Author's note: Though this story is graphic in some areas, it does not in any way, shape or form go into detail about any 18+ items. There are references to adult themes present, but no actual descriptions of any sexual acts both consensual and non.

The Dereskian Queen gazed up at the large gray eyeholes of the skull-shaped castle. She contemplated on the best way to get inside without being seen, even with her extremely high-powered invisibility spell. For the umpteenth time in an hour Lady Moria wondered about her decision to 'join' Skeletor. True, she was not truly a part of his team of minions, since she did little more than advising and none of the real fighting, but that was not the issue at hand. She had gone to Snake Mountain for the single and solitary purpose of being reunited with her daughter. Joining Skeletor was inconsequential, nothing more than a mere means to that end.

Her part among his horde was small enough, she reasoned. However, it was only that way because she had made it so. She had made it very clear to Skeletor early on that her role in his group was to be minimal at best. She would watch out for her daughter, and the others if she felt up to it. She would do no actual fighting unless there was no other choice, i.e. Evil-Lyn was badly hurt. She would aid Skeletor in his planning of attacks, but do no actual field work. The reason being, she told him, that it would not be a good thing if the Eternians discovered that, not only was the Dereskian Queen still alive, but she was aiding Skeletor. It would be best if she kept a low profile for a while.

That was her entire purpose for starting the myths of the 'Darkwoman.' She had needed a figure that the Eternians would have heard of but had no concrete evidence on, just in case something arose and Lady Moria was needed. Other than that, she would be watching the battles, taking notes, and advising Skeletor on what had gone wrong.

But there was still one remaining 'x' factor, and that led Lady Moria to her current position. The Sorceress of Grayskull was the only living Eternian who knew that the legends of the Dereskian Queen were not only real but also largely accurate. But the Sorceress had no way of knowing whether or not Lady Moria still lived, unless of course she had had some sort of vision.

Therefore, Skeletor had decided that it was time to discover what, if anything, the keeper of Grayskull's secrets knew. Since Tri-klops' doomseekers could not enter the castle, and since none of the others were able to do so, it was up to Lady Moria herself to enter into her one-time 'home' to discover the unknown.

And thus here she was, gazing up at the doors she had once sworn never again to open. She remembered well the last time she had entered, just before she had become pregnant with her daughter. She had gone in one final time to make the Sorceress aware that it would stop. By 'it,' she meant, of course, her wanton destruction of Eternian people and lands. She would diminish, she had told Teelina, as she had duties to perform. And so she had.

The Sorceress had, of course, been skeptical about this sudden change of routine, but when the killing sprees had stopped she had been forced to admit that at least Lady Moria was true to her word. And in the past five hundred-odd years there had been nary a sign of the Dereskian Queen, barring a few occasional traces of footprints in the Sands of Time, but even those had faded over the centuries.

Lady Moria shook her head, banishing these thoughts away. There was no point in dwelling on the past when she had a mission to complete. She studied the doors of Grayskull closely, and idly wondered for a moment if she should simply knock. A small smile appeared on the corners of her mouth. Eventually, she walked at her own pace over to a large rock that was nearby. She passed her hand through it, as she had done not so long ago in her 'battle' against Tri-klops. She quickly slid her right side through the rock, and appeared, right side first, within the Castle.

Of course, to say she 'appeared' would be slightly untrue. She was inside Grayskull, but she was not visible to any eyes whatsoever. Lady Moria had cast her spell so that even if the Sorceress herself came no-to-nose with her, she would see nothing. The spell did not prevent anyone from hearing her, so Moria tread as she always did, lightly, her feet making nary a sound, not even on the cold, stone floor.

She knew instinctively that Teelina would be one of three places. She would be within her own private chambers, within the viewing room, or below the floors in the 'hidden' room that contained the power of the elders. Moria checked first the 'hidden' room and then the viewing chambers, and the Sorceress was not to be found. She then turned into the hallway that she knew contained the Sorceress' sleeping chambers.

As she traversed along the corridor, she heard a familiar oddly-pitched voice inside her head.

*Lady Moria,* said Skeletor's mind-voice, *Are you safely within Grayskull?* The Master of Snake Mountain's mind-voice was coarser than her own, less eloquent and more prone to loud volumes. However, it could be understood, which was more than she could say for most others' voices.

Not taken aback in the least, she replied in kind, *Yes, of course, Skeletor. Why do you ask?* she questioned nearly-flatly, continuing down the hall.

*There has been a slight change of plans,* stated the Overlord of Evil.

*Oh?* She was nearing the doorway of the Sorceress' chambers, and, rather than opening it and risk being discovered, she passed through as she had done outside. *Do tell.*

Skeletor's voice brimmed with as much excitement as was possible for the Overlord of Evil. *Can you access the Sorceress without her knowledge? That is, can you knock her unconscious and bring her here without her putting up a fight?*

As Lady Moria gazed around the private chambers, she noticed the form of Teelina stretched out on her bed. She was wearing a light pink nightshift, and, rather than the gold and turquoise headdress, she had on the simple feather-and-beak headdress she was also known for wearing.

*Yes*, Lady Moria said simply, watching the chest of the younger woman rise and fall evenly in slumber. *Is that what you wish me to do?*

*Yes,* Skeletor said, scarcely holding back his glee even from far away. *Bring her here, and then I will force her to give me the power of the Elders!*

Lady Moria raised her palms and almost absent-mindedly cast a high-potency sleeping spell over the Sorceress. At the last possible moment, Teelina woke and cried in alarm, but before she could even reach for her staff the drowsiness fell upon her. The mighty Sorceress fell into a dreamless slumber instantly. The sleep-spell would not last very long, but Lady Moria knew that and hurried about her business.

As she finished the spell and made ready to gather the younger woman in her arms, she commented to Skeletor. *You do know she'd rather die than bequeath that information to you.*

*Of course I do,* he said, and Lady Moria could tell he was grinning in his lipless fashion. *And that can easily be arranged. But leave that to me.*

The Dereskian Queen held the Eternian in her arms and approached the wall. *As you wish,* she said simply, and passed through the wall with her burden, appearing, fully-visible, out of a wall within the throne room of Snake Mountain.

Skeletor rose from his seat and walked down the few steps to inspect the sleeping form of the Sorceress. He slapped a pair of irons around the Eternian's wrists and used his havoc staff to transport the fallen woman into a special, hidden torture chamber beneath the floor.

Evil-Lyn was already there, as was Tri-klops, who was, as always, tinkering with some machine or other in the corner. As Skeletor descended into the room with the Sorceress, Lady Moria appeared through the ceiling, having passed through from the floor above. Skeletor watched her land nimbly on the floor, and a wicked grin appeared in his features.

"I have told you before, Lady Moria, and I will tell you again: you must teach me how to do that," he said in his demanding, leader-like tone.

Lady Moria strolled over to where her daughter was standing and smiled at her. "Teach you what, Skeletor?" she asked amusedly. "How to pass through walls and floors or how to kidnap Eternia's finest?"

"Hmmm," Skeletor commented, nearly-laughing. "A tough choice." To Tri- klops, he pointed at the form of Teelina and barked, "Put her in the machine."

Lady Moria gave the machine in question the once-over. "Now what in the nine hells is that monstrosity supposed to do?"

Skeletor's grin widened as the Sorceress was strapped securely into place. "This device is designed to suck an individual's power and life-force away from him or her, leaving them completely helpless. At the same time, it administers a sort of truth serum, which feeds on a person's willpower until they can do nothing but answer truthfully." The Overlord of Evil laughed in his maniacal fashion. "You cannot imagine how many times since you've been with us that I've considered using it on you, Lady Moria."

Both Evil-Lyn's and her own eyes began to pinwheel dangerously, as if to say, 'we'd like to see you try.'

Slightly unnerved, Skeletor turned his attention back to his other servant. "Tri-klops," he demanded. "Is it ready yet?"

"Yes, Lord Skeletor," the three-eyed man said, adjusting a few dials on the side.

"Then throw the switch," his master barked. "And get out of my sight." He looked over at Evil-Lyn and her mother. "You too, my dears."

The young woman glanced up at her mother, who nodded slightly. They departed after Tri-klops, and left the Overlord of Evil alone with his victim, who was slowly having her strength drawn from her form, and even more slowly coming around to face the excruciating pain of the machine.

***************

The pain was unbearable. Teelina did not know how long she had lain here, on her back, as this machine racked her body and twisted her mind. She had ceased screaming long ago, knowing that her cries only increased Skeletor's amusement. Instead, she did not concentrate upon the spasms of pain the machine sent through her body each time it zapped her of her power.

Skeletor was talking to her, gloating, most likely. She did not listen to his words, but felt their vibrations in the air as he spoke.

"Ah, the mighty Sorceress of Grayskull," he was saying. "Such power you have! We've been at this for nearly two hours, and you're still conscious. Impressive." He leaned over the face of the woman and grinned in his fashion.

The Sorceress looked up at him through half-lidded eyes as a look of sheer and utter hatred fell upon her features. Summoning what little strength she still had, she spat in his 'face.' The little blob landed directly in his left eye socket. "Gloating is a sign of insecurity, Skeletor," she said, her voice breaking as another wave of pain cascaded over her body.

The Overlord of Evil removed the saliva from his eye socket and lowered the lever on the side of the machine. "Such courage," he said, smiling. "I believe I'm going to gag."

She glared up at him as the machine finally began to wind down. "If you're going to say something, Skeletor, at least say something original."

Skeletor slid one of his claw-like fingers down the side of her face and chuckled when she grimaced. "Why be original when you can do whatever you want?" He laughed, unhooking the woman and throwing her limp form upon the floor. She collided and landed in a heap, trying to get to all fours and lacking the strength to do so. Her nightgown was ripped and shredded in many places, no longer serving much use in covering her body from Skeletor's hungry gaze.

"I am in a generous mood today, Sorceress," Skeletor said, rolling her onto her stomach, kneeling over her and pinning her body beneath his own. His hand lay upon the side of her face, pressing it none-to-gently into the floor. "So I will give you one last chance. You must realize that one way or the other I will accomplish my goals. So make it easy on yourself and Give Me The Power Of Grayskull!"

The Sorceress' breaths came in short and haggard spells. "You'll have to kill me first," she said acridly out of the side of her mouth, the only option available as he pushed the side of her head harder into the floor.

A dark chuckle escaped from the Overlord of Evil. "Oh, you'll be begging for it by the time I'm done with you," he laughed. Being as rough as he wanted to, Skeletor used his talon-like fingernails to shred what little remained of the Sorceress' clothing. Three long scratch marks appeared down the back of the little nightshirt, and a small amount of blood trickled down the Sorceress' shoulder blades.

"Oh, gods." she whispered as she realized his intent. Tears began to well in her eyes, and she tried to struggle away from her captor. But Tri-klops' machine had done its work well. She could barely move, much less escape from her tormentor.

Skeletor chuckled wickedly. "Your gods will not save you now, Sorceress," he said as he pressed himself against her, letting her feel his hardness through his clothing. "You're MINE!"

Part II

Filling with despair, Teelina drew herself away from everything around her, and retreated into the safety of her mind. She felt the soothing presence of the Elders inside her inner sanctuary, comforting her. In addition to the Elders, Teelina could feel another presence lurking in the distance of her mind. It was familiar, and slightly unsettling, but she could not quite place it.

As Skeletor cackled evilly and prepared to have his way with her, the chamber suddenly filled with a phantom burst of wind. Lightning struck and filled the room. A blinding flash of amethyst light followed shortly after, and a booming voice demanded in Dereskian, \\SKELETOR! WHAT IN THE NINE HELLS DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING??!!\\

The Overlord of Evil felt the redness come into his eyeholes and yelled back in the common tongue, "WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE I'M DOING, LADY MORIA??!!

A ragged breath escaped the form of the Sorceress as she heard this exchange from the refuge of her mind. "Lady Moria?" she vocalized in her confusion as she slowly came back to reality.

At that moment, the Dereskian Queen appeared in another blinding flash of light. \\Release her this instant!\\ she shouted, again in her language, her eyes growing pupil-less and pinwheeling madly, her hair billowing in the still-present wind as the lightning flashed and thunder rolled.

Skeletor re-tied his belt, jumped to his feet and summoned his havoc staff in a spilt second. In the time Lady Moria had been a 'member' of his band of warriors, he had learned how to determine what was being said in Dereskian, but was not yet able to speak it properly. "You're the last person I would expect to defend this insignificant piece of Eternian garbage! You utterly despise her! Even if you did not, she is not worthy of your pity! She can't even remain in 'human' form without the aid of your Majicks!" he screamed in his native tongue, firing a blast from his staff.

In her fury, Lady Moria did not even worry about the blast; it was swallowed up in another bolt of lightning. \\That is entirely beside the point, Skeletor. This is not about the Sorceress' magical strength or lack thereof! This is not even about her, Skeletor! No woman should ever have to face that kind of torture, no matter how much I may happen to hate them!\\ She raised her arms as the storm built in momentum around them, and twin balls of light appeared in her palms. She hurled them at Skeletor with a carnal roar.

He hit the opposing wall with a sickening thud. or would have, had Moria continued in her attack. She stopped him a mere inch or two from the wall, as a warning of her power. She let him down slowly, and the winds and lightning came to a slow halt.

Teelina was slightly confused, to say the least. She could follow the conversation to a point, and then got lost in the intricate vowels and consonants of the Dereskian language. Already she had given up trying to follow what Lady Moria was saying, and just followed the conversation by Skeletor's comments. The entire idea that this was indeed Lady Moria boggled her mind, as she had thought that the Dereskian Queen had died long ago.

Yet here she was, standing before her, and apparently defending her against the wrath of Skeletor. That in and of itself was probably the most surprising of all. Lady Moria had always despised her, and she had done likewise. They had in the past always gone out of their way to make the other's life miserable. It was no secret that Teelina had played a part, minimal though it was, in the death of her sister, just as it was no secret that Moria had killed Teelina's mother. And yet here was the Dereskian Queen herself, preventing Skeletor from raping her. And it seemed Skeletor shared in her confusion.

The Sorceress struggled to get to her feet, falling several times and eventually giving up. So, she thought idly. The Dereskian Queen is still alive. I thought she had died off long ago. Rather unsettling. She glanced over at the enraged form of Skeletor. I doubt he even knows what he's gotten himself into. He couldn't possibly understand. After all, if he knew the extent of her power he would have either tried to kill her on sight or take her power from her. In which case, Moria would have killed him easily. And it's obvious that has not happened.yet. Teelina looked again up at Lady Moria as she attempted to stand.At least her presence explains my human form. Only a flawless Majick older than that of Grayskull can break the limitations of the Elders' sorcery. .And The Majick of the Dereskïgiä certainly meets those qualifications. She failed once again in her attempt, and instead, she sat up and regarded Lady Moria, who walked over and stood beside her.

\\No woman deserves that type of treatment, Skeletor,\\ Moria repeated calmly.

The Overlord of Evil wiped himself off dubiously. "It is what is always done when we have female prisoners," he justified.

Lady Moria's eyes flashed as she looked down at the huddled woman at her feet. \\Not anymore,\\ she said simply.

Skeletor rose to his full height and brandished his havoc staff. "I would think that you, of all people, would understand that this," he said, gesturing towards the Sorceress, "is not a woman. This is an Eternian."

Lady Moria was not intimidated, and at her call, twin ropes of light slid themselves around Skeletor's ankles and dropped him to the floor. She stood over him with an angry glare in her eyes. \\As I recall, Skeletor, you were once Eternian. Does that justify the same treatment?\\

"Of course not!" he howled, getting to his feet angrily. "The operative word in your sentence was once. I no longer consider myself Eternian, and I cannot honestly believe that you are standing up for.this thing!"

Lady Moria looked down at the woman at her feet, who was staring at the proceedings and trying to muster up the strength to stand.

A slow smile came across the Dereskian's features, and Lady Moria winked slyly at the huddled woman, and the gesture made the Sorceress shiver.

\\As I have said, Skeletor, this is not about her. This is not about any one particular woman prisoner. This is not about her being the Sorceress of Grayskull and keeper of the secrets you so desire. This is about the sheer principle of the thing. No woman, in any society, deserves to be ravaged. I do not care who they are, and I do not care what they may have done. Despite popular thought of me and of my lack of ethics, I do indeed have a code of morals that governs my way of killing and torturing. The rape of a woman by a man is not a part of it.\\ Lady Moria's eyes began to flash dangerously.

There was a momentary pause that caused the Sorceress to laugh inwardly. This was indeed the same Lady Moria she had known long ago. Though she could not really follow the conversation closely, Teelina knew that this pause meant that not even Skeletor could win a verbal battle with her.

"And what of rape of a woman by a woman?" Skeletor asked incredulously after a time. "You seem to be avoiding that possibility."

A slow grin came across Lady Moria's features and she chuckled in a cold and cheerless manner. She looked gradually over at Teelina, and snickered as she saw the younger woman flinch. Even Skeletor had to repress a shudder. "What do you think, Skeletor?" she said in Eternian for the benefit of Teelina.

The weak woman cowered as the Dereskian Queen bent down to look at her. She caressed the Sorceress' face gently, and Teelina recoiled as if she had been slapped. Lady Moria's chuckle deepened. The Overlord of Evil looked on in a mixture of both rapture and unease.

"Skeletor," Lady Moria said softly, again in Eternian. "I think that it would be best if the dear Sorceress came with me now."

Teelina's eyes widened in shock, and evidently Skeletor was astounded as well, for he was rendered speechless for a moment.

"Wha-What?!" he thundered when he could finally manage to speak again.

Lady Moria smiled gently at him. "There's no need to shout. And I said that I think it would be for the best if I had the pleasure of the Sorceress' company for the rest of the night."

"I heard you fine, Lady Moria. But why--?" he questioned, dumbstruck.

Her smile widened as she gently cupped the Sorceress' face in her hand. "Oh, come now Skeletor," she said calmly, soothingly. "You've had her all day, and you still haven't gotten what you want." She ran her hand suggestively up Teelina's thigh, laughing at the younger woman's grimace. "I think it's my turn to play now," she finished all too cheerily.

Skeletor grumbled something incoherent, but she did not ask him to clarify.

"Besides," she said, continuing to move her hand up until it rested on the Sorceress' head. "I think I have more of a reason to do so, don't you? After all, I've hated her for centuries, whereas you only dislike her for not giving you Grayskull. And I am the one who caught her, brought her here, and kept in within her human state. I think I deserve to have a bit of fun." Her eyes flared softly, demonstrating her point.

"And what will you do with her?" The Overlord of Evil asked uncertainly.

A dark and bitter chuckle emitted from the back of Lady Moria's throat. She slid her finger delicately down the Sorceress' throat. The younger woman's sharp intake of breath could be heard throughout the room. "I don't think that's any of your business," she answered in a delightedly evil tone.

Skeletor fumed silently, but Moria paid him no mind. She quickly cast a spell around the Sorceress that enabled her to gain just enough strength to walk, while simultaneously zapping away any Magical strength she might still have possessed. The Dereskian swooped up the discarded irons and slapped them around Teelina's wrists before the Sorceress could even blink.

"Come along, dear," the Dereskian said happily, and pulled the Sorceress to her feet roughly, enjoying her meek sounds of protest.

The Dereskian Queen marched her quarry toward the nearest wall. Just before beginning to pass through it, Lady Moria looked over at Skeletor and smiled deviously. "Oh, don't worry. I'll bring her back in the morning," she said wickedly, and then she and her prisoner disappeared into the wall.

Part III

They appeared in a series of chambers which Teelina had never seen before, but could tell from the architecture that they were nowhere inside Snake Mountain. A rough sigh was heard from the woman in front of her, and she stared.

Once within her own chambers, Lady Moria's demeanor was .exceedingly different, Teelina noted. Her eyes had lost their wicked appearance, and the smile had nearly all faded, merely a memory of it remained. The Dereskian released her grip, but left the manacles on her quarry.

Lady Moria regarded her 'prisoner' slowly. Another ragged sigh escaped her lips. The Dereskian walked over to a nearby bureau and opened the top drawer. Removing something ice blue and cottony, she then closed the drawer again. She tossed the garment to Teelina, who caught it even with her hands bound.

"You can wear this," Moria said simply. "I'd imagine you want to get out of your. rags."

Teelina felt a slow rage building within her. "What does it matter?" she asked angrily.

A slow smile spread over the elder woman's features. "You can, of course, remain au naturale, if you wish. I simply thought you might be more comfortable in clothing that was not shredded beyond all manner of practical use."

The Sorceress regarded the garment in her hands as if it were a snake that would bite her. "Since when have you ever cared about my comfort?"

Lady Moria did not respond. "Speaking of comfort," she said after a moment. "You'd probably benefit from a soak." She removed the garment from Teelina's hands and led her somewhat gently into a bathing room.

Turning her attention to the bath, Lady Moria turned her back to her captive. Once the tub was filled with steaming water and foamy bubbles, Moria snapped the fingers of her left hand while still facing the tub. What little scraps still remained of the Sorceress' nightgown vanished. Her feathered headdress had also disappeared, causing her red hair to spill out over her shoulders. The manacles at her hands hand been replaced by a loosely tied rope for easier movement.

Slightly panicked, Teelina used her restrained hands to cover her body feebly, but then realized that Moria wasn't looking.

"Get in," the elder woman said simply, turning to the left, away from her captive.

Teelina's eyes widened. "What?!" she asked incredulously. "I'm not getting into a bathtub in your chambers! Who knows what could be in there?"

Moria rolled her eyes. "Oh, for Eläni's sake," she exclaimed. She snapped her fingers again, and Teelina vanished and reappeared inside the tub.

"Ack!" the younger woman cried out, and tried to shoot out of the water.

The Dereskian's hands were instantly at her shoulders, preventing her from movement. The bubbles were high enough to hide the Sorceress' body from shoulders down completely, so she risked no lost modesty.

Eventually, Teelina ceased her struggling. The water actually felt very relaxing. She felt it seep slowly into the open cuts at her back where Skeletor's claws had raked her. She felt the edges of the wound gradually come together and heal. She dunked her head and felt the warmth tingle her scalp and the very ends of her hair. She felt the aches and soreness of her muscles slowly lessen and disappear altogether. "What is in this water?" she gasped softly as all over her body pain was receding.

Lady Moria grabbed an extremely large and fluffy towel from a nearby stack. "The tub is fed by the remains of the Dereskian hot springs. They remove all bodily aches and pains and close all minor wounds."

At some unheard call, the tub water began to lessen, and the drains opened. Lady Moria draped the towel over Teelina's body without looking at her. She left the Sorceress to get herself out of the tub as she went to the other room and retrieved the ice blue nightgown.

She returned into the bathing room to find the Sorceress drying her hair with the towel. The fluffy terrycloth was large enough to do this without revealing any part of her body she would not want viewed. Teelina's back was to Lady Moria, which gave the Dereskian an excuse to gaze upon her form for a moment.

The Sorceress turned around, surprised at Lady Moria's quick entry. Moria tossed her the nightshirt and retreated into the main chamber

Teelina looked at the nightshirt in her bound hands. How was she supposed to put this on when her hands were tied? She looked at the garment, and realized that ties at the shoulder held it. She undid the ties and slid the garment over her head, dropping the towel as she did so.

When the garment was on properly, she went back into the main room. Lady Moria was not there. Teelina checked the surrounding rooms, acquainting herself with where she was. She idly looked around for an exit, but knew instinctively that there would not be one. Lady Moria wasn't one to leave possible escapes unattended. She found Lady Moria, quite by accident, in the bedchamber. She opened the door and found the Dereskian half-naked. Instead of being upset, Lady Moria laughed and pulled her pajama top over her naked chest.

"Desperate for my company already, Teelina?" she asked, laughing as she finished dressing.

The Sorceress did not answer. Instead, almost ashamed, she looked around the room. There was a bed of sorts, with a light blue and amethyst comforter. A canopy lay over it, and the bed had four large posts that held up the canopy. There were large bookcases around the walls with what seemed to be hundreds of volumes of the same nature upon the shelves. There was also an overstuffed chair and a footstool in the corner, and a small but functional table beside it. The table was littered with pastels, graphite and charcoal, pens and inkwells of varying sizes. One or two rugs were strewn on the floor, and there was a bureau. Not much else jumped to the eye.

Moria smiled at her silence and snapped her fingers again. The ropes once again became chained manacles, only this time they surrounded her entire wrists and had metal loops on the ends. There were other differences as well. Whereas the first irons had been simple and connected by a chain, these caused the wrists to cross, one over the other. The positioning was not uncomfortable, but Teelina wondered as to what purpose the loops held.

Lady Moria indicated the bed. "You can sleep there," she said simply. Teelina eyed the bed nervously.

"You aren't. I mean... I thought." the Sorceress of Grayskull started a few sentences and failed at them all, trying to ask what she could not voice.

The Dereskian Queen laughed softly. "I'm not going to ravish you, if that's what you're asking, Teelina. That was merely a show for Skeletor's benefit."

Teelina's confusion increased. "Then why go through all the pretenses? I mean. bathing me is not something you do normally, so I just thought that."

"Teelina," Moria interrupted. "I had you bathe for two reasons. The first was so that you would not bleed all over my chambers, and the second was so that you would try to relax. I am not going to rape you, and I find the idea almost revolting." The Sorceress tried to say something but Moria cut her off. "Almost," she said, winking. "And, as I told Skeletor, despite what others think of me, I do have a code of morality. Rape of a woman, by either a man or a woman is not a part of it." She smiled slightly. "After all, it would not have been very moral to save you from Skeletor only to rape you myself, now would it?"

"I guess not," the Sorceress agreed softly. "But why are you bothering to help me anyway? I can understand not letting Skeletor rape me, but caring for my wounds and state of dress does not exactly coincide with your moral convictions, at least not as I understand them."

Moria did not answer. "I think it would be wise if you slept," she said after a moment. "I'm sure Skeletor has some sort of plan for you in the morning." She snapped her fingers again, and a chain came down from the wall above the bed and strung itself through the loops in Teelina's manacles. Then it receded back into the wall, dragging the Sorceress with it. The chains stopped receding as the Sorceress reached the bed, leaving enough slack so that she could lie down. She did so, not having much other choice. The chains receded further until her arms rested, not uncomfortably, above her head.

Lady Moria snapped a final time and the candles that lit the room went out, leaving the Sorceress in almost total darkness.

Teelina sense that Lady Moria had not left the room. "Is this. your bed?" she asked the darkness.

"It is," came the voice of the Dereskian. "But don't worry, I don't sleep in it."

"Why not?" Teelina asked as her eyes adjusted slowly to the darkness.

She could see Lady Moria getting a large book from a bookcase in the room. "Because I don't sleep," answered the older woman.

"Ever?"

Lady Moria walked over to the chair and footstool with the book in her hand. "No," she replied. She flipped open the book and grabbed a pen and inkwell that were on the table. The faint sounds of a pen on paper filled the room.

"Why not?" The Sorceress asked softly.

Not pausing in her writing, Lady Moria answered, "Because I find it unnecessary."

"I see," Teelina said, and then only the scratching of the pen was heard. "How can see what you're writing in this darkness? Don't you need a candle or something?"

"No," Moria said, still not letting her pen up. "Writing by candlelight is bad for the eyes," she said in an amused tone.

"And writing in darkness isn't?" Teelina asked incredulously.

Lady Moria at last looked up from her writing and eyed the younger woman. "Not if you're Dereskian. Now I suggest you get some sleep while you can." Again, she turned her attention back to the book she was writing in.

The room was silent for a few moments, then the Sorceress turned onto her side. Another few minutes passed, and she flipped onto her stomach. After a few more minutes, she rolled onto her other side, and then her back again. After twenty or so minutes had passed, she broke the silence, saying, "I don't feel comfortable sleeping in your bed, even if you don't use it."

Lady Moria looked up from her book and sighed exasperatedly. "You have two options, Teelina. Either you sleep alone in my bed, or I'll climb in there with you, and you still sleep in my bed. Which would you prefer?"

"I'll sleep alone, thank you," the Sorceress said quietly.

"Good," Moria replied, and continued writing. Every so often the sound of a page turning was heard. Other than that, and the soft scratching of the pen, the room was still.

Ten minutes passed.

Part IV

"I still can't sleep," Teelina said softly.

Groaning, Moria put her pen down on the table with a click. "Do you really want me to get in there with you?" she asked as an impatient mother would her child.

The Sorceress answered, "Not really."

"Then get some sleep," Moria replied, grabbing her pen again and dipping it in the ink.

After another few minutes had passed, Teelina asked, "Can't you just put a sleeping spell or something on me?"

Sighing, Moria closed her book and put down her pen. "Yes, and no, Teelina. Yes, I could do that if I really wanted to waste the time and effort, but no, I won't, because I'm already wasting enough effort keeping you in human form. Unless you would rather be tortured as a falcon?"

"Not really, but then again, I would rather not be tortured at all," the Sorceress answered.

A small chuckle escaped Lady Moria's lips. "I can't help you there, Teelina." She stood, replaced her book upon the shelf, and got another. Once again, she sat in the chair, but this time she reached for the charcoal and graphite.

There was silence for a moment or two. "You could, if you wanted to," the Sorceress said softly. "But I can't imagine that you would."

"Why would I?" Lady Moria asked almost absentmindedly as she sketched. "Interfering with a rape, well, that's easy. And I have no doubt it would be easy enough to convince Skeletor not to torture you for the information he desires. But would the point of that be? You still wouldn't give him what he wants."

"I would not give him Grayskull if it was my only chance for survival. That place is sacred, and not just to me, either," Teelina said, stretching her limbs.

Lady Moria smiled. "Indeed." She continued to sketch, occasionally looking at Teelina.

"What are you drawing?" the Sorceress asked after a few moments of watching the elder woman silently.

"Hmm? Oh, You." Lady Moria said almost absentmindedly. "In that towel you were in."

She could almost hear the Sorceress' eyes widen. "What?" she asked incredulously. "Why would you be drawing that?"

A smile came upon Moria's face. "Because it's a side of you I doubt I'll ever see again."

Biting back a sharp retort, the Sorceress instead laughed. "I suppose if I ever get to go home I'll need to draw one of you changing into your nightgown. For the same reason," she added, laughing.

Moria smile widened gently as she continued to sketch. "Indeed, not too many see me in such a state of undress."

Silence again descended as the Sorceress attempted to fall asleep. Failing, she asked, "Does anyone? I mean, has anyone. recently?"

Lady Moria put aside her graphite and thought for a moment. "Does anyone see me in a state of undress? Not really. Evil-Lyn maybe. but that's different."

"Why is it different?" the Sorceress asked, genuinely curious.

Moria laughed. "Well, because she-" she broke off the sentence. "I don't think that's any of your business," she finished instead.

Silence again filled the room, but this was a different kind of silence: darker and colder. Not even the sounds of sketching were audible, for Moria had closed her book and put down her supplies.

After a time, Teelina again broke the silence. "I didn't mean to pry, Lady Moria," she said haltingly, as if unsure.

A sigh escaped from the older woman. "You didn't, Teelina. It's just that.never mind."

The Sorceress nodded and rolled over, trying once more to fall asleep. She lay there in silence, as Moria continued to write or sketch for thirty minutes. Then she turned to look at the Dereskian.

"You know, I still can't sleep," she said softly.

Moria sighed and placed her book on the table. "Alright, that's it," she said, standing. "Move over." She walked over to the bed and got in it, jostling the Sorceress over so she had enough room. As if sensing a change, the chains that held Teelina to the bed loosened slightly, and then tightened when she was repositioned.

After Teelina had gotten over the shock that followed Moria's action, she commented, "You know, this is one situation I've never dreamed I would ever be in."

A quiet laugh came from the older woman. "That is one thing I think we can agree on, Teelina."

After a brief moment, the Eternian asked, "So, do you think Skeletor really believes that you're raping me?"

"Oh that idiot? Probably. Between you and I, Skeletor doesn't have much in the way of smarts. If he did, he'd have discovered who He-man really was by now." A gasp arose from the woman beside her. "Hmm?" Moria asked. "Oh, yes, I know who He-man is. It isn't as if it was all that difficult. Prince Adam isn't very careful about transforming in the open."

Teelina's eyes widened in horror. "You know? How long have you known?"

Moria turned on her side and looked deep into the Sorceress' eyes. "Ages, dear. Even before I joined up with Skeletor."

"Skeletor?" the younger woman questioned. "You haven't told him?"

Laughing, the Dereskian answered. "What? And deny him the opportunity to figure it out himself? I think not."

Somewhat relieved, the younger woman asked, "You really don't think much of him, do you?"

"Oh," Moria sighed. "He's not a complete imbecile, just.very, very close. Occasionally he has a good idea, but other than that.. Well, he's Eternian."

In spite of herself, Teelina laughed. "Like being Eternian is the equivalence of stupidity? If you think so little of him, why do you stay?"

A silent moment passed as Moria considered her words. "Skeletor is. the means to the end I desire. He. has in his. possession. something I want. Not that he knows it, of course."

"And this. thing. he possesses is enough incentive for you to spend your time among his pathetic ranks?" the Sorceress questioned, amazed.

"They are not all pathetic," Moria mumbled, and then continued. "Besides, Teelina, time is one of many things I have an access of. To answer your question formally, yes, it is."

Teelina was astounded. "Wow," she said. "It must be something very important to you."

Silence greeted her in return, for Lady Moria said nothing.

"Teelina," she finally said after a time. "Do you remember, a few centuries ago, when your Council of 'Elders' tried to use the High Magic against me?"

"Yes," the younger woman said, uncertain as to where the Dereskian was going with this topic.

"Do you remember why it didn't work?" asked Moria, not missing a beat.

"Yes."

Moria smiled softly in the darkness. "Tell me," she stated.

Sighing, Teelina commented, "I really think you remember yourself, Moria. Why do you need me to say it?"

A sort of twinkle came into the infamous amethyst eyes. "Indulge me."

The Sorceress of Grayskull sighed once again. "High Magic is a series of incantations designed to attack the weak points of a person's Magical level and use their own power against them. However, the series of spells was never tried against the Majick of the Dereskïgiä, which, as you know, is older and stronger than any other type of sorcery on the planet. And, since the Majicks of the Dereskians who die are carried on through all living members of the Dereskïgiä, namely you, your Majick is effectively flawless. Therefore, it has no weaknesses, and the High Magic couldn't work. End of story."

"Ah," Moria said admiringly. "Very good." There was a momentary pause. "Teelina," she continued after a few minutes, "I'm going to tell you something now that I have never told anyone else save one. The reason I am going to tell you is because I believe you and I have certain. similarities that I doubt you are aware of. I think we might both benefit if you and I make a pact. about those similarities."

The Sorceress sat up as best she could with her hands chained to the wall. "What kind of a 'pact?'" she asked.

"An unwritten law. One that both of us will swear to follow, and we will uphold that law unto death." Moria's tone was dead serious, and the Sorceress knew without even asking that the older woman would never break the law that she proposed.

Teelina considered a moment. "What would this law entail?"

Moria answered simply, "Our weaknesses."

"But you don't have any weaknesses, Moria," Teelina argued. "If you did, the High Magic would have worked."

The Dereskian Queen shook her head, letting her moon-white hair cascade over her shoulders. "My Majicks have no weaknesses, it is true. But that does not mean that I, as a person, also do not."

"You have a weakness?" the Sorceress asked incredulously. "And you're just going to tell it to me?"

Moria smiled softly and nodded. "Yes. .You see, Teelina, my weakness is the same as yours."

The protector of Grayskull's secrets was shocked, and her eyes widened considerably. "W-what weakness, exactly?" she asked, uncertain and slightly fearful.

Moria turned and looked at the woman beside her with solemn eyes. "The weakness that any mother feels. toward her child," she stated gravely.

Teelina was speechless for a long moment. "I-I don't know what you mean, Moria. I'm certainly not a mother."

"Yes, you are." The Dereskian's reply was immediate. "Of course, if you want to play innocent, I can always transport your daughter here and we'll see how you react."

"I.. I.. I don't have a daughter," the Sorceress stuttered.

A short laugh erupted from the woman at her side. "Oh, it's not use denying it, Teelina. And it wasn't as if it were all that difficult to figure out. You Eternians are in the habit of naming your children after yourselves." She grinned widely. "Or I suppose it's merely a coincidence that there happens to be another redhead with suppressed powers in Eternia. And even more of a coincidence if the little snipe in question's name happens to be Teela."

The younger woman's lower lip quivered, and she bent her head, allowing hot tears to drip into her lap. "How long have you known?" she asked, her voice rough and shaky with tears.

"Not long," Moria said, tipping the younger woman's face up so that their eyes locked. "Only since she was born." Smiling wickedly, Moria slid her finger under the Sorceress' eyes, wiping away her tears. She then proceeded to lick the moisture from her fingers. "Mmm," she murmured. "Exquisite."

Through tear-stained eyes, Teelina regarded the woman next to her. "I don't understand you," she said emotionally. "One second you're being almost pleasant, and the next you're being downright cruel."

She heard a dark chuckle beside her ear. "Oh Teelina," she whispered huskily. "You're not meant to understand me. .And as for my being cruel, if you'll recall, I did mention something earlier about my weakness being the same as yours."

The realization of what she implied suddenly dawned upon Teelina. "You have a child!" she exclaimed.

Moria nodded simply. "Yes," she affirmed. "A daughter, just as you do. Which is why I suggested this pact be made."

"So what exactly would this pact do?" Teelina asked, drying what little moisture remained from her eyes.

Moria smiled. "It's very simple. You do not hurt, injure or in anyway harm my daughter, including using her as a tool to get to me, and I don't do the same to Teela."

"That's it?" Teelina questioned.

"That's it," Moria answered.

Teelina considered for a moment. "So, you're telling me that you won't hurt Teela, or even tell Skeletor that she's my daughter, as long as I don't hurt yours?"

Lady Moria nodded.

"You won't hurt her in any sense, mentally or physically?" continued Teelina.

"I won't even touch her, with my mind or with my body," responded the Dereskian, her tone as stolid and unmoving as a stone.

Not entirely convinced, Teelina pressed, "You won't tell her who I am? Or any other little secrets you know and she doesn't?"

"Not a one," Moria answered. "Not a single, solitary secret. I will not lay a finger upon the girl in any way, shape or form, as long as you do not do the same to my daughter."

A small silence filled the room before Teelina spoke again. "Very well," she agreed. "I will accept this unwritten law, and swear by the power of the Elders to uphold it as I would any other of my sworn duties."

"And I will do the same, swearing upon the ever-present spirit of Eläni, and in the name of the Nine Sacred Hells, to uphold this unwritten law," Moria said, closing her eyes and touching the place on her chest behind which her heart resided.

Silence once again descended upon the chamber.

"Umm, so," the Sorceress commented. "It would probably be good to know exactly who your daughter is, so I don't accidentally break our law."

Moria nodded. "Certainly," she said brightly. "My daughter's true name is Moritënia Vadorian."

"I've never even heard of her," Teelina commented.

A smile broke across the older woman's face. "No, you wouldn't have. She goes by another name."

"And what is that?" the Sorceress asked.

Her smile widening, Lady Moria answered. "Her true name is Moritënia, as I said. However, she is known slightly more .colorfully. as 'Evil-Lyn.'"

Part V

"What?!" The Sorceress exclaimed. "Evil-Lyn is your daughter?!"

Moria nodded calmly. "Yes, that is what I said."

For the first time since leaving Skeletor, Teelina actually fought her bonds. As if knowing this, the chains in the wall tightened, bringing the Sorceress up against the wall and in a very uncomfortable position. Eventually, she ceased struggling, and the chains relaxed. "You're telling me I just promised not to harm Skeletor's second-in-command?"

"No, you just vowed not to harm Skeletor's second-in-command," Moria said, smiling. Teelina growled viciously "Oh, come now," Moria continued softly, patting Teelina's face. "It's not as if you ever harm her on a regular basis, what with your 'no killing, no wounding' policy.

The Sorceress interjected, "That isn't the point! You tric--!"

"Oh, that is exactly the point, Teelina," Moria said, caressing the younger woman's face gently.

The Sorceress shuddered at the familiarity of such a gesture. She moved her head out of range as best she could. "Stop it!" she cried.

The hand at her cheek was removed. Confused, Teelina looked wide-eyed at the woman beside her.

Lady Moria lay upon her back, staring up at the ceiling. Her arms she propped beneath her head like an impromptu pillow. She sighed softly.

They remained silent for several minutes.

"So," Teelina said after a time, in a less angry voice. "Evil-Lyn is your daughter. Huh. .You know, in some odd, unthinkable way, it makes sense."

Moria looked at the woman beside her. Her eyes began to pinwheel softly, and a slow twinkle came into the amethyst orbs: she was amused. "How so?" she asked with a touch of humor in her voice.

Teelina arched her back to stretch out her arms and let the muscles crack, and then she lowered herself again. "Well," the younger woman answered, "at least it explains her odd coloring. Only you Dereskians have such odd eye and skin pigments."

"And what precisely is wrong with our skin pigments?" Moria asked in a slightly defensive tone.

Teelina shot her an exasperated look. "Oh, come on," she replied. "Both of your skins are so pale is seems unnatural, and as for getting a tan. well, I think it's impossible for you."

A small chuckle came from the older woman. "True enough," she said, winking.

"So, what if our daughters hurt each other? Does that violate out unwritten law?" Teelina asked.

Moria shook her head. "No," she answered. "Our law only applies to you and I. Now, if I happened to tell my daughter how to harm your daughter, then I would be breaking our law."

Teelina nodded understandingly. "I see," she said simply. After a moment had passed, she questioned, "Moria. may I ask you a personal question?"

"You may."

The Sorceress continued. "Did you. raise Evil-Lyn yourself?"

Lady Moria was silent for a while, as if this was not really a topic she wanted to speak of. "No. Her father raised her, and she grew up not knowing me."

A soft gasp escaped the Sorceress. "Like Teela," she commented.

"Yes," Moria said softly. "And no. Your daughter has grown up thinking that Man-at-Arms is her father, and not knowing she ever had a mother. Evil-Lyn grew up raised by her actual father, who told her whom her mother was." She paused for a moment. "Evil-Lyn grew up knowing that her mother was the Dereskian Queen. There is no doubt in my mind that one of the reasons she joined Skeletor is because she knew that information."

After a moment, Teelina nodded. "Does it bother you that she joined up with Skeletor?"

Lady Moria considered for a time. "Not really. It took some getting used to, especially after I discovered their occasional.recreational activities.but I can't say that it ever really bothered me."

"Recreational activities?" Teelina questioned. "How do you mean?"

The elder woman chuckled darkly. "Let's just say it would be better if I didn't tell you."

Realization of what she implied dawned upon Teelina. "Oh." she gasped, eyes wide. "You mean that the two of them are. you know?"

Moria smiled. "They have a sexual understanding, yes."

"Oh."

For the umpteenth time that evening, a momentary silence fell upon the room. And, as usual, Teelina was the one who broke it.

"You said that the reason you joined Skeletor was that he possessed something you desired. You meant your daughter, didn't you?" Moria nodded but said nothing.

"You joined Skeletor to be with Evil-Lyn," Teelina continued, more to herself than to Moria. "That changes. every single thing I ever thought I knew about your psyche.

Moria was silent for a long moment. "Yes," she said simply. "I am not fighting because I hate you and all the Eternians. I have not done so for centuries, in fact, I don't think I ever did. I'm fighting now. because I. love my child," she said softly.

Teelina shook her head and tried to clear it. "But then why do you still pursue evil goals?"

"Oh, Teelina. My ultimate goal is not evil in any sense. I do not wish for more power, I do not want to become ruler of the world, and I no longer wish to see every Eternian dead. .I just want to be with my daughter." Lady Moria's voice became soft and sad, and almost sounded as if she was on the verge of tears.

The Sorceress shook her head, astounded. "I have never in my life heard you on the brink of tears before, Moria. You really do love her."

"More than you can imagine," Lady Moria said, wiping her eyes and looking at the reflections of light on what little moisture there was.

Silence fell upon the chamber once more.

"Did you love Evil-Lyn's father?" Teelina asked after a few moments had passed by.

Moria laughed. "What an absurd idea! No, I didn't love him," she exclaimed, still laughing. "The only reason was ever with him was so I would get pregnant."

Expecting such an answer, Teelina asked, "So would any man have done?"

"No." Moria answered thoughtfully. "No, it had to be him. Evil-Lyn's father is a man who has no bloodline. I lay with him because any child born to me would be a pure blooded Dereskian child. That was my entire purpose, and he knew that."

"Hmmm," the Sorceress commented. She was quiet a moment before saying, "Moria, you're a very strong woman, very formidable, and very smart. Why don't you and your daughter just leave Skeletor's service and.I don't know, form your own society or something?"

The Dereskian Queen considered her reply for a moment. "Being a part of Skeletor's horde has some uses, albeit few. For instance, if Evil-Lyn and I were to break apart and attack Eternia independently, then your entire population would be alerted to my presence. I have enjoyed living in anonymity for the past few centuries, and I really would rather avoid having too many people knowing I still existed. That is why my role among Skeletor's warriors is minimal at best. I like my privacy."

"Is that also why your chambers are not even within Snake Mountain? Out of curiosity, does Skeletor even know where this place is?" Teelina asked, indicating the walls around them with a toss of her head. Her red hair glistened as a single beam from the red moon shone into the chamber from some unseen window.

Moria looked at the moonbeam with a smile. "Ah," she whispered. "Eläni has decided to bless us with her presence."

"Eläni?" the Sorceress questioned. "Isn't she your.god or something?"

Lady Moria shook her head at Teelina's ignorance. "Eläni is the Light- bearer. She was born of the elements on the surface of the Red moon. The Red Moon was dark at the time, Eläni made it light. It was she who also cast the light which made the White and Blue moons that pigments the hair, skin and eyes of the Dereskïgiä," Moria said in an I-can't-believe-you- don't-know-this tone.

"Oh," Teelina said, trying not to sound offended. "Well at least that explains why the Dereskians had such odd coloring."

Moria regarded the younger woman amusedly as the moonbeam faded. "Well, forgive us if we preferred to be colored by the moons instead of the sun." She trailed a hand through Teelina's hair. "We can't all be blue-eyed redheads, you know."

The Sorceress attempted to hold back a yawn and failed. "How long have I been here?" she asked, arching her back again.

"Since last night," Moria replied. "I took you at about midnight, you didn't wake up in Skeletor's torture chamber until a few hours after sunrise. Skeletor attempted to beat information out of you for most of the day before crossing the line of morality, and you've been in my company since a few hours after moonrise."

"What time is it now?" Teelina asked, suppressing another yawn.

Moria closed her eyes. "A little before midnight," she answered, smiling. "More or less."

"Oh."

A smile made its way across the older woman's face as she continued to play with the Sorceress' hair. "Why? Do you have somewhere you'd rather be?"

Teelina considered. "Well, I wouldn't mind being back in Grayskull, but I suppose I could be far worse off than in your bed." Moria's playing with her hair disturbed her slightly, but it also felt kind of soothing, so she did not tell her to stop.

Lady Moria laughed softly. "True enough, Teelina." She released the younger woman's hair and lay on her back once more, using her arms to cushion her head.

The Sorceress closed her eyes and tried to sleep. "Out of curiosity," she asked, stifling a big yawn. "Where exactly are we?" She snuggled her head against a pillow.

"We are in the only completely intact building remaining of the Dereskian Empire," Moria answered, smiling. "These are the private chambers of the Dereskian monarchy. Only they can access it. The location was always kept a secret from everyone else, which is why it was not destroyed."

Teelina's eyelids fluttered. "Oh," she said softly. "So that means only you can get in?"

"Yes," Moria said, regarding the Sorceress as she came close upon falling asleep. "Or Evil-Lyn, of course."

Teelina snapped wide-awake. "You mean your daughter could just walk right in here at any time?" she asked, panicking.

Moria leaned over onto her side, smiling. "She could, I suppose. But I sincerely doubt it."

"Why is that?" the Sorceress asked, unsure.

Lady Moria chuckled and stroked the red tresses again. "Because, since Skeletor did not do what he wished to with you, I would imagine that he would have taken out his frustration upon my daughter," she replied in the flattest of tones.

Teelina's eyes widened considerably. "Th-that doesn't bother you?"

"Why should it?" Moria asked, her eyes twinkling. "They are both consenting adults. Evil-Lyn does not need me to govern the choices that should be hers to make."

The Sorceress shook her head in disbelief. "I don't think I could ever be that way. I don't know what I'd do if Teela suddenly started having affairs."

Moria laughed softly. "I don't think you have much to worry about, dear. Your daughter is too occupied with being Captain of the Guard and having a crush on He-man to do anything."

"You think so, too?" Teelina questioned. "About Teela having a crush on He- man?"

The Dereskian nodded. "Give me some credit, Teelina. After all, it's a little obvious, don't you think?"

Nodding, the Sorceress lay back and once more tried to sleep. The older woman turned onto her back once more and stared upwards. "Moria?" Teelina asked.

"Yes?"

The Eternian fumbles for words, not exactly sure how to ask what she wished to. "Out of sheer curiosity, if. if you had actually been going to .you know, ravish me. how would you have done it?"

Moria's eyebrows raised a fraction as she turned her head to look at the younger woman. A slow, wicked smile broke across her lips. "Would you like a demonstration?" she questioned, eyes whirling.

"No, that's okay!" Teelina said quickly. "I was... you know, just curious. I mean, I've never. Oh, this feels so stupid," she sighed.

Lady Moria smile became less evil and more genuine. "You've never been with a woman before, and are wondering how it's done, is that it?"

Teelina nodded sheepishly, ashamed.

Moria shook her head. "Oh, Teelina," she sighed. "It's not really something I can exactly describe in terms you'll understand."

"Oh," Teelina said softly. "I guess that's probably for the best. I don't know what I was thinking." Moria smiled softly and lay upon her back again. "I do," she said softly. "You're suffering from what they call 'Stockholm Syndrome.'"

"I am not!" the Sorceress exclaimed loudly, sitting up in the bed. The chains at her wrists automatically gave her enough slack to do so.

Moria also sat up, smiling wickedly. "And it appears you're also suffering from denial."

The Sorceress fumed silently. To deny that would just give Moria more material. "You are so infuriating!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, I am," Lady Moria returned, smiling mischievously, trailing her fingers up and down Teelina's side. "Did you really expect me to be any other way?"

Teelina sighed exasperatedly and shook her head. "No. .You're just confusing me. First you hold out your hand in generosity, and the next minute you're ridiculing me and being well. you!" She considered what she had just had and wanted to hit herself in the head.

"Lovely argument, dear. I would have thought that I acted like 'me' most of the time," Moria said darkly. "Though if you would prefer me to be dark and sadistic all the time, please let me know. I'll be glad to oblige you." The older woman's eyes flashed and pinwheeled slowly.

The Sorceress shook her head 'no.' "No. I don't want that. I just.can't you be consistent?"

"Oh," Moria chastised in a humored tone. "Now where would the fun in that be?"

Teelina's eyes grew hard. "Is that all this is to you?" she asked angrily. "A game you can play? I suppose you think it was fun to stop Skeletor from raping me?!"

Moria's amusement grew. The Sorceress was indeed a fun plaything. Somewhere within her mind, she idly wondered exactly how inept Teelina would be at her kind of play. "To be perfectly frank, Teelina, actually, yes, it was," she answered, her tone low but very entertained.

"And will you just. what? Give me back to him when you're through playing 'Lady Nice?' Will you just let him 'pick up' where he left off?" the Sorceress huffed angrily. It was not often that she let her emotions show like this, but Moria was getting annoying.

Now it was the Dereskian's turn to feel insulted. "Oh, honestly Teelina," she said, a little loudly. "What kind of a person do you take me for? I would never, not in a hundred thousand years let him do that."

"Why not?" the younger woman questioned angrily. "You seem to enjoy making me writhe."

Moria hid a smile behind her eyes, which had grown icy. "Well, true enough, but that is neither here nor there. You will find this hard to believe, but I simply would not.could not let anyone, especially Skeletor, degrade you in such a manner. I have. too much respect for you."

"Right," Teelina said sarcastically, her tone acrid.

The Dereskian Queen grabbed the younger woman gently but firmly by the chin. "I couldn't let him," she said, staring into the Sorceress' eyes. She released the Eternian's chin and settled back down in the bed. "And if you think it is easy for me to admit that, you have another thing coming."

The Sorceress scoffed under her breath and lay back down. "Please forgive me if I don't exactly believe you. After all, your credibility is less than impeccable with your having me chained to the wall and all."

"I'm sorry, I haven't heard you complain about them yet. If you would like them to be removed, all you have to do is ask," Moria said softly, reaching up to the wall.

Teelina grabbed her wrist with her chained hands. "Don't bother," she said dismally. "It's not as if it really matters all that much," she finished, releasing the older woman's wrist and curling into a ball.

Moria looked down at the Sorceress and slow smile came across her features. Really, the Sorceress was almost adorable. "Why shouldn't it matter, Teelina?" came the Dereskian's voice, cool and calming. She put her hand upon the younger woman's back, not pressing down or moving it in any way at all.

The Sorceress of Grayskull sighed. "It's after midnight," she said sulkily. "You're bringing me back to Skeletor in the morning, and I sincerely doubt I will be both alive and sane afterwards. I don't think a pair of manacles is my biggest worry right now."

"Perhaps not," Moria said gently, rubbing the Eternian's back soothingly. She felt slightly bad for the poor girl, and almost wished she could do something for her. She recalled the Sorceress' question from earlier, and grinned. "Teelina?" she asked after few moments.

The redheaded woman uncurled from her ball and lay supine on the bed. "Yes?"

Moria fingered the younger woman's hair and slid her fingers through it. She grinned slightly. "Bearing what you just said in mind. are you still curious as to how I would have raped you?"

Teelina regarded her with uncertain eyes. "Somewhat. Why do you ask?"

"Well, as you said, a pair of manacles isn't your biggest worry right now," Lady Moria said, her eyes spinning madly. "How would you feel if we. made something else your biggest worry?"

The Sorceress swallowed nervously. "What exactly are you suggesting?" she asked, eyes wide.

The Dereskian Queen leaned over and gently slid her hand down the younger woman's cheek. "I am merely suggesting that you ought to .relax, let me do the worrying for a while, and not care about what Skeletor is going to do to you." She caressed the younger woman's face as tenderly as a lover would.

"I've been worrying about you all evening," Teelina said, her voice almost trembling. "Do you honestly expect me to just fall for your oh-so- subtle seduction? Why should I let you worry for me?"

Lady Moria smiled. "Oh, dear. It is precisely because you have been worrying about me that you should fall for my 'oh-so-subtle seduction.' Her smile widened into a grin, and she slid her hand lower on the other woman's body. "After all, it would be such fun, don't you agree? And besides," Moria continued. "When you think about it, what do you really have to lose?"

Teelina felt a range of emotions flow through her. On the one side, she was almost revolted by the very idea of what Moria was suggesting. But on the other side, a tiny voice inside her was nagging for her to agree. Moria was right, what did she have to lose? She'd probably be dead or wishing she were by mid-afternoon. There certainly didn't seem to be anything preventing her. And besides, she was curious about how it worked. Blushing slightly, she recalled the way Moria had looked when she had been half-naked. She hadn't seemed to mind that I was looking, Teelina thought. And I certainly didn't mind looking. She considered again the question Moria had posed: what did she have to lose? Nothing popped into her mind. She looked up at Moria. Really, she wasn't such a bad person. At times she bordered on being nice. True, there were times when she was aggravating as Hell, but she could be a lot worse.

"What do you say, Teelina? How badly do you really want to know what it's like?" Lady Moria asked, running her hand up and down the girl's leg.

Considering the pros and cons, Teelina smiled almost shyly. Then, the Sorceress of Grayskull did something then that she had never even thought of dreaming she would do. Reaching up with her chained hands, she brought the elder woman's lips down upon her own.

Moria smiled happily as she and her newfound play toy shared a shattering kiss. Shattering indeed, she thought wickedly. I can almost hear her moral convictions slipping away. Then thinking became second-rate to the woman beneath her.

Part VI

As they lay in aftershock of their lovemaking, Teelina cradled in the older woman's arms, a moment of complete silence fell upon them.

True to the pattern they had made, it was the Sorceress who broke it. "Why do you hold back your cries when making love?" she asked, stifling a yawn.

Moria smiled gently at the woman in her arms. "Because I find them unnecessary," she said simply.

"Why?" Teelina asked as another yawn escaped her lips.

The older woman was silent for a moment. "I don't know, she whispered. "I just do."

The younger woman snuggled and rested her head on Moria's chest. "Oh," she said, not even bothering to hold back yet another yawn. She closed her eyes and waited for sleep to take her.

Moria looked down at the younger woman and smiled softly. The younger woman's face was in a peace Moria had almost forgotten she could give. For an unknown reason, an old Dereskian prayer escaped her lips and she whispered it into the night.

"Athar lisse colletë mo myo kard,

Mes dïl, prootëri lir warë,

Kan mëere neson qerush atele Dagor li maethor carë. Itas mênu kan proo ambär, Én et ilya alta calan. Il elen wod galëte minalkith, Athar lisse. Máren, máren."

"Mmmm," Teelina breathed, almost asleep. "That's nice. What does it mean?" she asked as sleep slowly overcame her.

Lady Moria smiled at the sleeping form in her arms. "I'll tell you later," she whispered into the night air.

Above them, the last rays of moonlight faded into the hills. Moria stayed awake the entire night, as she always did. But this time she looked down into the face of the woman in her arms, and felt contentment. Perhaps Eternians weren't so bad after all.

........

Part VII

Teelina awoke from her dream slowly, and she gently wiped the sleep from her eyes. She felt something brushing the tops of her hands, and reached up to feel her feathered headdress. She opened her eyes and she sat up in her bed. Her bed. No posts, no canopy, no chains.

She was inside Castle Grayskull, and had been the entire night. It was a dream, she said to herself. It was all a dream. She looked around her own chambers and felt a rush of silliness. What a strange dream that had been. As far as she knew, Lady Moria had been dead for hundreds of years, or at least, there had been no signs of her existence for centuries.

Teelina shook her head and tried to clear whatever dust and cobwebs were obviously within it. She stood and got out of her bed, more than a little ashamed when she noticed the evident wet spot between her legs.

Okay, so it was an extremely vivid dream, she told herself. Nothing too terrible to worry about. She went over to her bathing chambers, and washed away all evidence of her dream in the shower.

In her haste, she did not notice a scrap of parchment that was on the small table beside her bed. It was written in small, neat handwriting, the letters elegant and perfectly formed.

When the Sorceress discovered it later, she was puzzled, and then alarmed. But she quickly shook all emotions out of her head and went into the viewing chamber.

She set the screen to show her the insides of Snake Mountain, and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Just Skeletor planning yet another attack upon her home. How trite. Evil-Lyn stood beside him, considering some documents.

How silly to ever think you could be Lady Moria's daughter, the Sorceress told herself. She did not notice a figure in the shadows of the throne room. A woman was standing off to the side, regarding the goings-on in a detached attitude.

In Teelina's chamber, the scrap of parchment blew off the table in a sudden gust of wind and drifted slowly out the window. Teelina later told herself she had imagined the entire incident.

She eventually let the dream fade from her mind, and forgot all about the 'imaginary' shred of parchment.

But that night, as the Sorceress fell into slumber after successfully defending her home from Skeletor and his minions, the words of the parchment echoed in her mind, and the voice speaking them was not her own. It was a female voice, foreign while at the same time eerily familiar.

"Sleep well within this quiet room, Dear guest, whoe'er thou art. And let no mournful yesterdays Disturb thy peaceful heart. Forget thyself and all the world, Put out each garish light. The Moons are shining overhead. Sleep sweet-- good night, good night." ~Lady Moria Vadorian