Twisted Destiny

Trip

It was nice to take a little break and leave Corona on a trip that didn't lead to something dark and ominous. Rapunzel sighed as she leaned on the wall of the basket, watching the stars as Juniper controlled the hot-air balloon. Jenna was sitting next to Rapunzel, the egg held in her hands like it was the most precious thing in the world.

"When the egg was stolen," she said softly, "we feared that we'd never find it before it hatched. It was sheer luck that you found it when you did, Princess Rapunzel."

Rapunzel smiled at her. "So...you guys have dragons?"

"We don't have dragons, we partner with them. Saporians don't own animals." General Jenna explained. "We also work with Pegasi." She grinned. "Ever ridden bareback, Princess?"

"What's a Pegasi?" Rapunzel asked.

"Take a horse and put wings on it, that's a Pegasus. Pegasi is the plural form." Juniper explained. "We'll show you when we get there, you will love them." She assured her with a grin.

Rapunzel turned to her. "Was it really a good idea to leave Varian alone?"

"He's not alone, he's got 'Gene." Juniper assured her. "Don't worry so much, Raps. We won't be gone that long."

Rapunzel nodded. "I know, but I'm still worried." She admitted. "I don't like him being alone...not after what happened before..." She looked down, her hands tightly gripping the edge of the basket.

Juniper left the controls and walked over to place her hand on Rapunzel's shaking one. "What happened before won't happen again." She said gently. "I think King Frederic proved that when he didn't let him drown in Equis. Varian took a gamble that he really wanted to make amends and it's paid off beautifully."

"But..." Rapunzel looked at her. "But, my father wasn't the one that spread the rumors! My father wasn't the one that ordered him to be thrown out into the snow that day!"

Juniper's brow furrowed. "Wasn't that you?"

Rapunzel shook her head. "No! I barely said a word, it was Nigel!"

"Varian never said anything about that." Juniper frowned. "He was always talking about it being your fault or the King's fault."

"Maybe he forgot or thought that it didn't matter in the grand scheme of things." Rapunzel looked at the stars. "Maybe this was a mistake."

"Hey, hey." Juniper gently wrapped her arms around her, stroking her hair soothingly. "He's going to be okay, alright? Nigel doesn't know where he is, does he?"

Rapunzel sighed. "You're...you're right."

Juniper smiled and nodded. "He's going to be just fine. Why don't you take a nap for now, I'll wake you when we arrive."

"But, I don't want to miss anything!" Rapunzel pouted. "I'll sleep when the egg is hatched!"

Juniper laughed. "Seriously, go to sleep before I drug you." She coaxed Rapunzel into sitting down next to Jenna. "Come on."

"Mm...okay." Rapunzel sighed. "Wake me before we get there, though?"

"We'll be arriving a little after dawn." Juniper assured her. "You'll be awake by then, I'm sure."

Rapunzel smiled and closed her eyes with a contented sigh.

--

Sneaking after the ex-thief and the rebel prince had been ridiculously easy. Nigel had made sure to keep track of where to go and hidden before following them back. Now he was coming back through the tunnels, but he wasn't empty-handed. Apparently, the little imp slept with his mouth open. It would be easy to get him to drink poison, in that case, and he carefully made his way back to the chamber with the weight of his intent heavy in his pocket.