It's been five years. My life changed a lot, mostly for the better. I passed the bar and became a lawyer. I sold my first novel (details will follow). I spent three years living under the shadow of Corona, (haha) so I couldn't resist fanfic for old time's sake.

Chapter One: Afraid

I'm afraid I'll fret, I'm afraid of loss, I'm afraid of strifes and the bars and being alone in a box

I can't let you see If you saw a slight touch of weakness, you'd change your opinion of me

I'll be sure I'm strong, even as the judge holds his life in my hands and decides if it's long.

How'd I get here? I'm afraid of fear

When I'm punished, if I'm sentenced to death, will that punishment be right?

If I'm locked up for life, I won't do it again. I'm sure they hear that from a whole lot of men who're also unable to sleep at night

I'm afraid to speak, I can feel the noose start to tighten, the pain, and the terrible sting. What I did was wrong, but it seemed so right at the time, seemed so unreal but was real all along

Everything seems black

-Stephen Dolginoff "Thrill Me" (lyrics slightly altered to fit)

The hair was working. The chips of amber fell away and there was Dad, alive and well and breathing. Varian watched in pure joy as Dad opened his eyes. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice hoarse as he stepped out of the stone. "Your Majesties?" The drill stopped and Rapunzel was retying her hair.

Varian was about to throw himself into his father's arms when he saw the look of fear on everyone's face. Dad looked around in utter confusion. Only then did Varian realize how badly he had sunk in his quest to save his father's life and how dire the circumstances truly were. "Dad, I can explain." As the terror sank into his bones, he reminded himself he had saved his father. Nothing else mattered, right? He had tried to say anything, but all that came out was "I'm sorry, I thought…" and then shamefully stared at the ground. "I'm sorry."

Varian was a man of science and therefore, he was not ashamed to admit when he got a hypothesis wrong.

All evidence showed that his theory that saving his father justified what steps he had taken was completely and utterly wrong.

He could not explain. He had nothing to say and remained quiet under a crescendo of condemnation. His father had been horrified by King Frederic, Queen Arianna, and Repunzel's recounting of what happened. Father didn't even look at him but had turned very gray indeed. Varian had wanted to speak up in his defense but had nothing to say. He didn't need help reading his father's expression. Dad was clearly thinking that he had raised a traitor who had laid hands on the Royal Family. Dad was ashamed of him. Varian only wished he could be encased in amber.

As they talked, four royal guards entered the room. One freed the Queen and another removed his sword. "Surrender and on your knees," he ordered, holding Varian at sword point. "You won't be given a second chance."

Varian could have easily lobbed a glass ball of sleeping solution at all of them but only froze. He didn't want to fight anymore. He didn't want revenge. He just wanted to run away from all the mess he had created. "He won't resist," Father said gruffly, his voice sounding thick. "He surrenders completely."

It was a command. Varian obeyed, kneeling down and placing his hands on his head. The guard roughly took his wrists and twisted them behind his back, and a second one slammed shackled on them. He was forced to his feet, unable to even look at anyone. Ruddiger's soft body was on his shoulder, gently patting his face.

Everyone was talking but Varian could barely make out what they were saying, because he had heard one thing that had frozen the blood in his veins. "A pity he's too light to hang. It would take too long to stretch his neck unless we put a weight on him. I hope they just behead him and be done with it," a guard said as blithely as if discussing the price of apples. He almost fell to his knees in terror. Yes, they hung traitors. He could already feel the rope around his neck, strangling him.

"Let him suffer the rope," the other guard said. "Filthy little traitor."

Varian completely broke down, hyperventilating in terror. He could feel himself beginning to go faint, collapsing in fear. He didn't want to die! "No, please," he begged, as he was half-carried down the stairs. As he was forced through his house, he tried to find some way of escaping but was taken out of the house.

He looked at the trees around the house. Would they use one? Or would they hang him on a dark spire? "Dad, I'm sorry," he pleaded, wondering where his father was.

Varian suddenly felt a butterfly-light hand on his shoulder. Rapunzel…Princess Rapunzel was staring at him. Was that pity on her face? "I'm sorry your highness," he managed to gasp. "Please, have mercy on me. I know I don't deserve it, but please don't execute me…" he babbled.

"No one is going to hurt you. My parents want your father checked out by the royal physician. You'll be confined with him," Princess Rapunzel said gently.

"I'm so sorry," Varian whimpered, grateful to know he'd live another day. He collapsed as he was loaded into a wagon.

"I know," she said, giving him a comforting squeeze. "And I'm sorry, too. But this time, I will fulfill my promise."

Dad climbed in after him, and the two sat in silence the entire way back to the palace. It was a deafening void of shame. All he had was Ruddiger, hugging him tightly. It wasn't enough, even if it was all he had to keep him from breaking down completely.

Dad didn't even look at him once. Varian wanted to say something, but what could he say? That he had committed treason and had threatened the Royal Family? That only the kindness of the princess kept him from the noose and he wasn't sure how long King Frederic would indulge his daughter?

No, he was a disgrace. Dad had returned from the dead, only to likely be wishing he had never been saved. Saved from the amber just to wake up to a complete nightmare.

They just sat there until they reached the palace. Both were led to their chambers. It was clearly a suite for nobility, but the windows were locked and barred. Why would such a lovely room be a prison? Varian still didn't understand. Had they done this for him?

Varian was unchained but was made to remove his boots. Now in his socks, the guard set a manacle that attached his ankle to the wall. "There are guards posted at the door. Any escape attempt and you'll be in the dungeons," the guard said.

Varian nodded. He would promise not to escape but his word meant nothing. His father finally spoke up. "I need to see the physician. Go to sleep." It was the first thing he had said. Varian nodded and climbed into bed.

Only when the door closed, did Varian whisper "I'm sorry, Dad. I never thought I'd see you again." He cuddled up to Ruddiger and cried himself to sleep.