Keith and I step out, hand in hand and in a surreal moment, the entire chamber kneels as one.

"Long live the Queen and King of Arus!" the proclamation echoes throughout the chamber as we look to see the shocked faces of our teammates.

We step to the podium and everyone rises from kneeling.

'You're used to this. You speak first.'

"Welcome allies of Arus," I say in greeting. "Please take your seats, we have much to discuss and an unknown time to do so." The shuffling of chairs and bodies is the only sound. I look to where Coran is now sitting to our right, his Prime Minister's seat. Beside him are our teammates, now seated, but their eyes going between us and Coran. I wonder who will ask first, Pidge or Lance? Gavel in hand, I slam it down twice. "Thank you one and all for coming here on such short notice." I hear Lance mutter something and see Coran glare in his direction. I make a point of ignoring him. "The people of Pollux are suffering and need our help. We have begun the task of rescue and recovery. However, it is a daunting task that Arus cannot take on alone. I now ask that those allies who have brought forces to assist please stand so we may see and know you." To my shock, nearly seventy-five people stand. A few I have seen on the vids, never in person. They sent a true response. Great news and bad. It means this threat is viable to more than just our sector. "We are grateful for your assistance. Those who plan to work directly on Pollux, remain standing for a little longer, so we may assist you in any way we can." The others sit back down and I look across the chambers, about half remain standing. So they know how serious this is. How much needs to be done. "Let's start with search and recovery teams. If you are part of search and recovery please raise your hand." Ten people raise their of them are from Arus.

'Let's break them off into sections. Send them to a smaller area to start building their teams. I can show them where to go.'

'Search and recovery should go to the chamber next door. It should hold all of them. Who do we leave on point?'

'One from Arus, One Garrison, and One from Pollux.'

'Good thinking. And do the same for other groups.'

'Yes.'

"Those of you handling the search and recovery, please adjourn to the next room "I want one member of the survivors of Pollux, one from Arus, and one from the Garrison to lead. Pollux on point since they are most familiar with the landscape. Otherwise, form your teams and present us with a plan as soon as possible. So we can get you what supplies you need. Prime Minister Coran, would you please lead them to their meeting area?"

"As you say, Your Majesty," he replies as he stands and slowly about a third of the room empties.

I turn to Keith. 'Your turn, Husband.'

Keith takes a breath and releases it slowly before placing his hand on the podium. "Those of you who will serve as medics and counselors, please stand."

About a quarter of the remaining people stand. It is then I realize they had already mostly divided themselves. Good. It means we have experienced people, not just the enlisted and grunts.

"As before, we want one person from Pollux, Garrison and Arus to lead. Pollux on point, so they may lead you to where the safest areas to triage and tend to people are. They know the place better than anyone. Our lead doctor will show you to the medbay. Work on your supply needs, and get your plan together. We shall reconvene with the leads of all soon."

More chairs shuffling and people heading out the doors. I look and see we now have around a hundred people remaining, including our teammates. All of whom are staring expectantly between Keith and I. 'You're lead warrior, lead your crew, Husband.' I can't keep the smirk from my tone, even though only he can hear it.

Keith takes a breath and looks to those remaining. "Thank you for coming. As you know it is bad. And I need to know what type of protection is being offered. Commander Dawson, could you enlighten us?"

A man rises. His hair is speckled with silver and his uniform is crisp and looks freshly pressed. This is truly a lifer, as Keith has dubbed those who began in the garrison as teens and moved up the ranks. "Thank you, Com- er, Your Highness," he replies. "We have a fleet of warships stations strategically around Pollux and some in some in spaces between here and there. A second fleet is heading this way to be ready for anything that might come our way as we know that Voltron cannot be in all places at once. "The Dirugger fleet is staying near Earth and our home system to ensure we have no further trouble from this new enemy. We have a supply team in orbit near Pollux await orders. An entire medical battalion is on the ready to assist in any way they can."

"Excellent. Could you have a few shuttles come to get the crews from here?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I also have arranged for a modular mobile hospital we can erect on Pollux and then one here, so we don't overwhelm the civilian hospitals here on Arus, if you wish to do so."

'Allura?'

'Excellent idea.'

"We should get on starting both hospitals as soon as possible. I'll send a couple of the Voltron Force to scout out land for the one here nearby."

"When do you want us to leave?" the Commander asks.

'Let's reconvene in an hour with all the leaders and set the crews to loading the ships to leave at a moment's notice.'

"Let's have everyone grab a bite to eat, then the group leaders reconvene in an hour here. When they've eaten, set your crews to loading up ships to shuttle them to Pollux. Those staying behind will work on preparing for an influx of casualties and erecting the hospital."

"As you wish," the Commander replies with a dip of his head.

"Very well, we shall see everyone in an hour," Keith states firmly before turning to me. No one moves and I smile as I motion for him to slam the gavel down to officially end the meeting. I see his cheeks flush for an instant as he grabs the gavel and hits the podium and people begin to disperse.

We head to our small break room that we use to relax. Of course as soon as the doors open, we know that won't be the case. Lance, Pidge, and Hunk are standing their with their arms crossed, and I know we're about to be thoroughly interrogated. Royalty or no. I nearly burst out laughing when my eyes catch sight of Coran sitting in the corner, a drink in hand with the chair turned so he can watch this unfold. We step into the room and the doors shut. The silence is almost worse than the barrage of questions I expected. We stand there, waiting for one of them to say something.

'Should we say something?' Keith asks through our bond.

'I don't know.'

"When?"

I blink. Pidge speaks first. I didn't expect that. "Last night."

"Last night?" all three repeat.

"Yes."

"Why weren't we invited?" Lance asks in a tone I've rarely heard. Especially when speaking to me.

"It wasn't exactly planned, Lance."

He laughs and it makes me nervous.

"What is this about? Why are you pulling this NOW of all times?" he asks. He looks to me, then Keith and when neither of us answer immediately, he turns to Coran. "You're okay with this?!"

Coran takes a long slow sip of whatever he's got in his glass and smiles. "It doesn't matter my opinion. This comes from a higher authority. But for the record, yes, I am fine with it. I know he loves her and she him. They also possess rings that have been sealed away for ages. The only way that would happen is if the Ancients blessed their union."

"Who are the Ancients?" Pidge asks as we all move to find places to sit down.

We take our seats and I look to Coran. "Perhaps you should explain this, Coran. You seem to know more than I do."

He takes another drink as everyone looks to him. "The Ancients as we know them come from the original settlers of Arus. The first king was King Albus. He chose a wife from one of his fellow shipmates. They were part of an expedition from Terra a millenia ago. He did not want the title of King, but as he was from a noble family, he was elected as leader. He preferred Duke Albus. It was after his death that he was given the title of King by those he led. The ship had crash landed here. And supplies had begun to dwindle, as the trip took a lot longer than expected. Albus and his wife Gwenneth were loved by the people. They used modular structures and quickly learned to track weather phenomenons and the like. By the time winter arrived they had a way to grow crops year round. It took two years before they could create a permanent settlement. Over the next decade, their population grew by exponential numbers, save for King Albus and Queen Gwen. They ruled as equals and had a bond that was unique. It was rumoured they could speak to ne another without uttering a word. He nearly lost his life while protecting Gwen on the ship before they landed here. That is when it supposedly began. It is why she agreed to become his wife. When that bond was formed, she felt safe and comfortable with him, unlike many others from the ship.

He learned from mistakes made on Terra and they were careful not to disrupt the natural order of things here. After they built the original castle of Lions, Queen Gwen became pregnant. She was nearly forty years of age when she gave birth to twin boys. They raised them to revere the people and the land. Saying they were merely servants and protectors of the people and this world that has accepted them. The boys Seth and Aiden spread out and settled other regions as the population continued to grow. When their mother became ill, they returned and helped their father rule until he too, passed across the veil. Aiden being born first was given his father's title, but split it with his brother. A second kingdom was created in the other hemisphere for Seth and the brothers formed dutchies as the populace continued to grow and spread. Skip a few hundred years and we have a parting of ways by two men. Both of whom felt they were to be the one true leader of Arus. By this time, the Castle of Lions and the King in title was much different. The King was a figurehead who oversaw conflicts and his decision was the final say of any disagreement. Day to day operations were run by governmental houses and elected officials who made up a council of peers. As it always is, a brother, not happy as a Duke, sought to be equal to the King and left Arus for Pollux and begun anew. The rift only grew deeper over the centuries and is only now beginning to heal. The Queen at the time said that until such a time that a bond was forged as strong as the one between Albus and Gwen Pollux and Arus would never heal. And now, the Ancients have blessed Allura and Keith."

"Wait… you two can talk to each other telepathically?!" Pidge all but screams.

"Yes," Keith replies as he looks towards Lance. "What, no snarky remarks? That's so unlike you?"

"Why didn't you at least give US a heads-up?!" Lance mutters. It's the first time he seems truly hurt.

"It wasn't our intent to keep it from you, Lance," I reply. "When you found us this morning, we had returned from the crypt and collapsed. So when we woke with the lot of you there, then Coran...we just didn't know how to explain everything. We will have a wedding once this is over and I promise you, You'll be in on the wedding."

"But NOT the honeymoon," Keith adds.

'Honeymoon?'

'I'll explain later.'

Lance and Hunk both start laughing and Coran looks relieved. The door chimes and some maids walk in with sandwiches on trays.

"Oh good. I'm starving!" Hunk says which makes Pidge break out into a fit of giggles.

'I'll cherish this moment while we have it,' I say to Keith.

'Yes. Who knows when we'll have this chance to act normal again,' Keith replies as we both turn and laugh as Pidge seems to be trying to steal Hunk's second plate. 'Whatever normal is,' he adds laughing through our bond.

A/N: Thanks for your patience. Updates will be a bit sporadic as I am hoping to update 2 non-Voltron stories. Both are original fiction. And on top of that, the Holidays are coming up sooner rather than later. Thank you for the reviews they help me keep going! :-)