Pure Intentions? Chapter 11
Scrunching her face, Teela stared at the hairpieces a look of utter confusion marring her beautiful features. Looking over at Orko, she noticed he was keeled over in fits of laughter.
Teela didn't think this was funny. Why would Adam be gifting her with wigs? What did he mean 'for when the need arises?'. Lately, she couldn't figure her childhood friend out. Was this some kind of joke?
Curiosity taking over, she walked to her mirror holding the wigs out in front of her. Pulling one on, she stared at her reflection. It was disgusting. Short and straight with even shorter bangs, it didn't complement her features at all.
Watching her, Orko came to float by her side his laughter growing even louder.
"Orkoooo", she yelled through clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry Teela; but I think that wig is meant for a man", he stated.
"A man?", she queried. "Why would Adam send me a man's wig?"
"I don't know", Orko responded. "Perhaps, the other one is for a woman?", he suggested.
Taking the offensive wig off, she exchanged it with the other one. This one was a tinge darker than the first one. Pulling it over her head, Teela looked at herself in the mirror. Instantly, she was transformed into a raven-haired beauty. Turning to the side, she admired the way the long midnight black locks cascaded down her back.
Snatching it off her head when her eyes landed on her timepiece, she threw both wigs back in the box. "I'm late to meet with my father", she yelled as she ran out of her room.
Speeding toward her father's workshop Teela wondered about the wigs. Did Adam intend to role play with her?
Reaching her father's workshop, she punched in the codes to enter but stopped short when she heard a muffled conversation. Walking in on extremely silent feet, Teela hid behind a tall shelf of supplies. Just a few feet in front of her stood the King of Eternia, obviously engaged in a very secret conversation with her father. She turned to leave, not wanting to eavesdrop but changed her mind when she heard the King state his son's and her name. Intrigued, she decided to stay. Climbing high on the shelves so that she won't be found, she turned her head toward their voices.
"I'm worried about them Duncan", she heard the King state.
"Sire, they are grown adults."
"I know, it's just that this Tour is so important." "Do you think he'll bring home a wife?", the King asked the worry clear in his voice.
"I have supreme confidence that Adam will comply with your wishes, Sire", Duncan answered.
"Has he already met his future Queen, he has been very excited about completing this tour?", the King asked with excitement.
"Randor, you should ask Adam that", Man-At-Arms advised his Sovereign, not wanting to disclose to the King that Adam had already asked him permission to court Teela.
"You know him better than I do, Duncan." "I can't ask him….….."
"Sire, Adam knows what he is doing", the cinnamon-eyed General answered him.
"I warned him that if he doesn't come home with a wife, I'll find one for him", Randor stated.
"My King, I would advise you against that course of action", Duncan stated lowering his head.
"I'm aware it is archaic, but his mother and I are desperate", the King answered.
Coming to stand next to his cherished friend, Man-At-Arms clasped the King's arms stating, "Adam will comply with your wishes, Randor, I am sure of this."
"So he has spoken to you about this?", the King queried.
Deciding not to hold anymore unnecessary secrets from his King, Duncan nodded his head.
"Who is she?", the King demanded excitedly.
"I'd rather not say, M'lord", Duncan answered.
"Why not?", Randor wondered.
"Because if I know you , which I do, you'll hold him back from this Tour", Duncan answered.
"So the lady in question lives here in Eternos?", the King quickly deduced.
"Randor…"
"Okay, okay." "I'll stop pestering you about this and let you get back to work", the King conceded. Making to walk out of the workshop, the King turned to his most trusted advisor and asked over his shoulder "Do you approve of her?"
Taking a deep breath Duncan looked up to where he knew his daughter was hiding and answered, "She will make a fine Queen, my King." Under his breath he uttered, 'If Adam can convince her that's what she wants.'
Nodding his head and accepting Duncan's words, the King walked happily to his office.
Walking directly underneath his perched daughter, he looked up to see her looking down at him. "Come down Teela", he directed.
Retracting her booted feet under her, she crouched low pushing through her calf muscles to get the propelling motion needed to flip herself over. Somersaulting down from the rafters, Teela landed in front of her father, bending her knees low to the ground to protect her landing.
"What did I tell you about eavesdropping, daughter?", Duncan immediately admonished.
Feeling ashamed, Teela lowered her head and mumbled an incoherent apology.
"Teela, you can't keep doing this", her father censored.
Looking up, the red-haired captain held her father's gaze as she responded more loudly, "I'm sorry, father." "It was not my intention to spy on you and the King." "I was going to leave until I heard my name." "I didn't know the King was worried about Adam being successful on this tour", she concluded.
"Yes, Teela." "Adam has a lot to accomplish while the two of you are away." "I trust you'll make sure the King's wishes are carried out?", Duncan asked her.
Nodding her response, Teela asked "How did you know that I was here?"
"My new device tells me when someone enters the security codes to enter my workshop", he answered showing her a black digital square shaped device he wore on his wrist.
"Wow father." "That is amazing!", she exclaimed. "Will we all have one?"
"Eventually, Teela." "This is just a prototype, I'm still adding other functions to it", Duncan answered honestly.
Deciding to change the subject he then asked her, "Are you ready for your trip, dear heart?"
"Kind of…", she trailed.
"What's the matter Teela?", her father asked concern clearly evident in his voice.
"Father, I went over the travel details Adam send me." "I noticed that there is an extra week added in the end, but no more information." "Do you have an idea where he wants to go?", she asked him.
"No." "I wasn't aware of an additional week, show me", he directed.
Walking toward his workbench, Teela spread out the travel itinerary and calendar Adam's office manager had forwarded to her. Picking up the documents, Duncan studied them careful. He noticed that Adam's return date was different than what he reported to his father. The other thing he noticed was that in all of Adam's correspondence to the neighboring kingdoms they would be visiting, there was a request for only one suite.
Where did Adam plan for Teela to sleep?
Looking at his daughter, Duncan wondered if Teela had noticed this too. He didn't think she had or else he was sure she would be fighting Adam on it. Unless, their relationship progressed farther than he was aware of. 'Wouldn't Adam inform me of it?', he thought to himself.
He was aware that sometimes bodyguards slept in the same room as their charges to ensure tighter security, but Adam and Teela never engaged in this behavior. Checking his memory, Duncan recalled that he usually accompanied the Prince to overnight missions, never his daughter. He wondered how she would react when she found out, if she didn't already know.
In the month that they prepped for this tour, Duncan had kept a close watch on his daughter and the Prince. He noticed the heated looks passing between them, when they thought no one else was watching. He also noticed that Teela studied him like a hawk. His daughter was definitely up to something; however, she did not enlighten him about it.
What he found most amazing was the standoffish attitude she gave He-Man. Adam had explained that he would have to change the way he acted around Teela when transformed; however, Duncan noticed that it was his daughter who had changed instead. Late at night, Man-At-Arms found himself often wondering about that.
Clearing his head from his musings, he directed his attention to the trip's itinerary. He also wondered where Adam planned on spending the last week of the Royal Tour. Now him he could ask. After all, he needed to know his location at all times in case he had to summon He-Man. He would also talk with Adam about the room arrangements. Then he stopped himself. What was he thinking? He couldn't really address this with Adam. Furthermore, what if it was Teela's idea in order to ensure she be better able to protect him? Inwardly groaning, Duncan stilled his mind and body. He would consult with the Sorceress about this and see what she had to say about it.
Reaching for his communicator, he dialed Adam's office link. He waited a few seconds before the line was picked up. "Hello Duncan", Adam answered jovially. "How can I help you?"
Walking away from Teela, Duncan whispered into the handset, "Adam the dates we went over are different than on the itinerary."
"I'm aware Duncan." "Is Teela with you?", the Prince asked tentatively.
"Yes", Duncan replied.
"I don't want her to know yet." "I'm planning a little get away for the two of us, to convince her about what we talked about…..", he responded. "Just tell her that I'm waiting to hear back from one more additional kingdom, hence the need for the additional week." "Please Duncan", he pleaded.
Understanding dawning, Duncan assured the Prince that he would inform his daughter. Closing the communicative connection, Duncan walked back to his daughter who was tapping her foot impatiently as she waited.
"Adam is waiting to hear from one more kingdom, Teela." "It wasn't a mistake", he informed her.
"Ohhh", she replied clearly shocked that she was the one who had made the mistake. "That explains it", she uttered to quickly cover her oversight. "I guess his parents are aware of it already?", she asked.
"I'm sure they are, Teela", her father answered.
"Well then, everything seems set for us to leave tomorrow evening." "I'm going to miss you Father", Teela informed him. Tonight would be the last night she spend with him, as she was aware that her father had business at Grayskull tomorrow and would not return in time before she left.
"I'm going to miss you more, Teela", he answered pulling her in for a hug. "I think we've worked enough for one day." "Why don't we go shower and change and then go on a father/daughter date?", he questioned.
"But I thought we had a lot more work to do, father?", Teela asked.
"We'll always have a ton of work Teela." "However, we won't always have the freedom to enjoy each other's leisurely company."
"You are right, Daddy", Teela agreed. "I'll meet you in Hanger 27 in half an hour", she stated as she started running toward her room.
Teela returned to her rooms after spending a wonderful evening with her father. He took her out to eat at her favorite restaurant, a treat usually reserved for special occasions. She loved spending time like this with her father, when he gave her his undivided attention and she blossomed with it. It wasn't that she was an insecure person; however, having only one parent Teela knew how special their bond was.
Lying on her bed, she recalled her father's and the King's conversation. From what her father disclosed, Adam had already found his future wife and she lived within the Royal City. Clutching her duvet to her chin, Teela wracked her mind trying to solve this mystery. She never once saw Adam behaving amorously with any of the female courtiers. Yet, her father seemed sure that Adam was on his way to matrimonial bliss. Teela acknowledged that ever since Adam turned seventeen he was much closer to her father than he was to her.
Turning to her side, she wondered what all that meant to her hypothesis. 'Is Adam He-Man?', she questioned herself. 'If he is, how could he replace me so quickly?' Teela hated doubting herself; however, she still didn't come with conclusive proof about her friend's secret.
Flopping around to the other side, Teela harrumphed loudly. This month away from the Palace would be torture. She acted like she was fine spending so much alone time with the Prince, but the truth was she was dreading it. She noticed that requests for only one suite were made. Off course, there was no way she would let her father know that and wished he had not noticed it when they reviewed the tour's itinerary.
Teela was very nervous. She almost got out of her bed to beg out of her duty. Moving again, she turned onto her back fluffing several pillows behind her head, when an idea started forming in her mind. She didn't need to be alone with Adam, did she?
Throwing her covers off of her, she climbed off her bed. Slipping her feet into her slippers, she pulled on a pink satin robe wrapping the sash around her small waist. Opening her bedroom door, she walked down the hallway coming to a stop several doors down. Knocking on the door, she waited for the room's occupant to allow her entrance.
A sleepy Orko opened the door, his hand covering a wide yawn. "Hi, Teela", he greeted her.
"Orko, may I come in?", she asked.
Nodding, he moved out of the way to give her entrance. Hovering in front of his bed he waited to see what the Captain of the Royal Guard needed.
"Are you busy for the next month?", she asked him.
Her words awakening him, he floated higher wondering why she would ask him that question. Noticing his excitement Teela continued, "Why don't you join Adam and me on his Royal Eternian Tour?"
"Really, you want me to come along?", the red-garbed magician asked.
"Yes Orko; but let's surprise Adam with this okay?", she asked knowing how much the magician loved surprising everyone.
"Teeelaaaa", he shrieked with happiness clasping his hands in front of him.
"Is that a yes?", the captain asked.
"Yes", was the Trollan's single word reply. "I have the perfect way to surprise him."
"How?", Teela asked.
"I won't show up until the last minute….in fact I'll surprise you too", he stated happily.
Staring at him, Teela wondered what that entailed. A small regret starting forming in her mind about this special request that she quickly squashed. She decided she needed Orko as a buffer.
"Thanks Orko", she stated as she turned around and walked back to her rooms glad that Orko agreed to join them.