Adam's Way
Chapter 5
Early the next morning, everyone including Cringer was at Adam's bedside. They ate breakfast there hoping that the smell of food would waken him up. Adam stirred in his bed and stated, "Cringer you better have saved me some breakfast." Adam was startled the rest of the way awake by the amount of laughter in his room. Adam looked around and saw the caring faces of his parents, Cringer, Duncan, and Teela. "Thank the Ancients Teela you're alive." Adam said when he saw her.
Teela reached out and grasped Adam's hand, "Thank you Adam for saving my life." Tears began running down her cheeks. "If it wasn't for you I would be dead." Adam sat up and gently pulled her closer to hug her, his own eyes tearing up. Quietly he whispered in her ear, "I would not know what to do if I lost you Teela, you are everything to me." Then he kissed her on the cheek and released her to sit on the chair closest to the bed. He gave Cringer a rub and stated, "I guess you all want to know what happened."
King Randor asked, "First answer if the rumor going around Eternos is true, about you being He-Man? That would answer a lot of my questions of why you were fighting Skeletor." Adam looked to Duncan and then back to his father, "Yes I am He-man. I am sorry to have to keep that secret from you, mother, Teela, and everyone but it was for your own safety. The less people that knew the better." Adam looked down to the bed where his hand was still clasped with Teela's.
King Randor looked to Duncan and stated, "You knew my son was risking his reputation and his life every time he became He-man. Countless number of times I reprimanded him for being lazy and irresponsible and the humiliation that he went through with the Royal Court." Duncan looked straight at the king and answered, "Yes your highness. I pledged my life to help your son to complete his destiny as He-Man, Champion of Grayskull, for how ever long that took. I did not take it lightly that we were hiding his identity and I take full responsibility. I am proud of the man Adam has become."
Adam looked to Duncan then said, "It was my idea to act the fool and cowardly. It was my best chance of keeping my secret safe. I did not want to have anyone hurt because of my destiny. I hope you can forgive me." Adam felt his hand being squeezed and looked to Teela. She said, "I hope you can forgive me for the way I treated you and what I've said." Adam smiled at her.
King Randor addressed the room, "Regardless of who knew what and why, a formal inquiry has been called by the Royal Court. The other kingdoms want to know about Adam's battle with Skeletor and how we have Skeletor in our dungeon as we speak."
Duncan interrupted, "Sire, it's not Skeletor that we have in the dungeon, it's Prince Keldor." Everyone, except Adam, made a sound of disbelief and looked toward Adam. "It's gonna be a long story." Adam said.
King Randor looked to Adam and said, "Get cleaned up and dressed. We will meet in the private dining lounge at 11, I need to know everything about Adam being He-man and what we should share with the Royal Court. Duncan come with me." He moved to leave the room.
Duncan asked, "Sire, there is someone here in the palace who should be at this meeting also. May I bring her?" "Who is this mysterious woman Duncan?" King Randor asked. "The former Sorceress of Grayskull, my king." Duncan replied. Adam loud "What?" Captured everyone's attention. "Like you said Adam," Duncan started, "it's going to be a long story." With that the King, Queen, and Duncan left the room.
Adam reached over and touched Teela's shoulder tenderly and asked, "How are you?" Teela answered, "I won't be fighting any battles anytime soon, I might even have to leave the guard if my injury is as bad as Dorgan says. I'm not too sure I will know what to do with all the free time I have." Adam laughed, "Would you like to go fishing? I know of a couple of nice places." Teela shook her head 'No' and Adam continued, "Seriously Teela, I want to gain back our friendship and maybe more. There will be no more secrets between us anymore." Teela kissed him on the lips and said, "I would like that very much, Prince Adam." She then stood, curtsied, and left the room.
As 11 came around Adam, Teela, Duncan, Teela'na, King Randor, and Queen Marlena met for a lunch meeting to explain the destiny of Prince Adam as He-Man. Teela'na was introduced to Randor and Marlena as the former Sorceress of Grayskull. She began by telling everyone of the destiny of Adam to become He-Man that was predicted before he was even born. Duncan told his part of finding Teela, daughter of the sorceress, and being told of Adam's destiny. The revelation about Teela'na being Teela's mother surprised Randor and Marlena. Adam reminded everyone about his sixteenth birthday party and Skeletor's attack, explaining how Duncan took him to castle Greyskull where he chose to become He-Man.
With everyone up to date, Adam knew the rest of the story was his to tell. He began with the forcefield dome and the lady in white. He told them of Skeletor's blood lust and the challenge made by the lady in white. Adam paused when he came to the part of Skeletor killing the lady in white. Everyone was shocked with the knowledge that Skeletor had become that evil. Adam ended his story with the fact that the lady in white gave him the power to transform Skeletor back into Prince Keldor.
Teela'na then told her story of how Castle Greyskull disappeared and He-Man was no longer needed. "I have no place to go now that I am not needed." Teela'na explained.
Queen Marlena spoke, "You need not worry about a place, you can stay here with Teela." Randor agreed with his wife. Teela nodded in agreement.