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KNOW THINE ENEMY
What ravages of spirit
Conjured this tempestuous rage
Created you a monster
Broken by the rule of love
And fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do
-------Sarah McLachlan
CHAPTER ONE
The sun peeked over the L'kater mountain range in the east, and morning lazily crept over Planet Arus. Princess Allura had been awake for nearly an hour when she first felt the warmth of the sun's light on her back. The young ruler liked to rise early before the seemingly unceasing activities of the day began, yet again. She relished these undisturbed moments and used them to reflect and prepare herself for the day's events. The vast gardens outside the castle were a favorite spot for her musings. She would sit near the fountain and listen to the gentle splashing of the water and breathe in the heady aroma of the exotic flowers that pushed up from the earth. Her gardens were overflowing with a wide variety of plants and flowers from all over the galaxy and were a source of great pride to her.
The princess sat on the edge of the crumbling fountain and gazed at her reflection in the silver pool. The young princess would have been too modest to ever admit it, but it was well known throughout the galaxy that she was remarkably exquisite. She had small delicate features, and her face was not quite completely a woman's. She still had an newness about her. Her sapphire eyes were framed by dark, thick lashes and she possessed full, pouty lips. Her hair was a mass of golden waves that tumbled to the small of her back. She was petite and graceful. Her subjects thought her all shimmering and light, and they adored her.
On most occasions when the princess gazed into the fountain she would find her mirror-self smiling back at her. Today it was not so, for she had many worries that cried out with loud voices for her attention. She sighed heavily and considered recent events. The evil King Zarkon's attacks on her beloved planet had grown more vicious as of late. She feared that each time he attacked, she and her fearless band of protectors would be unable to keep him back and her planet would fall to his monstrous evil. Her dark eyes stung with unwanted tears. She would not let that horrid tyrant enslave her people. She would rather die than let that fate befall them. While that thought was first and foremost in Allura's mind, there was another that danced in her head and teased her with its forbiddeness. What should she do about ....? NO!, she refused to even consider him. He is an enemy! The princess' thoughts were broken by a voice calling her name.
"Allura! Allura! Child, where are you? It's time for your meeting with the security council! Allura!" Allura's childhood nanny called.
"Oh well, time to start another day," mused the princess and then called out "Nanny, I'm over here, and don't worry! I'm ready for the meeting!"
The beautiful golden girl arose and rushed to meet her nanny, little knowing that she had been observed in her quiet repose by the one person who both intrigued and frightened her.