Six months into her secret engagement to Adam, Teela had undergone many changes, and she knew these were just the start. She was so thankful for the constant support and guidance she had received from the queen.

At first, she had felt undeserving of her appointment as a member of the Preservation and Defense Council, but as her father said, she passed all the tests to join that select group, and she had done so with outstanding results. In a very short time, her wit and strategic thinking earned her the informal title as "the Ruby of the Council". So when the official courting was announced to the public a few months later, the people of Eternia praised their beloved prince's wise choice.

All of a sudden, she became the center of attention. Even though she had been preparing for this, she felt overwhelmed. Only the love she felt for Adam gave her the courage to get through it all. She couldn't decide what the most awkward situation was: having her portrait done or finding so many "friends" among people who didn't care much for her in the past. The fitting for an entire new wardrobe certainly made it to the top three of the list.

She was exhausted after every official event, mostly because she had to pay attention to many details and rules of conduct, names and titles. Queen Marlena reassured her that practice would make it all easier, but was also caring enough to leave days without any activity, so Teela had time on her own. On these days, Teela would often seek the solitude and peace of Castle Grayskull.

On one of her visits, Teela told Sorceress that, much to her surprise, she was enjoying planning the details of her wedding very much. It was not the ornamental part of it that she cared about, but the way the people she loved would partake in the event, "I've discussed this with Adam and he absolutely loves the idea, so, I have to ask. Sorceress, would you perform our wedding ceremony?"

Sorceress accepted right away, and seemed really happy about it, but her eyes soon filled with tears.

This surprised and worried Teela, who took Sorceress hands in hers and asked, "What is it?"

"Oh, nothing child… is just, I love you and Adam so much, I'm honored to be part of your special day."

It was so unusual of Sorceress to be so emotional, and Teela wondered what had really touched her so strongly. A strand of red hair was visible from underneath Sorceress headpiece. Teela already knew they had a similar hair coloring, but this was the first time she paid attention to the fact that both of them had green eyes and that their hands were identical in shape.

The truth was suddenly so evident. Teela had an instant realization, "Mother?!" she thought, and the energy of that word was so intense, that Sorceress could hear it in her mind.

Sorceress gasped and her gaze met Teela's. Sorceress evident astonishment hinted Teela of what had happened, so she asked in her mind, "Did you hear that?"

Sorceress slowly and silently nodded.

Teela's breathing accelerated, and for a few seconds all she could hear was her own heartbeat. After the initial shock, she threw herself into her mother's arms, then both women started to cry with joy.

Not long afterwards, Duncan was asked to join them at Castle Grayskull, where the three of them talked, and cried and laughed until dawn, as Teela finally learned the truth about her origin.

"Castle Grayskull was under attack very often. We could not keep you safe here, and Mer-Man had already tried to kidnap you once. Had your father not shown up in time…" Sorceress voice broke as she recalled that dreadful episode. Being separated from her infant daughter and concealing their bond had been very painful.

"How was it possible that nobody knew you were married?" Teela wanted to know.

Duncan looked at Sorceress, as if asking for her permission to speak. Sorceress blushed a little and nodded in approval. Then Duncan said to Teela, "I was amnesic and recovering from injuries during the Great Unrest when I met your mother. We fell in love immediately, and from that love, you were conceived."

Duncan reached for Sorceress' hand, and she smiled at him, then she continued the story, "The war separated us unexpectedly, before either of us knew I was pregnant. Then your father recovered his previous memories and, when we met again, he had no recollection of our time together. It gave me great grief, but I decided to keep silent."

Man-At-Arms added, "Nonetheless, I kept dreaming of a woman named Teela-na, all I could remember in my waking time was her eyes and her voice. Only when I rescued you and she told me your name, Teela, I recognized your mother as the woman from my visions. We… we married shortly afterwards."

Now it was clear to Teela why his father always talked about her mother as someone ever present, he said things like 'I love your mother very much' or 'she's the kindest woman I know'. It also explained some strange habits of his.

"So, those nights that you often spend away from the palace…" Teela left the phrase incomplete.

"I was here, with my beloved wife," said Duncan.

Teela could see how her parents' eyes still sparkled when they looked at each other. Maybe secret relationships ran in the family. This thought brought her mind back to Adam, and how her newfound identity might affect the royal family, "Now I have to tell Adam, I'm about to marry the Crown Prince! His parents should know too!"

Duncan suddenly appeared uncomfortable, "They already know," he said.

"The King and the Queen?" Teela asked.

He nodded, "Adam, too."

Teela received these news like a bucket of cold water. People very close to her knew the truth, while letting her believe she was an orphan.

Duncan tried to ease her distress, "As soon as I knew you were my daughter, I told Randor. He agreed that to keep you and your mother safe, no one should know your true bond with the guardian of Castle Grayskull."

"But, Adam…" Teela uttered.

With evident sorrow, Sorceress said, "I had to tell He-Man, once. He wanted you to know, but he could not uncover my secret without revealing his. And when you discovered his double identity, I forbid him to tell you."

Duncan placed an arm around Teela's shoulder, "We did the best we could. We should have told you the truth long ago, but there never seemed to be the right time."

+ o + o +

So, what are your thoughts on this chapter? As always, your reviews are very much appreciated!