A/N: Sorry for the hiatus on this story but life sort of blew up on me. Thank you to Guest for asking after an update :) ...that sort of gave me the shot in the arm needed to get back on top of this story and FINISH it. Double update today so Chapter 27 immediately follows. I didn't have a chance to quadruple proof like I normally do so I hope this is good as it's been nuts. I really need to clone myself.

As usual, please, reviews are sought after and greatly appreciated.

Chapter 26

Succeeding in driving Beastman and his Gryphons away from Greyskull, Man-At-Arms spoke with Stratos and Ram-Man, clasping arms and promising to brief them in detail over Prince Adam's return. As they departed, he turned to BattleCat.

"Perhaps you'd best get back to the Palace," he suggested with a smile and a pat on the cat's saddle. "I understand your friend is awake and very eager to see you."

"Yyyesss Sirrrr," the green and gold tiger growled enthusiastically. "Aaand I could also use the juicy steak he promised me before leaving me behind to chase old Bonehead," he joked, his voice gruff.

Duncan chortled and nodded. "Get going," he replied with another friendly pat. "Catch up with my troops and stay close in case Beastman tries anything," he advised. "There's safety in numbers."

"Aaaafirmative," BattleCat acknowledged before taking off in a full gallop West, the ground thundering underneath him.

Duncan turned and jogged over the drawbridge just before it lurched and began its rise slamming shut behind him. Arriving to an empty throne room he froze, perplexed at the Sorceress' absence. Over the years, it had always been her habit to grant an audience whenever he hung back after battle. He wondered at the deviation.

"I am in here, Farrell," her soft voice echoed in his mind.

He blinked. Farrell? The Sorceress never addressed him by his first name.

Confused, he followed the winding halls prompted by her ghostly trail to the large and spacious galley. It featured an enormous stone hearth for cooking meals and entertaining dignitaries, the centerpiece of the impressive ancient kitchen.

Arriving at the doorway, he stopped to see the Sorceress standing at the counter pouring out two cups of herbal tea. Moving to the hearth and suspending the ceramic tea kettle over the fire, she turned to him.

"Please, do sit down," she invited, gesturing at the granite dining table.

With an inquisitive brow, he approached as she placed the two steaming cups on a tray. Meeting him at the table, she gracefully set the tray down, he moving round her to politely pull out a chair. Unable to look him in the eye she thanked him as she took a seat, he taking the one next to her.

They sat silently for several moments, the only sounds in the room the soft crackling of the hearth's fire and their quiet sips of the hot fragrant liquid. After a while, feeling inexplicably uneasy he set his tea cup down and turned to her.

"Sorceress, I really should be getting back. Did you need to discuss something with me?"

Dropping her gaze to the table she set her own cup down. She turned to him, her emerald gaze locking with his chestnut ones.

"If there's something wrong with Adam—" he began before cutting himself off.

Duncan gasped, his mind suddenly hit with a barrage of ghostly images. His jaw fell open as he turned his gaze upward seemingly watching the quick and aggressive memories bombard his vision in his mind's eye:

A battlefield, bloody and vicious.

Pain exploding at the back of his head.

Falling to the ground as the sound of hand to hand combat and swordplay filled his ringing ears.

A shot of excruciating pain as the cold sharp blade brutally pierces his side.

The guttural cry of a soldier behind him meeting his own death.

His side burning and gasping for breath, the world fades and darkens…

x*x*x

Eyes fluttering open to gaze upon the countenance of a beautiful woman; hair of flaming red.

Concern written deep within her emerald orbs, she curiously studies him until…darkness.

x*x*x

The ghostly image of someone sitting at his bedside comes into focus before his eyes.

It reaches out, caressing his face as his teeth chatter from the chill…

Bed covers are pulled over him…a crackling fire…the warmth…

x*x*x

Her beautiful features are clearer now.

He's on the mend.

Holding her hand, they quietly sit by the lake's shore…

x*x*x

The image of the Archbishop ripples to life…

He's standing with someone…her arm threaded through his.

She holds a modest bouquet.

They turn to one another…

The kiss…

x*x*x

Blinking, the trance releases him bringing him abruptly to the present. Horrified, his troubled gaze shoots to the profile of the beautiful woman sitting beside him, her eyes downcast and calmly sipping tea as his warm brown gaze clouds over. Her delicate and youthful appearance bely her power and ancient wisdom. She is a mercurial combination of strength and fragility, beauty and cunning, power and weakness.

"Lana?"

His pet name for her triggering a flood of bittersweet memories, Teela'Na straightened with a gasp, her head snapping to the man decked in bronze armor suddenly so close to her. His tone, both confused and endearing washed over her, unsettling her nerves.

They held each other's startled gaze.

"You have not called me that since…," she finally responds trailing off, her voice tremulous, her eyes suddenly dimming as if divulging a secret without permission.

"Since our daughter was born," he finished as he studied her, his eyes roaming this beautiful, strong and courageous woman.

With a second sharp intake of air, the Sorceress's startled gaze shot back to him. "Nineteen years," she softly whispered.

He reached for her delicate hand as she, in an attempt to protect her heart pulled away, self-consciously averting his gaze. Pained he knit his brow.

"Lana," he pleaded in a near whisper, his voice tender. Reaching again for her, he gently grasped her hand and with the other, caressed her cheek gently coaxing her to turn toward him.

Slowly their eyes met, her tortured green gaze burning into his chestnut ones.

"My God. Forgive me, Beloved," he begged, his voice ragged and soft.

Blindsided by his apparent recollection, Teela'Na's eyes quickly filled with tears, the years of loneliness and longing for her husband at this moment coming together, her heart at once breaking and filling anew with hope. "Forgive you for what, my Farrell?" she finally managed.

The emotion catching in his throat, the old soldier swallowed hard. "For insisting duty above all else. For enthusiastically allowing the memory wipe to remove all remembrance of you, of us, our time together. For going about my life happy in my ignorance while you suffered alone and with full knowledge…," he trailed off then steeled himself. "Forgetting the memory of the love we shared…the passion in our love making…"

Teela'Na averted her gaze, her cheeks pinkening with modesty. Placing a hand over his wrist, she confessed, "I did not anticipate your memory returning this soon or even this fully. I assumed it would take more long years before you returned to me…if ever," she nervously glanced about the room and met his gaze lovingly squeezing his wrist. "There is nothing to forgive, Farrell. We both agreed choosing obligation and sacrificing our family's happiness for the good of Eternia," she reassured. "The prophecy, the protection…it was too important."

Duncan winced before shrugging. "Maybe. Maybe not," he replied with a wink, his moustache twitching slightly prompting her to tearfully chuckle at the familiar teasing. He sobered with a sigh.

"I do not however regret watching the lad grow up and having the privilege of becoming a sort of unofficial mentor to him," he smiled, their gazes locked. "He's a good man for our daughter, isn't he?"

"The best, darling Farrell."

They smiled at one another holding each other's gaze when his communicator suddenly chirped to life.

"Man-At-Arms, do you copy?" Trevian's staticky voice reached out slicing into the private moment.

With an annoyed grunt, he unclamped the device from his belt causing Teela'Na to chuckle softly, a hand to her mouth. Holding it to his lips, he replied, "Go Commander."

"Palace security is locking down for the evening. When should we expect you to check-in?"

Duncan glanced at his wife who nodded back. He then returned to the communicator. "I won't be back until tomorrow afternoon. Would you please inform His Majesty?"

There was a curious pause then, "Certainly, my friend. You are at Greyskull, yes?"

"Yes. And I'm with the Sorceress," his brown gaze wandered to hers. "There are things we need to discuss," he eluded.

Another pause. "Okay," the Commander drew out, a bit befuddled.

"Trevian, please let everyone know I'm on radio silence until my return."

Yet another pause. "Okay," he again drew out in a questioning tone.

"And, tell my family I love them."

This time, the Commander of the Eternian Armed Forces cleared his throat. "Certainly, Commander. We will leave you to…to whatever…," he replied awkwardly prompting Teela'Na to giggle quietly some more. "Good evening," he offered before signing off.

Duncan snapped the device shut and stared into his wife's eyes, settling her. Cradling her face with his hands, he leaned in for a sweet and tentative kiss, her lips soft and inviting. He pulled back, their gazes again locked.

"There is much to discuss, is there not?" she said.

He nodded. "Yes. Much."

The next morning in the Recovery Room, Adam sat up in bed, the royal family surrounding him.

They stilled in shocked silence, the Prince having just briefed them on his time on Earth.

"So, Keldor is…dead," the King stated wide-eyed.

Adam's sad gaze shifted to his father, Teela squeezing his hand. With a nod he quietly replied, "Yes, Sir." When the room offered a few more hesitant moments of silence, he added, "I'm sorry, Father. I—"

Randor frowned giving his head a sharp shake cutting him off. "Son, you did what you had to do," he reassured. "I do not hold you responsible for protecting others and doing your duty," he gave a sad tired gesture with his hand. "My brother made his own choices long before you were even born and I'm afraid those decisions finally caught up with him." He sighed, his gaze on the floor. "We knew they would, eventually. He was presented with many…many chances to renounce his evil ways but decided against it. Neither I nor Father could reach him. I love my brother but…he unfortunately got what he deserved."

A pensive silence filled the room until marveling, Randor shifted meeting his son's gaze. "I'm proud of you, son. You, with the help of Amanda saved your mother's people and we're grateful," he stated, beaming despite the hint of pain behind those hazel eyes. He shook his head astonished over everything Adam had related to them and over what had transpired.

Marlena watched him, her hand holding his tightly. He knit his brow. "I'm also grateful you met your Grandfather…," his voice broke as he trailed off, his wife offering a quick squeeze.

Emotional, Adam swallowed roughly. "Me, too."

"Hey, can we come in or what?" a high-pitched voice whined from the doorway prompting all heads to turn. Orko, along with BattleCat waited at the door, their eyes hopeful.

Swiping at a tear, Adam sniffled and laughed. "Of course!" He held out an arm then winced in pain, regretting it immediately as the bullet wounds although healing quickly still throbbed. Concerned, Teela touched his shoulder.

BattleCat entered, his massive shoulder blades moving as his large paws and long gait covered the distance in a matter of seconds. Reaching his friend's bedside, his booming growl filled the room.

"Aaarrre you okay, Adam?"

"Yes." Smiling, the Prince reached over to embrace his buddy around the neck, the cat's muzzle hampering his efforts. He frowned. "Let's get this thing off, shall we? You've been saddled with it for almost a year, buddy."

Pulling it off, everyone marveled as the transformed face of Cringer emerged, altered by Greyskull's magic. Gone were the timid kindhearted features and worried expression. In its place, the ferocity of a vicious jungle tiger; his enormous mandible, deadly and elongated canines, and the wild yet intelligent piercing golden stare.

Teela snorted breaking the silence. "You're even scarier without the muzzle, BattleCat. I'm afraid you'd send Cringer running just by simply gazing into a mirror."

The room broke into laughter.

"Ohhhh yeah? See how I react if Aaadam doesn't come through with that steak," he growled jokingly prompting more laughter.

Adam smirked. "Not even He-Man would be able to come between you and a juicy rare steak, pal," he joked back, hugging his friend around the neck.

After a few more chuckles, the room finally settled down.

"Speaking of whom, Adam," his mother began soberly, "At the Nobles' Quarterly three months ago, your mother-in-law certainly held court."

He turned to her, his eyebrow quirked. "Held court?"

Randor nodded. "The nobles were…," he shot an apologetic glance at Teela who shrugged listlessly, "Tensions mounted and bubbled over, son. The nobles basically accused your wife of infidelity and had the gall to stand in front of me in court with that nonsense. They demanded confession which of course would have resulted in the Princess' deposing."

The Prince's face darkened. "Infidelity?" He asked sharply turning to Teela. "Why didn't you tell me any of this?"

Sheepish, she shrugged a shoulder. "You were on Earth, Adam," she asserted.

Annoyed, he looked at her. "So?"

Suppressing a smile, she replied, "So, I wasn't about to distract you from your mission. There's no telling what you would have done had you found out. I know your temper, Hot Stuff," she winked.

Adam's face went blank. "What temper?" he joked dryly.

Teela snorted. "Right," she drew out.

"After much haranguing and disparagement, the Sorceress finally appeared and summarily put everyone in their place," the King explained.

"How?" his son asked, his eyes round with intrigue.

"By telling everyone you were He-Man," the Queen added.

Adam flinched. "What?" he shouted lifting himself from the bed by his fists, abruptly leaning forward.

"That was essentially my reaction too, son," Randor replied amused.

Shocked, he slowly leaned back. Then finally, "Sooo…everyone knows?"

"Well," Teela offered, "Only the Palace and infirmary staff, the nobles, and the subsequent rulers of the Five Kingdoms, that's all," she said dryly.

Adam's head snapped to hers, their gazes pinned to each other. He then broke the stare and turned to his mother and father. "Who doesn't know?"

"The media, the armed forces, the citizens of Eternia, and Keldor's former henchmen," Marlena replied.

He stared blankly at his bed covers. "Holy shit," he muttered quietly, confusion at the idiom forming on all faces. Well, all except one.

Marlena quirked an amused brow, "My brother Travis' influence," she explained to the room to which she received nods of understanding.

Snapping out of it, Adam's sheepish gaze swept the room. "Sorry." He cleared his throat and looked at his wife. "So, David and Irene know?"

She nodded. "Irene took it in stride but David sort of had a mini-meltdown."

Adam worriedly furrowed his brow.

"He was hurt that you never confided in him. Hurt…and angry at first."

Feeling guilty, his eyes shifted to the bed covers once again. "Oh." He gave a sigh. "We'll need to talk."

"And you'll need to see your godson, my husband," Teela added with a small smile lightening the mood.

His eyes jerked to hers. "A son?" he blinked in amazement as his eyes wandered the room. "Wow," he looked at Teela. "What's his name?"

"Alexander. Alexander Aberra," she replied with a smile, her emerald gaze misting slightly.

Unsure what to think, Adam stared at his wife. "An Earth name?"

Grinning, Teela nodded. "He's named in your honor, my Love."

Adam's brows shot up, his sapphire gaze studying hers for several shocked moments before misting over. "They…they named him after me?"

She nodded enthusiastically as his parents, Orko, and BattleCat quietly looked on. Humbled, a look of sheer wonder overtook his handsome features.

They all then engaged in lively conversation laced with colorful anecdotes informing Adam of what happened over the nearly nine months he'd been away to which the Prince quietly and happily listened, grateful to be home.

- A Week Later -

The day after Beastman's attack, Duncan had returned to the Palace. His memory now fully restored, he'd taken his daughter aside and had a long meaningful, and emotional discussion with her surprised that she had previous knowledge of her paternal parentage.

The love of a father for his daughter always present and never questioned from day one, their long-held feelings were magnified by this moment of discovery. They promised, after the birth of his grandchild and the trials of Skeletor's henchmen to sit together, only the three of them, to delve further into her ancestry: the Duncans of Broadmoor as well as the En-Fathem lineage of T'Allarma.

Their hearts knit as Father and Daughter, they embraced, their eyes filled with joyful tears at the prospect of a true family reunion.

xxx

Recovering on schedule, the Prince was up and moving albeit on a cane as the limp was still pronounced.

Recovered enough to be moved back to his suite, the bruises were completely gone, the ribs had mended, and the bullet wounds were still bandaged yet healing; his left arm in a sling at the physician's insistence whenever he ambled about. This precaution isolated movement in order to prevent the stitches from popping.

The family had many questions as to why, in Adam's form, his wounds remained having been sustained as He-Man.

Having visited Recovery before his release, the Sorceress explained that the wounds he'd received as He-Man oddly reflected in Adam's body due to the melding of his physiology experienced while on Earth.

The constant atmospheric changes of Earth began the process of spontaneous fusion within Adam's body; the lack of sorcery and magic on his mother's planet serving to hasten the merger of the alter-egos. Because sorcery wasn't present to maintain the physiological autonomy of Adam and He-Man, his body began to display supernatural strength while in his default form.

Over the time spent there, the subtle changes had little to no side-effects as Adam was part Earthen. However the Eternian side of his body on occasion protested in the form of what Earthlings mis-identified as "hay fever". Sometimes he would cough or sneeze for no reason. No one was alarmed as it happened so rarely and Adam had arrived during the season of what North America considered late spring or early summer.

Standing in their bedchambers this morning and her swollen belly between them, Teela assisted her husband with his tie, his left arm still too sore to manage the mundane activity. He looked at her.

"Do you know why Father called a special assembly today?"

Finishing up, she made a face and shrugged. "No idea," she stated absently stroking her belly and turning away to retrieve her shawl. "Perhaps it's in preparation of Amanda and Vanessa's upcoming trials?"

He knit his brow. "Maybe. Amanda seemed resigned to her fate yesterday. I told her Mother and Father know what she did for Earth and that she was instrumental in getting me back home," he stated pensively. "My parents spoke to the judges on her behalf in deposition."

"It's your turn tomorrow, right?"

He nodded pursing his lips in thought. "I hope the court takes that into consideration."

Teela cocked her head. "Although I'm still leery of her and am responsible for the hump in her nose, I concede that she did help my husband return to me," she teased as Adam snorted a laugh.

She suddenly waxed sober. "Sure, what she did for the Queen's home planet will help but…she killed you," she stated sadly, her voice quaking. "That day was the worst day of my entire life. In effect, she killed me too."

Gazing at her, he bit his lip. "We discussed that on Earth," he sighed and glanced away. "No one other than Anna's triage team knows I actually died. Once the facts come out, that'll be, to say the least, an obstacle."

Teela nodded, her expression clouded. Stepping closer she cradled his face and tenderly kissed his lips. When the kiss broke, he offered a wan smile.

"Okie doke," he brushed the suddenly morose mood off, "Let's get whatever this is over with so we can come back here alone and…," he glanced at his pregnant wife's stomach and back into her eyes, "How long must we wait again?" he asked.

Teela snorted in laughter. "Four weeks after delivery."

"Dammit!" he teased in mock disappointment.

Amidst his wife's giggles, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to her belly. "I love you," he said addressing the child in her tummy. He straightened and kissed his wife. "And I love you too," he stopped and shrugged, "Sometimes."

Laughing, she slapped his shoulder. "Keep it up and you'll wish you'd stayed on Earth."

Feigning fear, Adam responded with a wink and a peck to her lips.