Chapter 13: Be Prepared
Flynn's face twitched as he felt a drop of water splash against it. Sniffing in surprise, he slowly opened his eyes, wincing as they were struck by the rising sun overhead. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he could make out a figure standing over him. Slowly, the figure cleared, revealing Phoebus standing over Flynn, glaring down at him as he pointed his sword at Flynn's face, Maximus looming in the background. It was then that Flynn noticed water running down the blade as well as the drenched state of Phoebus's clothes.
"Come to apologize?" Flynn asked with a smirk.
Phoebus visibly seethed, before letting out an angry yell and reached down, grabbing Flynn by his shirt and hoisting him to his feet. Flynn let out a surprised yelp, before kneeing Phoebus in the gut. His armor took the brunt of the attack, but Phoebus still dropped Flynn in surprise. Flynn fell on his butt, before he began to scramble away in a panic. Recovering, Phoebus dropped his sword and grabbed Flynn's foot and began dragging him back with an angry growl as Flynn cried out in fear.
The cry quickly roused the others, who drowsily looked at the scene unfolding before them, before hopping to attention.
"Leave him alone!" Quasi shouted as he ran over and shoved Phoebus hard in the chest, forcing Phoebus to let go of Flynn and sent him rolling across the ground. Seeing this, Maximus stormed over to Quasi and reared up on his hind legs, kicking his hooves at Quasi. Quasi cried out in fear before he rolled away as Maximus slammed his hooves on the ground where Quasi had been a moment before. Growling in anger, Phoebus picked himself up, grabbing his sword as he did. He stomped over to where Quasi was helping Flynn to his feet, raising his sword as he went.
Seeing Phoebus approaching with his weapon, Flynn's eyes widened in surprise before he pushed Quasi out of the way and drew his sword, blocking the captain's attack. As the two blades met, sparks went flying. Phoebus gritted his teeth as he pushed down against Flynn, who was barely holding Phoebus back. Shifting his weight, Flynn spun the two blades around, resulting in both swords being wrenched from their owner's hands, sending them clattering across the ground.
Phoebus and Flynn paused for a moment, looking at their discarded weapons, before turning back towards each other. Before Flynn could move out of the way, Phoebus reached out and grabbed Flynn, kneeing him in the stomach before he flipped him around and slammed him onto the ground.
"Got you now, you dirty thief," Phoebus growled.
"Hey, that felt uncalled for," Flynn said indignantly.
"Uncalled for? That's what you are, Ryder! A dirty sneak thief! A catburgler, a cutpurse, and a pickpocket!" Phoebus shouted, walking up and poking Flynn hard in the chest with an accusatory finger with each insult, "A damned criminal Ryder, that's what you are. A low-life thug, fit only for the stocks and the gallows!"
"Hey, leave him alone!" Esmeralda yelled, running up and shoving Phoebus sending him rolling across the ground. He pushed himself to his feet and glared at Esmeralda.
"And you, can't forget you," Phoebus growled, "Try to hide it with that pretty face of yours but you're as bad as the rest of them. A liar out for herself. A temptress. A harlot."
"That's enough!" Quasi spoke up, stomping over, glaring at Phoebus, "Don't you dare call her that! Don't you dare insult my friends!"
"Oh and here he is!" Phoebus declared, rounding on Quasi, "The hunchback with the heart of gold. Or at least that's what he makes people think he is, so he can betray their trust and steal the most precious treasure in the entire kingdom!"
The insult immediately took the wind out of Quasi's sails as any retort he was about to make died in his throat. Phoebus took the advantage anger building in his eyes.
"To think I trusted a freakish creature like you," Phoebus growled, "I should have known you were as twisted on the inside as you are on the out."
Maximus noticed that Phoebus had completely lost his temper and was quickly losing control of his actions. He tried to step in front of Phoebus to block his path but the guard captain shoved his way past him.
"Get out my way, you stupid animal!" Phoebus bellowed as he went by Maximus, earning a look of shock and hurt from Maximus. Phoebus ignored it and continued stomping towards Quasi.
"I'm not done with you yet, you half formed thing," Phoebus growled as he loomed over Quasi, "Do you know what I've been through because of you!"
Quasi didn't reply as he tried to retreat only managing to trip over his own feet and fall on his behind.
"I've been knocked off my horse, fallen off a cliff, got lost in the woods for hours, been physical assaulted by you and then I almost drowned before having to spend the entire night soaking wet and lost in the woods again! All because of you," Phoebus growled, grabbing Quasi by his tunic and hauling him to his feet.
"You and all your scumbag friends are going to be locked up, for the rest of your days!" Phoebus bellowed right in Quasi's face, "Or if the minister is feeling vindictive, the hangman will get to stretch his rope a little more."
"Leave him alone!" Flynn shouted as he tried to move towards Phoebus but the guard captain shoved him away, sending the thief stumbling away.
"You know I still can't believe I fell for that stupid innocent act," Phoebus growled at Quasi, who whimpered softly, tears streaming down his face "It's so easy to see through. I bet your mother saw through it the moment you were born. She could tell what kind of monstrosity she gave birth to. She must have had the good sense to abandon you on the spot. If she just didn't kill herself out of shame for bringing a freak like you into the world."
"STOP IT!" Rapunzel roared catching everyone's attention, "JUST STOP IT!"
She was standing where she had been sitting previously, her eyes still red from crying and her cheeks stained with tears. Instead of sorrow however, a look of fury and disgust was written across her face as she glared at Phoebus. The guard captain was so taken aback that he immediately let Quasi good as he looked into Rapunzel's burning green eyes.
"What is wrong with you!" Rapunzel demanded as she stomped up to Phoebus until they were practically nose to nose.
"Excuse me?" he asked, feeling very confused.
"How can you say those things!" Rapunzel shouted, "How can you be so cruel!"
"I'm not…" he began to explain, but Rapunzel wasn't having any of it.
"Don't. You're a cruel man," she insisted, "Why else would you say such hurtful things. What I want to know is why?"
"Why?" Phoebus asked, confused by the unexpected question.
"Why are you so cruel? Why would you become a guard if you're so mean!" Rapunzel demanded, shoving him in the chest, forcing Phoebus to take a step back. "You're supposed to be a good guy! That's what all the stories say!"
Phoebus was completely silent as the girl in front of him berated him. He could find no way to defend himself against her rant, which had drawn everyone else's' stunned stares.
"Well?" Rapunzel asked with a disapproving tone, "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"I…I…" Phoebus sputtered as he looked around, seeming to regain control of his senses, finding everyone giving him angry and confused looks, even Maximus.
"You're just like him aren't you?" Rapunzel asked him.
"Like who?" Phoebus questioned, growing more confused.
"Like this so called minister," Rapunzel explained, "The one who makes Quasi call him master. The one who Esmeralda says is a tyrant. That's the only reason I can think of why someone would work for him. Because you're cruel like he is."
"I am nothing like him," Phoebus hissed, his anger rising again as he kneeled down and glared into her eyes, but Rapunzel was not intimidated.
"You do a bad job of proving it," Rapunzel shot back, "The things you said sounded a lot like thing he would probably say."
Phoebus was about to retort, but stopped as he realized that Rapunzel was right. A look of horrible realization crossed his face as he stood up straight and took a step back from Rapunzel, dropping his sword as he did. Slowly, he calmed down, before raising his hand up to his face and covering his eyes in shame.
"You're right," he finally sighed with shame.
"Then what are you going to do about it?" Esmeralda asked, speaking up after a long silence.
"What?" Phoebus asked, looking at her with surprise.
"You obviously don't want to be like Frollo," Esmeralda explained, "So what are you going to do about it?"
A thoughtful look crossed Phoebus' face as he considered Esmeralda's words. As he did, Rapunzel leaned down and picked his sword up, before handing it to Phoebus. Phoebus looked at the sword for a moment, before taking it from her and putting it back in its sheath.
"Why did you stop me?" Phoebus asked, looking at Rapunzel.
"Why wouldn't I?" Rapunzel asked, confused, "They're my friends."
"Friends?" Phoebus said in confusion, "Didn't they kidnap you?"
"Kidnap me! Of course not!" Rapunzel exclaimed.
"Who said we kidnapped her?" Esmeralda demanded, warily picking her staff off the ground.
"Her mother," Phoebus answered equally wary.
There was a stunned silence as everyone tried to process the information.
"My…mother?" Rapunzel asked, despair crossing her face, "Are you sure?"
"Older woman. Curly, black hair. Named Gothel," Phoebus explained, "Ring any bells?"
Rapunzel's response was to gasp out loud and clasp her hands over her mouth.
"I'll take that as a yes," Phoebus replied.
"She…she wasn't supposed to be back until after tomorrow," Rapunzel whispered in despair, "She wasn't supposed to know."
"Well, she does," Phoebus replied, "Are you telling me these people didn't kidnap you?"
"No," she replied sadly, not looking at him.
"Didn't you see her fighting the guards with us?" Flynn asked, watching Maximus warily. The horse snorted at him in an effort to intimidate him.
"No, I was…preoccupied," Phoebus explained, glancing at Quasi, who flushed with embarrassment.
As he did, Rapunzel's knees seemed to give out as she collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face. Phoebus looked at her in shock, caught off guard by the now sobbing girl. Quasi quickly ran over to her, heedless of Phoebus, and kneeled down next to her, putting his arm around her shoulders. Rapunzel quickly turned around and instinctively buried her face in his shoulder and gripping his tunic tightly.
"Um…" Phoebus mumbled, suddenly feeling very awkward.
"Good job," Flynn chided, "You made her cry."
"I didn't do anything!" Phoebus snapped defensively.
Rapunzel began to sob louder, undermining Phoebus's words as Flynn and Esmeralda glared at him, causing Phoebus's own glare to falter.
"Alright, so you didn't kidnap her," Phoebus relented as Maximus wandered over to his side, "What did happen then, assuming I even believe you?"
"She's spent her whole life with her mother," Esmeralda explained, "They live in some old tower out in the woods. She's never been allowed to leave. That's eighteen years of being stuck in the same place. It's a wonder she didn't run away sooner."
"And what does this have to do with any of you?" Phoebus asked.
"I hid in her home when I was running from you," Quasi explained, looking up as he continued to hold the crying Rapunzel, "She asked me to take her with me back to the city."
"Back to the city?" Phoebus asked, surprised, "Why would you agree to that? The whole city guard is looking for you."
"I wanted to help," Quasi replied with a shrug. Looking up, he saw both Phoebus and Maximus looking at him with raised eyebrows.
"I was also going to try to return the crown," Quasi explained.
"You're returning the crown?" Phoebus asked, incredulously, "Just like that?"
Quasi nodded in reply, an unsure look on his face.
"Are you joking?" Phoebus asked, annoyed, "Do you really expect me to believe that?"
As Phoebus asked, he was hit in the chest with Quasi's pack, catching him completely off guard. He jumped in surprise before clumsily grabbing the pack before it hit the ground. He looked at it quizzically before looking at Flynn, who had thrown it at him. Flynn merely motioned for him to open it. Opening it, he looked inside, before a shocked look plastered itself across his face. Maximus snorted at him to get his attention before looking at Phoebus with a questioning look on his face. Phoebus held up the bag for the horse to see, causing Maximus to adopt the same shocked expression.
"Is this…?" Phoebus asked, trailing off as he pointed into the bag, looking at Flynn and Esmeralda.
"It sure is," Flynn said with a smile and a nod.
"Well then," Phoebus replied, composing himself as he slipped the pack around his shoulder, "I suppose that's something."
Phoebus paused with a thoughtful look on his face as he pondered the situation he was in.
"All right," Phoebus replied with a sigh, "I'll believe you. I won't take you in."
He looked around at the others before his eyes drifted to Quasi, who was still sitting on the ground, comforting Rapunzel.
"I'm sorry Quasimodo," Phoebus said as he offered a hand to Quasi, "I was frustrated and said some things I shouldn't have."
Quasi looked at Phoebus' hand for a few moments before standing up on his own and helped Rapunzel to her feet. They quickly walked past him, Rapunzel sending an angry glare at him on Quasi's behalf. Phoebus could only sigh as Maximus trotted over to him.
"I guess you deserve an apology too," Phoebus commented as he patted Maximus' mane while the horse gave him a "well, duh," look. Phoebus merely smiled a little, happy the horse was willing to forgive him. He looked at the others, who had gathered together and were talking amongst themselves.
"Alright," Phoebus spoke up, catching their attention, "So I'm not going to arrest any of you. But why did the girl run away from home?"
The angry glare that Rapunzel had been sending Phoebus' way again faded away and was replaced with a look of guilt and awkwardness.
"I…" she began but had to take a calming breathe before she could continue, "I've always wanted to see the floating lights."
"The floating lights?" Phoebus asked as he and Maximus both raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"The lanterns they release on the Lost Princess' birthday," Esmeralda explained, "Which is today."
"Right," Phoebus said, having forgotten with everything that had happened over the past few days. Then a thought occurred to him.
"Why do you want to see the lanterns so bad?" Phoebus questioned.
"It's been a dream of mine since…well as long as I can remember," Rapunzel explained with a shrug, "I've always felt like…they were meant for me."
Something about that statement caught Phoebus's attention, as did the girl herself. Something about her was oddly familiar to the guard captain.
"Hey," Flynn spoke up, snapping Phoebus out of his thoughts, "Why don't you take us in?"
"Because I'm the captain of the guard and you're wanted criminals," Phoebus deadpanned in response.
"Seriously, hear me out," Flynn said, "You can get us in without any hassle at all. You know where all the guards are going to be and when they'll be there. You probably even know their names! You can order anyone away and make sure this little trip goes on without a hitch. What do you say?"
"No," Phoebus replied immediately.
"You answered pretty quickly there," Flynn continued, "Maybe you want to think about it a little before answering."
"No," Phoebus said again firmer this time.
"Oh come on!" Flynn exclaimed, "Would it help if I said please? Because I'll say please. I won't like it, but I will if I have to."
"Look, I know I was a jerk a few minutes ago, but you have to see that I'm already out on a limb here by not bringing you in myself. I can't just hide a group of wanted criminals from the rest of the guard," Phoebus explained.
"Please, it's the only thing I've ever wanted," Rapunzel pleaded, quickly forgetting her anger and rushing up to Phoebus, looking up at him with big, desperate eyes, "I swear that if you do this, I'll go with you back to my mother."
Phoebus consider her for a few long moments.
"You swear?" he asked.
"When I make a promise, I keep it," Rapunzel replied seriously.
Phoebus considered her for a moment, still unsure.
"Did I mention it's my birthday?" she asked sweetly.
Phoebus and Maximus let out a collective sigh of defeat before the captain looked at the group before nodding his agreement. Rapunzel sported a grin that almost split her face as she hopped up and down excitedly. Phoebus sighed again as he looked at Maximus, before a small grin crossed his face and he shrugged, while the horse rolled his eyes.
Later
Large crowds flowed across the bridge leading to the city of Corona. Rapunzel looked at the city with wide eyes, wonder plastered over her face as she observed the capital sitting on an island in the middle of a lake, Pascal sitting on her head with a matching expression. She turned to look at the others, who smiled at her excitement.
"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed as she hopped up and down excitedly, before rushing over and grabbing Quasi, who was hiding under a cloak he borrowed from Esmeralda, and dragging him towards the city, Pascal hanging on by her hair.
"You have to show me everything!" she exclaimed as she pulled him across the bridge. Esmeralda and Flynn chuckled at the display before they followed them across the bridge, Djali prancing along behind them. Phoebus followed, leading Maximus behind him.
"Try not to steal anything while you're here, Ryder," Phoebus quipped as they crossed the bridge.
"Hey, I'm a thief, not a kleptomaniac. Give me a break!" Flynn replied indignantly.
"I will when you give me a reason too," Phoebus growled as he bumped Flynn.
Flynn looked at Phoebus angrily before shoving him. Phoebus replied by shoving him back, causing the two to quickly get into a shoving match before they grabbed the scruff of the other's shirt and were about to come to blows.
"Hey!" Esmeralda shouted, catching their attention and looking at her in surprise, "Knock it off you two. I expect you two to be on your best behavior today, okay?"
Both nodded, still caught off guard by Esmeralda's authoritative attitude.
"Good, now hurry up," she said before turning and walking away. Djali stuck his tongue out at the two men before prancing back up to Esmeralda's side. Flynn and Phoebus slowly stepped away from each other, eyeing each other warily. Slowly, Phoebus turned and walked away, leading Maximus behind him. As he passed, Maximus quickly kicked Flynn in the stomach, laughing as the thief doubled over and began gasping for air.
As Rapunzel went running through the crowd, she kept getting tripped up as some passerby stepped on her long hair. As she reached the gates to the city, she quickly began to collect her hair, Quasi and Esmeralda bending to help her. As they gathered up her hair, Esmeralda noticed the guards at the gate eyeing them suspiciously. As they made their way over to the three, Phoebus stepped in front of them.
"Men," he said with an authoritative tone
"Captain!" one of the guards said with surprise as he and his compatriot snapped to attention.
"How goes the day?" he asked as the other quickly snuck through the gate without being noticed. Phoebus smirked as he continued his small talk with the guards.
Inside the gates, the group gathered up all of Rapunzel's hair as they tried to think of something to do with it. As they did, Esmeralda noticed a trio of young girls sitting by a fountain nearby, braiding each other's hair. Getting idea, she whistled to catch their attention. As they looked over, Esmeralda held up the length of Rapunzel's hair she was holding for them to see, causing the girls' eyes to go wide as they gasped in delight and rushed over. In what only seemed like moments, the three girls had expertly braided Rapunzel's mass of hair. Her blonde locks were now weaved together, coming down to just above her ankles. The girl's had also woven various ribbons and flowers into her hair.
"I love it!" Rapunzel exclaimed as she danced around, looking at her hair, causing the others to smile as well.
After getting her hair done, Rapunzel began to lead the group on a rapid tour of the city, as she took in as many sights as she could while they avoided notice from the guards. At one point, she found a large open courtyard, where a group of children had gathered to draw on the brick walkway in chalk. Getting an idea, Rapunzel asked the children for some of their chalk, which they gladly gave her. Giving some to Quasi, they went about coloring on the brickwork. As the two worked, Flynn and Esmeralda stood to the side watching them, smiles on their faces.
"They make quite the couple," Esmeralda commented, glancing at Flynn.
"They do," Flynn replied as he watched the two. As he did, Rapunzel and Quasi reached for the same piece of chalk and their hands touched. The two quickly pulled away in surprise before they looked at each other and smiled shyly, blushes on their faces. Flynn chuckled in response.
"So why the change of heart?" Esmeralda asked.
"What do you mean?" Flynn asked, caught off guard.
"You've changed, especially since your talk with Quasi," Esmeralda explained.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Flynn replied, shrugging his shoulders, as he flashed a sly grin at her, "I'm the same loveable rogue I've always been."
"I'm being serious here, Flynn," she said sternly, before a grin crossed her face, "Or should I call you Eugene?"
"Why did I tell you guys that?" Flynn asked with a sigh.
"I kind of like it," Esmeralda replied with a smile and a shrug, "It seems more…genuine."
Hearing that caused a genuine smile to cross Flynn's face.
"Well, thanks. I guess," Flynn said slightly embarrassed.
"So are you going to tell me, Eugene?" she pressed.
Flynn sighed as the smile fell away from his face.
"When we were talking, Quasi demanded I leave," Flynn explained.
"He demanded that you leave?" Esmeralda questioned, confused.
"Yep," he confirmed.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because he knew I was trying to seduce Blondie in order to get the crown from her," Flynn replied.
"You what!" Esmeralda gasped.
"I tried to seduce her. He called me out on it and told me to leave," Flynn stated.
"And what? You talked your way out of that?" she fumed.
"Kind of," Flynn replied, keeping his cool.
"How'd you do that? Play on his naiveté like you did with Rapunzel?" Esmeralda demanded, glaring at him.
"Actually no," Flynn replied simply.
"Then what? I'd love to hear what you said to trick such a nice person," Esmeralda retorted.
"I told him he was right," Flynn said simply.
Esmeralda stared at him for a few moments, trying to process what he had just said.
"What?" she said after a moment.
"I told him he was right," Flynn repeated.
"You did?" she asked.
"Yep," Flynn answered simply.
"Why?" she questioned clearly confused.
"Do I really have to go into this?" Flynn asked, sighing.
"Yes," Esmeralda replied sternly, crossing her arms and giving him another glare.
"Fine," Flynn said with a dramatic sigh as he rolled his eyes, "He made me feel…guilty."
"Guilty?" she asked, still not getting it.
"As you know, people in our line of work have a way of…separating ourselves from the…morally questionable things we do," Flynn explained, "Quasi made me connect with what I had done."
"How'd he do that?" Esmeralda asked, surprised.
"He…reminded me of someone," Flynn admitted.
"Who?" she asked.
"Well not a specific person," he explained, "More like a group of people."
"You're being oddly vague, Flynn Rider," Esmeralda commented.
"He reminded me of the kids I used to live with, back at the orphanage," Flynn finally relented.
"Flynn Rider has a soft spot for some kids?" Esmeralda asked, sounding surprised.
"Hey, I was a kid too," he explained, "I was the oldest one there, they looked up to me. They were innocent and trusted me."
"Like Quasi," Esmeralda summed up.
"Yeah," Flynn replied, "Like Quasi. I know what I tried to do was wrong. He called me out on it and made me realize what a terrible person I had been."
"So Quasi did the one thing that no one else could," Esmeralda said, "He made you feel guilty."
"That he did," Flynn agreed.
"So what did you do?" she asked.
"I apologized," Flynn replied.
"You? Apologized?" Esmeralda asked, "Will wonders never cease?"
"Yeah, I did, and I suppose I should apologize to you too," he replied, looking at her seriously.
"Apologize to me?" she asked.
"Yeah, I was a jerk. I was trying to use all of you. You all deserve better than that," he said, "Especially you."
"It's alright Flynn" she said, smiling slightly, "I'm just glad to see you learning from your mistakes."
"Still I feel the need to apologize to you," Flynn explained.
"Well, thank you," Esmeralda replied, giving Flynn a small smile.
Flynn merely nodded as the two fell into a comfortable silence, watching as Quasi and Rapunzel continued to draw on the ground.
"So did you talk about anything else with him?" Esmeralda asked.
"I encouraged him to go after Blondie," Flynn replied with a smile.
"You did, did you?" she asked smiling as well.
"Yeah, he's got to fix his self-esteem problems, but I know she likes him," Flynn replied, "He just has to go for it."
"Easier said than done," Esmeralda replied.
"I think he can do it," Flynn said, his smile growing as he watched Quasi and Rapunzel stood up and admired their work while wiping their brows before looking at each other and smiling.
Later
Music filled the air as the group of five made their way through the city. Coming to another plaza, they saw a group of people gathered and dancing to the music. Rapunzel looked on excitedly as she grabbed Quasi's arm and moved to drag him along with her. As she did though, Phoebus held his arm out to stop her.
"What's wrong?" she asked in confusion.
"It's not just civilians out there," Phoebus explained, pointing out a number of guards among the crowd, looking like they had fully gotten into the celebration.
"Oh," Rapunzel said, looking sad.
"I have an idea," Flynn said, turning and leading the group down an alleyway. This led them to a larger alleyway, where a few barrels and crates sat unused. The sound of the music floated down the alleyway, and the opening at the end let them observe the band and the other people dancing in the plaza. As they walked in, the band began playing another song. Smiling, Rapunzel turned towards Quasi and offered him her hand.
"Care to dance?" she asked, smiling hopefully at him.
"I'd love to," Quasi replied, taking her hand.
Beaming at him, Rapunzel pulled Quasi out into the middle of the alley by both hands and pulling him close, before they began dancing to the jaunty tune, blushes and smiles on both of their faces. They were both clumsy at first, nearly tripping over each other's feet but quickly got the hang of it, laughing as they twirled around in the alleyway.
Esmeralda and Flynn watched with smiles on their faces, clapping to the beat of the music. Phoebus and Maximus had taken up positions at the end of the alleyway, keeping an eye on the festivities outside while watching Quasi and Rapunzel dance.
As the music continued, Rapunzel and Quasi took the time to stop dancing before they grabbed Flynn and Esmeralda's hands and dragged them out into the middle of the alley and began dancing with them. Flynn smiled as he danced with Rapunzel while Esmeralda laughed as she and Quasi twirled around. After a few moments, Rapunzel looked at Quasi before nodding at him, earning a smile in return. They quickly danced closer to each other before spinning away and back into each other's arms, while Esmeralda and Flynn were spun into each other's. Flynn and Esmeralda looked at each other in surprise for a few moments, before they both smiled and began to dance as well.
Phoebus watched with a smile on his face. Hearing the giggle of children, he turned to look to where the sound was coming from. Looking, he saw a group of children putting flowers in front of a mosaic depicting the Lost Princess.
"They're for the Lost Princess," he heard one child explain to another.
As he looked at the mosaic, Phoebus squinted his eyes as he concentrated on something. Looking at the depiction of the infant princess, he couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity come over him. He looked at the picture for a few more moments before turning to look at the others. Specifically, he looked at Rapunzel, who was laughing along with the others. He looked at her closely for a few moments, before shaking his head and shrugging it off, letting the thought fade into the back of his mind as he continued to enjoy the festivities.
Meanwhile
The Palace of Justice sat within the shadow of the royal palace, similar to the ancient cathedral nearby. Numerous spires shot up from the square building and bars covered the small windows, giving the building a sinister and militaristic look. Guards were stationed all around the Palace, adding to the intimidation factor.
Inside, Frollo stood in his private study, looking out from a window onto the city, the sun setting before him, covering the city in long shadows from the various buildings. His study was large, with a high vaulted roof, the walls decorated with columns leading up to the ceiling. His desk, a large ornate piece of furniture made from rich wood, sat at one end of the room, facing the door one the other end of the long room. A fireplace was set behind it, the flickering flames casting the room in an eerie light. Above the fireplace was hung a portrait. The painting depicted an image of a man being burnt at the stake, an angry red sun hovering in the background. Gothel sat on the edge of Frollo's desk, looking at the portrait with a disconcerted expression.
"Enjoying the painting, my lady?" Frollo asked, turning to face her, the burning sun illuminating him from behind.
"Yes it's…interesting," she commented uneasily.
"It's a work I had commissioned," Frollo explained, "To remind me of the reason I do this job."
"What reason is that?" Gothel asked.
"To bring justice to the land," Frollo explained as he turned to look back out the window.
"Look at them down there," Frollo said, beckoning Gothel over to him. She hesitantly did so, walking over to his side and looked down at the people moving about the street below.
"You see them down there?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered in confusion.
"They're all wretches," he spat, "Every last one of them."
"What do you mean?" she asked, worried.
"They are all scum, whether they know it or not," he explained, "Deep down inside, they're all animals. Animals that need to be controlled. Or put down."
"That seems a bit harsh," Gothel commented, becoming quickly uneasy.
"Of course it would seem harsh to a criminal like you," Frollo growled.
"E-excuse me?" Gothel asked, caught completely off guard.
"I know who you are, witch," he growled, turning to look her right in the eye.
Gothel was unable to speak as a cold feeling of dread rushed through her, settling into the pit of her stomach.
"W-What are you talking about?" she asked, taking a step away from him.
"I know who you are," Frollo explained simply, "More importantly, I know who your so called daughter is."
Frollo turned to face her as Gothel took another step back.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, taking another step back as Frollo stepped forward.
"Your daughter," Frollo explained, "She's the Lost Princess."
"That's ridiculous," she tried to argue, though it came off weak.
"Is it?" Frollo questioned, taking another step towards her, forcing her to take another one back, "You both live out in the woods, a place where no sane person would live alone, let alone just two women. That is strange enough, but I saw your daughter. A blonde hair girl of the exact age as the Princess would be now? One who you are so desperate to get back, who you insisted was kidnapped by the hunchback? What you don't know is I know that hunchback. I raised that hunchback."
"You…you raised him?" Gothel asked, shocked.
"Yes. Like my own son," Frollo explained, as he continued to close the distance between him and her, backing her up into the wall on the other side of the room, "And because of that, I know the kind of person he is. He's a fool, but he's not a criminal. He's not capable of kidnaping. He couldn't take someone somewhere against their will. Which means your daughter left with him of her own will. I'm betting that's because you never let her go before have you?"
"I…I…" Gothel mumbled unable to put words together.
"No, of course not, can't risk her being found. Because then this would happen. Someone would figure out she is the Princess and you are her kidnapper."
Gothel froze up, unable to think after being found out and cornered by the Minister of Justice himself.
"Now, I can guess what you're thinking," Frollo continued approaching Gothel and putting his hands against the wall on either side of her head, "You're probably thinking that I'm going to take you in right now. To save the princess and see you drawn and quartered, or burnt at the stake or hung from the gallows. But I'm not."
"You're…not?" Gothel asked, clearly confused.
"No," Frollo replied, a sinister grin on his face, "And I suppose you're wondering why."
Despite herself, Gothel nodded slowly.
"I plan to irradiate the scum that invests this kingdom," he explained, "And for that, I need the Princess."
"Why do you need her?" Gothel asked, still frightened and confused.
"To make sure that there would be no one for any sort of rebellion to rally around," he explained.
"Rebellion?" Gothel asked, still very confused.
"Yes, against my rule," he replied matter-of-factly.
"Your rule?" she questioned.
"Oh yes, that's how I'm going to rid this country of the criminals and scum who inhabit it," he explained, "I'm going to stamp it out. The best way to do that is to be at the very top."
"The top?" she asked before realization struck her, "You mean…"
"I'm going to kill the king and queen," he explained with a grin, "And become the ruler of this land. Then, there will be order."
Gothel just stared at him in shock for a moment not knowing what to do.
"And every king, needs a queen," he continued.
"What are you saying?" Gothel asked though she feared she already knew the answer.
"You are a very…comely creature," he replied, reaching out to cup her chin, but she flinched away. His eyes narrowed as he grabbed her chin hard and made her look at him.
"I would be honored to take you as my queen," he explained further.
"Y-Your queen?" she asked, feeling quick.
"Yes, and someday down the road, perhaps you will be blessed with another daughter," Frollo said as he leaned closer towards Gothel, prepared to kiss her.
"Please…don't…" Gothel pleaded as she tried to turn away. Frollo growled and grabbed her by the throat, turning her to him.
"I will not be ignored, good lady," he said threateningly as he brought his face closer to hers. Before he could do anything though, there was a pounding on the door.
"What is it!" Frollo bellowed, glaring at the door.
"Sir, we have reports of sightings of the hunchback and the girl!" a soldier yelled through the door.
A smirk spread across Frollo's face as he moved away from Gothel.
"It seems we will have to continue this later," Frollo said, "Do think on the proposal I have given you."
With that Frollo turned and left, leaving Gothel alone. After a moment, Gothel collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably as night fell across the city.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait guys! This chapter ended up being a lot longer than I expected and I had to deal with the last few weeks of school as well. This chapter was also darker then I was expecting it to be, but that's the way my mind took it. Still, I hope it was worth the wait! Please Review!