Hey ! Long chapter today ! Varian is finally getting better, but the situation is tricky. Even Arianna is doubting herself. Please R&R !
Chapter 19
After Varian's bandages were changed, Remyus secured his bad arm in a sling. The dressing around his rib cage felt tighter than the old one, giving the boy a strangely reassuring sensation, like he was hugged permanently in somebody's arms. His head got a new bandage as well, although not as big as before. All his major injuries were starting to heal nicely. The bruises started to fade, and his swollen cheek was getting back to normal.
His strength, however, was still at bay. He was thinner than before, if that was possible, and even his muscles had started to melt away from the lack of use. His face remained quite pale, contrasting with the dark bags under his blue eyes. Said eyes were hazy most of the time. The kid could definitely use a good night sleep.
Arianna made it back in the chambers just as Remyus was giving Varian his herbal brew. She looked worn out and tired. It was a fact that she hadn't got proper sleep these days, but she was actually mentally drained after her last talk with her husband. In her trembling hand, she was holding a small silver key.
She made it to the bed, walking absentmindedly like a ghost, and without a word, simply unlocked the shackle around Varian's left wrist and put it away. The young alchemist was almost asleep and barely registered what happened. Arianna frowned at the damaged skin underneath the cuff. It was red and raw in some places from having the unkind metal against it for so long.
"In Quirin's name" she reminded herself. These were the words her husband pronounced when he reluctantly gave in and handed the key to Arianna, and they were ringing inside her head. She felt bad about this. She knew how Frederic disapproved the decision to undo the shackles and she knew why. In a way, she couldn't blame him. As King and as a husband and father, he had every right to protect his family from the very person who threatened them all. More than that, it was his duty. And eighteen years of trauma after losing Rapunzel made him an even more over-protective person.
But beneath his authority and seemingly stubborn nature, Fredric was also a good man at heart. And justice was his priority when it comes to his people. If he wanted to be fair, he had to acknowledge that he had his share in this mess. Varian made very bad choices, and his anger led him to unthinkable actions, for which he should have been executed - the only reason Varian was still breathing was his young age. But everything he did was to save his father. The only family he obviously has left.
When Fredric used the sunflower, he had been warned that his decision would have horrendous consequences in the future. Quirin tried to explain that. Hard. But no one, nothing would have made the King change his mind. He just wanted to save his family.
Just like the boy. And now, Quirin's son, his friend's son was paying dearly for it.
So, in Quirin's name, and despite his deepest fears, Fredric returned the key, his only request being that the bedroom door was to be locked whenever Varian had to be alone.
…
Ethel looked up and noticed the solemn look on the Queen's face. She stood up and brought a chair to her.
"Your Majesty, would you like to sit down for a moment ?"
Arianna seemed unable to focus on anything for a second, then met Ethel's eyes and nodded weakly. After a few moments when her mind was away rather in the room, she could feel a hot cup being brought against the palms of her hands.
"You should drink this, Your Highness. It will help you too", said Ethel softly, motioning to the same hot drink as Varian. And then she added : "Let someone else care for you a little."
Arianna looked down at the steaming brew, then up to Ethel, and it was only then she noticed that Elora and Remyus were gone. It was just her and the old maid Ethel, a sleeping Varian and his beloved raccoon. She planted her eyes into Ethel's.
"Thank you", she murmured.
There was silence between them for a while. Ethel stayed next to the Queen, deciding she would be there, should the forlorn royal wished to talk to someone.
"What am I doing ?", Arianna finally managed. "He was my… my kidnapper after all." The words tripped on her tongue. They sounded so weird, so hard when came out. And they made no sense. "Yet I want to be there for him more than I could say. Why can't I just let go ?"
Ethel took the time she needed before she replied :
"For what it's worth, what you are doing for him…I think it's wonderful. And beautiful. I should probably hate him for what he has done, like so many people in the kingdom do. Especially because of that night… ". She trailed off, closing her eyes, like she had something on her mind, but then deciding otherwise. "But there you are, and when I see you… I think that the kid is not here by chance."
Arianna looked puzzled. "What do you mean ?"
"Your Majesty, I've been working in the castle all my life. It's no secret that these years, not knowing where your daughter was… have been terrible for you and the King. You didn't get the chance to raise her. But today, there is another one in need. You have the ability to see right through people, Your Majesty, and you can see right through him now. You know I'm not talking only about his physical condition."
Arianna reflected for a while. "Yes… I know what he needs. And I know why I'll be there for him".
Two love-starved souls. That's what they were. The mother who missed her daughter and the son who was desperate to get his father back.
"He needs me… and I need him." she concluded as the daylight was fading fast.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Varian woke up at dawn the next morning, feeling much better than he ever had since the beating –although he still didn't remember that. Again, it took a few seconds for him to be aware of his surroundings and why he was there.
Ruddiger came to pat his cheek to say hello, happy to see that his friend's deep blue eyes conveyed more energy, close to the Varian he hadn't seen in months, the one who was curious of everything and who had too many projects in mind to count. The young alchemist started to pet the raccoon with his now free hand, realizing that something was wrong with it as he lifted it. In his mind came the fleeting memory of his wrist with a cuff. Or was it a dream ? Whatever it was, it was bandaged. So ?...
"Hey, Ruddiger. I'm glad to see you too. How long have I slept ?", he said, shifting his attention to his dear friend. Varian's voice was raw for the lack of use, but it was the gentler Ruddiger had heard in a long, long while.
Turning his head on the left side, he saw that the Queen was still next to him, fast asleep in an armchair that didn't seem so comfortable for her. Varian had to wonder, did she spend the night there ?
The boy was thirsty, but he didn't want to wake her up. He spotted a cup on the night table and tried to reach it with his good hand. Unfortunately, he only knocked it over and it fell to the floor with a loud clang. Varian cringed.
Arianna startled awake with a jolt, confused and slightly panicked, until her sleepy head could register what must have happened. She smiled at the boy.
"Good morning, Varian. How are you feeling ?"
"Uh, I'm – I'm okay… I guess. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up, Your Majesty" he apologized. The Queen's voice was soft, and although he was impressed by her presence, he couldn't help but feel safe and at peace.
"Don't worry about that, Varian. Do you need anything ?"
"Um, can I – may I have some water, please ?" he stammered, feeling awkward while asking something of the sort to a royal.
Arianna simply smiled and went to pick up the cup. "Of course. Just give me a second. I'll be right back."
"I'll be here", he replied with a hint of irony. It wasn't like he had a choice, with his multiple injuries anyway.
Arianna came back swiftly, water in one hand and a tureen of soup in the other. She went to the fireplace to heat it up before she settled Varian against the bedhead for support, with the fat pillow in between. The teenager did his best to not let out a cry of pain as his ribs protested. He still had a dull headache, but not as bad as before. And his arms- his arm, that is, the only valid one- felt like a noodle, like the rest of his body.
Once his throat felt not as parched as before, Varian actually started to be very talkative. His tongue was not tired in the least. Ruddiger was lying on his lap, paying no particular attention to his ranting.
"So, um… what did I break this time ?"
"Did one of my inventions explode again ?"
"Hey, do you know if Cassandra came to visit me ?
"N- Not that I care, but, maybe, maybe she popped over ?"
"Is Princess Rapunzel around ?"
"Hey, I hope my Dad is not too worried. I mean, how long have I been here ?"
Arianna was stirring the soup, her gaze focused on its greenish color, like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Varian was asking one thing after the other, leaving her no actual time to respond, and for that, she was grateful. It gave her time to think.
Silently, she sat down next to Varian's bed, a bowl of steaming soup in her hands. She plunged her eyes into Varian's and silenced him when she raised her hand, three fingers raised.
"Three days, Varian. You need to focus on getting better and nothing else for three days. Healthy food, proper sleep and bedrest. The rest will have to wait. Then, and only then will I answer all your questions. Deal ?"
The boy was gazing thoughtfully at her, not fully understanding why the Queen would set such a rule. He knew he was in a rather bad medical condition, his body was reminding him of that every second. Was is that bad ?
In the end, after studying the Queen's eyes for a while, he decided he could trust her. Knowing he was going to be taken care of even felt good. Now he was older and quite independent, he wasn't used to all this nurturing anymore. He wasn't sure why, but he knew it sounded tempting.
"Deal", he replied with a smile.
