Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter seven of "To the Sea." It has some Cringer/OC. This chapter introduces Ellie. It has been a while incoming, but it was worth the wait. Stay tuned for chapter eight.

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Chapter 7: Sweet Reunion/Meeting the Others

Adam, Teela, Duncan, Cringer, Lizzie, Sea Hawk, Lisa, Mina, Madame Razz, and Broom walked down the first floor hallway. Kowl flew alongside Broom. Orko floated near him. Sea Hawk held his daughter's hand. Cringer looked around, his tail swinging from side to side. Lizzie mimicked his every move. She swung her tail, hitting him in the side. He gave her a cheeky look.

"Watch your tail, Lizzie," Cringer warned playfully. "I mean it."

Lizzie smacked Cringer in the side with her tail. He growled in mock anger and nibbled on her ear. She pushed him away with her paw. Duncan shot them a serious look.

"Quit playing around, you two. This is not the time nor the place for it," Duncan said, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, hush!" Cringer responded, turning to him. "There is nothing wrong with being silly, Man-at-Arms."

"I see nothing wrong with that either, but it is better to do it outside," Duncan pointed out. "There is a lot more room and less risk of breaking things."

Cringer huffed and glanced ahead. Lisa tugged on her father's hand, causing him to look down at her.

"Daddy, what do you think Ellie looks like?" Lisa wondered.

"I am not sure," Sea Hawk admitted with a shrug. "The guards didn't say anything about her appearance."

"I am sure she is very pretty. Everyone said she was when she was little," Lisa commented, giggling.

"Some people become more beautiful as they grow up," Sea Hawk responded, tightening his grip on her hand a tiny bit. He blinked three times. "Some become ugly."

Lisa raised her eyebrows. "Okay."

"Madame Razz's reaction was very funny when the guard came into her room while she was entertaining Broom and me. Two eggs were floating in midair. When he came in, she lost her concentration. They splattered all over her head," Kowl said, a snicker leaving his mouth.

"That was so funny that I forgot to laugh, Kowl," Madame Razz grumbled sarcastically.

Broom smiled. "Nice use of sarcasm, Razz."

The entire group entered the throne room. It found Randor and Marlena standing in front of their thrones. They smiled as everyone stopped before them.

"Thank you all for coming here," Randor said warmly.

"Father, where is Ellie? I thought she would be here," Adam said confusingly.

Randor eyed two guards standing nearby. "Oh, she is right over here."

The guards stepped aside, allowing twenty-seven-year-old Ellie to step forward. She came toward the group, stopping before it. She was the same height as Teela was. Her skin was light. Her long brown hair was up in a bun. Her eyes were dark brown. Her arms contained scars starting at her elbows and stopping at her shoulders. She formed a sweet smile on her face as she focused her attention on Adam and Teela.

"Hello, Prince Adam and Captain Teela," Ellie greeted in much sweetness. "I missed you two so much."

Adam and Teela felt sobs rising in their throats. He stepped forward, giving Ellie a big hug. She hugged him a little tighter. Teela went to her, slipping her arm around her. Ellie did the same with her. The trio stayed this way for thirty seconds before breaking apart.

"We missed you just as much, Ellie," Adam said, smiling.

"Look at you, Ellie. You are all grown up now!" Teela exclaimed, happiness radiating from her face.

"So are you two," Ellie commented with a laugh.

Cringer walked up to the trio. "You are as tall as Teela too!"

"How are you talking, Cringer?" Ellie asked in surprise.

"He gained that ability through magic, though we are not sure of the source," Adam responded swiftly.

"Oh. Look at you, Cringer," Ellie said, going down to one knee. She emitted a soft sniffle. "You are all grown up. You were just a young cub the last time I saw you." She scratched him behind his ear, causing him to purr softly. "You remember that, huh?"

"Yes, I do," Cringer said. He moaned annoyingly when she ceased her scratching. "Oh, man! I can't believe you stopped."

"Well, she does need to reunite with another old friend," Duncan pointed out as he and Orko came to the tiger's side.

Ellie rose to her full height. "You are right, Duncan. By the way, it is good to see you and Orko."

"The same goes for you, Ellie," Orko agreed and spread out his arms. "Come here."

Ellie wrapped her arms around the duo to give them big hugs. Duncan and Orko hugged her a little tighter. They stayed this way for thirty seconds before letting go of each other.

"I can't believe you are all grown up. It feels like only yesterday when you, Adam, and Teela were playing in the garden," Duncan said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"It does feel that way," Ellie agreed.

"We want to say we are sorry about the loss of your parents," Orko said sympathetically. "We know how much they meant to you."

"It was not easy selling the farm. I wanted a sense of familiarity. I saw the place where I spent a bit of my childhood to be the perfect place," Elie explained.

"No one blames you for that," Sea Hawk said, stepping forward along with Mina and Lisa. "I would want a sense of familiarity if I had been in your shoes."

"So would the rest of us, dearie," Madame Razz agreed while coming to Mina's side with Kowl and Broom right behind her.

"Yes. Who are you?" Ellie asked.

"Ellie, this is Sea Hawk, his wife Mina, and his daughter Lisa. The others are Madame Razz, Kowl, and Broom," Adam introduced as he motioned to each of his friends. "They are from Etheria and happen to be our friends. Bow, Adora, and Apollo won't be back until later."

"It is nice to meet you," Ellie said and shook each hand of the adults.

"The pleasure is all ours," Broom responded warmly.

Ellie knelt down to Lisa's eye level. She heard her emit a nervous chuckle. She held out her hand while raising her eyebrows. Lisa bit her lip, her heart skipping a beat.

"Don't be nervous, Lisa. I won't bite," Ellie assured.

"Go on, Lisa," Mina encouraged. "Shake Ellie's hand."

Lisa moved her hand forward, but she jerked it back twice. She tried again and took Ellie's to shake it slowly. She released her hold on it. She hugged her father's legs.

"A little shy, isn't she?" Ellie said, glancing up at Sea Hawk.

"Sometimes," Sea Hawk responded, jumping when Lizzie brushed up against his side while walking past him. The tigress stopped before the woman. "Watch it, Lizzie."

"Is this tiger—" Ellie started.

Teela chuckled. "A resident of the palace? Yes, she is. She belongs to me. Adam and I rescued her from a bear trap. She has been here ever since."

Adam clasped his hands together. "Why don't you pet her?"

Ellie moved her hand toward Lizzie, who pulled back somewhat. Lizzie growled in a little uncertainty. Ellie clicked her tongue twice. Lizzie brought herself forward. This allowed Ellie to pet her on her neck. She moved her hand to under the tigress's chin. She smiled at her pleasurable purring.

"You like that," Ellie said with a smile. She pulled her hand away and rose to her full height. "I have so much to share with you about my life on my farm."

Everyone listened as Ellie began talking about her teen and young adult years. Lizzie licked her lips, as did Cringer with his.

00000

Bow dismounted Arrow next to the trough near the stable as Adora kept Apollo steady on Spirit an hour later. He went over to the white stallion and took their son from her. She got off Spirit with a loud grunt. He gave Apollo to her. He grabbed the reins and walked Spirit and Arrow around a bit. He released his hold on them after five minutes. The stallions went over to the trough and proceeded to drink water heartily. They swung their tails from side to side. Bow returned to Adora to take the toddler from her. Apollo laid his head on his father's shoulder, causing him to chuckle softly. She crossed her arms.

"Our little boy is all tuckered out," Bow said while patting Apollo's back.

"He's going to need a short nap before dinner," Adora admitted.

"It doesn't matter. He enjoyed the ride," Bow responded and kissed her forehead twice. "I know we did."

"Maybe we should get the rest of the family to go horseback riding with us next time," Adora suggested.

"That would be nice," Bow agreed and laid his hand on her shoulder. "We could have a picnic too."

She giggled. "Just don't let Adam and Teela throw apples at us like they did last time."

He nodded at her. "Duly noted."

Footsteps caught the trio's attention. They turned to see Randor, Ellie, Adam, Teela, and Duncan coming their way. Kowl sat on Adam's shoulder. He scratched his ear. The entire stopped before the family. Bow moved his hand up to Apollo's shoulder.

"Bow, Adora, here is Ellie," Randor introduced with much warmth. "Ellie, this is my daughter, Adora, and her husband, Bow. That is their son, Apollo."

"Hello. It is nice to finally meet you three," Ellie said, holding out her hand.

"The pleasure is all ours," Bow said, shaking it firmly. He stepped aside to allow his wife to do the same. "We just got back from horseback riding."

"We had a nice time," Adora added as she released her hold on the woman. She clasped her hands together. She eyed Apollo, who yawned. "Don't mind Apollo. He is tired from the ride."

"I can't imagine why a toddler wouldn't be," Ellie commented while rubbing her chin. She glanced at Arrow and Spirit. "Those must be your horses."

"Yes," Bow admitted, looking at the stallions. "This is Arrow and Spirit. We've owned them for years."

"Could I pet them?" Ellie wondered as she moved over to the duo.

"I think it'd best if you wait until they finish drinking, Ellie," Adam suggested. "They do not like being interrupted for any reason."

"Oh," Ellie said. "Okay."

Arrow stopped drinking and glanced at Ellie. He narrowed his eyes at her and snorted with hostility. He stomped his front hoof three times and attempted to bite her. This caused her to jump back in fright.

"What in the heck is wrong with Arrow?" Ellie wondered as Arrow resumed drinking.

"I forgot to tell you. Arrow shows hostility toward strangers," Bow replied and breathed deeply. "He has always been that way. He should warm up to you after he gets to know you."

Teela held up a finger. "Here is one word of caution. Never hit Arrow on his butt. He will kick you in yours in retaliation."

"Sea Hawk paid the price when he did that. It was a big hoof print on his pants," Kowl said, forming fists and putting them on his side.

"He ended up face first in a mud hole too," Adam added, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.

"That was not his brightest moment," Duncan said.

Teela chuckled. "For sure."

Randor went over to Bow, who handed him Apollo. He patted the boy's back when he laid his head on his shoulder. He looked at the archer, seeing him smile lightly.

"I will put him down for his short nap," Randor said softly.

"Thank you," Bow whispered in a very grateful way.

The entire group observed Randor walking away. Bow stepped forward, as did Adora. Ellie ran her tongue all over the inside of her mouth. She smacked her lips twice. She turned to the rebel leader.

"So, your brother says you are leading rebels to free Etheria from the grips of the Horde," Ellie said.

"It's not an easy job, but someone has to do it," Adora responded truthfully. "We have made incredible progress over the last several years. It will be only a matter of time before Etheria is finally free."

"Then you, your husband, and your son will be home," Ellie said, nodding.

"Yes," Bow agreed and put his arm around his wife. "That means two more warriors for the fight against Skeletor."

"I swear, that bastard pops up everywhere to cause trouble. He'd kill an entire village out of boredom," Ellie grumbled angrily.

"I think Hordak would do that too," Adora said, cringing badly.

Just then, Spirit stopped drinking and moved his head upward. He glanced at Ellie, who raised her eyebrows. She moved her hand toward him, only for him to snort warningly at her. She jerked it away, her heart skipping a beat.

"Jeez. What's your problem, Spirit?" Ellie asked. She didn't see Kowl narrow his eyes at her. "Are you hostile toward strangers too?"

"He is usually not like that," Adora said and went over to Spirit, who looked at her. She placed her hands on his head. She leaned toward his ear. "Be nice to Ellie, Spirit. She is now a resident of the palace."

"I am not so sure about her," Spirit whispered, peering at Ellie in the corner of his eye. "She seems—"

"Hey, did Spirit just talk like Cringer?" Ellie asked.

Adora looked at her. "Yes, he did. He gained the ability to speak through magic. We have no idea where it came from. He hasn't stopped talking since. Anyway, I think he is a little tired from the ride."

"I have to admit I feel that way," Spirit said and let out a long yawn.

"So does Arrow," Adam said, placing his hands on his hips.

Bow went over to Arrow and grabbed the reins. "We will take them inside the stable."

Adora took hold of Spirit's reins. She and Bow guided their horses into the stable. Adam stepped forward and touched Ellie's arm. This caused her to look at him. She pressed her lips together.

"I am sorry about Arrow and Spirit," Adam apologized.

"Don't apologize, Adam," Ellie responded while holding up her hands. "Horses can be rough to handle sometimes. I had a few of them kick me in the ass."

"So, you actually know how Sea Hawk feels," Teela commented, going to her friend's side.

"I do," Ellie commented with a nod. "How about we go back inside?"

"I say that is a great idea," Adam said, a smile forming on his face.

"I think I will talk with Bow and Adora," Kowl suggested while jerking his thumb in the direction of the stable.

"Suit yourself," Teela said.

Kowl flapped his ears and began to hover in midair. He observed the humans walking away. He proceeded to fly toward the stable.

00000

Bow and Adora unhooked Arrow and Spirit's saddles and took them off their backs. They set them on the ground. They removed the bits and halters from their faces. They took them to the back of the stable. The stallions smacked their lips before licking them. Their owners grabbed the saddles and hoisted them over their shoulders. They headed to the back of the stable. They returned to Arrow and Spirit as Kowl flew up to them.

"I hate to say this, but I do not have a very good feeling about Ellie," Kowl said in uncertainty.

"What makes you say that, Kowl?" Bow asked, crossing his arms.

"Spirit's reaction is what did it for me," Kowl responded, chuckling nervously. He held up his hands and swallowed hard. "You, Adora, and I know he rarely acts like that toward strangers. Arrow's reaction was more hostile than usual as well. When was the last time he tried to bite someone he just met?"

"Oh, you are just being paranoid," Bow commented with a shake of his head. He gestured toward him. "You should worry about the threat Skeletor and Hordak pose to us instead."

"There are things much more dangerous than Hordak and Skeletor, Bow," Spirit whickered. He perked up his ears when Bow, Adora, and Kowl looked at him. "Remember when Shadow Weaver tried to get revenge on Hordak for punishing her over her failures?"

"Boy, do I ever! Shadow Weaver called on Skeletor for help. He helped her capture Hordak. They placed him in a special prison. Then he betrayed her and took over the Horde. He captured She-ra. He planned to use the Horde to invade Eternia. You came to get me to rescue her," Bow explained swiftly.

"Shadow Weaver did not give a shit about the damage her lust for revenge would cause. She was determined to carry it out," Spirit pointed out matter-of-factly.

"She did put her differences with Hordak aside to break out of their prison," Kowl added. He rubbed his hands together. "Even villains can have a moment of reflection."

"Shadow Weaver was allowed back into the Horde. It was as if her betrayal never happened," Adora said.

"I don't doubt Hordak remembers it, but he chooses not to dwell on it because getting rid of us is more important to him," Kowl commented and tapped his nose with his finger. "Of course, he has not been able to put a stop to us."

Bow and Adora nodded in agreement. Spirit snorted while swinging his tail from side to side. He dug his front hoof through the hay. He planted it in there firmly.

"I believe we should keep a close eye on Ellie," Spirit whispered.

"I agree, Spirit," Kowl responded and held up a finger. "Adam, Teela, and the other palace residents may know her, but that does not mean we can't be cautious around her."

"If you say so, Kowl. I think you are wrong about your feelings," Bow said.

"I am with Bow. There was not any mention of Lizzie and Lisa's reactions to her," Adora pointed out.

"I will say Lisa seemed to be okay toward her. The same goes for Lizzie," Kowl admitted while clasping his hands together.

"Then you are being paranoid," Bow answered and put his hands on his hips.

Kowl chuckled sarcastically. "Sure, I am."

Adora shook her head in disbelief. "What goofballs you two are. Come on. Let's go inside and get something to drink."

Bow, Adora, and Kowl headed out of the stable. Spirit turned around to look out the window. He observed a gray rat running by. It was followed by another one.