[ His movements are too much like collapsing for her liking. Even if that isn't what's happening– ] I don't know, I can't hear it. [ He's obviously not in good shape. ] It's faraway. [ If he dies or falls unconscious, it'll be up to her to get help, which could take awhile... ] Like a rabbit trapped under the ice in winter.

[ Maybe if she focuses all her attention, pours every ounce of energy into keeping him alive and safe and comfortable now then...

Then she won't have to think so much about how much she'd rather not be any of those things. And later, she won't have to feel anything unpleasant. She'll use up her own magic 'stores', if they exist, and pass out. Then when she wakes up this will all be regulated to the realm of nightmares where it belongs.

Right. Deep breath. Not because she's nervous but because singing, of course, will require it. ]

Come here. I'm going to heal you. My hair is the only reason I'm still standing. Regeneration is automatic for me. [ It's not like she needs to hide the details now!! Plus there's the second bit: ] ...Actually. Unless you worked really hard to kill me on purpose, I might not ever die.

I wouldn't feel too bad if anything happened to you either - [ Is... Is it a joke? Is she capable of joke in this state?! ] - but I know a lot of people would. So let me do this for you. Just let me get it over with. All right?

[ And then! A flicker of the real Rapunzel. A sad frown. ]

You don't have to be the hero every time, Merlin.