?"
"The Love Bridge?" Maahox quizzed. "Perhaps your princess will be in attendance."
Lotor grunted. "She usually does, yes, but those meddling fools of the Voltron Force are usually right there with her."
"Perhaps we could send our newest pet down amongst them, lure her away, and kidnap her?" Maahox hinted, waving a careless hand towards Sylvan.
Lotor finally turned to fully face them as Sylvan smiled, his eyes flashing purple for a moment. "You infused him with some of MY Haggarium?"
"It will make him harder for the Force to apprehend him and he can, most likely, take a couple of the fools down if necessary," Maahox stated, unphased by Lotor's anger. "However, if you have given up on attempting to make Allura your bride, what is stopping you from destroying Arus and Voltron?"
Lotor snarled. "Make ready my ship. We leave for Arus immediately."