Chapter 7
5 years ago
"Sit up, dear. Don't slouch," Arianna advises her thirteen-year-old daughter within the back of the carriage.
A young Rapunzel immediately straightens her posture, pulling her shoulders back like muscle memory, so hard that it makes her shoulder blades sore.
The wheels creak as they are pulled along a dirt road nestled within the forest mid-day. They can hear the hooves of the horses trotting along, as well as the sound of birds singing through the open windows. The summer sun cascades through the cracks of the trees overhead.
The corset of Rapunzel's gown makes it difficult for her to breathe and she writhes uncomfortably in her seat. Her blue dress is lined with lace and the thick layers of her skirt don't help against the heat of the vehicle. Her braid is tied with ribbons and her brimmed hat is decorated with turquoise flowers. The white gloves that she wears make her hands itch. She scratches at them absentmindedly.
Her mother sits across from her, also dressed in a silk gown and floral hat with her hands folded neatly in her lap. The queen flashes Rapunzel a comforting grin, telling her gently, "And don't look so glum. It's only a ball. Besides, this is an excellent opportunity for the kingdom of Galcrest to recognize your true potential as future leader of Corona."
Rapunzel only listens, staring silently at her mother as the carriage rattles along the uneven path.
Arianna leans over to pat her skirt, hoping to ease her mind, "One day, it will all work in your favor."
A minute passes of them gazing out the window in silence before the carriage jolts suddenly. They hear the horses neighing from outside as they are gradually slowed to a stop.
Rapunzel looks to her mother with confusion. "I'll go see what happened," Arianna reassures her calmly, before stepping outside and closing the door behind her.
"Alexander?" The young princess watches her mother walk around to the front of the carriage, calling out to the driver, "Is everything all right?"
Curiously, Rapunzel slowly opens the door and follows her outside. She hasn't stretched her legs in hours and all she wants to do is get out of this stuffy carriage even if it's just for a minute. The fresh air hitting her face is an immediate relief.
"Nothing to worry about, Your Majesty," he tells her in a cheery tone.
As Rapunzel steps onto the dirt road, nothing seems out of the ordinary as she gazes among the forest. It doesn't even look like they hit anything. All she sees are luscious green trees surrounding them that seem to go on for miles. However, something bright on the side of a tree catches her eye a short distance away.
"Must have just hit a bump in the road. I'll take a look at it, and we'll be back on our way in no time."
Their voices fade away as the princess wanders off the path and toward the mysterious tree trunk. There's a sheet of parchment nailed to the side of it. She squints at the written words once she is close enough.
'WANTED Dead or Alive: Flynn Rider, THIEF'.
Rapunzel stares curiously up at the drawing of a boy she doesn't recognize, wondering what such a poster is doing so far outside the kingdom. Whoever he is, he must have stolen something pretty significant to whoever made it.
Rapunzel whips her head around when she hears the palace horses neighing behind her.
Immediately after, she sees figures darting through the trees as the sound of clanging swords ring out in her ears. The driver shouts something in the distance, but Rapunzel is too dazed to decipher it.
"Rapunzel!" She hears her mother cry out to her with worry, who appears by her side and grabs her by the shoulders. All Rapunzel sees is her own feet as Arianna rushes her back toward the carriage. It happens so fast that she isn't even certain what is happening around her. "Get inside! Quickly!"
With her heart pounding in fear, the girl lifts her heavy dress and scurries into the back of the carriage. Arianna follows her, shutting the door closed behind them.
Rapunzel practically lunges toward the opposite window, hoping to catch a peek at the clamor that is happening outside, but she can't see anything from the angle she is at. Suddenly, the carriage lurches forward as the driver whips the reigns of the horses who neigh loudly.
Before Rapunzel knows it, they are bolting back down the road they were traveling along. When she peers outside the back window, all she sees is a thick cloud of dust.
"Explain to me what happened." King Frederic stands regally in front of his throne, glaring down at Alexander.
"I was just driving, Your Majesty, before we hit something along the road," the man explains, his voice much smaller than the king's. "I got out to investigate, and that's when they came out of the woods."
Rapunzel gently pushes on the door from within the hallway, peering inside the throne room. She notices her father standing at the opposite end in the distance, completely oblivious to her lingering eyes.
"Did anyone lay a hand on my wife or daughter?" The king's booming voice echoes within the vast room.
"No, sir. We fled as quickly as we could."
"Did you see anybody? What did they look like?" Frederic asks impatiently.
"It was hard to tell, Your Majesty. However… I do believe I recognized one of them."
Frederic takes a step forward, his fists clenching at his sides. "Tell me now. I demand to know who dare threatens my family!"
Alexander hesitates before he speaks, taken aback by the king's rage. "His name is Flynn Rider," the man stutters.
Rapunzel's eyes widen from behind the door. She recognizes the name immediately as the one she had seen on the poster earlier that day.
"I have previously heard word of his gaining crimes within the area," Alexander reveals. "The kingdom of Galcrest has recently warned their citizens of his treachery."
Rapunzel practically holds her breath as she watches her father stand there in silence with fuming eyes. She has never seen him look so angry. For a while, she waits in anticipation for what he is about to say.
"Guards!" Frederic suddenly shouts.
Two royal guards in red uniforms and metal helmets rush in next to Alexander, their halberds tucked under their arms. They stand at the ready with their chests puffed out and their chins lifted.
"Put out a bounty for this Flynn Rider," demands the king. "I want every guard in this kingdom searching for him. I will not rest until he is captured!"
A/N: Sorry this one is so short but the next update will make up for it! Also, two updates in one day?! I am mentally unstable and have been writing like a maniac.