Chapter 19

The Tales of Flynnagan Rider

Learning to Cope

On my next visit to the King's residence, Clarence informed me that Danielle had indeed left to join her parents in Charon. He invited me inside, partly because of Danielle, but also because Clarence and I had become close upon my frequent visits lately.

We talked for almost two hours about Danielle and her parents. She wanted nothing more to marry me, but her parents were another thing. Danielle would have to approach them with caution above all, but also with love. It wouldn't be very hard to convince them to accept me. They trusted Danielle's judgment.

For now, though I'd have to wait until their return.

But I knew that deep down, I couldn't accept that. I told Clarence that I would do anything for her and that maybe I should take a leap of faith and talk to them myself.

In other words, maybe I should be the one to get her parents alone and speak to them. Tell them that I'd love Danielle all her life and would take care of her. Convince them that I would make a perfect son in law, better than Ethan would ever be.

But where on Charon would I find her? It was a big island after all.

Clarence smiled at that and agreed. He asked me if I really loved her and if I'd take care of her. He wanted to know if I needed her and if I'd be true to her the rest of my days.

I nodded my head and told him that I wanted her love, trust and companionship for the all the rest of my days and no other woman would do. I needed her above all others. He'd have my assurance on that.

He smiled again and told me to wait as he walked into the hall. He returned in a few minutes and handed me a piece of stationery.

It had two addresses; one for her own private quarters in Charon proper and the other, her parent's house.

He advised me not to lose them. He told me to find her as soon as possible and make her my own. .

XXXX

The next morning found tons of reporters, magazines, paparazzi and autograph seekers sprawled on the guesthouse lawn, spilling over into the estate.

All waiting for Rapunzel to appear; if she so desired.

It was Eric who was there now; talking to the press and the media, calming everyone down. He was telling them that Rapunzel Gothel would soon be out with a statement of her own. As her manager, he assured them that everything was fine; she just needed some peace and quiet for a while, but he couldn't pinpoint how long.

And eventually she would, but not now. Right now she had to ask a few questions of her own.

Rapunzel looked up at the detective and asked why they were here.

"We already had evidence that she wasn't the mother. We also had written evidence and sworn affidavits confirming the kidnapping. The DNA evidence would only have confirmed what we already knew. All we wanted to do was question her, not arrest her yet. We couldn't do that without all the evidence in. But from what I've heard, she's disappeared."

"Yes, she did, but I don't think.."

"Look," Eugene said, stepping in. He had been sitting next to her at the kitchen table. "She doesn't want to talk with anyone now, maybe if you.."

"Eugene," Rapunzel said, "I can handle this."

She turned back to the detective. "You'd never believe me if I told you anyway. I find it hard to believe myself."

"We can confirm it," Lisa Stabbington answered. She had been sitting on a small deacon's bench right outside the back door. She stood up and brought her evidence forward and handed the documents over the detective.

"It's all in there. It's a little spooky how Greta lived for centuries with just this."

Lisa held up the necklace, but this time it was enclosed in a plastic bag. And Rapunzel liked it that way.

"I really have to warn you about that necklace. My mother mentioned just tonight that it was magic, I never knew anything before that. It never occurred to me that she hadn't aged in 18 years. I guess I just never noticed. "

"There's also some kind of curse on it as well," Lisa chimed in. "The magic in the necklace would stop working having worn it a number a years. It would be a matter of days before Gothel would disappear had she not lost the necklace."

Everyone heard the door open and Rapunzel picked up her head and locked eyes with Eric.

"It's all taken care of," Eric said. Rapunzel nodded. "Thanks," she said. "Eric, we have to talk."

He nodded. "I have things I need to tell you too."

Eric turned to the detective. "Is it alright?"

The detective nodded. "We're almost done here, Mr. Carver. We might need her to answer more questions if they come up. Right now, we have Lisa Stabbington who can fill us in."

Eugene locked eyes with Eric, but all Eric did was smile at him. He guided Rapunzel out of the room and away from everyone else. Eugene didn't know how to feel. After all, Eric was her manager and they would need to talk eventually. All he could do was stand by and watch as the two walked down the hallway into the guest room where they shut the door.