The prince had found the rose and returned it to Rapunzel. She kept it on her night stand. Rapunzel had spent a few days with Snow White and her husband, but for the most part stayed in her room, only leaving to have dinner with the royals and their friends. "So do you know why Rumplestiltskin disappeared?" Snow asked wanting to see what Rapunzel knew.
"He said he was going to get Cinderella's baby." she said simply.
"So he did tell you?"
"Of course he did. Why would he hide that?"
"So you know he was going to steal her baby?"
"He was not stealing. She signed a contract saying he could have it."
"He could have told her the price."
"She could have read the contract."
"Ok well let's just say that both could have done things differently." James said ending the argument before it could grow. "How are you likely your stay Rapunzel?"
"It's fine."
"Is there anything more you want or need?"
"No I just..." she paused feeling foolish. "I miss my tower."
"You're home sick?" Jiminy asked.
"Yeah. And I know that all of you have a complicated relationship, but I also miss Rumpelstiltskin."
"He's cruel!"
"He's wicked."
"He's evil."
"You're better off without him!" The table ranted.
"I know how you all feel about him. I get it. We didn't always get along either but I can't help but miss him. And if he came through that door and said 'Come Dearie!' I wouldn't say no." Then Rapunzel started to cough, she had been getting slowly worse, despite the comfortable living conditions.
The prince sighed and said "Rapunzel there's... there's something I should show you. I probably should have a while ago." He said standing up, but Snow White put her hand on his arm.
"Are you sure?" Snow asked him worried.
"She needs to know." He answered her, then motioned to Rapunzel to follow made their way down into the dark dungeon hallways. Toward the end of the hallway there were two guards posted who stood aside as they approached do bowed their heads. They got to the cell at the end of the hall. The bars looked like long fangs, and it was too dark to see who was inside.
"Why are we down here?" Rapunzel asked in a whisper.
"You need to see someone." he nodded toward the prison, and she got closer to the bars. Suddenly an imp jumped down from the ceiling in the cell, grabbing the bars laughing at his game, he made Rapunzel leap back from surprise.
"Hello Dearie. Long time no see." he giggled wildly.
"Have you been here? All this time?"
"But of course." he smiled. "I am after all..." he paused for effect. " a valued prisoner." and Rapunzel turned to the prince with a look of disgust.
"You did this?"
"I'm sorry." he said heavyhearted.
"Don't blame him. He did what I would done." Rumpelstiltskin sneered. "Come closer Rapunzel." he purred, she did and they both knelt down holding the bars. "Now get out."
"What?" she said puzzled.
"Not you. Him." he said eyeing the royal. "Leave us, I need to speak with my confidant." he sneered.
"Very well." the prince walked away leaving them to themselves.
"Why are you here?" he asked her.
"I didn't want to be alone anymore. These are the only people I met who are still alive." she explained. "Why are you here?"
"I need to be here."
"There's a curse coming. Everyone is upset. What do we do?"
"Not a thing." he said grinning.
"There's nothing?" she asked worried.
"There! There! Don't fret." he soothed.
"What's going to happen?"
"Soon we will all be in a prison. Time will stop." his voice was low in serious. "There won't be any happy endings."
"We never had one to begin with." she smiled sadly, and he slipped his hand past the bars and held her cheek.
"In this new land we will be together, and when time stops we will have so much of it to spend together." he moved his hand to her chin and held up her head to look him in the eyes. "And I will find the heart that will save you. I promise."
"Ok." she said shaking her head. "Alright."
"It's coming." and Rapunzel inched closer, holding onto the bars, and Rumpelstiltskin held her shoulders. "Don't be afraid." They rested their heads against the bars, getting as close to one another as possible.