Shallura/ZarkonxOC

"Princess, you should get some rest."

Allura blinked, glancing over her shoulder to Shiro. "Oh... I suppose I should..." She murmured, seeing that the castle had gone into night-mode.

Shiro sat beside her. "Princess, are you alright? You seem lost in thought."

She hummed, looking back to the stars. "I was... I just was just wondering something."

"What?... If you don't mind my asking."

Allura smiled and shook her head. "I don't mind. I was just wondering if Zarkon still thinks about Amatha."

The black paladin raised a brow and tilted his head. "Who is that? Why would Zarkon think about them?"

"She was the previous green paladin." Allura twisted a lock of white hair around a finger. "She was beautiful and so intelligent. Long, violet hair that curled, blue and green and violet eyes with green markings- a big, kind smile... Amatha was like my best friend and my mother at the same time, even though I had a mother... And Zarkon loved her so much."

"She was Altean and Zarkon loved her?" Shiro asked, though wasn't really surprised. I mean, he loved an Altean.

Allura nodded. "They spend so much time together. It took them so long to confess their love for one another. Amatha had confessed first, and Zarkon was quite a mess." Allura smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "It took him many quintents to form a full sentence around her."

Shiro smiled. "Must have been amusing."

"It was." Allura took Shiro's flesh hand between both of her smaller hands. "She was patient, though. Amatha was so patient and understanding. It was no surprise Zarkon loved her. She was one of the few people that took the time to work him through his anger and truly understand him."

Shiro then frowned. "So... Why did he attack her, then?"

Allura then frowned as well. "He didn't... They were engaged to be wed... The ceremony was going to be so wonderful and beautiful... Father was going to go on a mission. Just a short one and Amatha had offered to go with him because she loved the people on the planet he was visiting. Zarkon had to stay behind; tied down because of his duties." Shiro sighed, lowering his head as he squeezed her hand. He hoped to comfort her. "Father returned the day before their marriage... Head low and her bayard in hand. Amatha always carried her bayard, even if she didn't wear her armor. She always said, 'Just in case.'"

Allura breathed deeply, tears gathering in her eyes. "Zarkon... Father didn't even need to say anything for Zarkon know... Zarkon took one look and he was on the ground in tears... Amatha was attacked by rebels... Rouge Alteans that despised the alliance between Galra and Altea. Why they attacked and murdered an Altean... A paladin a Voltron was beyond any of us, but... Amatha was murdered."

Shiro took his hand from hers, then wrapped his arms around her. Allura sobbed softly. "Zarkon really... Really loved her... For quintents, he was just quiet... He dragged himself everywhere... Silent." She paused. "Then he just... Snapped, I suppose. He became so enraged with my father. He blamed father and accused him and said that he should have been the one to die instead of Amatha. In his grief, he became power hungry; slaughtering kings and emperors to conquer galaxies, and the Galra were spreading out... Taking command.

"Father had already placed the green lion away on a planet it would feel at home and could cope with the loss of her paladin... Her only, lovely paladin she's bonded so closely with and fought alongside. So, he locked the black lion away to where it could only be unlocked if all the lions were there. Zarkon was absolutely furious. He was afraid to move Green because she was something precious Amatha left behind, so then he attacked Altea. Father sent the other three lions away, locked Coran and I away, then... I suppose you know the rest."

Shiro rubbed her side, kissing the top of her head. "I'm sorry."

Allura rested her head on his chest. "Don't be... It's not your fault... Your ancestors didn't even exist through all of that."

Shiro laughed softly. "I suppose that's true."

"I suppose so..."

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