The Lost Princess - A Once Upon A Time Fanfic

Heroes and Villains (Part One) // Enchanted Forest

Rapunzel awoke at the break of dawn. The same thing woke her up each morning, the screams of yet another prisoner having their hearts ripped out by the Evil Queen. 

Things had become so dark so fast. 

When she lost her sister, she felt like a part of her was ripped away. They had grown so close, yet the Evil Queen took her in one grasp. 

And now, Rapunzel, who had changed for the better, was trapped in that very grasp. If she attempted to escape, she was sure to die. So, she complied to the Evil Queen's every wish. They were close, but she knew the real reason the Evil Queen wanted her: 

Her magic. 

Rapunzel's magic was the most powerful in all the land, other than the Light One. Her neutral abilities were exactly what the Evil Queen needed to reign over the entire kingdom, along with her own dark magic. 

There was a loud knock at her chamber doors. She sat straight up in her bed. Physical comfort surrounded her, pillows, blankets, anything she could hope for. It was the emotional comfort she was missing. Her heart raced as the door slowly opened. The Evil Queen's servant appeared. Her "knight-in-shining-armor." Her Prince Charming. 

"The Queen is requesting your presence," his voice said. 

Rapunzel nodded, nerves coursing through her body. It was never a good sign, what with the Evil Queen's newest object of desire: killing the woman that took away her one true love. 

No, not this Prince Charming, but another one. One just as evil as she. 

She lifted the blankets from her legs and stepped out. The Prince walked in, though she wished for a moment of privacy. 

"Does she not believe that I'll come?" She asked, looking toward him. 

"I'm here to protect not only the Queen, but you as well, Rapunzel." 

Rapunzel looked down. 

"Well, you are very charming, indeed," she said sincerely. 

His face didn't move. 

It couldn't move. 

The Queen had his heart. 

"This way, Princess," he said, opening the door wider and allowing her to walk ahead of him. 

She and Charming walked down the long hallway together in silence. After a moment, Rapunzel's curiosity got the best of her. 

"How long has that woman been in that tower?" She asked. 

Charming looked down at her. "Who told you about her?" 

"There are constant whispers," she answered. "Plus, I have no one to talk to. After being trapped in a tower myself-"

"The Queen had good reason to trap her there," Charming snapped. She looked away, embarrassed by his sudden outburst. 

She knew it wasn't his fault. After all, the Queen had his heart.

They made it to the throne room. Rapunzel stood at the doorway. Though she was in the Queen's good graces, she still feared any meeting with her. One wrong move and she'd have Rapunzel's head. 

Charming looked to her, nodded his head and pushed open the door.

And there she sat. The Evil Queen. 

Snow White. 

Rapunzel flashed to when everything went wrong. Prince James being killed in that awful attack caused by the bandit they were not allowed to speak of turned Snow White's heart black. She had never seen her sister so angry.