I make no claims to Voltron or any WEP characters.

Origins: A Legend Unfolds: Chapter 21

The afternoon passes by quickly. It seems like only a short time had passed before it is evening and they gather for dinner. Kaya looks about the dining table, her eyes closely studying each member of the Garrison squad. She pauses on the last one and smiles at him when Hunk notices her regard. He winks at her in return then turns back to his conversation with Pidge.

"Mother, what are we going to do tomorrow?"

Her son's question draws her attention to him as she answers, "I am not entirely sure. However, we will work on your lessons and perhaps use the gym they have here so you can run and play."

The prince glances sideways at Hunk as he asks, "Could I go see the lions again?"

Kaya looks over to find the commander watching them closely as Hunk smiles down at him to answer, "When I am off duty and if you're mother says it is all right, I can show you the lions again." His gentle eyes move to her as Kaya smiles then looks down at Audric's hopeful gaze, "If you behave and complete your lessons."

He smiles brightly at her then goes back to his dinner. Kaya looks back over to find the commander smiling at her son as well before he turns his attention back to his dinner. Feeling strangely relaxed around this group of Earthmen, the princess turns her gaze to find Allura watching the commander out of the corner of her eye as well. She quickly looks away from him when he glances her way then turns to her advisor to ask him a question to cover the fact. Feeling a smile spreading across her face, Kaya turns her attention back to her dinner as the various conversations around the room continue.

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After dinner, Allura looks across the dining room table at Kaya, "I understand you have a very nice recreation room at Earth Kingdom." At the other woman's nod, she sighs, "We do not have room for one here unfortunately. However, there is the conference room. We can go in there to talk…"

"Do you have any games?"

Allura shakes her head, "I am sorry Audric. We do not have many children here at the compound, so do not keep much of that here."

The prince looks a bit disappointed then Pidge speaks, "Well, I brought a gaming unit with me from Earth. I am sure we can hook it up in the conference room."

"Gaming unit?" asks Kaya.

"Yes, video games. Some are educational, some are just for fun," explains Pidge, suddenly look a little nervous.

"I am sure that will be all right," Kaya says as she looks over to find her son looking excited. "Audric…" He turns his attention to her and she states, "You may play for thirty minutes then you will retire to our rooms for the night, all right?"

The young prince looks a bit disappointed but nods as he replies, "Very well."

Allura stands up, "Well, shall we go then?"

As the group starts to rise, Keith says, "Princess, I think I'll pass and return to my room to finish some reports." Lance and Sven chime in as well with their own work that needs attention. Keith smiles over at Kaya, "So we will say good evening then."

She nods to him then looks over to see the slightly disappointed look on Allura's face as the three men leave before she masks it with a smile in her direction, "Well, follow me then."

Kaya starts to walk around the table then pauses as Hunk approaches her and holds out his arm. She smiles up at him as she takes it then looks over as Audric takes his other hand. They follow Allura as they walk out of the room together. Coran watches them go with a smile on his face as he stops Pidge, "I will be in the control room if I am needed." The younger man nods to him then strolls out of the room behind the others.

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An hour later, Kaya sighs as she pauses in her conversation with Allura to look over at the three males in the room still playing their game. It had taken Pidge a little time to set up the game then he showed Hunk and Audric how to play. Kaya had agreed to allow them a little more time to play, extending her original rule of only thirty minutes. They are laughing as Pidge's character blows up and turns a bright shade of blue, looking more like a blueberry than the elf character he is playing. She sighs as she states, "I think it is past time for Audric to go to bed."

"Aww, Mother," Audric whines as he looks over at her. As she arches an eyebrow at him, he finally sighs in acceptance then sets the game controller down, "Very well."

They stand up as Allura says, "Good night, I hope you both sleep well. I will see you in the morning."

Kaya smiles at her as Hunk stands up as well, "I can escort you two to your room before heading for my own."

"That would be very kind of you," the princess replies as he leads Audric around the table.

She waves at Pidge then follows the other two out of the room. Taking Hunk's elbow, they walk in companionable silence until they reach the bedrooms. Kaya opens the door to Audric's room then says, "Please go change into your pajamas. I will be there in a moment to tuck you in."

Audric nods then smiles up at Hunk, "Good night!"

The big man returns the smile and musses up the boy's hair as he replies, "Good night Audric, sleep well." He waits until the door closes behind him then smiles warmly at the princess, "I hope you sleep well too."

Kaya returns the smile then leans up on her tiptoes as she pulls on his arm so he bends slightly toward her. She kisses him on the cheek as she says, "Sleep well, Tsuyoshi."

As she steps back, Hunk reaches down to caress her cheek, "Good night…Kaya."

Still smiling, the princess cups his hand with her own then turns her face to place a kiss on his palm. She moves away and opens the door to Audric's room, smiles at Hunk once more then closes it. The private smiles broadly to himself as he turns away to walk down the hall to his own room.

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Her bright, blue eyes shine with tears as she holds a hand out to him. Taking a step closer to her, he tries to grab her hand only for it to disappear. Opening his eyes, Sven groans as he glances over at the clock and realizes he needs to rise soon anyway. Throwing back the blankets, he sits along the side of the bed and holds his head in his hands as his mind goes over the latest dream.

His irritation at the inability to discover more about the woman has him rising quickly and stomping across the room to his bathroom. He slams his hand on the button to the door and quickly moves inside. His clothing is off a moment later and he steps into the shower. Turning the water handle over to make it as hot as he can stand it, he steps into the stream of water and lets it run over his body.

Pushing his head under the spray, Sven sighs as the hot water digs into the sore muscles of his neck and back. Turning around, he wets his hair then grabs the shampoo bottle. He drops it a moment later as a scene flashes through his mind.

She runs into the room he is standing in and stops when she sees him. Rushing toward him, she pleads, "Save me…he is coming." Tears run down her cheeks as she cries, "He will hurt me again. He enjoys hurting me…"

"Tell me where you are!" demands Sven, "I can't help you if I can't find you!"

The young woman sobs as she stutters, "Pol…lux…" then stops and turns, "He is here!" She looks back at him one more time, her eyes full of terror then she disappears.

Opening his eyes, Sven finds himself sitting on the floor of his shower. The ball of light appears in his bathroom once more, "Save her…" then disappears.

Swearing broadly, the Norwegian rises from the floor, turns off the water then quickly grabs a towel and wraps it around his waist as he rushes out of his bathroom.

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Walking out of his bathroom, Keith stifles a yawn as he makes his way over the dresser. He slowly pulls out a pair of underwear, puts them on then opens a drawer containing his pants. He starts to pull them on when his bedroom door suddenly opens.

"What the…" Keith finishes yanking his pants up into place as Sven walks into his room with only a towel wrapped around his waist. The Norwegian is obviously agitated as he demands, "We need to go to Pollux…today!"

Confused, the commander reminds him, "But Pidge and Lance are going to Wind Kingdom…"

"NO!" exclaims Sven as he shakes his head, "We need to leave for Pollux…today!"

Grabbing onto his shoulders, Keith says, "Calm down Sven. Just tell me what's going on?"

He watches the slightly panicked look in his friend's eyes recede and he pulls away to sit down on Keith's bed, "The dreams I've been having…the visions of that woman. I just had another one!"

"But if it's only a dream…"

Sven stands up, once again agitated, "It isn't! Remember, the key holder from Water Kingdom, it told me that she is a daughter of Arus and needs me to save her." He grabs onto Keith's arm, "She finally told me she's on Pollux. Please trust me on this. We need to go to Pollux today."

The commander studies his friend closely for a moment then nods, "Very well, I'll inform the others of the change." He glances down at the towel covering his friend and smiles back at him, "You better change into something a little more formal. We'll leave after breakfast."

Nodding, Sven turns to walk out of the room as he says, "Thanks Keith."

Sighing, the commander goes to his closet and pulls out a shirt while thinking, 'I better finish getting dressed then go talk to Princess and Coran to alert them to the change…'

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"But what of the visit to Wind Kingdom?" asks Allura after Keith finishes telling her about the change of plans. She watches him sigh, run his hands through his hair then look at her again to reply, "We can put that one off until we return." He stops for a moment then adds, "I've never seen Sven like this before. He is always the calm one, even in the most terrifying situations. So to have him come to me like this…"

"This vision he saw…" the advisor crosses his arms while sitting back in his chair, "was it a true vision or only some dream?" At the confused look on the commander's face, he adds, "Do Earthlings typically have visions?"

Keith shrugs then answers, "I'm not sure, but I have to believe him when he tells me it is a vision. He mentioned the key holder of Water Kingdom telling him…"

"The spirit of King Byron gave him these visions?" Coran stands up quickly and glances back at the princess. She looks at him in askance and the advisor sighs as he begins pacing the room while he thinks. He finally pauses and looks at the other two, "The mark that was placed on Sven's hand must be a link between him and the spirit of King Byron. The king is showing Sven these images in hopes of saving someone. The question is, who?"

"Sven didn't say a name. I don't think he knows it."

"But she is on Pollux?" asks the princess. At the commander's nod, she turns to her advisor, "I agree Coran. We should leave today."

The advisor stands as he nods, "Yes, but Princess, you must appear as your station dictates."

"But Coran, we need to hurry," Allura replies indignantly, "We must reach Pollux as soon as possible to help this girl."

"Highness, we do not know who she is. What we do know is that you will have to approach your uncle, who is king there. You cannot go in your current clothing. It would be an insult," explains Coran staunchly.

She makes a face at him as she inquires, "The entire outfit?"

At his nod, Allura groans, "But those dresses are so uncomfortable. I can barely move, much less breathe."

"If your father had not died Highness, you would be wearing one on a daily basis." He gestures to her jumpsuit, "Your current clothing would have been unacceptable."

"Yes, yes…I know. We have had this discussion before," snorts Allura as she turns back to Keith.

He looks at her in askance as she states, "I need to change before we can leave." She looks over at Coran to give him a disgusted look as she adds, "It will take me about an hour to prepare…"

Deciding not to argue with her, Keith nods, "Very well, we will meet in the control room in an hour." He looks back at the advisor, "I will inform my men of the change." At his nod, the commander turns around and leaves the room.

Allura looks over at the older man only to have him lift an eyebrow at her. Groaning, she starts for the door, "I know, I know, go change into a dress and look like a 'proper' princess for my uncle." She keeps muttering as she walks out of the room. Coran chuckles as he settles back into his chair once more.

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Irritated as she rolls another curler into her hair, Allura grumbles under her breath about the stupidity of trying to force straight hair into curls. She shoves a pin into the curler then picks up another one. A light flashes in the room and Allura pauses to look back at Maia. The other princess arches an eyebrow at her as takes in the undergarments and rollers in Allura's hair as she states, "You are a little under dressed for practicing magic…"

Allura groans as she says, "I forgot to contact you…"

"What is happening?" asks Maia.

"Sven had a vision of a woman on Pollux that needs our help. The spirit of my grandfather sent it to him. So we are leaving for Pollux today," explains Allura as she continues to put rollers in her hair.

Nodding, Maia looks back at her curiously as she asks, "So what are you doing?"

Snorting, Allura shoves a pin into another curler as she states, "I have to look my station when we go. I cannot appear before my uncle in my customary clothing. It would be an insult."

Laughter erupts out of Maia as her cousin accidently drops the next roller and picks it up while swearing. Taking a step toward her, Maia asks, "Where is your ladies' maid?"

"I do not have one…" she replies as she picks up another dropped roller from the floor and puts it back onto the steaming unit. As she grabs another one, Allura adds, "I so rarely dress like this that I do not need one. Normally I would ask Luella to help me, but she is already so busy today." She swears again as another roller slips out of her hands then sits back in frustration, "This is hopeless. I have less than an hour until we leave."

Maia steps forward and picks up the faller roller. She warms it in her hand then takes Allura's hair with her other hand and starts to roll it up for her, "I will help you…" As she continues wrapping the hair in curlers, she asks, "This woman on Pollux that needs help. What was happening to her?"

Grabbing a cheek brush, Allura works on putting on some makeup as she replies, "I do not know. The only thing the commander told me was that she needed help." Pausing, she looks back at her cousin in the mirror, "Why do you ask?"

"If it may be dangerous, perhaps I should go instead. I have better control of my magic," suggests Maia as she continues putting in the rollers.

"No." replies Allura firmly. "This is my uncle; it must be I that goes."

Maia sighs then lays a hand on the other princess' shoulder, "Very well, just be very careful." At the younger woman's nod, Maia goes back to putting curlers into her hair. She glances back at the dress hanging off to one side when finished and arches an eyebrow at her, "Pink?"

"I know, I hate that color," says Allura as she finishes her makeup. She glances over at the awaiting dress as well then snorts, "Coran said it is appropriate for a woman of my position."

"Young and virginal…" laughs Maia as she walks over to look at the dress closer. Her eyes shine with merriment as she states, "My mother used to try to dress me in pink as well. It clashed horribly with my hair and I argued with her about it all the time."

"Oh?" asks Allura as she stands to join her cousin.

"Yes, she finally stopped when I burned one of them with a fireball…"

Laughter erupts out of Allura at the image in her head of Maia throwing a fireball at the detested dress. "What happened?"

"My father chastised me in front of my mother for using my magic in a way that was unacceptable." Her eyes shine with laughter as she adds, "When my mother left the room, he leaned over and whispered that at least it was the pink dress I burned and not the blue. He could not stand that color on me either."

Both women laugh together as Allura walks over to her bed and starts to pull on stockings. She pauses a moment in thought then says, "I wonder what the commander will think of the dress?" She reddens as she looks back at Maia, "I mean, he has only ever seen me in my pantsuit…"

Maia smiles knowingly at her, "It is all right to hope a man finds you attractive looking." Her eyes twinkle again, "Especially a man as handsome as the commander."

Nodding, Allura finishes pulling on her stockings as she asks, "What of the lieutenant?"

"What about him?" asks Maia in a suddenly neutral voice as she sits down on the bed next to her cousin.

"He is also handsome and seems to like you." Allura looks sideways at her cousin and adds, "And there are times I have seen you studying him."

Feeling her own cheeks reddening, Maia shrugs nonchalantly as she replies, "I will admit he is easy on the eyes. On too many eyes…" Her tone changes slightly to one of indignation as she adds, "I have noticed others looking his way as well. Servants smile at him as if…" she stops then looks away for a moment.

"He simply flirts with them Maia," says Allura softly, "no more than that."

"How do you know?" demands the other princess.

"I have been keeping tabs on them since they arrived," responds Allura nonchalantly. She reaches over to touch her cousin's arm, "None of them have tried to take advantage of the women. They smile at them, try to charm them, but no more than that."

"Well, they have only been here a few days," states Maia as she crosses her arms. She glances over at the clock then states, "You better finish getting ready if you are going to be on time…"

Allura looks at the clock as well and gasps, "Please, help me get into the dress." As she moves across the room and pulls the dress off the hook, Maia rises from the bed and goes to help her.

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Thirty minutes later, Keith is pacing the control room as he glances at his watch. He looks back up at the console where the advisor sits to demand, "How long can it take to change into a dress, Coran?"

The chair turns as the older man replies, "It is not just the dress, Commander. Much goes into preparing to visit other royalty. Her everyday pantsuits are simply improper."

They hear a giggling sound from off to the side. Prince Audric stands next to Hunk and smiles broadly as he informs the commander, "You should see my mother when she is getting ready. She puts these curlers in her hair and has to put on these silly looking pantaloons to keep her legs warm under the dress…"

"Audric!"

He cringes as his mother swiftly walks into the room, her face red with anger as she demands, "Exactly what do you think you are telling these men?"

Hunk steps in front while pushing the boy behind him, "He meant no harm, Princess Kaya. He was simply explaining to the commander what could be taking Princess Allura so long."

She narrows her eyes at him as she retorts, "He does not need to inform you of what I wear under my dress to do so."

The big man clears his throat and nods in agreement as he replies, "He is simply young and inexperienced. I am sure he won't make a mistake like that again."

"You better believe he will not," Kaya states as she walks around him to glare directly at her son, "Because if he does, he will have trouble sitting down for the rest of the day."

His eyes are to the floor as Audric quietly replies, "I am sorry Mother."

She nods then looks back up to find Hunk trying to smile at her in apology. Kaya glares at him once more, "And you, Private Garrett, will not try to protect my son from me when he is misbehaving and in need of punishment."

With his cheeks reddening, Hunk nods as he whispers, "I am sorry Princess Kaya. It won't happen again."

"See that it does not," she snorts then turns to find Sven, Lance and Pidge trying very hard to hide their amusement.

Keith looks back at the advisor to see him hiding his amused smile as well. The older man clears his throat then says, "Commander, I did have a thought. When approaching Planet Pollux, you had best state you represent the Voltron Force of Planet Arus and not Galaxy Garrison."

"Voltron Force?" asks the commander.

"Yes, the name King Alfor gave you and the other men, in case you missed it." Coran smiles at him, "I think it is fitting." As Keith continues to look at him in question, he adds, "It took ten years for Garrison to finally agree to send us help. If Pollux has requested aid of Garrison and have been turned down as often as we had been, they may not take too kindly to your visit."

"I understand," Keith replies as he glances back at the other men, "Voltron Force it is."

He catches motion out of the corner of his eye and looks toward the door just in time to see Princess Allura walk into the room with Princess Maia, who is carrying a bag. He barely notices the other woman as his breath catches in his throat. Allura walks toward him dressed in a pink gown with a white collar, the bottom of the skirt flowing to the floor. A circlet, denoting her station, sits upon her forehead with a matching necklace on her neck. Her hair is pulled back from her face in braids with the long, blonde length hanging down her back in ringlets. Keith swallows hard against lump he feels in his throat even as he feels himself harden with need.

She smiles at him as she finishes approaching him and asks, "How do I look?"

Clearing his throat, he replies, "Like a princess," then turns away from her to look at the advisor. The man still has an amused smile on his face. Coran nods to him then asks, "Are you ready to depart?"

"Yes…yes…" Keith turns again to find Maia and Allura sharing a smile as well. Becoming irritated with them, he looks over at Sven to state, "Let's get going. Princess Allura will ride with me in Black lion."

Sven nods to him then starts for the dais as Coran lifts it up for him. As he disappears down his chute to the launch system, Keith turns back toward Allura, "We will walk out to Black lion." His eyes float down her dress and he clears his throat, "I wouldn't want your dress to be ruined should it catch on something…" He looks back up at her to find her smiling again as she holds out her hand to him, "As you will, Commander."

He returns the smile then bends down to pick up the bag at his feet. Standing back up, he finds Maia holding one out to him as well. Taking it, Keith nods to her then takes Allura's outstretched hand. She moves her fingers to his forearm then follows him as he leads her out of the room.

Maia watches them go then looks over to Kaya, "Since my trip has been delayed and everything in Fire Kingdom is taken care of for the day, I could spend some time with Audric if you wish."

The prince looks excitedly from his mother to Maia, "You will teach me magic?"

"Yes," she replies as she smiles down at him. "You will remember what I said about rules?"

"Yes!" the prince responds, his excitement still palpable.

Looking back at his mother, Maia asks, "You could join us as well."

Kaya looks over at Hunk, who gives her an encouraging smile and nods at her. Taking a deep breath, she finally looks back at the other woman to say, "I think I shall."

Smiling, Maia gestures to them then leads the way out of the room. The men in the room watch them go then Coran states, "I will stay in control. I believe some of you have patrol?"

"Yes," replies Hunk, "Pidge and I are taking Sven and Keith's place." He gestures to the younger man, who turns and leaves the room. Hunk glances over at Lance to say, "Keep an eye on Kaya and Audric for me?"

Lance arches an eyebrow at him but nods. Hunk moves away from him then heads for his chute and Yellow lion. Nodding to the advisor, Lance turns around and leaves the control room.