Prologue: The Castle of Lions - about 20 years ago...
King Alfor was about to do the hardest thing he had ever done in his life - tell his best friend, Albert Coran that they found his wife Alida - Alfor's younger sister - dead in the wooded area behind the castle. She had been raped and strangled to death, her clothes stripped from her body. And Garrett - Coran and Lida's two month old son? They didn't find any evidence of a body-it looked like he had been spirited away.
Alfor shook his head as he headed for Coran and Lida's suite of rooms. Dear god...they had just gotten Lida back a little over a year ago from Pollux at about the time Allura was born. She had been missing and presumed dead for over what - two years? She disappeared after King Avian of Pollux attacked Arus for Lida's refusal to marry him. The searchers found ripped articles of her clothing, but no Lida.
Alfor had always suspected that Avian abducted Lida. (He never told Cory that!) He tried many times to rescue her, but his forces were always repelled and beaten back by vicious Polluxian troops and mercenaries. Alfor couldn't spare his manpower to get her back, for Arus had problems of it's own.
When no word came after several years, it was easier to believe that she was dead. Alfor and everyone mourned her loss-especially Cory. They were supposed to be married that fateful spring, but Pollux attacked and everything turned upside down.
Then the miracle happened! A year ago on the very day Allura was born, an old ship of Polluxian design, badly damaged, crashed on Arus. Fortunately, for the pilot, it landed in the shallow water near the castle. Castle security brought out the unconcious form of a woman-Lida!! The whole castle rejoiced! She was injured, but not seriously. It looked though as if she had been beaten in the past-Alfor got mad just thinking about it.
And Cory? He was very happy. He cared for Lida while she recovered, and she learned to love Cory again, for he was always gentle and kind. Lida knew Cory loved her, so they married in the main hall of the Castle of Lions. It was a joyous celebration for all. Lida was smiling with joy and Cory was the happy bridegroom. Then Garrett came along two months ago. Cory adored little Garrett, playing with him and helping Lida with him. They were very happy and now - now this.
Alfor finally reached Cory's suite. He punched the comm and said, "Cory, it's me, Alfor. I-I have something to tell you." Cory came up and opened the door. Alfor saw that his face was grim, as if he knew already what his friend Alfor would say.
"Come in, Alfor, come in." Coran said. Alfor stepped in and the door shut behind him.
"Beep!" Coran's comm beeped at him. Uuuhhh....can't I ever get a restful moment here? He buried his tousled head under the pillow again and hoped it wouldn't beep again. It did. ..Damn! he thought. He threw the pillow aside and got up to answer it. Thank goodness it's audio only...haven't even shaved yet. I know I look like hell in the mornings-Lida always thought so. Coran glanced at the picture of her on his bedside as he always did when he woke up.Lida...its been 20 years and I still miss you so...I wish I could hold you again...dear god....why she have to die like that?....I only had her for a while.......Shaking his head of the memory of her.
He pressed the comm button. "Coran here. What is it?"
A young woman's voice came on. "Minister Coran, Lt. Commander Ale'der here -there is a message for you from Planet Doom- it is Priority One, sir."
Coran sighed, When isn't it? It has been a month, and no moves.. Coran thought. Perhaps Hagar has taken Zarkon in hand. It was rumored she was going to take him somewhere-to hell, I hope!
The young female on the comm said, "Sir, Minister Coran, are you still there?"
Oops! That's what I get for thinking...Coran thought, embarrassed."Thank you, Lt. Commander, I will be down at Castle Control to take the message directly. It will only be a few minutes."
"Yes sir. Ale'dar out." Ale'dar-unusual name-sounds Drule. Damn! I better hurry. There's goes my shower!
Coran quickly dressed-took a quick look at his unruly hair and thought, Well, life's not a fashion show-better hurry! Coran went out the door and into the elevator going to Castle Control. Arriving there, he quickly sat in his chair, the chair from hell, he thought wryly and punched the vidcomm button. " Castle Control, Coran here. Patch it though, please." "Yes sir, Minister Coran"
Immediately on the screen was the shock of Coran's life- it was King Zarkon of Doom! Coran thought, he looks different-younger perhaps? Doesn't matter. This isnt good.
"Zarkon, I am suprised to hear from you. Usually you attack first and ask questions later." Coran said drily. To his astonishment, Zarkon actually laughed! "Ah, Prime Minister Coran, you have such a witty tongue. I like it. I like it so much I think I will cut it out when I take over Arus.What do you think of that, my friend?"
Coran replied, "I am not your friend, Zarkon." Zarkon's eyes narrowed and he said. "Neither am I yours, Prime Minister. I have business to discuss with you. Tell me, Prime Minister, where is Princess Allura-my wife? Perhaps you happen to know where she has gone? We ah-have some "unfinished business" to attend to. You do know what I mean,Prime Minister?"
Coran turned red with anger. ...That devil! Still after Allura!....Coran coolly ignored Zarkon's jibe and said, "Let me inform you, King Zarkon-that Princess Allura is not legally your wife-and no, I don't know where she has gone. Hopefully as far away from you as possible."
Zarkon smiled and said, "Prime Minister -let me inform you: a certain witch by the name of Hagar who is now deceased... "he paused for effect, "helped your princess and your Captain escape with my addle-pated son...I don't mind losing the Captain so much-although his information would have been useful to me-but your Princess..." he smiled evilly."your princess makes a charming bed partner...did you know that, Prime Minister? Yes, before we were rudely interrupted by a certain scheming witch, she and I were enjoying ourselves immensly. She is very pleasing - very persuasive, Prime Minister. You understand that I don't want to lose such a satisfying partner."
.....That black-hearted bast---!.......Coran was shaking with rage........Now I know why Alfor wanted to kill him that day...
Zarkon interrupted his thoughts. "Ahh....Prime Minister, you appear upset...Perhaps you-ah...desired her for yourself? Frankly, I don't blame you.
" Coran thought, He's baiting me!
Zarkon interrupted again. "Prime Minister...I am asking you politely...where is she?"
Polite, my -! Coran raged inside.
Trying to keep his emotions in control, he replied, "King Zarkon, I do not know where she is-she would not tell me." he lied."..and even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you."
Zarkon grimaced. "Prime Minister, I'm sure that you would tell me everything-with a certain amount of persausion. a fact I 'm sure Commander Akira could attest to. However, I do believe you are actually telling the truth."
Coran thought, whew!
"I will tell you what, Prime Minister Coran, when you hear from her again-and I know you will, let her know I anticipate our coming together when I find her. And I will, Prime Minister. It is only a matter of time. I know from my spies that most of your people are on Pollux."
Coran blanched.
"Yes, Prime Minister, I know this. But don't worry, I can bother with Pollux another day. Slaves are slaves no matter what planet they happen to be on. Tell Allura I will attack Arus within the month. If she returns to me or I find her before, in consideration of her, I will spare Arus. I want her, Prime Minister. She is mine."
....By heavens, that man is truly evil! Coran thought in horror. "If I hear from her, I will relay your message." Coran replied calmly.
Zarkon snarled " See that you do, Prime Minister. I am not a patient man by nature. I eagerly await my bride's demonstration of her marked "fondness" of me."
With that parting remark, Zarkon cut the transmission short.
That is not something I want to go through again, thought Coran as he ran his hand nervously though his hair. I will have to tell Allura-but she'll try to come back just to spare Arus. I know her. I wonder if Lotor...nah, that's crazy-it might work though. If we could just keep her there for a few weeks more...I never thought I would see the day when I would ask Prince Lotor to keep her! Now, if only she would call...maybe I should...
"BEEP!" "Minister Coran, Princess Allura is waiting to speak to you on frequency Jared4/Alfor's code 9, sir." Well, I'll be damned..he thought. Coran punched the comm button. "Thank you, ensign. Patch her though, please."
The image of Princess Allura appeared onscreen. "Coran!" she said happily. "Is everything all right?"
Here goes..Coran sighed. "Princess, everything is fine, here. We haven't heard anything from Doom." he lied.
Allura breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, how is everyone?" Coran replied, "Everyone is fine. Hunk and Pidge are up and around, although not a hundred percent yet. "And Keith?" she asked.
Oh Boy.. "Ah, Allura, he's being temporaily assigned-because of his injuries. He'll be back."
...I don't think she bought it-by the expression on her face. ....
Allura said abruptly, "Coran, something's wrong-I can tell- you keep running your hand through your hair.."
....Damn! Alfor used to get me on that when we played poker! "....
Allura.." Coran hesitated. "Is Prince Lotor there?"
Allura gave him a look of annoyance.
....She looks like Alfor when she does that. ...
"Of course, he is here. Why do you ask?"
Coran started to run his hand through his hair again, and then stopped, realizing what he was doing. "I would like to speak to him please--alone."
Allura looked suprised, "You want to speak to Lotor--Prince Lotor?"
Coran cleared his throat nervously. "Yes, Allura, please, as a favor to me."
Allura gave Coran a skeptical look. "Coran, you're up to something, but I'll see if he will speak to you."
He saw Allura turn her head to an unseen person in the room and said something-he couldn't hear what. Allura turned back to Coran and said, "Coran, he'll speak to you, I'll go now."
As Lotor came onscreen, Coran swore he thought he heard Allura say, "Give me the details later, Lotor!"
....She seems very comfortable with him. Coran noticed with a wry lift of his eyebrow.
Lotor turned to face Coran. "Prime Minister Coran, how may I assist you?" Coran about fell out of his chair.
....He's actually being nice? I 'll be damned! ... Coran thought increduously.
Coran gathered his wits and said, "Prince Lotor, this concerns Princess Allura." Coran saw Lotor's face cloud over. ......Uh oh! He thinks I'm going to say she needs to come back...
"It's not what you think, Prince Lotor. We don't want her to come back to Arus at this time."
Now it was Lotor who looked incredulous. He recovered quickly though."Minister Coran, please explain what you mean by that." Lotor replied.
Please? That boy must be sick, either that or Allura is rubbing off on him...
Coran explained. "I received a message from King Zarkon-your father this morning. He informed us that Hagar was dead. He has told me to tell Allura if she does not come back to him before the month is out, he will attack Arus." Lotor looked like he wanted to say something, but Coran kept going.
"You know Princess Allura, she would sacrifice herself for her people.
....God knows she did it enough when you did the same thing...
"I need you to keep her there with you, Prince Lotor. I have been told that you care for Allura. If you really care, keep her away from Arus. Tell her we will all be safe from attack...we will prepare for everything, but keep her from coming,Prince Lotor. If she comes back, your father will be waiting for her. I ask this as a favor to the people of Arus" Lotor's face was angry. His father-trying to get Allura back! And Hagar-dead? He needed to make sure.
"Minister Coran, did you actually see my father?" Lotor asked tersely. Coran nodded, "Yes, Prince Lotor, in fact, he looked quite healthy and robust."
Damn! thought Lotor.
Coran interrupted his thoughts. "Prince Lotor, will you do it? She will have to come back to Arus eventually, but for now, she needs to stay with you-no matter how much she protests."
Lotor smirked a little.
....I hate it when he smirks like that! Coran thought irritably.
"Minister Coran, I will see that she remains safe with me. You don't need to worry about Allura."
.....That's all I ever do...its in my job description.
"One more thing, Prince Lotor-your father is looking for both of you. Watch your back."
The prince nodded, "Thank you for the information, Minister Coran, I will keep Allura safe."
Who's going to keep her safe from you, or have you changed? Coran thought worriedly.
"Thank you, Prince Lotor. I will leave you now."
Prince Lotor nodded silently. "As you wish, Minister Coran. Prince Lotor out." the transmission ended.
Coran leaned back in his chair, I don't envy his job-he'll have to tell Allura! Coran chuckled in spite of himself.