A/N: Thanks, everyone, for sticking with the story even though the updates have slowed down! BTW, you might notice, as our beta reader did, that Adora's friend's name, Lohni, is spelled differently than in past stories. Lohni, with the "h", is the correct spelling, which when I/we wrote the other stories, I/we didn't know.
As always, we don't own most of these characters. But after watching "How to Train Your Dragon" today, I'm starting to think that Dreamworks should buy the rights so we can finally get a good movie...
"What's goin' on in here?" Ramos demanded gruffly as he barged into the room. "One of the junior healers just told me that there were enough people in this room to make a healthy person sick, never mind two that are practically-" He stopped short as he caught sight of Keldor, who was grinning broadly at him, a now-sleeping Neara still wrapped tightly around his neck.
"You're awake," Ramos stated unnecessarily. He immediately went over to Adam and reached for the sheet then, turned back around. "Do you mind?" He glared at Lyn, then at the door.
Lyn reached for Neara. "I'll be back later after I get her down," she whispered. Keldor nodded, yawning.
Ramos glared at the king and queen and Teela, but the three of them simply stared back balefully. He sighed, then turned back to Adam, pulling aside the sheet. Gently, he pulled the bandages away and gasped.
"What is it?" Teela demanded, her heart in her throat.
Wordlessly, Ramos moved the sheet so they could all see. Adam's wound was gone. In its place was an angry-looking red scar.
"Thank God," Marlena whispered. Randor put an arm around her, and she buried her head into his shoulder.
Teela had thought she couldn't cry anymore, but she now discovered she was wrong. Tears fell from her eyelashes onto the smooth off-white tile floor. She felt dizzy with relief.
A long, steady beep caused them all to jump, their hearts racing. "I'm sorry," Ramos apologized. "I was just unhookin' him from the heart monitor. I shoulda turned it off first."
"Where are you taking him?" Randor asked uneasily.
"X-rays," Ramos grunted. "If his side is pretty much healed, his leg might be too. I don't want it in a cast any longer than it has to be." He wheeled Adam out of the room.
"I have to go tell Father and Mother," Teela said, her eyes still shimmering with tears. She hefted Josiah into her arms, and started out, then paused by Keldor's bed. "Thank you," she said, heartfelt emotion in her voice. She left without another word.
Slipping out of Randor's embrace, Marlena smiled and approached Keldor as well. To his and Randor's astonishment, she leaned down and kissed Keldor's cheek. "Thank you," she echoed in a whisper. "Thank you so much." She didn't wait for Randor, but left the room quietly, leaving the two brothers alone.
Randor cleared his throat uncomfortably, and Keldor's still-shocked eyes met his. "I believe I owe you thanks as well," he said quietly. "And, I believe, an apology."
"I am the one who owes you an apology, Randor." Keldor shifted uncomfortably in his bed. "And more," he added softly.
Randor glanced around and focused in on a chair. Very deliberately, he walked over and picked it up, placing it next to Keldor. He sat down, slightly more comfortable now that he wasn't looking down on his brother.
"Obviously I found it very difficult to forgive you and give you the second chance that most people around here seemed to think you deserved," Randor said, meeting Keldor's gaze again. He drew in a deep breath. This wasn't easy, saying these words to the man who had once been his most bitter enemy. "I was hard-hearted, contemptuous, and unyielding. And yet you risked your life for Adam's anyway, in spite of my treatment of you. I am sorry, Keldor. I was wrong. And I thank you for saving Adam's life." Randor's voice choked up, and he turned his head away.
At this heart-felt confession, Keldor could not contain the tears that he had been fighting. For several long moments he couldn't speak. "I forgive you," he finally choked out. "I am sorry for my hatred of you. For my seeking revenge for a wrong you did not commit, my attacks on your family." Keldor's voice faltered as the weight of his crimes once again fell heavy on his heart. "For attacking Adam, and for Adora." Keldor dragged his hand down his face. "Ancients, Randor, if I could just undo that." Keldor trailed off as his sorrow closed off his throat.
Randor's chest felt tight, and for a moment he feared he might be having another heart attack. Then he realized the sensation was caused by the overwhelming rush of emotions bursting through him. Lingering anger at Skeletor and a strong desire to forgive Keldor were overlaid by the gratitude he could not contain. His jaw worked silently for a few moments as he struggled to find words and tried to decide how much he wanted to tell this man--a man he realized he no longer knew.
"I would be lying if I said I forgive you," Randor finally admitted. "I want to, but it's not easy. I missed my daughter's entire childhood, in part because of you. You tried to kill my son. And yet now you have saved him. You have my gratitude for your actions since your return to Eternia, Keldor. I hope that the knowledge that I believe you have changed can bring you some peace. But I...I need time before I can say that I forgive you. I pray one day those words will come, and I will be able to mean them."
"I understand, Randor, but I need you to understand something." Keldor brushed away his tears with irritation and he leaned up a bit to look his brother in the face. "I want you to forgive me not for my sake. I really do mean it when I tell you that I deserve nothing. I know that. But I want you to forgive me, so you can forever be free of me. I never want you to suffer because of me ever again."
Keldor swallowed hard, unsure of whether or not he should share the rest. "There is something else I am sorry for, but it is not something I think you would be as concerned about now as I." Keldor looked away for a moment, then forced himself to look into Randor's eyes. "I am sorry I was not a brother to you. You are a good man, Randor."
Randor felt as if the world had stopped. 'Skeletor just paid me a compliment. A sincere one, not a sarcastic backhanded one.' He found he couldn't even acknowledge it, because he didn't know what to do with it. "You truly are the one who lost out," he said instead, not to be cruel, but to admit the truth in Keldor's words in a roundabout way. "Not only because of the friendship we could have shared, but what you could have had with Mira and Stephen as well." Sympathy stirred in his eyes. "I can see you've reached that conclusion already. I can't imagine it's easy to live with what could have been."
Keldor leaned back into his bed. "There are days I beg the Truth to tell me why I am granted life. Days I beg that some noble soul be spared and I die horribly at the hands of Horde troops in their place." Keldor took in a shaky breath. "Only the knowledge that my life can serve and protect others allows me the motivation to go on."
"Only the love that I've found gives me hope for something good beyond this life," Keldor added in a whisper.
"Love is what is most important," Randor said softly. "If you have that, you have a life worth living."
"I forgot that," Keldor said weakly, "until Adam reminded me and lived out the power of love in front of me."
Randor smiled with fatherly pride. "Adam has a powerful heart for others. He is truly a good man. I've never known anyone so merciful." His smile faded. "I am worried about what the loss of He-Man will do to him, though." The sentence slipped out before Randor could censure it, probably due to his subconscious desire to turn the conversation away from his relationship with Keldor.
"He will struggle with it," Keldor predicted. "He is a hero to the core. But he is wise, and he will adjust in time. He will prove there are many ways to be a hero in his everyday life."
Randor raised an eyebrow. "Not that I disagree with you, but you sound very sure of that."
Keldor grinned for the first time in the conversation. "I am. And as a Truth Sworn, I can only speak the Truth."
Randor returned the smile, although it was with a bit of hesitation. Abruptly, he chuckled. "If anyone had told me a few years ago that my son was He-Man and Skeletor was my brother, and would someday only be able to speak the truth," he began, then stopped as he tried to contain his laughter. "I would have sent them to Ramos...for a psychiatric evaluation!" he finally choked out in between laughs.
Keldor chuckled heartily. "If anyone told me several years ago I would be traipsing around a disease-infested, beast populated jungle with a pair of orphans, one of whom never stopped singing, all to get to a resistance movement so I could fight the Horde and end up adopting the children, I would have blasted them on principle."
Randor roared with laughter at that. "When you're well, you'll have to show us exactly what Neara and Micah put you through on our memory projector."
"Memory projector?" asked Keldor, a slightly wary look on his face.
Randor grinned. "Don't worry. It's painless." He glanced up as a bang at the door signaled Ramos' re-entry with Adam.
"How is he?" Randor asked eagerly, quickly taking in the fact that Adam's cast was gone.
"Leg's healed," Ramos grunted. "Should be waking up today or tomorrow once the sedative wears off."
"That's wonderful!" Randor exclaimed. He looked at Keldor. "Thank you again for saving him."
Keldor nodded toward Adam. "Simply returning the favor."
Randor nodded, a half-smile on his face. "I suppose so. But thank you anyway." He rose and shook Ramos' hand. "And thank you as well, Ramos. Now if you'll both excuse me, I want to go share the good news."
"It was a pleasant afternoon," Jonas teased. "Walking among the refugees of Keldor's home. Seeing the ways they are trying to make a new start. I'm sure that's why you wanted to cap it off by witnessing a trial for two well-known criminals of this world."
Antaris smirked at Jonas. "If you can tell me you don't sense there is something there we need to see then we'll both turn back around."
Jonas groaned half-heartedly. "You are annoying when you have a point."
Turning a corner, both men became silent. They opened the door to the courtroom and walked into a small tribunal room.
A royal guard waved called the small gathering to order. "All rise for King Stephen of Dyperia and Queen Mira of Illgar."
Stephen and Mira entered the room proudly and took their place at the head table of judgment. Off to the side was an orange-furred creature who had to be Beastman and a man with a rotating eye that had to be Tri-Clops. They looked positively miserable. Somehow, Antaris sensed that they were not miserable over guilt for their actions, but because they were being made to pay for their crimes. He cocked an eyebrow, wondering why the Truth wanted him and Jonas at this trial.
"Please be seated," the guard ordered.
"Beastman and Tri-Clops, Queen Mira and I will be acting in King Randor's place due to his son's condition. Do you have any objections?" Stephen clearly expected some. Jonas understood that it would delay their sentencing, an action both of them might be anxious to promote.
To the surprise of everyone gathered, however, both Beastman and Tri-Clops shook their heads. "No, Sire," Tri-Clops answered for both of them.
Stephen took a moment and stared at the two prisoners. Pulling himself back to the task at hand, he began again. "We will read a listing of the charges made against you. You will have an opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty to each one."
"Are you ready to begin?" asked Mira.
Beastman growled out. "Let's just get this over with."
Mira and Stephen looked at one another for a moment. According to all of the research they had done to prepare for this trial, neither Beastman nor Tri-Klops had ever been this cooperative before.
Stephen raised an eyebrow, but turned back and began reading. "Wanted for an attack on the village of Woodfork."
Stephen looked up at the prisoners expecting them to begin one of their desperate escape attempts, but both men simply said, "Guilty."
Stephen continued to read the list of charges, pausing after each, and after each both men pled guilty.
"It seems from the charges laid against them that they were once in the employee of Keldor--during his time as Skeletor on this world. I wonder if they would be loyal to him again," wondered Jonas.
"If this Beastman has such amazing control over animal, and this Tri-Clops' vision can see through any barrier, they both could be invaluable in the Sunken Jungle," observed Antaris.
"Still, there is blood on their hands," mentioned Jonas, frowning slightly. "They could not fight with us."
"No," agreed Antaris, "But there is much to be done in the Jungle for which their skill could be utilized. They could be housed just inside the gates as Tari once was before her purification."
"If they are truly seeking to change, being around Keldor and Lyn can only help them down that path," said Jonas. "But why would the courts send them with us?"
"I'm not sure it would be their first inclination," answered Antaris. "But I think I should speak with Keldor about this." Antaris nodded to himself. "When the time is right."
Antaris and Jonas rose quietly as the last few charges were being read--all of which Tri-Clops and Beastman pled guilty to.
Teela hurried to her parents' chambers, thankful they had agreed to take a residence in the palace. They still retained their small home in Anas, but in times like this when they were sorely needed at the palace, it was much easier for them to have their own set of rooms.
"Teela, is everything okay?" Duncan asked as soon as he opened the door.
"Yes," Teela assured him, her smile bright as she stepped in. "Keldor is awake, and Adam's nearly healed. Ramos took him out to x-ray his leg again. He thinks maybe the cast can come off already." Josiah blew bubbles wildly at this statement and swung his arms around.
"You're glad Daddy's getting better too, aren't you?" Lana asked, reaching for the baby.
Duncan watched her with an odd look on his face. It was strange, knowing she would have a child of her own in only a matter of months. Their own. It was his child too, he reminded himself.
"When are you due, Mother?" Teela asked, as if reading his mind.
Lana blushed. "In just over five months," she said, her face radiating happiness.
Teela glanced anxiously at the clock, and Lana smiled. "Why don't you go back to Adam, and leave Josiah here for a while?" she suggested. "It sounds like he may wake up soon, but I'm sure Josiah could use a change of scenery in the meantime."
"That would be wonderful," Teela said gratefully. "He has been getting a bit fussier, and it's just about time for another bottle." She kissed her son's forehead gently. "See you in a bit, sweetie." She hurried out the door, calling over her shoulder, "Thank you, Mother!"
Duncan crossed his arms and stared at Lana. "Trying to get in some practice?"
"Maybe," she agreed with a smile. She shoved Josiah into Duncan's arms. "You need it."
Duncan stared down at Josiah, whose wide blue eyes seemed fixated on his mustache. A little hand came up, grabbed at it, and pulled. "Hey, that hurts," Duncan protested mildly. Josiah squealed and reached out with both hands to feel the stiff bristles.
Lana laughed lightly. "I'll get his bottle."
Duncan stared at Josiah, his throat tightening with emotion. It had been a tough couple of months, though he had hid his worry as best he could, trying to be strong for the royal family. Now he could finally relax somewhat. "You gave us quite a scare," he said to Josiah, thankful beyond words that the child was well now. "Then your father nearly died. You two will be the death of me yet." An odd, high-pitched noise sounded faintly from another part of the palace. Duncan grimaced. "Or Orko will be."
He looked up as Lana approached with the bottle, shaking his head as she reached for Josiah. "I'll feed him," he said, taking the bottle from her. He nestled Josiah back into the crook of his arm and the baby reached eagerly for the bottle. Duncan smiled in delight.
"You're good at that," noted Lana with a warm smile.
Duncan looked up, a slightly goofy tilt to his mouth. "It's been a long time, but it comes back to you," he said. He grinned cheekily. "Sort of like flying a wind raider. You never forget."
Lana attempted to return the grin, hoping he wouldn't notice her hesitation. Her hand unconsciously slipped over the slight bump of her stomach.
Duncan caught her wavering smile immediately. He motioned to the seat beside him on the couch. "What is it, sweetheart? Tell me."
Lana sat down beside Duncan heavily. "I'm sure it will come back to you," she agreed, her voice soft. "But I have nothing to come back to me. I wasn't able to be a mother to Teela after the first couple of months."
Duncan felt an overflow of love fill him for this woman who had stood against Skeletor and horrible dangers without wavering. "You've been a wonderful mother to Adam and Teela over the years, even in the limited contact you had with them," he said, hoping to comfort her. "What's bothering you, exactly?"
"It's just that, Duncan." Lana twisted on the sofa and stared into Josiah's tiny face. "I've had only limited contact. I simply don't feel like I know how to be a parent." Lana sighed. "I feel so unprepared."
Duncan guffawed as he tried to choke back laughter. "And you think I was prepared when you handed Teela to me?" he asked in a strangled voice.
Lana giggled. She remembered with great tenderness watching Duncan fumble his way through his first few months with Teela. He was so wonderful, and absolutely unprepared. "I suppose," Lana admitted. "But you were the best father I could have chosen for Teela. I've never thanked you enough for what you did for Teela." She looked up into Duncan's tender gaze. "And for me." She pressed a tender kiss into his cheek.
Duncan flushed with a warm embarrassment that he found he really didn't mind. "Well, as I was getting at, we do have months to prepare," he pointed out awkwardly. Then he grinned at Josiah, who was staring at him with huge blue eyes. "And a grandchild to practice on." He and Lana laughed, and then Duncan added, "Although I'm not sure I can truly wrap my mind around the idea of having a child younger than my grandson."
"This is all Orko's fault," Lana pointed out, leaning into Duncan with a chuckle. "Perhaps it's best to not try."
Duncan laughed aloud. "Good point," he said, shaking his head ruefully. "But you know, I do think this may have been meant to be--it may be a real blessing. Perhaps our child will be as good a friend to Josiah as Teela was to Adam." Josiah let out a loud coo, as if he understood and approved of that idea.
Lana smiled at the thought of Josiah and her child being like siblings. "That would be truly wonderful." Lana sighed happily. Then she tensed a moment as she remembered some of Teela's and Adam's more dangerous adventures. "We'll have to watch them like a hawk."
Duncan laughed, but quickly sobered as he too recalled some of the scrapes the two of them had gotten into. "Maybe we should remain at our home in Anas once they can both talk," he agreed, only half-joking.
Lana grinned impishly at Duncan. "Perhaps," she said with the serene voice she used as sorceress. "As you said, we do have months to decide." She looked up into Duncan's warm brown eyes and felt her love for him fill her.
Duncan smiled and placed an arm around her shoulders. "I love you," he said, placing a gently kiss on her temple. "And you," he said to the baby, laying a hand on her stomach. Still in his other arm, Josiah kicked and squealed. Duncan chuckled. "And I love you too, Josiah." The baby blew bubbles at Duncan and Lana, and promptly spit up.
Lana laughed and leaned over to pull a washcloth from a stack Teela had left. "Practice time," she cooed as she cleaned Josiah, bringing a wide grin to the old soldier's face.
Duncan shook his head. "Lesson one: remember to burp the baby," he muttered.
"Why hasn't he woken up yet?" Randor fretted, pacing Adam's room.
"I'd like to know that as well," Marlena agreed, looking to Ramos. "You said a day or two. That was three days ago, Ramos. What's going on?"
"You're kiddin', right?" Ramos asked, looking from one to the other. Yet he could see that Teela, Adora, and Keldor also waited for his answer. Lyn had gone to take care of her children, and Hawk, to everyone's surprise, had offered to help her. Miro was with Stephen and Mira in a committee meeting of some kind--no one in the room could remember what committees were meeting anymore.
"You do realize that Adam recoverin' at all, much less as fast as he has, is nothin' short of miraculous, don't you?" Ramos asked them all. "No healer has ever recorded anything like this, by magic or science."
"But Keldor's awake and growing stronger, and their vital signs are no longer in sync," Adora pointed out. "Something's changed. The link between them is weakening."
"Because Adam no longer needs my strength to live," Keldor supplied.
Ramos sighed heavily. "You have to understand that even though the wound looked healed, it wasn't completely done," he said brusquely. "If your intestine walls are 100 million cells thick, for example, Adam's had only regrown about 65 million--in other words, everythin' was there when I ran the scan, but nothin' was as strong as it should be. I ran it again this mornin'. The wound is just not healin' as quickly as it was before. It's about 75 percent healed now. Even when he wakes up, he won't be able to eat anythin' for a while, and he's going to have a long road to regain his strength."
Adora finished grooming Swift Wind and gave him a hug. "It's a good thing everyone thinks She-Ra's just keeping you here for a while," she told him. "I've needed you these last few weeks." She sighed heavily as Swift Wind nuzzled her. "I'll feel better when Adam wakes up," she admitted.
"Adora?" a familiar voice called.
Adora's eyes opened wide in surprise as she whirled around. "Lohni?"
Her friend ran to her and hugged her for all she was worth. Behind her, Adora caught sight of Castaspella, Glimmer, and Frosta. "What are all of you doing here?" Adora asked, returning Lohni's hug.
"Our gown fitting is this week, remember?" Castaspella reminded her with solemn eyes.
"I'm so sorry, I forgot about it," Adora groaned, putting a hand to her head. "With everything that's happened-" She broke off, realizing she had not once contacted them. "Oh, First Ones. I never told you-"
Tears spilled down Frosta's cheeks. "Hawk told us," she said in a choked voice. "We made it here for the memorial ceremony, but we had to get back to Etheria right away, before we were able to see you—a few of Hordak's old crew thought they could launch an attack." As Adora's eyes widened, Frosta waved a hand dismissively. "We took care of them." She sniffed. "But this…I can't believe He-Man's gone."
Knowing the truth of He-Man's identity, Castaspella refrained from commenting, but placed a comforting arm around Frosta.
"Me neither," Glimmer said, tears pooling in her own eyes. "He always seemed..." --she groped for the word-- "indestructible."
"I know," Adora said sadly. "I felt that way too, most of the time. I'm glad Hawk told you what was going on. I'm so sorry I didn't think to tell you. With Adam being in such a poor condition, I guess I just wasn't thinking very clearly."
"We understand," Castaspella said, her eyes worried. "How is Adam?"
Adora sniffed and tried to hold herself together. "He's supposed to wake up soon. Keldor used his magic to bind his own life to Adam's. If he hadn't, Adam wouldn't be alive. I think he really was dead, and I think that's why we're all so anxious to have him wake up."
"That's understandable," Lohni said, giving Adora a reassuring squeeze. "Now what can we do to help?"
"You're helping just by being here," Adora assured them all with a smile. "Let's go see about getting you settled in."
Castaspella pulled Adora aside as the other women entered the seamstress' shop. "How is Adam, really?" she asked, her voice low with concern. "What's going on?"
Adora quickly explained the loss of the Power Sword. "I'm not even sure Adam knows," she finished quietly. She glanced towards the door. "We'd better go in."
"Adora, these dresses are gorgeous," Glimmer said as they entered. She was holding up a soft blue gown, its delicate material flowing gently between her fingers.
"They are," Lohni agreed, wrinkling her nose. "Far too pretty for the likes of me."
Adora giggled. "Lohni, you'll look beautiful," she protested.
"I'm not sure the court will appreciate my soldier's march down the aisle, though," Lohni joked.
"There will be no marching down the aisle in my dresses," an older voice chided. A silver-haired woman approached them, moving nimbly through the shop. Years had softened her and added curves she wished weren't there, but time had not slowed her down. She glanced over the four girls in a critical, but not unkind, way. "Well, we'll have to take in every one of those dresses, I bet. Let's go, Blue." She nodded towards Frosta.
"Blue?" Frosta sputtered.
Adora laughed. "Cyndy, don't antagonize my friends," she said, smiling softly. "This is Frosta, Castaspella, Glimmer, and Lohni. Ladies, this is Cyndy, the seamstress who created your dresses, and her assistant, Gwen." She motioned to another woman whose hair was as red as a rose petal, with white streaks running through it, her pert nose and wide eyes lending an air of aged innocence.
The two women set to work with an efficiency that came from years of working together. Soon they began chattering lightly with one another even as their needles and pins began a magic all their own.
"Ack, but I still can' believe it," muttered Gwen, as she pinned up the hem of Glimmer's gown. "The foolishness the outlying villages come up with sometimes."
"Nor I," Cyndy said as she carefully removed the pinned gown over Frosta's head and motioned to Castaspella to take Frosta's place. "But I suppose some people just can't accept it," she added, a hint of sadness mingling with her irritation.
"Accept what?" asked Adora from the bench where she sat waiting with her friends. Truthfully Adora would have preferred not to know, but rumors were powerful things, she'd learned, and something that was easier to fight when you came into the battle forewarned.
"Tis nothing, Highness," assured Cyndy. "Just the ravings of a sad few."
"I'd like to know," Adora said standing.
Cyndy shrugged and nodded to Gwen. "She heard it firsthand, so I suppose Gwen would be the best to explain it."
Gwen blushed a bit pinned the last section of Glimmer's gown as she explained. "My cousin Sarlyn said that her village was saved by He-Man yesterday. And that he said that the royal family could no longer be trusted."
"We know it's all a delusion," added Cyndy disdainfully, "but we reported the information to Man-at-Arms all the same."
Adora grimaced. "Is it possible Hutch and Marzo have cast some kind of spell to make the people see He-Man?"
Adora noticed both seamstresses looking at her with concern. Adora shook her head. "It is sad to report such things, but it's good we know."
The two seamstresses continued to work and prattle on about anything and everything as Adora walked to the nearest open window. Worry began to curl in her stomach as she closed her eyes and concentrated. 'Sorceress, can you hear me?'
'I can,' returned Serena.
Adora's blond hair flitted in the breeze as she continued. 'There are rumors that He-Man is saving some of the outlying villages and slandering the royal family. Can you check and see if Hutch or Marzo are behind this?'
'Of course, Adora,' Serena returned. 'I will tell you as soon as I know something.'
"So Adora," Castaspella said casually as the princess turned around, "who is standing up for Hawk?"
One of the Etherian traditions Adora and Hawk had kept for their wedding was having four friends stand up for them. These friends represented love, hope, trust, and friendship--the four key parts to a successful Etherian marriage. Adora smiled at the barely veiled eagerness in Castaspella's voice.
"Well, Sven will be there, of course," she said. "He wanted to ask Adam, but..." Her face clouded. "There's been a lot going on, and besides, they're supposed to be single. He's made some other friends here and has asked them to stand with him."
"Like?" Lohni prompted, eager to hear this herself.
"Fisto, Ram-Man, and Mekanek." Adora pretended not to notice Castaspella's blush of delight.
"How are you pairing us up?" Frosta asked, not really caring. She had come with the expectation that He-Man would be here, and she could maneuver a pairing with him. Knowing now that he was dead, she couldn't quite find the same joy for the upcoming wedding.
"I thought I'd put Castaspella and Mekanek together," Adora responded with a twinkle in her eye. Castaspella's blush deepened further. "Frosta, I thought you should be with Sven, Lohni with Fisto, and Glimmer with Ram-Man."
"Sounds good to me," Glimmer said as Gwen finished pinning her dress. "Now when do we eat? I'm starved."
Adora picked at her food, then put the fork down. She glanced around the restaurant. It was a tiny thing, with only enough room for a dozen or so customers. It was dimly lit, completely romantic...and although Adora appreciated Hawk's gesture of bringing her here, she couldn't seem to focus on the conversation, even with her fiancé.
"Ado-ra," Hawk said, drawing out her name. He waited for her eyes to return to him. "I know you're worried about Adam, but I'm sure he's going to be all right." He blew out a breath lightly. She seemed consumed by stress, and he hoped bringing her here would distract her for an hour or so and allow her to relax. He should have known better. "I guess we should have cancelled this dinner, with your friends arriving just yesterday."
"No," Adora said quickly. "I'm sorry, Hawk." Adora looked up and forced herself to focus on her fiancé.
"It's just…" Adora trailed off for a moment. Hawk looked at Adora expectantly. "Well, with Adam still so sick, and the kingdom still grieving for He-Man…is it even appropriate to think of having a wedding?"
Hawk's voice refused to work as he stared at Adora. His eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. "You can't be serious!" he exclaimed hoarsely, once he found his voice. "It's not as if He-Man went away yesterday, and we're marrying tomorrow. It's been well over two weeks, Adora. And we're not getting married for another month. Adam will be fine by then."
Adora looked back at Hawk. "But the kingdom is unstable, and the sentencing is coming up... Now these latest rumors of a fanatical He-Man sect…" She shook her head, her face a mask of despair. "Hawk, how can we even think of getting married now?"