A/N: Ladies and Gents and whatnot, it is November which means Nanowrimo (National Writing Month) is underway. Every year I have particpated in writing a story, even getting 50,000 words, but this year I am doing fanfiction. I intend to get as much posted on my account as possible. I really want a post each day, but I am not confident of that happening because I know myself and I also don't want to make that promise and then not follow through. What this means for you guys is that my stories will be updated, though may not be plot driven and more filler without behind the scenes moments. That's not set in stone though, so we'll see how it goes. Anyway, that's my little update for you all, be on the look out for some other Voltron stuff as well ;)

Thank you all for the follows, favs and reviews! The support for this story is great and I am glad you guys are enjoying it! Hope you all have a great day/night!

Summary: Summary: Allura has been hiding a secret from the Paladins, something painful from her past forced her to remain quiet. However that all changes when she finds a beloved object of someone she held dear. A simple pendant that hangs around the Blue Paladin's neck. Altean!Lance

Chapter Seventeen

In silence they walked up to the lounge where the other paladins were. Casimir was… nervous. He couldn't say terrified, because he knew terror and this wasn't terrifying. Yet he still held on tightly to his sister's hand as if it were the only thing that kept him walking forward and in a way, that was true. He was exhausted, mentally, physically, emotionally. Even with Allura's explanation on what happened to him, he still could not remember the ordeal, but the effects were certainly in full swing on him now. Stomach upset, head still pounding, joints sore, his hearts aching. It was not the best time for him, though he guessed it made sense given the ordeal he had gone through.

"Allura," he said suddenly, "These new paladins."

"What about them," Allura asked as they walked on.

Casimir glanced at her, "They were civilians on earth. Would you consider them warriors now?"

The question caught Allura slightly off guard, but she had an answer in moments, "Yes. They are some of the bravest warriors I have ever met. They certainly didn't start out that way, but I am most proud of how they have each grown."

"Were you proud of me," Casimir asked, "Was I good warrior?"

Allura nodded, a small smile on her face, "I've never been more proud of you."

Casimir didn't return her smile, but she could tell the words meant a lot to him. A silence settled over them once more until they arrived to the doors where the paladins would be. Casimir's nerves shot through their bond, Allura just kept a firm grip on his hand in order to reassure him that everything would be okay. It seemed to do the trick. The royal siblings entered the room together, Casimir didn't release his sister's hand when all eyes fell to him. It was not the first time that all the eyes had been on him, he had been in front of many crowds before, but this was a bit different.

Everyone in this room knew him as someone else, as someone he didn't remember. Casimir straightened his shoulders, he stepped forward releasing Allura's hand though she seemed hesitant to let go. He understood the feel. Standing before the group, his back straight, hands behind his back, he cleared his throat. Altea may have fallen, but he was still the crown prince and must present himself as such.

"Hello everyone," Casimir said, he flashed his best smile and ignored the nauseous feeling, "Allura tells me I once knew you and that you know me as Lance. To each of you, he has fallen away and I have taken his place, though that is not my intention. I should hope you each keep Lance with you as he is still apart of me. I do hope to get to know you all once more as friends if you should have me."

It was strange for the paladins to see someone they know was Lance only for it to not be him at all. Though they each saw him return to his Altean state, it was still bizarre for him to be right in front of him and not the same boy they knew. However the difference was remarkably clear the way L-Casimir spoke and stood before them. He was not the goofy boy who was growing into a strong warrior, before them was a crown prince.

For Hunk it was jarring. He had been friends with Lance since middle school when they joined the Garrison, if not for the sickle marks and white hair, he looked right out of the past. In order to hold back his emotions, Hunk did his best to friend that it wasn't Lance at all. That it was just Allura's kid brother who he had never met and they rescued. Though by pretending that to be true, it made it hard to place Lance in that. Because Lance wasn't here, it was as if saying Lance had never existed or he died in the rescue. Neither sat well with the yellow paladin.

Still he smiled at the boy and stepped forward, "Of course we want to be your friends. Call me Hunk."

Casimir nodded his head with a grin, "Pleasure to meet you yellow paladin Hunk. May I have the rest of your names?"

Pidge stepped up next, "Call me Pidge."

"Hello Pidge," Casimir replied, "Is that your real name or is it your prefered one?"

Pidge smirked, though there was a sad look in her eyes, "You could call it prefered name."

Pirdge found it weird to see Casimir, but she knew there was nothing she could really do about that. Maybe if she had spent more time helping Coran on finding a solution, then Lance would still be here and not as this young prince. Perhaps there was a way for Lance to remember his life as Casimir without forgetting them, but because she wasn't looking hard enough, Lance was lost. The thoughts made her want to scream, but she forced herself to keep grinning at the prince. She wondered how he must be feeling at this moment, standing before a bunch of strangers claiming to know him as someone he doesn't remember. It must be bizarre and Pidge felt for him.

Casimir didn't say anything else after that. He turned his gaze towards the red dressed paladin who was leaning against a pillar, his head tilted down. Throughout this exchanged, he hadn't said a word or even acknowledged Casimir despite being well aware of the young Altean's presence. Casimir frowned at him. Worry tugged at him, what if the leader of the paladins refused to be his friend or even colleague. Would that mean the other paladins would no longer be his friend either?

Casimir shook the childish thoughts away, while he did want to be their friends, he knew friendships were not always what they seemed. Casimir was still the red paladin, he could feel the connection to the lion and the leader would need to accept that. It didn't mean they had to be friends, but they needed to rely on each other in the battle field. Voltron needed them as a unit. Annoyance replaced Casimir's concerns, he crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his gaze at the red paladin.

"Black paladin," Casimir said, his tone sharp, "Will you introduce yourself to me or shall I refer to you as mullet head?"

"Casimir," Allura scolded sharply.

This caused the former red paladin to finally look at Casimir with an expression of pain and surprise. A slight sting of guilt hit Casimir, but he wasn't exactly sure why. The current leader of didn't say anything, he only stared at the prince for a few moments. He pushed himself off the wall and stalked over to the prince.

"Keith," warned Shiro with a worried look.

The black paladin named Keith did not glance his way. No, his violet eyes were focused on the Altean prince who used to be known as Lance McClain. Keith thought he could handle it, he thought that he would be able to brush it off and keep it moving. Yet when he heard the way this prince talked, he couldn't hear Lance in him. When he couldn't find traces of the red paladin in the child's voice anger and sorrow filled him and he refused to look at the boy. This wasn't Lance, this wasn't his right hand. He stared down at the young prince who didn't seem concerned or intimidated. However it there that Keith finally saw Lance in those Altean eyes, a flicker of the cuban teen.

"Welcome to team Voltron," Keith said curtly, "We train tomorrow at ten."

Casimir blinked in reply, but he nodded once, "Understood."

"Wait a minute," Coran said walking over, "Casimir continuing in the red lion's position is not gauranteed."

Keith looked to the red haired Altean, "What do you mean?"

Casimir crossed his arms over his chest, "I would also like to know."

"Casimir, you may have piloted the lion as Lance, but you were seventeen at the time, right now, you are barely thirteen of their years," Allura said as she joined Coran's side, "I am uncertain it would be wise to allow you fight on the front lines."

Casimir gaped at his sister, a little more than stunned at what she and Coran were saying. Voltron needed to be formed, he was the red lion and Voltron could not function without all five lions. If he didn't fly, then who would?

"You cannot be serious," Casimir said in surprise.

Allura replied shortly, "I most certainly am serious. You are not of age to fight in a war."

Casimir rolled his eyes, "With a war raging across the galaxy, I am certain we can make an exception."

It was Shiro who spoke next, coming to the Altean's aid. While Casimir had been unconcious, they had all spoken on about the next steps for Voltron considering one of their pilots was… a child again. Allowing a child to fight in war not something that any of them wanted to do. Pidge and Hunk had not been included in the conversation, Keith had been there, but did not care. He believed Casimir would be fine. All of them were too young to be fighting in this war, what was adding one more to the list?

"While that may be, you are the youngest member and should not be fighting," Shiro told the prince, "We have five pilots and can still form Voltron without having to cross that line."

Casimir glared, but said nothing. Now he understood. Shiro would take the black lion and Keith would take the red one, leaving Casimir to remain on the ship and operate the castle with Coran. Anger pulsed through his veins, he was not about to give this up yet. However much to his surprise, the hand of the current black paladin rested on his shoulder.

"While your concerns are valid, nothing is decided," Keith said, his tone cold.

Hunk frowned, "They have a point Keith."

Keith spoke, his annoyance hidden, "Casimir may be new, but Allura has told of us of his abilities in combat and piloting. Tomorrow at training, he will have a chance to prove himself and if he is unable to handle it, then I will return to the red lion. However we will not strip the red lion away from due to him shirnking in size."

"It was more than shrinking in size," Allura hissed.

Keith narrowed his eyes, "I'm well aware the complexities that are in this situation. If Casimir is capable of piloting, then he remains the red paladin. If he feels he is not ready or it is obvious he cannot handle it, then adjustments will be made. Until then, he is still the red paladin. End of discussion."

And without another word, Keith left the room with an air of finality. Shiro and Allura went after the current black paladin, but the altean prince was not focused on them. Casimir watched Keith leave go with a mix of surprise and… joy wasn't the right word, but he was certainly pleased with this outcome. Tomorrow would be his chance tp prove he was more than capable of piloting the red lion despite the circumstances. He clenched his hands into fists, he would show them exactly what he was capable of.