Chapter 21: See The Light

After three days' travel, Rapunzel and Flynn reached the city after being followed by a stubborn white horse that Rapunzel decided to call Maximus because of the name stitched onto its saddlebag along with the word 'police'. While Flynn seemed dubious, the horse did seem to respond to the name Maximus. But Rapunzel was soon distracted by the many sights and sounds that the city had to offer, which included street dancing multicolored streamers on the lampposts along with stands selling flowers and paper lanterns.

"What is this?" Rapunzel asked, pointing to a mural that depicted a sad-looking couple reaching towards a baby that was crowned and being carried up into a dark cloud by a pair of bony hands.

"That is the origin of this festival," Flynn answered. "Story has it that eighteen years ago, the mayor's wife was very sick while pregnant and the only cure for it was a magical flower. But the flower was being used by a Witch, who decided to steal the wife's newborn child as revenge. So this Festival of Lanterns was created with the idea that the lost child would see the lights in the sky and come home one day."

"I see." Rapunzel looked at the child again and noticed the crown it wore looked remarkably similar to the one in Flynn's leather bag which was back at the tower.

"Excuse me," said a small girl tugging on Rapunzel's dress. "Do you want your hair braided?"

"By who?" Rapunzel questioned.

"My mom," the small girl replied, pointing to a weary-looking woman near a flower stand. "She does a good job and it's only for five bucks."

Looking in her dress pockets, Rapunzel said, "Oh, sorry, I don't have any money—

"I'll pay for it," Flynn offered, taking a five dollar bill out of his pants pocket.

"Thanks, mister!" The girl smiled and dragged Rapunzel over to her mother.

After all of Rapunzel's golden hair was thoroughly braided with white flowers weaved in, Flynn took her to the river that ran through the city and rented a boat to watch the lanterns in.

"So why do you steal if you have money?" Rapunzel abruptly said, causing Flynn to almost drop the oars.

"Technically, this isn't my own money but my mother's," Flynn replied. When Rapunzel gave him a confused look, he said, "Ever since my dad left to make his fortunes elsewhere, my mom's been having to support the both of us. But just so she doesn't seem stingy in front of the other moms in my neighborhood, she gives me a regular allowance. Doesn't stop the kids from teasing me, though, so I want to make money my own way."

"By stealing the crown?"

"That…was out of desperation. I was forced to steal the crown by a couple of guys who threatened to harm my mom if I didn't, and that's why I need it."

Unsure of what to say, Rapunzel soon noticed the lanterns flying into the sky and watched them silently while Flynn kept the boat steady along the current. When they got back to the dock, Flynn left to get something so Rapunzel waited. She then heard footsteps and saw Gothel approaching her carrying Flynn's bag.

"Mother!" Rapunzel exclaimed. "How did you—

"Is this how you repay my kindness? By running away with lowly thieves who steal crowns?" Gothel snapped. "When I didn't see you in the tower, I was scared to death and went through great lengths just to find you!"

"I-I'm sorry," Rapunzel muttered.

"What were you thinking?" Gothel continued. "You could've gotten hurt, taken advantage of, or even killed!"

"But nothing bad happened! I was able to defend myself just fine, and Flynn Rider helped."

"Flynn Rider?" Gothel made a sharp laugh. "His real name is Eugene Fitzherbert and he's a runaway orphan."

Rapunzel's eyes widened. "He told me he had a mother, though."

"Well, he lied. The only people he knows are the Stabbington Brothers, and they're wanted for multiple crimes with murder among them. Now let's go home."

"No," Rapunzel objected. "I want to hear the truth from Flynn first."

Gothel hesitated, then she tossed the bag to Rapunzel who caught it. "Fine. See how he reacts."

Then Gothel vanished into thin air much to Rapunzel's surprise.

Flynn arrived soon after and his eyes looked straight at the bag. "Is that—

"Yes, it's your bag," Rapunzel said and fibbed, "I had it with me the whole time."

"Why didn't you say so?"

"Because I didn't know if I could trust you. Now why do you really need the crown?"

"For us, luv," said a pair of male voices that sounded identical.

Out of the shadows emerged two big men with short ginger hair and gray clothes.

"Nice going, Eugene," said one of the men. "You brought the crown to us like you promised."

"Promised?" Rapunzel blinked.

"I didn't promise these guys anything," Flynn claimed. "I left to see if I could find that online friend of yours Quasimodo."

"He came directly to us, the Stabbington Brothers, saying he had the crown," responded the second man. "Now if you're not going to give the crown willingly, then we'll have to take it from you by force."

As the two men advanced, Flynn stood frozen. Panicking, Rapunzel attempted to undo the braids to let her hair loose when Gothel suddenly appeared in front of her.

"Get away from my daughter, you thief!" Gothel shouted as she pushed Flynn to the ground and glared at the Stabbington Brothers. "The same goes for you two."

"Wait!" The first man objected. "What about our deal?"

Before Rapunzel could ask anything, Gothel grabbed Rapunzel's arm and snapped her finger. In an instant, they were back inside the tower with moonlight coming in from the open window.

"He really did lie to me," Rapunzel muttered, feeling tears falling down her face. "I'm sorry, Mother Gothel, I should've listened to you."

"All is forgiven, my little flower," Gothel said and stroked Rapunzel's head. "I'll unbraid your hair tonight, and then return the stolen crown tomorrow."

End of Chapter 21