Rapunzel pt. 1
Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a man and his wife. The man was actually a prince, but he could only be with the woman he loved if he became a peasant. She was close to giving birth, but a deadly disease was spreading through the country. The man went to a powerful warlock who lived in the village, asking what the warlock wanted for the reassurance that the child would be born.
The warlock then told the man he would not be having one, but two children. This would set the price very high, but the man accepted anyway and asked how much it would cost. The warlock said he would be taking something in the near future, but it would reassure the survival of the twins. The man went back to his home, while the warlock schemed the next part of his plan.
The birth happened and while the first born was a strong baby girl, the second was smaller, more sickly boy. He had a peculiar mark on his forehead shaped like the Big Dipper. Once the castle heard news that the new heirs to the throne had been born, they were off to the small village. The warlock was heading there, as well, to collect his payment.
The baby boy and girl slept, they felt a connection to each other right after birth. The warlock caused the small house's door to fly open, making the babies begin to wake up and cry. He approached the crib, examining both infants. When he stroked the girl's face, she made her fingers into little fists, swinging them at the man. Next he stroked the boy’s face. First the boy flinched, but he later grabbed the hand and held it with his little fingers.
The warlock smiled down at him, then plucked the little boy out of the crib. ‘This one won't fight as much, and he’s much cuter anyway,’ the warlock thought to himself. The little girl began crying, watching helplessly as the connection with her brother was severed. The man and his wife rushed in, horrifyingly watching as their son fell asleep in the warlock’s arms. “I think you can guess what my payment is,” he said to the couple.
“But don't worry, you'll still have your first born baby girl. She’s much more healthy than him, much more free minded too. I just think the princess in a tower is so overdone. Now a prince, that's a nice change.” The baby girl kept crying, thinking that would stop the man who had taken her brother. The warlock could see out the window, the royal guard had finally arrived to collect the children and their parents. “Time to make my exit. Thank you, again, for this lovely child I can call my own.” The warlock lifted the side of his golden cape, wrapping it around him and the child and disappearing like he was a figment of pure imagination.
He named the child Dipper because of the birthmark on his forehead and took him to a hidden tower outside the kingdom. He guarded it with magic, and anyone seeking the lost prince could not see the tower. He held the child close to his chest, wrapping him in his golden cape and singing a bit. As he sang, the child's birthmark began to glow a blue color.
“So you’re magic,” the warlock said aloud. “I made the right choice.” He continued to sing, the mark maintaining its beautiful glow.
---
Dipper grew up inside the tower, curious for the world outside, but content with being confined to the walls of the tall fortress. He got enough entertainment from the endless books which Father Cipher brought him. The man who he believed was his father treated him very well, giving the child almost anything but the chance to experience the outside world. The boy enjoyed writing though, making up stories from the things he read about.
When he was old enough, the warlock told Dipper that he was capable of doing magic. Dipper was ecstatic, his father promising to teach him ways to use his powers. Dipper always knew he was different, even if he didn't know anyone else except Father Cipher. He noticed the mark on his head glowed whenever his father sang, but he thought nothing of it.
Dipper had grown into a fine young man of 17 when something a bit different happened to him. His father still would not let him go outside, but he believed he was ready. His father had done something quite strange in his opinion, but he figured it was just something from the human culture. He had never let Dipper cut his hair, and it trailed behind him like the trail of a brides dress. His father also tied a black and gold bow near the top and end of Dipper’s hair, Dipper didn't know why, he only knew they looked nice.
“This is it! This is the day!” he said to himself as he worried his hands. “I'm finally going to ask father to go outside. He’ll have to say yes, I mean, how dangerous can it be! And I always behave myself, and help him, and practice my magic-” that's when he heard his father's voice from outside.
“Dipper, my sweet child, let down your hair!” Cipher called. He always wore the same attire, the same as the night he kidnapped Dipper. A cape and while the back was black, the inside was a shimmering gold. His tall black boots fit snugly with his black pants. His shirt was a golden color, the same as his cape. And finally, a triangular pendant sat around his neck. He was pale, but that made his golden hair stand out wonderfully. His eyes were an electric blue, Dipper could sometimes see the magic just running around inside of them.
Dipper looked down, tying his hair around an empty flower holder and lowering it to Cipher. Dipper realized his hair was needed for this, but his father could have also used magic to get up the tower. His father grabbed on, holding securely and giving a little tug for Dipper to begin. It was a beautiful sight, the way the warlock glistened in the sun as the boy used his strength to tug the man up. The only difference to this routine was that someone was there watching it today.
Father Cipher had finished his assent up the tower, placing down his basket and then hugging Dipper. But this was no ordinary hug, this was a loving hug, one a real blood father and son would share. He genuinely loved the boy, and once he grew up into this beautiful young man, he realized taking this child was the best decision he had made. The kingdom that they lived outside of was to be ruled by Dipper’s sister, no one but the higher up royals knowing about the boy. Sure he was a bit scrawny, but he was intelligent, kind, and beautiful, and that made up for everything. “I'm glad to see you, Pine Tree,” he said as he pulled away, placing a small kiss on the boy’s forehead. Pine Tree was his nickname for the boy; instead of calling him prince when he was little, he accidentally called him this and it stuck.
“The same to you Father, but you haven't been gone that long,” Dipper said as he wiped the kiss off, like any child would. “Sooooo, do you know what tomorrow is?”
“Friday,” the warlock said as he picked up his basket and went to the counter.
“Maybe be a little more specific,” Dipper said.
“The 31st of August,” said Cipher, a grin on his face.
“Yes, but what's so special about that day!” Dipper said as he bounced on the balls of his feet.
“It's the last day of August,” said the warlock as he turned, holding a folded up sheet in his hand.
“No! Well I mean yes, but that's not the special part,” Dipper’s face was pleading, he was hoping the one person who even knew about his existence remembered his birthday.
“Hm, oh!” he said as he snapped his fingers in recognition. “You mean this,” he said as he unfolded the sheet in his hands. Dipper’s face lit up in pure joy and Cipher stood there, enjoying every second of it. It was a sign that read, ‘Happy Birthday Dipper!’ It was even in Dipper’s favorite color, a nice shade between dark and light blue.
“It's perfect!” he said as he jumped into his father’s arms. Cipher had dropped the banister to the floor before Dipper had hugged him. He let the boy stay there, enjoying his warmth and comfort. Before the boy pulled away, the warlock snapped his fingers, all the decorations magically appearing in the correct spots. Dipper pulled away, looking at the masterpiece. “You've got to teach me how to do that.”
The warlock laughed then said, “Maybe I'll show you tomorrow.” He then went to sit in his usual chair, a throne like thing, except much smaller, that was painted all gold. He motioned for Dipper to come over, and the boy followed the order as usual. He sat down at his feet since he was far too big to sit on Cipher’s lap now. “Now tell me, what do you want for your birthday, my perfect Pine Tree?”
“Well, Father, I've been asking for this a few times for my birthday,” Dipper said, sheepishly looking to the ground. Cipher’s gentle expression was slowly changing to one of disappointment. “And you think I'm not old enough, but age comes with experience. I want to go outside,” he said as he looked up. But his once hopeful expression was dashed by his father's.
“Pine Tree, we've talked about this. It's very dangerous outside, that's why we live up here. Not to mention your birthmark, think of what people would say about you.”
“But you get to go outside, and if we went you could protect me. I'll be fine if people talk about me.”
“Dipper, I'm sorry, but no.” The boy's face was pleading, his eyes so large and mouth ready to rebut. Cipher stood up, walking over to the basket at the table again. “Maybe next year.”
Dipper thought to himself, ‘That's the same response every year.’ He walked to the steps, quietly going up as he was supposed to. His father looked at the him, watching the only light in his life walk up the stairs like some kind of zombie. Dipper reached the top where his room was, going inside and not even glancing back.
---
Dipper had picked up a book, trying to forget about what happened. He was about halfway through when his father came up. “Dipper, I'm going to bed now.”
“Okay,” was the only response Cipher got. No Dipper getting up to kiss him goodnight, just a cold one word response. Which he supposed he deserved.
“Do you want me to come in to say goodnight?” he asked, voice sweet. The door to Dipper’s room was a sheet, so Cipher could always hear him and make sure he was up to no trouble.
“It’s fine from in here, goodnight.” There was a bit of a crack in Dipper’s voice, so Cipher took a peek in from the sheet. Dipper was crying small tears, he was trying hard to keep his eyes open through the waterworks. When he looked up to see his father, he turned away, back now facing the man.
“I'm coming in, okay?” All he got was a mumble in return. “Alright, I'm coming in,” he said as he pulled back the sheet. He walked over to the bed, sitting partially on it. He stroked the side of his son’s face, and the boy instinctively took his father’s hand in his. They sat there, Dipper thinking of a good argument as to why he wanted to go out, and Cipher wondering why his perfect, docile, little child had to have these annoying wants. The warlock scooted over more, putting the boy’s head in his lap and wiping away the tears. He began singing the song, the song he sang when he first held Dipper and the song he always sang to see that beautiful birthmark glow.
“Don't you know what's out there in the world? Someone has to shield you from the world. Stay with me." Dipper cuddled up onto his Father's chest, closing his eyes and wearing a hard expression. Cipher held him back, happy to see his child still wanted him.
"Stay at home. I am home. Who out there could love you more than I? What out there that I cannot supply? Stay with me." The glow of Dipper's mark was bright, brighter than Cipher had ever seen it. Dipper's face was now calm, he could feel the magic pulsating through his body.
"Stay with me, The world is dark and wild. Stay a child while you can be a child. With me." Dipper had completely stopped crying, he had forgotten why he was sad. The warlock stroked the boy's hair, enjoying the feeling of having someone he could always love. "I love you, my precious little Pine Tree."
Dipper looked up toward him, a small smile on his face. "I love you too, Father."
"Now, do you know why you can't go outside?" He had to imprint this in his head, he knew he would ask again, but eventually it would get through to him.
"It's dangerous outside, and there's a lot of bad people who would want to hurt me. They'd ridicule me for my differences and think I'm a freak because of my birthmark." He gripped onto his father tighter, holding him as if he was about to disappear. Cipher smiled, hoping it would be like this for the rest of their lives. The boy didn't know it, but on his birthday tomorrow Cipher would enact a spell to keep them like that forever. It would be perfect, just him and his child for the rest of time.
"Don't worry, I'm still here." He rubbed Dipper's back, listening to the boy's breathing. "I'll always be here for you. And I love you, birthmark and all." Dipper pulled away, smiling to his father. "Now I'll have a great birthday surprise for you tomorrow, I promise. But I think it's time for bed now." Dipper did a small nod, going to the head of his bed.
Cipher snapped his fingers, Dipper's long line of hair forming into a small pile at the foot of his bed. Dipper had gotten under his sheets, snuggling in the warmth as he watched the magic at work. "Father, why do you keep my hair so long?"
Cipher laid his electric eyes on the child, loving the way the child looked upon him with admiration and not fear. Cipher had his reasons, but he would never divulge them to the boy. "Well, I wanted a way for you to improve your strength. Lifting me all the way up that tower would build some muscle on anyone!"
Dipper did a giggle at that, laughing at his Father's response. "No, but really. Is that why?"
"I'll tell you when you're older." Cipher hopped off the sheets, going to the head of the bed and finishing tucking Dipper in. "But for now, it's time to go to bed." He placed a kiss on Dipper's forehead. "I love you."
"I love you more," Dipper responded.
"I love you most," Cipher said, meaning it completely whole-heartedly. He walked toward the doorway, blowing Dipper a kiss before closing the sheets behind him. He walked to his bedroom, needing his rest for the spell tomorrow.
Dipper hadn't fallen asleep, something seemed to be keeping him awake. He crept out of bed, then he slowly opened the sheets hiding his room. He let his hair drag behind him, walking down the staircase and to the window that looked outside his tower.
What he saw below on the ground excited him more than anything. It was a girl, and from the looks of it she had been waiting out there a while. Her hair was a mess, her outfit a bit disheveled, and face dirty. "Hello!" she called up.
Dipper quickly put his finger to his mouth, indicating the girl to quiet down in fear of waking his father. Dipper then said as quietly as he could, "One minute," before running back up to his room.
On the way up, he examined Father Cipher's door, seeing it was still closed. Once he made it back to his room, he picked up his large pile of hair and slowly went back down the stairs. He looped it around the flower holder, waiting for the hair to fall to the bottom and motioning for her to climb up.
The girl did so, and as she got closer Dipper could make out more of her features. She had a similar hair color to him, also the same eyes. She got even closer, he could see the similarity in their face structure. She finally made it to the window and she sat on the sill. She seemed to have noticed the similarities too, a look of amazement in her eyes.
"Who are you?" she asked, intrigued by this stranger that seemed so familiar to her.
"I am Dipper, and you are?" He looked nervous, like if he asked the wrong question she would leave right away.
Cipher had began stirring, sensing something was wrong in his household. At first he brushed it off as nothing, trying to return back to his sleep.
"My name is Mabel, and I am princess of the kingdom near here." Dipper looked at her, imagining this girl as if she was a character in one of his books. "Why are you up here?"
"My Father keeps me up here, he believes the outside world is dangerous for people like me."
Cipher then shot up, thinking he could hear voices. He slowly opened the door to his room, making sure not to make a sound. He didn't even have to check Dipper's room to know he wasn't there. He could hear the boy having a conversation, but with whom he didn't know.
"What do you mean, people like you?" she asked, now curious. That's when Mabel noticed the birthmark on Dipper's head. The boy looked down, ashamed by what was on his forehead.
Cipher smiled, hoping the girl would ridicule the boy. If he was made fun of by the first person he met, it would completely drain his confidence. He'd never want to go out again, he'd be perfect once again.
"Wait," she said, stepping inside. "I think your birthmark is pretty cool."
Dipper looked up, a small hope in his eyes. "Really?"
Mabel did a big smile. "Yes, really!" That's when Dipper shushed her, but they both laughed a bit. "Is it like magic or something?"
"Well, yeah, it is. Do you want me to show you?" Mabel nodded excitedly, and Dipper began to move his fingers. Cipher watched in horror, the boy so easily revealing magic to someone he just met. Small sparkles began forming in Dipper's hands, brighter than any diamond could shine.
"That's amazing," the girl said. "You know, my kingdom needs a wizard. What if I brought you there?"
Dipper had a large smile on, not knowing what to say. "I don't know, I mean, my father wouldn't want me to go."
"Well he can come to! Tomorrow I'm having a party for my 18th birthday and you can both come."
"Wait, tomorrow's my birthday too!" Dipper tried to exclaim quietly. Cipher watched, seeing how they were somehow gaining their connection back so fast. That girl was destroying something that took him 18 years to create.
"Okay, this I getting too weird!" Mabel said.
"Good weird, or bad weird?" the boy asked, a bit scared.
"Good weird! I'll come here again tomorrow night to get you and your father. It will be so much fun!" And with that, the two said goodbye, hugging even though they had only met. He gently lowered her to the ground, and as she got on her horse he brought his hair back up.
Cipher went back into his room, laying down and thinking of what to do tomorrow. Dipper spent some time looking at the stars, spotting his namesake in the sky. He later walked up the stairs, going in through the curtains and laying down in his bed. He believed tomorrow would be the best birthday ever, while Cipher believed it would be the worst.