A/N: Hello all! I would love to hear from you! I don't expect many of my old readers to return since this story did take such a hiatus but I still see people reading. I know it's too early in the story for an opinion so here's chapter 2. Thank you!

2. Ghost herax

Stepping foot on the ship The Fine Lady filled Flynn, Rapunzel, Pascal, and Mina with a mixture of unbearable excitement and impending doom. Given the sudden departure, it was mostly manned by a crew of ex-convicts who had nothing to lose. Rapunzel ended up allowing the peg-legged Mercer passage along with the round young man; Terri. Without much ceremony, the ship began to embark for the docks of Corona City and made way into the misty night sea. The dark air was so frigid, even the layers of wool and knit scarves could not keep the chill from penetrating Rapunzel. Never the matter, she wanted to stand near the bow to watch the land disappear behind them, and with it, the terrible memories of High Moor.

Flynn took to her side and they stood silently for a long moment. Suddenly, they realized, they were their own independent pair apart from the land they both had known their whole lives. It was an odd and terrifying notion. They stood as a married couple, together, against something new and mysterious.

Rapunzel looked up to the moon and a hand fell over her stomach. She was reminded of the tincture she was instructed to take for pregnancy. Such a gift now would be impossible. After her days on the road, her body was malnourished, and her normal cycle was lost. She worried it would be this way forever. How disappointed Flynn would be when she told him she was barren? And then, almost as if he could hear her worried thoughts, Flynn put an arm around her and her mind was pulled to the present.

The week went on. The days passed quickly with fair weather and even waters. But, slowly, as they descend further into the ocean, the winds picked up and the cold became all but intolerable. Oddly, the rough waters became something of a blessing, the green crew of sailors spent most of their time being sick. Therefore, they lacked any tact to rob Flynn or Pascal and lost any stamina to think of molesting the pair of women. Rapunzel was thankful. Mina was bitter for losing possible customers.

The journey was to span about three weeks. Though, in that short amount of time, the crew would feel trapped in purgatory. Rapunzel could do nothing but allow her anxious thoughts to rule her mind. She worried she was driving everyone aboard to their demise. She imagined a fleet of King's soldiers would be waiting for them at the shore in Corona. She thought of every possible horrible scenario. Her only salvation was the ever-present and welcoming arms of Flynn; possibly the only stationary thing in life at sea. They shared a small space under the deck near Mina and Pascal, but unfortunately, not out of sight from the entire crew. They whispered to each other what would commence once they reached Corona and finally found privacy. It drove Flynn nearly to insanity and their chaste pact would last close to a week before Rapunzel stopped caring if someone were to catch of glimpse of them. So, in the depth of the nights, they found comfort in more than just an embrace. It was the only bit of temporary relief either one could find in the choppy water and bitter cold sea breeze.

Flynn wanted to appear like the dashing Flynn Ryder character in the stories Rapunzel would read, but the unforgiving blow of reality (and battle with seasickness) humbled him almost as much with his recent brush with death…

He realized if he was given the option to be starved in Cal's prison, or take another long journey across the sea during the oncome of winter, he would be forced to weigh his options carefully. And then, in the end, he might wind up siding with the halls of High Moor. At least they didn't constantly sway and take on water.

During the second week of the journey, Rapunzel had fixed a routine for herself. She would rise, aid Flynn with his sickness, and then make her way to the Captain's quarters above deck. Soon, she noticed another member of the crew had taken note of her routine and copied it herself. On one particular morning, she found Mina seated next to Captain Hagen as they enjoyed their breakfast. Rapunzel quietly joined them and listened in to the end of their current conversation topic.

"The Southern Isles were always a dream destination of mine," cooed Mina smiling cleverly to the man. "I heard stories of their beauty. And, I hear men can make a fortune who land on their shores, rich in trade and work."

"Ah, we all hear about the mumping isles. What a load of shite it is. And their young King is a right bastard! The Westergarrds beg door to door for money from their people. More like thieves than royals!"

Mina blinked, clearly annoyed, but her smile remained. "I was not talking about the Westergarrds. To hell with royalty," she glanced quickly to Rapunzel who inwardly cursed the woman, "I'm speaking of the people. All I've ever known is a ruddy little village. I want to explore."

The man laughed as she sipped her drink. Rapunzel forced a smile before speaking up.

"Weather looks a bit grey and the wind's picking up. Should make for a rough night."

"Is that all we get from you?" asked Mina shortly. "Doom and gloom?"

"I'm merely trying to make you aware. The more hands we have on deck today the bet-"

"Ye think I'm not ken to such things? On me own ship? I will not take orders from a woman on the sea!"

"They are not orders! I'm just… throwing in my two-sense!" said Rapunzel trying desperately to keep a sense of calm to lighten the mood. She could see Mina was playing a game. She was acting, but as for the cause, Rapunzel could not tell. She reminded herself to keep aware and, if not a step ahead, at least keep in pace with her untrustworthy 'sister'.

"More's the pity," said the Captain standing. "I'll break my fast on the deck and determine the winds myself. Save me the misfortune of dealing with women aboard a ship." He stood and Mina eagerly rose with him.

"Please," she began in a mirthful tone, "my sister was just leaving. I was ever so enjoying our conversa-" he raised a hand to silence her. She pursed her lips and held her tongue from scorching the man. And then, a second later, she regained her demure smile and he smirked to her as well.

"I will see you this afternoon, my lady. We shall continue our words, if it pleases me."

The Captain put on his hat and took his papers before leaving the women. Mina was quiet for only a moment to be sure Hagen was out of hearing range. And then, her eyes shot daggers to Rapunzel.

"I was speaking to the Captain!"

"And now your speak to your Princes-"

"Prig! Enough of that," moaned Mina holding her head and taking a seat. "If you start acting like the Queen of the world I will jump straight off this ship and please don't question my sincerity."

Rapunzel frowned, "I just- I demand respect. He has to listen to me!"

"Little sister, you've spent these months in the wilds of Corona country, married to a thieving bastard, and yet, you still know nothing of men? They will not listen to you – even if you were their queen – you're still a woman and you must know when to keep your mouth shut."

Rapunzel felt she was lying, perhaps she was trying to will her into silence for the good of her own device.

"I know what you're doing. Don't think I'm the same simple girl I was. I was never dimwitted. I know that you plot behind our backs."

"I'm glad you think so highly of me," said Mina. "I once asked you to forgive me and you said you did. Now you treat me like the brothel rat!"

"I did forgive you, but I'm sorry –this is the height of suspicion! Clearly, you are trying something with Hagen."

"What? I thought you knew everything about me?" she hissed with hell's vapor.

"I never assumed so much. But, I only know what you tell me. I – I told you what happened to me at High Moor – happenings I thought I'd take to my grave."

"Bravo, girl. I have nothing to share. I'm just a whore doing business with men-"

"What is it you want in the Southern Isles?" Rapunzel interrupted, silencing the red-headed woman at once.

Mina clenched her jaw as rare emotion flickered behind her eyes. She looked hurt, and then, mournful.

Rapunzel suddenly understood all at once she had ulterior motives… but not the sort driven by power and lust – but driven by… love? She searched her memory for any time her father, or anyone, had mentioned the Southern Isles. There were none that she could recall. Maybe there was a man there she had met and fallen in love with from the Snuggly Duckling? Then, no. Such romance seemed meaningless to the woman, besides, the only man she ever seemed to take a strong interest in was Flynn.

"Tell me," Rapunzel urged. "What is it...?"

"Nothing," she lied. "I was trying to make idle chat with the man. He's good and he has money. Not all of us are lucky enough to have the love of an honest husband. Some of us have to try at every chance they get." There was such hatred behind her words that, had they been alit, they'd have scorched Rapunzel's skin. They would never get along and it filled Rapunzel with anger as well as agitation.

"You'll have to excuse me," said Rapunzel, raising to her feet and pulling her woolen shawl around her. "And allow me to leave you to your breakfast. But know, and I truly mean this; you can always talk to me… or him."

She looked to Rapunzel needing no explanation on who she meant. In reality, the last thing Mina could do was go to Flynn. The thought broke her heart and she hid her face from Rapunzel until she left her alone.

Terri sobbed as he kneeled on the deck pushed a rag along the grimy floor. Captain Hagen looked down to him with a deep frown.

"Useless womanly emotions. You're no man. It dishonors me, and all the Gods, to have ye on my ship!"

Terri continued to cry and lower his head as the Captain kicked over his bucket of water. The surrounding men laughed. Since the start of the voyage, the sensitive young man had found it impossible to fit in the with the hardened crew. And, ever since one particular instance, he lost any respect among the men and his Captain…

It was the third night of the voyage. Before sea-sickness had dampened the crew's spirits, and after the women and their male counterparts had retired to below deck, the men of the ship had opened a barrel of mead and began to talk in jest. Amidst the singing, jokes, and bawdy stories of easy women they'd encountered on shore, Captain Hagen proposed a plan;

"I say, if I don't get that redhead as a bed-warmer in two nights, you are all allowed my ration of mead!"

This proposition got a wild uproar from the men. All laughed and cheered but Terri, and the Captain noticed. Mercer also took note. He was careful to keep to himself on the ship and never be cause for mistrust or bad behavior. He was older than many of the crewmen and had no desire for merriment or melodrama. However, Captain Hagen was bored and yearned for an easy target to bat for amusement.

"What's wrong, boy?" the Captain barked to Terri, causing the lad to start in surprise. "Oh, I see! You're still a measly virgin, neh? I should toss ye from me ship! Bad luck, it is!"

Terri offered a meek reply that went unheard as the men jostled and pushed him. They were jokingly at first, but the Captain's jeers soon turned to harassment, and the crew followed suit.

"Oi! I say we throw 'im in bed wit' t' blonde! Imagine how her pretty husband will react ta tha', aye?!" offered one man drunkenly.

"Didya na hear her? She claims ta be th' bloody Princess! Gives new meanin' t' fuck the King!" came the voice of one man, a scraggly convict missing every tooth in his mouth.

"I second tha'! Imagine slippin' inta the cunny knowin' ye could sire t' next heir!" laughed another.

"Then ye kin be second, ye ruttin' pig! I wanna go first!"

"Stop this!" Terri finally cried, his high voice silencing the men. "If she's the princess then you all dishonor the throne and our King!"

This received hiss of boos and a few rougher jabs from the men's hands. One man grabbed Terri from behind and painfully pulled the boy's arms behind his back. Terri cried out and the laughter grew. Captain Hagen smirked wickedly watching the scene.

"This boy, he needs some sense knocked into him." Terri looked to the Captain fearfully as he stepped closer, barely leaving an inch between them. "Your father failed you, lad. You're nah' a man at all."

All at once, Terri twisted free and, without much thought, heaved a fist at the Captain's jar. What commenced was the reason for the boy's flogged and bruised back. Of course, the blow he offered to the Captain hardly left a mark, but it was the intention behind it. As soon as Rapunzel heard of the incident, and the Captain's desire to throw the traitorous boy over-board, she thankfully was able to have Flynn talk the Captain into a flogging of 13 lashes. She did not know the reason for the boy's outburst, but she knew Hagen was lying to her when he said the boy brutally attacked him. She cursed herself for allowing the naive young man to join the crew and blamed herself for his pain.

That morning, as Rapunzel left Mina feeling odd and questioning the purpose of the Southern Isles, she passed Terri swabbing the decks and being mocked by the crew. She watched as Captain Hagen spit next to the rag Terri used to clean and swagger away with his brutish arrogance. Terri sobbed alone and she found herself drawn to his side.

"You mustn't let them torture you so," she spoke and he looked up to her with a gasp.

"Beggin' your pardon, my royal highness."

She sighed and dropped to a kneel, "Better not start saying that. They'll think I've cast a spell on you."

"But you are… m'Lady. You are, the princess, my royal highness," he glanced to her in awe before carrying on with his scrubbing.

"Well, not for the better part of my life I was not. And I'm still only Rapunzel. I lived in a brothel. I swept the floors and picked up after drunkards. Now I'm here alongside a crew of dishonorable men." He paused and she smirked.

"Still, you have the crown, your highness. It's more than I've ever had."

"What if… what if I were to offer you a position in my keep? After we dock you can join me and my husband." He looked to her and she felt pity for him. His cheeks were flushed and tear-stained and his eyes were red with irritation. He looked to her like a child, and though the boy was below begging, his look yearned for her help.

"For me? What use am I to you? Uh- your highness."

"You will be of use to me. You're a decent boy. I see good in you."

A spark of hope shown across his round features and he smiled despite himself.

"That's it, I forbid you from leaving my – mmhhm- side," moaned Flynn as he laid in the cot on his stomach. Rapunzel sat beside him as his leg hung limply off the side and his face was buried in the pillow. She took in the sorry sight, her hand on his back. "You leave for an hour and now we have a new child to feed, a new war with the witch, and you've done nothing to win –uhhhgh - Hagen's favor."

"Did you not take the root of licorice I gave you?"

"Don't change the subject, woman," he said shifting his head off the lumpy pillow and looking more toward her. "I mean it – this is a right headache you've caused for us. Besides – which one is Terri again? The odd girlish one?"

"If you had the licorice root then why has the vile been untouched?" she asked, picking up the small container from under his pillow. He frowned and lazily tried to snatch it from her.

"It tastes bad. Now, don't act like you did not just hear me."

She eyed him until he gave in, and opened the vile to pour the bitter contents in his mouth with a grimace. Finally, Rapunzel answered his last inquiry.

"Terri- He's large for his age… I think. Anyways, I'm sure with training, he can grow to be a strong and stouthearted man. You should hear what he calls me! My royal highness…" she smiled, not so secretly pleased with the sound. Flynn turned on his side and propped himself up on his elbow.

"So, that's why your fond of him? A pair of proper royalists."

"Don't I need somebody on my side?" she asked.

He smirked and wished he did not feel so ill that late morning. "I have your side. As well as your front. And your behind…" She giggled as he smothered his face in the fabric at her hip. But then, something tugged at her thoughts. What was Mina hiding?

"So, you have no idea what Mina could want with the Southern Isles? Not a possible lover or mate?"

Flynn looked to her with complexity, "Are you serious? Mina? A lover? She already has Pascal… and speaking of, the man's made himself scarce lately. I fear I've lost my cards partner for good."

"He's probably only tired of the smell of your bile… and losing money."

"I said we did not have to play for bets! He just likes to have something to mope about."

"Never mind about him. Now, Mina, did she not happen to mention someone from her past– anyone at all? She looked so sadly to me when we spoke about it. I think she might even be plotting with Hagen."

"Nonsense. Hagen won't abide by that. I'm paying him far too much of your money."

She laughed again as his face found the front of her lap and she felt his hot breath close to the center of her thighs. She instantly ached for him yet knew she could do nothing for it. There was no way they would find an ounce of privacy during the bustling morning. Still, she allowed him to linger and touch her, as scandalous as it might appear to anyone passing by. And, just as one of his hands reached her thighs, she was cursed with another pestering thought.

"What if Mina has some sort of heist planned? What if Hagen and she conspire against me? Oh, why did I ever tell him I was the lost princess? Am I mad? I've doomed us both!"

Flynn laughed dryly as his face was still on Rapunzel's lap.

"I remember having likewise thoughts, myself."

She moaned and he heaved himself to sit upright beside her. He put an arm around her and she fell into him.

"Don't worry about all of that. You have me and Pascal, if he ever turns up – and, I suppose now we have that weakling child, as well."

"Hey!"

"Sorry, that weakling child you will train into a barbaric warrior. Mina be damned. She'll be out of our hair soon enough. As soon as she finds someone wealthier and all our money is drained by Hagen. Then, we'll be in Corona City, finally on our own."

He playfully grabbed at her bottom and she lightly whacked his chest.

"Not before this cursed trip ruins us. Why was it you ever agreed to any of this?"

Flynn smirked, "I remember a mad woman threatening me. All I wanted was to clear my mind and bed a whore… and look at where it's gotten me."

Rapunzel blushed at the thought. She was so brazen to actually threaten Flynn into helping her. But, that was before she had any notion of how the world worked and how little it resembled her fantasy books of pirates and princesses. She laid a tender kiss on her husband's head before taking the empty vile in his hand and getting up from the bunk. She kneeled under the bed and pulled out their shared trunk. As she opened it, a bottle caught her eye. It was a plant-based tincture of red hair dye. And all this time, she assumed Mina's hair was natural, brought upon by the fires of hell rising in her. She could not help but smirk at her joke. And then, something else caught her eye. It was a folded piece of parchment. She pulled it from the box and unfolded it. Her eyes grew wide. It was a bill that read; Wanted – Jean "The Phantom" for Highway robbery. 500 crown. Dead or alive. She shivered and shoved the paper in her coat pocket. She did not know who found it and decided to keep the incriminating bill, but she did not want to begin the search now. She then stuffed the vile beside the hair dye and pushed the trunk back under the bunk before leaving for the deck.

That night, the crew experienced the worst weather yet to come. They sailed through a storm and impossibly huge waves crashed against the ship as thunder and lightning descended from the heavens. It was a biblical disaster as Hagen barked at the men and they sloshed about in the icy water that tormented the vessel. It called for every hand on deck and all but Rapunzel and Mina sat below. The two were silent as the braced themselves against anything bolted to the ground. It felt like an eternity before daybreak, and before the winds ceased to howl. But, finally, the storm relented and Flynn was so soaked, the idea of feeling warm and dry ever again seemed as whimsical as being married to royalty.

The days passed and passed as slowly and tediously as anything. Rapunzel kept her distance from both Mina and her new confidant, Hagen. She watched as the pair would often stroll the deck. He would hand her his compass and she would point off to the far distance. Meddling in their union seemed futile to Rapunzel. It would anger Flynn and give herself an unneeded headache. She only wished to dock in Corona as soon as possible and leave the pair as soon as she could.

Then, there came a day where Rapunzel realized everything Mina was plotting. And it began with a yell from the toothless convict as he had been counting the remaining stock left below deck.

"Plague!" he cried, running to the deck, "The boy is dead! The plague has taken him and invaded our ship!"

Rapunzel happened to be above deck mending a shirt of Flynn's. Instantly, she knew the dire stakes at hand and dropped her work.

"What's going on?" she yelled, approaching the man. "Who is dead? What plague?"

"It's the boy – by the barrels. He's dead! Clearly infested with the markings of Hades!"

The rest of the crew began to mumble to one another and the toothless man did not cease his cries until the Captain emerged from his chambers with Mina at his side.

Rapunzel did not dally to hear what Hagen might say. Instead, she broke off to where the man had seen the boy. It was in the lowest sector of the ship, the storage room. It was separated from the below quarters with a heavy trap door at its opening. Rapunzel dashed down the steps to the bunks catching the eye of Flynn. Yet, when he called out for her, she ignored him and made for the storage space. Once arrived, she lifted the door and descended the short ladder.

There, in the dank pits of the ship, she saw the listless body of Terri as a rat scurried over his feet. She fell to his side and beheld the odd marks over his skin. Bright red sores seemed to cover his flesh. Rapunzel ignored any fear of contamination and pulled the boy to his back. She placed an ear to his chest and was relieved to hear the soft, yet very slow, thud of his heart. She looked him over again. What sickness was there that struck so quickly and offered large, splotchy, red spots? As red as cherries? And then, she looked closer. She could not be certain, but it appeared the color resided on top of the boy's flesh rather than a part of it. There was no source of contagion and it looked odd, as if the sores were… painted? And then, she noticed his lips; a strange purple hue seemed to taint them. She did not know what ailed him but she had to try her hand for his sake.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes…

"Flower gleam a-"

"Are ye mad woman?!" cried Hagen grabbing Rapunzel roughly by the shoulders and pulling her to her feet. She had not heard him enter the storage room or approach her from behind. She protested and thrashed in his grip as he drew her up.

"Unhand me you bastard! I can save him! Let me heal him! He still lives!"

"To hell with him! He's as good as dead! That's the pox, clear as anything!" Rapunzel twisted in his arms to face the horrible Captain in the eye. "I'll have him thrown to sea and I'll have no more of it!"

"Thrown to sea? Like hell! I demand you let me cure him!"

The Captain smirked as she wiggled in his strong grip. He was near to her she could smell the tobacco on his skin and the stench of something familiar. A musky yet floral aroma wafted between them and there was no mistaking where Rapunzel had smelled it last - Mina's perfume.

"Something is amiss here," she meekly continued. "This lad was not sick."

"The pox is the pox. And unless the legends are true, and the fairies really did bless the Golden Queen with healing powers, there's no hope for him now."

"I told you," she spat with her jaw set an inch from his chin, "I can heal."

"Unhand my wife!" was all Rapunzel heard before being whisked away from the stench of Captain and carefully placed behind her pistol-bearing husband. Captain Hagen raised his hands in defense to Flynn just as Mina came upon the scene.

"I was only consoling the weeping woman over the loss of the boy."

"He is not lost!" cried Rapunzel. "And if that was consolation, I'd hate to know your anger."

Flynn glanced to Rapunzel before sighing and shoving his pistol back in his belt.

"For the love of Christ what is going on here?" he asked the Captain after glancing at the unconscious boy.

Mina dropped down to join Hagen's side and discovered Terri. With a gasp, she covered her mouth and quickly looked away. Rapunzel wanted to laugh at her obviously practiced reaction.

"Be gone!" ordered Hagen, holding her close to him. "I'd hate to see your pretty face scarred by the abrasions of the pox."

"The pox?" asked Flynn looking to the poor boy. Flynn recalled seeing such a disease in the orphanage. Once, the outbreak was so bad, children's bodies were stacked in a wheelbarrow and buried in a mass grave. He was familiar with the marks that appear on the skin, and one glance back to Rapunzel, he knew they were thinking the same thing.

Mina used the short ladder to escape the room at Hagen's orders. Rapunzel assumed she would be alerting the crew and mayhem would follow. Her mind bent over backwards trying to understand if the situation gave her some twisted reward. She could think of nothing but the boy's health. She rushed to his side again and Hagen barked at her once more.

"I told ye to stay away! Ryder – control your wife or she will be the death of us all!"

"What are you going on about?" asked Rapunzel as she lifted Terri's limp hand.

"If you become sick then so will you-" he said, pointing to Flynn. "And then another man. And another. We still have days left on this ship together. If we are not rid of the boy now then only our skeletons will be left at the dock."

As he went on, Rapunzel examined his face. She brushed his lips and noticed the purple smeared. She knew then his unconscious state was due to something he consumed.

Flynn ignored Hagen and kneeled next to his wife. He watched her pull her hand back, the purple substance lingering her fingertip. They looked to each other knowingly. Though Rapunzel still was clueless, at least they both wordlessly agreed; whatever ailed the boy was not the pox. Flynn rose and squared his shoulders to Hagen.

"I don't take kindly to men who raise their voice at my wife or grab her as if she's common property. Have you no honor?"

"I am your Captain, and I have the highest honor! If ye don't obey my orders I'll brand ye both prisoners and ye con rot down here with the fat cadaver!"

"You'll take the princess and her husband as your prisoner? Have you not heard of the phrase 'friends in high places?'" Flynn asked with a smirk that turned the man's face red with rage.

"So be it then. You're my prisoners and will be treated as such from here to Corona."

"Bastard! Did you not hear what happened to the last fool who held us captive? They still can't locate his burnt remains!"

"Enough! One more word from ye and I'll have ye cunt wife whipped!"

Flynn reached for his weapon just as Hagen drew his sword. He knew there was no point in fighting the man in the small space so the pair stared deadlocked on each other, so close and heated, breathing the same breath.

"Stop, Flynn!" cried Rapunzel. "And please, Captain! I already told you I was in your debt. If you go back on your word now I'll be forced to go back on mine!"

Hagen laughed dryly, sliding his sword back in its holding. He never strayed from his menacing gaze to Flynn.

"Prisoners it is, then. And a flogging, if I find myself needing to be amused." He turned to go back up the ladder but stopped himself. "But, don't worry. I'll keep the boy's body… Just long enough for his vapors to turn your skin dot-like too!"

With that, the Captain took to the deck above and made certain to lock the trap door behind him.

The door was bared instead of solid. This allowed for a stream of light to break the darkness of the storage compartment.

Flynn observed as Rapunzel wasted no time in aiding the boy. She glanced up to her husband upon realizing he had never been on the other side of her healing to witness the powers at hand.

"I'm going to heal him. You might want to shield your eyes. I've been told it gets quite blinding."

Flynn nodded with a stern brow as she placed her hands on Terri's chest.

"Flower gleam and glow. Let my god be kind. Make the clock reverse. Bring back what once was mine…"

A burst of light emitted from her hands as her golden hair shone and sparkled like stars in the distant heavens. His eyes grew wide as he observed her. At that moment, she was not his Rapunzel at all. She was far, far away. In her place was a silent and stoic figure. As regal and ghostly as the Queen from legend. The light from her grew so bright, a hand rasied to cover his eyes.

And then, as quickly as it began, the light dimmed and Rapunzel opened her eyes to the dark room. A second later, Terri awoke with a start. He gasped and sat up looking to the pair with wild bewilderment. But then, Flynn pointed out something strange.

"The marks of the illness are still upon him," he said uncertainly. Her magic had healed him completely. Why not the boy?

Rapunzel looked less confused and tried to sooth the boy. "It's all right, Terri. No need to panic. You're safe now."

He panted and looked to her in perplexity, trying desperately to piece together the past few hours of his day. Nothing was adding up.

"Who did this to you?" she asked lifting his hands. It was then the boy looked himself over. Terri cried out upon noticing the marks, horrified by his own appearance.

"Terri. Who did this to you?" Rapunzel repeated.

"I- I don't know, your highness. I was just down here – getting me ration of grain. And then, it all goes black. Am I going to die?!"

"No. I've just healed you. These aren't a part of an illness. I think it's… hair dye."

"Dye?" asked Flynn crouching beside the pair. "Who in the hell would think of this?"

"I don't always want to go straight for blaming Mina, but it might save us all a lot of time," sneered Rapunzel.

"You think Mina did this? Why?"

"Not unless one of the convicts keeps red dye with them, ready to touch up their tresses. I found it in our trunk the other day. And, I already told you - she's been acting odd. I don't know what purpose it serves her. Terri has not wronged her. Then, the fear of the pox will just have the crew in hysteric-" she stopped. No. She knew exactly why.

"What?" asked Flynn grabbing her shoulder.

"The Southern Isles," said Rapunzel. "She's trying to have us dock there. It's closer than Corona – I heard Hagen say we'd see the shores at midnight tonight if the moon was bright enough."

Flynn sighed in annoyance, "But, why the Southern Isles? I wish we had some clue..."

"I knew she was traitorous. You should have heard how she said goodbye to Scottie. It was as if she had put poison on her lips before kissing him farewell. It was so final and venomous."

"You don't truly think she'd stab us all in the back… again?"

"Why, If not for her own gain? There could be officers waiting for us on the shores of the Isle. What if she means to turn me in and had the carriage driver slit Scottie's throat- oh god-" she broke off in cries, covering her mouth. Flynn held her in his embrace, a hand smoothing the back of her head.

"Hearsay! You can't be certain, Blondie. Either way, we need to deal with the present," after being a captive himself for most of his life, Flynn learned long ago the only way to deal with impending doom was to focus on the moment at hand. She pulled away and tearfully nodded to him.

"You're right. Damn me. I wish I hadn't cried. I'm a daft child."

"Hey," he said, placing a finger beneath her chin to lift her gaze to his. "You won't be speaking about my wife like that. Not the warrior who braved High Moor alone. And not the Princess who will save Corona from the unjust."

Terri moaned as he rubbed at his skin. The pair looked to him sadly. He did not deserve this along with the endless mockery he's received from the crew and Captain.

"Please, Terri. Tell me everything you remember from the day," gently urged Rapunzel. "It will help us to know every detail – even ones you think insignificant."

"Well, it wasna a very eventful day, my highness-"

Flynn chortled, cutting the boy off. Rapunzel glared to her husband before looking tenderly back to the boy. "Now, Terri, you do not need to call me that. I… uh… I hereby decree you need only call me Rapunzel, and that will suffice with honor."

The boy nodded, "Aye. So be it, m'lady. The day was dull. I was ordered to clean the pish bowl from the Captain's quarters. As I was walkin' it to the bow, I tripped, not payin' much mind to where I was goin' with my big old hooves. I spilled the bowl and it splashed on Old Pauper."

Rapunzel grimaced but realized something then. "He's the one who raised the alarm – who first found you."

"Is he? Well, he said he'd have me hide, so I ran and hid from him for most the day."

"Is that why you came here - to have your lunch?" asked Flynn.

"I always take me rations here, sir. To be out of the crew's way."

Flynn and Rapunzel looked to each other before Rapunzel asked him to go on. The boy explained his list of chores. Every miserable task Hagen set him to. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. And then, he reached his conclusion, having lunch below with the rats.

"Well, nevertheless, we know it was Mina, but… this…" Rapunzel reached for his lips. "Careful, don't lick your lips. Here." she took a rag from her pocket and carefully wiped his mouth. She examined the rag to see traces of the purple. "Do you have a canteen, Terri?"

"Oh, aye," he handed it to her and she opened the bottle, putting it to her nose. Odorless. She spilled a bit on the back of her hand and watched as it left a purple hue.

"Just as I thought; Ghost Herax. It's poisoned."

"How do you know of that poison?" asked Flynn.

"Because I – I have some. Or, I imagine, had some. It's known for its slow acting properties. It doesn't kill right away. It can take hours. It puts its victim to sleep first."

"We need a new 'no poison' rule, Blondie."

"It's useful in small doses for knocking someone out. It's a poor choice for weapon. It can take hours to set in." She looked to Terri. "I know this was Mina- but I don't think she acted alone –who would have access to your canteen?"

"Oh, I almost forgot… how could I have?" laughed Terri, shaking his head.

"What?" asked Rapunzel.

"That gypsy…" he said looking to them both. Flynn narrowed his brow in disbelief and Rapunzel's eyes widened. "What is it you call him – Pascal!"

"Pascal? No, you must be mistaken!" snorted Flynn.

"He asked me for a sip of water when he passed as I was scrubbing. I saw he had his own but didna want to start trouble, so I gave it to him. He seemed to drink from it as normal… but maybe-"

"This can't be," whispered Rapunzel, yet, she put the pieces in her mind together. She looked woefully to Flynn, not wanting it to be true. "Pascal was the only other one who knew where I stored my medicines."

"I don't believe it... Not after all he's done for us. This is not right." Flynn got to his feet and began to pace.

"Have you noticed something?" Rapunzel asked him, giving him pause. "He still has not come to our aid."