(Note: The title of this chapter is a reference to Quasimodo's song, "Out There" and Rapunzel's song, "When Will My Life Begin?", a.k.a. their "I Want" songs. Okay. Before I get into this chapter, I'd like to make a little rant. I don't understand why some people hate the gargoyles so much. I like them. I think they're funny. Especially Hugo, who's my favorite out of the three gargoyles. Mainly because he's voiced by Jason Alexander. If the gargoyles weren't in the movie, then the movie would have been way too dark (even darker), like the book is. So I guess the gargoyles were added for comic relief and to keep Quasimodo company when he's in the bell tower (and because it's a "kids movie", which, in my opinion, is obviously way too mature and dark to be one, despite its G rating) even though they're his imaginary friends. But in the musical (the English version, not the original German version, which was released in 1999) version of the Disney movie (which is a little closer to the book and darker than the movie), the gargoyles are replaced by saints and statues who are interpreted as Quasimodo's imaginary friends. At some point in the musical, there is a song that Quasimodo sings about him lashing out at the gargoyles. It's called, "Made Of Stone." It's such a good song and is definitely one of my favorite songs in the musical. If you haven't seen "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame" musical (both the German and English version), I highly recommend it (I saw it on YouTube). Everyone did a fantastic job. I saw both the original German version of the musical and the English version. It's on YouTube. I loved them. And yes, in the German version, they have the gargoyles' song, "A Guy Like You." Except the gargoyles' humor is toned down a bit, so they're not as funny as they are in the movie. Well, they have a little bit of their humor in the musical (in the original German version), but not as much. But if you don't like the gargoyles, that's fine. I won't judge you. Oh, and for those who don't know, two of the gargoyles were actually named after Victor Hugo, the author of "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame" and "Les Miserables." I finished reading "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame", now I'm reading "Les Miserables." There will also be some lines from "Tangled" (and a couple from "Braveheart") that will be in this fanfic as references to fit the story. Anyway, enough with my rambling. And now we come to one of my favorite songs in the movie (and Quasimodo's big number) - "Out There." Enjoy.)

Disclaimer:
I do not own The Hunchback Of Notre Dame or any of the fandoms that will be in this story. No copyright infringement intended. All copyrights are reserved and therefore belong to their respectful owners. This is just for entertainment purposes only. I am not making any money off of this.

Notes:
Italics = Thoughts, singing and flashbacks.

Eighteen years have passed since Rapunzel, known as the bellringer of Notre Dame was taken in by Gothel, who raised her as her own like Gandalf told her to. Rapunzel grew up into a beautiful young woman. She had long, blonde hair and inherited Arianna's (her real mother) green eyes.

Rapunzel wore a traditional German dress called a "dimdi", with a larger skirt than that of a normal dimdi. Her dress had a purple theme with a pink accent. The dress consisted of a lavender short-sleeved corset-like bodice top laced with a pink ribbon. The skirt was purple and decorated with swirling and floral designs in pink, dark purple, and white. She also wore a white petticoat underneath. The skirt's hemline was above her ankles, but well below her calves. Her sleeves at the top were short, puffed, and striped with pink and lavender, while the rest were long and it was a pale baby pink with white lace at the hems.

Rapunzel always wondered what the outside world was like and why she couldn't leave Notre Dame. Whenever she asked, Gothel would say how dark and cruel the world was and that she was a monster for having magic hair. But Rapunzel dreamed of being out there with other people, where she would be accepted for who she was, despite Gothel's warnings. As Gothel would say, "Mother knows best."

While Rapunzel stayed in the bell tower, she would create figurines and models and paint, and she even had talking animals as imaginary friends. Of course, nobody could see them except her.

But since today was the Feast of Fools, maybe Rapunzel would get her chance to go. Although she knew that Gothel would say no, as usual.

Yet, Gothel never told Rapunzel about her royal heritage. She wanted to wait until the time was right. Of course Gothel lied to Rapunzel saying that her mother abandoned her (which Rapunzel naively believed, even though it obviously wasn't true) and that Gothel was the one who adopted her.

After Rapunzel was done ringing the bells, she went to the balcony to get some fresh air. To her left was a statue that resembled a dog, and to her right was a statue that resembled a gorilla.

"Good morning, Paris! Today is a new day!" Rapunzel cried with a smile on her face and stretched her arms. She then noticed a bird perched on top of the stone gorilla's face and got closer to it.

"Oh, hi there, little guy," said Rapunzel as the bird woke up to the sound of her voice and chirped at her.

"Why aren't you joining your little friends?" she asked as a frown formed on her face, "Are you sure you don't want to go?"

The bird chirped sadly and turned away from Rapunzel.

"It's a good day to try," she encouraged as she carefully took the bird in her hands and showed it the view of the streets below, "But if I picked a day to fly, oh this would be it - the Festival of Fools!"

The bird gulped and looked at Rapunzel with uncertainty.

"It will be fun, with clapping, music, dancing, general merrymaking, not a care in the world!" said Rapunzel as the bird attempted to fly until it finally did, making her giggle.

Suddenly, a swarm of birds flew by the bell tower, making the bird chirp excitedly.

"Go on," Rapunzel whispered as she pet the bird's head and it looked back at her, "Nobody wants to be cooped up here forever."

Rapunzel let the bird go and watched it fly off with the other birds.

She imagined herself being a bird, wanting to fly away from this place, so that she could be free like them. Sometimes she'd ask herself, "When will my life begin?"

"Someday, I will leave this tower," Rapunzel said to no one.

Suddenly, the gorilla statue came to life and sneezed from the feathers. Her name was Terk.

"Oh man! I thought he'd never leave! I'll be sneezing feathers for a week!" she groaned, wiping the feathers off her face.

Terk (whose real name was Terkina, but preferred to be called by her nickname) was a gorilla with gray skin. She had a black alfalfa haircut and brown eyes.

Although she was fun-loving and tomboyish, she could be rowdy and a bit bossy at times, much to the annoyance of her other two animal companions. But she did have a good heart and cared about Rapunzel, like the other two animals.

Then, the dog statue came to life. Her name was Isabelle.

"Well, Terk, that's what you get for sleeping with your eyes open," she stated in an annoyed tone.

Isabelle was a yellow dog who had dark eyes and resembled a Shih Tzu. Her head was shaped like a bag of bells, which was a pun of her name using the words is a bell. Whenever Isabelle walked, the bells in her hair would jingle. She had rosy cheeks and white fur patches on her tail and around her mouth. She wore a green checkered white vest with a dark green collar and placket, with white buttons, a white short-sleeved blouse and a red ribbon tie, with a navy blue skirt.

Although Isabelle was very friendly, gentle and polite, she was also a bit clumsy and scatterbrained and a worrywart, much to Terk's chagrin. But Isabelle hated conflict.

"Heh, heh, heh, go scare a nun, Isabelle," Terk mocked and turned ro Rapunzel, "Hey, Rapunzel. What's going on out there? A fight? A flogging?"

"A festival!" Isabelle cried with a smile on her face

"You mean the Feast of Fools?" Terk asked.

"Uh-huh," Rapunzel nodded sadly.

"Alright, alright! Pour the wine and cut the cheese!" Terk cheered as she did armpit farts.

"It is a treat to watch the colorful pageantry of the simple peasant folk," Isabelle agreed.

"Boy, nothing like watching balcony seats for watching the F.O.F., eh, Rapunzel?" Terk said as she nudged Rapunzel's elbow, trying to get her attention.

"Yeah, watching," Rapunzel mumbled as she rolled her eyes and went back inside the bell tower.

But Terk ignored Rapunzel's comment and spotted something in the street.

"Oh, look. A mime," Terk smirked and was about to spit at him until Isabelle covered Terk's mouth and motioned her head to the right, signifying Rapunzel's sudden departure.

"Rapunzel?" Terk called her name, but she didn't respond.

"Was it something I said?" Terk asked Isabelle.

"Well, you were trying to convince her to leave the bell tower," Isabelle scolded.

"So were you," Terk responded, pointing a finger at Isabelle, making her glare at her.

But before Isabelle could say another word to Terk, a voice called out to them.

"Girls! That's enough!"

Terk and Isabelle turned around and saw a monkey joining them on the balcony.

Finally, the last of Rapunzel's animal companions was a mandrill named Rafiki. He used his staff as a cane, showing a sign of old age. He had a bent tail, and was half-bald with a white beard and dark eyes like Isabelle. Rafiki's face was pale blue, and his nose was bright red.

Rafiki was very wise, sagacious and eccentric. He was also very excitable and energetic, despite his age.

Whenever Rapunzel was unsure what to do, like Terk and Isabelle, Rafiki would also give her words of wisdom and was the voice of reason. Rafiki would scold Terk and Isabelle whenever they bickered. But he thought of Rapunzel as a granddaughter.

"If eighteen years of listening to you two hasn't made her sick by now, nothing will."

Rafiki got off the balcony, followed by Terk and Isabelle.

"But, Rafiki, watching the Festival of Fools has always been the highlight of the year for Rapunzel," Isabelle defended.

"Oh yeah, Isabelle?" Rafiki scoffed as he turned to look at her, "Well, what good is watching the party if you never get to go hear it?" Rafiki then noticed the pigeons on top of his head and shooed them away.

"Get away from me, go on, you bunch of buzzards!"

If there was one thing that bothered Rafiki (other than Gothel's abuse towards Rapunzel), it was when birds always perched on top of his head, almost as if he was their nest, which made Rapunzel, Terk and Isabelle laugh, much to his annoyance.

"Remember - you're forgetting that she's not an animal like us," he corrected Terk and Isabelle as the trio went back inside the bell tower.

Meanwhile, Rapunzel climbed up the ladder to her room and sat at her table staring at her figurines, models and paintings. She rested her head on her arms and sighed.

Terk, Isabelle and Rafiki watched Rapunzel mope in her solitude. They knew how much Rapunzel yearned to go outside and supported her for it. They were the only friends she had to keep her company whenever Gothel wasn't around. Terk, Isabelle and Rafiki were like family to Rapunzel, and they loved her very much. However, they were also a little jealous that Gothel got all the attention when it came to Rapunzel, especially when Gothel mocked her for having talking animals as her "friends." But Gothel was her "mother" after all, and she had to do what she was told. Unlike Gothel who treated Rapunzel with cruelty, Terk, Isabelle and Rafiki treated her with kindness.

Although Rapunzel seemed happy, deep down, she wasn't. She was tired of being treated like a prisoner. Gothel told Rapunzel that she was not strong enough to handle herself out there without her guidance. If only Rapunzel could spend just one day out there, then she could prove to Gothel that the world wasn't as bad as she said it was. Perhaps this would be Rapunzel's chance to be free for just one day.

Rafiki walked up to Rapunzel and put a hand on her back.

"Rapunzel? Are you okay? Is something wrong?" Rafiki asked.

"No," Rapunzel lied.

Rafiki gave her a serious look, making her sigh.

"Well, it's just that I don't feel like watching the festival," Rapunzel admitted.

"Well, did you ever think about going there instead?" Rafiki inquired.

"Sure," Rapunzel shrugged, "But I'd never fit in out there. I'm not… normal."

"Oh, Rapunzel, you know that's not–" Rafiki was about to finish his sentence until a pigeon landed on his face, "Do you mind? I would like to have a moment with the girl if it's alright with you!"

After Rafiki scared the pigeons away, Terk and Isabelle joined him and Rapunzel.

"Rapunzel, why don't you try going down there?" Isabelle goaded.

"Yeah. Quit beating around the bell tower," Terk agreed as she hopped on the table and took Rapunzel's figurine off the bell tower replica, "What do we got to do? Paint you a fresco?"

"Terk, you know I can't go outside," Rapunzel declined.

"Come on, Rapunzel," Terk nudged her elbow, "You know you want to."

Terk led Rapunzel to the window and showed her the view of the streets down below.

"Look at all the people down there. They're dancing and playing music," Terk said as she pointed at the people.

"Rapunzel," said Isabelle as she led her back to the table, "As your friends and guardians, we insist you attend the festival!"

"Me?" Rapunzel gasped.

"No. The queen," Terk answered as she put the figurine of the queen in Rapunzel's mouth, "Of course you!"

"It would be a veritable potpourri of educational experience," Isabelle suggested as she removed the figurine of the queen from Rapunzel's mouth.

"Wine, men and song!" Terk said as she juggled some figurines.

"You can learn to identify various regional cheeses," Isabelle hinted.

"Bobbing for snails!" Terk added as she took out a bucket of water.

"Studying indigenous folk music," Isabelle responded as she pretended to play a guitar.

"Playing dunk the monk!" Terk smirked and dumped the bucket on Isabelle's head, making the water spill on the ground.

"Rapunzel, take it from an old spectator," Rafiki told her and placed a hand on her shoulder, making her look at him, "Life's not a spectator sport. If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without you."

"Yeah! You're beautiful!" Terk agreed, making Rapunzel smile and blush while running her fingers through her hair, "You're the girl with the magic hair! But we're just part of the architecture. Right, Isabelle?"

Terk looked back at Isabelle who walked up to her, still with the bucket on her head.

"Yet, if you chip us, will we not flake?" Isabelle replied as she took the bucket off her and put it on Terk instead, "If you moisten us, do we not grow moist?"

"Rapunzel, just grab a fresh dress and some shoes, and–" Rafiki convinced Rapunzel while grabbing her arm, making her sigh.

"Guys, look," Rapunzel interrupted while Terk took the bucket off and threw it to the side, "I appreciate the encouragement, but you're all forgetting one very important thing."

"What?" they all asked in unison.

"My mother, Gothel," Rapunzel told them and took out the figurine of Gothel.

"Oh, yeah," the animals groaned in realization.

"Well," Isabelle spoke, "When she says you are forbidden from leaving the bell tower, does she mean… ever, ever?"

"Never ever, and she hates the Feast of Fools!" Rapunzel cried and put the figurine of Gothel back on the table, "Mother will be so furious if I ask to go. Once she finds out I've gone to the festival against her wishes, I'm done for!"

"Well, who says you gotta ask?" Terk smirked while rubbing her hands together in mischief.

"Oh no," Rapunzel shook her head.

"Yeah. Just put one foot in front of the other," Terk hinted as she put one of her feet on the ground, trying to prove her point, "And sneak out…"

"It's just one afternoon," Rafiki added.

"I-I couldn't," Rapunzel stammered.

"...And you sneak back in," Terk sneered as she stepped back.

"She'll never know you were gone!" Rafiki encouraged.

"And if I got caught!" Rapunzel panicked and covered her face in shame, already fearing the worst.

"Well, then, it's better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission," Isabelle stated.

"She'll see me!" Rapunzel worried, uncovering her face.

"You can wear a disguise," Terk replied as she took out a cloak and walked to Isabelle, "Just this once. What Gothel doesn't know can't hurt her!"

"Ignorance is bliss," Isabelle agreed with a smile.

"Look who's talking," Terk chuckled, giving Isabelle a noogie.

"Nobody wants to stay cooped up here forever," Rafiki recalled Rapunzel's words that she told the bird earlier.

Rapunzel pondered for a moment. Although she knew it would be risky to leave the bell tower behind Gothel's back, it wouldn't hurt to try. This would be the only time that Rapunzel would leave the bell tower. Then she'd never leave again.

"You're right! I'll go!" Rapunzel smiled and got out of her chair and was about to head downstairs.

"Yeah!" the animals cheered.

"I'll get cleaned up!" said Rapunzel.

"Yes, ma'am!" the animals agreed.

"I'll stroll down those stairs!"

'There you go!" the animals encouraged.

"I'll march through the doors, and–"

"Good morning, Rapunzel," a cold voice spoke, causing Rapunzel to snap out of her daydream and stop walking.

Rapunzel found herself standing in front of the woman who raised her as her own.

She shrank back in fear at Gothel's voice and collected herself.

"Oh, good morning, Mother," Rapunzel replied. Gothel was carrying a basket of food.

"My dear girl, who in the world were you talking to?" Gothel questioned as she walked up to Rapunzel.

"Just…," Rapunzel responded and looked back at the animals who turned back to stone when Gothel appeared, "...My friends."

"I see," Gothel stated as she tapped Isabelle's head with her knuckles, "And what kind of friends are they, Rapunzel?"

"Animals," Rapunzel responded as she looked down at the ground, not meeting Gothel's gaze.

Gothel put her hand under Rapunzel's chin to make her look at her.

"And do animals talk back?" Gothel inquired.

"No, they don't," Rapunzel groaned.

"That's right. You're a smart girl," Gothel smiled and kissed Rapunzel's forehead, "I love you so much, dear. Now, lunch."

After Gothel sat down, Rapunzel ran to the shelf, put the cup and plate on the table and sat with her.

"Shall we review your alphabet today, Rapunzel?" Gothel asked as she took out her book, ready to begin their lesson.

"Oh. Yes, Mother. I would like that very much," Rapunzel replied.

"Very well. A?"

"Abomination."

"B?

"Blasphemy."

"C?"

"Contrition."

"D?"

"Damnation."

"E?"

"Eternal damnation."

"Good. F?"

"Festival," Rapunzel blurted out but quickly covered her mouth after Gothel spat out her drink.

"Excuse me?" Gothel growled.

"F-Forgiveness! Flower!" Rapunzel stammered, trying to correct her mistake. But it was too late.

"You said…," Gothel stated as she snapped the book closed, "...Festival."

"No!" Rapunzel cried and covered her face in guilt and shame.

"Rapunzel! How many times must we go through this? You are not going to the festival!" Gothel yelled as she got out of her seat and went downstairs, followed by Rapunzel.

"But you go every year, Mother! Why can't I go?" Rapunzel groaned.

"Because I am a public official, Rapunzel. I must go," Gothel answered, "But I don't enjoy a moment. Thieves and cutpurses and the dregs of humankind, all mixed together in a shallow, drunken stupor."

"Forgive me, Mother. I didn't mean to upset you," Rapunzel mumbled as she and Gothel made their way to the balcony.

"Rapunzel, can't you understand?" Gothel asked, turning to face Rapunzel, "When your heartless mother abandoned you as a child, anyone else would have drowned you. And this is the thanks I get for taking you in and raising you as my daughter?"

"I'm sorry, Mother," Rapunzel bowed her head in shame and walked next to Gothel.

"Oh, my dear Rapunzel," Gothel told her as the two of them looked at the streets below the bell tower, "You don't know what it's like out there. I do. I do."

"The world is cruel, the world is wicked," Gothel sang as she turned around to face Rapunzel and put her hands on her shoulders, "It's I alone whom you can trust in this whole city."

Gothel then cupped Rapunzel's face and gave her a mischievous grin, "I am your only friend."

"I who keep you, feed you, teach you, dress you," Gothel sang as she ran her fingers through Rapunzel's hair and lifted up her face to look at her, "I who look upon you without fear."

Gothel pulled away from Rapunzel and led her back inside the bell tower.

"How can I protect you, girl, unless you always stay in here? Away in here?" Gothel sang.

"Remember what I taught you, Rapunzel," Gothel told her as the two of them ascended the staircase to Rapunzel's room where they walked back to her table with her figurines, models and paintings.

"You are wicked," Gothel sang.

"I am wicked," Rapunzel echoed.

"And you are cursed," Gothel sang.

"And I am cursed," Rapunzel repeated.

"And these are crimes for which the world shows little pity you do not comprehend," Gothel sang.

"You are my one defender," Rapunzel sang as she took the figurine of herself and put it in her hand.

"Out there they'll revile you as a monster," Gothel sang.

"I am a monster," Rapunzel sang sadly. The more Gothel ridiculed Rapunzel about her looks, the more it almost made her want to cry. Every insult that she heard hurt her heart more and more.

"Out there they will hate and scold and jeer," Gothel sang as Rapunzel grabbed another figurine and put it in her hand.

"Only a monster," Rapunzel understood.

"Why invite their calumny and consternation? Stay in here," Gothel sang as she knocked down some of Rapunzel's figurines and put the basket of food on top of the table.

"Be faithful to me," Gothel sang.

"I'm faithful," Rapunzel obeyed.

"Be grateful to me," Gothel sang.

"I'm grateful," Rapunzel replied.

"Do as I say. Obey…," Gothel sang as she carefully took Rapunzel's figurine and put it back on top of the bell tower where it was supposed to belong… where she was supposed to belong, "...And stay in here."

"I'll stay in here," Rapunzel sang and turned to face Gothel, who put her hands on top of her shoulders.

"You are good to me, Mother. I'm sorry," said Rapunzel, regretting her previous actions from earlier.

"You are forgiven," Gothel replied, "I'll be back in a few hours. I love you very much, dear."

"I love you more," Rapunzel smiled.

"I love you most," Gothel smiled back and kissed Rapunzel's forehead, "Now, do me a favor."

"Yes?" Rapunzel answered as Gothel gave her a serious look.

"Don't ever ask to leave this tower again. Do you understand, my dear?"

"Yes, Mother," Rapunzel lowered her head.

"Good girl," Gothel said as she walked away from Rapunzel, but turned back to look at her, "Remember, Rapunzel: this is your sanctuary."

"My sanctuary," Rapunzel muttered.

After Gothel left, Rapunzel was alone once again, lost in her thoughts.

Rapunzel thought about her conversations with Gothel and the animals. She was torn between going to the festival and staying in the bell tower like Gothel told her to. Like Terk said, Rapunzel could just wear a disguise and sneak out. Then Rapunzel would sneak back into the bell tower and act like she was here in the bell tower the entire time and never left, making Gothel proud.

Rapunzel sighed and looked at the bells above her.

"Safe behind these windows and these parapets of stone," Rapunzel sang as she went up to her window and spotted Gothel walking in the street going to the festival without her, "Gazing at the people down below me."

"All my life, I watch them as I hide up here alone," Rapunzel sang as she went back to pick up one of the fallen figurines that Gothel knocked over, "Hungry for the histories they show me."

"All my life, I memorize their faces," Rapunzel sang as she put the figurines back on the table, tugging them close to her heart, "Knowing them as they will never know me."

"All my life, I wonder how it feels to pass a day," Rapunzel sang as she took the figurine of herself off the bell tower replica and back on the table.

"Not above them," Rapunzel sang as she ran to the window, looking at the outside world, "But part of them."

"And out there, living in the sun," Rapunzel sang as she slid down the column and looked at her animal friends who smiled at her, "Give me one day out there, all I ask is one," she picked up Terk and Rafiki and put them down, "To hold forever."

"Out there, where they all live unaware. What I'd give, what I'd dare," Rapunzel sang as she grabbed onto each column one-by-one and then found herself back on the balcony, " Just to live one day out there!"

Rapunzel then climbed up on the rooftop, gazing at the people with a smile on her face.

"Out there among the millers and the weavers and their wives, through the roofs and gables, I can see them. Every day they shout and scold and go about their lives, heedless of the gift it is to be them! If I was in their skin, I'd treasure every instant," Rapunzel sang as she jumped on the water passage and slid down until she stopped and sat on the fountainhead.

"Out there, strolling by the Seine," Rapunzel sang as she splashed water on her face and smiled, "Taste a morning out there, like ordinary men."

Rapunzel climbed up to the top of the bell tower, grabbed onto the metal cross and spun around it, the wind blowing in her hair.

"Who freely walk about there. Just one day and then I swear I'll be content with my share," Rapunzel sang as she ran back to the balcony and stepped onto the railing and reached her arms out as she sang the last part of her song.

"Won't resent, won't despair. Old and bent, I won't care. I'll have spent one day out there!"

And so, Rapunzel made up her mind. She got dressed, put on her disguise and was off to the festival, hoping and praying that Gothel wouldn't see her.

(Note: Wow. So far this is the longest chapter I've ever written. I swear, every time I see Gothel and Rapunzel together (in their movie), I get Frollo and Quasimodo vibes. In fact, speaking of Quasimodo and Rapunzel, I came across a fanfic about them called "Heaven's Light" (named after one of Quasimodo's songs), which was written by Finmonster. The fanfic is basically a combination between both movies ("The Hunchback Of Notre Dame" and "Tangled") and has Quasimodo and Rapunzel as the main couple. I mean, even though Quasimodo ends up with Madellaine (from "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame II") and Rapunzel ends up with Eugene, you'd have to admit that Quasimodo and Rapunzel are so cute together. Now I'm starting to picture Frollo singing "Mother Knows Best" and Gothel singing, "Out There" with Rapunzel. It's been a while since I've read "Heaven's Light", so I'm gonna go back and read it. I loved it. I hope you do, too. I highly recommend it. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed Gothel and Rapunzel's version of "Out There." So in the next chapter, we finally get to see William and Murron! Yay! :D Stay tuned!)