Chapter 3
Rapunzel watched Eugene as he circled the castle, searching for clues of the thief's whereabouts, her frying pan loose in her hand. He told her that if she wanted to come, that was what she had to bring, and she also insisted on including Pascal, much to his dismay. But he said all right, because he knew that no matter what she would be coming with him. She could see a thin veil of sweat on his forehead, and she touched his shoulder. "Eugene?"
"He went that way," he said, slightly out of breath from jogging around. He pushed his hair out of his face and she looked in the direction he pointed. Back into the forest they would go, she realized with a small frown. Not that she was afraid of it, not in the least. She was just worried of what they may find, of what would happen if the real thief didn't get caught. Fear hung in her heart like blackout drapes, almost crushing her, devouring her. Eugene would certainly be the one that was taken for the crimes. He didn't seem to notice her agony, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "You don't have to come, Goldie, you know that right?"
She nodded. "I know, Eugene. But I'm coming. I want to help you." He kissed the top of her head, and readjusted his familiar satchel. She touched the leather, and smiled softly, fond memories of a time not too long ago coming back to her. Though, the bag also carried pain that she would have never cared to remember, but she decided that she needed to be strong for Eugene and hid that away from her mind. They linked hands, and entered the forest.
...
Flynn was deft at tracking. Not because he had ever been trained as a track or a hunter of any type, but he was not the kind of guy to get stolen from more than once and let someone get away from it. Mostly his education was trial and error, until he grasped the basics of it over a long period of time. But to be frank, most of his training in everything was pretty much that. He learned to be a thief the hard way, figuring out what movements hid noise the best, how to be quiet, invisible. How to use his mind in the best possible scenario.
He was a smart man, and he knew it. He could strategize with the best of them, testing the strengths and weaknesses of himself as well as anyone else he was with to figure where they would be best suited. Generally, he assigned himself the stealthy work, mostly to show off, but because he knew that if you wanted something done right you really had to do it yourself. Such as with the Stabbington Brothers, stealing Rapunzel's crown the first time—the only time, he had to correct himself, because he hadn't stolen it this time. He had done the dropping in from the skylight, and they had done the grunt work. He was agile, he was clever, he could jump across the rooftops with no problems and outrun the guards without even trying.
For some reason, Flynn felt glad that this had come up. He felt trapped inside the castle with nothing more to do than be Rapunzel's companion and not cause trouble for anyone. Which he was pretty good at doing, outside of a few mishaps here and there. But his past had caught up with him, and some prejudices would never be let go of. Her parents welcomed him with open arms, but the guards were not so willing to forgive and forget.
Something caught his eye, and he dropped down to one knee, examining the ground. A foot print had been left there in the dirt with a style of shoe he had never seen before. It was a softer sole, with no heel, flat across the bottom. They led off to the left, and Flynn motioned to Rapunzel to stay quiet and follow him. She did so, tiptoeing along the grass barefoot, her frying pan at the ready. They slid through the bushes quietly, and Flynn edged around a tree, his eyes narrowed suspiciously. A small wagon stood nearby, and it seemed deserted, but the last time he figured something was deserted, it earned him three cracks to the head with a certain frying pan.
With a hand on hers, he motioned for the girl to stay where she was, and he snuck around a group of trees, holding a small knife in hand. He wasn't one for swords or bows and arrows. Close range was the best, because there was no point unless he was close enough to steal something. As he stepped into the clearing, not seeing anything, something whisked past his ear, making him jump and duck down. An arrow embedding itself into the tree behind him, causing a panicked whimper to escape his lips. He stared into the direction where it came, and a shimmer of golden jewelry caught his eye, bangles that he recognized and he let out a sigh of relief.
"Marcella!" he said with an excited note in his voice.
A feminine voice broke through the shadows, and he heard her reply, her voice uncertain, "Is it really...?" She stepped out, her tanned skin complemented by the dark red gown she wore, a purple, star emblazoned scarf around her waist. He couldn't help but feel slightly enamored, remembering some drunken nights he had with the beautiful vagabond. "Flynn!" She dropped her bow and arrow to the ground and took a leap into his arms, her deep blue eyes fiery at the sight of him. "Flynn Rider, how have you been, darling?" Coughing, he gently pushed her away from himself, his eyes trailing to the spot where he knew his princess was standing, waiting for him to say she could come out.
"It's okay," he said waving his hand in her direction, and Rapunzel stepped from the trees, her eyes looking confused and the frying pan gripped tightly in both hands. Oh boy, was he dead. "Goldie, this is a good friend of mine, Marcella. Marcella, this is my—ah—intended, Rapunzel." Marcella looked the brunette princess from top to bottom, and nodded with a smile.
"She's a beautiful girl, Flynn," the woman complimented, bowing. "I've heard all sorts of tales about you, dear," she said to Rapunzel, taking her hand and examining her palm. Flynn was curiously as Marcella read the lines, her smile dimming and brightening with each read of her palm. "Oh, my darling, you are a lucky lady. Here, your lifelong is quite long," she pointed with her finger, tracing the line around her thumb. "And this means you will have as many as five children," Flynn's ears perked up, and Marcella sent him a devilish smile, "born in wedlock with your true love." Rapunzel's cheeks flushed, but she smiled brightly. "Who, I am assuming, is this charming young rogue right here with us."
"Naturally, Marcella," Flynn chirped up, putting an arm around Rapunzel's shoulders. "Blondie and I are quite the couple you see."
Marcella nodded and smiled at the princess. "You nailed down quite the slippery eel there. I never thought I'd seen Flynn settle down with just one woman, he's too dynamic. Guess he's changed, hasn't he?" She nodded, fondly tucking her head in against Flynn, and he pulled her tighter against himself, kissing the top of her head. "So, my friends, what are you doing this far out into the forest?" She made herself at home at the lip of her wagon, crossing her legs and leaning back on her palms.
"We're looking for someone," Flynn explained, pulling Rapunzel forward and sitting down in the grass with the princess beside him. He told Marcella the situation and the gypsy listened carefully, her expression unchanging as Flynn even admitted his midnight escapades to the woman, his change of heart, and the fact that everyone in the kingdom couldn't accept the fact that he was the prince to be as opposed to a petty thief that should have been hung weeks ago. When he stated this, he felt Rapunzel flinch beside him, and he tightened his grip on her hand, feeling bad for being so callous. But there was no reason for him to not be honest. "That's pretty much what happened," he ended rather lamely, unsure of how to finish the story.
Marcella nodded slowly and pulled herself from the wagon, patting down her skirts. "Well, Flynn, my dear Rapunzel, I can say that I haven't yet seen a man come by trying to sell any precious treasures of the kingdom. You're the first that I've seen in weeks that weren't just customers. But let me say this," she took their hands and folded them over each others, "I foresee hardship in your future, do not let this bond between you break. Trust only each other, and no one else." An irritated whir sounded and Pascal untangled himself from Rapunzel's hair, looking miffed.
For a moment she was stunned, and she smiled, scooping the chameleon into her hands. "What a precious little creature!" she said happily, scratching the top of his head. "Trust this cute thing, too, my friends, he's got the heart of a stallion." Pascal puffed out his chest proudly and crawled back onto Rapunzel's shoulder, turning an odd shade of gold that Flynn had never actually seen him turn before, and was rather curious. "Dear," she said to Rapunzel, taking her hands. "Take good care of yourself, there are a lot of people who love you."
"I will, Miss Marcella," she said in awe, her previous jealousy ebbing away into nothingness.
"As for you, Mr. Flynn Rider," the woman said impishly and Flynn cocked an eyebrow at her. "Take good care of the girl." He nodded and touched Marcella's shoulder in thanks, the three of them heading off.
Rapunzel watched Flynn's face for a moment, but he kept his expression vacant, his mind a wheel of thoughts that he was afraid that if he stopped thinking, something awful would happen. They were silent as they followed down a trail of broken branches and the same footsteps before, Flynn wondering if letting Rapunzel come was the best idea now. Marcella had been right; her parents, the people of Corona, Max, Pascal, himself... they all loved her. She was truly a princess that was worth waiting for.
What would they do if something were to happen to her? He swallowed deeply, already feeling the burn of the rope on his neck. That would be the first step, he guessed, but in all honesty, he didn't feel frightened at the prospect. The gallows would be a welcome release if he were to even go one minute living without her. He turned his amber eyes and was surprised to meet her green ones; she hadn't taken her gaze away from his face since they had left Marcella's camp. "What's up Goldie? Can't get enough of my dashing good looks?" he said with a bright smile.
"You look sad," she said simply, and he laughed, though it was forced.
"Don't worry about me, Rapunzel. I'm fine, just trying to think of what to do next." She was unconvinced and he shrugged it off, knowing that even if he tried to send her home, she would not go, not for anything in the world. It tugged at his heartstrings, knowing that Rapunzel loved him so much, but it also made him even more aware of how bad he was for her. She loved him, yes, but he was still the first man she had ever met outside of her tower. What if she had met Hook Hand first? Or Big Nose? Would she have loved them instead of him?
The thought nearly sent a chill down his spine, but he suppressed it. Marcella said that he was her true love, but he didn't really put that much stock into her fortune telling anyway. She had also said that he would die before he ever got to live, and that didn't happen now did it?
He had no regrets at his death in the tower. Rapunzel was free, he had loved for the first time in his life, he died for that love. Wasn't that the fullest life anyone could have? Dying old and gray was not the way Flynn Rider saw himself going at all. He took Rapunzel's hand, and the two found the last footstep stopping at a cobble road. They had made it through the forest, and Flynn sighed. "This will be a blast," he said grimacing, seeing a wanted poster with his face on it, nose and all.
Rapunzel asked, confused, "Eugene, I thought Mother and Father had all the posters taken down of you."
He turned to her and sighed. "Well, that's just in Corona, Blondie. We've made it to the Kingdom of Luna."
AN: Blah-dee, blah-dee, blah. I had work all day today, so I figured I would stay up and finish this next chapter since the lighter of my two stories is getting more attention so far. I really like this one though, and I plan to work on it more tomorrow and the next day. Reviews are greatly appreciated!