Chapter Eight: The Brody Problem
It was just a little after sunset when the wooden door of Princess Rachel Berry's room received another knocking.
The princess unconsciously ran her hands through her hair, wishing that she was not as messy as she felt. She was hoping it would be Brody again, visiting her, probably to accompany her for dinner. They could dance again. She could sing for him again.
But the person entering her chamber was another stranger. He was tall and lean, with pale skin that gleamed under the dark sky. He had a tuft of chocolate hair that was combed neatly to the back, a rather pointed nose, and light blue eyes. The poor boy looked haggard and hungry; Princess Rachel suspected he was not one of Lady July's minions.
"Greetings, my fair princess," his voice was soft and gentle. "It is an honor. I am here to bring your supper." He set a tray of food consisting of a loaf of bread, a slice of cheese, and a jug of water.
"Thank you," Princess Rachel smiled, although she could not help but feel disappointed that it was not Brody. "I… have never seen you before. Who are you, if I might ask? You do not look like one of Lady July's… minions."
"Oh, I am not," the boy replied with a thin smile. "My name is Kurt, Your Majesty. I am… how do I say this? I am a prisoner in the Tower of July."
Princess Rachel sat up in alarm. "I, too, am a prisoner!" she said. "Oh, were you kidnapped from your kingdom too?"
"I was captured when I was venturing away from home, yes," Kurt answered, his expression turning sour as he reminisced his captivation. "I was out looking for adventure, and prison is what I get." He grimaced. "You are fortunate to be kept in such a chamber, Your Majesty. I make my house in the comfort of the dungeons. There is another girl with me, a young lady from the Schuester Kingdom. At least I have some company, but the dungeons are not a pleasant place to stay."
"How… how long have you been held here?" the princess asked. Now that she had found a friend with a similar fate, she was excited; Kurt would know exactly how she felt about being in the tower. Possibly, the girl from the Schuester Kingdom should, too. She wondered if she could meet this girl sometime soon.
Kurt sighed as he watched the sky darken outside the chamber. "Ah, how long has it been?" he wondered, more to himself than to the princess. "One winter, I suppose. One winter and two springs. This shall be my second summer."
"All those times," Princess Rachel said with amazement, "and no one had come looking for you?"
Kurt winced. "I am sure my family is looking for me," he said. "But this island is not exactly the easiest place to find."
Princess Rachel turned grim. "From which kingdom, pray, did you come from?"
"The Hummel-Hudson Kingdom," Kurt said.
The name of the kingdom brought back memories to Princess Rachel. She was instantly reminded of her beloved fiancé, Prince Finn Hudson. Her head spun as the prince's smiling face appeared in her mind. Prince Finn, of course. It had been a long time since she had heard from him; he had been away on some important journey for the kingdom, and he had not given her word for months. She thought he had disappeared into thin air. She was beginning to despair of their tenuous relationship, and she was afraid, deep down, that the prince did not want to be with her anymore. Prince Finn; her beloved, handsome prince. Where was he now? Did he even know that she was missing? Was he looking for her?
"Princess?" Kurt's voice brought her back into reality. "Are you all right? You look a little pale."
"Prince Finn," Princess Rachel stammered. "Prince Finn Hudson. Do you know him, Kurt?"
Kurt's eyes shone. "Of course I know him," he said. "The entire Hummel-Hudson kingdom knows who he is. Why? Why are you asking of him?"
"I… I am his fiancée." At Kurt's wide-eyed surprise, Princess Rachel hurriedly added, "Which is why I am feeling rather distressed, Kurt. I… I…" She exhaled. "I know this is a strange request, but may you please sit down and… and may I tell you of my problem?"
"Oh goodness, yes," Kurt said, eagerly sitting next to the princess on her bed. "What is it that is troubling you, princess? I give you my word that our conversation shall not leave this chamber."
Princess Rachel studied Kurt with newfound interest. "You are a kind soul, Kurt," she said. "I trust you and keep you by your word." She clasped her hands together. "Kurt, this afternoon, one of Lady July's henchmen came into my chambers. He wanted to check on me, and he was very courteous, very kind and charming too. I…"
"Oh, no," Kurt's face shone with apprehension. "You have met Brody Weston, have you not?"
Princess Rachel's cheeks went aflame.
"What did you do with Brody, princess?" Kurt demanded. "What did he say to you?"
"Nothing!" Princess Rachel grew even more embarrassed. "He just asked me if everything was all right, and he assured me that I should be released soon. And… and I sang for him… and… he asked me to dance with him…"
"Oh, no, princess, look," Kurt edged closer to her. "Brody Weston is charming and handsome, yes. But he is still Lady July's henchman. Beware of him, princess! You might not know what tricks he has up his sleeve to lure you into cooperating with Lady July. Brody is bad news for you. Forget him."
"But… but…"
"No buts, princess. I am trying to keep you away from danger. Brody is one of Lady July's most loyal henchmen. He would say things he knew you would like to hear. We might never know when he is lying or when he is telling the truth. Don't, princess, don't. Remember Prince Finn. Remember your fiancée! He is probably looking for you right now!"
Princess Rachel pouted. "My fiancée has not given me word for months," she said. "I do not even know where he is at the moment, or if he is even alive."
"Do not assume the worst of him," Kurt advised. "He might be plowing through the woods right now, fighting evil monsters just to find you. I believe that he loves you, princess, and that he shall do whatever it takes to rescue you and return you to your kingdom. Do not lose faith, princess; if you doubt him, then you are dooming your own soul."
Kurt stood up to leave. "Just heed my warning, princess," he said as he placed a hand on the door. "Be cautious of Brody Weston. Do not fall for his charms or his lies. Keep your prince faithfully in your heart, and you shall find each other again."
Kurt left Princess Rachel alone even more confused than she was before. Guilt started to eat away at her heart; she had forgotten about her prince, and danced with a handsome stranger instead. What kind of fiancée was she?
Prince Finn… where was he? Was he really plowing through the woods, fighting evil monsters and looking for her as Kurt had predicted? Would he ever come barging through that wooden door, sweep her off her feet, and carried her gallantly back into her kingdom?
Would he ever return and marry her?
All throughout the night, Kurt's words rang through her restless mind.
Keep your prince faithfully in your heart, and you shall find each other again.
That night she dreamed of Prince Finn Hudson.
Brochel, Finchel, Brochel, Finchel… :D
Who do you ship, guys? I miss Finchel… a lot…
