Pure Intentions? Chapter 8
A/N: Please note I am making reference to Filmation's episode "Prince Adam No More".
After his conversation with Teela's mother, Adam though it best he have a man to man talk with her father. If Teela's mother was aware of the affair he was having with his best friend, there was a good chance her father was too. He wondered why his mentor would allow this to go on for so many years and not confront him about it.
Walking through Duncan's workshop, he found the seasoned soldier tinkling with his interstellar traveling machine.
"Morning Duncan, would you like some help?", the Prince offered.
"Sure, son." "How were things at Grayskull?", his mentor asked as he passed a wrench to Adam.
"The same as always, Skeletor attacked, He-Man intervened on our behalf, nothing too difficult", Adam answered walking around the prototype.
"Glad He-Man didn't need backup." "I was going to send Teela; however, she said she was busy." "Is she avoiding our Champion?", her father asked.
"Why do you ask?", Adam questioned, careful not to reveal to much too soon.
"Oh, because since the ball she has not mentioned He-Man's name once and that is not typical of my daughter." "She hasn't stopped talking about He-Man since the first day she met him", Duncan said as he finally looked in Adam's direction.
"Duncan…I", Adam stammered while rubbing the back of his neck. Shrugging his shoulders he walked a few feet away from his mentor giving him some space.
"What's going on Adam?", he asked.
Unsure how to answer him without giving too much away Adam stated, "Perhaps, she is a little pissed off at him for the way he treated her?", he offered.
"MMM, I witnessed their interaction at the ball, care to tell me what that was about?", Duncan asked, as he turned back to his work.
"Are we alone?", the Prince asked.
"Yes."
"Can we lock the doors, I don't want anyone interrupting us Duncan", Adam requested.
"Sure go ahead", the mustached general responded.
Locking the doors, Adam turned to his mentor. "I guess there is no way for me to say this except directly." "You heard my father, I need to be married to inherit the Kingdom."
"What does that have to do with my daughter?", Duncan asked as he wiped motor oil from his hands onto a dirty hand towel.
"Everything", he stated then taking a deep breath he continued quite matter-of-factly, "she is the woman I want to marry."
"You're in love with Teela?", her father asked as this was knew news to him.
"Yes, Duncan." "She is the reason, I haven't courted anyone." "I would like your permission to court her", he requested.
"This is a surprise Adam, I didn't know that your feelings for each other ran in this direction", Duncan responded.
"It's not our feelings, but mine." "Teela has no idea how I feel about her, a fact I want to rectify." "I can't do that as long as I act like I've always acted around her when I'm He-Man."
"What do you mean?", the inventor asked.
"Just that He-Man can't be as friendly or as attentive to her anymore." "I need her to start seeing me the way she views him", he answered using his thumb to thump his chest.
"How will you accomplish that without giving away your secret?", Duncan asked.
"This is where you come into play." "Will you release her from some of her responsibilities with the Guards so that she could accompany me to more social events?", he hesitantly asked, unsure how Duncan would react to his request.
"How much leeway are we talking about here, Your Highness?"
"Every night for the entire Eternian Season", the Prince stated shrugging his shoulders. The Eternian Season spanned a timeline of three months from early spring into early summer. It was the time that new debutantes were presented at Court with many engagements soon following. It was also the time that the King usually took his Royal Tour of Eternia, visiting the different seats of power he governed. Adam was going to suggest to his father that in preparation to inherit the Kingdom, that he takes over this responsibility from his father. The Prince also thought that it would be a smart idea to have Teela accompany him on this trip.
"Is your father aware of this request?", his mentor questioned.
"No Duncan, not yet." "I'll propose my ideas to him after dinner today." "In regards to Teela, I don't want my father knowing that I want to court her, not until after I know if she'll have me", Adam informed him.
"I'm assuming you already had a talk with the Sorceress?", Duncan asked with a smile.
"Yes, I have."
"Does she condone to you courting Teela?", he asked.
Nodding his head, Prince Adam waited for Duncan's next words. "Very well then, it will be my pleasure to have the honor of you courting my daughter, and if everything goes well to ask for her hand in marriage."
Lowering his head with respect, Adam Prince of Eternia and Grayskull's Defender, thanked Duncan and bid him farewell. Next step was to have the dreaded discussion with his father. However, first he needed to get a few hours of sleep, shower, and then change.
Once Teela returned to her rooms from the kitchen, she finished her ice cream, lay down and fell into a deep sleep. Awakening later than usual, she decided to forego her morning workout. Pulling on her guard uniform, the Captain walked to her office a million thoughts running through her head. She was debating if she should confront Adam with her suspicions or if she should just let things be. Part of her was anxious to hear the truth, while part of her was afraid of what he might say.
Teela entered her office, turned on her computer, and decided some good old fashioned desk work would occupy her mind with different thoughts than just her love life. As she was perusing a spreadsheet detailing Skeletor's attacks for this month, she received a summons from her father. Informing him that she would be there shortly, she neatly put her work folders away, saved the spreadsheet she was working on and powered down her computer. Previous experience had shown her that summons from her father could mean many hours before she returned to her office.
Teela took her time walking the corridors from her office to her father's workshop as he didn't indicate that it was urgent. On the way, she passed by Orko's room, looking into his bedroom as his door was wide open. Orko's actions instantly brought a smile to Teela's face as he was magically juggling a broom, mop, and an ostrich-feathered duster in order to clean his room. Orko hated cleaning, but always refused the help of palace staff to do it. Knocking on his door, she waited until he acknowledged her presence before speaking.
"Want some help?", she offered.
"Sure Teela", the floating magician answered.
"I'll help you after I see what my father needs", she informed him.
"Oh, is there a special assignment he needs you for?", the Trollan asked hoping for an excuse to get out of cleaning his room.
"I'm not sure." "I'll be back soon", she stated as she walked away from his bedroom.
Arriving at Duncan's workshop, Teela walked right in as the doors were open. "Dad", she called out as she didn't initially see him. Rolling out from beneath a Windraider, Duncan waved her over, before rolling back underneath their flying machine. "Hand me the blue screwdriver, my dear", he requested.
Grabbing the requested tool, Teela bend low to hand it over to her father. Straightening, she asked "Is everything alright?"
Speaking from beneath the Windraider Duncan responded, "Yes Teela." "I wanted to speak to you about a special assignment." "Just give me one second to screw in this bolt and I'll give you my whole attention", he stated.
The loose bolt screwed tightly into place, Duncan pushed himself out from beneath the Windraider. Standing up he walked over to his tool bench, retrieved a hand towel, and wiped his hands clean before turning toward his daughter.
"What special assignment, Dad?", she asked.
"I had a conversation with Prince Adam this morning." "He informed me that he wants to be the one to complete the Royal Tour of Eternia this year, instead of his father." "Prince Adam will need you to accompany him for its duration, if his father agrees to have him go", he stated curtly.
"You're sending me away from the Palace?", she asked instantly realizing that this new assignment will keep her away from her normal duties at the Palace.
"Yes, soldier." "Is there an issue with you following these orders?", her father responded using his professional voice rather his fatherly one.
Before answering, Teela wondered if Adam had requested this arrangement or if her father had suggested it. She debated asking him, but decided against it because as her superior, she knew she had to follow his orders without questioning them.
"No Sir", she responded.
"Very well." "Prince Adam will be in contact with you to forward you the details of the trip."
Understanding that he was not going to give her any more information, Teela saluted her father, about faced, and walked out of his workshop. Teela walked directly to Prince Adam's office. Opening the outer door she walked into his private headquarters, walking up to the desk of his office manager.
"Morning, Mr. McMorris." "Is Prince Adam available?", she asked politely.
James McMorris was a portly sweet older gentleman who fawned over Captain Teela every time she entered the Prince's office. To say that he had an undeniable crush on the curvaceous captain would be an understatement. Swallowing his excitement at her nearness he answered her question, "No Captain." "I'm sorry but I haven't seen His Highness yet this morning." "If you'll leave a message with me, I'll make sure he gets it", he offered.
"Thank you Mr. McMorris, that won't be necessary." "Can you please let His Highness know that I do want to speak with him?", she asked sweetly.
"Off course Captain Teela."
Nodding to him, she turned to walk out of the Prince's office and bumped directly into Princess Adora.
"Your Highness, I didn't see you there", the stunned captain stated.
"It's quite alright Teela." "Is Adam here?", she asked her.
"No, he hasn't come in yet", Teela answered her.
"Oh, he is so hard to find these days", Adora stated with a smile.
"That's the story of my life", Teela stated with a laugh, as both women walked out of the Prince's office.
A few hours after dinner, Prince Adam was standing opposite his father who sat behind his massive oak desk, a bejeweled hand caressing his beard. King Randor was looking hard at his son, who had just posed a very interesting suggestion to him.
Standing up, he walked around his desk to come stand a few inches away from his much taller son. King Randor didn't know if he should take his son seriously, as the Prince's proposal left the weathered King perplexed. His son who didn't usually show an interest in state affairs had just suggested that he go on the Royal Eternian Tour in lieu of the King. He remembered several years back, when Prince Adam had suggested that he accompany him as his personal guard on the same tour instead of He-Man. That was an interesting experience for the King as it led to him spending some unwanted time in a dungeon in Snake Mountain. He was given an opportunity to fight alongside Eternian's Champion, using a forceful "left-hook" punch to destroy some of Skeletor's robotic soldiers. It felt good to use some of his brawn rather than always using his mind.
King Randor wondered if Adam was ready to undertake such an important mission and let his son know about his reservations.
"Father, I am aware that you don't have faith in me." "Give me this opportunity to prove myself to you", he pleaded.
"Son, if I send you on this mission you will be away from the Palace." "I need you to stay here and find a wife." "I was serious about wanting you to take over, only if you meet this stipulation."
"I'm aware of your wish Father", the Prince answered hurtfully. "I think completing this tour will give me an opportunity to meet eligible women from all over Eternia."
Bringing a hand to his beard, the King stroked it thoughtfully as he contemplated the Prince's words. His son did have a point, traveling around the planet would enable him to meet more women. However, he didn't trust his son. History had proven that Adam was not reliable or trustworthy enough to be left alone.
Watching his father's demeanor, Adam had a feeling that he would not agree with his suggestion. Abruptly, the King turned around and walked onto his balcony, motioning for Adam to follow him outside. "Come stand next to me, Son", the King requested.
Standing to his father's right, Prince Adam waited to hear his father's decision. Tilting his head to gaze on the blonde likeness of himself, King Randor held his hand over the banister waving it from left to right. "Adam look out over the Royal Palace", he directed. "Our ancestors have looked out this balcony throughout history addressing our People in good times and in bad." "I introduced you and your sister to the populace standing in this exact location." "It will be my greatest pride and happiness to stand behind you, as you also introduce your first born to our Citizens." "I know I'm pushing this on you Adam, but it is for the good of the Eternian people." "Your mother and I tire of ruling, Adam." "She wants to visit her family on Earth and we can't do that while I'm still King." "I was a king without a queen for a long time, before your mother came along." "It was one of the toughest periods of my life." "Adam I don't want you to have to experience this." "That is why, I'm insisting that you be married before I turn the Kingdom over to you", the King stated as a means of explaining his special request. He made this decision out of selfless love for his son.
Turning to officially face his son, King Randor clasped him by the shoulders continuing. "You accuse me of not having faith in you." "You are wrong Adam." "You may not be a fighter like He-Man, but your negotiation skills exceed mine." "You are right, you should complete the Royal Tour on your own this year." "However, I need your sworn promise that you will actively seek a wife." "I'm asking you this as your father, not as your King, Adam." "If you return from the tour without naming your Royal Consort, I will find one for you", King Randor stated with conviction.
Bowing in front of his father Prince Adam responded, "I will comply with your wishes, Father."
"Very well." "I'll make the necessary arrangements for your travels." "Will you be arranging your security detail?", the King asked.
"I've already thought ahead and made plans." "I've asked Duncan to inform Captain Teela that I would like her to accompany me", the Prince enlightened his father.
"That's a wise choice my son." "Is Duncan willing to release her of her duties or should I petition him to do so?", the King asked.
"He'll release her once I tell him you agreed to my suggestion", the Prince answered wearing a huge smile. His father just agreed to having him and Teela alone for a month.