Flynn, I just realized we aren't that far from our cabin. I should probably head back and at least feed the animals.
I suppose that would be ok, Eugene. Just be careful and make sure you aren't followed. The last thing we need is for everyone to know where we live.
Yeah, considering what we have had to do to get by over the years, probably a bad idea to have people knowing where we live. You know, being a wanted thief and all. Eugene couldn't resist teasing his brother.
Oh, come on. You know why I did it. Stop being a brat.
Yeah, yeah. Whatever.
One thing though, now that we all got soaked in that flood, Arabelle's disguise is partially washed away. Her bright hair is kind of hard to miss.
What do you think we should do?
I'm not really sure right now. Maybe she will have an idea. She is used to sneaking out and hiding in plain sight all the time. We should hurry up. I don't feel comfortable leaving them by themselves for very long. You never know who is out there. I'll be back in a few minutes. Be careful, Eugene.
You, too.
Always, Eugene. Always.
With that parting shot, Flynn turned and began searching for firewood. Eugene turned as well, heading towards the cabin they had been living in, careful to stay in the shadows, being as quiet as possible. It wasn't long before he reached the barn where they kept their animals. Inside, there was a cow, a few chickens, and a beautiful pure black horse named Lucian.
Eugene looked around quickly before heading to the area where they kept the food for the animals. After feeding the cow and chickens, he turned back to the horse. He fed the animal, stroking his neck lovingly before speaking softly to him.
"Hey, Luc. You're such a good boy, aren't you? Wanna go for a ride? Flynn and me, we need your help. See there's these two girls, and well, we promised to take one of them to see the lantern thing tomorrow and the other, well, she's a princess. We have to get her back to the castle. So what do you say? Will you help us?" Eugene asked him.
Not expecting an answer, Eugene was surprised when Lucian almost headbutted him in response. Looking at the horse, he asked him to help again. As before, Luc headbutted him in response.
"Okay, boy. I guess that's a yes. Finish eating so we can get back to them. While you eat, I'm going to go get some food for the rest of us."
Eugene patted his head and stepped back so Luc could finish eating. He turned around and headed back to the small cabin. Entering, he headed straight for the kitchen where he grabbed some bread and cheese as well as some dried meat, even a few apples. He grabbed what he could carry in a small knapsack. It wouldn't be enough for more than a light supper and maybe a bit for breakfast, but it would do for now.
Once the knapsack was full, he headed back out to the barn to check on Luc. By the time he got there, Luc had finished his food. Eugene then led him out of the stall and to the corner where he grabbed the saddle and quickly saddled Luc before mounting and taking off. A short time later, he was almost back to the clearing where they had left the girls when he was stopped by Arabelle.
"Shh, Eugene, be quiet. Listen. Someone is in the clearing with Rapunzel. I don't know who she is though," she whispered. "So we need to find out who she is and what she wants with Rapunzel."
Eugene nodded before dismounting and leading Luc to the trees out of direct sight of the clearing. Arabelle quickly followed, hoping to get a better vantage point to hear the conversation.
Flynn, you need to get back here. There is some crazy lady here and I think she's upsetting Rapunzel. Eugene thought hard, hoping his brother would hear him.
Eugene? What are you talking about? We were followed? I thought we were careful. Is Arabelle ok? Is the lady physically hurting Rapunzel or just upsetting her with what she is saying? What's going on? Do I need to come back? I'm not far.
Honestly, I don't know if you should or not. Arabelle is fine, she stopped me from walking into the clearing and possibly getting someone hurt. She's listening into the conversation.
Hopefully she hears something useful. We need to know what we're up against.
Flynn? What do you mean up against? What are you thinking?
She could be in danger.
You're right, Flynn. Get what we need, and get back here, Arabelle and I are on the far side of the clearing in the trees.
Ok, Eugene. I'll be there soon. Be careful.
You, too.
After his conversation with his brother, Eugene glanced around to see if Arabelle had noticed him spacing out. Satisfied she hadn't seen anything, he crept closer to Rapunzel without leaving the safety of the trees. Eugene glanced at Arabelle, who merely put her finger to her lips to remind him to stay quiet. Eugene nodded his head. After a few more minutes, the woman with Rapunzel grew visibly frustrated. Finally, just when Eugene was ready to storm into the clearing, the woman made one last comment before turning around and disappearing into the night almost as silently as she had appeared.
Shortly after the woman left, Flynn crept quietly up to Eugene.
So, is she gone? Is Rapunzel ok?
Yeah, Flynn. She's ok. The woman left a few minutes ago. I was just waiting to make sure she wasn't coming back before I said anything. I'm still not sure who the woman was anyway. And I don't think Rapunzel would like it if she knew we had heard or seen anything.
You're probably right. We definitely don't want to spook her. Hey, you got Luc. I just noticed him.
Yeah, he was right there. And he seemed to want to help us out. I figure it can't hurt to have a horse.
Good thinking, Eugene. How is Arabelle holding up?
Not sure. I think she's ok. I hope she heard enough of the conversation to help us figure out who it was. I don't think Rapunzel will tell us.
You're right. She probably won't say anything.
It was then that Arabelle noticed Flynn was back.
"Oh, good. You're back, Flynn," Arabelle whispered. "Rapunzel just had a visitor. If I heard correctly, it was her mother."
"You mean the woman who locked her in a tower and never let her leave?" Eugene asked in a quiet voice.
"That would be the one," Arabelle replied.
"What does she want with her? And how exactly did she find her out here?" Flynn asked her.
"Well, I missed part of the conversation at the beginning, but I think she followed us. Well at least followed where the tunnel let out and then was able to track us from there."
"Okay, but where would did she find out where the tunnel let out? And how did she figure out how to track us from there?" Eugene was full of questions himself, worry for Rapunzel keeping him from being as shy as usual.
"Well, I'm not exactly sure. But it doesn't really matter. What matters is what she told Rapunzel really upset her." Arabelle replied.
"So what did she say? Did you catch any of it? Or just Rapunzel's reactions to it?" Flynn asked.
Arabelle sighed, anger and frustration over what she had heard getting the best of her for a moment.
"Well, first she told Rapunzel that she found her because she followed the sound of complete and utter betrayal."
"Wait, what betrayal? That's ridiculous!" Eugene was quick to defend Rapunzel's actions.
"Yeah Rapunzel didn't say much about that, but when the woman tried to tell her it was time to go home, Rapunzel refused. Said she was on an incredible journey where she saw and learned a lot. She even mentioned she had met someone. Although the woman made fun of her for it. I'm not sure who Rapunzel was referring to – probably you, Eugene."
"M-me?" Eugene asked Arabelle.
"Yes, you," Arabelle responded before continuing on with her story. "This woman mocked her for liking a wanted thief and how proud that made her."
"Okay, then what happened?" Flynn asked.
"Well then Rapunzel told her that she thought the man liked her. Then the woman told her that she was being demented. Basically saying that she was being stupid for thinking someone liked her. She used it as a reason that she should never have left. Saying she invented this whole romance thing and all it did was prove that she was too naïve to be anywhere in the outside world. She went on to say that she was a dummy to think that anyone would like her. I don't think she liked it when Rapunzel refused to go with her. She was expecting her to just agree and go home. Instead Rapunzel stood up to her."
"She did?" Eugene asked. "What did she say?"
"The woman mocked Rapunzel again saying, 'Rapunzel knows best, Rapunzel's so mature now.' Then she gave her something and told her that if she was so sure about this guy, then she should give it to him. Without letting Rapunzel say anything, she proceeded to say that this was the whole reason he – you – were with her was just to get it. And once you got it, then you would leave her. But she wouldn't say 'I told you so.' And Rapunzel shouldn't come crying to her because MOTHER KNOWS BEST. And that was the last thing she told her before storming away."
"So it was her mother. Poor Rapunzel," Eugene murmured almost to himself.
"Yeah some mother. I bet I know what she gave Rapunzel. I bet it was the crown." Flynn replied.
"So you think she found the crown in the tower and brought it to Rapunzel just to test me because she thought I would leave?" Eugene was outraged.
"Relax, little brother. She obviously doesn't know you. If she did, she would have come up with something better to test you. You don't care about crowns and jewels and such."
"He's right, Eugene. Even I know that." Arabelle told him. "But we should get back to Rapunzel. Make sure she really is ok."
With that, Arabelle turned and marched into the clearing. Glancing at each other, Flynn and Eugene quickly followed.
"Hey, Rapunzel. We're back. Eugene and Flynn got some more firewood, should be enough to keep us warm for the night. Do we have anything to eat? I'm hungry."
"I did grab some food while I was out," Eugene answered, pulling out the food. "It's not a feast, but there should be enough for supper and breakfast in the morning."
"This looks great. I'm glad you thought of it." Rapunzel gratefully replied. "I'm hungry too."
"Well, let's eat," Flynn said, before turning to the food and grabbing his own.