Once again this is dedicated to everyone on KAEX for their continued encouragement and to all those who have been providing reviews and feedback. You are the ones who make me find time to write even on days that I don't think I will be able to.
Disclaimer - WEP owns everything except the voices in my head... And Marcus... And the pink pillow... Pretty much everything else is theirs...
Coran is sitting at the console in the control room monitoring sensor activity in Arus's airspace when Marcus finds him.
"Excuse me, Coran?"
"Yes Marcus? Can I help you with something?"
"Lance asked me to have you come back to the hospital wing. He said that Keith and the Princess wanted to see you about something."
"Very well. Tell them I will be there shortly." Coran raises his hand to his mustache as he tries to figure out what they could be summoning him for. His first thought is that the commander had some sort of relapse or medical setback, but if that was the case Lance would most likely have come in person instead of sending Marcus and the request wouldn't have been from Keith and Allura. Dismissing that thought, he wonders if they want to discuss having Sven come from Pollux to fill in on the team until Keith is medically cleared to resume his Lion duties. He discounts that idea as well since they would likely just contact Sven directly or have directed Marcus to ask him to make the request on their behalf. A trip to the hospital wing wouldn't be necessary. Suddenly Coran remembers a conversation that he had with Keith the prior week.
The two men were in the observation lounge one evening discussing the dangers that Zarkon continued to pose to both the planet and the princess. Keith was pacing in front of the windows. His posture that of a caged animal, never completely turning away from the view outside. Coran sat watching him from the sofa.
"You won't see him when he attacks, Keith. He's too clever. It frightens me that he might have devised a means of destroying Voltron."
Keith turns to him, but remains silent, the only sound coming from his booted feet as they continue their journey from one end of the room to the other.
The aging advisor continues, "It's possible. We can deal with the known. But Zarkon is aided by the twisted magic of that witch Haggar. And her devices are unknown. Has it occurred to you what life would be like for Allura if she fell into Lotor's hands?"
The captain's face drains of all color and his fists clench at his sides. It is painfully obvious to anyone looking that he is well aware of the threat Doom poses as his pacing increases speed.
"You know I could create a reason for her having to leave Arus."
Keith finally stops pacing and looks Coran straight in the eyes. "She'd see right through it. We have to count on vigilance. The minute we detect Zarkon's course of action, we'll move with the total might of Voltron! He'll run. And don't worry about Allura…" The force and volume of the commander's voice fades as he finishes his thought.
"You're more concerned about her than I am, right?"
"Yeah, and I promise you this. The ONLY way that he'll get her, is over my cold, dead body!" There is a look of fierce determination on the young man's face that reinforces the strength of his pledge.
"This isn't just the captain tasked with her protection speaking, is it?" Coran searches Keith's face for confirmation of his suspicions.
Keith clenches his jaw, his breathing heavy, and turns back to the window without saying another word.
Coran sighs as he realizes that Keith came as close as he could to admitting his feelings for Allura that night. Adding that to the princess's behavior since his injury, and Coran is sure that he knows what his summons is meant to discuss. Getting up, he starts heading to the medical wing. Feeling unprepared to handle this situation just yet, he makes a detour to the catacombs beneath the castle.
Entering King Alfor's tomb, Coran approaches the king's crypt, kneels, and clasps his hands in prayer. "King Alfor, my old friend, I find myself in need of your counsel this night. As I am sure you are aware, your daughter has turned away every prince that we have presented to her as a suitor. Instead she seems to have developed an *attachment* to the captain of the Voltron Force. Keith appears to feel the same way for her, but he is not of noble birth. His lack of pedigree notwithstanding, they otherwise appear to be a good match and I cannot image anyone else seeing to her protection, needs, or happiness more completely than he would. He has shown on many occasions that he would unthinkingly put his life at risk to save hers. Please, Your Majesty, help me determine what to do about this."
As he grows quiet, a ghostly apparition appears before him. "Coran… My daughter's heart is pure, as is Keith's. Love is their only motivation in pursuing this path. He is a valiant champion and strong leader. His devotion to our world is surpassed only by his devotion to my daughter. Would it be wrong to deny what the heart wants so completely? If she were not royalty, but merely your own daughter, would you approve of the union? Look to your own heart for the answer."
As the ghost of King Alfor fades away, Coran stands up and begins walking back to the hospital wing already sure of what they wish to discuss and how he will deal with it.
As he walks into the room, the first thing that Coran notices is that the captain has one of Allura's pink throw pillows nestled behind his head. Stepping in further, he sees that the princess is seated on the bed by Keith's hip. She is holding his hand as they smile and speak quietly. Clearing his throat the royal advisor approaches the bed and takes a seat facing them. Raising his eyebrow at the intimacy of the scene before him, his suspicions are confirmed. "Marcus said that you both had something you wished to discuss with me?"
Coran notices that the princess and the captain exchange glances before Allura hesitantly speaks. Her grip on Keith's hand tightens as she takes a deep breath, composing herself. "Coran, I know that you and Nanny always want what's best for me and I know that you both think that means I need to marry a prince, but… Well… have you ever thought about what *I* want? What would make *me* happy? I've met all the princes that you have paraded through here but not one of them was interested in my feelings or happiness. They were all interested in what political advantages they could gain, getting their hands on Voltron, and what our planet could offer as benefit to them. Not one of them ever spoke to me as a person. I can't bear the thought of spending the rest of my life in that kind of relationship." Her voice breaks and she shakes her head in an attempt to compose herself. Her eyes close as she tries to hold back the tears that have been forming and threatening to spill out.
"Princess, you know that royalty typically marries royalty. That is the way things work. What exactly are you trying to say?" He already knows that there are feelings between the two young people before him but waits for them to broach the subject directly.
"But why should someone's parentage be a factor in who they marry? Shouldn't I get the opportunity to find someone who loves me, who cherishes me, who would do anything to make me happy? Someone I could feel the same way about? No matter who they were born to or where they were raised?" She looks at Keith who squeezes her hand with one of his and gently rubs her arm with his other.
"Perhaps, that should be considered. Is there a reason we are speaking about this here and now?" He realizes that they will need a little more coaxing to finally admit things aloud.
"Well, with Keith's recent injury, I've realized that he means more to me than anyone... "
"I see. Keith, what do you have to say about this?"
"Coran, I know I don't have a royal heritage or any sort of pedigree, or really anything to offer the crown. But I care for Allura very much. As you know I would do anything I could to protect her, keep her safe, and make her happy. There nothing I wouldn't do if it brought a smile to her face. I'd give my life for her and her people."
"I don't think anyone could doubt or question your dedication to her safety. After all it's the reason we are currently sitting in this hospital room, is it not? I have no reservations that you would move the heavens themselves to keep her safe."
"Then you would be alright with us beginning a relationship that was more than just friendly in nature?"
"Under the circumstances and based on your actions since your arrival, I think you have shown a nobility of spirit that rivals any born to a royal house. You have repeatedly shown your dedication to protecting the princess and her world. There is no question that you would continue to serve Arus selflessly. The people adore you and view you as a hero. While unorthodox, such a suitor could be acceptable under certain provisions of Arusian law. There have been precedents set long ago that would allow it. And I know you would take care of our precious Allura as no other would."
"Coran, does that mean that we have your blessing to be together?" Allura wrings her hands as she looks at her advisor hopefully.
"Yes, but you will have to maintain a certain level of decorum in public. After all, you are not merely teenagers playing at games of love." He looks them each in the eye to make sure that his meaning is clear.
Allura jumps up from the bed and grabs Coran in a fierce embrace. "Oh thank you Coran!" She releases him and sits back down next to Keith. Biting her lower lip she takes another deep breath. "There is one more thing… Will you help us get Nanny to go along with this too? I really don't think she's going to accept this quietly…"
Coran chuckles softly. "No, she will most definitely require some convincing. Although I am sure that she has already come to her own conclusions over the last few days, much as I did. I will speak with her after dinner. Princess will you be joining us in the dining room tonight?"
"If it's all the same to you Coran, I'd rather just stay here with Keith."
"Of course. I will make sure that something is sent over for you both. If you will excuse me." He stands and exits the room.
"Well that was easier than I thought it would be." Allura heaves a sigh of relief and smiles at Keith.
"Yeah well, we knew he would be the easier one. Hopefully he can help convince Nanny."
Just then Lance pokes his head into the room. "I didn't hear any screaming, so I am assuming Coran took the news fairly well."
Allura giggles and Keith bites his lip to keep from laughing. "C'mon in, Lance."
"You two look pretty happy. I'm guessing that everything went according to plan."
"More or less. He didn't go out of his way to make it easy, but he seemed open and accepting when it came down to it and didn't fight us. He's even agreed to talk to Nanny for us. You can understand why I'd be afraid to talk to her without him on our side…" Keith gives Lance a knowing look.
"Of course. Can't have a hooligan trying to tarnish the princess. Even if that same hooligan is the one who always rushes in to protect her from every threat that surfaces." Lance smirks and snickers.
"Heh, yeah… Though I wonder how she even thinks that princes are worthy of her Allura…"
"Hello, I'm right here… And I'm not her property to dispose of as she sees fit. I *am* my own person. Though I don't really look forward to reminding her of that… Again… Or hearing about how you ruffians are corrupting me." Allura frowns at the thought of what they still face.
"Well, let's concentrate on the positives so far. We have each other and we have Coran on our side. We'll deal with Nanny later. Now, how about a smile Princess?" Keith looks to Allura and raises his eyes hopefully.
She responds by smirking at him and leaning down to kiss his nose. "Thatta girl!"
Lance chuckles as once again Keith's stomach does an impersonation of Black Lion. "OK, OK. I get the hint. Be right back with dinner for two."
Allura giggles as he leaves and then stands up from the bed. "Hey where're you going Princess?" Keith looks crestfallen to be in his bed alone.
"Nowhere, just looking for the control to raise the top of the bed. I have a feeling feeding you will be easier if I can get you sitting up and somehow I don't think your abs are quite up to doing the work themselves yet." Finally finding the button she was looking for she presses it and the bed slowly bends into an upright reclined position. "Does that feel ok?"
Keith smiles and nods at her then pats the bed on his right side. "Come back. I'm getting' lonely." He pouts at her and is rewarded with a laugh as she sits back down. He reaches up and pulls her to him burying his nose and cheek in her hair.
"Careful, I don't want to hurt you." She moves closer to the edge of the bed so that she is barely touching him.
"Nah, that side isn't so bad. It's the left shoulder and my gut that are the problem. My right side hardly hurts in comparison. Besides it's worth it to finally get to hold you."
A mischievous look flashes in the princess's blue eyes as she straddles him and bends down to plant a kiss on his mouth. His right arm wraps around her waist, holding her close while his left tangles itself in her hair. Her hands caress his cheeks and jaw as they pour all the pent up emotions from their hearts into the kiss. Neither of them notices when Lance returns and quietly places a tray of food on the bedside table before slipping out again, closing the door gently behind him.