"We're here." Prince James announced, and Rapunzel looked out the window seeing the castle in the moon light . "Are you sure about this? I know I've ask that but I just want to make sure."

"I'm sure, but actually would you mind doing something for me?"

"Not at all. What is it?"

"Could you wait here so a little while? I'm just... I don't know if ..."

"You don't know if he'll let you in?" he finished the sentence for her. "I get it. I'll wait." he nodded.

"Thanks."

"Wait." he stopped her.

"Can I know your name before you go?" He asked. "Incase we met again it'd be nice to be able to greet you by your name."

"I'll tell you if we met again. I just don't think we will."

"I hope you're wrong." he smiled hopeful, and she got out and walked up to the door, she felt a heavy weight all around her. Standing in front of that door felt like she was drowning. 'What do I even say to him?' she thought. 'Does he even want me here?' she paused staring at the door. 'I have to know.' With that thought she held up the palm of her hand and at first let it fall on the door, then struck it twice. The door flew open suddenly surprising her. There he was Rumpelstiltskin. Standing there stone faced blocking her way inside. Rapunzel's eyes filled again, trying to swallow down the ball in her throat, she didn't think she could speak even if she knew what to say.

"You found your way back." He said simply.

"A prince brought me back." she said weakly. And there was more silence. "Can I come home?" She failed trying to her voice from breaking. He took two steps back and one to the side so that she could come in. She disappeared into the Dark Castle, and Rumpelstiltskin saw the prince standing by his carriage hand on his sword.

After closing the door Rumpelstiltskin growled "I should to him into a toad."

"Why?"

"I don't like people getting involved where they don't belong."

"No why did you leave me there?"

"Oh." he paused trying think his words through.

"Well?"

"You don't belong here Rapunzel."

"What are you talking about?"

"You were so much happier in a castle full of people. You should have just stayed there."

"I thought disty tower girls never leave their towers?"

"They leave with princes" he retorted. "They don't chose to live with monsters."

"I don't want to live with a prince!" she yelled fed up with his reasoning. "I want my tower, this castle and you!" He walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"All I can give you is darkness and isolation."

"I won't leave." she vowed. "Why are you testing me? I already had a chance to leave and already chose to stay with you." she raised her hands to hold his cheeks. "If I wanted to leave, I would have." she whispered. She leaned in and kiss him, letting her feelings show. He returned the kiss tenderly, and deepened it, wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"I am sorry Rapunzel." he whispered his apology, before kissing her again. They ended their kiss, looked at each other, and that's when Rapunzel could see it.

"Oh my god." She mumbled. " What's happening to you?" She asked worried. His eyes were dark brown, the wicked edge had vanished, and his hair became tame, his skin lost its harshness.

"What are you talking about?" He ask confused, feeling different. His long kept rage flickering away, he felt lighter.

"Check the dagger." She told him. He stepped back from her, reached into his jacket and pulled out his dagger, just in time to see the last few letters of his name vanishing from the blade. Then suddenly the pain in his foot returned, Rumpelstiltskin dropped the dagger, and fell to the floor.

"What have you done?!" he shouted, in too much agony to sound angry. "What have you done to me?" his words were thick with misery.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. Rumpel please I'm so sorry." Rapunzel sank to the floor and picked up the dagger. "I'll fix it. I promise!" She ran from the room, unable to bear the sight of what she caused, and couldn't even imagine trying to speak to him if she failed. She ran up into her tower, kneeled by her bed, then place the dagger down on her mattress, and covered it with the braid.

"Flower, gleam and glow

Let your power shine

Make the clock reverse

Bring back what once was mine

Heal what has been hurt

Change the Fates' design

Save what has been lost

Bring back what once was mine

What once was mine" She was almost to scared to look. Rapunzel slowly pushed the braid away, and off the dagger, and saw that Rumpelstiltskin's name had returned. Just as she started to relax she felt a strange tingling at the top of her head. She could feel it moving down her braid. When it finally became low enough that she could see it, she saw darkness. Darkness spreading down the top of her hair and moving down. "No no no! What's happening?!" she shreked, trying to grab at the darkness, thinking foolishly she could stop it with her hands. "Flower! ...Flower gleam and glow! Let... Let your power shine..." But even her song couldn't save her golden locks. They had been swallowed up by the gloom that spread. "It's gone." Her magic, her light. All of it was gone.