~Chapter 9~
Rapunzel
I dreamt of my mother this first night in Briarwell Manor. She was standing at the base of the tower calling to me and coughing. I tried running toward the window, but Eye Patch and Scarface held me back. I screamed for my mother as I managed to get to the window when she collapsed. I woke with a panic as I stirred Pascal too who was curled up on the pillow next to me. I sat up putting my face in my hands. My hair was a disheveled mess all around the room as I looked back up trying to catch my breath. Evangeline would have a time brushing my hair out today not that I would ever get used to someone doing it for me. It was odd.
There was no way of knowing what time it was, but even if it was early enough to roll over and go back to sleep, I don't think I could. I scooped up Pascal putting him on my shoulder as I peeked outside my door. The coast was clear looking to my left and right, not that I couldn't wander about. Lord Conwyn definitely gave me his clear restrictions, but it had quite a bit of slack. I know Flynn meant well, but a part of me worried that last night was my only chance of escape. I headed downstairs and with the first window I passed, I noticed it was plenty early, barely sunrise. A few servants passed me going about their duties and paid me no mind. Though one almost tripped on my trailing hair, so I gathered up my hair in my arms. I didn't have to worry about such things at home. I heard voices down a nearby hall that I hadn't gotten to see yet. So curiously, I went to investigate. This hallway had numerous doors just like any other wing of the manor, but one door was ajar on the far end. I heard Lachlan and Lord Conwyn talking, so I crept closer standing just outside the door.
"What have you been doing all these months while I've been ill?" Lord Conwyn growled, he sounded off, "You're my steward, you knew my wishes."
"I'm also your brother," Lachlan defended, "I was just focusing on Ravadyn and keeping everything running smoothly. Was that so wrong?"
"I want to begin the siege before the snow falls, you got that?" Conwyn snapped.
Through the crack in the door, I saw Conwyn grab his brother by the shoulders and pin him against the wall. Lachlan pushed his brother off of him. I began to back away not knowing when the two of them would emerge and I tripped over the hem of my dress. Stupid. I hit the ground with a thud and of course, Lord Conwyn and Lachlan rushed right out. My hair was in a balled-up mess as it scattered all around me when I let go as I fell. Casually, I turned to face the two men feeling awfully embarrassed. Lachlan offered me his hand as he pulled me to my feet.
"Good morning," I greeted, sheepishly.
"Do you need something?" Lachlan asked.
"I was actually looking for Evangeline when I stumbled upon you two. I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude."
I thought using Evangeline was a nice cover. Conwyn stepped toward me looking annoyed. His demeanor was different this morning than it was yesterday.
"There is a rope cord in your room that summons Evangeline to you anytime you wish. Be sure to remember that in future. Has anyone else seen you in such disarray?"
"N-Nobody in particular," I muttered.
"Nevermind that now, I actually need your assistance this morning, so it's good you're here." Conwyn said.
"How can I help?" I asked.
Without telling me, he snatched an end of my hair and wrapped it around his head.
"I've got a splitting headache." He said, "Go on, sing your song."
I obliged him as I closed my eyes and sang. My hair began to glow and as soon as I was done, Conwyn thanked me and went on his way. Lachlan stayed behind with me.
"Forgive my brother, he was upset with me and had a little too much ale last night."
"I'm sorry I upset him, if he'd rather not have me here, I'd gladly take my leave home." I said casually.
Lachlan frowned.
"Nothing has changed, Rapunzel. You are our guest. This is your home now. The sooner you accept that, the better off you'll be."
Lachlan urged me to return to my room and summon Evangeline to see that I be made more presentable. Though I remembered my letter for mother that I slid into my pocket last night. I pulled it out and handed it to Lachlan.
"Be sure Lord Conwyn sends this out immediately to my ailing mother."
"It will be done." Lachlan nodded.
We parted ways as I returned to my room as quickly as my feet could get me there.
I plopped Pascal on my pillow as he pointed to the door with his tail.
"What are you saying?" I muttered.
Still pointing to the door, I suddenly understood what he meant.
"We can't leave, at least not yet, but don't you worry, I haven't given up."
I saw the rope cord hidden in the corner of my room. It was black, but it was hard to see. I pulled the smooth cord and wondered if it would trigger an alarm, but nothing happened. Perhaps Lachlan was wrong. Less than five minutes later, Evangeline knocked on my door and came in after I gave her permission to. She had a breakfast tray with her full of an assortment of food. I recognized a few items on the tray, but the aroma coming off the platter was mouth-watering. After handing me a note, she bowed and left me alone to eat. I opened up the paper and it was a simple good morning message speaking of well wishes for my day and to enjoy the 'waffles' on the tray. I hadn't heard of such a thing. In the note, she reminded me of the tasks Lord Conwyn wished for me to learn starting with horseback riding. I was requested to summon her by pulling the cord again when I was finished eating, so she could come prepare me for the day. More to fiddle with my hair then the proper dress, but it was probably both. I refocused on the food on the tray that was so tantalizing and Pascal crawled down my arm to the platter helping himself to the bunch of grapes sitting in one of the bowls. He ate contentedly and I'm glad there was something for him. I didn't exactly know how to ask 'can I get some food for my chameleon?'. I made my way across the tray eating what I recognized, which was toast and ham. Though there was a different form of bread with weird squares in them with a pat of butter and a brown sticky substance that got all over my fingers. I made sure not to touch my hair or anything else with all the sticky stuff. These must have been the waffles that Evangeline had mentioned. I ate my fill getting full rather quickly and made sure Pascal was safely hidden before I summoned Evangeline back to my room.
Pascal blended in with the dark wood of the nightstand by changing his color as Evangeline returned. She drew me a bath, which was great to eliminate the sticky remains of breakfast. Once I came back from across the hall, there was a new dress laid over my bed. It was a deep purple, reminding me of mulberries. I didn't recognize the material, it was soft, but very thick. It had long sleeves and a high collar and a long hem. I'd be lucky if I didn't trip in it.
"This is what I'm wearing for riding a horse?" I asked Evangeline in disbelief.
She nodded. I saw a pair of long shoes that were placed at the foot of the bed on the floor. This was going to be such a learning experience for me. I knew what shoes were, but I never had need to wear them before. Evangeline held out the dress for me to step into as she pulled it up securing the laces in the back. It was like wearing a thick blanket and so stifling. The dress was stiff and didn't have much movement compared to anything I've worn previously.
"Are dresses from Ravadyn always this uncomfortable?" I asked, bluntly.
Evangeline nodded again pointing outside wrapping her arms around herself as if to show that it was cold outside. For being a mute woman, I felt like I could understand her well. Once I was dressed, she began dealing with my hair, which took as much time as yesterday. Brushing it all out and then finally braiding it and wrapping it tightly into the hair net. Evangeline had only used this method twice, but I had grown rather tired of it already. The process was headache-inducing and I was used to having my hair down. Dealing with all the new weight fixed to the back of my head was more of a nuisance than having my hair down and possibly tripping on it was. When Evangeline was satisfied, she helped slip on some shoes. They were a dark brown color quite similar to the type of shoes I've seen my mother wear. Long and fit snugly onto my feet. I believe mother called them boots. Evangeline gestured me to follow her and as we turned to leave, I held out my hand for Pascal and placed him on my shoulder as he changed color to camouflage himself.
She led me outside, which I hadn't been out since I arrived, so this was a welcome change. Still within the boundary of the gate, but around the east side of the manor, there were stables with a pair of horses with Flynn already here to greet me holding the reins. He smiled warmly at me as I approached. Evangeline bowed her head toward me once we stopped and left me with Flynn.
"Good morning," He greeted, "I see you're ready for riding."
I shrugged.
"Evangeline picked out the riding gear. Though it's a bit heavy."
At that moment the wind picked up, sending a chill down to my bones. I felt Pascal bury himself into my hair to block out the wind.
"I'm sure she did that more for the cold rather than for riding horses. So you ready?"
I shrugged again, not particularly looking forward to disturbing the animal in the stable. Flynn brought out a large white horse that towered over the both of us. I had seen horses depicted in some of my books and I could see that they were tall, but this animal was even bigger than I anticipated.
"So do you need a hand getting into the saddle?" Flynn asked.
"Let's pretend I don't know what that is." I muttered, sheepishly.
Heat flooded my cheeks. Would I ever not feel embarrassed by my ignorance? Flynn took his time with me and was patient just explaining the basics. When it came time to pull myself up into the saddle, I grew even more intimidated by being so near to the horse.
"Are you sure the horse is okay with me doing this?"
Flynn held back a laugh. Of course he was amused, at my expense.
"I promise you, Rapunzel. The horse doesn't mind. His name is Maximus."
Maximus snorted as Flynn then offered me a hand as I used my free hand to pull myself on top of the animal sitting in the saddle draping both my legs over the left side. The horse seemed content with me being on its back and for that I was relieved.
"See, I told you. The horse doesn't mind."
"This is rather uncomfortable."
I peered over the right side and saw another stirrup.
"Do I put one foot in each stirrup?"
"Ladies usually sit side saddle, which is how you are now."
"Ugh, why? It's uncomfortable."
"You'll get used to it." He nodded.
Flynn then climbed into his own saddle on the chestnut stallion near mine and he circled around me slowly.
"I'd like to see you try getting used to sitting like this," I complained, "And you're not in a dress."
"Very well," He shrugged casually, "I will sit side saddle for the remainder of the lesson if you can keep up with me. Hold onto the reins and use them to direct the horse."
Flynn took off with little description of how I even get the horse moving. Pascal hopped off my shoulder and climbed the horse's head looking directly at me. I patted Maximus's neck and sighed heavily.
"Look, Maximus, I need to keep up with Flynn today. Can you do that for me? I promise to find some nice juicy apples for you next time."
I took the reins and barely snapped them like Flynn showed me and Maximus took off.
The wind hit my face and hair immediately causing my nose to begin running. I sniffled as it took Max no time at all to come alongside Flynn. The grounds were massive as we could gallop freely still within the boundary that I was allowed. Knowing how much space I had to roam, even on horseback was a slight comfort even with the restrictions given to me by Lord Conwyn. Flynn looked over at me surprised to see me beside him.
"I see you can ride well, Blondie," He smirked.
I didn't correct him in calling me Blondie, I knew he couldn't help the nickname. He wasn't doing it to be mocking or cruel, so I let it go. Flynn slowed his stallion and Max followed his lead as we slowed. Flynn inhaled and exhaled slowly pulling a leg out of one stirrup.
"A deal's, a deal. This will be the first and only time in history a man sits side saddle."
Flynn mirrored my stance on the left side and as he plopped back down in the saddle after adjusting his face, frowning immediately.
"You weren't kidding. This is awful."
"See!" I smirked.
Flynn tried to ride forward, but he went much slower and Max and I sped ahead triumphantly.
"Looks like the teacher has become the student," I called to Flynn.
I found my balance on the back of Maximus easily and I think my dress helped with the distribution of weight. Flynn didn't last and pulled his leg back over securing his foot in the second stirrup.
"Wow, I can't recommend that. If you want to put your other leg over the other side of Max, I'd do so."
"But I thought ladies only sit like this." I said.
"If a lady has any resolve for comfort, she wouldn't sit side saddle, but the choice is yours."
I pulled up my dress a little to maneuver more effectively before draping my leg over Max's right side and got my boot in the stirrup. My body seemed to breathe a sigh of relief from the former strain of side saddle.
"Much better." I sighed.
I moved Maximus forward as Flynn followed my lead. Once I learned the basics, I had grown rather fond of horseback riding and I think it suited me. We cantered around the grounds before Flynn urged us to stop and let the horses have a rest. He dismounted and offered me a helpful hand down to the ground.
"Can I ask you something?" He asked as I grabbed his hand.
I grew nervous.
"I guess,"
"Before we met, had you ever left your home before?"
He was blunt as usual and I tried to hide the truth. I laughed trying to cover my thinking over of how I was going to answer him.
"You're so simple-minded. Of course, I have." I reasoned.
"It's just that until today you didn't know what a saddle was. I had to help you write a letter even though you're an exceptional reader. Just tell me your mother isn't dangerous or keeping you at home against your will."
His accusations were quite on point aside from mother being dangerous. I came to her defense.
"Mother isn't dangerous! I'm the only one who can help heal her. I told you I live a sheltered life for my own protection."
"And I understand that,"
"Do you?" I grumbled defensively.
"Rapunzel, I meant nothing by it. I was just making sure your home life was safe, that's all."
My shoulders relaxed as I patted Max's snout. I was rattled and Flynn wasn't exactly inaccurate in pointing out my ignorance based on the life I lived at home with mother. I had never attempted to leave before in an act of rebellion even though my desire to see the floating lights grew year after year. With all of the world shut out to me my whole life, the lanterns were just one thing I wanted. It's why I was stunned when mother agreed to take me to see them on my birthday. She did care about my desires and wishes. For many years, I wasn't sure.
"Flynn?"
"Yeah?"
"If I share something with you, will you promise to keep it between us?"
He agreed and I began to share my story in minimal detail.
I hadn't told anyone the truth about my sheltered situation with my mother. Not depicting her negatively and keeping details to a minimum. It was nice to share about myself since I never could before. Mother always said I shouldn't talk to strangers as they are untrustworthy. Though Flynn had proven himself to be quite easy to talk with. I found myself looking forward to each lesson he had to teach me.
The lessons with Flynn continued every day. Lord Conwyn checked in with me and usually had me heal something that he claimed was in need of my power. Part of me thought he was testing to make sure my ability hadn't waned from lack of use. At dinner on the third day since I had arrived, Conwyn asked me of any useful skills outside of healing and singing. I spoke of my baking and more specifically my painting. Once he learned I painted, it was then that most of my free time was spent doing that in between the lessons with Flynn. I loved to paint and it was a wonderful distraction. Though after a couple of days of doing it so much, I was starting to feel less like a guest and more like a servant. I was treated better than Flynn, Evangeline, or any other member of staff by comparison, so I had no reason to complain. I gave a single letter to Lachlan every day to have sent to my mother. No replies ever came.
Ten days went by in a blink, it really didn't seem like I had been in Ravadyn that long. Flynn and I had a growing bond that was special since I had never spent this much time with another person other than my mother before. We were bound to get close. Conwyn appreciated his teaching with me so much that he gave him a promotion to tutor. Thanks to Flynn, I had learned so much about the world in such a short amount of time. It was a wealth of knowledge and these things were something I would think my mother could have taught me. Why didn't she? Flynn and I were out riding for several hours most of the afternoon planning to return near dinner. The weather was cold, but came prepared with hot cider and warm clothes. I was fascinated with the snow as we never had it fall in Corona. It got cold, but never so much so that frozen water fell from the sky. We often rode as far as we could to the boundary of the grounds, dismount, and sit and talk for hours. When we first met, I would say Flynn wasn't much of a talker, but these outings proved me wrong. I asked him to share stories of his past many of which he seemed to be embarrassed by from being a notorious thief.
"Since being in Ravadyn, I feel as though I've lost a sense of my purpose and identity. I don't know what I am anymore." He said, glumly.
"Well, I guess that's the good part."
"How do you figure?" He asked.
"You get to discover what is that you want most out of your life. What you dream of for yourself, that sort of thing."
"What's your biggest desire, Rapunzel?"
The simple question brought tears to my eyes and I blinked them away. Nobody, not even my mother, had ever asked me such a question before.
"For years it was to leave home and see those lights. Though between being kidnapped and brought here, I think I want freedom most of all. Freedom away from those who don't care about me."
"Believe it or not, there is someone who cares about you."
"Really? Who?"
"Me," He muttered, sheepishly.
With that, he picked up a ball of snow and chucked it at me playfully. I laughed and squealed as the snow spilled between my cloak and neck melting and sending a chill down my spine. I threw one back, hitting him in the head.
"Bullseye!"
"You have an arm on you, Blondie."
An exchange of snowballs was had as the both of us laughed. Pascal even joined in the fun flying on one of my snowballs and sneak attacking Flynn by sticking his tongue into his ear.
"Will you tell your lizard to stop that?" Flynn grumbled rubbing his ear.
"Chameleon," I corrected.
"Whatever." He replied.
We went on tossing snowballs until a servant from the manor came racing toward us on horseback.
"Lady Rapunzel, your presence is requested immediately at the manor."
"I'll be back for dinner."
"Conwyn says it's urgent as a woman who calls herself Emelia is looking for you."
My eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Mother?