1. Chapter 1 (1/2)

hi everyone! i've been wanting to write a rapunzel adaptation for a while, and i figured now was as good a time as any. i'd love to hear what you think about this first chapter.

disclaimer: i own nothing.

chapter 1:

two young men stood awestruck before an immense tower in the woods.

"was this here last week?" one asked, furrowing his

ow.

"we didn't come this way last week," the other replied. "i don't think our weekly treks have ever taken us here before. it's pretty far from town." he paused for a

ief moment before adding, "you have a horrible sense of direction."

the first speaker grumbled but did not dispute the statement. the two men continued looking up at the tower for quite some time. both were fairly tall, though one stood about two inches over the other, and both sported unruly

own hair. they seemed rather wealthy, wearing finely tailored coats and

eeches. as they peered up at the tower, the expressions of bewilderment on their faces were nearly identical. curiosity shone from both pairs of

own eyes.

"do you think there's a way in?" asked the taller of the two, the one who had spoken first.

"i'd imagine so," said the other. "let's see."

they circled the tower several times in search of an entryway. apparently there was none. "this is ridiculous," grumbled the shorter man. "who makes a tower with no way of entering?"

"they say the third time generally does the trick. let's go around again."

"no."

"maybe i could climb it. it looks like there's a window up by the roof."

"will, you can't climb this thing. you'll die and i'll be without an elder

other."

"and you'll be unspeakably heart

oken and lose your way in life because you'll lack the guidance of an older and wiser soul?" the one named will pulled a tragic face as he asked the question.

the younger

other hesitated before replying, "sure."

will set his hands on his hips and frowned up at the old stone tower. "i really think i could climb it. it can't be more than ten yards high."

laughing, the younger

other said, "it's far more than ten yards high. you also have horrible depth perception."

"well, you know, once something's tall it's tricky to pinpoint just how tall it is, because it's simply tall."

"and once something's redundant it's tricky to pinpoint just how redundant it is, because it's simply redundant."

"you, nick, are insufferable. just because you've started pursuing scientific interests doesn't mean your mind has been launched into a superior plane of thinking."

"i thought i was born into a superior plane of thinking."

will sniffed at his younger

other's quip, removed his coat, and marched towards the tower with a determined look on his face. setting his fingers between two of the tower's stones, he began to haul himself up. "i shall ascend the tower," he announced as he kicked his feet about in search of a foothold.

"you shall die before your time," nick said with a worried frown, watching his

other climb.

for several long and silent minutes, will climbed, and nick observed his progress. the farther will was from the ground, the more anxious nick became. "are you sure you're alright?" he called up.

"fine," will grunted, extending his hand to grab a protruding stone that was just a bit out of his reach. he swore as his hand fell uselessly back to his side. sweat was trickling down his face, and he wasn't even halfway up the tower. he bowed his head in defeat and began to descend. "don't say 'i told you so,'" he growled as he reached the ground. "we're coming back tomorrow with a ladder."

"i don't think we have a ladder that can reach the top of this tower," nick sighed, shaking his head at his

other's impetuosity.

"of course we do," will said. he shrugged his coat back on and began to walk

iskly away from the tower. nick had to jog to catch up.

"i really don't think we have one," nick said once he had come alongside his older