Betrayal and Trust Part II (different writer) - AU fanfic

Protection.

***

Almost a week had passed, and Rana was already feeling much better. But still not completely back at her full strength, but almost well enough to get traveling again. 

In the meantime, Varian was getting very restless. He was finally able to move around without too much pain, and Adira's words were still ringing in his ears.

Battle strategy.

He had to be the one to come up with that. He just knew he had to. Even if no one said they expected that from him.
So after some pondering, he approached Rapunzel and told her he had an idea for them to try out. If it worked, it would be a good weapon against Cassandra. And she wouldn't see it coming. But it would be dangerous too.

As precaution, he and Rapunzel went down the hill to the small stream that flowed there. That would be far enough away from their camp. Varian brought his bag. He didn't exactly know why, but he just felt uncomfortable, vulnerable even, without it. It had been the same with his goggles, apron and gloves. The fact he didn't have those already made him feel less at ease. 

When they stood on the bank of the stream, they started. Varian still struggled to accept the fact he was somehow connected to the moonstone, but he knew they had to try everything. He couldn't let his prejudice against magic ruin what possibly was their only chance to defeat Cassandra.

The plan was simple. They would try to combine their powers, and see what would happen. 

***

They first tried to use the Healing Incantation. Just to be sure, because they didn't really expect anything to happen. Rapunzel wrapped her hair around Varian's right hand, which was the most scratched up. Then she started to sing.

Flower, gleam and glow
Let your power shine

Nothing happened.

Make the clock reverse
Bring back what once was mine

To Varian's surprise, he started to... sense something. Rapunzel's hair wasn't glowing, but he could somehow feel the power residing in it. And he... knew what she felt.

He felt her insecurity and her fear, he felt that she didn't trust this incantation to work anymore. But, like a thread connecting her confused thoughts, he heard the song lyrics echoing in his head. He still knew them from when she'd first sung the song to him. They conveyed hope, so that's what the singer should also feel.

But Rapunzel didn't.

So Varian joined in. Not that he was the most hopeful person in the world, far from that. But Rapunzel had made something spark in him. The tiniest glimpse of the thought that... maybe... things could get better. He held on to that thought while finishing the  song with Rapunzel.

Heal what has been hurt
Change the fate's design

Now Rapunzel's hair did start to glow softly. A warmth started to spread through her and Varian.

Save what has been lost
Bring back what once was mine
What once was mine

When Rapunzel un-wrapped her hair, they saw that it had indeed helped. A bit. Varian's right hand now looked the same as the left one.

Rapunzel excitedly put her hands on his shoulders. "Varian, that actually worked! It hasn't done that since the day it got cut! Maybe together we can heal more of your wounds!"

Varian grabbed his left arm with his right hand, making his posture a bit dejecting. He was suddenly struck by the thought that if he could feel Rapunzel's emotions... she could probably feel his. He wasn't very comfortable with that. Rapunzel would start to worry even more if she could also feel his fear and confusion.