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One day, Lillian arrived at the tower, with her hair notably shorter than the previous day. Gothel gasped.
"What happened to your hair?" she asked in a panic, grabbing the brush.
"Mama had it cut," Lillian answered.
"But if it's cut, it might lose its power!" Gothel cried, whipping the brush through her hair. "Flower gleam and glow, let your power shine…" Much to her relief, the hair still glowed, and she became a young woman once again. She let out a great sigh of relief. Lilly only smiled, not understanding at all.
Over the next few days, Gothel noticed that, though the hair's power made her younger, each day she was slightly older than the previous. Sometimes it was as little difference has a few months, and sometimes it was a whole year's difference, but she noticed, and realised something.
"Lilly," she said. "I have some news."
"Is it good news or bad news?" Lilly asked anxiously, She sat on the floor, holding Rose gently in her lap, and brushing her hair with her fingers.
"More bad than good."
"What is it?"
"Your hair's power," Gothel explained, "is only temporary."
"What does that mean?" Lilly asked.
"It means doesn't last forever."
"So my hair will lose its power one day?" Lilly asked.
"Yes. Which means you may only use the magic on me."
"What if Mama or Papa, or my grandparents get really sick or hurt?" Lilly asked.
"You can't use it on anyone but me," Gothel repeated, more sternly. "And besides, if you do, then it won't be a secret, and you did promise." Lilly sighed.
"Yes, I did," she acknowledged. Then a new thought came to her. "Would you like to visit Mama and Papa some day?" she asked.
Gothel got a look of shock on her face, but composed herself before Lilly saw.
"Sorry, but I can't leave the tower," she answered truthfully. She had tried, as a ghost, and a human, to escape the walls of the tower, but there seemed to be an invisible force preventing her.
"Why not?" Lilly asked, slightly disappointed.
"I'm… allergic… to grass, and pollen, and nature. It's terrible; really. I can't stand all the sneezing and coughing and runny noses, and ugh! Itchy feet. Really, I can't."
"What about I bring them here?" Lilly thought of an alternative. "Please? I really want them to meet you!"
"No, no, no," Gothel shook her head quickly. "They're royalty! I have nothing to wear! It simply will not do!"
"They won't care," Lilly tried to reason, but Gothel ignored her.
"Plus I have nothing to offer them except for hazelnut soup and plain water! I'm sorry, Flower, but its impossible for me to meet your family." Lilly sighed in disappointment, but nodded.
"Okay," she gave in. "I have to go now. Papa will be waiting." She hugged Gothel's knees, and quickly left the tower.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Eugene asked, slightly worried at his young daughter's sad expression. Lilly bit her lip, and took a deep breath.
"I found a dead squirrel in the woods," she choked. It wasn't a lie; she had found one, and it did upset her, so Grandmother comforted her after she had sung. Eugene lifted her up, and hugged her.
"Sorry to hear that," he said gently. "I'm sure the poor critter had a good life."
"Yeah…" Lilly nodded.
"Hey, don't be sad," Eugene said, sounding concerned, stroking her beautiful golden locks. "There are lots of other squirrels in the forest!" Lilly realised her dad was getting suspicious, so she wiped her eyes, and smiled.
"You're right!" she said cheerfully. Eugene grinned. He always knew out to make his girl feel better.
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