AN: Difficult chapter to write. I had written about 10 attempts at this before I landed on this one. Hope you enjoy.

"We cannot ally ourselves with you without more information," the blue-haired young woman said, her high child-like voice at odds with her regal and stern demeanor.

Adam watched her feeling some amount of admiration. From what he'd learned from Bow during their escape from the village into the whispering woods, this was Princess Glimmer, a woman forced into hiding when she was young after her father King Micah disappeared, and her mother Queen Angella had been taken hostage. A protector to her people, she headed up what Bow liked to refer to as 'The Great Rebellion.' Although small in stature, Adam could tell she was fierce in spirit.

"We have no wish to alarm you," Adam answered, putting forth his own regal training. He stood tall but kept his stance nonthreatening. Years of being He-Man had taught him how to put others at ease. "However we cannot divulge much about our origins. To do so would be to endanger our own loved ones."

"Glimmer they fought off the horde-soldiers without even hesitating. They did not wait for others to help those being bullied - they jumped into action as soon as they saw a man being hurt. I believe with everything I am they can be trusted. Furthermore, the woods allowed them entrance."

"Bow, the woods have allowed other horde warriors in."

"Only once. And only recently."

"Yes. Recently. So the magic may be faltering."

"It isn't," said an older sorceress who had been present and quiet during the interrogation. "The magic is still as strong as ever. If it allowed Adora in, it's only because she isn't truly evil."

Adam paled at the words, his eyes widened. Although well accustomed to hiding his feelings, hearing her name spoken so casually was such a blow to his psyche that he did react, even for a split second, but it was enough.

"Do you know Adora," Glimmer asked him, her voice harder now. Truly that was what bothered her most about this man. His coloring was identical to Force Captain Adora, a long-time thorn in their side. Even more strange was how healthy these two warriors were. Their skin and teeth and nails showed signs of good care. These were not people accustomed to living in penury.

Adam's gaze wavered and he looked down. He seemed to struggle with something and then he turned to Madam Raz.

"Can you place a spell protecting us from any kind of eavesdropping?"

"We always have such spells at work," she told him. "We cannot allow our words to be overheard by the Horde if we seek to protect ourselves and our home."

"Then... I will tell you. Because I feel it very strongly that we are meant to work together." He looked at Teela who had tensed by his side. "This, I feel is the right thing to do. Do you accept that?"

She smiled briefly and nodded, appreciating his question.

"Teela and I are off-worlders. We came looking for someone who was stolen from our world years ago – when I was in my first year of life. When Adora was in hers."

"By all that is glorious," Bow said, looking at Adam intently. "I thought you seemed familiar. She is your kin?"

"My sister. We are twins, in fact. I do not remember her at all, but recently a way was paved by magic for us to come and find her."

"Adora is your sister." Bow was growing tenser by the moment. Glimmer was right. He had been too trusting, and now they would pay.

"We are not on the side of the Horde," Adam told him, sensing their fear. "We will fight at your side if need be."

"Your sister is a terrible person," Glimmer hissed. "She is one of Hordak's most trusted captains and she is very good at her job."

"Is she cruel?"

Adam turned to Teela, shocked at her question.

"Adam and I both are trained in combat. We have fought many battles. However, we do not gain enjoyment from hurting those we oppose. You said the woods allowed her in, and that says that she, deep down, has a decent heart – so what is she like in battle? Is she cruel in victory or even in defeat? How does she treat her fellow soldiers?"

"She is focused and determined. She is happy for her victories – yet I have never seen her cruel, unlike other Horde warriors who gain pleasure in others' pain."

"She was stolen from home and raised by a monster," Adam added, understanding Teela's question. "It is possible she believes her loyalties lie with him despite his evil nature."

"I do not trust one who would fight for evil, no matter who raised them," Glimmer said giving Adam an unwavering look.

"Nor do I," said Adam. "It is never right to fight for evil."

"Is it possible she thinks she is on the right side of things," Bow asked. "She's said things in battle that leads me to think that she believes the Horde intends to bring peace to Etheria."

"She would have to be blind not to see things as they are," Teela muttered. "I mean... we figured it out right away. The soldiers didn't exactly hide their bullying nature."

"Blind or under a spell," Madam Raz spoke up. "Shadow weaver is a powerful sorceress who serves the Horde. She might have bewitched your sister. It appears that Hordak really wanted her on his go off-world and kidnap a child for this purpose means he was serious in his intent."

"Maybe the spell is breaking and that is why the woods allow her in," Teela offered. "You see, in our world... we have magic too. A doorway to this world opened up in our land recently, perhaps because Adora is fighting off the spell."

"Or this is one big trick," Glimmer said. "Which is far more likely."

"What can we do to prove our loyalties?"

"Oh. I don't know. How about bring my mother home," she snapped, suddenly furious with the whole thing.

"Where is she?"

"She's a prisoner of the horde. She has been for a very long time."

"Do you know where she is? How tightly is she guarded? Have you ever gone to find her?"

"We aren't going to bring you along on a rescue mission," Glimmer told Teela caustically.

"We will bring her home," Teela told her gently. "Adam and I."

"Alone? You wouldn't last very long."

"I will come along," Bow said. "And we have others. We can rally some good offense."

"We will be outnumbered no matter what," Adam said, getting into the spirit of things. "So we should go for a surprise attack."

"We aren't really considering this, are we," demanded Glimmer.

"Princess," Adam told her, giving her a steady earnest gaze that cut through her defenses. "I pledge to you that we do not support the horde, nor will we ever support the horde. We will aid you in this mission if you allow for it. If you are opposed we won't force you to our will."

Glimmer felt her throat tighten at his words. To have her mother back... after all this time. To free her from the despair of captivity... how could she not take the chance?

"I …accept."

Adam nodded, his eyes bright with admiration.