Rapunzel walks towards the shimmering lake. This lake near their home has been calling her name, whispering it, urging her closer. She doesn't bother to take her dress off, just walks in. The cold water shocks her a little but doesn't stop her. She keeps walking until the water is up to her neck. At this point she slips off her gown and it falls to the bottom of the lake. Rapunzel allows her body to float. On her back now, staring up at the vast sky, sprinkled with stars, basking in the magic of it all. She stares for the longest time, allowing her body and mind and heart to go numb in the freezing water. Rapunzel knows she's ready – she rolls over and her lets body sinks to the bottom, everything is dark.
Rapunzel wakes with a start and sucks in her breath with a gasp. She feels as though she has drowned even though she is in her own bed. Her nightgown is drenched in what she can only imagine is her own sweat. Why do these dreams haunt me? What is wrong with my brain? Will the doctor be able to fix me or is this just the beginning of the end? She rolls to her side and sees Eugene staring at her. "I'm soaked" she whispers.
Eugene begins to take her nightgown off her. He doesn't know if these night sweats are related to what's wrong but he makes a mental note to mention it to the doctor. He pulls another gown from the drawer beside him and gently lowers it onto his wife's freezing body. "Let me get you another blanket" he murmurs.
But she's already fast asleep.
The queen wakes slightly having heard the commotion in the room next to her. She looks around the art studio/guest bedroom. Her daughter's work all around her, surrounding every side of the bed. She chuckles slightly thinking of Eugene making this room so that Rapunzel would have a place to paint. And paint she did. Oh, there were a few canvases that paint had splashed on during the process, but for the most part it was the walls, the ceiling and even the floors that had attracted her attention, her brush. The Queen's gaze was drawn to the corner where the Tower had been painted. Funny how that Tower had brought her so much suffering and yet she had insisted on bringing it with her. No, insisted wasn't the word. That Tower was a big part of her and she had no choice but to paint it. Eugene had told the Queen that Rapunzel hadn't even realized what she was doing until it was over.
Ah, the Tower. Her kidnapping. The Crown being stolen. The lanterns bringing her home. All these thoughts and scenes trampled through the Queen's mind. What if...but she didn't want to dwell on what ifs tonight. She had to dwell only on what was and the fact that her daughter, her precious, vibrant, beautiful daughter was probably not going to be alive for too much longer. The Queen feels the wetness on her face as the tears began to fall again. She had thought all the tears had been cried but obviously not as here they are again.
Eugene covers his wife with an extra blanket anyway, but he knows he won't be able to sleep. He hasn't slept all night, choosing rather to keep a close on her, wondering what strange dreams were playing inside her brain. His restlessness takes him out to the living room. He lies across the couch, his body heavy as a heartbreak. What will I do without my Rapunzel, my Angel, the Love of my Life? No answers become apparent to him. The flickering flames draw his gaze to the fireplace. He is determined that whatever it takes to get her better he will do. Perhaps if I offer reward money for someone to find a cure! Yes, that was the right idea. Money could fix anything! But, he remembers, I don't really have money. Oh Rapunzel had all the money she wanted, but he never thought of it as his own. Maybe the King would offer up a reward?
And where is that diary? He desperately wants to read the book, wonders if it is as awful as he thinks, as the doctor thinks. He knows that has to be his first priority in the morning – find the diary. Dare he ask Rapunzel for it first? He hadn't been able to find it when he searched earlier in the week, what makes him think he can find it now?
Eugene must have drifted off to sleep at some point because the next thing he hears is commotion in the front yard. Oh, the racket! What is all that noise? He pulls himself up off the couch and walks to the door to peer outside.
The King has arrived, but not alone. With him he brought several carriages of soldiers, maids, other various people, food, medical supplies and who knows what else? The King descends from the biggest carriage in all his regal glory. Eugene couldn't help but think that he is imagining this. The King had never in all these years come to the cottage. The Queen came quite a bit, but never the King. Eugene could see the surprise in his eyes as he observed the home that his daughter had chosen over life in the castle.
"Eugene. How is she this morning?" The gruff words from the king brings Eugene standing at attention. No matter how much time he spent with the King, this always seemed to be his instant reaction. Stand at attention, gaze locked, show respect.
"Um, I just woke up when you pulled in. I haven't checked on her yet today." Embarrassment emanated from Eugene. The King expected a full welfare report and he had nothing. "I'll go now and see how she is."
Eugene flees into the depths of the house, not even asking him inside, anxious to get away from the man who still held a bit of hostility towards him. Oh, it wasn't because he had been a thief, wasn't because he had stolen the crown, ruined the reservoir or even that he had married Rapunzel. No, it all stems from the fact that Rapunzel had chosen to live in the cabin rather than in the castle with her parents after they were wed. The King didn't seem to see it as Rapunzel's decision but rather as something Eugene coerced her into even though that couldn't be further from the truth.
He finds the Queen and Rapunzel sitting up on the bed, Rapunzel sipping some Willow Bark tea. She looks better than she had since her fall and Eugene's mind quickly jumps to the conclusion that she is on the mend, all the other part was nothing and she would be just fine.
"Hi, Sweetheart. You're looking good this morning."
"Don't flirt with me now. I'm a mess and I need a shower." Rapunzel grinned up at her husband, happy to hear a cheerful tone in his voice, happy to be able to tease with him like old times. "What's all that noise outside? Have we been invaded?" she jokes, almost back to the Rapunzel that all know and love.
"Your father has arrived."
"Oh dear, why did he come? He's going to be unbearably overbearing." Rapunzel fretted, not realizing how redundant her declaration is. "I really wish he would have stayed at the castle."
The Queen pats Rapunzel's knee "Now, now, dear. You know your father means well. He was probably concerned about you when news of your condition came to the castle. He loves you no matter what - you know that."
Rapunzel sighs in resignation. "You're right. I do love him and want him to be with us. But please, Eugene, please remind him that this is our home and he can't just come in here and boss us all around!" She is beginning to get worked up which brings back the headache. Just when she thought the Willow Bark tea was working and keeping the pain at bay, too.
Eugene hesitates to remind his wife that as the King, her father very well could come in and boss them all around. He imagines sharing that information would only upset her further. He doesn't have time to make a decision one way or another. A firm knock on the small bedroom door startles them all.
Not waiting for an answer, the King marches in with two of his servants trailing behind him. "Rapunzel. This is Marta and Gretchen. They will be your nursemaids and take care of your every need. You look like you need to rest now, we'll leave you in their capable hands."
Eugene and the Queen stare as the imposing man marches out the door. He seems to march everywhere he goes. They know they are expected to follow and they do. He leads them into the tiny kitchen where two chefs are busy preparing what looks to be the biggest meal that had ever been made in that room. Eggs, hotcakes, fried, potatoes, bacon, sausage, three kinds of toast. No one will starve now that they are in charge of cooking.
"Eugene, I've decided that I'll be moving in here. Unless of course you'll change your mind about the castle and bring my daughter home where she belongs. She can heal better there than in this cottage. She needs round the clock medical care!" The disdain in the King's voice over the living situation is quite evident.
"Your Majesty, with all due respect I'd be happy to have Rapunzel come back to the castle to stay for a while. But that is not my decision. You'll have to ask your daughter what she wants. We live here because that's what she chose, not because of me." Eugene eyes the King for any hint of him finally understanding.
"Well, whatever the situation, I'll be with my daughter throughout. My men are currently setting up tents to house the staff while I'm here. I had to bring quite a few people with me to ensure our safety and comfort. I, of course, will be staying in the colorful room at the end of the hallway" He motions towards the back of the house. "I noticed when I let myself in to the house that my wife is already set up in there."
"Of course, your Majesty, wherever you wish to stay. Let's plan to stay here tonight regardless of what is decided about the future. It's still too soon for Rapunzel to be moved. She is no longer able to ride a horse due to her condition and to put her in that carriage when she gets so sick seems cruel at the moment. I will leave it in your hands to discuss with her moving back to the castle." Eugene's plan seems solid to everyone as the Queen and King nod in agreement. The King marches outside to inform his right hand man of the plans and to get moved in.
Eugene and The Queen glance at each other and sigh. They had a long day ahead of them.