I don't own any of the characters in this story
Rapunzel laid on her bed, pondering whether or not she had made the right choice. It was her first night after the incident. She would now be forced to stay in the tower. Forever.
Recently she had done this same thing. Last time, she was questioning about why Flynn would betrayed her. Why did I ever think that? He risked his life to come and save me. It would have been better overall if Flynn had never attempted to save her.
The love that she held for Flynn Rider was undeniable. In her eyes, the Flynn she knew was daring, bold, and even willing to risk his life for someone else, for her. He wasn't the same greedy, selfish thief he was when she had first met him. Now, he was kind and generous.
That same scene kept replaying over and over in Rapunzel's head. First, Gothel restrained her. Second, Flynn called out her name. Third, Gothel stabs Flynn in the chest, vitally injuring him. Fourth, Rapunzel makes a promise she may-or-may-not regret. Fifth, Rapunzel heals Flynn.
But the sixth piece didn't seem to fit right the puzzle. The whole scene seemed like it came straight out of a fairy-tale book, a damsel-in-distress moment where the handsome and bold prince would save the princess.
That was until piece number six came along. Right after she healed him, his attitude towards her changed drastically. It seemed as if his new-and-improved self just disappeared into thin air. He became cold and acted like she was a total stranger. Did I do something wrong?
Rapunzel tried to maintain the same relationship she had with Gothel, just as she promised, but that idea seemed physically impossible. How could she go on pretending Gothel was her mother when she loathed her?
Even through all this trouble, deep down the only thing that kept Rapunzel from breaking was the fact that Flynn was alive.
"Oh Rapunzel!" Gothel sang from the kitchen below, "dinner is ready!"
She groaned at the thought of having to spend time with her. Pretending to love her was worse than getting stabbed in the chest. "Coming!" She called out in the most cheerful voice she could conjure up.
Gothel was setting the table just as Rapunzel arrived. On the stove, an aroma filled the air of soup. "Have a seat," she said, pulling out a chair for her daughter. She reluctantly obeyed. Gothel went over to the stove and filled two bowls with soup. She placed one in front of Rapunzel, "I made your favorite, hazelnut soup."
It was indeed her favorite and it would usually cheer her up on the darkest of days, so she took a bite. Forcing a smile, she bluntly said "delicious." Even her favorite meal wouldn't make her feel better.
"Good, mother worked very hard on making it," she said in a babyish-tone.
She treats me like a child, despite me being eighteen.
"However," her tone became very serious and almost scary. She took a seat across from Rapunzel and folded her hands on the table, "because of certain circumstances there are going to be a few rule changes around here."
"But I promised I would never try to-"
"Don't interrupt me." Gothel stated loud and clear in a stern voice, so much that it made Rapunzel jump in her chair.
After an awkward period of silence, she cleared her throat, "I'm just going to take certain precautions. As of tonight, I will be placing security bars over the window in your room, and any other windows in the house that isn't located in the main room. I will be doing this after dinner."
Rapunzel didn't keep eye contact with her. She had been convinced her speech was enough to persuade Gothel into trusting her. She had meant every word and intended on keeping her promise. It was clear Gothel wasn't convinced.
"Also, I will be living in the tower from now on. I will stay in the room I used to use when you were a child."
Rapunzel gagged on her soup. Living in the tower? She had thought that she would only see Gothel for short periods in a day. Obviously plans have changed.
"What's wrong dear? You're not acting like your usual self," she emphasized the word usual to make it clear she was 'breaking her promise.'
"Nothing," she said with melancholy, "the soup's just a little hot."
Gothel sighed then pulled up a chair behind Rapunzel and stroked her hair, "oh sweetheart, you know I love you dearly."
No Gothel, you love my hair.
"Yes mother, I know," Rapunzel replied, despite how much it pained her to say it. She took another bite of her soup.
With a smile, Gothel asked, "Would you sing a song for me? I'm feeling a bit dolorous."
She took another bite of her soup and ignored the question. That was all she ever asked. That was all she ever wanted her for. Eighteen years of singing for her, eighteen years of being oblivious to the fact that her so-called-mother didn't express any love, but only greed.
"Rapunzel?" Gothel asked in a happy tone with slight annoyance. Rapunzel stared at her soup, what did she ask again?
Gothel stopped stroking her hair, but still kept it in her grasp, "Rapunzel I won't tolerate any sort of ignorance from you." She turned her head towards Gothel, "can you wait just a few minutes?" she asked politely, "I'd like to finish my dinner first." Gothel took her hands off and clasped them in her lap, "of course, my flower. Take your time," she said with irritation.
To Rapunzel, the night seemed to drag on forever. She didn't have an appetite, but she forced herself to keep eating. The longer she took, the longer that vulgar woman would have to wait to use her hair.
The moment she set her spoon down, Gothel immediately stood up and grabbed a hair brush, "now my darling, will you sing for me?" Rapunzel didn't want to do anything she asked, but complied.
She sang her song. In the past, it had brought her happiness knowing she was helping her mother. But now she dreaded it. It now held horrible memories for her. The lyrics now held a different meaning to her.
By the time she finished, Rapunzel felt emotionally drained. Gothel, as usually, looked younger than ever. "See? That didn't take long," she said cheerfully.
Gothel got up and went to the mirror to admire her new-and- improved self. She smiled, "well, you might as well go up to bed. There isn't anything else I need-"she stopped herself, "nothing else for you to do." Rapunzel, without hesitation, went straight up the stairs to her bedroom. Gothel followed her up and once Rapunzel was in her room, she filed in with the security bars in hand.
Rapunzel could do nothing but watch as Gothel made her only safe-haven a prison. It only took her moments until she finished the new installation. Once done, Gothel took a step back and admired her work.
"There, now nothing will get it," she stared at Rapunzel with an evil look, "and nothing will get out." She stared at the floor discouraged. She hated her, but refused to show it. Gothel took a seat on the bed and put an arm around her shoulders, "oh darling, it's only for your safety. I don't want another person coming in and trying to take you away from your sweet mother."
Rapunzel didn't respond. With a grunt, Gothel got up and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Once she left, a click was heard outside the door. She had locked it. "it's only a precaution," she said reassuringly, "sleep well my flower." Footsteps were hear as she walked away.
Rapunzel stared blankly out the window. She had never longed so badly to be freed from the tower.
That night, Rapunzel had much trouble sleeping. She wanted to cry. She wanted to cry so hard until she drowned in her own tears. She felt like one of the most miserable people on earth and she hated it. But she refused to cry, that would show that Gothel had won and she wouldn't allow that.
The only thing that kept her sane was the idea that Eugene was safe, happy, and far away from Gothel.
Right as she was about to fall asleep, Rapunzel hear a conversation in the hallway. Acting as her curious self would, she got out of bed and made her way toward the door. She was careful not to step on the floorboards she knew creaked, not to alert Gothel of her awakening.
Rapunzel got to her knees and looked below the door. A dim light was glowing from the other side, along with the silhouette of two pairs of feet. She stood up and placed an ear against the door, listening to their conversation.
"Stop your whining, I told you I would give you your payment today, a promise is a promise after all." That voice was too recognizable, as it was Gothel's.
"I'm not whining," Rapunzel eyes went wide at the sound of this voice. No, it couldn't be. She must be hearing things. Her ears must be wrong, playing tricks on her. But what if they were right? What if that voice belonged to who he thought she was? A spark of hope rose. Had he come on a rescue mission? Possibly to exchange something for her freedom?
"I'm simply expressing how I want my money so I can leave this hellhole."
Rapunzel's hopes disappeared, that didn't sound like he was on a quest to save his love. She pressed her ear closer to the door.
Gothel took out a small bag filled with shekels, she dropped them into his hand.
He looked down at the bag and grunted, "this isn't what we agreed on."
"Make due with what you're given."
"What happened to a promise is a promise?" He shoved the bag back into her hands and crossed his arms, "I'm not leaving until you give me what we agreed on."
Gothel groaned, "you run a tough bargain, don't you?" she gave him the bag back and dropped another into his hand, about the same size as the other, "there. Two-hundred and fifty shekels, just as we agreed to."
"You know, being payed to manipulate someone's daughter isn't a regular job these days," he admired the two bags, "but it pays pretty well." Rapunzel fell onto the ground in despair. What was she hearing?
A thud rang from Rapunzel's room. Both Gothel and the man's heads jerked towards her door. "What was that?" he asked.
Gothel took out a key and put it in the lock. The doorknob began to rattle as she unlocked the door. Swiftly and quickly, Rapunzel sprung up, rushed back to her bed, and pretended to be asleep. The door opened.
As Rapunzel had guessed, Flynn Rider was standing in the doorway next to Gothel. Along with the shekels, Flynn held her crown in his hands. "Would you mind if I went to see the brat one last time?" he asked, "I wanna see how much of her sanity she's kept since I left."
After a quick pause, Gothel waved him away, "be my guest." He made his way over to Rapunzel, she quickly shut her eyes.
Flynn stared for a moment until he slightly touched a piece of her hair, making Gothel jump slightly. "Easy there ya' old hag, I'm not gonna bite her," he whispered. Fury was shown in her eyes at the word hag.
He took a moment to admire her, "so young, beautiful, and innocent," Flynn mumbled to the sleeping girl, "yet so naïve and gullible. Those are the things that will kill you, Blondie." He dropped her hair and pecked a kiss on her forehead, Rapunzel felt like she was going to be sick.
"Sleep tight," he said before returning to Gothel's side.
The vile woman faced Rider and wagged her finger in his face, "now Rider, this will remain our little secret. No one is to know of me, her, or any of this. Got that?"
"I got my money, you got your flower, we're both happy. Why bother telling anyone if there's nothing to gain?"
Gothel motioned to the trap door, "then I see no point in you staying. Your services aren't needed."
"Eventually, you'll need them again." they both exited the room, closing and locking the door behind them.
"As long as she never knows this happened, we might as well say goodbye."
"Well I don't find that necessary." They walked down the hall, their conversation no longer audible to Rapunzel.
A single teardrop rode down her face. The theft of Corona had stolen her heart, and she was the one to pay the price.
Geez I updated pretty fast (for me, at least). Sorry about these last two chapters being so short. Yikes. But don't worry! Next chapter we'll be meeting a certain spirit of winter(: I wonder who it is hehe.
2468gaby out.