Tangled After Ever After

Warning

Varian waited "patiently" all night with only Ruddiger for support to lease his panicked heart. He was sure it had just been a dream, nothing more and nothing less than a dream, but he still couldn't shake the unease he had felt. The clock by his bed struck six, motioning his feet to jump out of bed, disturbing Ruddie's slumber. Knowing his father, he was already ready and out the door harvesting fruits and vegetables. And soon planting seeds for next summer.
Tightening his apron and slipping on my gloves, he went to the mirror, eyeing Cass's wanted poster on the side of it. He stroked a finger over her features. He yearned to see her again; no one else knew the feelings inside of him except for her. Varian turned back towards the mirror seeing his mess of black hair returning to Ruddiger, seeing his disapproval as his paws rested over his chest. Varian simply gave the raccoon a charming bucktooth grin.
"Yep, I'm a good looker, indeed." Varian heard a forehead slap from below him. "Oh, come on, I don't look that bad." He gave him an eyebrow raise, pointing to his hair still sticking out. He glared at ruddiger, gently pounding down his hair, only receiving another look of disapproval before Varian ignored him, racing down the stairs. His foot slipped as he reached the final step, and he gratefully went to the door before hitting the ground.
Ruddiger scattered down after him, jumping onto Varian's back. His claws gripped his shirt, leaving tiny tares before climbing carefully onto his shoulder.Vairan quickly plopped an apple in his mouth (devouring it in four bites) before reaching out the back door towards their small field. He was immediately struck by the strands of wind tangling around him. He couldn't help but breathe in the breeze, catching the smells of freshly picked cherries and golden-crusted leaves. He could simply picture it's sweet and tarty flavor engulfing his tongue. He was looking forward to this year's harvest as he had finally convinced his father to join the vegetable pageant every year before the first snow.
Varian made his way down the wooden stairs and into the field, grabbing the wheelbarrow as he pushed open the gate with his back. It gave a creak, a movement twitch, and a slow turn. Varian couldn't help but smile as his dad looked at him with a pleasant expression of gratitude. Varian moved towards him, wheelbarrow in hand before it suddenly jolted, sending him backward over a squash; he landed, feeling the crunch and the squish as his back hit the sturdy surface. "Varian!"
Quirin had always been afraid of Varian getting himself hurt; to think about it, he probably should be worried. He quickly pulled his son to his feet, doing his best to brush off the squash from his back. "Thanks, Dad." He simply smiled with a slight chuckle giving way.
"Come on, Varian, let's get to work and try not to trip on another squash." Varian chuckled, watching as his father resumed scooping the pumpkin's insides. Varian continued his objective, parking the wheelbarrow close to the area he was working on so they could throw the pumpkin's remains into the cart. Kneeling down, Varian joined his father, grabbing a knife from his upper pocket and sawing the stem of a nearby butter squash. Proceeding to pull off the stem, showing a web of seeds.
"You're up early."
"Yeah, I had a strange dream last night. I couldn't sleep." Varian began scooping the seeds into a nearby basket, needing to rinse them thoroughly before they could be prepared for next spring.
"Hmm." He gave an eyebrow raise. "You going up to the Castle today?"
"Yes, I have a few things I need to check in with, including the hot water system I talked to you about the other day. It's been acting strange lately, or so the princess says." I laughed."It keeps sputtering and whistling uncontrollably through the night. And I've checked it many times, but I just can't figure it out." Varian sighed, his hand finding his neck as he looked up at his father. A question rested over his lips.
"Dad, do you think... Zhan Tiri could still be alive."He stopped everything, turning toward Varian. "Why would you ask such a question?""I don't know..." Varian moved his arm from neck to arm, "I had this dream, and it just seemed very familiar to me. I had this very same experience when Cassandra-,
"Don't say her name, Varian! Do you know what the people did last time when she was simply mentioned? The kingdom erupted into a riot!" Quirin's hands gripped his son's shoulders in a panic, causing Varian to meet his eyes wide. He gently brushed his father's hands off his shoulders, "Dad, Cass is no different from me. I've done the same evils she has. What makes her more of a criminal than I am?"
His eyes softened, "She conspired with an ancient Celestial being and one that sold her soul for power. You are not like her, Varian..."Varian's eyes moved down, hoping his father would see his point, "I know, Dad." Qurrin simply nodded to him, seeing his son was interested in continuing their discussion before a yell rose over the field,
"Quirin!" Mack, nicknamed "The Delivery Guy," was sprinting across our small, open field, clutching a vital envelope. The sun beat down on his back, making him sweat profusely, but he was determined to deliver the message on time. As he neared, he noticed the squash lying in his path when it was too late. Mack trip and fall onto the squash, his head smashing into it, causing the gooey insides to splash all over his face, clothes, and hair. Despite the mishap, he remained unfazed and held the letter up, determined to fulfill his duty no matter what.Quirin walked calmly toward him, grabbing the letter from his hand eyeing it before handing it to his son.
"It's for you, from the royal palace." My name in bold, quickened cursive was plastered in red ink on the eggshell package. He quickly tore it open, his eyes landing on the short letter in red pigment.

***

Little man,
I need your help. The castle is in chaos, and we need your quick thinking. Please come as soon as possible to provide us with more options.
Panicked, Lance.

***

"What is it, son." I looked up, seeing his concern. "It's probably just the boiler overflowing again...I better get over there before everyone gets knee-deep in their sewage." Varina saw Mack's horse tied to the wooden fence at the front of the house. "Mack, do you mind if I borrow your horse for a bit? I promise I'll bring it right back. when I'm done." Varian turned to Mack, his face lifting from the squash, his long mustache clinging with pumpkin insides. "Sure, boy," he replied before quickly running into the house to grab his tool bag. Along with a few solutionary substances to freeze or open the water flow from the sputters, he also picked up another apple for his appetite and swung it over his shoulder. Meanwhile, his loyal companion Ruddiger held on through all of it.
Varian quickly moved outside, flinging himself over the horse saddle. Adjusting Ruddiger so he wouldn't scare the creature."You better not scratch Turmeric; he's new." Mack warned as Qurrin lifted him from the squash, running towards his son. He held a wrapped sandwich and a canteen of water, placing them in Varian's bag. "Turkey sandwiches." Varian happily sighed, slinging the satchel over his shoulder further, "Naturally." A bit of concern appeared on his face as his hand lingered over his son's. "Be safe, OK."
"Don't worry, Dad," Varian said, trying to sound confident. "I've done this before. I'll be fine." Without warning, he hugged his father tightly, feeling the warmth of his embrace. Quirrin hugged him back, his rough hands patting Varian's back. Varian gently let go first, and his father followed suit.
With a heavy heart, Varian started to trot away, the sound of his horse's hooves echoing through the quiet street. He stopped at the road's end to wave goodbye to his father and Mack. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm, golden light over everything.Varian dug his heels into his horse's sides, galloping at full speed. The cool summer breeze rushed past him, making his hair fly in all directions. He felt free, alive, and unstoppable. But little did he know that danger was lurking ahead, waiting to pounce on him when he least expected it.