A/N: Saber Rider and Voltron characters belong to their specified animation and branding companies. All OCs belong to me. Please don't sue me. I sincerely hope you enjoy this story. I will say there are some possible trigger scenes for those that can't handle rape or beheadings, either skim past or don't read. [I will make further notation for affected chapters].

Special thanks to DrowningBlonde for being a sounding board for this story. Without your help, I'd still be stuck creating the world. Thanks for all the support!

A knock on his door stirs him awake. "Enter," Richard calls after sitting up and pulling on his shirt.

The door opens and Gawain comes in, closing the door after him looking serious.

"What's wrong?" he asks as he gets off the cot and heads to the small table and sits down just as his friend does.

"I spoke to t'man in t' funny hat today for starters."

"Why? For what purpose?" Richard asks cautiously.

"T'tell him t' let ya go, Lad. That you had once been t'one they believe you t'still be, but ya ain't now. The poison wiped ya mem'ries but good. I told'm you're happy here 'an t'let ya be. No use in drudgin' up somethin t'aint ya gonna recall."

"And how did he take the news?"

"I think he thought he's dreamin'. Time'll tell."

Richard closes his eyes and nods slightly before pointedly changing the subject, "Any word from the Offeiriades?"

"We've been summoned," he replies. "But I wanted to speak to ya before we go."

"Alright," Richard says cautiously. "What about?" he asks.

"I know who hurt Lady Merida," he replies, his tone taking on a grim tone.

"Who?" Richard asks, as his expression darkens, causing Gawain to hesitate answering.

"Quentin Grant. One'o my guards," he says slowly.

"And how did you find this out?" Richard asks, his anger barely held in check.

"Finn told me he saw 'em leavin' the spot close t'where ya found her. Said he was braggin' to another guard he'd finally got t'one he'd wanted."

"Where is he now?" he asks between gritted teeth.

"Finn has 'em on tower patrol. I told 'em to keep 'em there until I or the Offeiriades come for 'em."

Richard stands up, his anger barely in check. "Let's go."

"We've been summoned. So we must go to the Offeiriades straightaways." Gawain says as he stands up blocking the way to the door. "But I figure'd I'd give ya the info before we left, so you weren't taken by surprise in front of Lady Merida."

Richard takes a couple of slow breaths, trying to reel in his rage. "Very well," he says quietly, obviously not pleased with the turn of events.

"I promise ya, Lad. He won't get away," Gawain promises as he places a hand on the other man's shoulder. "Finn'll keep 'em there 'till I come, or until the Offeiriades summons him. I told 'em to act as if nothing were amiss. Although many know something has happened to Lady Merida and many are outraged. Demandin' justice."

"Should it come out, she'll be mortified. She's practically suicidal as it is," Richard says, his concern evident in his tone as the two men leave his quarters and head towards Merida's.

"Let's find out what the Offeiriades wishes with us."

They arrive a short time later, everyone giving the two men a wide berth as they pass. Richard knocks at the door when they arrive and is bid to enter. Stepping in, he comes face to face with Elin.

"Come in too, Gawain. You too are summoned," she says quietly as her husband enters and she closes the door after the men.

Blinking as the two adjust their eyes to dimmer lighting, they both kneel before the priestess as she turns to the pair.

"You may rise," she says and the two men stand up in unison. She looks both men over, appraising their conditions. "So you told him?" she asks Gawain.

"I saw no reason to lie, Offeiriades," Gawain replies.

"Richard," she says in a calm voice, her gaze meeting his eyes. "I know you want to personally deliver this justice, but I need you to allow me to take care of it. I will permit you to bring him to the commons, but he needs to be alive enough to confess his sins."

"And if I am unable to promise to deliver him alive?" he asks in a tone that unnerves Gawain and his wife.

"Then I will confine you to your quarters," she replies in a tone that bodes no argument. "Merida needs you, Richard. She needs your support. Can you let go of your anger and be here for her?"

"What if she doesn't wish me to remain?" he replies in a tone that is almost civil.

"And what if I wish you to stay, Richard?" Merida says as she slowly makes her way from the washroom. The bruises have faded, but can still be seen, if one knows they were there. Her eyes look tired and she's pale as she comes up before him.

He drops to one knee in a mix of relief and reverence. "If it is what you wish, then am I yours, Lady Merida. I will not fail you again," he replies lowering his eyes to the floor.

Merida reaches out a shaky hand and places it on his shoulder. Immediately, he looks up to meet her gaze. "You did not fail me, Rick. It is because of you I am still here. I owe you my life."

"You owe me nothing, Meri."

"The Offeiriades said that you would be willing to be with me...despite...everything?" she asks hesitantly. He nods and she continues, "She said you would be willing to share...quarters?" Again he nods, his eyes only leaving hers with the motion of nodding. "You are aware that would be taken as an offer of marriage?"

"I am."

"And yet you agree?"

"Aye. Without hesitation."

"When?"

"Whenever you are ready."

Merida tears her gaze from his and looks to the Offeiriades, who has watched the conversation with interest. "What say you, Offeiriades?" she asks, inclining her head and slowly working on dropping to one knee.

Richard sees her unsteady motion and holds out an arm to support her, eyeing her with concern as she winces on her way down.

The pair both keep their eyes to the floor once she is beside him, and the priestess looks to the others in the room. "Wait outside. We will need escorts soon."

"Aye Offeiriades," Gawain, Elin, and an acolyte reply in unison as they swiftly exit the room, closing the door softly behind them.

"Your anger no longer consumes your mind, Richard." the priestess states simply. "Look to me, both of you."

The couple look up, neither venturing a glance to the other. "This is a bit unconventional, and a break from our long-standing traditions. But, I have known for sometime that you both had feelings for the other. Even before either of you did, I think." She looks to Richard, "This would mean severing any ties that you may recall in the future to those who have come above ground. Are you truly willing to forsake the chance to return to your former life, however slim a chance that may be?

"I am willing to do so, Offeiriades. I will ask someone else to patrol to avoid any potential contact, if that would make it easier."

"I don't think that will be necessary," she replies. The priestess looks between the two, then with a slight nod of acceptance, she says, "Rise." The both of them rise, both casting a glance to the other before facing the priestess once more. "Merida, are you willing to continue your training whilst living as his wife?"

"I am," she says with a certainty she didn't realize she possessed.

The priestess nods, satisfied with the answer. "Then let us go to temple," She says as she looks to Richard once more. "You said you were willing to swear a blood oath to me. Would you swear it to Merida instead?"

Richard looks shocked for a moment, then nods with a determined look to his features.

"Very good. I have a ceremonial outfit waiting for you at temple. You and Gawain are to go straight there. He is to help you prepare. We will be first delivering justice to the guilty one. Merida and I will be along very soon. We have one other bit of business to discuss."

He casts one more glance to Merida, who gives him a slight nod, "As you command, Offeiriades," he replies as he rises and heads out the door.

"Now my child, I know that you have been through alot in the past day, but I need you to tell me now if you harbour any doubts."

"I have none, Offeiriades," Merida replies as she carefully stands up. "I know that he spoke true, when he said he would give his blood oath to me. I don't see why it would be needed. Couldn't we just jump the fire?"

"Nay, Lass. You will eventually lead the people, therefore your commitment to your life mate is deeper than the others. By doing this, once you two join as one, he will begin to fully become one of us."

"What do you mean, Offeiriades?" Merida asks.

"We differ from humans, Lass. We evolved differently. We can still feel our lifesongs and those of others. We can heal them and world around us. Because of this, our lifespans are much longer than those of humans. It is why you will be married by blood oath, and once you become one in body, he will slowly change. His blood is already different due to you having to purify it. Perhaps this will allow us to form a sort of alliance with the humans. He could be an emissary between us and those who are attempting to settle here."

"It is why you permitted me to spend so much time with him?" Merida asks as she turns to face the priestess.

"Aye. That and this occurrence was once foretold. It is in some of our more ancient texts. This would not be the first time we bonded with humans," she replies as she helps her change into an emerald green dress, with golden coverlet. A gold sash adorns her waist and the priestess places a circlet of tulips atop the younger woman's hair before giving her a final appraising glance. "Are you ready, Merida?"

Merida gives a small nod. "Aye, Offeiriades."

"Then let us go to temple. You will wait in my chambers until we deal with the one who attacked you. I will then present you to temple and we shall see the two of you wed," the priestess says as she takes the younger woman's hand and they exit her quarters, to be met by two acolytes who give them both a bow before they turn and lead them to the temple, two more acolytes fall in on their way.