Disclaimer: WEP owns Voltron and all its characters.

Beta: Thanks again to Dawn! I think she may be having second thoughts...

This is the second installment in my "Chivalry" arc. 1. Chivalry, 2. Lion House Restored

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is DotU in flavor but is AU in some ways.

A/N: Sorry, short chapter but some long ones coming up soon!

Chapter 19

The next day, Keith pulled Allura to the side before she and Doren headed out. She could see the concern in his eyes. He was letting her out of his sphere of protection, and he hated it. Putting a hand on his arm outside the stable, she reassured him, "I'll be fine. I won't tell you not to worry, because that would be like telling the wind not to blow." Moving her hand from his arm to his face, she ran a finger down his jaw line. As she saw his eyes darken with emotion, she leaned forward and closed her eyes.

Keith knew she was inviting him to kiss her. Every fiber in his being wanted to indulge in that kiss, and he leaned down and paused with his lips hovering just an inch from hers.

Unfortunately, that was the exact moment that Doren strode out of the stable and announced, "Everything is ready –" Turning red, Doren watched the couple break apart quickly. "Um, sorry, I didn't mean to-"

Walking past him into the stable, Keith said, "No problem, Doren."

Doren looked over at Eleanor and saw that she was pouting. It might not be a problem for Akira, he thought, but Eleanor seemed to have a problem with it. A moment later, Akira led out the horse loaded with two sleeping rolls and provisions. They would just take the one horse since it would be easier to conceal than two. Doren easily mounted and reached his hand down to pull Eleanor up behind him. It felt a little odd to have a woman astride the horse behind him, but as her arms encircled him to hold on, he thought he'd very much like to do this with Sophia.

Keith watched them ride away, knowing that he wouldn't see Allura again until they found the queen or the games ended. He would see Doren the next day since he was entered in the archery event. To not show would invite questions. During that time, Allura would be alone. He couldn't dwell on that fact.

Turning for the stable to get his horse, he considered the thought that their time here was drawing to a close. They had been here over two months… how much time had passed in the real world? What would they return to? Shaking his head as he put the saddle on his horse, he realized that he needed to concentrate on what was going on here. He was a marked man, and he couldn't be distracted by concerns for Allura or thoughts of a world that he would only return to when his quest here was complete.

Swinging into the saddle and heading out towards town, Keith focused on the task ahead of him.

Keith returned to Lion House in the late afternoon, weary from prying information from the townspeople. For all of his efforts, he had gained only a little knowledge, but it solidified his thoughts. Two weeks earlier, five outlanders had come in with some of the men from Eagle House and bought some supplies. Keith was not surprised to learn that Wesley was among the men. What the clerk found unusual was that the men had not been seen since. The clerk had provided the information in a hushed whisper. When it came to talk of Eagle House, not many wanted to share. When they did, it was with a sense of fear. The only reason they were willing to chance talking to him was the fact that his fighting skills were well-known, and everyone wanted him to topple Eagle House at the games.

As he ate his supper with Alfred and Anton, he wondered how Doren and Allura were doing. His dinner companions sensed that he missed his beautiful friend and tried to cheer him up. Keith smiled at their jokes, and he appreciated their attempts to lift his spirits. However, he had a lot on his mind. Standing at the end of the meal, he said, "Forgive me gentlemen, but I'm going to retire early. The games start tomorrow and I want to be rested." He accepted their well-wishes and headed up to his room.

His room. This would be the first night in two months that he had slept alone. Sure, they hadn't had sex, but he had grown accustomed to the pressure of her body up against him, the feel of her arm across his chest, and the softness of her hair on his shoulder. He let out a sigh as he closed his door. He would probably not be well-rested for the games tomorrow, but he would try.

Keith pulled his tunic over his head as he walked across the room. Dropping it on the bed, he noticed Allura's gown folded neatly at the foot of the bed. Picking it up, he noted that it was the one she used last night. Closing his eyes, he brought the gown to his face and inhaled the floral scent. Putting it down, he whispered softly, "Be safe, my Princess."