Chapter Five
It had been about a month since Keith's return to Arus, and in that short amount of time, his whole world had changed. His friend, Lance was dead, Pidge and Hunk still recoving from their burns. They had four lions now-no Voltron, the civs on Arus were on Pollux, and Allura was gone with that creep, Prince Lotor. Keith had been amazed when Coran told him what had transpired while he was out. Keith could only remember bits and pieces. His thoughts were confused, but when he thought of Allura, he was angry.
Pissed is more the word...he thought.
He made a beeline towards Coran's private office, and punched the chime button. Coran heard the door chime, and said, "Come in."
Keith barged in, anger in his eyes. Coran knew something had been bothering Keith since he came back to Arus. Here it comes, Coran wearily thought. Keith stood, very tense, and looked at Coran.
Coran said,"Well, Keith, spit it out. I know you've got something to say. You've seemed upset ever since you came out of your coma."
Keith replied angrily."You're damn right I am,Coran! Why in the hell did you let her go with that Lotor creep? You know he'll never return her!"
Coran nervously ran his hand through his hair. Gotta quit doing that...I'll start losing my hair. .he thought inanely.
Coran leaned back in his chair to face a still angry Keith.
"Well, Coran, I want an explanation."
"Keith, she did it for you."
Keith was not satisfied with this answer, judging from the way he looked at Coran.
"Yeah, that's what you've told me. I don't believe it."
Coran looked at Keith incredulously. What does he think?
As if to answer his unspoken question, Keith replied further. "I think she went with him because she wanted to." Keith started pacing around the room. "I mean, you tell me that Zarkon - King Zarkon marries her, and then Hagar busts us out, and then when we're on Arus, she leaves with him! Why, Coran, she could have gotten out, we had security out there! Why did you let her go? You know what he'll do to her - he'll treat her like he did Romelle!"
Coran leaned forward. "No, he won't, Keith. He loves her."
Keith yelled at him. "How the hell do you know! You haven't seen how he always tried to take her!"
Coran was getting angry at this young man. and yelled,"Would you rather have her in the arms of King Zarkon instead, Keith? Princess Allura went through hell for you and you don't appreciate it! Maybe you don't know it,Captain Akira,our spies who were in the castle said Princess Allura was nearly seduced by Zarkon! Her father's murderer!She had to endure it for you! He threatened to have you killed before her eyes! What did you expect her to do?"
"She was a member of the Voltron Force, and as a member, she was supposed to resist."
Coran noticed his emphasis on the word was. Coran said, "Young man, you're an ungrateful son-of-a..." he let his words trail off. "Allura is also the Princess of this world. She had to do what was right under the circumstances. And let me tell you something, Keith. I don't like Lotor for all the things he has done, but he did risk his life and has openly defied his father. Our spies tell us he was placed in the dungeon..."
Coran was interrupted by Keith who said, "Lotor's been put in the clink before, Coran..Thats nothing new. He was probably fed caviar, and had all the comforts of home..."
That's it.. Coran thought. "Keith, let me finish!..our spies tell us that Zarkon was taunting Lotor about Allura. Zarkon was going to let Lotor know when he... damn, he still couldn't say it!
"You know what I mean, Keith. Zarkon had his guards beat Lotor up and place him under the castle. Zarkon's never done that before. In fact, Zarkon was planning to have Lotor killed after he got Allura-" he choked down the word,"pregnant."
"That doesn't matter. She's still with him." Keith stood, defiantly.
...I can't talk to this boy. He is so angry! Coran thought.
Keith interrupted his thoughts and said, "Anyway, it doesn't matter, I'm leaving Arus, Coran."
What? Leaving?
Coran sat there then said, "Why? Keith, Arus needs you!"
Keith exploded with rage, banged his fists on Coran's desk, spilling all his paperwork. "Why the hell should I stay? I've got no reason to! There's no more Voltron, Pidge and Hunk are burned up-hell, they may never fly again - much less live!! And Lance-I saw his lion explode, Coran, did you know that? And Allura, your pure virgin princess is off with that-that Lotor! After all he's done! If she comes back, Coran, you can be sure she won't be a virgin anymore!" Keith laughed bitterly.
Coran bolted out of his chair, and grabbed Keith by his collar. "I won't have you saying such things about Allura, Keith Akira! If you say another word I swear I will-"
Keith lurched out of Coran's grip. "Don't worry! I won't say any more! I'll be leaving within the week. I've already informed The Garrison and they're going to reassign me since there's nothing to keep me here anymore." he went towards the door, and suddenly turned to face Coran,"I loved her, Coran,I never told her. I was afraid. She's a princess and I'm just a- it doesn't matter anymore. It just hurts. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it about Allura, I just hope she knows what she's doing, Coran. I really do."
Keith turned and went out the door. Coran sighed, bent down to pick up his fallen paperwork and thought, So do I, Keith, every single day....