Like the real fairytale: Chapter 2

It was raining outside. Rapunzel was sitting on her bed wrapping her arms around her knees. Her lean body shivered a little with the sound of another thunder. The room was filled with dazzling lights with another bolt of lightning. The sound of another thunderstorm echoed in the room. Rapunzel covered her ears & ran out of her room to seek comfort from her beloved.

'Eugene!' she pushed the door of Eugene's room open. 'I'm afraid.' Her voice trembled. But no one answered her. 'Eugene!' she called his name again but a strange silence wrapped her. Another flash of lightning had filled the room. Suddenly the realization hit her like the bolt of lightning. She could remember the truth which she wanted to erase from her memory for last five hours. She looked around the empty room- his cloths were scattered everywhere, the arm chair was still placed by the fire, and his satchel was hanging from the hook at a corner. Everything was just like before but the owner of the room was missing. Then something among the scattered clothes had caught her eyes- the blood stained shirt which was still bearing the history of their violent past. She slowly & carefully picked the shirt up. She brought it near her small nose & inhaled deeply. His musky smell was still lingering to its every fiber. 'Oh, Eugene!' A drop of salty tear rolled on her cheek 'Why did you do this for me? Now how I can live without you?' she wrapped the shirt around her body. She closed her eyes. Somehow his warmth was still lingering to its fiber. It was still raining but she wasn't afraid anymore. She didn't know when her little feet carried her to her own room. She slowly curled up in a small ball at the foot of her bed still hypnotized by the fragrance of her beloved. Her eyelids began to droop. At last the silence of the sleep engulfed her.

<<2>>

The castle had never been so silent before since Rapunzel's return. Every morning she woke up with her daughter's sweet voice. But now this unusual silence just made her afraid. She was scared because she never liked this silence. Queen Anne pushed the door of her daughter's room. It was open. 'Rapunzel dear!' she called her name softly. She found her daughter curled up in a small ball on the floor.
'Rapunzel!' the princess woke up from her peaceful slumber by a soft touch on her shoulder. Slowly she opened her eyes to find a pair of identical eyes of her mother was watching her

'You went into his room again?' Anne whispered without looking into her daughter's face . Rapunzel uttered no word but lowered her eyes to examine the floor. Anne cupped her chin to tilt her face & looked into her green sad orbs 'I'm so sorry.' At that moment Rapunzel collapsed into her mother's arms. Her tears began to soak her silk gown 'Mother. Just let me see him once, please.' A strange pain gripped Anne's heart. Her arms encircled the grieving body of her daughter.
'It's against the law, dear.' Anne at last managed to speak. The moaning princess pulled herself away from her mother's embrace. 'But mother..' her voice was cold as ice 'Is there any value of the law which ruin someone's life?

<<3>>

In the breakfast table Rapunzel found her father talking with Lord Denvan. 'Good morning, father.' She took her seat beside him. Rapunzel tried to give him a warm smile when their eyes met but the sadness behind her smiling face didn't escape the king's eyes.
The royal family was having their breakfast without any words. Eltor was watching them with unsatisfied look. This silence was annoying him. So the whole family was grieving for a lowly thief! It's disgusting!

Then the silence was broken by Lord Denvan's voice 'Sir, we must fix the date of Flynn Rider's execution in the coming council meeting.' Those words made the king to raise his head from his plate 'But it's on next Monday. Isn't it too early?'

'But sir' Lord Denvan tried to explain 'The Corona people are really excited about Rider's punishment. We shouldn't keep them waiting.' 'Yes,' Then Eltor's voice could be heard to his support 'Sir, ambassadors from the neighboring kingdoms will come in that meeting. We can show them how strong Corona's law is. 'The king watched his advisor & his future son in law for a while. Then he looked at his wife who was watching him with an angry glare in her eyes. But he must keep his duty above his personal choices. 'Well, it's decided. We'll fix the date of Rider's execution on next Monday.'

'No' a soft gasped could be heard followed by a loud thud. The whole royal family rushed near the princess who was lying on the floor unmoving.

<<4>>
The Queen was sitting alone in her bedroom & the king in his library. Both of them  were strangely silent. In another room Queen Rubina was grieving for her lost son, her defeat.
But only one person was happy. His dark eyes were shining with satisfaction. At last Prince Eltor had won the game of getting the throne without making his hands dirty. The King & the Queen of Naldora had no child in the 19 years of their marriage but the king's younger brother had already a son before his brother. But then Prince Eugene was born. His dreams were broken. One night the King Arnon was killed & Queen Rubina became mute in an assassination attack. Prince Eugene was lost & no one could find him. He was dead. He never imagined that his cousin would return as a lowly thief. But at last he was able to get rid of him.

<<5>>

For the last two days Rapunzel hadn't emerged from her room, no one was allowed to enter in her room too. It was about midnight when Queen Anne knocked at her daughter's door. To her surprise she found it open. She pushed it & walked inside. Her clothes were scattered everywhere. She was about to triple on something- it was a paint brush. The pain had stained the floor. At last she found her daughter curling up in a small ball at the foot of the bed holding the blood stained shirt of her beloved. A sigh escaped from her mouth at the sight of her daughter. She would die if she kept crying like this.

The princess was startled by a hand on her shoulder. 'Mother!' she slowly pulled her small body up from the floor. Her eyes met Anne's jade green eyes. Anne sighed as she noticed the dark circle under Rapunzel's eyes & the redness around her green orbs that she got from crying. She slowly sat beside her & brushed away some stray brown hairs behind her ears, 'Darling, I can't see you like this anymore. Let's see Eugene.' 'Mother' Rapunzel gave her a surprised look. She wasn't expecting this.

()()()

It was very dark in the dungeon. The only source of light was the faint moonlight coming through the ventilators above their heads. There were some weird noises & a disagreeable smell filled the air of the prison. Rapunzel's hands unknowingly found her mother's arms. Anne pressed her hand gently to assure her. At last they stopped near a small cell. Their faces were hidden behind the veils. Both of them lowered their veils & Anne ordered the guard 'We want to meet the prisoner.' The guard was puzzled to find the royalties standing before him. 'But, it isn't….' he hesitated for a moment. But Anne's firm glare stopped him. The guard swallowed hard & opened the prison door.

Rapunzel had never expected her beloved to stay in a filthy place like this one. The cell was so small & dark that her pupils dilated a bit to adjust into the darkness. The air was laden with a strange smell that almost suffocated her. A small creature, probably a rat ran over her small feet. Her eyes frantically searched for her beloved. At last she found him curling up in a small ball at a corner. One of his feet was chained with the wall.

Eugene heard the footsteps. But he couldn't believe his own ears. For last three days he spent in a small prison cell without any real human to speak with. Everything was so silent, that he adjusted himself with the silence. His world was dark & now his world became silent. 'Great!' he thought 'May be the grave would be more silent than this place.' He had no sunshine to warm his skin, no fresh air to breathe in, no real human to hear his words. The night & day was same to him. Probably he forgot the count.

So his tried to find his peace in the sleep. But the memories didn't stop hunting him. In his dream he could feel himself back in his old days when he had his greatest adventure with Blondie. 'You're my new dream.' A sunny figure called him. 'Blondie!' he tried to touch her but she was so far away. 'Please forgive me!' he broke into tears. But no one could hear him.

'Eugene!' a soft voice called him. Now he was hearing voices! Great, at last he was losing his mind.

'Go away!' he shouted trying to hide in the corner or probably hiding from himself. But a small hand touched his shoulder. A pair of soft hand turned his face to look at someone. 'It's me, Eugene.' A familiar voice spoke.

Eugene stood up to meet her face but his injured leg & the chain around his foot didn't allow him to walk far. Rapunzel screamed as she found Eugene stumbling forward. She rushed near him & held her tightly.

'Rapunzel!' Eugene could feel her small body at last. He could feel her chest rising & falling gently with her each breath. Oh, how much he missed her. He was so afraid, so afraid of the dark but at last she came in his world like sunshine. He hid his face in her bosom. His fingers traced her small face, her perfect lips, and long eyelashes. Rapunzel closed her eyes to keep her believe that he was real, still alive. Probably she could feel that for long. At last their lips met in a long awaited kiss.

But the kiss was wet & salty as if he tasted her tears. Eugene's fingers found their way to her cheek where he found a small flow of warm tears streaming down along her cheeks. He broke the kiss. 'Why you are crying, Blondie?' he spoke in his usual Flynn Rider voice to cheer her up 'I'm not dead yet.'

The word 'dead' sent chill through Rapunzel's spine. She snuggled closer in his lap like a kitten & hushed him by placing her fingers on his lips 'Never utter the word dead.' Eugene said nothing but pulled her closer, buried his face in her neck & inhaled her flowery fragrance. Rapunzel rested her head on Eugene's chest to hear his steady heartbeat. Both of them wanted to forget about the reality but somehow they couldn't. They could smell death in the air around them.

At last Rapunzel tilted her head to see Eugene's face but she could see a vague outline of his handsome face in the darkness. 'Why did you lie for me?' she broke the silence at last. She couldn't see his smile but she could feel the sadness behind the sarcastic tone o his voice 'When it is hard to say the truth, then what I'm supposed to do darling?'. His silent smile filled the air 'But please forgive me for that.' He lowered his head to hide himself from her keen eyes. Rapunzel could feel his warm tear on her skin. He was crying! She gently cupped his chin & pulled him closer & whispered 'That's why I hate you, Eugene Fitzherbert. I really hate you.' Her voice broke. She rested her forehead on his & let her tear mingled with his tears. They didn't utter anymore words.

Queen Anne was hearing the conversation between her daughter & the ex- thief. She didn't want to interrupt this little stolen moment but she had no other way.

'Rapunzel!' Anne's soft whisper brought the suffering couple back into the reality 'It's time to go. We must return to the palace before anyone finds us.'

()()()

Queen Anne & Rapunzel parted their ways at the door of the castle to avoid the suspicion of the guards. When Rapunzel walked through the south door of the castle, then a hand snatched her hand & pressed her against the wall. 'Prince Eltor!' a gasp escaped from her mouth as she saw the face of her captor in the faint moonlight. Eltor's lips were twisted in a cunning smile 'I don't want my future wife running around alone in the midnight to see a lowly thief.' "Who says that I'll marry you?' Rapunzel tried to give him a cold glare. But Eltor only smiled & twisted her wrists painfully between his fingers 'Next Monday the council will fix the date of our wedding as well as the date of the execution of that thief. You've only two days in your hand, darling.'

He let her hand go & kissed her cheek. 'I love you.' He whispered & walked away. Rapunzel watched him going. Suddenly she began to feel very lightheaded & gasped for air as I she had a breathing problem. Her whole body was shivering. She leaned against the wall to steady herself. She had lost the count of the days.

Two days! Only two days! Then Eugene would be lost from her life forever.

<<6>>

'Two days! Only two days!' Rapunzel's heart was crying.
'You stepped on my foot again.' A deep voice brought her back to the reality. Rapunzel startled to find herself back into the dance room of the castle with her fiancée. 'I really don't want to…' she tried to apologize but Eltor's cold glare silenced her. He frowned to take a glance from her head to toe 'See princess, I don't want my wife to be such clumsy like you.' Rapunzel was surprised with the clear tone of disgust in his voice. But she couldn't say anything. Suddenly she began to feel very helpless as if she was still the girl in the tower. 'I'll try..' she mumbled. Her tears were threatened to fall. 'I don't like mumbling.' Eltor's voice silenced her again. Rapunzel watched him with pure surprise. Somehow he reminded her of Gothel.

()()()

King Rupert watched her daughter taking her seat silently beside her fiancée. 'Good afternoon darling.' The old king tried to smile at her as usual. 'Good afternoon, father.' She spoke. The silence enveloped the royal family once more. Only the clink of the plates & glasses could be heard. But it was so uncomfortable that began to suffocate everyone even the queen but no one dared to break it.

But the silence was broken by Lord Denvan's voice, 'Sir, we must plan about Rider's execution. It'll be better if we held it in a public place.' That statement made the king to raise his head from the plate. He looked at his chief councilor who seemed ecstatic about the execution. But the king wasn't willing to discuss this topic in the presence of his daughter.

But before he could open his mouth Prince Eltor joined the councilor 'It'll be great. I liked the execution of Stabbington brothers. So I think we can make same arrangement for Rider. Thus we can show people the penalties of such crimes.' Queen Anne shifted uncomfortably in her place. She didn't like this topic too. She eyed at her daughter who was sitting like a statue in her place.

'Yes, tomorrow the council will decide the date of the execution. So we don't have much time to lose.' Lord Denvan continued. Rapunzel shifted uncomfortably in her chair again. King Rupert was watching the princess too. He didn't like this at all. 'May be we can discuss it tomorrow.' He spoke unwillingly. 'But sir, we must call the hangman.' Eltor cut him off 'We must prepare the stage, the rope. We don't have much time & people are excited about this execution. 'Let's discuss it tomorrow.' King Rupert tried to stop the conversation.

But soon the conversation stopped by a breaking sound. A plate slipped from Rapunzel's hand & broke into pieces. Everybody turned to see her. 'Enough! Stop it!' a shrill cry came out from her throat. She pushed her chair backward with a noise & rose from her seat. 'I don't want to hear anymore.' She covered her ears & rushed towards the door. The poor parents watched her with a helpless look. But a satisfied grin crossed Eltor's face.

'I'm finished.' Queen Anne rose from her seat & left the dining hall. 'Me too.' King Rupert dropped his fork & followed his wife.

()()()

'You should discuss that in the court room.' Queen Anne gave her husband a firm glare. 'Listen Anne, I really…' The poor king took his wife's hand & tried to explain' I really  ...' 'Don't touch me.' Anne freed her hand from him & walked backward 'Don't follow me Rupert. I hate you.' The queen covered her eyes & rushed towards the royal bedchamber leaving the king behind.

The mute queen watched the king standing alone. Inside she was suffering too. No one could understand her silent words. What she could do now. The eagle, Gale flew & sat on her shoulder again. His eyes were looking at something. She followed his eyes & suddenly she knew who could help her now.

()()()

Rapunzel didn't bother to light the candle in her room. When the sun of her universes was setting the nothing could light her world anymore. What she would call this? Fate? Destiny? The time was flying. One night left. Then the fate of her beloved would be decided by the council. All she could do now just sitting back & watch. So he was destined to die. Then why he came back in that tower?

If the penalty of his crime was death, then he had it once. He died to save her. He lost his sight for her. But she could do nothing for him. How she could be that selfish?

A soft nibbling on her shoulder broke her thoughts. 'Pascal, please leave me alone.' She turned her head to see the golden eagle of Queen Rubina sitting on her shoulder. 'What you…' she stopped by Pascal's squeak from beside. The chameleon was pointing at something. She followed Pascal's paw & found the She found a locket shaped like a key with an engraving 'Gale'. 'Is that your name?' she asked the eagle. Gale nodded. She took it closer to her eyes to examine it. Then suddenly she realized the key had three facets. A master key! She knew this. Eugene told her about it once.

A smile crossed her face. At last she could change the fate again. No one could imagine that Flynn Rider would make another big escape from the prison even he was blind.

<<7>>

The princess sighed as she took a look of her reflection on the giant mirror before her. Sure, she looked radiant in the elaborate pink gown but something was missing in her features- the happiness. Today she was going to be introduced to the ambassadors of neighboring kingdoms where the date of her wedding- the biggest event of her life will be fixed. Everyone expected her to be happy & proud but instead of that she found a pair of sad green eyes was staring back at her. Her fingers tightened around the master key in her hand. Her head was full of worries. Could she do that? It was her last chance.

'Darling!' the soft affectionate voice of her mother broke her thoughts. She turned her face to find Queen Anne standing at the door. 'Come in, mother.' She settled herself in a chair lazily. The maids left the royal women alone while the queen settled herself in a chair beside her daughter. She watched the sad beautiful face of her daughter for a while. She began to feel a sudden tightness in her chest. A firm lump formed in her throat which was really hard to swallow. But she was so helpless.

'You've not eaten anything since last night.' At last Anne broke the silence turning her head towards the untouched foods lying on the table. 'I'm not hungry mother.' Rapunzel tilted her head back. 'But you must eat to survive.' The queen smiled as her motherly instinct led her to the dishes on the table. She picked up the soup bowl, dipped the spoon in it & held it near her daughter's lips. 'I can't see you like this.' She whispered. The princess took a deep breath & let the soup tickling down to her throat. She really didn't want to hurt her mother's feelings. But she was completely unaware of the acids forming in her stomach from the twelve hours starvation. As soon as the soup reached her stomach a strong nausea gripped her.

The great clock stroked ten. It was about the time to go. The queen looked at the great clock & rose from her seat. 'Darling, it's time to go.' But no answer came from her daughter. Instead of that her blood froze in her veins with a painful moaning sound. She turned her head to find the princess sitting on the floor, holding her stomach tightly in the pool of partially digested soups.

'Rapunzel, darling!' Anne rushed beside her daughter & hugged her tightly. 'Should I call the royal physician?' She was at the verge of tears. 'Are you in pain, darling?' the words flowed from her mouth without any pause. 'Mother' she tried to calm her down. Rapunzel could read the worries & concern written in her emerald eyes. 'I just need some time alone.' She spoke lazily. 'But…' Anne tried to help her to stand up 'Can I stay with you?' 'No' suddenly her voice sounded firm 'Mother, you need to attend the meeting.'

Queen Anne couldn't avoid the request of her daughter. She slowly left the room. Sometimes she couldn't understand her.

Rapunzel watched her going. She felt very ashamed for her rudeness to her mother. But she had no other options.

()()()

Everyone was waiting for the arrival of the princess in the council room. 'But we need the opinion from the princess about the wedding date.' One of the councilmen spoke. 'Yes,' Lord Denvan supported him
Then the council startled with a footstep entering into the room. Everyone turned to find Queen Anne entering into the council room, alone. 'Where's my daughter?' King Rupert asked his wife. 'She is feeling sick.' The queen glared at her husband while taking her seat beside him. 'Have you called the royal physician?' he tried to ask again but the queen returned the glare. She hadn't overcome the argument of the last night.
But Prince Eltor was watching another thing- the unusuasl happiness in Queen Rubina's face & the absence of her eagle Gale.

'Then we can ask about Prince Eltor's opinions.' The chief councilor said. 'Yeah,' he tried to speak while his mind was thinking about the mysterious absence of the princess. 'I think I can go & take her opinions myself.' He smiled at the council 'After all she's the bride too.' Happily Eltor rose from his seat & walked near the captain of the guard who was standing at the door way 'Would you please come with me?' he asked him 'I need a witness.' 'Of course, sir.' The captain followed him.

While walking through the royal corridors Eltor stormed his brain about the link between the unusual appearance of Gale & the mysterious absence of the princess. He hadn't noticed when they reached the princess's room. 'Sire' the captain's anxious scream broke his thoughts 'The door is open & the princess is gone.' 'What?' Eltor followed his eyes.

Suddenly he realized the key shaped locket on Gale's neck was gone too.

()()()

He was lying on the cold stone floor, alone. His legs were drawn near his chest & his arms were wrapping his knees. He was feeling so helpless but Flynn Rider had never been so helpless. He tried to move a little but a wave of pain shot from his injured leg to his head. He let out a small scream & settled down on the floor again. The cold wind blew through the small window above his head & he shivered a little. The fever would come soon. His head was feeling heavy & dizzy & the pain in his injured leg became worse from the lack of treatment & unhealthy environment of the prison.

But he wasn't worried about himself. The pain in his heart was worse than that of his body. The young girl, Rapunzel had never experienced the cruelty of this world. She knew nothing about the harsh reality. She was so pure- like a flower. She never deserved to suffer like this. A nausea gripped him when the thought of Prince Eltor ravishing Rapunzel. He shook his head to throw the thought away.

A sigh escaped from his mouth. All he wanted to break through the prison door that was standing between them & snatch her away from the cruelties of this world. But he wasn't the old Flynn anymore. He was blind like a bat, wounded like a street dog unable to stand. It was near impossible to break the prison.

Something climbed on his shoulder. Eugene tried to brush it off. But something moist stacked into his ears. 'Pascal!' he sat up from his lying position. 'How could you..' before he could finish his words a pair of soft arms wrapped around his body & a soft small body was pressed against him. A small head was pressed against his chest & a flow of warm tears began soaking his shirt. His arms automatically encircled his visitor & he buried his face in the mess of her soft sweet smelling hair. He knew this touch & he knew this smell which always drove him mad. 'Rapunzel..how could you…' he whispered.

Rapunzel raised her face to meet her beloved. In the faint moonlight she could see on a vague outline of his handsome features. But she knew his sightless amber eyes were fixed upon her. 'I missed you so much.' She squatted near him like a kitten & tucked her head beneath his chin. 'Me too.' 'Eugene whispered feeling the softness of her smooth skin with his finger tips longingly. At last their lips met in a long awaited kiss. Both of them opened the floodgates of their emotions together. Their lips fitted like a puzzle & their tears flew together wetting their skins. But still their lips moved against each other hungrily.

But the kiss didn't last long as Rapunzel pulled herself back. She quickly freed herself from his embrace & engaged herself into the work. Eugene had no idea what she was doing but his mouth dropped open when the chain around his feet unlocked with a metallic click. 'How could you?' he managed to speak 'The key is near the captain.'

'I had the master key.' He heard her giggle 'Queen Rubina's eagle Gale gave me this.' Then she quickly pulled his arm over her shoulder 'Let's go. We've no time to lose.'

'Hurry up, princess.' Another voice spoke. Eugene's jaw literally hit the floor when he recognized the voice of the jailor. A scream was about to come out from his throat. Rapunzel noticed the almost freaked out gesture of her companion. A sigh escaped from her mouth. That was Eugene who never stopped freaking out in the toughest situations. 'How could you manage him?' at last he said. Rapunzel said nothing but placed something round in his palm. Eugene's expert hand from years of thieving recognized the object from it's smoothness. A pearl! 'You bribed him?' he couldn't imagine the naïve girl doing this. 'Sometimes you must do it.' He heard her giggle. Eugene pulled her closer & touched her lips for a while inhaling her intoxicating scent. Really she was growing up.

But soon the couple realized there's not much time to loose. Rapunzel quickly pulled his hand over her shoulder & whispered 'Let's go.' 'Yes.' Eugene didn't waste any more time but began to pull himself on his feet. But as soon as he put his weight over his injured leg a wave of unbearable pain shoot to his head which made him dizzy. His hand slipped from her shoulder & he landed on the floor in a heap. Rapunzel's eyes widened as she found the lines of pain in the handsome face of her beloved. 'Eugene!' she rushed near him. 'Let me see.' She pried his hand away from his wound & in the faint moonlight she could see some reddish fluid coming out from it. She felt his forehead. He was burning up with fever.

'Princess, someone is coming.' The couple alarmed with the voice of the guard. The couple could hear the footsteps echoed across the stone wall of the dungeon. 'Go away, Rapunzel.' Eugene whispered to her as the footsteps were coming closer 'Or you'll be in danger.' 'No, I can't leave you here.' Rapunzel cupped his chin in her hands & whispered 'I can't let you die.' Then she pulled his arm over her shoulder again & whispered 'We must do this.' Eugene knew there was nothing to stop this stubborn princess. He gently pulled himself up from the floor & gritted his teeth to ease the pain. The footsteps were coming nearer & nearer. Rapunzel looked out of the gate. She could see the outlines of their followers.

'Hurry, Eugene.' She took his weight over her shoulder & together they walked out of the cell. Eugene was panting with this heavy work & Rapunzel was exhausted from bearing his weight over her tiny shoulders. They leaned against the wall to take a breath & again they began their journey. The footsteps were coming closer. But they had only crossed the gate of Eugene's cell.

But before they could make another step, Eugene's hand slipped from her shoulder again. 'Eugene!' she cried as he landed on the floor again. 'Please.' She rushed near him & cupped his chin. Eugene was watching the plea of the young girl to save him but his feet couldn't carry him anymore. 'Run, Blondie.' He pressed her hand 'I don't want to be in danger.'

'But…' Rapunzel was at the verge of tears from her failure 'I can't let you die.' Eugene smiled wryly 'But I don't want you suffer for me. Go. It's my last request to you.' Tears began rolling down in fat drops from her cheeks as she stood up & let go Eugene's hand. But before she could make another step forward, she found them surrounded by guards.

'Failure again, Rider!' A chilly voice spoke among the crowd.

It was prince Eltor.

()()()

Her green eyes widened with fear. More & more guards are coming blocking their every chance of escape. But she wasn't giving this up so easily. She couldn't let him die. She rushed near Eugene & pulled him up on his feet again. 'We're going to make it.' She whispered in his ears. But Eugene wasn't that hopeful. He could hear the sound of more & heavier booted feet coming near them. But he couldn't her to be in danger again for him. 'Hold on' Rapunzel whispered as she noticed the lines of pain appearing in Eugene's face from another step. That was about to drive her in tears but she had no time to cry. Her arm was wrapped around his waist clutching his vest tightly as if she was searching for more strength from him. 'Run, Blondie. Leave me.' Eugene softly murmured in her ears when he heard more footsteps. They were shouting 'Stop or we'll shot you both.' 'I can't leave you.' Rapunzel's lips moved to form a faint whisper. Her whole body was trembling with the fear of upcoming danger but still she couldn't leave her beloved. Leaving him here meant leaving a part f her soul to die & she never wanted to live with a half soul.

But before they could make another step forward she could hear the captain's voice 'Stop I say.' 'Surround them.' Eltor's voice could be heard from another side. She looked around them frantically for a small nick to escape but there was none. They were surrounded from all sides. 'No' a whisper escaped unknowingly from her lips & her arms encircled Eugene's waist protectively. She couldn't let him go as long as she was alive.

'Blondie, calm down.' She could hear Eugene's comforting whisper in her ears. His arms were wrapped around her body too tightly & he let her hide her face beneath his chin. He was holding her close as long as he was breathing in this world. He wouldn't let anything come near her. The girl was trembling in his arms uncontrollably & her tears were soaking his skin. She was crying from her failure. All he wanted to hold her close & kiss her tears away but it was late, too late for both of them.

'That thief has used the princess once again.' Eltor was saying to the captain. 'Hmmm… I can see that.' The captain's worried voice could be heard. Eugene didn't know how many guards surrounded them from all sides but he could assume that there were almost hundreds of them. The couple didn't make a move forward but they remained frozen in their place holding each other tightly. Both of them knew the world around them would collapse soon but still they wanted to protect each other. Still both of them knew it was useless. Eugene placed his lips near her ear & whispered 'It'll be alright soon…..'

Before he could finish his words the order of the captain could be heard 'Seize the prisoner.' As soon as the words escaped from his lips Eugene could feel many pairs of arms on his shoulder pulling him away from his beloved. But Rapunzel's embraced tightened around him but they were too strong. 'No, not him..Not him…' Rapunzel's shrill cry echoed across the stone walls as he was pulled away from her embrace. 'Please don't take him…' her fingers were still clinging to his. Eugene tried to fight against the force that was separating him from the princess. All he wanted to run near her & snatch her away from these. 'Blondie….' His voice echoed across the dark dungeon. But the force was too strong. He was pulled away from her.

'No' Rapunzel's green eyes widened with fear as Eugene was pulled away from her. Her small feet were ready to rush near him & fight the guards when she saw him thrown on the cold stone floor. But a pair of strong arms gathered her. 'Eltor.' Her widened when she looked at her captor. 'Let him suffer for his crime, princess.' Eltor's thin lips twisted into a cruel smile 'Punish the prisoner for his crime.' He ordered the guards.
Hearing those words Rapunzel collapsed on the ground.

<<8>>

The council was waiting patiently for the prince's return with the princess.
Suddenly a metallic click at the door startled the council. Everyone turned to see the guard who busted into the room. He was panting. 'Sire,' he took a deep breath 'Rider tried to break the prison again. He tried to kidnap the princess again. But luckily Prince Eltor caught him. He carried the princess to her room safely.' 'What?' that news made the king jump from his seat 'It's insane.' 'No, it can't be true.' Queen Anne was muttering to herself. Rubina gave her a frightened look.

'Sir we must punish him before he does something worse.' Lord Denvan was waiting for this moment. 'We should execute him as soon as possible.' He looked around his fellow councilmen who were muttering among themselves. 'Yes, we agree with him sire.' A council man spoke 'We can't pardon him after this.' The king looked around him. He had nothing to do after this. He looked at his wife & murmured 'I'm sorry, Anne.' Then he looked at the council & announced 'Rider will e executed tomorrow morning.'

Then he sank in his seat. 'No!' Anne gasped softly. The council startled with a loud thud. Queen Rubina was lying unconscious on the floor.

<<9>>

The great clock had stricken twice. It was about two o' clock in morning. The chilly night air blew through the small window above his head & Eugene shivered a little. The coldness of the stone floor of his cell was pricking his body painfully. He wrapped his arms around his knees & curled up in a small ball to warm him.
The pain in his heart was more than his physical pain. A young innocent girl was suffering for him, throwing herself in danger. Her painful cry was still echoing in his brain. All he wanted to rush near her & kiss her pains away. He took another deep breath but it made his chest hurt more than ever. 'Agh!' a cry of pain escaped from his lips. But the next moment his head snapped up by a familiar voice 'Rider?'

It was the captain. But he wasn't expecting the sympathetic tone in his voice. 'You'll be executed tomorrow morning at eight o' clock.' He said. 'Oh!' Eugene fell silent. He knew that. He pulled up his sore body to lean against the wall. But he didn't know whether he was happy or sad with this news. Probably his emotions became blunt.

'Do you have any last wish?' the captain asked again. 'Last wish!' a wry smile crossed Eugene's face. Yes, he had one. He wanted to snatch Rapunzel away from all these cruelty of the world. But it was impossible.

'What's the matter, Rider?' the captain was annoyed with his silence 'Too hard to find one!'

Eugene thought for another moment but then a sad smile crossed his face. Sure he had another wish but it was very ironic. 'I want to write a letter to the princess.' He smiled sadly 'But you know it's impossible for me.'

The captain watched the young man before him for a while. Sure, he was a criminal but somewhere he had a tender mind behind that criminal face. He could feel that. This man was too young to die. Somehow he couldn't find the old witty Rider in this sad young man. A sigh escaped from his mouth. 'I'll write the letter for you.' The captain spoke at last.

()()()

It took about an hour to write the letter. 'Now how you'll send this to her?' the captain raised his eyebrows. Then a small squeak heard from a corner. A little green chameleon came into view. 'He'll take this to her.' Eugene smiled. Pascal nodded & took the letter in his mouth & disappeared from the sigh leaving a surprised captain behind.

Then the time passed quietly. Eugene leaned against the prison wall thinking about the golden days of his past. All he wanted to see Rapunzel's young innocent face for once. But everything was dark around him.

He didn't know how the time flew. The great clock stoked seven o' clock of morning. He had only an hour left in the world. He took a deep breath in the fresh morning air, felt the warmth of the morning sin through the small window.

He could hear the footsteps of the guards coming towards his cell. He knew what was waiting for him next.

The hangman's noose!

<<10>>
The queen seemed relieved when Rapunzel eyelids fluttered. 'Darling!' she squatted closer to her. And the princess opened her eyes.

'Mother!' Rapunzel gave her mother a frightened look 'Where's Eugene?' Queen Anne's lips trembled a little to form a whisper. But the words died in her throat.
But the uncomfortable silence of the queen added another burden to Rapunzel's worries. The dark thoughts began to clutch her mind. 'Mother!' she placed her arms on Queen Anne's shoulders 'Tell me, please. Tell me the truth.' Her arms were shaking her shoulder violently. Tears began streaming dawn along her cheek. But the queen remained silent as before. Slowly she raised her face. Rapunzel could see the stain of dried tears on her cheeks. Her eyes widened with fear. Her heart began to fear for the worst.

'Mother!' a scream escaped from her lips. The young girl rushed near the window from where she could take a glance of the public square. People began to gather around something in the square in this early morning. She narrowed her eyes to take a clear look of the thing of their attention.

She focused her eyes to see the thing & the next moment her whole body began to tremble like a fallen leaf. 'Eugene! No!' a scream ripped from her throat. She had just caught a glance of the gallows with the hangman's noose in the middle of the square.

The next moment her small feet began to carry her out of the room. 'Rapunzel, wait.' Queen Anne called her from behind. But Rapunzel was not going to hear anyone.

()()()

He was sitting at a corner of the dark, dump prison cell waiting for his last moment to come. He was sitting like a lifeless statue, even didn't make a move when the prison door opened with a metallic click. Some heavy booted footsteps entered into the cell. 'Rider!' a familiar voice called him. The prisoner moved a little with the sound of his name. He tried to sit up but his physical condition didn't allow him much. Eugene felt a pair of strong arms wrapped around his shoulders to help him to sit up. 'It's time to go, Rider!' he could hear the captain's low voice. But the tone of sympathy in his voice surprised him. 'I'm sorry.' The captain whispered again 'But I'm bound to the law.'
'It's alright.' Eugene smiled. And he silently followed the captain.
()()()
The crowd cheered when the prisoner entered into the square. Eugene was really grateful that he couldn't see the sick pleasure of the audience about his execution. The announcer announced about the entrance of King Rupert accompanied by the future ruler of Corona Prince Eltor. He could hear the judge saying something about the time of the execution. Slowly he climbed the stairs & stood before the noose. Death had chased him for so many times & at last he got him. Eugene took a deep breath for the last time. The hangman tied the noose around his neck. Eugene tried to imagine the beautiful face of his beloved & her amazing green eyes. A smile crossed his face.

'Rider!' a familiar voice called him from the crowd. Before he could recognize the voice, the platform slipped beneath his feet.

()()()

Rapunzel was running along the great corridors. She could hear the great clock striking eight. But there was too much path to cross. She had not much time in her hand. Still she was running against the time.

'Princess, stop.' Suddenly a voice called her from behind. But she wasn't hear anything now. She had to save him. 'Princess….princess…' more & more voices began calling her from all the sides. Rapunzel looked around her to find herself surrounded by the guards from all the sides.

'You're not allowed to go anywhere.' One of the guards stepped forward & bowed. Rapunzel frowned at his comment. She pulled her small frame on her feet & faced the guard straightly with a determined face 'You're talking with your princess.' Her voice was cold as ice 'let me go.' She was searching for a small nick so that she could slip out of this mess but there was none. The guards were surrounded her from all the sides. 'We're sorry princess.' The guards closed the circle around her. There was no way to escape. 'You must let me go.' Rapunzel threw a mad look at them & pushed one of the guards so hardly that he fell on the floor. 'Princess…' the guards were rushing behind her. But she was running faster than the wind.

But then she stopped by a sudden cheer from outside. The dark thoughts of her mind began to consume her again. Her pace slowed down. Her body began trembling with an unknown fear. 'Am I too late?' she asked to herself. Right then something caught her eyes as she looked out of the window. It was Eugene who was standing on the stage with the noose tied around his neck. 'Eugene, no..' before the words could escape from her lips, she saw him disappear beneath the stage.

Her whole body began shaking like a fallen leaf. A strange nausea gripped her. 'Princess.. princess..' the guards had almost followed her to this remote part of the castle. But she continued to run until her feet refused to carry her anymore. She collapsed on the ground. Her small body was still shaking. Her legs were too tired to bear the burden of her grief. She cried. She continued to cry until her tears formed a small pool around her.

Then something soft & warm poked her neck. She raised her face to find the sad eyes of the white horse. 'Mamimus!' she whispered & buried her face in his silvery mane. The horse was missing his old ally too. After some silent moments the grieving princess pulled her lean body on the back of the horse. She needed to escape from all of these. She would die if she had to live here another moment. 'Maximus!' she patted his neck gently 'Take me far away from here.'

()()()

Maximus stopped near the familiar pub. Rapunzel climbed down from his back. The pub was strangely silent. She pushed the door open. It was deserted. But she needed a shelter for this night. She gently patted Maximus's back & whispered 'Leave me here & go back to the castle.' Maximus gave her a sad look. He wasn't willing to leave the princess. Rapunzel smiled sadly 'You've to go back. Look after father & mother for me.' The horse understood & slowly he headed back to the castle.

Rapunzel watched him go. A sigh escaped from her mouth. She lit a candle & walked at a corner. She needed a place to hide from the world & also from herself. She settled herself in the darkest corner & curled up in a ball. All she wanted to cry now but her eyes were strangely dry.

Suddenly something soft poked her cheek gently. She turned her head to find Pascal sitting on her shoulder with a paper in his mouth. She had almost forgotten about her chameleon. She took the paper from him & gently unfolded it.

Dearest Blondie or Rapunzel or my precious princess,

I don't know what I should call you. Probably I'm not in this world anymore- living under the same sky or breathing in the same air when you're reading this. I can't tell how much I want to see your lovely face, feel your skin under my fingertips or listen to your heartbeat now. But it's not possible anymore. There's a door standing between us & I can't unlock it anymore.

I've many things to tell you. Please never blame yourself for anything. I'd rather die tomorrow than living hundreds of years without knowing you. You've changed my life. You've showed me the light, the real world. How can I repay you for that?

The letter was long, too long. But she couldn't read that anymore. Her eyes were blurred with tears. She hid her face between her knees & began to sob again.

She didn't know how much time had passed. Her head snapped up as the door opened & two of the pub thugs stormed inside. She didn't move a little. Their faces were pale as dead & the lager thug; Vladimir was carrying a still human form in his arms like a baby.

Rapunzel knew who that that man was from his messy brown head & his blue vest. It was Eugene. He was still, strangely still. There was no sign of life in his limp form.

Right then her eyes fell again on the paper which she was holding in her hand. Suddenly her whole body began to tremble like a fallen leaf in the wild wind. But it was not from the sight of the lifeless body of her beloved but from the words of the letter he had written to her.

The captain is asking me about my last wish. Do you want to know what it is? I know it may sound ridiculous but I need to tell you.

I want to kneel before you under the lanterns, take your hands in mine & want to ask you 'Rapunzel, will you marry me?'