Author's Note: I got this idea from a post on tumblr, so while I take credit for the writing, the houses and mottos (which I will mention later) are accredited to Leave a review!
Don't freak out, Punzie, don't freak out. Rapunzel took a deep breath as the heavy wooden doors were opened to a crowd of eager onlookers. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her lavender and rose dress, pushed her shoulders back, and took her first step inside the ballroom.
She wished Flynn were there. No, Eugene. His name is Eugene, remember? It was so hard to keep track of all the names they had exchanged over the past few days. A whirlwind trip through the countryside ended with their entry into the island protected by House Rapunzel. Now, without Eugene, she was expected to navigate her way through castle protocol.
From the front of the ballroom stood her parents. It shocked Rapunzel at first when she saw her mother. They looked exactly alike, besides the hair. She almost fingered the short spikes, but resisted the urge. She missed her long, blonde locks. She wished she hadn't asked Eugene to cut them for her.
"No offense Blondie, but you're kind of noticeable with all that hair. Gothel will track you for sure." That argument was enough to let him use a rusty pair of scissors he found in the bedside drawer of the inn's room.
Rapunzel shifted a green-eyed gaze to the crowd. Mother Gothel could be hiding in there easily. Now would be the perfect time too. The lost daughter of Francis Solis imagined the black haired woman gliding to the stage and explaining to everyone just where the heir to House Rapunzel was hiding these past eighteen years.
She stopped her steps just before her parents. Dressed in bright colours, her parents leaned forward and wrapped her in their arms. She closed her eyes, squeezing them tight.
All these years she wondered who her parents were, why they left her on Gothel's doorstep. On their way to the island, Eugene told her stories (he was quite good at it), but the one he told of the lost heir stuck with her especially. Stolen from her cradle, the kingdom searched for two years before Francis gave the order to give up the search.
"They never gave up hope, though. I'm sure the old man still hopes she'll come home." He laughed. "Crazy, right?"
Crazy indeed. Or maybe not. Rapunzel thought back to that man who kept his promise. Her shoulders sagged as she thought of where he could be now. Far from her, probably. He promised not to tell her parents where he found her, but to let her decide when to share that information. Rapunzel dreaded that conversation. I don't have to tell the truth. I could … fib a little. No, she may have been raised by a loathsome woman, but Gothel was good things. She made sure Rapunzel ate right, that she had a strong work ethic, but most importantly, that she always told the truth. Rapunzel didn't want to turn into the ruffian Gothel always claimed she was.
Francis pulled back first, his short beard brushing her forehead as he did so. He gently guided her to turn around to face the crowd. His hand rested on her shoulder while her mother held one of hers. "My friends, at long last our daughter has come home. We can rejoice now, for our future is bright!"
Rapunzel really wished she hadn't let her parents convince her this was a good idea. As the people cheered, the young woman's palms grew sweaty. She had no idea who any of these people were and honestly, she knew this show was being put on more for their benefit than hers. She read stories about romance all her life, and she knew it was rare when a female heir ever married for love. She flashed the crowd her most promising smile as she waited for the clapping to die down. Maybe they would get back to dancing and forget about her for the rest of the night. Wishful thinking.
When asking for a history lesson on House Rapunzel, Eugene was quite knowledgeable. Most of his stories centered on the area anyway, and it surprised her how her father used to be known as the king of the waters.
"Where we met, it's just by the border of Francis' territory. He demanded King Mickey let him have a few miles by the bridge so he could properly guard it. To lose Francis' support would have meant disaster, so," Eugene shrugged, "he gave in. I would have asked for more, maybe a slice of House Pocahontas' forestry, but then again, I'm a thief. Greedy to the last," he smirked.
Rapunzel's heart fluttered. Damn that smirk of his. It got to her the first time they met. He pulled it out whenever she was giving him a hard time, and although it didn't stop the harsh words they tossed back and forth, it made her smile later. The corners of her lips tugged down just a touch. I hope he's okay.
Beatrice, her mother, kept a hold of her hand as she gave her daughter a chalice to sip from. "I know this isn't what you were expecting dear, but your father thought it would be good for you to get acquainted with the other houses in the realm. Not all could make it, of course, but it's a start." She squeezed Rapunzel's hand. "We're just so glad to have you home."
Home. Rapunzel's heart clenched. Her real home. She returned the squeeze. "I'm glad to be back. I missed you both." She looked back at her father and grinned. Her father was speaking to a man with long grey hair and a full, silver beard. She glanced at her mother. "Who is that?"
"Triton Syreni, from House Ariel. He has been a dear friend to your father over the years, as his wife was to me before she died in an awful boating accident thirteen years ago." Beatrice shook her head, a frown making the creases by her eyes deeper. "Such a horrid thing to happen to good people." She pointed to the crowd. "He has seven daughters. See them there? They are all wonderful dancers." Rapunzel looked and spotted a group of seven girls spinning in circles together. Their hair colour ranged from black to blonde, making her wonder how any of them were even related. There was one girl with fiery hair in a sea green dress. She asked her mother about that one.
"That's Ariel, Triton's youngest daughter. She looks so much like her mother. Athena would be proud," Beatrice smiled.
Rapunzel nodded. "And you said other houses are here?"
"Oh yes, many! The woman with the white hair, see her? She's Kida Nedahk, a very important lady. She's the heir to Atlantis, one of the most powerful landmarks in the country. Make sure to say hello to her tonight, and to her husband. It will do you good to foster a relationship with them both."
Beatrice went on, pointing further and further into the crowd, listing off so many names Rapunzel's head started to spin. Whenever her mother came across a man in her list, she made a point to list if they were married already. Rapunzel wondered which one her father hoped would agree to marry her. She almost asked her mother, but the question was cut off by a woman, Dory from House Nemo, Rapunzel thought, coming to speak to Beatrice. She let her mother go, taking the opportunity to sneak off for some fresh air.
All this salt air made the breath catch in her lungs. Rapunzel slipped off her shoes and let her feet treasure the rare patches of grass she came across in the courtyard. She wondered how her parents lived with so little vegetation around. Where Mother Gothel's home and business was, trees could be seen for miles around, giving Rapunzel many chances to make friends with the animals who came near the home.
Rapunzel wrapped her arms around her waist, giving the thin expanse of skin a squeeze. She almost wished she had stayed there. At least she knew what to do in that place. How can I be an heir to a place I had no idea needed me so badly? I don't even have any friends here. She would have to make some though, and fast. Rather, she needed to make alliances. She tilted her head back, staring at the stars she and Eugene had slept under. I really wish you were here, Eugene. I kind of need you more than I thought. She may have been to drive to get them here, but without his words, they never would have gotten to the palace in the first place.
A hand curled around her wrist. "I knew I would find you. I always do."
Rapunzel gasped as she turned her head. Gothel. The woman's curly locks hung limp around her face, and her ruby gown was speckled in stains. She didn't look as forbearing as she had in Rapunzel's youth, but her dark voice still made the young lady shiver.
"Having fun playing dress up, dear?" Rapunzel didn't answer. "Apparently they cut out your tongue when you got here. Such a shame, now the men can't make you scream when we get back home."
Rapunzel dug in her heels. "I'm not going back with you." Her voice shook, but she resisted Gothel's tugging.
"How long do you think you can keep up the act, Rapunzel? How long until they figure out you aren't who you say you are?"
"You're wrong, I am the lost heir! I know it."
Gothel narrowed her eyes. "Don't be stupid. I found you on my doorstep. I took you in, gave you everything you ever needed. I love you, not them!"
Rapunzel shook her head. "I don't need your kind of love. I … I remember. I remember the mobile hung over my bed in the castle. I am the heir, and you can't take me away from here! You don't own me."
The woman loosened her grip. "No, I don't owe you, but that doesn't mean I can't hurt you." She pulled up the hood on her black cloak. "Three days. You have until then to come to your senses, or I will have no choice but to tell your parents just what you did in my house. We'll see if they want you then." Just as soon as she came, she was gone, leaving Rapunzel breathless.
No … She can't … She would. Gothel didn't bluff. The young woman shook her head, gripping her skirts tightly.
"Rapunzel!" Beatrice called.
"Coming!"
Hours later, when the party was over, at least for Rapunzel, the young woman reclined in her bed with a book. She never had such a luxurious supply of literature. With pillows stuffed behind her head and all around her on the cozy comforter, she left the curtain around her bed open. As she tried to finish the chapter, her mind jumped back to her meeting with Tarzan Fera, the heir to House Tarzan.
"He's not the brightest, not by our standards at least, and he isn't much for words, but he's handsome. Your father likes him enough to entertain the thought of an alliance." Her mother leaned in close to the girl's ear. "His father holds most of the forestry from Winterfell to King's Landing. Such power can make men, well, more appealing." She gently shoved her daughter in the direction of the awkward man. "Play nice, dear!"
She "played nice", meaning she kept conversation going for well over five minutes, although even that was a struggle. Her mother was right though, he was handsome. Pointed chin, strong jawline, perfectly tanned flesh, sea coloured eyes, and from what she could tell, a nice dresser. She almost swooned, but when he answered her questions, his stiffness startled her. It wasn't until later she learned her father's house and Tarzan's didn't get along, hadn't since the war. She would have liked to have known that beforehand, but it was too late now.
Rapunzel looked up from her book to find Eugene standing on her balcony. Her eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"
He shrugged. "Nothing happening in the city. I figured I'd stop by and see how you were doing." He pushed back the thin curtain separating the balcony from her room. "You look good, still in one piece." He smirked. "No countess gave you a hard time, I hope."
She shook her head as she put down her book. She adjusted the shoulder of her thin chemise. "No, the worst I had to deal with was Tarzan Fera."
Eugene cringed. He toed off his boots and flopped on the bed beside her. "Ouch. That must have been thrilling."
She chuckled. "Oh yes, he was quite the conversationalist." Rapunzel tried to relax, but she kept glancing at him, still wondering if he was actually there. When his arm reached around her shoulders, bringing her head to rest on his chest, she knew this couldn't be a dream. Or if it is, it's a very good one.
They passed time swapping new stories, ones they had acquired over the past two days without each other. It seemed much longer to her, but now that he was here, she wondered how long this would last. Somehow, as the conversation turned to her again, she mentioned her unintentional visit with Gothel.
"You're not going to give in, are you?"
Rapunzel sighed. "I don't want to. But Eugene, she can't tell my parents! I'd lose everything."
"You really think they'd disown you if they found out you were a prostitute?"
"Yes! And don't say it so loud! Someone could hear you."
He shrugged. "No one's guarding your door. I checked before I came in."
She shook her head. "That's not the point. Even saying it makes it seem more real." She shut her eyes. I just want to go back to the days when it was just you and I together on the road. Those were the best times.
"They were the best for me too," Eugene admitted quietly. Rapunzel's cheeks lit up. She was pretty sure that was just a thought, but apparently she needed to work on keeping her voice in check.
She traced shapes over Eugene's vest covered chest. "Maybe we could. Could go back, I mean. Back on the road together. Have adventures. Get into trouble." She looked up at him. "Make a life together." Much as the castle offered her, it didn't feel like a life she could lead, not in good conscience. Going back to Gothel's though, to be the girl who brought in the most money for her brothel was out of the question. I just want to be with him.
They laid together as the embers in the fire died. As she started to fall asleep, she heard Eugene sigh. He grabbed the corner of the comforter and draped it over them, messing up the pillow system Rapunzel had created. She felt a few land on her but shrugged them out as she sought out Eugene's warmth. She heard him start to speak, but not to her.
"I didn't think it would be like this when we met at the brothel. Protector, you have to believe me when I say I didn't seek out her love, but I have it now, and I don't want it to go away. I don't want to give it away, or watch her hand it over to a better man." He sighed. "Keep her safe. Let me … keep her safe." His prayer now ended, she felt his breathing regulate. She waited and waited until she was sure he wouldn't awaken. The woman sat up in bed, staring at the man speckled in shadows.
I have to do the right thing. She looked out the balcony. I have to tell them who I am and who I … who I love. Rapunzel brushed back Eugene's untidy hair, staring at his goatee. It wasn't long before she was curled up in his arms again, tossed into a dream she had already lived.