Disclaimer: I don't own Tangled or Sleeping Beauty, they are both property of Disney.
Hi. Yes I am still alive. Yes I am still writing. Yes the next chapter will be started soon (hopefully in a couple of hours depending on if I go to sleep or stay up since I've been up all night). Either way, please read and review. Hope you enjoy and I'll see you all next time!
The two girls walked up to the cottage. Rapunzel held in a nervous breath and asked, "So, this is where you live?"
Briar Rose smiled gently. "Yes it is." She nodded at the door. "Follow me."
The tall girl opened the doorway. "I'm home!" she called out. She looked around when no answer came and saw a beautiful dress sitting next to a large three-tiered cake.
Flora, Fauna and Merryweather popped out from behind various hiding spots in the room, shouting "Happy birthday darling!" They stopped when they noticed Rapunzel standing partway behind their almost-daughter.
"Oh." Flora stated. "Who is this my dear?"
"What have we told you about strangers!" Merryweather spoke, always quick to scold the girl.
"Please," Rapunzel interjected, "it was my fault, don't blame her." She quickly covered her mouth as they looked at her. Quietly, she spoke again. "I mean, she came across my tower and I invited her up. I've never met anyone else, you see."
"What are you doing?" Briar Rose whispered to Rapunzel. Pascal gave her a look that said 'Just roll with it.', but of course she'd never have gotten that as she didn't know the lizard like Rapunzel did.
Briar Rose looked back over at her godmothers. "Flora, Fauna, Merryweather." she said calmly. "This is Rapunzel, and yes, I did come across her in a tower. She's never left it before today and as it happens, her birthday is in a few days so I promised her that we'd go to where the lights float up into the sky."
"Briar Rose, are you sure that's a good idea?" Fauna looked at her. "As harsh as Merryweather was, she does have a point. We've told you time and again that strangers, no matter how charming they may seem at first – no offense dear," she looked over at Rapunzel and then back to Briar Rose, "can be highly dangerous."
Briar Rose sighed. "Yes Fauna, I know. And yes, I think it's an excellent idea. If we go together, then we won't be by ourselves and we can protect each other well enough."
The three fairies looked at each other and sighed. "Very well dear, but we think that it's time we told you something." Flora stated.
"Yes?" Briar Rose asked.
"Why don't we sit down and dig into this birthday cake while we talk?" Fauna asked kindly.
"Of course." Briar Rose responded.
"That would be wonderful. If you don't mind me joining of course." Rapunzel asked, excitement and hesitation mingling in her voice.
The three old women turned away from the girls and whispered among themselves. "I don't trust her. What if she's working for Maleficent?" Merryweather questioned.
"You wouldn't trust a squirrel if it looked out of place. She's already here and it would be very rude to tell her to leave." Fauna put forth to the others.
"Fauna's right. Not everyone works for Maleficent. And besides, we only have to keep her safe until tonight. We can even go with them to make sure she stays safe."
"Oh, all right." Merryweather sighed in defeat.
The three turned back around. Flora spoke to the girls. "Before we start talking, we want you to know that we'll be accompanying you to the city. That's where the lights are released from."
Rapunzel's eyes shone with joy. "Thank you so much! That would be wonderful."
"Now, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Briar Rose asked as she pulled dishes from the cupboard.
Fauna explained as they sat and the cake was cut and passed around. "Well you see dear, it all started 16 years ago to the day..."
~X~
Meanwhile...
Flynn leaned out the window of the tower. "I wonder who lives here." he mumbled to himself. The round room of the tower's keep showed obvious signs that was occupied. There were a couple of books and some food, a bed and the walls were covered in paintings. A small dresser and mirror sat to one side with a plain chair in front of it, while another, plush and comfier chair sat in front of a small fireplace.
"Well, if they come back I'll have to make a quick escape." Flynn walked away from the window and grabbed an apple from the kitchen. He took a bite, and walked across the room to the simple bed where his satchel lay.
Opening it up, he checked on his treasure. A simple, yet beautiful and very expensive crown rested inside; despite being covered in multiple jewels and made of solid gold, it weighed only a few pounds. It nearly cost Flynn his life though, as he was nearly caught several times in his escape attempt.
"It was worth it." Flynn thought.
A quiet cawing could be heard coming from outside as Flynn laid dozing on the bed; he paid it no mind. Why should he worry about a raven? He glanced to one side where he noticed a dresser sitting just a few feet from the doorway he himself had come through. An odd thought popped into his head. What if that dresser had been placed in front of the door? "You'd probably never even have known it was there." he mumbled, stifling a yawn.
Slowly Flynn drifted off to sleep, the cawing of a raven invaded his dreams. He wouldn't remember it when he woke up, but everything in his dream was tinted green...
~X~
The raven flew over the forest. He spotted the tower, cawing loudly as he slowly circled around to check everything out. He saw a lone male lying asleep through the large, open window. The tower would be something to report back to his mistress. At first he wasn't going to make mention of the man, but then he saw the glint of gold.
He drifted down and landed deftly on the ledge of the window. The glint of gold was a crown, laying haphazardly next to the man, clutched in loose fingers.
This man would definitely be reported back to Maleficent. He cawed again. It sounded much louder this time inside the room, and took off back towards his mistress' tower. As he flew off, the man turned onto his side, sliding deeper into sleep.