Chapter 63 - The Weekend Of: Part 5 of ?
Cassandra was rowing their boat somewhere far out from the capital. They'd been gone for fifteen minutes now, and the castle could still be seen in the far-off distance. Rapunzel gazed forward with interested, but also nervous, eyes. Her excitement about getting out here, about finally travelling to places she's only dreamed of going, was still prominent, but there was this slight lingering fear inside. What would outside of Corona be like? How... how is she going to tell Eugene, her parents.
Should she even tell them she did this?
She contemplated... but all those lingering thoughts came to a halt as she took her first step on the main land. Immediately, the familiar, but still oh-so-distant feeling of grass underneath her heels and toes caused a spark to go off inside her head. She grinned widely, another tune in her head beginning to play itself.
Seems like I've spent my whole life hopin', dreaming of things I've never tried...
Maximus stepped out of the boat, and she nuzzled herself around his white, fur-ridden face. She led him forward, holding onto a rope attached to his saddle. Cassandra was doing the same with Fidella just to her right side.
Tangled in knots, just waiting for my... time... to shine...
What if the doors... began to open?
What if the knots became untied?
Cassandra, Fidella, and Max stopped in their pace, with Rapunzel walking slightly in front of them. She carefully pulled down the hood of her cloak, her nerves slightly growing.
What if one day, nothing stood in my way, and the world... was mineeee...
Rapunzel looked back to Cassandra, who gave her a supporting smile. That was all she needed to gain a new-born confidence, and she turned back to the open fields they were now all facing, and extended her hands into the air, stretching as the wind blew up against her face. She smiled brightly, loving the wondrous feeling it gave her! The rush that came crashing in; the desire to go running and racing and dancing and chasing and leaping and bounding to her heart's desire! It truly was like no other!
Would it feeeeel this fineeee?
Cassandra mounted Fidella behind her, and Rapunzel did the same with Max after he had walked up to her side once more.
'Cause I've got the wind in my hair, and a gleam in my eyes, and an endless horizon...
The two horses, with coordination of their friends and riders, took off into a sprint.
I've got a smile on my face, and I'm walking on air...
Soon after, Rapunzel found herself lifting her cloak and dress up as she walked in and through a pond. Its water was clear and see-through, and the reflection of the full-moon above shone bright.
And everything life oughta be...
She stopped every so often to look at the small, cute little fishes that swam around and about her bare legs and feet.
It's all gonna happen to me out there...
Eventually, she got out to walk on the grassy plains just to the side, and she took off into a sprint as the fishes swam up and through with her, until reaching the beginnings of a water fall.
And I'll find it I swear...
With the wind in my hair...
Rapunzel, by now, had reached the inners of a cave that resided directly next to this waterfall. Maximus, who had been following her close behind this whole time, walked up to her. She greeted him and jumped on his back, and together, they rode through the inners of the cave. She extended her hand out into the waterfall, relishing in the cold but yet soothing sensation of water rippling off her bare skin and knuckles.
So many roads I've yet to travel!
She met back up with Cassandra and Fidella near a large tree next to a short, open pathway between two hills. They walked into the pathway; Rapunzel was heading into it with more of an open-mind, while Cassandra opted to stay on high-alert for any potential threats. Her sword was at her side, ready to be drawn whenever the situation called for it.
So many friends I haven't met!
There were a few bunnies jumping in and around, until what appeared to be a rabid, yellow-eyed wolf jumped out and growled at them.
So many new adventures, just around the bend...
Cassandra drew her sword, but was rather surprised and confused to see Rapunzel having dropped to both knees and... rubbing the now enthusiastic looking yellow-eyed wolf's belly. Max and Fidella both looked on in curiosity from their spots in the back, and a few birds flew in, watching along with them.
Plenty of mysteries to unravel...
Rapunzel and Cassandra both stepped forward and looked at a close by patch of grass that was surrounded by lightning bugs. They exchanged enthusiastic looks before approaching and peaking in.
Tons of mistakes to not regret...
Cassandra pushed open the small patch of grass just a little bit, only for Rapunzel to take charge above of her and push it open fully. What was revealed to them was a small little golden-lit pond with frogs, lily-pads, and lightning bugs all around. It was a remarkably beautiful and seductive sight.
So much to see, and to do, and to be...
Rapunzel had caught a lightning bug, encasing it between both her open palms. Cassandra watched her with a content smile, as she then let the lightning bug go and fly away in the distance, as more of its bretheren popped up out of nowhere and joined.
A whole life to spend...
She and Cassandra took off into a sprint, following the flying lightning bugs.
And it doesn't end...
Maximus and Fidella noticed their pace, and slowly grew into a careful jog of their own, eventually letting their respective riders jump on board before taking off full speed.
'Cause I've got the wind in my hair, and a song in my heart, and the fun's only startin'...
Maximus jumped up in the air, and Rapunzel stretched her hands about with the full moon shining brightly from its spot on her left handed side. She smiled brightly as a few of the lightning bugs flew around and about her face, lighting her features up. She could feel the wind brush against her face, and just in front of her, she saw the thing she had been both waiting and dreading for approach rapidly. Her breath got caught for a split second, a faint fear growing... until a much larger and more dominant desire of thrill and adventure took over. With determined narrow eyes, she directed Maximus further, and when the moment called... she let herself be launched up into the air.
I've got a skip in my step, and I haven't a care...
She landed graciously on-top the wall, standing up straight and dancing a small little as the lightning bugs flew and buzzed around her body. As she then reached to her side for the rope, Cassandra landed to her left, smirking smugly. With an eye-gesture towards the land outside, Rapunzel turned, and for the first time in her life... she caught a glimpse of the world outside of Corona.
And it was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.
Miles upon miles of rivers, different and varying colors of trees... mountains... bushes, grass patches. Completely different than her home; so different than what she's used to in Corona. This was out here the whole time? And she didn't know!?
And everything life oughta be... well, I know that it's waiting for me out there...
The draw of this ever so desirable new place of exploration was too much, and Rapunzel could not wait a second more. She reached for her side, where she had placed the rope... only to feel nothing but air. A quick wave of panic rushed in, until she heard a quiet whistle. She turned and saw Cassandra twirling the piece of rope around a finger, then extending it out. Rapunzel silently thanked her and took the rope, feeling its rough and scratchy exterior. She took a deep breath as she turned once again to the outside world, but not before glancing one final time to the capital, where the castle could be seen ever so briefly in the distance.
And I'll find it, I swear...
Closing her eyes, taking another deep breath... she stepped forward and flung the rope over the edge. She opened her eyes, revealing a newfound determination... and with Cassandra watching just off to the side, she took off into a sprint.
With the wind in my hair!
Open eyes, she jumped off the ledge of the wall, surprised at the lack of fear she felt. The tune in her head slowed and quieted down, and she relished in the wind brushing up against her hair and face while she flew through the air onto her new journey. She wasn't thinking about Eugene, her parents, or even Corona in general. All that mattered in this instance... all that mattered in this moment was being able to finally get out there. All that mattered to her right now was seeing what she's been deprived of her whole life, and she was more than ready to face anything and everything that would be coming her and Cassandra's way.
Eugene was sleeping soundly when he felt a small reptile paw prodding against the side of his cheek.
"No-not now, ye frog... it's sleepy... time..." he murmured.
Pascal had just recently woken after a bad dream, and was hoping to be held by his best friend, as she normally comforted him after such events, from down in her normal spot on the bed. But he was rather surprised and confused to see that she wasn't there. So, not feeling like going on a manhunt right now of all times in the middle of the night, he decided to crawl down and up to the sleeping Eugene to see whether or not the larger man knew about her whereabouts. He would've done the tongue thing to his ear, but then that would make the big man mad, and Pascal was more concerned about Rapunzel than the funny face Eugene made whenever he woke him up this way.
And, being he didn't get a response, he nudged Eugene's cheek again.
"Pan... pancakes... gimme all your pancakes, Mr. Pistachio..." he mumbled in an oddly serious tone.
Pascal quirked a confused eyebrow, while also holding in a snort. Man, humans dream about weird things.
"Gum... gumdrops... what's that, Mr. Pistachio?" Eugene's sleeping face turned hopeful, "Free... lifetime... pancakes? Well, don't mind if I do..."
Okay, that was enough. Pascal scurried up Eugene's face, and gently pulled his eyelid up. "Wha-" Eugene groggily stared at him and moved his head, inadvertently knocking Pascal just to the side in the process, while also groaning as he twisted and turned a little bit more. He shifted his body to face the side away from where Rapunzel normally slept. "Pascal," he sighed, asking with eyes closed, his back to the green creature, "what do you want?"
Pascal chirped something quietly, and Eugene sighed again, turning back to him. He sat up a little bit against the back headboard, revealing the top of his bare chest. He rubbed his eyes, yawning, "Can this wait a few more hours?" He looked at the clock on the wall and groaned when he saw that it was a little past 3:30 in the morning.
Pascal crawled up to his shoulder, and Eugene's eyes groggily followed his movements. He perched himself there and pointed with his tail to the side of the bed that was empty. Eugene's eyes ever so slightly widened. "What? Rapunzel?"
Pascal chirped, "Do you know where she is?"
"I..." Eugene yawned again, stretching his arms over his head, "I don't know. Maybe she's using the bathroom? Or out getting a late-night snack? Women like late-night snacks, right? I know we men do."
Pascal whimpered, "She never usually gets up at this time, though..."
Eugene licked his lips, "Yeah, key word: 'usually'. I'm sure she's fine..." He slowly scooted back down into a sleeping position, and Pascal stayed perched on his shoulder as he pulled the covers back up. "There's... there's nothing wrong with being worried..." he whispered, closing his eyes, "it's fine to be a little worried, but she'll be back soon. I'm sure..."
Pascal took a second to contemplate this, before sighing and dropping his little head. Perhaps Eugene was right; perhaps she was just out for a simple late night snack, or was using the restroom. He decided to go along with that because he was still very much so not feeling in the mood for an investigation throughout the many large and tall halls that made up this castle they now lived in. And he would've already been back up to his little custom bed Rapunzel made him in the rafters above the bed, if he was not still slightly frightened by his nightmare. It was about that night he experienced as a wee-little chameleon, the night he lost his dearly beloved mother.
With saddened eyes, he chirped something quietly back to Eugene.
"You... you had a nightmare?" he murmured, appearing half-asleep. "Frogs have those?"
Pascal sighed, irritated that Eugene still called him a frog, but more-so to emphasize the sadness and slight fear he now felt in conjunction from the nightmare. If he were being brutally honest, he just wanted to be held and comforted. It didn't matter by who.
"Alright... alright," Eugene relented, grumbling. He turned back around to face Pascal and pulled up a pillow. He dropped it nearby and patted it, "You can bunk with me tonight. How's that sound, bud?" He smiled softly, his voice surprisingly genuine and caring. Perhaps it was because Pascal had decided to not wake him up with the tongue this time.
Pascal smiled back, chirping a sincere 'thank you' while crawling up to the middle of the pillow. He sighed in content as Eugene slowly moved and placed his hand near the center, and Pascal wasted not a second to curl up close to his palm, feeling himself drift back into a hopefully treasured slumber.
Rapunzel and Cassandra were riding their respective horses outside the walls of Corona's land of jurisdiction when they came across a worn-down, cracking old bridge.
"Rapunzel," Cassandra approached her, hesitating ever so slightly, "You know that no one can know I took you out here, outside Corona's border wall, right? Princesses' and their ladies in waiting aren't... exactly supposed to be doing this sort of thing," she chuckled, "especially in the middle of the night of all times."
Rapunzel turned to her, a saddened expression shining through her face as well. She hadn't had much time - actually, no. Scratch that, she did have a lot of time to think it over, but she chose not to, instead letting her excitement and desire to have fun take over through these first few hours they've been out here in the wild. She knew this would be a hard sell to her parents, especially her Dad (who she knew from experience was more overly-protective than her mother), and Eugene, of course, who'd probably question why she's even doing this in the first place. He was the one who, she thought glumly, brought up the initial topic of staying in... Corona... forever...
And while she, again, knew that the vows they would be saying to each other on Sunday would not be her throwing any chance she had of exploring further outside the world of Corona, she also knew that... Eugene and her haven't exactly had that discussion yet in the first place. For all he knows, he probably thinks that's what she wants: to never leave Corona again. To never explore the world; to settle down, here... year upon year... attended and secure...
She sighed. That would definitely be an interesting conversation come the time. But that's exactly what: come the time. She couldn't talk to Eugene now, and she knew this, so for now, she decided to live in the moment.
"Cass..." She managed a faint, sincere smile, "I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to. Besides, I'm not even sure what might happen if Eugene and my parents find out..." Her voice trailed off uneasily.
Cassandra managed a smile of support, "I don't think that Eugene would be mad..." her voice trailed off, "but who knows. Your parents on the other hand..." She shook her head, forcing a smile, "Let's not think about that right now. Rather, let's focus on this thing I've still yet shown you." Her grin turned a tad smug.
Rapunzel silently giggled, tapping her chin in thought, "Hmmm, I wonder what this thing might be..."
"Not to spoil anything, but it's unlike anything I've ever seen before, at-least. Anyway, c'mon,-" she waved a hand, and Fidella began to walk forward, "-we don't have all night!" Rapunzel stayed back, watching her and Fidella move a little farther forward. With each step they took, though, rumblings and crackling of the bridge could be both seen and heard coming from underneath.
Fidella's eyes widened in surprise, and she lifted both her front legs up into the air. "Woah! Woah," Cassandra gasped, "Fidella, down girl!"
"That looks... dangerous..." Rapunzel said uneasily from behind. Maximus, with narrow and slightly frightful yet alert eyes, nodded in agreement.
"Uhh... yeah..." Cassandra looked to the side and saw just how high up they were. She turned to Fidella, whose breaths were slowly calming, "Hey, girl, I think you and Max might have to stay back. You alright with that?" Fidella, who very much so wanted to stay back after that little scene, nodded in complete agreement. She lowered her front, letting Cassandra jump down as Rapunzel lonesomely walked up from behind. She then walked back to Max, taking her place next to her ever so obvious admirer.
"We'll be right back, you two!" Rapunzel called, waving a hand. Maximus neighed her a 'good luck' in horse language, saluting one final time as Rapunzel and Cassandra walked forward and across the bridge. But even as the two girls moved farther and farther away from where they stood, he and Fidella could very clearly still see and hear the faint rumblings of the bridge.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Fidella neighed, eyes concerned.
Max nodded his head, eyes locked onto the shrinking form of the girl he's sworn an oath to protect and guard. "Me too. Let's just hope for the best..."
"So..." Rapunzel looked up into the narrow-looking sky. Cassandra had led her into a small, cave-like pathway, and they were slowly walking themselves through it to their apparent destination. "Are you the type of person to give hints? Because I, uh, I have a few ideas in my head about what you might be leading me to... but none of them feel all that realistic."
Yes, an island full of teddy bears was not realistic, she realized only a little bit ago.
"Why give you hints when I can instead show?" Cassandra turned past one final rock and walked forward, Rapunzel trailing ever so closely behind with a smile. The lady in waiting moved and stood off to the side, watching as Rapunzel took another step forward, her face falling in realization.
In front of them both, on the very edge of this cliff that oversaw a large body mass of water, rested an idle and what appeared to be ancient pedastal. All around it were these odd-looking, sharp blackened rocks that appeared to have sprung up from beneath the ground.
Rapunzel stepped towards one that was close, and she extended a hand, feeling its smooth surface. "They're... they're beautiful, but I feel like I've seen these somewhere before..." She thought back to her nightmare-ish like dream with the hooded figure, and for whatever reason, she felt as if that dream was connected to this mystical rock in some way. But she couldn't put her finger on why.
"You're sure about that?" Cassandra asked, drawing her sword. "I saw them for the first time during a hike I had out here a few months ago, and I haven't seen them anywhere else since." She raised her sword in a fighting-like manner, and glanced back, "Uh, you-you might want to stand back for this one," she told Rapunzel, who obliged immediately, smile never faltering. Cassandra then, with a grunt, swung the sword down against the rock.
The sword shattered immediately on impact.
Rapunzel gasped in a curious shock, "Wow..."
"Yeah..." Cassandra looked even more shocked as she sheathed her sword, "They're unbreakable..." She walked back over to Rapunzel, "And you wanna know the weirdest part?" She and her turned to face the ledge, and Rapunzel took a few steps towards it, until standing a measly few feet away. "This is where the guards found the miracle flower that saved your Mom..."
"And me..." Rapunzel felt entranced by the pedestal, and acted on pure impulse. It was almost as if the pedestal and the rocks around were... calling to her. With a slightly agape mouth, curious, yet daunting, eyes that felt hypnotized now by this sight, she dusted off the top of the pedestal, revealing cryptic writing engraved into its exterior directly above a faint image depiction of a flower.
But suddenly, the few rocks that were surrounded all around all began to grow. Rapunzel felt a lure, a faint gust of wind... and she inched ever so closer to one of the rocks with an extended pointer finger...
Just from behind, Cassandra watched in curiosity, then slight shock, as the rocks began to grow.
The rocks illuminated brighter, the wind growing slightly stronger as Rapunzel inched closer... and closer...
And without knowing it, as time stood still and as Rapunzel finally touched the exterior of this growing rock, the course of her and everyone else's destiny was forever altered. A cosmic shift would soon take the world by storm, forever cementing that nothing in the Princesses' world would ever be the same again.
The moon above shone brighter than it ever had, and it pulsated ever so slightly as a gigantic explosion of white and blue lights rocked the area. Rapunzel was thrown back from a strong gust of wind, knocking into Cassandra in the process, until falling back down onto the ground with a large *THUMP*. One final shock-wave of this light-blue light was sent out, causing the nearby ocean to ripple and pulsate. An idle, deserted ship felt the effects head on.
A chilling silence, barring the slight sounds of waves crashing from down below, took up the now calming cliff-top area. The lights from the rocks died down, and the once sturdy pedestal had been since cracked. A faint, barely audible hum was being elicited from who knew where, as Rapunzel and Cassandra both groaned and sat up a few feet apart.
Rapunzel lifted a hand to her head, having a headache... when something blonde and glowing fell right in front of her now immediately widened and fearful eyes.
"Oh... oh my-" Before she could finish her thought, a black rock sprung up from underneath the ground barely an inch away from her right side. She jumped and gasped, crawling over to Cassandra, and together, they both stared fearfully as a few more rocks sprung up even closer. They were entranced, scared for their own lives... Rapunzel's own fear heightened now because of all the thoughts running rampant in her head. But then the rocks formed a choppy line, as more and more quickly rose up, chasing them.
Cassandra took off, with Rapunzel right by her side, right away as the rocks followed. She jumped up and pulled Rapunzel with her onto the nearby plains, and they resumed their sprint.
Rapunzel looked up the single strand of blonde-hair near the top of her head, gasping for air, "Wha-wait, wait-what-" She tilted her head to the back and saw more rocks rising.
"Get to the horses as fast as you can... and don't look back, Rapunzel!" Cassandra yelled, pumping her fists as she ran.
Rapunzel was ahead now, and she ducked and dodged as a few rocks grew out of a nearby wall. Cassandra followed her through and throughout, looking back every so often, her heart pounding and her life flashing before her eyes as they came to a slight turn. Rapunzel continued, listening to her words, and Cassandra stopped nearby a rather large log that was holding up numerous rocks.
She pointed, commanding, "Don't stop, Rapunzel! Keep going!" She turned and kicked the tree a few times, bringing the rocks down, before resuming in her own sprint.
Rapunzel panted, heaving, her heart pounding, fears and anxiety burning as she ran. A bright light, one she chose not to look up and acknowledge, took up her hair, which ever so slowly changed colors and grew longer. Seconds later, she finally made it out of the passage, jumping dramatically into the air as her newly returned 70 feet of blonde hair grew bright, shining in the moonlight.
She landed feet first, hearing the soft splatter of an all-too familiar feeling she had since tried oh-so hard to forget. The small hairs on her neck, arms, and legs all stood tall, and she turned her head ever so slightly to look back. She gasped as she did so, seeing for the first time in a year... for the first time since the events of the tower...
"M-my... my hair..." Her lip was pouted and trembling, and she looked on the verge of tears. "Cassandra..." she pleaded, or rather whined, loudly.
"Keep moving, Rapunzel," Cassandra called, catching up, "we need to get-" Her voice caught an her eyes widened, "Woah, what!?" She stopped, staring forward in shock as Rapunzel picked up a loose strand of long, blonde hair, staring at it as if she had just seen a ghost.
Not wasting any time, Cassandra shook her head and ran up to her now... blonde haired friend? What!?
"Raps, wh-what happened?" she asked, her voice more shocked than her face. As if that was even possible.
Rapunzel didn't respond right away, for her eyes were still fixated on the strand of hair in her hand... and she looked as if she was on the verge of tears. Cassandra stared at her for a few more seconds, before forcefully grabbing her wrist. Rapunzel jerked her head, eyes teary, murmuring, "Cass, I-I... m-my hair... I-I do-don't..."
Cassandra softened her grip on her wrist, eventually letting go. She lifted her hands up and placed them both on Rapunzel's shoulders, hoping to do so in comfort, "Rapunzel, Raps... take a deep breath. Everything will be okay..." she cooed, though her voice was laced with her own fears of the ever nearing black rocks.
"I... I..."
More rocks sounded off in the distance, and Cassandra pulled Rapunzel close, changing tones, whispering in a hiss, "I know you're scared; I'm scared, too. But you need to get. it. together. For both our sakes." Rapunzel's mind was still running rampant with all sorts of horrible, frightening memories of that day after her eighteenth birthday... when...
But despite those awful, heart-wrenching memories, she saw the sense of urgency present in Cassandra's eyes now and, heard herself the loud and closing in sounds of the black rocks. She clenched her eyes shut and took a deep breath, and when she opened them, it was with a resolve clearer than any she's ever had before. She grabbed Cassandra's hand, "C'mon! We have to go!"
Her hair flew through the air as she and Cassandra ran through the plains, before eventually reaching the same bridge they had crossed over on. From the other side, Maximus and Fidella looked on in curiosity and slight confusion as they approached. Max, in particular, took a step forward, only for the ground underneath him to collapse into the abyss, and the portion of the bridge broke-off, disconnecting from the main land.
The bridge shook because of this, rocking Rapunzel and Cassandra down to the left onto their knees. Cassandra grunted her way, untangling herself with one of Rapunzel's blonde-strands, and they both got up, resuming their escape.
They ran with the moonlight shining in the background, and just as they were about to make the jump, Rapunzel fell back with a gasp. "Cassandra!" she called, and Cassandra turned back. "My hair!" Rapunzel pointed a finger to the section in the bridge on the other side where a loose strand of her hair had been caught. Cassandra saw in the distance as the rocks rose up from over the hill approaching fast, so she ran to Rapunzel and helped in her efforts to tug the hair free. But after a few strong pulls that led nowhere, the rocks reached the bridge. Their power and fierceness sent the other half flying into the air, and both Cassandra and Rapunzel watched in scared awe as it then landed with a deafening *THUMP* and shake of the land.
Rapunzel and Cassandra both stood up, with a short silence taking over. Rapunzel's hair was still caught at the end of the bridge, and the Princess was forced down to the ground as the bridge shook and quaked, inching ever so slowly downwards. Cassandra took the initiative to run forward; for a second, she knelt on one knee, drawing her sword, before remembering and seeing that it was broken, before she changed plans. She took off into a sprint towards the spot in the bridge, but was stopped by a break in the line.
She looked back, seeing the struggle Rapunzel was now having, and decided in the split second to run back and help her friend pull. Rapunzel was flung forward just as Cassandra was able to grab onto her cloak.
Cassandra tugged and pulled hard, and Rapunzel was being held up in the air by both forces: Cassandra's tugging and the spot in the bridge where her hair was caught. She yelled, "Wooaahhh!" in agony.
Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Maximus sprinted past them, running towards the spot with intent clear in his eyes. The ground around him crumbled, but that didn't deter this horse's resolve. He saw a first up close glimpse of the black rocks that began running down into the abyss, and with a dramatic and climatic neigh, he rose his front legs into the air, then dropping them onto the spot, releasing Rapunzel from her certain doom.
Rapunzel and Cassandra were flung back by the sensation, and they both stood up holding onto each other as the ground around them crumbled. Their last bit of bridge was ever so small, and one wrong step meant either of them never coming back.
Maximus looked back, seeing rocks rise from the side wall up close. He took off into a sprint, jumping forward, the part of the bridge he had just been standing on falling with his movement. He raced forward as the small platform Rapunzel and Cassandra were standing on faltered, falling off to the side. Reaching the edge, Maximus used all the power he held to jump up high and forward into the air, Cassandra and Rapunzel both copying him and doing the same.
Rapunzel, in particular, landed stomach first onto Maximus' back, while Cassandra wasn't so lucky, missing the steed. She grabbed a fist-full of Rapunzel's hair, yelling and screeching in fright as gravity took over and brought her down. She was just able to grab onto the ledge. She gasped sharply, feeling her fingers slip.
"Cassandra! No!" Rapunzel called, extending a hand, Maximus being her support. Her eyes widened in panic, and her stomach dropped when Cassandra fell down...
But a sense of relief entered her, for Fidella had run forward and caught her friend just in the nick of time.
As Cassandra stood up on her own, all four of them looked onward as the remaining remnants of the bridge collapsed into the seemingly bottomless and empty abyss below, smoke and dust being thrown up in the air. Rapunzel and Maximus both looked worse for wear, breathing heavily, and Cassandra wiped some specks of dust and dirt off her brown warrior attire.
"See?" she said lightheartedly, waving a hand, "Everything turned out just alright. Piece of cake!" She turned to Rapunzel, who stood idly, holding up a strand of blonde hair in her hand. "Raps? You okay?"
Rapunzel stared at the hair, remembering all the times she healed... Gothel. Times she knew now were the reason why the older woman had stayed alive for all that time. She always suspected something was up, being that Gothel always returned to the tower after her trips with more wrinkles and overall looking worse for wear, and she always looked more youthful, younger, beautiful after their brushing sessions.
But out of fear of punishment, Rapunzel never said a word.
"Your hair..." Cassandra stepped towards her, and she turned silently, eyes slightly teary. "I remember you... telling me about it. Is this how it was before... was it always this-" she eyed the long length that dangled over the abyss, "-long?"
Rapunzel bit her lip, looking back down to the strand in her palm. She curled her fist up, clenching her eyes shut as she lifted her head up. She is not here anymore, she told herself. Gothel is dead. Gothel will never hurt you ever again. You saw her die. She's gone and will never come back. She opened her eyes, feeling a faint sense of relief, as she met the hazel-green eyes of her friend once more. "This... this is how it was, yes."
Cassandra blinked, tilting her head, "It'll... it'll definitely take some getting used to..."
"No, it won't." Rapunzel turned, adjusting Maximus' saddle. The white-furred horse was still staring on in astonishment at the returned length of hair.
"Hm?" Cassandra piped.
Rapunzel jumped on Maximus' back, and began to pull and tug her hair back up from the crater. "You won't have to get used to this because the first thing you and I are doing when we get back to the castle is cutting it. No questions, end of story." She gently petted Maximus's mane, leaning and whispering something soft into his ear, before taking off into a walk back in the direction they came.
Cassandra stared, then shrugging her own shoulders. Hey, it's Rapunzel's hair, and such, the girl is free to do whatever she shall please with it. But, nonetheless, Cassandra had to accompany her back to the castle, so the lady-in-waiting wasted not a second more, hopping onto the back of Fidella to catch up with the distant friend.
..