Chapter 10

They had finally reached the castle. Both Rapunzel and Oncie paused at the cobblestone bridge and gazed up at the stone castle. Rapunzel reached over with her free hand and grasped Oncie's hand harder. She didn't want to admit it, but she was scared. She'd read about the Queen and heard enough from her brief encounter with the White Rabbit to know this wasn't an ideal situation…

And Puss in Boots had been the Queen's right-hand man the entire time… no wonder the White Rabbit kept warning her to "Beware the cat."

Rapunzel's mind was racing, trying to think of what to say and do, and what not to say and do.

Should I mention Jeffory? No. It might put him in more danger… It bothered her that she hadn't found any sign of the boy. Had he already been captured by the Queen? Was he in a terrible dungeon cell, frightened and sure there was no escape?

Her thoughts were broken as the guard pushed her and Oncie forward, towards the castle gates.

She started walking and her thoughts took another turn. What if Jeffory never fell asleep? What if he never even fell into Wonderland? She blinked. For some reason this thought had never occurred to her, and yet… it made sense. Maybe that's why no one had seen or heard of him, he wasn't here!

A twinge of a smile touched her mouth. If she ever had a chance to find the White Rabbit and ask, she would.

The guards paraded them through the castle, up some wide stone stairs and through a grand stone hallway, until they stopped in front of some huge double doors. Rapunzel assumed they opened into the Queen's throne room.

One of the soldiers entered and closed the door behind him. Rapunzel turned her head and glanced up at Oncie. He'd let go of her hand and stood rigid, with his mouth set in a firm line. He didn't look back at her, and just kept staring straight ahead.

She swallowed and turned back to face the door, her heart pounding and chest tightening.

"En-TER!" Came the soldier's shout, and the large doors swung open.

Oncie and Rapunzel were marched forward into the immense room, and pulled to a halt at the base of three steps leading up to the Queen's throne.

The Queen sat in an ornately carved, high back, wooden chair. Her crown was like a pinnacle that drew your eyes to the blood red stone that shimmered at the top, shimmered in the shape of a heart. She had pale skin, wild raven hair with unruly tight curls…but it was the wild piercing look in her eyes that froze Rapunzel's heart.

The Queen's eyes flashed and a slow smile spread across her lips.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Her voice was as smooth as silk. Her hand came up, and her forefinger rested just below her nose. Her eyebrows shot up as if wait for something.

Rapunzel heard Oncie give a slight gasp.

"Oh…"

Rapunzel glanced to her the side. Everyone in the room was bowing to their waist. Oncie had taken off his hat and sunglasses, and cast her a quick glance. She quickly followed suit and bowed as best she could without dropping her hair.

Slowly everyone straightened, awaiting the Queen's command. The Captain of the guard behind them stepped forward. "You're majesty I-"

The Queen held up her hand to silence him. Her piercing dark gaze came back to land on Oncie. He swallowed hard.

"Well, Hatter. I see you have a friend." Her gaze flicked over to Rapunzel, then back to Oncie. "What is her name?"

Oncie's face paled, and his gazed flipped to the ground. He shifted uncomfortably searching for an answer.

Rapunzel tilted her head, watching him. His hand gave a slight quiver at his side. She froze, he was scared, scared half to death. She turned back to face the Queen, making a split second decision.

"I got lost in the woods, and he was helping me find my way out." Rapunzel was shocked by her steady voice, yet something made her bolder than she felt.

The Queen's eyebrow raised, and her lips came together in a firm line.

"Hmm, well it seems you are here now…" The Queens eyes narrowed slightly, and she seemed to be thinking something through. "Puss, come here."

Rapunzel glanced around, searching for the Tabby, but didn't see him anywhere. She turned back to the Queen and about fell back in fright.

Next to the Queen were bright glowing eyes-eyes and no body. Rapunzel had never fainted in her life, but in this moment she thought she would… The eyes seemed to be growing brighter and more pronounced, a familiar smirk appeared too, then a hat with a plumed yellow feather, a face, and then he was there. Puss in boots.

"It's nice to see you again, Seniorita." His tail curved up beside him, and he flashed her a smooth grin. He seemed amused by her shock.

Rapunzel stood with her mouth open, trying to find words but none came to her.

Puss let out a low chuckle and leaned over towards the Queen. "Si, Your Majesty, what may I do for you?"

"Puss, is this the girl you found in the woods?"

"Si, your Majesty."

"And you say she wanted to paint the castle?"

"Si, that is what she said." He turned towards Rapunzel, and his eyes flashed.

Oncie, who had been standing perfectly still beside her, suddenly shifted. Rapunzel risked a glance his way. He had shifted away ever so slightly, and his mouth was set in a firm line. She wondered why, but her thoughts were interrupted by the Queen's voice again.

"Well-what's your name again?"

Rapunzel came right back with an answer. "Rapunzel, your Highness."

"Well, Rapunzel, let's see how you work…" The Queen gave Rapunzel a broad, toothy smile. "Guards escort, Rapunzel, to the dressing wardrobe." The Queen then addressed Rapunzel. "I will send one of my attendants to help you dress and to acquire any of the materials you may need. I would like you to paint the show tonight…" The Queen's gaze shifted to Hatter and stayed there. "I'm sure Hatter has planned a special show for tonight…surely, Hatter?"

"Yes, of course…my queen…" Oncie replied in a flat tone.

The Queen smiled, and her eyes flashed for a second. "Good." She turned back to Rapunzel. "I hope this is pleasing to you, dear." The Queen snapped her fingers, and the guards moved to Rapunzel's side.

Rapunzel took a deep breath and forced out what she hoped was a pleasant smile. "Thank you, your Highness."

The Queen smiled and lowered her head in acknowledgement. "You are dismissed-Hatter, you stay here please. I wish to speak to you for a moment."

As Rapunzel was 'escorted' from the room, she glanced in Oncie's direction. He stood straight as a board, his mouth set in a tense line, and if she was correct, it seemed as if his face had gone a shade paler. Her gaze flicked to his hands, which were clenched in a tight fist. She felt a tight feeling in her chest, but felt one of the guards take her arm and lead her toward the door. As she left she saw the Queen stand and walk down the three steps towards Oncie. A feeling of dread washed over her and a bad feeling settled in her chest. The door shut, and as she was being pulled away, she sent up a quick desperate prayer. "Help! Please…help."

Author's Notes: The Queen made a split second decision that even I as the author wasn't expecting. 0.0

Thank you so much for reading this far. I can't tell you how much your views, reviews, and comments mean to me. Oncie & Punzie's story holds a very special place in my heart, and I pray that you will see it and feel it too. I'm jumping a bit ahead of myself since this story is really just the foundation for the third book. **Grins** I can't wait to show you what happens next!

Thank you again for all the kind reviews from the last chapter! I greatly appreciate it. Please tell me what you think of this one! I hope you enjoy it. Any theories on what's going on? I can't wait to hear what you think!

Thanks again, and much love!

~Violet~ (OnciePunzie)