Zel by Donna Jo Napoli, 1996

A rather creepy retelling of the fairy tale Rapunzel. Zel is a spirited childish girl of 13 who has led a sheltered life. She has a touch with animals though, and while her mother is off shopping for a birthday present for her, she assists the blacksmith in attending to the horse of a 15-year old noble named Konrad. In this chance encounter, Konrad is smitten with her. Following this trip into the village, Mother tells Zel that an enemy is seeking Zel's life and for her own safety, she must be imprisoned in a tower. Mother magically grows a walnut tree next to the tower so Zel can climb up it and enter the tower. Once Zel is safely imprisoned, Mother shrinks the tree. Mother imprisons her not because there is an enemy, but so that Zel will be entirely dependent upon Mother. She desires Zel to sell her soul to the devils, just as she had, so they could stay together forever.

In the meantime, Konrad searches for Zel to no avail. When he finally gives up on her and agrees to marry another, he just happens upon her in her tower. She is not the same spirited girl she was when they first met, however. Two years in a prison has affected her and she is slightly mad. The beginning seems slow and the ending seems rushed, but Lover and Beloved end up together.