As usual, thanks for the awesome comments and PM's I've received in response to the last few chapters. I hope this chapter will be just as enjoyable. =)
Teela's Visitor Chapter 37
So far, things were going rather smoothly. Adam didn't know if that was a bad omen or a good one. Normally, things were difficult for him as sad as that was to say. His meeting with Haelan might have been uncomfortable, but he knew the healer didn't suspect that he was planning on whisking Teela away to exchange nuptials behind everyone's back. He had given a good reason that didn't involve marriage for the test of purity.
Now, the next obstacle to face was finding someone to marry them. The danger lay in the fact that he would have to ask someone to do it and if he or she refused, he knew the person could possibly run to the king. That would definitely ruin everything, so he knew he had to choose wisely. He already thought of someone, but now that he was on his way to see him, he hardly knew if he was the right choice. After all, they hardly knew one another.
Adam stood in front of an AttakTrak and wondered if he should walk to where he needed to go or drive. He knew he was being paranoid, but he couldn't help but think if he took an AttakTrak, maybe the guards or his parents would think he was rushing off to do something or wanted to hide his identity. Usually, he walked most places unless he was leaving Eternos. The only reason he was considering using an AttakTrak now was because he was in a hurry. He had a lot to do.
Taking a deep and calming breath, he realized he had to do things as he normally would. If things appeared normal, no one would suspect a thing.
Walking away from the AttakTrak, the prince left the palace grounds by the side gate in the courtyard. He ventured east and prayed to the Ancients that his choice of minister would be the right one. Ironically, once Adam was through with that long prayer and musing intensely on the matter, he found himself standing in front of the Worship Center of the Ancients. There, he would find the person to marry him and Teela, or at least he hoped he would. He knew he would be asking a lot. After all, technically, they would be going against their king and the person would know it without a doubt.
Even if there hadn't been a royal wedding in Eternos since King Randor had gotten married, everyone on the planet knew how the proceedings went. Even the younger generation did despite never witnessing one. If a prince was getting married, the king was the usual person to perform the actual ceremony, because he would also be bestowing the title of princess onto the prince's bride. That wouldn't be happening here, and it was at that moment that he realized he should have brought that up with Teela. When they married, she would not be the Princess of Eternia. She would merely be his wife. When it came to Teela, he preferred the term and position "wife" more than "princess" anyway, but he'd like for her to be both one day. And, despite what they were doing behind his father's back, he knew that she would be eventually. King Randor might be mad at first, but he knew his father would come around and then hold a big celebration to make Teela the Princess of Eternia. It would be like a second wedding, so everyone would get what they wanted. Cementing his belief in his mind, he nodded and ascended the steps of the worship center.
When he reached the door, he turned around slightly to see who was watching him. He knew he had probably caught the attention of others, and sure enough, almost everyone on the street was glancing at him every so often. Turning back around, he acted as though nothing were out of the ordinary. He stepped inside. Most would think he was there to worship or pray, or at least he hoped that's what they would think. He had never done any worshipping here. Most of the services he had attended happened at the palace. Their presences tended to be a bit distracting when people are trying to worship someone other than the Royal Family, so they stayed away from those public gatherings.
But this wasn't a time for one of those meetings. It was the middle of the day.
He walked into the main worship hall and looked around. The ceiling was at least twenty feet above him and each wall had several large stained glass windows that stretched from the ceiling to the floor. Each depicted scenes of the past from stories that had been passed down from generation to generation. His father had brought him here a couple of times while discussing the Ancients when he was younger and later to admire the architecture and art when he had grown an appreciation for such things when he had gotten older.
Now, he was there for reasons that a commoner would be there. It felt awkward and yet exciting.
As he approached the center aisle between the pews towards the altar, he heard someone call out his name.
"Prince Adam!"
He turned around to see Daniel walking out of a side door and sighed gratefully. He was just the man he was looking for, but then he frowned when he saw several other ministers walking out behind him.
"What are you doing here?"
The ministers approached him hurriedly, so he quickly smiled and extended his hand to Daniel. "I'm here to see you," he replied cheerfully. He was trying to give the impression to the others that he considered Daniel a friend now and that he was there to discuss normal things. He didn't want to give any indication that he was there on some type of business, because then they would begin to speculate on what that could be. He definitely didn't need that to happen since his courtship with Teela was still fresh in everyone's minds and they might go there right away.
Daniel shook the prince's hand, and Adam could tell that he knew something was up. Daniel seemed to be scrutinizing him rather intently. "Would you like to step into my office?" the minister asked cheerfully, as well.
Adam smiled in relief. Daniel must have realized something was up that he didn't want known. Just his presence probably told the minister that, though. "Yes, please," he answered.
Daniel quickly motioned for Adam to follow him and he did, but it took a little time thanks to the ministers wanting to greet the prince in various ways.
Soon enough, though, they went into the side halls of the center, made their way towards the back, and then descended the stairs. Daniel's office was the next door to the last. Daniel opened his office door and turned on the overhead lights. "So, Prince Adam," he said as he walked farther into the room, "this certainly is a surprise."
The prince nodded. "Trust me, I know."
"Is something wrong?"
Adam sighed. In a way, there was but he didn't know how far to get into that with Daniel. He knew he had to give a good reason as to why Teela and he were in such a rush to get married. Otherwise, the minister might think it was simply their hormones getting the best of them. If Daniel thought that, he would probably turn them down. Deciding to be as truthful as he could, he nodded. "Yes, there is," he replied, "and I was hoping you could help me."
Daniel sat down in a chair in front of his desk and motioned for Adam to take the other. Each moved their chairs to face one another. Afterward, Daniel said, "I'll do anything that I can. How can I help?"
Adam looked down at the floor for a moment before meeting his eyes intensely. "I know what I'm about to ask is going to be…a lot to handle. I do recognize the enormity of my request, but I have nowhere else to go and no one else to ask."
Daniel widened his eyes significantly. "By the grace of the Ancients, Your Highness! What's the problem?"
Adam started fumbling with his own fingers nervously and replied, "Teela and I love one another. I know you know that."
Daniel nodded. Adam could tell he had no idea where this conversation was going to go.
"It has come to my attention from the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull that some people are trying to tear Teela and me apart." At the gasp he heard from Daniel, he continued more confidently since he knew the minister got the severity of this, "I cannot let that happen. I love her, and I cannot lose her. But despite how much we love one another, one person who is trying to come between us could succeed. He has magic and he's already tried to interfere once."
Daniel reached out and squeezed Adam's knee comfortingly. "What can I do, Your Majesty? I will be happy to offer my assistance in any way that I can."
Adam frowned and said, "I'm sure you won't really mean that in a few seconds, but I'm going to hope and pray that I'll be able to convince you." At Daniel's confused look, he told him. "I want you to marry Teela and me." When Daniel's mouth dropped open, he added, "As quickly as possible, too."
Daniel stood up and shook his head. "Your Highness!" he exclaimed in complete shock. "I…I…I'm flattered that you would think I'm worthy of such a high honor. Presiding over the crown prince's wedding is a huge deal, but…isn't King Randor supposed to do that?"
Adam ran his fingers through his hair almost exasperatedly. "Yes, under normal circumstances, my father would be the person to do this, but that's not possible right now! He doesn't…" He stood so he could run to the door if Daniel decided to spring out of it. He didn't know Daniel all that well, but he knew he was talking treason here, technically, so the minister might try. He then continued his words. "My father doesn't know of my intentions here. He has no idea that Teela and I are engaged or getting married in the near future. You are now the only other person who knows!"
"Prince Adam!" Daniel cried as he started to pace. "I…I can't be a part of this! Your father would be furious and my very livelihood would be on the line!"
Adam shook his head. "I would never allow that to happen! I promise you that my father will not take my actions out on you. I'll tell him that I ordered you as the Prince of Eternia and that I wouldn't take no for an answer." When Daniel shook his head, he pleaded, "Please, I won't let anything happen to your job or you. I promise."
He watched as Daniel paused to face him. "How can you ensure that?"
Seeing a glimmer of hope, he replied, "My father is not a vindictive man. He will understand that you were merely following orders. Besides, after Teela and I are married and we have…consummated it, I will tell him that we're married and why. He will believe me and he will understand, I promise you. There is more to this than you know, but I don't want to reveal any of it until after we are married. Please believe me when I say that I wanted to have a normal courtship with Teela. It's just that things are getting in the way. And, just so you know, no, she's not pregnant or anything like that. The threat to our relationship is very real."
Daniel shook his head again, walked behind his desk, and then sat down. He stared at Adam for a few seconds and said, "I like you and Teela, Prince Adam. I could tell yesterday when I chaperoned your outing that you loved one another. This urgency to get married wasn't there yesterday, though."
Adam seized the opportunity those words provided and exclaimed, "Precisely! It wasn't there, then. Things have happened since and I want to ensure that Teela and I have a future together. You have that power, Daniel. Please believe me when I say I wouldn't ask if I didn't find it absolutely necessary. I will owe you for the rest of my life if you do this for me…for us!"
For several moments afterward, neither man moved. Then, Daniel sighed, nodded his head, and said, "Okay, Prince Adam, I'll do it. But I'm trusting that everything you've said here today is true. This is necessary and you will make sure I'm not labeled a traitor to the crown."
"I promise," he repeated.
Daniel looked down at his desk and asked, "When do you want to get married?"
"As quickly as possible. Teela is going to undergo the test of purity later this afternoon, though."
Daniel let out a shaky breath and said, "Come here after that, then."
Adam widened his eyes. He hadn't expected for the minister to suggest that very day.
When Daniel saw his expression, he asked, "What? If this is as urgent as you claim, then the quicker the better, right?"
Adam nodded quickly. "Yes."
"Then, run along and get Teela here before I change my mind, Prince Adam."
As Adam quickly went to the door, Daniel called out, "Oh, and Your Highness!" When Adam turned back around, he added, "Don't forget, you'll need two witnesses. I hope you'll be able to find two in a short period of time."
He nodded and said, "Don't worry. I will."
=)=)=)
Adam walked through the Eternian palace feeling like a bundle of nerves. He almost had everything in order. Now, he just needed two people whom he could trust to serve as witnesses. He knew he could have trusted Cringer, but unfortunately, the feline wouldn't be able to sign his name and he wasn't technically an official citizen of Eternos or any society really, so he was off the possible list.
He then thought about calling out to Adora. According to the Sorceress, he had to ability to reach her with his mind even at this distance. Adora could even bring another witness with her from Etheria, but he knew that was too risky. She would have to arrive at Castle Grayskull and the Sorceress would wonder why she was suddenly arriving without notice. That would make the Sorceress pay attention and she might discover their intentions. Not to mention, the same would happen with the citizens of Eternos if they saw her. He just couldn't risk it.
Then, a perfect person suddenly came to mind: Orko! He was perfect. The little Trollan would never betray them and run to King Randor. He would actually be happy to be a part of the wedding, too. Now that left just one more person to find. He thought about it long and hard, but he just couldn't think of anyone. Then, he thought of Teela and who she might like to have there. Obviously, it couldn't be her father, but the person should at least be her friend. Yes, Orko was her friend, too, but he thought his future bride might appreciate having a close female friend at hand. Someone like…like…Ileena!
The only thing he had to do was ask her to come to Eternos, because he knew she would agree to standing in as witness without a doubt in his mind. Hopefully, he could get her there that very day!
=)=)=)
Much later in the afternoon, Adam approached Teela's door. Not only had he spoken with Ileena and told her where to go once she arrived in Eternos, he had set up several surprises for Teela to have later that night. He truly hoped she enjoyed all of them.
Now that things were finally happening and the hour of their wedding was approaching, Adam found himself extremely nervous. He had a lot to be nervous about. As soon as he found Teela, he would be escorting her to the infirmary to undergo the test of purity. He didn't have any worries about the results—he knew Teela had been telling him the truth when she had stated that she was untouched. Instead, he was nervous about her actually having to go through with it. What if she took one look at him and decided he wasn't worth it? He wanted to say it was an irrational fear but the more he thought about it, the more he realized she had given up a lot already to be with him. Her whole life was changing every day because of him. The possibility of her deciding she was making too many sacrifices terrified him.
Also, he was nervous about that night.
Their wedding night.
Teela and he had been fighting their desires since this all started, and tonight they wouldn't have to any longer. He would finally be able to express his feelings for her like he truly wanted to. While he was looking forward to the event, he was also very uneasy. Teela and he had already discussed their concerns on this topic once: they were both worried that they might not please the other. They both had little experience with making love. In fact, he had wondered several times how much Teela actually knew, but he hadn't thought it would be an appropriate question to ask.
As for him, he knew a fair amount on the topic. His parents had been very honest about sex as he had grown up. They had never lied to him about storks bringing babies or anything of that sort. His mother had very candidly told him about the things that happened between a man and a woman. He supposed that helped him remain a virgin for so long. The topic had never been taboo, so it didn't seem like this alluring thing that must be experienced right away. Sure, as he had gotten older, sex had become a topic he didn't want to discuss with his parents, but when he was younger and had a question, they had never shied away from giving an answer.
Also, he had…seen some magazines and images on computer screens. Not a great quantity, of course. He had never owned such items since he was the crown prince. Maids cleaned every crevice in his room every day, so there would have been no safe place to hide such items. He knew if they had discovered anything in his room, it would have been the talk of Eternos within that hour.
Instead, he had been exposed to the little he had seen through meetings with other boys in his youth. He used to go out on training missions with cadets who had hoped when they grew up to join the Royal Guard. During many of those times, they had brought adult magazines with them to pass around the campfire. When he was an older teenager, he had several friends who liked to view such things on monitors in their rooms. When he had visited, sometimes they would talk him into taking a peek despite the embarrassment he had always felt at such times.
Somehow, he was glad of those stolen moments of what some would call lewdness. Because of them, he had some ideas on what to do…and what not to do. He wasn't going in blind. That brought a little comfort.
Shaking his head, he tried to clear his mind of those thoughts. He didn't need to show up to Teela's room in a state that wouldn't match the occasion. When he finally stepped in front of her door and gave it a soft knock, he wondered if she was actually inside. He hadn't seen her since that morning, because they both had been busy and he had skipped their combat lesson. He was sure Teela knew why and had suspected that he wouldn't show up anyway.
It was only a matter of moments before Teela opened the door. She stood there in her usual uniform. He could tell by looking at her face that she was extremely nervous, but she stepped out into the hall and asked as confidently as she could muster, "Haelan?"
He nodded. "Yes, he said we could show up at any time this afternoon," he replied softly.
She looked down at the floor and said, "Well, we might as well get this over with."
She turned around abruptly and began to walk away, but he grabbed her hand. When she looked back, he pulled her to him and cupped her cheek. "Are you sure? Teela, we don't have to do this. I can tell you're scared and…"
She didn't let him go any further. "Yes, I'm sure. I want to marry you and this is something we have to do in order for it to happen. I assume you have everything else set up, as well."
When he nodded, she whispered, "When are we getting married?"
"Tonight," he answered just as softly.
He grinned at the shocked expression that settled on her face. He could tell it wasn't a bad shock—it was the kind that told him she really hadn't expected him to pull it off. Despite this knowledge, he asked anyway, "Is that okay with you?"
"Of course!" she exclaimed loudly. Then, she quieted down again. "Well, let's go see Haelan. The quicker we get this over with, the quicker we can become husband and wife."
Adam simply extended his arm to her and she grabbed it. Together, they walked to the infirmary.
=)=)=)
Adam and Teela sat in an exam room inside the infirmary. As soon as they had arrived, Haelan's personal secretary had run over to them and escorted them inside. They were glad, because neither of them had wanted to explain to the sick guards and courtiers in the waiting room why they were there together. Regardless, they knew there would be speculation, but Adam was betting on Haelan having already spoken with his parents so nothing would come of it.
Teela was seated on a chair beside him and clutching his hand tightly.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked again.
She glared at him for a second and asked, "How many times do I have to say yes?"
He took a deep breath and replied softly, "I just want to make sure, Teela. I don't want you to feel pressured or make you do something you don't want to do."
She was about to respond when a knock came to the door and a nurse walked inside. "The doctor will be in here with you shortly. He wanted me to ask you to put this on." She handed Teela an infirmary gown. When Teela took it, the nurse walked out quickly, leaving them to stare at the flimsy covering worriedly.
Adam bit his lip to stop himself from asking her again if she really wanted to go through with this. He knew she might pop him this time if he did.
She glanced at him and said, "This is it, I guess."
When he nodded, she reached for the clasp to loosen the armor from her bodysuit. When she sat the breastplate on the floor near the wall and started to pull the straps of her clothing down, Adam closed his eyes. After several moments of hearing Teela fumbling around, she finally called out to him, "Okay, you can look now."
He opened his eyes to see Teela wearing the gown and sitting on the edge of the exam table. At that moment, his chest tightened and he felt like he could hardly breathe. He looked down and said, "Ancients, Teela, I don't want to put you through this." He then bent over and dropped his head into his hands. "Let's just forget this," he then mumbled.
"What?" he heard her cry. She jumped down from the table and bent before him. She pushed his arms away so that they could look at one another. "Adam, I want to do this. You're not putting me through anything. I chose this."
He swallowed roughly and nodded despite not believing her completely.
"You're staying, right?" she questioned. "You know, when he gets here?"
"Do you want me to?" he asked.
When she nodded, he answered, "Then, I'll stay."
It was almost like that had been a cue, because there was suddenly a knock at the door and Haelan walked into the room without waiting for a reply.
As soon as the healer stepped inside, he looked at their positions and said, "Ah, a nervous couple. You're not the first and you certainly won't be the last."
He walked farther into the room and said as he grabbed a rolling stool, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I'm not going to hurt her." Then, he grabbed some latex gloves from a box on the counter and began to put them on. "I assume you're going to stay, so I don't need to ask a nurse to come in and witness this."
When the prince nodded, Haelan gestured with his head towards the exam table and said, "Okay, Teela, I assume you want to hurry and get this over with."
She nodded and extended her hand to Adam as soon as she stood. The couple walked to the exam table and Adam stood to the side as she climbed up it. Haelan grabbed a bottle of something and then looked at his patient. "Okay, Teela, scoot back and lie down."
She did as told but kept her legs shut. Adam noticed this and knew she was nervous again. He stayed close to her side when she had moved up, and he grabbed her hand now that the moment was upon them. He squeezed her tightly to impart comfort.
Then, Haelan gave the next order. "Okay, Teela, spread your legs apart and put them in these stirrups."
Adam was expecting her to close her eyes, but instead she looked at him and clinched his hand even tighter. He stared right back at her and whispered, "You don't have to do this." She narrowed her eyes at him and quickly did as Haelan asked.
Taking a deep breath, she said back, "Yes, I do. I love you."
Adam brought his other hand over to lay on top of their already joined ones. "I love you, too."
Haelan interrupted them. "Okay, Teela, you're going to feel something warm in a second. I want you to relax."
Teela continued to stare at Adam and then breathed in sharply. Adam assumed the doctor was now doing whatever he was supposed to be doing. He felt the irrational desire to go over there and punch him. He didn't know if Haelan had hurt her or if it was just a reflex of having someone touching her, but he didn't like it regardless.
Tears suddenly came to Teela's eyes as he stared at her and tears immediately sprung to his. He didn't know what was wrong exactly, but he couldn't even imagine what he was putting her through mentally or physically right now. "Oh, Teela, I'm so sorry," he whispered.
Then, Haelan spoke again. "Okay, Teela, you can make yourself comfortable. It's over."
Instantly, she moved her legs from the stirrups and sat up. She had continued to hold Adam's hand while she did this and once she was at the end of the table again, she pulled Adam to her when the doctor had moved away to write in her file. The couple hugged and buried their faces in each other's necks.
"I'm so sorry to put you through that," he mumbled guiltily.
"I'm okay," she assured him. "It was just…uncomfortable."
He pulled back to look at her and despite her tear-brightened eyes, he could tell she was telling the truth.
Before he could ask her if it had hurt or anything else, the doctor walked back over to them and said, "Teela is pure, Your Highness, but I know you already knew that." He handed Teela a certificate and said, "This is your copy."
Adam noticed that there were two more. "Where are those going?" he asked.
Haelan slipped one in her file and replied, "One goes here. As for the other, it goes to the king."
They both gasped at the news. "So, he does know that we're here?" Adam asked, despite having guessed that earlier. His shock came from the fact that his father was getting a copy of the results.
"Of course he does. Remember what I told you this morning, Prince Adam. He knows about everything that involves you. It's my duty to make sure that happens."
He looked at Teela to see if she was angry. She wasn't. She simply looked at him and stated, "Well, at least that saves us the hassle of telling him later."
Adam smiled lightly and nodded.
Haelan walked to the door and said, "Well, Teela, you can get dressed and you two can leave when you're ready. I'm through here."
When the couple nodded, he shut the door.
Teela stepped down from the table and went to the chair where she had neatly folded her uniform. Adam walked away and faced the wall as she began to change clothes again. It took nearly a minute, but when she finished, she pulled on his shoulder and whispered, "Where to next?"
Adam had been standing in the corner fretting over everything that had just occurred. He was afraid he had gone too far to make this happen with Teela, but now when he saw her eager expression, he knew she still wanted to marry him. Letting out air he hadn't known he had been holding, he replied, "The Worship Center of the Ancients."
When she raised an eyebrow, he explained, "A minister has to marry us, you know. It can't be the king."
She nodded and then looked down at herself. "I suppose I should go to my room and change into something more appropriate. I don't want to get married in my uniform."
Adam leaned forward and met her lips lightly with a chaste kiss. When he pulled away, he said, "Don't worry about it. It would look suspicious if we were dressed formally and leaving the palace. I have everything taken care of." When she raised her eyebrows in surprise, he smiled softly and added, "Trust me. I have the rest of the evening planned perfectly. I don't believe you will want for anything…at least I hope not."
At that, Teela smiled, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled his lips to hers for a kiss that left them panting and yearning for more.
=)=)=)
Hope you enjoyed this! Don't worry, I believe I'll have the next chapter posted soon, as well. (And, hopefully one for some of my other stories, as well.) And, just in case you don't remember, Ileena is Teela's friend from episode "A Friend in Need."