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Adam bowed respectfully to his father and stifled his smile when he saw Teela curtsey beside him out of the corner of his eye. "You're Majesty," he said. "I was in Dorados with Captain Teela."
Man-At-Arms frowned slightly at this, but held his tongue. He was sure that they had a good reason for going so far away without telling anyone.
"What were you and the Captain doing in Dorados?" King Randor asked his son with narrowed eyes.
Teela tensed slightly. 'Here it comes,' she thought, bracing herself.
"We were married yesterday afternoon, Sire," he said, looking his father in the eye.
The reaction was immediate and not at all surprising.
"You were what," King Randor roared, standing to his feet, his face turning bright red.
Queen Marlena stood and placed her hand on her husband's arm, her eyes wide.
"What?" Man-At-Arms' exclaimed at the same time as the king as his eyes widened in shock, and then he scowled in consternation.
The rest of those in the throne room drew back slightly at the king's reaction, murmuring their surprise at the announcement to those around them.
Adam placed his arm around Teela's shoulders and drew her close to him in a gesture of protection. "I said we were married yesterday." He opened the satchel he had slung over his shoulder with his free hand and pulled out a document. "Here is our certificate of marriage," he said, holding it out.
King Randor motioned for a page to bring him the document and he examined it. "Well, we can have this annulled soon enough," he said in obvious relief, handing it to his clerk.
"Actually Father," Adam said, removing the other document from the satchel and holding it out for the page to take. "This is the certificate verifying that we've already consummated the marriage." He then held out the satchel. "The bedding is in the satchel, as required."
King Randor's eyes widened slightly at this. "I see," he said. His jaw tightened and then his eyes narrowed. "Is there a… reason… you two were in such a hurry to marry instead of waiting the normal amount of time for a royal engagement?"
"Randor," Queen Marlena exclaimed frowning at her husband for a moment before looking apprehensively towards her son and his new wife.
Adam's arm around Teela's shoulders tightened ever so slightly and he glared at his father. "Not really," he replied with a casual shrug.
"Then what was the great hurry?" the king asked, nodding slightly to the clerk who slipped from the throne room with the certificates and the satchel with the bedding.
"Honestly?" Adam asked. "I didn't want the headache of a royal engagement. Having to wait all those months while listening to people whining about how Teela isn't of noble birth just because she's adopted. I didn't want to deal with all the nonsense that goes along with a royal wedding."
There was a murmur from the nobles and courtiers gathered in the room.
"Adam," his mother exclaimed, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Adam, please," Teela said softly. "Don't make it worse."
His father just glowered down at him, his jaw clenched in anger.
Adam looked at Teela and nodded slightly. "You're right," he said quietly. "I'm sorry."
He turned towards the gathering of nobles and courtiers and bowed slightly. "My Lords, My Ladies, I apologize," he said. "That was unkind of me; please forgive me."
When he turned back to face his parents, he again placed his arm around Teela, this time around her waist. "Father, Mother, I apologize to you as well. I must tell you however, that I refuse to give up my wife for any reason. Do whatever you think is best for the kingdom, but know that I will remain married to Teela."
Teela felt cherished and she laid her head on his shoulder with a soft smile as she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him slightly.
Randor blinked at his son in surprise and then took his seat back on his throne. "I see," he said, looking at his son. "And are you ready to do whatever it takes to remain married to my son Captain?" he asked Teela in an even tone that gave nothing away. "Even if it means that you must resign your position as Captain of the Royal Guard?"
Teela lifted her head from Adam's shoulder and stood tall as she faced the king. "Yes, you're Majesty," she said clearly. "If you require me to resign my position, I will do so immediately."
The King looked surprised and nodded. "I must consider what is best for the kingdom," he said. "I expect to see the two of you in my office first thing in the morning; you're dismissed."
Adam and Teela bowed and then he placed his arm around her waist and led her from the throne room. "I think we should eat in our room tonight," he murmured quietly.
"Our room," Teela asked, puzzled. "Which room would that be?"
"For now, we'll use my room; it's bigger," he said. "Once my father settles down we'll be assigned our own suite."
Teela wasn't as certain as he seemed to be that the king would 'settle down', but she wisely kept that to herself. "Okay," she said.
They made their way to Adam's room and Teela went into the lavatory to change into her nightgown and robe while Adam called down to the kitchen to order supper brought up to them. She was about to open the door when she heard voices and paused, only cracking it enough to hear what was being said.
"Duncan, I know this came as a surprise to you, but I promise you that I love Teela and I will do whatever I have to do to remain married to her," Adam was saying.
"But why the secrecy, lad; why rush off and get married so quickly? Why not just propose to her and have a traditional engagement and wedding?" Duncan asked his voice tight as he tried to rein in his anger.
Adam looked at the floor for a moment before looking his mentor in the eye. "Duncan, I promise to tell you, but I need to tell you and the Sorceress at the same time. Teela's exhausted so as soon as we have supper and she's settled for the night, we'll go and meet with the Sorceress at Castle Grayskull."
Man-At-Arms frowned slightly at this, but he sighed and nodded. "Can I at least see my daughter?" he asked.
Adam smiled and nodded, turning towards the lavatory door.
Teela silently closed the door and quickly flushed the latrine before turning the tap on the sink and washing her hands. When she heard the knock on the door, she called for Adam to enter and he opened the door and smiled at her.
"Your father is out here and would like to see you," he said. "Are you up to it?"
Teela turned off the water and dried her hands, returning his smile. "Of course," she replied, checking to be sure her robe was closed and cinched tightly before stepping out into the room. "Hello Father," she said to him.
Adam kissed her temple and motioned toward the lavatory with his head before he disappeared behind the door. He wanted to give father and daughter a moment alone.
"Teela," Man-At-Arms said, moving forward to take her hands in his. "Daughter, what have you done? The king is furious and… I don't know what to think."
Teela's eyes filled with tears. "I never wanted to hurt you or make you angry," she said. "It all just happened so fast. But I love him Daddy and I meant what I said; I'll do whatever it takes to stay married to him."
Duncan stared at her for a moment. His girl had no idea how much she and Adam had just complicated matters, but he could see the determination in her eyes and he smiled slightly and nodded. "All right, my dear."
Teela smiled and hugged her father. "I love you Daddy," she said softly.
"I love you, too," he answered. He kissed her brow and silently left the room. As soon as he was back in his workshop, he concentrated on trying to contact the Sorceress.
'Sorceress, can you hear me?' he sent.
'I hear you Duncan,' answered the Sorceress' voice in his mind.
'Adam and Teela have returned to the palace,' he told her. 'Are you aware of what they've done?'
'If you mean do I know that they married in secret in Dorados yesterday then yes, I know what they've done,' she responded, her tone tight. 'What were they thinking?'
'That's a very good question,' he answered. 'If you knew, why didn't you tell me? A bit of forewarning would have been nice.'
'I am sorry Duncan,' she replied. 'I had something to attend to that took most of the day.'
'It's not your fault; I'm just angry right now,' he said by way of apology. 'Adam says that as soon as Teela is settled for the night we will come to Castle Grayskull so that he can explain. For some reason, he wants to tell us both at the same time.'
'Then I shall see you soon,' she answered and then her presence was gone from his mind.