Rapunzel (Faerie Tale Collection) Read Free

had been much too long away at school and it was still her birthday, if only for an hour. “Come on, Brute,” he encouraged the horse as his heels dug in. “We are almost there, boy.” It had been a tedious ride from the school in the nether region to here, but he made good time. Just two days, instead of the typical three his father was certain it would take.
    He grinned as they rounded the last corner of the small village and began to ascend their way up the well-worn path to the castle.
    Once at Ellyania, he jumped off his horse and whistled for a stable hand to help. When none came, a small fissure of concern washed over him, but he quickly pushed it away. No doubt the men had made themselves merry in the festivities celebrating Rapunzel’s birthday. After all, no one was expecting him. He glanced around the empty courtyard. However, surely someone heard his arrival. “Hello? Is someone there?” Slowly he made his way into the stables. The Ellyanian horses whinnied at his entrance as he made his way to an empty stall, but all else was eerily quiet.
    Was something wrong?
    His heart froze and he glanced up at the large castle through the window nearest him. There were lights on in the east wing. Good. Someone was awake.
    “Prince Jonathan!”
    He turned and saw a man rushing toward him through the door. “Finally! Ronald, good to see you.” He grinned at the now-grown boy who used to accompany him and Rapunzel on their countless rides around the kingdom.
    “Am I glad to see you!” Ronald broke all protocol and hugged him. Tightly.
    “Whoa!” Jonathan chuckled as he removed himself from the stripling’s grasp. “What is the meaning of this?”
    “Forgive me. There has been great trouble. And we are all worried.”
    “Trouble?” His heart froze again. “With the family?”
    Ronald nodded, but did not speak. His face scrunched as though he were repelling emotions—fear.
    “My word! What has happened? Tell me everything.”
    Ronald shook his head and took the reins. “I will take care of the horse. It is best you go up and see for yourself.”
    Jonathan grabbed his arm. “Tell me, is it Rapunzel? Is she well?”
    He looked away.
    “Speak to me! What has happened?”
    He glanced briefly at him and then away again. “I cannot say. No one knows for certain. But she is gone.”
    “What?”
    “Go! Go see for yourself.”
    Frustrated and apprehensive, Jonathan did not need another bit of encouragement. He rushed from the stables, and just as he left, he heard Ronald shout behind him.
    “Save them!”
    That was all it took. He sprinted the rest of the way up to the doors, and instead of banging down the front, he went around through the side servants’ entrance he and Rapunzel had always used. “Hello?” he shouted as he headed down the empty corridors.
    Where was everyone?
    As he came into the main hall, he could hear murmuring. A maid scurried from his sight. “You there, halt!” He followed her retreating form. Though she did not stop to acknowledge him, she did lead him toward the throne rooms. He slowed down as she entered the great gold filigreed doors and slipped in behind her. Then he gasped.
    It would seem the whole of the castle was there. As he pushed through the mass of workers and servants, they parted and made way for him. “Prince Jonathan! Is it you? Have you come to save us?”
    “What is the meaning of this?” he asked. “Why are you all in here? And where in the world is Jeffries?”
    “I am here, Your Highness!” The old butler came through the crowd. His hair was askew, clothes rumpled, and the lines on his face were well worn. Jonathan had never before seen the man look a fraction less than perfection. Things were bad indeed.
    He walked over and put an arm around Jeffries’ frail shoulders. “What has happened to Rapunzel?”
    The man shook his head. “I do not know. No one knows where the witch took her.”
    Jonathan paused. “Witch?”
    “That is not the worst—it is