DISCLAIMER: This is utterly ridiculous.

Author's Note: For those of you who have not read my latest chapter of Once Upon A Psychologist: my computer (with all my files I might add) crashed. No, crashed is not the word...it went out in a Blaze of Glory. The guy at the shop said it was, "Really screwed up." So that is my excuse for not posting lately. I'll jump right back in and it'll be just like old times, I promise. For the next week I'm on a different computer until mine is ready. Then I'll start seriously writing. Please forgive me!!!!!!! NOW GO REVIEW!!!!!!

Chapter Eleven

Rapunzel's POV

The ride began slowly. Philip clip-clopped along at a nice steady pace while I became used to sitting atop a horse. It is quite an interesting experience, I can tell you. This giant beast beneath you with muscles twitching and knowing that he has the power to flip you off at any moment. It's enough to send shivers down one's back.

Yet he was so beautiful. I kept glancing downwards to see his tail and legs and warm brown eyes so often that Christian became rather tired of correcting my posture.

Although it was nearly noon, the day could have passed for evening. The caliginous clouds brooded heavily over the land and hid the sun from view. Trees were beginning to whisper amongst themselves as the hollow wind blew through them like a giant's breath as he is awoken from a hundred-year sleep. It was all too quiet. I suddenly felt very small and insecure being out with the sky brewing as it were.

Philip seemed to feel the same way. The horse's ears were twitching nervously from side to side and he occasionally whinnied a bit as thought incredulous that we were going to continue through this weather.

Christian did not seem to be in a talkative disposition anymore. His pensive nature revealed it's self occasionally in this sort of mood. He seemed to be in deep thought and though I hated to interrupt his thinking light drops of rain were beginning to fall upon me.

"Christian?" I asked timidly.

"Yes?" he answered, not fully aware that I was speaking yet.

"Christian, should we be heading back? I think a storm is coming and I don't imagine we want to be caught out in it."

He shook his head as thought trying to clear away the cobwebs of thoughts and replied, "Damn, it sure came upon us quickly didn't it?"

"Yes, it did."

He tilted his face heavenward and squinted into the leaden sky, then turned around to see how far we had come.

"We can't turn around now. The storm's too close and the tower is too far."

"What are we going to do?" my voice shook as I tried to keep my nerves steady.

Christian quickly glanced around through the trees and then said, "Here, give me the reigns. I have an idea."

"What is it?"

"Well, it's not the best plan in the world, but it'll have to do."

I elbowed him in the ribs. "Are you going to tell me where we're going or not?"

He grimaced and twisted the leather strips of bridle out of my fingers. "Trees aren't exactly the best things to stand beneath during a lighting storm, but there's not any man-made shelter and we certainly can't stay out here in the meadow."

"So..."

"So, I know of a place in the forest where the trees aren't too tall, and they grow so close together that even when it's raining no water can pass through the canopy."

"Great," I muttered sarcastically.

"Oh hush, it's the best we can do."

"I knew you'd get me killed someday. Guess now's as good a time as any. Let's go." I nudged him impatiently. If we were going to be electrocuted then better get it over with.

"Hold on to the saddle," Christian said and as I took hold he slipped the reigns into his right hand and slid his left arm around me. "Uh, sorry," he said stiffly, "But I need to hold you still."

"What do you think I'm going to do, jump off the horse?"

"Fall off."

"We've been riding for a good hour now and I haven't fallen yet." Of course, come to think of it I didn't really mind his arm right where it was.

Christian rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sight. I started to open my mouth to continue arguing when that idiot Prince kicked Philip and he sped off into a full gallop.

I bit my lip to keep from screaming and closed my eyes so as not to see our deaths when that boy and his horse killed us all.

"Christian! The trees, the trees!"

Christian's POV

"Rapunzel hold still!" I cried and tried to pin her arms down. The crazed girl was going to get us both killed! Couldn't she see that I knew what I was doing? I had been dodging through trees on horseback for most of my life and was quite accomplished at it thank you very much.

As we neared the grove I slowed Philip and dismounted. Rapunzel sat frozen atop the horse breathing heavily and shaking slightly.

"Rapunzel?" I didn't like the way she was looking...almost sick. The last thing I wanted was for her to be scared to death. I decided to make her mad.

"Ok, you can wake up sometime this century."

She went rigid and then turned to face me, her eyes flashing. "Why you wretch! You nearly killed us!"

She was fine. I grinned and began to tie Philip's bridal to the nearest oak tree. "You're the one who nearly got us killed waving your arms about. I had things under control."

She gave me a look of pure disgust and crossed her arms.

"So, are you getting down or not?"

A small snort was the only response I received.

I couldn't help it. I had to push her just a little further. "So anytime this century would be fine."

She was looking down now and her eyes weren't so angry anymore. Her lips quivered slightly and a soft whisper floated to my ears across a cool breeze.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

"I don't know how to get down."

"Oh, here...sorry...swing your right leg over Philip's rear."

She did and paused. I firmly took hold of her by the waist and continued, "Ok, I've got you, just let go of the saddle and drop."

She did as I bade and when she was on the solid ground instead of backing away hurriedly as I had expected, Rapunzel turned and wrapped her arms around my neck. She buried her face into my chest and I could feel her body trembling. She was trying not to cry.

"Shh...shh..." I whispered, now fully realizing that I was a jerk. She had been scared to death and there I was tormenting her. Gosh, sometimes I can be a real idiot.

"Are you ok?"

She nodded and pulled back a little. "I'm sorry, I'm all right now. I just had to get it out." Rapunzel wiped her cheeks with her fingers and sniffed a little. "There, I'm fine now."

I smiled and took her hand, "Ok, let's go."