Pure Intentions? 3
Teela stood looking aghast at the retreating back of He-Man. She never expected him to act so coldly toward her. She understood and accepted the necessity of keeping their affair a secret; however, he had never before callously dismissed her. Wondering why he brushed her off, she hoped it wasn't because his intervention was needed. Looking around the ballroom, she didn't see anything amiss. Teela's perused all present and none of the guests radiated any threats.
Although she was dancing and enjoying herself, Teela was still actively doing her job. After the King interrupted her dance with Adam, she had gone on patrol, touching base with her lieutenants verifying that there hadn't been any threat of an attack. Once again perusing the ballroom, she made eye-contact with all of the undercover Eternian Royal Guards who were stationed throughout the ballroom.
If there was any threat, Teela would have already known about it. Again wondering why He-Man was here, Teela looked over at Queen Marlena who also seemed to be studying the massively muscled warrior. Teela recognized the look of admiration in the Queen's eyes. It was the same look she herself had always directed toward He-Man.
Approaching her Queen, Teela curtsied before addressing her "Your Majesty, would you know why He-Man is here?"
Smiling at the lady the Queen knew stole her son's heart, she responded "My dear, he is paying his respects to Adam and Adora." "It's nice to have him around during celebrations, isn't it?"
"Yes, my Queen, it is." "The Masters and I have on numerous occasions tried to convince him to join us in previous revelry, but he always declines." "I wonder what has changed his mind?", Teela asked.
"Perhaps because tonight is a very special occasion." "Not only is it Adam and Adora's birthday, but tonight commemorates 35 years, that their father has been King." "My husband, has a very special announcement to make, maybe he is here to hear that?", the Queen stated aware of the contents of the King's announcement.
"You may be right", the younger lady answered. "Do you know where Adam is?", she asked.
"No, darling." "I saw him leaving the ballroom a little while ago, perhaps he went to use the privy", his mother covered for him. The Queen knew that her son was on his way to speak to the King.
Nodding to her sovereign, Teela turned away from her deciding to join the King. Approaching him, she heard King Randor inviting Grayskull's Warrior to join them for the remainder of the evening. Teela kept quiet, hoping against all odds that He-Man would comply with the King's wishes.
"I'm sorry, Sire." "I have business elsewhere, I appreciate the invitation, but I can't stay", He-Man stated with his extremely deep voice.
"Very well, Son." "Would you stay until I make my announcement?" "I'm just waiting for the Prince to come back and then I shall be addressing our guests", the King asked.
Knowing that the 'Prince' couldn't return while he was still present, He-Man answered "Your Majesty, that is impossible." "I just wanted to quickly wish your children a Happy Birthday." "I've already spoken to the Princess, please give my regards to the Prince", he continued as he turned to leave totally disregarding Teela's presence.
"He-Man, wait", the King called out. "I want you here as I make my announcement and it doesn't seem like my son will be returning anytime soon."
Try as he might, He-Man couldn't outright disrespect the King's wishes. As the monarch walked toward the dais table, He-Man was left standing next to Teela. Keeping his eyes ahead of him, he felt her emotions coming off of her in tumultuous waves. Strengthening his resolve against her, he stole a quick look through closed lashes to see if she was studying him. Sure enough, Teela's gaze was glued to his, a million questions swimming in the depths of her clear blue-green eyes.
Pulling his gaze away from hers, He-Man watched as the King was given a microphone and moved to the center of the dance floor. Beckoning for his Queen to join him, King Randor brought the microphone up to his lips. He-Man also watched as his sister came forward to stand near their parents. He wondered if his twin was aware of what their father would be disclosing.
"Ladies and Gentleman, again we thank you for joining my family in celebrating the birth of Eternia's future." "Tonight also marks another special occasion." "Some of you may recall, that the Twins were born on the same day that commemorates my ascend to the Throne." "I have served as your King in times of peace and war, hoping to have kept all of you in safety." "Queen Marlena and I have made a decision, which I will share with you." "We have decided that it's time for a change." "I am announcing to you, our decision to turn the Throne over to Prince Adam given that he is married and with his own Heir on the way, by next year this time", the King disclosed to the astonishment of all those in attendance.
The King's words were met with a hefty silence. No one was expecting this declaration. Upon hearing the King's words, He-Man's world glazed over. The pounding of his blood in his ears instantly bringing forth a tremendous headache. Walking to a nearby chair, he unceremoniously plopped his bulky frame into it, clutching his head with both hands. 'How could his father do this, without having spoken to him first?' 'Why hadn't his mother shared this with him?' 'Did Adora know?' 'Did Man-At-Arms?' "Did Teela?', he wondered.
Feeling someone sit next to him, he raised his head to see who it was. "He-Man, are you alright?", he heard Teela ask him. Realizing that he wasn't acting like the confident, fearless Defender he was supposed to be, the warrior had no choice but to put aside his desperation and fear his father's announcement created, lest his actions were interpreted in the negative.
Standing up, He-Man finally addressed Teela "Yes, Captain." "I am fine." "I must leave know, please don't follow me", he commanded, his confident tone disguising his tumultuous thoughts.
Teela had no choice but to remain where she was. As she watched him leave, she contemplated tonight's weird turn of events. Twice He-Man ignored her, something she couldn't understand. His actions were igniting her temper; however, Teela kept herself in check as her concern for her childhood friend took over. She couldn't believe the King's announcement. 'Adam would be King in a year, only if he married and had a child of his own', she thought. No wonder he seemed even more forlorn than usually. 'Was Adam aware of his father's wishes?'
Looking around the room, she didn't spot him. Teela was torn. The two most important men in her life (with the exception of her dear father), each seemed to be dealing with serious issues tonight. Did she seek out her childhood friend to comfort him or did she run after her heart's desire? Teela knew that whichever decision she made, tonight marked an immense change in her relationship with both men. If Adam had to actively seek a wife, she would have to change the way she acted around him. If He-Man continued his callous disrespect of her she would have to end their relationship.
Walking out of the ballroom, He-Man was hard pressed not to find Cringer, transform him into Battle-Cat and gallop away on his companion's back. He urgently needed an outlet for his frustration. He felt like using this great strength he was endowed with to smash everything around him. Without thinking, He-Man made his way over to the private sector of the Palace where his rooms were. Sitting on his favorite bench by the waterfall underneath his bedroom's window he wondered, 'How could his father make such a life changing announcement without his 'true' self being present?' 'Did his father have such utter disrespect for him, he had to make the announcement in front of his transformed self?' 'What was the motive behind tonight's declaration?'
He-Man understood that as 'Prince' he would have to step up his game when his father announced his wish that he be married by year's end. He didn't expect that the King also wanted to turn the Kingdom over to him. A million emotions were running through his heart as he continued contemplating his father's words. Adam wanted to be King, knowing that his father had tired of running the Kingdom; however, he knew there was a long way to go before he was able to take over his father's position. He desperately wanted to see the Sorceress as she always had the ability to comfort/advise him; however, he didn't go to Grayskull as he knew he would have to return to the ballroom soon, as Adam. He dreaded his return. He wondered, who would be first to 'inform' him of the news.
As he contemplated this, He-Man heard the staccato rhythm of running heels on the floor. Without needing to see who it was, He-Man knew that Teela had followed him. Secretly pleased that she didn't comply with his request, He-Man hid behind a bush and transformed into Prince Adam.
When Teela came around the corner into the courtyard, she found Prince Adam sitting with his head in his hands, his long loose blonde hair hiding his profile. Walking tentatively toward him, she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Adam, here you are." "I'm glad to find you", she spoke.
Looking up, he gave her a tentative smile before responding "You know me Tee, always needing a break."
"Your Highness, you need to come back to the ballroom", she directed. "Your father….
"Teela, I already know what my father said." "I don't need you to be his parrot", the Prince responded the anguish in his voice clearly evident.
Shocked at his angry retort, Teela sat down next to him placing a hand on his thigh. "I'm sorry Adam." "I know this is hard for you." "I'm here if you need to talk", as she looked deeply into his glacial gaze.
Softening his demeanor, the Prince nodded his head.
The silence stretching for several moments between them, made Teela uncomfortable. She wasn't used to silences when with Adam. "Do you know where He-Man is?", she stated when she realized Adam wasn't going to open up.
His response consisted of a curt shake of his head.
"If you see him, can you please let him know I am looking for him", she asked politely.
"Sure, Teela", he responded dismissively.
Standing up to leave, she turned to him stating "I think it's wonderful that your father wants you to be King."
That caught the Prince's attention. Sharply bringing his head up he asked her "Why?"
Smiling at him Teela answered, "I have faith in you, my friend." "I believe in you and I trust you."
Rising to his full 6-foot, 6 inches height Prince Adam stared at her incredulously, waiting to hear what else she had to say.
Seeing that she know had his undivided attention Teela continued, "You will be a fine King, Adam." "I just need to prep you more in warfare", she concluded with a smile.
Her response brought forth a mirthless laugh in him. Teela's comment couldn't be farthest from the truth. He could write an entire encyclopedia on warfare with the knowledge he gained as He-Man.
Teela interpreted his laugh as disdain for battles. "I'm serious Adam, you need to start fighting your own battles if you are going to be King." "As your trainer, I promise to whip you into shape", she answered with hands on her hips and a confident shake of her head.
"Yes, Captain", he acquiesced.
Teela's eyes grew round with astonishment at his response. Adam never addressed her as 'Captain', making her wonder if he had ever heard He-Man addressing her in this manner.
"I don't want to talk about the future anymore tonight, Teela." "I do however, need a distraction." "Would you join me back in the ballroom and dance with me again." "I'm sure my father's announcement let loose the hounds and I'm not ready to deal with them yet", he pleaded.
"So you need me to save you, my Prince?", Teela asked batting her eyelashes at him.
"Why do you think I have a bodyguard?", he responded winking at her.
"Oh, Adam", Teela stated throwing her head back as laughter shook her frame. "Come on, scary-cat." "I won't let any of the courtiers near you."
Hiding his smile, Adam walked back into the ballroom behind his protector.