Chapter Nine: "At Long Last"
It took a lot of patience, but Command Duncan was ready for it. The day had come. It was April the eighth, nearly a full month after the Kissing Moon Festival. The night before, Duncan had hardly slept he had been so anxious. Memories of the kisses shared in Castle Grayskull that rainy morning . . . the moments so few and far in between he had seen her.
Five days earlier, he had taken up a meal so he and Teelana could share in it - their first full meal together and it had been perfect. Everything had been perfect. They were in love and early love was always the best love. The flutter in the stomach, the wonderful feeling in the back of the throat, the euphoric sense of walking on air . . . it was so wondrously perfect.
At dawn, Duncan saddled up Rusher and rode off to the north, following the roads leading into Evergreen Forest. He diverted from those roads and soon arrived on the one that would take him to Castle Grayskull. After what felt like forever, Command Duncan arrived at the sacred fortress.
The drawbridge opened for him and Duncan tied Rusher so that he would stay in place. The Sorceress stood at the entrance, a wide smile on her face, waiting for her lover.
"Good day, my love," Duncan greeted, taking her hand in his and kissing her.
"Yes, it will be," she replied and the drawbridge shut. "Did you bring me clothes?"
"Of course."
"And have you made arrangements for a temporary home for me?"
"Of course, my dearest one."
"Thank you." For that, Duncan got a kiss on the cheek.
"Are you nervous?" he asked as they went further into the Castle.
"I am. I have not been a mortal for some thirty years and that time was unexciting. This time . . ." She ran her fingers through his hair. "This time . . . I have a feeling things will be different."
"Oh yes." He kissed her fingers. "They'll be very exciting. When will they be here?"
"Within the hour, my dearest love."
Duncan nodded. "And what should I do?"
"I am not sure. Most likely, you will be asked to wait outside. You need to greet them while I prepare."
"Understood."
They kissed. Afterwards, they had a light lunch, their stomachs both aflutter with nervousness. Soon afterwards, the Sorceress stood up, telepathically sensing the arrival of the Council of Elders.
"I will be in the my room, dear Duncan. I shall see you soon."
Duncan smiled, then kissed her. He walked to the foyer of Castle Grayskull just as the drawbridge was lowering. The Council of Elders were nearing the bridge, riding on beautiful steeds, their white robes dancing in the wind. Surrounding them were the Gunslinger-Rangers, the Council's enforcers, messengers, and peacekeepers.
"I did not know that Command Duncan would be here," said the leader of the Gunslinger-Ranger, a man named Willym. All of the Gunslinger-Rangers were dressed in black, either sporting cloaks or dusters; their pistols sat on their hips, loaded and ready for action.
"It is none of your concern," said Ali as she came off her horse. "Commander Duncan, is she preparing?"
"Yes, Elder."
"Good then. Did you bring her clothes?"
"Yes, Elder." Duncan dug through a pack and pulled out a teal-colored dress. Ali examined it.
"This will do."
Kor came up to him next. "You must remain out here with the Gunslinger-Rangers, Commander."
"Of course, Elder."
The Council of Elders all walked single file into the entrance of Castle Grayskull, all following Eldor. As soon as they entered, the drawbridge closed with a resounding CLANG! Duncan, with nothing else to do, sat down on a large rock next to Rusher and waited impatiently.
When she emerged into the Throne Room, the Sorceress was dressed in a white gown with crystals along the headdress. The Elders were all standing in a semi-circle in front of the throne as she sat upon it.
"Good day to you, Teelana, Sorceress of Grayskull," Eldor greeted. "Are you prepared for this?"
"I am. I sense of the Spirit of Grayskull growing restless. I share his emotion."
"Of course you do, Sorceress. Prepare for what is about to occur."
The Sorceress stood up from the throne and closed her eyes. The power of Grayskull began to form around her, like a fog of energy. It sparked and flashed, drifting all around the castle, into all rooms and all chambers.
The Elders closed their eyes and began to concentrate, channeling the power of Grayskull around them. The Council of Elders would channel the power away from the Sorceress and restoring into Castle Grayskull until the time came that it would be reversed.
As the power grew, the Spirit of Grayskull itself appeared. It was an amazing sight - a head, slightly transparently to reveal a skull beneath. The Spirit of Grayskull began to glow, light spilling from the incoherent form.
The four greatest places of power within Castle Grayskull suddenly began exposed - the Hall of Secrets, the Pool of Power, the Chamber of Wisdom, and the Great Eye of the Universe. Each one fumed with incredible power and energy, spreading out - joining with the Elders, with the Spirit of Grayskull and the Sorceress.
As all of Castle Grayskull filled with a brilliant light, the Sorceress saw a line appearing between her and the Spirit of Grayskull. The Council of Elders stepped forward and raised their hands to the line. There was an amazing burst of golden power and the line faded away.
The Sorceress threw her arms wide a beam of incredible power left her, coming together with the power already present. Streams of energy fired from her body, leaving her to join with the Spirit of Grayskull once more - all guided by the Council of Elders.
The connection was cut at last and the Sorceress came down upon the ground, gasping and exhausted. Her white gown began to fade away. All of the power and energy of Castle Grayskull then began to swirl and combine with the Spirit of Grayskull.
There was a sudden, incredible burst of light that poured out of the doors and windows of the ancient fortress . . .
Duncan watched with wide-eyed awe as light exploded from each and every one of the openings of Castle Grayskull. He glanced at the Gunslinger-Rangers, who appeared to be doing their best not to watch it happen.
After a few seconds, the light faded. There seemed to be a sudden stirring along the ground of the plains, as if it were water and a wave had come across the land around Castle Grayskull.
A few minutes later, the drawbridge opened and the Elders emerged. With them was Teelana, wearing the teal dress, her red hair tumbling from her head, and knapsack in her hands. She looked exhausted, but she smiled at Duncan. He ran to her and engulfed his ladylove into his arms.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine, dear Duncan. I'm fine."
"It would be best to leave this area, Commander," said Eldor, pointing to the plains. The wave effect had returned, much greater in size this time.
"What's going to happen?"
"Castle Grayskull is going into hiding," Teelana said then. As if on cue, beams of light fired up from the abyss that surrounded Grayskull.
Duncan helped Teelana onto Rusher, then got on right behind her. The two began to trot off with the Council of Elders and the Gunslinger-Rangers. As they did, the beams of light began to fade in and out as Castle Grayskull began to appear then disappear.
At the same time, trees and huge rock began to pop out of the plains, standing tall and wide straight towards the sky. As they all passed out of the plains, the road leading them vanished from behind them. The trees shifted and blocked the plains from view.
Castle Grayskull was gone.
The Elders and the Gunslinger-Rangers faced Duncan and Teelana.
"For one year, Castle Grayskull will be gone," Eldor declared. "In that span, enjoy your time together. I hope it is one of great happiness and joy."
There was a certain tone in Eldor's voice that made Duncan uncomfortable. He wasn't quite sure why, but he could tell there was something wrong. He said nothing about it.
"We shall see you soon, I imagine," Duncan replied.
"Perhaps. Good journey, Teelana and Duncan."
The Elders and their Gunslinger-Rangers moved along, heading west to the Hall of Wisdom. Duncan put his arms around Teelana and kissed her cheek.
"We'll head down to Eternos. I've got you an apartment within the first wall. It's not much, but it's cozy and it's all I could afford."
Teelana nodded, leaned back, and kissed his chin. "Thank you, dear Duncan, thank you."
Rusher trotted southward, out of the Evergreen Forest to Eternos. The sun was high and bright in the blue sky like a beautiful, clear omen of a great future together. They stopped only once at a small town where Teelana made herself 'more presentable.'
As they made final leg of their journey, the sun was in its afternoon position, and the spires of Eternos were glittering on the horizon.
"Do you have any powers left?" asked Duncan.
"Some. I can change my appearance, create low-grade force fields, and a few others."
"I see. Oh, King Randor is dying to meet you."
Teelana smiled and wiggled a little in his arms. "Is he? Well, I'll have to make sure my appearance is different when I do finally meet him."
"Why is that?"
"I have a feeling that I shall be dealing the with the king long after this year."
"Ah, I see."
They came upon it now, the city and Palace of Eternos, standing upon the plateau, the walls stretching above the elevated ground. Rusher walked up the road into the wide-open gates and they went into the city and circled the wall down one of its stone roads until the pair came to Teelana's apartment.
The apartment itself was small, with four rooms - the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and restroom with the first two being the largest.
"I know, it's pretty small," Duncan apologized. "After all that time living in the Castle, it's really going to be an adjustment."
Teelana shook her head and walked over to her lover. She hugged him, holding his large, warm body against her. "It's prefect. Just perfect."
He kissed her forehead. "Thank you," he whispered to her. They released and Teelana smiled at him. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better, actually. Duncan, dear, I've spent so much time in isolation . . . I would love to walk out in the city, taking in the people, taking in the feeling of being in a crowd after so long."
"Of course!"
"Thank you, but before I do, I need to change my appearance." Teelana then closed her eyes, and a faint glow of light formed along her skin. Her whole body seemed to shimmer and she changed. Teelana's eyes were the same, but she had dropped down a good six inches. Her nose was suddenly a little longer but not unpleasantly so; her cheekbones were a wee bit elevated. The once pure red hair darkened.
"Wow."
"It's too keep me safe over the next year. It also helps during times like this."
He smiled and actually had to bend down to hug her. He kissed that new nose of hers and she giggled.
That evening, the two of them walked along the streets of Eternos. Teelana, for the first time in years, stared wide-eyed at everything. They chatted it up with some of the people, bought some trinkets from merchants, and some delicious food from vendors.
As they sipped at warm soup and nibbled at pasta, the sun set at last and small stars began to appear above the fine city and its people. Teelana's hand was in Duncan's as they let their soup cool for a little while.
"Duncan, this has been one of the finest days of my life," she told him.
"Well, I'm just grateful to be a part of it."
She squeezed his rough hand. "You're the reason for it, my love."
Duncan leaned in for a kiss and -
"DUNCAN!?!"
The Commander looked up and saw with shock King Randor standing right next to the table. At the king's side was a curly-haired blonde woman in a big, puffy dress.
"Your highness!"
"Oh, don't you 'your highness' me! Is this her? Is this Teelana?"
Duncan flushed. "Yes," he said with a strange pride. "Yes it is."
"I thought so. Pleased to meet you at last, Teelana," Randor said, holding out his hand.
Teelana stood up and touched Randor's outstretched hand with her own. He kissed the back of her hand and she smiled.
"Pleased to meet you as well, King Randor."
"This Gina," Randor introduced the girl at his side. "My date for the evening."
Gina giggled insanely, flashing big, ugly teeth. Duncan was suddenly reminded of Gina's incredible persistence of wanting a date with the king and felt terribly bad for his old friend. Gina was an airhead.
"Is this your first time in Eternos?" asked Randor.
Teelana wrapped her arm around Duncans. "It is! It's a beautiful city, your majesty."
"Thank you. I built it myself!" They all laughed at the joke, Gina going on long after the others finished.
"Well, I don't want to take up too much of your time, Teelana. It was nice meeting you. Duncan."
"Randor."
"Good journey, King Randor," Teelana said.
Randor smiled, then he and Gina walked off.
After finishing dinner, the two retreated back to the apartment. Spring was now in full swing now, and the night was a beautiful one. Teelana stood at her door, staring at Duncan as he prepared to say good bye. She had since returned to her normal form.
"I shall say good night to you, my dear," he said to her reluctantly.
"Of course. Bid me one kiss?"
"Yes!"
The two locked lips, swallowing each other in a monumental kiss of pure passion and lust. It was a hot kiss, filled with the beginnings of something far more intimate. When they at last broke, Duncan locked his eyes on Teelana's green ones and smiled broadly.
"Good night, my love," he said to her.
Teelana wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. "No. Duncan, I have stayed too many nights alone. I want you to bed with me. Please."
Duncan's grin grew into a wide-brimmed smile. "I thought you'd never ask."
She laughed a little and they kissed more and more. Those kisses took them across the living room and into the bedroom, where they made love for the first time under the crescent moons that shined through the open window.
They made sweet love. The finest they ever had or ever shall have.
