Drops of Gold - Hiccunzel

Chapter I

The night has fallen.

"Is it done yet?"

"Just one last pin, milady."

"I can't even count the times you've said that with my fingers anymore."

Emma laughs.

"Okay, this is the last one, I promise."

Having agreed to her handmaiden's suggestion of adding miniscule flowers to her hair, Rapunzel sat on the chair restlessly. 'It's just the cherry on top,' she said, 'apart from your crown, of course.'

Part of her was anxious of the slightest possibility that she'd miss the start of the floating lights. Emma knew this, and it took every cell in her body to decide against slowing her movements just to tease her.

"All done."

"Great! Let's go."

With her attendant following closely behind, Rapunzel travelled across the palace, to the great hall where she was now being summoned. The sound of their footsteps drowned out the muffled enthusiasm of the crowd from beyond the walls and she glanced outside, visualizing the thousands of lanterns that would brighten the night sky in their wake.

Precious gemstones gleamed under the light of the chandeliers, stopping Rapunzel in her tracks when she caught glimpse of them as she bypassed a mirror on the wall.

She turned to face her reflection: below the crown was her waist-long, blonde locks swept up to a low bun, adorned with little pins of flowers in white and varying shades of pink, wisps of hair framing her face. Strings of pearls rested upon her clavicles and her dress, meticulously sewn and embellished with golden ornaments, reached down to and swept along the gloss of marble floors.

"You were right," she smiled, her gaze never left the mirror. "It does make me look finer."

She was-

"Perfect," came a voice from behind. The princess spun in her heels to meet the eyes of the Queen, soft and soothing beneath a line of thick lashes. A smile tugged at her lips.

"You look wonderful, Rapunzel."

"Wouldn't look this way if it weren't for my dearest mother. And Emma. Whosuggestedtheflowers."

"You really do take after me."

They shared a moment of laughter. Rapunzel beamed when her father, the King, approached.

"Is it time?"

"It is."

The thundering sound of enormous, mahogany doors being pushed open demanded silence from the lively crowd. In an instant, all eyes were transfixed to the balcony and amongst them were murmurings as they awaited the presence of the monarchs. They fell silent at the sight of the King and Queen.

"Today marks the eighteenth year of my daughter, Rapunzel, as your princess. The sheer number of people that came to celebrate the day of her birth has humbled and moved us greatly. Though we might not have physically been at every event, our hearts have always been with you all, and we thank you most sincerely for your best wishes and the parts you played in this joyous occasion. We hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come."

The lights of the lampposts diminished, and the kingdom was engulfed in darkness. Rapunzel watched by the entrance, far enough to be obscured from the sight of those who stood below. With a shriek she looked her servant in the eye, excitement shared between them as the queen stepped towards her with a lantern and a box of matches. Rapunzel gladly took a match and lit the candle within its shell before releasing it into the sky, and her smile could only widen even more when the crowd began to light lanterns of their own.