The caravan swayed as it moved along the road, and while Rapunzel was certainly feeling better this morning it did not help her queasy stomach. She laid in her bed, eyes closed tight wanting the motion to stop.
"Were almost there Princess" Eugene smiled at her, "But I think you are on the mend anyway."
Eugene pet her hair back watching her intently. He was feeling better about her being sick but was worried about her after the fever-induced nightmare she had. He knew she had experienced darkness, it was why she shone so bright for everyone else.
"Sunshine?" he asked cautiously, "That nightmare you had last night, do you want to talk about it?"
Rapunzel didn't respond. That dream was all she could think of and she didn't want to talk about it. She didn't want to admit that it was based on at least some of her memories. She didn't want to feel that sadness or fear again. She would rather think of happy things and push all that aside.
"Cause, if you did, I'm here to listen," He kissed her head, noticing that her fever was still significantly lower, relieved.
"I," she paused scooting into his lap so she could recline on him, "I just don't know what to say about it."
Eugene warped his arms around her lovingly, "I know it scared you and made you very sad."
He felt her head nod against his chest, "Princess, please tell me what happened? All I know was that you were worried about Pascal and begging to be let inside?"
Rapunzel took a deep breath, "I was back in my... in the tower, a-and it was winter, so, so very cold. M-mother had taken most of the firewood into her room and locked the door to keep the heat inside. I couldn't keep the fire going for the rest of the tower, and Pascal was freezing to death faster than I was. I knew if I knocked on her door I would be in trouble but I couldn't let my only friend die. I couldn't lose him!"
Eugene frowned feeling fresh tears fall onto his neck from where Rapunzel had hidden her face. Pascal snuggled up against Rapunzel's cheek trying to comfort her.
"Shhhh it was only a bad dream," he paused nervous, "right?"
Rapunzel pulled her knees into her chest wrapping her arms around them. He watched her as she sniffled then shook her head no.
"Oh, Rapunzel," he stroked her head softly.
"I-It wasn't exactly like the bad dream b-but she did do that on cold nights. I would be so cold and alone. I found ways to keep Pascal warm, and sometimes I would find a way to be warm too." She shook her head wiping away the tears, "It's silly. I shouldn't be crying about it."
"Sweetheart," he kissed her cheek, "What she did to you, you can feel any way you want about it. Sad, angry, confused, you can even have happy thoughts too, but she will never hurt you again, and I will make sure you are never freezing cold in your own home again, the frog too."
Rapunzel smiled faintly at that. She had no basis for what a normal childhood was like, or how to feel about what had been done to her. All she cared about now was that she was chasing her destiny, with the love of her life and her best friends, not to mention that the caravan had finally come to a stop.
"We're here!" Yelled Cass!
"Time to explore?" Rapunzel yawned while she asked.
"Not for you Princess. You may be feeling better but you are not well yet. You get to stay in bed and rest." He told her sternly but smiling at the end.
"Will you stay with me?"
"Forever sunshine." He pet her hair softly watching her drift back to sleep.