Special Thanks to: Isis Ma'at, Mythfan, Selena Snow, Hexenwerk, The Dementors Dinner Party, and Tiggerlily2213. Thank you a hundred times over for your kind words!

Author's Note: My sincerest apologies for leaving this for as long as I have. Life's been a bit chaotic and for writing, I could only focus on one story. But it's the holiday and I wanted to give you all a treat, so here it is: Chapter 6. Thank you to all who have waited so patiently. I know waiting on a story can be tiresome. But there. :) Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!

Chapter 6: Not Just a Commander

"It's safe, well out of the way of all enemy patrols, and fully stocked. They'll be able to accommodate us for a movement (space equivalent of a week) at least, and a movement is something I highly suggest, Your Highness. The Paladins need a rest." Kolivan finished speaking and watched Allura shift her weight, her shoulders sloping with stress.

"Yes," she agreed. "We'll take a rest. You're right, Kolivan. We need it."

Kolivan inwardly sighed, relief making him smile. "Shall I send the message, then?"

"Please do. And I'll inform the Paladins and Coran." She took a single step to leave, then turned back to him. "You're sure we wouldn't be intruding?" Her forehead pinched, her mouth pulling down slightly.

Kolivan inclined his head. "I would not have suggested it otherwise. Besides, it'll be good for you all to see another aspect of Marmora."

She smiled at that. "Yes," she said. "I suppose so."

-:-:-:-

"We're going where?" Lance asked.

Kolivan answered, "The planet Athír is home to the Citadels for my people. It is a place of safety and refuge for those who cannot, or do not want to, fight in the war against Zarkon and his empire."

"So…we're going on a vacation?" Hunk verified.

"Princess Allura has requested, and the priestesses have granted, a one-movement stay. So, technically, yes. We're going on a vacation."

"All right!"

"Wahoo!"

"This is going to be so much fun!"

As the Paladins raced away, Regris, who stood beside Kolivan, leaned in. "You're not going to tell them who lives in the Citadels, are you?" he whispered in Kolivan's ear.

Kolivan smirked. "It's a surprise."

"Of course it is."

-:-:-:-

Athír was a blue and green planet that nearly had Lance in tears when he saw it. "It looks like home," he said, though he mentioned some differences like the continents' shapes and the seven moons that spun gently in orbit.

Regris had informed the other Blades to not breathe a word of the inhabitants, so they all hid their smiles behind stoic faces, though both Bavi and Renen attempted to keep their excited nerves to a minimum.

They landed the castle and disembarked, finding a small welcoming committee in the form of two priestesses in deep blue robes that mirrored the Marmora cloaks.

"Princess Allura, Paladins of Voltron, Commanders, and Blades, welcome." Both priestesses bowed, holding their arms out to each side as if they wore skirts. Straightening, one continued, "I am High Priestess Vidda. I am in charge of this citadel. This is Priestess Henga." Henga bowed again. "We are honoured by your visit. Come. We have a meal and beds prepared for you."

"Thank you, High Priestess," Allura said graciously, and she fell into step with their hostesses, the rest of the group following.

Kolivan didn't have to look to know that Renen and Bavi neared on his left.

"Commander?" It was Renen who asked.

Kolivan smiled at the pair. "Go," he said, and they veered away, a bounce in their step.

"You could have asked them to wait," Regris commented, his tail flicking lazily.

"Would you have?" Kolivan countered softly.

Regris sighed but shrugged, conceding the point, and said nothing more on the matter.

Kolivan never ceased to be amazed every time he came here. The citadel was massive with courtyards, wings, balconies and gardens. Statues of past great Marmora leaders and exceptional Blades lined the walkways, and murals depicted some of Marmora's greatest triumphs, including the establishment of the citadels. A statue of Alala, the founder of this particular citadel, stood at the main entrance, her arms spread wide in welcome, an open book in her right hand and a pitcher in her left.

"She looks important," Pidge observed, looking up at the statue that towered over her by ten feet.

"High Priestess Alala founded this citadel more than three thousand years ago," High Priestess Vidda said. "The book and pitcher are universal symbols of Marmora: the book represents mental nourishment, knowledge, and its preservation and acquisition; and the pitcher represents bodily nourishment, clean water for a clean and healthy body."

"So…is this a temple?" asked Hunk.

Both priestesses side-glanced Kolivan who smiled and shook his head infinitesimally. They smiled in turn. "Not exactly," said Priestess Henga.

"Kolivan said the citadels were refuges for those who don't want to fight," said Lance.

"And that's true. It's also a safe haven for those who cannot fight."

"Cannot? Like…war veterans?"

"Some of them do come here, yes, but we tend to safeguard a more…precious population."

"Precious…?" Lance began, but everyone froze when Pidge stopped dead in the middle of the hall.

Kolivan knew exactly what had caught her eye: Bavi and Renen had returned to the group and they were not alone.

"Oh, my gosh!" she gasped, snatching Keith's sleeve and pointing. "Baby Galra!"

"Baby what?" Lance whipped around and then his eyes bugged wide at the sight of Bavi carrying a toddler and Renen cooing.

"Oh, my gosh! Baby Galra!" Hunk gushed, his hands cupping his cheeks. Beside him, Allura and Coran gaped with awe.

"She's a little shy," Bavi said, drawing close to the paladins. "This is Penga. She can walk, but doesn't like to talk much yet around strangers." She joggled her daughter gently. "Say 'hello', Penga."

Penga blinked large amber eyes and stuck her fist in her mouth.

"She's so cute!" Pidge squealed.

Kolivan drifted away from the group, heading down the hall Ren and Bavi had come from. He knew more of the 'baby Galra' weren't far behind, but he wanted some privacy for his own reunion.

He had gone down the hall, turned three corners and was halfway down another hall, when he heard the smaller boot-steps.

Then, "Uncle Koli! Uncle Koli!"

It was a stampede: four little girls charged around a corner at him while two taller boys hung back, trying for dignity.

Kolivan bent and scooped up the fastest of the four. "Hollimi, my imp! Have you been wrestling again?" Her tan tunic and trousers were smeared with dirt, the hair-like fur on her head dishevelled. He tossed her in the air, savoured her squeal of glee, and brought her in for a hug.

She giggled and hugged his neck. "Yes, yes! And I've been winning!"

"That's my girl!" He kissed her cheek.

"Where's my kisses, Uncle Koli?" Niemeh barrelled into his legs, nearly toppling him. But then Shiako and Siyah joined in and their combined force made him stumble.

Kolivan laughed, set Hollimi on the floor, and kissed the three small heads, giving them all hugs. "Hullo, my treasures. Are you keeping your brothers out of trouble?" His eyes twinkled as he looked up at the boys hovering a few metres away.

"Yes, Uncle!" was the chorus and Kolivan laughed again while his nephews looked chagrinned.

He piled all four girls into his arms, kissed their heads once more, and then turned for his boys. "Sokkan, Rashi, do I not get a hug?"

Sokkan tried to stand on his dignity for a tick more, but Rashi threw his out the window. Breaking into a grin, he leaped into Kolivan's arms, resting his head on his shoulder. "We've missed you, Uncle," he said.

Kolivan chuckled, embraced him hard for a tick or three, and held an arm out for his eldest nephew. Sokkan sighed and stepped in, nestled beside his brother. Kolivan kissed them between their ears. "I've missed you, too," he said, and it was not his imagination when Sokkan clenched his jacket more tightly.

"Uncle," Sokkan murmured into his shoulder, "we heard about Heggoi Antok. When you didn't come for the Rite, we thought…"

"I'm all right," Kolivan assured him – them, because the girls clung to his elbows and jacket hem, small fingers frightened. He pushed Sokkan back gently to look him in the eye. "Eh, Sok? I'm all right." And he said it for them all.

Sokkan nodded, choking back his tears, and finally smiled.

"Now, then," said Kolivan, releasing his nephews. "There are some people I'd like you to meet."

Turning, he led them back up the corridor, Niemeh propped on a hip and Shiako holding his free hand. Siyah was between Sokkan and Rashi, behind him, while Hollimi had Rashi's other hand.

The priestesses had taken the group deeper into the citadel, Team Voltron unaware of Kolivan's absence because their focus was all still on little Penga.

It was Zoshia who noticed their approach. She turned, nodded at them, and called ahead. "Priestesses, if I may?"

The group halted, the Blades fell to either side, and the Paladins, with Allura and Coran, turned around to see Kolivan coming up behind them with six young Galra, one holding his hand and another on his hip.

Mouths fell open in astonishment, and he hoped Yarrata captured the moment with her holoshooter (she usually had one on her at any given time). Grinning, Kolivan came to a stop and said, "Children, this is Princess Allura of Altea, her advisor Coran, and the Paladins of Voltron, Lance, Keith, Hunk and Pidge. Everyone, these are Sokkan, Rashi, Hollimi, Siyah, Shiako and Niemeh, my brother's children."

Allura was the first to collect herself, straightening and shutting her mouth. She stepped forward and inclined her head. "It is an honour to meet you," she said, smiling in a way that was friendly rather than diplomatically polite.

Siyah frowned and piped up, "I thought there were five Voltron Paladins?"

"Siyah!" Sokkan rebuked while Kolivan's brain shorted out. He should have thought of this. He should have planned for this.

Pain, grief and sorrow ripped across six faces in front of them and Kolivan sighed. Bending slightly, he looked Siyah in the eyes. "There are five," he said, "but we've lost one."

"Where'd he go?" Niemeh asked, her ears low in concern.

"We don't know," said Allura. "We're trying to find him."

"Oh." Siyah looked down. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"It's okay." Surprisingly (or maybe not because didn't he have nieces and nephews back on his home-world?), it was Lance who stepped forward. "You didn't know." He smiled and closed distance. "I'm Lance," he said, and he held out a hand.

Hollimi pushed past and took that hand, grinning. "I'm Hollimi, but you can call me Mi-mi, if you want. Which Paladin are you?"

Lance laughed. "It's nice to meet you, Mi-mi. I pilot the Blue Lion."

"I like blue! It's my favourite colour!"

He grinned at her. "It's my favourite, too."

Priestess Vidda chose that moment to quietly clear her throat. "I apologise for interrupting, but we should continue on. Your meal awaits."

"Oh. Right. Yeah," Lance mumbled, blushing all the way to his ears.

Kolivan smiled and said, "Come on, broodlings. You can eat with us and get more acquainted."

"Yay!" Hollimi squealed, clinging to Lance's hand. "I've got so many questions! I love questions! What are you? You're not Galra, so what are you? Hey, do you have a tail like Heggoi Regris? Why aren't you purple? Is that all the fur you have? Can you see in the dark?"

Kolivan stopped Sokkan from chastising his sister when Lance laughed again, lighthearted and carefree, kept hold of Hollimi's hand, and proceeded to answer every one of her questions.

Shaking his head and fighting his growing grin, he followed, his Blades and cubs and the others falling in around them.

"This is quite the surprise, Kolivan," Allura said, her tone gentle and awed. "I am honoured by the trust you have placed in us."

Kolivan smiled at Niemeh who was wide-eyed as she stared at Allura. "These citadels have stood for millennia as a safe haven for my people. They are proof that not all of us side with the emperor." He side-eyed Allura and added, "It was past time to show you this."

"But these are not just the future of your race. These are your children," she replied, shaking her head.

"Yes. They are mine." He nuzzled Niemeh's head, making her giggle. "Still, whether they're mine or not, it is nevertheless a privilege to share them with you."

"How many children live here?"

"About fifty. This is one of the smaller citadels, so we house only so many," Priestess Henga inputted from in front. "We do also have several veterans, as well as more than a hundred other adults that serve as sentinels and guardians of both citadel and cubs, though our older ones tend to lend a hand now and then," she added with a teasing smile at Sokkan and Rashi.

"Are you really a princess?" Niemeh asked, her eyes wide.

Allura blinked, surprised at finding herself addressed. "I am," she said.

"Wow! Will you have a tea party with me?"

Allura beamed. "I would love that."

"Uncle, you're coming, too, right?"

"Of course." Kolivan smiled down at her.

-:-:-:-

The table was set and laid for all of them, including the children. Bavi placed Penga in a highchair between her and Renen, setting a sturdy plate in front of her. Kolivan watched them, grateful that the couple had time to spend with their only child. Hollimi plopped herself down beside Lance, her stream of constant questions interrupted by the occasional bite of aiyuoprat and freshly-baked chuffi. Hunk answered some of the questions, when Lance's mouth was full, and Keith was actively not looking at any of the cubs, focussing on his food instead. Pidge was a bit farther down the table and couldn't really get into the conversation without yelling, so she sat and ate, talking to Yarrata and Timalli who were closest to her.

Sokkan, sitting beside Kolivan, spoke quietly, "Uncle, could you clarify something for me?"

Kolivan swallowed his food and said, "Of course, Sok. What's on your mind?"

"There are some rumours running around the 'verse that the Voltron Paladins are…young."

"How young do these rumours claim they are?" Kolivan asked, his ears twitching back.

By now, Rashi was listening in, and he said quietly, "Several claim that three of the Paladins are younger than, well, us."

"It's true."

Sokkan and Rashi stiffened in their seats. Shiako, Siyah and Niemeh froze, reacting to their brothers' tension. Hollimi was oblivious, still firing questions at Hunk and Lance.

"It's true," Kolivan said again. He sighed and put down his fork. "And, actually, all four here are under their planet's age of majority. I was not impressed when I found out either, but it was not Princess Allura who chose them. It was the Lions. It was Voltron itself." He levelled a stern gaze at his nephews. "I will not have you tease or mock them for their ages. They are doing what we cannot."

"But, Uncle, they're just children!" Sokkan protested.

"No, Sokkan." His voice rumbled through the air, garnering Hollimi's attention, as well as Allura's and Coran's. He lowered his voice again. "No. They are not just anything. They are the hope of the universe and you will respect them as such."

Sokkan glared at him, thrusted back his chair, and stormed from the room.

Regris stood as quietly as the assassin he was and followed him. Good. Let Heggoi Regris soothe Sokkan's ruffled fur. His nephew wouldn't let Kolivan near him for a while, not until he'd calmed down.

"Uncle," Rashi ventured, "should I assist Heggoi Regris?"

"Let him do his duty to your brother," Kolivan chose to say, exhaling heavily.

Rashi nodded and turned away, murmuring to his sisters. They all nodded, their eyes still wide, and they returned to their plates.

Hollimi managed to hold her silence for a whole ten ticks, unnerved by the argument halfway down the table, but then she turned to Lance and asked, "How old are you anyway?"

And so it came out that Keith was older than Sok and Rashi by only a few months, Lance and Hunk were younger than Sok and Rashi by two years, and Pidge was only two years older than Hollimi, Shiako, and Siyah. Niemeh was the youngest at four years her sisters' junior.

That segued into Lance talking about his family: his grandparents (he called them something that sounded like 'ab-way-loes'; Kolivan assumed it was a familial name), his parents, all of his siblings (he had four: three older, one younger), and his nieces and nephews (two and three respectively)*.

"Your family is huge!" Niemeh exclaimed. "Do you get to see them?"

The excitement in Lance's eyes dimmed and he looked down at his empty plate. "Uh, not really. I mean, Earth's really far. We haven't really had a chance to."

"Oh." Niemeh's face fell. "That's sad."

"It kind of is," Hunk said gently, smiling a little. "But we're doing okay. We've got our own family right here." He gestured up and down the table, taking in Allura and Coran, the Paladins who were here, and the Blades. "We all look out for each other, and that's what family does."

"But don't you have Heggois and Heggais?" Shiako asked.

"What is that?" wondered Pidge, leaning over the table to look at Shiako.

"Well, they take care of you if anything bad happens to family adults," was the reply. "We still have Uncle Koli and Aunt Kora, but Heggoi Regris will take care of us if anything happens to them."

"Godparents." Hunk nodded to himself. "We have something like that on Earth."

"Wait, back up," said Pidge. "Did you say 'Aunt Kora'?"

"Yes?"

Pidge shot Kolivan a Look that clearly demanded why he had not made known the fact that he was mated, and he nearly burst out laughing.

"Koratin is my sister, Pidge," he said, fighting down a chuckle. "I never had a wife."

"Not for lack of trying," Yarrata put in, grinning like a predator and winking at Kolivan. He rolled his eyes, but grinned back. They had been barely older than Keith when they had broken off their relationship. Now, they were good friends and he was her superior officer.

But no one other than the Blades knew that.

"Aaaand I'm not hungry anymore." Lance leaped from his chair, pulling Hunk with him. "Thanks, Priestess, ma'am, for the meal. It was great. We're going to go explore now. Pidge, Keith, Hunk, come on. Let's leave the adults to talk about adult things."

Kolivan watched in heightening amusement as Rashi gathered his sisters and ushered them after the fleeing Paladins. Hollimi needed no such guidance, racing to Lance's side to take his hand. "I know some great places!" she gushed. "There's the gardens and the pool and the library…" Her voice trailed off as they disappeared down the hall.

Shah leaned back in his chair, grinning, with his hands behind his head. "Cubs," he said. "All the same, no matter the species."

-:-:-:-

Regris returned some time later. Pausing behind Kolivan's chair, he whispered, "He is sitting on the bench outside," and sat down to resume his meal.

Kolivan stood and bowed to the priestesses, excusing himself, and left the table. He found Sokkan in the hallway opposite of the one the Paladins had fled down, right where Regris had said he would be. He sat on one of the benches lining the wall, his shoulders hunched, his ears down and his eyes on his lap. Kolivan sat next to him and he watched with an aching heart as Sokkan curled inward ever so slightly.

"Sokkan," he began.

"I'm sorry, Uncle," Sokkan blurted, still not looking up. "I didn't mean to get angry. I'm not angry at you. It's just…" He paused and Kolivan waited. "It's just hard to know that cubs are helping you out there. You've said over and over that we can't help you until we're adults, so it's…it's hard knowing you let them help, but not us."

Kolivan waited another few ticks, just to make sure he was done, and then he spoke. "I'm sorry, too," he said quietly. "I should have known that knowing how young the Paladins are would hurt you. I'm sorry."

Sokkan looked up then, his eyes over-bright with tears. "Uncle, why?" he begged. "Why do you let them help and not us?"

Daring to reach out, Kolivan rested a hand on his nephew's shoulder. Ducking his head lower, he said, "Listen to me carefully now, ta-ta. It was not my decision. It never was. Voltron chose them."

"The princess?" he asked, confused.

A head shake. "No. Princess Allura had as much say-so in this as I did. No, Sok, it was Voltron itself. It was the Lions. They are far more sentient than our ancient ancestors ever guessed, and they chose their pilots on their own."

Sok's eyes bugged wide, his ears stiff with surprise. "That's impossible," he whispered.

"It is not, for it has already happened." Kolivan squeezed the shoulder he held lightly. "Do you understand now?"

Sokkan nodded slowly, his eyes distant as he absorbed this information. "That's amazing," he said at last.

"Yes, it is."

"What's it like working with them? The Paladins, I mean."

Kolivan smiled. "It's amazing. They are fierce and loyal to each other, and because of their youth, they offer a unique perspective."

"Can my youth offer a unique perspective?" Sokkan asked slyly.

His smile disappeared while horror plunged through him. "No," he said, final.

"Aw, but, Uncle! I want to help!"

"I know you do."

"Then why won't you let me?"

Kolivan sighed. "Sokkan. When have you ever let me let you do anything?"

Sokkan tried to scowl, but a rueful smile pulled at his mouth. It faded quickly, though, and he looked away.

Kolivan sighed again. "I have seen death. I was unable to save your parents from it, and I have watched countless friends and comrades fall into its hands. War is not glorious or beautiful. It is not worth a song or ballad. It's awful and sad and ugly, and it takes from everyone without regard of age or innocence. The child is just as easily killed as the soldier, and I will not see you or your brother or sisters be that child. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Sokkan said with tears in his eyes. "But I still want to help."

Kolivan leaned in until their foreheads met. Sokkan closed his eyes, trembling, and Kolivan crooned a low note of comfort. "That's why we have the training programs," he said. "If, at the end of it all and when you're of age, you still want to help, I will not stop you."

"You won't stop me…but you'll still be my commanding officer, won't you?"

Kolivan allowed himself a tiny smile. "I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. You are family, Sokkan, and I love you dearly."

Sokkan smiled fully at last and leaned into his shoulder. "Love you, too, Uncle."

Kolivan wrapped him in a hug, one hand holding Sok's head to his shoulder. "I see so much of your father in you. He had your compassion and fierce heart."

"I miss him." The quiet statement was muffled against his jacket.

Tears burned in his eyes as he said, "As do I."

"Does it hurt? I mean…when you look at me and you see him…does it hurt?"

Kolivan gently pushed him back to look him in the eyes. "No," he said. "It makes my heart soar, knowing he is alive through you and your siblings. And you're growing up to be your best self. He'd be so proud of you. I am so proud of you."

"Thanks, Uncle."

"Of course." He smiled and received one in turn. "Come. Let us go find your siblings. It's a wonder the fire alarms haven't gone off yet, considering they're with the Paladins."

"Really?" Sokkan shot to his feet. "Where'd they go?"

"I think Hollimi said something about the gardens," Kolivan replied as he got to his feet, taking his time.

"Well, then, let's go!"

Kolivan chuckled and followed, trying not to imitate the bouncy step beside him.

-:-:-:-

They found the cubs in the garden by the fountain, sprawled under a large slooi tree and munching on dumplings.

"Sokkan!" Niemeh cried, spotting them first and running to leap into her brother's arms. "Are you feeling better now?"

"Yeah." Sokkan hugged his sister for a tick or three, smiling. "I'm feeling much better now. Thank you, Niemeh."

Niemeh leaned back and smiled up at him. "Good. I'm glad. You didn't eat much. Do you want a dumpling? Pidge nicked some from the table."

Kolivan glanced over in time to see Pidge blush, her pale skin turning scarlet from chin to hairline as she reached into a pocket and pulled out a napkin that was round with at least four of the meat-and-herb-stuffed gwo-gwo balls.

"We already ate most of them," she said, holding the napkin out. "You're welcome to the rest."

Sokkan blinked once or twice and then smiled wide, moving forward to take the kind offering. "Thank you," he whispered. "Paladin Pidge."

Pidge waved a hand. "No need for that. I'm just Pidge."

Sokkan relaxed at that, Kolivan relaxing with him, and sat down beside Pidge with Niemeh tucked against his other side.

"Kolivan, join us," Keith invited, gesturing. He sat close to Lance and Hunk, his back to the fountain's edge, but hadn't removed his shoes and socks to dip his feet in the crystal-clear waters like the others. Lance and Hunk were perched on the low wall and had even rolled up their pant legs to keep from getting too wet. Siyah and Shiako flanked them with Hollimi between the boys, swinging their shorter legs and making waves across the wide pool. Rashi, Kolivan noticed a tick later, sat up in the tree, his posture lazy but his eyes alert.

Kolivan smiled and nodded, striding towards the sextet at the fountain.

"Uncle?" Shiako asked as he settled down beside Keith, leaning against the fountain's wall with an arm propped over a bent-up knee. "Can you tell us a story?"

"Hm. What would you like the story to be about, ta-ta?"

"Friendship!" Siyah piped up from the other side just as Shiako replied, "Bravery!"

"A lady!" Niemeh called from fifteen feet away while Hollimi begged for "A fierce warrior!"

Kolivan mused, pulling on his furry chin. He snapped his fingers with a grin. "I've got just the one! It's a new story, too. You'll have never heard this one before."

"Ooooh!" came the chorus, and the girls yanked their toes out of the water to cluster around him. Rashi jumped down from his tree while Niemeh rushed to claim the spot in Kolivan's lap. Lance, Hunk and Keith didn't move, but he had their undivided attention. Sokkan helped Pidge to her feet and they all gathered close.

Pitching his voice low as he always did during storytime, he began, "Once upon a time, in a magnificent, white castle, there lived a young lady and her great friends. Now this lady was very special for many reasons and she was known by many names, but this story is not about that. This story is about how she gained yet another name: Kahira-ta."

"Little Warrior!" Hollimi cried, bouncing in place. "I like this story already! Keep going, Uncle!"

Kolivan laughed and dared to glance at Pidge whose face had turned deep crimson. Keith, Lance and Hunk also looked at Pidge, and Lance and Hunk smothered their laughter in their hands while Keith smiled his tiny smile.

Kolivan continued. "It began on a day as normal as any other for this lady and her friends. They had some guests staying at the castle and she took it as her duty to interact with them…"

-:-

*Personal headcanon. I wrote most of this chapter before Season 7 aired and we saw Lance's immediate family and niece and nephew.

Thank you for reading! Please review. :)