Hell Hath No Fury

Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters nor any of its alternate universe personas. So sad, I could become fond of a Lotor with green eyes…

Part 5 of the Chivalry story arc: 1. Chivalry; 2. Lion House Restored (& 2A. LHR – Allura's POV); 3. Doomed Quest; 4. Alternate Choices; and 5. Hell Hath No Fury. While some of the stories can be read as stand alone, this one must be read AFTER Alternate Choices for it to make sense.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T, bordering M. Setting is DotU in flavor.

Chapter Seventeen

Keith looked over to Orla and Lance as they sat down on the ground. "Thank you, Orla, for sending the medic over. It's a relief to have my voice back." Shaking his head, he said, "You have no idea how frustrating it was not to be able to call out to Allura… um, my wife Allura."

"I'm glad they were able to assist you so quickly. Are you all right? We know that the Queen had you tortured." Orla studied him carefully.

Coloring slightly at what he knew to be the real question on everyone's mind, he answered. "Except for the aftereffects of the electrical pulses, I'm fine." Turning to Allura, he took her hand and said firmly, "Completely fine."

It was all the answer they needed, at least for the moment.

With that concern out of the way, Orla said, "I know you want to return to your universe soon, but anything you can provide us that will aid the Resistance will be appreciated."

Lance was growing irritated and threw both arms dramatically up in the air. "Medics and info- that's all well and good, Orla, but what about that vision you just had?"

"Vision?" Keith asked with concern as he turned from his friend to the Seer. "You had a vision?" He was so tired of visions.

Appearing troubled, Orla said, "Yes. Lance and I were talking about you returning to your universe and how Prince Lotor was your enemy." Looking past Keith, but at nothing specific, she continued to speak, "It was then that I had the vision. Because I am not of your world, it doesn't make much sense to me."

Allura reached over and placed a comforting hand on the seer's arm. Softly she said, "Tell us what you saw. We won't hold anything against you. It's a vision that you have no control over."

Placing her own hand over Allura's, she smiled at the Queen of Arus. "How I wish you could stay." Then realizing the folly of her statement, she cleared her throat and informed them of the vision. "I saw a grassy clearing surrounded by trees. In the center of the clearing Keith and Lotor stood facing each other with conventional swords in their hands. It was the Lotor of your universe as his eyes were yellow. Allura, you were standing at the edge of the trees with Merla. Seeing the Merla from my vision, I completely understand now why you stared at her when you first arrived." Looking over to Allura she said, "I can't tell what role you and Merla played. You didn't seem to be enemies, but your stance was not one of friends."

"Can you tell when this will occur?" Keith asked as his eyes remained intently on Orla. He had planned on confronting Lotor at some point. This vision wasn't so unexpected in its content as most of his past visions had been. Instead, this vision just confirmed what he knew must come to pass.

"I'm sorry, Keith, I can't give a timeframe. All I can tell you is that your face looks much as it does now and I saw no gray hairs on your head." Orla frowned. She was sorry that she wasn't able to provide them with more. However, she did take comfort in the fact that Keith wasn't surprised by her vision. But then, the pensive face of the Arusian Queen told her that it was something that the lovely monarch didn't want to happen. What little she knew of the Commander, told her that the fight with Prince Lotor was something that couldn't be avoided – much like the battle between the two identical queens. She only hoped that Keith's battle would turn out as well as Allura's.

Keith merely nodded. "It's all right, Orla. It is not an… unexpected turn of events."

Lance grunted and mumbled about pig-headed prince consorts while Allura remained silent.

Keith knew he'd get an earful from both of them once they returned home.

Nodding back at Keith, she returned to her original topic. "I hate to bring it up again, but I know you wish to return home quickly. The defenses and strategy of the Alliance… is there anything you can give us?" A pleading tone entered Orla's voice as she asked.

Moving to stand, Keith said, "Actually, there is a great deal. The Queen gave me access to the fortress security, ship specifications, and current deployments. I suggest we find our way to a more secure location to go over those details. General Flynn was quite content to let us go, but if she learns that you are here, Seer, she may return to attack."

Standing along with Allura and Lance, Orla looked off toward the fortress. Then she turned her attention to the shuttle containing her niece's remains. "I think that a most prudent decision, Commander. Let us both return to our shuttles. My pilot will send you the coordinates to the battle cruiser we have stationed just outside the system."

"That sounds agreeable," Lance answered.

Then moving slowly with Keith between them, Allura and Lance helped Keith to the shuttle. He protested when they told him to lie down, but Allura won and he was soon resting on a small cot in the back. When Allura returned to the cockpit, they were already out of Ormond's airspace and heading to the coordinates provided by Orla's pilot. Sinking into the co-pilot's seat, Allura felt exhaustion cover her. Letting out a huge sigh, she closed her eyes.

Lance gave a worried glance to his friend. "Perhaps you should go lie down as well. After all, you got banged up pretty good yourself."

Shaking her head with her eyes still closed, Allura said, "I am exhausted, but I'll sleep when we return. Right now, I'm not sure what kind of dreams I'll have. I need to make sure Keith's okay first."

Setting the controls to auto-pilot, he turned his full attention to Allura. "What do you mean? He said he was okay. Don't you believe him?"

Opening one eye to look at Lance, she retorted, "Like Keith normally tells us when he's not okay."

Lance sat back in his chair and contemplated what she had said. When he spoke it was with confidence. "Yeah, he can be a real jerk about letting us know when he's in trouble or hurt. But I don't think he was covering this time. This was too important to you. The Keith I saw was someone who wasn't haunted by the sadistic fantasies of a deranged monarch. And you know he would have looked haunted and guilt-ridden if she had bedded him."

Coloring slightly at his words, she pushed herself up in the seat and gazed back into the hold where Keith was at. "You truly believe we got to him in time."

"Without a doubt, my Queen." With that, Lance turned back toward his console. Jerking his head toward the back, he said, "Go lay down. Rest. We'll be rushed place to place when we dock in that cruiser. Rest up so you'll be ready. We'll be there in less than two hours."

Still looking into the hold, she responded, "Well… okay." Standing she moved to the back where she pulled a second cot next to Keith's. Lying beside him, she rested a hand on his arm and drifted off to sleep.