Archery
The Kingdom of Corona had much to celebrate recently, even with Cassandra still loose and in possession of the Moonstone. The King and Queen had gotten their memories back, little by little, and were more in love than ever. Rapunzel was ecstatic and thought this was a good time for her parents to forge even more bonds with the local citizens. Frederic was to demonstrate to Catalina and Kiera how to prepare eggs for a hearty breakfast with Rapunzel as his helper. And Arianna was to spend the day with Varian. This made Varian nervous as it was his fault Arianna had lost her memory in the first place. Not to mention the time he had kidnapped her!
But Rapunzel thought he should forget about his mistakes and concentrate on building a good relationship with the Royal Family. She assured him that they had forgiven him already, just as she had. And maybe Varian could believe that, if he hadn't seen for himself how Frederic had glared at him before leaving the castle. Arianna was smiling though, but then again she had always been the more approachable of the two rulers.
"Your Highness." Varian bowed, and gestured for Ruddiger to do the same.
"Varian, you're a friend of Rapunzel, you don't have to be so formal towards me. You may call me Arianna." she said warmly.
"Oh well um, th-thank you Arianna. Rapunzel said you have some ideas on what we should do?" Varian stammered.
Arianna grinned. "Horseback archery!" she suggested immediately. "My husband doesn't know how to ride very well, can you?"
Varian nodded, grateful he could at least do part of her request. "Oh yeah. I live on a farm, I've been riding donkeys since I was four." Varian replied. "But I haven't ever practiced archery." He did know something of the history behind it, as archery had been practiced even in ancient times, and in the books Flynn Rider was something of an expert archer in addition to a capable swordsman. When Varian was younger he'd even made bodkin point arrows for a bow he'd constructed, but Quirin had forbade him from actually testing it out. Today might give him a chance to try something he'd always wanted.
"I can teach you a few things." Arianna offered. "I think you'll learn best by watching me. Come on, we'll mount the horses!" She was clearly excited, and Varian realized just where Rapunzel had gotten her enthusiastic spirit form.
Varian followed Arianna to the stables where she quickly mounted Max, leaving Fidella for Varian. He felt a little hesitant, riding what should be Cassandra's horse, but Fidella was a good and patient mount, and Varian was a good rider, instinctively petting her and guiding her with a gentle hand.
"You were right about being a good rider." Arianna complimented after a bit. Varian's posture on the horse was good, he'd practiced for years. Still it made him blush to be complimented by the Queen.
Arianna led them to an open field with several 'bulls-eye' targets. "This is the Royal Shooting Range. I come here often, it helps me to focus." she nocked an arrow carefully. "See the arrow fletching? It's got two feathers of the same color, and the odd-colored feather is the index feather. When uses with a compound bow like mine, the index feather faces up and down. This allows me to nock the arrow in such a way that it has as little friction as possible when it's loose." Arianna explained. She loosed the arrow, striking a perfect bulls-eye. "Now you try." she said.
Varian picked up the bow, doing his best to copy her example. His stance wasn't perfect, but it was a good attempt.
"Point your elbow down more. It should have a slight bend." Arianna instructed. Varian obeyed, and it did feel more natural that way. He loosed his arrow, but it fell wide of the mark.
"That's a sin." Arianna told him.
Varian's face fell. "I've committed too many of those in my lifetime." he mumbled.
"I only meant it as an archery term. You're not a bad boy." Arianna tried to sound comforting.
"Yes I am, your H- I mean Arianna. I broke out of jail, I wiped your memories, I kidnapped you. I don't know how you can be so calm around me." Varian said sadly.
"Varian, listen to me. I know you've done bad things, but more importantly, I know why. You missed your father so much you were willing to do anything to try and get him back. That's not unlike the feelings my husband had when I was sick and pregnant with Rapunzel. He used the Sundrop Flower even though it was forbidden magic. Many people would view what he did as wrong, but he thought it was worth it to save my life." Arianna explained.
"He was right. He's right about everything." Varian replied. "I know he made those Wanted posters of me, back when I attacked the capital, and again when Eugene and Lance and I stole some peppers."
"Actually, a local painter made those portraits. ...It was Frederic's idea to give you devil horns." she admitted.
"See? He knows I'm bad." Varian moaned.
"No, he thinks you're bad. There's a difference." Arianna corrected. "And in time, I'm sure he'll change his mind, just as I did. I want to thank you Varian, for trying to help us get our memories back. And for making that strawberry taffy, it's delicious."
"R-really? I do try to find a use even for my failed inventions." Varian relaxed somewhat. Next to him, Ruddiger chittered.
"I like that. You're creative and thoughtful, just like my daughter. Rapunzel forgives you, and so do I. Someday, Frederic will too." Arianna remained positive.
"You really do believe that." Varian was touched.
"I believe it just as I believe this next arrow will hit. Watch." she took back the bow and quickly fired another arrow. As she expected, it hit center of the bulls-eye.
"Wow, you're really good." Varian was impressed.
"I've just had a lot of practice." Arianna said humbly. "I think it's time we headed back, though. See how my husband did with his cooking assignment." she turned Max around.
"Okay. Do… do you think we could come back sometime? I'd like to get in some target practice and… and maybe I could even touch up the field a little bit. Bulls-eyes are nice, but maybe I need a stronger motivation to hit the targets. I could paint the targets to look like someone we know, Trevor maybe, or some other enemy." Varian couldn't quite name Cassandra as an enemy just yet, but Arianna knew what he meant.
"Painted targets is a good idea. I'll tell Rapunzel and I'm sure she'll lend you some blue paint." Arianna said. Varian nodded and they led their horses back to the stables, eager to meet with family and friends.
The End
I got a request to write a Varian and the Queen story and it was a lot of fun! I really like Arianna. (I am not keen on Frederic though. Sorry!)