Hospital Stories and Fairy Tales

In a modern hospital, Brendan comforts his cancer-stricken sister Daniella by retelling the story of Rapunzel, but with a twist. Daniella's insistence on Rapunzel's tale is more than nostalgia; it's a way to cope with her illness and loss. Brendan's version becomes a meta-narrative, blending their reality with fairy tale, as he promises to tell the story differently—one that's not just about magic hair, but about agency, family, and the power of stories to heal and transform.

The Wrong Flower's Curse

In the fairy-tale kingdom, the queen's illness leads to a desperate search for the legendary Sundrop Flower, but a peasant brings back the Moondrop Flower and Moon Phases instead. The queen recovers and gives birth to Rapunzel, whose silver hair is a sign of the moon's magic, not the sun's. This mistake grants Rapunzel deadly powers—her hair can kill when she's angry or hurt. The royal family, terrified, decides to hide her away, setting the stage for a life defined by fear, secrecy, and the consequences of a single, fateful error.

Murderhair and Motherhood

Rapunzel's first act—killing a maid in infancy—terrifies the court. The King Frederic and Queen Arianna, torn between love and duty, choose to send her away for everyone's safety. Mother Gothel, a cunning woman with her own agenda, volunteers to raise Rapunzel in isolation. The Queen Arianna's grief is profound, but she channels it into caring for orphans and the kingdom's lost children, while Rapunzel grows up believing she is a monster, her only comfort the woman she calls Mother.

The Tower's Lonely Routine

Rapunzel's life in the tower is a strict schedule of chores, reading, art, and astronomy. Her hair, impossibly long and silver, is both her prison and her shield. She binds it with charms, hoping to control its magic. Her only company is Mother Gothel, who visits with gifts and lessons—often cruel reminders of her supposed danger to others. Rapunzel's longing for the outside world is symbolized by the annual floating lights, which she dreams of seeing up close.

Gothel's Secret Bargain

Mother Gothel's true motives are revealed: she's kept Rapunzel not out of love, but to sell her to the highest bidder among the local nobility, who covet her deadly power. She manipulates the royal family and the kingdom, orchestrating an auction for Rapunzel's hand. Meanwhile, Mother Gothel's own youth is preserved by the Sundrop Flower, which she hoards for herself. Her duplicity is matched only by her skill at deception, as she plays the role of devoted mother while plotting Rapunzel's fate.

Rapunzel's Birthday Escape

On her nineteenth birthday, Rapunzel's longing for freedom and the truth about the floating lights reaches a breaking point. After a tense confrontation with Mother Gothel, she seizes the chance to escape the tower, using her hair as a rope. She discovers the world is alive and vibrant, not immediately deadly as she feared. Her first act of agency is retrieving a stolen crown hidden by a mysterious thief—Flynn Rider—setting her on a collision course with destiny.

The World Beyond Stone

Rapunzel's journey through the forest is a revelation. She marvels at grass, bugs, and horses, and is quickly swept into the chaos of the Snuggly Duckling tavern, where she meets Gina, a young would-be adventurer, and eventually Flynn Rider himself. Together, they form an unlikely trio, each with their own wounds and dreams. Rapunzel's innocence and curiosity win over her companions, but danger follows close behind, as Mother Gothel's auction draws the attention of every villain in the land.

The Snuggly Duckling Pact

In the tavern, Rapunzel, Gina, and Flynn strike a deal: Flynn will help Rapunzel see the floating lights in exchange for the crown she found. Gina, eager to prove herself, joins the quest. Their journey is fraught with pursuit by the Stabbington brothers, mercenaries, and the looming threat of Countess Bathory. Along the way, Rapunzel's kindness and resourcefulness shine, and she begins to question the narrative of her own danger and isolation.

Gina, Flynn, and Friendship

As they travel, the trio's bonds deepen. Gina and Flynn reveal their own orphan backgrounds, and Rapunzel learns that family can be chosen, not just given. Encounters with the royal guard, the Snuggly Duckling thugs, and the people of the kingdom show Rapunzel the complexity of the world—its suffering, its joys, and its injustices. Her magic, once a source of shame, becomes a tool for change, especially after a transformative visit to a witch's cottage.

The Truth About Power

At the witch's cottage, Rapunzel learns the true nature of her powers: they are tied to the phases of the moon, capable of both destruction and transformation. She is not inherently evil; her magic is a force of nature, shaped by intent and circumstance. This revelation is both liberating and terrifying. Meanwhile, Mother Gothel's betrayal is exposed—she has orchestrated the auction, and Rapunzel is nothing more than a commodity to her. The sense of betrayal is profound, but Rapunzel's resolve hardens.

Witch's Cottage and Moon Magic

Under the guidance of Gina's mother, the Goodwife, a true witch, Rapunzel begins to master her magic. She learns to forgive herself for the past and to use her powers for good. The cottage becomes a temporary home, a place of healing and learning. But safety is fleeting—mercenaries and Bathory's forces close in, and Rapunzel is eventually captured, betrayed by the very system that sought to control her.

The Auction and Betrayal

Rapunzel is taken to Countess Bathory's castle, where the auction for her power reaches its climax. Bathory, a sadistic noblewoman obsessed with youth and blood, intends to use Rapunzel as a weapon. Flynn and Gina, with the help of the royal guard and the Snuggly Duckling thugs, mount a desperate rescue. Rapunzel, trapped in a tower once more, must rely on her own strength and the lessons she's learned to survive.

Countess Bathory's Castle

Bathory's castle is a place of nightmares, filled with the echoes of her victims. Rapunzel's magic is tested as she tries to protect herself and others, including the servant Magda. Flynn's daring infiltration ends in capture, and the two are reunited under threat of death. The siege outside grows, and the lines between friend and foe blur as the true nature of power and agency is revealed.

Flynn's Sacrifice and Rescue

In a moment of crisis, Flynn risks everything to save Rapunzel, suffering grave wounds. Rapunzel's magic, now tied to the waxing moon, allows her to transform and heal, but not without cost. The battle for the castle is chaotic and brutal, with the Snuggly Duckling thugs and the royal guard turning the tide. Rapunzel's final confrontation with Mother Gothel is both heartbreaking and cathartic—she rejects her false mother and claims her own destiny.

The Battle for Rapunzel

The siege of Bathory's castle is a turning point. Rapunzel's magic reshapes the battlefield, shrinking the tower and freeing the prisoners. The countess is defeated, and the lords' ambitions are thwarted. In a final act of compassion, Rapunzel transforms Captain Tregsburg into a white horse—Maximus—granting him a new life. The old order is broken, and Rapunzel, Flynn, and Gina emerge as survivors and heroes.

Facing Gothel and Freedom

Mother Gothel's last attempt to reclaim Rapunzel fails. Rapunzel, now fully aware of her own worth and power, rejects Mother Gothel's manipulations and claims her freedom. The pain of betrayal is real, but so is the possibility of healing. Rapunzel's journey from captive to agent of her own fate is complete—she is no longer a pawn, but a queen in her own right.

Homecoming and Healing

Rapunzel returns to the castle, where she is reunited with her true parents. The King Frederic and Queen Arianna, wracked with guilt, welcome her with open arms. Flynn and Gina are honored for their bravery, and the kingdom begins to heal. Rapunzel's magic is now a source of hope, not fear, and she uses it to help others. The orphanage is reformed, the Snuggly Duckling rebuilt, and the wounds of the past begin to close.

Happily Ever After, Redefined

Rapunzel's happily ever after is not the end, but a beginning. She chooses her own path—one of service, love, and agency. Flynn, now Eugene, is her partner, not her savior. Gina finds her own adventures, and the kingdom is changed by Rapunzel's compassion and wisdom. The story ends where it began—in the hospital, with Brendan and Daniella, a reminder that stories have the power to heal, to transform, and to give hope, even in the darkest of times.

Characters

Rapunzel

Rapunzel is a young woman raised in isolation, convinced her magical hair makes her a danger to the world. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns her powers are not a curse but a gift, tied to the moon and its phases and her own intent. Rapunzel's innocence is matched by her intelligence and creativity; she is an artist, a scientist, and a dreamer. Her relationships—with Mother Gothel, Flynn, Gina, and her true parents—are marked by longing, betrayal, and ultimately, forgiveness. Rapunzel's greatest strength is her ability to choose her own story, to redefine what it means to be a princess, a witch, and a daughter.

Mother Gothel

Mother Gothel is a complex antagonist, both nurturing and cruel. She raises Rapunzel in a tower, ostensibly for her safety, but in truth to sell her to the highest bidder. Mother Gothel's own fear of aging and loss of power drives her actions; she hoards the Sundrop Flower's magic for herself. Her relationship with Rapunzel is a twisted blend of affection and exploitation, leaving Rapunzel with deep wounds. Mother Gothel's ultimate failure is her inability to see Rapunzel as a person, not a commodity—a blindness that leads to her downfall.

Flynn Rider (Eugene Fitzherbert)

Flynn is a thief with a heart of gold, shaped by a childhood in the orphanage and a life on the run. His bravado masks deep insecurities and a longing for belonging. Through his relationship with Rapunzel, Flynn learns to value honesty, vulnerability, and love over wealth and legend. His willingness to risk everything for Rapunzel marks his transformation from rogue to hero. Flynn's journey is one of self-acceptance, as he reconciles his past with his future.

Gina

Gina is a young woman determined to forge her own path as an adventurer, despite the world's expectations. Raised by a witch in the woods, she is resourceful, brave, and fiercely independent. Gina's friendship with Rapunzel and Flynn is transformative for all three; she challenges Rapunzel's assumptions and supports her growth. Gina's own arc is about claiming agency, finding family, and refusing to be defined by others' limitations.

Queen Arianna

Rapunzel's true mother, the queen, is a figure of deep sorrow and resilience. Her decision to send Rapunzel away is born of love and fear, but she channels her grief into caring for the kingdom's orphans and vulnerable. The reunion with Rapunzel is a moment of healing and forgiveness, as mother and daughter reclaim their bond. The queen's journey is one of redemption and the power of maternal love.

King Frederic

The king is a man torn between his responsibilities as a ruler and his love for his family. His decision to hide Rapunzel is pragmatic but devastating. He is haunted by regret, but his reunion with Rapunzel offers a chance for atonement. The king's arc is about learning to balance duty with compassion, and to trust in the strength of his daughter.

Countess Bathory

Bathory is the story's most overt villain, a noblewoman obsessed with youth and power. She seeks to use Rapunzel's magic for her own ends, embodying the dangers of unchecked ambition and cruelty. Bathory's castle is a place of horror, and her defeat is both a personal and symbolic victory for Rapunzel and the kingdom.

Captain Tregsburg (Maximus)

The captain of the guard is a figure of integrity and strength, haunted by the secrets of the past. His role in Rapunzel's exile is a source of guilt, but he becomes a key ally in her rescue. His transformation into a white horse—Maximus—is both a magical and metaphorical rebirth, symbolizing loyalty, service, and the possibility of change.

The Goodwife (Gina's Mother)

The Goodwife is a true witch, a mentor to Rapunzel and a loving mother to Gina. She represents a different model of motherhood—one based on acceptance, guidance, and freedom. Her cottage is a haven of learning and healing, and her influence helps Rapunzel claim her power and agency.

Magda

Magda is a servant in Bathory's castle, resigned to her fate. Her interactions with Rapunzel highlight the broader suffering of women in the kingdom, and her rescue is a small but significant act of justice. Magda's story is a reminder that true power lies in solidarity and compassion.

Plot Devices

Framing Narrative: Hospital and Fairy Tale

The novel uses a dual narrative: the hospital scenes with Brendan and Daniella provide a contemporary lens through which the fairy tale is retold. This device allows for meta-commentary, emotional resonance, and a reimagining of Rapunzel's story as one of agency and healing, not just rescue.

The Moondrop Flower and Moon Phases

The substitution of the Moondrop Flower for the Sundrop Flower transforms Rapunzel's magic from healing to deadly, tying her powers to the phases of the moon. This device explores themes of duality, transformation, and the cyclical nature of trauma and growth. The waxing and waning of her abilities mirror her journey from victim to agent.

The Auction and Commodification

Mother Gothel's auction of Rapunzel is a central plot device, exposing the ways women's bodies and powers are commodified by those in authority. The competing nobles, the threat of Bathory, and the betrayal by Mother Gothel all serve to highlight the struggle for autonomy and the dangers of being seen as a prize rather than a person.

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The relationships between Rapunzel, Flynn, and Gina are built on choice, not blood. Their loyalty, sacrifice, and mutual support contrast with the failures of traditional family and authority. This device underscores the theme that true belonging is found in those who see and accept us as we are.

Metafiction and Self-Awareness

The novel is self-aware, with characters commenting on fairy tale tropes, questioning their roles, and rewriting their own endings. This device empowers Rapunzel to move beyond passive victimhood, to become the author of her own story.

Analysis

What Once Was Mine is a radical reimagining of the Rapunzel myth, transforming a tale of passive endurance into one of active agency, self-discovery, and the reclamation of power. By tying Rapunzel's magic to the moon—a symbol of change, cycles, and feminine strength—the novel explores the complexities of trauma, forgiveness, and the search for identity. The story interrogates the nature of motherhood, the dangers of commodification, and the possibility of healing after betrayal. Through its framing narrative, it connects the power of stories to real-world suffering and hope, suggesting that the true magic lies not in hair or spells, but in the courage to choose one's own path, to forgive, and to build a better world. In the end, Rapunzel's happily ever after is not a return to innocence, but a hard-won, ever-evolving legacy of compassion, agency, and love.

Last updated: May 22, 2025