A/N And here it is! The final chapter! I dedicate this chapter to the love of my life, my Keith, my husband. In July, we will celebrate ten years of marriage. I love him as much today as I did the day I became his wife. I hope you find the ending satisfying and that it brings good closure to my Free Fall arc.

Disclaimer: WEP owns Voltron and its characters and locations. The story is mine. All other characters and locations are also mine. Please don't use without my permission.

Chapter 37

A few hours after the Voltron Force had returned to Arus and after he had learned that the princess and her fiance would be inexplicably delayed, Koran walked slowly toward one of the conference rooms of the Castle of Lions. The meeting he was about to lead was not one he was looking forward to. Unfortunately, he knew it had to be done. With neither the princess nor Keith on Arus, he was the highest ranking member of the royal family. Therefore, it was up to him to deliver the sad news and issue the pardon.

Lord Bruceroy Leonardis rose to his feet when the door to the conference room swished open. Flanked on either side by members of the ruling families of the provinces of Arus (except Lord Dearling), he waited anxiously as Koran walked in. Glancing around, he could see the stress and sadness on the face of the Lady Crystali. Wondering what she knew, he looked at the other two noblemen. Neither seemed to know why they had been called there. The other attendees looked expectantly as Koran motioned for everyone to take their seats and did so without hesitation.

"As you know," Koran began, "the princess has been found and has been liberated by the Voltron Force. She was being held on Rydrax by an unknown Drule operative."

"That's wonderful news," Lord Bruceroy replied half-heartedly before he was quickly cut off by a stern look from Koran. Everyone knew there was no love lost between the current monarch and the lord of the Southern Province after the exile of his nephew.

"Unfortunately, it appears that the Drule was not working alone." Koran paused and sighed as he prepared to drop the bomb. Looking directly at Lord Bruceroy, he stated matter-of-factly, "It appears that your nephew, the former Lord Arthur Leonardis, was also involved in the kidnapping of the princess; preliminary investigations show that he was working with the Drule."

Anger flashed across the face of Lord Leonardis. "What?" he bellowed. "How can you be sure? What proof do you have?" He glared at Koran, demanding answers with a fierce, bemused look.

"Well," Koran explained. "The princess was found on Rydrax, which is the planet where Arthur had been exiled."

"Circumstantial, at best," Bruceroy muttered under his breath.

Koran chose to ignore him and dropped his eyes momentarily before he continued. He knew the lord of the southern province was in no way expecting the news that he was about to share. Taking a deep breath, he said, "His body was also found in the brothel suite where the princess had been found. His identity was confirmed via face recognition software through the Voltron Lions. A witness, a handmaid named Isla who has returned to Arus, confirms that he had been involved during the early days of the princess's capture."

A shocked silence filled the room at the stunning revelation that Artie was dead. Lord Bruceroy sat shell shocked as the news sunk in. Fighting to remain stoic, the Arusian nobleman swallowed hard before asking, "What happened? How did he die?"

Koran pulled out the report from the Voltron Force's debriefing that was held just a few hours before. Putting on his reading spectacles, he glanced down at the document in his hand. "The following words come from Princess Allura's account of what happened. She states, and I quote, 'When Rallock (the Drule) left the suite, Artie encouraged and allowed me to activate my homing beacon. I was surprised by this considering that he had helped Rallock in my capture. He seemed, however, to have second thoughts and chose to help me. He assisted in my escape, in getting me to Black Lion. He also stayed behind to face Rallock alone once I was away.' end quote. As I said, preliminary investigation reveals that initially Arthur was a willing participant in the princess's kidnapping, however, the princess's own statement shows a change of heart at the end."

Switching sheets, Koran glanced over Sven's report before continuing, "It appears from Commander Holgersson's report that the Voltron Force encountered the Drule when he attacked them in the skies above the brothel. They battled for several minutes before the Drule fighter was destroyed, but only after Black Lion had sustained heavy damage. Once the princess, the handmaid, and madame had been rescued and secured, Commander Holgersson and Lieutenant McClain entered the suite and found Artie's body covered by a sheet. It appeared he had sustained a blaster blast directly to the heart."

"Who shot him? Who killed my nephew?" Bruceroy demanded, his voice shaking with barely disguised grief.

"Preliminary investigations and interviews with witnesses seem to indicate that the Drule shot Artie when he realized that Artie had helped Allura. Blaster residue from his wound is consistent with a Doom standard issued blaster gun. After he was shot, he was left for dead and must have passed away before the Drule engaged the Lions in a battle above Rydrax." Koran finished sharing his summary of the report. "Though he originally planned to participate fully in the kidnapping of Princess Allura, he instead chose to help her, resulting in her safe return. He gave his life to save her and it appears Artie died a hero. I am very sorry for your loss, Lord Bruceroy."

Lord Bruceroy sat quietly, lost in his grief. Despite what his nephew had done and the shame he had brought to the Leonardis family, Artie was still his nephew. He had helped raise him, and the older nobleman had hoped for rehabilitation and a new start for the young man. "Did they bring him home?" he asked quietly.

Koran nodded. "Yes," he answered. "His body has been returned to Arus aboard Green Lion."

"Thank you," Lord Bruceroy responded. Rising to his feet to leave the conference, he stopped when he saw Koran raise his hand in pause. Glancing toward the advisor, the Arusian nobleman hesitated.

"Wait," Koran commanded gently. "There is more that you need to know. In light of the circumstances of Artie helping Allura in the end, it has been decided by the Royal House of Arus that Sir Arthur Leonardis will be pardoned for his crimes and will receive the Lion Heart Medal of Bravery for his assistance in the escape of Her Royal Highness, Princess Allura. Sir Arthur's titles will be reinstated and it is noted that he died a hero."

Lord Bruceroy hung his head, tears now streaming down his face. "Thank you, Sir Advisor, for this news. Though I am greatly grieved by my nephew's death, I am relieved at the pardon and humbled by his medal of honor. I am glad to hear that in the end, he made the correct choice." With that, Lord Bruceroy stood and with a final nod of his head, left the conference room. He headed to the medical facility to make arrangements to move Artie's remains home to the Southern Province.

Several moments later when the room had emptied save for Lady Crystali, Koran let out a sigh of relief. He was glad that meeting was over and looked forward to putting the events of the last few days behind him. The only thing left to do was to finally confront and embrace the princess when she finally returned home with Keith. They were expected by late afternoon the next day. Until then, he would get some much needed rest and spend some time with his new favorite companion. Standing, he reached for Lady Crystali's hand as she stood to accept his sweet gesture. Together, the couple left the conference room.

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The next morning, Princess Allura awoke just as the sun peeked over the horizon and filtered through the window of the opulent and luxurious honeymoon suite that Keith rented the night before. Bothered by an unfamiliar thickness around her left ring finger, she glanced down to see her engagement ring flanked by the platinum and diamond wedding band that Keith had placed there the night before.

Upon arriving on Amouria, the engaged couple flew Blue Lion directly to the most private and exclusive resort on the planet. Expecting their arrival, the resort had arranged for a quick and private landing on the rooftop hangar. Within minutes of stepping out of Blue Lion, Keith and Allura were whisked to the honeymoon suite where they were greeted by a private steward ready to grant their every wish.

After Keith explained to the steward what he wanted, he pushed Allura into the bathroom to bathe and change while he promised that the steward would take care of the rest. Since the only suitable clothing she had with her was her engagement frock, that was what she chose to wear. Within a couple hours of landing, the happy couple walked out onto the private beach behind the resort, the bride beautiful in royal blue. The horrific events of the last few days were all but forgotten as the princess of Arus got her wish.

The wedding was ten minutes long, with only the officiant and witness present to watch the happy couple exchange their vows. Keith made good on his promise and presented two wedding bands, a simple platinum band for him and a delicate platinum and diamond band for her. It was at this band that Allura now stared, remembering the beauty of the sunset, the soft wind that blew Keith's long black hair, the words that pronounced them man and wife, and the feel of his soft lips on hers as she was kissed by her husband for the first time. Filled with a happiness she never knew she could possess, Allura smiled softly as she rolled over and stretched languidly, enjoying the feel of the soft bed and satin sheets around her naked body.

"A penny for your thoughts?" a soft, husky voice interrupted her as she turned her head slowly to the left to take in her handsome, dark-haired husband propped up on one elbow. His dark eyes were full of passion and longing and the desire for more of the love-making that had occupied most of their time since returning to their room following their brief nuptials.

Meeting his eyes, Allura turned toward him and propped herself up on her own elbow as she faced him. "I am just so happy, Keith," she stated softly. "I never thought I could be this happy."

Learning forward, Keith pressed his lips to his wife's, enjoying the feel and taste of her. They were lost in each other for several minutes, before Keith reluctantly sat back and broke the kiss. "I hate to be the party pooper," he said, gently brushing Allura's golden hair away from her breathtaking face, "but we really should get up and moving soon. Lance told Koran we would be back by this evening, and it's still about a six hour flight back to Arus."

With a rather unprincess like groan, Allura threw herself backwards against the pillow. Flinging an arm elegantly across her face, she muttered, "Do we have to?"

Chuckling deep in his chest, Keith shook his head at his beautiful bride. He loved that she could be regal and commanding one moment and sexy and normal the next. At that moment, she looked like a normal young woman reluctant to return to the real world. "Yes, we have to," he repeated, schooling his tone. "We need to show Koran and Nanny and the rest of your subjects that you are indeed alright."

Humbling herself with the seriousness of her husband's tone, the princess conceded. "Ok," she replied. Grimacing slightly, she asked, "What is the damage?"

Keith laughed quietly at her bluntness. "Not as bad as it could have been," he explained. "I texted Lance this morning, and he said that Koran was at first enraged by our little side trip, but soon calmed down after Lady Crystali talked to him."

With her blond eyebrows lifted slightly, Allura sat up, a bemused expression on her face, "Lady Crystali, huh? Those two have gotten quite close."

"Even more so since you were abducted, apparently," Keith agreed. "Lance said that they have been practically inseparable."

"How about that?" Allura mused. Suddenly, she turned to Keith. "And what of Isla? I practically abandoned the poor girl to her own devices only hours after inviting her to come to Arus."

"Don't worry about Isla," Keith comforted the princess. "Lance is making sure that she feels right at home." With a wink, Keith continued. "She and Lance have become fast friends. She has been settled into her own quarters, along with the madame. The nanny has found her madame to be a wonderful seamstress and Isla herself has taken a keen interest in Castle Control. Hunk plans to start training her as an engineer as soon as she has settled in and adjusted."

"That's wonderful to hear," Allura concluded. "She is a smart girl and will make a wonderful addition to our Castle Control." She paused for a second. "I almost hate to ask, but what of Lotor?"

"No official word," Keith replied. "But intel had reported a sighting of the Scar Blazer on a trajectory course for Doom." Shrugging, he continued, "I don't doubt that Lotor has his own mess to handle when he returns to see his father."

"He is clever," Allura stated, giving the prince of Doom more credit than she ever thought possible. "If anyone can handle Zarkon, Lotor can."

The princess paused. Keith could see her brain processing everything that had happened to her over the last several days. She still had not said much about her capture, and Keith had not pushed her. He figured she would talk to him when she was ready. The one thing that seemed unsettling for her, however, was Artie. The princess felt responsible for his death, though she was not the one who had pulled the trigger. Wrapping his arms around her, Keith decided to share with her the cover story that the Force had come up with to cover up his true involvement and bring a little peace to his family following his untimely death. The princess's official statement had been forged and changed to reflect alternate events. Though normally, Allura would have been enraged at kept out of the loop, now she sat quietly until Keith was finished.

The princess was not angry at all. In fact, Allura let out a great sigh of relief, finally finding some of the closure she so craved. "So that's that," she muttered quietly. She took a moment to gather her thoughts. Though she wasn't quite ready to tell Keith the whole story of her experience, she thought she could sum it up with a good analogy. "For the last several days, I felt like I was in free fall, having no control over my fate or what would happen to me. But now I know that gravity has caught me and has gently brought me back to where I belong, here with you." She stopped and dropped her delicate hand down to grasp Keith's left hand. Running her thumb across his wedding band, she gently lifted his hand to her face and placed a gentle kiss on the symbol of their union. "You are my gravity," she whispered. "I love you, my husband."

Embracing her with all the passion and love he felt for the beautiful woman in his arms, he whispered against her lips, "I love you, too, my wife." He pulled back for a moment and muttered, "I think we can delay our departure for a couple of more hours."

With a musical giggle, Allura flung her arms around her commander's neck and pulled him to her, quickly decreasing the distance between them as they lost themselves in the feel and love of each other. Outside, the sun over Amouria continued to rise, signifying a new day, and for the newly married couple, a new beginning.

Please see next chapter for end notes/ author's reflections.