I'm back, and sorry for keeping you waiting ! Life has been busy and all, and for some reason, that chapter was tricky to write. I had all the scenes, but I worked a lot on how to organize and connect them.

AND... it's been a YEAR (since July, 4th) since I started this mad adventure ! Big thanks to TotallynotVarian for mentioning it, I'm not sure I would have remembered ! XD (and thanks to you, I was able to mention it on tumbr !). To be honest, one year ago, I'm not sure I would have believed TTS would take me that far !

Let's welcome BehindtheCurtain, I'm so glad to have your support and enthusiasm, but I must say I was stunned to read you stayed up until 3:30 am !

And everyone, your reviews are amazing ! Your comments are gems to me, and if I'm tired, they remind me why I keep writing.

And they can be inspiring too ! (Potkanka, I'm looking at you, you should find a callback in this chapter !)

CHAPTER 64

Summertime would be over soon. Anyone could feel it by the coolness of the night and how it was spreading everywhere in Corona. It found its way in the woods, over the fields and into the sleeping town perched on the small island.

And in front of the palace, that chilliness was also surrounding a peach and white small form, huddled up on the steps. Small clouds of steam formed with every exhale the little girl would release. She was shaking slightly, but it wasn't as bad, thanks to her shawl and the furry bundle curled up on her lap. Tears were streaming down her face as she wept silently for the friend she was so worried about.

Elora promised herself she wouldn't give up. She had to be there when the King and the Queen would come back. For Varian and with Ruddiger, she was determined to wait all night and more if needed.

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"Your Majesty, wait for me, please !"

The Captain hated to admit it, but he was having a hard time keeping up with the Queen's pace. They had been riding for hours, but neither her nor Freya showed signs of tiredness.

It was an eerie night, silent and lit by the full moon's pale beams, and the only sounds around were the stomping of the two horses' hooves as they galloped under the trees. The journey back was shorter this time, the riders being able to race through the woods. From time to time, a swarm of fireflies would rise from the dense undergrowth to avoid being trampled, but Arianna would not pay attention to their beauty. Her eyes locked on the way forward, she didn't even seem to hear the Captain. She never slowed her pace, not even when branches ripped the hem of her flowing dress and her floor-length sleeves.

Varian... I don't know what's happening back there at the castle, but please be ok. Hold on, sweetheart, I'm coming. I'm on my way.

A few strides behind her, the Captain sighed and spurred his horse. Now he knew where Rapunzel got her recklessness as well as her unshakable persistence from.

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The night seemed to never end, and Elora dozed off every now and then, her uncomfortable position never allowing her to get some quality sleep. She would wake up with a jolt every time her head began to loll on the side. But then again she was just a child, and her resolve wasn't enough to keep her eyelids open for long.

Only when the sky started to bleach slightly on the horizon did Elora lose the battle completely and fell asleep on the cold steps, Ruddiger huddled up in her arms.

Clippery-clop sounds and neighing horses tore her from her much-needed sleep only a few minutes after that. In the blink of an eye, the raccoon was off her lap, chittering and hissing earnestly as if trying to tell the story to the humans who hadn't even dismounted yet.

In a daze, Elora needed a few seconds to register what was happening. The Captain is here. The Queen is here. Although she never had seen her like this. She was wearing the most beautiful gown the young maid ever got to see on her, but it was all ragged and tattered. One of her long sleeves was practically reduced to shreds. The skirt was torn apart in places, and her hair was a mess, half in and half out of the formal bun. She looked exhausted and out of breath, so different from the poised royal lady she was accustomed to.

"Your Majesty ?..." she quavered, barely believing what she was seeing. "It's you… It's really you !"

She scrambled up to her feet, her legs wobbly because of her prolonged sitting position, and she lost her balance. Arianna just had the time to jump off Freya before she caught the little girl at the bottom of the stairs. She held her by the shoulders to steady her and look at her at eyes level.

"Elora, oh my goodness, what happened ?" she asked with worry as she saw the tear-stained round face. "Why are you crying ? Where's Varian ?"

The maid opened her mouth to answer, but only sobs came out. Her eyes spilled fresh tears as she struggled to let out some words.

"Elora !", Arianna repeated sternly, angrily even, shaking her small frame to and fro. "Tell me ! What is it ? What about Varian ?"

"Your Majesty, please," the Captain interfered, "Let her catch her breath."

Arianna flinched and her eyes met Elora's. The little girl was staring at her, frozen and confused.

"I'm… I'm so sorry, Elora. I didn't mean to frighten you…", she faltered. She hadn't slept at all through the night, and she was sick with worry and on the edge of fainting or breaking down, whichever would come first. But that was no excuse.

She closed her eyes.

Focus, Arianna. Focus. Varian. Focus on Varian, she repeated in her head over and over until her shallow breathing calmed down a bit.

She inhaled and exhaled deeply before opening softer eyes upon the little girl.

"Elora, please, I need you to help me here. Can you tell me where Varian is ?"

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If there was one thing Hans was very proud of, it was his good looks. He was not just vain about that. He had a special reason to cherish that aspect of himself.

Life had been a struggle ever since day one for him, although he had become an expert at hiding it from the outside world. Being the thirteenth's son, he was easily overlooked by his father, mother, and the entire household. His twelve brothers were not the compassionate type either and that was an understatement.

All of them were older, bigger and stronger than he was. Hans spent his entire childhood feeling very small and powerless.

Until he found out how he could use another asset : his charm. Nature had been kind to him, and he had learned that his smile, his face and his demeanour were as powerful as brutal strength to get what he wanted, if not more. It required a little bit of cunning, slyness even, lies sometimes. Hans was smart enough to use those wisely, gradually outsmarting his brothers in many ways as he grew up.

Even when playing chess, a game he was quite skilled at, Hans knew that deluding your opponent was just as important as moving your pawns wisely.

Indeed, his looks and the way he used them on others were a strength he could rely on.

So when dawn approached and his nose was still swollen and looking like it was crooked, it infuriated him to no end. No matter how many times he would look at himself in the mirror or how much cold water he would use, all he could see was a fat, puffed potato-like protuberance where his once fine nose had been. The cell and the shackles were definitely too good for the damned brat. Hans mentally slapped himself for not using the bucket to duck the boy's head underwater a few times before he dumped its content on him.

He huffed at his own reflection, nearly disgusted with himself. That was a new feeling and he hated it.

At least, he had managed to get a few hours of sleep. Time to go and check on the brat, he mused. But since he couldn't keep him with his arms chained to the wall forever (not that he had any qualms with that), he decided to drop by the armoury to grab another device.

It was too early for the arms room to be other than empty. Hans was relieved he would be able to browse without having to justify himself. Granted, the guards followed his lead meekly the day before - well, expect for that stupid young one he had to lock up as well, what's his name again - but he also knew that power was a fragile thing. People were quick to judge their leaders' actions. In other words, Hans couldn't allow himself to look like he was nothing more than a sadistic, cruel man. Whatever he chose to do, he did for the safety of the castle, therefore that of the kingdom, while the King was away. He had to make sure that would be clear for all to see, and if it meant manhandling Corona's most dangerous criminal, youngest convict ever or not, so be it. The best part was that the pretext he needed had been served to him on a silver platter by Varian himself. He had expected the brat to react violently, but not as much as he did, not in his wildest dreams.

He grinned. His hands had finally found the exact item he was looking for. It would have been too small for any grown-up man, but it would be perfect for a scrawny boy. He made his way out of the armoury, silently relishing the idea of subduing the wayward adolescent for good. But the morning quietness was broken unexpectedly.

"Hans !" he heard from behind.

There was a strange tone in that voice. It was a tone that was deadly serious, beyond firm, and it only took one syllable to know that the person who had spoken meant business.

Hans stopped, took a second or two to think, and turned around slowly.

"Your Majesty," he smiled. "Back so soon ?"

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The morning chill was also sinking down, down into the cells under the castle, silently and mercilessly. It was seeping into Varian's head, crawling under his skin and into his skull. It had been hours since Hans threatened him and poured a full bucket of cold water onto his head, and his hair seemed to be unable to dry up. The young boy could feel the cold right inside his bones but oddly enough, he was feeling too hot at the same time. He hadn't slept a wink and he felt he was at the end of his rope, his extremely nervous state the only thing that was keeping him awake.

Through his weariness, he tried to focus on controlling the clattering of his teeth and the whimpering sounds that escaped from his throat every now and then. He wanted to let it out and cry so badly, but he held back. His eyes remained dry, but not just out of fear like before. After all, what was the point of crying, if there was nobody who could hear ?