Rider's Ransom

Princess Rapunzel of Corona has been kidnapped. A note is left on her bed; her ransom. Miles away from the Kingdom, a young princess learns that perhaps her captor, Flynn Rider, isn't as bad as he makes himself seem.

.xx.

"Jon," a revered bandit smirked at his two accomplices, "Ron. Today," he threw his arms in the air, "marks the beginning of the end!"

Twin brothers, large in size and burly in physique, exchanged annoyed glances. The brother bearing the eye patch took one step forward. "Get on with it, Rider!" He barked. Light brown eyes turned to the two oafs standing before him. Tilting his face up, the bandit pushed his bangs out of his eyes.

"Patience, patience, Stabbington Senior."

"'EY!"

"My apologies, Stabbington Junior."

"Rider!"

Cackling, Flynn Rider, infamous con artist and boastful bandit, jumped out of the way before his two ogre-like companions could smack him for being an idiot. Standing on top of a giant boulder, he glanced back at the tower behind him; his hideout. Situated literally in the middle of nowhere, Flynn Rider thought that his handiwork in discovering such a place was amazing. He turned back to the Stabbington brothers. "Today," he lowered his voice, "I will kidnap the Princess of Corona!"

The two oafs stopped dead in their tracks and gawked at the bandit before them. Ron lifted his eye patch. "Rapunzel?"

Flynn leaned back and crossed his arms. "Yes, Rapunzel."

"For what?" Jon roared.

"For the thrill? She'll be my biggest target yet." Flynn paced the top of the rock. "Her eighteenth birthday is coming up. She's out and about the market place a lot, from what I hear. It won't take much to just…" Flynn curled his fingers and uncurled them, "take her."

"Yeah," Ron nudged Jon. "With wanted posters of him all over the Kingdom, it'll be a breeze."

Flynn smirked. "None of those wanted posters have my nose right." He tapped the tip of the body part he was just referring to. "All I have to do is… fix up my hair and stroll in as if I own the place." He closed his eyes for a moment. "Yes, I want a castle, too."

"Rider!"

He cracked open an eye; glittering with amusement. "Is that the only word that you both are capable of saying?" Again, he jumped out of the way when one of the brothers moved to smack him. Flynn snickered and put his hands on his hips, his snickering turning into full blown laughter. Ron and Jon glanced at each other and then back at Flynn.

"What's so funny, Rider?"

Abruptly, Flynn stopped laughing and peered at them in utmost seriousness. "You both are. I will have the princess and, by the end of a month, I will have one million gold coins!"

"If you do, we get half the cut."

"Nuh uh," Flynn shook his head and waggled his finger, "you had no faith in me. You don't get any of the cut. Toodles!" Without any word, he dashed out of the clearing with two dumbfounded brothers. Finally recovering, Jon fisted his left hand.

"RI-DERRRR!"

The reverberation of his voice caused birds to fly away.

.xx.

Wearing the biggest top hat the he could find, Flynn Rider –alias Eugene Fitzherbert, should anyone ask- strolled into the market place late in the afternoon. He had heard from many of the gossiping ladies that Princess Rapunzel would be out and about that very afternoon. Bringing his trusty steed, Maximus, Flynn had been able to quickly enter the vicinity of the palace. Leaving Max with the other horses, Flynn began researching.

If I were a princess, he asked himself, where would I—oh, never mind. I see her. Flynn couldn't help the smirk that spread across his face when he saw Princess Rapunzel holding the hands of little children and skipping through the market place. Her grin was broad and her cute little pixie haircut was blowing in the soft breeze.

Biggest target yet. Biggest target yet. He told himself. Glancing to his left, he saw a street vendor was selling little purple flags with the Corona Crest on them. Quickly digging out a coin from his pocket, he purchased one and quickly strode over to where the princess was.

This must be the first thing I've ever actually bought. Feels… different… Shaking the stupid feeling away, Flynn tapped Princess Rapunzel's shoulder. Turning around, she grinned broadly at him. Immediately, he was blown away by the tender serenity of her olive green eyes. Whoa…

"Hello there," she greeted. He coughed and smiled at her.

"Princess," he bowed low, "I apologize for intruding."

"No intrusion at all." She smiled.

His grin widened. "But I wanted to tell you that I have a thing for brunettes."

Rapunzel raised both eyebrows. "Do you, now?"

Flynn squared his shoulders and gave her 'the smoulder.' To his chagrin, Rapunzel raised an eyebrow at him and her shoulders shook; she was beginning to laugh. The heck? He thought, recovering from his epic failure. "Yes," he spoke, "I do." And he brought the flag up. She glanced down at it and then back up at him.

"May I have a kiss so that I might remember this moment for as long as I live?"

Rapunzel let go of one of the little girl's hand and grabbed the flag. Bringing it to her lips, she pressed a gentle kiss on it before handing it back to him. "Here," she whispered, "and for the record, don't do that eye thing anymore. It was weird."

Flynn stood in amazement as she grabbed the girl's hand and strolled away. He couldn't help the feeling of amusement in the pit of his stomach. She resisted my smoulder! That is not right! Recovering from his smoulder-fail, he looked down at the flag that Princess Rapunzel had just kissed. He shoved it into his pocket and adjusted the hat on his head. Alright. Think, Flynn, think. He watched the retreating figure of the Princess and quickly turned his gaze to the castle. Slowly, a goofy grin spread across his face.

You're a genius, Flynn! Quickly turning around, he ran out of the Corona Marketplace, retrieved his horse, and galloped out of the castle territory. Tonight, we'll meet again, Rapunzel…

.xx.

"It was so strange, Pascal." Rapunzel murmured to her pet chameleon as she changed out of her clothing and into her cotton nightgown. "He was rather dashing looking… and he did this weird eye thing," Rapunzel shoved her face into Pascal's and tried to imitate the smoulder. Pascal turned red and shot backwards, with a look of horror on his face.

"Right?" Rapunzel turned around and walked to her dressing table. Picking up a brush, she quickly pulled it through her pixie cut and set it down. "But he was dashing."

Pascal watched the Princess as she jumped onto her bed. Propping herself up on her elbows, she looked at Pascal for one moment longer. "And I didn't even get his name, what a shame." She giggled to herself, And now I'm a poet and I didn't even know it.

Pascal scurried over and jumped onto Rapunzel's stomach. Giggling, she pat his head. "Goodnight, Pascal."

Pascal made a grunt, meaning that he returned the wish. Closing her eyes, Rapunzel immediately succumbed to the world of her dreams…

.xx.

"Max," Flynn grunted as he tried to balance precariously on his horse and reach for the lowest ledge of the castle tower. "Can't you go on your tippy toes?"

His horse glared at him and Flynn frowned. "Right. Stupid question." Flynn inhaled deeply and made a small leap for the ledge. Managing to grab it, he pulled himself up and perched on it carefully, looking down at his stallion. "Wait for me by the entranceway," he instructed. Maximus nodded and began trotting off. Flynn looked up and studied his word to be done—he spotted the balcony that he had to make it to. The same balcony he spotted Princess Rapunzel looking out of.

Reaching towards his boots, Flynn pulled out two arrows that were stuck into the back of his boot and erect against his calves. Gripping them tightly, he plunged them into the castle tower and began his slow ascent to the balcony. If he timed it right, he should be in her bedroom and out before sunrise.

Suddenly, the weight of the ransom note felt heavy in his back pocket. Why am I doing this again? He pondered. Right. Biggest target yet. And I have the thing for brunettes. Whatever sounds better if I get caught.

Flynn glanced down and saw the height that he was at. His heart was pounding against his chest and he looked back up to his destination. Just a dozen or so feet away. Gah! Why did he have such a fake reputation to live up to?

If only I lived an honourable life. But where's the fun in that? His signature goofy grin spread across his face as he tried to increase the speed in which he was climbing. His heart was calming down as he got closer to the balcony. He could literally taste victory.

Or maybe that's the haggis I had today? Worst choice of food I've ever made. He almost gagged at the thought. Finally, he arrived. Yanking himself onto the platform, he jabbed the arrows back into his boot and moved to open the balcony door. As quietly as possible, Flynn felt that all of his years of conning and thieving were being put to the test at that very moment. Pushing the drapes aside, his breath caught in his throat as he saw the Princess underneath a very thin blanket, sleeping soundly. The ghostly moonlight made her glow; a surreal image.

Slowly, Flynn took a few steps towards her bed. She looked like porcelain; something that would be broken if touched. He saw how she was curled on her bed and a little green thing – a toad? A frog? A really lumpy leaf?- was lying down on her stomach, also snoozing. Flynn watched her for a few moments, unable to bring himself to touch her.

What if he was living a dream that would be broken if he moved to touch the princess?

Taking a moment longer, he flexed his fingers and placed the note on the pillow beside where she was lying. Slowly, he slipped one hand underneath her neck and the other under her knees, picking her up bridal style and cradling her close to his chest. She seemed to snuggle into him and the green thing on her stomach seemed unfazed. Flynn stood there for a moment longer before, slowly, making it to her door.

One step at a time, Flynn. He told himself. Using his leg to pull open the door, Flynn poked his head out of her bedroom and looked both ways before slowly exiting. No guards. Inhaling deeply, he began to trot, slowly of course (he didn't want to risk waking the princess up) to where he instructed Max to be waiting for him. Gasping, he pressed himself into a dark corner when he saw the light of a lantern heading his way.

Rapunzel shifted in his arms and his eyes widened in horror.

She didn't wake.

Thank god.

Flynn held his breath when the guard walked by him. Waiting until he turned the corner, Flynn left the safety of his dark corner and continued his trot to the exit. He had been in the castle but once and that was when he was "caught." Having been successful in running away, Flynn had never forgotten the different crooks and corners that the Palace of Corona had to offer.

He made a left.

And then a right.

Rapunzel shifted.

A guard walked by. And then another one… and another one.

Flynn thought he was going to have a heart attack.

And finally—

"Max!" His voice was a whisper, but his horse heard him alright. Maximus had been hiding in the bleak shadows that the contours of the castle had to offer. There were only three guards on duty and Flynn thought it to be rather careless that there wouldn't be anymore.

But then again, nobody's tried to kidnap the Princess before.

Approaching his stallion, Flynn ushered with his eyes for him to kneel down. Maximus did so and, as soon as Flynn mounted him, Rapunzel shot awake. "Where am—what the…" Her eyes widened as she looked into Flynn's eyes. "YOU!" She roared.

Flynn gulped and clamped a hand over her mouth before quickly kicking the side of Maximus, signalling his horse to hurry up and go. Rapunzel pulled his hand off of her mouth. "HELP MEEEE!"

The three guards quickly snapped their attention to the horse, the man, and their—"PRINCESS? CALL FOR BACKUP!"

Rapunzel fought with Flynn. "LET. ME. GO!"

Again, he shot her his infamous smoulder. "I will. When we get to my hideout."

"Hide—" Rapunzel's eyes widened. She moved to attack him and, all the while, Pascal was holding onto the hem of her nightgown. Flynn's arms went tight around her as if he was embracing her and he tried his best to balance on Max.

"Don't worry," he murmured into the top of her head as he tried to restrain her from fidgeting. "I promise I won't hurt you."

Her eyes narrowed in disbelief. "You kidnap me," she mumbled into his chest (as she was facing him and restrained), "and you promise not to hurt me?"

Flynn grinned. "Yep!"

"FOLLOW HIM!"

"Crap." Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the royal army racing after him. He looked down at Max. "To the tower," he said loud enough for his horse to hear, "hurry!"

.xx.

Managing to outrun the army, Maximus quickly ran into the wall of veins and disappeared to Flynn's hideout; an ovular clearing with a waterfall right behind a giant tower. Rapunzel continued to fight against him but Flynn didn't let go.

"Let me GO!" She screamed and, as she commanded, he did. Immediately, she fell off of a trotting Maximus and Flynn threw his head back and laughed. Glaring at him, Rapunzel stood her ground.

"Why did you take me here? What do you want?"

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel," Flynn smiled as he dismounted Maximus. "Learn to trust me."

"Trust?" She sputtered. "TRUST? You just KIDNAPPED me. How the heck do I trust you, whatever your name is!"

"Flynn," he pushed his bangs out of his eyes and continued to advance to her, "Flynn Rider."

"I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR NAME IS! Besides, Flynn Rider's nose isn't as perfect as yours."

"But you just asked my name," he teased. "And the posters never get my nose right. Although it is quite endearing to hear you say my nose is perfect." He rubbed his said perfect nose. "Come now, Princess, you're tired from this little adventure that we just had." He saw her little green friend sitting on her head, glaring at him. "I suppose a good night's sleep might help your temper."

"I'M LEAVING!" Turning around, Rapunzel was about to make a mad dash but she felt firm hands on her shoulders.

"No, you aren't." His voice was soft, hot against her ear. "I might have kidnapped you, and I might be keeping you here against your will, but I will not hurt you. Though you may not trust me, you have my word." He pulled away and turned her around. "Besides, I have a thing for brunettes."

Her eyes narrowed. "Take me home. NOW."

"Sorry, can't do." He sighed as if he regretted what he just said. "The only thing we can do is wait for your ransom."

"MY RANSOM?" Rapunzel wailed. "YOU'RE SUCH A HORRID, DECREPIT, HEARTLESS PERSON!"

Flynn clucked his tongue. "I'm not rickety and breaking down, Princess."

She glared at him. "Take me home, Rider."

"Or what?"

She paused. He was right, or what? What could she do with a chameleon sitting on her head? Groaning in frustration, she continued to glare at him with an intensity that put the sun to shame. "I really hate you, Rider. And to think, I kissed your flag!"

"Which was sweet, might I add." He smirked. "Now, shall we enter our humble abode?" He held his hand out to the castle. Rapunzel looked at it and back at Flynn before, dejectedly, she allowed him to guide her to this prison. She felt Pascal quivering on her head. Flynn's hand went to the small of her back as he guided her to the staircase that led them up to the living quarters.

"I have this nice little bed set up for you. Your toad can sleep with you too."

"He's a chameleon," Rapunzel snapped. "Toads are ugly. Like you."

Flynn laughed. "I highly doubt you think I'm as ugly as a toad. I have supernatural good looks, you know."

"Yeah, with supernatural stupidity. I'm gonna make sure you get hung for this." She turned away from him and shot her nose in the air.

"We'll see," he chuckled. Pulling the stone door open, he ushered Rapunzel to enter. Well… that was easier than I thought… Entering the tower behind her, Flynn pulled the stone door shut.

.xx.

Dedicated to: CherryWolf-chan, my best friend.