Rapunzel, Rapunzel

Chapter 5 Harboring a Thief

Chapter 5

Harboring a Thief

“Now, I have three days of meals prepared for you in the cabinet,” Gothel said, standing in the kitchen with her hands on her hips. “Well, actually four in case I am delayed on my way home. I enchanted the cabinet so the food will not spoil. There is water in the barrel, which is also enchanted to keep the water cool and fresh. Let’s see, what else…”

“I think I will be fine, Mother,” Rapunzel mumbled as she sat on a chair and fidgeted with her braided hair.

“Oh, yes, and I enchanted the door so no one can open it from the outside,” Gothel continued, beginning to pace the kitchen. “You can still get out if you need to, but only in the case of an absolute emergency. A fire, for instance. And…”

Rapunzel let out an exasperated breath. “Mother, relax. I am not going to set the tower on fire.”

Gothel stopped pacing around and came to a halt. “I know you probably will not, sweetie. It is just that… I am not sure I can…”

“Leave?” Rapunzel finished, lifting her head up. “Maybe I can go with you.”

Gothel shook her head firmly. “No, I am afraid that is not possible.”

“Why not?” Rapunzel demanded.

“Because…” Gothel let out a deep breath, “because it is too dangerous.”

Rapunzel stood up and folded her arms. “Well, maybe I do not think you should go if it is that dangerous.”

Gothel chuckled and hugged her daughter. “Oh, sweetie, I will be fine with my magic. It would just be difficult to protect us both.” She then held Rapunzel’s shoulders, looking into her eyes. “I promise I will return as soon as I can.”

Rapunzel then looked up at her mother with the eyes of a purring kitten. “Will you bring me back anything?”

Once again, the sorceress laughed. “Of course, dear.”

As Gothel returned to attending the kitchen, Rapunzel tilted her head curiously. “Does this have anything to do with the man who sent you that letter?”

As Gothel reclosed the cabinet, she took in a breath, unable to answer. Her silence seemed to tell her daughter enough.

“Is he the one who is dangerous?” Rapunzel pressed.

Gothel held the cabinet door firmly, unable to turn her head to look into Rapunzel’s eyes. “No, he is not dangerous. It is just who he associated himself with.”

Just as Rapunzel opened her mouth to inquire further, Gothel shook her head. “No, no more on this matter. It is late. We both need a decent night’s sleep.”

Rapunzel nodded and took her mother’s hand, the other holding her bundle of braided hair, and the two walked up the steps. As Gothel kissed her goodnight, Rapunzel wondered what the next few days would be like for her. After all, this would be the first time she has even been alone.

xXx

Gothel had only been gone an hour before Rapunzel managed to turn her room into a chaotic whirlpool. She could not even walk across to the window without stepping on something. Letting out a sigh, Rapunzel decided she better get some of this cleaned up but grew exhausted after just moments passed. She fell back on the easy chair, twirling her mother’s silver thimble in her fingers. Rapunzel never understood why, but her mother cherished this tiny object. Even though she knew Gothel would not want her playing with the thimble as a toy, Rapunzel figured as long as she did not ruin it then it would be okay.