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Up and down again. Breathe in and out slowly.
“And TWENTY!”
With that, Eugene dropped to the floor, panting. “That's a new record. Hah… best not press my luck.”
The elder Fitzherbert gingerly rolled himself into a sitting position and then his feet. His shoulder hadn't given him much grief but the day was still young. On his feet, Eugene gave his brow a wet rag wipe down. Brown eyes examined his reflection. Every other week since passing 45 Eugene found a wrinkle and his hair began to gray sooner than he had hoped. Now here he was three weeks out from 60 with weathered cheeks and a beard silver as the moon.
He threw himself finger guns flashing a perfect smile.
“Still got it.”
The raven watching on the writing desk squawked.
“Glad you agree, Jimmy.”
As he gingerly slipped on a new shirt the door opened. Fiddling with his pez nez, Eugene saw Cassandra trodding toward him, arms cast out in a great yawning stretch.
“Morning, you old coot,” the silver-haired woman greeted with a smile.
“It’s past noon, you old bat,” Eugene pestered as he wrapped her into a hug. They pulled away to kiss each other on the cheek. “Felt good sleeping in, huh?”
“Yeah. I lost so much sleep in my twenties that I am still playing catch up. The kids didn't do that any favors. How is the shoulder?”
“Eeh, better than yesterday. It is still a slow climb back to where I was. You want to join me for a walk?”
“I could stretch my legs,” Cassandra said with one more stretch of her singed arm. “Is Rapunzel up? She needs her exercise too.”
“So long as she is up for it. I don’t like her going too long without resting.”
“Always a worrywart,” mused the old woman. Her foot kicked the door open in perfect step with her stride. “Hurry up, old-timer. Our majesty is always up for an adventure.”
Jimmy flapped past Eugene’s head to perch on Cassandra’s shoulder. The elder Fitzherbert shook his head. ‘Oh well,’ he thought to himself. ‘Today must be that kind of day.’
There was only one room in the castle they would think to look first: the drawing room. The view from the great gaping window always granted her an image worth painting. They found her right by that very window on a cushioned stool with a not-yet-finished canvas before her.
She was the image of grace in her old age. Still beautiful with her brown hair now fully taken by gray. Her journey to shake off insecurities with aging was bumpy but her curiosity overpowered any fears. The day she discovered wrinkles it was a whole new world for her.
Even if Rapunzel welcomes middle and then old age with open arms, time does not always return the kindness. A bout of pneumonia had the spirited queen putting any plans for future adventuring on indefinite hold. How was it fair that Rapunzel of all people needed a cane just to walk?
The raven perched himself on her easel.
“Oh! Hey, Jimmy,” greeted the artist. She turned and flashed a bright smile at her partners. “Oh, and you brought friends.”
Jimmy squawked happily.
“Morning, Sunshine,” Eugene beamed at his wife. ”Cass and I were gonna go for a walk. You want to join us?”
“I would love to! I have got to get out of this castle!”
“It isn't too much for you?”
“I'll be fine, Mr Worrywart,” she teased as she heaved herself to her feet. Her mind was more than made up. “I'm old, not helpless.”
Eugene threw an eyebrow at Cassandra’s ‘I Told You So Face.’
“Besides,” the retired knight added, “If you fall you can always count on us to carry you.”
Cassandra closed the distance in two steps to plant a fat one on her wife's lips.
“ Oooh-hoo-hoo , you're chipper today, Cassie.”
Cassandra's weathered hand took hold of Rapunzel’s, fingers and scars mingling, her other hand pulled her closer by the waist.
“I had a nice sleep,” she said. Lips peppered her wife's wrinkles like a mama bird. “And you're beautiful. You deserve kisses.”
Eugene stole her empty hand. “I'm here too, pretty lady.”
Rapunzel smiled ear to ear with brightening rosy cheeks. Being surrounded by the love of her two partners was always the best part of her day. The retired queen laughed with her fingers scratching Eugene’s beard.
“I love how fuzzy you are with this.”
“The new oil helps too.” He punctuated his point by giving his happy wife a scratchy nuzzle. “Where to, Sunshine?”
Rapunzel pointed out the window. In the distance, the grassy shore by the outer bridge. It looked perfect.
“Well then,” Eugene linked his arm with his dearest love. “Adventure is out there.”
“And it is waiting for us,” Cassandra said, doing the same with her wife's other arm.
“Adventure, ho!” Rapunzel proclaimed.
Off they went down the ornate halls and around every corner they walked. Portraits of past kings and queens loomed above the gallivanting throuple. Rapunzel passed a loving smile onto her parents and their proud smiles were returned to their miracle child. The staircase was taken one arduous step at a time. Yet at its foot, another royal was pacing back and forth and mumbling under his breath.
Alina Fitzherbert gasped when she saw her parents coming down. “Mom! You're up!”
The young queen wrapped her mother in a bear hug that was returned with gusto. “Are you sure you're okay to be walking?”
“I can get anywhere with these two. How are things today?”
“Oh, same old same old,” grumbled her daughter. Rapunzel listened to his spiel about pleasing stubborn dignitaries one after the other. Each sounding worse with Alina's every exaggeration.
A wistful smile brightened Rapunzel's face. She remembered the hard days that ended with her venting to her partners about whoever upset her. Alina held so much drive and purpose with her actions as queen. She was nothing like the shy toddler who hid behind her brother all those years ago.
He had really come into her own since her twin left.
“...and that was before he fell on Ophelia’s knife. I swear things are going to fall apart again before I even finish my lunch,” she aroused before taking a crunchy bite of her sandwich. “Anyway… how's your morning been?”
“Gorgeous,” sang Rapunzel.
“Restful,” informed Cassandra.
“Can't complain at all,” declared Eugene. “Trust us, kiddo, you're gonna love retirement.”
“Like I'm gonna retire,” his daughter dismissed, finishing her sandwich. “Oh, while I got you guys…”
Alina snapped a scroll up to their line of sight. A familiar symbol of a circle and three crosses scribbled in the corner. the Dark Kingdom's insignia.
Rapunzel gasped. “Is Ryder coming?!”
“Allegedly.”
“That's wonderful,” beamed Cassandra.
“Not only that…” Alina’s voice shifting conspiracist. “He might not be coming home alone.”
Eugene’s eyes widened behind his glasses. “What like a boyfriend or something? That’s not like him at all.”
“You didn’t hear this from me but I heard a rumor that he is involved. Some swinger couple if you could believe it.”
Alina’s parents could, in fact, not believe it, least of all Rapunzel. Her baby boy had never shown any interest in those kinds of relationships. Has Ryder changed that much since she last saw him?
“No way!” Her husband sounded just as baffled. “You really think any of that is true?”
“Don’t worry, Dad,” Alina’s eyes darkened. “I will pry the truth out of him.”
“Please do not try to kill your brother again,” warned Cassandra.
“Alina? Ali- there you are!”
Out from around the corner appeared Ophelia. Her dark cheeks brightened at the sight of the young queen. Alina himself lit up at the sound of her girlfriend’s voice.
“Alina! You’re majesties,” the young woman gave a courtesy bow to elder royals. “They need you back in there.”
“Ugh, what did I tell you?” Alina sighed with a dramatic roll of his eyes. He brought his mother into a tight hug. “I love you, mom”
“I love you too, Sunlight.” Rapunzel hugged Alina tight, promising herself to hold Ryder even tighter when she saw him next.
“Love you guys, kisses, mwah-mwah. Don’t be out too long. See you at dinner. I got to fucking go.” With those brief farewells over, Alina left in step with Ophelia.
“That kid…” Cassandra sighed.
“She's much more serious about the job than any of us,” Eugene added.
“Us or just you?”
“I assumed that went without saying.”
“I can't wait to see Ryder again,” Rapunzel announced.
“Me too,” said Eugene. “I haven't seen him since the funeral.”
“I’ve missed his flute playing.”
“Just his flute playing?” Cassandra eyed Rapunzel with a knowing smirk.
The retired queen kissed her wife's cheek. “You know me too well.”
Eugene threw open the doors. The beaming sun was blessing them with its rays. Outside was overflowing with Corona’s citizenry filling every road, walkway, and beyond with a spectacle of festivities. From the courtyard, the trio could see colorful banners, booths, and bodies stretching down Corona’s winding cobblestone road.
Traversing such a crowd was fun yet difficult. They couldn’t make 10 paces without somebody coming up to wish them good morning and Rapunzel good health.
“Wonderful turnout today,” Rapunzel commented cheerfully.
“Just think,” Eugene squeezed her arm. “If we sold tickets we could have made a whole bundle of money. What's today about again?”
“Knowing this town, they probably saw the sun was up and decided to throw a party.”
Rapunzel paid no mind to Cassandra’s sardonic snip. The kindness and joy of her citizens gave her more strength in her step. The noise was a lot though. People could stand to be a little quieter.
Journeying further into the crowd the royals approached the fountain center. A young performer of light brown skin and a messy ponytail stood at its edge. You could mistake them for a dancer if it weren’t for them juggling knives. They smoothly added another pair of blades to their demonstration before kicking an apple into the air. Sharpened metal followed the fruit to slice through it like water.
With expert hands the blades were caught in one and the fresh slices on a plate in the other. The gathered crowd gave applause for Ilmari Der Sonne.
“Hey! Ilmari!”
Hearing the sound of Cassandra's call, Ilmari tackled their adoptive mother in a gangly-armed hug.
“Mom! It's so good to see you!”
Rapunzel smiled seeing Cassandra tighten her hug on Ilmari. Cass was always good with the twins but the bond between her and Ilmari, her little squire, was special.
“So Kid, when were you gonna tell us you were back in town?” She asked with a stern tone. Classic Cass.
“Eeeeehhh, sorry, Mom,” they answered, scratching their head. “We had already made plans for the festival today and Chao needed help with the shop and-”
“I'm messing with you, kid. We're always happy to see you. Just try writing more often.”
Rapunzel and Eugene did not hide their giggles. The irony of Cassandra telling someone else to write more was just too much. The parental guilt trip had its effect on Ilmari anyway.
“I will. Sorry, Mama Raps, Papa.”
“No worries, honey,” Rapunzel said, leaning more on Eugene who briskly added, “No harm done at all, Handsome Stranger.”
“Papa,” Ilmari grumbled.
“But really, stay in touch. I want to meet your new traveling companion. ”
Ilmari’s cheeks shimmered pink as their mother’s gaze drifted to the smithy behind them. Chao had picked the right time to dip a hot steel rod into a barrel. Their muscular arms were built for forging. The Eastern man was happy to wave at the distressed Ilmari and their meddling parents.
“I… I…” Ilmari couldn’t find the words. All they could mumble out was the shy ask. “Can he come over for dinner?”
“Of course. See you then, squirt.”
Cassandra gave a farewell jab to her kid's shoulder and returned to Rapunzel’s side.
“Sorry about that, little lady. I had to embarrass my kid for a second.” Cassandra gave her true love’s arm a supportive squeeze. Her hazel eyes bore into Rapunzel’s sweating brow. “Are you alright?”
“I’m just a little hot is all.” She was trapped between her wife and her husband who were both giving her that look. That slow-down look. “I can keep going. You guys got me.”
Eugene and Cassandra shared a look of their own. Their silent conversations were still a total mystery to her even after all these years. It was best they had a few things just for each other.
“I’m not tired either. You want a nap, Cass?”
“In your dreams, Greybeard.”
“Greybeard,” grumbled the ex-thief. “I’m a silver fox and even you know it.”
The chatter gave Rapunzel the second wind she needed to make it to the bridge without issue. It was this final stretch that proved to be her hardest challenge. Her breathing turned harder. Every clack of her cane against the cobble sounded heavier with each step. If she got this over with faster the sooner she could rest. Just… a few… more…
They halted. Rapunzel remained in place leaning on her cane with a trembling hand. The sun felt really hot. Her lungs burned.
“In slow… and out slow…” A handsome voice in her ear instructed. “Keep going, Sunshine.”
“You’re almost there, Raps,” encouraged the other. “Kick this adventure's butt.”
You are damn right she did!
Rapunzel’s body was sagging more against her partners yet she ventured on. Cassandra and Eugene, arms wrapped behind her back, held her steady as their favorite person in the world put one foot in front of the other. Then another and another.
At the first touch of wet stone, victory was declared.
“Made it!” Rapunzel was happy despite being hard of breath.
She was eased down onto the grass, grateful for the rest as much as the company.
“That wasn’t so hard was it?” Cassandra said with a stretch of her sore knee. The former knight’s shaking, scarred hand offered a canteen of refreshing water to her wife.
“Wow,” Eugene’s gasped. “I could get used to a view like this.”
Across the clear and sunny waters, Corona stood tall in all of its majesty. Through coups and battles of magic, their kingdom remained beautiful. The colors of the festival were visible from the shore. Rapunzel lay her head on Eugene’s shoulder who gave his love back by bringing her wrinkled hand to his chaste lips. Cassandra pulled her close in a hug as she teased Eugene with a kiss on his temple.
The three sat in blissful silence. Waves splashed and tree leaves shivered from the cool breeze. In her chest, Rapunzel felt a warmth not felt since the birth of her twins and only before when she was first brought home. A true peace in her heart that assured her all the strife and anger was worth going through to get here. To sit here with her husband and wife looking out towards their home safe in the knowledge that their spirited little family had made something special, for themselves and so many.
Rapunzel was sure it was the feeling of a secure legacy. Of a destiny fulfilled.
Somebody spoke up.
“So, how do you feel?”
Rapunzel closed her eyes. Her content smile said it all.
She felt like the girl who had everything.