Guardians Rising

7: Happy Birthday

Rapunzel woke to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. A pleasant sound, reminiscent of spring and happiness. She opened her eyes and blinked in the morning light, which was streaming through the window, brightening the room with its shining beams. Eugene was nowhere to be seen and she wondered at that, for he usually woke her up. Unless... She grinned and jumped out of bed, then dressed quickly. She put on a light green gown, gathered at the waist with a purple sash and a set of purple earrings and a necklace. She glanced at herself in the full length mirror and, once satisfied she looked respectable, headed downstairs for breakfast.

As soon as she stepped through the oaken double doors of the breakfast room, she knew she had been right. "Happy Birthday, Punzie!" said Eugene, and her parents reiterated the sentiment. She smiled broadly and laughed, then hurried to sit down next to her husband.

"Thank you, this is so wonderful!" she exclaimed.

"We think you deserve it," said her mother, lovingly. Rapunzel was ecstatic. This was her favorite breakfast. Then another thought struck her.

"What about the floa- the lanterns?" she asked. "Will you do them again this year?"

"Of course," said her father. She smiled happily. This day couldn't possibly get any better.

>>>>>

Later that evening, Rapunzel sat in the courtyard reading her favorite book. She had loved it ever since her father had shown her the library. It was enormous. So, she had spent hours in there, reading.

"Punzie," said Eugene. Rapunzel looked up from her book. He smiled and held a hand out to her. She smiled back and got up.

"Okay, let's go." They walked down toward the private boats by the docks, where they had been last year. While they walked, they talked lightly about small things, about what they would have for dinner, or what Rapunzel would think when he gave her his gift. She was so happy.

The young couple took their seats in the small boat, and Eugene paddled away from shore. The sun was setting in the clouds like fire, and the entire western sky was lit up with golds, pinks, and dusky purples.

The minutes passed and the sky grew dark, with here and there a star to pierce the night. "Eugene?" Rapunzel said as they drifted out onto the the water. He looked at her. So she smiled and said, "Thanks." Eugene smiled back and brought the canoe to a standstill, facing the city.

The first light appeared like a glittering star against the inky blackness of the sky, and Rapunzel's heart leaped.

Before long, they were surrounded by the floating lanterns. It was as beautiful as ever.

They were so happy here, content just to hold each others hands and watch the lights shift and sway.

Suddenly, Rapunzel heard a faint sound behind her, and she realized it was the same sound she had heard last night. She turned around and saw it there, bright blue, glowing like a lantern itself, it was calling her. "Eugene . . ."

"I see it," he answered calmly, and paddled carefully toward the far bank.

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How was it? I really hoped you like it, I was up half the night writing this. :D

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