Rapunzel (Faerie Tale Collection)

by Jenni James

  She felt his hands rub her back, their warmth and comfort seeping through her weary bones.

  “I do not know if any of this is real,” he said. “But I vow to enjoy each moment with you until I awaken to reality once more.”

  WHEN JONATHAN PULLED BACK again, this time he noticed Rapunzel’s cropped hair. It came just to her shoulders. “But I do not understand.” He glanced behind and saw the long rope he had climbed up hooked upon the wall. “Was all of that really your tresses? And the witch cut them?”

  “No.” Rapunzel chuckled. “She had put some sort of spell on my hair and created that massive length. The weight of it hurt so much, I was actually grateful when it was cut and used as her ladder.”

  He shook his head, barely hiding the words that choked against his throat. How could anyone treat this girl so cruelly? To force her to live up here, cutting her locks and—Just then she moved, and he noticed the shackles at her feet. Incredulously, his eyes traced them from the balcony into the room to the wall where the large chain was mounted. “Are you suggesting she felt the need to harness you in here? As if being feet above the world was not enough, you are now chained like an animal as well?” His voice had risen with each word, and he made an attempt to calm his mounting temper.

  She grinned and let out a long breath. “You have no idea how much I have missed you.”

  “And you have no idea how long I have searched for you.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess . . . eight months?”

  “Minx.” He winked.

  She laughed and hugged him again. “It feels so good to see you.”

  His arms immediately went around her. It would seem he could not fathom anywhere else his hands should be but holding her. “We have to get you out of here.”

  Her voice was so quiet, he could barely hear her. “Do you not think that I have tried just that for all these months? Why do you suppose I am shackled? It is because I would not stop attempting to leave. It was her last effort.”

  “And why have you not succeeded?”

  She stepped away from him, and he watched as those heavy chains dragged when she walked further into the room. Her back was to him as she fiddled with the few utensils on the kitchen counter. “There is another spell placed upon this tower, that if I am to leave, Lady Vactryne knows it immediately and comes to halt my progress.”

  “Well, that would seem more logical. How else could she keep a girl with her own ladder within this tower?” He stepped into the room with her.

  She still would not meet his eyes. “Jonathan, it had gotten so bad that recently I have had very morose thoughts.”

  He took another step toward her. “What do you mean?”

  She shrugged and would not say, so he waited until she finally gave in to the silence. "Not long ago, I had even planned to take my own life.”

  “No,” he whispered, his gaze taking in her blonde hair and dainty frame.

  She nodded, her eyes then meeting his, bright, shining with unshed tears. “Yes. It was better than be a prisoner here.” She held out her arms.

  For the first time, he saw the quaint little room, prettily decorated. But beneath the beauty that was portrayed, he could feel the great ache of sadness here. Of lifelessness and misery. No matter how beautiful a room, if one felt trapped, it cannot be loved. They cannot feel comfortable enough to enjoy it.

  “We need to get you out of here this instant before you do something foolish.” He walked over to the mounted chains and inspected them. “I can purchase tools necessary to remove these. It would take me but a few hours to locate a blacksmith. I could be back in the morning.”

  “No!”

  He glanced over his shoulder. Her distraught features nearly did him in. “What is it?”

  “Do not leave me, please.”

  “Rapunzel, I promise to return.”

  She shook her head. “No. Not yet. Tarry with me a little longer. Can we not wait until nightfall, when the witch returns?” She approached him and clutched his arm. “Please do not leave me alone again—not when I have just been reunited with you. Give me a few hours more.”

  “But time is of an essence. We really should not waste another moment.”

  “Jonathan, I have been here for months. Do not go away quite yet. I need you. I need you to stay.”

  Those words, the unshed tears, the downturned mouth. She was desperate for companionship. For him. And his heart swelled at the feelings of insecurity and fear he saw within her. He could not deny her anything she wished. “I am here. I will not leave you. I will remain as long as possible.”

  She lunged for him then, her tears exploding upon his chest. And for the first time in their short moments together, she began to sob in earnest, as if finally she understood he was really there. As if she could allow herself to hope of his reality.

  “You must think I am the silliest goose,” she muffled into his waistcoat after a few minutes.

  “No. Not silly, but maybe a goose, yes.”

  She sniffed and swatted him. “Monster.”

  “Hey, now. I thought you loved me.”

  “Ha.”

  He hid the sorrow he felt at seeing her in such a state behind a grin. “So, what would you like to do now that I have finally come?” His hands trailed over her back again, attempting to ease her into happiness once more.

  “I do not know.” She snuggled closer. “Just talk to me, I suppose. I have missed our talks more than anything.”

  “Me too,” he said softly. Then he said, “Oh, I offer my birthday felicitations.”

  “What?” She chuckled and pulled back a bit. “But it is not my birthday.”

  “I missed it, though.” His eyes skimmed over her. “I missed everything about that grand day. Even your ball.”

  She sighed. “Yes, well, even I missed my ball, so all is well.”

  All at once, he stepped away and bowed low over her hand. “My dear Princess Rapunzel of Ellyania, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

  She giggled, her whole face lighting up. “What, now? Here? With these chains?”

  How he loved to see her happy. “Why ever not? Every girl should be able to celebrate her coming out with a proper dance upon the arm of a handsome prince.” At her laugh, he continued, “Unfortunately, since I am the only one available at the moment, my somewhat mediocre looks will have to do.”

  “Good heavens, you are quite the most dashing man I have ever met, and you know it, scamp!” She quickly curtsied and before he could reply and said, “Yes. I would be most happy to stand up with you. I thank you graciously for asking.”

  A SURPRISED CHUCKLE ESCAPED Rapunzel’s lips as she gathered her skirts. Jonathan slipped an arm around her and began to count gently near her ear.

  “One-two-three, one-two-three.”

  “I cannot believe you know the waltz!” she exclaimed.

  “Hush. I am certain there are many things you do not know about me.” He held her right hand and began to sway ever so slightly to the simple count. And then in a moment, they began to really move. Short, easy steps, but they were moving.

  “One-two-three, one-two-three . . .”

  “Oomph!” Rapunzel tripped upon one of her chains and stumbled into his chest. “Forgive me!”

  “No. It is I who had not thought about the stupid things.” He released his hold. “Are you hurt at all?”

  She giggled. “No. Just my pride.”

  “Hmm . . .” He stepped back and looked at the winding rows of metal. “They will make dancing deuced challenging.” Walking around her, he suddenly snapped his fingers and said, “I have got it. Hold still.” In a trice, Jonathan swooped down, walked in front of her, and in each hand, held the weighty chains.

  “But how will we dance?” she asked. “Are they not heavy?”

  He shrugged. “Not particularly. But I imagine they would become tiresome after a while.” Stepping forward, he grinned. “So we better get started straight away.”

 
“What would you have me do?”

  His charming eyes looked right into hers. “Why, come closer and wrap your arms around my waist or neck, and we shall dance as I carry these chains safely away from our feet.”

  “I think my mother would faint if she ever saw me attempt something so scandalous,” she whispered as she came as close as she could and placed her hands around his middle.

  “Well, I would make a comment about how your mother managed to faint over the smallest things—remember the collection of toads we insisted stay in your treehouse?”

  Rapunzel gasped and then laughed. How could she forget? “I have missed you. I have missed all of our mischief and fun and conversations of seriousness too. I have just honestly missed you as though a piece of me has been gone.”

  His gaze captured hers again. “Aye, and my heart has never beaten for anyone but my sweet Rapunzel. I have missed you—our banter, our teasing, our bickering, our laughter, our talks, our dreams, our long nights discovering and building and thinking of the world around us. I have missed my dearest friend more than I have missed anyone.”

  Slowly she removed her arms from around his waist and settled them up upon his neck, her head nestling into his shoulder. She sighed as she heard the deep thud-thud of his heart and felt the warmth of the rise and fall of his chest under her cheek. To hold him, to feel so safe and protected and cared for . . . loved. She felt so very loved. “I cannot bear to be apart again. “

  “Nor I.” He sucked in a large lungful of air, and she grinned as she felt the warm breath splay over her hair and cheek. “I have never known such worry, such . . .”

  “Shh,” she said. “Let us speak of good things right now, please.”

  He paused a moment and then began to whisper, “One-two-three, one-two-three . . .”

  She grinned as she began to feel him sway back and forth, her body moving with his. Then before she knew it, with his hands still holding the chains out, they began to move. Slowly and perfectly, they danced around the little space.

  “One-two-three, one-two-three . . .”

  Her hands clutched his shoulders as he increased the rhythm a bit. Circling faster, she could hear the scrape of the chains around them and the soft, numbered chant of the waltz, but beyond that, it was as if her ears became muffled. All at once, it seemed as if they were dancing about in a glorious ballroom, music gently guiding their steps along. She could feel it, hear it, almost experience the warm glow from the chandeliers above them.

  And then the song came. The simple waltzing melody began to tickle her ears as her charming Prince Jonathan began to sing. It was a sweet hum that grew to actual words the longer they danced.

  Every once in a while,

  The world produces a

  Love like ours.

  Every once in a while,

  The hearts of the young lift

  To the stars.

  You can hear their prayers,

  As they’ve lost their fears.

  Their world spins round in hopes

  Of a brighter future

  Where the angel wing floats

  Amid the sky of carefree

  Cries into the autumnless

  Wint’ry slopes.

  Every once in a while

  The world produces a

  Love like ours.

  Every once in a while,

  The hearts of the young lift

  To the stars.

  And my dear, your el’gance

  Knows no bounds

  Upon the graceful swirls

  Of love’s crown.

  You are my beating heart,

  You are my endless bliss.

  Oh, to twirl amidst the

  Love like this

  Is to experience joy’s

  First real kiss.

  Every once in a while

  The world produces a

  Love like ours.

  Every once in a while,

  The hearts of the young lift

  To the stars.

  As his lovely words grew softer, he stepped back and grinned, her gaze searching his face for a long moment as he stilled their movements. Then she stood upon tiptoe and kissed him. He dropped the chains and instantly wrapped his arms around her, and she allowed all her emotions into this kiss, her happy heart, her glorious memories, and her joy at seeing him again. He truly was the sweetest man she had ever known.

  And he could sing!

  She could hear him sing a thousand evenings such as this and never grow tired of that voice. “I love you,” she whispered against his mouth. “I love you so very much.”

  “And I have always loved you.”

  He loosened his grip upon her just a bit and she felt as his hand followed the golden necklace to the front of her shoulder. He gently tugged upon the chain and pulled out the Balligryn pendant from beneath her gown. “You still have it!”

  “You seem amazed that I do.”

  “Aye, I am amazed. I am relieved and all things marveled that such a pendant has not been lost in all the hustle and awkwardness of the years and then imprisoned as you have been.”

  “Lady Vactryne never cared of any of my clothing or jewels. At least, she never mentioned them. But before then . . .” She touched his strong stubbly jaw with her palm, bringing his eyes back to hers. “Dearest, out of all the things to lose, the item that kept you closest to my heart would not be one of them. Not only is it what finally snapped me from my darkest thoughts, saving my life, but it is my future with you. It is our promise together. I would always have taken it seriously.” Then, in a flurry of activity, she began to remove it. “Here, though. Now you are back. Keep it safe that bit longer for me. I do not know what will happen when we attempt to escape, so please tuck it away somewhere and I promise to wear it forever more afterwards.”

  He seemed shocked. “But Rapunzel, do you not want to wear it?”

  “Of course I do,” she said as she finally unlatched the delicate rope from around her neck and held it out to him. “However, your kingdom depends upon this necklace. Your service to the crown cannot go on without the Balligryn pendant. So please—please take it.” She pushed it into his hands and stepped back.

  He let out a short chuckle. “But how did you know this?”

  She grinned and raised an eyebrow. Had he forgotten? “Because you told me the day you gave it to me.”

  He nodded as he turned it slowly around in his fingers. “I did not remember that I mentioned it. And it is true. It is the only way I can become king.”

  “Why? What does the pendant do?”

  He shook his head slightly, as if he were afraid to tell her. “Something I am not sure you are quite ready to understand.”

  “Jonathan, if you are implying even for ten seconds that I cannot comprehend the slightest silliness that you could produce from your—”

  He kissed her.

  Properly shut off her tirade efficiently enough, if she did say so herself.

  When he finally broke away, he simply said, “Because I am not a prince. I am not royalty at all, and the whole kingdom knows it. Without this gift from my father, I will never be the king he wishes me to be.”

  RAPUNZEL’S JAW DROPPED. JONATHAN watched as a trace of disbelief flashed across her features as she stepped out of his arms. “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “It is not all that bad. I was simply adopted into the royal line.” He slipped the gold chain over his neck and tucked it within his shirt.

  “But—how?” He could tell she was completely bewildered. “They have always called you their prince.”

  He nodded and took a step forward, his eyes capturing hers. “Trust me.”

  She held his gaze and nodded. “Very well.”

  Jonathan held his arms out and sighed in relief when she instantly went to him. With one arm wrapped snugly around her, they walked to the bed, where a cat was snoozing.

  “Oh, is this who you were singing to earlier?”

  She chuckled. “Yes. The wit
ch brought Hercules to me some weeks ago, attempting to cheer me up. It has worked. Now, stop stalling and explain yourself to me.”

  “In a hurry, are we?” He grinned and quickly removed several pillows from the bed, careful not to disturb the cat, and then set them upon the floor. Then gently, as if she were the most fragile item he had ever touched, he brought her down to sit with him amidst the pillows. They had so much time to make up for. These last several months without her cheerful weekly letters, he had known true heartache. Those papers uplifted him and reminded him of all he had awaiting for his future. Her words always encouraged him and gave him the hope he needed while at his lowest points away from his family. He never fully realized how much she had meant to him until she was gone. There had always been love there, always.

  He swayed them both gently from side to side as he relayed what he had always promised to keep secret.

  “My mother, the queen, gave birth to a baby boy, Prince Jonathan of Balligryn, three days before my mother, the butler’s daughter, gave birth to me. My mother, in reverence and respect of the new prince, named me Jonathan as well.”

  “But?” Rapunzel’s hands tightened upon his.

  He kissed the top of her head. “Shh. Let me continue, and then I will answer all questions you have later.

  “There was a great storm that came through the kingdom, and the castle grew excessively cold that winter. Within two weeks, many of the servants had lost loved ones. The little prince did not last the fortnight. My own mother, who still was ill from complications from the birth, died later the same evening as the prince.

  “When the king heard of the butler’s predicament, attempting to find a wet nurse for his grandson, he spoke to his grieving wife. In hushed tones, she asked to see me privately. They say that my rosy cheeks, tuft of hair, and small bright eyes nearly broke her heart. They reminded her so much of her own newly born babe, but she could not simply turn me away because I had no mother. It was very clear that I was hungry.

  “Mother says I latched on like a starving goat and would not release for nearly an hour. She wept and wept and wept, tears spilling down her neck and chest. How she missed her sweet son. How she grieved his passing and each minute was agony, knowing she would never have these moments with him again.