So I know this is fanfiction, but I think it's time I gave a disclaimer. I don't own the characters or canon story of anything referenced in this story. Now that that's out of the way, enjoy.

Krolia rolled over and complained, "This bed is too soft, Kolivan."

"You said so last night, but it wouldn't be right for a princess to sleep on the couch."

Since when did he call her princess? Krolia raised an eyebrow and growled suggestively, "Oh? And is it right for the leader of the blades to sleep on her floor?"

Kolivan tied his boot laces and countered, "Your sister would throw a coronary if that were not the case. It's bad enough the boy and Lotor are sharing a bed. They are both unaware of their connection. We must devise a way to separate them."

"Talias admitted she had no idea as well until she saw my knife," Krolia pointed out.

Kolivan scowled at his other boot. "Keith corroborated her story last night. He reeked of her medicines."

"Look," Krolia deadpanned. She stepped out of bed and crossed to him. Placing a hand on his arm, she continued, "I know you are upset by what the stable hand confessed, but you cannot deny them. Keith encouraged their intimacy following whatever you said to Lotor. Hell, Kolivan, he instigated it!"

"All the more reason we must act fast." Kolivan rolled his shoulders. "How is it you are so calm about this?"

"Kolivan," Krolia stepped closer still and held his face in her hands, "this is my fault. I never should have abandoned my son. I don't deserve it, but I want the chance to be his mother again." She slid her hands down and behind his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. "If we rush, I'm afraid we'll lose him forever. He'll run, Kolivan, just like I did."

Kolivan tilted her chin and brushed the corner of her lips with a thumb. "You returned in your own time, so I will have faith in your son, my heart."

His words put her troubled thoughts to rest, but her eyes widened. "How bold you've become. Surely it's not to spite my sister."

"Never," he whispered before he kissed her. Krolia was taken completely by surprise. Kolivan smiled against her lips and stepped back. "I must go, or I'll be late."

"Straight to the ship?"

Kolivan held up a hand and swore, "I promise I'll leave your nephew alone."

"Alright then." Krolia allowed him to leave her bedchamber with a shake of her head. He was becoming less reserved. Was it because of Keith's teasing? She dismissed those curiosities and changed into her old riding clothes. If she really intended to ride in the hunt, she needed to brush up on her skills.

She walked through the dining room and snagged a piece of fruit. She had taken a bite when Talias asked behind her, "Why have you come back?"

Krolia wiped juice from her chin with the back of her hand. "You know the answer."

"I know what you claimed," Talias replied with a lift of her noble head. "The blades do not move without purpose. Is it to disturb Lotor? He's already losing his newfound confidence because of that beast. I can't believe I ever thought well of him."

"Leave Kolivan out of this!" Krolia snapped, "Your quarrel is with me."

"How can I?" Talias gestured wildly and stalked closer continuing, "He means to take Keith back to your dangerous ways."

"No, sister, he wants Keith to look up to him. I want Keith to be happy and safe."

"And he is, or, he will be once you stop confusing him," Talias hissed. "You're slipping, Krolia. If you plan on telling him, just get it over with."

"It's not that simple." Krolia started to leave.

"Why?"

She knew she was lying to herself, but she shot back, "You aren't a mother. You'll never know."

A vice grip on her arm stopped her and she turned back for Talias to slap her across the face. Krolia reeled, but Talias held fast. "That was stolen from me, sister," Talias spat. "Your very own ruined what I had. Marikus is frail and on his deathbed, the only man I ever loved, and you've managed to find two. How fair is that? And now you want to steal Keith, my beloved nephew? How cruel you have become, Krolia."

Krolia yanked her arm free and staggered backwards into the table. Her lip trembled when she accused, "You have no right," and fled the dining room. She stopped when she reached the stable. Nothing was fair. She had never intended for this to happen.

No. She couldn't deviate from their plan. She may as well do what she'd come for. She saddled a halliaballus and led it out when another animal screamed. Following the sound, she saw a mount buck into a frenzy. Its small rider hung on for dear life, but flew off with a shout.

"Keith!" Krolia shouted and sprinted to him as he slowly picked himself up. "Are you hurt?"

Keith brushed his hair back. Small scrapes and bruises marred his cheek, but he otherwise seemed unharmed. "Krolia? I- I'm fine."

Krolia gripped Keith's arms. "What were you doing?"

Keith met her terrified eyes and answered with childlike innocence, "I wanted to fly."

Krolia put a hand on his face and looked him over again. Then she yanked him to her chest. "Do not scare me like that!"

"I've fallen out of the saddle before," he mumbled into her bosom.

"The halliaballus tossing you is the least violent way it could kill you!" Krolia closed her eyes and tried to calm down. Stepping back, she looked to the animal. "Who let you out here alone?"

Keith brushed dirt off his clothes. "Lotor was gone and I couldn't find Talias, so..." he finished with a shrug.

Krolia crossed the paddock wielding a small knife and made a grab for the reins. Keith's animal lunged for her hand with a snaking neck. She dodged under and deftly cut the knot holding the saddle to its back and chest. The animal bucked and the saddle flew off. Chasing after, she caught a rein and swung up bareback. The animal bucked a few more times before coming under her control.

She walked it a few laps around the paddock and confirmed her suspicion. Dismounting, she hitched the animal and flexed its wing. "Look here, Keith. He's in the middle of a molt and lacerated the skin. I'm going to put him in a pen. You can fly my halliaballus, but wait until I return."

She told the handlers what had happened and froze. Groaning, she muttered to herself under her breath, "I sound like my mother." Outside, Keith was rubbing the animal's face. It pushed into him and her sweet boy smiled. She saw more of herself in Keith than his father, but that soft expression was all him. She paused and collected herself before commenting, "She likes you, but that's not surprising. You're very charismatic."

"Uh, thank you," Keith stammered.

Krolia gently stroked a calming hand over the animal's neck and instructed, "Come to this side, young one. She's willing to let you ride."

"How can you tell?"

"Here," Krolia pointed to the animal's flexed leg. "The proper way to mount is to use the foreleg as a step. She's offering her assistance. Now, up you go."

She watched him approach and reach for the reins across the pommel of the saddle. It was a reach at his height. He put his toe on the animal's leg and asked hesitantly, "Like that?"

Krolia pushed his calf to move his foot. "Here. Closer to the joint. You will not hurt her."

He hopped closer with his other foot and took a deep breath before pushing off the ground. Krolia reached out a steadying hand, but he didn't need help. She watched him get seated in the saddle while the animal stood perfectly still. No biting at the bit. No stomping. Keith would probably find her dull, but this animal would be a good teacher. "Alright Keith, when you're ready, take her around the paddock."

He flicked the reins and asked, "You're giving me riding lessons?"

Krolia folded her arms and watched their movement. "Someone has to make sure you can ride well enough for the hunt. I will ground you if I'm not impressed."

Keith smirked. "Ground me? What are you, my mother?"

Oh boy, this kid. Ignoring his jibe, she walked to the fence and instructed, "On the next rotation, cross the center and turn so you're going counterclockwise." When he followed her commands, the halliaballus picked up its feet and she cautioned, "Keep her at that pace. Rein her in. There. Just like that."

They worked for a couple hours. Keith's shirt had sweat stains down the back and sides and the animal was starting to reflect his impatience. Krolia stepped into their path and took hold of the bridle. "Good work. I think it's time we got you airborne." She went into the stable and retrieved a riding harness.

Keith slid off the animal and looked at the mess of straps with a stunning lack of enthusiasm. He commented, "That's flattering."

Krolia giggled and held the straps so he could step into the harness. She explained as she buckled him into what resembled a skydiver's harness, "It's a bit old fashioned, but low tech works. If you fall midair, this pulley will release and you'll hang a safe distance below your mount. When you touch down, hit the release here," she put a hand over the mechanism on his chest, "and you'll disconnect from the halliaballus. Worry about your own safety. I will retrieve her and we will try again."

"You talk like I'm going to fall."

Krolia grinned and patted him on the back. "Everyone falls, young one."

Keith folded his arms. "Then why aren't you wearing one of these?" He punctuated his question by pulling at the shoulder strap.

"Because I haven't fallen in ten thousand years. Go mount up and meet me out back in the pasture. I'll be along shortly."

Keith walked away pulling at the harness between his legs. Krolia chuckled and saddled another mount. When she went to where Keith waited, he was continuing the drills she had started. He really impressed her with his level of commitment. She put her animal to a canter. "Match us, child."

As they picked up speed, she instructed what to do as the animals' instincts took over. Soon they were flying. Keith managed well, but she was right. Everyone falls.

Keith screamed until a length of chord extended and snapped taut. He swung in a weak pendulum before the animal glided in a smooth descent. Krolia circled and dived to intercept. Keith followed her direction and detached. The line dragged behind the mount and Keith jogged a few steps before he lost his balance and tumbled.

Krolia led his mount back and praised, "That went better than I expected. Want to go again?"

Keith sat up completely breathless and grinning. "That was awesome!" He pumped a fist in enthusiasm.

Krolia dismounted with a laugh and reattached the line to his harness. As it rewound, she ruffled his hair. "You're a natural flyer, Keith. With a few pointers, you'll be ready for the hunt."

Krolia palmed her bottle of Talias's ointment and turned to face Keith where he sat on the edge of the tub. "Hold still a moment. This will sting." She dabbed a cut on his cheekbone and he squeezed his eyes shut. "Shh, Keith. It's almost done." With one hand, she gently stroked his hair. She applied ointment to a bruise on his chin and a scrape above his brow and took his hand. He squeezed until the gel was absorbed. Krolia tipped his chin and wiped residue, dirt, and blood away. "They look good and won't scar. Now show me the others."

"What? Others?" Keith protested.

Krolia smiled warmly and placed a maternal hand on the side of his neck. "These, child. You and Lotor got a little carried away yesterday. I want to see that they're healing." The look of panic in his eyes stung Krolia worse than any of her sister's medicines. She reassured, "I am not angry, Keith. I, too, remember the desires of young love, but, I want you to be safe."

Keith's eyes widened to their fullest and his jaw dropped. "Wait, male galra can't get pregnant, right? Are you telling me to use contraceptives? Because, we haven't gone that far and I don't intend to for a very long time."

Krolia gently pulled Keith to her chest to hide her amusement. Her baby boy was so pure. She confirmed, "No, galra males are not physically capable of carrying offspring. Now then, will you show me?" He was debating. She could see it in his eyes. Her eyes. Then he untied the collar of his shirt and pulled it over his head. As he was removing the base layer, she whispered, "Thank you."

Keith glanced quickly at her, but she focused on the creme. He sat on the edge of the tub again. "How do they look?"

Krolia clicked her tongue. His father had done worse to her and they hadn't benefited from her sister's cremes. She teased, "You'll live. They will be gone by tomorrow evening if we treat them twice between now and then. Just, don't let Lotor have his way with you again before the gala."

He turned so she could address the marks on his back. "Does Kolivan know?"

There was a breath of hope in his voice. Krolia smothered it by answering, "Yes. He is very protective of you. A lot of his animosity is due to Lotor's parentage. Honerva and... and Zarkon left a large scar in Kolivan. He lost many agents over his career as our leader. He may not show it, but every single death affects him. They were our friends, sweetheart."

"And he was your brother."

Krolia answered slowly, "Yes, Zarkon was, a very long time ago. The man I adored and idolized was gone the moment he betrayed the paladins resulting in his death. Talias raised Lotor after that, but the blades scarred her as well. Lotor is caught between opposing tides." Krolia had successfully distracted him from the pain with her story. She again wiped residue away. "I was the one who banned Kolivan from lecturing Lotor. If my nephew is to be like his father and grandmother, he will need the support of the blades."

Keith turned to face her and balanced his feet on the edge of the tub. "You really are too good for him."

"Excuse me?"

Keith smiled into his lap and shook his head. "You're smart, sensitive, and loyal. Not to mention you have a killer understanding for politics. I'm surprised you didn't light the Kral Zera."

Krolia caught her breath. Her eyes welled and she clenched a fist. Standing, she shoved the creme back into her bag and dismissed, "Me? Hah! I will never be empress. It doesn't suit me to lead."

"That's what I thought, Krolia," Keith whispered.

She turned back. Her son stood in the doorway, eyes full of concern for her. He shouldn't be the one offering comfort. If there was a time to tell him, it was now. "Keith, I-"

"There you are," Lotor exclaimed from her bedroom door. "I've been looking for you everywhere." He stopped when he saw the half healed marks on Keith's bare torso and shot Krolia a terrified look. "Aunt, I can explain."

Krolia tilted her head and smiled. "No need. I understand perfectly, nephew." Lotor's lip lifted and he made a queasy noise. Krolia giggled and covered her mouth. "I already told Keith, but do not lose control again before the gala. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Krolia," Lotor obediently agreed.

"Good. Keith, go change and meet us in the dining room for lunch."

Keith paused by Lotor and pecked his cheek. Krolia barely heard him whisper, "Good luck."

Krolia instructed when Keith was gone, "Close the door."

Lotor stood straight and did as told. "What do you want to discuss?"

"You already know, but I won't berate you like Kolivan did. Forgive me, I only let him speak to you because he needed to clear his mind. Do you understand?"

Lotor folded his arms and scowled. He instantly resembled the boy that used to chase her around the manor. "I regrettably understand, but I am not my father. What do I have to do to prove that to him?"

Krolia put a hand on his shoulder. His troubled eyes landed on her and he gasped. She denied, "I see your father when I look at you. His cunning and skill in battle. His care for our people. Some of his unwavering stuck up nature." Lotor almost smiled at her teasing and she put a hand on his cheek. "You have my brother's best attributes, Lotor, not that monster that took his place. Do not be afraid of this, and you could be the greatest emperor the universe has ever witnessed."

"That may be the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me. Krolia, you have my gratitude."

Krolia pulled him down to her level and kissed his forehead. "You are most welcome. I know I haven't been an active part of your life, but I am proud of you. Do not let my troubles ever bring that into doubt."

"Ah yes, the ever constant feud with Talias."

Krolia nodded, unable to admit the truth. "We should be on our way, or Keith will beat us there."

They ate a light meal of meats and something resembling cheese on crispy bread before Keith went to a cabinet and retrieved a strange hybridized contraption. He flipped a switch and familiar music began to play. She asked, "Is this from Earth?"

Keith nodded. "My dad had this same CD. My mother loved the songs, but he'd only listen if he was drinking. That was the only time he sang too, once I got older."

"Your father," Krolia tested, "did he frequently drink?"

"No. I almost wish he had. He was a great singer."

Yes, he was, she kept to herself. She could have sung every word to these songs, but it made her remember the day she'd left them. She again saw Keith's tears and heard his shrill cries as she turned her back on him and his father.

"We're going to go over the footwork for the gala, if you want to help," Keith mentioned.

Krilia teased, "Are you requesting dance lessons as well?"

"You going to 'ground' me if I don't impress you?"

"Do not tempt me, child," she warned.

Except, Keith didn't need help. Apart from a few missteps which he quickly corrected, he was a beautiful dancer. He let Lotor lead him across the floor as though he'd danced this way from birth instead of the result of a crash course over the last few weeks.

After a couple hours, Krolia stepped into the middle of the room. "Have you practiced changing partners?"

"Not really. Talias explained it, but I haven't had the chance."

When the song changed, Krolia offered her hand. Keith took hold. He was concentrating so hard, his nose was scrunched up. Krolia let him take the lead and instructed, "Relax."

She had him practice the more complicated dances before slowing down and asking, "Is there anything you aren't a natural at?"

Keith chuckled. "I'm only good because my dad put me into ballroom lessons for six months to help me with my fighting footwork. I loved it so much, I taught myself how to dance from then on. How about you? I haven't seen you struggle with anything yet."

She bit her tongue. If he only knew. Her conversation with Talias rose unbidden to mind. She asked instead, "Are you happy?"

"What?"

Krolia shook her head. "It's... I want you to be happy, Keith. If living with Talias and Lotor fulfills that, then... I'm sorry. I'm not making sense."

Keith finished the circuit before answering, "I am happy. It's just, I miss my friends. All these secrets are eating me up inside. I'll be glad once I don't have to hold them all in, you know?"

She knew only too well.

"What's all this?" Kolivan asked.

Keith was on his hands and knees connecting wires that were similarly bastardized like the music system. Lotor looked at the strange reflective disk in his hand and Keith warned, "Don't scratch that."

"Why?"

"I believe this is one of the 'movies' Keith was telling us about," Talias commented.

"Uh huh! But not just any movies. This is the Lord of the Rings, an epic trilogy I loved as a child."

Krolia ruffled his freshly washed, damp hair and sat on the couch beside Kolivan. "You are still a child, sweetheart."

Keith grinned and the screen flicked to life. "Yes! I knew Lit was a genius!" He pushed a button and the screen faded. Grabbing Lotor's hand, he dragged Lotor to a pile of blankets in front of the couch. They nestled into them with snacks in easy reach.

The narrator began speaking and a rush of memories crashed over Krolia. She jumped as Kolivan rubbed her arm and pulled her into his side. Like the music in the dining hall, she could quote nearly every line from memory. The trilogy had struck a chord with her and Keith's father.

Six hours later, they were sitting through the credits of the second movie when Lotor began to comment on similarities he saw within the story and their own lives. Keith blushed. "Well, Legolas's father was a dick, but not necessarily evil. You see more of that in the prequel/sequel series. And Legolas is hot!"

Krolia snickered into her hand at Lotor's dumbstruck expression. The dark prince touched his ears and his cheeks burned crimson. "You think pointed ears are attractive?"

Keith's blush spread down his neck, the only confirmation needed. He cleared his throat and went on, "Everyone sees themselves in these characters. I loved Faramir, the Prince of Gondor. He was always in the shadow of his brother, but willing to sacrifice everything for him. My mom compared herself and my dad to Arwen and Aragorn. He said she had felt trapped by fate, destined to love a man of another race and held hostage by the very blood that separated them."

Keith paused and Krolia held her breath. "But she was wrong. My mother was Eowyn, a princess willing to fight who only needed a chance to prove herself. A warrior princess, queen of the Rohirrim. My father always joked he was actually like Eomir, too. A dashing prince who sought glory and wanted to protect his people before leading his warriors into battle." Keith smiled and shook his head. "I think he just liked to ride horses."

At last, Krolia couldn't stand it anymore. Wiping her face with her arm, she fled the den.

"I can't believe I admitted that I love your ears."

"In your defense, you weren't exactly hiding it," Lotor teased and wrapped his arms around Keith from behind. He whispered against the back of Keith's ear, "and I find your rounded ears absolutely adorable."

They stopped in the hallway for a quick kiss when raised voices cut the moment short. Keith asked, "Is that your aunts?"

"Indeed," Lotor confirmed. His exhausted tone went on, "I was wondering when their truce would end. This is the longest they've gone without fighting in nearly three decades. Come. There is nothing we can do to stop them."

"But, I don't want them to leave before the gala."

Keith broke out of the arms of his prince and followed the voices to Krolia's suite. Talias shouted, "I gave you all day, sister. If you wanted to tell him, you'd have done so. Coward."

Kolivan accused, "Are you only capable of blame, Talias? You are at fault as well. You had weeks to admit what you learned, yet you remained silent as well out of fear. You should have separated them weeks ago. It is only a matter of time before his marks come in and everyone will know."

"And taking him across the universe is your answer?"

"At least it would keep him safe from retaliation," Kolivan thunderously shouted making the walls tremble.

"Do not yell at me, scoundrel. I am the Lady of Lethua and you will treat me with respect."

"Or what? I've endured worse than anything you could do to me, spinster. Your empire saw to that. You even turned on your own sister. When that monster ridiculed her, she remained silent. She suffered mute, afraid of what secrets she might say if pressed, and you did nothing. She is braver than you will ever be!"

"Enough!" Krolia intervened. Her voice was thin and rough. The wet tone said she'd been crying for hours. "He can't stay, Talias. The role of consort is too public and you know the marks might not be what we expect."

Talias gasped and Kolivan asked, "What do you mean?" Krolia broke into more sobs, unable to answer. Kolivan said with absolute finality, "Keith is coming with us. You cannot stop me."

Keith was shaking where he stood. It was happening again. He threw open the door and it slammed against the wall from the force. The three of them were hard to see through the tears in his eyes. "Why are you fighting over me? Am I worth all this anger? Just shut up and listen to what I want for a change!"

Kolivan reached out to him. "Boy, calm yourself."

"No! You can't spend a goddamned day without tearing each other apart! If that's how it is, I don't want to be with any of you!"

Krolia had finished checking the grounds, but Keith was gone. It was like he'd vanished. In the entrance hall, Talias waited alone, meaning he wasn't in the house. "Did you find him?"

Krolia shook her head then hugged her sister tighter than she had in recent memory and reassured, "We'll find him. Lotor said the ships haven't left the dock. He's still on Lethua. I'm going to widen the search perimeter. How far could he have gotten without transport?"

"My ladies, the young lord's altean vehicle has gone missing," a servant said breathlessly.

Talias pushed her sister toward the door. "Go, Krolia. Bring him home."

She ran as fast as she could to the stable and took a halliaballus. Using her gauntlet, she began to scan for the trail of whatever Keith's bike used as fuel. Within moments, she could see a line appear on her map and she kicked her mount in pursuit.

The moons were nearly aligned signalling almost eight hours had passed before she saw the familiar blue glow of her knife atop a waterfall. She landed twenty feet back and ran to him shouting his name. Her com crackled into life and she replied, "I found him. He's here." Keith curled up on the edge of the cliff with his head on his knees. She slowed down and tentatively put a hand on his arm. "Keith? Are you hurt? Speak to me."

He frantically shook his head and she sat beside him completely silent. After a few minutes, he leaned into her side. He was crying. Her arm wrapped around him and her own tears silently fell into his hair. Her hand held his head to her shoulder. At last, he whispered, "I'm sorry I ran. I- I didn't know what else to do."

"Shh, shh, child." She didn't know what else to say. Talias had been right. This was all her fault.

Keith's hands shook where he clasped them in his lap. "It's just, I've been in custody battles before. My dad almost lost me when I was eight, but he fought hard to prove he could raise me. Then, one day, we went out to the shack and he took the bike. Weeks passed. About a month later, social services showed up. Our neighbors, the Shirogane's, had reported us missing. Their son, Takashi, used to babysit me between activities I was enrolled in before my dad got off work. They tried to take me. They said my dad had run out on me just like my mom and they were going to take care of me now. I broke a guy's nose. They returned with the police.

"I lived with my foster family, our neighbors the Shirogane's. I did everything I could to make them miserable until I accepted... my dad was never coming back. They died in a car crash. I was put back in the foster system until Takashi fought for custody. They didn't accept him at first. A brilliant college student studying astrophysics wasn't a good candidate. We kept fighting until he won. Then Kerberos happened. I was alone at seventeen. If I stayed, they'd take me again and put me back in the foster system. I ran. The shack was the only home I had anymore. I was... so lost. Then I found the bike." Keith held back a hiccup and tapped a button on the bike. The display jolted and a familiar man filled the screen.

His reddish hair was full of dust. Blood had clumped along his hairline and he had a split lip. He was pale, sweaty, and in pain. The only light came from the screen that was recording him. No stars were visible behind him. Panting, he rasped, "Keith, son, I'm sorry I never told you the truth." He paused to cough. It was a thick, wet sound and when he lowered his hand, blood streaked his palm. "My research holds the key. It's out there. She is out there. I know you'll find the truth. I love you, Keith. Always remember that."

The recording ended and Krolia was crying uncontrollably. She had to tell him. "Keith, I-" A gentle snoring hit her ears. She gazed lovingly down at her sleeping son, sleeping in her arms as he hadn't done since he was a babe. Brushing his hair off his forehead, she dried his tears and kissed his hair. "I promise I will never leave you again, Keith... my son."

I cried. I'll admit it. I cried as I was writing. I cried as I was typing. And I cried when I was editing. I hope you're happy!