The Moon Calls

27

They found, upon reaching Old Corona, that the wall had been smashed open by black rocks. "She's...uh...insistent." Varian said awkwardly as they got out to look at it.

"She's made a path for us." Rapunzel took Varian's hand and walked forward, the black rocks under their feet glowing as their hair did the same. "Let's follow it."

Varian nodded. "Before...before we go, though..."

Rapunzel nodded. "Take your time."

Varian nodded and went to the guards at the door of his home. They nodded and let him in and he walked inside, going to where his father lay trapped. "I'll come back to you." He said, placing his hand against the amber. "I'll find that spell and free you. I promise." He sniffled and then let out a choked sob, falling to his knees. "I will save you."

"Varian?"

He sniffled and looked up to see Donella approaching him. She knelt next to him and he let out a soft cry, throwing himself into her arms. She awkwardly patted his back and looked up at the picture of Quirin, Ulla and Varian that was in view from the lab. "We will free him." She promised, then looked back at Varian. "That Moonstone won't take you. I swear it."

Varian nodded, wiping at his eyes. "Yeah..."

"On Ulla's memory, I swear it." Donella took his hands and squeezed them gently. "Are you ready?"

He nodded, getting up. "Yeah." He wiped at his eyes again and looked at Ruddiger, who had come to check on him. "I'm ready." He held out his arms and Ruddiger jumped up into them before he climbed up on Varian's shoulders and they headed back out to the caravan.

"Let's go see the world." Rapunzel smiled and offered her hand to help him up into the caravan.

He smiled and took it, hugging her once he was next to her. "Let's go!"

--

They set off, Adira splitting off after a while and promising to see them again soon. Maximus and Fidella pulled them along and Cassandra controlled the reins. Inside, Lance and Eugene were playing some kind of gambling game with Hugo while Donella read over one of the books that Varian had taken from Gothel's collection and Varian and Rapunzel were drawing side-by-side.

"He's cheating. He's gotta be cheating!" Lance protested.

"Don't whine just because you're dumb." Hugo stuck out his tongue.

"Oh my gosh!" Rapunzel gasped and got up. "Cass! Stop the wagon!"

"Huh? Wha-okay." Cassandra called back, stopping the horses, but Rapunzel was already opening the door and running out. Varian put down his picture and ran after her. "Hey!" Cass called after them.

"I'll catch 'em!" Eugene said as he ran after them.

Rapunzel giggled and rolled down the hill, Varian following behind her. "Oh my gosh, look at all this!" She smiled. "It's like leaving the tower all over again! There's so much world!"

"Yeah." Varian nodded.

Rapunzel got up and stretched, smiling as she started to sing.

"I wanna break every rule and cross every line."

"Whoohoo!" She cheered, spinning around, then pulled Varian up to his feet.

"I wanna show all the stars how stars oughta shine."

She playfully ruffled his hair before she pulled him along with her.

"I wanna do as I please and knock the world to its knees