The palace alarm reverberated throughout the night air. He-Man was out of bed in a heartbeat, dressed in seconds, and had Battle Cat's armor on in under a minute. It took only a little longer than transforming did, but it felt like forever. Then an explosion rocked the palace, knocking him down to one knee.
"Let's go, Cat," he said grimly. The two burst into the hallway to find debris littering the floor in front of what used to be Adam's suite. He-Man ignored his own horrified shock and quickly glanced up and down the hall, relieved to see his parents emerging safely from their room and Teela from hers.
"King Randor, Queen Marlena!" he called. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," the king responded. He and Marlena stopped short in front of the pile of rocks around Adam's room, staring. Marlena put a hand to her mouth.
He-Man turned back to the mess as well and was barely conscious of Teela picking her way across the rubble to stand beside him. The alarms and shouts of the guard and the zoom of various vehicles flying through the night air faded. Adam's room was completely destroyed; small fires burned any remnants of furniture and books. The outside walls were decimated, and great chunks of the inner walls had blown outwards. The stone walls, what was left of them, were blackened. Thankfully, on either side of his suite were Marlena and Randor's sitting room and Teela's closet and bathroom; although those too were probably ruined, they had acted as buffers to keep his parents and Teela safe.
"By the Ancients," Teela breathed as she surveyed what was left of the room. "If Adam had been in there…" She didn't even finish the thought, but instead put a hand on He-Man's shoulder, glancing up at his face.
"Get the king and queen to safety, Captain," He-Man said in a hard tone, staring straight ahead. Teela left his side to do as he asked without question, and for that he was grateful. Because through the slowly clearing smoke, Skeletor emerged.
Catching sight of him, Skeletor froze. "HE-MAN! But you're supposed to be dead!"
"Sorry to disappoint you," He-Man said, though in truth he felt a twisted satisfaction that Skeletor's plan hadn't worked.
Spikor came up alongside Skeletor. "You fool, you attacked the wrong side!" Skeletor snapped at him, raising his havoc staff. "I spent the last week perfecting that one missile, and now it's been wasted!"
He-Man stiffened. 'They were after me. My parents and Teela were almost killed because of me.' He struggled to control himself, thankfully provided time by the bickering of the attackers.
"You told me to hit the south side," Spikor protested in his echoing voice.
"Then obviously this is the north side," growled Skeletor, "because He-Man is still alive!"
"Uh-oh," said Spikor worriedly, glancing at Skeletor.
"If you two are done trying to figure out your directions," He-Man drawled, "why don't you surrender quietly and I'll tell King Randor to make sure you get geography lessons in prison."
For once, Skeletor didn't waste time with verbal sparring. He raised his havoc staff and fired off a shot at He-Man, who easily used his wristband to deflect it right at Spikor. Duncan joined He-Man to the right on the other side of Battle Cat, and Ram-Man and Orko appeared on He-Man's left. Battle Cat let out a mighty roar, nearly trembling in his eagerness to attack.
Skeletor stepped back. "Another time, He-Man," he snapped irritably, and he and Spikor disappeared.
"Of course," He-Man muttered. "There's always another time." He and the others stood in silence for a moment as their heart rates slowed and their breathing returned to normal.
"Wow, what a mess," Ram-Man finally observed. "It's a good thing Prince Adam wasn't here."
As always, his simple comment hit right to the core of the matter. He-Man took a few steps until he was inside what was once his room. He looked around, dazed. Anything that materialistically had been Adam's was destroyed. His books, his memorabilia, awards presented over the years, photos, paintings, even his clothing. It had all been obliterated.
If he had been Adam, he would have been killed.
If he had been Adam, Skeletor wouldn't have attacked.
He jerked as a hand came down on his shoulder. Looking over, he caught Duncan's eye. "I sent Ram-Man to check on the northern observation tower." The older warrior shook his head in sympathy. "Ancients, lad, I'm so sorry. What a mess."
"They were only things." He-Man spoke matter-of-factly, but ran a hand through his hair, belying his inner turmoil.
"But they were a link to your life growing up," Duncan murmured softly.
He-Man nodded absently. "I have to leave, Duncan. This is exactly what I was afraid of. The king and queen and Teela could have been killed."
"And you as well," Man-at-Arms replied soberly. "As much as I hate to say it, I think it's time you took the Sorceress up on her offer."
"You can't be serious," Randor exclaimed, staring at He-Man. The two of them, along with Marlena, Orko, Battle Cat, Duncan and Teela, were holed up in the king's study. Marlena had been moving smoothly around the room, passing out cups of hot tea, but at He-Man's announcement that he was leaving, she had stopped short in dismay. Orko had been in mid-yawn, since it was still a half-hour before dawn, and he too froze, shocked by his friend's decision.
"Your Majesty, Skeletor-" He-Man began, but Teela cut him off.
"Why are you still insisting on acting as if he's not your father, calling him 'Your Majesty'?" she demanded irritably.
"Because that's what he is to me when I am He-Man," the hero returned evenly. "It's easier not to slip in front of someone if I address him properly all the time."
Randor stepped in front of him, a shadow of pain on his face. "While I understand that, please remember that you are my only son," he said in a rough voice. The fact that he had come close to losing Adam that very night, if not for Spikor's stupidity, suddenly hit Randor hard. He pulled He-Man into the first hug he had given his son in a long, long time.
He-Man was so dumbfounded for the first few seconds that he didn't move. Finally he slowly raised his own arms and returned Randor's hug. The king recognized the hesitation—Adam acted the same whenever he was caught off-guard by his father's rare show of affection. Somehow, it was the sign Randor needed to confirm that this truly was his son.
"King Randor?" He-Man said in a questioning tone as Randor continued to hold him. "Are you all right?"
Randor stood back, unashamed as a tear escaped down his face. "No, I am not. I despise the fact that you have to leave, but you are right. We cannot risk another attack on you."
He-Man started to protest, then stopped, evidently realizing that he couldn't deny that Skeletor had been after him, and had he been in Adam's room, he very well could have been killed.
Randor turned away slightly and clenched a fist. "I feel we have so much to make up for, so much I can understand now that I know the truth," he said in a frustrated tone. He stared out the window without seeing anything, until a strong hand came down on his shoulder.
"I'm leaving at first light," He-Man said quietly. "But I'll come back—every day if you like. It's just not safe for me to live here." Randor turned back to him and nodded.
Marlena frowned. "You must take someone with you as a chaperone," she insisted. "For you to be living with a single woman is just…well, it's improper."
He-Man's jaw went slack as she spoke. He had obviously never even considered the Sorceress in that light. "But she's old enough to be-" He broke off, reddening.
"Your mother?" Marlena filled in dryly. "That doesn't make it appropriate."
"Your mother's right," Randor agreed, choking back his own laughter at He-Man's flub. "We must have a third person in attendance. Someone trusted not only by us, but by the people as well."
"I'll go," Duncan and Orko offered simultaneously.
"No, Duncan, you're too important to the kingdom's defense to go live at Grayskull," He-Man argued. "Orko can-" He broke off suddenly, putting a hand to his head. His eyes drifted closed.
"What's wrong?" Randor demanded, frowning.
"Sh," Duncan hissed quickly. "The Sorceress is speaking to him."
The group waited silently as He-Man concentrated. "But-" he said aloud. Obviously having been cut off, his brow furrowed, and a light frown appeared on his face. Suddenly it cleared. "I understand," he replied aloud. He-Man opened his eyes, his gaze somewhat wary as it fell on Teela. "The Sorceress would very much like it if Teela would be the one to accompany me," he said.
Marlena's eyes lit up. "That's perfect," she said with obvious satisfaction.
"But I can't leave my duties here!" Teela protested. "I'm Captain of the Guard, not-" She broke off, her face flushing.
"Not a babysitter?" He-Man finished. His tone and face were almost impossible to interpret, but Randor was sure he felt hurt.
"I didn't mean it like that," Teela said lamely.
"I understand how you feel, Teela, but this really does mean a lot to the Sorceress," He-Man said steadily. "I think you'll find that it will mean a lot to you as well."
"What do you mean?"
He-Man shook his head. "I can't say anything more than that right now." He glanced over at Duncan, who nodded. Randor pursed his lips, wondering if Duncan might offer some insight into Adam's last few years.
"How about just a temporary leave of absence?" Duncan suggested. "For two weeks, perhaps? We might have a better idea of what to do and how to handle this entire situation at that time."
Randor nodded slowly. "That sounds like a wise idea, Duncan." Teela frowned, but didn't protest further.
Marlena laid a hand on He-Man's arm. "I would imagine you'll need to pack some things."
He snorted. "There's nothing left."
"I have a few old things of your father's stored away that should fit you," Marlena countered. "It will give you something to relax in, at any rate."
He-Man nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty." As she had at Grayskull, Marlena glared at him, and he gave her a half-smirk as he corrected himself. "Mother."
He-Man followed Marlena to an old storage room in a little-used wing of the palace, a feeling of nostalgia hitting him at every turn. 'I can come back as often as I want,' he reminded himself. 'I just can't put them-or myself-in any more danger by staying here. But it will always be my home.'
The musty smell of stale dusty air assaulted them as soon as they entered the room. Marlena coughed delicately as she wandered from pile to pile, searching for the right box. He-Man cast a glance over his shoulder before speaking.
"Why didn't you tell me you knew?" His voice echoed in the room, which was bare stone all around, no rugs, no wall hangings.
Marlena paused in her wanderings and met his tormented gaze. "Speaking aloud what we believe to be true is often more difficult than we expect," she said softly. "When I first suspected it, I dismissed it as a mother's wishful thinking. Yet I never saw anything to prove me wrong. I think perhaps I could have asked Adam if it was necessary. But approaching you about it was somehow more difficult." She raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps it was Grayskull's magic."
He-Man nodded slowly. That made sense to him. "But why didn't you ask before all this happened?"
Marlena chuckled a bit dryly. "My dear boy, with some of the scrapes you've gotten into over the years, I didn't want to know I was right."
He-Man laughed outright, and Marlena smiled, looking pleased with herself. Her eyes fell onto a box. "Ah, this might be it," she exclaimed. She opened the top with little effort, but as she did so, her face turned white.
"Queen Marlena, are you all right?" He-Man demanded, moving closer to her.
"Yes," she said faintly. "I'm fine." She reached into the box and pulled out a sky-blue tunic with a charcoal-gray long-sleeve shirt and pants. He-Man caught sight of a flash of soft blue and pale pink as she did so. Then she pulled out another set, this one completely rust-colored with gold embroidering. She reached deeper into the box and pulled out a cream-colored tunic with black pants.
Although Marlena was avoiding the softer colors, He-Man was curious about them. Instinctively he reached in and pulled the objects out. "Baby blankets," he muttered aloud. He caught Marlena watching him, an odd expression on her face—a mixture of regret and fear. "Mine and Teela's?"
"I think three is enough for now, don't you?" Marlena asked briskly, her face becoming expressionless. "Perhaps the Sorceress can use her magic to adjust them, or we can have a seamstress fix them up for you. Now let's see, you'll need some personal affects as well…"
He-Man barely listened as she prattled on about him needing a hairbrush, blankets, paintings, washcloths, towels—it sounded as if she intended to send half the palace with him. But it was her actions that intrigued him. She quickly closed up the box they had been going through, going so far as to fold the top pieces into each other to make it harder to open. Then she put another box on top of it, opened that one, shook her head, and closed it—but left it on top of the original one.
It didn't escape his notice that she had not answered his question, either. Still, he had enough on his mind at the moment. Whatever had flustered his mother so badly would have to wait—at least for now.
He-Man shook his head at the amount of baggage loaded into the back of the attack track. He swallowed hard, trying to disperse the sadness he felt at leaving his home. "Looks like you'll have to walk, Cat," he teased his partner, striving for lightness. "I suppose I can ride with you to keep you company."
Battle Cat growled softly. "Very funny."
"Do you think we forgot anything?" Marlena worried. "This is all happening so fast."
It was also happening quietly. Not having a good reason for packing up all of these items to send with He-Man and Teela, they had all found themselves in the position of lying about what was going on, or keeping it a secret. He-Man insisted they not lie.
Orko had helped save the day. He used his magic to transport the desired boxes into the hangar where the attack track sat waiting. It hadn't worked perfectly—some of the boxes stayed suspended in mid-air for over an hour—but it had done its job.
He-Man shook himself out of his reverie and hugged his mother. "We'll be back in a day or two," he promised. "Teela's too much of a workaholic to stay away for long." He winked at Teela, but her frown remained on her face.
"Actually, I think staying at Grayskull for a few days straight, maybe even a week, would be good for both of you," Duncan commented casually. "Teela could use a vacation, and you've been under a lot of stress. It wouldn't hurt either of you to relax for a bit."
He-Man bit his tongue to keep from responding, but he couldn't help but think that from the look on Teela's face, the next few days would be anything but relaxing.
"Greetings, He-Man, Teela. Welcome," the Sorceress said in her gentle voice.
Teela smiled at her. She had always had a special affection for the older woman. Getting to know her a bit better was the one good thing out of the entire mess. Teela's smile faded as she recalled her irritation with the Sorceress for making He-Man keep his identity a secret. She also hated that she had been pushed into coming here, into "chaperoning" two adults who did not need it. She forced the thoughts from her mind and focused on the Sorceress' words.
"I have prepared rooms for you in the south tower," the older woman was saying. "Follow me."
"Thank you for your hospitality, Sorceress," He-Man said in a low voice as they trailed after her. "I'm sorry to invade your home."
The Sorceress stopped in mid-step and turned to him, a smile of reassurance on her face. "My dear boy, this is your home as well. It always has been, and it always will be. You belong here just as much as I." Her gaze shifted to Battle Cat, then to Teela, and she added, "Perhaps more."
Teela's brow furrowed. The Sorceress was obviously including her in the sentiment, but Grayskull had never been her home. She shuddered slightly as they continued their trek, moving up the stairwell. Grayskull was so dreary in so many ways. She couldn't imagine living her entire life in such a place. She frowned. Of course, there was a chance of that actually happening now. She might be stuck here forever if Queen Marlena didn't get over this ridiculous idea that He-Man needed a chaperone.
Teela bit her lip as she realized that if he were Adam right now, not He-Man, she would absolutely feel he needed a chaperone. He-Man was virtuous; Adam was a playboy. Everyone in Eternia knew Adam flirted with almost any pretty girl. Teela sighed as they reached the top of the stairs. That wasn't entirely fair. Adam did have scruples. But to put him in the same category as He-Man…Teela suddenly wondered which one was more like the true person when it came to women—He-Man or Adam?
"This is your room, Teela," the Sorceress said, opening the first door on the right. Teela's face reddened and she pulled her thoughts away from the mound of chiseled muscle that was right next to her. "The door there," the Sorceress continued, gesturing to the left, "leads to a bathroom and closet."
Teela gasped in surprised delight. The room was decorated in vivid yellows and a mixture of soft and bold blues. The bed itself was a swirl of yellow and blue, with white posts and a matching canopy. A white desk stood near the window, so she could see outdoors as she wrote. Two intricately carved white dressers stood on adjacent walls. A tapestry of a waterfall flowing into golden rocks in a forest covered a good half of one wall. Tucked into one corner was a blue reading chair that promised to be soft and comfortable.
"It's lovely," Teela said with a smile. She moved into the center of the room, her feet sinking into a deep throw rug that mixed deep blue, cream, and a softer yellow together in tiny hoops. The room wasn't dreary at all. It was cozy and warm, and she loved it instantly. She looked at the Sorceress, who was watching her with an exceptionally pleased expression on her face. "Thank you," Teela said with all the gratitude she could infuse into her voice.
"You're very welcome, Teela," the Sorceress replied. "It's the least I can do." She turned to He-Man. "Come, Adam, I will show you to your room."
Curious to see not only where his room was but what it looked like, Teela followed them. "My room is next to Teela's," the Sorceress said, motioning to a door further down the hall on the right. They stopped a few paces down the hall, at a door that was situated on the opposite side of the hall. "Yours is here, Adam." He-Man gave her an odd look as she repeated his real name, but didn't comment. He and Battle Cat simply followed her in.
"Wow." The simple but awed comment from He-Man spurred Teela to squeeze in around him. Her eyes widened. It was very similar to her room, except that the furniture was a medium-colored wood and the décor was a mix of reds and creams. The bedding was a checkered pattern, rather than the swirls on Teela's bed. But it was the tapestry that caught and held Teela's attention, as it had He-Man's.
The tapestry was like an aerial view of the palace, and it covered almost an entire wall, with artistry that was detailed down to the very stones of the palace. Approaching it, Teela could make out tiny people scattered about—Duncan flying away in a wind raider, the king and queen on a balcony, Adam and Cringer under a tree in the garden, and even herself and Ram-Man training in the yard.
"Thank you, Sorceress." He-Man's voice was low and thick. Teela glanced at his face, but it was as impassive as it normally was.
"You're welcome," the Sorceress responded in a matter-of-fact voice, as if she would have done no less for anyone. "There's one more thing I wish to show you. Come." They followed her out, Battle Cat tossing a longing look at the thick carpet before trailing after He-Man.
The Sorceress stopped in front of the next door on the left, a mysterious smile on her face. Teela quirked an eyebrow questioningly. If memory served her correctly, this was the room they had all stayed in when He-Man had nearly died from Skeletor's poison. He-Man stopped short in the doorway, but Battle Cat walked in, leaving enough room for Teela to come up alongside of He-Man.
"What on Eternia?" Teela muttered. It was a kitchen. She frowned and glanced up and down the hallway. She had been sure this was the three-bed sleeping quarters. Maybe she had gotten her directions mixed up…
"I don't know what to say," He-Man said quietly. He looked at the Sorceress, his eyes a bit brighter than normal. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble. But thank you."
"Adam, this is your home now, whether it be for a few days or the rest of your life," the Sorceress answered gently. She reached over and grasped his hand, drawing him into the kitchen. "I want you to be able to be who you are, to enjoy the things that are important to you. Within these castle walls, you can be who you truly are, with no disguise to maintain. It is the least the Castle can do for its defender."
Teela suddenly understood. "You turned this room into a kitchen?" she asked, barely able to believe it. Such a project would take months without magic—and either way, it was an incredibly generous gesture. Adam loved to bake, just as much as she loved to train.
The Sorceress lent her a smile. "The Castle's magic is such that it meets the needs of its occupants. As the conduit of that magic, I only had to come to this wing and imagine Adam, and the Castle supplied his needs. Just as I did with your room." She gestured towards a small set of stairs at the end of the hall. "Those stairs lead to a work-out room and a small sitting room for both of you."
"Forgive me for asking, but why do you keep calling He-Man Adam?" Teela asked hesitantly. "Have you always, or-"
"I am standing here," He-Man broke in dryly.
Teela flushed red while the Sorceress chuckled lightly. "Adam was chosen to be Grayskull's champion because of his dedication to doing the right thing, to put others and his duty before himself," she explained. "This is a trying time for him now, and I simply want to help him remember who he truly is."
"Oh," Teela said softly.
"If you will excuse me now, I will leave you to unpack and get settled," the Sorceress said, turning away. "Adam, be sure to show Teela around the castle."
"Yes Sorceress," he said automatically.
Teela crossed her arms. She didn't really want to be alone with him, but it seemed that she had no choice.
"So…" He-Man glanced at her, shifting his weight awkwardly. "Do you want to tour the Castle first, or unload?"
"Let's get the work done first," Teela said tightly. She heard him let out a quiet sigh as she marched ahead.
Duncan didn't bother waiting for Randor to come to him; he went to the king's study, where he found Randor gazing at the far side of the room, with a rather blank look. Confusion played across his face when he spotted Duncan.
"How could you swear your loyalty to me and then keep such a secret from me?" Randor asked in semi-defeated tone.
"I swore an oath of loyalty to the throne, to protect the royal family," Duncan returned quietly, taking a seat without being invited to do so. "It was not a decision I made lightly, Your Majesty. I thought you deserved to know at first, but the danger that presented to both you and Adam…" He shook his head. "I couldn't take that risk."
"He must have hated me." Randor's voice was dull, hopeless.
"He did not," Duncan retorted immediately. "Randor, look at me." He waited until his friend did as he asked. "Adam loves you. He longed for your approval, but he never harbored ill feelings towards you. It was his choice. He understood that."
Randor's face fell into his hands. "If I had only looked harder," he whispered. "If I had listened to him, paid attention to him, maybe-"
"Oh, stuff it," Duncan interrupted impatiently, shifting in his chair. Randor looked up in surprise. "Between Adam's determination to keep you safe and Grayskull's magic, you had very little chance of learning the truth, Randor."
Randor's gaze sharpened. "Duncan, tell me about it. Was it ever too much for him? Did anyone ever nearly find out the truth? Does he get tired as He-Man?"
Duncan smiled at the king's sudden thirst for knowledge. He settled back in his chair to tell Randor about what his son's life had been like since he had turned eighteen.