Despite everything that had happened, it was heartbreaking to see the Captain approve the imprisonment of his own daughter; the look on his face was authoritative, but his eyes were watery and distant as he gave the order. Upon their arrival at the capitol, Cassandra was apprehended and clapped in irons personally by Yaeger himself, who escorted her to the most secure cell they had: no windows, no bars, just concrete walls and a solid door with two slots. Even though she was powerless, Yaeger stationed four guards outside, refusing to allow any chance of escape. Cassandra hadn't fought, hadn't spoken, and in fact seemed a bit dazed, as if in a trance.

Rapunzel knew it was necessary, but she still felt sick at heart, having to watch one her closest friends suffer punishment of the like. Eugene was there to comfort her, but even though she knew all was well now, the princess remained uneasy.

"There's just…still something about all this that doesn't feel right," she admitted that evening, gnawing on her cupcake wrapper like an absentminded goat. "You know that feeling, like you left the oven on, but when you go to check, the gas is off?"

"Nope," Eugene said immediately. "Never had a gas oven. Or an oven in general, really." When Rapunzel gave him a consternated look, he winced. "Sorry, Sunshine. What matters is that you've helped your kingdom in the biggest way. After everything you've managed to do, even if that feeling means something, you'll be able to handle whatever comes your way."

"You're right," Rapunzel nodded slowly, finally allowing herself to smile. "You're right. Everything's alright, now." She crumpled up the wrapper and sighed. "I'll be meeting with my dad tomorrow to discuss Varian's acquittal."

Eugene nodded slowly. "It'll be good to finally free the kid's dad. Maybe he'll finally get some sleep." He chewed the inside of his cheek, staring outside the window. "So, did the witch girl decide to stay behind?"

"I can't sleep," Varian moaned to Martin, mashing his palms into his eyes as he planted his elbows into the desk. "I want to go release him now."

Martin glanced around Varian's study/prison and gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "I know, kid. Word is that the princess is working to get you acquitted first, so that you won't be in chains when you go to set your old man free." His chocolate eyes fell on the Moonstone vial, settled carefully atop a metal stand on the desk. "I'm surprised they haven't confiscated that from you. Aren't they worried you'll go all…Cassandra on everybody?"

Varian spared his friend a sleep-deprived glare. "Why would I do that?"

"I…" Martin's face went red. "Look, I'm not saying you would. I know you wouldn't, but everyone else…"

Varian slumped forward on the desk with his head in his arms. "I don't care what everyone else thinks," he grumbled. "I'm finally freeing my dad, and that's all that matters."

"Yeah," Martin agreed. "We've been through some crazy stuff." He frowned suddenly. "How did we find Cassandra, again?"

"It was…" Varian squinted, trying to remember. "We found out about the Moonstone chambers from the Keeper of the Spire."

"Right," Martin's face lit up. "Yeah, how did I forget about that?"

"You're tired," Varian answered, sitting back in his chair. "I don't even remember what I had for breakfast yesterday."

"Ugh, that happens to me all the time." Martin yawned. "Well, Pete's taking the next shift outside the door, but if you need anything, give me a holler, okay?"

"Yeah." Varian smiled weakly. "Thanks, Martin. It's good to have someone in my corner."

"Hey, like I said, you saved my life." Martin mirrored the smile. "Best way to make friends, right?"

Varian snorted. "Right." He gave a nod of farewell as Martin left and settled back down across the desk, glancing surreptitiously at his bed in the corner. He supposed he should try and get some rest, at least a few hours before tomorrow would come. He blew out the candle across from him and shuffled over to the fireplace, settling a spare log in to keep the cold at bay. He kept his clothes on as he flopped across the straw mattress, ready to rise in the morning at a moment's notice. As he curled his knees up to his chin, he realized he was lying on something hard near his shoulder. He propped himself up and searched for the object, pulling it out to see.

It was a vial of luminescent pink liquid.

The sight of it made Varian's mind split clean in two, and he was suddenly doubled over, clutching his scalp in agony as the spell in his skull began to swiftly unravel. Images flashed in quick succession, each more vivid than the last: a red strand of magic, plumes of flame, a mane of glowing red hair, white eyes burning…and a kiss that still made his lips tingle.

Shay. She'd made him forget.

The pain subsided almost as quickly as it had come, and Varian found himself in tears of shock. How. Why?

The bargain.

Caius.

Varian was on his feet, sprinting to the door. "MARTIN!" he screamed. After a few moments, the guard appeared, running speedily down the hall. "Shay," he grabbed his friend's shoulders, shaking him. "Shay, do you remember Shay?"

"Shay, who?" Martin looked alarmed. "What the heck are you talking about?"

Panic sliced up Varian's spine. Think, think! How could he…He turned around, saw the Moonstone on the desk. "Come here," he tugged Martin back inside. "Sit down."

Martin obeyed, still highly concerned. "Varian, what is going on? I left for five minutes –"

"Just listen," Varian implored, holding his hands out in a defensive stance. "I need you to trust me," he continued slowly. "Please."

Martin was tense, but he nodded slowly. "Okay."

"Okay." Varian reached for the Moonstone, holding it like a flower in his hands. "Just…don't freak out." He took a deep breath and hesitated before planting his hand on Martin's forehead.

The guard jolted, like he'd just been electrocuted. He gasped in pain, then blinked as something murky in his eyes cleared. "Holy…Heaven's sake…Sh-she was gone when we woke up!"

"So was Caius." Varian felt relief, but his voice was still panicked. "We have to go back, we have to find her!"

"Varian, we can't," Martin shook his head, reeling. "The princess, your acquittal!"

"Screw the acquittal, Martin!" Varian shouted. "I need to find her now!"

"Varian…"Martin's head shaking was mournful now. "I can't help you. I have to keep you here until the princess arranges your release. She's already in hot water for going against –"

Varian shrieked with frustration, tugging at fistfuls of his hair. He spun around, searching the room fruitlessly for something, anything that could change the situation. When he saw nothing, helplessness breached the wall of anger in his mind, and his hands slowly fell to his face as he started to silently weep, hot tears dripping off his chin. Martin stood and grasped the back of Varian's neck, an action that was both comforting and painful because it reminded Varian of his father.

"I'm sorry, Varian. I really am." Martin sighed shakily. "We'll find the princess and explain everything. We need her to remember, too."

"I already have." Rapunzel was in the doorway, her face pinched with anxiety. Varian looked up through his fingers and felt the helplessness start to ebb; the princess remembered.

Eugene stood behind her, his eyes wide. "If I had known all it would take is asking where the witch girl went, I would have mentioned it sooner." He took in the sight of Varian and Martin. "You all just forgot about her?"

"She made us forget," Rapunzel explained, her voice hard with urgency. "There was some bargain she'd made with Caius, making us forget must have something to do with it. After everything…I refuse to believe she did this because she wanted to." Reassured that the others had broken the spell, she squared her shoulders. "I'm going to talk to my father right now. We're going back to the Haderon Forest immediately to find out what's going on."

"Princess!" Stan was running to meet them, offering Pete a hasty nod. "Princess, your presence is being requested by the king!"

"What?" Rapunzel blinked confusedly. "Well, I…yes, I'm coming." She looked around at her friends and held her arms out. "Listen, we're going to fix this. I'll be back as soon as I can."

The timing of the king's summons had not been lost on Rapunzel as she approached her father's study, her heart pounding in her chest as she raised her knuckles to the door. Please, she pleaded inwardly, let this be good news.

King Frederick opened the door, his deep-set eyes filled with an alarming mixture of love and fear. "Rapunzel," he coaxed her inside, closing the door behind them. "Sit," he gestured to a chair near the war table; his hand was shaking. "Darling, I know we've barely had a chance to speak since your return," he began.

"Actually, Dad," Rapunzel knotted her fingers together in her lap. "That's something we really need to discuss. You see –"

"First, we need to address the matter of Cassandra," Frederick gently cut her off. "Your mother and I have been discussing what to do with the Captain's daughter. I know you still consider her a friend, but we can't overlook her act of treason any more than Varian's. I've discussed it with Nigel, and he agrees on a verdict of exile."

"E…exile?" Rapunzel blanched. "Dad, are you sure –"

"I'm afraid it's the most lenient I can be, regarding her fate," the king continued. "While she acted violently, she took no lives, which leaves the only other lawful option of incarceration, an option I know you'd disapprove of."

It was true, she would. Rapunzel's chest ached. "Where will you exile her to?"

"The kingdom of Ingvarr is where most Coronan exiles migrate to," Frederick answered. "It's a harsh place, but Cassandra is strong. She will live, and she may even find peace there."

"But…I'll never see her again." Rapunzel's eyes watered.

Frederick's beard bristled with sympathy. "Darling, I know this is hard."

"No, it's…" Rapunzel sucked in a deep breath. "I know it's what needs to be done. I just wish things had turned out different."

"I know, my dear." Frederick reached over to tuck his finger under her chin. "But you mustn't blame yourself. You have done more than I could ever have dreamed, and I'm very proud of you."

Rapunzel took his hand and pressed her cheek into his palm. "Thank you, Dad."

"Now, then," the king sat back with a contented smile. "What is it you needed to ask me?"

Rapunzel opened her mouth to speak, then realized she would have to explain who Shay was. She had made no mention of her to either of her parents, and knowing the history they had with Shay's mother…there was no way for her to explain the urgency of the situation without mentioning the individuals involved. "It's about Varian," she supplied in a way she hoped was convincing. "I know that we're waiting for an official acquittal, but he's waited for over a year to see his father again."

Frederick's brow creased skeptically. "Rapunzel, I know you think the boy has changed, but there's only your word and the word of a guard who's greener than a Sapporian pepper in June. I'm still a bit perturbed by your exercise of authority in bringing him with you to apprehend Cassandra."

"But he did help me stop her," Rapunzel insisted. "Listen, I know what I did was rash, but Varian has proven he can be trusted."

Frederick's frown deepened. "Not to me, he hasn't. You haven't forgotten what he did to your mother."

"Neither has he." Rapunzel could sense she was losing the battle, but she pushed on. "Any brash decision he's made has been only in an effort to free his father. He hasn't hurt anyone else, and he's more than willing to comply. Please, just let me take him to Old Corona." Insight struck her on the spot. "Shouldn't his father be allowed to plea on his behalf?"

Frederick's face twitched at the mention of Quirin. He seemed to mull it over, almost too long for Rapunzel to bear. Then he sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "Alright, Rapunzel. But I'm sending Yaeger with you. He trusts the boy as little as I do. He'll make sure you're safe."

Rapunzel knew it was the best she was going to get, and she accepted it with a hard swallow. "Thanks, Dad. It means the world to me."

It was nearly dawn when Rapunzel finally had everyone assembled at the gates. Eugene was there, as well as Martin, each outfitted with weapons and cloaks. Varian was chained once more, this time with Yaeger close beside him. The lieutenant looked just as upset about the arrangement as Varian did, but he kept his bearing strictly professional as he brought up the rear, his mount trotting authoritatively at the back of the group.

It felt like it took days to reach Old Corona, even though it was only an hour away. Down into the abandoned village, they made their way through the thawing pipes and snowy streets until they reached the familiar house remains.

"I didn't want it to be like this," Varian muttered to the princess as they dismounted and crossed the rubble to the ladder.

"I know," Rapunzel placed a hand on his shoulder. "But I need you to trust me."

"Allow me, Princess," Yaeger said in a tone that dismissed any argument as he descended the ladder first, with Eugene close behind. Martin was the last one down, and they all filed into the underground lab with trepidation. To their collective relief, the lab appeared to be empty, but Yaeger checked every nook and corner before signaling all-clear. He brushed his hood away as he gazed at the frozen man before them, his expression one of disgust. He said nothing as he removed Varian's irons, but Varian could feel his eyes magnetize to him, watching his every move.

"Alright," Rapunzel guided Varian forward, her heartrate increasing. "Do you have it?"

Varian reached into his pocket and produced the Moonstone, blue light glittering through the glass vial. Yaeger's eyes widened, then narrowed at the sight of the Celestial artifact, and Eugene stepped uneasily towards Rapunzel.

"Hey, Sunshine," he asked cautiously. "Are you going to do what I think you're going to do?"

"I can't think of anything else that will work," Rapunzel answered. "And it's a spell that can only be cast with the Moonstone."

Varian looked nervous now. "What does it do?"

Rapunzel stepped up to the amber, staring up at Quirin's preserved body. "If I'm right, it's going to free your father."

Martin glanced at Yaeger, who seemed to mirror the same concern. "And if you're wrong?" he asked.

"Then I'll accept the consequence," Varian answered, stepping up to Rapunzel's side. "Just tell me what to do."

Rapunzel took a deep breath. "Place your hand on it and repeat after me:

Wither and decay

End this destiny

Break these earthly chains

And set the spirit free

Varian raised an eyebrow. "That's…dubious."

Rapunzel considered it for a moment. "I don't think it's about destroying. I think it's about letting one thing go to accept something new."

"We make our own destiny," Varian agreed, nodding slowly. "Okay."

Rapunzel urged everyone to stand back as Varian began the incantation, his fingers planted firmly against the amber surface. Eugene reached for Rapunzel's hand as the boy's hair began to glow, and they both looked to see if his eyes had changed. Where they expected to see black pools, they saw clarity, Varian's jaw tight with concentration. "That's insane," Eugene awed. "He's in complete control."

They watched as slowly, like ice melting, the amber began to melt and drip, seeping to the ground in golden puddles. The black rocks bubbled and hissed as they exposed to the air, bleeding into the amber like ink. Varian didn't pull his hand away until the entire room was full of steam and the acrid smell of melted remains.

Varian's heart leapt when he heard a great gasp, like a man coming up for air. He made his way through the steam, tossing armfuls of it out of his way as he searched. "Dad? Dad!"

Quirin was on his knees, sopping with sweat, panting heavily. His arms hung limply at his sides, a parchment of paper curled in his hand. He barely reacted as Varian knelt down in front of him, placing his hands on his shoulders. "Dad? Dad, it's me! Can you hear me?"

The man blinked his eyes, as if waking from a dream. "Varian?" He looked around, half-blind as his vision struggled to return. His gaze finally focused on his son's flushed face, and a smile twitched at the corner of his grim mouth. "Son," he strained to haul his arm upwards, summoning enough strength to touch Varian's cheek. "How long?"

Varian made a sound between a laugh and a sob, tears unchecked as he embraced his father. "Long enough, Dad. I'm so sorry."

"No, son." Quirin sighed, leaning into Varian's shoulder. "I'm the one at fault. I'm just glad you're alright."

Varian's blurry eyes fell upon the note in Quirin's hand. "Let me see," he reached for it, and Quirin had no strength to argue as the boy unfolded it and began to read, scanning every letter. He said nothing for a long time before looking at his father and smiling. "You were really going to tell me everything. About the Brotherhood, the Moonstone…"

"Yes," Quirin nodded, his head almost lolling from weakness. "But how do you…?"

"It's a long story." Varian couldn't stop smiling.

Quirin tried to focus on him again, his brow twitching. "You sound older. You look it, too."

"Yeah." Varian licked his lips. "I just…I wish Shay was here to see this."

"Shay…Cainsdaughter?" Quirin hung his head, too wrung out to think. "She's here?"

"N-no, Dad." Varian's heart suddenly fell somewhere around his knees. "She's not. But we're going to find her. We'll see her soon."

"Huh." Quirin closed his eyes. "I haven't seen Lyra in a long time."

"Too long, old friend."

The voice made everyone jump, and Rapunzel whirled on the spot to face the ladder. Standing in the light of the trapdoor was a woman with grey-streaked red hair, dressed in colors of black and grey. A ragged blue scarf was wound loosely around her neck, and fine wrinkles etched around a pair of mismatched eyes – one orange, one bright red.

"I missed Old Corona," Lyra spoke with a sad smile. "It's good to be back."