The little girls from the orphanage gathered around the young Princess as tightly as they could. They hung on every word that fell from her mouth as if it were gold. She told the children a silly little tale that Nanny used to entertain her with as a child. She was delighted to know she still remembered so much of it.

As Allura recited the tale to small girls of four and five, they would shyly reach out and touch the gold that fell from their Princess’ head. Later the children would sleep with the golden strands that escaped beneath their pillows for luck and soldiers would sew them into their scabbards for blessing. Allura had noticed how incredibly difficult it was for them to refrain from touching her hair, some even resigned to stroking her. Of course, she was the only person on the planet with flaxen hair and it wasn’t shocking to discover that the bards of the village called her Princess Allura of the Golden Mane when they told their tales for nighttime entertainment. She wouldn’t deny the homeless children this small pleasure.

“Why Lady ‘Lalaura!” exclaimed the small girl sitting to her right who was presently petting her hair as if she were a lap dog. “Look what you’ve done!” she said as another child took her wrist in her small hand and open her fist.

Allura realized that she had been clenching her fist so tightly that her palm was bleeding. Her attempt to not let Keith bother her had miserably failed. Out of the corner of her eye she had been watching him talk to the woman who had returned his medallion to the castle. When Allura had asked her if they had met before, the woman mentioned how she was the one who had returned Keith’s necklace. Of course, Allura had not actually given the medallion back to Keith and the fact that he was standing right next to her when the lady mentioned that encounter made Allura want to run and hide. Keith and [whatever the hell her name was] had been standing there talking for some time when they disappeared into a small building outside the orphanage.

Before she knew it, the small child had a cloth in her hand and was wiping gently at her palm. Allura stroked the little girl on the cheek as another one gently tapped her on the shoulder. Allura turned to another little girl, who seemed to the representative of the others, and felt a slight pity for her. She was not truely Arusian. Her skin had a slight tint to it that belonged to many of Zarcon's troops. She must have been a child of rape. Her mother may not have even been dead, shame from the act could have led her to give the child up. Allura had to wonder how many children were the product of Zarcon's vile soldiers brutality. She felt sorrry for the child who would possibly never be loved by her parents, after all, it was not her own fault.

“Yes, my dear.”

“Lady Alaura, we pwanted flours in the feild ofer there and want you to come and see dem’” said the child with a slight lisp before she returned her forefinger to her mouth in anticipation.

“Why that would be wonderful!” exclaimed Allura. The ten five year olds jumped up with a cheer. The children took Allura by the hands and arms and led her to their garden. Allura had the slight feeling of being a sacrifice as someone had hold of each hand and at least two others had her arms. She knew it would be hard to leave these children at the end of the night.

Quickly they led her through a small band of trees on the east side of the orphanage and in to a small clearing. Flowers bloomed everywhere. “Your garden is more beautiful than mine!” exclaimed the Princess. Before she knew it, flowers of every sort were bound into her hair by the adoring children. “The Flower Bride!” exclaimed one. “Who will be her Prince!” screamed another as the young girls fell in to peals of laughter.

After hours of picking flowers and making wreaths for their hair the little girls began to fall asleep one by one in the field, under the watchful eye of the Royal Guard. Two of their teachers had joined Allura early on and thought it would be perfectly fine if they took their naps outside. Still trying to lay as close to Allura as naturally possible the little girls drifted off to dreams while Allura softly sang to them. At first they sang along, but eleven voices became five, then three, then one.

Allura let the warmth of the sun shower over her ivory skin, there was too much to think about to actually sleep. So far the day had gone beautifully. Was there anything in the universe that was a simple and pure a children singing, Allura thought. So beautiful to just see them play. It was something everyone had watched at one time or another, but did they really see it? A child at play? Watching the children Allura sadly realized that they still had something that she had lost long ago. What was it exactly, she was not sure. Maybe it was that they did not worry about tomorrow. They were here, now, in harmony. To children that’s all there was. To watch them dancing, singing, celebrating; celebrating just the mere fact of being alive. They knew nothing else. They had been torn unjustly from their families just the same as Allura had been, but did they really understand death? The sun never felt so peaceful beating down on her. It’s warmth flooded her. She must have drifted somewhere in between dreams and reality for sometime before she heard the soft voice not far from her...

“She really has yellow hair.”

“Yes. But, I think she’s asleep, Cassia.”

“Oh,” whimpered a small voice full of disappointment.

“Would you like to lay down with them?”

There was no response that Allura could hear. Slowly she opened her eyes. Her hand covered her eyes to the bright sun and she looked toward the voices. It was Keith and he was putting a little girl on the ground with the rest of the children. Allura had not seen this one all day and wondered why she had not joined them earlier.

“Keith” she whispered. Keith and the little girl looked over to where Allura lay.

“We thought you were asleep,” he whispered. “I want you to meet someone.” He picked the little girl up again and tried his best to manage trough the sleeping bodies of the children. Removing arms that had adoringly fallen over her in their innocent sleep Allura sat up and instinctively held out her arms for the new girl. The child had a beautiful young face framed by wavy brown hair and the typical Arusian dark skin, but Allura noticed her l large doe eyes. Deep and as brown as Keith’s, but full of emotion. Allura could tell the girl was somewhat scared of her as Keith silently dropped her in Allura’s arms.

“Hello. What’s your name?” asked Allura as the child cautiously stroked a lock of Allura’s golden hair.

“Cassia,” she said shyly. Allura felt as shocked as if lightening had fallen from the sunlit sky and struck her as she sat there. Cassia. Tell him Cassia brought it back

It had been such a beautiful day. Childhood memories plagued the princess through out it. Things were simple then. It wasn’t until she was at least seven did the threat of war actually become serious to her. That single shock to the back which drained her of all her strength and happiness and left her crippled in her bed for months. It must be lovely to be a bird or a cow, with a simple future.

Allura and Keith sat contentedly on the rim of a majestic fountain and let the moonlight inspire them. They had joined the children for dinner and had just recently left them for the night. Keith explained to the Princess how the darling Cassia had come to the orphanage. Her family, consisting of her father and four older brothers, perished during the last ground attack on Arus. Her mother had died during childbirth. Since she had grown up thus far with a primarily male influence the orphanage directors knew that she would come closer to speaking to Keith than themselves. One day he spied her sitting alone , aside from the other children. It took some urging but she finally spoke to him, which was a blessing and a curse. Her attachment grew quickly. Keith didn’t mind though, she reminded him of his younger sister.

“Yeah, Lance told me you asked about Cassia,” he said folding his arms behind his head with a grin.

“Did he?” said Allura . She could feel the heat rising in her face. I’ll have to have a talk with him about this.

“Yeah, he did. He also said that you thought she was my girlfriend.”

“I did not!” she exclaimed.

“Yeah, and you were pretty jealous he also said.”

“Jealous? Of a five year old! Captain Dewar, you can date all the five year olds you want to on my planet. We have no laws against that sort of thing. You can do as you please, see if I care.” she said crossing her arms at her chest and turning her nose up in the air.

“You were jealous!” he laughed.

“A ckhy faein. Captain Keith Akira Dewar! You’re a doke!”

“A what!”

What was it Pidge had called Hunk.......doke, dole, dome...”Dope! Your a dope!” she exclaimed clenching her fist up high and shaking them in his face.

He grabbed hold of her wrists and saved himself from the threat of a black eye. “Allura.” he laughed.

“I’m not listening!”

“Fine.”

“What?”

“Fine.”

“Fine.” she repeated. “By the way, I don’t want to be the keeper of this anymore.” She regretted her words instantly. Keith look down at what her hands produced. His missing medallion. His beaming face changed dramatically. “I’m sorry I’ve kept it for so long. I must have forgotten that I had it.” she said a bit apologetically.

“It’s OK,” he said taking it from her hands and looking at it. He ran his fingers gently across the figure that was emblazoned on it’s front. Allura could tell the medal meant a lot to him by his suddenly somber face.

“I’m sorry.” she whispered once more.

After a moment, he looked back up at her. “Don’t be.” He gently took her hand. “ I want you to have it.” He placed it back in her hand and folded her fingers over it. “I have another one, now.” He motioned to his neck and Allura could see the chain that she had placed on him not to long ago. “I think you need him more right now anyway.”

She studied the silver medallion letting her fingers trace over the man and letters. She kept her face down so he would not see her joy. "And there was a war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon..." she read across the front in a heavily accented English.

“Yes. It’s Saint Michael the Archangel. In the Christian religion on Earth he was regarded as helper of the churches armies against the heathen. Leader of the heavenly army, he was viewed as the patron of every Christian knight. Men went to Michael for protection in battle. Medieval women feared losing their lives during childbirth and for protection in birth also went to visit the shrines of Michael.”

Allura smiled silently to her self. A man dressed in armor, carrying a sword, with his foot on a great dragon decorated the front. Their religions weren’t so different after all. She turned it over and read aloud, in English once more, the words inscribed on the back:

I make my circuit under thy shield,
Thou Michael of the white steed,
And of the bright brilliant blades,
Conqueror of the dragon,
Be thou at my back,
Thou ranger of the heavens,
Thou warrior of the King of all,
O Michael the victorious,
My pride and my guide,
O Michael the victorious,
The glory of mine eye.

“Thank you,” she said holding the gift to her heart. She was truely happy.

The two sat in comfortable silence for some time after, soaking in the moonlight. It was normal with the self composed Captain, after accepting him for the way he is, the serenity was commodious. Even though, today she had witnessed a side of him she had only heard about. Maybe there was a beating heart in there somewhere afterall.

“Listen,” whispered Allura. A baby’s cry could be heard not far off. It cut the silence like a knife suddenly.

“A baby?”

“Yes! A newborn at the chantry.” she said in a loud whisper. “Come! A lesson in Arus religion for you!”

Allura led Keith through a maze of streets as the cries became louder. A large stone building stood firm in the inner city. In the facade, a small stone altar held the screaming infant. It lay naked atop blankets for comfort. When Keith realized the child had been left alone he motioned to pick it up.

“No. We must leave it.” said Allura calmly as she dropped to her knees in front of the altar in prayer.

“Leave it? But this baby can’t be more then a few hours old. It’s all alone out here.” he said in disbelief as she recited her litany.

When she had finished she looked back to the child. “Keith, it is ancient custom. When a child is born he is left outside at the altar for the Gods. It goes back from when Arus was two kingdoms. The newborn is left outside for the Gods to take if they see fit. It used to be that if it dies, then the Gods have taken their gift back because the parents have become unfit, or they have seen that they will become unfit. Or in some cases the Gods are in need of its soul. But, recently it has become a semblance of strength. The working class is dependent on strong healthy children. If the baby is strong enough to make it through the first night unaccompanied then it will become a great asset for its clan. I was treated in the same fashion. “ she said glancing up at Keith who still held a skeptical expression.

“When a Royal child is born the entire town fasts and holds vigil outside. It’s quite a site I’m led to believe.” she said turning back to the child. “I should name it, but I’m not prepared.”

“Tradition?”

“Yes. It’s a coupled a blessing to be named by a member of the Royal Family. But I have nothing to write the name with.” Slowly she stood and kissed the withering child on the forehead. “Beautiful Baby-Girl” she quoted thinking of the pet name her parents used for her.

“It’s been a beautiful night,” she said as they made their way back toward the small ship and the Royal Guard waiting patiently beside it.

“Yes, it has, Princess,” he replied as she urged him toward a large rock just outside the orphanage. A subtle hint that she was not ready to return to the castle.

They sat in silence for a small time , each had something brewing in the back of their minds. Keith had put off the real meaning of this venture for too long, but he knew that it would upset Allura to talk business. His mind raced for a way to commence to the touchy subject Coran had given him.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been alone, Keith.” said the Princess interrupting his thoughts. He nodded his head in acquiescent caught off guard by the light weight of her hand resting on his.

Keith,” she said looking him in the eye,” you really scared me when you were gone.” His expression suddenly changed. Allura couldn’t ascertain the emotions she saw. Like an empty face gone vacant, if that was possible. She could not resist knowing what he had been through. “What did they do to you?” she asked slowly, but something deep inside wanted to ask : Who did what to you.

Keith broke their eyes embrace by turning away from her and looking back to the sky. Damn her from bring up long settled emotions. “It doesn’t matter.” he said quietly.

“It does matter. It’s better if you talk about it, Keith. You know I’m here.”

“Yes, but it doesn’t matter. This is who we are..... I’ve meant to speak with you about something,” he said quickly trying to change the subject the best way he knew how. Work.

Her heart fluttered and skipped a beat. “Yes?”

“Coran mentioned the prospect of buying a planetary shield. I think.....” he went on and on . Allura clenched both hands into fists as the anger seethed through her, not listening to a word he said.. She stood and turned her back to her captain terribly hurt. Her and Coran had been arguing over this topic for weeks. Now he brought Keith in to it and no doubt turned him against her in the process. That old man had a way of getting what he wanted.

“Is this why we are here!” she exclaimed. “Is this what today was all about?”

Her anger offended Keith. He stood to face her. He could tell this was going to be a battle.

“Coaran only told you his side , no doubt. You think me selfish and uncaring? Is that what he persuaded you to believe!”

“Allura! What are you raving about. Calm down ,woman, and talk to me like your equal.”

“But you’re not!” she screamed.

That remark clearly caught him off guard. “Sit down, Princess Allura.” he exclaimed through clenched teeth. She was able to bring about the full specturm of emotions in him, including great anger. There was no cause for her flying off the handle like this. He could not beleive how angry she had become so quickly.

“You are not my equal, Keith! We don’t have equal worries! You worry about who will win the next battle and how to make sure it is us. I worry about that, too. But I also worry about how my people are going to eat. Where I’m going to get their next meal from! Where to buy all the materials needed to rebuild the last town or village that was destroyed by Zarcon. How to pay the pygmy number of men we call an army. Who I will buy the medicine from to help ease the pain of congested lungs and broken bodies! It’s not the same!”

She paused one moment, collecting herself. He would only see it that she was hoarding her money and not spending it on the things that mattered. Any military mind would think that.

“Your military mind does not work the same as mine, Keith. It’s no less sharp or inspiring, but it’s not the same. Our goals are different. My land is burnt and ravaged, Keith. It barely gives us enough food for one village. I buy the food for my people. If I buy one of these planetary shields I will not have the money to feed my people six months later.” she paused a moment and ran her hands through her hair in frenzy.

“Keith, Arus used to be the richest planet in our system. Wealthier than any planet in the neighboring systems for that matter. But we didn’t think this war would last as it has. My father loaned money to planets that don’t even exist anymore, Kings who were killed minutes later. Our mining and scientific factories were the first thing destroyed by Zarcon. Our means to survive perished in that explosion. Then our land slowly went. Scorched as if the Daystar had come to close.” She fought back the tears that began to gather in her eyes and the knot that emerged in her throat.

“I’ve been stealing from savings for the last year. My primary funds are gone. There won’t be anything left if I do that. I just don’t have the money.”

Keith walked to her and placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. “Allura, I don’t think Coran would suggest this if there wasn’t a way for us to survive. After the shield is bought, wouldn’t there be enough time for the people to start farming again?”

“No Keith, it doesn’t work like that. Think of it like your body. You’ve been burned and tortured. You must rest and be nurtured back to your full strength before you can be used again. It takes time. You don’t go straight into battle the moment you are free.”

“Allura, I understand what it is your saying. I really do. But you should look at it from over here, too. If there is a shield, your people will be safer. As soon as it is up they can begin to put their lives back together without fear of a surprise attack. We can build your army. Bring it back to it’s former glory -”

“Don’t you think that I haven’t thought of that?” she coldly interrupted pulling away from him. “But, who do you think is going to pay this army? Men just can’t pack up and leave their wives and children with out something to send home to them each week. They can’t send their strong sons out, who are their family foundation, with out making up for the loss.”

She could see by the look on his face that he was still unconvinced. “If I do this, did Coran tell you he plans on marring me off to the first wealthy King that we come across? Did he tell you that part , or did he casually leave that out?”

Finally, the words he knew were coming. Coran did not mention it, but it was, in his logic ,the only way to solve the problem. He lifted his head and looked her in the eye. “If it has to be.”

She looked as if he had slapped her across the face. Her tearing eyes turned angry once more as she glared at him. “You can’t mean that. Can you?”

There was no response from him. As usual, he had slipped back into Warrior mode. His face was expressionless, though filled with challenge. “The patented Keith answer, the blank stare.” she hissed slowly walking around him regaining her composure . “Keith the Fearless. Of course you have nothing to fear, you’ve never lost anything. You’re a list of rules, a machine. Trip it’s lever and it fights. Pull the string and it gives commands.... My father once said that a man who fears nothing is a man who loves nothing.”

“He was wise.” he said, trying not to show her how her words hurt him.

She realized that when they fought it was like two swords coming together. Possessed. Someone always left hurt, but why did it always have to be her? “Go to hell.” she said flatly as she walked away from him. The words hurt him more than she knew, but it had to be this way.

“I have worked too long and too hard to leave this planet to become a slave in some old man’s bed. That is exactly what would happen, too. First of all, just by virtue of being a woman I would have to leave my home. Give my work up to a stranger just because he has a large purse. We’ve seen already how avaricious most Kings are. That no one can be trusted. I barely have a damned cent to my name, but I have power. A power that everyone wants. A power that you command. I’m not going to give up my independence, and sit by a sewing wheel heavy with child while he, you, or anyone takes credit for what I’ve done!”

It was as if the fist of God struck the Arus soil at that moment. At first it was as if to bring amazing effect to her words. Hair, fire and all. Her Goddess must have been fighting for her. Her hair flared in a great mane and fire spit from the ground like a geyser. But when she fell flat on her face with a gut wrenching scream and he fell back ten feet , he knew it to be the fist of the devil instead.

He heavily pushed himself off the ground. Something was hurt. His back pulsed with fire. What had just happened. “Allura? Allura!” he yelled his vision was still clouded with the darkness from the blow. He breathed for a moment trying to register what was happening. Someone was screaming far off. No, not someone, everyone. He painfully pushed himself to his knees. “Allura! Answer me damn it!”

Then he saw her. Fighting her own battle. The back of her dress was on fire and she unsuccessfully tried to beat at it with her hands. She was whimpering in horror. Rolling on the ground would not put out the fire tearing at her skirt. He ran towards her and slid into her on his knees. She cried out in pain and frustration as he beat at her legs with the only unburned part of her skirt, but it was no use the heavy material underneath began to burn. She screamed even louder as he began to rip the outer layer dress from her with an animal passion.

When he had ripped the white lace from her, she remained in her demure white undergown, he held her in his arms away from the buring cloth and they watched it incinerate. She was sobbing loudly and her face was covered in blood. “Are you hurt? Are you hurt?”

She only rolled out of his arms, buried her face in the ground, and beat the doomed soil with her fists. The back of her legs burned like they had visited the fires of hell. He would not think of it as a victory yet, but the point was taken.

“The children.” she exclaimed looking back up to him.

“No! We’re going back to the castle, you’re hurt!” he yelled pulling her from the ground. But , there was no longer a ship to take them back. The fire from it that had burnt at her took the life of her Guard too. They lay sprawled across the ground in death. “Ok, inside.” he said. Taking all aspects into account, he knew the orphanage had a shelter. He would put Allura there and then try to make it back to the castle on someone’s horse.

The orphanage lights flickered on and tiny screams could be heard without. “Calm!” someone was screaming. “Calm!” Keith ushered Allura in through he door as the devil struck the earth one more time. The ground rattled and they fell to their knees. Realization struck Allura as to what had happened. “We’re under attack, we’re under attack!” she muttered eyes wide with a fear Keith had never seen in her.

She used his shoulders to push herself up to stand and then ran the opposite direction. “Were are you going!! Get back here, now! I command you!” But his words went unheard. In a rage the captain uttered a few obscenities as he ran after her. Had she lost her mind?

“Were are you going?” he yelled as he grabbed hold of her arm. The city had become one big chaotic blaze by now. The devils work. People lay unmoving everywhere while others screamed and held dying loved ones.

She violently broke her arm free from his tight grip. “Get your hands off me! These are my people!” She tore down the burning street in a rage he thought impossible in her tender soul. He had no choice but to follow. At that moment the familiar sound of orbiter groaned from overhead. A proud roar. He stopped to survey the sky. These were many small space ship abound taking greedy shots at the sleeping town. The three lions floated overhead to meet their challenge. Yellow, Green and Red. He watched them in awe. It was strange seeing the battle from this end. This was how the people must see them. The lions. Their saviors.

In a moment he knew where she was headed. The unprotected baby at the altar. The child lay silent as if oblivious to what went on around it. Its tiny feet and arms pumped into the air with a madness. Allura swept the child into her arms. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you. It’s ok.” She held the baby to her protectively as the sky behind her exploded with what once was a doom fighter ship. Keith ran to cover her until all the debris had fallen from the sky.

“Won’t it’s mother come back for it?”

“She can’t, but I can.”

“Are you ready to listen to me now? Let’s go!” He stood and weighed their options. The nearby church was an aged marble edifice. One hit and it would be gone. Not safe at all. If only they were closer to the orphanage. “Where’s the closest shelter?”

She screamed as a Doom fighter ship fell from the sky and smashed into a nearby building. The city was now a haze of rubble and smoke and fire. “Over here, over here.” she exclaimed running towards a large building. But when they got there it was too late. The door had been sealed and no one would open for them. Keith pressed her against the wall of the hall way of the door and leaned tightly against her and the baby as another ship fell from the sky and exploded in the street. Too close. They had to find shelter.

He looked out into the burning street. A woman held a dead man in her arms as she screamed for mercy. A sight that would haunt him for years to come. “Stay here.” he told Allura. “Don’t move!”

She melted down to the floor holding the screaming baby tight to her. Too afraid to cry, to afraid to scream, though her whole body trembled. This is it. She looked down at the baby in her arms and began to rock back and forth. “It’s ok, Baby-Girl.” She stuck her finger in it’s mouth to stop it’s crying. “It’s ok, Baby-Girl.” The people running about screaming had become too much.

“Come on, over here.” she heard Keith yell when he returned. He picked her from the ground and quickly led her to a smaller building down the street. The side door was open and he guided Allura into it. “Sit down.” he told her once inside the small room, it was maybe a stable, or tool shop. “Are you hurt bad?” he asked gently pulling the hair from her bloody face.

“No. No.” she replied as he wiped at the gore.

“Ok, stay here. I’m going outside to see if I can do anything.”

“No! You can’t leave me here!”

“I’m not, I’ll be right back..” He disappeared and she was suddenly alone with the child. She rocked it and tried to concentrate on it to avoid her fear. But it was crying now and nothing would stop it. An explosion rocked the ground as Keith came running back in.

He quickly ran to her and sat down beside her. He took her in his arms and pushed her head down on his chest. She held the baby in his lap. “Is it a - “ She could not bring herself to say it.

“No, just ships. From the looks of it, they don‘t even want a big fight. They’re just hitting the city. The new battle techs are out. They aren’t doing too - “ he never finished. The stone building collapsed around them. Keith covered Allura and the baby with his body as heavy stones fell from above.

There were voices. Far off, it seemed. The nasty smell of smoke and death filled the air. And a baby crying. “Baby,” she whispered. Where was it? Near. She reached out for it, but couldn’t move. Something pinned her from above. Keith? “Keith?” No answer. “Keith?” Silence. She strained, she could turn her torso just enough. The sky was clear and empty. She had a small view through a parting in the rubble that surrounded her on all sides. Can’t move. Sleep again.