Memories

Chapter two

300 years earlier.

Rapunzel looked through the window in fear as she saw the destruction of her kingdom.

She tucked a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear and bit her lip as she began to wonder how people in the real world could be so cruel.

Her being the Princess of Corona, she never saw much past the palace walls. She could only imagine what the world was like through her books and what she observed through her windows.  She noticed that the Corona people were always lively and friendly, always greeting each other with kind smiles and tips of their hats. She never saw any sign of bitterness or cruelty between the village people. The more she watched the more she began to wonder about the world beyond Corona. She knew that it couldn't possibly be the same as what she saw through the windows, but she was sure the world was a remarkable place.

Now she was starting to second guess herself, as she watched the battle of the palace guards against the raiding army of Gromites in horror as she stood in the bare hallway of her castle.

"Rapunzel!" She heard a familiar voice call her.

She turned around to see her mother looking on at her with fear in her eyes. The queen gently pulled her away from the terrifying scene.  "Stay away from that window!" She said fearfully. She caressed her cheek as she frantically continued, "We were looking all over for you! I was beginning to fear that..."

"Mother, What's..." Rapunzel began to say. She was interrupted when her father approached.

He ran down the hallway and let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness you found her." He gave his daughter a stern look. "How many times have we told you-"

He was interrupted by the sound of guards running down the halls. "Your majesty!" They called out.

The king looked with wide eyes as the two guards approached him. "Your majesty..." The first guard panted. "The enemy is busting down the gate, we can't hold them back much longer!" He paused. "I'm afraid their going to raid the palace very soon."

Suddenly the king looked into the distance with fear in his eyes. Rapunzel noticed him beginning to grip the handle of his sword at his waist and suddenly she was afraid. She never saw her father yield a sword before.

The King quickly glanced at his wife, then at Rapunzel, then back to the queen.

The queen looked distressed as if she got the mental message, though Rapunzel had no idea what he was implying.  

He turned to the guards. "Tell Sargent Flynn to head towards the secret exit immediately!" Rapunzel was shocked, she had been stuck in that castle her whole life and she never knew there was a secret  exit.  

The guards nodded. "Yes, your highness."  

The king turned to his wife with sad eyes as the guards ran off with their message. "You know what to do." He said softly.

The queen nodded and looked away as if she was trying to fight back  tears.

The king turned around, but before he could leave Rapunzel grabbed his arm. "Father..." was all she was able to utter as she looked into his eyes. She had so many questions, but the words were caught in her throat. It couldn't be explained how terrified she felt. Not because of the fact that her kingdom was falling apart right before her, or that an army of Gromites were right at her door step...but she feared that this was the last time she would ever see her father's face.

The king looked back at his daughter and managed a small smile. He gently hugged her. "Don't be afraid." He whispered reassuringly. "Follow your mother, and you'll be fine. I promise." He pulled away and kissed her forehead "Be brave Rapunzel." He then turned around and ran into the same direction that the guards have left in.

The princess stood there as she watched her father leave. She knew he was going out into battle and expected her and her mother to go someplace safe, but she couldn't help but long to go with him, even though she knew it would be suicide.

Her mother gently grabbed her arm, forcing her to look away into her mother's eyes. "Come, quickly." her mother said. And they made their way down the hall in the opposite direction.  

Soon her mother suddenly stopped in the middle of the hallway. Rapunzel paused, confused. She thought they were heading towards a safe place. Why did she stop?

Her mother then made her way towards an old painting of some ancestor of theirs, and pulled it away from the wall revealing a door.

Rapunzel gasped. It was cleverly hidden, considering she walked up and down that hallway her whole life and never paid much attention to that painting.

Her mother opened the door showing a long dark corridor, leading to who knew where. The queen turned to her daughter. "Follow me." She said. Rapunzel obeyed as the made their way down the long dark tunnel.

Soon her mother opened another door. Rapunzel soon noticed that they were outside at the royal stables. She was strongly confused. How was this a safe place?

She then noticed a man was there with brown hair and brown eyes dressed in Corona armor, standing beside a white horse.

"Your majesty." He said with a quick bow towards her mother.

"Sargent Flynn." The queen returned. "You will take her someplace safe?"

"Of course your highness." He said with a nod.

Rapunzel's eyes widened "What?"

Suddenly the guard lifted her from the waist and set her on the horse. "Mother, wait!" She said frantically.

"Don't be afraid." The queen said. "Sargent Flynn will keep you safe."

"Your not coming with me?"

She paused. "No dear."

"What? Why?"

"Your father and I have to stay for the kingdom. But we wanted to make sure you were protected above else."

Rapunzel started to tear up. "But I can't just leave you here."

Her mother looked up at her sadly. "I'm sorry Rapunzel. This is for the best."

Sargent Flynn threw a cloak over the princess's shoulders and mounted the horse.

"Don't worry, your majesty." He said looking down at the queen.  "I will protect her with my life."

"Thank you." she said. She looked at her daughter with a sad smile. "Goodbye, my darling."

"Mother, please!" Rapunzel begged as tears streamed down her face. But the guard sitting behind her flicked the reins and they were off.

Rapunzel looked over until her mother was completely out of sight.

She  sobbed bitterly into the chest of Sargent Flynn, as they began to ride off.