A/N: Sorry for taking so long, I've been having a few complications lately.
With each passing day Rapunzel seemed to grow weaker but at the same time she turned stronger. Eugene was always by her side, constantly caring for her, while Maximus and Pascal went hunting for for the poor, sweet, sick girl in bed, Rapunzel wanted nothing more than to wander freely and play for a while. Unfortunately, her condition forbid her from all the pleasures she had longed to experience.
Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by a generous, caring thief who gently walked into her room.
"How are you?" he asked gently.
"I…I've…b… b…been b…b…better," she replied quietly with pain and agony clouding up small bits of her voice.
Eugene noticed how she seemed to fall asleep for longer periods each passing day with less energy than usual, once she woke up. He felt so helpless, she was practically dying and he couldn't stop it. Each day her breathing would shudder while she slept and Eugene felt like it might stop at any second, and then he would never get to say good bye. Of course he didn't want to anyway; Rapunzel meant the world to him, more than some treasure and he couldn't stand to see her die.
One night, while they all slept, Eugene heard a loud bloodcurdling shriek. He quickly rushed into Rapunzel's room and found her clutching her chest, her breath as heavy as a brick and hastening with every second, shivering as if a thick blanket of cold had just enveloped her and struggling in pain. Eugene sent Maximus for a doctor before trying to calm Rapunzel as best he could, but everything seemed so hopeless somehow. Luckily, Maximus came just in time with the doctor. He politely asked Eugene to exit the room so he could privately work on his patient and the fugitive didn't waste any time trying to ask questions.
It had been hours and everyone could still hear the unbearable screeching that escaped the poor girl's lips. Pascal was on top of Maximus's head continuously contemplating his time with his closest human friend in fear; the horse was as scared as the little lizard that stood upon his head as almost felt like biting he hoofs. And Eugene was especially scared, he never meant to leave her alone like that, but he never thought it would lead to so much trouble for her, now the only thing he could do was hope.
Finally, the screaming had ceased and the doctor walked out of the door.
"Well, how is she?" asked Eugene.
"Her heart is very unstable," he said," I'm afraid she might need an operation. And the only doctors I know who specialise in that field live in Corona."
Eugene felt very anxious; he was the most wanted thief in the entire Kingdom and no one would help someone like him so willingly. It was a difficult task, but he had to do it for Rapunzel's sake because she needed and deserved help the most.
After the doctor left her some more medicine, Eugene went inside the patient's room. Her breathing was still heavy but steady, and a large amount of sweat soaked her forehead. He quickly snatched a wet piece of cloth and dabbed away as much sweat as he could. After all the sweat had been removed, he gently pressed his forehead against hers; her fever was only getting worse…much worse. He was running out of time.
Her eyes slowly opened, she felt numb with pain. Every fiber of her being felt like they were tearing apart and her breathing was still tearing the rest of her. At some moment, she almost felt like screaming, but Eugene came in just in time. He quickly got a spoon and poured strange dark syrup onto it. He placed it against her lips and asked her to swallow, she obeyed but the bitter taste almost made her feel like gagging but it subdued the pain.
"Wha…what… happened?" she asked, confused.
"You had a little attack," he replied as soothingly as possible, "How do you feel now?"
"A…a…b…b…bit…be…better."
He placed a soothing hand against her cheek. "Don't worry Rapunzel; you'll feel a lot better soon…. I promise."
He gently supported her head and helped her sit up a little, she felt like trying to get a little closer and apparently he had the same idea, and as soon as their lips were about to touch they were interrupted by a loud neighing sound. Maximus was alerting Eugene along with the squeaky little color changing lizard on top of his head. Eugene quickly understood and cradled Rapunzel's entire body in his arms.
"Wha…"
"Shhhhh," he soothed, "don't worry everything's going to be fine." He carried her to the cart he used to bring her all the way to the cottage and carefully placed her inside and got a pillow and a blanket to make her feel more comfortable."
"Eu…Eugene…"
He shushed her and had her go to sleep, promising that everything was fine. But in truth, he wasn't sure; the doctor said that the operation would help her live longer, but he couldn't promise that it would save her life. Rapunzel was much too sick for that and the toxins had invaded her body in very large amounts, he wasn't sure what to do, but, right now, he had no choice.
They brought her to the boat, and as Eugene installed the sick girl into the cabin Maximus was steering and Pascal was keeping watch.
Eugene watched every detail of Rapunzel. Her scent, the way she breathed and every little curve on her beautiful face. Suddenly, her eyes opened, they were still sparkling but only faintly; he didn't like what was happening to her.
"Hey," he said sweetly, "how are you feeling now?"
"St…str…strange," she sputtered as slow as her breath.
He sighed and then gently cradled her head into his arms. He tried to hold back his tears the lasting she needed was to pity him, while she was suffering.
"Eugene," she said as clearly as possible.
"Yes."
"I…I…I'm…" Tears suddenly bursted out of her eyes as she began to soak his shirt, she was terrified and everything suddenly felt meaningless.
"Don't you dare worry," he tried to sound reassuring, "everything's going to be alright."
A/N: Sorry for the wait. But leave as many comments as you like.
