"If she hadn't gone with you what would you've done?"

"I really have no idea. Although it was starting to look like bringing the crown back would've featured."

Cearl nods once.

The queen finishes her bread and kisses her husband and leaves the table.

Rolan... waits to see if the king has anything else to say to him.

"You going to want to be along if she leaves the palace grounds? For the hospital visit or anything else."

"Maybe, probably. If she wants me there, there I'll be."

"Half-wondering if I should give you a guards' uniform. Probably not."

"The irony might kill me. And then Rapunzel would be sad."

"Mm-hm. You do seem maybe more competent at looking out for her than anybody who was on duty eighteen years ago, is all."

"I do guard pretty effectively, when it comes to it." He smiles briefly, then shakes his head. "I like it best of all when I don't need to, though."

"'Course."

"I - really, really don't like to hurt people."

"Good at it, though."

"Very," he agrees with a sigh.

"Wanna tell me how?"

"Natural talent. And more practice than I ever wanted. I strongly prefer running away, but... sometimes you don't get the chance."

"Mm."

"Mm?"

"Nothing."

"Okay."

Cearl gets up from the breakfast table, looking pensive.