Chapter Three
The ruins of Lal were little more than a cluster of abandoned, decaying stone foundations -- many with half-collapsed walls resting on top -- nestled within a grove of towering evergreen trees. Broken stone and marble columns lay scattered throughout the area.
This is just as I remember it, Teela thought as she emerged from the forest. Funny … everything seemed a lot BIGGER back then. Then again, I guess EVERYTHING does when you're a kid. She climbed onto a nearby foundation, took a spot near the corner of a half-collapsed wall, and sat down. So peaceful … it's almost paradise.
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Night fell upon the forest floor. Teela dozed soundly in her corner of the half-collapsed wall. A chill hung in the air, a chill that left Teela shivering slightly.
From out of nowhere, The Sorceress of Grayskull -- in all her feathered finery -- appeared next to the sleeping Teela. She silently knelt down and opened Teela's knapsack. Examining its contents, she pulled out a small leather bag tied with a drawstring. She untied the drawstring and poured some peanuts into the palm of her hand. Fine meal for a squirrel, she thought disdainfully as she poured the peanuts back into the bag and retied the drawstring. It seems I have my work cut out for me. Taking note of the shivering Teela sleeping before her, she placed the bag of peanuts back into the knapsack, felt around the knapsack some more, and pulled out a black cloth bundle. She set the bundle onto the floor and unfurled it, revealing a heavy black cloak. She draped the cloak over the shivering Teela, gave her a pat on the arm, and disappeared into thin air.
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Teela awoke the next morning to find her cloak draped across her body. What the… she thought. Did I get this out? She turned back towards the corner to find her arm resting on a small bundle wrapped in brown paper. Teela put on her cloak, took the bundle, and unwrapped it in her lap. Inside the brown paper lay an apple and a banana.
Teela looked around. I sense her presence, she thought ("Her" being The Sorceress of Grayskull.) I can draw three conclusions here … One, she KNOWS. Two, she's probably nearby. Her eyes instinctively scanned the treetops for Zoar. Three, this is her way of telling me I need to eat something. She took a bite out of the apple. I must say, this IS good. Without thinking, she devoured the banana and the rest of the apple. I must've been hungrier than I thought.
"Teela," said a soft feminine voice beside her elbow. Startled, Teela turned towards the voice and braced herself against the wall. Crouching before her was none other than The Sorceress of Grayskull.
"Wh-what're you doing here?" Teela stammered nervously.
"I heard you haven't been eating," The Sorceress replied softly. "What's wrong?"
The walls have ears, Teela thought. And one … BIG … mouth. "Nothing's wrong," Teela lied. "I … just haven't been hungry, that's all."
Teela's bag of peanuts suddenly appeared in The Sorceress's right hand. She untied the drawstring and poured out the peanuts into the palm of her hand. "You've been living on THESE … for the past week," she said. "This isn't like you. This isn't healthy." She poured the peanuts back into the bag and tied the drawstring once more. "Something's troubling you … what is it?"
"I … can't talk about it," said Teela, burying her face in her hands.
"Why not?"
"If I do, it'll be the end of my career!" Teela moaned.
"Teela, listen to me," said The Sorceress. She put a hand on Teela's knee. "I have no say over your career. I'm not even in the military. Whatever is wrong, you can tell me."
Teela relaxed slightly and stared out into space, her back resting against the corner of the half-collapsed wall.
"Teela, talk to me," said The Sorceress. "What's wrong?"
Teela glanced at The Sorceress and said, "Can I tell you something in confidence?"
At this, The Sorceress smiled and said, "Teela, if you know me at all, you know I can keep a secret."
Teela smiled weakly. "Nightmares," she said finally.
The Sorceress sat down on the floor in front of Teela. "What kind of nightmares?" she asked.
Teela let out a breath. "Dragon Rock … shooting," she said. "Every night I see it happening all over again."
"Teela, you were nearly assassinated," said The Sorceress. "You've undergone a traumatic experience. Nightmares are not uncommon."
Teela stood up. "I'm the Captain of the Guard!" she exclaimed in frustration. "I'm supposed to be the strong one!"
The Sorceress stood up and put her hand on Teela's shoulder. "You ARE strong," she said. "You're very strong. You're also human." The Sorceress paused. "I think you're being way too hard on yourself."
"I HAVE to be," Teela said softly. "Part of my job involves protecting The King and Queen."
The Sorceress looked quizzically at Teela. "I don't understand … what this has to do with your nightmare," she said.
"Just a few feet more … and Shadow could've shot The King and Queen," said Teela. She turned towards a half-collapsed wall and rested her palms on top of the ledge. "In my dream, Shadow shoots King Randor and Queen Marlena right along with me. Everyone at Dragon Rock … The King, The Queen, soldiers, VIPs, what-have-you … is pointing at me and chanting 'How COULD you? How COULD you?' "
" 'How could you' WHAT?"
Teela slammed her palm down on the ledge in frustration. "WHERE DID I GO WRONG?" she screamed. "What did I MISS? What did I OVERLOOK?"
She blames herself for what happened at Dragon Rock, The Sorceress thought. "Teela, in order for Shadow to get THAT close to the King and Queen, he had to have first penetrated the perimeter of the base," she said, putting a comforting hand on Teela's shoulder. "He should've been stopped back there."
"Tell me about it," Teela grumbled.
"I presume you had security procedures in place back then?"
"Yes, I followed all the procedures. I did EVERYTHING I was supposed to do … and he STILL got through!" Teela threw her hands up in the air in frustration.
"There's no such thing as a truly impenetrable defense," said The Sorceress softly. "Someone who is truly bound and determined as Shadow was will find a way through even the strongest of defenses. In times like these, the only thing you can do is shore up your weaknesses … in order to be better prepared … for next time." The Sorceress paused. "You mustn't blame yourself for what happened at Dragon Rock. You did your duty. You did everything in your power to protect The King and Queen. You couldn't have anticipated an assassin wearing a cloaking device any more than you could've anticipated the ground opening up underneath the Royal Box and swallowing it whole."
Teela couldn't help but smile at that last image. "One thing's for sure … I'll be on the lookout for it NOW," she said with a grin.
The Sorceress smiled. "As for your nightmares," she said. "They'll fade … and you'll heal … in time."
Teela turned around and embraced The Sorceress. "Thank you," she said. "For listening … and for caring."
The Sorceress returned Teela's embrace. "You're welcome," she said softly.
"You've just lifted … a great burden … from my shoulders," said Teela. She looked around at the forest and said, "Such a beautiful place."
I know, The Sorceress thought. That's why I brought you here … prodded you … to come here. It's close enough to the Palace for you to travel here … in your condition … and yet, it's secluded enough for the both of us to feel safe being here.
"I didn't think anyone else knew about this place," said Teela.
"I've known about it … for some time," said The Sorceress. Zoar used to watch you and Adam play here when you were children, The Sorceress thought. You've no idea how much I wanted to hold you in my arms … to kiss you. The Sorceress held Teela's head in her hands and said, "Teela, I want you to promise me something."
"What is it?"
"If there's something going on … something troubling you … that you don't feel comfortable … that you don't feel safe … talking to anyone at the Palace about, I want you to come see me," said The Sorceress. "I don't want you hurting yourself."
"I'll do that," said Teela softly. "If it'll ease your mind, I will."
The Sorceress embraced Teela once more. "Very much so," she said softly. "Very much so."
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Four days later, Teela was in the Throne Room, standing before King Randor and Queen Marlena.
"I'm glad you're feeling better," said The Queen. "From what I've heard, your appetite appears to be back to normal."
"We've all been so worried about you," said King Randor.
"Thank you, Your Highnesses. I appreciate your concern," said Teela. "I am now asking to be reinstated to active duty as Captain of the Guard."
"I don't see why not," said The Queen. "You may resume your duties effective tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Your Highness," said Teela, bowing slightly.
"I presume you've taken my advice?" asked The Queen.
"I took your advice … and got some help," said Teela.
THE END