Tangled!

Rapunzel skipped ahead, twirling through the forest as sunlight streamed through the trees. Everything felt so alive. The wind hummed through the leaves, birds chirped in a melody she had never heard before, and the smell of fresh earth filled the air.

Flynn trailed behind, hands tucked into his vest. "You do know we have a long journey ahead, right? Maybe save some of that energy?"

Rapunzel barely heard him. She was too busy taking in everything. She crouched to run her fingers over the mossy ground, then gasped when a group of butterflies flitted past her face.

"Did you see that?" she exclaimed, spinning toward Flynn.

"Yes, Blondie, I saw the butterflies."

She grinned, then bolted toward a tree, running her hands over its bark. "So rough," she murmured in wonder. Then she turned, picking up a pinecone. "And this is so strange-looking!"

Flynn let out a dramatic sigh. "Yep. The forest is full of amazing things."

Rapunzel didn't notice his sarcasm. She was already onto the next discovery, a patch of wild berries growing near the base of a tree.

She knelt down, hesitating. "Are these safe to eat?"

Flynn peered over her shoulder. "Those? Yeah, they're fine."

Rapunzel plucked one and held it up, staring at it with excitement. She had never picked food before.

She took a deep breath, then popped the berry into her mouth.

A burst of sweet and tangy flavor exploded on her tongue.

Her eyes widened. "Flynn."

He raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"This is delicious."

Flynn chuckled. "Welcome to the joys of eating something that didn't come from a plate in a tower."

Rapunzel quickly picked another, offering it to Pascal, who sniffed it before licking it with approval. She laughed, popping another into her mouth.

Then, suddenly, her stomach flipped.

Her laughter faded.

She stood, eyes darting around the trees, her fingers tightening around a strand of her hair.

Something was wrong.

She didn't know why, but a chill ran down her spine.

Flynn noticed. "What's up?"

Rapunzel hesitated. "I just… it's nothing."

But it wasn't nothing.

For the first time, she realized just how far she was from home. From her tower. From Mother.

What if she had made a mistake?

What if she wasn't ready?

Flynn watched her closely, his usual smirk gone. "You're thinking about her, aren't you?"

Rapunzel flinched. "Who?"

"Your Mother."

Rapunzel looked away.

Flynn sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Listen… I'm not gonna tell you how to feel. But I will tell you that doubting yourself doesn't mean you're wrong. It just means you're human."

Rapunzel glanced at him. His voice was softer now, his usual teasing tone replaced with something more real.

She took a slow breath.

Maybe he was right.

Maybe being scared didn't mean she wasn't ready.

Maybe it meant she was really doing this.

She squared her shoulders, giving Flynn a small nod. "Let's keep going."

Flynn studied her for a moment, then grinned. "That's the spirit, Blondie."

And just like that, they set off again, deeper into the world waiting beyond the trees.