Wonderland

The door silently swished open to reveal a silhouette of a handsome young man. He peered into the room, obviously looking for someone. Soft sounds of music filtered out of the room and he smiled in memory of the songs that were of a holiday that the VF celebrated, Christmas. Allura had embraced the holiday with open arms as it was the Force celebrated it, and she soon became enraptured with the spirit of the season that captures most people. His brown eyes lit upon a figure curled up in a chair reading a thick book with a smile occasionally pulling at her lips as she came to a humorous section. Keith loathed to interrupt her, and for the moment just gazed at her, enjoying the site.

A warm fire crackled and popped and cast its golden glow over her still form. The flickering of the fire sent lights playing across the room and making deep shadows. The hollows of Allura's profile were highlighted in the golden beams and the graceful lines became even more radiant. She was awash in the colors of the fire playing against her ivory skin. The lights of an accompanying Christmas tree in the corner also reflected the lights of the fire off. Suddenly, her laughter was heard and she happened to glance up. Catching site of her Captain in the doorway, her smile became even more joyous. She set her book aside and swung her legs over the side of the chair so she sat more properly.

" Keith, what do I owe this visit to?" She inquired with the sound of her smile in her voice.

Keith grinned at her and rubbed the back of his neck as if he was embarrassed and to nervous to ask what had originally brought him there, " I uhh, wanted to show you something. Kind of a Christmas present. " He stumbled out as he regained his composure. Keith then smiled his crooked smile that melted Allura's heart every time she saw it.

" Alright, lets go" She said as she stood.

Keith smiled mysteriously and said, " First you have to get dressed warm because we are going outside. I'll meet you at the Castle Entrance in ten minutes." With that he left swiftly, leaving behind a confused Allura, pondering what he wanted to show her.

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( Ten Minutes Later, Castle of Lions entrance)

Allura leaned against the wall, waiting for Keith to show up. She had dressed in a sky blue jumpsuit with layers underneath to keep herself warm and a white parka over it. Her long blond hair was brushed back into a braid as so it did not blow into her face and atop her head was a beret. Her warm outfit was completed with white wool gloves and a scarf tied around her neck.

" I feel like a marshmallow." She muttered. She glanced around and was rewarded with the sight of Keith coming down the stairs. She smiled up at him and his greeting was to return her smile.

He reached the bottom of the stairs and pulled at her hand, dragging her to the outside of the castle. Allura laughingly followed as he tugged at her hand. " Keith where are we going?"

" You'll see." Was all he said.

They strode across the bridge on foot and were soon on their way to the Forests that rimmed the castle. It had recently snowed and the landscape was awash in a pristine white. The new fallen snow glimmered with sparks of light as the sun reflected off it. They walked in a comfortable silence, the only sound the crunching of the snow under their feet.

They walked side by side in that silence for about half an hour when Keith suddenly stopped and turned to face Allura. Before them was a dense grove of pines that Allura could not see through.

" Allura, close you eyes, " He softly requested, his words were coming in a breathless whisper and Keith’s words created a wasp of clouds as his breath froze upon the air.

She looked at him curiously and like he was crazy but honored her Captain’s request. She closed her eyes and felt Keith take her hand. He slowly started leading her by both hands and she soon felt pines branches brushing against her body. She must have looked like she was about to say something because Keith quickly placed a gloved finger to her lips and whispered " Shhhh".

She smiled and nodded her head as they continued through the tree branches. Finally they came to a halt and Keith let go of her hands. She frowned at the loss of the feeling but knew it had to happen. She slowly opened her eyes and the first thing that came to he sight was a smiling Keith. Then her vision expanded and she was taken in by what was before her.

They were still in the grove of pines but now the trees had thinned out and they were standing in a little clearing rimmed by grand Spruces. A stream was running throughout the clearing, the clear waters making a tinkling noise. Everything was blanketed with snow and the effect was of a wonderland. Allura gasped at the beauty of the scene that was before her. She found herself running through the snow until she was to the center of the clearing. Keith followed up behind her, grinning at her reaction. She turned to face Keith, " Keith how did you find this place? "

He smiled at her wonderment," I found it when I was out riding one day. I just had to show you this little peace of heaven. "

" Oh, Its beautiful. Thanks you for bringing me." Allura smiled and felt her trappings of her crown slip away as she stood among the splendid sight of her planet. It was a rare release for her, to just enjoy the fruits of the labor she and the others had strived so hard for.

She felt Keith’s hand on her arm and he quietly pointed a finger in a direction to her side. Allura focused her sight there and a smile found its way to her lips. A doe and her fawn were at the stream drinking their fill of the life giving sustenance of water. Allura put her hands to her mouth to stifle her gasp of happiness. She turned to look at Keith once again and found him watching her with a curious look in his eye. She gazed up into his deep fathomless eyes and for once saw emotion there. It was unprecedented.

Her breathe became rapid as she saw his head moving closer to hers. His eyes were closing and lips parted. Allura felt his sweet breathe upon her face and she to felt her body prepare for the kiss that was going to be delivered to two soul’s who were destined.

But then she felt something wet land upon her face. Her eyes flew upon and beheld the dancing of snow flakes around the little wonderland. Keith had pulled away and was also looking up. She looked up at the sky that had become night and joined in with Keith as they grinned at each other.

Keith stared at his Princess as she grinned at him. Her nose was red from the frigid air and snowflakes were embedding themselves in her hair, like little diamonds that were glinting off little snippets of what light was left. His hand moved to underneath her chin and tipped it up and once again moved to join their souls with a kiss.

Right before their lips met, Allura heard Keith whisper, " Merry Christmas, Princess". And that was the last thing she coherently remembered as she was swept off her feet into a world of beauty and pleasure that Keith's kiss elicited in her.

They stayed like that for long moments, with the snow dancing around them and the quiet tinkling of snow as a soft breeze swept throughout the trees.