Rise of the Brave Tangled Dragons

Chapter 5-It's a Win-Win

(Continued from chapter 3)

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality."

~John Lennon

"So… your birthday? Huh. Well, we have to do something about that."

Rapunzel's brows knitted in confusion.

Jack walked away from the girl and tried to nonchalantly lean himself on a splintery table. Obviously, his suave attitude wasn't working to his advantage. He shifted his weight awkwardly, causes chips of wood to become embed into his skin. Rapunzel winced at the sight of his hand, rushing over to look at it. Jack ignored the trickles of blood dripping from it and continued the development of his idea.

He looked around the tower. He needed a hint, something to help him figure out what he should do for her birthday. His eyes traveled around, making notes of every possibility. Cookies. Baking? No. He needed to do something more special than that. A lone canvas in the corner. Painting classes? Not likely, Jack couldn't paint for his life. He glanced around some more until he noticed a mural painted on the wall. It was of a girl, presumably Rapunzel due to the billowing feet of hair, staring into the night sky at something… stars?

"Hey, Punz."

"Yeah, Jack?"

"Did you paint that yourself?"

He pointed his staff in the direction of the painting.

Rapunzel turned away from the picture, slightly self-conscious.

"Well, yeah. It's just a work in progress. It's not really that good…"

Jack grinned at her sweetly.

"It's beautiful. I was just wondering. What is that girl doing?"

Rapunzel bit her lower lip.

"Um… well. She's looking at- at the floating lights."

"Floating lights, huh? Do you know where someone can see those floating lights?" Jack asked.

"Well, they are released every year. They will be tonight, actually. They really are magnificent," she drifted off.

"Have you ever gone to see them?" Jack enquired.

"Only from my window. Mother doesn't allow me to go outside. You know, for safety reasons and all. Who knows what would happen!"

A confused look washed over Jack's face. What would happen? Sure, Rapunzel wasn't the most street smart and the 70 feet of glowing hair was an abnormality, but other than that, she seemed perfectly capable of experiencing the outside world.

Rapunzel responded to his expression, unsure if she should tell Jack what she was about to say. A feeling of doubt came over her, but it went away when she looked into his eyes. Those beautiful eyes.

She inhaled a deep breath, "Well, my hair…"

She looked as Jack expression grew in puzzlement.

"It doesn't just glow."

Now Jack was really bewildered.

"Come here," Rapunzel instructed.

Jack did as he was told. As soon as they were a minimal distance apart, Rapunzel wrapped strands of her hair around Jack's injured hand. Jack, being his normal self, was extremely inquisitive.

Rapunzel, focusing her eyes on Jack's hand, began to sing the song she had sang earlier that morning.

Flower, gleam and glow

Let your power shine

Make the clock reverse

Bring back what once was mine

Heal what has been hurt

Change the Fates' design

Save what has been lost

Bring back what once was mine

When she finished singing, she looked up at Jack, her hair still wrapped around his hand.

"Just don't- don't freak out."

Jack's eyes widened as Rapunzel exhaled, blowing her bangs out of her eyes.

She slowly began unraveling Jack hand, making sure to make his palm the last thing visible.

Once it was removed from the locks, Jack became aware of the fact that the shards of wood were no longer in his hand. Actually, his hand was completely healed. It was as if nothing had ever happened to it.

He stared at Rapunzel, who was waiting for him to say something. Anything. But, Jack couldn't muster up any words.

Rapunzel looks mortified, and all of a sudden, Jack knew what to say.

"That was-"

He could see a look of fear engulf the girl.

"AMAZING!" Jack laughed excitedly.

Rapunzel expression changed to a combination of relief and surprise.

Now, Jack was the one with all of the questions.

"How long have you been doing that for? When did that start? What else can your hair do?"

Rapunzel became overwhelmed. She had never shown anyone besides Mother her hair before.

Then, the giddiness of Jack dissipated.

"Is that why you never left this tower?" he asked, concern building in his words.

She sighed and nodded slightly.

"Well, Punz," he smiled devilishly "that's about to change."

Rapunzel wasn't 100 percent sure she understood was Jack was talking about.

But, Jack. Well, he knew what he exactly what he was doing. A birthday trip to see the floating lights then maybe, just maybe, Rapunzel would decide not to go back to the tower. Maybe, she would decide to stay with him.

"You want to see the lights, don't you Rapunzel?"

She nodded her head, not sure where he was going with this.

"And, the lights, they come from that over there… right?"

He pointed his finger out into the horizon.

She nodded, once again.

Now, Jack knew what the floating lights were. They were the lanterns that the kingdom had sent out every year in celebration of their independence.

"Well, it just happens that I have a little job to do over in that area. Spread a little snow, you know? Well… I could take you to see the floating lights tonight, and bring you back before your mother comes home. It's a win-win."

Rapunzel looked uncertain.

"Come on, Rapunzel!' he placed his hands on her now slouched shoulders. Rapunzel could feel her heartbeat increase.

"Please. It's my birthday present to you. Please." Jack was practically begging.

Rapunzel huffed. "Fine."

Jack's excitement grew at an almost unattainable rate. And, as much as Rapunzel didn't want to admit it, her's grew too.

"Look around Rapunzel," he thought, a sly grin developing on his face "Cause you're not coming back."

"A trip to the lanterns, then home? Right, Jack?" Rapunzel asked.

"Right." Jack promised.

Little did Rapunzel know, he had his fingers crossed behind his back.