This is just a filler chapter while I try to figure out how exactly I want to go about getting to the ending I have in mind. The plot is about to take a big turn and I don't want to mess it up. So enjoy this for now.
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The queen contentedly closed her book and set it to the side. She leaned back against the back of her chair and stretched her legs out in front of her. Sometimes she just could not stand to always sit in a perfectly poised position and liked to just relax.
It had been a while since she could relax, but since Rapunzel's sudden change in attitude, her nerves had been put at ease. It had come as a surprise to her when Rapunzel came to breakfast that morning with a smile on her face. It was a sincerely happy smile, the first that the queen had really seen on her daughter's face. The queen couldn't help but wonder what had caused Rapunzel's change of mood. The queen was happy of course, but still, she wondered.
She heard her husband grumble from behind her. He was seated behind a large wooden desk that was completely engulfed in all sorts of papers. "What is it?" the queen asked.
"Another debt deadline," he replied in a growling voice, "I don't remember owing THIS much money!"
"I'm sure it's from when we built up the lower part of the city," the queen reassured him.
"That was almost ten years ago! Why are all these claims coming now?"
The queen shook her head. He always got so worked up when it came to money and trade agreements. She got up and and rested a hand on his broad shoulder. "I'm sure it will be fine. We've had debts before and we've always managed to pay them off before the deadline."
"I hope you're right," her husband muttered, keeping his eyes on the paper in front of him.
They were interrupted by a knock coming from the doorway. The royal couple looked up and saw their daughter standing in the doorway, her fist resting against the doorframe. The queen immediately smiled at her. "Hello, dear," she greeted the princess as pleasantly as possible.
"Hello." Rapunzel's voice held a blissful tone that made the queen feel even happier than before.
"Is there something you need?" the king asked, observing Rapunzel's face as she moved closer. She clearly had something to say.
"I was just wondering if I could go riding before dinner," Rapunzel said.
Her parents had no idea she knew how to ride a horse, being locked up in a tower for eighteen years and not taking any lessons (at least since she had come to castle. Maybe she had learned elsewhere). The queen exchanged a quick glance with her husband before responding, "Of course you may."
"Oh thank you!" Rapunzel quickly threw her arms around the two of them.
"Did you want us to get someone to help you?" the king inquired.
Rapunzel, who had already been making her way to the door turned around. "No, it's OK. I already have someone to help me."
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Rapunzel practically skipped down to the stables. The thought of being with Eugene, whether he was alive or not, was an exhilarating thought. After a week of believing him to be lost from her forever, having him back was a wonderful change. Before she knew it, she was at the stables.
Maximus was there and already hitched up with all the proper equipment, but Eugene was no where in sight. Rapunzel walked over to Maximus and scratched under his chin, his favorite spot. He whinnied in delight. "Hello to you too," she said, "Have you seen Eugene recently?"
Apparently animals could see Paranormals because both Maximus and Pascal had acknowledged his presence. The horse shook his head and Rapunzel sighed. "He said he'd meet me here. Where is he?"
"Right here." Rapunzel turned around and saw Eugene step out from behind one of the stalls.
Rapunzel pushed back the urge to rush over and somehow embrace him because she knew that it would do no good to remind them of their unfortunate situation. He spoke first, "So... you ready?"
Rapunzel nodded. "What do I do first?"
Eugene looked her up and down with a quick flit of his eyes. "Well... since you're wearing a dress, it might make it slightly difficult for you to ride in the normal way."
"So what do I do?"
"First, put both your hands on the saddle like so," Eugene modeled his description, "Then you put your foot in this thing here, the stirrup. Then you push off the ground and sit yourself down in the saddle like so."
He hopped onto the saddle, both his legs hanging over Max's side. He jumped off again and waved his hand with a flourish, earning a smile from Rapunzel. "Your turn," he stated.
Rapunzel mirrored exactly what she had seen Eugene do and within a few seconds, was sitting on the saddle. Eugene nodded and cocked an eyebrow, "Impressive, princess. Now would you like to steer the horse-"
Maximus snorted, displeased. "Fine. Would you like to steer Max..." he shot a smirk at the steed who just turned his head up in a pompous way, "...or would you rather have me lead him?"
Maximus snorted again. Rapunzel understood what he was trying to say, but Eugene just looked confused. "He thinks you should let him lead," she interpreted for Eugene.
Eugene rolled his eyes. "OK, fine," he said to Maximus, "But if she falls off, I'm coming after you with a club."
"Eugene!" Rapunzel cried, appalled at his threat. But Maximus just laughed, as much as a horse could, and began a slow trot. Eugene followed close behind. Rapunzel threw continual glances at him as they moved along.
She couldn't help, but wonder what it would have been like if he had not died in the first place. If he had somehow managed to rescue her from Gothel and they both returned to the castle and lived out their lives happily. What would it have been like? Rapunzel allowed herself to daydream about what would have happened and what they would have experienced. Each thought made her heart seem to soar.
She suddenly began to teeter slightly, but she caught herself. Eugene had instinctively reached up and brushed his hand against her back. Only she could not feel it.
Her jovial daydreams suddenly came crashing down as the realization hit. She would never be able to touch Eugene again. None of her hopes and dreams would ever come true. Eugene had no idea how to get back in his body and in only a matter of time, his body would no longer be preserved and it, along with his Paranormal self, would begin to decay. Rapunzel's chest began to hurt and she hung her head slightly.
Eugene noticed her change of mood. "You OK?" he asked.
"I just feel a little... dizzy," she fibbed, "Maybe we should go back."
He looked at her for a moment. "If you want to, sure."
Maximus didn't need any instruction from either of them. He promptly turned around and headed back for the stables on his own.
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Eugene crept up closer to Rapunzel's bedroom. It hadn't taken him long to find it. He could hear her humming inside. The tune was the healing song she used to sing to make her hair glow. Eugene had noticed she tended to hum that song in particular when something had her really upset or distressed. Why was she upset? She had just randomly wanted to go back to the castle with the claim of feeling dizzy. Eugene hadn't bought it for a second, but he had decided it would be best to do as she wished.
The door was cracked open slightly. Eugene gently pushed on it. He was again reminded that he was unable to feel anything when he was not greeted with the feeling of solidity against his palm. The door still opened though. He saw Rapunzel sitting on a large bed in the center of the room, her back to him. For a moment, Eugene wondered if it would be considered scandalous that he was in her bedroom. Then he remembered that he didn't actually exist, so it didn't really matter.
"Rapunzel?" his voice creaked.
Rapunzel immediately ceased her humming and turned around. When she saw him, she gave a smile, though Eugene could tell that it was forced. He didn't waste any time with greetings or anything, he just moved to her side and got right to the point. "What's bothering you?"
"Nothing," Rapunzel replied, "I'm fine."
Her eyes refused to meet his and he was not buying her casual brush off. "Really? Because I'm still wondering why you decided to cut your little riding lesson short when you had been so excited about it this morning."
Rapunzel sighed. "I just..." her voice trailed off as it cracked with emotion. She took several deep breaths before continuing. "I was just thinking about what could have happened if you didn't... if you didn't die."
Eugene was not entirely surprised by this response, he had thought of it many times himself, but he was still a little thrown. He wasn't sure what to say. He noticed that Rapunzel was staring at her hands, her eyes glistening with tears ready to fall.
"Hey, hey," he said softly, "It's alright. I may not be alive entirely, but I'm here now, aren't I?"
Rapunzel shook her head. "That's just it. I keep thinking about our time before you died, when we were in the kingdom for the lantern festival. I keep thinking about how much I enjoyed your touch. I thought I would never experience a better sensation, but now... now..."
Her voice trailed off again. Eugene did not know how to respond to this. He would have put his arm around her, but that would not have done any good. It would have probably made it worse.
"Well I'm... here," he said lamely, "That's all I really have to comfort you with at the moment."
Rapunzel looked at him. "I know. And I'm glad I got to see you again."
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I wasn't sure how to end it, so this is what came out. Sorry if you think its lame. Next chapter coming soon!
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