"Adam," Teela tried. They were seated in the garden. Adam still felt cold physically and emotionally. He hadn't wanted to go into the stone palace. Instead, he had come out into the warm sunshine, which mocked the darkness that seemed to be hanging over him. Adam looked at Teela expectantly, but she just didn't know what to say. Neither did Marlena.

"Adam, here's your sword," Orko said, pulling it out of his hat as he floated over.

"No," Adam said, shaking his head. "I can't use it again."

"But you have to," the Trollan said in confusion. "How else will you become He-Man?"

"I'm not going to," Adam replied sadly. "I can't. I broke my promise."

"Adam, this isn't like when Skeletor set you up," said Teela, remembering his promise. "Darren was no innocent."

"I promised to value all life," he said hoarsely.

"Taking a life doesn't necessarily mean you don't value it," Marlena said gently. "If you didn't value it, you wouldn't feel so terrible now."

Adam shook his head. "Take it to Grayskull, Orko. If it's here, I'll be tempted to use it the next time He-Man is needed." He watched as his father entered the garden and crossed over to them.

"I'd like to speak to Adam alone, please," Randor said. The other three looked at each other, then at Adam as they rose up. Marlena kissed him on the forehead.

"It'll be all right, son," she said softly.

Randor settled in next to Adam on the bench. "The sun helps stop that feeling that you're freezing inside, doesn't it?" Adam turned startled eyes to his father. Randor smiled sympathetically. "When Hordak kidnapped Adora, that was the last attack in a long string. We had many battles before that. And I was in some as a young lad, fighting under my father. I was even younger than you when I killed my first man in battle." His voice grew heavy with emotion, and he gazed off into the distance. Adam re-adjusted his position, angling himself towards his father to watch him as he spoke.

"I was horrified, like you. I couldn't believe I had killed someone." He turned to Adam, his eyes challenging. "Adam, were you in danger from this man?"

"Yes," Adam replied in a low voice.

"Were your friends in danger?"

"Yes."

"Was this man a danger to Eternia?"

"Yes."

"Then you did your duty as both a friend and the Prince of Eternia," his father asserted. "You cannot sit idly by and watch evil take over because you don't want to hurt someone. It is an honorable notion, and one you should cling to. Violence, especially deadly force, should be the last possible option. But sometimes, son, it is just unavoidable."

"But I'm not sure if this was," Adam whispered, eyes shadowed. "It happened so fast, I'm not even sure how it happened."

Randor leaned forward and grasped Adam's hand. "That's how it is sometimes, Adam," he said, his eyes intense. "No one in the universe can reason it out. It just happens." He watched Adam's face carefully. He could see a nasty bruise forming along Adam's jawline already, but he was far more concerned for his son's mental health than his face.

Adam considered his father's words and appreciated what Randor was trying to do. But as both the prince and He-Man, he had to hold himself to the highest standards. Relaxing those standards, for any reason, could result in a slide that would eventually lead to abusing the power given to him. He would wind up like Darren. Adam shuddered at the thought. It didn't escape Randor's notice.

"Was it a fair fight, Adam?" his father asked. Adam nodded once, and ran a hand over his face.

"Then don't act like you've murdered someone," Randor said a bit sternly. "What you did today probably saved lives. You need to remember that." He paused as another thought occurred to him. "There will have to be an inquiry hearing, Adam," he said hesitantly. It was policy whenever there was a death, whether it be an accident, murder, or in a one-on-one battle.

Adam sighed. "I know, Father. I'm sorry for causing you this embarrassment," he said quietly, not meeting Randor's gaze. Randor's grip on his son's hand tightened.

"That is the furthest thought from my mind," he countered somewhat angrily. "Your welfare and the fact that you have obviously saved Eternia from a lunatic matter far more-" He broke off, staring at Adam's shoulder. His eyes covered Adam head to toe.

"You're bleeding," he said, sounding a bit panicked. "Your shirt doesn't have any tears. I didn't realize you were injured. How bad is it? Why didn't you say anything?"

Adam nearly panicked himself as he looked down and realized the injuries he'd gotten while He-Man were still bleeding. If it weren't for his clothing, which naturally repelled light amounts of moisture, they would have shown through long ago. How am I going to explain this?

"I forgot about them," he answered honestly. "They're both pretty shallow wounds, and they didn't seem so important after…what happened."

"We have to get you to the healers," Randor said, physically pulling Adam to his feet. His son resisted.

"No, I'd rather Man-at-Arms take a look at it first," he said. "He was there. If there's anything the healers should know, Duncan will be able to tell them."

"I think that's an excellent idea, Adam," Teela said, appearing at his side. "Your Majesty, why don't you meet us at the healer's in a few minutes? That way I can make sure Adam actually goes there after he sees my father."

Randor seemed a bit confused by this logic, but nodded his agreement anyway. He watched them walk away, then strode off in the opposite direction.

"Beautiful timing, Teela," Adam said in relief. "Maybe having you in on this isn't such a bad idea after all." She stuck her tongue out at him, and he chuckled, then groaned as his stomach protested, his injury finally starting to work its way through his shock.

"My father and I realized we'd forgotten about your injuries. Hidden as they are under your shirt, we didn't even know if you still had them, or if they'd disappeared. How hurt are you really, Adam?" she asked. "Those cuts must have been pretty deep to be bleeding for this long."

He shrugged with one shoulder as they entered Man-at-Arms' workshop. "I don't think they're bad. But how do I explain to the healer why I obviously had stitches in the same place He-Man did?"

"I'll do the stitches on both wounds, and he won't know the difference," Duncan answered, already holding up a needle and tapping it to get the air out. "Take your shirt off."

Adam complied, but argued, "I don't want any drugs, Duncan."

"You never do, but I'm not letting you out of it this time, Adam. Both of those wounds have been bleeding for a while, and this will be difficult enough without you tensing up."

When he had the needle ready, Duncan looked at Adam, his eyes widening. "By the grace of Eternia," he whispered. Teela had politely turned her back to Adam up to now, but at her father's tone she whipped around. Adam's midsection seemed covered in bruises; apparently the Sword of Truth had re-charged his energy, but hadn't healed a single bruise or cut. The shock must have slowed the bleeding from the wound, Teela realized, because the cut on his stomach was worse than he'd led them to believe. In fact, she didn't know how he had managed to walk around.

"And you're not in pain," she half-stated, half-questioned. Adam gave her a lopsided grin.

"I've felt worse," he said lightly. "Let's get this over with, Duncan."

Once he was stitched up, Duncan examined him further and found two cracked ribs as well. "Adam, you'll have to use the sword to become He-Man before you go see the healers. If they see you like this, they'll put you on bed rest for a week, and if He-Man is needed, we'll have a lot of explaining to do. Grayskull's power should take care of most of your injuries." He glanced over to see the prince shaking his head.

"I can't, Duncan. I'm not worthy of that gift of power. I won't use it," Adam said quietly but firmly. "If I could kill a man just as myself, imagine how much more dangerous I would be with that power."

"Adam, it was a battle. It wasn't murder; it wasn't an abuse of power. You defeated him," Duncan objected. "Don't let people like Darren and Skeletor win by refusing to become He-Man."

Adam closed his eyes. "Even if you're right, I told Orko to take the sword to Grayskull."

"Well, it's a good thing I didn't listen to you," Orko scolded as he floated over.

"Orko! What are you doing in here?" Duncan demanded, although he was glad to see the little Trollan.

"King Randor wanted to know what's taking so long, and he sent me to find you guys. Here's your sword, Adam," Orko said, pulling it out of his hat again.

Adam hesitated. Duncan had been there when he'd made his promises to protect the innocent, to uphold the notion that all life is precious. Because of this, Man-at-Arms' opinion carried a lot of weight. He closed his eyes and sought yet another valued opinion.

Sorceress, do you know what has happened?

I know of Darren's fate.

What should I do?

Use the sword, Adam. You have not broken your promise.

Reluctantly he raised the sword and called on its power. His injuries were immediately healed, except for the two gashes caused by the Power Sword. Just as quickly, he relinquished the power, shuddering as he did so.

"It feels wrong," he whispered, staring at the sword.

"Adam, you killed a man today," Duncan said sympathetically. "Nothing will feel right for a long time."


The healer was the same one who had stitched up He-Man only the day before. Randor and Marlena stood in the room as well, watching as he inspected their son.

"Interesting," he said, peering at Adam's shoulder. "Except fact that this is different thread, I would've thought I was looking at the same wound I stitched on He-Man yesterday. Fought the same person, did you?"

"Yes," Adam admitted.

"Heard you beat 'im," the little man grunted. "Interesting. Wouldn't have thought the prince could beat someone that managed to lay a sword on He-Man."

"Just lucky, I guess," Adam said uncomfortably.

Randor's gaze grew thoughtful. The healer was right; it was pretty amazing that Adam had bested this Darren fellow. Of course, he had seen Adam fight Teela only yesterday morning and he had looked pretty impressive, so perhaps it wasn't so incredible. Something bothered him about the entire situation, though. He raised a hand to his face and stroked his beard, concentrating.

Why wasn't his shirt torn? And the bruise on his jaw is gone, he realized. How? Marlena watched in delight, knowing her husband was putting pieces together; in contrast, Adam's eyes narrowed. He'd had about all he could handle in the last few days between Teela finding out his secret, Evilseed showing up, and killing Darren. He wasn't about to willingly submit himself to more emotional turmoil.

Fortunately, the healer chose that particular moment to poke Adam in a tender spot near his stomach wound, and he purposely overreacted to distract his father.

"Careful!" he snapped. The healer snorted; Randor jerked out of his thoughts.

"Sorry, Your Highness, didn't realize it was quite that sore. Man-at-Arms did a good job sewing you up. Not sure why you chose him over me, though," the little man sniffed.

"I'm sorry, Ramus, I just wasn't sure if there was something odd about these wounds," Adam apologized. The healer looked startled that Adam knew his name. "They were caused by He-Man's Power Sword."

"Well, you can't tell that by looking at them," he sniffed, somewhat mollified. "Now get to bed with you. And stay there a couple of days so you don't tear them stomach stitches. That'd hurt."

Adam stood and moved to pull his shirt back on. Ramus opened the door and Cringer charged in.

"A-Adam!" he cried, tackling the prince. Adam let out a yelp as the stitches in his stomach tore, thankful that the area was still a little numb from the shot Duncan had given him. Ramus and Duncan were at his side in a flash.

"Told ya not to tear 'em," the healer admonished. Adam threw him a sour look as he climbed to his feet, clutching his stomach. "Now I'll have to fix 'em."

"I'm sorry, Adam," Cringer whimpered. Adam patted his head to let him know it was okay.

"He-Man and the prince within two days," he chortled. "What a story for my grandkids."

"Glad this is providing someone with some joy," Adam said a bit ruefully. "Let me know if you want me to pose for a picture for them." He offered a lopsided grin to his parents, who started chuckling.

His resilience always was amazing, Randor thought.


Adam woke the next morning and gingerly brought himself to a sitting position, his legs dangling off the side of the bed. When he had been in pain from Kaspanya's magic, it had been far worse, but there had been solace in the knowledge that movement wasn't actually harming anything. With this, he found himself conscious of every movement that could tear the stitches.

I hope these injuries don't leave noticeable scars, or He-Man will have a lot of explaining to do, he thought wryly. A knock sounded at the door. "Come in," he called, not moving off the bed. He had pajamas on, so he didn't really care who it was. Teela entered, carrying a tray of food.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," she sang cheerfully. "It's a beautiful day on Eternia, so rise and shine!"

Adam half-heartedly threw a pillow at her, and she laughed. "What's got you in such a good mood?" he asked curiously.

"You're alive," she said simply. "Go wash up, and I'll set your food out." She turned her back to give him some privacy, and he grabbed some clothes on his way into the bathroom.

When he came out, Teela was sitting at the table nibbling on some fruit. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.

"Okay Teela, spill it," he finally said after he was seated. "What's with the glow?"

"I figured it out!" she said triumphantly.

"Figured what out?" he asked, confused.

"I asked you why you were chosen to be He-Man, and you couldn't answer me," she answered a tinge smugly. "But I know why."

"Oh, do tell," Adam said dryly, propping his chin in his hand. That pulled at his stitches, and he quickly straightened up.

"Because your are utterly, completely selfless," she said, her voice suddenly growing soft. "You are also the strongest person I know. No one else could take the gift you've been given and do what you do every day without cracking in some way."

She got up from the table, and kneeled in front of him, resting her hands on his knees.

"Teela, if you're saying all this because you think I need cheering up-" Adam began, his face red with embarrassment.

She put a finger on his lips. "No. I'm saying it because I've finally realized the truth in it. I've also realized that either of us could be killed any time we go out to fight evil. All this time I never let myself think about it."

"What did Darren do to you?" he demanded, horrified at the thoughts crossing his mind.

"Nothing, really," she assured him. "He mostly ranted and raved about his family, and being betrayed by the Sorceress. But even though you were almost killed a few months ago, I've always thought of you as the one safe back at the palace, the one who would be here when I got back from fighting at He-Man's side. Now that I know you're out there fighting as well…I just don't want to leave anything unsaid." She smiled, seeking to reassure him that she was fine.

"Have you ever?" Adam teased, taking the hint from her that she didn't want to talk about that night and trying to lighten the mood.

Teela lowered her eyes. "Yes. I kept quiet on the things that matter the most, like how much my friends and family mean to me." She raised her eyes to his. "I…I'm proud of you, Adam. I'm proud that you're my friend and my prince. I always have been. I'm sorry it ever seemed otherwise."

Adam stood, raising her up as well, and hugged her tightly. He knew she was telling the truth. Their relationship had deepened in the last few months, not just since she figured out he was He-Man. Love swelled up, but so did sorrow. He couldn't stand in the way of her destiny. There was fear as well. Like Teela, he had seen what losing his family had done to Darren. Teela felt a shudder go through him, and she pulled back, looking into his eyes. The shadow there worried her.

"What's wrong?" she asked. Adam shook his head. He couldn't very well tell her without telling her of his feelings, and he couldn't do that.

"It's just been a tumultuous few days," he answered, for lack of anything better. Teela placed her hands on her hips and stared at his face, which had become carefully blank and somewhat guarded.

"Oh no you don't," she snapped. "I know what that expression means now, Adam. You're not giving me the whole truth. I thought we were past that."

"We are," he assured her. "I just..." He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Everything seems unreal, Teela. You figuring out my secret, killing Darren, my father pressuring me. I've been used to the status quo for so long. It feels like everything has spun out of control. I'm just not used to this feeling of not being able to handle it. I'm He-Man. I handle everything," he ended lightly, but Teela saw the uncertainty in his eyes, and the pain that lingered from having Darren's death on his hands.

"Maybe there's a reason I figured it out now," she responded. "Maybe you needed someone else to talk with."

"Not just someone," he admitted somewhat reluctantly. "I need my best friend. I need you, Teela. Keeping this secret from you..." His voice trailed off and he looked at the floor. "I hated it." He raised his head as she grabbed his chin between her thumb and forefinger.

"It doesn't matter anymore," she said, staring deep into his eyes. "There's not really anything to forgive, because you were doing what you had to. But if it makes you feel better, I forgive you, Adam. I'm actually relieved, because two of the most special people in my life are really the same person, and it explains so much to me."

"Like what?" he asked hoarsely, even though he knew he should stop the conversation.

A knock sounded at his door, and they instinctively stepped apart. Teela didn't answer him as he tore his gaze from hers and called, "Enter."

Duncan came in, followed by Randor. "Teela, the guards are assembled for their morning training," her father informed her in a mild tone.

"Thank you, Father. I was just on my way," she said crisply.

"Just one moment, Captain," Randor said sternly. "I want an explanation from you and Man-at-Arms."

"Yes, sire?" She looked to her father, but he didn't seem to know what was going on. She looked at Adam, whose look said he was about to endure another lecture.

"When He-Man was knocked out by this Darren fellow, why was it Adam who stepped in? Why didn't you?" the king challenged her. "Adam said He-Man threw his sword and dissolved the forcefield holding you. So why didn't you step in?

Teela swallowed hard. He was right; as Adam's bodyguard it should have been her responsibility.

"It was my fight, Father," Adam said quietly, but firmly.

The king whirled on him. "No. Teela and Duncan are the sworn protectors of the royal family. They failed in their duties."

"I was already there," he answered, keeping his voice calm. "They were further away. Once I had engaged Darren, they had to stay out of it. It was a matter of honor."

"Foolish honor is what gets you killed in battle," Randor responded angrily. "And why were you so much closer than they?" The sword's power over him was weakening rapidly, Adam realized. He wasn't making connections like Teela because he didn't spend as much time around his son and He-Man, but he was good at puzzling things out.

"Because I wasn't caught in the forcefield," Adam responded. He purposely put a hand to his stomach. "If you don't mind, I think I'd better rest."

Randor stared at him for a minute, then nodded. "Very well. I have to attend court today. We'll continue this discussion tonight." He left abruptly.

"What's left to discuss?" Teela wondered.

"Nothing," Adam said, lying on the bed and throwing an arm over his eyes. He actually was getting sore and tired now. "He always says that. It's just his way of letting me know that he's not satisfied with my answers. He'll forget it by tonight. He always does."

Teela bid him a soft good-bye. Duncan watched her with narrowed eyes and followed her out the door. He needed to make a trip to Grayskull. Now.


"Sorceress!" Duncan yelled at the drawbridge. "Sorceress, please open the drawbridge!" It clanged open, and he walked in quickly.

"Greetings, Man-at-Arms," she said from her throne. "What has you in such distress?"

"Did you know Adam and Teela are in love?" he demanded.

She sighed. "I suspected it was happening."

"What are we going to do?" he asked desperately. "They can never be together. Teela's place is here, and Adam's is as king."

"No one's destiny is certain, Duncan," she countered. "Teela herself was able to call upon the power of the Sword of Truth, and that is something no one has done for a thousand years. It may change everything."

"But Adam has already resigned himself to not having her," Duncan said, his heart heavy with sorrow for the two young people.

"That is a decision he must make. We cannot make it for him," the Sorceress reminded him gently. "I hope he will realize that they may have many happy years before Teela's destiny would call her away. Other things may change as well."

Duncan reflected on her words and realized she was right. In thirty years, it might not be Teela taking her place at Grayskull, but Teela's daughter. Or Adam might be ready to step down as king by the time Teela was called to Grayskull. He could even choose to give the throne to Adora. There really was no way to tell; but still…

"You need to tell her," he insisted. "It is foolishness to keep this from her any longer. You should tell her so they can make this decision together."

"Perhaps," she reflected, to his surprise. Duncan's mouth opened and closed again. "I will consider it, Man-at-Arms."

"Thank you."


Adam made it to dinner that night, to everyone's surprise. His recuperative powers were still extremely strong, and he knew it would only be a matter of days before he was back at full strength. He just hoped Skeletor behaved himself for that long—and that he could call on Grayskull's power when it was needed.

Dinner passed quietly. Adam, normally the one who lightened things for others, said very little. Randor pulled him aside after dinner. "How are you doing, son?" he asked, his concern obvious.

"Much better, thank you Father," he replied almost automatically. The king shook his head.

"I'm not talking about your wounds, Adam. How are you feeling?"

Adam cast a quick glance around and found that the others had already left. "I feel terrible," he confessed. "It like a nightmare I can't wake up from." It felt odd to be so honest about his feelings with Randor.

Randor squeezed Adam's shoulder. "It will pass, Adam. It's never an easy thing to take a life, and I'm glad you're not taking it lightly. But eventually you'll be able to accept it, and move on." He gestured with his hand. "Let me walk you to your room. We have other things to discuss."

"The inquiry hearing is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon," Randor continued as they strolled the halls. Adam nodded slightly. "Given that you are my son, and the key witnesses are the guardians of the royal family, I thought it prudent to bring in someone from outside the kingdom to preside."

Adam couldn't disagree with that. He really had placed his family in an awkward position. "I'm sorry about all of this, Father."

"Stop apologizing, Adam," his father chided him. "Accepting responsibility for your actions is one thing; continuing to harangue yourself about them is quite another." He waited for Adam's sharp nod of acceptance, then went on. "Queen Elmora of Phantos will arrive in the morning and will preside."

Adam winced slightly. He had a great respect for her, and as He-Man he had a good friendship with her. He almost preferred a stranger handle this.

"If Elmora finds you acted within reason," Randor said, as if Adam didn't already know, "that will be the end of it. If, however, she determines that your actions or motives are questionable, it will go to full trial. Given what you and the others have told me, I would expect the whole ordeal to be over by this time tomorrow." They reached Adam's room and Randor faced his son, placing both hands on his shoulders.

"Regardless of what happens, I will be beside you every moment," his father promised him. "I want you to know that I believe you, and nothing will change that."

Adam felt tears forming. He looked at the ceiling for a second, pressed his lips together, and then looked back at his father, nodding. "Thank you," he said hoarsely. Randor pulled him into a brief hug and then bid him goodnight. Adam entered his room and went straight to bed, never suspecting that the next day's events would create even more turmoil.