(WEP characters aren't mine, tho I wish Lotor was! Yaoi references between VF characters so if you don't like don't read. Same goes for Lotor/Allura pairings. Flames will be put on the rack and tortured. enjoy!)

Lotor arrived on Arus silently in his ship, thankful for the new security codes that circumvented part of the Arun security web. It was small enough to be undetected but large enough to allow his ship passage although he had little time to pass through the breech.

He landed his ship and hid it in the forests near the castle, cloaking it, figuring that he would take no chances. Donning a non-descript cloak and hood, Lotor wrapped it around him, making sure it covered his features. Now he would make his way to the castle and to her..

*****

It was the sound of weeping that Lotor heard when he approached the backside of the castle - a sound which he was surprised to hear. It was so still and quiet that he could hear the soft weeping that came from one of the walled gardens. Curious, he crept closer and peered around the corner, instantly recognizing the place. But his eyes only registered that the source of the weeping was from Allura, the one that he had wanted to see. She was dressed in a nightgown, a robe over that and her feet were bare. Her golden hair was unbound and had obviously not been attended to yet, but to Lotor she was beautiful as she always was. One hand was over her eyes as she leaned against the wall, tears flowing down her cheeks as the other hand was digging into the ground at the dirt that was in a large pot. Once this place had been abloom with flowers - that was one thing he had remembered. But now everything was dead and his love was weeping. Why?

He must have made a sound for she looked up, her eyes startled at being disturbed. Lotor stepped back, not wishing to see the fear in her eyes but instead she wiped her eyes as if she were ashamed.

"Father, I didn't know that you'd be about so early.." Allura said softly.

~Father?~ Lotor frowned. It had been rumored that Alfor's ghost haunted this place and that Allura had been known to talk to him, but for him to be mistaken for her father was odd.

"I suppose you're going to open up the chapel soon.." Allura tried to make herself presentable and flushed a little, embarrassed.

~Chapel?~ Lotor thought. ~Ah, she means a priest! She thinks I am a priest!~ Slowly walking forward and careful not to dislodge his disguise, Lotor said softly, "My - child..whatever is the matter?"

"N - nothing.." Allura hugged herself as if she were cold. "It's nothing."

Lotor wanted to put his arms around her and reveal himself but he couldn't bring himself to. He didn't want to see the fear in her eyes - not now. But a part of him wanted to know just what sorrowed her so and why she wasn't with - no, he wouldn't think of that fool now.

"I have never known 'nothing' to make someone weep so sorrowfully." Lotor sat down beside her but not too close.

"I - suppose not." Allura felt something inside her nudge at her. She needed to tell someone how she felt so betrayed and so hurt. She still loved Keith, but the glamour was gone, it was purely gone as if it had never been.

"Would you like me to leave?" Lotor asked, rising as if to get up.

"No..no.." Allura placed her hand on his arm, and Lotor felt a tingle race through his being. She had never touched him willingly before but then again she didn't know who he was either.

"I need to talk.." She sighed heavily, the tears threatening to fall. "Please promise me that you will not tell a soul."

"It is a priests duty, it is not?" Lotor said, wishing he could place his hand over hers.

"I know, but.." She bit her lip and suddenly half-sobbed. "I - I - Keith doesn't love me.."

Lotor had expected something to come out of her mouth, but not this revelation. Surely it was a silly lover's spat, although why he was wishing it was so was odd. Perhaps he wanted her happy even if it cost him his own happiness.

"Surely you must be mistaken - child."

"No." She shook her head. "I saw them. He and Lance. They've been lovers for a long time and I saw them. I - saw - t-them m-make love and - and - "

A murderous rage hit Lotor then and he was thankful that his eyes were hidden from her. That - bastard! That mealy mouth bastard! All this time protecting Allura and spouting off at him that he was such a monster! What sort of man would marry someone who he KNEW loved him and yet cavorted with an old lover? Even he had not stooped that low. His father had berated him for not marrying, but he knew that he had only wanted one woman to marry and that was Allura.

Gently he patted her back as she wept again, her sobs tearing into his heart. He wanted to kill Keith and Lance at this moment. He wanted to find them together and castrate them before each other's eyes. Oh how he would relish their agony! But right now he couldn't, he couldn't leave her to cry like this.

"I - don't know what to do.." She sobbed. "I can't live a lie. I can't live with someone who doesn't love me, doesn't want to love me. W - why did he protect me from Lotor if he knew he couldn't love me? A - at least Lotor loved me - or claimed he d-did. Oh god, I was so stupid not to see Keith for what he was!"

~You're not stupid, love and I do love you. I do love you so much, Allura..~ Lotor thought as he drew her closer, letting her cry against his chest as he rocked her just a little.

They stayed that way for a few minutes and then Lotor rested his chin against the top of her head for a moment. A stray breeze caught his hood and let a few whips of his long white hair slip out to tickle Allura's cheek. She opened her eyes and looked up.

"L - lotor?" She asked, her eyes wide.

~Dammit!~ Lotor thought.

"Yes, it's me." He said sadly, expecting her to struggle away from him as she always did.

"What are you doing here?" She asked as she sighed softly.

"I wanted to see you - see how happy you were with your new - husband." He swallowed the word almost hatefully.

"As you can see, I'm not.." She hung her head with shame.

"Would you like me to kill him for you?" Lotor asked seriously. "I would you know."

Allura looked shocked. She had told the worst secret in the world to her worst enemy and had cried on his shoulder and now he was offering to kill Keith!

"N - no..that wouldn't solve anything and besides you'll just - well - " She hedged.

"Look like the monster I am?" Lotor said with a slight sneer. "Yes, I suppose I would."

"I - feel -so - so hurt and betrayed.." Allura couldn't help saying. "I don't know if I can live the rest of my life pretending that all is well, but my people they have expectations."

"Yes.." Lotor frowned. "Expectations for you to fulfill your royal duty and have heirs." He flung back his hood impatiently. "And I have no doubt that Captain Keith, despite his leanings will fulfill that duty, won't he? And you will take joy in your children and as the years pass, you'll be glad that he won't touch you in that way again, your bed yours again and he sleeping in his old quarters frolicking with his old lover. You may let yourself be chaste, happy with your children's accomplishment, trying to live your life through them or perhaps you'll have numerous affairs to wash away that old hurt, to make your heart feel loved, if only for a few brief times of mindless pleasure. Then you'll grow old, your children grown and all those years you've pretended to be a happy mother and a contented wise Queen, you'll remember and you'll hate him for what he did so long ago. He won't remember what he did as soon as his prick no longer can perform, oh no. He'll go about and be attentive, a wise and valiant Prince-consort of Arus and when you both die, you'll be immortalized in song - a beautiful tale of romance, no one ever knowing that the truth was actually a lie."

Allura sighed deeply. That was the truth that was in her heart now - the knowledge that she did have the ability to live a lie for her people, so that they would believe that their fairy tale princess had met her fairy tale lover and they lived happily ever after. Always she had sacrificed for her people just as they had sacrificed for her. What - what happened to her? When had she fallen for the silly story that she had intially fought against so hard?

"I never thought you'd actually tell me the truth, Lotor." Allura looked up at him again, noting the anger and sadness in his eyes.

"I've always told you the truth when I said I loved you, Allura." He gently lifted her chin with his fingers. "I suppose that I am a fool for you, always trying to take you by force when I knew that I would utimately lose in the end."

"I was afraid of you." Allura said simply. "You frightened me with your talk of being so evil and that I would be your Queen. You put Arus in danger so many times to capture me, nearly killing me and my - friends." She paused.

"And I offered you peace."

"On your terms.." Allura felt the old anger flare towards him. "Arus a conquered planet of Doom. No, I won't have that - even if I must be unhappy the rest of my days."

"And what if the terms changed?" Lotor said with a growl, feeling the old familar feeling of frustration with her.

"They never change Lotor." Allura said softly. "And I'm married now."

"And I asked you, what if they did? What if my terms changed?" Lotor asked again.

"To what?" Allura glared at him, not liking the feelings that he was stirring in her.

"To whatever you please." Lotor said with an infuriating smirk.

"You're lying." Allura said. "You'd say anything just to get me."

"Really?" Lotor said. "As opposed to your husband lying to you about how he would love, honor and cherish you the rest of his days? To be faithful and true and - "

Allura held up her hand. "All right! I get your point but this is a useless conversation anyway."

"Name your terms Allura." Lotor said seriously.

"Why? I told you I'm married!" She exclaimed.

"Married to a lie - which you can easily undo if you wish to - or DO you wish to?"

"Dammit, Lotor. I don't need this.." She passed her hand over her eyes again as if she had a headache.

"Then perhaps I should go - leave you to your life." He rose slowly, feeling the familar feeling of defeat once more. He couldn't take this anymore. If she was too stubborn to see then he couldn't make her see.

"Wait." Allura said as Lotor turned his head.

"Yes?" Lotor said.

Her eyes were luminous as she looked up at him. "I need the truth Lotor. I don't need any more lies to sway me. All I've ever wanted was for someone to love me - not because I'm a princess or a Queen or what I look like or because I rule Arus. I only want to be loved for myself and I want to love someone for the same reasons. I need love, Lotor. I don't need power, I don't need jewels heaped at my feet to make me happy. I need someone's arms around me, I need to be loved not for duty, but for love's sake. I - want to be made love to with heart and soul and everything inbetween. I need love but I don't need lies. I love my people but I can't live without love for myself. If I had wanted a loveless marriage I would have married any number of princes and kings that have been paraded in front of me. So tell me Lotor. Tell me now."

He felt words rise to his lips - familar ones that he had used before - but other words came out instead, knowing that perhaps this was his only chance.

"I love you." Lotor said simply. "I cannot atone for what I have done in the past and if you want me to leave you now, I will. I know you love your people more than yourself and although I want nothing more than to take you to my ship and away from here, I won't. You don't know how much I want to make love to you, to make you see what words cannot express, but I won't. I love you enough to - to let you do what you wish, Allura, even though it pains me. I am a monster, but unlike my father, I feel love and I feel pain. That is the truth. Use it as you will."

A small trembling smile came across Allura's lips as she reached out for his strong hand. He wasn't lying, she felt it in her heart. HIs admission didn't solve her immediate problem, but at least she knew that he loved her - loved her enough for her to make her own decision.

"You're not a monster." Allura rose slowly, gazing at him and placing her hand on his cheek. "I don't hate you like I used to - maybe I never really did."

"Thanks.." Lotor smiled lopsidedly at her.

"I have some decisions to make." Allura said softly. "And I admit that right now it is tempting to go with you.." She caught Lotor's surprised intake of breath. "I am married and I will remain faithful even though Keith is not."

Lotor's heart broke in two.

"I understand." Lotor said softly, and he left.

*****

A year passed and Zarkon had passed away under suspicious circumstances although they were not that suspicious, since everyone knew that Lotor had been after the throne of Doom for so long. In fact Zarkon's death was actually attributed to natural causes but no one would believe that. The newly crowned King of Doom didn't give a damn really. He didn't miss the old man and no one else did either.

Hagar, his father's witch, had killed herself when old Zarkon died, proving that she had indeed loved the old bastard - she was probably the only being who loved him. They were both cremated and buried with little fanfare in the family crypt since everyone was anxious to see what the new king would do.

Already his advisors were hinting that he needed to take a bride and soon. But Lotor didn't have the desire to do that even though he knew in truth that he needed to. A loveless marriage - gods, what a waste. But Allura had opted to stay within that cold marriage to that bastard and he had promised not to interfere. Damn his words and his promises!

But one day, he recieved word that the Queen of Arus wished to see him and congratulate him upon his coronation as King.

He went to Arus, a little wary, wondering why in the hell he was going when she had made her decision. He didn't think he'd be able to stand the sight of Keith - ever - and nearly turned back.

But his heart wanted to see her again, if only to see how she was faring.

***

He was escorted to the main throne room as befitted his station, but instead of seeing an assembled court, he saw only Allura. She was dressed simply and she smiled when she saw him. She looked happier and more assured of herself than the last time he saw her.

"King Lotor.." Allura came to him and clasped his hands as she looked up at him.

"Your Majesty.." He murmured, drinking in the sight of her.

She giggled, most un-Queen-like and said, "We're being so formal here, aren't we?"

"I suppose we are." He smiled.

"Congratulations, Lotor." Allura said softly.

"It is really nothing to be congratulated about really." Lotor shrugged. "My father actually died of old age."

"Really?" Allura looked surprised.

"Yes, no one else believes it either. But he died in his sleep. Haggar found him and she well commited sucidide. I guess she really did love him." Lotor said.

"Oh! How - sad!" Allura suddenly felt pity for Haggar.

"I guess it is - or was for Haggar. Still loving that bastard despite what he's done." He looked pointedly at Allura.

"I - wanted to let you know something." Allura said. "Remember when I told you I had some decisions to make?"

Lotor blinked. That part hadn't registered with him at the time. Only the part where she said that she would remain faithful did.

She laughed softly. "I can see you don't remember. Well, I did make some decisions and I wanted to let you know that I have divorced Keith."

"You - did?" Lotor looked shocked.

"I did. I confronted him and eventually it came out. I guess you were too buried on Doom to really notice. I didn't want to keep him in something that he only felt a duty to and besides since he was my consort I did have the right to release him from his duty since we had no children together."

"But wait. Voltron..Keith and Lance were pilots as were the rest." Lotor said.

"Well you guys were not attacking us." Allura still held his hands in hers. "So that helped in securing alternate pilots who are very capable in defending Arus and the near universe. Keith and Lance have left Arus."

"I - see." Lotor was dumbfounded and didn't know what to say.

"I'd like to forge a peace treaty with you." Allura said seriously.

"Oh, I see." Lotor sounded almost disappointed.

She laughed. "Which means we'll need to see each other often."

"Yes.." Lotor blinked.

"Lotor!" Allura squeezed his hand.

"What?"

"Lotor, I'd like to see you - for more than a peace treaty." She raised a delicate brow at him.

"This is just so - so sudden." Lotor said with a slight twinkle to his eyes.

"Very funny." Allura wryly said. "So what do you say?"

"I agree.." Lotor looked down at her. "I want to make you happy."

She smiled. "Maybe you can, Lotor, maybe you can."

And with that, she kissed him softly on his lips, the kiss revealing sweet promises to come.

end! (maybe, maybe not!)