Chapter Three – "The Southlands"

The week passed much the way Adam and Adora hoped it would. The many citizens of Eternos City helped rebuild the Palace while the wall was slowly and easily being moved back in. Hunting squads went out and brought back food for the people while the Palace provided a nice shelter at night.

Mermista, Castaspella, and Snout Spout washed down every surface of the Palace. The animals had left the day after Adam and Adora's arrival. The work was hard, but it was somewhat joyous as well. The people watched as they worked only side-by-side with each other, but also with He-Man and She-Ra, who served as their king and queen.

At sunup, noon, and sundown, they would feast on whatever the pack of hunters had been able to bring back. At times, they ate until their belly's felt full. Other nights, they were bare. But after a week of work, the Palace was starting to look normal again.

The Fourth Level homes were next on the agenda. By her best estimations, it would be another three days until the reconstruction and clean up of the Palace was finished. After that, they would just move right along. Adam had decided that besides the essentials, nothing would be moved back into the Palace from the storage facilities until all of the homes and businesses were ready. A wise and bold move.

As the work continued, Man-At-Arms was coordinating with the Heroic Warriors in the field, who were preparing the lists of what was needed for the villages and cities. All ready, the seamstresses, blacksmiths, and farmers were hard at work, trying their best to help out the entire kingdom. But their resources were extremely limited. And while the Horde Processing Plants were converted into large-scale factories, the movement of supplies was slow and tedious.

Messages were also coming in from all across Eternia – Tahrin, Arcadia, the Isle of Tears, Morigor, Moriana, Ice Region, Fantus, Ahberron, Targa, the Tree-People, the Rock-People, Aquatica, Apprah, and the Borderlands. They too needed help or were willing to offer it.

Eleven days after their return to Eternos (Adora was off by one day), Adam had made the decision to visit these many kingdoms. He had been planning a tour of all Eternos and had decided, afterwards, that he would take that tour even further.

As the people celebrated the finished repairs to the Palace, Adam and Teela walked in the courtyard. The gardens were gorgeous, now only a few days after Moss Man had worked with them. Addison was fast asleep in his new room within Teela's royal apartment. Duncan had been sitting with him, telling him stories of his younger days that he exaggerated and made more fun.

"You're serious about this world tour?" asked Teela.

"Very much so," Adam replied. "I think people need to know that Eternos is back and rebuilding. And people need help. That's what I . . . what He-Man does."

Teela smiled a little and nodded. "I want to come with you."

Adam nodded. "That sounds good. What about Addison?"

"Him too, of course. I want him to see Eternia."

"Okay, then." The two of them stopped in the walk beneath a small tree whose leaves were now crimson red, but had not yet fallen. Adam looked down at her, so very happy to be with Teela at last. After so many years of waiting, it felt so very right. They kissed.

"Who else?" she asked after their kiss broke. Oh, did it feel good to be able to kiss her like that.

"Orko and Songster for entertainment. Keep the morale boosted. Moss Man to help with the farms. Rio-Blast to give us some input on the livestock and animal status. Clamp Champ for extra security. How's that sound?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Okay, good," Adam responded and kissed her on the forehead. A cool wind blew when he did, casting orange leaves from a nearby small tree. They scattered across the ground.

"Adora and I have a meeting at Castle Grayskull, then another meeting at the Palace. Some big plans going on. We'll probably leave the day after tomorrow."

"Sounds like a good plan."

About an hour later, Adam and Adora arrived at Castle Grayskull, still uncertain as to what the Sorceress had wanted to see them about. As they approached the jawbridge, it clanged open and bid them welcome. The pair entered and walked right into the throne room.

"Now that the secret has been revealed to all, I believe that you two must have a slight change of wardrobe as both He-Man and She-Ra," the Sorceress explained after a greeting.

"How so?" asked Adora.

"The power of Grayskull has created new, more formal attire. Transform and see them both."

Adam nodded to his sister. Adora pulled out the Sword of Protection and raised it to the ceiling. "FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL . . ." she shouted, the power of Grayskull sweeping over her, transforming Princess Adora in the mighty She-Ra. "I AM SHE-RA!"

The transformation was complete. She-Ra looked over at a mirror that had conveniently appeared. Her outfit had changed indeed. Her skirt was now far larger, flowing all around her legs. The symbol on her mid-drift was gone, allowing for a more elegant look to her. A gold strip ran beneath her chest. Two long, hanging gloves hung from her above her elbow to down around her wrists.

"I like it," she commented. "Elegant and formal. Not much use in battle, I don't think."

"It can of course be restored to your old wear when that time comes," the Sorceress replied. "Adam?"

"BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL . . ." he shouted, the Sword of Power suddenly exploding with power and transforming him into He-Man. "I HAVE THE POWER!"

He-Man too looked upon the mirror and saw his armor. It was similar to his old battle armor, with the silver plate breastplate. But now his arms were covered in armor, as were his legs. His honor belt hung across down to his thighs, as per usual.

"Nice," He-Man said. "I like, I like."

King Adam – a title he was still getting used to – stood in the throne room some two hours later. Before him were an assembled group of allies that he had known and worked with when they were younger. Each one, in the past, had stood up against adversity and came through with flying colors. A few of their parents were there, also having a role in what Adam was about the assign them.

There was Ricky and Jahno, who had dealt with Count Marzo – their grandfather, the former and crippled soldier Lyle, was also there. Tharan and his now wife Kareel had years ago faced the evil of Modulock, but had successfully stood against it. Taeger, Krill, and Sinda had once helped He-Man and Teela against Skeletor and Evil-Lynn during a training mission when they were all thirteen.

There was Opie, who had helped with securing the Ancient Mirror of Avathar. Richard, son of a zookeeper, had helped saving some creatures during an attack on Palace. His father, Reed, was there as well. Thad, a former pageboy, saved a Gryphon Egg from Trap-Jaw. Ileena, Teela's old friend, was the final member of the group.

"I have a specific mission for all of you," Adam addressed to them. "Myself and an entourage will be departing in two days for the villages of Eternos, as well as many other kingdoms in the Light Hemisphere. Your mission will be to coordinate with my entourage and to help oversee the fulfillment of my orders regarding the needs and wants of these villages and kingdoms. I'm giving this task to all of you because I am impressed by your proficiency and ability to achieve great goals. I can not think of anyone else I'd rather assign these tasks to."

Two days later, as the sun rose and began to cast away a thick fog, Adam, Teela, Orko, Songster, Clamp Champ, Rio-Blast, Moss Man, Cringer, and Addison all departed the Palace and City of Eternos. Traveling with them were four Attack Tracks, two large Supply Transports, a pair of Laser Bolts, and a Dragon Walker – all armed by Royal Soldiers and Royal Guards.

By the noon, they passed into the Southlands, where most of the farms were located. The group spread out, doing the best they could to help the farmers. As Adam was already aware, anything that could be construed as a weapon had been confiscated. This was in supply and already, the Horde Trooper Processing Plants were being reprogrammed to create farming supplies. Hopefully, the first supply would be arriving within the next week.

They remained in the Southlands for two days. Adam met with many, many grateful and hope-filled farmers and villagers, who so graciously shook Adam's hand. Moss Man happily helped out in any way he could in each and every farm he came to. Likewise, Adam used the Jewel of Life to help energize the many gardens of the Southlands.

After two long days and after making arrangements with his personally selected 'Helpers' up at Eternos, Adam and his entourage prepared to take their leave of the Southlands, heading westward towards Drisdos.

Three full days after arriving, they set out on the road to Drisdos in the mid-morning. However, once noon came, Adam called for a halt. They had arrived at a crossroads in the east-west road. He looked upon the north-south road. There was one person – besides his parents – that Adam had wanted to get in touch with personally that he had not the chance to yet.

"Kathryn," he whispered, looking at the road.

He looked to Teela and she gave him a light smile. "Yeah."

"Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she is. She was in the cavern with us." She paused. "I didn't have the chance to tell you since, well, you know . . ."

"You didn't get a chance to talk to Adam much since I was running around being He-Man."

"Right. And by the time I found out about you, we were working on the reconstruction."

Adam nodded and looked north. "I want to see her. I want to know she's okay."

"She is okay, Adam," Teela responded.

"Even after what happened?"

"Yeah. She, uh, well, she helped deliver Addison here. She told that really helped her deal with what happened to . . ."

"Yeah." He sighed. "I still want to see her."

"I think that's a good idea, then. We can have the soldiers break for lunch and be at Drisdos by evening."

A few minutes later, Adam and Rio-Blast arrived via the Dragon Walker at Roman's home. It looked rather the same as it did when last Adam saw it. Almost immediately, Roman emerged from the house. He was looking quite thin, his enormous belly practically gone, the years of living in the craven having reversed it over time.

"Hello yer majesty," Roman grunted, his formality thin. "Jonas, I'm glad yer alive."

"Same to you, Roman," Rio-Blast responded, shaking the farmer's rough hand.

Roman sized Adam up. "Look here, yer majesty, I ain't happy with ya. I was mighty angry about ya leaving and what happened with my Kathy." He grunted a little. "But I am forced ta admit that it is good that ya've come to yer senses and come ta Eternia, where ya belong. Dat bein' said, I do not want - "

"Roman?" came a male voice from within. A man about Adam's age and height came out. Upon his head was a thick mop of black curls. He looked to Rio-Blast and Adam and went wide-eyed. "Your majesty."

"Uh, hello."

The man walked passed Roman and right over to Adam, shaking his hand with exhalation. "An honor to finally meet you. Kathryn told me about you, but to meet in person is very . . . well, it's a pleasure."

"Thank you, sir. Uh, who are you?"

"My name is Lucas, son of Stoker."

"Nice to meet you."

The door opened once again and Kathryn emerged. "Adam?"

Adam looked to her. She was still the same, after all this time. She wore a long and loose sundress that seemed to barely touch her body in the breeze. Kathryn smiled at him, which made Adam feel good.

"Kathy . . ." Roman grumbled.

"Shush, Da," Kathryn snapped lightly. "It's the King."

"I'm still getting used to that," Adam replied.

"I bet. Hello Jonas."

Rio-Blast removed his hand and bowed just a little. "Kathryn, good to see ya safe and sound."

"Thank you. Uh, Lucas, Da – would you two mind giving Adam and I a few minutes alone? We have a little catching-up to do."

Lucas obliged and headed back into the house. Roman grunted, but Rio-Blast walked over to immediately distract him from Kathryn and Adam.

"I'm glad you're home. I was worried about you."

"I was worried about you too. After the way things ended, I didn't really have a chance to say good bye."

Kathryn shook her head. "I think we pretty much said our good byes on the beach that day, Adam. I know it's not how either one of us wanted to end it, but that's the way it happened." She paused. "I've . . . dealt with all that happened between us. Did Teela tell you I helped with Addison's delivery?"

"Yeah."

"That helped." She shrugged. "I got over what happened. Moved on, as I'm sure you have. Ready to try out what Teela has done."

Adam perked an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Adam!" she practically screamed. She pressed down the mid-section of her loose dress, revealing a more than subtle bump. "I'm pregnant!"

His jaw dropped. "Wha?"

"Yes!"

"Who's the father?"

She pointed back to house. "You met him. Lucas, my husband. We got married a year ago."

Adam smiled, genuinely happy for her. "That's great, Kathryn. He seems like a fantastic guy."

"He is. A farmboy, actually. We're just staying here to help my Da get the farm back up and running. Your Moss Man stopped by yesterday and helped out. Did he mention that?"

"Uh, no, but he went to just about every farm in the Southlands, so I can understand if he didn't know you guys."

"Ah, I see." Kathryn looked out at the fields, which were already looking much healthier. "I'm glad you came out and revealed your real identity. I think it's made a real difference."

"Thank you."

"How did Teela react?"

Adam smirked. "As much as you'd expect. But it was good, though. It got things . . ."

"Started up?"

"Uh . . . how so?"

Kathryn rolled her eyes. "She was crazy about you, Adam. She never outright told me, but sometimes she would go on and on about how much she missed you." Kathryn then smirked. "While she was pregnant and right after Addison was born, she would get very depressed about not having you around. She would tell me that she really wanted her best friend, but I could tell there was more to it than just that."

Adam smiled, feeling very much warmed by those words. "I . . . thank you, Kathryn."

"You're welcome."

The two headed back to the house. When they arrived, Lucas had re-emerged and Roman and Rio-Blast had ended their conversation. Kathryn's siblings Benjamin, Alice, and Olivia were all standing at the door. Adam waved to them. Only Benjamin, looking older, waved back.

"Yer majesty," Roman said then, a little better behaved.

"Roman, it was good to see you again. I hope that your crop grows high and strong."

"Aye."

Adam shook the hand of Lucas. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Lucas. All the best to you and you have the King's blessings to a rich and happy wedded life."

"Thank you, your majesty," Lucas replied, friendly and stunned as ever. "That means a lot."

Kathryn smiled. "He's just a little starry-eyed, Adam. Usually, he's not this nice when he meets my ex-boyfriends."

The trio laughed. Adam and Kathryn hugged, the bump of Kathryn's belly pressing firmly against Adam's abdomen. For just the briefest of moments, he realized that this could have been happening five years ago if not for the rise of Vipera. And he realized that as much as he had once loved Kathryn . . . it was not the life he was meant to lead.

"It was good to see you again," Kathryn said. "I am glad you're home."

"Thank you. And it was good see you again. I'm glad you're happy."

With a brief rub of her belly, Adam and Rio-Blast walked back to the Dragon Walker. They rode back down the road to the convoy, with the door to this part of Adam's life happily closed.