Chapter 8

Just to make sure, again, I don't own Tangled or the original characters. I don't own Ethel (in case you don't know, she is one of the maids helping Rapunzel in the song "Life after happily ever after "). I just own Remyus.

It was decided that Remyus' chambers would be the odd party's best choice. Given Varian's condition, the wisest would be to have any type of medication and remedies at hand. It also had a back room with a bed to let the injured one rest quietly. It was on the main floor – more convenient to bring the wounded after a battle- but they had to take a few corridors to get there. The problem was, there were always maids and servants coming and going, and when something would be on within the castle walls, the word would spread out as quickly as fire. In short, the last thing they needed.

It was the end of the afternoon, but as it was summer, the light outside was far from fading. Using all her cunning and stealth abilities, Arianna took the lead. She wasn't sure how she managed to calm down – even if Remyus examined Varian in the cell, there was no telling if the boy would be alright – but she supposed it was out of necessity. They had no time to lose.

When they reached Remyus' chambers, Arianna made sure she locked the door after them. Remyus and Phil were already taking Varian to the back room. None of the inadvertent moves of the stretcher could seem to make the alchemist wake up or stir.

"Phil ?". Said guard felt a hand resting on his shoulder from behind. "You should go back to your duty now. And…thank you" said the Queen, with a weak smile that didn't reach her eyes. The young guard was at a loss what to say. First of all, it was the first time that a person of royal blood would speak to him, being so close and looking at him in the eyes. And second, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He wasn't sure what happened exactly, but he knew he was the one who gave the cell keys to… who was it ? He had no clue and felt so stupid for that. And the result of his carelessness was just before his eyes now, embodied by the boy's broken form.

So he said nothing. He did a curt nod and managed a "Yes, Your Majesty" before he headed for the door.

"Hold on", said Remyus who had already started to check the boy all over again. "I will need some help. Surely you could get Ethel for me ?"

"I will help" Arianna readily interrupted, "You can count on me, Remyus."

Remyus took a moment to choose his words wisely. He could see how upset and tired the Queen looked, not to mention that he had no idea how she would handle the job (nor how he would be the one to give her orders, even if it was for the boy's sake).

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but we will need extra hands. And I trust Ethel will be the perfect nurse for this, as well as a discreet person."

Ethel and Remyus were of an age, and on several occasions, Ethel had helped out when there were many people hurt at once, or when, like today, when the injuries are important.

"I will make sure that Ethel comes to you, Remyus" came Phil's reply even before Arianna could open her mouth. And he dashed out, actually relieved he had a good reason to leave the room –although his feeling of guilt stayed with him.

"I'll strip him, you can freshen up the fire" were Remyus direct words. He would waste no time with decorum or protocol. Varian's temperature was still too low, but he had to proceed with the examination and the cleaning up of his many wounds. They had to warm up the room.

As Remyus started to undo Varian's ragged shirt, he was startled by a big bundle of fur jumping on the bed and almost fell off his stool.

"Argh ! Wh- what is that ?"

"His raccoon", said the Queen as if it was just an ordinary pet. "Poor thing is fretting over his young friend."

"B- But Your majesty, I cannot have this… this beast next to a patient !" replied Remyus indignantly.

Ruddiger looked slightly hurt at the tone of the man's voice. He cowered, ears down and back.

Arianna knew that this raccoon had willingly followed Varian to prison, and that he never left his side. But she also knew that keeping a patient in a clean environment was important.

"I'll take care of him", she said simply, not wanting to start a discussion about the emotional support Ruddiger could represent for the abused teenager in the bed. There would be time for that later. She took Ruddiger in her arms, whispering soft words and explaining why his human friend needed a doctor's care right now. Remyus raised an eyebrow doubtfully, but since the animal was letting the Queen have it her way, he just shrugged and went back to Varian. Arianna started to poke the fire, with Ruddiger at her side.

After a few moments, the flames were steady enough. Even Ruddiger seemed to appreciate the nice warmth coming from the fireplace, after such a long time in the dungeon. Arianna sighed at the raccoon's contentment, stood up and turned around.

She couldn't hold a sharp inhale as she suddenly saw Varian's frame, only in his underwear, littered by bruises. Arms, legs, torso, ribs… In some places, the rough floor of the cell had left merciless scratches. There were so many injuries on such a small body.

"Oh no… " she whispered, out of breath. "How can someone be so cruel ?..."

"He has two broken ribs, which explains his laboured breathing" stated Remyus, knowing how not to let his emotions show, "his right arm is broken as well, but I'm more concerned about his head. Also, he is dehydrated and probably malnourished. For the moment he is in a deep sleeping state, so his body can try to heal, but if he doesn't wake up soon, he might be too weak to…"

Arianna wasn't listening anymore. Malnourished ? He was arrested only yesterday, and even if he hadn't touched any of the food he was given (which was, actually, the case), that didn't explain this diagnosis. This thought brought her back to a hunch she had before : the raccoon had probably been his only companion during all those months after the storm. Has anybody taken care of the boy during all this time ? Made sure he was eating proper meals ? or getting enough sleep ? Was anybody beside him, just so he wasn't alone ?

The very idea sent shivers to her spine. When she woke up in Varian's lab after he kidnapped her, was she one of the first human beings he talked to ? That explain all that anger he was lashing at her, all that anger that he had bottled up for weeks and months… He was so young, once so full of life…

Wait, back up, she scolded herself. He kidnapped you girl, and now you're feeling sorry for him ? That didn't sound right. Not right for her head at least. But her heart knew where her duty lied now.

She was jerked out of her thoughts by a knock on the door. There was a particular beat to it, like the start of a song. She wanted to go and check carefully, but she was stopped by Remyus' voice who went "Come in, Ethel" on a casual tone.

She was relieved to see that it was indeed Ethel, an elderly maid who had worked all her life in the castle. She had the gruff exterior, but once you got to know her, she was a reliable and compassionate person.

"Your Majesty", she curtsied. "So, old fool", she added loudly for Remyus, " Looks like you need my help again, after all !"

Arianna was bewildered for a moment, but then couldn't help but smile to herself. These two knew each other far better that she had expected. No wonder Remyus knew who was knocking. In a way, she instantly knew that Remyus was right, the two of them would be a great team to help Varian.

And boy did he need help.

Arianna bit her bottom lip as she braced herself to go back on the boy's side. It tore her heart to see him like this, but if she could help, she had to be there.

But Ethel was already trying to chase Ruddiger away with a broom. She had pretty much the same reaction as Remyus when she saw the raccoon in the patient's room. Said physician pinched the bridge of his nose and said : "Your Majesty, would you please take the raccoon and sit on that chair in the corner ? We need to get on with the boy."

Arianna smiled, and said nothing as she went to pick up the animal in her arms. Sitting down for a bit sounded lovely after all. Just the time it would take for the little raccoon to calm down.

After a few minutes, Arianna was fast asleep on the chair, Ruddiger still on her lap. All that had happened from the day before finally took their toll on the Queen. She was actually so drained she didn't even realize she was drifting away to a deep, dreamless sleep.