We soon arrived in Corona, dismounting Philippe to enter the castle. King Fredrick was listening to his subjects. When the crowd saw Quirin, they let us get ahead of them, absolutely baffled as to how he got free. When the King saw us, he took us somewhere private to talk.

"Good God, Quirin! How in the world did you ever get free?" The king hugged the bulky man next to me, genuinely happy to see his friend was alright.

"I don't know. I woke up and the crystal that encased me was gone. I'm thankful young Elena here came. If not for her, I wouldn't know about my son being imprisoned..." Quirin gave the king a worried look. "What did Varian do?" The king had a pained look on his face, soon recounting what had happened.

"We're trying to give Varian leniency since he is just a boy, and he just wanted to save you... He refuses to let us move him to a comfortable room instead of the cell. Maybe you two should talk to him, that way he can be properly rehabilitated and released back into society..." The king looked genuinely worried as he spoke about Varian. I wanted to go talk to Varian, and I wanted to talk to him now.

"That's the other reason why we are here, we want to talk to him. Please, take me to my son." Quirin spoke with a hint of worry in his voice.

The king motioned for the guards to lead us to the jail cells. I could hear an odd chittering as we neared Varian's cell. I could only assume it was his pet raccoon Ruddiger that he wrote so much about. The guard spoke.

"Young man, you have some visitors. Face the wall." It seems the guard wanted to surprise Varian. We heard some shuffling and soon the guards opened the cell door.

"We'll be out here, let us know when you'd like to leave." Quirin and I both nodded, entering the dark cell. Varian soon turned around.

"How many times do I have to tell you, princess, I don't wan-" Varian stopped mid sentence when he saw us. He teared up, running to us for a tight hug. I felt hot tears drip into my shirt. Varian gripped us both for dear life. I gently hugged back, gently patting Varian's back.

"You're here... You're both here... How is this possible...?" Varian looked confused, but still happy.

"We don't know son, I woke up, the crystal was gone and Elena entered to see if what you wrote was true. I explained what happened, and she helped me get here to you. She was already on her way because of your letter." Quirin spoke soothingly. Varian was confused, wanting the answers to everything.

"I'll find it out someday, Dad..." He soon looked down at his feet. "So... You know what happened...?" Varian asked, sounding ashamed. Quirin and I both nodded.

"Son, they want to help you integrate back into society. You have to let them help you." Quirin spoke firmly, wanting his message to get across.

"B-But-" Varian sounded exasperated. "What if it's just a cruel trick...?" Varian looked at us with genuine worry, unable to trust Rapunzel after her broken promise.

"Son, I'll visit every day to make sure that doesn't happen. The king and queen truly want to help you, let them son." Quirin gently pet Varian's head, trying to sooth him. I soon spoke up.

"Varian, they only want to help you, and the only way they can help you is if you let them." I spoke calmly, gently touching Varian's cheek to have him look at me.

"Will you still write me, despite what I've done...?" Varian looked at me with tears welling up in his eyes.

"You've been my best friend since we were kids. Nothing has changed that, and it won't change anytime soon, I'm here for you. I've had faith that you've done everything you've done up to now was for the right reason, my faith in you won't waiver anytime soon." I spoke from the heart, getting hugged tight by Varian. I hugged back tightly.

"O-Okay, I'll let them help me as they see fit... Letters every week, promise?" Varian looked at me, an odd, desperate look on his face.

"I promise Varian, I will never miss a letter as long as I live, okay?" I smiled softly, getting another tight hug from Varian. This hug felt different somehow, I don't know how, but it was different, a good different.

We soon told the guards that Varian changed his mind, the older guard seemed happy.

"We'll let the king and queen know. Let's take you to a proper room, young man" the older guard spoke almost kindly. He opened the cell and led us to a humble room in the castle. It had locks prepared on it for keeping Varian inside, just in case. None of us were surprised. But Varian looked at the bed with a small smile.

"I might actually get some sleep...!" It was then I noticed the bags under Varian's eyes. How long had it been since he's gotten any sleep? Varian gave each of us one last tight hug, soon being detained to the room.

Quirin and I reluctantly left, and soon I spoke up.

"I want to thank you for not saying what happened... People would have me killed just for performing magic, even if it was for the benefit of others..." I spoke almost silently. Quirin gave me a calm look.

"I know, it is a sad truth. Maybe someday, people won't be afraid of what they don't understand... I am truly grateful, you saved me and I am forever in your debt. It's the least I could do for the person who saved me." He gave me a small smile and pat my head. Soon we mounted Philippe again and rode back to Old Corona. It was nightfall by the time we got back. Since Quirin's home was destroyed, we went to my grandparents large home. They opened the door, looking shocked. Quirin and I soon explained everything, soon getting Quirin a room set up for him to live in.

"I can't thank you all enough for your kindness. How can I ever repay you?" Quirin spoke with genuine thankfulness.

"Nonsense! You're our friend, and that is good enough for us! Maybe a small bit of help here and there if you insist on repaying us!" My grandfather spoke cheerfully. We soon ate dinner and went to bed.

I woke up just before dawn, preparing to leave. I wasn't the only one awake. Quirin and my grandparents were awake as well. I hugged them all before mounting Philippe, telling them all goodbye before heading back to Villeneuve, France. I began to ride, a huge weight lifted off of my sore shoulders.