I do not own Disney anything. I only own my OCs.
Weary Travellers Tale
"Tracy? Tracy! Come on, speak to me!"
"Ugh..." Tracy moaned.
"Well...I guess that works."
Tracy blinked and slowly pushed herself up. Serena's worried face came into focus, and Tracy gingerly touched her head. It was wrapped up in bandages. "Where'd you get the bandages?"
"Your bag. You're right; you do have almost everything in there." Serena held up Tracy's black backpack and grinned. "You got a nasty bump when you rolled down the slope. I figured the bandages would protect it from more damage."
Tracy got to her feet and surveyed the meadow they had fallen into. The grass was lush, and the water in the nearby creek trickled soothingly down the cluster of rocks. "Okay...this doesn't feel like a cartoon. Or at least not the cartoons we've been seeing lately."
She was right. Tracy and Serena had lost the cartoon glow and were a bit duller, more filled out. Serena pushed her raven hair behind her ears and adjusted the weight on her bad ankle and peered around. Her green eyes fell on a curtain of vines that looked strangely familiar. "Hey Trace?"
"Yeah?" Tracy asked, swinging her backpack on.
"Um...have you seen the movie Tangled?"
Tracy furrowed her brow and ran through the list of Disney movies she had seen. "That's the newest one, right? Yeah, I think I have."
"Well, that's where we are," Serena said and pointed to the curtain of vines. "And if my guess is right, then behind those vines is the hidden entrance to the clearing-"
"-where the tower is!" Tracy finished excitedly. Without another thought she sprinted across the grass and towards the hidden cave.
Serena sighed and pulled the staff from her waist and used it as a walking stick. "If Rafiki could see me now...he'd probably say, 'Dat's Karma right dere, child!'" she imitated the wise (and slightly crazy) baboon as she followed her best friend.
She whacked the vines aside and spotted Tracy ahead. The blonde had her hands on her hips and was gazing up at the tower. Serena took in the picturesque scenery and plopped to the ground, her sore ankle throbbing. "Do you have any painkillers?"
Tracy absentmindedly rummaged through her bag and pulled out a bottle. Serena gratefully took them and washed them down from the water in the stream. "And by the way, I kind of ditched your scarf. I didn't think you'd want it back. It was covered in blood."
Tracy flicked her gaze to her friend, whose ankle was now wrapped up in the bandages she had found. "It's cool," she said, redirecting her attention back to the tower.
Serena settled down in the grass. "Tracy, do you remember the ending of this movie?"
"Yeah. Rapunzel and Flynn move into the royal castle."
Serena threw up her hands in exasperation. "Then why are we here? Besides, this is where Gothel died-or disintegrated or whatever-and it's creeping me out."
"I'm trying to remember the way to the Snuggly Duckling Parlour," Tracy said as she played the movie in her mind.
Serena shook her head and sighed wearily. She knew the Viking thugs had somewhat calmed down, thanks to Rapunzel, but she still didn't like the sound of-wait. "Um...why do we want to go to Viking central?"
"Well, we have to get into the castle in order to steal the tiara," Tracy stated matter-of-factly. She dug around in her pocket and deposited the shell necklace into her backpack. Serena stared at her best friend, stunned and horrified.
"But you can't!"
"You need to have confidence!" Tracy chided.
Serena bit her lip nervously. Stealing Lilo's necklace was one thing, but Rapunzel's tiara? That was special and no doubt important to her.
Ah, so you finally grow a conscience.
Serena winced. Conning in Bayview was different. The orphanage had always been harsh to them and their inhabitants. They wanted out, so they conned a few people in order to get the money to leave. Granted, she felt a bit uneasy about conning children, but adults should know better.
But conning in Disney? The biggest part of her childhood? That was...that was...just not cool.
But telling Tracy that wouldn't do any good. Tracy didn't have a family to begin with, whereas Serena lost hers in a car accident. Tracy figured that if the world was cruel to her, she would be cruel to the world.
"Right then. I think I remember the way. Let's go!" Tracy marched off and Serena scrambled to catch up.
"But we stand out like a sore thumb! We're in jeans, for heaven's sake!"
Tracy paused and turned her attention to the tower. Serena instantly regretted saying anything. "Well then, we'll just have to see if the pretty princess left anything behind."
The raven-haired girl dropped back down in the grass. "You go ahead."
Tracy scowled in annoyance. "But I climbed to Jumba's window last time!"
"And I'm crippled with a bad ankle. Have fun."
Tracy thrust her backpack into Serena's arms and stormed over to the cave. She yanked down some vines and went back to the tower. She tied a loop on one end of the vine and swung back. The vine sailed in the air and latched into the stone edge of the window.
"Don't fall!" Serena called as Tracy braced her sneaker-clad feet on the crumbling wall and began to climb.
Her sneakers slipped on the rough stone, but she made it to the top. Tracy hauled herself over the windowsill and stood in the rather cozy tower. "Hmm..." She spotted Rapunzel's old wardrobe and opened the door. She grinned widely. "Jackpot!"
Serena glanced up as Tracy slid back down the vine, a bundle of clothes tucked under one arm. The blonde had ditched her jeans and hoodie and replaced them with a brown skirt and a white shirt, collar rolled down and cuffs folded up. Her sneakers were replaced with brown flats and her blonde hair had been braided. "You look like a-"
"Don't want to hear it!" Tracy snapped. She tossed Serena her clothes and turned around, facing the tower and giving Serena her privacy. With a sigh the girl changed and stuffed her sneakers, jeans, sweatshirt and hoodie into Tracy's bag. "There. Are you happy?"
Tracy turned back around and studied her best friend. She was now wearing a light green and white collared shirt, a dark skirt, black flats and a black traveller's cloak. Her long black hair was tied up in a bun. Satisfied, Tracy shouldered her backpack and set off with Serena reluctantly following.
...
"I can't believe you remembered..." Serena said in slight awe as she stared at the crooked Viking hangout.
Tracy grinned. "And you doubt my skills. Alright, let's get going. And remember, we're travellers and you got attacked by a wild animal and we need assistance to the castle. With luck, Rapunzel might be visiting her old Viking pals."
Serena sighed and limped along. She really didn't need to act when those painkillers had already worn off, her ankle was throbbing and it killed to put any weight on it.
At least Rafiki's staff makes a good walking stick.
Tracy entered the pub and instantly had to quell a grin. Rapunzel was singing along to whatever Hand-Hook Guy was playing on the piano. Flynn was staring at her with adoration, arms crossed and listening happily. Tracy halted and waited for the princess to finish her song, and Serena saw the way her blue eyes drifted to the sparkling tiara on her head.
"Hey! No kids allowed!"
Tracy jumped in surprise and accidently made Serena bang her sore ankle against the edge of a nearby table. She hissed in pain, her face turning pale green and she sunk to the floor. As a rather large and foul smelling moved forward threateningly to throw them out, Rapunzel cried, "Wait!"
Tracy managed to hold in a sigh of relief as Rapunzel hurried over, concern on her pretty face. "What happened?" she exclaimed, crouching down and studying Serena's bad ankle.
"We were travelling through the forest when a wolf came out and attacked us. It got my friend here in the ankle, but I think it got scared off when I started screaming," Tracy explained, the story coming easily. "We were wondering if anyone in here could help." She then bowed respectfully.
Rapunzel smiled. "Well, I'd be glad to help. We can take your friend here up to the castle and get her taken care of."
Flynn frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but Rapunzel cut him off. "We better hurry. It looks like a lot of blood has been lost."
Flynn caught the eye of the blonde girl and she smiled innocently. However, being an ex-thief himself, he had an uneasy feeling about the two strangers that waltzed (or in the black-haired girl's case, stumbled) into the Snuggly Duckling.
Especially the blonde one.
...
Serena lay back against the soft pillows and stared at her ankle, which was propped up by another puffy pillow. The bandages had been removed so the village doctor could get a look at her injury. After spreading some strange gunk on the cut, the bandages were replaced.
Serena had meekly protested the lavish treatment, feeling insanely guilty at what Tracy was about to do, but Rapunzel insisted, saying she loved to help.
Tracy was with Rapunzel now, walking around the castle and chatting. The King and Queen were happy that their long lost daughter was happy, and so they greeted the two 'travellers' with cheerfulness.
A knock came at her door. Serena turned her gaze from the beautiful view outside the large window and called, "Come in."
Flynn Rider opened the door and leaned against the doorframe. He studied her for a moment, and Serena could not help but feel uneasy. He was an ex-thief, so no doubt he could sense a con artist a mile away.
Tracy's voice rang through her mind. Stick to the story, and everything will be fine.
"I don't think I got your name," Flynn finally said, coming into the room and settling into a pile of cushions beside her bed.
Tracy said to use fake names. Ugh...she is really getting into this whole fugitive thing. "Rose. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise. Flynn Rider." He held out his hand, and Serena shook. "So, where were you travelling to?"
"The village, actually. We wanted to restock before continuing on."
"And you plan on going to...?"
"Eastern Europe. No specific destination, we just wanted to find a place to settle."
"You seem a little too young to be travelling on your own." Flynn regarded her. "You're what, twelve?"
"Thirteen," Serena corrected. "No parents. They died a few months back and when no one would take us, we decided to find a place ourselves."
Flynn's features softened, just a little bit. "So you're related?"
Well, we are practically sisters. "Yeah."
"Well, I hope your ankle feels better." Flynn got up. "I better go see how Rapunzel is making out with your friend."
In other words, he didn't trust Hannah (Tracy had no originality when picking fake names), and wanted to make sure Rapunzel was all right.
"Thanks. And thank you for all of this," Serena gestured around the room and at her freshly bandaged ankle. "We totally don't deserve such treatment."
Flynn paused at the door. "Why's that?"
"Basically poor orphans stumble into a pub, one with an injured ankle? You helped us out, and you're not expecting anything in return..."
"Everyone matters. And Rapunzel wouldn't feel right leaving anyone injured to fend for themselves. She actually tried to bring in a bird with a broken wing. I sent it to the animal doctor."
Serena couldn't help but giggle. "I can see that."
Flynn actually smiled and left. Serena felt red-hot guilt burning in her stomach as she settled against the pillows. Karma was most definitely going to come back and bite her in the butt-hard.
...
"Rapunzel?"
The princess glanced up and smiled. She got up from the chair in front of the fireplace, which was casting an orange glow about the room, and hugged her husband happily. "Eugene!"
Flynn hugged her back and then held her out at arm's length. "So...what do you think about our guests?"
"I think they're sweet! Hannah and I talked all about nature and the stars-wait. What do you think about our guests?"
Flynn hesitated, running a hand through his dark hair. "I don't trust Hannah."
"What?"
He held up his hands in defense at Rapunzel's furious gaze. "Call it my thief alarms wailing-and I know a thief when I see one-but there is something about that girl that doesn't settle with me."
"They're only kids, Eugene! Their parents died in an accident and now they have to fend for themselves. Do you know how hard that must be?"
"Yeah, I do know."
Rapunzel realized her slip-up and winced. She quickly wrapped her arms around Flynn and whispered, "I didn't mean it like that."
Flynn ran his fingers through her short brown hair. "I know. But I want you to be careful around Hannah. Rose is alright, but I think Hannah is controlling her."
"Controlling her?"
"With strength or threats or something. Rose seems a bit soft-spoken and nervous. Those people are easy to take advantage off."
Rapunzel moved back a bit and arched an eyebrow. "And you know this because...?"
Flynn blushed slightly. "We don't talk about my past, remember? We talk about my future."
Rapunzel grinned. "And how does your future look?"
"It gets brighter with every passing day."
...
Serena stared at the ceiling and sighed. Pascal, the green chameleon, was on her shoulder. Serena had always loved Pascal, even though he was a minor character in the movie. But to her, the minor characters were the ones with the most charm. "How's life?"
Pascal stared at her with what seemed to be a bewildered look. "What? I can't ask a chameleon how life is?"
Pascal rolled his large eyes, and nodded his head. "Good, huh? Make sure it stays good. Or else you'll end up in my situation." She got a tilted head as a response. "It's a long story. I'd rather not get into it."
The door creaked open and Serena cast a glance at the window. The sky was black and the village was silent. "Are you ready?" Tracy whispered.
The blonde snuck into the room and noticed Pascal. Serena patted the chameleon on the head and he gave Tracy a distrusting look before scampering out of the room. Tracy rolled her eyes and motioned for Serena to get up.
"You go ahead. My ankle is almost healed and I am not putting strain on it unless I have to."
Tracy threw up her arms in disbelief. "Are you going to take anything?"
Serena pointed to the staff (and her walking stick) that rested by the window. "I took the staff, beamed a wise baboon on the head and got sliced by a lion. This is the third world we've been to and things aren't looking good for me-or us. I'm going to let my ankle heal so that when that dire run-for-your-life-or-else-you're-dead moment comes, I can sprint like never before."
Tracy shook her head and sighed in annoyance. "Fine. But you better be ready for when it's time to go!"
The door shut behind her, and Serena sighed once more before slowly crawling out of bed. She got dressed in the ensemble Tracy had stolen (she couldn't believe Rapunzel never noticed they were wearing her clothes. Granted, she did only wear one thing in the movie) and balanced herself on the stick.
After a moment's thought she set about making the bed and neatly folding the silk pyjamas Rapunzel had given her. She gathered the dirty dishes and arranged them neatly on her tray and set it on the wooden bedside table.
Serena scanned the room and found a piece of parchment. She picked up a quill and wrote on it before placing the note on the bed. She could hear footsteps coming back and she tensed. Two knocks came and Serena softly called, "Come in."
Tracy slipped in, looking a bit frazzled. "The crown was locked in a glass cabinet. Had to pick the lock, but it went alright, although the lizard nearly saw me."
"Chameleon," Serena whispered softly as Tracy slipped the tiara in the bag.
Tracy didn't hear her. "Alright! Let's go!"
They went out onto the balcony and carefully climbed the trellis that was attached to the ground below. They kept a careful eye out for the guards as they slunk through the garden and towards the locked garden gates.
A loud neighing sound came from the other side of the garden. Both girls whipped around to see Maximus charging towards them. In the dark, they did look like intruders. And that stupid braying was going to wake up everyone in the castle!
"Hop on!" Tracy hissed, knowing that when Flynn checked her room he would put two and two together. Serena, who was in no condition to run, jumped on her back and Tracy booked it for the garden gates, flats slapping in the wet grass.
"What are you doiiiiiiinnnnngggg?" Serena shrieked as Tracy launched her over the gate. She landed in a heap on the other side and scowled, though her ankle was thankfully alright. She used the staff to push herself up and she hastily picked the lock on the gate. Tracy swung the gates open and slammed them shut just as Maximus came charging up. She laughed when the white horse crashed into the gates.
"Come on!" Tracy giggled.
Serena climbed onto Tracy's back again, turning around and mouthing, 'Sorry!' at the horse before Tracy took off running again as the guards filled the garden.
...
"I knew it!" Flynn snapped, punching the wall in anger. His gut had been telling them those girls were trouble, and now Rapunzel was sobbing over the loss of her beloved tiara. The very one Flynn had been trying to steal the day they met.
"Um...sir?"
Flynn turned around, eyes narrowed. "Did they take anything else?"
"A pair of silk pyjamas, but that was all. And...well, it's kind of strange. I guess you better come and look."
Slightly worried about what they might find, Flynn put a protective arm around Rapunzel as the guards led them to Rose's room. He pushed the door open and stared in surprise.
The bed had been made, the dirty dishes gathered, and the pyjamas lay neatly folded on the bed. On top of the white silk nightwear was a note written on a piece of parchment.
Do you see why we didn't deserve this treatment? I'm really sorry, but...I have no excuses. No explanations. And I know saying sorry isn't going help anything, but I still feel the need to say it.
Thanks for everything.
"You were right," Rapunzel said softly. "Hannah is controlling her. Or it seems that way."
"Or maybe she's just the leader, and Rose knows what she says won't make a difference," Flynn muttered. "At least she has the decency to leave something. The other brat took off with the nightwear even though she had no need to."
"She didn't need to take my tiara either."
"Something's going on...give me some parchment. I'm writing to King Mickey."
...
"Do you even know where the next border is?" Serena hissed, perched on Tracy's back and casting uneasy glances over her shoulder.
"Of course! I noticed it when we were taken passed it by Rapunzel on the way to the castle." Tracy stopped by the rippling lake and gestured to it. "Notice something different?"
Serena stared. Half of the lake was dark blue, while the other half was so clear you could practically see through it, and it was more bright and colourful. "Oh no..."
"Little Mermaid, here we come!" Tracy cheered, and ignoring Serena's protests she jumped into the water.