"Really?" Rapunzel asked. She bumped into the chair Eugene was tied to in her excitement and it rocked wildly before finally falling forward. Eugene landed face first on the floor.
"Ow!" Eugene exclaimed.
"OOPS!" Rapunzel cringed as she half apologized.
Flynn reached around and set the chair back up on its legs. Once Eugene was upright again, Rapunzel began to unwind her hair holding him in place. Once he was free, Flynn grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stand.
"Come on, Blondie, let's go," said Flynn. "The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get this over with."
With that, Rapunzel lowered Flynn and Eugene back down before climbing down herself. While happy to be finally going to see the lanterns, she was also a bit worried about what Gothel would do when she found out. Once outside, she couldn't resist digging her toes into the grass, running around or even just laying down on the grass.
Rapunzel went from one extreme to the other. First, happy and excited that she had finally gotten out of the tower and felt free. Then the next moment she was shocked she had done that and worried that Mother would never forgive her. After watching her go back and forth for a while, Flynn had had enough.
"Rapunzel, I can't help but notice that you seem a little at war with yourself." Flynn stated. "You know how it is, an overprotective mother on one side, forbidden road trip on the other. It's all a part of growing up."
"Huh?" was Rapunzel's only response before Flynn started speaking again.
"Why don't we just forget about the whole lantern thing? We can take you back to your tower now and forget this ever happened. Here is your frying pan and your frog. Once we get you home, you can give us our satchel."
But Flynn, we made a promise to take her. We can't back out now.
UGH. I know, but it doesn't seem like she really wants to go.
She does it's just-. I overheard a bit while locked in her closet before she let me out. I don't think that her mother's just overprotective. It seems to me like she's hiding something. She basically told Rapunzel that everyone was out to get her and she could only count on her mother to protect her.
Really?
Yeah, Rapunzel kept trying to say something about how she could handle herself, but her mom basically said she KNEW she couldn't handle herself. When Rapunzel started to argue, she turned around and yelled at her. Her comment was something like 'You are not leaving this tower, ever!'
Yikes. No wonder she is having issues leaving.
Yeah, I think she has lived in that tower for most of her life – if not all of it.
Fine. I will try to be nicer to her, ok?
Ok. Speaking of being overprotective though, I'm a little surprised that you didn't freak out when I went and saved that little girl from the fire. Honestly, I thought you were gonna totally freak and try to make me go back home. You have been more than a little overprotective when it comes to me and that was before the Stabbingtons made the threat to get you to help them.
"Uh, guys? You can't back out now. You promised to take me to see the lanterns. I won't give you back the satchel before then."
A light rustle from a nearby bush interrupted their conversation and before either Flynn or Eugene could respond, Rapunzel jumped and screeched.
"What was that?" she asked, glancing around fearfully. "Was it a ruffian, a thug? Don't let them get me."
"Relax, Blondie. It's just a rabbit." Flynn commented snidely.
"Flynn, I guess it's about time for lunch. Where should we go?" Eugene asked.
"I know the perfect place. I should probably go ahead to make sure it's safe. Probably best to avoid ruffians and thugs on the way."
"Probably. So where are we going?" Eugene asked.
"Don't worry, you'll know it when you smell it."
Hearing another rustle in the bushes, Rapunzel jumped and hid behind Eugene.
"W-w-what is that? Don't let them get me…"
"Relax, Blondie. I'm sure it's nothing." Flynn responded.
"Nothing am I, Flynn?" Arabelle asked quietly.
"Arabelle, what are you doing here?" Flynn asked instead of answering Arabelle's question.
"Hey, Arabelle. How are you?" Eugene asked in an attempt to stop the imminent argument from starting.
"Hi, Eugene. Who's this hiding behind you?"
"Oh, this is Rapunzel. Rapunzel, meet Arabelle."
Flynn rolled his eyes, annoyed that he was going to have to put up with the princess while dealing with the Stabbingtons regarding the stolen crown.
Just great, Eugene. We did NOT need her along on this ridiculous trip too. Now we have 2 girls to protect.
I know, Flynn, but we may not have much of a choice. What's the other option? To leave her to fend for herself? I know you won't do that. So, we're stuck with both of them for now.
You mean at least until we can persuade Princess to go back home?
Well, yeah.
Eugene, don't you remember just how stubborn and pigheaded she can be? She is gonna be a nuisance. I know it.
Well, they always say there is safety in numbers. Maybe it's better to all be together. Less likely someone can catch us off guard.
True. By the way, didn't you say you ran off to help with the house fire earlier, after the Stabbingtons showed up looking for me?
Oh, um, yeah. I did. I ended up saving a cute little girl, I bet she couldn't have been more than 5 years old. Apparently, she was the daughter of one of the guards.
And you wonder why I end up being so protective? You run straight into a fire, seeming to forget that's how we lost Mom. It's enough to have to worry about you with the Stabbingtons breathing down my neck, and you go in and risk your life. I'm happy you saved a little girl's life, but I couldn't handle losing you. Especially not in a fire.
Geez, don't worry so much, Flynn, I'm ok. I know you have been worried and I'm sorry for that. You don't need to worry about me so much. Despite what's happened lately, you taught me well. I can take care of myself. I didn't stick around long after I saved her. In fact, if I hadn't run into Arabelle shortly after I brought the girl out, I wouldn't be here. She said that the theft of the crown had just been noticed in the aftermath of confusion regarding the fire.
Did anyone else see you?
Um, well, there was a small crowd around the house. But after Arabelle showed up to check on the little girl, I disappeared as fast as I could. Maybe that will turn out to be a good thing though. At the time the crown was stolen, I was clear across town saving that girl from the fire. And since none of the guards know there are two of us, maybe the Stabbingtons won't be able to blame us or rather you for the theft.
You're right. That's probably true. Who knows what they will do? We did steal the crown from the thieves if you think about it.
So, we just need to focus on keeping our promise and get Rapunzel safely back to her tower. Then we can get the crown back and give it to Arabelle.
Arabelle and Rapunzel had been quietly eyeing each other while Flynn and Eugene had their conversation. Neither realizing the guys had already made a decision.
Arabelle was stunned. Rapunzel? she thought to herself. There is no way there are two people named Rapunzel out there. And she appears to be around my age. I wonder…. Arabelle's thoughts trailed off as Eugene spoke up.
"Hey, are you two getting hungry? We should keep moving so we actually get a chance to eat before heading into the kingdom proper." Eugene suggested.
"Yeah, c'mon everyone let's go. Follow me." With that, Flynn turned and headed on towards the pub for lunch.