She adjusted the basket on her arm. For the first time in a long time, she gave a genuine smile.

"Elinor," she said, "it has been ages."

She nodded. "Gothel, is that really you? You have not aged a day."

"And you have," Gothel replied.

Elinor frowned, emphasizing the wrinkles on her face.

"I was just teasing! Oh, you still take everything so seriously." She waved her hand. "I must say, it has been a while since I passed through here. There were some supplies that I needed to pick up." Her eyes wondered over the other woman, carefully analyzing her. She may have aged, but she lived in wealth. That dress was silk. "Is it wrong to assume that you are doing well?"

"Oh no, I most certainly am." She straightened her back. "I have a daughter and three boys."

"Three boys? I can hardly handle my own little girl."

"You have a daughter?"

"What is so wrong with that?"

"I thought you were not the marrying type."

Gothel chuckled. "I did not see you as the type either. Besides, I said that I had a little girl; I never said that I was married."

"Oh," Elinor said. "Well, as I was saying, I have three boys and a girl. Merida is a handful in and of her itself. You cannot teach the girl anything. She puts her weapons on the table!"

"She does? My little girl only spills paint. My apologies."

"Oh no, I love her dearly. I am sure that things will change."

"My little girl is good as well. Rapunzel just makes me glow. You could call her my golden child."

"Is she with you?"

Gothel frowned. "No, my little girl cannot handle travel."

"Is she ill?"

Gothel shook her head.

Elinor relaxed. "I was worried."

She always had been such a kind heart. On those summer nights, back when Gothel could still travel and not worry about where her flower was, life had been wonderful.

"Tell me," Gothel said, "are you happy?"

Her mind went back to nights where they threw knives together and kissed under the moonlight. Elinor had ignored her responsibilities and let her hair down. Now, witches hair in a tight nun and her weaponless hands, she hardly resembled the woman that she had once loved.

"Yes," Elinor said. "There are troubles, but I am truly happy."

Well, that was that.

"That is wonderful."

She did not let herself frown, would not allow regret. They had shared something, but it was lost. When Gothel had offered her forever, offered her a shining golden new life, Elinor had refused. If that was what she wanted, then she could have it. Eventually, she too would be just another memory of the past.