Chapter 11
The Temple
A weary Frederick returned to Rengonda’s manor alone. He was relieved she did not require his assistance any further in her search for the young girl. He secretly hoped his mistress would be unable to find the girl, as he knew no good would come about if she did. Until this day, he never realized just how selfish Rengonda really was. All these years, he truly wanted to believe she could change and become a better person. However, the veil concealing Rengonda’s true colors had finally fallen from Frederick’s eyes. Any hope he had of her ever changing had vanquished.
Now, he longed to see the one person he could talk to when feeling this kind of distress, Gothel. He pushed open the door to the steps that led to Rengonda’s dungeon. Part of him dreaded this visit, as she would likely be furious with him for siding with the wrong sister for nearly twenty years.
Frederick walked though the dark, cobweb-covered hall, filled with a line of prison cells. He never much cared for being down here, as just the sight of the dungeon always gave him a cold feeling. Just as he expected, when he found Gothel in her cell, she turned to face the wall.
“Uh, Gothel…”
“Has Ren found her yet?” Gothel demanded.
“I am not sure,” Frederick admitted with a doleful sigh, as he quietly unlocked her cell. “Look Gothel, I don’t really know what to say.”
“All these years I raised Rapunzel as my own,” Gothel went on, “she is like… she is my daughter. When I think of what Rengonda might do to her all for the sake of her own youth, I…”
“I know,” Frederick agreed, in a tone barely above a whisper. “That’s why I want to help you.”
Gothel snorted. “All these years, you have worked for her and always taken her side and stood up for her. Why should I believe you would choose to help me over her now?”
Frederick shrugged and replied with a grin, “Well, if you would just turn around to face me, you would see that I have opened the door for you.”
Gothel slowly turned her head. Her eyes widened as the rest of her body whirled around to face him.
“You’re letting me go?” Gothel gasped, looking at him in awe.
Frederick nodded and smiled. “Yes, I can see now, Rengonda will stop at nothing to get what she wants. I don’t know what she has in store for the girl, your daughter, but I am certain its nothing good. I also know if anyone can stop her, its you, Gothel.”
“Oh Frederick!” Gothel ran up to him and flung her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much!” She then pulled away to look him in the eye. “If Ren finds out you’ve helped me, then she…”
“I know. It won’t go well for me,” Frederick finished for her and then offered a wink. “That’s why I’m really hoping you win.”
xXx
With a firm grip on Rapunzel’s arm, the witch dragged her to the location of the temple that held the silver grapes. Upon arrival, Rengonda aggressively thrashed the maiden on the ground in front of the lake.
When Rapunzel looked up she saw that a grand lake surrounded this special temple, which appeared to hover on the water. On the water various short fire flames floated about. The flat roof temple itself rested at the very center of the lake. One wooden step, rope armed bridge led from the land to the temple but taller flames blocked the entrance. Rapunzel felt her palms begin to sweat from all the nearby fire.
Rapunzel then turned to head to see the two thieves, her real parents, held captive by Rengonda’s guards.
“Rapunzel!” Carlos cried out, as the man holding him, pulled him back, “Run! Get out of here!"
“Yes, go now! Hurry!” Lillian added, struggling to break free.
“If she tries to run, I will use my magic to stop her, and I will make this more painful than it has to be!” the witch declared, turning to Rapunzel to add, “and I will kill both of your parents.”
As Rengonda turned back to the lake and pointed her long pale finger to Rapunzel and declared, “I have brought you the chosen one. Now tell me, which part of her must be sacrificed for the path to the gate to be unblocked?”
Rapunzel felt a gush of cold wind brush up against her. Dark grey clouds appeared and hovered over the temple. Her breaths grew rapid as her veins curdled in panic.
“Who dares disturb these grounds?” a voice demands in an odd mixture of deep masculine and feminine tones. The clouds lit up as the voice spoke.
“I have come for the grapes,” Rengonda answered, boldly, taking hold of Rapunzel’s arm. “I have brought the chosen one. Now tell me, what part of her body must be sacrificed to enter your temple?”
“To enter, a lock of golden hair must be thrown into my lake,” the voice replied.
Taken aback, Rengonda loosened her grip on Rapunzel and shoved her aside, turning to face the captive thieves. “A lock of hair? That’s it? And everyone’s been freaking out about what a terrible person I am for wanting those grapes!” The sorceress then let out a huff and turned to face the lake, holding out her hand, and demanded, “Frederick, cut off a lock of her hair and bring it to me!”
The two guards glanced at each other awkwardly before the one holding Lillian responded, “Uh… Frederick isn’t here.”
The witch turned around in fury. “What do you mean he isn’t here? You people suddenly just think you can not bother to show up?”
The guard holding Carlos shrugged. “Well, we’re here.”
“Shut up!” Ren bellowed, as she stormed over to that guard and pulled his knife from his boot. “It looks as though if you want something done right you have to do it yourself.”
Rengonda strutted back over to Rapunzel, and sliced off a chunk of her curls, which had briefly shimmered gold. She then threw that hair into the lake and took a step towards the bridge. However, as she did, the flames rose, blocking her path.
“What?” Ren demanded. “I gave you what you asked for! Now, let me enter!”
“Only the chosen one is permitted to enter my temple,” the clouds spoke, smoothly.
“Fine,” the sorceress huffed, taking hold of the maiden’s arm and pushing her forward. “Go in there and get my grapes, and don’t you dare come back without them! Do you understand?”
Rapunzel nodded and slowly stepped towards the bridge, breathing heavily.
“You may enter child,” the voice of the temple said more softly. “But understand this. My temple contains various treasures and objects, but you are to touch nothing but the grapes. Otherwise, the bridge will collapse forever, and no one shall be able to pass in or out again.”
Rapunzel felt light-headed as her body shivered in fear. However, she took in a deep breath and proceeded forward.
“Rapunzel, no!” Carlos called out, suddenly. “Don’t do this!”
The maiden turned back to her father but also saw the witch form a ball of fire in her hand.
“I would not listen to him if I were you,” Rengonda sneered.
“It’s okay,” Rapunzel said before turning back to the bridge. “I’ll be alright.”
As their daughter took a step on the bridge and began to move towards the temple, Lillian said, “Carlos, all she has to do it get the grapes and come right back. Everything is going to be okay.”
“No!” Carlos shook his head, desperately trying to struggle free. “It will not be okay.”
YOU ARE READING
Rapunzel, Rapunzel
FantasiaGothel's world is turned up-side down once two thieves leave their daughter with her and then take off. Once she discovers the dangers that could follow this child she realizes she has no choice but to hide her away from the world.
