Teela didn't know if she was angry or upset. All she knew was that she had to get away from the Prince of Eternia as quickly as possible without seeming too eager. She walked quickly towards the palace and listened to Adam's pleas for her to stop, but she couldn't, not right now. She needed to figure out how she felt; she needed to figure out what was really going on. She knew of only one person who could help now.

Man-at-Arms was bent over one of his toolboxes obviously trying to find something as Teela walked into the room. She watched him for several seconds as he pulled different instruments out before saying, "Father?"

Duncan immediately looked up and was startled at his daughter's appearance. Her face was reddened as if from anger or possibly even tears. He couldn't tell which. He straightened and quickly went to her. "What's wrong, Teela? Is everything all right?"

She looked into her father's eyes and almost broke into tears, but she stopped herself. Instead, she let the little anger she did feel boil to the surface. "No!" she spat quickly. "Everything isn't all right! I just had a discussion with Adam, and would you believe he doesn't even like us? He's always running off having a good ol' time with Cringer and whoever else he meets along the way! Did he ever consider how that makes us feel? To not want to be around his own mother, father, and friends? What's wrong with him?"

Man-at-Arms stood shocked as Teela continued her feverish rant. He listened and watched as Teela became more and more agitated and incoherent until finally he said in a demanding fatherly voice, "Teela."

Almost immediately she stopped, took a deep breath, and looked at her father.

Now that she was quiet, he sat down on a nearby stool and motioned for her to sit beside him on another. Once they were seated, he said, "All right, tell me what happened."

She looked down and spat, "Adam…" She immediately quieted herself and took a deep breath after hearing the hostility in her own voice. She knew it wouldn't do her any good to get all worked up again. Calmly, she stated, "Adam showed up for his combat lesson this afternoon."

He nodded and said, "That's good. I wondered whether he would or not, considering what happened earlier at lunch."

She nodded and said, "Yes, I was wondering the same thing. I was shocked and relieved when he showed up. We apologized to each other for what had happened. Adam, for once, wanted to get straight to the lesson, but I just couldn't, Father. I had to talk to him about everything that's happened recently. I told him of his parents' concerns, as well as mine. I told him we knew he was either doing something no one would approve of or that he didn't care to be in our presence. He didn't deny it…"

He immediately interrupted and asked, "Did you give him a chance to deny it? Teela, I know you. Once you latch on to an idea, it's hard for you to let anyone sway you."

She looked up sheepishly and replied, "Well, maybe I didn't, but what else could possibly be going on?" She paused and continued, "I don't know why I'm this concerned, anyway. It's his life. If he wants to land right on his royal face, who am I to stop him?"

"Because he's your friend and you care about him," he answered. "Teela, I know Adam as well as I know you. I've watched you both grow up, and I know Adam isn't purposely trying to get himself into any kind of trouble. I also know that he loves his parents and you very much. Don't ever doubt that."

"But…" she started.

He shook his head. "Teela, you're letting the king and queen's insecurities and worries get the better of you. You may be the Captain of the Guard and it may be your sworn duty to protect the prince, but you're also his friend. Instead of letting everyone else worry you into believing something, why don't you just find out for yourself? Why don't you just try to talk to Adam?"

"I tried, Father. He won't open up to me."

He sighed. "I don't mean talk to him about what's going on between him and his parents. That topic makes him defensive enough, and you're not going to get anywhere with him discussing it. Just talk to the lad. Be a friend instead of part of the problem."

"But how can I just ignore the fact that he's scaring me? He ran off during the battle at Castle Grayskull, and who knows what could have happened when he went off to Drisdos this morning!"

"He is the Prince of Eternia, Teela. He has responsibilities to his people, and if everyone is going to jump on him every time he tries to take that responsibility, then…" He cut himself off and looked to the direction of Castle Grayskull.

"What?" she asked after her father's long silence.

Duncan pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers and shook his head lightly. He looked up and said, "You're never going to know the real Adam if you keep hassling him, Teela. He might end up resenting the fact that you take his parents' side, or more importantly, that you stop him from taking on any royal responsibilities in fear that he might get hurt. Adam is a man, Teela. He has a good head on his shoulders, and he's capable of far more than you or his parents give him credit for. If you would just take the time to notice…"

"You sound like you already know exactly what Adam is capable of, Father."

He nodded. "I may not know everything that he's capable of, but I know he's capable of doing great things now and as the future ruler of Eternia."

She looked towards the door of the workshop and said, "I think so, too, Father. I really do. He just scared me. I'm afraid that he might get hurt or killed. Don't you understand that?"

He wrapped his arms around his daughter and thought back to the night he saw He-Man lying on the Sorceress' bed asleep but in pain. He quietly whispered, "I do understand that. The Ancients know I worry about the same thing myself."

=)=)=)

Adam flung his hands in exasperation as soon as Teela disappeared inside the palace. He almost went after her, but then he realized that he had no idea what to say. There was no way he could tell her convincingly that he really was the goofy but lovable Prince Adam of Eternia like she wanted him to. Despite his dual identity, he had never been good at lying. In fact, since obtaining the Sword of Power, he did everything in his power to avoid having to do so, and it had generally worked for the most part…until now.

He sighed and sat back down on the fountain's side. He hunched over and buried his face in his hands as he contemplated his next course of action or if there should even be one. "Everything I do isn't right," he reasoned. "Maybe I should just pretend like everything's fine and everyone else will take the hint and follow suit."

He sat back up and looked in the direction Teela had gone. His father had just walked into the courtyard and was heading his way with a not-too-happy look on his face. Adam quickly sighed and thought, "But it isn't going to happen."

"Father," he said in greeting as Randor came to stand in front of him.

"Son," Randor acknowledged as he placed his hands on his hips.

"Oh, great," thought Adam as he watched his father's actions. "It's time for another lecture."

The king stared at his son for several seconds and then said abruptly, "Adam, I've been tiptoeing around this matter long enough. Your mother is in our chambers crying because of what has happened today and I believe you have left me with no choice but for you and I to come to an understanding."

Adam looked up when he heard of his mother. It pained him to even fathom her hurting. He listened to his father and nodded. It was time for them to come to an understanding.

Randor, oblivious to Adam's worries for his mother, started to pace in front of his son and folded his arms behind his back as he continued the speech he had thought over and over in his mind since lunch. "Over the past few days, I've been watching you, Adam. I must admit your behavior as of late has been completely unacceptable. I've always noticed your constant disappearing at the worst possible times long before now. As a result, I ordered for you to be trained by one of Eternia's best soldiers. I had hoped at the time this training would give you self-confidence in your ability to fight and stand your ground, but unfortunately, it hasn't. In fact, I've noticed that it has gotten far worse over the years. Whenever a crisis occurs, you run…no matter what. I can't help but ask myself what kind of king you will be for Eternia if you run every time you have a problem. Not a very good one."

"Father," Adam spoke up, but Randor quickly shook his head. He silenced.

"Of course, in your defense, I do realize that you're young, and as your mother constantly reminds me, you were raised differently than me. You've been sheltered from the cruel realities of the world, my son. I suppose that's partially my fault. Maybe I should have exposed you more to what you would one day face. I take responsibility for making that mistake and its results: whenever danger comes your way, you run. I guess that would be okay for any other person, but you're a prince. You need to start acting like one, and I need to make sure that you do."

"I tried today, but…"

Randor shook his head and interrupted, "Today has been one of your most unflattering days. Instead of dealing with your mother and me in an appropriate, a proper, and a reasonable fashion, you ran off to Drisdos without consulting me or allowing someone to accompany you. I realize you were trying to prove to us that you're not a coward and capable of handling yourself, but Adam, running off was very irresponsible." He finally stopped his pacing and faced his son straight on. "You could have been hurt or possibly even killed, but you didn't even think about that, did you? And, then, when you finally came back, you acted so nonchalant about the whole affair as if it wasn't a big deal. Even more outrageously, you belittled Captain Teela when she was only trying to protect you, which is her job, I might add. You ran out and avoided us for hours. You acted like a child, Adam, and you're an adult now. I will not tolerate such behavior from you anymore."

Adam stared at his father in shock. Never before had he talked to him in such a manner.

Randor continued to stare at his son and stated firmly, "And, as for your constant running off and having your so-called 'fun,' that needs to end today. I'm tired of wondering where you've been and seeing your mother worry. If you refuse to let us in, then I have no choice but to forbid those activities. From now on, I am to be informed of where you are at all times. I also want you at more of my meetings and royal functions. I expect to see you in my chambers tomorrow morning. We're going to sit down and go over exactly what your new duties will be."

"But Father!" replied Adam loudly, widening his eyes as he realized exactly how much of a burden this would put on him and that it would make it harder for him to maintain in his secret.

Once again Randor interrupted Adam and said, "I know you don't like the idea of being bound to a tight schedule or telling me where you are at all times, but it is a necessity for now, given the circumstances."

Adam's jaw dropped open, but he quickly got over the initial shock and pleaded, "Father, I can't just drop everything in my life and become your personal beck-and-call boy. I have my own responsibilities. I don't have the time to fit any more on to my plate right now, and you know that. What you're proposing is unreasonable and unfair."

Randor actually smirked at his son and replied, "Despite your current royal duties, you seem to find time to have fun. Instead, it can be filled with more useful activities, son. You should be glad since it will build your character and perhaps our people will view you in a different light and not see you as a coward."

Adam flinched, but before he could get a word out, Randor said, "You need to take on some larger responsibilities, son. You are to be king one day, and the Ancients know I don't want you to be as unprepared for the task as I was. If something happened to me today, you would be less prepared than I was. That fact does not comfort me, Adam. Our family has always lived to take care of our responsibilities. Your mother and I have lived up to ours as king and queen, which has been a very difficult task. Even Adora, your own sister, has lived up to hers:  she fights for the freedom of the inhabitants of Etheria. All I'm asking is for you to take care of your responsibilities, as well."

Adam was immediately taken aback. He stared at his father aghast and asked, "Are you comparing me to Adora?"

Randor shook his head and answered, "No, I'm not, but it is hard not to notice that Adora has a lot of maturity for her age and takes on great responsibilities. She is truly a remarkable young woman, and I'm proud to call her my daughter."

Adam immediately turned his back on his father and squeezed his eyes shut.

Randor noticed Adam's balled fist and added, "You should be proud of her, too."

Adam whirled back around and snapped, "I am proud of Adora! She's my sister and I love her, but how dare you compare me to her!"

Now, it was Randor's turn to be shocked. "I'm not comparing you to her."

"YES, YOU ARE!" yelled Adam. "I'm sorry that I'm not the perfect son that you always wanted. I'm sorry you think I'm not as responsible as Adora. I can't help that, Father! I really can't." He shook his head and said angrily, "I'm also sorry that Adora was the one Hordak kidnapped instead of me. If i had been, then maybe, I'd have some of that Horde training and I'd be the one fighting on Etheria. Is that what you wanted me to say?"

"How can you even ask such a thing?" asked Randor, appalled.

"Because it seems like all you care about is your image! Are you ashamed of me? Are you ashamed that you have a son who seemingly runs from trouble? Do I embarrass you?"

Father and son stared at each other for a long time without saying a word. Randor was trying to figure out what to say, while Adam waited angrily but patiently for an answer. Finally, all the anger melted away and all Adam felt was raw pain. His rigid posture immediately slouched. He bowed his head and whispered, "I'm sorry that I'm such a disappointment, Father. I never wanted things to end up like this. I want the people of Eternia, and more importantly, you, Mother, Duncan, and Teela to respect me. It's just that so many things get in the way of portraying the man that I truly want to be. I just wish you and Mother would accept me, regardless of whom I may or may not be."

Randor placed his hands on his son's shoulders and replied, "I do accept you, Adam, but sometimes as a father, you have to show some tough love to get your kids to straighten out. I still want you to be more involved with kingdom affairs, so I still expect to see you tomorrow morning in my chambers. I think this will solve all our problems."

Adam shook his head and replied, "You're wrong, Father. It isn't going to solve anything. It's only going to make things harder."

"For who?" Randor really wanted to know.

"For everyone.”

=)=)=)

After Randor had left the courtyard, Adam remained seated at the fountain for several hours until it was dark outside. He didn't attend dinner, because he wasn't hungry and he knew he wouldn't be able to face his father yet. What would he do in the morning when it was time to meet with him? Would he willingly sit back and allow his father to dictate his life and give him more so-called responsibilities? He honestly didn't know.

Before he could think about it any further, he felt the Sorceress telepathically reaching out to him: "He-Man and Battlecat are needed at Castle Grayskull, immediately."

Adam stood up and looked towards his father's bedchamber window. "It's time for me to take care of my responsibilities, again," he said almost angrily before walking into the palace to find Cringer.