Another update! Huge thanks to MaryChapel and Be Rose for your kind reviews; you guys always keep me going. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 5:

"But which noble house do you come from?" Madeline Ormandy asked, frowning slightly. "A house of southern Germany, you said?"

Rapunzel ducked her head as though embarrassed. "I'd rather not say," she deftly replied. The girl was a born liar. "We've fallen upon hard times, and I can't repay the family's kindness to me by spreading their shame. They cared for me when no one else would." She stood awkwardly in front of the fireplace in the Ormandy house drawing room, clasping her hands behind her back and looking very much as though she wanted to run.

"You were a ward?" Henry Ormandy suddenly asked. He looked very powerful, standing with his hands on the back of the green settee that faced the fireplace.

"Yes."

"The children of some disgraced relation?"

"I'm afraid so."

"So you are now doubly disgraced." It sounded like an insult, though it wasn't. The man was simply abrasive. It was obvious which of his two sons had inherited his personality.

"Yes?" Rapunzel seemed uncertain whether or not to agree.

"How sad. Well, of course you may stay for some time." Nick and Will's father smiled at the young woman and nodded curtly to a footman lurking in the corner of the room. "Show her to the yellow room."

Rapunzel barely had time to say her thanks before she was whisked away. She glanced over her shoulder as she left the room, and Nick caught a hint of panic in her eyes. He tried to smile encouragingly, but suspected that he had only produced a grimace.

"I think I need a drink," Henry sighed once the servant had shut the drawing room door behind him. He moved around the settee and sat heavily. "Would anyone else like a drink?"

Will was always quite keen on drinks. "I would love one."

"Please be civilized as long as I'm here," Madeline begged them.

"I hope our guest is civilized," Henry said, partly to himself. "She is German, after all."

"Henry, don't be prejudiced."

"I know you thought it, too."

"She seems quite genteel, in my opinion," Will said with just a touch of defensiveness.

"Yes, she was astonishingly composed, considering she had just been robbed," Madeline mused. "How fortunate that you boys came across the scene!"

"I'd like to point out," Nick said, "that for once, one of our treks has achieved something positive." Or at least I hope it has, he kept himself from adding.

"You missed class. Will missed a meeting," Henry grumpily pointed out. He was very unforgiving when his sons dared to slack off, regardless of whether or not they had rescued a damsel.

"If Nick missed all his classes, he'd have to leave medical school, wouldn't he?" Madeline suddenly realized. "Nick, failure could steer you towards a more respectable path!" She never missed an opportunity to give her son career advice.

Silence fell, as no one really knew how to reply. Henry coughed. Will shuffled his feet. Finally, Nick sighed. "Will somewhat just say what you're all thinking about Rapunzel?"

"What in God's name is wrong with that girl's hair?" Henry immediately asked.

"Yes, I was wondering the same thing," Madeline agreed.

"I find her hair attractive," Will ventured. Nick shot him a warning glance.

"Do you think it's real?" their mother wondered.

"Perhaps she has a disease. Nick should take her to the medical campus," Henry suggested, proving once again that he was Nick's father.

Madeline deposited herself next to her husband on the settee. "I'm starting to think I should have a drink, too."

"That's the spirit," Will said with a grin.

"How long do you think the girl will stay here?"

"For heaven's sake, Henry, use her name. And Rapunzel may stay as long as she likes," Madeline proclaimed. Such a proclamation secured Rapunzel's future. Madeline was the queen of the house; not even Henry would defy her.

"If you say so," he said with a tender smile.

"That poor girl. Such misfortune. I'll take her out to replenish her wardrobe as soon as she feels well."

"Why?"

"Henry, her gowns must have all been stolen."

"Mother, what a wonderful idea! You'll have a new shopping companion."

"It is a good idea, isn't it, Will?"

The conversation was only picking up speed, and Nick could feel a headache coming on. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'd best go study," he said, dashing away from his family before they could turn on him.

A wave of relief washed over him as he made his way up the stairs to his room. They had succeeded. Rapunzel had infiltrated the Ormandy house. Whatever happened next was Will's concern. Nick's role was over. He had played his part, and…

There was Rapunzel, poking her head out of the yellow room. "Hello, Nick," she said quietly.

"Hello, Rapunzel," he said, mustering a smile. "Is your room comfortable?"

The girl nodded vigorously, eyes wide. "Oh, extremely!" Abruptly she paused and turned red. "I'm not supposed to nod like that, am I? It's not dignified, is it?"

Nick laughed. "Do what you want around me. I won't tell my mother."

Rapunzel smiled shyly, stepping out from behind the doorway and into the hall. Her braided hair, the product of so much heavy labor, just barely brushed the floor. "Will they let me stay?"

"They already have, haven't they?"

"I suppose so." She took a shuddering breath. "I'm very afraid that I'll mess everything up."

"Will won't let you face anything alone. He'll support you." Nick paused. "As will I." He leaned back against the wall, wondering if he really should make such a commitment. "At any rate, the hardest part is over."

"Maybe for you," Rapunzel countered, "but I've got to figure out how to live outside a tower. With actual people. The escape was far easier than meeting your parents."

"Do you think it'll be worth it?" Nick asked, tilting his head at her. He was strangely eager to hear her response.
"I touched the grass, so yes, it was already worth it," she replied. The pure triumph in her voice made Nick smile.

"Did the grass feel like you thought it would?" He didn't know why he was asking her such an inane question. Somehow, it seemed like the sort of question that needed to be asked.

"No, it looked much softer from the window," she thoughtfully replied. "The blades are almost sharp, once you're up close." She frowned, then suddenly brightened. "The needles on the evergreen trees are quite excellent!"

"Are they?" Nick said, snorting softly.

Rapunzel noticed. "I'm sorry, that was a very stupid thing to say," she immediately backtracked.

"Not at all," Nick hastily said. "Who doesn't feel a thrill when they see pine needles?"

"Please don't make fun of me."

"I swear I'm not." Now he had offended her. He sighed, wishing he had Will's charm and enthusiasm. "But your experience has been quite singular, and it's difficult to know how to respond." There was a brief silence until he suddenly asked, "What do you think of the town?"

Rapunzel smiled and was about to answer when Will came crashing down the hallway. Nick couldn't help but think how touching it was to see both their faces light up when they caught sight of each other.

"We've done it! The hardest part of this journey is behind us," Will proclaimed, echoing Nick's words of a few minutes before.

"Yes, it is!" Rapunzel said with a grin. Nick was somewhat surprised that she didn't correct her fiancé as she had corrected him.

"Please let me know if you need anything," Will said, suddenly growing almost serious. "I will take care of you. Whatever you need will be yours."

"Oh!" Her eyes widened at the grand offer. "Well, I don't believe I need anything at the moment…"

"Only rest, I'm sure," Will said, taking her hands in his. "When you feel ready, we'll explore the town. My mother also wants to take you out. Would you like that?"

"Very much," she giggled, though Nick thought he detected a hint of fear in her eyes at the mention of their mother.

"I'll leave you two," he abruptly announced. He pushed himself off the wall with his shoulder and gave the couple a brief smile. Surely they'd want some time alone.

"Thank you for everything, Nick!" Rapunzel called after him.

He waved his hand and vanished into his room, two doors down from Rapunzel's. Will occupied the room across the hall, when he was home. He and Henry were frequently away on business trips. Hence the need for Nick to train Rapunzel in etiquette throughout the previous week.

Once safely behind his door, Nick threw himself onto his bed. He had survived the most stressful day of his short life. Once their parents had grown accustomed to Rapunzel, she and Will could marry, and Nick could finish his medical degree.

He wondered why Rapunzel was so much more affable around Will. She never seemed to contradict him, while she had accused Nick of making fun at her. It was probably Nick's own fault; such are the fruits of crankiness. Or maybe it was the haze of love that made Rapunzel so pliant and insipid around her fiancé.

Insipid was an unkind word, but she did seem much more dull when she was simply agreeing with Will's every word and smiling blankly into his face.

Nick rolled onto his back and let his head slowly sink into his thick, luxurious pillow. Once he finished medical school, he would have to find a wife. Ideally someone intelligent, observant, kind, beautiful… But such things were a long way off. All his heart desired at the moment was the chance to read Maria Auttenberg's research. And perhaps a good night's sleep.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you stick around to share your thoughts in a review!