Paternity

Paternity

Rapunzel enjoyed new things. She liked to taste new foods, learn new words, and meet new people. Her first few days at the Palace consisted of her dragging Eugene around and asking him what things were, the next consisted of her asking her parents about...well, everything.

She wanted to know all her could about them, their lives before her birth, while she was a baby, and while she was gone. Not all the stories were happy, though. The tales of their lives post her abduction were heartbreakingly sad. However, when the King and Queen teared up at recollection of the last 18 years trying to find their daughter, Rapunzel teared up as well, and it felt nice to have a family that didn't flinch when she rushed to embrace them.

Rapunzel was also learning that it was a nice to have a father, a figure she never really knew existed. She had asked Eugene about the role of fathers in passing, and with a shrug he answered, "A father is sort of like a mother, only instead of talking about your feelings together, you go fishing together. You know what I mean?"

She didn't, and had confusingly asked the King what fishing was, thinking it was some type of paternal bonding. When he had explained to her it was sport that used a pole to catch fish she became excited. Noting her eagerness, he had agreed to take her to the waterfront to learn.

"It really is not Princess behavior," he confided. "However, as long as your manners tutor does not find out, it should be fine."

They had gone to the waterfront early the next morning - or was it late that night? Rapunzel wasn't sure, but she was so excited for their trip she could barely sleep. Pascal yawned on her shoulder as she wrapped her arms around the King's middle, ridding on the back of a Palace's horse.

"What do we do with the fish after we catch them?"

"Well, we can bring them to the Royal Chef and he can make a nice dinner out of them," he explained.

"I've never had fish before," she said, turning to the sleepy Pascal. "Have you ever had fish before, Pascal?"

The tiny lizard shook his head sleepily, and Rapunzel's smiled widened as they neared the water.

"We're almost there!"

The horse came to a halt and Rapunzel nearly bolted to the water, the King chuckled at her energy. After she had calmed down, he walked her through the steps of setting up their site, assembling their poles, and casting a line.

Casting was a bit difficult for Rapunzel. Her first time the line flew back and nicked their horse, and the second time the hook took hold of the King's crown, swiping it off his head.

"I'm so sorry!" she had groveled, feeling horrible.

"No harm done, my dear," he joked as he repositioned his crown. "As long as Eugene's old habits are not rubbing off on you."

After the lines were safely in the water, the King and Princess waited on the waterfront. They sat in silence, as Rapunzel's excitement subsided and turned to dread, afraid that the lack of conversation may make their outing awkward. She ran her hands through her short locks, thinking of possible conversation topics.

"So..." she began. "Do you enjoy fishing?"

"Oh yes," he smiled, holding the rod. "Very much."

"Have you been fishing for a long time?"

"Since I was a young boy."

"What's the biggest fish you've ever caught?"

"Oh, it was so long ago...it was rather huge...well maybe not huge, but was certainly large..." the King continued, before trailing off into a mumble. Rapunzel gasped, nearly dropping her fishing rod in the process.

"Oh my gosh!" she said, her eyes grew wide as she dropped her rod in shock. "You...you mumble?"

The King blinked, dumbstruck, before scratching the back of his head nervously.

"Um, well...yes, actually," he confessed. "It is a terrible habit I have...drove my tutors mad when I was a boy...not to mention your mother. It is a bit embarrassing, to be honest, but it is something I have not been able to shake-off. Does it bother you?"

"No!" she squealed, "Not at all! I mumble too!"

"R-really?" the King said, he had never noticed.

"Really! Back in the tower, I would trail off and mumble my sentences and it always really annoyed Mo-" Rapunzel stopped, catching herself, and wringing her hands nervously.

The King smiled sadly, he understood how much of an adjustment the palace had been for Rapunzel. Starting a new life was never easy, especially when the old life was ended so suddenly, and on such terrible terms. It was an adjustment for him as well, having to re-meet his daughter, but it for him it was a happy one.

He rested his fishing pole on the grass to his side and took hold of her hand. Rapunzel looked up, and was met with his smiling face, slightly obscured by his beard.

"Between you and me," he said, in a low tone. "I don't mind the mumbling."

"Really?"

"Really."

She smiled, and he squeezed her hand warmly.