Chapter 2
The floating lights
After one too many unsuccessful attempts, she eventually stuffs him inside the closet, keeping it shut with a chair.
"Okay, Okay, Okay...I've got a person in my closet..I've got a person in closet...I've got a person in my closet!" She laughed, cheering as she pumped her hand in the air.
She gleefully twirled her frying pan, "Too weak to handle myself out there? Huh mother? Well...hmm-hmm...tell that to my frying pan." She then accidentally hits herself with the pan, wincing. Something caught her eye; It was a satchel.
She goes over to it and picks it up, curiously, she takes out the item that resided inside. Her eyes widening at what she saw, a book and within the pages, there were sketches of all types of islands.
"Wow...I see...so he's traveled..."
"Rapunzel!" A familiar voice shouts. "Let down your hair!"
"Oh!" She gasped, "One moment mother!"
The blonde the proceeds to stuff the sketch book back inside, and hid the satchel away.
"I have a big surprise!"
"Uh, I do too!"
"Oo, I bet mine's bigger!" Gothel chimed, climbing onto the hair as Rapunzel pulled her up, averting her gaze.
"I seriously doubt it..."
"I brought back parsnips. I'm going to make hazelnut soup your favorite—surprise!" The woman grinned, clasping her hands together.
"Well mother, there's something I want to tell you."
"Oh Rapunzel, you know I hate leaving you after a fight, especially when I've done absolutely nothing wrong."
"...Okay, I've been thinking a lot about what you've said earlier and—"
"I hope you're still not talking about the stars."
"Floating lights, and yes, I'm leading up to that, and—"
"Because I really thought we dropped the issue sweetheart."
"No mother, I'm just saying, you think I'm not strong enough to handle myself out there."
"Oh darling, I know you're not strong enough to handle yourself out there."
"But if you just—"
"Rapunzel, we're done talking about this—"
"Trust me—"
"Rapunzel—"
"I know what I'm saying—" she moves her hand over to the chair.
"Rapunzel—"
"Oh, come on—"
"Enough of the lights Rapunzel! You are not leaving this tower! Ever!" Gothel voiced harshly, feircly scowling.
She retreats her hand from the chair, obviously hurt by what her mother had just claimed, and sudden fury. A sadden expression overtaking her features, catching the sight of her painting and the closet.
"Great. Now I'm the bad guy—" She heard her mother groan out in dismay.
"All I was gonna say mother, is that I know what I want for my birthday now."
"And what is that?" The elderly woman asked, raising her head.
"New paint. The paint made from the white shells you once brought me."
"Well that is a very long trip Rapunzel, almost three days time."
"I just thought it was a better ideas than...the stars."
"You sure you'll be a right on your own?"
"I know I'm safe as long as I'm here."
Gothel gives a kiss in Rapunzel's head before she was lowered to the ground. "I'll be back in three days time, I love you dear."
"I love you more."
"I love you most."
Mother Gothel waved goodbye, and vanished from sight, on cue, Rapunzel rushed back to her closet. Intaking a deep breath, she huffed.
"Okay." She opens the closet doors, and the man falls out. She examines him for a bit, until she pulls a chair, and ensares him with her hair. She looks at Pascal and nodded, the chameleon proceeded to wake him up.
He started to struggle as he awoke, spotting the blonde hair on the floor. "Is this hair?"
"Struggling...struggling is pointless."
"Huh?"
"I know why you're here, and I'm not afraid of you."
"I'm sorry, what?"
Slowly, Rapunzel emerges from the shadows, wielding her pan. "Who are you? And how did you find me?"
"Uh..."
"Who are you, and how did you find me?"
"Sorry, I don't know who you are, neither did I come to find you. I'm Hiccup, and I ventured from a far way land called Berk to discover new islands. My reasons have nothing to do with you." Said person assured, raising his tied hands up.
"Who else knows my location Hiccup?"
"Alright, um—"
"Rapunzel."
"Ah, Okay. Rapunzel, I was minding my own business, and I was in a situation where I had to hide. I ended stumbling upon your tower and...hey, where's my satchel?"
"I've hidden it somewhere you'll never find it."
"It's in that pot isn't it?" Hiccup remarked, holding a seriously unamused expression.
Bang!
"Ugh..." Feeling something slippery in his ear, he shook it off, shivering. That was worse than Toothless' salvia. "Can you please stop with that?"
"Now it's hidden where you'll never find it." She said confidently. "So what do you want with my hair? To cut it?"
"Excuse me, what?"
"Sell it?"
"No, please listen, the only thing I want to do with your hair, is to get out of it. Literally." Hiccup pleaded.
"Yo—Wait, you don't want my hair?"
"What would I want with hair? Look, I hid and I saw your tower, so I climbed it. That's it."
"You're...telling the truth?"
"Yes."
Pascal eyed him suspiciously, distrusting this Hiccup guy.
"I know, I need someone to take me."
He squeaks, moving, voicing his obvious mistrust. Hiccup raises a brow, was she talking to that little dragon? Amazing.
"I think he's telling the truth too."
The little chameleon continued the conversation.
"He doesn't have fangs, but what choice do I have?"
"Okay, Hiccup, I'm prepared to offer you a deal."
"A deal?"
"Mhm, look this way." She turns, walking away which results in her hair to move and Hiccup collapsing with the chair onto the floor. She points at her painting, looking down on him. "Do you know what these are?"
"You mean the lantern celebration for the princess?" Hiccup asked incredulously. He's heard the story from his Father, that a kingdom had their princess stolen from them as a baby, so each year, in hopes of her return, they lit up lanterns. He found it quite silly, but who was he to judge?
"Lanterns...I knew they weren't stars." Rapunzel happily smiled at the realization. "Well, tomorrow evening, they will light the night sky with these lanterns. You will act as my guide, take me to these lanterns, and return me home safely. Then, and only then, will I return your satchel to you. That is my deal."
"Well you see, I'm not familiar with this land so I don't think I can take you anywhere."
Pascal pulled his tough attitude as Rapunzel pulled Hiccup up. "Something brought you here, Hiccup. Call it what you will, fate, destiny..."
"Screaming men."
"So I have made the decision to trust you."
"You should really rethink that."
"But trust me when I tell you this." She said seriously, tugging her hair as he fell toward, only to be caught by her. "You can tear this tower apart brick by brick, but without my help, you will never find your precious satchel."
Well she had a point there. "So, if I help you regardless of my unknown knowledge of this island, you'll give it back?"
"I promise."
He's wary.
"And when I promise something I never ever break that promise."
He seriously doubts that.
"Ever."
Hiccup looks from Pascal to Rapunzel as the miniature dragon nodded in confirmation.
"Alright, you got a deal. I'll take you to the lanterns."
"Really?" Her entire face lit up, letting go of the chair, she sheepishly winced. "Oops."
"Ow."
oOoOoOoOoOo
Astrid looked at the ocean before her, worried for her boyfriend. She was aware he could take care of himself but she couldn't smash the cloud of doubt bristling about within.
It had only been a day right? And she was already was in dread. She couldn't help it, her gut told her something terrible was about to happen. Groaning in exasperation, she stood up and turned to her deadly nadder, Stormfly.
"Let's go girl, we're following Hiccup." She petted her companion, and both headed back to the village for preparations. Her gaze harden, a small but barely visible pout evident—something unusual of her character. "Don't worry, I'm coming."
That's all she said in terms to comfort her uneasiness. They casually walked through, occasionally waving to her fellow Vikings. She headed for the hill, and climbed. Knocking on the huge wooden pair of doors, she waited for Stoick.
"I'm comin' " Stoick said, the obvious accent was evident, upon opening, he quirked his brows. "Astrid?"
"Hello sir." She greeted. "Sorry if I were interrupting anything important."
"No, it's quite alright. Come in." He moved out of the way, giving her some space.
"Thank you."
Not a moment too soon and she entered. The chief closed the door behind him and faced the sun-bleached blonde. "Is something the matter?"
"Well, no...yes...I'm unsure. But I can't help to shake off this feeling anxiety. So I decided to follow Hiccup."
"Do you know where exactly went?"
"Knowing him, yes. I'm confident with my skills."
A smile became visible.
"Alright, good luck Astrid."
"Thank you."
oOoOoOoOoOo
"You coming Rapunzel?" Asked Hiccup as he slowly descended, spotting a curious Toothless.
Said girl stood on the window edge, also taking note of the giant black creature. This worried her but brushed it aside for now.
Look at the world so close, and I'm halfway to it!
Look at it all so big, do I even dare?
Look at me, there at last! I just have to do it
Should I? No, here I go...
Rapunzel smiled, using her hair before coming to an abrupt halt; staring at the ground. Hesitantly, she placed a foot on the grass, then followed by the other. Laughing, she raises her arms into the air before proceeding to lay down.
Just smell the grass! The dirt! Just like I dreamed they'd be!
Just feel the summer breeze, the way it's calling me
For the first time ever, I'm completely free!
I could go running, and racing, and dancing and chasing
And splashing, and reeling, and finally feeling that's when my life begins!
Rapunzel sang as she ran—too busy being carefree, only to be followed by a slightly amused Hiccup and Toothless. After a while doing some exploring, the blonde seemed to be having some arguing with herself, that greatly concerned the viking. Finally, he approached her slowly.
"Mhm. I see that you're going at war with yourself." Hiccup spoke, crossing his arms as his dragon stood by his side. She was pretty emotional, and it kinda was scary him. Girls were strange creatures.
"What?"
"Well, I'm only putting the pieces together, but an overprotective mother, and this forbidden field trip. You sure you want to do this?" He continued, hands on his hips.
"Yes, I wanna see those lanterns."
"Alright, as you wish."
A small rustling was heard, and Rapunzel quickly climbed onto Hiccup, clinging onto him as she pointed her pan at the source of the noise.
"Is a ruffian? Thugs? Have they come for my hair?!" She shrieked, rather terrified.
A bunny came into view, and stared at the two.
"Careful, it can sense fear." Hiccups sarcastically remarked, looking at Rapunzel, whom slipped off.
"Sorry, guess I'm just a little bit jumpy."
"Though, we should avoid ruffians and thugs."
"Yes, that's probably the best."
"You hungry?"
"Mhm, a little."
"Okay great, let's see I think me and Toothless passed by hub."
oOoOoOo
The guards continue their search for the intruder, but to no avail.
"Come on men, he—" he was unable to finish as he bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry ma'am."
"A palace guard..." her eyes widen at the realization. "Rapunzel...RAPUNZEL!"
They looked at her quizzically as she ran off. Gothel arrived at her destination, and looking up at the tower.
"Rapunzel let down your hair!" No response. "Rapunzel?"
Hurriedly, she headed for hidden stairway, and desperately pulled the bricks apart, as they fell to the floor one by one. She climbed up the stairs at inhuman speed, and searches. "Rapunzel?"
Moaning in frustration, she rested her forehead against her palm, before noticing something sticking out of a floor tile. "What on earth?" She goes over to it, and discovers a satchel, and scavenged inside—finding a book. Stare hardening, she reaches for a dagger, and glares at the bag in her grasp.
oOoOoOoOoOo
A/N: See you next time!