The table in the main hall was a noisy place. The king had just married, a beautiful noblewoman's daughter by the name of Elisa Queridon. This was the feast in celebration of that joyous event, and though the main hall was vast, and the table that occupied it long, they had so many visitors that there were such tables set up all throughout the castle. The main hall was crowded with the Royalty from other kingdoms. They had invited everyone from the neighboring kingdoms, and some from kingdoms which were not quite so close. They had the Grinthal family, the Doraten family, the Tarvens from the far east, the Hagliths from the west. Perhaps the family present which was most worthy of note were the Rapunzels, from the south. The king and his new queen were out on the balcony now, and they were being watched by a boy, sitting in one of the quieter corners of the hall. The boy had hazel eyes, light brown hair that curled a bit, and was wearing nobleman's clothes. He looked around eighteen.
He watched the king, his father though no one would have guessed. He looked quite a bit more like his mother, at least the king told him so. He had never seen his mother. She'd left before he would have had the time to remember her. His father had been very kind to have raised him. Most other kings would have left bastard children, their worst mistakes, out to rot. Of course, no one knew he was the king's son. It would ruin the king. It was just the way things were. He watched his father, and his new wife, and he smiled. The king truly loved this woman. He deserved this, to be happy. As the boy was sitting, lost in thought, a girl who looked about thirteen years old walked over and sat down next to himn with a sigh. She had straight black hair, green-hazel eyes, and was wearing a straight, plain green dress, that went down just about mid-calve on her. He looked at her, recognising her instantly.
"Lady Rapunzel," he said rising, and bowing deeply. She smiled.
"You may rise," she said. He did, and she patted the space next to her. "Sit. I by no means meant to evict you from what may be the least tumultuous seat in the hall," she said. He bowed his head, and sat, relaxing a bit.
"I remember you. You greeted my family at the gates," she recalled. She looked at him for a minute. "Lord Rumpelstiltskin was it?" she asked. He nodded.
"You don't have to use the title," he said a bit uncomfortably. His father had just given it to him, and he wasn't quite sure what he'd done to earn it.
She looked at him understandingly. "The king just gave it to you I presume?" she asked. He nodded, and she patted his arm, surprising him.
"I know what that's like," she said, leaning back. "Mind you, I got mine when I was four, so I've had a bit more time to get used to it."
"Why did they wait until you were four?" he asked, forgetting that his station did not usually converse with hers. He was a lord in name only. She was a lady, but also the heir to a throne.
She shrugged though, not seeming to mind. "I've not the faintest idea," she said. The couple out on the balcony caught her eye. They were dancing slowly now, gazing into one another's eyes.
"You must be happy for them," she said softly.
"I am," he replied, watching them as well.
Another boy walked over. He had a pinched face, blue eyes and blonde hair.
"My lady. Would you like to dance," he asked, holding out his hand. Lady Rapunzel smiled at him.
"Alas, I am quite tired from dancing. And thirsty. Would you be so kind as to fetch me a drink my lord?" she asked innocently. The boy didn't look too happy about it, but turned, heading away. When he turned his back, Lady Rapunzel turned to Rumpelstiltskin, looking panicked. "I'm feeling faint," she said, though she didn't look it. She looked around, her expression similar to that of a cornered bird. She stood, almost tripping on her dress in her haste to leave the room. Rumpelstiltskin stared after her, frowning as she headed for the door. The castle was quite large. What if she got lost? He made a quick decision, and hurried out the door after her.
A few minutes later, Norbert Haglith came back, carrying a glass of punch. He frowned, finding the seat empty.

Rumpelstiltskin was right, she did get lost. He hurried after her as she ran through the halls, wondering at how she could run so quickly and quietly in dancing shoes, before realising she was carrying them. He wondered who that boy was, and why she was running away.
"Lady Rapunzel," he called after her breathlessly. She spun around, eyes wide.
"Oh," she gasped when she saw it was him. She looked around him. "Is he there?" she asked.
"I don't think so," Rumpelstiltskin replied.
She sighed in relief, and sat down on the floor, leaning heavily against the wall. She closed her eyes, letting her head hit the wall behind her. He walked over, and sat down against the wall a few feet away from her. After she looked like she'd calmed down a bit, he spoke.
"Who was he?" he asked, hoping he wasn't overstepping any bounds.
"Norbert Haglith," she said. She opened, her eyes, and straightened her legs out, leaning over to put her shoes back on. "My bethrothed," she said, and he inferred from her tone that it was an arranged marriage.
"Ah," he said as she stood. He stood with her, still keeping a respectable distance from her.
"You know, you're very lucky that you are Royal by adoption only," Lady Rapunzel said, starting to walk back along the corridor. He hurried to walk next to her. "Being Royal by birth and blood is not as fun as all the gossip makes it out to be," she said.
He didn't reply to that, and they walked along in silence until they reached her rooms. He bowed, and bid her good night, before heading back to the main hall.
"Rumpelstiltskin," she called after him. He turned to look at her, and she smiled at him. "Thank you," she said. She ducked into her room, and closed the door behind her.
"You're welcome," he said softly.