~Chapter 12~
Flynn
Maximus was saddled and ready to go as I made sure he was ready for Rapunzel as we came out to the stables. I didn't know the circumstances of her day, but I could tell she needed an escape. She barely cracked the door open and her eyes told me the truth, she needed a break. I had a basket prepared and waiting for us at the stables with a bottle of apple cider and a couple of mugs. Also some supplies for a surprise that I had planned for her. She pulled herself up into the saddle on Max's back like she had been riding for years rather than a couple of days. She was a natural. Pascal was sitting on her shoulder looking excited for the ride himself, that lizard was an odd one.
"Where should we go?" She asked.
"Ladies choice," I said.
She circled Max around the stables for maybe a minute before taking off in a gallop. I had to act quickly or I'd lose her.
This night was quite frigid compared to most nights since the snow began falling. I'm glad I thought about bringing apple cider. With the speed of the horses, every time I sucked in a breath, I could feel the icy air hitting my lungs with full force. Though my fur lined leather tunic kept me warm enough. Rapunzel didn't seem bothered by the cold and slowed down when Max was panting heavily. We found ourselves stopped under an underbrush of trees, but it helped shield us from the wintry winds. Rapunzel dismounted and laid back in the snow moving her arms and legs back and forth in a quick, fluid motion.
"Nice snow angel," I commented as I dismounted.
"Huh?" She replied, sitting up.
"Nevermind, want some cider?"
She nodded as I filled up one of the mugs I brought and handed it to her. She blew on it before taking a sip before squealing in delight. Her outburst was surprising.
"Did you make this?" She asked, "I've never tasted anything like it before."
"Eh, you juice some apples and let the juice mix with a bunch of spices. Not a big deal."
"You must show me how to make this."
"Show me how you make your chocolate chip cookies and you have yourself a deal." I smiled, wryly.
"That's a deal," She said, extending her hand out toward me. I grabbed her hand, giving it a firm shake. Rapunzel released my hand nervously as if she was fearful. Some days I thought I had her trust, but it's moments like this that reminded me otherwise. I could see that lizard of hers glaring at me from her shoulder. His cold-blooded nature really shone through. Max nestled down in the snow as I pulled out a blanket from my saddle bag to keep our clothes from getting wet from the snow. It was long and thick, which I was confident would do the trick. I sat first as Rapunzel followed my lead though she ended up leaning her back against Maximus, who didn't seem to mind.
"So," I said, clearing my throat casually, "You're his daughter?"
"I-I guess, though my mother told me it was a lie."
"Do you believe her?"
She took a sip of her cider before answering me. I don't think she was sure of her answer. Trying to put myself in her position, I could imagine that not only was she hurt, but probably confused.
"Mother hasn't always been truthful, so I guess, I really don't know what to believe. She came to my room a couple of nights ago to take me home, but I sent her away."
"I'm sure that was the right thing," I told her.
"I know, but she's my mother and deserves my respect,"
"It sounds like she doesn't, to keep so many secrets from you. Hiding you away from the world-that is hardly something a mother would do."
"Nobody's perfect," She shrugged.
She narrowed her gaze, insinuating me.
"Wow, so it's gonna be like that?"
She sat up and her cheeks flushed.
"No, you misunderstand. I mean, that's true for anybody. If I were perfect, I wouldn't even be here. I would have obeyed mother without question and never insisted on leaving the tower for my birthday."
My ears perked up upon hearing about her home.
"Wait, did you say tower?"
"Huh?" She muttered, as her eyes widened, "No, I said leaving my home. You misheard."
I misheard nothing and I vaguely remembered finding a tower in the woods as a boy before meeting Logan and Leeland. I forgot about that until this moment and concern for Rapunzel only grew. She had made the right choice and couldn't go back with her mother to a lone tower. It's hardly a life.
"You're right. My mistake." I nodded. "So enough with the serious, how about a little stargazing game?"
"A game?" She questioned, "How can you make a game out of that?"
"Easy, you identify various shapes of stars by connecting them with lines. Each one identified and called out is one point. Whoever gets the most points, wins."
"Sounds easy, enough." She nodded.
We both began to gaze up at the sky and there was some cloud cover that obscured the view, which also explained why it was especially cold tonight.
"I see one that looks like a kite, does that count?"
"Of course," I replied, "I see a fish right next to yours."
"Oh look, there's the frying pan!" She pointed excitedly.
"That's the Big Dipper, Blondie."
"What is that?"
"A star constellation. Also, in this game, a bonus rule is the first to identify a constellation wins the whole game." I smirked.
"You made that up," She challenged.
"Stargazing rules are constantly changing like the stars." I said, "I concede."
"Oh brother," She replied, rolling her eyes, "You should demand another chance to win, so then we tie."
"Where's the fun in that?"
"I like to earn my win." She said.
In one fluid motion, she stood up swiping a handful of snow with her left hand and promptly chucked it at me. I just managed to put my arms in front of my face before the ice hit my nose.
"Hey!"
"Do you still concede?" She smirked, picking up another snowball.
I laughed and rose to my feet to begin this epic showdown. It was nice to just be silly and have fun like this. Forget our mutual troubles and just laugh. I had never spent time with anyone who could make me laugh like Rapunzel did. Logan and Leeland were always serious about getting our heists done and the pay. Their idea of fun was having an ale around the campfire. I hadn't laughed like this is quite some time and that knowledge was upsetting to think about. Rapunzel tried to duck and hide behind some trees, but hiding with her head of hair was impossible. Her hair was a dead giveaway to her every location. Though Pascal helped her out by distracting me some by dive bombing me from tree branches and sticking his tongue in my ear.
"Call off your lizard, this is between us."
"Chameleon!" She corrected after pelting me in the back with three snowballs. I had to give her credit, she was an excellent shot. My fingers were going numb with all the snowball packing and I held up my arms in defeat.
"I need some cider. You win, Blondie."
"It was a noble attempt." She winked.
We both settled down leaning our backs against Maximus again drinking more cider. I'm glad I brought as much as I did because we were drinking quite a bit of it. Though it did the trick as I warmed up soon after. Though Rapunzel was still shivering even while drinking the cider. I quickly unfastened my cloak and draped it around her shoulders.
"Won't you get cold?"
"Nah, the cider will be fine," I said.
"No, here."
She scooted closer to me so that our shoulders were resting against each other's and she handed me one end of the cloak. She was quite thoughtful.
"Why do you think your father wants this moonflower thing so much?"
"I wish I knew. I've been wondering if it grants someone power like the sun flower did for me."
"What sun flower?"
"Mother said when I was born, I was given healing magic because of the sun flower, Sol Lillitalus she called it."
"Fancy," I nodded, "Healing power must have its perks. I bet you've never been sick a day in your life."
"No, I've seen enough illness coming from mother. I would sing for her healing ever since I was a little girl."
"What's her illness, if you are healing her, why does she still fall ill?"
"I wish I knew." She shrugged.
"Well maybe if the moonflower is a distraction for your father, perhaps you and I can return to Corona."
She took in a short breath and looked at me.
"I-I can't."
"What do you mean?"
"I want to get to know him. Mother denied me that chance and now that I happened to be taken here, now I have that chance."
"Are you sure that's what you really want?"
"Of course,"
"Will it make you happy?" I questioned.
"I think so, if your parents were still here, wouldn't you want to get to know them and spend time with them?"
Her question was blunt and took me by surprise and she pursed her lips the moment the words left her lips. It was a bit harsh, but I got her point. Most importantly, she wasn't mistaken.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think."
"You weren't wrong," I muttered.
Rapunzel quickly changed the subject and asked me what my favorite hobbies were. I didn't have very many honestly. Growing up with that book from the orphanage, The Tales of Flynnigan Rider, I did have a fondness for reading even though I didn't have many opportunities to do so. A book was what inspired my change in identity after all. I shared the few things I really took pleasure in, in addition to reading, most of the activities were found outdoors. Hiking, riding on horseback, and friendly hand to hand fights. I mostly did the hand to hand with Logan and Leeland growing up and while they outmatched me in brute strength, I know it helped me grow stronger. I reciprocated her question asking Rapunzel her favorite hobbies and the first thing she mentioned was singing and that response did not surprise me. She had to sing to activate her power and she often is humming to herself. Dancing was the next thing mentioned along with playing hide and seek with Pascal. Then she listed many activities she did at home, though the way she talked about them it was shared as if these things were just a means to pass the time, not a legitimate passion or enjoyment for her.
"You really knit?" I questioned.
"Sure, I made myself a scarf last year. Though it was a little uneven and couldn't be used in the warm lands of Corona."
"Before I asked you what your dream was and you said freedom. If you weren't here in Ravadyn and were back home, would you have the same answer?"
She hesitated a response at first looking deep in thought.
"You know, that's a great question. I think I would still want freedom. Freedom of choice to come and go as I please. I want to see the world outside of my books and explore. The first step in that was going to see the floating lights."
"What's with your fascination with the lanterns?"
"They only appear once a year on my birthday and I was tired of watching them from a distance. I wanted to get up close and stand under them, whatever they were. I couldn't believe it when mother agreed to take me this year. I suppose all my years of begging and pleading finally wore her down. Though I didn't get to enjoy them after all."
My face fell feeling guilty.
"I'm sorry for the part I played in your kidnapping."
"It's not your fault, you were a victim too."
"But I still let it happen and for that, I will forever be sorry, Rapunzel."
She smiled warmly and shook her head.
"Don't give it another thought."
I didn't deserve such kindness or grace. Perhaps someday I could attempt to make it up to her if I got the chance.
"I have a surprise for you." I said, with a wry smile.
"I love surprises!" She smiled.
I got up emerging from our little warm cloak cocoon and the cold winds hit my body with a strong ferocity. In the saddle bag was a surprise, but everything was all folded up. I told Rapunzel to close her eyes as I came back toward her. Her joy and eager anticipation was a sight that brought a smile to my face. I unfolded the two items and set them up in a few moments and held each in one hand. Once I gave Rapunzel the okay to open her eyes, her face lit up upon seeing the two paper lanterns in my hands.
"Are those-?" She stammered.
"Sorry there's not a full sky of them like there would be in Corona." I shrugged.
"Y-You did this for me?" She questioned, staring at me in awe.
"I did it for both of us." I nodded, "They say if you light up a lantern sending it up to the heavens and make a wish, it'll come true."
I had put some matches in my pocket and Rapunzel had a curious look on her face as I handed her one of the lanterns.
"What?" I questioned.
"You made that up, wishes don't happen so easily."
"Never know until you try." I nodded, striking up the match.
I lit both lanterns as Rapunzel was a little nervous about the match burning her fingers. I couldn't blame her as I had done so several times when using them. Once they were lit, we counted to three before releasing them together. We sat back down leaning back against Max watching them float up getting higher and higher maintaining close proximity. Though I subtly watched her in this moment. Few people would find such joy out of something so seemingly trivial, but she did. It warmed my heart that while I couldn't grant her wish for freedom and whatever that meant to her, but I could grant the ability to see the lanterns. I wonder if she felt like her world was caving down around her in light of recent discoveries with Lord Conwyn. She only scratched the surface of her confusion, but if I could offer a distraction at the very least, I was happy to.
The winds didn't blow out the lights and the lanterns kept floating hundreds of feet in the air above us. Pascal was curled in a ball embedded in Max's mane to keep warm. I felt Rapunzel shudder next to me as I offered her the rest of the apple cider, which helped warm her right up. Her blonde hair was covered in snow and she gathered it all up in a bundle throwing all her locks in her lap. I know she was stronger than she seemed carrying all that weight on her head all these years. Soon she began humming that tune she so often sang.
"What's that called again?"
"I don't know the title, but I just call it 'Heart Song'. So I have two songs I've memorized, one for healing and one for the heart."
"That's real special, don't lose them."
"I couldn't if I tried. Though for having a good memory, I wish I could remember how I learned Heart Song. Mother claims she never sang it."
"Maybe her memory isn't the best."
"Could be, but she ridicules the song everytime she hears it, so I only sing it when not around her."
"Well, you're not around her now," I nodded.
Her humming quickly turned to the lyrics matching the tune not skipping a beat. A voice like that was soothing to my ear. Rapunzel asked about some of my earlier memories that I could recall after she finished singing and I didn't have many from my past. I began to explain the orphanage and my experiences when I felt something hit my shoulder. I looked over and she had completely passed out. Her face was relaxed and I didn't dare move to avoid disturbing her peace. Max snorted behind me as the horse relaxed his head. The lanterns were nearly out of sight now as I closed my eyes just for a moment.
The next thing I knew, my eyes were met with the bright light of the morning. I shifted barely noticing that Rapunzel was still asleep on my shoulder. I wiped my nose on my sleeve sniffling a few times. My body certainly regretted being out in this weather all night. I cleared my throat gently shaking Rapunzel awake. Her eyes fluttered open and she gasped as she saw the horizon.
"I need to get back!"
"Of course, let's go." I nodded. "I didn't mean to keep you out,"
"No, don't apologize. Last night was great. I just don't want another scolding from Lachlan or Lady Kate."
Max rose back up on all fours seemingly stiffened by the cold. Rapunzel extended her hand out to Pascal and he climbed up to her shoulder. She took off riding as hard as Max could manage and followed behind. Upon arriving back at the stables, there was a guard already there awaiting us.
"Lady Alivia, Lachlan has been searching for you."'
"I've been on the grounds. What is it?" She asked.
"Lord Conwyn has returned, but has been wounded on his journey. I am to escort you to the Lords' chambers."
Rapunzel looked back at me as I quickly dismounted.
"Go on, I'll get the horses put away." I nodded.
I offered my hand as she slid off the horse and was hurried away. Last night was just one of many that I would always treasure.