Twisted (A Rapunzel Story)

Chapter 6: Back to the tower

For the first time today I was forced to look back at my tower. The peak of it was visible just above the treetops, so I knew the direction I should generally head towards if I wanted to find Harvey. The walk to the woods seemed longer without him, and leaving the city left a great ache in my heart.

My body purposely walked slowly, for I was really in for it when Uncle had me in his grasp. I had grown to hate Uncle Merlin more everyday, questioning why he would keep me trapped for all this time. Zelle was asleep around my wrist, so other that a few woodland creatures, I had no company as I walked through the forest.

"Princess!"

The voice sprang from nowhere.

"Princess!"

There it was again.

I stared around, and uneasy feeling settling into my stomach. "Who are you? Show yourself!" I shouted, sounding more confident than I actually was.

A huntsman cautiously appeared from behind a tree. His face was aged, but his eyes were glowing and youthful. His hair was patchy, but soft brown wisps of it were sun-kissed. His clothes were nothing but rags, but then again, mine were too.

"I'm sorry if I scared you, princess, I'm just overwhelmed by your return!" He gushed, tears coming to his eyes.

"I'm not a princess! I've lived with my uncle in that tower my whole life!" I protested, pointing towards the tower.

"Yes, yes you are! Everyone knows the rhyme about the princess of the moon! Look!" He stuffed a paper in my face, ripped crumpled, and barely readable.

Eyes blue as sapphires

Hair black as midnight

Read this poem,

and find her, you might.

Beauty like the sun

pure as snow

Her true roots, she may never know.

My eyes widened as I scanned the sheet, going over lines just to make sure it was real. That was why everyone was staring at me in the city center! Though it was obvious that I was the princess, my mind still refused to believe it.

"You must go back, Princess, the King and Queen will be delighted!" and with that, he rushed off into the distance, a part of me still doubting my royal roots.

I had to find Harvey, surely he must have known? I continued my journey on wards towards the tower, and every step I took make it look all the more larger, creepier, scarier. I got lost in my thoughts a little halfway through my travels, and walked into a tree. I laughed at myself, before realizing I was at the foot of the tower. The window looked so far up, but luckily, I didn't have to climb up there.

Because Harvey and Merlin where here.

They hadn't noticed me yet, so I used my time wisely to watch them, and think of a plan. They seemed to be talking, however I wasn't close enough to hear what they were saying. Soon enough, with no luck on thinking up a plan, I plucked up the courage to confront them.

"Ahhh, Pumpkin, you finally came!" Merlin smiled an wicked smile, his eyes full of joy, "I've been telling your friend Harvey all about you!"

I stared over at Harvey, and his face mirrored my uncles. I knew now that my uncle had fed him millions of lies, and he had lapped them up like a hungry puppy.

"Harvey...-" I begun.

"I don't want you near me, Eliana, I thought you were my friend!" He shouted, his eyes flashing.

"What did he tell you?" I asked softly.

He smirked sarcastically. "Like you don't know! You're a fraud! You let me believe you were locked up in this tower for years, never allowed out and always forced to sing a song!"

"But I was! Harvey! It's the truth I swear!"

"Don't listen to her boy, she's half crazy. You heard the lies she told you! I am an old frail gentleman, and I would never dream of not letting her see the beautiful city!" He sneered, "The only reason she wasn't allowed out yesterday was because she was grounded!"

Tears formed in my eyes as I saw the look of hate Harvey shot at me whilst my uncle rambled on.

"I'm leaving, Eliana." He whispered.

I watched him wander through the forest alone until he was out of sight, not once looking back.