Disclaimer: WEP owns Voltron and all its characters.

Beta: Thanks again to Dawn! I think she may be having second thoughts...

This is the second installment in my "Chivalry" arc. 1. Chivalry, 2. Lion House Restored

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is DotU in flavor but is AU in some ways.

Chapter 10

Opening his eyes, he saw that they were outdoors in an area dotted with pastures and forest. Seeing that there was no immediate danger, he pushed back from Allura. "That was incredibly foolish, Allura." His tone was stern.

She had held on to him as long as he would let her. When he pushed away, she knew that he would be in his 'commander mode' and scold her. Well, scold was probably too gentle of a word for what she expected. She looked him in the eye and retorted, "Well, I learned from the best. I would say hiding the fact that you are having visions from your friends is foolish." Her tone was fierce and determined. "Remember, Keith, I fought for you at the Challenge. I CAN help you."

"Don't try to compare what I did to what you-" Keith broke off in mid-sentence of the dressing down he was going to give her. The sound of voices, clanking metal, and horses could be heard through the trees to his left.

Allura moved in the direction of the sound, and Keith reached out to grab her arm. Stopping her, he pointed in her face and said, "Stay behind me and don't get involved. Do you understand?" When she didn't answer, he tightened his grip on her arm and ignored the daggers she was shooting at him from her eyes.

When she answered, it was through gritted teeth, "I understand, Commander."

Dropping her arm, he moved in the trees and didn't look back to see if she followed. He trusted her to be there. He hadn't liked the tone he had taken with her, but he was scared out of his wits that she was here. He needed her to follow his directions precisely.

They had gone about thirty yards with the noises increasing as they neared the event. The sounds indicated a skirmish of some sort, and though the spirits had altered his and Allura's clothing to fit in, they hadn't provided any weapons. When they exited the tree line, Keith took one look before him and turned to pin Allura in place with a glare and one word. "Stay."

Allura's eyes flashed at the word and tone that he used, but she was willing to give him some leeway. This time. She had come to help and not be a distraction or a burden. She would stay for now, but if he were in trouble, then all bets were off.

Keith moved at a jog and surveyed the scene in front of him. The teenager from his vision stood brandishing a broadsword while five older men circled him with swords and staffs. The teenager wore a Lion House tunic, but the men surrounding him wore no identifying house. Keith saw several bodies on the ground, two of which bore the Lion House crest. Horses were milling to the side, and it appeared to Keith that the party from Lion House had been ambushed. Details would have to wait as he grabbed a staff that lay near a body and continued on toward the still unsuspecting group.

The group was so intent on harassing the boy, that a warning cry was issued only a moment before Keith used the staff to vault himself into one of the unknown attackers.

One down, four to go, Keith thought as he used his momentum to spin and deliver a roundhouse kick taking out another attacker. Using the staff, Keith knocked a charging assailant's legs from under him and then cracked him on the skull with the staff. Three down. The remaining two men circled Keith warily with their swords out in front of them.

Keith gave a quick glance at the young man whose sword now hung from his hand at his side. He was breathing heavily, but looked like he was going to join back in the fight. "Stay where you are, I've got this."

The larger of the two men grunted at Keith's comment and rushed at him but Keith parried the blows with the staff and spun, giving the man a blow to the back. While that fellow was stumbling and trying to regain his balance, the second man made his charge. Moving the staff in a series of quick moves that confused his opponent, Keith brought the staff down hard on the man's sword wrist. An audible snap was heard and the man cried out in agony and dropped to his knees. Turning to the remaining upright man, Keith asked, "Why were you attacking this young man and his party?"

The man altered his grip on his sword and spat out, "None of your damn business, outlander. You should stick to your own matters and leave other people's affairs alone."

The two were now carefully circling each other. Keith watched for an opening, but the man was being extra cautious. Tired of the delay tactics, Keith initiated a series of moves with the staff. His opponent deflected each blow or moved out of range, but Keith could tell that the man was tiring. Finally, in an effort to evade a blow, the man stumbled and fell to the ground.

Keith placed the end of the staff in the center of the man's chest and called over his shoulder, "What do you want to do with them?"

The young man was still breathing heavily as he walked over to stand by Keith. His sword was still in his hand and hanging at his side. "We will take them back to Lion House, and they will have to account for their actions." Looking in awe at the man holding the staff, he asked, "Who are you and where did you learn to fight like that?"

Neither of them had noticed the approach of the beautiful woman, and so they were both startled when Allura answered the question. "His name is Akira and he has been training like that for years in the southernmost province of Karta." She saw the boy nod, and then knowing that they weren't to use their real names, she said, "My name is Eleanor. What's yours?"

"Doren."

Keith interjected, "Now that the introductions are done, we need to find some rope to tie up the men who are conscious and tie the others to the horses."

Doren stood entranced at the vision before him. Eleanor was nothing like the maidens he knew. She walked with confidence and grace, and then there was her beauty. "Of… of course," he stuttered.

When Doren moved away, Keith spared a glance at 'Eleanor.' He could easily understand why Doren was almost speechless. Allura was dressed in similar clothing to his– black knee boots (of a feminine cut), black pants, shirt, and a tan tunic (which was knee length). Most women of the era probably didn't wear clothing like this.

Allura pulled her hair around to the side and braided it into a long plat that fell across her chest. "Is there anything I can do, Akira?"

"Go see if there are some weapons that you and I can use. We'll need them." From the corner of his eye, he saw Doren returning with the rope. Poking the man on the ground with the staff, he said, "Roll over." The man glared at him, but did as requested.

Keith and Doren tied up the three men who were conscious or regaining consciousness. The other two were tied across horses. While looking for suitable weapons, Allura had discovered the horses belonged to the attackers, so they were also able to put the dead men from Lion House on horses to return to their hall. Doren was set to leave the three dead men who had attacked him unburied, but Keith refused. Begrudgingly, Doren helped him pile rocks over the three bodies. However, he spat upon the mounds once they were through.

Once they were done, the three mounted up and each took a rope that had been tied around one of the captive's necks and looped it around their pommel. Nodding to Doren, Keith said, "We're not from around here. You'll have to lead the way." Keith expertly reined his horse in as it side-stepped nervously.

Soon they were on their way with the captives and the horses carrying the bodies. Because their going was slow, it took almost an hour to reach the Great Hall of Lion House. Keith gazed at the Hall, noting its size which could easily accommodate over fifty men plus common areas. The structure was heavy framed timber and stone with six large chimneys. Surrounding the building were smaller structures that appeared to be the stables and areas for livestock.

Doren noticed that Keith was taking in the view of the Great Hall. Smiling, he said, "It is an impressive sight, but you have to turn around to see the most compelling thing about the Hall."

Keith turned his horse slightly so that he could see behind him easily. His mouth dropped open as he took in the view of the Castle of Lions sitting up on the plateau. It wasn't the gleaming metal castle, but the one that they had first seen upon landing. The difference was that this one was whole and beautiful. Hearing a gasp from his right, he turned to find Allura with a similar expression on her face. He could barely make out her words.

"I never realized it was that beautiful…"

"That it is, Eleanor, that it is. The other houses have always been jealous that Lion House was given the best land with the view of the castle." Doren saw that his fellow brethren of Lion House were coming out to meet them and turned his attention to them. He quickly dismounted, and Keith and Allura followed suit.

Doren explained about the ambush and how Keith had come to their rescue. Keith registered a number of looks from the men of Lion House. He saw admiration, thankfulness, curiosity, skepticism, and a little hostility. The looks the men gave Allura were completely different. They were openly appraising her form, and he knew that a number of them were very interested in her. Keith realized now that the woman in the bed with him in the vision must be Allura. There was no way that he would let her sleep alone here.

Keith watched as the prisoners were hauled roughly away, and he wondered if he would see them again. The dead men from Lion House were gently removed from the horses and carried into the Great Hall.

An older man, who appeared to be about sixty, approached Keith and gave a short bow. "My name is Anton. It is an honor to meet you, Akira. If you will follow me, I'm sure that Lord Kurt would like to meet the man who saved his son." Anton was watching Akira closely and noticed the surprise in the younger man's eyes. He had not known that Doren was the Lord's son. This was good; it meant that his actions had been motivated by chivalry and honor, not by what he could gain.

"Eleanor and I would be pleased to meet Lord Kurt," Keith said, returning Anton's bow. He offered his arm, which she took, and they followed Anton toward the entrance to the Hall. He had a feeling that another one of his visions was about to be revealed as truth.