Chapter 6

"We're not going anywhere, Your Majesty." Sideburns said, shaking his head. "At least, not until the weather changes or the snow stops, take your pick."

Gothel stood by the window of the small cottage. "I've got to find them, boys," she said, her face against the pane. "I will find that girl even if I have to do it alone."

Sideburns looked at his brother, then turned back to her. "I repeat, my Lady, we are not going anywhere. Not until this snow lets up. We don't even know if the girl and Rider made it by themselves to tell you the truth. And since you don't have the magic mirror…"

Gothel turned to face him, a smile playing around her lips. "I'm well aware of that fact, young man and you're right. I don't have the mirror with me and we don't know if they made it or not."

She turned back to look out the window. "Chances are she and Rider never made it to their destination, wherever that is, and had to stop at an inn just to get out of the snow."

"If…" Eye Patch was quick to finish. Sideburns nodded. "We have no idea where they are, but I'm sure they've gotten caught in this blizzard as we have. Wait a few days. We will not be able to follow them because we do not know where they are; the dogs could not find them as you said so yourself."

When no answer came, Sideburns continued. "My advice is to wait out the storm. A few more days and we'll walk to the castle where you're magic mirror awaits you. If by chance it tells you that she's alive, the three of us will have our revenge and you will keep the rest of your money. We have enough to finish the deed. What do you say, Your Majesty?"

Gothel stared at the two of them, still trying to keep her smile in check. If these two did not want the rest of their payment, then that was fine. Why should she argue? After all, she'd wasted enough money. She should at least be told that her stepdaughter was still alive or not. There was definitely no reason to run out into tthis blizzard.

"Alright," she said, turning to Sideburns. "You've convinced me to hold off." She stared both brothers in the eye. Meanwhile, I must take my leave of you. I have an idea."

Smiling, Greta retreated to her own room. The twins stared after her; and then turned to each other, surprised and pleased.

"That wasn't too hard, was it?

Sideburns stared back at his brother, but didn't respond. He just stared at Gothel's door, wondering what she had up her sleeve.

"Come on, brother," he continued. "You can help me get breakfast on the table."

XXXXXX

Gothel's idea of creating a smaller version of the mirror hadn't worked. She had tried over and over again to create a smaller version, but the spell just didn't take. To her dismay, she'd have to wait until this ridiculous snowstorm cleared itself up. With this much snow, she wasn't even sure she'd make it back to the castle.

She cursed herself for not trusting her instincts. Greta should have brought the twins back to the castle with her yesterday, before this snow piled up this high. She had no idea her plans could be so easily wiped out with one rotten blizzard.

Well, no matter, the boys had been right. Gothel couldn't go out in this mess. . She was risking her life and theirs along with it. She sighed and walked away from the window, sitting down on the bed. She would have to wait no matter how much she hated the idea and she hated it.

But the second this snow stopped falling, she would be out there; with or without the twins.

XXXXXX

"Well, now that we've entertained with you with our tale, we really must be getting out of here. We've inconvenienced you long enough and we haven't the money to pay for our night's stay. We have to keep moving so that the Queen can't catch up with us."

Big Nose listened and then shook his head. "You must realize that wherever you go, the Queen will know whether Rapunzel is alive or dead. In any case, you will not succeed by running away. Your best bet is to stay here in the meantime."

He spoke now to both of them. "We are in need of someone to run the inn, to cook, clean and wash and balance the books." He turned to Eugene. "Our source informs us that you are brilliant with problems and strategies and also a wiz with numbers, which none of us posses. So you will stay here for the time being. Most importantly, your names will be changed and to complete the disguise, new clothes will be made up. It won't take long for Killer to come up with some new outfits for you. To complete the disguise, you two will need to marry each other. Shorty here can perform the ceremony when he's ready and able to do so."

Big Nose looked around expecting someone to disagree, but no one had, not even from Rapunzel. The two stared at one another and smiled. They were sure it would work, even for a little while at least. They'd have to be careful, very careful not to get spotted even if and when Gothel tracked them down.

"You've got a deal," Eugene answered, smiling broadly and they shook hands. Whether they'd outsmart her or not, it was worth a try.

XXXXXX

"Well, here we are, Mrs. Flower FItzherbert," Eugene smiled at his beautiful new wife.

Rapunzel laughed, as she twisted a strand of her long brown hair with her left forefinger and her thumb. "I can't say I like my new first name, but I'm very much in love with my new last name, Eugene."

He smiled and moved closer to her. The room they had been given was located on the top floor and had been unoccupied for days.

"I think I could get used to something like this," Eugene said, placing his arms around her neck, bringing her closer toward him.

Rapunzel smiled. "You think or you know?" she asked him playfully.

But she would never get her answer, not in words anyway.