Chapter 1: The Return

Cassandra stared at the distant town she came to know so well. Fidela gave an impatient snort as Cassandra softly rubbed her mane. "I know girl, we're going. I just... need a second." Fidela snorted again but otherwise stayed silent. Cassandra watched as the smoke from the houses in the town disappeared into the night sky. She gulped and slowly urged Fidela forward. As she grew closer to her childhood home, she took a shaky breath.

"I can't believe we're finally home girl." Fidela gave a snort of conformation. "Four years.. Four years of constant letters back and forth. I am going to finally see Rapunzel again." She sighed and looked down. She was excited to see her best friend once more, more than anyone actually, but she couldn't help the coming on guilt that came with thinking of Rapunzel. Would Rapunzel even want to see her? After what Cassandra did to her; ALMOST did to her? After what she did to her kingdom? Cassandra quickly looked up and hardened her eyes. Of course she would, this was Rapunzel she was talking about. She would be thrilled to see her especially since Cassandra didn't tell her she was coming home.

In all honesty, she didn't have time. In the out lands, far away from Corona, she heard of a new threat threatening the lands. A magical threat. And where there was evil magic, there was Corona. There was Rapunzel. So she returned as quickly as possible. From her distance, it took about a month of barely non-stop traveling, but she finally made it. Did Rapunzel know about the threat? Probably. And if she didn't, well, Cassandra would be there to protect her. Yes, she knew that Rapunzel was very capable of taking care of herself, but that didn't stop her from worrying. After all, Rapunzel didn't have seventy-feet of long blonde magical hair anymore. Besides, she had a feeling that this "magical threat" was probably after Rapunzel anyway. They always were.

In the time she was gone, she fought bandits, pirates and so much more. She has been everywhere. She was known as the "Mysterious Knight" in all the lands. She rarely ever showed her face. She used it as a disguise one year and it kind of just stuck. But not just her appearance had changed. She did a lot of soul-searching the four years she was gone. Although she loved the constant adventure and adrenaline rush, she missed Rapunzel. She missed her dearly. She missed her home. It didn't take her long to realize she had feelings for the princess. She always knew, she supposed, but it didn't become apparent until after she left. After all, she had buried her "unwanted feelings" for females when she was ten. But she couldn't ignore them anymore, she loved Rapunzel with every fiber in her body.

She wishes she didn't. These kinds of "feelings'' weren't allowed. Not only that, it was ILLEGAL. She knew that if she ever told Rapunzel how she felt, Rapunzel would just give her that brilliant smile of hers and let her down easily. Rapunzel would never push her away. But that doesn't mean that Eugene won't. Although he gets on her nerves, she doesn't want to lose him as a friend. And if the king ever found out, he'd have her locked up. She was still surprised she didn't get locked up after the moonstone incident. But what's worst of all... her father could find out. So, no one must never know, not even Rapunzel. She decided her place was next to Rapunzel; in whatever way that may be. Even if she has to suffer all over again. She could never be away from Rapunzel ever again. Besides, she had a lot to make up for.. to her and to Corona. She spent most of her time away from Corona helping and saving people. Coming to the rescue. Helping damsels in distress. Even now and then having a couple flings. But she still had to make it up to Corona. And she will, she will fight alongside their future queen for as long as life keeps her going. She will be loyal. Strong. Unending.

So Cassandra trudged forward. She guessed it was pretty late considering the streets of Corona were empty and quiet; around 10 or so, so she hoped Rapunzel was still awake. Cassandra chuckled. Knowing her, she was probably working on some painting. She often did that when Cassandra was her lady-in-waiting. Rapunzel would often spend many hours of the night painting. Sometimes Cassandra even let her paint her. She would lay on Rapunzel's bed just fascinated with the way she bit her bottom lip in concentration and her eyebrows pushed together. She was most beautiful in those times.

Cassandra quickly shook her head and mentally kicked herself. Those thoughts weren't allowed. Cassandra saw the guards lined up outside the castle but she had never seen them before. They were new. Which meant they didn't know who SHE was. So she quickly and quietly dismounted Fidela, gave her an apple, then quickly took the underground tunnels she knew so well. It didn't take long for her to get through them. Soon enough, she was in the castle. It was easy enough to slip past the guards. She snickered. She would tell Rapunzel that Eugene needed to train his guards better.

She made her way down the corridors she grew up in. At the end of the hall, she could see Rapunzel's room, the door slightly cracked with a little bit of light leaking through. Cassandra smiled. Good, she was awake. Her heart pounded as she made her way towards the room. Once just outside the door, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath then slowly pushed it open. Rapunzel's back was towards her sitting in a chair.

"Eugene, I told you, I'm-"

"I'm offended," Cassandra teased, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed. "I am most certainly not Eugene."

Rapunzel turned around faster than she could blink. The chair slid across the floor and fell to the ground with a loud bang as Rapunzel ran over to her and leapt into her arms. The motion of it sent them both tumbling to the floor. As Rapunzel laid in Cassandra's arms, her face buried into her neck, she could hear Rapunzel sniffling and repeating her name over and over again. She could feel the warm wet tears leaving imprints on her neck. Once Cassandra got over her surprise, she quickly tightened her hold on the princess and pulled her closer, digging her face into her now shoulder-length brown hair. She took a deep breath through her nose, smelling that sweet flowery scent that was all Rapunzel. She held back her own tears but a sob or two escaped from between her lips. They sat on the floor in complete silence, Rapunzel between Cassandra's legs and her head pushed into her chest and Cassandra's arms wrapped securely and protectively around the princess's smaller form. All that was heard was Rapunzel's soft sobs and Cassandra's ragged breathing. Minutes ticked by before anyone said anything.

"I missed you," Rapunzel finally spoke in a small, muffled voice.

"I missed you too, Raps." Cassandra smiled and gently ran her hand through the princess's hair.

Rapunzel smiled at the nickname she missed and nuzzled closer into Cassandra's warmth. "What are you doing here?"

"I decided it was time to come back home," Cassandra stated simply. "Besides, I had something to give to a certain princess I know." Rapunzel shot back as quick as lightning. A huge, eager, almost kid-like smile toned her pretty features.

"You brought something for me?" She tried not to sound excited but failed miserably.

Cassandra rolled her eyes and chuckled. She dug through her hand bag as Rapunzel slowly bounced up and down on her knees next to her. Soon enough, Cassandra pulled out a messily wrapped package. "Sorry, I didn't have time to-"

Rapunzel grabbed it before she could even finish. She ripped open the packaging like a kid on Christmas morning. When she was finished, she gasped in delight; tears once more coming to her eyes. What sat in her hand was the most beautifully crafted sketchbook she'd ever seen. She gently traced the pink flower pattern tinting the sides then traced her name that was on the cover. The book was filled with all different patterns; all patterns that were very much her. It was beautiful. She opened the first page and on the inside cover of the book read "Tu es ma lumière". You are my light.

Rapunzel looked up at Cassandra with a disbelieving look. "Cass, this is.." She was cut off.

"I-if you don't like it, I can get you something else- When I left, I saw you were almost finished with the sketch book your mom gave you, so I had you made one- y-you know, so you can draw NEW memories and-" Cassandra was rambling, she knew, but stopped immediately when Rapunzel put her hand on top of hers with that brilliant smile that always seemed to make her heart stop.

"I love it, Cass! This must have cost a fortune!"

Cassandra looked away as her face heated up. "I, uhm... Only the best for the best, right?" Rapunzel's smile grew even bigger, her eyes shining in the dimly lit room, if that was even possible.

Cassandra and Rapunzel shared a momentary smile. "A-anyway," Cass stuttered finally, standing up, which motivated Rapunzel to do the same. "I should probably get going if I want to find a motel before they close for the night."

Rapunzel's eyes widened as if that was the most prosperous thing she ever heard. "Nonsense! You'll sleep in your old room!"

"But isn't that your lady-in-waiting room?"

Rapunzel narrowed her eyes. "It's YOUR room, Cass. And always will be. Besides, I don't have a lady-in-waiting."

It was Cassandra's turn to widen her eyes. "Your father hasn't gotten you a new one yet?"

"No, he did. I told him I didn't want one," Her eyes softened. "I never want anyone to feel the way you did, Cass. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Then she added with a smile. "Besides, no one could ever replace you, Cassandra. I don't WANT anyone to replace you."

Cassandra's eyes softened and she smiled one of those rare smiles only Rapunzel got to witness. Rapunzel ran her thumb over Cassandra's knuckles and smiled back. They smiled and stared at each other for a couple quiet seconds then Rapunzel's face lit up. "You gotta tell me everything!" She beamed and pulled her friend over to her bed. Cassandra let out a laugh and sat down next to the over-excited princess.

"There's not much to tell-"

"Of course there is! You've been gone for four years; out there! Don't leave anything out! Or, do you not want me to know about this 'Mysterious Knight' business?" Rapunzel gave her a knowing smirk with one eyebrow raised.

"You know?!" Cassandra exclaimed, her eyes as wide as saucers.

"Of course I do! I know YOU! Saving people as some mysterious figure is Cassandra 101!"

"So.. you're not mad?" Cassandra asked, unsure of her reaction.

Rapunzel tilted her head in confusion. "Why would I be mad?"

"Well, when I left, you made it CLEAR to be careful. And besides, I didn't exactly handle the situations with 'love and friendship' like you've always told me to do."

Rapunzel sighed and looked away. "Yes, I admit, the things I've heard of your doings were... brutal. But they were for a good cause! You're not me Cass, so of course you would handle things differently. Besides, you saved LOADS of good people! What's a couple of beat up bandits gonna do? I think it's really cool and noble!"

Cassandra immediately relaxed and chuckled. "What can I say? You wore off on me."

Rapunzel giggled, "No, Cass, you've always been a good person who is willing to help out some helpless strangers."

Cassandra shrugged but smiled nonetheless, knowing she wouldn't be able to win an argument against Rapunzel once her mind was made up. "Enough about me, how have you been? How have you and Eugene been? Married life all you hoped for?"

Rapunzel's face immediately fell and just like that, Cassandra knew something was wrong. "Eugene and I.. we're not together anymore."

Cass gasped. "What? When did THIS happen?!"

Rapunzel shrugged, "A year or two after you left. You leaving made me... think of a lot of things. About myself and who I am. I love Eugene, but he was the first person I ever met besides M-... Gothel.. you know? Was it ever truly love, love?" Cassandra nodded as she listened. "I was 17 and thrown into a world I barely knew with a man I barely knew. I realized I was never truly in love with him, you know? I love him. But not anything more than close friendship. I... found I love someone else."

Cassandra's heart beat fast with the way Rapunzel looked at her. "W-who?"

Rapunzel opened her mouth like she wanted to say something but then quickly looked away. If Cassandra didn't know better, she would've thought she saw Rapunzel blush. "I-it doesn't matter."

"And you didn't think to tell me?" Cassandra gave Rapunzel one of her 'slightly annoyed and pissed off' looks.

"I'm sorry. I didn't really quite want to believe it myself either and telling you was like... me really coming to terms with that it was really over."

Cassandra sighed and nodded slowly in understanding. "How did he take it?"

"He was.. hurt. He told me all he wanted was for me to be happy. He barely talked to me for months and kept avoiding me. Eventually, he came around and started acting like himself again. But I can still see the pain behind his eyes. I never wanted to hurt him." Rapunzel looked down. Cassandra's eyes softened as she placed her hands in Rapunzel's which were currently resting in her lap.

"I'm sorry Raps." Rapunzel looked up at her and gave her a sweet, sorrowful smile. Then slowly looked away and stood up. "An-anyway, you must be tired. Let's get you all set up in your room, okay?"

Cassandra looked like she wanted to say something else but she refrained from doing so and resorted to dumbly nodding. "Great!" Rapunzel exclaimed.

Cassandra and Rapunzel walked to her old room, once they reached it, she found it to be exactly the same except for a new wardrobe and a new weapons closet. It was dust-free and her sheets and bedding were clean as a whistle. "I kept it tidy and clean, knowing you'd want to come back.. one day." Rapunzel stated as Cassandra looked around. It was mostly Cassandra-themed, just how she liked it: simple. But there were small changes. There were some new weapons in her weapons closet, all were well polished. A couple paintings were placed upon her wall; made by Rapunzel herself. Not much color was added to them, they were mostly of Cassandra herself or Rapunzel and Cassandra together. For that, Cassandra was grateful. Rapunzel really did know her. "I thought it needed a little more of a.. homey feeling. I can take them down if you don't like them." Rapunzel moved to one of the paintings but before she could grab it, Cassandra stopped her.

"I love them Raps," She smiled. "Thank you." Rapunzel smiled and nodded with a slight blush tinting her rosy cheeks. Or was it just the lightning?

"A-anyway, I'll let you get settled, okay?" She began to walk towards the door but then turned around sharply and fixed Cassandra with a fake glare. "But be in my room at 10 AM sharp tomorrow morning!"

Cassandra chuckled. "Yes mam'," She said sarcastically. Rapunzel gave her one last smile before promptly making her exit and gently shutting Cassandra's door. Cassandra looked around her bedroom then all but fell onto her bed face first and dug her face into her pillow. It smelt like Rapunzel. She smiled and snuggled closer into the familiar warmth of her bed.

"It's good to be home." She exhaled before promptly falling asleep.

~ Outside the castle ~

A shadow watched Cassandra through her window, watching her in the moonless night.

"There you are, my little moon~." It said with a quiet, songful voice.

Then just like that..

It disappeared into the dead of the night.