Varian woke up to the sound of Horace yelling. He sounded freaked out. Varian's instincts told him to get up, grab the closest weapon, and take on whatever threat was upsetting his prince. He was tired though. Instead of jolting awake Varian was slowly pulled into awareness. His mind felt dull, and his body felt like it was lagging behind his slow mind.

Varian very slowly sat up as he asked Horace what was going on. Instead of getting an answer he heard Horace call for Adira. Something must be really wrong. Varian rubbed his eyes, trying to push away his fatigue and small amount of panic that had followed him out of his sleep. He looked towards Horace, only for his head to be gently but forcibly turned away by Adira.

"Trust me, kid, you don't want to watch this." Adira said. She held Varian tightly. He couldn't pull away from her. He couldn't even turn to look towards Horace. He was being restrained, and Varian felt his fear increase.

"W-what's going on?" Varian asked. He heard Ruddiger squealing. Varian wriggled and squirmed in Adira's grip until he was able to shift his head enough to catch a glimpse of Horace holding down a struggling Ruddiger. In Horace's free hand was his dagger.

Varian wasn't the kind of person who got scared easily. He was a warrior, a knight, and a guardian. He'd been taught since childhood to bury his fears and focus on solving a problem instead of getting upset about it.

He'd been feeling fear more and more this past year or so. He couldn't figure out how to get rid of his fear completely, but he worked through it. He made plans and distracted himself from the terror that tried to shake him down to his core.

But now he couldn't move. Varian was frozen in terror, and he thought that if Adira wasn't holding him he still would have been unable to move to save Ruddiger. All Varian could do was beg and plea.

"Ruddiger!" Varian screamed in horror. Adira tightened her grip on him and turned Varian's head away from the sight. Somehow this scared him even more. This wasn't something he wanted to see, but at the same time he had to watch it. He had to see if Ruddiger was okay.

Varian was prevented from watching, but he could hear every sound. He sobbed against Adira as he listened to Ruddiger whimper and squeal. He sounded terrified. Either that, or he was hurt. Varian didn't know which option was worse.

"Horace, Horace, please." Varian said frantically, desperately. He was begging more than he had when he'd been asking Horace to come home. "Y-you can't…you can't! Please, please, d-don't."

"I'm sorry, kid." Horace said. He actually sounded sorry, but determined. He sounded exactly the way he had when he'd left Varian trapped in the great tree. He may be sorry, but not sorry enough to stop what he was about to do. "But I have to do this."

A moment passed, and then Varian heard Ruddiger's frantic cries stop at the same time as he heard the distinct sound of the black rock dagger hitting something. Varian felt something inside of him break.

"No!" Varian screamed. He found his will to move again. He squirmed and stumbled when Adira let him go. He started to run towards Horace but stopped when he saw Rapunzel with her hair down and flowing. Varian thought he felt a pain in his wrist at the sight. He was so busy looking at the hair itself that it took him a long moment to realize that she had her hair wrapped around one of Horace's hands, the one that wasn't holding the dagger. Ruddiger wasn't anywhere in sight, and the bundle of Rapunzel's hair was too large to just have Horace's hand inside.

Rapunzel had tears flowing down her cheeks, but she looked fierce and determined. She looked sternly at Horace. "Eugene, let go."

"Sunshine, you don't understand-" Horace said.

"You're right, I don't." Rapunzel said. "And trust me, I want to hear whatever reason you think excuses this, and I'll listen to whatever you have to say, but first you need to let go."

Horace stared at Rapunzel for a long moment before his stiff posture relaxed slightly. He pulled his hand out of her hair's hold, and she let it. As soon as Horace's hand was out Rapunzel bent down and carefully picked up the bundle of hair. She took in a shaky breath and walked towards Varian as she unwrapped her hair.

"I'm sorry." Rapunzel said. "I understand why you might not want me to use my hair, but it was the only thing I could think of to keep him safe."

Varian's eyes widened as Rapunzel loosened enough of her hair to let Ruddiger poke his head out. The poor thing looked panicked. Ruddiger whined and leapt out of Rapunzel's arms into Varian's.

The boy whimpered and clung tightly to Ruddiger, who scrambled and clung to him, scratching at his arms. Varian couldn't bring himself to care.

"You're okay." Varian sobbed. He buried his face in Ruddiger's fur. "You're okay." He held onto the raccoon for a long minute before he finally lifted his gaze and looked at Rapunzel. "Y-you saved him."

"Of course I did." Rapunzel ran her hands through her hair, either to calm herself or to detangle it. "I know how important an animal friend can be."

Varian took a deep breath and slowly leaned closer to Rapunzel until he was resting his head against her shoulder. He didn't have to say a word. Rapunzel knew what he wanted and needed. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him close. Varian's shoulders shook as he cried against Rapunzel. She whispered reassurances and apologies to him as she stroked his hair.

"T-thank you." Varian said. He'd thought that Rapunzel would be the last person that he would cling to or seek comfort from, but after Horace and Adira had…after they'd tried to. Varian whimpered and clutched to Rapunzel. He didn't want to think about it.

"Varian!" He heard Lance call out to him. Varian pulled away from Rapunzel to look towards Lance, who was walking out of the trees. He looked scared. He looked slightly relieved, but also incredibly concerned.

"Are you okay?" Lance asked. "I just stepped away for five minutes to deal with some personal business, and then I hear you screaming. What happened?"

"H-Horace, he…he…" Varian couldn't even say it.

"I tried to kill Ruddiger." Horace said plainly. Varian gave a harsh sob and tightened his grip on Ruddiger, both to reassure himself that the raccoon was okay, and to protect him from any harm Horace might try to do to him."

Lance's eyes darkened dangerously. He put a hand on Varian's shoulder and tried to pull him behind him, to keep him out of Horace's line of sight. Varian would love to be protected by Lance, but when he was pulled behind him he was tugged closer to Adira, who was reaching out for him. Varian flinched and pressed himself against Lance, who gave him a concerned look.

"D-don't touch me." Varian said quietly. He glared at Adira even as his vision blurred because of his tears. "Y-you helped him. Why?"

"Varian, hurting you is the last thing either of us want," Adira said in a quiet tone that Varian would normally find comfort from, but it just caused a pit of anger to form in Varian's gut. How could Adira claim that they didn't want to hurt him when they tried to hurt Ruddiger? "But that Raccoon is dangerous."

"Says who?" Lance turned so he was standing behind Varian, keeping a grounding hand on his shoulder.

"Says Varian." Horace said. "I heard him tell you that Ruddiger is possessed by Zhan Tiri."

"So you eavesdropped, and you're punishing Varian for it?" Lance growled.

"This wasn't a punishment." Horace said. He sounded insulted at the implication that he would do that. "But Zhan Tiri is a threat, and I needed to keep Varian safe from her."

"Oh, yeah, you're doing a great job at that." Lance said. "Does Varian look like he feels safe to you?"

Horace flinched and stared at Varian, who sniffled and stared blankly at him as he sobbed. "I'm sorry, but I didn't know what else to do. Zhan Tiri's dangerous, and she was starting to give you more nightmares."

"And your response is to kill Ruddiger?" Lance frowned. "Why couldn't you just wake up Varian? He can't have nightmares if he's not asleep."

"I-I didn't think of that." Horace admitted. "I panicked."

"His highness may have acted hastily, but his behavior was understandable." Adira said. "This isn't just about Varian and the danger that Zhan Tiri poses to him. The demon is a threat to everybody. If we kill the host we may be able to get rid of the demon. That makes the sacrifice worth making."

Varian felt a chill run down his spine. "What if I was the one that had taken the spear out of the tree?" Varian asked. "Would killing the problem still be your solution?"

Adira looked ill and Horace made a pained sound. "O-of course not." Horace said. "We would have found another way."

"Is Ruddiger just not worth that effort?" Varian asked, his voice trembling.

"Of course he's worth the effort." Horace said. Varian didn't believe him. "But it would have taken a long time, and every minute that Ruddiger is being influenced by Zhan Tiri is another minute that you're exposed to that darkness."

"You know what? I've got a solution for you." Lance said. He finally let go of Varian and stepped in front of him. He bent down, putting his hands on Ruddiger. Varian whined and pulled the raccoon back. "Hey, kid, I won't hurt him. You know I won't. You trust me, don't you?" Varian stared at Lance for a long moment before he slowly loosened his grip. He reluctantly let Lance pick up Ruddiger.

"If you don't want Varian around Ruddiger, why don't I keep an eye on him instead?" Lance suggested. "That way Ruddiger's safe, Varian's safe, and everybody's happy."

Horace narrowed his eyes. "And what if the demon starts talking to you?"

Then I'll tell you guys and we'll come up with a plan B." Lance said. "I haven't heard even a whisper from Zhan Tiri though, and I've been around Ruddiger a lot."

Horace thought it over for a long minute before he sighed and sheathed his dagger. "Fine, we can try that. But I'll be watching you carefully."

"Trust me, the feeling's mutual." Lance said protectively.

"If you're going to be watching Ruddiger then you can't be around Varian." Adira said. Varian understood her point. If he was close to Lance, then Ruddiger would be right there, but actually being forbidden from being around his friend, his brother, and his protector, it hurt.

Lance looked pained. He looked at Varian. "Are you okay with this, kid?"

No, Varian was very much not okay, but if he had to choose between his own comfort and emotional well-being, and Ruddiger's life, he would choose Ruddiger every time. He swallowed thickly and nodded. "Y-yeah, I'll be fine. Just keep Ruddiger safe."

"No problem." Lance said. "Take care of yourself." He pet Ruddiger's fur and walked to the other side of their small campsite. He didn't go far, but every step he took made Varian feel suddenly very alone. He turned towards Rapunzel, desperate to have any form of comfort, even from her, but she was looking at Horace.

"Eugene, we need to talk." Rapunzel said sternly. Horace's eyes widened.

"O-of course, Blondie." Horace almost looked frightened. He gave Varian an apologetic look before he followed Rapunzel into the trees to have some privacy. Varian's only other source of comfort had left, leaving him alone with Adira.

"Varian," Adira said. The boy flinched and gave her a wounded look.

"I don't want to talk to you." Varian said. His voice shook and the stubborn tears in his eyes started to fall again. Varian had expected to be hurt by Horace, he just hadn't thought it would be this bad. Being restrained by Adira though? It hurt, and made Varian feel like he couldn't trust anybody.

"I know you're angry, and you have every right to be." Adira said. "But-"

"I don't want to talk to you!" Varian screamed with a sob. Adira looked stricken. Varian squeezed his eyes shut tight to try to make the tears stop falling. He shook his head and wrapped his arms around himself. "P-please, just l-leave me alone.

Adira was quiet for a long minute before she sighed. "Very well." Varian heard her walk away. As soon as he couldn't hear her footsteps anymore Varian felt all of his strength leave him. His legs grew weak and he collapsed to the ground. Varian cried as he clutched tightly at his arms.

He hadn't even been able to get used to the fact that he had lost Horace, and now in the span of just a few short minutes he'd lose Adira, Lance, and Ruddiger. Varian didn't have anybody. He was completely alone.

Varian just wanted his daddy. He wanted to go home.

Rapunzel felt furious, concerned, and scared. Everything had been fine just a few minutes ago. Eugene had been acting a little weird, but Rapunzel hadn't expected him to do something like this. Eugene was so in control and kind, so to see him try to kill an innocent animal, it was frightening, and Rapunzel didn't want to see that side of him ever again.

When they were away from the campsite and couldn't be overheard Rapunzel turned to look at Eugene. He looked unnerved to see tears in her eyes. "Sunshine, are you okay?" He reached out to her, but Rapunzel pulled away from him.

"No, I'm not okay." Rapunzel wrapped her arms around herself. "What…what were you thinking?"

"I was just trying to protect Varian." Eugene said.

"I know that's what you were trying to do." Rapunzel said quietly "But how could you think this was a good way to go about doing it? After everything I've been through. After everything you've been through."

Eugene looked confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Our dads." Rapunzel said. "Gothel, they tried to isolate us from the world to protect us. They thought they were taking care of us, but we both left because it was absolutely stifling. You…you can't protect somebody by hurting them."

"What was I supposed to do?." Eugene asked desperately. "Zhan Tiri is dangerous."

"I have no doubt that's true." Rapunzel said. "But right now, after what I saw, after what you tried to do, I think you're a little dangerous too." She felt more tears fall down her cheeks. "Eugene, you…you scared me. Is that what Prince Horace is like?"

"No, he…I…" Eugene sighed. He looked tired, but Rapunzel was having a hard time feeling sorry for him. "I was taught to make sacrifices, to put the greater good over my selfish feelings. I wasn't very good at it growing up, but I've been trying to do better."

"I know you have." Rapunzel said, and she meant it. She had seen the times that Eugene had put himself at risk for her sake, or for Varian's. He had his selfish moments too, but Rapunzel knew that he was trying. "But this…Eugene, this wasn't you prioritizing the greater good over your own feelings. You were putting it over Varian's feelings. You can't do that, Eugene. You can't make that kind of choice for him."

"And I don't want to." Eugene said. "I don't…I don't want this. I never wanted this."

Rapunzel took a step towards Eugen and put her hand on his cheek. He leaned into her touch. "I think you and Varian need a break from each other." She took a deep breath and glanced to the side. She hated doing this, and her heart hurt just thinking about it, but she knew that it had to be done. It was for the best, for both of them.

"And I think we need a break too." Rapunzel said quietly. Eugene's eyes widened. He gave her a pained look.

"You want to break up?" Eugene looked like his world was falling apart around him.

"Not break up." Rapunzel shook her head. "Just take a small break in our relationship." She leaned close and hugged Eugene. He held onto her like he was scared she would disappear if he let go. "I love you, Eugene, and I still want to spend the rest of my life with you, but you're a little lost right now. You've been a protector for as long as I've known you, and I love that about you, but your protectiveness has gotten out of control. You're putting protecting people above being their friend, and I don't want that for you. And I don't think you want that either."

Rapunzel pulled back from Eugene and kissed his cheek. "I think you need a little time to figure out who you are outside of a protector, and what you want. I'll try to help you as much as I can, but this is something that you need to figure out for yourself."

Eugene still looked hurt, but not heartbroken. "Okay. I-I'll try."

"Good." Rapunzel smiled. "When we get to the Dark Kingdom we can talk about this more, okay?" Eugene nodded, looking at the ground. Rapunzel took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Hey, I know things aren't great right now, but we'll figure it out together."

"I don't deserve you." Eugene muttered as they began to make their way back to camp.

Rapunzel hummed. She didn't completely agree with Eugene's comment, but she didn't think she'd be able to convince him otherwise. She decided to go a different route. "Well then, I guess you'll have to figure out how to be someone worthy of me." Rapunzel began to giggle before she even finished speaking. The words sounded so unnatural coming out of her mouth. It was like something that Eugene would teasingly say.

Eugene chuckled and nudged Rapunzel's shoulder. "I guess I will." He still sounded pained, but at least he was sounding a little more like himself. This was the Eugene that she knew and loved. She hoped that he was here to stay. Rapunzel didn't want to see the return of the frightening, serious, willing to sacrifice anything to get what he wanted.

Rapunzel was still a little scared of what else could happen while they were travelling. They'd been travelling for a while, but she knew that they were still far from the Dark Kingdom. Hopefully the rest of the journey would be uneventful and boring. Rapunzel didn't know if any of them would be able to handle much more.