~Chapter 25~

Rapunzel

I had seen much of the world so far since venturing outside the tower. It started with wanting to see the floating lights, though now I knew them to be lanterns. I've learned so much in the past months and some people might have been overwhelmed with it all, but I was eager to learn and discover. Emelia Gothel took so much from me and I couldn't get back the time she took away, but now I could focus on my future with my family and Eugene.

While Eugene was out most days doing his job as the new Grand Marshall, I did what I could to help rebuild Corona as the city I knew it to be. While also healing anyone who needed it. The sick and elderly who had suffered since the siege with dust and debris irritating their lungs every day. It was so gratifying given these opportunities to help people when I could. I would greet Eugene in the main hall as he came to the palace after his shifts, sometimes quite late. It didn't matter as long as I got to see him and I could hear about his day. He had really stepped into his new role and everyone respected him all the more for it. Some nights we would sit by a fireplace swapping stories about our days and even some afternoons during lunchtime, he would take me horseback riding around the grounds. After we said our goodnights, Pascal would sit on my shoulder as I would spend my nights before bed reading through the letters from my parents. Averaging around five a night before I would get too sleepy to continue. My days were full and I was so thankful for each one even when it got busy and tiring.

Eugene had been acting strange for days, seemingly distracted with something on his mind. He insisted it was concern over Gothel having been missing and no clue to her whereabouts. I refused to be fearful of her if she was still out there. I was with my family now, safe and protected. Eugene had been working so hard, my father had to insist on Eugene taking some time off to rest, so he did just that. One sweltering afternoon, he took me out on the water on a rowboat. The sun was beating down on us, so it didn't take us long to dive in and cool off splashing each other the whole time. Pascal remained on the boat watching us as he chowed down on the bugs and dragonflies hovering above the water's surface. Returning to our boat to eat some food ourselves for lunch. I wrung out my hair before lifting a sandwich to my lips noticing Eugene staring at me.

"Your gaze is just about as intense as the sun," I teased.

"Sorry, I just get distracted and overwhelmed by how lucky I am."

I rolled my eyes tucking a piece of loose hair behind my ear.

"You'll always have me as I'm not going anywhere," I smiled.

We ate our fill before heading back to shore. Eugene dropped me off at the gates of the palace kissing my cheek as we parted.

"Meet me for dinner tonight?"

"Of course," I nodded, "When and where?"

"I'll meet you at the water fountain in the square just after sundown."

As we parted ways, I checked in with my parents and they informed me of a few sick people who were reported falling ill shortly before I came home. They gave me the locations of the report and with Pascal on my shoulder, I left heading back to town as quick as I could get there.

Errands such as these kept me busy, but I didn't mind at all. It was important for me to feel useful. These people who were reported to the palace all lived in close proximity of town. Down a few alleyways from the main square, these particular homes hadn't been rebuilt. Holes in the walls from cannons were still present. Why had this area of town been neglected? It had been months since the siege, I'd definitely inform father of this when I would head back home later this evening. All these neighbors showed similar symptoms of a deep, guttural cough and one of these homes had four children, all of which had fevers. I healed them all in no time and the gratitude from the parents and everyone else was immense. Though I stayed longer to see if I couldn't help patch up these homes for these folks as well. I was here and I didn't have to wait to tell my father to do anything. I was more than capable. Pascal kept the kids company changing colors for them, which entertained them leaving their parents without distraction. All us adults worked together to rebuild the broken walls of these homes with bricks. Spending a few hours at least patching up these homes, so they were a bit more stable. It was twilight by the time we were just about done, but at this rate, I'd be late meeting Eugene.

"Pascal, can you go find Eugene at the fountain? I don't want him to worry. I'll be along shortly."

He nodded quickly heading to the meeting place ahead of me. If I knew Eugene, he'd be concerned if I wasn't on time. Ten minutes later, the work on the homes was done and a vast improvement from before.

"I'll have my father send people to maintain the finishing touches on the repairs, but at least the holes are gone," I told the homeowners.

"Thank you, your highness. We're grateful," The father of the four children said.

"I'm happy I could help, take care." I waved.

The children all healthy now were kicking around a ball and laughing now that they weren't sick. It made my heart happy knowing that I was able to help. I made my way down the closest alleyway. I could still hear the laughter of the children behind me. This area of town was unfamiliar, but I knew these alleys circled back around to the main square, so I just had to keep moving. I didn't get very far before I was stopped again by an elderly woman was grey hair beneath a black hood. She stepped out blocking my path. Her face concealed by the fading sunlight. The woman was hunched over as if her back was giving her an issue. She carried with her a satchel around her shoulder. Her wrinkled hands grabbed my arms as she bowed her head respectfully.

"Forgive me, your highness. I couldn't help but overhear that you were in town today. An illness has been spreading and my son caught it. I beg you, please heal my boy."

Her voice broke as she spoke and my heart fell hearing her desperate plea. How could I abandon this woman to go have dinner, Eugene would understand.

"Of course, I'll help. Where is your son?"

"I'm afraid he's staying at a cabin the forest outside the kingdom on a hunting trip, you see."

"Hmm, well let me go get us a pair of horses for this journey." I offered.

"Why get horses when our legs will get us there?" The woman asked,

As the woman showed me the way, a ball was rolled to us from up the road by one of the children from earlier. Her brown hair was pulled into two pigtails behind her ears. She couldn't be older than six. I grabbed the ball and threw it back to the little girl and she waved to me going on her way.

"By the way, what is your name?"

"Rosa Mclure, your highness."

"Well, nighttime is nearly upon us. Show me to your son." I said.

"Follow me."

We circled back to another alley and given my sense of direction, this wasn't going toward the square to get to the bridge outside of the kingdom. Stopping at a dead end, we came face to face with the outer wall that was covered in ivy growing up against the stone from the ground. She pulled back some ivy that was covering some iron bars and she wiggled one of the bars free wide enough for us to slip through.

"Surely there is an easier way?" I asked.

"This is a shortcut, your highness. My son was employed in the king's guard before he fell ill. He spoke of these shortcuts around the kingdom."

"Where does this lead?"

"To the beach outside the walls below the bridge," Rosa answered.

"Here let me carry your satchel," I offered.

Rosa hesitated at first then handed it over. Her hesitation was an indicator that she valued her privacy dearly and I wouldn't ever intrude into the contents of her property. I slung the satchel over my shoulder as a gust of wind picked up. A piece of parchment flew out of the bag and into the air. I meant to grab it, but Rosa was moving into the passage under the wall and I had to keep up. The parchment drifted down again getting soaked in mud as I moved the iron bar back into its place behind us. This underground passage was a straight shot forward lit up by torches that lined the walls. A few minutes before we came out the other side as Rosa moved a loose metal bar again. We climbed out of the underground tunnel onto the beach outside the kingdom. The bridge crossing over the lake was yards away. We were alone save for a few fishermen on the shore.

"So across the bridge, right?" I asked.

"Rowing by boat would be more advantageous, I think, your highness."

There was a rowboat nearby awaiting us perched in the sand. Rosa got in as I pushed the boat out into the water getting to my knees before hopping in myself. I rowed us out just a few times before Rosa grabbed my shoulder.

"I'm sorry to trouble you further, my dear. This old body of mine has come such a long way to find you. Might I be lucky enough to be able to experience your gift?"

I didn't see the harm. Sure the woman wasn't outright bleeding or wounded, but I could tell her back had been bothering her since we met.

"Of course," I agreed.

I wrapped my hair around her loosely and began to sing. The healing glow enveloped Rosa as she seemed to sit up straighter.

"I can only imagine how well your son will feel after I see him,"

Rosa lowered her hood as I saw curly black hair that was all too familiar as my eyes widened in horror.

"I'm afraid I don't have a son, but I have a very disobedient daughter."

The familiar stomach-churning feeling hit me as so many memories with this woman rushed to the forefront of my mind.

"You and I know you're not my mother, Emelia Gothel!" I snapped.

"My, my where did this sharp tongue come from? Probably from that fool, Xander Conwyn who was always a man to speak his mind."

"What a great lie you told in Ravadyn," I said.

"And it backfired greatly, but now it will just be the two of us again."

She was insane and I didn't want anything to do with this woman who has caused me so much pain. We were sitting in a boat and the shore was nearby. People were within earshot. Gothel read my mind as she watched my eyes drift to the shore. She lunged toward me clamping her hand over my mouth as I fought her yanking and pushing against her.

"Cooperate or I'll take the lives of everyone you love," She growled, "Your parents? Flynn Rider? Do you really wish to see them dead?"

I immediately stopped my blood running cold. Once she knew I believed her threat, her hand lifted off my mouth and we both straightened up in the boat.

"You know better than to try my patience, Rapunzel. I'm glad you see it my way,"

"Why has it come to this? Why can't you just leave me in peace?"

Tears flooded my eyes as I didn't know what she planned to do, but if she kept me in a tower for herself for eighteen years, I know she would go to great lengths to keep me to herself. Though to protect my parents and Eugene, I'd do anything.

"Oh my flower, with you, I will live forever."