The Healing
By Corrie McDermott
March 2001
Disclaimer: This story is merely an expression of creativity and further development of the characters I love dearly and is not meant to infringe upon the rights of Mattel, Filmation Associates or Hallmark. The characters of Masters of the Universe and Princess of Power belong to the above groups. Any other characters are my creation.
The birds were chirping loudly and the sky was clear with not a cloud to
be found. The air smelled of sweet flowers and of springtime. Prince Adam was
sitting on the grass in the shade of a tree leaning against his faithful
companion Cringer. The big green tiger was stretched out clearly enjoying the
fresh air and warm day. The young prince was drifting in and out of thought.
Skeletor had been busy lately and he had to come up with more excuses then ever
to get himself and Cringer away from the palace. He opened his eyes staring up
at the branches above him. The leaves made a soft sound as a light breeze danced
through them. He let out a tremendous sigh and closed his eyes. He really needed
to get some sleep. He awakened with a start when he felt someone grabbing his
arm. He sat straight up and clenched his fists. He'd been dreaming of battling
Skeletor.
"Adam Wake up!" came a familiar feminine voice.
He blinked and looked up to see Teela towering above him. "Teela you
startled me. You shouldn't sneak up on people like that."
"Well your father wants to speak with you. He sent me to find you. Have
you been under this tree all day?"
"What time is it?" He asked rubbing his eyes.
"Nearly 1."
"1! Oh no! I missed that meeting with the diplomats and my father! He's
going to kill me. Why didn't someone wake me?"
"Because you're an adult Adam and I would hope that most of the time you
could take care of yourself. Maybe my father can make you an alarm clock."
Adam jumped to his feet and brushed himself off. "Where is my father?"
"In the conference room. I don't think he's too happy and I don't blame
him. You've been either missing from the palace or sleeping lately. I haven't
seen you this lazy in a long time."
Adam ignored her criticisms and left quickly for the conference room.
Teela watched him go, shaking her head.
Adam ran the entire way through the palace until he slowed and stopped
outside the conference room door. What would happen when he opened that door?
All hell might break loose. If only he didn't have to keep his identity a
secret, but it was no use thinking about ifs. With a sigh he opened the door. It
creaked open and he looked in to see his father looking out a large window. His
back was to the door. Adam swallowed. "You wanted to see me father?" he stepped
fully into the room and closed the door behind him.
For a long time, the king said nothing. "Do you have any idea how
embarrassing it is for a King's son to just not show up for an important
meeting?"
"Father I can explain-"
"Silence. I don't want to hear your excuses." The king turned around. Adam
had never seen him so angry before.
"Do you have any idea what it is like for a King to have a son who is
looked at as a coward, and incompetent young fool?" Adam lowered his eyes to the
floor. Adam could see in the corner of his eye as his father again turned to the
window. "I thought perhaps you would grow out of this. But I see, as you grow
older the situation just gets worse. I hoped that you would be ready and able to
run the kingdom someday but I believe that I have been very wrong in hoping for
that. My son makes a complete fool out of himself and seems to enjoy doing it."
"I don't enjoy being late for things, or sleeping all the time or acting
foolishly."
"Oh really?" the King walked up to him. "Then why does it continue? If you
hate to act this way then why? Please do enlighten me Adam."
Adam said nothing and this only fueled his father further.
"Obviously you don't care. There have been times, very few times when I've
seen you try to be different. But they have been very few in number. Do you
enjoy being the laughing stock of the kingdom?"
"No father."
"Speak up!"
"I said no father!" Adam's brows lowered over his eyes. He was getting
angry.
The King paced in front of the window. "I have a son who doesn't even have
an interest in courting the women of the kingdom. A woman who may rule by his
side as a future queen. I also have a son who the minute danger arrives, comes
up missing. What kind of a King will you be if you hide from everything? Not a
very good one!"
Despite his anger, Adam could feel himself sinking lower and lower under
his father's foot.
The door creaked open and both men looked up to see the Queen enter. "What
is going on in here?"
"This doesn't concern you my dear. It's between my son and I." The king
said calmly.
"The hell it doesn't." Both men were taken back by her tone. The Queen
very rarely got angry or raised her voice. "You ask to see OUR son and then
begin to rip him to shreds? What is wrong with you?"
"OUR son needs to realize that he can't go on for the rest of his life
acting like a irresponsible coward."
"Tearing him apart is really the answer isn't it?"
"I have tried other methods and no results. If anything he has grown
worse. Doesn't he embarrass you?"
"No. He doesn't. I love Adam with all my heart because he is my son. I
don't care if he were the bravest man on Eternia or a complete coward. He is a
sweet, charming boy."
"Sweet and charming may help him out with the ladies he doesn't court but
will not help him protect this Kingdom. Should something happen to me I need to
be sure that he is ready to rule! And he is not! Not by any means! He is a
complete disgrace to the royal family." Adam closed his eyes. He couldn't take
this right now. His head was spinning. He didn't want to see his parents argue
but he couldn't tell them about his secret either.
"If you think he is a complete disgrace then you don't know your own son.
Perhaps if you came down off your high and mighty pedestal you would realize who
this young man is." The queen spun on her heel and fled the room. Adam closed
his eyes, as the door slammed shut. He wanted to sink right into the wood of the
floor.
"Marlena!" The king cried out and he rushed across the room toward the
door.
"Please don't argue with mother." Adam pleaded. The king said nothing but
left the room. Adam sighed and after a few moments left the room as well.
The young prince passed through the courtyard as he headed out of the palace.
Cringer was still lying under the same tree he had been sleeping under.
"Adam..wwh where are you going?"
"I'm taking a walk Cringer."
Cringer noticed that something was wrong and the prince was trying to hide it.
"Would you like me to g-go with you?"
"No. I'd prefer to be alone."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Cringer. I'm sure. Go back to sleep." The cowardly tiger followed the
prince and watched him leave through the gates of the palace.
Adam walked through the evergreen forest and stopped by his favorite pond. The
one he usually fished and napped by. He sat on a rock and peered into the water
at his reflection. "How did things ever go this far?" Just then the face of the
Sorceress appeared in the water.
"Adam.." her voice echoed.
"Sorceress?"
"Yes Prince of Eternia, it is I. You seem troubled. What's wrong? I have not
sensed such great trouble from you before."
"I would rather not talk about it Sorceress."
"Adam you must not take your fathers insults to heart."
"How did you know about that?"
"I am the Sorceress of grayskull, Adam. I know a great many things."
"It's hard not to take what he says to heart. He's my father."
"He does not know the real you."
"I'm not sure if I know the real me anymore. I've split into two different
people. Cowardly prince Adam who runs when danger heads his way and He-man the
most powerful, well liked man in the universe."
"I feel the tug of this strain on your soul Adam. It is a strong man who defends
the power sword and the secrets of Grayskull. It is an even stronger man who
uses these powers for good and to help those around him. That strong man is you
Prince Adam. If it were not for you, there would be no He-man and Eternia would
be in chaos."
"But I can't say that to my father. I can't tell him that I'm He-man and that
it's me protecting the planet from evil. Not some stranger that only appears
when there is trouble and disappears when it's over. What's worse is now my
father and mother are fighting and it's all my fault."
"Your mother knows who you truly are. She even knows that you are He-man."
"She has hinted that she knows, but how?"
"For the same reason that one other will soon learn your secret. Because they
are willing to discover the real you."
"Who else will learn my secret? I thought that the less people that knew, the
better." Who would learn it? His father? Teela?
"I can not answer your questions Adam. Only time can answer them. I can say that
things will work out even though right now they seem as if they won't. Your
mother is angry that your father will not take the time to discover who you are.
She has harbored this anger for a long time. Longer then you have even held the
power sword. Your father is the King of Eternia and he carries great
responsibilities on his shoulders. He sometimes forgets to step down from being
the king to be a man. This he must learn to deal with on his own. Your father
has not had it easy Adam. His father disappeared when he was young and he was
thrust into the throne at a young age. He lost many years of freedom that he
could have enjoyed. It has made him a strong and powerful man but it forced him
to grow up before he was ready."
"I never really thought about that before. Do you suppose he fears that if he
were to disappear that I would be put in the same position?"
"It's very possible Adam. I am not the King so I can not speak for him. But it's
very possible."
"No wonder he is always getting after me. He doesn't want me to be put in the
same position as him. He wants me to be ready should anything happen. Why
doesn't he just tell me these things instead of insulting me?"
"I do not know. I do know that you are a brave, strong, caring young man and you
should never forget that."
"Thank you Sorceress."
"You're welcome. I must go now Adam. Take care young Prince of Eternia."
"Goodbye Sorceress."
He watched her image disappear and once again he could see his reflection in the
clear blue water. Some pieces of the puzzle were starting to fit together and
others where falling away. He didn't like to see his parents argue. His mother
was always so laid back and kept to herself. Perhaps he didn't really know his
mother as his father did not know him. His mother had been a space pilot from
another planet. A planet he knew very little about. Perhaps she was not the laid
back Marlena Glenn that she showed on the outside for so long. Maybe she was
more like him. Hiding the burning flame inside a cold shell. He could kindle the
flame by being He-man. Perhaps his mother did not have this option. After all
she did not have a secret identity that she could channel her anger and fears
through. Being He-man did have its advantages. He sighed realizing that it was
growing later. The sun was positioning itself over the horizon getting ready to
set. He took one last look at his reflection. "If only he could see me and not
my façade." He told the reflection.
To be continued...
By Corrie McDermott
March 2001
Disclaimer: This story is merely an expression of creativity and further development of the characters I love dearly and is not meant to infringe upon the rights of Mattel, Filmation Associates or Hallmark. The characters of Masters of the Universe and Princess of Power belong to the above groups. Any other characters are my creation.
The birds were chirping loudly and the sky was clear with not a cloud to
be found. The air smelled of sweet flowers and of springtime. Prince Adam was
sitting on the grass in the shade of a tree leaning against his faithful
companion Cringer. The big green tiger was stretched out clearly enjoying the
fresh air and warm day. The young prince was drifting in and out of thought.
Skeletor had been busy lately and he had to come up with more excuses then ever
to get himself and Cringer away from the palace. He opened his eyes staring up
at the branches above him. The leaves made a soft sound as a light breeze danced
through them. He let out a tremendous sigh and closed his eyes. He really needed
to get some sleep. He awakened with a start when he felt someone grabbing his
arm. He sat straight up and clenched his fists. He'd been dreaming of battling
Skeletor.
"Adam Wake up!" came a familiar feminine voice.
He blinked and looked up to see Teela towering above him. "Teela you
startled me. You shouldn't sneak up on people like that."
"Well your father wants to speak with you. He sent me to find you. Have
you been under this tree all day?"
"What time is it?" He asked rubbing his eyes.
"Nearly 1."
"1! Oh no! I missed that meeting with the diplomats and my father! He's
going to kill me. Why didn't someone wake me?"
"Because you're an adult Adam and I would hope that most of the time you
could take care of yourself. Maybe my father can make you an alarm clock."
Adam jumped to his feet and brushed himself off. "Where is my father?"
"In the conference room. I don't think he's too happy and I don't blame
him. You've been either missing from the palace or sleeping lately. I haven't
seen you this lazy in a long time."
Adam ignored her criticisms and left quickly for the conference room.
Teela watched him go, shaking her head.
Adam ran the entire way through the palace until he slowed and stopped
outside the conference room door. What would happen when he opened that door?
All hell might break loose. If only he didn't have to keep his identity a
secret, but it was no use thinking about ifs. With a sigh he opened the door. It
creaked open and he looked in to see his father looking out a large window. His
back was to the door. Adam swallowed. "You wanted to see me father?" he stepped
fully into the room and closed the door behind him.
For a long time, the king said nothing. "Do you have any idea how
embarrassing it is for a King's son to just not show up for an important
meeting?"
"Father I can explain-"
"Silence. I don't want to hear your excuses." The king turned around. Adam
had never seen him so angry before.
"Do you have any idea what it is like for a King to have a son who is
looked at as a coward, and incompetent young fool?" Adam lowered his eyes to the
floor. Adam could see in the corner of his eye as his father again turned to the
window. "I thought perhaps you would grow out of this. But I see, as you grow
older the situation just gets worse. I hoped that you would be ready and able to
run the kingdom someday but I believe that I have been very wrong in hoping for
that. My son makes a complete fool out of himself and seems to enjoy doing it."
"I don't enjoy being late for things, or sleeping all the time or acting
foolishly."
"Oh really?" the King walked up to him. "Then why does it continue? If you
hate to act this way then why? Please do enlighten me Adam."
Adam said nothing and this only fueled his father further.
"Obviously you don't care. There have been times, very few times when I've
seen you try to be different. But they have been very few in number. Do you
enjoy being the laughing stock of the kingdom?"
"No father."
"Speak up!"
"I said no father!" Adam's brows lowered over his eyes. He was getting
angry.
The King paced in front of the window. "I have a son who doesn't even have
an interest in courting the women of the kingdom. A woman who may rule by his
side as a future queen. I also have a son who the minute danger arrives, comes
up missing. What kind of a King will you be if you hide from everything? Not a
very good one!"
Despite his anger, Adam could feel himself sinking lower and lower under
his father's foot.
The door creaked open and both men looked up to see the Queen enter. "What
is going on in here?"
"This doesn't concern you my dear. It's between my son and I." The king
said calmly.
"The hell it doesn't." Both men were taken back by her tone. The Queen
very rarely got angry or raised her voice. "You ask to see OUR son and then
begin to rip him to shreds? What is wrong with you?"
"OUR son needs to realize that he can't go on for the rest of his life
acting like a irresponsible coward."
"Tearing him apart is really the answer isn't it?"
"I have tried other methods and no results. If anything he has grown
worse. Doesn't he embarrass you?"
"No. He doesn't. I love Adam with all my heart because he is my son. I
don't care if he were the bravest man on Eternia or a complete coward. He is a
sweet, charming boy."
"Sweet and charming may help him out with the ladies he doesn't court but
will not help him protect this Kingdom. Should something happen to me I need to
be sure that he is ready to rule! And he is not! Not by any means! He is a
complete disgrace to the royal family." Adam closed his eyes. He couldn't take
this right now. His head was spinning. He didn't want to see his parents argue
but he couldn't tell them about his secret either.
"If you think he is a complete disgrace then you don't know your own son.
Perhaps if you came down off your high and mighty pedestal you would realize who
this young man is." The queen spun on her heel and fled the room. Adam closed
his eyes, as the door slammed shut. He wanted to sink right into the wood of the
floor.
"Marlena!" The king cried out and he rushed across the room toward the
door.
"Please don't argue with mother." Adam pleaded. The king said nothing but
left the room. Adam sighed and after a few moments left the room as well.
The young prince passed through the courtyard as he headed out of the palace.
Cringer was still lying under the same tree he had been sleeping under.
"Adam..wwh where are you going?"
"I'm taking a walk Cringer."
Cringer noticed that something was wrong and the prince was trying to hide it.
"Would you like me to g-go with you?"
"No. I'd prefer to be alone."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Cringer. I'm sure. Go back to sleep." The cowardly tiger followed the
prince and watched him leave through the gates of the palace.
Adam walked through the evergreen forest and stopped by his favorite pond. The
one he usually fished and napped by. He sat on a rock and peered into the water
at his reflection. "How did things ever go this far?" Just then the face of the
Sorceress appeared in the water.
"Adam.." her voice echoed.
"Sorceress?"
"Yes Prince of Eternia, it is I. You seem troubled. What's wrong? I have not
sensed such great trouble from you before."
"I would rather not talk about it Sorceress."
"Adam you must not take your fathers insults to heart."
"How did you know about that?"
"I am the Sorceress of grayskull, Adam. I know a great many things."
"It's hard not to take what he says to heart. He's my father."
"He does not know the real you."
"I'm not sure if I know the real me anymore. I've split into two different
people. Cowardly prince Adam who runs when danger heads his way and He-man the
most powerful, well liked man in the universe."
"I feel the tug of this strain on your soul Adam. It is a strong man who defends
the power sword and the secrets of Grayskull. It is an even stronger man who
uses these powers for good and to help those around him. That strong man is you
Prince Adam. If it were not for you, there would be no He-man and Eternia would
be in chaos."
"But I can't say that to my father. I can't tell him that I'm He-man and that
it's me protecting the planet from evil. Not some stranger that only appears
when there is trouble and disappears when it's over. What's worse is now my
father and mother are fighting and it's all my fault."
"Your mother knows who you truly are. She even knows that you are He-man."
"She has hinted that she knows, but how?"
"For the same reason that one other will soon learn your secret. Because they
are willing to discover the real you."
"Who else will learn my secret? I thought that the less people that knew, the
better." Who would learn it? His father? Teela?
"I can not answer your questions Adam. Only time can answer them. I can say that
things will work out even though right now they seem as if they won't. Your
mother is angry that your father will not take the time to discover who you are.
She has harbored this anger for a long time. Longer then you have even held the
power sword. Your father is the King of Eternia and he carries great
responsibilities on his shoulders. He sometimes forgets to step down from being
the king to be a man. This he must learn to deal with on his own. Your father
has not had it easy Adam. His father disappeared when he was young and he was
thrust into the throne at a young age. He lost many years of freedom that he
could have enjoyed. It has made him a strong and powerful man but it forced him
to grow up before he was ready."
"I never really thought about that before. Do you suppose he fears that if he
were to disappear that I would be put in the same position?"
"It's very possible Adam. I am not the King so I can not speak for him. But it's
very possible."
"No wonder he is always getting after me. He doesn't want me to be put in the
same position as him. He wants me to be ready should anything happen. Why
doesn't he just tell me these things instead of insulting me?"
"I do not know. I do know that you are a brave, strong, caring young man and you
should never forget that."
"Thank you Sorceress."
"You're welcome. I must go now Adam. Take care young Prince of Eternia."
"Goodbye Sorceress."
He watched her image disappear and once again he could see his reflection in the
clear blue water. Some pieces of the puzzle were starting to fit together and
others where falling away. He didn't like to see his parents argue. His mother
was always so laid back and kept to herself. Perhaps he didn't really know his
mother as his father did not know him. His mother had been a space pilot from
another planet. A planet he knew very little about. Perhaps she was not the laid
back Marlena Glenn that she showed on the outside for so long. Maybe she was
more like him. Hiding the burning flame inside a cold shell. He could kindle the
flame by being He-man. Perhaps his mother did not have this option. After all
she did not have a secret identity that she could channel her anger and fears
through. Being He-man did have its advantages. He sighed realizing that it was
growing later. The sun was positioning itself over the horizon getting ready to
set. He took one last look at his reflection. "If only he could see me and not
my façade." He told the reflection.
To be continued...