This chapter deals with the growing bond between Lotor and Allura. Allura and Nanny have a heated argument, which then gets Keith briefly involved. And if Nanny thought Keith's mouth needed cleaning up, wait til she meets Avian. She'll need twenty pounds of soap to deal with his mouth. Chapter 21 hopefully will be up soon.
Chapter 20: No distance too great
"I know I heard his voice." Allura said to herself.
She looked outside at the setting sun. Puffy white clouds turned colors of pink and purple as the firey orb began to descend behind the Arusian mountains. She felt her head beginning to ache. She knew sooner or later she would have to tell her friends the truth of the cave incident. The princess worried what Coran and Nanny would think, and what Keith and the others would have to say. Would be they angry with her? Would they tighten their protective measures upon her even more perhaps even confining her to her room.
"What do I tell them? They won't believe he's changed. They have no reason to. Keith wanted to tear him apart after that night. I don't want them fighting each other. Right now I don't even know if Lotor is still alive. I could almost feel him here. He must be alive." She said to herself.
She took in a deep breath. She knew somehow, someway she would have to explain things to her friends. She needed courage more than anyhing else that moment. Not only to tell her friends the full story, but to deal with their reactions afterwards. She feared they'd think her crazy for trusting their worst enemy let alone letting him in the castle. How was she going to explain herself?
"I need to go to the crypt. My father can point me in the right direction." She said. As she was about to open the door to leave her room it suddenly opened almost smashing her in the face.
"Princess, you're not ready for bed yet." Nanny said in a bossy manner.
"Nanny, I...I was just going to pay a visit to father's tomb." Allura said trying to sound polite.
"Aboslutely not. It's too late for you to be going to that dreadful place. You spend too much time in it as it is. A princess should not be spending so much time in a tomb. You cannot spend so much time thinking about the dead. Your people need you much more. And it's time you started going amongst them again. And you're going to do just that tomorrow." Nanny stated firmly.
"But Nanny, the tomb is not a dreadful place. I've always..."
"I will not have you going down there. It is your duty to guide and lead your people. You spend far too much time moping about this castle or with your head in the clouds. It's time you grew up and acted like the princess you are." Nanny scolded.
"I'm not a child! And I stay in this castle because everytime I set foot outside of it I have a dozen guards smothering every step I take!" Allura protested.
"Don't you dare raise your voice to me young lady!" Nanny snapped.
"Then stop treating me like I'm a baby! You all are smothering me! I can't take a foot outside without all of you guarding my every move! I can't take it anymore! You ban me from flying the Blue Lion! You won't let me ride my favorite horse, and now I'm not allowed to go anywhere without escorts!" Allura yelled. The tension from all that had happened finally broke down her sense of composure.
"If that is the way you feel, then you can stay here in your room until you learn to properly respect your elders!" Nanny barked back.
"But you said I needed to be among my people!" Allura cried no longer trying to hold back the tears in her eyes.
"Not when you act in such a disrespectful manner! Your father would be ashamed of your behavior right now! You can just stay in your room until you start to act like a proper young lady and not a spoiled brat!" Nanny barked and slammed the door in Allura's face.
Allura went to open the door but found it unwilling to move. Nanny had locked it from the outside effectively confining Allura to her room for the rest of the night.
"Open the door! Nanny open this door! That's a royal command! Open this door!" She shouted pounding on the door hoping that somehow her fit would change the mind of her long time governess.
Keith, hearing all the commotion rushed to Allura's room. "Allura, what's wrong?" He called but was immediately stopped by Nanny.
"You just leave her be." The governess said sternly.
"What do you mean leave her be? She's practically having a nervous breakdown in there!" Keith yelled.
"You can just tone your voice down young man. She has seen fit to act like a spoiled child so she is being treated like one. I will not have disorder and chaos ruling this castle. Just leave her alone. She will quiet down soon enough." Nanny stated.
"Look, she's been through hell. Locking her up is not gonna make her any better." Keith protested.
"This is for her own good. As leader of her people she must learn to focus and restrain her emotions. Letting her reflect upon her actions will help her to do just that. As her governess it is my responcibility to provide a firm hand when she strays. When she calms down she'll realize just how irrational she's acted and will be better off for it." Nanny replied.
"Still, you don't have to be so damn harsh with her." Keith growled.
"Watch your language. If I had a bar of soap I would promtply wash your mouth out with it. You and your friends should be more supportive of keeping the princess focused. Instead you encourage her to make foolish decisions like piloting the blue lion. She nearly gets herself killed, and you irresponcible youngsters don't do anything to stop her." Nanny chided harshly.
"We let her fly the blue lion because she's a member of the team. She's doing what she feels is best to protect her people. She can't protect her people if she's locked up in her bedroom!" Keith yelled.
"And who are you to tell me what is best for the princess!" Nanny exclaimed.
"I'm her friend that's who! She hasn't been herself ever since we pulled her off the team. And I'm beginning to think we made the wrong choice. Allura flew the blue lion long before Lotor ever came into the picture. Zarkon was as much of a threat to her then as he is now. I think maybe it's time we put her back on the team!" Keith barked.
"And I know what is best for her! Coran and I both have raised this girl since she was a baby! You know nothing of what is best for her! She stays on the ground where she's safe and that is final!" Nanny yelled and stomped off with an angry snort.
Keith was left standing a distance from Allura's room. He wondered if she had heard what he just said. And should he have said it loud enough for the princess to hear him? He rubbed his face with both his hands and roughly ran his fingers through his shaggy black hair. He felt like punching out the first thing he could get his hands on. He wanted to open the door and make sure Allura was all right. But Nanny had the key to her room so there was no getting to her.
"What the hell am I thinking? We grounded the princess to keep her safe. But she's going crazy not being able to do what she feels she needs to do. Damn governess doesn't understand how Allura feels." Keith thought frustratedly.
He felt like the big brother wanting to come to his little sister's defense. But he didn't know what to say to make her feel any better. He shook his head and stomped back off to his room to work off the frustration.
Allura stomped back to her bed and collasped upon the mattress. She buried her face into one of the many pillows and pounded her fists against the comforter. Her tears flowed freely now soaking the fabric of the pillow. Her body wracked with spasms caused by her crying and her eyes became red and puffy. She curled into a ball holding herself fiercely. Never in her life had she felt so alone. Keith and the team had grounded her. She could not have a moment's peace to herself unless she was in her room, and now Nanny had confined her to it. Even Coran, as understanding as he might have been, sided with Nanny.
"I'm not a child!" She sobbed.
She cried and cried until she had no tears left in her eyes. She continually struggled with the lump in her throat and constantly wiped her nose and eyes on her pink dress. That would have been another reason for Nanny to be cross with her. But at the moment she didn't care. All she knew was she felt lonely. She wrapped her own arms around herself as tightly as she could to feel like someone was holding her. She wanted to feel arms around her, comforting her and telling her things would be all right. But the only arms holding her were her own.
Allura sniffled and grabbed another pillow holding it in her arms. Her eyes still damp with her tears, she curled up as tightly as possible in some vain attempt to make herself invisible. Her little mice came out of their holes and climbed up onto her bed. They all gathered around her nuzzling her face and trying to lick the dried tears from her cheeks. But not even their presence offered the princess any comfort. They all looked at each other with depressed expressions and went to the foot of her bed.
She found herself growing drowsy. As she felt her eyes growing heavy, she found herself thinking of the one person who had become a source of comfort to her...Lotor. Her mind drifted to the night they both had met in her father's tomb. She remembered how he had opened up to her about the brutality of growing up in the druel academy. She tried to replay his voice in her head hoping it would console her in some strange way. She found herself missing him. She began to secretly wish the arms that had been holding her were his. She found herself drifting deeper into her subconcious trying to imagine him being there. She imagined him standing in the black pants and sleevless, vest like tunic he wore. She found herself begining to really study his form and finding how very handsome he truly was.
His presence, which had once been a source of fear and anger, was now a source of comfort. She found herself wanting to talk to him and to learn even more about him than she had previously. She wanted to tell him stories of her childhood that she had not yet had the chance to. She wanted to know everything about him no matter how brutal the stories could have been. She wanted him to know everything about her. She kept focus upon his image. Her body began to relax and stretch out. She inadvertantly almost knocked the little mice off her bed. They scurried across to see her face. It was no longer an expression of distress. Upon her face was a dreamy expression of contentment. They figured she had calmed down from whatever was bothering her and quietly scampered off her bed. Her embrace on her pillow softned and she found herself lovingly holding it.
In her subconcious she felt herself reaching out for the handsome druel prince. She wanted to get closer to him but still felt eons away. In her dream like state she could have sworn she was floating. She could see him clearly while everything around him was a blur. He seemed so real she swore she could almost feel him. She surmised she was only dreaming or even a wishful thought. But it gave her some comfort so she would hold onto it as long as she could.
"Lotor."
Lotor's eyes suddenly snapped open hearing the mention of his name. He almost violently pushed himself upward and looked around. His breathing was shallow and his heart raced recognizing the voice that called his name.
"Allura...Allura!" He shouted before he could stop himself. In the darkness he saw a bright light eminating from the right side of his bed. He looked and realized it was coming from the sword, Redeemer. He also realized he was still clutching it at the hilt. His eyes were wide and his mouth almost gaping open.
He heard an insistent knock at his door.
"Brother...brother are you all right?" Asked Leena worriedly.
Setting Redeemer down Lotor hurried to the door and opened it. There was Leena standing in the doorway. She covered her nightgown with a long purple robe so she would be presentable.
"Brother, I heard you calling someone's name. Did you have a bad dream?" She asked.
"Leena, I don't know what happened to me. I was asleep and I heard her call my name. I heard Allura calling my name. I woke up, and the next thing I know I'm clutching Redeemer in my right hand." Lotor said still in a state of shock.
Leena walked Lotor back to his bed and sat him down. "I'm going to get father. He may know what's happening."
A few moments later Leena returned with Danzar walking ahead of her. He walked over to Lotor's side seeing the dazed expression on his face. He saw the last glimmer of Redeemer's glow before the blade returned to its silver state.
"What happened?" Danzar asked.
"I'm not sure. I was asleep, and I was thinking about Allura. I heard her call my name. When I woke up I was clutching Redeemer, and it was glowing. I heard her as clearly as I'm hearing you right now. I could almost swear she was here with me. But I know that's impossible because she's on Arus." Lotor answered.
"Leena, go and wake up Genar. He has more knowledge of occurances like this than I do." Danzar instructed.
In their room, Genar and Nomey were fast asleep nestled in each other's arms. An insistent knocking at the door woke both up from their peaceful slumber. Genar let go of Nomey and pushed the covers back from his body. Sliding a pair of pants on he sleepily walked to the door to find Leena waiting for him.
"Leena, what's wrong?" He asked.
"I'm sorry to wake you and Nomey, but my father needs your help. Something's going on with Lotor, and he's not sure what's happening." Leena answered.
"I'll be right there." Genar said grabbing his tunic from the side of the bed and putting it on.
"What's wrong?" Nomey asked.
"It's all right Nomey. Lotor needs my help with something. Try to go back to sleep. I'll be back soon." Genar said trying to put his mate at ease.
Nomey laid back down clutching a pillow to fill her arms until Genar returned to take its place once more. Now with her at ease, Genar could focus upon the matter at hand. He followed Leena to Lotor's bedroom. After hearing what had happened, Genar had a good idea of what was happening with the prince.
"You say when you woke up you were holding Redeemer, and it was glowing?" Genar asked.
"Yes." Lotor answered.
"Genar, do you know what is happening?" Danzar asked.
"I can't be entirely sure, but it is possible Redeemer has opened a link between Lotor and Allura." Genar answered.
"A link?" Leena asked.
"Yes." Genar answered.
"Father, I know you told me that Redeemer is no ordinary sword, but is it possible for it to have opened some sort of a link between Allura and I?
"Perhaps it has. I have never the full extent of Redeemer's abilities. Your grandfather was the only one who could truly wield it. Only he fully understood its powers." Danzar explained.
"When I claimed the sword, my grandfather said his spirit would rest within it until the time came when he was needed." Lotor replied.
"Then perhaps through him this link between Allura and yourself has been opened." Genar interjected.
"I need to contact her. I need to hear her voice again. I need to be close to her." Lotor said with an urgent tone.
"I know. And you will see her again, my son. We will make preparations for the journey to Arus soon. But you must get enough sleep. The test has drained you. And to contact Allura again you will need all your strength." Danzar said.
"Highness, when you've rested I will help you focus your mind so you can reach the princess." Genar replied.
"But her friends will see us as enemies. The empire was not kind to Arus, and neither was I. Allura has forgiven me, but her friends have not. And I doubt they will recieve us warmly."
"When we reach Arus, I will try to open communications with prime minster Coran. I knew him when he was a young man. I met him when King Alfor and I made the arrangement to betrothe you and Allura to each other. There is a chance he may still remember me. Now let's all get back to bed and get as much sleep as possible."
After everyone was gone, Lotor laid back down in his bed and tried to close his eyes. But all he could do was lay there and stare at the ceiling. His eyes turned to Redeemer for a brief moment. He wondered if it had been the sword that connected his mind with Allura's. He breathed an exasperated sigh and turned away from the blade. The prince knew he needed sleep. He needed it most of all after the grueling test he had endured. He wanted to be with her more than anything. He wished he could tell her he was alive and safe. He was sure she felt distress and grief from the day of his capture. He wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her everything would be all right. But for now, thoughts of her in happier times would have to suffice to console him of his need for her. He closed his eyes and tried to drift off to sleep.
That morning everyone awoke and had breakfast. Afterwards preperations were made for the journey to Arus. Genar packed with him everything he would need. Nomey stood at the side of their bed, an expression of longing upon her pretty face. She wasn't ready to be parted with her husband, but knew there were matters that had to be attended to. He saw the look in her eyes and put his arms around her.
"Please, be careful. I want you to come back to me as soon as you can." She said trying to hold back her tears.
"Nomey, I...I want you to come with me. I feel I can keep you safer if you're at my side than if we're apart." Genar said.
Nomey was suprised by the statement. "You'll let me come with you?" She asked.
"Yes. Leena is coming with us. I don't want you to be alone. We're leaving as a family, and you are part of that family. You'll need some clothes." Genar said.
"All right. I'll go pack them right now." Nomey said with an excited tone in her voice.
Everyone met in the hanger and boarded the crusier. Avian took his place at the navigational chair while Kezrin and Genar took their seats behind him. The others settled in the seats further apart from the navigation pit. Once everyone was seated, the engines were turned on and the cruiser prepared to lift off.
"I'm gonna cloak us once we leave Namorian air space. No telling what's gonna be going on out there once we leave home." Avian said.
"Let's just hope Zarkon doesn't get the urge to start trouble with us." Kezrin replied in an uneasy tone.
"Can't start nothing if he can't find us. This cloaking device should be undetectable to the empire's radar. As long as we keep a distance from them we should be safe. I got the weapons deck charging just in case we run into any problems." Avian answered.
"Good idea." Genar said.
"You sure you want Nomey and Leena coming with us? Things might get hairy if we run into trouble." Avian asked.
"They'd be safer with us than alone." Genar answered.
"I agree. We've had too much time apart as it is." Danzar replied.
The hanger doors opened and the cruiser hovered slowly out of it before rising off the ground and ascending into the clouds. Lotor found himself staring out the window watching his home grow smaller and smaller as the ship got further away. He fought to keep the anticipation and anxiety within him at bay. Soon he would be reunited with his beloved princess, and hoping at the same time the meeting would not be marred by hostility from her friends.
MistyGargoyale, Glad you loved the latest chapter. Yes, the dragon is a terrifying power to be dealt with indeed. I watched a lot of Godzilla movies when I was a kid, that and lots of other dragon movies. And the torture scene, while hard to write, was influenced by my fascination with Vlad Dracula(Vlad the Impalor.) I have interest in both the historical Dracula and Bram Stoker's Fictional Dracula, and knowing how infamous the real Dracula was for his torture and execution methods, that inspired the torture scene with Sylvana. While I don't know if he ever tortured prisoners the way Sylvana tortured hers, I've heard about some of the ghastly things he did to people and I could imagine him using methods such as these for torture.