The He-Man Inside
Disclaimer: Don't own it. Not mine. Don't sue.
Chapter 2
The morning rays of sun shined through the open veranda of the palace dining room bringing with it a cool breeze. All was quiet and peaceful in the room except for the soft whisk of padded shoes against the marble floor, the hushed words of the palace servants and the clink of dishes and silverware as the table was set for the morning feast. Then, the breakfast course was served as the kitchen staff came through the side door bearing trays laden with eggs, bacon, fishes, fruits, bread, pudding and much more. Soon the room was filled with their rich aromas and it was just in time as the king and queen walked through the main door followed by the prince and the Masters. Taking their respectable positions at the table, the king and queen at the head, the prince on their right, Man-at-Arms on their left, Teela next to her father and so on and so forth, they began their separate conversations. The king and queen looked to be having a heated discussion, albeit a heated, whispered discussion, when the first course was served. Soon everyone was eating rather than talking except for the few snip-its of conversation in between bites. The meal was just ending when the King stood up while his wife looked on with a very displeased look upon her face. As soon as the king stood up everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and looked at their leader.
"As everyone knows my son will be turning seventeen in a few days and on that day I shall announce to the kingdom that my son is looking for a wife- "
"WHAT!!" The king was cut off as his son outraged and surprised yell cut him off. "What are you thinking?! I'm only going to be seventeen. The prince isn't suppose to look for a wife until he's eighteen and then I'm not suppose to get married for another year! It's Eternian tradition."
"Calm down son. I have no intention of breaking tradition, however, I plan for you to already have a fiancé by your eighteenth birthday. I will not allow you to make a hasty decision nor will I allow you to make the wrong one, so, your choice of bride must be approved by me before any formal announcement can be made."
"You've lost your mind if you think I'm going to sit here and let you decide my future. You may have control over what I learn and most of what I do but I'll be damned if your going to decide who I'll live with for the rest of my life!"
"Hold your tongue! I'll not have my own son being insubordinate and disrespectful to me in my own palace! You will respect my conditions or suffer the consequences. Is that clear?" When the king received no response from his silent son he slammed his fist down on the table, the impact knocking over his goblet. "I said, IS THAT CLEAR!"
"Crystal!" Adam yelled as he shoved himself violently away from the table causing his chair to fall over on the floor and stormed from the room.
All was quiet in the dining hall as the king sighed his frustration and slowly slid back into his chair. His wife, clearly displeased at what had just happened promptly excused herself. Randor let her go and after a few minutes turned to Man-at-Arms.
"Do you think that I could have handled that better?"
"Well sir, I agree that Adam shouldn't be allowed to wait and then make a hasty decision but...."
"But I probably could have handled that with a little more diplomacy."
"No your highness but maybe you could have handled that more like a father instead of a king. Your son is not as rash as he seems and is able to make rational decisions when he puts his mind to it."
"Hmmmm, is this advice from a guard to his king?"
"No. This advice comes from an old friend to his old guard buddy."
"Heh. Well, I'll take your advice and think about it but I believe my mind is made up." Standing up the king took his leave.
"I can't believe the king would do something like that and to his own son no less." Teela voiced her concern and outrage to her father.
"He is the king and he only has Adam's best interest at heart. He doesn't want Adam to be rushed, which is why he has given Adam an extra year. This extra year will give Adam the time to get to know his prospective brides which means the choice he makes will be a sound one and the king will more than likely approve his choice."
"But father, these girls don't know a thing about Adam and vice versa. They don't know the things he likes and the things he can't stand. They don't know where he hides out when he wants to be alone. They know nothing and a year won't be long enough for them to get to know him."
"Yes, you're quite right. However, you know a lot about Adam. You two were raised together and taught the same things so maybe I should talk to the king about a match between you two." Man-at-Arms looked sideways at his daughter with a playful smirk upon his face.
"You'll do no such thing. Me and Adam are just friends. Just friends and since we're friends I don't want to see him rushed into something he doesn't want to do."
"Alright. Now since breakfast is finished and this discussion I think we should all get to work." Man-at-Arms stood and the rest of the Masters followed suit, all except Teela. "Teela, are you coming?"
"I'll be along father but first I'm going to go find Adam."
"Fine see you then."
Adam sat alone on the grassy banks of the Eternos River contemplating what his father had told him. 'How could you father? What are you trying to do and why couldn't you have left me out of it?' Adam picked up a small rock that was embedded in the earth and lightly threw it into the river and watched as the rock caused water to spew forth in a small eruption. He sat there watching the river swirl around the rocks and pebbles that were as unwrinkled as a sheet of iron yet smooth and comforting to touch as silk. Letting himself fall back onto the grassy bank he rested his head upon his arms, wincing as a slight pain raced up his side. 'I forgot I'm still pretty sore from that training. Gods! You think Man-at-Arms would give me a break.' Adam closed his eyes and was dozing lightly when Teela came upon him. She was leaning against a large oak near the river when she began to speak with him.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Sooooo......uh, is there anything I can do?"
"Wait, are you offering to help me? The all-powerful Teela is offering to help me, weak Prince Adam? The coward of Eternia. Are you here to take pity on me?"
"Oh, Gods Adam! I swear you can be such an ass sometimes."
"Oh, so you've come to ridicule me!"
"No! I've-"
"Then what.....what?!"
"Damn it! I came here to be your friend! The same friend I've been since we were children. Damn! Why can't you grow up?"
"Yeah, well I guess that's not a problem any longer since I'm already being pushed into my future." Adam sat up but did not look in Teela's direction.
"Look Adam, I know you're not happy about this but......"
"But what?"
"But your father has your best interest in mind and-"
Adam quickly turned around to face Teela, his face contorted in rage "Oh! Don't even pull that shit with me! If you were in my position you'd be kicking and screaming. You'd be fighting tooth and nail for your right to choose who you marry and when!" He turned back to face the river with his head cast down to the ground. In a soft voice he added, "You'd fight. You just wouldn't give in......you wouldn't let yourself be controlled."
Teela looked at her friend seeing something she had never seen in his eyes before....pain. True, unadulterated pain. She didn't know what had caused this, she wanted to know but didn't ask, didn't know how. What she did know was that it couldn't have just been caused by the recent sequence of events. No, this was a pain built up over time. 'Adam.....what's wrong?' Pushing herself away from the tree Teela walked over to Adam and sat down next to him. Putting a comforting arm around his shoulders she leaned her head against his, "Sorry. I guess that was a little idiotic to say under the circumstances-"
"A little?" Adam said half-heartedly in jest.
"Aren't you ever quiet."
Teela was forced to move her head when Adam turned his head to look at her with a trace of a smile on his face but the pained expression remained in his eyes only buried within the depths of his sea green eyes. "Hmmmmm, you should know by now that I'm never quiet when I need to be."
"Humph, you're a smart ass as well. Look, everything will work out. I'm sure that if you talk with your father he'll listen."
"Thanks Teela but my father isn't like yours."
"Oh! Just take my advice. I'll help because I know this isn't something you want to do."
"Thanks Teela and I'm sorry about being such a jerk earlier. I guess it wasn't one of my best moments."
"No, it wasn't but that's why you have me here, so that I can straighten you out when you need it. Now come on, you may be a prince but we have work to do with the Masters." Teela stood up and dusted herself off as Adam pushed himself off the ground with a slight grumble of pain. "I take it you're still sore from the beating you got the other day."
"Is it obvious?"
"No, but maybe you should take it easy-"
"Uh-uh. You got me up so now I'm going. So let's go." Adam walked away from the river bank heading towards the path that would lead them back inside the safety of the palace walls. Teela stared after him for a moment then looked back towards the river. 'Adam......where did the pain I saw in your eyes come from? What caused it and why......why haven't I noticed it before?'
"Hey, now who's being lazy?"
Teela looked back at a grinning Adam, all vestiges of his previous mood swiped from his face and the pain was completely buried. Teela smiled and rested one of her hands on her hip as she smirked evilly at Adam. "I know you didn't call me lazy."
"Hmmmm, strange because I know I called you lazy." Teela arched her brow as she reached for her staff. When she had her staff in hand she started to make her way towards the young prince, her victim. Adam, upon seeing her intent, slowly backed away, his hands raised in front of him in defense. "Heh, heh, come on Teela I was just playing around. You wouldn't hurt and already injured person now would you? Teela? Teela! Now listen to your voice of reason! TEELA!" Adam ducked his head just in time as the butt of Teela's staff cut through the air where his head had been. He didn't wait for her to attack again, stumbling as he tried to run away, the staff nearly clipped his shoulder. Regaining his footing he took off down the path, with Teela hot on his heels. Neither of them noticed that in one of the palace windows the queen stood watching them with a fond smile upon her face.
"I believe are plans are falling into place. What say you?" Turning away from the window the queen stared into the deep shadows of the room barely able to make out a form hidden within them.
"Yes. I expect no problems in our future."
"I agree, however, that would have been true if this situation hadn't of come up. Something must be done." Turning away from the shadowed interior the queen looked back out into the great expanse of part of the kingdom.
"Do not worry. Everything shall be handled accordingly."
"Yes, yes of course but this still puts a damper on our plans. Things will proceed much slower than expected."
"Not necessarily."
Perplexed the queen tilted her head back towards the shadowed form. "What do you mean?"
"I believe we can use this to our advantage. The out come will be exactly as we desire and we can expect immediate results but...."
"But what?"
"You must keep your husband and the Masters, including Man-at-Arms, out of this affair."
With a disgusted sigh the queen turned back towards the window. "You need not tell me that. I can handle my husband as well as the Masters but I had better receive the results you have predicted."
"Of course, My Queen."
The queen waved her hand in dismissal. Soon she was alone in the room. The shadowed form no longer there. 'Well, it's not much longer....at least it shouldn't be much longer.' Turning away from the window Marlena made her way towards the door, an evil smirk on her face. 'I had better receive results soon.'
Well, the plot thickens. Please review. Hope you enjoyed it and I hope you'll stay tuned for the next chapter.
Disclaimer: Don't own it. Not mine. Don't sue.
Chapter 2
The morning rays of sun shined through the open veranda of the palace dining room bringing with it a cool breeze. All was quiet and peaceful in the room except for the soft whisk of padded shoes against the marble floor, the hushed words of the palace servants and the clink of dishes and silverware as the table was set for the morning feast. Then, the breakfast course was served as the kitchen staff came through the side door bearing trays laden with eggs, bacon, fishes, fruits, bread, pudding and much more. Soon the room was filled with their rich aromas and it was just in time as the king and queen walked through the main door followed by the prince and the Masters. Taking their respectable positions at the table, the king and queen at the head, the prince on their right, Man-at-Arms on their left, Teela next to her father and so on and so forth, they began their separate conversations. The king and queen looked to be having a heated discussion, albeit a heated, whispered discussion, when the first course was served. Soon everyone was eating rather than talking except for the few snip-its of conversation in between bites. The meal was just ending when the King stood up while his wife looked on with a very displeased look upon her face. As soon as the king stood up everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and looked at their leader.
"As everyone knows my son will be turning seventeen in a few days and on that day I shall announce to the kingdom that my son is looking for a wife- "
"WHAT!!" The king was cut off as his son outraged and surprised yell cut him off. "What are you thinking?! I'm only going to be seventeen. The prince isn't suppose to look for a wife until he's eighteen and then I'm not suppose to get married for another year! It's Eternian tradition."
"Calm down son. I have no intention of breaking tradition, however, I plan for you to already have a fiancé by your eighteenth birthday. I will not allow you to make a hasty decision nor will I allow you to make the wrong one, so, your choice of bride must be approved by me before any formal announcement can be made."
"You've lost your mind if you think I'm going to sit here and let you decide my future. You may have control over what I learn and most of what I do but I'll be damned if your going to decide who I'll live with for the rest of my life!"
"Hold your tongue! I'll not have my own son being insubordinate and disrespectful to me in my own palace! You will respect my conditions or suffer the consequences. Is that clear?" When the king received no response from his silent son he slammed his fist down on the table, the impact knocking over his goblet. "I said, IS THAT CLEAR!"
"Crystal!" Adam yelled as he shoved himself violently away from the table causing his chair to fall over on the floor and stormed from the room.
All was quiet in the dining hall as the king sighed his frustration and slowly slid back into his chair. His wife, clearly displeased at what had just happened promptly excused herself. Randor let her go and after a few minutes turned to Man-at-Arms.
"Do you think that I could have handled that better?"
"Well sir, I agree that Adam shouldn't be allowed to wait and then make a hasty decision but...."
"But I probably could have handled that with a little more diplomacy."
"No your highness but maybe you could have handled that more like a father instead of a king. Your son is not as rash as he seems and is able to make rational decisions when he puts his mind to it."
"Hmmmm, is this advice from a guard to his king?"
"No. This advice comes from an old friend to his old guard buddy."
"Heh. Well, I'll take your advice and think about it but I believe my mind is made up." Standing up the king took his leave.
"I can't believe the king would do something like that and to his own son no less." Teela voiced her concern and outrage to her father.
"He is the king and he only has Adam's best interest at heart. He doesn't want Adam to be rushed, which is why he has given Adam an extra year. This extra year will give Adam the time to get to know his prospective brides which means the choice he makes will be a sound one and the king will more than likely approve his choice."
"But father, these girls don't know a thing about Adam and vice versa. They don't know the things he likes and the things he can't stand. They don't know where he hides out when he wants to be alone. They know nothing and a year won't be long enough for them to get to know him."
"Yes, you're quite right. However, you know a lot about Adam. You two were raised together and taught the same things so maybe I should talk to the king about a match between you two." Man-at-Arms looked sideways at his daughter with a playful smirk upon his face.
"You'll do no such thing. Me and Adam are just friends. Just friends and since we're friends I don't want to see him rushed into something he doesn't want to do."
"Alright. Now since breakfast is finished and this discussion I think we should all get to work." Man-at-Arms stood and the rest of the Masters followed suit, all except Teela. "Teela, are you coming?"
"I'll be along father but first I'm going to go find Adam."
"Fine see you then."
Adam sat alone on the grassy banks of the Eternos River contemplating what his father had told him. 'How could you father? What are you trying to do and why couldn't you have left me out of it?' Adam picked up a small rock that was embedded in the earth and lightly threw it into the river and watched as the rock caused water to spew forth in a small eruption. He sat there watching the river swirl around the rocks and pebbles that were as unwrinkled as a sheet of iron yet smooth and comforting to touch as silk. Letting himself fall back onto the grassy bank he rested his head upon his arms, wincing as a slight pain raced up his side. 'I forgot I'm still pretty sore from that training. Gods! You think Man-at-Arms would give me a break.' Adam closed his eyes and was dozing lightly when Teela came upon him. She was leaning against a large oak near the river when she began to speak with him.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Sooooo......uh, is there anything I can do?"
"Wait, are you offering to help me? The all-powerful Teela is offering to help me, weak Prince Adam? The coward of Eternia. Are you here to take pity on me?"
"Oh, Gods Adam! I swear you can be such an ass sometimes."
"Oh, so you've come to ridicule me!"
"No! I've-"
"Then what.....what?!"
"Damn it! I came here to be your friend! The same friend I've been since we were children. Damn! Why can't you grow up?"
"Yeah, well I guess that's not a problem any longer since I'm already being pushed into my future." Adam sat up but did not look in Teela's direction.
"Look Adam, I know you're not happy about this but......"
"But what?"
"But your father has your best interest in mind and-"
Adam quickly turned around to face Teela, his face contorted in rage "Oh! Don't even pull that shit with me! If you were in my position you'd be kicking and screaming. You'd be fighting tooth and nail for your right to choose who you marry and when!" He turned back to face the river with his head cast down to the ground. In a soft voice he added, "You'd fight. You just wouldn't give in......you wouldn't let yourself be controlled."
Teela looked at her friend seeing something she had never seen in his eyes before....pain. True, unadulterated pain. She didn't know what had caused this, she wanted to know but didn't ask, didn't know how. What she did know was that it couldn't have just been caused by the recent sequence of events. No, this was a pain built up over time. 'Adam.....what's wrong?' Pushing herself away from the tree Teela walked over to Adam and sat down next to him. Putting a comforting arm around his shoulders she leaned her head against his, "Sorry. I guess that was a little idiotic to say under the circumstances-"
"A little?" Adam said half-heartedly in jest.
"Aren't you ever quiet."
Teela was forced to move her head when Adam turned his head to look at her with a trace of a smile on his face but the pained expression remained in his eyes only buried within the depths of his sea green eyes. "Hmmmmm, you should know by now that I'm never quiet when I need to be."
"Humph, you're a smart ass as well. Look, everything will work out. I'm sure that if you talk with your father he'll listen."
"Thanks Teela but my father isn't like yours."
"Oh! Just take my advice. I'll help because I know this isn't something you want to do."
"Thanks Teela and I'm sorry about being such a jerk earlier. I guess it wasn't one of my best moments."
"No, it wasn't but that's why you have me here, so that I can straighten you out when you need it. Now come on, you may be a prince but we have work to do with the Masters." Teela stood up and dusted herself off as Adam pushed himself off the ground with a slight grumble of pain. "I take it you're still sore from the beating you got the other day."
"Is it obvious?"
"No, but maybe you should take it easy-"
"Uh-uh. You got me up so now I'm going. So let's go." Adam walked away from the river bank heading towards the path that would lead them back inside the safety of the palace walls. Teela stared after him for a moment then looked back towards the river. 'Adam......where did the pain I saw in your eyes come from? What caused it and why......why haven't I noticed it before?'
"Hey, now who's being lazy?"
Teela looked back at a grinning Adam, all vestiges of his previous mood swiped from his face and the pain was completely buried. Teela smiled and rested one of her hands on her hip as she smirked evilly at Adam. "I know you didn't call me lazy."
"Hmmmm, strange because I know I called you lazy." Teela arched her brow as she reached for her staff. When she had her staff in hand she started to make her way towards the young prince, her victim. Adam, upon seeing her intent, slowly backed away, his hands raised in front of him in defense. "Heh, heh, come on Teela I was just playing around. You wouldn't hurt and already injured person now would you? Teela? Teela! Now listen to your voice of reason! TEELA!" Adam ducked his head just in time as the butt of Teela's staff cut through the air where his head had been. He didn't wait for her to attack again, stumbling as he tried to run away, the staff nearly clipped his shoulder. Regaining his footing he took off down the path, with Teela hot on his heels. Neither of them noticed that in one of the palace windows the queen stood watching them with a fond smile upon her face.
"I believe are plans are falling into place. What say you?" Turning away from the window the queen stared into the deep shadows of the room barely able to make out a form hidden within them.
"Yes. I expect no problems in our future."
"I agree, however, that would have been true if this situation hadn't of come up. Something must be done." Turning away from the shadowed interior the queen looked back out into the great expanse of part of the kingdom.
"Do not worry. Everything shall be handled accordingly."
"Yes, yes of course but this still puts a damper on our plans. Things will proceed much slower than expected."
"Not necessarily."
Perplexed the queen tilted her head back towards the shadowed form. "What do you mean?"
"I believe we can use this to our advantage. The out come will be exactly as we desire and we can expect immediate results but...."
"But what?"
"You must keep your husband and the Masters, including Man-at-Arms, out of this affair."
With a disgusted sigh the queen turned back towards the window. "You need not tell me that. I can handle my husband as well as the Masters but I had better receive the results you have predicted."
"Of course, My Queen."
The queen waved her hand in dismissal. Soon she was alone in the room. The shadowed form no longer there. 'Well, it's not much longer....at least it shouldn't be much longer.' Turning away from the window Marlena made her way towards the door, an evil smirk on her face. 'I had better receive results soon.'
Well, the plot thickens. Please review. Hope you enjoyed it and I hope you'll stay tuned for the next chapter.