Well, apparently the Council members had a lot of things to say, including (but not limited to)

a) Freeing prisoners of the Council was an offense punishable by death,

b) harboring a Galran fugitive was also punishable by death, and

c) assault on the Council's headquarters was also a capital crime.

Of course, eventually the Council ended with an ultimatum of 'Hand over the Galran scum you have in your possession, and we shall deign to let you live.'

Allura listened, keeping a polite, blank expression on her face until the Council finished. From their rigid stances of righteousness and confident expressions, it was clear they expected complete cooperation.

It might not have been completely diplomatic of her, but she took great satisfaction in what she said next.

"No," she said. "I don't think so."

The Head Council member - she didn't even bother trying to remember his name - sputtered and gasped in outrage, but she cut him off without any hint of apology or shame in her voice.

"Your people, " she said, and her tone was hard as diamonds, "hurt one of my Paladins - without aggravation, without cause, and without reason."

Another one of the pompous fools tried to interrupt her, but she continued, speaking in a low, flat voice that did not do the fires of anger in her eyes justice.

"If anyone should be demanding retribution," she said, "it should be me. I have a full schematic of your planet's defense systems. Were I truly part of the Galra Empire - or a sympathizer, as your actions seem to imply - I could blow your planet to dust in less time than I just spent explaining the concept to you. Our castle's shields are more than enough to protect us from any direct attack you might attempt, so your threats are empty as well as foolish."

Something - perhaps a long-dormant sense of self-preservation - seemed to kick in, and the Council remained quiet as she continued, reigning in her anger with an effort.

"But - as I'm sure you've noticed, we have not - permanently - harmed any of your people. We used force to rescue one of our own from a death you sentenced him to. We chose the path of peace, and you answered us with force."

Her scorn broke through then, and it was a withering thing to hear. "You claim to be different from the Galra, but all I see before me are cowards who are blinded by hate and fear."

She felt her hands begin to shake then, in rage and anger against their blind arrogance and self-righteousness.

"I lost much to the Galra. My family, my home, my solar system. If you dare compare my Paladin - or any of my allies - to the monsters who committed those crimes, I will stand against you with every fiber of my being."

She decided to end this conversation quickly, before the anger in her heart grew any hotter. Flicking hair out of her face, she said, crisply and coolly, "I shall give you three choices. Join the Voltron Alliance, and help us defeat the real monsters. Remain on your planet, and live out your lives as you see fit. Or - stay out of our way."

There was a moment of silence. One of the Council members spoke then. He seemed a little younger than the others. He sounded confused.

"You will not - you will not force us to join you?"

Allura felt her temper rise - oh, what she wouldn't give to slap one of those idiots - but years and years of practice, of training, of diplomatic experience paid off in that moment.

Instead of snapping back an answer, she shook her head, taking in a deep breath.

"That is not what we do," she said. "You are free to choose your course of action."

She felt her lips peel back in the beginnings of a snarl, and decided it was all right to let this display of temper show. This group of pompous fools needed to know she meant what she said next. She wanted the last thing she said to the Council to resound deeply throughout their tiny, bigoted minds.

"However," she said, and her voice had once again fallen into a deathly quiet. "If you harm any of my Paladins again, I can guarantee that you shall regret it."

Coran, sensing she had finished, stepped forward then, in the customary manner of a respected attendant, and said to the screen, "You may give us your answer by this time tomorrow."

Then, without any further niceties, he switched off the screen. Turning back to her, he said, with genuine sincerity, "Well, that went as well as could be expected. Well done, Princess."

After that, Allura found she needed to sit down. Coran helped guide her to a chair and offered to fetch her a glass of water.

She gratefully accepted his help. Her entire body was shaking - from relief, from the emotions coursing through her, and from the realization that she had just given an ultimatum to a planet.

She blew out a breath and brought her hands up to cover her face. It was an gesture she'd seen Pidge use.

She'd done a lot of things for the first time today.

From across the room, she heard a soft chuckle. She looked up and saw Shiro leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. He was smiling over at her.

"I couldn't help but overhear," he said. "I really liked how you handled that."

Allura felt a tired but happy smile cross her face. "Well, they had it coming to them," she said. "How is everyone? How is your leg?"

Shiro unfolded his arms and came into the room then, sitting down in a chair across from her. "They were all so tired, they just fell right asleep. They're going to be hungry in the morning, though."

Allura nodded. "I'm glad they're asleep - they need their rest." She paused before asking her second question again. "And…your leg?"

Shiro shrugged. "It's okay. Not great, but okay."

Just then, Coran came back into the room with a glass of water. As he handed it to Allura, he beamed over at Shiro, and said, in a kindly fashion,

"Oh, a few hours in a healing pod would heal that right up! Or we could -"

He stopped when Shiro shook his head. "Thanks, Coran, but I feel like I've spent too much time in those things lately - I'll just see how it is tomorrow."

Coran nodded, understanding crossing his face. "Fair enough - well, I'm off to check on a few things - the old Castle of Lions still needs a bit of love and care before I head off to bed!"

He waved cheerily at them and headed out of the room.

"Coran - do you need any - " Shiro asked, making to rise from his chair, but Coran waved him off, still beaming cheerily.

"No, no - I'l manage - you just rest up, both of you!"

Then he was gone, heading back down the corridors, humming something under his breath.

Shiro looked over at Allura. "What was all that about?" he asked, slightly confused.

Allura smiled into her mug. "I think - I think he's trying to give us some time together."

Shiro blinked. Some slight color came into his face then, and he ran a hand through his hair. "Oh - uh…right. Okay."

Allura felt her face heat up then, but it wasn't an awkward feeling, or a nervous one. Not exactly. Just - excited, and maybe a little bit humourous.

"I know," she said, "Dear old Coran has been trying to get me into some kind of - romantic relationship for - oh, my, it's been ages. Ever since I became eligible, actually."

Shiro looked over at her again, and suddenly he grinned - a real grin, not an awkward or embarrassed one.

"Really?" he said, and he sounded interested. "Sounds like Mrs. Holt. Uh - Pidge's mom," he added hastily as Allura looked a bit confused.

"Oh!" Allura nodded. "Did she - "

"Oh yeah," Shiro said. "All the time - but it was more friendly than pushy - you know?"

Allura nodded. "Oh, yes. Coran's never made it awkward. It's just - endearing, to know he cares."

Shiro chuckled. "Yeah, it is."

There was a moment of comparable silence between them then, a feeling that talk was pleasant, but not necessary, the two of them just simply enjoying the quiet and peace and safety of the moment.

Everyone was safe.

They were all right.

So let the Council decide what it would.

They had each other.

And at the end of the day, that's what really mattered.