Just Allura

by (Kitty)Shannon

Disclaimers: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.

Rating: PG - Mild Language and Innuendo

Chapter 1

The early sunshine reflected off the morning dew creating tiny rainbows in the drops of water. Leaves unfurled and flowers turned their faces upward as if to greet the sun as it made its way into the sky. The last traces of dusk were chased away, and the air had begun to warm as the citizens of Arus began their daily routines.

But, the Princess of Arus had been up hours before, beginning her day when the moon was just saying good night and slipping off to sleep. She enjoyed the quiet that was found only in that slip of time when both the late moon and early sun shared the sky. It was the perfect time to both reflect and prepare for the day ahead.

Allura had set about her daily tasks long before most even rolled out of bed. She liked things this way, it gave her a sense of normalcy in a world where nothing was normal. She caught herself and before she allowed her thoughts to veer off in a dark direction, she took in a deep breath and surveyed her surroundings.

Sitting on her knees, she had the perfect view of the sea of colors created by the hundreds of blooms throughout her private garden. She reached out and clipped a large yellow flower from a nearby bush and brought it to her nose, inhaling deeply. The sweet fragrance and sharp morning air mixed together and tantalized her nose. She set the flower into a basket already over-flowing with dozens of buds and blooms in every color imaginable before reaching down and running her fingers through the rich Arussian soil.

Before Zarkon's forces razed her planet, it had been one of the greatest agricultural resources in the entire galaxy! The soil on Arus was so nutrient rich that whatever they grew in it produced fruits and vegetables that were bigger than what was produced from the same plants on other worlds. The flavors were more vibrant, their colors richer.

Allura allowed the dirt to slip through her fingers and back into the flower bed. She had noticed that it seemed as though even the soil had reproduced itself, becoming even richer somehow. It was part of the reason she had decided that when next spring arrived, she would plant her very own vegetable garden.

Pushing an errant lock of her golden hair behind her ear, she looked around her private garden and was filled with the deepest sense of inner tranquility. It wasn't often she had this kind of solitude, let alone felt this depth of peace. Indeed, it was a rare gift for the Princess of Arus to have this time alone, and so she was sure to savor the moment.

~'Maybe I'll cut a just a few more flowers and put them in Nanny's room - she'd like that!'~

The young woman began to hum softly, a tune she had known forever but couldn't name, oblivious to everything but the joy in her heart.

:)

:)

The raven-haired Captain of the Voltron Force smiled softly as he watched the enchanting maiden move about her garden. As cliché as it sounded, she was indeed the most beautiful flower of them all. Allura seemed so at ease and filled with bliss, something she wasn't afforded often. Which was why he was here now, watching her from afar.

Keith sighed, his rich brown eyes turning almost black as he considered his situation. On the one hand, he was weighed with guilt for intruding on her privacy. On the other, she had suffered so much already and he felt a need to ensure that no one took any more from her. He wanted her to feel she had this time that was only hers, in a place where she could be alone, but he would never allow her safety to be compromised. And so, he always made sure to keep out of her sight yet never let her out of his own.

He heard her begin to hum - a tune he had come to know well - and he smiled.

:)

:)

The daredevil pilot of Red Lion grinned, the smile spreading from ear to ear. From his vantage point on the balcony outside the rec room, Lance had found the perfect place to spy on Keith as he spied on the lovely Princess of Arus - and neither of them would ever be the wiser.

Lance shook his head and the sun's rays picked up the red hues in his rich brown hair as he rolled his soft caramel-colored eyes heavenward.

~'Man, when are those two gonna get a clue?'~

It was obvious (at least to him) that Keith had very deep and constantly growing feelings for the sweet girl who'd changed all their lives. And everyone knew that Allura absolutely adored Keith! Unfortunately, even Coran and Nanny could see what Allura tried to hide.

The other night, Lance had stood the late watch at Castle Control and missed the evening meal so he thought he'd just stop by the kitchen and grab a sandwich. But, just as he reached the kitchen door, he noticed the light coming from under Nanny's office door across the hall. At first he'd thought someone had forgotten to turn it off, but when he went to open the door and check, he had heard voices.

Never one to miss an opportunity to snoop, he leaned close and listened in, immediately recognizing Nanny's shrill voice as well as Coran's cultured one. He decided it was a waste of time until he had heard Keith's name and his ears had perked right up. The two were discussing Allura's growing interest in young men, particularly her interest in the Voltron Force Captain. They conceded that the Princess was at that stage in life where it was natural for her to have a crush on a young man and that Keith was quite handsome, chivalrous, and charming - just the kind of young man that any girl would be taken with.

"Keith is better than those other hooligans," Nanny had said, "But even he is far below my baby's station. It is simply unacceptable, Coran!"

"Now, Hanani," Coran said in an attempt to cool her temper. "I agree that Allura needs a proper suitor, but I am sure Keith would never do anything out of line. He is an honorable young man, after all."

That's when Lance had walked away. Not because he was done with his snooping, but because he was about to lose his temper! How dare they talk about Keith like that! Hell, any girl, even the Princess, would be lucky to date a guy like his big brother! Making a wise choice, Lance had decided it was better that those two didn't know he'd overheard them.

~'If they just had a chance...'~ Lance thought, ~'Those two are falling in love and those two old farts are gunna do everything than can to stop it!' ~

Suddenly he sat up perfectly straight and smiled once more. It was as if a light bulb went of over his head. Maybe it was time to give 'em a push in the right direction.

Sometimes, even Fate needs a helping hand.