AN: I'm sorry. That's all I can say. And for those of you who have continued to encourage and patiently wait, this chapter's for you. Let's hope the next comes out sooner than later.
Love xoxo
Chapter Nineteen:
The world was white, devoid of life, devoid of shapes, devoid. Void.
Rapunzel was trapped, drowning in the emptiness. She needed to find a way out. Her hands scrambled for something to cling to, but there was nothing, just white.
Was she dead?
She could not answer that.
Was this paradise? Heaven? Nirvana?
She could not answer that either.
There was nothing. No sound. No smell. Nothing to feel. Nothing to see. Nothing to taste. Nothing.
She was drowning in the emptiness. Her soul craved for something, anything. Even pain. She had to feel something.
Eugene.
Where was he?
Eugene!
Couldn't he hear her calling?
Eugene!
There was no reply. Nothing. Just white.
She was drowning in the void.
Her body curled in a foetal position.
Nothingness enveloped her.
She was fading into the nothingness. It was pulling her from being, pulling her from life. Death was coming. Death through the nothingness was creeping up upon her, upon her translucent body.
The void was pulling her.
The world was white.
Eugene.
He clung to her with all his strength as the snow kept them fast in their grasp, pulling them down towards the ravine below. His life would mean nothing if she died. He had to save her.
With sudden force he did not know, he reached for the mountain face, his hand digging into the side, his other holding her aloft, clutching her to his body. The snow fell upon him, but he did not let go. To let go meant death. His eyes scanned the whiteness for the other one, but he could see nothing through the blinding fall.
He waited, planting them against the side as the snow fell and fell. It wanted them to fall too, to release themselves into its grasp. He could not do it. He would not let it take them. This was his duty, his sworn obligation. He had to protect her, death take him. He had to make sure she lived.
His arm was aching, wanting relief, but he would not give it. He could feel the snow subsiding. It was almost done. They were almost free. But what would freedom be? He could not think on that question yet. First this; then that. Survive one obstacle, and then the next.
It was done.
He released a breath as he realized their plight was over. The avalanche had finished, the last of it falling harmlessly over the cliff, away from them.
His body sagged slightly in relief, but he could not relax yet. He glanced at Rapunzel. She was unconscious, her head lolling dangerously upon his shoulder. But she was breathing. Still alive. He had not failed yet. Then again, it was too soon to tell.
Vincent glanced up. They had fallen a long way from the cliff, too far up for him to climb. There was nothing to either side of him either, and down…He let his eyes fall.
The drop below them was steep and he could see no ridge to lend them support. He could not see Rider either. The thought should not have bothered him as it did.
He looked forward again and took a steadying breath. His arm was growing heavy with the burden of keeping two bodies aloft. If he did not make a decision soon, it would not mater. They would both fall. They would both die. Climbing was his only option.
Preparing himself for the task, Vincent lifted Rapunzel further up his body, keeping her steady on his shoulder. Tentatively he raised his other arm. She began to slip. He hurriedly supported her again.
Despair was slipping in as he realized that he stood not a chance. The others were of no used, trapped within a cave. He could not admit defeat though, not until his soul had fled his body.
Grinding his feet into the snowy cliff, Vincent tried once again to shoulder the weight of the princess. She stirred slightly, but did not wake. Certain that she was better secured than the last time, Vincent attempted again to grab the ridge with his other hand. She did not slip this time, firmly rooted, between his shoulder blade and neck. His hand found solid placement and he took a deep breath. Now to climb.
"Vincent!"
The voice was weak on the wind, weak enough that he believed he had imagined it. He ignored it and prepared to move his hand…
"Vincent!"
This time, he could not ignore it.
Glancing down, Vincent saw a figure peeking out from the mountain face. It was Rider. He looked wet and cold but not harmed. What more, he seemed to be standing in an alcove of sorts.
"Come down!" The words were supported by a wild gesture. He did not need to be asked twice.
The distance between where he hung now, and where Rider waited in anticipation was not so great. Eager to descend, Vincent removed a foot, lowering it delicately, grinding it into place, before removing a hand…
Too quick, he slipped suddenly, his hands too frozen to do any good. He was dangling again.
Rapunzel's body slipped off his shoulder. He caught her as she fell, a rag doll only held up by the strength of his arm.
Rider's eyes were wide as he watched the pair.
"I'll catch her!" He shouted in a panic. "I promise!"
Vincent stared at the boy. He did not trust him still, but what other choice was there. Bringing Rapunzel's body closer to the edge, he let his arm lower her as far as he could before releasing her hand.
As he had said, Rider caught her gently in his arms, pulling her in tight in a lover's embrace that caused Vincent some anger. He had caught her, though. He supposed he could be grateful for that.
As relief for the princess's safety began to filter through, so did exhaustion, wiping away his adrenaline. His body was weary and bruised. He was coming in and out of consciousness too, his grip slackening. He could not hold on.
He fell, gravity pulling him down without constraint. He could not fight it.
Arms stopped him, grasping him tight below his shoulders. They lifted him up, placing him on solid ground. His eyes met Riders.
Damn, he thought as blackness came over him. Now I owe him my life.
Eugene had been very fortunate. He knew it well. He had been extremely fortunate for some time now and he was waiting for the moment when his luck would run out.
Carried down by the avalanche, it had only been chance that had made him grab out for something to hold onto. As he had, he had found himself clinging to a small ridge embedded in the cliff face. He had hauled himself up and taken shelter while the snow had poured down, his heart burdened with the thought of Rapunzel. He had not known then that she was safe and his body had been wracked with guilt.
He stood over his two companions. Rapunzel was breathing lightly, oblivious to pain, but Vincent's face was pulled back in agony, his body trembling. He had greatly exerted himself to save her life and his body had taken the toll for it. In his heart, he felt great sympathy for the man amidst the already tumultuous regret for the grave act he had committed.
Setting himself on the ground beside Rapunzel, he ignored the cold that was biting at him. With some relief invading, his body was beginning to recognize the dampness of his clothes and the frigidity of the air. He wanted to make a fire, but had no tools to do the same. Suffering under the chill, Eugene leaned over Rapunzel and wiped a hand over her face. She was cold too, but her coat was still keeping her warm. She would be fine.
Pascal appeared suddenly in his line of vision. It struck Eugene that he had forgotten about the chameleon in all this excitement. He was glad to see he had survived the ordeal.
Round eyes met his, filled with apprehension and exhaustion. Eugene reached forward to rub a finger over his head.
"She'll be okay."
Believing, the small creature crawled into Rapunzel's coat pocket to sleep.
He went next to Vincent and felt for the man's pulse. It was there, faint but steady. He would be okay.
Content with that, Eugene glanced down the tunnel of the cave. They would sleep for a while, but he could not find the exhaustion or the will to do the same. His fear was too strong. If he fell asleep, there was a chance he would not wake up.
Decided, Eugene stood once more and began to follow the rocky terrain deep into the heart of the mountain. There was some relief to follow as heat slowly began to flood the area the deeper he penetrated the cliff. He sighed as some of his chill was alleviated. He should bring them further in.
Returning quickly, he gathered Rapunzel first in his arms, carrying her into the bowels. He laid her carefully on the floor before hurrying back to Vincent. He was too heavy but, even as Eugene attempted to lift him, the captain of the guard's eyes flew open.
Eugene retreated a step as Vincent shooed him away.
The Captain stood shakily, grasping at the wall for support. Eugene offered a hand, but Vincent ignored his offer.
"I can stand on my own," he growled. His eyes gazed around rapidly. "Where's the princess?"
"Further in, where it's warmer," Eugene replied. "She's just sleeping. She's not harmed. You saved her life."
Vincent regarded him carefully. "Yes, it was my duty."
"Right."
Silence lapsed between the two men, neither sure what to say, both ailing from some grave injury.
"Thank you."
Eugene blinked rapidly as the words left Vincent's mouth. He looked at the man; his eyes were cast aside. Perhaps he had misunderstood.
"What?"
Vincent looked up, his eyes exhausted. "I said, thank you. For saving my life."
Eugene paused. "You're welcome."
Silence fell over them again, thick and awkward. Eugene wanted nothing more than to swipe it away with his hand, but it was too great for him to fight off alone.
"We should go check on her," he said finally, invoking a nod from Vincent.
"Okay."
The two men hobbled along to where Rapunzel still lay asleep against the ground. Her hair was more white than brown now.
"She doesn't have much time yet."
Eugene glanced at Vincent from the corner of his eye. "We can't give up."
"I'm not saying we should. But we have to find a way out of here, and we have to get her there and we don't know where to start."
"She'll make it. She's strong."
Eugene slid down beside her, his energy drained by fear.
Vincent stayed standing, though he leaned against a nearby wall for support. "She is strong, but even Death conquers the best of us. It takes no time differentiate between us, the weak and the strong, the old and the young…" his voice cracked.
Eugene avoided making eye contact. His daughter. I led Death to his daughter. It's my fault. Mine. All mine.
"You love her." It wasn't a question.
Eugene looked up. Vincent's eyes were dry and void of emotion. "You love her," he repeated.
A nod. "Yes. I do. Too much. But…I don't deserve her."
"That won't stop you."
Eugene shook his head. "I need her too much. She reminded me of who I was before…without her, I'll fall back into darkness."
"It wasn't your fault."
This surprised Eugene. "My life is a list of events that I should take blame for. You're going to have to specify."
Amusement flickered very briefly across Vincent's features. "I know you didn't want to kill her."
He had not been prepared for this. "I don't expect—"
"I can't forgive you," Vincent interjected. "I can't erase her image or yours. Everytime I look at you, I see her, dead in your arms. Every time I remember that night, I remember you, bringing my daughter to me dead." The guard's voice was trembling. "But I know it wasn't your fault. It was his. You wanted to help."
Eugene nodded. "I didn't want anyone to get hurt." His emotions were rising too, but he forced them down. "I am sorry."
Vincent bowed his head. "I accept, and that is enough. I accept your apology. You saved my life. You saved hers. We're even. You're redeemed."
The words, simple as they were, moved over Eugene like a godsend. They alleviated the burden of guilt he'd carried for those past few years. They would not rid him completely of his remorse, but it was some help to know that he was, though not forgiven, deemed redeemable. In the eyes of a man whose daughter he had helped take the life from, the belief that he could be changed was a hopeful one indeed.
"Thank you," he whispered softly.
They fell back into silence for a moment, pushing the moment of compassion between them aside.
"We have to go," Vincent spoke as if nothing had happened between them, his voice commanding. "We waste time if we wait."
Eugene agreed. "Okay. If you want, you can stay here with her and I'll go see what lies ahead."
"No," Vincent argued. "You stay here with her. I'll check."
Eugene did not argue, but watched as the Captain marched away, his walk marred by a limp. It was amazing the extent to which people could be changed in moments of duress.
Rapunzel was pulled from the void of whiteness to another. This new world of white, though, held some tangibility and, as her eyes grew accustomed to the light, came to realize she was staring at a ground of snow. She also realized that she was being carried.
She looked to the face and was surprised to see not Eugene's loving gaze, but Vincent's compassionate one looking down upon her. A smile took his features as he saw her awake.
"Welcome back, princess," he said tenderly.
She smiled too. "We survived."
He nodded. "Rider too," he assured her before she could begin to ask.
She glanced to the side to see Eugene walking a few paces in front of them. "Eugene," she whispered softly, contentedly. She reached for his hand. He took it, squeezing it quickly, before withdrawing. His hand was too cold. "Where are we?"
"A question we don't yet know the answer to," Vincent replied. "We're trying to make our way back, but we're in the dark at the moment."
"The map?" she enquired.
Vincent nodded. "We have it, but it won't be of much use if we don't know where we are."
Rapunzel fell to silent contemplation. They were lost. Her limbs were wearier than they had been. She could feel herself fading away. Her dream of whiteness has been too telling of the forces trying to pull her from existence. She said nothing on the subject, not wanting to stir up fear in her companions, not more than what they were already feeling.
Eugene's gaze kept falling on her as they trudged through the deep snow. His eyes were anxious. He was fearful for her, but not just for her. She could see the chill in him, could see the cold in the pursing of his lips, could see the frigidity in his stance.
He noticed her watching and turned away. He knew that she knew.
"Eugene," she called him to look at her, but he would not. "Eugene," she insisted.
He turned, a fake smile on his lips. "We're going to get out of here."
She disregarded this statement. He wasn't even trying to sound convincing anymore. "You can't freeze to death," she told him.
Vincent's hands held to her tighter as she squirmed to escape his hold. "There's no need to tire yourself," he contested firmly. He would not relent on this matter. "Though she is right, Rider. You need to take care of yourself."
"Then what do you suggest?" Eugene asked, his tone disenchanted. "Can you conjure a coat from thin air? I dare say you can't." Vincent said nothing. "I thought so. We continue on. I'll be fi-"
"You can take mine," Vincent interjected quickly, coming to a sudden halt.
Eugene faltered too, looking back in surprise. Rapunzel imagined her expression was the same. "What?"
Vincent took a deep breath. "I said, you can take mine. We can share it. At least that way we'll have some warmth. It'll give us a better chance to get to the end of these snow-tipped peaks." Rapunzel noticed that he made no attempt to determine how long that would be.
Eugene's surprise was overwhelming. He blinked rapidly, struggling to determine how to speak next, his mouth flapping without making a sound. It was a strange expression and Rapunzel couldn't help but laugh.
Their gazes were drawn to her face, both surprised. She smiled apologetically. "Sorry," she murmured, unable to staunch the small bubble of joy that had bloomed within her. "You looked like a fish," she accused Eugene then. "Vincent offered you a coat. I think you should."
A rueful smile drew itself across Eugene's face as he then looked to Vincent. "I won't refuse her, but I also won't be responsible for you catching a cold...or worse."
Vincent shrugged as he lowered Rapunzel gently to the ground. She stood in the snow, still mesmerized by the sight of it as Vincent undid the buttons of his coat, removing it from his body. He shivered noticeably as the warmth dropped off his form. "At least this way we'll be even," he determined, reaching out with an offering hand.
Eugene hesitated for a second before accepting it. He threw the coat over his shoulders and a significant glint of relief grew in Eugene's eyes as he took a deep, grateful breath. "Thank you. I'll take her from here."
Vincent nodded, accepting the offer, and turned then to continue on their way. Eugene lifted Rapunzel once more into his arms. She draped her hands over his neck, helping to secure herself. She was tired, she realized and could feel her eyes wanting to droop. Eugene tightened his hold over her as he felt her limbs slip.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
She nodded. "Just sleepy." Cradling her head in the crook where his shoulder connected his arm to his torso, she soon fell prey to the calling sleep.
They continued on for hours to the point where Eugene could no longer keep track of the real amount of time that had passed. He and Vincent had already switched about half a dozen times and at the moment, it was the Captain of the Guard who wore the coat and carried Rapunzel. She was still sleeping, her hair almost fully white. Eugene could not ignore the fear anymore, growing through him, spreading with his coursing blood. If they did not find a way out of the hinterlands soon, there would be no hope for Rapunzel.
"We might be going the right way without even knowing it," Vincent insisted as he too dealt with the trepidation in his chest.
Eugene tried to nod, swallowing down his doubt, but he could not move his head - it was partly because of his strong belief that they stood not a chance, partly because his head was frozen.
Vincent bit his lip as he shifted Rapunzel's position. "I will not fail her. I gave the King my word."
"Lady Nature doesn't seem impressed with our sworn oaths," Eugene told him vindictively, remembering his own promise to Rapunzel and her parents. "You know...I thought she was my second chance," he continued, not sure why he was-perhaps it was because he was certain that they would both be dead soon, and his whispered secrets would follow them to an icy grave. "I thought Fate was finally showing me some kindness, like the past ten years had just been preparing me for meeting her. I thought she was my soulmate and that life would be better, that I would be better. But Fate continues to be a b-"
Vincent frowned at his choice of vocabulary. "You were better. You brought her home."
"Yeah, but...that was just a sliver of what I could have done if I had been given the chance." He kicked at the snow as a biting wind drove through his skinny shirt. "And the truth is...the only reason she's like this is because...well, it's because she saved me. She saved me and now she's dying."
If Vincent believed him, he didn't show it. Something had caught his attention in the distance. Eugene looked into the horizon, squinting to see. He saw nothing. "What is it?"
"Don't you see?" Vincent's voice was taut with hope as he quickened his pace. "Don't you?"
Eugene shook his head as he trudged after him, forcing his eyes to focus ahead. Then his heart leapt with joy. He did see now, and hope was permitted to rise again with great force. "Max!"
The white steed came up to them, neighing like a crazed horse. Triumphant pride shone in his gaze as he lowered himself to the ground.
"Maximus..." Words failed Vincent as he laid a hand upon his horse's head, and stroked it with gratitude.
Rapunzel had finally awoken, alerted to the real world by the commotion of Maximus's sudden appearance. Her eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the horse. "Max?"
A newfound energy rose in Rapunzel's eyes as she wrapped her arms around Max's neck, a wide smile brightening her wearied features. She glanced towards Eugene, and he could see her eyes gleaming with tears.
"We're going to be okay," she whispered.
And as he nodded in agreement, Eugene was surprised to find that the deepest part of his heart was certain that it was true. They were going to make it. They were going to save her. And, whether or not their futures were to be entwined, Rapunzel would get her happily ever after.
AN: I'm sorry for the terrible quality of writing. I just want to finish this story for my devoted readers. Hopefully it was still enjoyable, if a little convenient.
Looks like things might be turning around, but things are rarely as they seem. Is that a warning that bad stuff might still happen? Decide for yourself :)
Love you all!