I believe the ropes are just to open the gate. One end is attached to the gate and the other is in one of the archer towers. If you pull either, the gate opens (after which, pulling the other one doesn't do anything).I, too, haven't been able to offer a distraction. I've wandered around and killed everyone in the area, including the King of course (although the Prince just ran away). I would think that would be distracting, as would freeing and running off with the prisoners. I hope that's all the queen really wants, even though she still won't leave.