Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its Taralonans belong to me, but I'm not sure who else would want them…
All errors belong to me alone. ;-D
Sequel to "Saved from the Queen by the Princess." You don't have to read that one first, but events are referenced from the story.
Setting/Rating: Setting is DotU but none of the events took place. I just picture them as 80s DotU and none of the stuff from VF has occurred. Rating is T for kissing and mild violence in later chapters.
Author's Note: Just felt like uploading a second chapter today. I've actually managed to get some housework and other stuff done amidst my K/A fic writing, so I'm publishing an extra chapter to celebrate! Hope you enjoy it as things heat up...
Chapter 12
Once Allura was hidden from sight, Keith went out to search for the soldiers. Moving quicker on his own, he was able to cover a good distance in fifteen minutes, which was as much time as he was willing to go in one direction. There was no sign of the Taralonans. Hopefully, they would have at least a few hours of relief, maybe more. Taking one last look into the forest ahead of him, he turned back.
After checking around the perimeter of the hot spot, he proceeded to Allura's hiding spot and was relieved when she quickly answered his greeting.
After edging her way out of the cramped crevice, she brushed some small pebbles off her clothing. The way in and out was so tight that she dislodged a few pebbles and stones every time. Luckily, they blended in with the others already on the ground. Taking one last look at her dirt stained clothing, she asked Keith about his search. "Did you find them?"
"No, I traveled about a mile or so and found nothing but the evidence that they had passed that way. I think we have at least several hours here and I suggest we make the most of it. I know it's not even noon, but I think after we have some water and roots, you should try to sleep." Seeing her look of surprise, he added, "We may soon have to be on the run."
"You should sleep too."
"Perhaps."
She hated his answer as she knew that it meant he wouldn't sleep. However, as much as she wanted to argue with him about not needing a nap, her body was crying out for rest. So, after eating, she followed Keith's suggestion and fell asleep beside him as they hid in the edge of the tree line.
Looking at her face in peaceful slumber, he said a silent prayer. She had been asleep for almost two hours. Everything was quiet. He hadn't heard any drones, nor any movement, or seen any soldiers. It was almost too good to be true, but he would take it for as long as he could. An hour more of sleep, that was probably all he'd be able to give her. At that point, he would need to wake her up to go over his plan.
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Allura sat against the small tree rubbing her tired eyes. Keith had awakened her just a few minutes ago and she was still trying to piece together their current situation. Unfortunately, it was all coming back to her… the deaths, being on the run, worry about Lotor…. Yes, it was obvious why her mind hadn't wanted to bring all that back to her too quickly.
"Let's get something to drink and then we can make plans." Keith reached a hand down to pull up the still groggy princess.
After drinking their fill and making their way back over to the tree line and propping against a couple of trees, Keith spoke up. "We need to have plans in mind so that we won't be caught off-guard. At least I hope we won't." At that he gave her a rueful smile. "I'm sure we've been on the run for at least twenty-four hours and I hope that we'll see some lions in two to four hours."
A bright smile lit Allura's face. "Really, Keith? Two hours?"
Not wanting her to get her hopes up too high, he held up a hand. "That's on the best case side. It will probably be closer to three at the earliest. I just wanted you to know that help could be here soon." He paused for moment, looking carefully at her face. "You were looking down before you rested and it looked like you still felt that way when you woke up."
At his penetrating gaze and accurate assessment, she turned from him and ran her hand over the rough stubby grass that grew here at the edge of the hot spot. Its yellow color made it look diseased, but blue and yellow were the colors of grass on Armor. She heard her name and knew that Keith wanted a response from her. Shrugging slightly, she responded, "At least three of our party are dead. Who knows about Anthony and Molly. Lotor is expecting us to be turned over to him for debased pleasure. And you… you're planning on leaving me here to draw the soldiers away."
Surprise registered on his face. It shouldn't have. She was bright and resourceful. She also knew his character very well and with some of the comments he had made, it really wasn't that much of a jump for her to make. He had underestimated Allura this time. "Part of your worries we can't control and don't know about. As for me, I won't go anywhere unless I have to." The answer didn't satisfy her, but it was the best one he could give her. "Best case scenario is, the Lions arrive before the search parties. They can track us by our bio-signatures. Now on to the less pleasant options. The search party arrives and we can't get you hidden in time. We'll activate the bracelet and we'll go back toward the mountain or toward the hidden ledge we found. We'll choose our direction based on where the search party is coming from. If they arrive and we have time to hide you, you will need to active the bracelet until they leave. I don't want to take a chance if they are that close. I'll head out into the forest to draw them off."
"You know I don't like that last plan and I don't think it will work. They will know that I am around the hot spot. They will never believe that you sent me off into the woods alone, even with the dampening bracelet. I think some of them will pursue you and some will stay to look for me."
Keith nodded. He had thought about that as well. Perhaps it would be best for them to stick together. "I agree that scenario is possible and I'm willing for us both to go into the woods together if you promise me something. If I say that we need to separate, you won't argue with me."
Allura knew that this was not negotiable. If he found it necessary, she would have to follow his direction or they both would be caught. There wouldn't be time for arguments and she knew it. "Okay. No arguing, I will do as you say."
"Just remember, we only have a few hours to hold out. Maybe we won't have to flee into the woods." Keith sincerely hoped that he was correct and that the team didn't run into anything to slow them down. Seeing her nod, he continued, "If we separate, I don't plan to be caught, but you need to be prepared for that if I am."
"What are you talking about?"
Letting out a deep breath, he said, "I am pretty sure that they will try to use me to lure you out. You have to remain strong no matter what they say or do."
"Keith! There's no way that I-"
He broke into her comments physically by taking hold of her hands and verbally by saying, "Allura, their final plan is to turn us both over to Lotor. They won't kill me. I'm sure they will rough me up, but it won't be anything that can't heal." Seeing that she was unconvinced and pained at that though, he used his best argument. "If they kill me, they won't have any leverage against you and worst of all for them, they won't have either of us to turn over to Lotor. We both know his rages. He'll level the planet if they don't produce at least one of us, and even then, he'll be ticked off." Finally he saw a small smile.
"I think the correct phrase would be 'royally pissed.'"
Keith laughed. "Indeed, Princess, that would be the most appropriate phrase for Lotor."
"Okay, if it comes to it, I'll try to hold out. I can't guarantee it, but I'll try."
Squeezing her hands again, he repeated, "They WON'T kill me." Pausing for just a moment he continued with the planning. "Now, if you are by yourself and you hear one of the Lions, turn the bracelet off, but don't come out unless the area is free of Taralonans. If I'm trying to lure the soldiers away, the team will already be able to track me."
Rubbing her head, Allura said, "I'm ready for this to be over. I want to know how Molly and Anthony are doing."
Not having anything else to say, Keith said, "I'm going to gather us a few roots."
She watched Keith rise and head towards the vegetation that would provide them with their meal. Thoughts crowded her mind as she rubbed her head some more.
Keith placed his hand at the bottom of the plants in the edge of the stream and pulled up some of the roots. He would only get enough for two meals. No need to leave extra plant vegetation about that would signal their presence. The reddish brown mud washed off his hands and the roots and moved downstream. Soon the stream was as clear as it had been just minutes before and he headed back to Allura. Neither of them was thrilled with the roots, but they filled their stomachs and provided them with the energy they needed to keep them going.
They spent the next hour or so resting pensively. Periodically, Keith would get up and move about the perimeter, listening carefully for sounds of movement from the forest. He couldn't let his guard down. He felt a rescue would be coming soon and it would be easier for the team to rescue them here than if they were captured and locked away in some room in the facility or on a ship. Standing up he began one of his perimeter checks. He was standing at the point where they had ventured out the day before that led to cliff and the billowing grassy plain, when he heard a humming sound. He waited only a moment more to confirm the sound and then he turned and ran in Allura's direction. He was glad to see that she was up and slipping her shoes on. The sight of him running was enough to alert her to the danger. As he neared her, he saw her activate the bracelet and extend her hand.
Allura saw him slowing down as he approached so she started jogging toward the trees. She felt him take her hand and move to lead her into the woods. The flash of the dampening field enveloped them as they dashed into the trees. The pace he was moving at was faster than any pace they had traveled at since the first two hours of their escape.
They were both breathing heavily an hour later when he finally paused to take a breath. She recognized the path they were on. They were heading back to the ledge and the hiding spot behind the roots. Allura took stock of her clothing. There were more stains and numerous rips and Keith didn't look much better.
Catching his breath, Keith said, "I'm sure you recognize the route. We should be to the spot in about thirty minutes. Even though we can't hear them all the time, I know they are behind us. They are using both droids and soldiers, so we can't delay too long." He paused here to get another breath. "We'll move slower and you'll need to take off your heels, we can't have them leaving tracks when we get closer to the hiding spot. As we get closer to the spot, I will periodically let go of your hand."
"What?! You can't do that! They will be able to find us!"
"I'll be doing it sporadically so they'll think that the power source is failing or perhaps it's malfunctioning. That way, when I leave you to hide behind the roots, they'll think that the bracelet just stopped working and won't look for you in that area."
It was at this point that she hated that she had agreed to no arguing. However, his plan was good. If only they would hear the roar of a Lion in the next half hour, they wouldn't have to part. She only nodded her agreement as she took off her shoes and followed him.
