I'll admit, this part was tricky due to lack of certain characters from Tangled the Series that I already used in the first story.
Night had fallen in the Indian village.
It was the night before Rapunzel's engagement to Eugene and the Indians decided to celebrate while the settlers had their own in Jamestown.
Many danced to the beat of the drum as the Chief watched, proud as always.
But the celebration grew quiet as Guy Am I entered the village, bringing a horse called Fidella with him.
"Great Chief" Guy spoke formally. "I am Guy Am I. According to the customs of Greater Britain, I would like to present this horse as a gift of peace to the mighty Cassandra."
The chief then turned to Cassandra. "Daughter, this beast belongs to you."
Cassandra approached Fidella, petting her muzzle. The horse whinnied with joy.
Seeing this, Snowball pouted and hopped away.
Then Guy finally broke the silence.
"I believe we can prosper together in this great land under King George Jetson's gracious rule" he said. "To build trust, I would like you... to sail back with me... to meet my king."
The chief shook his head. "No, I do not want your chief's land. He wants mine. Why does he not cross the salt water to seek me?"
Hearing this, Guy stammered nervously and tried to explain.
"Well, your grand chief-chiefliness," he said. "It doesn't work that work that way, you see it can be done if you come with us to-—"
But he was rudely interrupted by Adira, one of the warriors and Varian's father's old friend.
"Your kind are barbarians!" she shouted. "They only want our land! - They mean to destroy our sacred- -"
All the warriors began to yell in agreement when a voice spoke up.
"Is that what they want?"
Cassandra stepped up and placed her hands on her hips, glaring at Adira.
"You don't know. Father, someone must go."
The chief didn't move, he still didn't like the idea of his people harmed or threatened by this king.
With a heavy sigh, Cassandra remembered her encounter with Dick Dastardly and how she wanted to keep the peace between two worlds.
"I will go" she finally said, her voice with determination.
"Daughter..." panicked the Chief.
"Father, please. I can do this."
The chief thought it over, then gave in. He knew that Cassandra had her mother's spirit.
"Very well, it is decided" he announced to the other Indians. "Cassandra will take my place to speak with the strangers' king."
Rapunzel gasped at the Chief's announcement. She didn't want to lose her best friend.
"No!" Guy cried. "This is a matter of diplomacy. She can't handle a job like this."
"It is decided" the chief repeated.
"But -—"
The chief and Cassandra glared at Guy, who grumbled under his breath.
Cassandra knew it would not be easy, but if she wanted her people safe, she had to go with Guy.
Later that night, Cassandra rode on Fidella on the frozen river with Muttley behind her.
Soon, she reached the old willow tree and sat on a tree stump.
"Grandmother Ruth..." she called. "I need to speak with you."
A large ghost emerged from the tree and stretched her arms out.
"Is that my Cassandra?" she asked sweetly.
But she noticed that Cassandra didn't respond and gently touched her cheek.
"My, whatever is the matter, Cassandra?" asked Ruth. " You are concerned about crossing the salt water."
"Yes" Cassandra answered. "And I have so many questions like 'what if I can't bring peace?' or 'what if I'm destined to fail?' and 'what if I make things worse?' I feel like I will fail myself."
Ruth shook her head and flew to Cassandra, gently touching her hands.
"Long ago I told you to listen with your heart" smiled the ghost. "It is time to listen once again."
"But the spirits around me won't be in the strange, new world" Cassandra protested.
"No, but the spirit within can guide you. Listen to the spirit within."
"Listen to the spirit within."
Cassandra thought it over and decided it was not the time to listen yet since the animals were trying to be encouraging to her but they were very loud.
But Grandmother Ruth knew that Cassandra would be ready when the time comes.
To be continued...