Tangled!

Rapunzel practically bounced with every step, her fingers twisting around a strand of her golden hair as she walked. The world was even more beautiful than she had imagined. The trees were taller, the sky seemed bluer, and the air smelled like earth and wildflowers. Birds chirped in the distance, and a soft breeze carried the scent of pine.

She wanted to take in everything.

Every step felt unreal, like a dream she might wake up from at any moment. She wiggled her toes in the dirt, ran her hands over tree trunks, and plucked petals from wildflowers, twirling them between her fingers. Pascal clung to her shoulder, eyes darting back and forth as he, too, took in the vast world beyond the tower.

Flynn, however, looked far less excited.

He trudged along, hands shoved into his vest pockets, watching Rapunzel with a mix of amusement and exhaustion. "You, uh… want to keep up the pace a little, Blondie?" he called after her as she stopped to poke at a ladybug on a leaf.

Rapunzel spun around. "Flynn! Have you seen how small this creature is?" She lifted the leaf toward him. "Look at it! It's so tiny but so detailed."

Flynn sighed. "Yep. That's a ladybug. Seen plenty of 'em."

She gasped. "You mean there are more?"

"Oh, thousands."

Her eyes widened, and she turned back to the bug with even more fascination.

Flynn groaned. "Okay, listen. I know this whole 'first time outside' thing is new and exciting, but we're kind of on a schedule here."

Rapunzel's face lit up again. "Right! The floating lights." She nodded determinedly, skipping ahead once more.

Flynn shook his head, muttering, "This is going to be a long trip."

They continued deeper into the forest, sunlight trickling through the canopy of leaves above. Rapunzel was still marveling at everything, the way the wind made the trees sway, the way the light changed as the day passed, but as the hours stretched on, something strange began to creep in.

Doubt.

For the first time, she felt it, just a whisper at the back of her mind.

What if Mother was right?

What if the world was too dangerous for her?

What if something happened?

She bit her lip, slowing her steps. Her fingers curled around a thick strand of her hair, twisting it anxiously. Pascal, sensing her hesitation, gave her a concerned look.

She thought about Mother Gothel's words, her warnings, how she had always told Rapunzel that the world was cruel, that people were selfish, that she was safest in the tower.

Was she making a mistake?

She glanced at Flynn, who was busy inspecting a map he had pulled from his pocket.

Could she really trust him?

The doubt curled around her like a shadow.

Then—

Thud.

Rapunzel yelped as she tripped over a root, tumbling forward.

Flynn turned at the sound. "Whoa—" He reached out, catching her before she hit the ground.

For a moment, they stood frozen, Rapunzel gripping his arms, Flynn steadying her.

She looked up at him, wide-eyed, her heart racing.

Flynn raised an eyebrow. "You okay there?"

Rapunzel quickly stepped back, straightening herself. "Y-yes! I'm fine. Perfectly fine. Just… admiring the roots."

Flynn smirked. "Uh-huh."

She dusted off her dress, glancing at the ground. The doubt still lingered, but—

Then she looked up.

And gasped.

They had stepped into a clearing, and in the distance, just past the trees—

A river.

The water sparkled under the afternoon sun, rippling gently over smooth stones. A family of ducks floated lazily along the surface. Wildflowers bloomed along the edges, their bright colors swaying in the breeze.

Rapunzel had never seen anything like it.

A slow smile spread across her face, and the doubt melted away.

She turned to Flynn, practically vibrating with excitement. "Can I, can I touch it?"

Flynn chuckled. "It's water, Blondie. You don't need permission."

Without hesitation, she ran forward, kneeling by the riverbank. She hesitated for only a second before dipping her hands into the cool water. A delighted laugh bubbled out of her as she let it run through her fingers.

Pascal leaped from her shoulder, landing gracefully on a rock by the edge, flicking his tail in amusement.

Flynn shook his head, watching her with a smirk.

"Blondie," he said, leaning against a tree, "I think this is going to be very interesting."