Family

"Oh, my dear girl!" Marlena said as she hugged her daughter tightly. "I'm so glad you're all right!"

"Duncan managed to find out the location of Etheria and construct his own gate-maker," Randor explained. He gestured to the man standing next to him—Teela's father, Duncan.

"Who's your friend?" Adam asked as he nodded towards Sea Hawk.

Adora realized that she had a bit of explaining to do. "Mother, Father, Adam—this is my husband, Captain Jeoff Blithe. He goes by Sea Hawk," she said.

Randor's eyebrows shot up. "Your husband?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sea Hawk said. "I married her right after she escaped from the Horde, and I've been taking care of her."

"I think we need to sit down and listen to Adora tell us about what's been going on," said Marlena.

"I'll leave you all alone so you can talk," said Bow.

Sea Hawk and Adora and her family, along with Duncan, sat around the table. Adora told her parents and brother how she had managed to escape the Horde, and how she had met Sea Hawk.

"You two got married the same day you met?" Adam asked, unable to believe this.

"I don't regret it," Adora said.

"Well, under the circumstances, I'm not going to complain. In fact, I welcome you into the family, Captain," Randor said. A mischievous smile spread across his face. "On the bright side, Count Marzo will have to leave you alone."

"Who is Count Marzo?" Sea Hawk asked.

"A count who wants to marry me. None of us likes him," Adora explained. "It's rumored that he's into sorcery."

"Well, my lovely, it sounds like I saved you from another horrific fate," Sea Hawk teased.

"I wouldn't mind knowing when we're going to start having grandchildren," Marlena said with a smile.

Adora sighed. "You almost did, Mother. Hawk and I were ambushed by Hordesmen a couple of months ago and I had a miscarriage."

Marlena reached across the table and took her daughter's hand. "I'm so sorry," she said.

"I'll still be able to have children but so far it hasn't happened yet," Adora said.

"Give it time," said Marlena. "You're still healing." She looked at her new son-in-law. "I can tell you've been taking good care of her, Captain. You have my gratitude."

"And mine," Randor added. "This could have turned out a lot worse."

Adora knew what her father meant. She could have been a plaything for the Hordesmen and her parents could have had grandchildren sired by said Hordesmen. "I'm just sorry you missed our wedding, Father," she said.

"We can still have a celebration when we get you two home with us," said Marlena. "We plan on having a party for your birthday. It just so happened that Duncan found the way to this world today."

"Can we take Sea Hawk's crew with us?" Adora asked.

Randor considered for a few moments. "I don't see why not," he replied. "They're also wanted by the Horde."

Later that day, Adora was finally home, at the Palace of Eternia. "We are going to have to get you two a suite," Marlena said as Adora peered into her bedroom, which was decorated in shades of pink. "I'm not sure how your husband would feel about sleeping in a pink room."

At the moment, Adam was escorting his new brother-in-law around the palace, so it was just Adora and her mother together. She had to smile at the notion of her husband, a rough-and-tumble kind of man, sleeping among all the pink. "He'd put up with it," Adora said. She looked at her mother. "What do you think of Hawk?"

"I have to admit, your father and I were sure you'd find a prince to marry…but Sea Hawk seems to be of decent character, he wanted to marry you before he knew you were of royal birth, and he took care of you. I was a commoner myself when I married your father," Marlena replied. "I can tell he loves you. I was a bit shocked when you said you married him the day you met him, but I understand why you did it. And you two really seem to connect. I'm perfectly fine with him as my son-in-law." Marlena looked at the simple dress Adora was wearing. "I bet you'll be happy to get into your old clothes."

Adora smiled. "I'm used to this. I had worn that dress for six months—the one I was wearing when Hordak abducted me."

Adam and Sea Hawk came up to them. "It'll take you a while to find your way around," Adam was saying.

Sea Hawk was shaking his head. "I sure fell upstairs. I had no idea that Adora grew up in such a nice place." He took notice of his wife. "So this is your old room?" He peered inside, then whispered in her ear, "Sleeping in there would make me feel like I snuck into a girl's room and seduced her."

"Adora, your cheeks are red!" Adam laughed.

"Oh, stop it, you two!" Adora said as she giggled.

Two nights later, there was to be a royal ball celebrating the homecoming of Princess Adora and her husband, Captain Sea Hawk. It would also be a celebration of the twins' nineteenth birthday. Sea Hawk and Adora were in their suite, getting ready.

"I hope I don't have to dress up like this too often," Sea Hawk said as he looked down at the finery he was wearing. He had on a tunic and hose, not exactly what he cared to wear. Still, this was his life now; he was married to a princess, and this went with the territory.

Adora had on a blue dress with a form-fitting bodice and full skirt. A diamond-and-sapphire tiara was perched on her head. "You'll get used to it," she said as she laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him.

"I almost feel unworthy of you, milady," he said.

She wound her arms around his neck. "Hawk…I feel so fortunate to have you," she said. "I love you. My family accepts you. This will take some getting used to."

He smiled. "Sometimes it just feels a bit overwhelming," he confessed. "I'm used to a rougher life. I am not used to being pampered."

Adora looked at the clock that was above the mantel. "It's time, Hawk," she said.

Sea Hawk offered his elbow and she took it. "I hope I remember the way to the ballroom," he said.

Adora laughed lightly. "I'll lead you if I have to."

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Adora, who had been greeting guests, turned and saw Count Marzo. He had longish black hair, gray eyes, and a goatee. She had always thought of him as sinister-looking. "Good evening, Count Marzo," she said, keeping her tone neutral.

"Now that you're back from your ordeal on Etheria, I thought maybe you'd like the chance to get to know me a bit better," he said smoothly.

"You are aware that I am married now?" she said, wanting to get away from this man. He was known to be a womanizer and even before her abduction she'd had no desire to be just one of his harem.

"It doesn't matter," he said quietly, gazing at her intently.

"I think it does, Count," said a masculine voice behind her.

Adora glanced over her shoulder, sighed with relief when she saw her husband. "Count Marzo, my husband—Captain Sea Hawk," she said, trying not to give any indication that she was nervous.

"Oh yes—the pirate," Marzo said, sounding less than thrilled.

"I was just going to ask my princess for a dance," Sea Hawk said, clearly sending Marzo a message—one to the tune of you'd better keep away from my wife.

"Let's go," said Adora.

"That fellow has some nerve," Sea Hawk said as he led her out to the dance floor. "How'd he get invited?"

"He's a noble. Though if he keeps pushing things, my father may wind up banishing him," Adora explained.

Just then, Adora's father called for attention. The guests all fell silent, and Sea Hawk and Adora turned and looked at the end of the room, where a dais with two thrones was located. King Randor was standing in front of his throne, Queen Marlena beside him. "Captain Sea Hawk, if you would come forward…?"

"What'd I do?" Sea Hawk whispered as he started forth.

Adora grinned. "Don't worry."

She watched as her husband ascended the steps of the dais. Earlier her father had said something about Sea Hawk being created Prince Consort of Eternia. Should Adam die without heirs, Adora would be Queen, with Sea Hawk as King Consort. Adora hadn't told her husband about the ceremony, since it was supposed to be a surprise.

Sea Hawk knelt in front of his wife's parents, and Randor placed a small crown on his head. Then Randor and Marlena took his hands and pulled him to his feet, whereupon he turned and faced the crowd. "I now present to you Jeoff Blithe, Prince Consort of Eternia," Randor announced.

The crowd applauded. Sea Hawk looked a bit stunned; he clearly didn't know what to say.

"I also have another announcement," Randor continued. "I have just received word that my son and Teela are to be married in the spring."

More applause ensued. Adora was grinning from ear to ear. Her husband was now officially a prince and her brother was going to marry Teela, who would become Princess Consort upon the marriage.

She went and found Adam and Teela standing together near the dais. "What a nice surprise, Adam!" she exclaimed as she hugged her brother and her future sister-in-law. Adam was dressed in a blue tunic, similar to what Sea Hawk was wearing, while Teela was in a pink dress not all that different from Adora's dress.

"We will officially be sisters come April," Teela grinned.

A week after the ball, Adora was sitting in the library, lost in thought. So much had happened in less than a year. She was glad that she could put her ordeal behind her. At least something good had come out of it all—Sea Hawk.

She heard his voice saying, "What're you thinking about, my lovely?"

Adora looked up as her husband sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulders. "I wanted to help Micah and Angella," she said. "I just up and left Etheria and they're still struggling."

"You want to go back and help them?" he asked.

Adora nodded. "They've been good to us."

"Sweetheart, you've given them a lot of information. You've told them everything you know about the Horde. I really don't think there's a lot more you can do," he pointed out.

"They're our friends," Adora said. "I managed to escape from the Horde. I want to prevent other people from going through what I went through—and worse."

"Have you talked to your parents about this?" he asked as he idly played with a lock of her golden hair.

She shook her head. "Not yet. I don't know what they'd think."

"I think they'd miss you terribly, just like they did when you were gone." He sighed. "You're serious about this, aren't you? You can be a very determined young lady." Getting up, he took her hand. "I'll go with you to tell your parents after I talk this over with my crew. I think they're itching for some adventure anyhow."

"Go back to Etheria? You can't be serious, Adora," Randor protested as he, Marlena, Adam, Adora, and Sea Hawk sat in the den together hours later.

"I want to help. I feel like I've abandoned my new friends," Adora explained. "As soon as the Horde is defeated, we will come home to Eternia for good."

Randor stroked his beard, looking thoughtful as he studied his daughter. "What if I sent an army with you? Strictly voluntary, of course. I am quite certain I can find some volunteers."

"Eternian soldiers fighting Etheria's war?" Marlena asked as she lightly touched her husband's sleeve.

"Who's to say Hordak won't try to conquer Eternia again?" Randor pointed out. "You heard Adora say that he'd intended to take both our children."

Marlena nodded slowly, understanding what her husband was saying.

"We plan on leaving with my crew in a few days," Sea Hawk said. "Adora will be on my ship. We'll be doing a little, er, pirating. Sabotage."

"Sounds like fun," Adam deadpanned.

"We'll be back for your wedding, Adam," Adora promised. "Once we free the kingdom of Bright Moon, it should be smoother sailing, since it's Etheria's ruling kingdom. Right now the castle is one of Hordak's fortresses."

Randor sighed. "Very well, Adora. You seem to know what you're doing, and I understand. I don't have to like it. But at least we'll know where you are—and that your husband is keeping a good eye on you."

Quick note: I have some knowledge of royal titles, specifically those of the UK. But this is Eternia here, and I more or less have my own system made up for Eternia. :)