Chapter 2

"What can I do for you, Your Highness?"

Rapunzel was inside the Scrimshaw Whale, marveling over the beautiful gold and silver chains that were on display. There were just a few, she reminded herself, many of these were made to order. She also had to be careful that the chain itself wouldn't be too thick, that it would fit through the wooden clasp.

She had just missed Eugene who was headed to the Glass Unicorn, which was around the corner and up the street from the jewelry shop. If Rapunzel had seen him, she wondered if she would have called him in to measure the charm, but she had decided against it now. She wanted to surprise him. Whatever would be would be.

She really didn't want to take a chance that the chain would be too thick and settled on a medium one that she had seen in the catalog. She didn't see it here.

"How long do you think it would take to make a custom one?" she asked.

"What exactly are you looking for, Princess?" Thomas, the shopkeeper asked. He was a small man with bright blue eyes and just a touch of gray hair, making it look as though he had sprinkled salt on his dark black hair.

"Just one thick enough to fit though a wooden holder," Rapunzel said. "Not to thin, though. Eugene goes through rope chains like water."

Thomas laughed, his eyes twinkling. "A lot like mine, I guess. I used to go through those rope chains a lot, until I made this." He reached into his shirt and brought out a lovely chain that held a small scrimshaw whale, the shop's symbol. "Whale bone," he said. "A gift from my wife, her brother made it. He's a sailor in your father's fleet." He took it off from around his neck and handed to Rapunzel. "We also have a fine collection of scrimshaw amulets as well."

"And the chain is exactly what I'm looking for, not too thin, but it holds up beautifully," she gasped, her eyes widening with excitement, barely taking in what he said about the scrimshaw. She examined the work before she handed it back. "Can you match your price in the catalog?"

Thomas returned the chain to his neck. "Of course I can, Your Highness. It will take a few weeks to get it just right, but you'll have it way before Christmas."

Rapunzel smiled. "Perfect. Then Eugene can wear his good luck charm the rest of his life without losing it. And I won't have to worry about the rope chains fraying and the amulet coming off."

Thomas shook his head. "Believe me, Princess Rapunzel, my wife gave this to me for our first Christmas together. I was all of 21 years old when I married. Now I have three children and two are already grown. Two of the boys help me now; they have gone into metal working. My daughter sometimes tends the shop when I'm supervising my sons. This is a family owned business, Your Highness, and we only sell the best."

Rapunzel nodded. "I can see that, Thomas. My parents have been sampling your wares for years."

Thomas smiled. "Well, this is the first time I've seen anyone from the castle other than servant. Usually, my sons bring the work to you."

Rapunzel smiled. "Yes, I guess it's true, but this time it's different. I don't want my husband suspecting anything."

"Then I have a suggestion," Thomas said, leaning over so only the Princess could hear. "My sons will deliver it directly into your hands, Your Highness. Is there a place we can meet?"

Rapunzel shook her head. "Too much distraction and the courtiers gossip about anything unusual. I'll send Cora, my most trusted assistant, back to the shop. She always carries a basket of flowers. We can hide the wrapped chain inside the basket and no one will be the wiser."

"Very good," Thomas said. "Good day to you then, Your Highness."

XXXX

Eugene was satisfied, especially with the price. He had the glass dome clutched in his hands when he saw a crowd gathering in the courtyard. Curiosity got the better of him and he walked over. His eyes widened when he saw what it was.

"RAPUNZEL," Eugene voice boomed as he saw her lying on the ground. In all the excitement however, he tripped over a cobblestone and his package went flying out of his hands, landing in the road. The noise turned heads, but Eugene had other things on his mind right now.

"Are you alright?" he asked, as he neared the Scrimshaw Whale. Thomas had helped her up.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Eugene, just a bit dizzy."

"Alright, everyone, show's over," Eugene called out, a little angrily. "You can go home now."

"Eugene," she scolded, but she smiled anyway. "What are you doing here?

"I could ask you the same question." Eugene said frowning, "You shouldn't be alone. Where are your Ladies? What the heck were you thinking about?"

Rapunzel didn't answer. Instead, she directed her attention to a large paper package that was lying the street. The villagers were now crowded around that, while the sanitation men were cleaning up the broken bits.

"I have no clue what you're even talking about, beautiful," he said, realizing that he had dropped the dome. He shook his head.

"How are you feeling now?"

"I'm doing a lot better, Eugene," she frowned. "It was just a little dizzy spell."

"Well, I'm not taking any chances," Eugene said. "I'll be back in a sec. Sit down on that bench there and wait for me; we'll go back together. But I want you to see Devon, is that clear?"

Rapunzel nodded and sat down. Devon Riley was the castle physician. He was an old friend of the family and had worked there for years. Rapunzel smiled. Eugene called him Devon even though he preferred Dr. Riley. She really should see someone. She had been feeling out of sorts for days now. She had kept to herself, hoping it would go away, but it hadn't.

"Rapunzel," she looked around and found Eugene sitting next to her. He looked a little concerned.

"How did you get back so quickly?" she asked him as he helped her up.

Eugene smiled. "I was in the shop close to half an hour. I think you just fell asleep. Come on, I'll take you back now."