Chapter 42. Frederic and Varian.

Hi there everyone. I hope I'm not getting slow on this. I admit that RL got me caught up because of the holyday incoming, no wonder in fact, but I wanted to post this before Christmas. I know this is something some of you have been dying to read about.

Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that I made up most of the names of Hans' brothers. Only Caleb, Lars, Rudi and Runo are mentioned in the book 'A Frozen Heart', and Franz and Jürgen are mentioned in the series 'Once Upon An Time' as I have mentioned before. I have made up all of the others, and even made a little character description of all of them (I'll get back to that later). I took the liberty of looking at Danish names for inspiration, since Southern Isles are to be located as this universe's Denmark, so some of the names like Asger, Lange and Storm are actually to be found there.

But let's not wait anymore, back to the alchemist! And... easter egg in this one. Can you find it?

And I'll soon have some new art posted on my tumblr page Rain4evah-art.

"Now come on, Daniel, don't be like that." Lars said to his son. "It's Annabelle and uncle Jonas who's getting married, not you."

"But it's not my fault they're getting married." Daniel crossed his arms. "Why do I have to be punished for that?"

"Is it punishment to go in a wedding?" Varian asked with an arched eyebrow.

Jonas laughed. "You see, Daniel here has the impression that being dressed up in his best garments is the worst fate in the world."

"What else?" Daniel said and made a face towards him. "I have to wear those stupid shoes, and they hurt!"

"They only hurt because you don't wear them enough." Lars replied.

"Because they hurt! Why can't I just have my boots?"

"Ahem!?"

They all heard the voice intruding and turned towards the door, where they saw the physician with his hands folded inside the long sleeves of his robe. "I apologize for the interrupt, but I believe that my patient should get some rest now."

"Right. We should go now, Daniel." Lars said.

"Naaaww..." Daniel moaned. "Can't we stay just a little longer?"

"Varian needs to rest now, and we must meet with the Queen." his father said. "And you better behave just a little better now than you did yesterday."

Daniel looked away from his father's strict gaze. "But I don't want to!"

"It's alright, Daniel." Varian said. "You can't let Her Majesty wait."

"Listen, Daniel..." Jonas bent down beside the young boy, grabbing his shoulder. "If you promise to be good when we see the Queen now, I promise you can come and visit Varian again tomorrow. Is that alright?"

"Mmmm... Alright." The boy didn't seem satisfied, but as his uncle refused to let go on his shoulder, he sighed and muttered. "Aw, fine!"

"Good. Let's go now." Jonas said and turned his back on him and bent down. "Hop onboard now!"

Daniel's pout turned to a wide smile. "Alright!" he cried happily and jumped up on his back, grabbing a hold on his shoulders while Jonas grabbed a hold on his legs.

"Ready?"

"Yup! Giddy app!" Daniel cried out and gave his impressionized horse a shake with his upper body. Jonas begun to impression a horse neighing before he started galloping towards the door, imitating a running horse with his mouth. "Bye, Varian!" Daniel turned back to him one last time before Jonas kicked the door open with his leg and galloped through, past a chuckling physician.

"Bye, Daniel. Be good with the Queen." Varian said as he waved after them, unable to hold back a laugh at the odd sight while they disappeared out of the room.

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As Phineas entered the sick room, Frederic stood waiting in the reception room, peeking through the door and watched, waiting while Phineas showed the Princes out. He stepped out of the way when he realized Jonas and Daniel was coming, and watched Jonas kick one of the door open with one boot and trot inside with Daniel on his back.

"Oh, Your Majesty." Jonas stopped and immediately bowed, forcing Daniel forward to almost fall forwards to face him.

"Hi, Uncle Frederic. Uncle Jonas is my mount!" the boy proclaimed happily.

"Oh is he?" Frederic couldn't help but chuckle and bent slightly to one side to catch the young red haired man's overbearing smile. "And what kind is he? A halfblood? Trotter?"

"He's a unicorn!" the boy proclaimed happily.

"Oh, really?" Frederic laughed by the boy's imagination.

Jonas broke into laughter as well, but when Daniel gave him a nudge in his ponytail, he straightened up. "I mean NEEEEIIIGH!" And then he trotted towards the doors where he repeated the same procedure with the door as Daniel waved goodbye to him and they galloped out in the corridor. The guards closed the doors behind them, leaving Frederic alone in the room.

The King of Corona couldn't stop laughing for a moment, but as he turned back to the doors to the sickroom, he suddenly recalled why he had come here in the first place, and his laughter died into a heavy sigh. In the silence he heard voices, and he carefully took a step closer to hear what was said, holding his breath.

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"I hope he's not wearing you out. "Lars said with concern in his voice as he stepped closer to his bed. "My son can be a little intense at times."

"Nah, it's alright." Varian replied, still chuckling a little. "It's nice for once that a kid is actually... interested in being around me." Varian looked away, rubbing a finger under his nose. "Normally, the kids in my village would... Well, let's just say we're at different levels. Science isn't actually something just anybody out in the farmer country... understand. I'm not saying they're dumb, but they... have other... interests and-and... views, you might say." His head sank a little along with his mood and he looked away, grabbing a hold around his right arm.

"I know just what you mean, Varian."

The reply came unexpected to him, and when Varian looked up at him with wide, curious eyes, Lars smiled at him before he sat across him where Daniel had been sitting a moment ago. When he spoke to him, he gave the boy a sincere, warm look with his brown eyes. "I used to be a bit like that myself. And I confess... I still am. You see, I have an itch for history that very few people understand. While my brothers competed at being the strongest and the bravest or... the meanest... I spent my days in the library where I got lost in all the books. I spent hours... shutting out the world because I felt like I didn't' fit into it." He looked down at his hands at sudden, looking sad for a moment. "But... being an oddball can be very lonely at times, as... no one understands."

"I know..." Varian pulled his knees up and let his chin sink upon them. "I... I sometimes wish people would just... not mind me being a little... I know Dad would want me to be different, but..." As he had no proper finish to his sentence, or didn't want to finish it, he let a sigh escape his lips instead. "I can't-I... I can't help it..."

Lars noticed how sad he suddenly looked and placed a hand on the boy's leg. "I know my father always preferred me to be different too. But I can't either change who I am." He Shrugged and smiled. "That's just how it is."

Varian peeked up at him a moment, and their eyes met, and Varian suddenly felt like he could recognize himself in him somehow. So he rose his head and replied his smile.

"In my homeland, there is a saying..."

Varian and Lars both turned around to face Phineas closing in, his almond shaped eyes had a certain and proud expression in them, and his smile seemed sincere as he looked at them in turn as he spoke.

"The flower that blooms in adversary, is the most rare and beautiful of them all."

Lars smiled as he rose up to face him. "I like your philosophy. It sounds like ancient wisdom."

"My father's words." Phineas made a deep bow. "Now, let me escort Your Grace out. My patient..."

"...needs rest. Forgive me!" Lars gave him an excusing look. "Besides, I should be there when Daniel meets the Queen anyway." He turned towards Varian one last time, smiling sincerely. "I'll see you later, son. And thanks for the chat. And by all means, don't stress about the names. Most people forget them the first time. Daniel actually messed up Franz and Fritz a long time himself." he chuckled.

"Nah, I'll get it." Varian replied and raised a hand halfway up for a short wave. After Lars and Phineas left the room, Varian was left alone, folding his arms around his knees again and resting his head on them, but this time he felt more relaxed and managed to keep his smile after they had gone.

But as he looked up, something caught his observing eyes, and he lost his smile.

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"Oh? Your Majesty!" Lars bowed shortly.

Frederic raised a hand at him. "Oh, don't mind me. I just, eh, wanted to see how our young friend was doing."

"He seems to be doing excellent. Why don't you go and see for yourself then? I'm sure he'll be glad to see you." Lars smiled. "And if I may be excused, I must go and see if my brother gets loose so he can keep his appointment with Annabelle."

"Eh... yes that would be... a shame if he missed." Frederic stumbled and turned his gaze to the doors and back to Lars again. "I'll... see you at lunch then."

"Maybe it will be easier to have Daniel eat this time." Lars joked as he headed for the doors, and Frederic were able to give only a half chocked laugh back before the red haired Prince showed himself out.

Frederic stood a moment wondering if he should go in or not, but then he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see the physician smiling at him, his almond shaped eyes looking at him.

"The longer you wait, Your Majesty, the longer the pain will last. Just go in."

Frederic looked at him and let out a sigh before he drew his breath anew, and turned towards the doors to the sick room. His heart was beating like a drum and he felt he got warm up his cheeks, and he had to pull his collar to manage to swallow properly before he grabbed the handle of the door.

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"So... it's May, huh?"

Varian had gotten his blue eyes fixed on the open window. He spotted the green leaves on the tree outside, some flowers on the branches as the wind blew at them, and the breeze lifted the curtains a little, allowing him a glimpse of blue sky.

Varian suddenly got back into his curious scientific mode and squinted his eyes at the view outside. "I just can't believe it really is..." He had a peek at the door, and then he removed the blanket and slid his legs out and placed them on the floor. Then he had one more look at the door and prepare to rise. "I just gotta see..."

But when he heard the handle at the door being pulled down, he suddenly panicked. He was quick to sit down again and hurried to throw the blanket over his legs, patting it down as quick as he could. He felt he got warm and hoped he didn't blush. He expected to see the Physician enter again, hoping his heart would stop beating, but when the door opened, he saw the King himself enter, and the sudden presence confused Varian.

"Oh, eh... Your Majesty, eh... Was it-eh... Your Majesty?" He bit his teeth and looked away, realizing it must have sounded rather foolish.

"Yes, it's only His... I mean me..." Frederic replied insecurely, closing the door behind him, leaving only a crack open. "I... I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Who, me?" Varian put a finger on his chest and laughed nervously. "Me, I'm just fine, eh... all fine, yes. Thanks' for asking... Your Majesty Sir..." Varian didn't face him, insecure of how to act and bit his bottom lip nervously as he flicked with his eyes.

Frederic cleared his throat, perhaps a bit louder than he intended as he noticed the boy almost shrink at the sound. So he tried to give a smile and drew his breath discreetly as he stepped a bit closer, building up the courage to pop the question. "Ehm Varian... Do you by any chance... recall... anything... of what I... what I said yesterday?"

"Eh eh... sure, I... eh..." Varian looked down a moment and went through his mind, and because he didn't want the King to wait, he said the first thing that came to his mind.

"Your Majesty had a squirrel!"

Varian realized this was most likely not the answer he expected, and quickly covered his mouth, peeking up at him to see His Majesty's reaction.

Although, the unexpected question made Frederic forget he was nervous and he broke into loud rumbling laughter. "Of all things. I haven't thought of little Nougat for years, and that's the first thing that pops into your mind..." Frederic wasn't able to speak anymore, and had to grab a hold on the bed pole to keep his balance.

The King's sudden laughter made Varian loosen up a little and give a little chuckle that very soon ended in a bubbly laughter. All of a sudden they both felt it easier to be in the room. Frederic himself felt how much easier it got just by this. So after a while when he managed to leech his laughter, Frederic cleared his throat and wiped his eyes before he looked around.

"Speaking of critters... Where is your little furred companion?" he asked, noticing fort now that Ruddiger was missing from the room.

"Ruddiger?" Varian said and quickly wiped his own eyes with both hands. "He eh... fled out the window when Daniel got to obsessed with him. He didn't understand that there is a difference between patting and squeezing."

Frederic recalled how Daniel had found Ruddiger yesterday, and how exited he had been over him, and smiled. "Oh poor lad. I can understand him. He's never been allowed to have a pet of his own."

"Because of his uncle's allergies." Varian gave a nervous smile and looked away. "Heard all about it." Then he looked up again, a little insecure. "I... hope he didn't cause any trouble yesterday. I mean, the day was a bit...eh-quite a mess, you know, and..."

Varian stopped speaking when he saw the King lift a hand up and shake his head smiling. "Oh, nothing worth mentioning." Frederic hurried to say. "I'm going to be honest and say that I found my cousin's presence rather... disturbing, and I was rather relieved when he got an excuse to leave. So in a way, Ruddiger actually did me a favor, of which I am very grateful off."

A sudden familiar sound made him turn around and he spotted Ruddiger in the open window, looking curiously at them to wonder who had been calling his name. "Why, there you were."

"Hey buddy, we were just talking about you!" Varian said in a completely different tune.

Looking at the boy, Frederic saw how he brightened up by the sight of his friend. But Ruddiger were also fixing his eyes to him as well. The raccoon looked glad to see him, and Frederic walked over to him and gave him a hand to sniff at before he gave him a pat.

"So the young boy got a little eager with you? I'm sure he didn't mean any harm. He just liked you so much, that's all. Just give him some time, and he'll be more gentle with you."

He stretched out his elbow towards him, and waited. Ruddiger took the hint, but he was a little careful when he decided to try and climb the King's shoulder.

From his bed, Varian watched with big eyes.

"Woah, I never imagined he would do that... with you, that is! Or even that His Majesty would..."

"Oh why not?" Frederic said. "I used to have my squirrel up here. He had fun running over my arm, across my shoulders and over to the other end." Frederic stretched out his left arm, and then the right to demonstrate.

It was like Ruddiger took an unspoken hint and as Frederic demonstrated the acrobatic trick, the raccoon found at sudden that he wanted to try the same, and suddenly balanced across his shoulders and walked over at the other arm.

"Yes, just like that. Were you reading my mind, Ruddiger?" Frederic said and bent his body with outstretched arms the opposite way. Ruddiger took the hint again and ran across his arms and shoulders, and managed to step on his neck while he crossed it, making Frederic cry out and crinch.

"Oh my, that tickled!"

Varian covered his mouth and chocked a giggle. "I'm sorry, he... that happens to me too at times."

Frederic chuckled and led his hand over to the bed so the critter could climb to the bed, and he weren't late to rush over to his master, now climbing up on his shoulders, and was greeted by a scratch on his head by the boy.

"You know, I had to hide Nougat from Lady Crowley once when she was cleaning my bedroom, in my shirt." Frederic laughed of the memory. "Now THAT was a tickle I'll never forget!"

"Oh-hoho... oh gosh..." Varian chrinched of the thought, but his bubbly laughter prevented him from speaking, a laughter Frederic found incredibly charming. It was a relief to hear him laugh all relaxed and without the insults and defense in his voice. He looked so different from the boy he had been. So relaxed and curious. Not to mention his friendly nature, so easy to talk to. At sudden, Frederic realized why Rapunzel had found it so easy to consider him a friend once in the past.

And why she had been so upset about loosing his friendship.

Suddenly, eventually letting him know the truth once in the future gave Frederic bad guts. Independent if he remembered or not, bursting this bubble of safety that they had created around him to shield him for more harm wasn't something he was looking forwards to.

On the contrary, a part of him wished he didn't have to.

Couldn't Varian just remain like this forever?