AN: Hey everyone! Sorry, this chapter is a little shorter, but I hope you still enjoy it! Getting some pieces into place with this one.

NOTES: "Success is your Duty, Obligation, and Responsibility."

Chapter 14: Obligations

The ground trembled beneath her boots as her whole body tensed. She held her breath and held out her hands with palms facing the stones, her fingers curling inward and shaking from all of the tension. The increasingly familiar blue light pulsed on her chest as the sharp stones receded back into the earth they'd shot out of.

When the last stone finally disappeared, Rapunzel released the magic and slumped forward, barely catching herself on her knees. Eugene was by her side in an instant, rubbing her back.

"Hey, are you okay?" Eugene asked, his eyes clouded with worry.

"I'm fine..." Rapunzel assured him, but she was shaking and talking through her heavy breathing was difficult. "Just... tired."

"I know I'm not a wizard like you two, but are we sure this Moonstone is safe for Rapunzel to be using?" Cassandra stepped forward, reaching down to take Rapunzel's arm and help her straighten up. "It just seems sort of backwards for the Sun Sorceress to be controlling the Moon."

"I know you're worried about me, Cass, but this is the only way." Rapunzel panted, slowly reigning in her breath and placing her free hand over Cassandra's.

"Yeah, I am worried!" Cass retorted with a firm look. "It's been months and doing this hasn't gotten any easier for you! If Moon magic is tearing up entire villages with these rocks, what the heck is it doing to you?"

"She's got a point, blondie." Eugene murmured.

"Well, the alternative is to let Pitch Black get hold of the Moon." Varian walked over to join them, shrugging uncertainly. "As much as I don't want Rapunzel to get hurt, I also don't want to find out just how much damage the Dark Sorcerer can do with that kind of power."

"He would struggle with it just as much as I am." Rapunzel told them. She'd finally calmed down her breathing and eased her arm out of Cass's hold.

"How can you be so sure?" Varian wanted to know.

Rapunzel took off the necklace and held the Moonstone in her palm. While her own magic glowed with consistent energy, she could Feel the rushes of power in the Moonstone. It was completely opposite to her and yet so familiar. And it made her wonder.

"Because this power wasn't meant for any of us." She whispered, cupping the stone in both hands and holding it close.

"Rapunzel," Eugene said, his touch at her elbow. She turned to him, forcing out a smile.

"I'm sorry, I'm just very tired from all the work. I should probably eat something." She apologized. Eugene watched her for a long moment, but then smiled back and nodded.

"Right. We should probably get back to Hogwarts anyways." He suggested. "The others will be wondering where we are."

"I'll keep an eye on things here and let you know if there are any more problems." Varian promised as their group slowly started their way back the way they'd come. "Thanks for coming on such short notice."

"Between you and me, kid, I think Blondie needed some time away from Hogwarts." Eugene muttered to Varian as they walked behind the girls, using his hand to cover his mouth.

"We can hear you." Cass shot a glare over her shoulder and Eugene stuck his hands up.

"It's okay. Eugene is right. Getting away for a little bit has been a relief." Rapunzel admitted, drawing in a deep breath as her hands fidgeted.

It had been a few days since Gabby was found dead at the school. Since then two more victims had been found. Both of them were students; one dead and the other in a coma. It was looking like a third autopsy would be necessary by the end of the week, though. Rapunzel had been put in charge of this particular case because Dr. Sweet was already overworked with Emma's condition and the Dark Plague victims.

"Are you sure you're doing alright?" Eugene quickened his pace to come up beside her, and Rapunzel felt a little warmer when he intertwined their fingers.

"I'm okay." Rapunzel nodded. "I'm just more used to saving patients. Postmortem examinations are still new and I'm getting a lot of experience all at once."

"Does anyone know what's been attacking people at the school?" Varian inquired, and Rapunzel shook her head.

"The best guess is that it's some kind of Magical Beast because of all the claw marks, but there's never been any kind of beast that was capable of draining a persons magic." Rapunzel sighed. "I've been reading through so many different books about beasts and possibly related spells, but I can't find anything. The Aurors have been searching the crime scenes and the entire castle, really, but there's no trace of this thing."

"Maybe it's invisible." Varian suggested, and they all came to an abrupt stop as three pairs of eyes swung to look at him. "I mean, uh, if no one has ever seen or heard this thing..." He held out his hands with a shrug.

"Well, I, for one, am now thoroughly terrified." Eugene uttered dryly.

The rest of the walk back to the castle was spent talking about lighter topics and problems that Corona was facing with the war and the early winter. Rapunzel had spoken with the advisors and generals that were taking care of the daily needs of Corona while she and her parents were away, helping where she could with limited time. But now that the crisis in Varian's home village had been taken care of, Rapunzel needed to return to her duties at Hogwarts whether that be running off to help another village in a different kingdom or performing medical procedures or training for herself or her apprentice.

"Thank you for taking care of things here, Varian. Just reach out if there's anymore trouble." Rapunzel said, hugging the boy as Eugene and Cassandra prepared the Floo fireplace to take them back to Hogwarts.

"Don't worry. I'm happy to help in any way I can." Varian smiled. "Besides, Dad's pretty good at the whole 'leader' thing, I just do the reporting."

"Still, you've been a big help." Rapunzel told him.

Soon after the three said farewell, Rapunzel, Eugene, and Cassandra all used the Floo network to return to Hogwarts. They arrived to find the castle in a bit of a bustle as servants rushed along corridors and chattered back and forth. Soldiers were heading off in large groups, likely gathering for an assignment, if their crisp uniforms were any indication.

Rapunzel looked to Eugene and Cassandra, noting they looked as confused as she felt. She closed her eyes and focused her magic, reaching out and searching for a familiar presence. Once she found Merida and Jack, she started off down the corridor. Eugene and Cass hurried to catch up, but then stayed on her heels all the way to the main entrance of the castle.

Jack and Merida were there along with the rest of the Guardians and a few others. Rapunzel focused on her friends who were off to the side speaking quietly. Merida looked up as she approached and smiled.

"I was worried you wouldn't make it back in time." Merida said, and Rapunzel looked at both of them in confusion.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"There have been reports of three separate fleets heading towards the same point near Scotland's coast. They think Pitch is gathering his forces for an attack." Jack informed her, frowning.

"What?" Eugene gasped quietly.

"I've been assigned to lead the aerial forces while Sandy and Toothiana run command on the ground." Merida lifted her chin proudly, but her eyes were clouded with worry. "Tadashi and the others are coming with us too." She nodded closer to the door where the Ravenclaw graduates were all gathered together. "We can't lose the Inland Sea. It would cripple our defenses."

"Not to mention one of our most valuable ports." Cassandra added thoughtfully from behind Rapunzel.

"So you'll be going then. By yourself." Rapunzel tried to remind herself to breathe, but anxiety was reaching up to grip her throat.

"I have to. This is my home, and I've been given rank specifically for this quest." Merida told her. "Don't worry. Sandy and Toothiana will be there too. I'll be fine."

"Couldn't one of us go with you?" Jack suggested.

"It's better that you're both here and you know it." Merida replied, giving them both a firm look. "We all knew there were going to be times during this war when we wouldn't be able to fight together. But I will come back, I promise."

Rapunzel felt her eyes welling up, so she threw her arms around Merida's neck and hugged her close. Rapunzel squeezed her eyes shut as Merida hugged her back just as tight, and when they finally pulled away, Rapunzel grabbed onto her hands.

"Stay safe, and stay in touch." Rapunzel said quietly, afraid that if she kept talking she'd lose it completely.

"Of course!" Merida exclaimed, her own voice wavering a bit. "Besides, I'll have Tadashi and the others watching my back. If there's trouble, I'll call."

"Yeah, don't try to play the hero by yourself." Jack joked lightly as he stepped forward for a hug too. Meride nudged his arm when they pulled back, laughing wetly.

"I think you're just jealous that I made Commander first." Merida grinned.

"I'm still gonna beat you to General." Jack smirked back.

"Yeah, we'll see about that, Frost." Merida quipped as they gripped forearms tightly.

The sound of bells drew their attention to the side where Sandy stood looking at them. He motioned for Rapunzel to come with him, and she glanced back to nod at her friends. At the last second she turned back and gave Merida another quick hug before turning to join her mentor.

Once they were away from the larger group, Sandy turned to speak to her. Communicating with Sandman was... Different ever since she Changed. It wasn't so much that she could hear his voice, but more so that she intuitively knew what he was trying to say with each of his pictures.

"I am sorry to be leaving so suddenly, but your training has been going well. I would not leave you if I thought you needed me." Sandy signed to her.

"But there's still so much I don't understand..." Rapunzel worried her bottom lip, her hands fidgeting again.

"You will understand your own powers in your own time." Sandy assured her, patting her hand. "I can only teach you so much. Each Sorcerer is unique and must discover themselves."

"I've already lost control once before with the Moon Incantation and I hurt Cassandra. I never want something like that to happen ever again." Rapunzel confessed.

"I understand your concern, but you have come very far in a very short time. Continue to practice, and you may still call to me if you are in need of help." Sandy offered her an encouraging smile.

"Alright." Rapunzel agreed with another soft sigh, returning her mentor's smile. "I'll trust your judgement on this and keep practicing while you're away. Maybe I can find a better way to connect with the Moonstone, too."

Sandy gave her two thumbs-up and a wide grin.

A trumpet called, signaling for the troops to gather. Rapunzel rejoined Jack, Eugene, and Cassandra as the others went to prepare for their departure. Rapunzel stood on the steps with her friends, waving as Merida took the lead alongside Sandman and Toothiana. She rode by on Angus and gave them one last smile, her curls as wild as ever and her bow strung over her shoulder.

After Merida and the others had been sent off, Jack slipped away to ask North and his father about training. Cassandra excused herself to check in with the Corona Guard and see if she was needed in the rotations. Eugene asked Rapunzel if she wanted to come with him to the Snuggly Duckling in Hogsmeade, but she declined. As much as she wanted to see their friends, Rapunzel still had her duties at the castle.

Besides, Eugene would probably have an easier time of finding information if he didn't have a Royal shadowing him the whole time.

Kissing Eugene goodbye and watching him go, Rapunzel was left alone at the castle's entry. She already knew that Dr. Sweet wouldn't let her help in the Medical Wing for the rest of the day. He knew she'd gone to help with the stones again, and he had seen before just how exhausting the task was, so he would order her away before she stepped foot into the hall. And if Rapunzel were completely honest with herself, she was feeling pretty worn out. The idea of training, especially on her own, made her stomach squirm and threaten to lose her breakfast.

With that in mind, she turned on her heel and decided to go check in on her apprentice. Perhaps even supervise some of his training if he wasn't preoccupied with his own responsibilities.

One of the lesser study halls had been set aside for Jim and the trolls specifically because there were no windows. The room was one of the smallest, but more than enough for Jim and his friends to use as their base whenever they were at Hogwarts. It was lit by the warmth of torches, and Blinky had brought several books from his study in Trollmarket, though Rapunzel knew he still did the majority of his research in his home.

Merlin was perusing one of the bookshelves that had been pushed to the back of the hall and was filled with more advanced study materials for the older students at Hogwarts. Jim was seated at the large table in the center of the room, surrounded by stacks of books and hunched over an open one. Besides the two of them, the room was empty, and Rapunzel was suddenly very glad she'd decided to come.

Rapunzel moved forward, sending her magic out gently to touch Jim's mind and let him know she was here without startling him. He poked his head up from his reading just as she reached his side and rested a hand on his shoulder, offering him a smile.

"Rapunzel!" He smiled back, turning his head to look up at her. "You're back! Shouldn't you be resting after using the Moonstone?" His eyes sparked with concern, which made her smile widen.

"That's why I'm here. My schedule is clear for the rest of the day, and I was wondering if you wanted to do some training." Rapunzel told him, taking a peek at the books scattered around him. "'Legends of Healing; Ancient Cures and Remedies'?" Rapunzel read the title aloud, tilting her head slightly before turning her gaze to Jim.

He avoided eye contact by looking down at his book again, one hand fiddling with the bottom edge of it and the other resting on the table beside it. Rapunzel is almost positive she knows what he's looking for, because she had already looked through that book for the very same reason, but she decided to ask anyway.

"Is there something you're looking for?" She inquired gently, peering at his face as he sighed.

"I was doing the readings you recommended after the autopsies, and I guess I just got a little distracted..." He began with a shrug that looked more like a wince. She nodded and waited patiently for him to continue, and something about her response gave him a little more confidence because he relaxed a little and kept going. "I came across this book that mentioned a mythical, glowing root with immense healing properties. It's rumored to heal any Dark Curse..."

"The Glowing Root is said to cure any sickness or injury inflicted by Dark Magic." Merlin cut into the conversation sharply, snapping the book he was holding closed. "It grows only in the Realm of the Darklands, and is nothing but a myth. Nothing good comes from the Darklands. And even if it were real, opening a portal to the Darklands, especially in our current climate, is far too dangerous!"

"I understand, but -!" Jim started, but Merlin snorted.

"But nothing! Nothing could possibly be so important that it would justify the risk of releasing Gunmar to go chasing after a fable!" Merlin snapped. "As the Trollhunter, you must recognize your duty to protect this world as your first priority above all else."

Before anyone could make any further comments, Douxie came running into the room. He took a moment to catch his breath, bowing to Rapunzel and then turning to Merlin.

"King Arthur requests your presence in the Great Hall." Douxie reported simply and quickly, his black cat watching carefully from his perch on Douxie's shoulder.

"Very well." Merlin grumbled, placing the book he was holding back on the shelf and walking out of the room. He nodded briefly to Jim and Rapunzel as he passed, and Douxie was right on his heels as they left.

Rapunzel placed her hand on Jim's shoulder again, squeezing gently. Jim only sighed, looking back at his book with a discouraged expression.

"I may not agree with how harshly he said it, but Merlin is right, Jim. The Glowing Root is just a myth." Rapunzel hoped to break the news a little easier, but Jim's shoulders only drooped lower.

Rapunzel bit her lip, unsure of how to best comfort him. She'd seen the way his attention completely shifted when Emma walked into their autopsy a few days ago. She had wondered if she was reading too much into their interactions for quite some time now, and even now she hesitated to make the assumption. Still. What other reason would Jim have for seeking out such an old myth?

"Jim," Rapunzel said quietly and waited until he looked at her to continue. "We will find a way to help Emma, but these things take time and we just have to be patient."

"It's not about me." Jim murmured softly. "I... I don't want to keep her waiting."

"Believe me, I know the feeling." Rapunzel smiled, leaning closer and wrapping her arm around his shoulders. "But finding a cure is out of your hands right now. The best you can do for Emma is be there as her friend."

"Sometimes I wonder what good being the Trollhunter is when I can't help the people who matter most to me." Jim confessed to her, and Rapunzel nodded in agreement.

"I think the same thing about being a Sorceress all the time." Rapunzel assured him, the fresh memory of her goodbye with Merida flashing in her mind. "But these abilities can't solve all of our problems all of the time. Once we know more about Emma's condition, we'll understand how to better apply our skills to help her, but for now all we can do is keep trying."

"You're right." Jim agreed after swallowing hard, and Rapunzel nudged his shoulder.

"Come on. We don't get free time like this very often. We should us it and get training." She said as Jim stood up and followed her towards the door.

As they went off to find an open training room, Rapunzel wished there was more she could say to comfort her apprentice. Promise him that everything would be okay. But she wouldn't lie to him and she wouldn't make a promise she couldn't keep...