A/N: Hey guys! No hard feelings about the lack of updates, right? Ow, who threw that? Anyways I am back with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait.

Chapter 8
Rapunzel

My mind was fuzzy, the last remnants of a dream being chased away by the realization that I was awake again. It was a nice dream, something about sitting in a big oak tree in meadow full of flowers but the details were fading fast even as I tried to recall them. With a mental sigh I allowed my brain to focus and cautiously opened one eye. The sunlight cut the room in half and I saw dust-motes dancing in the wall of light. Getting up in a tangled mess of hair, I take off my night gown and change into uniform. I brushed my hair out as well I could before putting it in a large braid to keep people from stepping on it. I had forgotten yesterday and nearly everyone stepped on it.

I was extremely excited that morning because after Astronomy, Flynn and I were going to the festival. I hadn't told my Mother about it, but what she doesn't know won't kill her. I'm in such a mess of excitement, I don't even pay attention during,my first couple of classes. When astronomy hits though, the day seems to drag on.

And on.

And on.

And on.

And on.

And on.

And on.

And on.

And on.

I don't care about the different cycles of the constellations today. All I can do is look back from my seat at Flynn and at the clock waiting for class to end.

"Ms. Gothel," Professor Ombric asked standing in front of my desk. "Am I boring you?"

"No, I was paying attention."

"To what. The clock or Mr. Ryder's 'smolder'" he asked in a mock tone earning the class to chuckle. "If you were paying attention you could tell us the life cycle of the star Mintaka in Orion's Belt."

" Mintaka or delta Orionis is a massive O star. These stars are roughly 20 times the mass of the Sun. In a short few million years after the star is born it will die in as supernova. The remnant of the supernova will be either a neutron star or a black hole. In some cases a supernova can completey annihilate a star and then leave nothing behind. Mintaka is likely just 1 million years old so it will be some time before it dies." I said remembering it from a book I read.

"Hmm" Ombric said going back to his lesson. He didn't bother me again all class.

***
As the class is letting out I wait up for Flynn. I can hardly contain my excitement. I have wanted to go to the festival all my life. Now, I was actually going to do it! Flynn swaggers out with a triumphant look on his face.

"Glad to see you're coming, hurry before someone catches us." He said grabbing my arm and pulling me along.

"I thought you said we were allowed to do this." I said, fighting laughter as we flew down the steps.

"Well, we're allowed to do whatever we want, just can't get caught doing it."

"I'm not so sure if I should..." I thought of my mother and how angry and disappointed she'd be. But then I thought, she'd also be amused. She'd yell and reprimand me for this, but then she'd go back to her sweet, loving tone and treat me like a puppy that chewed up your slippers. "Nevermind."

"Alright," Flynn said bursting through a doorway, leading me off grounds.

The sun is already a bursting orange color when we reach the city walls. The island-town shows two distinct styles of architecture. The style of copper "onion domes" that make the castle distinct emerged in Russia and never spread farther west than Germany. Onion domes flourished in eastern and central European architecture from the 15th century onward. On the other hand, the thick-timbered houses of the town date from the late Middle Ages through the Renaissance.

The kingdom is surrounded by the sea with a bridge leading back to land. I am immediately awe inspired by the market. This amazing city of alchemists and poets, mechanics and astronomers, philosophers and physicians, is the heart of culture in the World of Magic. "This is..."

"Amazing," Flynn finishes for me. We look to each other and laugh. The day goes on pretty much like this. A series of us events followed by us looking to each other and laughing, as if we needed each other's approval. We get to know each other through some small talk. It's pretty much perfect, except one thing. Every time a guard would come within twenty feet, I would feel Flynn jerk and we'd either hide or move on. Yet through it all, he kept his dapper smile on the whole time.

"So, where'd you grow up?" Flynn says as he gives some money to a man for a boat and lanterns.

"What?" I ask accepting a flower from an old woman handing them out. It is a sunflower. I never liked them much. Always halfway between living and dying.

"Where'd you grow up?" He asks again leading me to a bench by a bakery where he buys us cupcakes.
What should I tell him? Should I tell him the truth about me? Oh sure that would work out great! I was raised in a tower. Really? You too. Amazing! God, I have to make something up quick.

"My mother and I lived in a valley away from most towns or cities. I was homeschooled by her and spent most of my time reading, or baking, or chores. Every year, I saw these lanterns fly into the sky and just wish I could go see them. Mother would never allow it though. My mom got offered a teaching position the same time I got a letter of invitation to Hogwarts. She gladly accepted knowing I would have her there to watch over me." After a moment of silent as he studied my face I blush and say "what about you?"

"Well, I lived at a big house. My mom, dad, and I were the only ones in our family, but every room was full. They let people stay for free. I learned pretty much from those older who came and went. Traveled a lot to. I was sent to Hogwarts because I got in a bit of trouble. Nothing you need worry about, bit of theft, hangin with the wrong people. The whole schtick." It was my turn to study his face, and his turn to blush. Both of us were holding back on our stories.

A booming voice interrupted our stare with a loud "TO THE BOATS!" Flynn takes my hand and we run to the dock. Out amongst the hundreds of boats, he seems to find the best spot.

"Wow, this spot is amazing! The moon is so bright." I say in wonderment.

"Yeah, well, I figure it's our first date. Might as well make it a good one."

I catch my breath when he says that. Was this a date? I mean I liked him, but we just met. But then again if it doesn't work out, that's not too bad. But if mother knew... Oh she would be so furious. That's OK though, I mean what she doesn't know won't kill her. Oh my gosh. This would kill her. Flynn notices my look of worry.

"You ok?" There is genuine concern in his voice. All the suave, charismatic tone left him. I couldn't tell him about how controlling my mother was, he'd never want to get involved.

"I've been looking out of a window for eighteen years, dreaming about what I might feel like when those lights rise in the sky. What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be?" It wasn't a lie. This was really itching at me. I've been building this up in my mind. What if it doesn't meet the build up.

"It will be." Flynn tries to reassure me. Though I couldn't be helped I was worrying.

"And what if it is? What do I do then?"

"Well,that's the good part I guess. You get to go find a new dream."

I ponder on what Flynn said, but I'm distracted by the first glimpse of the lanterns. Flynn lights ours and hands me one. His smile back. We send them up and watch the lanterns fly over. It is a flood of orange light and dazzling beauty. At some point Flynn and I hold onto each other's hands. As the lanterns go away, I am left in awe. It was everything and more.

***
After the lanterns vanish, Flynn excuses himself and says to wait for him. While sitting I heard a strange mix between a whisper and a whimper.

I looked around for the source of the noise when my eyes settled upon a floating ball with a flame shaped head, glowing eyes, and an oval shaped body. I bent down and reached my hand out, only to have it evaporate. I stepped back and looked ahead, there was a whole trail of them. People oddly looked as if they didn't see them.

I continued following them in a twisted path to the forest across the water. There, the last visible one floats above a hollow log. I bend down and see a glint from something shiny. I reach in and pull out a satchel. I reach in and too my surprise, a chameleon crawls onto my arm.

I drop the satchel and the thump makes the chameleon change colors to match my hand. I pull out a crown which I am about to put back when I hear voices and freeze.

"All I'm saying is, if he stole it, why would he bring it back within our borders?" The one says. It is high pitched and scratchy.

"Who cares, sooner we find it, sooner we can get home," a gruffer voice says. The two guards stop when they see me holding the crown.

"Look at that, Dim, a girl's got it," the gruff toned one said. He drew his sword as the other one did and marched towards me. I drop the crown and pull out my wand, ready to cast a spell when the guards are knocked down. Behind them stands Flynn, his wand out stretched, smoking from the spell cast.

"Blondie, what are you doing?" He asks. I don't open my mouth as I hear the sound of rushed galloping steps of a horse. It skids to a stop not two feet in front of us. Atop the magnificent white horse was a knight with a crossbow pointed directly at us.

"Ryder," he snarls at Flynn. He smiles when he sees our wands drawn. "You know the punishment for using magic for violence wishing the borders of Corona, violence."

Flynn gulps wringing his neck. As Flynn stares at his face, he freezes. I look into the knights face. Two cold brown eyes match his burly mustache and at the side of his face, I notice an outlined black line in the shape of a vine.

Flynn blasts the man in the face with no effect. The knight laughs aiming the crossbow. "I'm going to enjoy this more than I should." He laughs again. This time he his cut short by two sets of arms pulling him down. The Stabbington brothers had torn him off and knocked him out.

They gave Flynn a look and he nodded leading me away. "I'm so sorry about this." He says sighing noticing the chameleon on my shoulder. "Nice frog by the way."

All I can mutter is "it's a chameleon." As he leads me back to the school.

A/N: Sooooooooooo, what'd you think? Was it worth it? No. Well I tried! But seriously really sorry. Will update soon. Bye.