Rapunzel, Rapunzel

Chapter 10 Captured

Chapter 10

Captured

In blazing sunlight, Lillian walked Rapunzel down the vacant dirt path, claiming anyone after them would search the woods first. Mostly grass surrounded the path, with several trees off to a distant. Rapunzel brushed her hand against her forehead, wiping sweat glands away.

“So why is it so important to you and your husband that I return to my mother?” Rapunzel asked.

Lillian sighed, unsure of just what to say.

“Were you really friends with her, as Carlos says?” Rapunzel pressed on.

“Well,” Lillian replied, “We did not have the chance to get to know her since our time meeting her was brief. But, she did help my husband and me out a great deal when we had no one else to turn to. For that, we owe her everything.”

“So is that why you want to make sure I make it back to her safely?” Rapunzel asked, looking at her uncertainly.

Lillian took in a deep breath and nodded. “Yes, that is why.”She paused momentarily, before adding, “You know, your mother is a very good woman. Everything she has done over the years was to protect you.”

Rapunzel turned her head and looked at her, curiously. “Protect me from what?”

At first Lillian did not say anything. She merely looked into Rapunzel with her complex eyes. Just as the queen thief opened her mouth to say something, an arrow brushed by, missing Lillian’s nose by inches.

Rapunzel screamed and covered her mouth. She turned to her left to find a band of armed men approaching them. Lillian drew her sword and slashed the next arrow that flew by.

“There’s the girl!” One of the men hollered, pointing at the young maiden. “Rengonda wants her alive!”

Lillian held her sword up higher and turned to Rapunzel. “You have to go! I can hold them off.”

“I can’t leave you by yourself!” Rapunzel protested, only taking one step back.

“It will be fine,” Lillian insisted, holding her hand up to keep Rapunzel back. “Trust me, I’ve dealt with worse. You have to get out of here, now! Rengonda cannot get to you! Do you understand?”

Rapunzel, truthfully, did not understand, but the tone in Lillian’s words made her obedient. Though hesitant, Rapunzel took off, running through the deep green grass, off the main road.

Even though her breaths thickened, Rapunzel kept running. She had no idea where she was going but she wanted to do what Lillian said and put as much distance between her and Rengonda’s men as possible.

As she turned her head to glance back, Rapunzel slammed into someone’s chest, causing her to fall to the ground.

Rapunzel sat up, rubbing her head. As she gazed up, she saw a rather large, gruff man in armor similar to the men who attacked her and Lillian wore.

The man grinned smugly. “Well, my mistress will be pleased when I bring back her key to her desires.”

Still on the ground, Rapunzel scooted back, desperately trying to get away from him. As the giant man reached down to grab her, she spotted a large log appear behind his head. The log slammed against the man’s head, knocking him to the ground. The young maiden found that the man holding the log was a familiar face.

“Ronald?” Rapunzel gasped, as she stumbled to her feet. “What are you doing here?”

The young prince scratched his head as he uttered, “Well, I kind of felt bad for just leaving you like that. I mean, even if you’re a thief, you are the first real friend I actually had.”

“Well… thanks,” Rapunzel replied. “I guess you’re the first actual friend I’ve had, too.”

“So, did you ever find that thief?” Ronald asked, as the two began to walk towards the woods.

Rapunzel nodded. “I did, actually, and I got the thimble back.” She paused for a brief moment to let out a sigh. “Him and his wife were actually quite kind to me.”

“I’d imagine,” Ronald muttered, avoiding her eyes.

Rapunzel looked at him, curiously. “What do you mean?”

The prince took in a breath before admitting, “Look Rapunzel, I sort of found out something at the last village I was at, and… well, I think there is something you should know.”

Rapunzel got a foul feeling she may not like what he had to say, but she nodded for him to go on anyway.

“Well,” Ronald began, as they entered the forest, “There is this prophecy from years ago that the daughter of two thieves is the key to the temple that holds the Silver Grapes of Eternal Youth. The key has hair that shimmers gold from time to time in the sunlight, and…”

“Like mine,” Rapunzel interjected in a hazy tone. “So that means I’m the key? Then I must be the daughter of…”

As her voice trailed off, Ronald nodded, without a word.

“But it can’t be!” Rapunzel stammered, her breaths growing heavy. “I mean, the thieves can’t be my parents! My mother… she wouldn’t… it just can’t be!”

“I’m sorry, Rapunzel,” Ronald replied, gently, “I’m sure your mother only wanted to protect you.”

“But why would she lie to me?” Rapunzel demanded.

“I’m certain she thought the truth was too overwhelming,” Ronald considered. “She probably wanted to let you grow up in peace without the burden of this prophecy.”

It all began to make sense to Rapunzel. The reason her mother kept her hidden in the tower all these years and why the two thieves wanted to get her back was all to protect her from anyone who might use her to get these grapes.

Rapunzel sighed, still feeling quite frustrated and said, “I just want to go see my mother. I want to hear all this from her.”

“Well, I can come with you if you like,” Ronald suggested. “The least I can do is making sure you get back home, safely.”

“Okay,” Rapunzel agreed, and then looked at him and smiled. “Thank you, Ronald.”

Ronald returned the smile and replied, “Let’s get you home.”

As they continued through the trees, a gush of wind, blasted against Ronald from behind, causing him to slam against a nearby tree, falling unconscious.

“Ronald!” Rapunzel wailed out.

The young maiden then felt someone snatch her from behind. Cold thin fingers covered Rapunzel’s mouth, while the other arm of the kidnapper wrapped around her chest to restrain her.

“Actually, my dear,” a sly female voice said in the maiden’s ear, “You are coming with me.”