Chapter 12
Rengonda’s Grapes
Holding on the Frederick’s hand, Gothel used her magic to transport the two of them to the temple. Once the two arrived, they found Rengonda standing in front of the flamed lake, her back facing them. Behind her, Carlos and Lillian were both being held captive by the witch’s men.
In panicked breaths, Gothel dashed over to her sister and demanded, “Where is she, Rengonda?”
Rengonda turned towards her sister and rolled her eyes. “She’s just in the temple getting my grapes. Chill out, Gothel! As soon as the girl gets back, she can go home with you.”
“What about the part of her that needed to be sacrificed?” Gothel practically shouted.
Ren turned to her sister and put her hands on her hips. “It was just a lock of hair. No big deal. You really need to relax, Gothel.”
“You were willing to sacrifice more than that from my daughter just to get your grapes, Ren,” Gothel gritted, darkly.
Once again, Rengonda rolled her eyes and retorted, “Yeah, well I didn’t have to so everything will go back to normal for you after this. You can take your precious little girl back to your perfect little bubble and never see me again after this.”
Gothel opened her mouth but before she had the chance to say anything, Carlos shouted out, “Gothel, you have to get her out of there! She won’t make it without…”
Rengonda turned in his direction and snapped, “She is not coming out of there until she finds my grapes!”
“I still don’t understand what you’re getting so worked up about, Carlos,” Lillian interjected. “All she has to do is get the grapes, without touching anything else and she’ll be fine.”
“She won’t be able to do it!” Carlos said, beads of sweat shining on his forehead.
“What do you mean?” Lillian demanded, as Gothel turned to look at him curiously.
Carlos shook his head and replied, “She’s like me. You never understood it, Lillian, but people like us… its hard to explain, but sometimes we can’t help but steal.”
“Oh Carlos not this again,” Lillian grumbled, though she shot a worried look towards the temple.
“It’s true!” Carlos insisted, turning his head to Gothel. “Think about it. Has Rapunzel ever taken some random thing from your possession for no reason without thinking? Maybe sometimes she didn’t even remember taking it.”
Off the top of her head, Gothel could think of several circumstances similar to what Carlos described, including her book on the special grapes and her scarf. She even once found a box in Rapunzel’s room full of random trinkets Gothel possessed that she didn’t even notice were missing. The sorceress began to wonder if some people truly did have a problem with stealing.
Not ready to accept her revelation, Gothel shook her head and said firmly, “No, in this circumstance, I’m certain my daughter will not…”
Before she could even finish her sentence, Gothel saw the clouds flash out of the corner of her eye, as the voice began to speak in rage. “THE TEMPLE HAS BEEN VIOLATED! The Figure of Isis has been taken!” The flames sprung up higher, and the spirit continued, “In precisely ninety seconds, the bridge will forever collapse and no soul shall ever enter or leave my temple again!”
They all stared at the temple behind the flamed-filled lake in terror. Gothel, desperately hoped her daughter would appear through the entrance but she did not.
“I have to get her out of there before its too late,” Gothel declared, taking a step towards the bridge.
“No!” Rengonda snatched her sister’s wrist and yanked her back. “Not without my grapes!”
“Forget your grapes!” Gothel roared. “My daughter’s life is in danger!”
Rengonda held out her hand, which then formed blue sparks and said, “I won’t let you stop her.”
Gothel turned to her left, where Carlos and Lillian were being held. She flung both her hands and a gush of wind burst out flinging the guards back and freeing the two thieves.
“Go get her!” Gothel said to Carlos and then turned back to her sister. “I’ll hold her off.”
Carlos then jumped on the bridge and dashed in. Lillian stayed and fought the two guards that were holding them captive with Frederick’s assistance. Gothel and Rengonda were locked in power, each trying to overcome the other. As they all fought desperately time continued to tick forward, each moment moving closer to the bridge’s collapse.
xXx
The inside of the temple was a maze. Rapunzel could not remember which way she had come. She heard the voice, knowing that was at least a minute ago. There was no way she could have more than thirty seconds left before being trapped in here for good. She had not even managed to find the grapes yet. In a panic, Rapunzel wondered what would happen if and when she returned without the grapes.
The inside walls of the temple appeared to be wood that was painted bright glistening gold. Towards the ceiling, rested vines with soft pink flowers. Along the walls, there were several small shelves containing various grey statures. Rapunzel did not even realize she had snatched the small female figure until the temple spoke out in fury of her violation.
Just as Rapunzel turned the next corner and still did not see the exit, she slammed against the wall losing all hope of ever finding her way out of here.
The young maiden then heard a familiar voice call out, “Rapunzel! Rapunzel, where are you?”
“Carlos?” Rapunzel sprung up, feeling sudden hope. “I’m over here!”
Carlos then appeared around the corner. When he spotted her, his expression filled with relief.
“Rapunzel!” he rushed over to her and grabbed her hand. “Lets go. We don’t have much time!”
“I couldn’t figure out how to get out!” Rapunzel cried, as she followed her father, still holding his hand.
“Not to worry, I remember,” Carlos declared with confidence. “I’m use to this kind of thing.”
Together, they found the exit, which turned out to be much closer than Rapunzel had realized. As she ran, she could feel the beads of sweat dripping from her forehead. Her breaths grew heavier with each step she took.
Just as they made it across the bridge, the temple declared there was just ten seconds left.
“Where are my grapes?” Rengonda demanded to Rapunzel.
“I couldn’t find them!” the young maiden pleaded.
The wicked sorceress raised her arm, ready to strike but then gazed to the bridge, realizing her time was limited. Rengonda then took a step on the bridge.
“Ren, no!” Gothel shouted, starting after her. “There’s no way you’ll make it back in time!”
Rengonda barely turned her head as she replied, softly, “I have to, Gothel. This is my last chance for eternal youth.”
As Rengonda swiftly dashed across the bridge, Gothel began to run after her, but Frederick grabbed her.
“Let her go!” he insisted, his arms wrapped around her stomach. “If you go after her, you’ll only both be trapped.”
Rapunzel saw sadness reflect in her mother’s eyes as they all watched the bridge collapse. Rengonda barely made it across on time but will never cross back. Yes, the sorceress finally had her grapes and will be forever young but she had to pay a price and that price was freedom.
YOU ARE READING
Rapunzel, Rapunzel
FantasíaGothel'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.
