Dear L and readers,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, the Stockholm syndrome is an interesting idea. Now, I'm not a specialist, but I'd say there is a lack of time and/or intimate moment between Arianna and Varian in the lab. Not to mention it's not automatic : only a small percentage of victims develop that syndrome.

Usually, the Stockholm syndrome would require, among other things, an absence of previous relationship (and Arianna has probably at least heard about Varian, by her husband or daughter). And the victim would have to share the same values (therefore not seeing the aggressor as a threat anymore), and it's safe to say that Arianna would not agree on everything Varian did, even if she can understand why he did them.

Arianna is an adult with experience of pain too, and she's probably a natural empath as well. That's the key for me, she gets Rapunzel, and she gets Varian. That being said, it's easy to imagine there is also something she's trying to fix, consciously or not : she couldn't raise and care for Rapunzel, and the boy is like a second chance for her.

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No connection, but I may not be able to update during the next few days. But I'm not dropping this story !

Chapter 13

Phil stood trembling in front of the door where the Captain was resting. He would have preferred not to disturb him, pretend that nothing happened and just go home, but the nasty feeling that twisted his stomach and rammed his head would not leave him alone. And deep down, he knew he had to do it.

"Come in", came the weary voice answering his knocks of the heavy door.

"Er, Captain ? May I have a word with you, please ?" Phil asked timidly.

"Of course, Phil, what is it ?" he replied, trying to sit upright, but not managing to stifle a groan of pain.

"I'm sorry, I know you are injured, but…" He trailed off. Where to begin ? The Captain saw his hesitation and the sadness in his eyes. The older man motioned the guard to come closer, locking eyes with him, so he could say without words that the young man could speak freely.

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Time both passed and seemed to have stopped. There were the same long hours in Remyus' chambers, the same routines of wound cleaning and dressing, the same constant checking on the boy's pulse. Which wasn't too easy to find, by the way, because of the hand cuff.

Arianna had been able to convince her husband to let her stay by the young alchemist's side, but the King had decided that a prisoner couldn't be allowed to move freely (the fact that the boy was clearly unable to do any harm wasn't to be discussed) and that he would either go back in his cell or be shackled. Hadn't his right arm been broken, he would have cuffs on both arms. Arianna hated to see the ugly metal piece around his slender, already damaged wrist, but it was better than sending the boy back to the cold solitude of the dungeon. She tried to understand why Fredric would take no chances, especially with this particular prisoner, but it still seemed too cruel to her.

Furthermore, she wanted Remyus close to Varian so he could keep an eye on him. Although the physician had explained that the teen still needed a lot of rest to allow his body to mend, Arianna was eagerly waiting for another sign that he would make it.

The bruises on the boy face started to slowly fade away. His cheek was not as swollen anymore. Ethel came by whenever she was able to, to check on Varian or to see Remyus more often, Arianna wasn't quite sure but she was grateful either way. The sound of harp the Queen would occasionally play brought the only moments of peace, since the rest of the time being mostly quiet, and silence could be oppressive in its own way.

It was during one of these moments when the music was soothing everybody's nerves that a door creaked. Remyus, Ethel and Arianna turned their heads as one, only to find a small scullery maid shyly standing there.

"What do you think you are doing, young lady ?" asked Ethel in a voice that wanted to sound crossed, but failed.

"I was looking for you, Grandma. And when I heard the music, it was so beautiful, I only wanted to…"

"Please, don't be mad at her, Ethel", the Queen interfered. "She's doing no harm."

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, the orders…." Remyus started, trying to get the Queen's attention towards the restrained boy lying on the bed. The King had warned him that Varian was dangerous, smart beyond words, and not to be underestimated.

"I know what the orders are, Remyus" answered the Queen in her usual dignified demeanour, "and I thank you for your concern. I'll handle this."

She put down her harp, and went to kneel in front of the girl.

"Your name is Elora, is that right ?"

"Yes ! Oh, er, yes, Your Majesty", Elora replied with the best curtesy she could perform.

She was so adorable at that moment. She always has been, thought the Queen. Elora was a young maid in the castle, like her mother and her grandmother before her. Even though she didn't know her personally, Arianna had seen that little girl grow up in the castle's hallways. She had always seen a smiling, cheerful face. But she realized that at the moment, the little girl's eyes were not as bright as usual.

"Is there something wrong, sweetie ?"

"I… I'm fine, Your Majesty. It's almost my bedtime, and my Mom said she was busy, and I would like Grandma to… to…"

"I see", Arianna replied with a smile.

"Elora", came Ethel's voice again, "please wait for me outside the room. I'll be there in a moment."

"Yes, Grandma" she started to turn on her heels, but suddenly decided against it. "Goodnight, Your Majesty. Goodbye, Remyus. Goodbye…." She tried to crane her neck to get a better look at the still form on the bed, which was a little too high for her. "er, sleeping Monsieur."

At her call, Ruddiger's head shot up from behind Varian's body. The raccoon spent most of his time curled up against his friend's side, leaving him only to eat, which he tried to do as quickly as he could every time.

To say that Elora was startled was an understatement. She screamed in a high-pitched voice, scaring the animal and every human in the room as well.

Ethel explained to her that Ruddiger was a nice pet, a friend to the sick boy, but Elora was too scared to go near him. She relaxed slightly at her grandmother's words and did her best not to run away.

"Can you wait for me outside, dear ?" asked Ethel. "I'll be right there".

And the little girl, still shaking slightly, ran out of the room.

Ethel gave out a long sigh.

"I'm sorry about that, Your Majesty. Elora is… having a lot of nightmares these days, and she is anxious to go to bed without someone near her, that's why she came. And she is a bit scared of animals at the moment."

"Of course, Ethel, I understand. She needs you, so please, go. We will be all right here."

Ethel bowed her head and went for the door, leaving Arianna pondering over this little girl's fright and nightmares.

Note : I don't own Elora, as she is the little girl in the same scene that introduced Ethel, I just named her for the story. I don't own Tangled.