I know it's been forever, but I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for reading, and reviews would be appreciated, too!
The next day the royal family was ready to go to Aragnor for the wedding of Prince Vloren and Princess Jevren.
Teela opened the portal just after they said their goodbyes to Man-at-arms.
"I shall be here waiting for you the day after tomorrow," he said to the king, bowing slightly.
"Thank you, old friend," King Randor said, shaking Man-at-arms' hand. "Feel free to contact me if anything comes up."
"Of course," Man-at-arms said. They had decided that he would remain behind to monitor Skeletor's and the Goblins' activities, and to handle any kingdom business that arose.
Teela hugged her father. "Take care of Mother," she told him. "We'll see you in a few days."
Man-at-arms returned her hug. "I will, Dearest," he promised. "You said goodbye to her already?"
Teela nodded. "Before we came here to meet you," she told him.
"Please give Vloren and Jevren my best, and tell them I said congratulations," Duncan said.
"I will," Teela said, smiling.
Queen Marlena and Prince Adam said goodbye to him as well, then they went through the portal.
The royal family of Eternia joyfully greeted the royal family of Aragnor as soon as they were through the portal.
Teela made sure to close it as soon as they were through, knowing her father would wait until it was sealed.
"King Randor, Queen Marlena, it is good to have you visit us in Aragnor once again," King Vlancar said, shaking the other monarch's hand as his wife greeted Queen Marlena with a hug.
"We're glad to be here," King Randor replied, inclining his head to Queen Elevren with a warm smile, as King Vlancar did the same for Queen Marlena. "Especially for such a joyous occasion."
"Your rooms are ready for you all," Queen Elevren informed them. "We'll all be meeting in the smaller dining hall at noon, but Vlancar and I would be honored if you and Marlena would join us at Court this morning. I'm sure our children will want to spend time visiting together," she said, smiling at the younger royals who were greeting each other with warm hugs, and lots of chatter.
King Vlancar, King Randor, and Queen Marlena followed her gaze and smiled at the group of young royals as well.
"We'd be honored, wouldn't we my dear?" King Randor said.
"Absolutely," Marlena said, smiling. She turned her attention back to the king and queen of Aragnor.
Adam and Teela greeted the king and queen of Aragnor properly before King Vlancar dismissed them all with an indulgent smile.
The elder royals headed for the throne room as the younger ones made their way to Vlacan's and Rain's suite.
As soon as they were all settled in the suite, Teela and Rain smiled at one another.
"Is your nursery ready yet?" Teela asked.
"Yes; we'll show it to you in just a little while," Rain said, smiling. "How about you? Is your nursery ready?"
"Not yet," Teela sighed. "We've picked out all the furniture but my mother is decorating it, since she knows whether we're having a boy or a girl. Even once she finishes it, we have to stay out of it until the baby is born unless we want to spoil the surprise."
"I don't know how you can stand not knowing," Rain said, shaking her head. "I was dying to know as soon as I found out I was pregnant!"
Teela smiled and shrugged. "Adam and I are having fun with not knowing. He swears it's a girl, while I think it's a boy, so we're having a lot of fun teasing each other."
"Where are Vloren and Jevren?" Adam asked Vlacan, finally turning his attention away from the animated young princesses.
"Taking care of last minute wedding details, I'm sure," Vlacan replied. "They'll join us for the noon meal, if not sooner."
Adam nodded, smiling. He and Vlacan watched in amusement as Teela and Rain let the other feel the babies kick, still talking about babies, nurseries, and nursing.
"You'd think they hadn't seen each other in months," Adam said, shaking his head. "We were just here two weeks ago."
Vlacan nodded, laughing. "Thank you, again, for helping me host Vloren's final party as a single man," he grinned.
"My pleasure," Adam replied. "Teela and I are grateful to both Vloren and Jevren for all they do for Eternia. We were glad to help with their celebrations."
Vlacan looked at his wife and her cousin, and shook his head before he looked at Adam again. "Are you as nervous about becoming a father as I am?" he asked quietly.
"At least," Adam laughed, also keeping his voice down. "Healer Darius has us taking birthing and parenting classes with him, but I'm still terrified. I don't have much experience with babies at all."
"Me, neither," Vlacan said. "Rain has younger siblings, so she knows more than I do, but I've never even held a baby before. Vladimir has been meeting with us to explain the birth process, and to teach me the basics of infant care, as well."
"I guess we'll just have to learn as we go," Adam said. "It's daunting."
"I'll say," Vlacan said. "But exciting, too."
Adam grinned. "That it is."
XXXXXXXXXX
Vlacan and Rain had just finished showing Adam and Teela their nursery when the door chimes sounded. Vlacan answered it and led the newcomers to the sitting room with a broad smile.
"Lady Lizelle and Lord Turevan have come to visit," he said. He introduced Adam and Teela to Lord Turevan after Lizelle had greeted them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Adam said to the elven lord. "I've heard many good things about you."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Lord Turevan replied.
"Please, call me Adam," Adam insisted.
Lord Turevan smiled, inclining his head. "All right, Adam."
A few minutes later the door chimed again and Vlacan returned with Vloren and Jevren. "It seems our party is complete," he grinned.
Vloren and Jevren greeted everyone warmly, thanking them for coming for the wedding.
"Have you two set a date yet?" Jevren asked Turevan and Elle.
Elle blushed, smiling as she looked to her fiancee.
"We're planning to be wed in about a year," Turevan told them. "It will be an outdoor ceremony in the Jevalire Forest."
"Oh, that will be beautiful," Jevren said, smiling.
"Of course, you're all invited," Elle said. "You can bring the babies."
Teela and Rain both smiled, nodding.
"Are you two planning to have a family right away?" Rain asked Jevren and Vloren.
"No," Jevren replied, shaking her head. "With the goblins helping Skeletor, we think it'd be best to wait awhile before we have a child."
"Do you really think Skeletor and the goblins will attack Eternia?" Elle asked in concern.
"It's almost certain," Adam told them all. "Skeletor and the goblin king have been meeting regularly, and the goblins have begun preparing weapons and armor. We're expecting a full-scale attack any time now. Man-at-arms is working with Tri-Clops and his Doomseekers to try to find out an exact time frame, so we can try to be more prepared."
"King Randor has called a meeting with all of the leaders of Eternia's allies next week," Teela told them. "I'm afraid we're going to have to start preparing for war."
They were all quiet for a few moments as they absorbed this.
Adam shook his head and smiled. "Let's not dwell on that right now," he said. "We're here for a happy occasion, so let's focus on that."
"You're quite right," Vlacan smiled.
"Have you picked out baby names yet?" Jevren asked Adam and Teela.
"Not yet," Teela laughed. "We have three names for a boy, and three names for a girl, but we haven't settled on just one for either."
"How about you two?" Adam asked Vlacan and Rain. "Have you settled on names for the twins?"
"We decided on Aylevren and Aisella," Rain said, smiling. "One Elven name, and one Eternian name."
"Oh, those are beautiful," Teela said.
"I really like them," Elle agreed.
"Have you told mother and father yet?" Jevren asked.
"Not yet," Vlacan said. "We only made a final decision a few days ago."
"Vladimir told us at our last visit with him that we need to be ready for the possibility that the twins might be born early," Rain said. "Especially since you and Vlacan were born two months early."
Jevren nodded. "Just try not to go into labor tomorrow, huh? At least, not until the ceremony is complete."
"I don't think I have much say in the matter, but I'll do my best," Rain laughed.
Jevren smiled warmly at her as she and the others chuckled, too.
XXXXXXXXXX
The next day, everyone attended the wedding celebration for Princess Jevren and Prince Vloren. It was a beautiful, traditional Elven ceremony officiated by Lord Aeyrven, who was the spiritual leader of the Elves of Jelvarin.
Jevren was dressed exquisitely in a traditional Elven bridal gown; an off-the-shoulder, unbleached muslin bodice trimmed in dark green with a muslin skirt dyed in varying shades of green and cut to look like the leaves of a great tree. The front and back of the skirt stopped mid-calf, and both sides were slit up to her knees. On her feet, she wore sandals made of natural hemp, and her blue-black hair hung down her back. She wore a delicate circlet with golden leaves on her head to complete the outfit and denote her title as the Crown Princess of Jelvarin.
Vloren wore the traditional wedding outfit of the males of his people; an unbleached muslin tunic that stopped at his knees and was belted at his hips, and sandals that laced up to mid-calf made of brown hemp. He also wore a thin gold crown indicating his status as a prince of the Gorgantus.
The wedding guests were an unusual mix of peoples, since the bride was half Aragnorian and half Elf, and the groom was mostly Gorgantu, with the Eternians thrown in to make it even more unusual.
Adam smiled to himself as he looked around at all of the guests attending the wedding. This is how he felt things should always be on their world. He smiled when he saw the Masters that were all seated not far away, as well, and hoped that no one questioned He-Man's absence.
The ceremony was beautiful, and when it was finished the guests were invited to attend the celebratory reception in the Great Hall.
After the banquet was finished and people were out on the floor dancing, Jevren and Vloren made their way around the room to greet their guests and thank them for attending, taking a few turns around the dance floor themselves.
Two hours into the celebration the kitchen staff served the massive wedding cake and sparkling wine, and many people made toasts to the happy couple. King Gorganthal (Vloren's father), King Vlancar, Prince Adam, and Prince Vlacan, being among them.
After another hour, Vloren and Jevren left the reception to head out for their wedding vacation.
As soon as they were safely away, both Adam and Vlacan told their parents that they wanted to take their pregnant wives to get some rest.
King Vlancar gave his consent and the young royal couples left the Great Hall.
"We'll see you in the morning," Adam told Vlacan as they stood in the hallway of the royal wing.
"Sleep well, my friends," Vlacan said, smiling as he shook Adam's hand.
Teela and Rain hugged each other and then the couples went their separate ways, ready for some much needed rest.
As they prepared for bed Teela looked at Adam. "Did you know that Vloren's name is elven?"
Adam raised his eyebrows, shaking his head. "No, I didn't. How did you find that out?"
"Rain told me," she said. "Apparently, Vloren's maternal grandmother was half elf."
"The one that was kidnapped by the Gorgantus?" Adam asked, surprised.
"The very one," she nodded. "Her mother was Aragnorian, but her father was an elf. His parents gave him an elven name as a nod to his mother's heritage."
"Do the elves know that? Jevren seemed concerned that they might not want a Gorgantu married to their future queen but if he's part elf too, that should count for something," Adam said.
"I don't know, but you'd think that would make a difference," she said with a nod.
They finished getting ready for bed and settled in, and Adam wrapped his arms around Teela from behind, resting his palm on her expanded abdomen.
"How's she been today?" he asked softly.
Teela smiled. "He's been very active," she said. "Hopefully that means he'll sleep tonight, so I can get some sleep."
Adam laughed lightly and kissed her neck.
Teela tilted her head to give him better access, then turned over and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. "I'm not quite ready to sleep just yet," she told him softly.
"I was hoping you'd say that," he whispered against her lips, before kissing her again.
XXXXXXXXXX
After breakfast the next morning the Eternian royal family said goodbye to the Aragnorian royal family, and then returned to Eternia via portal.
As soon as they were back in Eternia, they greeted Man-at-arms, Teela'Na, Orko, and Cringer.
The royal staff had already taken their belongings back to their suites by the time they'd finished greeting one another and telling the others about the wedding.
"Your mother and I need to speak with you both privately," Man-at-arms told Teela and Adam as soon as everyone had separated, and they were walking toward the wing Adam's and Teela's suite was located.
"After I show you what I've done with the nursery so far," Teela'Na said, smiling.
Adam and Teela followed them both to their suite and entered, stopping outside of the closed nursery door.
"I painted the baby's room the other day," she told them. "It's a gender-neutral color, so it won't give away whether you're having a boy or a girl. Also, Duncan and I set up all of the baby furniture yesterday."
Teela and Adam grinned and opened the door, and Teela'Na motioned for them to precede her into the room.
Adam and Teela entered the nursery and smiled as they looked around. The room was painted a sage green color, with white baseboards and crown molding to give the room an elegant touch.
The nursery furniture was set up to make the room perfectly functional, yet was still very attractive. The crib, changing station, and bureau were all made from the finest darkwood available on Eternia. A darkwood rocking chair and ottoman with white over-stuffed cushions added to the room's décor.
"Oh, Mother," Teela said, "this is lovely."
Teela'Na smiled. "Thank you, but it isn't finished yet. I plan to finish decorating just before the baby arrives, so that you won't be tempted to come in and peek." She looked pointedly at Prince Adam as she said the latter.
Adam grinned before he chuckled lightly. "Thank you," he said. "I love what you've done so far and I know you will do an equally amazing job with the rest of it."
Teela'Na smiled warmly at him.
"I agree, Mother; it's beautiful," Teela said, wiping the tears that formed from her eyes, and smiling.
They both thanked Man-at-arms for his part in helping with the nursery, before they all headed out to the sitting room and took seats.
"What did you want to speak to us about?" Teela asked her parents.
"I feel that it's time that you know the truth about your father," Teela'Na told her.
Teela glanced at Duncan, then shook her head in confusion. "The truth about my father?" She looked at Duncan once more, and then her eyes widened as she looked to her mother. "You mean my biological father?"
Teela'Na nodded. "Yes," she said.
Teela bit the corner of her bottom lip and then asked softly, "Is he still alive?"
"Yes, he is," Teela'Na told her.
Teela looked up and frowned. "Then why didn't he raise me? Where has he been all of my life? I understand your reasons for giving me up, but what excuse does he have?" she asked heatedly. "My father is sitting right here," she pointed to Man-at-arms. "He's the one that raised me, took care of me and loved me."
Duncan smiled proudly at his daughter before taking her hand. "Dearest, please allow your mother to explain. I think you'll want to hear her answer."
Teela looked at him for a moment, before finally nodding.
Duncan released her hand and nodded to Teela'Na.
"It all began in the Spring of my nineteenth year..."
XXXXXXXXXX
Teela listened as her mother told the story of how she'd stayed in the village of Pelleezeea, befriended by the villagers, and how she'd saved them from the evil invaders.
That explained why they'd thought she'd come back to save them several years ago, she realized.
Then she listened as her mother told the story of the wounded soldier, and how she'd nursed him back to health, and had fallen in love with him.
"We chose the ancient bonding ritual, rather than a regular marriage ceremony," her mother told her. "It's no longer recognized as a legal marriage, but it was then."
Teela nodded; she knew this already.
Then her mother told her how one day the soldier had left the village, and how she'd waited as long as she could for him to return. She finished telling the tale and then she looked at Teela. "Man-at-arms was that soldier, Teela; he is your biological father."
Teela looked at her father in wide-eyed shock. "What?!"
He nodded. "I had no idea until a couple of nights ago," he told her. "I had asked your mother about your biological father, and she told me the story and returned my memories to me. I was quite furious with her at first, for taking my memories and not telling me, but after I had time to calm down and think about it, I understand her reasons. I may not agree, or even like it, but what's done is done, and at least now we know the truth."
Teela was silent for several moments as she digested all of this. Finally she took a deep breath and released it, before moving to hug her father tightly. "I'm glad to know that you're my biological father."
Duncan hugged her back and kissed her head. "So am I."
Teela took her seat once more and smiled at Adam as he took her hand.
"Your father and I have decided that we're going to remain married," Teela'Na told her. "We're going to have a formal ceremony two weeks from tomorrow, and I'd like you to stand with me as my witness."
Teela's mouth dropped open in shock and her eyes widened. She shook her head and smiled brightly. "Really? You're really going to be remarried?"
"Not remarried... we never had the ceremony to break the bond, so we're still married. We just want to have a ceremony with you, Adam, and the King and Queen," Duncan told her.
Teela laughed, and then wiped the tears from her cheeks again. "Stupid hormones," she said, laughing again. "I'd be honored to be your witness, Mother!"
"Congratulations," Adam said, smiling. "This is wonderful news!"
"Adam, I'd ask you, but I've known your father for much longer..." Duncan began.
Adam held up a hand and shook his head. "It's okay; I understand. My father deserves to be your witness."
Duncan smiled warmly at him, nodding. "We have to speak to your parents and let them know what's going on, and then I have to ask them to attend, so please don't say anything to anyone until we've talked to them."
Both Adam and Teela nodded their understanding.
"We'd best be going," Teela'Na said. "We still have a lot to take care of in the next two weeks."
"Let me know if you need any help, Mother," Teela said, standing and hugging both of her parents once more. "I'll do whatever I can."
"Thank you Dear," Teela'Na said.
Adam hugged Teela'Na and shook Man-at-arms' hand. "I'll help anyway I can, as well; just let me know."
"Thank you, Adam," Duncan said.
They left Adam's and Teela's suite and Teela turned to look at her husband as soon as they were gone. "Wow," she breathed. "My father is really my father, and my parents are married..."
Adam pulled her into his arms. "You okay?"
She was quiet for a few moments before she finally sighed and nodded. "Yeah; I think I am. I have both of my parents for the first time in my life."
Adam smiled, pulling back to kiss her before he smiled widely. "You know what this means don't you?"
Teela looked confused. "What?"
"Your mother is the Duchess of Noella~ the second family in line for the throne after mine~ and your father is the Duke of Equestra~ the third family in line for the throne~ so you've been nobility all of this time and didn't even know it!"
Teela's eyes widened and then she suddenly laughed, hugging Adam. "Oh, I wish I could see the looks on some of those courtiers' faces when they find out!"
Adam smiled as he returned her hug, nodding in agreement.
XXXXXXXXXX
Man-at-arms and Teela'Na met with the king and queen later that day to tell them the story of Teela's paternity, and to announce their intentions to remain married and have another ceremony in two weeks' time.
Randor was surprised, but happy for them both, and Marlena smiled as she told them that she'd suspected for many years that Duncan was Teela's birth father, but she hadn't felt it was her place to say anything. She, too, was very happy to hear about their marriage and the upcoming ceremony.
While Marlena led Teela'Na to her solar to have tea and talk, Duncan looked at King Randor and sighed. "I've been going over the Intel we've received from Tri-Clops' Doomseekers, and I have some news," he told the king.
Randor nodded, frowning slightly.
"King Jareth, the goblin king, has informed Skeletor that his army will be ready for a full-scale attack on Eternia in six months' time. They are planning to attack on the first full moon of the Summer Solstice for the northern hemisphere," he told the king. "They seem to be under the impression that with their numbers, it will be a quick and easy victory for them."
Randor ran a hand over his face and sighed. "Hopefully with this new information our allies will agree to help us fight the goblin army, and Skeletor."
Duncan nodded in agreement. "Adam wants to send Marlena, Teela'Na, and Teela~ and the baby~ to Aragnor while we're fighting the goblins. He wants them as far away from the fighting as possible."
"I agree," Randor said, "but I think it'll be difficult to convince the women that it's the right thing for them to do."
"He's willing to pull rank, as He-Man, if necessary," Man-at-arms told him, grimacing slightly. "He's a brave Lad."
Randor blinked, but then smiled ruefully. "Yes, he is. But I'm not sure pulling rank will have any bearing on Marlena and Teela."
Duncan chuckled softly and nodded his agreement. "Or Teela'Na, for that matter."
Randor shook his head and sighed once more. "I'm going to need you to prepare a report to give our allies when we meet with them next week. I want to have something concrete to give them to try to convince them to join us. We cannot allow Skeletor and the goblins to conquer Grayskull or Eternia."
"I understand, and I agree," Duncan told him. "I'll have video surveillance ready as soon as you need it."
"Thank you, my friend," Randor said. "I know I can count on you."
XXXXXXXXXX
The following week, the palace was in a state of organized chaos as all of Eternia's allies arrived to discuss the coming attack.
Queen Marlena had recruited Teela'Na and Teela to help with managing who would be staying where, making sure the palace was sufficiently staffed with kitchen help, maids, pages, etc., and planning the menus for the meals that would be served.
Teela was also working closely with her father and Captain Lanvar on security for the palace, and all of the visiting dignitaries.
Regular Court meetings were suspended for the week in lieu of the meetings that Randor had scheduled with the delegates from the various kingdoms.
On the first day of the Summit, the leaders from the visiting kingdoms, as well as all of the Eternian nobility, were gathered in the large hall where the meetings would take place. King Randor stood and raised his hands to signal the beginning of the session.
"I would like to thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend this Summit and gathering of the Council of Eternia, and to welcome you all to Eternos. I know that these are troubling times, and I assure you that I will do everything in my power to ensure that Eternia's future is a peaceful and prosperous one, and I hope that you will also vow to do everything you can to ensure that as well," he began. "I have specifically invited each of you here because I feel that you, like me, want to see the evil forces threatening our homes and families defeated, so that we may live free of the fear of tyranny, enslavement, and worse. As I stated in the missives I sent to each of you, Skeletor has allied himself with Jareth, the king of the goblins, and they are currently planning an attack on Castle Grayskull and the kingdom of Eternia. Skeletor wishes to capture Grayskull and take the power of the Elders for himself, and he wants total domination of Eternia. He has promised King Jareth that, in return for the goblins' help, he will use the power of the Elders to help them conquer the elven kingdom, as well as any other kingdoms they choose. At this time, I would like to introduce you all to Queen Elevren, the queen of the elves. Since the elves have fought, and defeated, the goblins in the past I feel that she may be able to give us some insight as to what to expect. Your Majesty," King Randor said, nodding to Queen Elevren as she stood and made her way to the head of the table.
"Thank you, King Randor," Queen Elevren said, curtsying gracefully before she turned to face the others in the room. "Our kingdom faced the goblins many years ago, but we have maintained the records of that war, and each generation is taught the history in order that we might never forget to be on our guard that it never happens again, as well as to remember to be grateful for the freedom we enjoy because of the sacrifices of those who died."
"The goblins are a brutal race," she continued. "They kill all of the men, young and old, before killing the older women, and those women who already have children. The only ones they spare are the young women and the young girls. Young women are given to their men as a 'reward', and the young girls are used as servants until they are old enough to be given to the men as concubines. All the young boys and infants are slaughtered and given as food to their army."
There were several horrified gasps and the room was filled with murmuring. Queen Elevren waited until everyone turned their attention back to her before continuing.
"This is why it is imperative that we all assist King Randor and the Eternians in stopping the goblin army," she told them. "They will not be satisfied with one kingdom. Once they defeat the Eternians, they will move through our planet, systematically destroying every kingdom until everyone is enslaved or dead. We, the elves, tried to establish a peace treaty with them after the war, but they are not interested in peace; they are only interested in total domination."
"Why would they help Skeletor if they want total domination, then?" King Gorganthal asked.
"Skeletor wants Castle Grayskull and the power of the Elders," Queen Elevren replied. "I believe King Jareth is simply using Skeletor to gain that power for himself. I have no doubts that he would betray Skeletor in a heartbeat, and take the power for himself, and then he and his army would be unstoppable." She paused a moment and then looked at every person sitting around the table before continuing. "The elves do not want war," she assured them. "We have lived in peace for centuries, and we are happy to continue living in peace. But we know what will happen if the goblins conquer the kingdom of Eternia, and especially if they gain the power contained within Castle Grayskull, and we are not willing to allow any kingdom to suffer the atrocities that will occur if they succeed in their plans. Be assured; if the kingdom of Eternia falls, the entire planet will soon follow."
The Summit continued for three full days before King Randor finally asked which kingdoms were willing to commit to assisting Eternia in the coming battle with Skeletor and the goblins.
By unanimous vote, every kingdom in attendance agreed to help in the fight.
The Council of Eternia gained four more kingdoms, a plan of action was decided upon, and the Summit was completed two days later as the last of the visiting dignitaries left for their own lands.
