My Name is Rapunzel(3)

Henry grasped my shoulders, then yelled again, “Rapunzel, look at me!” His words cracked with desperation, “Run!” He tried shaking me out of my stupor, but it was to no avail.

Why couldn’t I move? What was wrong with me?

Henry tugged on my arm. “Rapunzel!” He pulled me after him for a few steps, but he’d never get very far that way. He dropped my arm and leaned forward, his hands on his knees, panting for air.

Just go, Henry. Save yourself. I tried to shout, but my mouth wouldn't give way to sound. I was paralyzed. Was it with fear, or something else? The cackling witch at the tree line convinced me it was her doing.

I heard Henry continue to shout for me to flee, but I didn't respond. I didn't move. I didn't run. I was frozen like a lifeless statue in a cold museum. With only the movement of my eyes, I pleaded with him to help me. A tear escaped one of my eyes then rolled down my cheek. That single tear managed to do what my heart and body could not. Escape.

Fear, like unseen hands, gripped my lungs and tried to crush them slowly. My stomach churned and threatened to empty. Would we die here?

The gentle chill of night had turned into a mid-winter's frost. Tiny bumps rose on my arms and the small hairs prickled to attention. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words remained trapped in my throat.

I’d never actually considered my own death or in what manner life would end. Why would I? I was only eighteen. But now…was this how my life was going to end? It wasn't fair. I wasn’t supposed to die until I reached old age—an old shriveled woman with lots of children and grandchildren. But first I would have had to marry the love of my life, Henry. My prince. My true love.

My knees buckled at the thought of death claiming my existence the very night I’d found joy. Was that why she pursued me that night? Had she somehow known I was about to be made happy? Why did she care about me marrying Henry?

And why did she continue to stare us down…pacing like a caged lion? Do something already. Or let us go.

I trembled at the thought of never feeling another kiss. Of never marrying my love. My chin and lips quivered as another tear escaped my eye, then another, and another. Soon, steady streams ran down my cheeks and soaked my neck. I wanted to double over and cry like a little girl would do. I wanted to run home to my mother and hug her close. She would stroke my hair and rock me back and forth. She would tell me everything was going to be all right, then hum a soft tune.

Gretta paced along the tree line, her eyes never leaving my face. Why didn't she just make her move? She played a cat and mouse game for my soul. We both knew who would win. Did Henry know? I stole a glance at his pale face, his eyes wild with terror. He knew.

How would my death affect my family? They would lose their only child. How would it affect Henry? I was more than sure that his royal family would be touting another hopeful girl around before I was even in the ground—or wherever my body would end up. I was never the one they favored. They made sure to make that point known every chance they got. I was beneath them and not worthy of Henry's attentions.

But, no. I was not supposed to die. Not now. Not this way.

“Run!” Henry screamed and shook my shoulders as if to awaken me from a drunken stupor. “I said, run!” His nostrils flared and a bead of sweat slid down his temple. Henry shook me with ferocious intent. I'd never heard him bark orders at anyone, let alone me. I'd only known him to be kind and gentle.

He’d make a great king one day. A great husband, too. Oh, how I wished I could see it for myself—to wear the pride of the crown and sit beside him at his rightful throne. But, and this was the part I should miss most of all, to bear his children—to leave a royal legacy, indelible through the ages that would live on forever.

I used to think our love was written in the stars. I dreamed that we'd sit beneath those stars and recount our story to our children one day.

But fate had other plans. And there she stood, panting at the tree line, her eyes fixed on her eternal prize. Me. Fate was enjoying her game.

The witch turned her gaze to Henry and pointed her gnarled finger.

No!

I squeezed my eyes shut and felt a tightening in my already clenched jaw. Another mass of birds fluttered away, squawking loudly as they escaped the trees. Death was near and they could feel it. I wanted to escape, but Gretta’s powers had control of me now. I wanted to fly away just like they could. Yet, I remained still. Frozen.

I couldn't move. I couldn't run.





CHAPTER TWO




“Henry!” I sputtered leaves and dirt from my mouth as I searched the ground around me for signs that he was present. Nothing. No remnants of his body or his clothing. Nothing at all remained as proof of my Henry. What had happened? How had I come to be lying face down in the dirt?