Allura anxiously waited for the pilot of the spacecraft to dismount at the castle docking bay. Her slightly perspiring hands were clasped together in anticipation. She noticed that Coran was as eager as she was, but was also as apprehensive. Zarkon and Haggar have pulled many stunts similar to this; where a loved one would show-up --- having Garrett and Queen Orla in mind --- only to prove to be nothing but a hoax to penetrate the castle, and to destroy them and Voltron. She glanced at her four friends. They seemed uneasy as well.
But, she remained hopeful. Inspite the danger involved, she wanted to know for herself if this was indeed another deception. And, if it wasn't...
The hatch opened. Allura held her breath. The form of a well-toned man wearing a brown pilot's suit appeared. His hair was the color of the rays of the sun, and his eyes, when he caught her gaze, were as blue as the ocean. His face was flawless, and a hearty smile slowly bloomed across his lips. He gracefully hopped down the ship, momentarily hesitating before he walked towards her.
Allura told herself not to melt into a puddle as the young man took big, confident strides towards her; their blue eyes still locked.
Time seemed to have stood still as he kneeled in front of her and reached-out for her hand, which she almost immediately held-out. Even as he was about to kiss her, their gazes never broke. The touch of his warm, full lips against her skin made her giddy with excitement.
As he stood up, their eyes continued to drown themselves in the depths of each other's ocean-blues. Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, Allura broke out of her trance and threw her arms around his neck.
"Allan! It's you! It's really you!" she sobbed, burying her face in his chest.
Allan wrapped his strong arms around her and rested his chin on her head. A small smile formed on his lips as he gently stroked the graceful lines of the princess' back to calm her.
"I see you're still the fervid crybaby you always were." He suddenly teased.
Coran chuckled as the princess choked-out an outraged gasp. Allura irritably pushed him away from her.
"And you're still a discourteous nincompoop!" she quipped back.
Allan laughed as he stepped forward to close the distance between them again. He reached-out and wiped the tears that were on her cheeks. Suddenly, he sobered.
"I'm so sorry, Allura." He half-whispered.
Allura covered the hand on her cheek with her own. She smiled at him, her eyes still glistening with the remnants of tears. "There's nothing to apologize for. I understand." She whispered back. She brought down her hand, bringing his with it and squeezing it to reassure him before letting it go.
Allan turned to Coran. "Coran, it's good to see you!" he said, approaching him, clasping his outstretched hand, and vigorously shaking it. Then after a brief hesitation, he pulled the prime minister closer and hugged him. Coran reciprocated this hug before gently pushing the visitor at an arm's length.
"It is good to see you too, your majesty." He replied, his voice gruff with emotion.
Allan turned his gaze back to Allura, with an uncertain smile on his lips. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"
Allura arched an eyebrow. Allan looked behind her. She followed his gaze. Slightly embarrassed, she motioned for him to come closer.
"Allan, I'd like you to meet the Voltron Force." She proudly declared as he walked towards her. "Boys, this is Prince Allan of Amaget."
The force bowed before the prince.
"Please, I am not one for formalities." He said, eyeing them carefully, before continuing, "Kindly introduce yourselves."
"I'm Pidge," the youngest spoke uncertainly, "I fly the green lion." He said, fidgeting with his glasses.
"I handle the yellow lion." The big man said. "They call me Hunk."
"Lance. Red Lion." He smugly said. Allura shot him a glance. Lance just shrugged.
"Captain Keith. Pilot of the Black Lion." Said with an air of confidence that no one in the docking bay missed. "Welcome to Arus, your highness."
The prince nodded. "It is indeed an honor to meet the famed Voltron Force. Especially you, captain." He said, approaching him. They were about the same height and the same built. The same fiery intensity emanated from both their beings. The two men locked eyes, trying to read each other out.
"Allan, maybe you'd like to rest now." Allura said from behind. "I'm sure Nanny has prepared a feast for your arrival."
"Nanny? She's here too?" he said, breaking his gaze from the captain and meeting the princess'. "It'll be a great to see her." He continued, as he walked away from the force and approached Allura. He offered her his arm. "But, maybe after we take a bit of a walk in the gardens for a while, for old times sake?" he sounded hopeful, his eyes twinkling. Allura giggled. "Yes, I'd be delighted. For old times sake." She answered, as she linked her arm with his.
Together they walked-out of the docking bay, with five pairs of eyes following them.
When the doors closed behind them, Pidge, Hunk, and Lance shifted their gaze from the door to Coran, who still held his gaze on the closed doors.
"Who was that?" Lance asked.
"That, Lance, is the crown prince of the Amaget." Coran replied, looking at the curious explorers. "His majesty, Prince Allan, is the sole heir to the throne of that planet. His father has been a good friend of King Alfor, and they fought side-by-side in this war. Before the war broke out here in the far galaxy, the royal family of Amaget would always visit Arus. The young Allan and Allura were a handful, but it was always a joy to their parents to see them play and laugh amidst the turmoil that Zarkon had started. It was then decided that the prince was to be left here with Allura to be protected. Zarkon had attacked Amaget before Arus. Allan's parents returned to Amaget to fight, and we never heard from them, even after the fall of Voltron and King Alfor. Allan stayed here until he was sixteen."
Coran hung his head before he continued. "About four years ago, the Prince decided to leave Arus and seek out his family on Amaget. Ofcourse, Nanny and I did not allow it, so we took matters in our own hands and locked him up in his room. Allura, evidently took his side and let him out. We never heard from him ever since, until now."
"So we're not even sure if this prince is the real one." Lance said as-a-matter-of-factually. "He might be one of Haggar's tricks again."
Coran closed his eyes as the possibility hit him like a ton of bricks. "I know, Lance. I know. But until we can prove that, we must treat him like a guest."
"Don't worry, Coran. We'll keep an eye on him." Pidge offered.
"Yeah! And if he is a phony, we'll send him back to Planet Doom wrapped in a neat little package." Hunk said, punching his right fist onto his left palm.
Coran nodded his approval. "I hope we are wrong about him. But, it is better to be safe than sorry." He paused. "It would break Allura's heart if he were indeed another surprise from Doom."
"Why? Is there something else we should know about prince charming?" Lance asked sarcastically.
Coran cleared his throat. "We have always thought and hoped that Allan and Allura would be wed."
There was a stunned silence.
Coran turned his head to face the young captain. He noticed that Keith hadn't taken his gaze off the closed docking bay doors since they slid closed.
And, for some reason or another, he knew why.