Rapunzel

RAPUNZEL

Alias: Song
Other Characters?: nooo
Movie: Tangled
Group: hero

Here I Go: "And then I'll read a book, or maybe two or three...." she sung softly to herself, spending another day alone in the tower. It was her sixteenth birthday this year, and for some reason, she felt it ought to be more special than other birthdays. She wasn't sure why. But it couldn't be, really- Rapunzel was alone, and her mother had left her to go to the village today. She said she'd be back by nightfall, but it didn't matter- it was a whole birthday alone! Rapunzel couldn't help but have a flickering of hope that when her mother returned at nightfall, she'd come to take Rapunzel to see the floating lights. But it was apparently a pretty long journey, so... no, she shouldn't be so pessimistic about it! It could happen!

Her mother was always telling her how she couldn't make it in the real world, and that with a gift like hers with her hair, she didn't want to be out in that nasty, cruel world. There were people, Mother had said, that would take advantage of Rapunzel's gift, greedy people that would only use it for themselves. But how would she know unless she tried?

A sigh escaped the young, oblivious princess as she sat on the edge of the tower window, swinging her feet back and forth in the breeze. It was the closest she'd ever get to actually being outside in the grass... no, she couldn't think that way. Besides, at least she had Pascal! She looked fondly over at her only friend, who was curled up beside her, watching her intently. She'd found Pascal this morning, watching her sleep. Her mother had tried to get rid of the poor thing, but Rapunzel took pity on him and decided that they'd be friends. Besides, he was just so cute! She had to keep it secret from Mother, though. She had a feeling she'd be in for quite a bit of trouble if her mother knew that she'd kept Pascal. She couldn't send the little guy away, though- he was the only friend she'd ever had! He couldn't talk to her, really, but he always acted so human. It was just as good, really, and he was so friendly.

At least if she was stuck in this tower for another year, until her next birthday perhaps, she would have Pascal for company.

* * *

It was exhilarating. The feeling of the grass between her toes, and the summer breeze- it was so much stronger, more inviting, than it was when she would just sit in her tower window, attempting to feel it as much as she could before her mother came home and caught her hanging out the window. She was completely... she was free! Out in the open for the first time ever and it was just... she didn't even know how to explain it, and so she sang instead.

She ran and raced around in the grass, tumbling and laughing, it was the best feeling... as she spun around, leaving the tower behind, nothing else crossed her mind but the love of freedom, how clean and crisp the air was, how Flynn was going to take her to see the lights, how she'd finally fulfill her dream, and afterward she'd go back to the tower and her mother wouldn't ever find ou-- oh, the tower, that was right... she'd have to go back to the tower. She stopped spinning and skipping for a moment, and her face fell. Pascal looked on worriedly as she did so, as if imploring her to say what was wrong. She had newly found freedom after all, so what could possibly be wrong?

It was the tower. Even when she wasn't trapped inside its walls, she still felt a bit as though she was- after all, she'd have to return to it. She couldn't count on Flynn ever stopping by again- all he seemed to care about was getting that satchel back with the shiny thing in it. Like a hat, or something. Anyway. Then when she went back to her tower, she'd be stuck there again, and if Mother ever found out...

Mother.

The mere thought made her shiver, and all of a sudden she felt her blood run cold. She had to go back. Her mother trusted her, and yet... no, she couldn't do it. She wanted to see the lights, but what would Mother say? She found herself talking to herself, pacing around, feeling like an absolutely horrible person. Eventually she sat down, crying a bit, until she heard a familiar voice. Flynn. She'd forgotten about him.

"You know, I can't help but notice you seem at little at war with yourself here."

She looked up- was it that obvious? "What?" she sniffed.

"Now, I'm only picking up bits and pieces- overprotective mother, forbidden road trip... I mean, this is serious stuff!"

It really was... imagine if her mother found out... perhaps she should just go back and forget the whole thing.

"But let me ease your conscience." Oh, good. She really needed that right now! Maybe he would have something helpful to say, make her feel better. "This is just part of growing up! A little rebellion, a little adventure, that's good, healthy even!"

Rapunzel's eyes brightened a bit at this. "You think?"

"I know! You're way over thinking this, trust me." well that was a relief, because- "Does your mother deserve it? No. Will this break her heart and crush her soul? Of course! But you've just got to do it." he finished. Well so much for feeling better- Rapunzel felt as though her own heart had broken and plummeted into the depths of her stomach.

"B-break her heart?' she gasped.

"In half." answered Flynn, gazing at a grape he'd picked.

"Crush her soul?" added Rapunzel, hoping that he would just laugh and say he was kidding and that everything was fine. But no- he squashed the grape between his fingers, answering,

"Like a grape."

She definitely felt like a horrible person now. Her poor mother- what would she think? What would she say?

"She would be heartbroken, you're right!" said Rapunzel, astonished at her horrible actions.

Flynn looked almost distraught at this, looking away from her as he said, "I am, aren't I? Oh, bother." but then, he added, "All right. I can't believe I'm saying this, but... I'm letting you out of the deal."

"What?" was all that Rapunzel could muster to say.

"That's right! But don't thank me. Let's just turn around and get you home- here's your pan, here's your frog- I get back my satchel, you get back a mother-daughter relationship based on mutual trust and voila! We part ways as unlikely friends."

"No!" Rapunzel found herself saying, shoving Flynn away from her. She didn't know why, but going back to the tower now just didn't seem like a good idea... she couldn't do it. "I am seeing those lanterns!"

And from that moment on, she knew it was the right choice.