Mother Knows Best (Villains 5)

“What are you going to do about it from the dreamscape?” Gothel snapped, standing her ground.

“Don’t forget, Gothel, one of our mirrors is in your cellar—with your sisters. Cross the line with us again and you shall see how far our fury can extend!”

“You keep my sisters out of this!”

“And you keep Circe out of it as well,” warned Lucinda. “And you’d better look to your flower. It looks like she’s falling in love,” she added before the mirror went black. Gothel heard Flynn Rider saying he was going to get more wood for their fire. She crept up behind Rapunzel and just stood there a moment, watching her flower in silence. She wondered if Rapunzel could feel her standing there, like a grim specter in the darkness. The way she’d always felt it when her own mother was near.

“Well, I thought he’d never leave,” said Gothel, startling Rapunzel.

“Mother?”

“Hello, dear.”

“I-I-I don’t—how did you find me?”

“Oh, it’s easy, really. I just listened to the sound of complete and utter betrayal and followed that.”

Rapunzel sighed. “Mother.”

“We’re going home, Rapunzel. Now.”

“You don’t understand. I’ve been on this incredible journey and I’ve seen and learned so much. I even met someone.”

“Yes, the wanted thief. I’m so proud. Come on, Rapunzel.”

“Mother, please! I think—I think he likes me.”

“Likes you? Please, Rapunzel, that’s demented.”

“But, Mother, I—”

“This is why you never should have left! Dear, this whole romance that you’ve invented just proves you’re too naive to be here. Why would he like you? Come on now, really! Look at you. You think that he’s impressed? Don’t be a dummy, come with Mummy. Mother—”

“No!” Rapunzel yelled, finally finding her voice with her mother, finding the courage to stand up to her.

“‘No’? Oh. I see how it is. Rapunzel knows best! Rapunzel’s so mature now, such a clever grown-up miss. Rapunzel knows best. Fine, if you’re so sure now, go ahead and give him this!” said Gothel, handing Rapunzel the satchel with the crown.

“How did you—”

Gothel didn’t answer her. She kept ranting. “This is why he’s here! Don’t let him deceive you! Give it to him. Watch, you’ll see!”

“I will!”

“Trust me, my dear,” Gothel said, snapping her fingers. “That’s how fast he’ll leave you. I won’t say I told you so—no! Rapunzel knows best! So if he’s such a dreamboat, go and put him to the test!”

“Mother, wait!”

“If he’s

lying, don’t come crying! Mother knows best!”

And Gothel left her flower alone, with her doubts and fears. Alone to wonder if Flynn Rider only wanted the crown.

“Yes, my little flower. Give him the crown and find out,” said Gothel in the distance as she watched her flower struggling with what to do next.

This time Rapunzel could feel her mother lurking in the distance, but she couldn’t see her or the hooligans standing beside her.

“Patience, boys. All good things to those who wait.”