A/N: Thank you dear readers for all of the positive reviews. It gladdens my heart that you are all enjoying this story and have shown such interest in what happens next. Hope you enjoy the following two chapters.
Chapter 14
Running as fast as his muscled legs could carry him, He-Man made his way to Grayskull. As he ran, he inwardly worried about his current state of affairs. He had to quickly think of a credible excuse to explain his overnight absence from the Palace. He wondered if his sister had caught him and Teela in the water. He also thought about what he would tell Teela's mother, if she asked him about what happened in the cave. He knew that he was unable to state his true intentions for Teela to her, as long as Teela was unaware that he was the Crown Prince.
Arriving at Castle Grayskull, He-Man held his sword aloft and bade the jaw bridge open. He noticed that everything seemed calm outside of Castle Grayskull and wondered about his inability to make a telepathic connection with the Sorceress. Entering, he fought against his apprehension and walked directly to the Throne room. Looking up, his gaze landed upon a seated and smiling Sorceress.
"He-Man, it is good to see you", she greeted with her breathy voice before he had a chance to utter a word. "I see you have retrieved your sword and have called upon the Powers' of Grayskull", she continued. Rising, she descended the stairs coming to stand directly in front of him. Lifting her head to look into his eyes the Sorceress continued, "You love her."
Her words dispelled any notion in his mind that she was unaware of the change in their relationship. Bowing his head in deference he knelt before her on one knee, waiting to see what else she had to say.
Laying a hand on his shoulder she asked him to look at her. Refusing to do so, the Sorceress placed her palm under his chin and lifted his head. "Stand Prince Adam, a future king does not kneel", she admonished. "Tell me what happened", she continued.
Keeping his eyes lowered he asked, "Between Teela and I?"
"No He-Man, whatever happened between you and my daughter is private." "Tell me what happened to the Goblin Gate, I had your sister investigate and we couldn't figure out how it was destroyed." "I had no idea that you retrieved your sword, Adam."
Finally looking at Grayskull's Mystic Guardian, He-Man filled her in on everything that had transpired within the last 24 hours after he had relinquished Grayskull's Powers. He reported that as soon as he found out it was all a trick he had to go after Teela; therefore, he flew a SkySled into the Abyss to retrieve his sword. He stated that he couldn't let Teela sacrifice herself because he wasn't in full control of his abilities as the result of the Starseed. He-Man also told her that when he was holding the Starseed he was not only thinking to terminate Skeletor, he was also wishing that he could tell his father and Teela the truth.
"Ah, so she is the reason you reclaimed your powers." "He-Man, thank you for ensuring my daughter's safety", she stated as she ascended the stairs to her Throne.
When she reached her Throne he asked, "Sorceress, was everything alright here last night?" "I tried contacting you telepathically, but I felt you blocking my thoughts."
Hearing this the Sorceress responded, "I didn't sense you trying to contact me."
Perplexed He-Man continued, "I tried to tell you that I had retrieved the Power Sword, the Goblin Gate was destroyed, and that I was with Teela; however, I couldn't get through to you." "I was worried that Grayskull was under attack and you had not contacted me because I relinquished the Power."
"Thank you for your concern, my Champion", she responded. "I and the Castle were fine last night…until you entered the Castle's premises I didn't even know that you retrieved your sword, that's why I called Adora."
"So how do you explain my blocked telepathic connection to you?", the blonde warrior asked.
"I am not sure, He-Man…let me examine it and I'll let you know." "Again thank you for your assistance in defending Eternia and rescuing my daughter", the Sorceress stated.
Giving her a quick nod he turned to leave; however, before he departed from her presence he stated, "To answer your initial question to me about Teela….yes, I'm in love with her, I've always been in love with her." "I want to marry her."
"I'm aware of that He-Man", she stated. "I think you need to talk to Duncan."
Nodding his agreement He-Man left Castle Grayskull. Approaching the West Gate of the Palace he hid behind a stonewall and transformed into Prince Adam. Hoping that She-Ra brought Teela to the infirmary he went to check on his childhood friend who overnight and unknowingly became his lover.
While He-Man visited with the Sorceress, She-Ra flew herself and the Captain back to the Palace. Landing in the Palace's inner courtyard she dismounted and turned to offer Teela a helping hand only to find that she had already jumped off Swift-Wind and was walking purposefully away from the infirmary. Calling her name, She-Ra sprinted after the Captain. Reaching her, she placed an arm on Teela's shoulder to stop her.
"Teela, He-Man said I should take you straight to the infirmary", she stated.
"She-Ra, thank you for bringing me home." "I appreciate the lift; however, I am fine and I don't need the infirmary despite what your brother said", she argued.
"Teela….", her sentence was left unfinished as the Captain interrupted her stating, "She-Ra…I need to find my father and tell him we don't need to worry about Skeletor and General Tartaran…I promise after I speak to him, I'll willingly go to the infirmary."
"I can fill him in for you", she stated wanting to ensure her brother's wishes were fulfilled.
As the two female Warriors argued, Duncan received a telepathic message from the Sorceress that Teela was with She-Ra and He-Man was on his way back to the Palace. Running to the courtyard, he saw his beautiful daughter arguing passionately with She-Ra, arms crossed over her chest. Smiling he knew that she was safe and finally home. Calling her name he ran to her and quickly embraced her in a bone crushing hug unashamed to show affection in front of his men.
"Daddy…I'm so happy to see you", Teela greeted as she hugged him back.
"What happened Teela, I've been so worried", Duncan asked.
"I'm sorry, Father." "I couldn't communicate with you to let you know I was alright", Teela told him.
Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, the Queen joined them. Seeing her, Teela extricated herself from her father's embrace and approached the woman who was more mother to her then reigning monarch. Smiling at her, the Queen pulled her into a hug, looking over Teela's shoulder to look for her son. Not finding him, she turned to She-Ra asking about her brother's whereabouts. She-Ra informed the Queen that Grayskull's Warrior was meeting with the Sorceress.
Turning to Teela She-Ra continued, "Teela, you really should go to the infirmary."
Taking a good look at his daughter, Duncan asked if she was hurt.
Responding Teela stated, "I was hit in the head by a boulder; however, I'm not in pain." "Really, I'm fine."
"Immediately to the infirmary, Teela", her father stated with growing concern his arm outstretched in the direction of the infirmary.
Rolling her eyes, Teela didn't argue with her father allowing him, the Queen, and She-Ra to escort her to the infirmary.
Sitting on a hospital bed, she allowed the Palace's medical team to examine her head wound. Receiving news that she did not have a concussion, Teela asked to be released so that she can continue giving her report to her father.
Leaving the infirmary, Teela and Duncan made their way to his workshop. Ordering a hot meal for the both of them, Duncan sat Teela down on a work chair and asked her to tell him what happened. Teela quickly filled him in about how Skeletor blasted her, the mesotronic bomb exploding, and He-Man carrying her away from the debris. She then told him that they took overnight shelter from the storm before being found by She-Ra.
"I'm proud of you daughter; however, I wish next time you don't do this alone", he stated. "You could have been seriously hurt or worse taken prisoner by Skeletor, promise me you'll never do this again."
Unable to make that promise as Teela strongly upheld the oath she took to protect others she stated, "Dad..you know me…I can't make that promise."
"Teela, you have your entire life ahead of you…if circumstances call for a single soldier to deal with a situation like yesterday's did…I'll be the one to go", Duncan stated.
"Dad…", she began but was interrupted by the workshop door opening. Teela looked up to see Princess Adora entering her father's workshop.
Jumping up, Teela ran to her, grabbed the Princess and gave her a hug, tremendously excited to see her friend. "Adora…I had no idea you were visiting", she said.
"Surprise!", she exclaimed. "How are you, Teela?" "I heard what happened, are you alright?", the Princess asked.
Looking at her father, Teela bid him goodnight and walked arm in arm with the Princess back to her private quarters. Entering them, she pulled Princess Adora into another tight hug, jumping up and down with excitement.
"Wow, I didn't know my presence would make you so happy", Adora stated.
"Oh, Adora…I have so much to tell you", Teela responded going to her clothing drawer and pulling out a fresh uniform. "Give me one minute and I'll tell you why I'm so excited", she said as she walked into her bathroom to fill her clubfoot bathtub with hot water and essential oils.
Returning to her room she found the Princess sitting on the edge of her bed, her fingers nervously playing with the frayed edges of her bedcover. "Adora, I'm in love", she stated dreamily.
Closing her eyes and wishing she could leave, Adora opened her eyes and looked at Teela afraid of what she thought her friend was about to reveal. Teela's face was flushed with excitement as she was standing in the middle of her room lightly swaying to music only Teela could hear, with her arms wrapped around her torso.
Standing from her friend's bed, Adora walked towards Teela's bedroom door.
"Adora…where are you going?", Teela asked.
"Actually, Teela I just realized I'm exhausted…do you mind if we finish our discussion later?", she queried.
"Oh, off course Adora…I'm so sorry, I forget how tired you tend to be after traveling here from Etheria", Teela stated.
"Good evening Teela…I'm glad you're home safe and sound", she said before opening Teela's bedroom door.
"Adora…before you leave..can I ask you a question?", Teela asked.
"Sure."
"Where's Adam?" "I didn't see him." "Is he here at the Palace?"
Shaking her head, Adora walked out of Teela's room without answering any of her questions.
Confused as to Adora's hasty departure and unwillingness to answer her questions about the Prince, Teela removed her dirty uniform and walked into her bathroom. Gingerly stepping into the hot water she reclined her head on the edge of the tub, closing her eyes and enjoying the soothing effects the water had on her aching sore muscles.