Chapter 11

A few minutes later.

"You know horse isn't my favourite way of travel," Adam said staring up at Adora who was comfortably seated on Spirit's back.

"Afraid brother?" Adora taunted.

"No it's just that I prefer travel by cat," Adam replied mounting the horse behind Adora.

"And how is travel by cat any different than horse?" Spirit asked beginning the long walk to the castle.

"Less travel time," Adam replied thinking of Battle Cat's leaps and bounds.

Adora winked at her horse. "We can make that happen." She laughed as Spirit began moving faster causing Adam to almost fall off. No matter their speed he gripped her waist tightly all the way to the castle.

It was clear that something was up as they rode closer to their destination. Colourful banners hung everywhere, people in fancy dress loitered in every spare space, guards were plentiful, the scent of delicious food wafted around the rooms.

Adora looked to her brother looking for guidance but received none as he shrugged his shoulders. "I know about as much as you do," He said. They paused outside the main door to dismount and take Spirit to the stable.

Adora followed her brother back to the castle shocked by all the strange phenomena. She assumed they were heading towards the royal family apartments so they could change from their commoners clothes.

"What the hell?" A red head exclaimed storming towards them.

"Teela?" Adora whispered.

Adam nodded in response as the woman began brushing the dirt from his face.

"Where have you been? Slacking off as usual? You're supposed to be in the throne room," Teela said.

"I was-" Adam said.

"Doesn't' matter, it's not like you were off fighting Skelitor. No. You just slack off all day even when it's time for your training."

"I was-" Adam tried again.

"Who's this your girlfriend?" Teela said casting a glance at Adora.

"No-" Adam started.

"Adora, and I'm just a friend," Adora cut in.

"Well friends aren't allowed inside the throne room," Teela said.

"I think my parents can make an exception," Adam said storming off in what Adora could only assume was the direction of his room.

"As for you," Teela started.

"I think I'll just go visit the King and Queen," Adora moved uncertainly to where she remembered the throne room being.

"Listen if Adam said if your allowed there I believe it. But I was just going to say you should get cleaned up first." Teela pointed to Adora's old Horde outfit. "Here come on I have something you can borrow,"

She grabbed Adora's arm and led her down a series of hallways stopping at a plain wooden door.

"It's not much but when your captain of the guard style isn't really a necessity," Teela pushed the door open and ushered Adora in. She disappeared into another room leaving Adora to admire the splendour, even though it was probably considered humble, everything looked worn but well cared for. It was infinitely better than any room she'd ever had the privilege to stay in.

Teela returned with a few dresses draped over her arm. "The Queen gave these to me. But I haven't had a chance to wear them. So there like new. I was thinking I'd wear the green and you could wear the purple? Or maybe the other way around?"

Adora stared at the dresses they were exact copies of each other. Floor length, tastefully ruffled and made of a high quality material she had no name for. On closer inspection she noticed there were slight differences, the green dress had more material around it's centre and the purple sparkled with movement.

"I think we'll try you in the purple one." Teela said.

One hour later

Adora sat on the edge of Teela bed. Admiring her dress. She was waiting for Teela it was almost time they left. Adora stood up as Teela entered. She turned about, "Don't you think were over dressed?" Adora asked.

"Not for the day Adam chooses his wife," Teela replied nonchalantly.

Adora began coughing, there was no way Adam was ready for this.

"Isn't it a little barbaric for him to choose a wife?" Adora questioned.

Teela turned to face Adora. "No it's not. There are princesses from around the world who are prepared to marry him, Adam will most likely choose one of them,"

Adora decided to do a little fishing as Adam had once helped her. "So he can't choose anyone else?"

"Well he could. I don't know why he'd want to. Politically it makes sense, as which ever kingdom he chooses will have a very strong bond with ours." Teela replied as she fixed her hair.

"And If you could have anyone who would it be?" Adora asked.

"Honestly I haven't met many men I'm seriously interested in. He-Man maybe." Teela answered nonchalantly.

"What about Adam?"

Teela turned to stare at Adora, "That pathetic twerp of a man! He's never serious, he mocks the training I teach. He's a cowered he refuses to fight to defend his country, and worst of all he can't keep time!" Adora watched Teela storm from the room.

"Wow somebody's got it bad," She whispered before trailing after Teela.

Adam was pacing outside of the throne room, he'd been told by Man at Arms that this was the day he would pick a wife. He sighed they was only one woman he wanted and she hated him. "Why now Cringer. Just as I finally decide to tell her my secret?" Adam asked his trusted green tiger.

"I-I don't know Adam. Maybe Orko can help." The animal suggested.

"Hey Adam I came to see how you were doing. There's some real beauties out there." Orko said.

"But I don't want any of them," Adam said.

"Well who then?" Orko asked.

"Teela!" Cringer replied.

"You like Teela! Oh is she gonna be peeved." Orko said.

"Orko!" Adam and Cringer shouted.

"Forget it I'll just go find Adora," Adam said walked away.

Five minutes later

Adam still hadn't found Adora and the ceremony was about to start. He was seated on a bench in a small room behind the King and Queen thrones. He sat alone head between his knees as he felt sick to his stomach. He lifted his head as the door squeaked open. A women in a gorgeous purple dress sat beside him. His head dropped back to his knees.

"You OK?" She asked.

"Why now?" He mumbled into his pant leg.

"King Randolph thought you could use something serious in your life I suppose," The blond said.

"But a wedding?" He said.

"Well I doubt you'll have to get married right away. I mean we are only twenty-one."

Adam lifted his head to stare into her eyes. "And when were you planning on getting married to Bow?" He spat.

Adora thought for a moment before responding. "I see your point. But I have good news a little birdy told me you can choose whomever you like."

"That's a relief," Adam said trying to run his hand though his jelled hair.

Adora watched as his face quickly twisted to one of pain.

"What if she don't like me?"

"Trust me she does, and I'm sure her illusions of you will wear off when you tell her your secret." Adora said.

From the next room a trumpet sounded. Adora stood up, "Well I have to go. Make a good decision."

"This mumbo jumbo is boring," Orko whispered to Cringer. They had been listening for the last hour to the King and a priest talk about the importance of that day. The change from boy to man, even though Adam was hardly a child.

"Yes. Why can't they just get to the cake already?" Cringer whined.

"Because he needs to choose a bride to eat the cake with." Orko said sharply. "Oh I hope it's Teela."

"Me too. I want Adam to be happy. I don't want a stuck-up Queen, who won't feed me,"

"Is that all you think about? Your stomach?" Orko snapped.

"No, but I'm so nervous for Adam. I can't help but be hungry."

"Shh- Here it comes," Orko gushed

Adam stood at the centre of the platform. His father had just asked whom he would like as a wife. He looked at the women in front of him. True to Orko's words they were all beautiful. But he knew that he would regret this the rest of his life if he didn't make the choice he was terrified of.

"I Prince Adam Lefay Renald." He kept his head straight eyes to the back of the room as he had been instructed. "Take Captain of the Royal Guard Teela Noita-"

"IN HELL YOU WON'T" Came the outraged cry from Teela.

Adam sighed as she stormed past him and out the door.

"To be my betrothed, the only women I'll ever love, He finished. The last part wasn't necessary but he wanted to make clear he wouldn't have anyone but her.

Adam stood his hands clenched into fists. He tried to keep the flash of heat of his face. That had could not have gone worse. He relaxed when he realized the only person was outraged was the women in question.

Adam's mother stood beside him and took his hand. "Go comfort your new wife," She whispered in his ear. "Your father and I will close the ceremony, and congratulations,"

Adam stumbled off the stage and headed out the door Teela had left moments ago. He was surprised to see her leaning on a wall just outside the door.

"You have ruined my life. From now on I'll have to be your wife, bear our children, be Queen. Thanks to you, I've lost everything I've worked so hard for." She whispered.

Adam stared at her unsure what to say to improve the situation.

"Why?" She asked.

Adam didn't know how to answer. He heard the final trumpet sound. The ceremony was over. "We have to get you out of here," He said grabbing Teela's hand and dragged her in the direction of an empty room. He cringed as people flooded the halls. He quickly changed his mind about their destination. He continued to run down the hallway, Teela a bit slower in her dress behind him. "I have something to show you but not here." He said not turning around. Adam placed a hand to his head. "Sorceress, Sorceress. Teela and I need your help. Please bring us to Castle Grey Skull."

"Adam why are we running?" Teela demanded. She began to pull her hand away.

Adam looked at her hand it was slowly fading. The Sorceress had heard his call. He quickly grabbed her hand again before they faded completely.

Teela stood horrified. Her life had been wrecked only moments ago and then Adam had dragged her to some strange place and she had no idea how they'd gotten there.

"Tell me," She said though gritted teeth.

Adam shot her a confused look.

"You said you had something to tell me," She said not unclenching her jaw.

"Not now. We have to find your mom first," Adam said distractedly pulling on her hand.

"My mom! In case you haven't noticed I'm adopted. I don't have a mom. And where the hell are we?"

"Hush my daughter all will be explained in due time," Even though the Sorceress could not been seen her airy voice still surrounded them. "But first you must sleep,"

Adam watched as Teela fell into his arms from the Sorceress unspoken spell.

"Adam, Adam. When she awakes she will remember everything about her mother. In the meantime please leave my precious daughter to sleep. Please lay her in the room I will meet you there,"

Adam watched amazed as a door creaked open several feet down the hall. He carried the unconscious Teela to the room and laid her on the bed.

Adam watched Teela's gentel breathing, waiting for the Sorceress. The was a flash of light as she appeared.

"She reminds me of a story my mother told me. Sleeping beauty,"

"I know that story. She does look peaceful doesn't she? Listen to me Adam you have made a huge decision affecting both your lives. For your sake I hope you really do love her. There will be a lot of challenges coming your way."

"I know," Adam replied.

"I'm going to send you and Teela to Etheria for a while. Please take care of her while your there."

Adam didn't have a chance to respond before he faded into nothing.

"Adam what are you doing here?" Adora asked hugging her brother.

"What do you mean? Why are you here? I thought you were at home with mom and dad."

A puzzled look took over Adora's face. "What are you talking about, I can't go home I'm needed here. You know that."

Adam manoeuvred out of Adora's grip. "Where's Teela?"

"Who?" She replied.

Adam spun around the forest looked different.

"What's going on here?" He ran past Adora. "Where's Teela?"

"Adam calm down. Who's Teela?" Adora chased her brother though the camp. She was trying to reach him but he was too fast.

"Adam!" Adora cried.

A shrill cry redirected Adam and Adora. A red headed women stood paralysed in the bush.

She eyed Adam. "Where are we?"

AN: Hey, sorry for the long wait but I had way too much stress in my life to write. I see I'm picking up more readers, yay! I'm not sure about the very end of this chapter I may change it later. I also wanted to make this chapter longer but I figured you'd waited long enough and I should just publish it already. Also sorry if there's any inaccuracies in the He-man's world I am not familiar with it. I've only seen two episodes. I'm also not sure why this is an Adam based chapter but I hope you find it to your liking, I also hope that the next chapter will be more Adora based. I can't remember if I mentioned this but I'm also writing a Sky Dancers fan fic so my updates will be slower. Teela's last name (Noita) came from the Finnish word for Sorceress, and I believe I mentioned that in my version Adora and Teela have not met before now.