mother knows best

[powershines]

Rapunzel doesn't sleep well, and she does wind up wrapped up in her hair overnight like a golden-cocooned butterfly. She's still dozing fitfully when the sun comes up.

Comments

[powershines]

"I - can I - can we come in - I'm worried she's going to find me again."

[sundayfish]

King Cearl motions to the guards. They open the doors.

[hisowninvention]

Okay, in they go, then.

[sundayfish]

Closely flanked by guards, in they go.

[powershines]

Rapunzel is still clinging to Rolan's arm.

[hisowninvention]

Yes, yes she is. That is fine by Rolan. She can cling all she wants.

[sundayfish]

"We swept the woods. How far out is deep?" asks Cearl.

[powershines]

"W-we walked here in a day and a half."

[hisowninvention]

"It's just shy of the Orimere border," says Rolan. "Maybe another half a day's walk. And it's not a big tower; you can't really see it until you're a stone's throw away."

[powershines]

"And she knows magic plants. She might have had something growing around when the search was going on. I don't know, I don't remember."

[sundayfish]

Now they are in the palace, still with guards around.

"You do look," Cearl murmurs, "very much like Ranae, and the hair..."

[hisowninvention]

"You could sing the song," murmurs Rolan. "If you want."

[powershines]

"Oh - yeah - there's a song and then it - glows -"

Rapunzel runs through the song, softly.

[sundayfish]

[hisowninvention]

"The glowing is what tipped me off," Rolan contributes. "That and the fact that it healed me of two broken legs."

[sundayfish]

"You prefer 'Rapunzel'?"

[powershines]

"I'm used to it - Claribel is a nice name but I haven't ever been called it that I remember."

[sundayfish]

"It'll have to do for public occasions, if you can put up with it, but we don't have to call you that if you'd rather. Going to have to tell Ranae and - get word out for everyone else."

[powershines]

"So you think I'm the princess too."

[sundayfish]

"Think so."

[hisowninvention]

[sundayfish]

"You're in time for your lantern ceremony, too. But - usually we have your crown out when the first lantern goes up - it's -"

[powershines]

Rapunzel elbows Rolan.

[hisowninvention]

"...maybe less missing than it may appear," says Rolan, and he produces the crown and sets it carefully on Rapunzel's head.

[powershines]

"Please don't arrest him."

Hug of arm. Hug hug.