Elizabeth's POV:

Things back in Old Corona have gotten out of hand, it's better you stay up at the castle until things are handled

I read over the last sentence of the letter i had received from my dad just a few nights ago another three times.

Have things really gotten that out of control?

I hope everyone is okay...

Varian hasn't written back to me since he came to the castle.

I sighed and got up to leave my room.

People were walking through the halls holding all sorts of art pieces.

"What's all this?" i asked, not really directed at anyone.

"My dad built an art gallery" 

I jumped and turned around to see a familiar face.

"Oh, Princess, you startled me" i said.

"Sorry"

"Wait, the king is making what?"

"He had an art gallery built and is asking people to contribute!"

"Oh.. That's cool.."

"Are you gonna make something?" Rapunzel asked.

I laughed a little "Oh, Princess, i'm not an artist, you can ask Varian, i'm sure he'd be thrilled to tell you all about my very well drawn stick figures when i draw out instructions for the things we make."

"Well, maybe i can give you some lessons!"

"I'd... have to look at my work schedule..."

"Well, just let me know when you have some free time, i'm heading down to check it out."

"Okay, i'll... see you later then.."

Later

I decided to take a walk down and see what the excitement was all about.

But when i got there i was a little confused.

I saw Rapunzel, staring at a blank wall, she seemed upset.

"Princess, is something wrong?"

"Oh, hey Ellie" she said "Well, my dad asked me to paint a mural for the gallery but i have no idea how to even begin"

"Maybe you just need a little inspiration" i grabbed her book and flipped through a few pages of ideas she had drawn out "Maybe find a way to blend them all together, into something even better"

I grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil and sketched out an example of what i meant.

I held it up for her to see.

"Woah..."

"Yeah, it's bad i know... i'll have to take you up on that offer for lessons" i laughed, setting the paper down.

"You're one of the most artistic people i've ever met, something will come to you" 

Then i left.  

The next morning

Did she spend all night at that gallery?

"Sounds like painter's block" Cass said, after Rapunzel had explained her situation.

"Painter's block? Like writer's block?"

"Yeah, you're just having a hard time being creative is all."

"What the princess needs is a way to punch through the painter's block" Lance said, punching the air.

"I don't think it works that way.." i said.

"Or maybe what she needs is a little inspiration" Eugene did a strange pose with a weird face.

"I already suggested that, Eugene" i said.

"You did both have a good point though" Rapunzel said.

Then she left the room.

"You can stop that now" I told Eugene "this is the last thing i wanna be seeing right now."

"She walked right past the smolder, it's worse than we thought" he whispered.

"I thought that was just your impression of a duck" 

Cass and i did a high five while Lance held back a laugh.

Later again

"Hey Ellie" Rapunzel approached me after having been out for a few hours.

"Hm?"

"Remember how you said you might be interested in some art lessons?" she asked.

"I think i said something along those lines, sure" i said.

"Well, i met this art teacher in town, she offered me some lessons due to my painters block and she offered to free up a spot for you too."

"You have an art teacher in town?"

"I know, i didn't even know that" she laughed "Her name is Ms. Sugarby, and she's really nice."

"Uh... okay..."

The next day

"Good morning, class, i have some very exciting news, we have three new students joining us on our artistic odyssey" the teacher announced "Princess Rapunzel, and her friends Lance Strongbow and and Elizabeth Sanders"

"Eh, just Ellie is fine.., Ms. Sugarby" i said.

"Hi, everybody!" Rapunzel waved "I can't wait to start learning and get painting!"

"And I'm here to help the princess" Lance said before whispering to himself "And make some extra cash on the side"

"You're not sneaky.." i told him.

"Now onto today's subject" Ms. Sugarby unveiled a potted, dead tree.

Easy enough...

I noticed Rapunzel hesitating to start.

She'll figure it out in time... she always does...

The teacher walked over to talk to her so i tried to stop letting it distract me.

After a little while i had finished.

The shading was a little off and i think i misplaced a branch or two but besides that...

"Oh my" 

I jumped before turning to see the teacher.

"Oh i'm sorry, i didn't mean to startle you, dear" she apologized "You know, when the princess requested i open a spot for you, she said you claimed to need the extra help but this is very well done"

Then she walked off.

Later that night

As i sat outside the castle, i made a few sketches of ideas to add to the gallery, stylized a little more like what you'd see in Old Corona.

"Elizabeth? what are you doing out here so late?" i jumped and turned to see a dark and just barely recognizable figure.

"Ms. Sugarby?" i stood up, holding the lantern i had been using to see the paper "I came out here to work on submission ideas for the art gallery, i'm able to focus better with fresh air" 

"You've been sitting out here just beyond the castle entrance all alone?"

"The castle grounds have alot of guards and i didn't want the distractions"

"Well why don't you come with me, i know a better place for you to work, and i could even give you another quick lesson"

I hesitated.

she held out her hand.

"I.. don't know..." 

"Don't worry about a thing, Dear, you're perfectly safe with me"

She lightly tapped her cane on the ground.

A few days later

"Ellie!" my door flew open.

"Guys! Knock first!" i said.

"You're in Rapunzel's painting class right?" Eugene asked.

"What?"

"Answer the question, kid, this is important" Cassandra said.

"Yeah, Why?" i asked.

"People have been disappearing and it's one of the only things they all had in common, it's our only lead" she explained.

"Oh, guys" i laughed a little "you've got the wrong idea, Ms. Sugarby is having us work on a group project, i was actually just about to go myself"

"Then why were they leaving with no warning? That doesn't add up" 

"Look, i don't know what to tell you two but i really need to go now" i said, grabbing some stuff.

As i went to walk past them Cassandra grabbed my arm "Woah there kid, you're smart, you know somethings going on here"

"I don't know what you mean..."

"Tell us what's actually going on"

"Cass, you're freaking me out, so i'm gonna go... bye..."

I pulled away from her and walked away, unable to make out what they were whispering behind me.

Later

Now i understand why she wanted us to paint so many dead trees...

She gave the signal and we stepped towards our canvases.

When i touched the brush to the canvas something happened.

It was like my head filled with some kind fog, i couldn't think clearly.

The tree started glowing and she started yelling something i couldn't understand.

Then on the other side of the tree i saw a flash of green light.

What's going on?

I heard more muffled talking, but i could sort of make out the voices.

Cass? Eugene?

Had they followed us here?

The question left my mind almost as quick as it had entered.

no...

fight it... 

Before i knew it, a pinkish flame engulfed the tree and the canvas in front of me fell to my feet.

As my head cleared up i blinked away what remained of the spell.

I was immediately hit with the worst headache.

Did that just happen or...

"Is everyone okay?" Rapunzel asked.

"I think so?" i said "I'm just glad i have stuff back in my room to get rid of this headache"

As we all walked back to town i silently laughed to myself.

Wait till i tell Varian about this...

(Did i self project alot in this chapter? Maybe. But hey, Ellie's an oc i made, i project myself onto her alot, anyway, i hope you all enjoyed and i'm sorry for such a long wait, the wait for the other chapters shouldn't be as long, i swear XD)