my writings

a rapunzel re-telling

rapunzel retold, from the point of view of the king's son

I am riding through the forest after an unsuccessful hunt. My limbs ache, I am tired, and I long for the comforts of my bed. That is when I hear it: that voice like liquid gold. I do not understand what is being sung, or who is singing. But it is enchanting.

I follow the sound as if under a spell. The music seems to wash away all my troubles. I want to drown in it. I trace the voice to a tall tower – other than a window at the very top, there is no entrance. I remain in the same spot, transfixed, until I see the setting sun. I must return to the palace. However, I vow to come back the next day.

And I do. I return, day after day, simply to listen to the honey-sweet voice. Each day is a different song. I love it.

It is on one of these days that I see an enchantress make her way to the tower. I hide behind a tree, thinking that my presence would not be welcome. She stands under the window of the tower and cries,

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me!"

I watch as a mane of the loveliest golden hair drops from the window. The witch holds onto the braids, and climbs the length of the tower. If that is the ladder by which one mounts, I too will try my fortune.

The next day, just before dark, I go to the tower and call out,

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me!"

The hair falls almost immediately. I latch on, and start climbing up.

When I first set eyes on her, I can only think, "Such beauty does not deserve to be locked up in a tower." Then I notice that she seems afraid. That is only natural: I do not expect that she has met any other human before.

I start talking to her, telling her how much I admire her voice, how it had stirred something deep within me. I watch as her gaze slowly softens, and soon we are conversing like old friends. I must admit that I am more than a little infatuated at this point.

Feeling bold, I ask whether she would have me as her husband. She says, "I would. But I must get out of this tower, first. Bring with you a skein of silk every time you come. I will weave a ladder, and when it is done, we can leave on your horse."

I am overjoyed. We both agree that I am to come by every night, as the witch only comes at day. We continue like this for several days, and they are the best days of my life. Putting a face to the voice I have pined after for so long... it is beautiful.

Then arrives the day on which I am to bring the last piece of silk. I am excited, for this means that I will finally be able to wed Rapunzel. I ride to the tower, and cry out,

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me!"

The hair comes down, as is usual. I climb up, and am face to face with the witch. She laughs with malice and glee. "You would fetch your dearest, but your beautiful bird sits no longer singing in the nest. The cat has taken her, and will scratch out your eyes, as well! Rapunzel is lost to you – you will never see her again."

She pushes me. I fall.

I lie on the ground for a considerable amount of time. I cannot see anything. The world is dark. I would have been content to stay there in my misery, but I know that Rapunzel would not approve. I get up, and stagger aimlessly into what I think to be the forest.

My years of exploring it come in helpful. I survive on roots and berries, walking for what feels like forever. I am not sure, but I think many years pass.

Eventually, I leave the forest. I do not know where I am, only that it is hot and dry and sandy. A desert, then. There would be less food and water here, so I turn to go back into the forest – when I hear the voice of my dreams.

It is unmistakable. There is only one person in the world with a voice so beautiful, and it is Rapunzel. I follow the voice, and hear a shriek of joy. Rapunzel flings her arms around my neck. I think I am crying. I do not know.

But she is crying, and when those tears fall into my eyes, I am released from my dark prison. I blink. I can see once more.

I gaze at Rapunzel, whose eyes are filled with love and adoration. I am certain that my expression mirrors the same. We do not have to speak. We are both aware of each other.

As we make our way back to my kingdom, for the first time, I feel content. 

((A/N: I WILL NEVER BE SATISFIED))
((sorry.))