The Suitors
Story by Moira
This story
takes place during the time just after the defeat of Doom. There is
new hope for the future. Galaxy Garrison is now expanding into the area
so as to never let what happened with Zarkon ever happen again. The
Voltron force, having fought to freedom, are heroes. Word has spread
throughout the worlds of their achievements. Galaxy Garrison has its
eye on the team members, especially one particular team member, trying
to find where their talents would be used best in the galaxies. Planet
Arus is staring over. It is time to reinstate the government and return
to normal life, as it once was before Doom. And now, it is truly time
for planet Arus to select its new king, who will lead them into their
bright new future.
Oh, and I’m no good at writing in accents so you’ll just
have to imagine Nanny and Sven’s. Enjoy!
Legal Stuff
Voltron, Defender
of the Universe and its characters property of World Events Productions,
Ltd. This story is for entertainment purposes only. Original characters
and storyline are property of the author, please do not use, reproduce,
or repost without permission.
Rating PG-14
to NC17.
The NC17 rating due to sexual situations and strong language.
It is not pervasive thru the story, but it is there.
So, if you don’t care for that kind of stuff, stop now! You’ve
been warned.
The Suitors
Part Three,
Confessions
Allura is now bored out of her mind. If she hears any more, ‘oh
look what I have’, she thinks she will scream. Oh just shut
up already! She finally turns to the man currently sitting next
to her. She lets out a loud, extremely fake yawn. “I’m sorry
I must be getting tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Oh yes Princess. You
must get your rest. You have a big day tomorrow.” He stands extending
a hand to help her up. “May I escort you out?”
“Thank you, but no.
I have some business to discuss with the captain before I turn in.”
“Well then, have a
good night my Princess.”
I’m not your princess!
She thinks to herself then smiles. “Good night my lord.”
She then makes her way to her Captain. Keith turns to her as she approaches
and bows most gallantly taking her breath away. The two new recruits
beside him mimic his movements.
“Good evening Princess
Allura. How are you this evening?”
“I am fine Captain.
A little warm though, with all these people.” She starts to fan
herself with the folded menu he sent her, causing the slyest smile to
grow on his lips. “Captain, do you have time now to go over that
situation we discussed earlier?”
“Why yes, now is a
good as time as any. Would you excuse me gentleman I have some business
to take care of.”
The new recruits give him
a snappy salute and he returns the gesture.
He then extends his arm to
her and she tentatively takes it, the physical contact affecting her
more than she cares to admit.
Keith’s voice hesitates
a bit. “Um…how…” He swallows. “How about
we go outside? It…it will be cooler.” He let’s out
a breath.
She nods and they head out
to the private balcony off to the side of the great hall, both avoiding
looking at the other.
Coran, having been watching
them from outside, sees their approach and quickly finds a dark corner
to hide in behind some plants. His mind is still reeling.
Keith and Allura exit the
hall onto the balcony. They both quickly survey the surroundings. As
the door closes behind them they burst into laughter.
“So my Captain, how
did I do?”
He bows again with all the
grace Nanny has drilled into him and then some. “Thank you so
much, my Princess.”
She smiles almost giggling
as she curtseys to him. Now, he can call me ‘my Princess.’
He starts to laugh again
and leads her winding around the planter in the middle of the balcony
over to the railing overlooking the moonlit lake, taking in the view
and the fresh air. They separate, and he leans up against the railing
looking out to the water.
She sits on a bench against
the planter about three steps behind him. The planter completely blocks
the view of the door so they are unseen from inside and can finally
feel alone at last.
They both speak at once.
“Thank you for…” They break into laughter again.
“You first, Princess.”
“Thank you for providing
me an excuse to get out of there.”
He looks over his shoulder
to her. “Wait, you got me out of there.”
“Well it happened to
work out for both of our benefits. All those eyes watching me, trying
to catch mine.” She shudders.
“Allura, are you cold?”
Before she can answer his
coat is off and he drapes it around her shoulders. “There. How’s
that?” He moves back to the railing. Looking back out over the
lake.
The smell of him in the jacket
is intoxicating. She closes her eyes and pulls the jacket closer.
He keeps looking out. “So,
you’ve had enough for one night then?”
“I’ve had enough for a lifetime.”
He turns around and leans
back against the railing to face her. His face is flat. His voice is
suddenly weak. “Does that mean you’ve made a choice?”
She looks up to him meeting
his eyes, which now look lost. “No Keith… I… I haven’t.”
she drops her eyes to the ground.
“Oh, I’m glad.
Not that I, I mean I’m just um…” His voice fades out.
She looks back to him with
a questioning look. It’s so strange to hear him stammer like
that.
He turns back to the water.
“It’s just they don’t seem to be very well, I don’t
know, Kingly? Not that I would know the difference. But when I hear
the tales of your father, of all that he did for Arus and how he loved
your mother. Allura I want you to have all that. I want you to be able
to respect your King. I want him to be honorable like your father. I…”
He leans deeper on the railing and sighs. “Oh well, I suppose
it’s just too much to ask for.”
“No Keith, it’s
not too much. That’s exactly what I want too. I want to be able
to look upon my husband with pride of all he has accomplished. And when
he looks upon me I want to feel safe and loved. I don’t think
that’s too much to ask for”
“No Allura. No, it’s
not. It’s what everyone should have.”
“It would be so much
easer to say yes to a proposal from one of those men in there if I haven’t
already felt those feelings. Now that I know I can feel that way about
someone, it’s impossible to imagine a marriage without it.”
He turns his head back to
meet her eyes.
She is startled to see such
pain in his eyes.
“Allura, you’ve
felt that way about someone?” His voice is almost a whisper.
She whispers back. “Well,
yes… and I still do.”
“One of them…
in there?” His voice is now cracking.
She drops her eyes again.
Say it. Just say it. “No Keith, I feel that way about…about...you.”
Keith slowly turns around
against the railing and allows himself to slide down to the ground against
it. He tucks his knees up wrapping his arms around them. “Ally,
I… I’m…” He drops his head into his knees, hair
flopping down over him.
“I’m sorry Keith.
It’s just some silly dream.” She looks on him in mourning.
The only man she wants. The one she can’t have.
He slowly lifts his head.
His eyes, half covered by his unruly hair, are glistening.
Her eyes go wide in shock
and concern for her Captain. “Keith? Keith, are you okay?”
She slides off the bench and moves up to him. Kneeling on the ground
in front of him, she puts her hands on his forearms. “Keith I’m
sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She looks deeply through,
his hair, into his shimmering eyes and finds she cannot look away. Her
whole body coming alive, being washed over by the love she has for her
Captain.
His voice cracks out. “Ally,
I….” His breath shudders. “It’s killing me to
see you in there with all those suitors. Knowing that one will take
you away from me.”
Her whole body is shaking.
Even with his coat on, she shudders to her core. “I’m sorry
Keith.” She breaths out the words and drops her head onto his
knees.
He drops his head beside
hers, reaching a hand up to the back of her head nestling it in her
hair. They sit lost, both wishing for what they cannot have, the unshed
tears, finally, welling up in both their eyes.
Coran is in shock. He saw
and heard the whole scene from the shadows. How could he have not seen
it? And here they are now sitting before him. Two people he truly loves,
both, dying of heartache, because of him. His blindness. He has been
looking to replace the king for so long he never noticed that he was
already here. He’s got to find a way to fix it! Hopefully the
Admiral has something figured out on the Galaxy Garrison problem. As
for Coran’s end well Keith will have to go through the same interview
as the other prospective suitors. Coran starts to hatch a plan. He smiles
and starts to wipe away his own tears. Now he wishes there was a way
for him to sneak off, but there is no way out. Keith would surely discover
him. No, he would have to wait.
Luckily he doesn’t
have to wait long as another couple heads to the balcony. The door swishes
open, snapping Keith and Allura to their feet. They both quickly move
to the railing looking out to the water both wiping their faces.
Coran sees his chance and
using the distraction, moves out of his hiding place. “Hello.”
He addresses the new couple. “You haven’t by chance seen
Captain Keith?”
“No Coran I’m
sorry.”
“Over here Coran.”
Keith replies.
Coran makes his way around
the large planter to the couple. “Great I’m glad I found
you… Captain… Princess.”
She just nods still looking
out over the lake.
Keith slowly turns to face
Coran. He has regained his noble stature, eyes dry. But the redness
around them is still evident, even in the moonlight.
Coran smiles. “May
I speak with you a moment Captain.”
Keith nods and they walk
off to the side.
“I will be conducting
some more new recruit interviews tomorrow morning starting at ten. Would
you be available to help me? I could use your input.”
“Of course Coran. Whatever
you need. I will be there.”
“Thank you Keith.”
He gives him a pat on the back. “Good night I’ll see you
tomorrow.”
Suddenly Nanny bursts onto
the scene. “Princess, Princess, you’ll catch your death!”
She sweeps to the princess with a thick cloak in hand.
The two men watch in mild
amusement and slowly approach.
Nanny wraps the cloak around
the princess coat and all. “Oh thank you Captain for loaning her
your coat. You are always such a gentlemen.”
“Uh, my pleasure Nanny.
Keep it. I won’t need it until tomorrow night.”
“Don’t worry
it will be cleaned and returned to you by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Nanny really that’s
too much it doesn’t need…”
“Nonsense! Nothing
is too much to do for you Captain. You’ve done so much for us.
Let me do something for you.”
Allura, Coran and Keith’s
mouths all drop simultaneously. Coran shakes his head. Is this really
Nanny? Singing praises of the Captain?
“Uh. Thank You Nanny.”
Keith finally manages to speak.
“You’re very
welcome.” She then turns to Allura. “Princess, may I talk
with you tonight? If it’s no trouble?”
“Of course Nanny, it’s
no trouble.” Allura exchanges bewildered gazes with the two men.
Coran shakes his head again.
Nanny she asked and didn’t demand? “Nanny, are you okay?”
“Yes Coran I’m
fine. Just excited about tomorrow. Just happy.”
Allura laughs. “Nanny
you’re happy?”
“Yes I’m happy
what’s wrong with that?” She then winks at the Captain who
leans back a bit to keep his distance. “Come Princess. It’s
getting late and too cold for you out here. Goodnight gentlemen.”
Coran nods “Goodnight.”
Keith bows. “Goodnight
Nanny.” He meets the princess’s eyes on his way back up.
“Goodnight Allura.”
Nanny doesn’t even
flinch at his use of Allura’s first name. “Oh Captain, you
can be so dashing.” She giggles and then whirls Allura into the
castle.
Keith runs his hand through
his hair. “Okay now this is getting really weird. She didn’t
even yell at me for using Allura’s name. Something must be really
wrong with Nanny.”
“You were testing her
Captain? I’m surprised.”
“Well It’s just
she has been really odd all day.”
“How?”
“Well, this morning
I was out playing with the kids. She started acting strange then. She
was annoyed at me at first, running through her setup with eight kids
at my heels. But later, she brought us out milk and cookies and she
was like, well like that. All flowery and roses. I don’t even
want to talk about dinner.”
“Must be the stress.”
“Yeah, that’s
what I figured.”
“Or…” Coran
rubs his chin.
“Or what?”
Coran smiles, covering his
mouth, so as not to laugh.
“What Coran? What?”
“Well, it almost looks
like she might…” He laughs.
“Might what?”
“Well, she might have
a crush on you. Heck, every other female on the planet does.”
Keith grabs his head with
both hand and groans. “You don’t know how badly I wish you’d
never said that.”
“Come on son, it could
be worse.” He pats Keith on the back still chuckling.
Keith jumps away. “I
don’t want to know.” He heads for the door.
“Hey. It could be…”
Keith spins around holding
up his palm to Coran “I know what your thinking and don’t
even say it!”
“What? What’s
wrong with Haggar?”
“Ugahhh!” Keith
buckles over grabbing his head again, almost pulling his hair out, letting
out an intense guttural groan. Keith eventually straightens up, tensing
his whole body, and then shaking it off. He turns to face the door then
defiantly strides away.
“Good night Captain.”
A grumble is Keith’s
only reply.
Coran smiles. No we can’t
let him go.
Keith tries to push the thought
of Nanny having a thing for him out of his mind. He needs to see that
Allura gets to her room safely. He is almost out of the banquet hall.
“En Guard Captain Keith!”
A familiar voice shouts behind him. Followed by the sound of giggling
women.
Not now. Keith grumbles
to himself as he slowly turns to meet Prince Kendrick, the walking,
talking Ken doll. He has two beautiful women by his side and appears
to be a little drunk. “My, we’re dressed a little casual
tonight.” He looks Keith up and down. “Lose something?”
Wonderful. So, is he
going to try to get me to fight again? Keith chooses to ignore
the prince’s comment.
“Come Captain, have
a drink with me.” He smiles at one of the women and then back
to Keith and whispers in his ear. “I’ll share.”
Oh please! What is this
guy up to now? “I’m sorry Prince Kendrick. I’m
going on duty soon. Perhaps another time?”
“You disappoint me.
When you get off duty then?” He leans in and whispers again. “We’ll
be up all night.” He winks.
“Sorry Prince Kendrick
but…”
“No buts Captain. I’ll
see you later.”
Before Keith can respond
the prince has turned and is escorting his ‘ladies’ out
onto the balcony Keith just came from. Keith says a silent prayer. Asking
whoever’s listening to please let him never have to see Prince
Kendrick ever again. Fat chance but a fun thought nonetheless. He is
now thankful more than ever to be on graveyard shift.
Keith shakes his head and
turns to resume checking on Allura, walking quickly through the hallways
to catch up. As he is rounds a turn almost to her quarters he sees ahead
of him, a quick flash of the fabric of the cloak Allura is wearing,
as they turn a corner ahead of him. He silently sprints down the empty
hall reaching the corner just in time to see Allura and Nanny enter
her quarters. He lets out a breath laughing at himself. Why can
I never relax until I know she is in her room? The Admiral was
right. Soon that job would be someone else’s and he would have
to give it up. He shudders at the thought of Prince Kendrick being that
person. He tries to toss that horrific thought away but he can’t.
It has been nagging at him ever since Prince Kendrick had arrived. He
is most likely to be the next King of Arus.
Grumbling to himself Keith
heads to his own quarters. He changes into his work uniform and heads
to castle control.

Nanny leads Allura to her quarters, keeping her all wrapped up in the
cloak.
Allura is still baffled at
how Nanny is acting. She starts to notice a faint noise coming from
her. “Nanny, are you humming?”
“Oh, well yes dear.”
“Are you okay Nanny?”
“Yes. Why does everyone
keep asking me that?”
“Well, it’s strange
to see you so…happy.”
Nanny laughs as they reach
the princess’s quarters. She leads Allura to the large bench in
front of her mirror. She takes the cloak off her but leaves Keith’s
coat on, guiding Allura to sit on the bench. She goes off to hang up
the cloak, soon returning to stand behind the princess. She puts her
hands on Allura’s shoulders. “So Princess. How was your
evening?”
Allura is still deep in shock.
Why hasn’t she taken Keith’s coat off me? Normally she
would have ripped it off me as soon as she saw it. Something is really
strange. Allura chooses not to mention it, for she is still enjoying
his scent coming from it. It finds its way to her nose. She smiles,
closing her eyes breathing him in.
“You haven’t
answered. How was your evening?”
Allura smiles bigger.
“So, you had a good
evening then?”
“Well Nanny, yes and
no,”
Nanny starts to release Allura’s
hair, letting it fall down over the coat. Slowly all the pins and combs
are removed. Nanny reaches for a brush.
“So Nanny what did
you want to talk about?”
Nanny starts to run the brush
through Allura’s hair. “Well Princess. I was just thinking.
You will be married soon and busy with a new family that, well, we wouldn’t
be able to spend as much time together.”
“Nanny, we’ll
still be together.”
“Oh yes I know but,
well, who knows how your husband will be. He might not like me hovering.”
“Nanny that will be
my decision to make, not his.”
“Oh, I don’t
know Princess. It seems to me those men aren’t the understanding
type.”
“Nanny! Just yesterday
you were singing their praises to me, even picking out the ones you
liked the best.”
“Yes well that was
yesterday.”
“So, what’s the
difference today?”
Nanny laughs, setting the
brush down. She gathers up all of Allura’s hair between her hands
pulling it back behind her, placing her hands on Allura’s shoulders
and running her hands up and down the arms of Keith’s coat. “I
just see things differently today, that’s all.”
“Nanny you’re
not making any sense.”
“Wow. I never noticed
how many medals our captain has. Look at all these.” Nanny moves
to Allura’s side sitting the opposite way on the bench so as to
face her and starts to finger the medals. “Princess do you know
what all these are for?”
“Um, well some of them.”
Allura looks down to the gleaming medals on the coat.
“He really is amazing
isn’t he?”
“Nanny!”
“Well he is. I’m
sure going to miss him when he’s gone.”
“Nanny?”
“So what’s this
one for?” Nanny holds up one in her hand turning it back and forth
so it reflects the light.
“That one. That one
I know.” Allura smiles. “He got that when he was injured
saving a village from attack a year ago.”
“Oh yes I remember.
He saved that whole village by himself from that Doom unit on horseback,
right? He was hurt pretty badly.”
“Yes, but he recovered.”
Allura smiles.
“He truly is willing
to sacrifice his life for Arus, isn’t he?”
“Of course Nanny. He’s
done it ever since he arrived,”
“And the people they
love him for it, just like your father.” Nanny starts to run her
hand over the fabric of the coat. “Your father had many medals
too.”
Allura stares at Nanny. Does
she really think Keith is like my father? “Nanny, are you
sure you’re alright?”
Nanny grabs both flaps of
the coat and pulls it closed tight around Allura, wrapping her arms
around her giving her a hug. “I’m fine Princess. I just
can’t believe I didn’t see it.”
Allura’s unable to
return the hug as her arms are pinned tight under Nanny’s embrace.
“Nanny? What is it? What didn’t you see?”
Nanny continues to hug Allura
tight. “I’ve been so busy looking at official suitors that
that I never saw him. Saw him for what he truly is.”
“Nanny what? I don’t
understand.”
“Oh Princess.”
Nanny pulls back to look in Allura’s eyes. “Could you love
him?”
“Nanny what? Who? You’ve
lost me.”
Nanny grabs up both front
breasts of the coat straightening it in front of Allura. “Who
else. There is only one man out there who is worthy of you.”
“Nanny!” Allura’s
eyes go wide, as Nanny continues to adjust the captain’s coat.
She’s talking about Keith! Oh no, she couldn’t be! “Nanny
who exactly are you speaking about?”
Nanny puts her hands on Allura’s
shoulders. “Well who else but our dashing Captain Keith!”
“Keith! Nanny you always
said… Nanny?”
“Princess, please tell
me. Do you have any feelings for the Captain?”
“Nanny I…”Allura
stops herself. Is this some sort of trap? Will Nanny try to separate
us? Has she noticed our feelings for each other? Allura stiffens
up. “Where is this going Nanny?”
“Well this morning
the staff and I were reminiscing about the golden years of Arus and
remembering your father in the happy times before the Doom attacks.
I thought of all the things that made him a great king. His strength,
his compassion, his love.” Nanny smiles at Allura.
Allura smiles back remembering
her father. Yes he was all of that and so much more.
“So I started to think
of all those suitors. Comparing them to your father. Princess they are
nothing compared to him.”
“I know Nanny. But
they are my choices.”
“Are you sure Princess?”
Isn’t there another choice? Someone caught my eye today. He has
been here for so long that I had gotten used to him. I didn’t
see him for what he truly is. Always pushed him aside. It wasn’t
till this morning when all the pieces lined up. He’s exactly what
your father was to Arus. Just as strong, just as compassionate and he
loves this planet and its people. And they love him in return.”
“Nanny, have you lost
your mind! Keith? You’re talking about Keith?”
“Of course I am. Princess
he is cut from the same stuff your father was.”
“But you always said
I had to marry a Prince or Lord or something.”
“Well yes. You need
to marry someone with great power and influence.”
“Yes I know. So why
are you even mentioning this? He’s not…”
“Princess do you think
any of them out there have more power or influence than the Captain?
I would like to see them try to out debate him. He would thrash them
all without moving a muscle. He has more influence than all of them
put together.”
“Nanny, you’re
serious aren’t you?”
“Of course I am. Now
if we only could get you to fall in love with him and him to fall in
love with you. Then that would be something wouldn’t it? Princess
do you think you could love him?”
Allura glares at Nanny in
disbelief.
“That would be my dream
for you Allura, for you to be in love and marry our handsome Captain
Keith, the hero of Arus, and for him to love you in return. Isn’t
that silly?”
Allura snaps to her feet
and turns on Nanny. Her eyes are burning with anger. “Nanny! I
can’t believe you! All this? Now! He’s leaving us! Why are
you bothering me with this impossible fantasy? I don’t need any
more confusion than I’m already in. Keith will be gone soon and
who knows when, if ever he will be back!”
“I’m sorry princess
I forgot myself. I’ve said too much. Forgive me.”
“Nanny, just go!”
“I’m really sorry
Princess. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Leave me!”
Nanny sheepishly turns to
leave. “I’ll see you in the morning Princess. I’m
sorry.” She leaves closing the door behind her.
Allura moves to her bed and
lies down clutching his jacket tight around her. Keith is leaving. His
life is not his own, much like hers. Their duty lies with others first.
She closes her eyes and imagines how different it would be if they didn’t
have their responsibilities. She drifts off into a restless sleep.
End of Part
Three
On
to the next part.
Home,
Fan Fiction, The
Suitors 1, 2,
3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11,
My Thoughts
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