It was just another hot summer's day throughout the kingdom, and the same rang true in a tall tower, positioned on the outskirts of a forest. Since the princess had been kidnapped and taken to this tower by an evil old lady, every day had been the same. She'd brush her ten-or-so feet of hair, watch out the window, and maybe draw or paint some. Princes had been coming to try to save her, of course. There was a 16-year-old prince from the next kingdom over a few days ago, but he hadn't succeeded in his exploits. Far from it, actually. He'd limped away with a broken leg from trying to climb the castle wall.

You may be asking, why didn't Rapunzel just let down her long hair as a sort of rope to climb? Well, the princess had always been a fan of fairy tales. She believed in love at first sight, in being breathless upon seeing your soulmate for the first time. And so far, she hadn't felt that with anyone who'd ever visited. So she waited for the right prince to come along and sweep her off her feet.

Just then, the clacking of hooves could be heard. With a sigh, the stolen princess heaved herself up from the chair and went over to the window. She smoothed down her dress and leaned on the wall.

"Hey! You!"

The horse came to a halt in front of the tower, and the figure sitting on the horse dismounted. "My lady?"

"You're the tenth or eleventh prince I've seen just this month. I'm getting pretty fed up with it, but I just want to tell you to leave now, because you won't succeed."

The person crossed their arms, huffing. "What makes you so sure?"

"Are you deaf?! Every prince has failed so far. And, I didn't even like any of them! So what makes you think that you'll be able to succeed?" Before she could explain that she didn't mean to get so angry and snap at the person, they stepped forward, their body language showing them only to be more determined than ever.

"Because, my lady, I..." They removed their helmet, showing off their face. "... am no prince."

Rapunzel's heart skipped a beat like it never had before.

Standing in front of her was a young woman, with skin tanned by melanin and sun, and flowing brown hair. They looked to be about the same age. She smiled, holding her helmet beneath a muscular arm. "My name is Anastasia, amateur knight and tinker. I've come to win your hand, and to save you from your captivity. And, dear, I believe I will succeed because I'm determined and I will not rest until you are safe... and I have a ladder."

"Oh, cool."

Anastasia scaled the side of the tower with ease, then climbed into Rapunzel's window. "Are you ready to leave?"

"Just a moment... I need to get some things..." Rapunzel grabbed a satchel that hung near the window, throwing a few dresses and many books into it.

"You read? I never learned how."

Rapunzel held out a book to Anastasia to carry. "Maybe I can teach you how. We'll start with that one in your hands; it's a story about knights."

"Knights?" Her eyes lit up. "Amazing... I always wanted to be one as a kid, so now I guess I've succeeded!"

Rapunzel started her way down the ladder, jumping over the lower rungs. Her feet touched the soft grass. Grass... it's been so long since she was actually out here, with the sun on her skin, the grass between her toes, butterflies and birds fluttering overhead... it was like something right out of a fairytale book.

Anastasia took her hand, bowing. "I say we make our way back to the castle, your home. What do you think, my lady?"

"I agree wholeheartedly."

The knight girl suddenly picked Rapunzel up onto the ground, putting the slight princess on her back. Rapunzel laughed as she was piggy-backed towards the kingdom, her arms wrapping around the girl's strong shoulders.

"What is your first decree, then?"

"I want you to be knighted at once." Anastasia let out a happy squeak at this. "And I also request cuddles. All day, every day."

The knight laughed. "You've got it, Your Majesty."