Wishes

The First Midnight

Gothel quickly pushed her way through the woods to find Rapunzel. Once she reached the bottom of the tower, she called out, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel! Let down your hair!"

She didn't realize who was watching: a curious prince.

Jack came marching home proudly with his beans. His mother ran up to him. "Oh, Jack! I'm so sorry I lost Milky White! But did you find her? Did you sell her for something worthy?" Jack grinned. "Yep! And look what I've got in return. Magic beans!"

But his mother wasn't pleased. "Beans?! Only someone with a brain the size of that bean could agree to such a deal! And to think that 'someone' is my boy! No supper for you tonight!" she shouted and threw the beans into their backyard.

It's unfortunate they didn't turn around, because the moment the beans hit the earth, they began to grow into a beanstalk that would soon soar above the clouds.

The prince hopped onto his horse and galloped away, with his brother riding right past him. "Good brother!" he called. "Come back!"

They both slowed down and jumped off their horses. "Good brother! I've just seen the most beautiful maiden with the longest hair in all the land!"

"Really? Well, what's her name?"

The prince sighed. "Rapunzel."

His brother smirked. "Gesundheit."

"No really. That's her name! Isn't it lovely?"

"Rapunzel?" the other prince laughed. "RAPUNZEL?! Rapunzel, Rapunzel, what kind of a name is THAT?!"

"I must agree with you. But tomorrow, I will return to see her."

"Tomorrow already? You are just that impatient, aren't you?"

"Indeed. I need her! It's plain agony to wait, you know? Anyway, I heard you're hosting a ball. That shall be exciting."

"I hope so. Father wants to find me a bride. But yet, I feel I'm not ready. I'm ready to marry, but I'm not ready to rule. Plus, I feel my kingdom is... unhappy."

"Hey, you have to believe in yourself. So far, the kingdom has been in good hands with the steward. But if you really think the kingdom needs help, than who's better to help but you?"

The baker's wife was now exhausted. She hadn't made any progress on the quest. She spotted the two princes talking in the woods. She immediately hid.

The other prince changed the subject. "So, where might you find this... Rapunzel?"

"Two leagues from here, due east, just beyond the mossy knoll, and then you'll find the tallest tower with no stairs... or doors... and you call out, 'Rapunzel, Rapunzel! Let down your hair!'" The prince stared off into space daydreaming.

The baker's wife heard this and scurried off to find Rapunzel.

"Gorgeous hair..." the prince murmured.

Later that night at his ball, the only person the other brother danced with... was Ella. He loved her personality, and shared stories with her throughout the night. She wasn't that hard to find in the crowd, because of her snowy white dress and mask.

The prince introduced himself. "I don't believe we know each other. I'm-"

"Prince Charles." Ella finished his sentence. "Yes," he tucked his hands in his pockets, embarrassed. "It's not like anyone doesn't know who I am around here. But you can call me Char."

Hoping to win over the prince's heart, Madame made Florinda greet Ella and the prince. Florinda quietly walked up to them and shook their hands. She looked surprised when she shook Ella's hand. It was familiar, and yet she couldn't place the face, probably because of the mask. Have we met before?, she thought.

"Oh," Ella sighed. "I've been having such a great time. What time is it anyway?" Char looked at the large clock tower outside the window. "It's only 11:45. Why?"

"Wait, it's almost twelve? Oh my, oh I'm sorry, but I have to go!"

"Wait, what?!"

"But before I leave, I must tell you, there are people out there in your kingdom who need your help. They've been overpowered by others, and can't escape. You really should try to be kinder to those with less. There's more than you think. I looked around and only the finest came tonight, which isn't that many. Oh, I have to go!"

"No wait!" Char shouted. "Don't leave!" But Ella was already way ahead of him. She ran down a huge long staircase leading outside.

She ran through the woods, only to bang into the baker's wife. "So sorry but-" Ella then heard the royal fanfare and horses galloping. "Don't let them see me!" She hid behind a tree.

Char pulled up on his horse. The baker's wife bowed to Char. "Hello there good peasant," he greeted, not realizing the insult. "Have you seen a beautiful maiden under a mask running through the woods?"

"Uh, no?" the baker's wife looked up at him, feeling a bit guilty for lying. "Oh, well thank you anyway. That girl told me a lot about you peasants, and I'll make it up to you, later."

He galloped off with his royal guards.

"Thank you so much!" Ella stepped out. Neither of them recognized each other. Ella's face was hidden under a mask, and the baker's wife's eyes sagged and her hair was unruly.

They both sat down together to catch their breath. "So, what are you doing in the woods running away from royalty? If it were the prince looking for me, I wouldn't hide."

Ella held her head in her hands. "It's complicated, but I'm a little worried. What if he finds out who I really am, and doesn't like me?"

"Well," the baker's wife asked. "Who are you?" Ella was about to remove her mask when, DING! DING! DING! DING...!

The kingdom's clock tower struck twelve. "I must get home!" Ella shouted. "But wait. Would you look over there?" She stepped forward, revealing her slippers, "As pure as glass!" the baker's wife whispered.

"There's an enormous beanstalk growing right next to that little cottage!"

"Miss, I need your shoe!"

"Oh, but I must go home!"

Ella rushed away, leaving the poor baker's wife with nothing... but hope.

One midnight gone.