Rapunzel, hiding in her mother's big cloak, was standing outside of the exit to the secret tunnels. She knew where they were, as she had once run through them. Then, she heard the healing song, and her daughter's scream of, "No!"
Of course the rider knew the healing song, and now she knew for certain who he was. She also now knew her daughter had kept her secret. Why else would she be so distressed when her healing song was sung?
After a few minutes, Rapunzel saw Eugene and Sunflower run out of the cave. He hadn't seen her yet, though, and as he was blinking in the sunlight, Rapunzel took that moment to whack him in the head with her trusty frying pan.
He fell over to the ground, letting go of Sunflower's arm. He was out cold.
"Mother!" cried Sunflower. She ran to Rapunzel, and Rapunzel wrapped her in a big hug.
Sunflower was crying now. "He knows everything," she cried. "I tried to keep it a secret, but he got it out of me."
"Shh, shh," said Rapunzel. "Don't worry, I know it wasn't your fault. Let's go back to the tower where we'll be safe."
Sunflower cried, "He knows where it is now! He will just come back and find us!"
Rapunzel frowned. "I know, but there's nowhere else we can go that's safe. Someone else would recognize me. It's better he finds us than someone else."
Sunflower got a funny look on her face. "How many people are looking for you? And what all have you been hiding from me my entire life?"
Rapunzel sighed. She had hoped she would never have to tell Sunflower. But here she was, asking these questions. She couldn't lie to her daughter.
"I'll tell you when we get back home," she said.