The wind was blowing into his eyes and through his hair. Normally, this would have been something quite pleasant after a battle with Skeletor and his followers, but at that moment He-Man found it to be more of a nuisance than anything else. He closed his eyes for what seemed like the umpteenth time to prevent the wind from making his eyes dryer than they already were. He lifted his hand to his right eye and started rubbing it while a yawn he couldn't possibly suppress came to the surface.

Man-at-Arms looked over at He-Man as he heard the champion's feeble attempt to hide his obvious state of exhaustion. "He doesn't want to admit it," he thought, "but Skeletor has worn him to a frazzle, among other things." Duncan thought about this mere month alone. He-Man and Battlecat were practically fending off Skeletor every day. They had little time for a break, and it was beginning to show. Never mind the fact that He-Man had overexerted himself to stop a magic orb a few days ago; never mind the fact that he was carrying more emotional baggage than Duncan would have liked, thanks to the boy's parents.

Duncan sighed and shook his head. Something had to be done before things got worse.

He-Man heard the sounds his friend was making and immediately opened his eyes to settle a gaze of concern on him. "What's the matter, Duncan?" he asked. "Are you okay?"

Duncan glanced at He-Man and once again shook his head. He-Man was always thinking of others and never himself. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he replied.

Slightly annoyed by Man-at-Arm's constant display of concern this evening, He-Man looked away and said sharply, "I already told you at the Widget's Cave, I'm just tired. I'll be okay." As he finished the statement, he looked back at Man-at-Arms and saw the older man's frown. He knew immediately that his friend didn't believe him, but he didn't know what to do or say to make the older man think otherwise.

At that particular moment, the Windraider flew over Mount Eternia and the Royal Palace came into view. Instead of relaxing as He-Man thought he would have at the mere thought of getting into bed and sleeping the rest of the night away, he felt himself tense. Even the palace, his home, didn't comfort him or represent a place of rest and relaxation anymore.

Shaking his head, he lifted up his sword and turned himself and Battlecat back into Prince Adam and Cringer. As the Windraider landed and came to a complete stop, Adam settled his worn eyes on Duncan and whispered, "I want to go back to the castle to check on the widgets in the morning. I want to make sure the sleeping spell they were under wore off."

Duncan pondered this for a second and then said, "I can go and check it out. You should rest."

Adam climbed out of the Windraider and said, "I'm about to rest, now, Duncan. I'll be fine. See you in the morning."

As Adam disappeared inside the palace, Duncan rubbed his chin as he wondered how much more Adam and He-Man could take and what would happen next.

=)=)=)

King Randor couldn't seem to settle down and go back to sleep. He couldn't get the thought of Adam and his promiscuous deeds out of his mind. He looked at his wife and squeezed his eyes shut. It was going to devastate her to learn that their son could be capable of such acts. Despite Adam's reputation as a lazy, carefree prince, he was still considered to be a young man of fine quality, of a kind and honest nature. Everyone in the kingdom believed Adam possessed a kind of innocence that was rare in a world where evil and temptation was around every turn. He suspected it was one of the things that made the people love him despite his misgivings.

Randor shook his head with disgust as he realized it was all a lie, one huge lie. It wasn't hard for Randor to think back to when Adam was a boy; it wasn't all that long ago. He knew for certain then that Adam was everything he seemed to be. Back then, he was interested in kingdom affairs. Back then, he read everything he could get his hands on. Back then, he was innocent.

"When did it change?" thought Randor as he tossed his blankets off of him and sat on the side of the bed. It pained him to realize he didn't have an answer. A father should know his son. He should have noticed this kind of change in Adam long before now. He should have gotten involved as soon as Adam's behavior took a turn for the worst…but at the time, Randor thought he was just rebelling, wanting a break away from the pressures of being a crown prince. It’s been several years now since Adam had "rebelled" and decided to take life a lot easier, and unfortunately, he showed no signs of reverting back.

"I have to fix this," whispered Randor. He somehow had to get his son back on track or he would be forced to do the unthinkable. He didn't even want to imagine someone besides Adam sitting on his throne after he was gone, but he couldn't give the kingdom to someone who didn't deserve it, either. He couldn't give it to someone who was making decisions for his own life that were so obviously wrong. How could that individual make right decisions for an entire kingdom and planet?

Randor squeezed his eyes shut again and let out a harsh breath he realized he had been holding in for far too long. He wanted to be sad that Adam had wrapped himself into this kind of predicament. He wanted to feel bad for even thinking about the possibility that Adam wouldn't deserve the throne. But the more he thought about it, the more anger won out. Adam was calling all the shots. He was the one backing Randor into a corner and forcing him to make decisions.

Randor stood up and walked over to his window to stare at the two moons shining in the sky. He knew he would straighten this all out somehow…whether Adam liked it or not.

As soon as the sun broke over the horizon after several hours of concreting his conclusions about Adam in his mind, Randor got dressed in his typical royal attire and rushed to his office. He sat down behind his desk and mentally prepared himself for the discussion he and Adam were about to have. It would be the most intense and brutally honest father-and-son chat they ever had. He knew he needed to be strong and stern to make Adam realize his mistake before it was too late. He glanced at the clock and waited patiently for his son to make an appearance.

=)=)=)

Adam awoke drenched in sweat. Once again, he had forgotten to change out of his long-sleeved undershirt and pink tunic before going to bed. "You figured I would learn by now," Adam thought to himself as he sat up in bed and felt his head spinning around the room. He immediately closed his eyes and tried to refrain from throwing up. After several seconds of taking deep and calming breaths, the prince stood up and walked into the bathroom where he drank several cups of water and washed up.

By the time Adam emerged from the bathroom, he was feeling slightly better, even though he was still tired. It would have been nice to slip back into bed, but he wanted to get back out to the Widget's Castle to check on them. Last night, he didn't want to rush into the castle and wake them up only to alarm them of a danger that had already passed. He was reasonably convinced that the sleep would wear off by morning, so he just needed to make sure.

As Adam walked over to his bookcase to retrieve the Power Sword, he glanced over at Cringer who was sleeping beside his bed and asked, "Are you going to the Widget's Castle with me?"

The tiger opened one lazy eye and yawned. "What are we g-g-going back there for?" he asked as he stretched.

"I just want to check on them.”

Cringer stood up, stretched, and replied, "Well, at least we don't have to turn into He-Man and Battlecat to do that."

Adam couldn't help but grin as he said, "But we do, old buddy. They wouldn't understand why Prince Adam, instead of He-Man, came to check on them."

Before Cringer could utter another word, Adam lifted the Sword of Power into the air and yelled, "By the power of Grayskull…"

=)=)=)

King Randor waited in his office until the hour their breakfast would be served in the dining room. Now, he was furious! Not only was his son staying out late with ladies, but he skipped their meeting! Randor slammed the door to his office shut and decided to drop by his son's bedchambers before going to the dining room. Undoubtedly, Adam was still in bed trying to recoup from the night's activities.

Randor practically stormed down the hall, avoiding the surprised faces of several guards and maids. They rarely saw their king angry, and the anger was radiating off of him. As soon as he got to Adam's rooms, he looked down the hall and saw Man-at-Arms, Teela, and his wife heading his way.

"Your Majesty," said Duncan and Teela simultaneously in greeting, seemingly unaware of their king's foul mood.

Queen Marlena, however, could immediately tell something was wrong. "Randor?" she questioned. "What's wrong?"

Then, remembering the conversation she had with her husband last night, she assumed she already knew. "Did your meeting with Adam not go according to plan? I told you he wouldn't take being kept in a cage too kindly, Randor."

Before Marlena could get another word out, Randor exploded, "NO! My meeting with Adam did not go according to plan, and do you want to know why? Because he didn't even bother to show up for the thousandth time!" He took a deep breath and then muttered angrily, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's become habit with him, but just knowing the reasons why he missed it just makes it ten times worse!"

Marlena blinked in surprise at her husband. She had never heard him sound quite so angry before. "What reasons?" she asked after a moment of letting his words sink in.

Randor wrinkled his nose in disgust and replied, "I don't even want to utter it. Why don't we let our son tell you?" He quickly went to Adam's door and flung it open. They all stepped into the room to find it empty.

"HE STAYED OUT ALL NIGHT!" Randor erupted. He walked over to the bed which was still made and only had a few wrinkles in the blankets. He flung his hands in the air and then looked at Man-at-Arms accusatorily. "You knew about this all along, didn't you?"

Duncan backed up and asked, "What?"

Randor got right in his face and explained with a menacing voice, "You knew what Adam was doing this entire time! I bet you even knew he wasn't here last night! Tell me, Man-at-Arms, how long did you think you and Adam could keep this a secret from me? Here I was thinking you were my best friend and loyal confident, and you didn't even tell me the problems concerning my own son. Instead, you help him do it so he couldn't possibly get caught. You always made excuses for him and tried to calm me down when I seemed a little rough on him. Do you realize what you've done and what your role is in this whole mess? You're practically like a second father to him, I know that, and when you help him in such matters, it only encourages him to keep doing it. I don't know who I blame more: you or him!"

Duncan widened his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Do you deny knowing Adam wasn't in his bedchambers last night?"

"Adam was here. I'm certain of it," said Duncan defensively.

"No, he wasn't!" Randor yelled. "I came here last night to talk to Adam, Duncan. His bed wasn't touched. It was much in the same manner it is, now. And, quite honestly, I find it hard to believe that you don't know what's going on. In fact, I think you're the only one that does. You haven't denied that you have helped my son when he's in trouble in the past, and yet, you seemingly refuse to tell me of those occasions. I know you're protecting him, Duncan, and by the Ancients, I want you to admit it."

Teela and Marlena stared at the scene before them in shocked silence. After the two men stayed quiet for several seconds, Teela walked to over to them and said, "Father, it isn't true, is it?"

Duncan looked into his daughter's now hurt eyes and began, "I…I…"

"Hey, what's going on here?" came Adam's voice from the doorway.

The group turned their attention to Adam, and he immediately fidgeted under the scrutiny. "Uh, hi," he said after a second of uncomfortable silence.

Randor gritted his teeth, came back out into the hall with the rest of the spectators, and then spat, "Where have you been?"

Adam widened his eyes at his father's hostility. He couldn't imagine what was causing it, but he knew it couldn't be good. "I..I went out for a walk. What's wrong?"

Randor ignored Adam's question and asked, "Did you conveniently forget about the meeting we were supposed to have this morning?"

Adam widened his eyes. "So, that's it," he thought. He stuttered aloud for a couple of seconds and then said, "I'm sorry, Father. I actually did forget."

Randor almost sneered at his son and said, "Yes, I suppose it's possible you did forget after everything that happened last night."

Adam paused and glanced at Man-at-Arms, who looked worried. He looked back at his father and asked, "What do you mean? What happened last night?"

"Why don't you tell me?" countered Randor.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to say, Father."

Randor let out what almost sounded like a roar from Battlecat, and then said in a loud but almost calm voice, "I know, Adam. I know."

Adam looked baffled and then asked, "You know what?"

Randor took a step closer to Adam, and for a second he looked utterly heartbroken, but anger quickly replaced it. "I know you didn't spend the night here in the palace, Adam. I know where you were, and for once, I want you to admit it. I want you to own up to what you do and who you really are."

Adam's eyes widened to an unbelievable portion. It looked like they were almost about to pop out of their sockets. "He knows?" his mind questioned hurriedly. "He couldn't possibly know, but it seems like he does. What do I do?"

"I…" Adam begun. "I…have no idea what to say."

Randor glared at him and said, "Just tell the truth."

Adam glanced at Man-at-Arms and then said, softly, "Father, I never wanted you to find out like this. I wanted to tell you, but there were reasons that I couldn't."

"Of course," said Randor. "You couldn't endanger your reputation as the foolish, carefree Prince Adam."

Adam nodded. "I just wanted to protect you, Mother, Teela…everyone."

"Protect us?" questioned Randor. "What makes you think that hiding something like this would protect us? Ancients, Adam! Did it ever occur to you that you should refrain yourself? I'm sure the temptation becomes unbearable, but to do this in such a way, to treat other people in such a manner…it's disgusting and unbecoming of a prince."

Adam blinked with uncertainty and replied, "I thought you would be proud after the initial shock wore off."

"Proud?" Randor echoed in astonishment. "How could you ever imagine that I would be proud? You know very well, Adam, that I do not condone such actions. I don't even let my own guardsmen parade around town as playboys, boasting their responsibilities and whatever else, just to lay down with anyone who will have them. And, when I think that my own son…"

Suddenly, there was a loud gasp. Everyone turned to look at Teela who stood there as white as a ghost. She looked to her king and said, "You mean, Adam…he's been…" She trailed off as she looked at her longest friend.

"Yes," replied Randor, finally letting the anger die away into sadness. "My son has been…" Randor shook his head. "I can't even bring myself to say it." He looked back at his son. "Why, Adam? Why would you do this to yourself? Why would you do this to the women you…sleep with? You're using them, and it's wrong and disgusting, especially if you supposedly care for them.

Adam widened his eyes and let out a startled, "WHAT?"

Suddenly, loud heels were heard through the hall running away from them. Adam looked to see Teela running as fast as she could.

"Teela!" yelled Adam. He started to run after her, but suddenly Adam felt a slap across his face. He looked at the person before him in horror and shock as his hand drifted instinctively to his face.

Queen Marlena had a hand over her mouth and then fell into Adam's arms. "Adam!" she wailed. "I thought I taught you better than that. I thought I taught you to respect women and above all yourself. If you had urges, you could have talked to me. We could have gone through the proper procedures of allowing you to court and then marry, but Randor and I didn't see any signs that you were ready to find a wife, yet." She started crying even harder.

Adam wrapped his arms around his mother and quickly looked at the king. "Father, you've gotten this all wrong! I'm not…" He paused as he saw two guards walking down the hall towards them. He whispered, "I'm not sleeping with anyone."

Randor shook his head and said, "And, now, you're trying to deny it."

"Of course, I'm denying it," he whispered. "I wouldn't do such a thing. Mom is right. You have raised me better than that. I don't even know where you got such information."

"Then, where were you last night?" asked Randor getting angry once again.

"I did come home," Adam said defensively. "I was just out later than usual." He glanced at Duncan who was still standing there, shocked from everything that had taken place. "I was feeling bad last night, so Duncan, Cringer, and I took the Windraider out, so I could get some fresh air."

Randor stared at Adam for several seconds and then glanced at Man-at-Arms. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that? I know Duncan has been covering for you, and isn't it convenient that he's the only one who can collaborate your story? I didn't want to believe it, Adam. I really didn't, but it fits so perfectly. It explains everything. It's the only explanation I can think of."

Adam's jaw dropped, but then he was suddenly angry. "You know what, Father? Believe what you want to believe! But I'll repeat it: I am NOT sleeping with anyone."

"And, again," said Randor right back, "how can you expect me to believe you?"

Adam was suddenly tired of this entire conversation and yelled angrily, "BECAUSE I'M A VIRGIN, AND I'M YOUR SON!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Adam paused and looked around. The two guards he saw earlier were still in the hall and they were staring at him with an unreadable expression adorning their face. There were also several maids in the hall that had stopped to look at the scene.

Adam felt his ears go red from embarrassment. He quickly but softly pushed his mother away from him.

"Adam," she said, trying to prevent him from leaving. "I believe you. Adam, please just stay here and let's talk this out."

Adam kept shaking his head profusely. "No, I…Let me go."

As Randor took a step closer, Adam yelled angrily, "Oh, no! Don't even come near me, Father! For you to even think I am capable of such a thing…you don't even know me!"

Adam pushed his mother away from him one more time and suddenly felt a wave of heat rush over his body. The room began to spin and he was suddenly very tired. "I need to go," he whispered weakly.

He started to walk away again, but his mother once again grabbed his hand. "Adam," she said, but then he suddenly heard her scream. He fell to his knees as the room started spinning uncontrollably.

"Adam!" cried Marlena, falling to his side. "What's wrong, baby?"

He couldn't look at her. His eyes were now filling with tears and his face was unbelievably red. Marlena put a hand to his cheek, looked up at her husband, and said, "Randor, he's burning up."

Randor quickly knelt down and touched his son's back. It immediately arched underneath his hand, but he could still feel the heat radiating off of him and see the sweat already forming under his brow. Randor quickly pulled Adam off the floor.

The fast motion quickly made Adam sick to his stomach and he emptied what little he had in his stomach onto his shirt, tunic, and floor. Randor made him sit down on a nearby bench.

Duncan was quickly in front of them and said, "Let me see." He quickly checked Adam's heartrate and felt how hot he was. He quickly looked Adam in the eyes and said, "Adam, listen and answer me, what’s wrong? Do you think you need something to drink?"

Adam nodded and immediately regretted it. He groaned in pain.

Duncan looked at Randor and said, "I don’t know what’s wrong, but I think he's dehydrated at the very least, and the arguing didn't help him any. I think someone should get him some water."

Marlena quickly rushed down the hall as Adam looked miserably at Man-at-Arms and said, "Just help me to my room."

Duncan and Adam walked to Adam's chambers with Randor following close behind. He didn't try to help Adam, because he already knew his son would respond with hostility. Now from his son's outbursts to his accusations, he was starting to doubt what he thought he had discovered.

As they finally entered Adam's room, Adam quickly start pulling off his pink tunic. He looked solely at Man-at-Arms and said, "I'll be okay. I'll just take a shower to cool off and get cleaned up."

"Drink some water while you're in there and call me if you feel lightheaded. We don’t need you passing out and hitting your head in there," said Duncan with a nod.

Adam nodded slowly and then took off his white undershirt as he walked to his bathroom. He tossed the white shirt aside, entered the room, and then closed the door.

When he heard the shower turn on, Duncan turned to look at King Randor to see a look of surprise covering his face. "What is it, Your Majesty?"

Randor didn't answer until Duncan was standing directly in front of him. He shook his head to seemingly clear his thoughts and then whispered, "Duncan, did you see Adam's back?"

Duncan shook his head.

"It's covered in bruises," replied Randor.

Duncan gulped and asked dumbly, "Was it?" He knew it was probably from the encounter in the WidgetCave last night. Adam heals faster than most, especially when those injuries occur as He-Man, but unfortunately this time he obviously didn't heal fast enough.

Randor settled a squinty glare on Duncan and said, "I should probably admit now that maybe I'm wrong about him being out all night with ladies and apologize to him."

Duncan regarded his king carefully and then nodded. "You should. The boy has every right to be upset after what just happened. I'll have a talk with him for you, as well."

Randor frowned and continued, "But something is definitely going on here, Duncan. I can feel it and those bruises are proof enough. Maybe I wasn't angry at him for the right reasons, but I…" He cut himself off and looked at Duncan with desperate eyes. "I know he's doing something he shouldn't or he wouldn't be hiding it.”

Duncan shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, nothing is going on here. Adam probably got those bruises from sparing with Teela."

Randor shook his head, getting angry again and replied, "He hasn't sparred with her for several days, Duncan, and those bruises were fresh. I could tell. Besides, if you're right and there really is 'nothing' going on here, then that means Adam is the lazy, foolish, and horrible prince that everyone thinks he is. Either way, I don't like it."

"Your Majesty," began Duncan.

Randor shook his head and started heading for Adam's door to leave. "Things are going to change around here, Duncan. Adam is going to have to straighten up and be responsible and accountable for his actions whether he likes it or not." He glared at Duncan for a second and said, "And, you're going to, too.” He quickly walked out the room and before he slammed the door shut, he said, "Send for me when Adam gets out of the shower and is feeling better."