Rapunzel had been trapped for a week now, and the routine never changed. In the morning she would heal, get breakfast, then lunch, and then heal again before dinner. There were no books in her room, no paints, nothing but the yellow walls, the blue bed, the small window, and the hole. Of course she had met the Doctor. He only came in once, on the first day of her imprisonment, and it was only to threaten her. He told her if she would not sing she would not eat, if she tried to get attention through the window they would install a metal bar to where they would tie her hair so close to her skull that she would be forced to sleep standing up. If she were to try and call out through the hole in the wall then he would personally find everyone she loves and trap them in separate rooms in the palace forever and with no explanation.
That would have been a fun one, if Rapunzel were a good actor she could have used that. Mother was dead, and though she still loved Eugene he certainly didn't love her, so what did it matter? And they would never find Pascal, he was far too clever. But Rapunzel's only experience in lying had been to Mother, and that hadn't been in situations as dire as this one. The Doctor called her out on it immediately, saying with words that dripped from his tongue "Oh, no love ones to threaten then? How about, if you try to seek help from those on the other side of this wall, I'll move you to the rooms that overlook the bay, where no one is watching. Then I'll hang you out the window, only reeling you back up when it is time to heal."
Rapunzel didn't doubt the Doctor's words.
Catharine and Peter woke up normal, went to their daughter's room as normal, and healed as normal. Catharine looked out the window, which overlooked the bay. It was beautiful, with the sun sparkling over the water. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky, the air was warm yet not overbearing, and it was perfect. The best day of the summer, easily. Then she looked at the hole in the wall where the hair was already stashed back through. A pit dropped in her stomach. Their daughter's room was on the corner, so the windows were all on the side of the bay. It was good, then she wouldn't have to overlook…that courtyard. But the neighboring room did overlook it. The Captain said- no, he commanded that a certain courtyard be used only for executions.
"Peter," she whispered quietly. No one was around to hear, the Doctor claiming he had other matters to attend to, but still she whispered, "Peter, today. The execution is today."
Peter too looked as if he had forgotten. Who wouldn't? Who would want to remember bloodshed on such a bright morning? King Peter didn't say a word, but walked out the door with his head bowed. Catharine followed.
Rapunzel took her ear away from the hole in the wall. It was a habit she had gotten into, listening in on the Majesties. She wanted to know how horrible they were. It bugged her that they weren't. From what she had heard they were genuinely nice people, they had no idea what was happening. She has yet to discover a reason for their desire, but she hoped with all her being that it was something selfish and/or evil. It would make it so much easier to hate them, to be angry.
But now Rapunzel couldn't focus on that. There was an execution today. She didn't hear anything about that, but why would she? Who keeps poor, little Rapunzel in the loop?
She leapt to her small window. She knew there was a courtyard out there; she always saw it when she looked out. No one was every in that courtyard, which was a shame because Rapunzel thought it looked like a very nice courtyard. But there was this platform in the middle, made of wood with stairs leading right up to this upside down wooden L. Nothing ever hung from that L, and the doors to the building across from it were always closed so she assumed it was just a lonely and forgotten place. It would be easy to do, she thought; forget places in such an enormous palace. But when she looked out this time, into the bright morning air, there was something there. A rope with a loop at the end. Rapunzel had never seen such a thing before, not in her three books or in the library where Eugene brought her. But there it was, just hanging off, still in the stiff air. It boded no good.
Eugene was woken with a splash of water to the face. Not as nice as the first time he was to be executed, but he suspected that the Captain had lost his patience long ago. He wouldn't let Eugene die with a shred of dignity this time round. Eugene was lead out of his cell and up a flight of stone steps. Pascal was still on his shoulder, refusing to sneak out through the bars despite Eugene's insistence. He guessed that made them friends, though it was a little late to realize it now.
Two guards opened the heavy prison doors and let the bright morning light flood in. It was mocking him, the world, the Captain, even the goddamn weather was mocking Eugene and his life. Well screw them, it's not like he had much to live for anymore anyway. Finding Rapunzel was a big thing on his to-do list, but really it was his only thing. Besides- if he really thought about it- she probably hated his guts. She didn't know he was kidnapped and set up. Unless those good hearted brothers went out of their way to make sure she knew it was all their fault and that he was gonna return the crown so they could be together forever. No, they probably said something like "He abandoned you because Flynn Rider is the scum of the earth," and Rapunzel probably believed it. Hell, Eugene believed that.
So, though he wasn't smiling as his eyes adjusted to the light and he saw at least half the town standing in anticipation and the King and Queen sitting on their outdoor thrones on the platform across, he was proud to say he wasn't frowning or breaking down either.
Catharine did not feel comfortable. Her thrown was too big, there were too many people. It was too bright. The warm weather was overbearing, the still air more stiff than anything. She didn't like executions, she didn't like them on sunny days in mid summer when children were suppose to be playing ball in the streets and angry adults were yelling at them to get out of the way. She didn't like that she could see a little girl no older than five in her mother's arms, watching as the convict was march up the wooden stairs and in front of the noose. She really didn't like that Flynn had an impartial face on: not frowning nor smiling. He looked resigned. No one should ever have that look about death.
Rapunzel hadn't touched her breakfast when it was brought to her. She was too engrossed in watching the once forgotten courtyard. People were filling it, to a point where the crowds were flowing out of the entrance. Mothers and fathers began to place their children on their shoulders and some teenagers were working out how to climb up the wall so the crowd wouldn't shove them around. But they left a path open from the platform with the rope hanging on it to the doors that never opened. Sometimes someone accidently stumble into that open space and quickly run back into the crowd, people moving so they were at least able to get out of that path.
And despite all this, there was a horrible silence that followed the crowd. Not like the silence that was over the courtyard when it was abandoned. That silence was supposed to be there, it was soft and allowed. But this silence was more of an implied silence. Every once in a while a person would sneeze, a child would laugh, a hushed conversation would escalate until they realized how loud they had been, only to speak in whispers once more. But still it was a heavy silence that everyone held. Those coughs and conversations were attempts to break it, make it go away. They were failing, miserably.
And then the doors that never opened creaked and groaned, opening for the first time since Rapunzel had been kidnapped. First marched out two palace guards, followed by a single guard who was holding a man who was obviously not a guard. Suddenly Rapunzel remembered something her mother taught her. It was years ago, and it was horrible, but Rapunzel was asking about laws and rules.
Mother told young Rapunzel that she was lucky the punishment in the tower was no painting. She said in the outside world, bad people are killed. Strung up, heads cut off, there were so many ways to kill a convict.
Then Rapunzel saw the convicts face. Of course he had to be the convict, he wasn't in the guard uniform and he was Flynn Rider. Rapunzel let out a small gasp. That was Flynn Rider! Her Eugene! He got caught? He was going to be executed? But he left with the crown, she saw; he was too smart to get caught after that…
She could only think of two explanations: 1. Flynn got too confident and let his guard down, or 2. There's been a huge misunderstanding the led to unfortunate circumstances. Rapunzel was hoping for 2, but she was thinking it would probably be 1.
Well if it was option 1 why should she care? He obviously didn't. She wouldn't do a thing, it's not like she could anyway.
But then… she had to do something. Because what if, what if, it was option 2? And even if it wasn't option 2, how could she watch him die? She wouldn't, she couldn't.
The guards led Eugene down the path that was cleared of people. Certainly a lot of folk showed up. There was a spark of pride that flittered in Eugene's chest. He really did become quite popular. But it quickly burnt out when he saw the noose. The Captain was waiting up there, right next to the rope, with a sly smirk on his face. No one could see it but Eugene; no one was looking at the Captain. Undoubtedly, right when the attention turned to the head of the royal guard, the Captain would slip into his impartial face. Even he is not supposed to enjoy this.
Eugene was standing next to the Captain now, a long list of felonies being read off to him. He didn't even smile at the good ones, like convicts are suppose to. He didn't feel much like smiling at the moment.
It was silent, dead silent, except for the Captain. And then someone cursed really loudly. Whoever it was was standing near the King and Queen's platform. Honestly, Eugene almost laughed, both the Majesties looked so appalled. There was some commotion and Eugene spotted a young mother slapping the man. Everyone around laughed quietly and nervously.
"How do you think I feel?" Flynn asked. That received some more quiet giggles. The Queen's face made it worth it though.
"Sorry mate," the original offender called over the heads of the crowd, "Bloody cuppa water hit me in the 'ead," some people shushed the man; other's tried to keep their laughter to the acceptable volume at an execution. Eugene did neither; he looked up. A cup of water? How did that fall? There was a window, a single open window too small for a child to fit through.
Pascal chirped from Eugene's shoulder. He forgot that the chameleon was there. If only he could speak the language like Rapunzel could, then he would understand that stupid chirp.
Pascal chirped again and pointed at the window with his tail. Eugene looked again, really hard this time. The Captain had started reading once again. Thank god it was a long list.
And then a piece of bread came spiraling out the open window. It hit another unsuspecting pedestrian, a young girl who screamed out in surprise, "Burning pit's of Hell!" she received a slap from her mother for that.
But Eugene couldn't get dragged into idle conversation this time. Someone was up there a throwing food at his very respectful execution. Who would want to stop the death of the notorious Flynn Rider?
"Rapunzel?" He called out. It was a fleeting hope, but it was still there.
No one answered. But now at least a third of the crowd had focused on that window. Another third focused on Eugene.
"Rapunzel, are you up there?" Eugene shouted, still louder.
No one answered.
"If that's you Rapunzel, I didn't abandon you! The Stabbington brothers, they knocked me out and set me up! Trust me, Blondie!" Eugene was very unaware that his voice could be this loud when he needed it to be. Already he felt himself going hoarse.
And then a face came to the window. She couldn't fit through, not all the way, but she could still look out and down. She could still be seen. It was definitely his magic girl.
"Rapunzel!" Eugene started struggling like mad, but his hands were chained behind his back and the Captain, unfortunately, had two free ones.
"Eugene! Please, get out of there! Eugene!" Rapunzel shouted through the open window. Needless to say, there was quite a bit of commotion in the crowd now. People were talking, whispering, pointing to the open window and at the captured felon. A fork came cart wheeling out the window, but this time people saw it and were able to side step the flying utensil.
"Rapunzel!" Eugene shouted again, not really knowing what else to say. And then there was a third voice, one that was very distinctly not a commoner's.
"Your Majesties, please excuse the interruption. That girl is sick, mentally so. I was hoping the machine that we used to heal you would also have some affect. I will go see to her," the voice was high-pitched but clearly male.
And just like that Flynn Rider was back, but with new purpose. He wasn't gonna steal, he was gonna kidnapped a beautiful girl from the tallest tower. All he needed was to be free of these chains.