Ever After

Once we made it to the designated village, Rapunzel was hyperventilating like mad. All I could see was her chest heaving up and down in quick motions. I grabbed onto her arm. "Be calm," I whispered in her ear. She looked at me and sucked in a big breath of air and sighed smiling at me. I smiled softly as we finally pulled up to a small cottage. I couldn't help but smile at how adorable it was. It was small, but it had character. Something you can rarely find in the royal village. People can be so uptight there.
The coachman jumped off of his stoop and opened Rapunzel's door helping her step out. I walked out on the other side of the carriage and walked around towards my little buddies. I insisted that Alistair and Goldie made this trip. Even though it was more royal to have horses of the same matching color as an escort, this was more of a personal thing, than royal. And these horses have been in my life for years and I can't imagine any other horses taking this journey.

I patted Alistair's black snout and kissed it. "Hey boy. How was the trip?" I asked, patting his head. I hated when the coachmen put those Curb bits in the horses mouths. Even though that was one of the only bits my family wanted, I would smuggle a few Snaffle bits in the shopping sacks. One day when I was trying to feed Goldie, she wouldn't eat any of her food. I had to put my hand in her mouth and feel around to see what the problem was. Finally I felt a swollen area on her gums in the far back and she almost kicked me in the groin. I was furious. But of course, me having little power couldn't do anything about it. My dad simply stated,"Snaffle bits are not to be used. We don't train pansy horses. We train knight warriors!" Now I just pay my coachmen double so they wouldn't tell my father about me changing the bits in their mouth. I don't want to raise vicious and abused horses. I wanted horses that I could call family, regardless to what anyone has to say.

I patted Goldie's golden and white mane and smiled as she neighed and stamped her feet. I looked around before slightly opening her mouth and looking inside to see if the spot was still swollen. I smiled when I saw the redness was gone and the swell was just a medium sized bump. I kissed her as well before walking around and getting Rapunzel's hand. She was holding herself and was slightly shivering. "I'm so scared."

"Don't be," I whispered. Once we reached the door, I frowned. This house definitely wasn't made for people who were 5'11 or higher. I slightly bent my head low as Rapunzel laughed, walking in front of me.

She then stopped and stared at the blonde haired man and woman in front of her. She gasped and ran over to them, hugging them tightly. "Mama! Papa!" She yelled. I smiled, folding my hands behind my back watching them.

"My baby," the woman cried, kissing Rapunzel's head.

Her father looked up and smiled at me. I walked over and outstretched my hand, waiting to shake his. His eyes widened, staring at my hand. I chuckled as he soon grabbed it, shaking it fast. "My prince, it is such an honor to be apart of this. I'm so happy for you and our daughter," he said softly.

"I HAVE A BROTHER?!" Rapunzel yelled, before I could reply. "Where is he?! I want to see him!"

"Calm down sweetheart. River will be here shortly," the woman said. I could see the tears in her eyes as she looked at her all grown up daughter. I couldn't even describe the feeling that was going on in the room right now. It was remarkable.

The door soon busted open behind me and Rapunzel's mother smiled, still staring at us. "Oh, River! Just in time!"

I smiled at her before Rapunzel and I turned around and I had to hold in a gasp. My eyes were taunting me. They had to be. This boy was beautiful. Beyond it. From his nice, thick, cocoa brown hair, to his adorable curious eyes. In his hand was a cute little cat and I couldn't help but smile softly. I wasn't allowed to have pets in the castle. All I had were my horses. I guess that was all I needed.

"Little brother..." Rapunzel soon filled the quietness. She slowly stepped towards him, hand covering mouth in shock. "My little brother," she whispered before pulling him into a hug. As they were hugging I looked up at the equally tall boy behind him who came in with River. I smiled politely at him when our eyes met and he nodded his head in response. "I had never thought you would be so adorable!" She said practically squeezing him. It wasn't until after the scratching that I realized the cat was still in between them. Rapunzel gasped and River let out a yelp and soon whispered in the cat's ear, petting it. He turned around handing it to his friend before apologizing.

"I am so sorry about him. He d-doesn't like new p-people. Do not take it to heart," he said shyly.

"It's quite alright..." she said, straightening herself out.

"River. River Haelen, Princess," he soon said. I smiled at how cordial he was being towards his own sister. I mean, I guess it makes sense, but if I were him I'd be tackling her to the ground in a hug and screaming. But then again, I am the prince. And I have no siblings, so I had no clue what it was like to have any family like this one.

Rapunzel laughed and said,"Just call me Rapunzel. You're my brother, after all! We have so much catching up to do, and I love you already," she hugged him again. "Oh, and I should introduce you to Auden. How could I forget."

I shook my head smiling and said,"It is not very nice to forget your fiancé." I walked up to then and looked at River. I stated into his curious eyes and I felt something inside of me jolt. I don't know if it was the fact that I was nervous or what. I didn't realize I was staring at him like a fool until he coughed and knelt down on one knee. Once again, his cordialness was flattering but not necessary. I couldn't help but laugh. "Stand up, River. We're soon to be brothers," I said leaning and sitting a hand on his shoulder.
He stood up and I looked down at him and smiled brightly. "Nice to meet you, River. Call me Auden."

"Uh-um okay," he whispered. He stood there awkwardly until I realized my hand was still on his shoulder. I quickly pulled it off, clearing my throat. I bit my lip watching as Rapunzel and her parents were talking and Rover and his friend kept glancing over at each other.
I wanted to say something, but nothing came into mind. This was getting really uncomfortable. I felt like I was about to faint, until I heard Goldie's neigh from outside. It was louder than usual and not calm at all. My eyes widened.

"Excuse me everyone I need to take care of that," I muttered, about to take off but bumping into River. I mumbled an apology and ran out gasping for air. I ran my fingers through my hair and hobbled over to Goldie.

What the hell just happened to me in there? I felt like I was about to have a panic attack. My thoughts were interrupted when Goldie started jumping and neighing out of control. "Shhh, love. Shhh," I whispered petting her snout. She stomped her foot trying to snap the reigns off of her. I looked over at the coachmen. "What did you do to her?"

"N-Nothing sir. She went ballistic when I was adjusting her bit."

I smacked a hand against my forehead and sighed. I looked back up at him and tossed him five silver coins. "Buy a pound of carrots. Now please," I said, holding Goldie's rein as she jumped again. "Please stop. Please," I whispered trying to calm her. She hasn't fully healed and now she's causing a tumult in the entire village.

The coachman came back with carrots. I took one out and Goldie neighed, sticking her mouth towards me, trying to take the carrot. "Not yet girl. I need to fix the bit in your mouth. Open," I taunted, trying to pry her mouth open. She stared at me not doing a thing, as I held her mouth. I folded my arms and looked at her. "So that's what you're going to do? Fine. I'll eat the carrot myself," I smirked, grabbing the carrot and slowly bringing it to my mouth. Goldie neighed and I moved quickly and opened her mouth shifting the bit to a comfortable spot. "Good girl," I said sliding the carrot to her.

I smiled but then jumped dropping the bag of carrots on the ground when I heard clapping behind me. I turned around and saw River standing there smiling. "Wow, that was great."

"Oh, thank you. Goldie and Alistair have been with me for as long as I cam remember. Goldie really isn't in the best of times right now," I smiled sorrowfully at the horse.

"Aw, what happened to her?" he asked walking over to me, lifting his hand up but refraining. "Um, may I?"

"Sure," I said smiling as he patted the horse's head. "Well, you could say horse bit abuse. I use these certain bits that do not hurt horses. They keep them from feeling any discomfort while traveling. My dad, without my permission, made Goldie wear this curb bit and now her mouth is swollen. I thought she was fine, but apparently it still hurts. These horses are my babies," I chuckled looking back over at him.

River smiled at me and started to speak until his friend ran from inside the house and grabbed him from behind, making him giggle. I frowned watching the both of them laugh. I petted Alistair and listened to his friend speak. "Your sister is so nice. I approve," he said. I rolled my eyes, already annoyed with him for some reason.

"Oh, Carsen you were gonna have to deal with it anyway. She is my sister. She's not going anywhere," River said, laughing. Carsen smiled and looked over at me.

"Prince Auden, I must say you have some fine horses. Who grooms them?"

"I do for the most part," I mumbled.

"Ah, nice," he said nodding. "I see you use Snaffle bits."

"Mhm," I replied, getting more annoyed with his voice, and his arms securely wrapped around River. I wasn't jealous or anything of that nature. I just, um, wasn't comfortable with public affection. Yes, that was it.

Rapunzel walked out of the cottage along with her parents and she was smiling widely. She squealed and ran over to River and grabbed his hand. Her long braid flew behind her. "River, how would you like to come back to the castle with me and Auden?"

Oh God.