Adora hummed happily to herself. Everything had seemed so difficult lately, but her mother had insisted that she hear the possible songs to be performed at her wedding reception. It had truly been an uplifting experience. Mira, Marlena, and Miro kept her company as the musicians performed. Marlena and Mira wanted to be there because of their love of all things wedding, but with the happy look and the full plate of feast food samples, Adora felt weddings might not have been foremost on her grandfather's mind.
Adora chuckled. Miro had been so sweet, dancing with her to help her decide which songs would most help her enjoy the hours of spinning and swirling she and Hawk would endure before they could finally start their new life together.
"A-Adora?" Cringer called, shaking Adora from her happy remembrances.
"Yes, Cringer," she replied, the happiness of her evening still sparkling in her eyes.
"Have you seen Callie?" Cringer asked. The great tiger swished his tail nervously.
Adora shook her head. "I saw her head off the palace grounds a few hours ago, but I haven't seen her since then, Cringer." She tilted her head at his downcast expression. "Do you want help looking for her?"
"N-no, thanks," Cringer said. "She's been talking about going for a r-real hunt lately. I guess that's where she went." His ears drooped a bit.
Adora dropped on one knee before Cringer to scratch at that space behind Cringer's ears. Cringer purred contentedly.
"Missing your mate, huh?" Adora asked gently as she continued to pet the great cat.
"I know what that's like," commented Hawk, as he leaned against the wall of the nearby hallway.
"Hawk!" exclaimed Adora, her face lighting up. Her fiancé strode up to her.
"I'll go wait for Callie at the Syriak's door," grumbled Cringer. The tiger slunk off down the hall, his tail drooping just a bit.
"Poor guy," murmured Adora. "He misses Callie when she's gone—and that's on top of having to share Adam with Teela and Josiah now."
"Come on Adora," Hawk said, ignoring Cringer's plight. He held out his hand. "I'm stealing you away from all this."
"Ooh, a pirate stealing a princess," Adora teased. "I suppose someone should alert the guards."
"Just let them try to stop me," Hawk growled, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her tightly to him.
Adora laughed and melted into Hawk's embrace. "I suppose that it would be easier for everyone if I just came peacefully."
Hawk grinned, a wolfish gleam in his eyes. "It's good to know you can be sensible, my lady." He tugged her along the halls.
"Hawk, where are we going?" Adora asked, laughter still in her voice.
"Somewhere we can feel a bit more at home," he responded mysteriously.
They climbed stairs for what seemed like hours; Adora's knees were burning by the time they reached the top. But her knees were soon forgotten as they entered a small nook between turrets. She stopped short at the sight before her.
"Oh Hawk," gasped Adora. "This is so beautiful." The entire palace grounds were visible from the open walkway between these seldom-used storage turrets.
"It's like the view from some of the Twigget's tree platforms in the Whispering Woods. When I found this place, I thought of the picnics we used to share there," Hawk said, taking Adora's hand. He nodded toward the basket and thick blanket he had spread out in the center of the walkway.
"How did you find this place?" Adora asked as Hawk assisted her down to a cushy pillow.
"I was looking over another set of those blasted ledger books Duncan is handing to me with way too much enthusiasm, and I had to verify the inventory listed with what was in the books." Hawk pulled a face that had Adora giggling. "The storage rooms are in the eastern turret, so I had to pass this way."
"Look on the bright side. At least you weren't anchored to that desk," Adora teased.
Hawk groaned at her teasing and leaned back on a pile of pillows across from Adora. "I think I'd take being covered in reports like sticky sea lichen, if the alternative is running through stale rooms counting the number of dust-covered embroidered handkerchiefs we have." Adora giggled again, reveling in how good it felt to think of something so concrete yet frivolous.
Hawk laid out trays of fruits, cheeses, and opened containers of steamed meats. He poured two glasses of wine chilled by Duncan's remarkable ice sleeve device.
"Hawk," Adora said between sips, "this is just perfect. Thank you."
Hawk studied her for a moment, his gaze assessing. Then he put down his wine glass in a deliberate manner. "If it's so perfect then why do you look so distracted? Were the music selection and food-tasting as monotonous as the flower arrangements were?"
Adora laughed lightly, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. She ran a finger around the top of her wine glass. "I feel almost guilty, enjoying this when Uncle Keldor and Aunt Lyn must be so worried about their trial. And then there's Adam..." She sighed as she thought of her twin.
"It's good of you to care so much, but you can't stop living your life," Hawk said tenderly, a lopsided smile on his face. He shook his head in mild exasperation.
"I know. But Adam's stability as future ruler affects the ability for us to have this massive wedding Mother has arranged. And Keldor's situation…" Adora trailed off. "Hawk, he's to be sentenced soon after our wedding. How can I be happy when my cousins are grieving separation from their parents? I want to lose myself in you and forget the others around me, but that's not the kind of person I am. You know that."
"If those Truth Sworn that are hanging around here are right, that won't be a problem," Hawk muttered distractedly.
"What do you mean?" Adora asked.
"Oh, I ran into them the other day after I got through telling Keldor about the latest fu-," Hawk cut his last word off quickly, his mind struggling with an acceptable replacement for what he had meant to say. "Latest furry disaster with the Syriak," Hawk added. 'Blast him, why'd he have to be so secretive about that benevolence fund and reparation group he wants me to set up?' He picked up his wine glass and took a sip, hoping she hadn't noticed his slip.
Adora giggled. "That thing's another issue by itself," she said, her eyes twinkling suddenly. "Did Adam tell you it likes him now? If Keldor's wards weaken at all and Bedorat hears Adam in the hall, he bursts through his door and starts following Adam around. He keeps promising to protect him from the killer kitty-meaning Battle Cat, I guess."
Hawk coughed a bit on his sip of wine. "Has he now?" he asked in a voice full of laughter. He shook his head.
Adora nodded, then tilted her head. "What did you mean about the Truth Sworn earlier?"
"They're just odd to me Adora. They have a full-scale war with a leader as evil as Hordak, but they haven't sought military assistance in any form or even asked to be introduced to our military technology. I remember from the Great Rebellion that getting and improving weaponry was one of our key concerns."
Adora nodded. "I had noticed that they don't act much like a clan of freedom fighters in that respect as well. They seem focused on helping Keldor and his family through his trial, but they have a strange calmness in the middle of everything. I don't know. Do you think they are doing this not out of friendship with Keldor and Lyn, but more out of some kind of duty?"
Hawk shrugged. "I've even heard them talking about the sentencing as though it's just a formality. They seem sure that Keldor will return with them to their world."
Adora sighed. "If only they're right. Uncle Keldor being locked in prison just seems wrong, after he's done so much for us."
Hawk nodded. "I'm more worried about Lyn. No woman should have to give birth while imprisoned, but I mentioned that worry in front of the one called Antaris. He got a glassy look in his eyes for a moment and then said that Keldor's second child would be born beneath the sky of a free Carina." Hawk shook his head in disbelief. "I told him that as much as I admire his positive thinking, he doesn't know how much animosity the people of Eternia hold against Lyn and Keldor, and that seemed doubtful. He looked at me for a moment and then said he agreed with me. He was sure he had no clue how much pain Keldor had inflicted on this world or what its desire for retribution might be. But then he looked excited. Excited, Adora."
"What?" asked Adora. "How could he be excited?"
"He said he loved seeing the impossible happen," Hawk recalled, a befuddled look on his face. "That the impossible outcomes that came to pass were the most satisfying to watch. He said he was looking forward to the sentencing. And blimey, Adora, if I don't think he means it."
"Well, if their 'feelings' about things lead to anything like some of the impossible things that happened on our way to Illgar with Keldor and Lyn, I'm interested to see what will happen as well," Adora responded slowly. "But I agree, Hawk. There's something strange about them."
Adam wiped his brow as he finished his physical therapy. If he didn't know better, he would swear the therapists had trained under Teela. No, he decided, they were much too evil for that. The more pain he was in while exercising, the more pleased they seemed.
"Good job, Prince Adam," Max said, slapping him on the shoulder. "You'll have no problem handling your sister's wedding at this rate."
Adam nodded his acknowledgment as he left, trying not to sway on his feet. That was, after all, the goal. Get fit enough that he could handle the all-day celebration and fulfill his duties on his own two feet. He smiled slightly as he moved slowly down the hallway. And dance with Teela.
"My my, don't you look worn out," a familiar voice commented. Hutch stepped forward from a small nook, grinning. "You should be resting more after your terrible ordeal, Adam."
"Hutch," Adam said in disbelief, freezing in his steps. He reminded himself that the security system must have already picked up Hutch. "How did you get in here?"
"Simple. There are five of me currently running around the palace." Hutch's grin widened. "The guards think there's a problem with the security system."
Adam's hand went to his com-link, even as his heart sank. He already knew there were no guards in this vicinity; he knew their routines and their posts by heart, but had chosen to come this way anyway, because he had felt safe in the palace. He hit the button anyway, sending out a signal for help straight to Fisto and a few select guardsmen.
The action wasn't lost on Hutch. "Don't bother, Adam, we'll be gone before they get here," he warned.
"They'll be here before you know it," Adam retorted, taking a step back from Hutch warily. 'If only I had my sword...'
Hutch stepped forward quickly and ripped the com-link off of Adam's arm with a swift jerk, dropped it on the ground, and smashed it with his heel. "You are right about one thing, Adam," he said, raising his hands and surrounding himself and Adam in a red-orange glow. "I won't know about their arrival." A bright flash filled the room, and Hutch laughed. "Because we won't be here."
Adam fought to stay upright as he found himself teleported to a village square. He gritted his teeth. 'I can barely stand upright now, but I have to do something.' He lunged toward Hutch only to fall onto the dusty cobblestones as Hutch stepped aside. Hutch spun ropes of power to pull Adam upright next to a fence post.
"I must admit, Adam, your little stunt to bring my 'He-Man' into the open for a discussion of his differences with the crown was a brilliant move. Very well-played. But now, I have a move of my own. It's my king versus yours, and I think I can say that you are about to be checkmated, my old friend." He smiled triumphantly.
Before Adam's eye's Hutch changed his appearance to that of a villager and began to shout. "He's here! That traitor prince is here!"
'What on Eternia is he doing?' Adam wondered. He glanced around, trying to get his bearings. The village was small-at least from what he could see of it. He frowned as he recognized the foothills. He had chased a giant around this area; it had turned out to be a gentle, misunderstood creature. The townspeople had been so afraid, they had created false stories about his "terrible" feats. Adam was sure this wasn't the same town, but many in this area were similar—kind but simple folk who were superstitious, and easily swayed or frightened.
His concern became reality as people began trickling out of their homes to the sound of Hutch's yell. "You've caught him!" one man exclaimed gleefully. "Great job! Now, with him as our prisoner, we can negotiate with Randor to declare He-Man king!"
"He-Man is gone!" Adam said forcefully, glaring at Hutch in particular.
"I assure you, Prince Adam, that is not the case," said an all-too-familiar voice. Faker walked forward, the people spreading apart to let him through, their worshipful gazes on him.
'Is that how they looked at me?' Adam wondered, feeling sick. He raised his chin. "You're not He-Man. You're Faker, a magical creation of Skeletor's."
Faker grinned nastily, sliding his fingers along the edge of his sword. "I'm so hurt, Adam. And all this time I thought we were friends."
Looking around at the angry gazes of the crowd that had gathered, Adam felt an intense fear for himself that was unfamiliar. No sword, no He-Man. No one even knew where he was, but he was sure that by machine, he was hours from the palace. 'Serena, I need help!'
Fisto sprinted toward the communications room, cursing under his breath. "Please let his homing beeper be malfunctioning," he muttered as he burst into the room. In his heart he knew it was a false hope. He hadn't been able to raise Adam on his wrist-comm. "Where's Prince Adam?" he demanded.
The guard shook his head nervously. "His beeper went off here," he said, pointing to the Northern Neck Hall. "Then the signal just disappeared."
"Blast it all." Fisto turned and darted out of the room, heading for Northern Neck Hall as fast as he could make his legs go, calling for back-up at the same time.
Adora sighed as she picked at her dress. "Mother, I appreciate your arranging this shower, but do you really think this is the best thing for us to be doing now? With all the instability in the kingdom, I'm having a party."
Marlena turned and held Adora in front of her by her shoulders. "Adora you've found you true love and all of the women in your life want to celebrate that with you. Don't deny them this. Beside, just think, all of your friends from Etheria will be there."
Adora relaxed a bit and smiled sheepishly. "It will be nice to see them again."
Marlena nodded. "And it will give you the opportunity to mingle with many of the ladies from the lands of our allies and give them a less structured and more relaxed situation in which to get to know you. And that, my dear, will only help the stability of the kingdom when they see what a wonderful woman the Princess of Eternia truly is."
Adora nodded and hugged her mother. They walked arm-in-arm into the ornate dining hall festooned with ribbons and bundles made of Etherian and Eternian flowers. Delicacies from both worlds overflowed the plates being served to the guests that were just arriving. Adora's eyes grew wide at the beauty and care that her mother and aunts had lavished on her.
"This is your special day, my daughter," whispered Marlena so only Adora could hear. "Enjoy it with us."
Adora nodded and sat at the mock throne that was at the head of the table, and was promptly showered with flowers from Perfuma as all those gathered let out a cheer.
Fisto cursed aloud. The hallway was empty, except for Adam's barely recognizable com-link, which was on the floor, crushed to pieces. He glanced up as footsteps sounded, and a few soldiers appeared, Keldor on their heels.
"Did you see anyone?" Fisto demanded.
"No sir," one of the soldiers responded. "These halls are all empty."
"What's going on?" Keldor demanded. "These goons wouldn't tell me a thing." One of the soldiers sent him a dark glare.
"Adam's missing," Fisto said shortly.
"No!" Keldor protested, worry lining his face immediately. Suddenly his gaze grew distant. "Don't worry. We'll find him." Without another word he disappeared.
"Great," Fisto muttered under his breath, not wanting the soldiers to hear. "Skeletor's gone to rescue the prince. Wonder what the masses will make of this one?"
Lyn walked down the hallway toward Adora's celebration. Adora had asked her to attend, but Lyn knew all too well what a strain being at Adora's shower could cause. The entire kingdom seemed to be on a razor's edge with the tension over Adam's fitness for the crown, concern that Skeletor was taking control of the kingdom from the inside out, and the rumors that "He-Man" was alive and no longer supported the crown.
Lyn sighed. She wished, once again, that Adora would back down on her insistence that Keldor and she attend her royal wedding. It was a mere eight days afterward that they were to face the masters in trial, and in the midst of all of this Randor and the kingdom still waited to see if the He-Man imposter would come for a public dialogue in order to discuss his problems with the throne. Lyn shook her head. She doubted that would happen. It wouldn't be too hard to prove that this creature was an imposter. Especially with the Sword of Truth. Hutch and Marzo wouldn't take that chance—assuming they were behind it all.
Lyn looked down at the flower in the small pot that she carried. She could at least give Adora a gift, even if she could not take the chance to attend the shower. The Eternian Moonrose was very rare and a symbol of everlasting love and commitment. It was considered a gift that brought good luck and fertility. She had been able to use her magic to find it where many others would have failed and had even been able to plant three new plants to replace the one she harvested by opening up one of the golden seed pods.
Lyn entered the gift chamber near the great dining hall and placed her flower on a table near the door and quietly turned to leave, hoping to do so unnoticed.
"Aunt Lyn!" Adora called, breaking away from the crowd. She breathed a sigh of relief to be away from the dizzying smells of perfume. Who had taught these people to douse themselves in chemicals, anyway? The very idea was foreign to Adora. She sniffed. Of course, with Perfuma's ring of flowers around her, she smelled just as disgustingly sweet.
Lyn groaned. 'So much for escaping unnoticed.' A smile firmly in place, she turned. "Hello, Adora. I was just dropping something off." She backed behind the shadow of the slightly ajar door in the hopes that no one would see her from the nearby chamber.
"Aunt Lyn," Adora repeated, ignoring the whispers behind her, "aren't you coming into the party?"
"I really don't think that would be wise," entreated Lyn, sinking back further into the shadows. "There are important people in there. They could help you temper the panic in the kingdoms, but not if you are seen as too cozy with a convicted criminal such as myself."
Adora gave an unladylike snort. "You're not exactly convicted yet." She grinned cockily at Lyn.
Lyn rolled her eyes at Adora. She was about to reply when she felt the touch of another mind on hers.
'Lyn, Keldor! Hutch and the false He-Man have Adam in a small town near the Mystic Mountains! You must save him, quickly!' The worry in Serena's voice was loud and clear.
Lyn jumped at the urgency in the Sorceress' voice.
"I must go, Adora. I'm sorry."
Adora's eyes grew wide as she reached out and grabbed Lyn's arm, preventing her from leaving. Something had been bothering her for the last ten minutes. She had thought it was because Lyn was missing from the shower, but now she knew better. "It's Adam, isn't it?" Lyn hesitated, and Adora dug her fingers into her aunt's arm. "What's wrong?" she demanded.
"He's been captured by Hutch. Keldor and I must go now." Lyn said pulling away from Adora. "I sense there's little time."
"I'm going too," Adora said firmly, already striding for the door.
"No!" blurted Lyn before she even realized she spoke. She groaned internally. 'Truth, would it really be so bad for her to come along?'
"No?" Adora repeated, eyebrows raised in challenge. She put her fists on her hips.
Sensing the leading strongly within her, Lyn pressed on. "I don't understand why, but I feel it will cause more problems in the long run and possibly endanger Adam if you come. Keldor and I can do this. I think we're meant to."
"Forget it," Adora replied in a hard tone. "You're welcome to help of course, but that's my brother out there, and I'm not going to stand by and do nothing when his life is in danger." Her eyes flashed, practically daring Lyn to argue with her.
"The Sorceress called only for Keldor and me. You must let us do this alone." Keldor raced toward the two women as Lyn finished her plea. "The kingdom is too unstable for you to be running off with us with little warning. And even less stable to bear up under such an easy kidnapping of Prince Adam," Lyn reasoned though she could see no bending in Adora's gaze.
"I'm not running off with you. I'm going to rescue my brother," Adora said stubbornly. "Let's go. We're wasting valuable time."
'Adora, please listen to them. I sense great turmoil if She-Ra gets involved. Please let them do this. You serve Adam best by fulfilling your duty as Princess of Eternia now, not Princess of Power."
The voice of the Sorceress trailed off toward the end but its tone was no less firm.
Adora clenched her hands into fists and closed her eyes briefly. Perfuma's laugh reached her ears. 'When Hordak held Perfuma captive, Light Hope told me to do nothing about it, and I obeyed. As frustrating as that was, she returned to us unharmed.' A ghost of a smile touched Adora's lips. 'And Hordak gave us three months' worth of supplies to get rid of her.' Sighing heavily, she opened her eyes, the worry no less than before. "Please bring him home safely," she whispered, blinking rapidly to hold back the tears.
"He'll be back before your party ends," promised Keldor as he took Lyn's arm. In a brilliant flash of light they disappeared.
"I hope so," Adora whispered. She squared her shoulders and turned back towards the party where the laughter was still ringing delicately.
Adam tugged fruitlessly at the bonds holding him as Faker drew near. It was freaky, seeing a reflection of who he used to be standing before him. 'But it's just a reflection,' he reminded himself. 'An evil reflection that has He-Man's strength...'
"People of Eternia," Faker cried, turning to the villagers who had gathered, "the royal family sought to trap me by claiming to seek an audience with me. In reality, they were going to arrest me. And for what? Because I am a threat to their evil ways!"
The crowd cheered uproariously. Adam ceased struggling. He couldn't fight the magical bonds Hutch had created; he might as well save his strength for a more opportune time. He could only pray he would have a chance to escape. But Faker's words angered him. "We are not the ones who are evil!" he shouted back. "I tell you, this is not the real He-Man!"
"Liar!" Faker yelled, turning back to Adam. He stalked over to Adam and stared into his eyes. Adam glared back for all he was worth. "You are nothing anymore," Faker hissed quietly, so only Adam could hear. "Grayskull has abandoned you because you were not worthy to wield its power. You have no strength to oppose me, and we both know it. Don't even try."
Adam's eyes narrowed. So Hutch had told Faker the truth. 'Interesting.' "If this is He-Man, ask him about the giant that was in these hills several years ago!" Adam said loudly, his gaze still locked with Faker's.
"I defeated him easily," Faker retorted just as loudly.
Adam smirked. "He-Man didn't fight him. He befriended him." He shifted his gaze, beseeching those closes to him to listen to reason. "Don't you see? He is not He-Man!"
Most of the people had heard the story of He-Man and the giant. Several of them moved their feet uneasily and began murmuring in low voices. Taking note, Hutch decided to intervene. Still disguised as a villager, he called out, "He-Man! Demand Randor abdicate the throne to you in exchange for Prince Adam!"
"He'll never do it," Adam scoffed.
"Oh he will," Faker said confidently. He leaned in close and lowered his voice again. "If he wants you back in one piece."