Chapter 14

When they crossed the bridge into Corona, Rapunzel was in awe. "It's beautiful" She looked around at the purple and Golden Sun decorations. "Just wait" Merida said as they rode into the castle stables. They left Angus to be pampered by the servants. "Where're we going first?" Rapunzel said grabbing Merida's hand.

"Well first, you're going to meet your parents."

Rapunzels eyes widened and she fiddled with a string on Merida's sleeve. "What's wrong bonny?" Merida asked.

"Well.... what if they don't like me?" Rapunzel said with a hint of nervousness.

Merida's stopped and hugged Rapunzel. "Their gonna love you. I promise." Rapunzel smiled.

They walked up the stairs Tori castle doors and turned to each other. "Ready?" Merida asked. Rapunzel took a deep breath "...Yeah. I think so." The doors open to the sound of cheering. The King and Queen stands from their thrones and meet Rapunzel and Merida in the middle of the hall. They both look at Rapunzel and after second hug her.

Chapter 13

After a minute they pulled away and Rapunzel laid her head on Merida’s shoulder.

“Rapunzel. When’s your birthday?”

“Oh, in two weeks. Why?”

“Because,” Merida leaned forward. “I’m taking you to see the lights.”

“Really!?” Rapunzel squealed excitedly. “Thank you!” She tackled Merida and kissed her again.

“Haha, alright alright. We should probably go to bed now.”

They curled up together in the bed and went to sleep. The next day Merida woke up first and wrote a small note and laid it on the pillow.

Dear Punz, I had to go into town. I’ll be back real soon, promise. -Merida

Merida sat at the table and began to write a letter. She got dressed, kissed Rapunzels forehead and rode into town to mail the letter and to go shopping.

When she got back Rapunzel had been waiting for her, “Hi Merida! What did you get?”

She walked in carrying a few packages. “Wouldn’t you like ta know? Well i can’t tell ya, it’s a birthday present.” Merida said, locking them in a chest.

About a week later in Scotland a messenger ran into the dining hall, “A letter! From the Princess!”

“Merida?” Helena grabbed the letter and ripped the seal open.

“What’s it say dear?” Fergus asked with his mouth full of mutton.

“We’ve been invited to a birthday party, she says we should leave as soon as we get the letter.”

“Oh? Must be important. I’ll go ask my parents to watch the castle while we’re gone”

Everyday Rapunzel bothered Merida about what her presents were, Merida always replied “A surprise.” and left it at that. It was the day before Rapunzels birthday and Merida went to the kingdom docks to meet her parents. “Mum, dad! Boys!” Merida beamed as she greeted her family. They hugged her tight and she showed them to the castle, where they would be staying.

Merida was woken by Rapunzel jumping on the bed. She laughed and sat up, "Excited?" She asked.

"Very!" Rapunzel squealed, plopped down on the bed and hugged Merida.

After a few minutes of laying there Merida sat up. “We should be getting ready now.”

“Right!” Rapunzel hopped off the bed and ran downstairs. Merida followed her down, and as she got dressed Merida braided her hair. Rapunzel walked out from behind the screen.

“You’re.. wearing the dress i made you.” Merida blushed.

“Well yeah. It’s so beautiful, and i thought this would be the perfect time to wear it.” She smiled.

Merida kissed her and they climbed down the tower, carefully, as to not rip Rapunzels dress.

Chapter 12

Rapunzel stared at the empty cloak on the floor. “She.. she just used me..”

“Rapunzel.” Merida hugged her from behind, “I’m sorry..”

The girls stood there in awkward silence. “I think..” Rapunzel started, “We should head back now.”

“Okay.” Merida said. They gathered their things and headed back the way Merida came, ”Angus should be right up here, then we can ride back.” They crossed the river, Angus whinnied and jumped. “Look who i found Angus!”

“Merida, what’s this?” Rapunzel asked looking at the horn on the ground.

“Oh, that’s the horn we’re supposed to blow when we find you.”

Rapunzel raises an eyebrow. “Well see I got some other people to help search for ya.” Merida says, taking the horn and blowing it loudly. Birds flock away from the thundering noise and then the girls hear the others blowing in response. “C’mon” Merida hopped onto her horse and pulled Rapunzel up. They rode through the trees, the morning light beaming through the canopies. Angus slowed as they rounded a huge mossy boulder and started to trot towards the fence of the Snuggily Duckling. The girls bursted through the doors and cheers erupted.

“A pint for e’vryone! On me!” Hook-hand said, raising his mug as they sat at the bar. The pianist startled to play and a toothy grin covered Rapunzel’s face, “Come on! Let’s dance!” she clasped her hands together begging.

“Obf, I don’t know Punz..” Merida tried to bring her mug to her mouth but Rapunzel pulled her up from the stool she rested on. “Woah!” she said stumbling and dropping her mug. “I’ll teach you!” Rapunzel grabbed Merida’s hands and they started swirling and swinging and knocking stools over as everyone clapped to the song. A few people joined them and soon the whole pub was dancing. Merida twirls Rapunzel and sits down on her seat. ‘Wow.. She’s so.. Beautiful..’ Merida thought smiling, admiring her resting her face in her palm, ‘I think.. I’m in love with her.’

After what felt like a few hours Merida and Rapunzel decided it was time to go home. They thanked the bar patrons and climbed onto Angus, waving goodbye as they rode off.

“Thank you. For not leaving me.” Rapunzel said hugging Merida as they sat in front of the fireplace.

“Oh Punz. I told you i’d never leave you.” Merida stroked Rapunzels hair.

“I know. So what’d you get at the market?” Rapunzel asked pulling back. Merida ran over to her bag and pulled out the neatly wrapped package. “A present.” She said, smiling ear to ear, “I made it.” She said sitting in front of her.

“A present? For me?” Rapunzel was shocked and laid the gift down, unwrapping it slowly. “Oh Merida..” She whispered as she felt the dress.

“Go try it on!” Merida said eagerly pushing her towards the vanity screen and sat back down, waiting. After a few minutes of biting her nails Merida looked up as Rapunzel walked out. It was a long dress with a gold, natal star, trimmed sweetheart neckline. The golden bell sleeves draped off her shoulders. The underside of the dress was light blue and sparkling, the outerside was dark blue with detailed gold trimming at the bottom. The outer side was slit down the side, showing the light blue fabric, with 5 natal stars, one big one with 4 smaller one dangling from the golden beaded silk strings. Her hair was tied in sections with sparkly gold ribbons. Merida’s jaw dropped.

“How do i look?“ Rapunzel asked shyly.

“You look.. Fantastic!” Merida said, standing up.

Rapunzel blushed, “Really? Oh! i have a present for you too!” She said and started up the stairs. “Stay there!”

“Okay” Merida sat in the window seat nervously.

Rapunzel pulled the canvas out from under the bed and walked downstairs. She sat in front of her. “Here..” She handed the painting to Merida. It had Rapunzel lying her head in Merida’s lap as they watched the stars and the floating lights.

“Rapunzel.” Merida ran her hand along the front of the painting.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it.” Merida looked up and set the painting in her lap. She reached up and cupped Rapunzel’s cheek in her hand, leaned forward, and gently kissed her.

Chapter 11

After they’d all eaten, Rapunzel fell asleep and Merida was washing dishes. Gothel snuck outside, she looked around in the bush under the window. She pulled out a half shriveled gold and purple flower. ‘It doesn’t have much life left.’ She thought singing quietly “Flower, gleam and glow, Let your power shine, Make the clock reverse, Bring back what once was mine. Heal what has been hurt, Change the fates' design, Save what has been lost, Bring back what once was mine. What once was mine.” She heard Merida walk towards the door and quickly hid the flower. “Uh, the dishes are done.” Merida said.

Gothel stood up and walked over to her “Good. Thank you.” Going back inside she sat near the fire and stoked it. Merida looked at the bush and walked back inside, she pulled the blankets over Rapunzel and stroked her hair.

Gothel turned to Merida, “What do you want with Rapunzel?” Gothel asked.

“I could ask you the same question.” Merida sat down. “Why did you leave her?”

“I got lost-”

“Dont give me that rubbish!” Merida half shouted.

“Fine.” Gothel said, sitting back. “She would never shut up about the lights in the sky on her birthday, about going outside, it was so irritating. To be honest the only reason i had taken her was because her hair keeps me looking young, but i found the other flower with the same power.”

“So why take her back now? And what do you mean taken her?”

“Well you see there was a golden flower that you sing to and it heals you. But the king had ordered that it be taken and used as medicine for the Queen.. She was pregnant, so the flower infused with Rapunzel, turning her hair magical. I had tried to cut it but it lost it’s power so i just took her. Recently the second flower has started to die, and then i found Rapunzel out in the forest looking for you. But now she’s back and we’ll be leaving soon, so no one can find us..”

“So to you she’s just, make up?” Merida was getting angry. “You’re not taking her anywhere!”

“And who’s going to stop me?” Gothel said, “She’ll never leave me.”

Merida was furious. She grabbed Rapunzel and put her on her back. “What are you doing?” Gothel said standing.

“Taking her away. So that you can’t hurt her!” Merida shouted as she walked to the door.

“I won’t just let you take her.” Gothel stood in front of the door.

“Get outta my way!” She said, trying to push Gothel from the door.

Rapunzel woke up, “What’s going on?” she asked sleepily.

“Rapunzel, deary, Merida is trying to take you away from your mummsey.” Gothel spoke.

“Merida?” Rapunzel looked at her.

“She’s lying Rapunzel! She just wants you for your hair, you’re not even her daughter. She stole you when you were a baby!”

“What?” Rapunzel said looking at Gothel. ”Moth-... Gothel.. Is this, is this true?”

“Of course not Rapunzel! That’s demented!” Gothel said, opening her arms. “C’mere sweetie, come to mother.”

Rapunzel looked at Gothel, and then Merida. “Really Rapunzel, she’s lying! Come with me, after all, mother knows best.” Gothel said trying to hug her.

“Please Rapunzel! You have to believe me!” Merida pleaded.

She backed away from Gothel, “How could you?“ Rapunzel asked. “I. I trusted you, and you lied to me!”

“Rapunzel” Gothel started, trying to touch her.

“No!” she yelled, “Don’t ever touch me!” Rapunzel shoved her away. Merida ran out the door and searched through the bush. She came back with the flower.

“Stop!” Gothel said frantically. Merida threw the flower into the fire and Gothel’s youth started to fade till she was gone.

Chapter 10

Merida laid her head against Angus’s neck. As she started to drift off to sleep, she heard giggling. Merida sat up and glanced around the forest; far off, in the corner of her eye, she saw a line of golden hair slithering on the ground. Merida stumbled up off the ground and sprinted towards the hair. She called after it, “Rapunzel!? Rapunzel, come back!” weaving back and forth between trees.

Just then she tripped on a tree root. “Uff!” Merida fell onto the ground in a cloud of dust. “Ugh!” She staggered getting up, “Rapunzel?” She looked around. Rapunzel was in someones arms. “Who..?” She looked young, with black curly hair, and she held Rapunzel whispering “Mother knows best.”

Merida called out for Rapunzel but she couldn’t hear her. As they started walking away, Merida tried to run after them, but the woman stomped her foot and the ground split between them and Merida fell into the crack.

“No!” Merida yelled sitting up, breathing heavily. She looked around. “It.. It was a dream?” She laid her head in her hands and tried to catch her breath. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a blue light flickering in the distance. Merida lifted her head and her eyebrows furrowed, “..The wisps?”

“Meeeridaa..” It whispered.

She hopped across the stones in the stream and reached for the wisp on the bank. It vanished and a trail of them lead out into the forest. Merida followed them cautiously, since the last time they appeared she ran into Mor’du. She trailed after them and wondered where they were leading her. They lead her to a space of the forest covered in vines and branches. She walked around it till she found an opening and walked under it. There was a small house, ‘Maybe they’ve seen Rapunzel.’ She thought, walking up to the door and knocking. There was rattling and the door cracked open. a woman peeked through, “Can i help you?” she asked, eyeing Merida.

“Um, yes, have you seen a girl with long blonde hair?” Merida asked, worriedly.

“Maybe. What’s it to you?” She said and narrowed her eyes.

“Oh, well she’s missing and i was looking for her.” Merida started fidgeting.

They heard the leaves move and both looked at the entrance. Rapunzel was carrying a small basket of berries.

“Rapunzel!?” Merida yelled and tackled her.

“Merida!” Rapunzel dropped her basket and hugged her.

“Where’ve you been!?” Merida asked.

“I went looking for you. I saw you ride off last night and i wasn’t about to lose you.” She said looking in Merida’s eyes. Merida stared back.

“Ehem. Well, lets not dottle now. Grab the basket so i can make the pie and come sit down.” The woman said going back inside.

Merida helped Rapunzel up, “Who’s she?”

“That’s my mother, Gothel.” She said grabbing the basket and leading Merida to the house. Merida sat down and Rapunzel started to wash the berries.

“What was your name, dear?” Gothel asked.

“Merida.” She said, stealing a berry from the pile. “So where’ve you been?”

“Pardon me?” Gothel asked.

“You left Rapunzel. Why?” She looked up and recognized the woman, but she couldn’t put her finger on anything.

“Oh, well uh.” Gothel stammered, “I had a bit to drink that night and i just couldn’t remember which path to take.”

“Mother, I thought you said you got lost, because the weather was bad and it was dark.” Rapunzel said and looked up from mashing berries.

“Oh yes, well that was part of it.” She lied, taking the bowl and mashing the berries quickly. Merida narrowed her eyes at her but said nothing.

“Merida?” Rapunzel said making drinks. “Where did you go last night?”

Merida blushed, “Oh, uh, i really needed to go to the market but i had forgotten till it got dark.”

“Oh. Okay.” Rapunzel sat next to her and handed her a cup of tangerine tea.

Chapter 9

'Ugh I'm so stupid!' Rapunzel thought as she flung herself back on her bed. 'I'm such a scaredy cat. Why can't I just tell her how I feel... maybe she doesn't like me.." She contemplated while biting her nail. She rolled over, ‘What if a made her something? I could paint her a picture. Maybe i could tell her with that? Well, it couldn’t hurt, right?’

Rapunzel sat up and pulled out a basket from under her bed, she sat down and unfastened the latch. Inside was a small canvas, brushes, and a few cups of paint. Grabbing the brush, she bit her lip and began to paint.

Rapunzel sighed and laid back against her bed. “There.” She said, admiring her artwork. As she was putting everything away she heard Merida climb through the window and open the wardrobe. Startled, Rapunzel jumped into bed and squeezed her eyes shut. She listened and Merida came up the stairs, "Rapunzel! i got our things." Merida pulled the blankets over her and went back downstairs. After a minute Rapunzel heard Merida talking and sat up, sneaking downstairs she rubbed her eye "Merida?" She called and looked around.

Outside, Angus whinnied and rode off. Rapunzel walked to the window and watched Merida ride Angus through the opening in the rocks. "But.. You said you'd never leave.." Rapunzel mumbled as a tear streaked her cheek. She curled up in a ball and started crying, ‘It’s happening all over again.’ She thought. Bringing her head up she laid her hands around the back of her neck. She took in deep breaths and thought about the painting, “No.” She said, wiping her tears “I’m not giving up that easily.”

Rapunzel stood up and ran over to her chest. She pulled out a bag and started filling it with food, and extra clothes. She climbed down the tower and walked through the leaves cautiously. "I wonder where I should start. I don't even know where i'm going." She said, walking around aimlessly. She searched in the woods and when the moon was at the top of the sky, fully illuminated, she sat down to rest and pulled out the food from her bag. “I wonder if i’ll ever find her.” She thought aloud as she nibbled a small loaf of bread.

“Find who?” Someone said from the shadows.

Rapunzel, startled, jumped to her feet and dropped her food. “Who’s there!?” She asked, reaching for the small carving knife in her bag.

“Oh, Rapunzel, there’s no need for weapons.” They said, walking into the light.

“..M-mother?” She squinted her eyes and dropped the knife. “Where, where have you been?”

“Oh, Rapunzel it was horrible!” Gothel said, resting her hand on her forehead, “You see, it was dark and stormy that night and i found myself lost in the woods.”

“That’s terrible.” Rapunzel said, starting to feel guilty about doubting her mothers love.

“Would you like to come to my new home?” Gothel asked.

“New home?” She said, slightly confused.

“Yes, well i couldn’t just sleep on the ground now could i?” Her mother replied and waved her hand forward as she started to walk away.

Rapunzel grabbed her things and ran to catch up. They approached a small cottage hidden by a huge jungle gym of branches and vines. “Come in, come in!” She said, opening the door and motioning her forward.

Rapunzel went in and looked around. “So, mother are you going to come back home now?” She asked, lowering herself onto a small chair.

“Oh, Rapunzel. Lets not worry about that now.” Gothel spoke and started preparing food. “Are you hungry? You must be since you’ve traveled so far from the tower. Uh, speaking of which, why did you leave the tower?”

“Oh, well i was looking for someone-” Rapunzel tried to say before Gothel cut her off.

“For who?” She said looking up ”You let someone into the tower? What if they try to steal your hair?”

“No mother, it’s not like that. She’s not, she doesn’t want my hair.” Rapunzel rebuttled, getting defensive.

“How do you know? Everybody lies, Rapunzel. It’s just a matter of time-”

“Even you?” Rapunzel cut her off.

“Even me what, dear?”

“Do you lie to me, mother?” Rapunzel questioned.

“Of course i don’t. You know i love you. It’s just outsiders that i don’t trust.” She replied.

“I can handled myself mother!” Rapunzel stood and stomped her foot.

“Rapunzel, that’s enough! We’ll have no more talk of this tonight.” Gothel said as she turned and started on dinner again.

Chapter 8

Merida rode to a nearby town. There were few windows lit and she hoped that there were still some stores open. A bell rang as she walked through the door to a fabric and ornament store. "Oh, hello there. I was just about to close up." A small woman said, walking through a curtain from the back room.

"Er, well i kinda needed to buy some fabric real fast. It's very important." Merida pleaded.

The woman looked at her for a moment and replied, "Oh all right, do you need any help?"

"Uh i guess it couldn't hurt. I need to make a dress for someone. She's a wee bit taller than i am and she has a smaller waist than i do." Merida explained.

"Okay, well pick out your fabrics and come to the back room, i have mannequins." She said walking away. Merida looked around for a few minutes, every now and then she'd pick up something and put it back thinking it wasn't good enough. She eventually grabbed a light blue and a dark blue bolt of silk, and then a gold one, and a small box of gold star ornaments. She walked into the back room, "Alright! I'm done." she said plopping everything onto the table.

"Oh my." The woman said, putting on her glasses. Merida scrawled a design onto a sheet of parchment.

"This is how I want to make it look!" She said, excitedly. The woman looked at it closely, and then back at Merida.

"This is going to take a while, you know that right?" She said pulling out thread and needles.

"Yes, i know. But it has to be perfect." Merida said determined.

After hours of sewing the dress was complete. The woman wrapped it in thin paper and handed it to the electrified red head. Merida payed her and ran out the door yelling 'Thank you' as she leaped onto Angus's back.  She place the dress into her side-sack and rode off into the forest. As Merida galloped through the forest the sun began to rise. "Oh no! Hurry Angus!" Merida shouted, hoping Rapunzel wouldn't wake up before she got back. She rode through the opening and hopped off of her horse, sliding her bag on and then hurriedly climbed the tower. "Rapunzel! I have a surprise!" Merida called, setting the bag down and climbing the stairs.

"Rapunzel?" She checked everywhere around the tower, but she couldn't find her anywhere. 'Where could she've gone?' She thought, propelling down the tower. Merida looked around outside, 'Maybe she went for a swim and got stuck again!' She thought and pulled off her dress. She jumped into the water and swam around, but she couldn't see her anywhere. She scrambled out of the water and ran to Angus. "I can't find Rapunzel!" she yelled and jumped onto Angus, "We've got to search everywhere!" She said as they sped off.

They combed through every nearby town and the snuggly duckling, and after settling the dispute from earlier the bar patrons agreed to help search. They moved on to the forest. The hook handed guy handed everyone a horn, "If you find her blow your horn and we'll all meet up back here." He said and they split into search teams. Merida went alone and after riding for what seemed like hours Angus stopped and lied down, out of breath.

Merida sat against a tree, "Oh Rapunzel! Where are you?" she worried. The sun was starting to set and Merida was frustrated. "We're not going anywhere till we find her." She said to Angus and started to build a fire. She grabbed an arrow from her quiver and walked over to a nearby stream. She jabbed it into the river a few times, catching three fish. Angus looked at her, "What?" She said, holding them over the fire, "Not eating isn't going to find her!" Angus looked hurt, 'humphed' and turned around. "Look, I'm sorry I barked at ya, I'm just really concerned." She said petting his mane.