Disclaimer: I don't own Tangled or any of the the associated characters. Disney does, the lucky people I can't hate because they brought me so much joy in life.

How did Rapunzel's mother know it was her daughter? Well, let's just say it was Mother's Instinct and a Lock of Hair. Enjoy!

The guard burst through the door and gave us the news. Our long lost daughter had been found at last.

I glanced at my husband in surprise and rushed through the halls of our home that had felt so empty for 18 long years.

Before opening the doors I stopped and, unsure now if I wanted to set myself up for rejection.

The doors opened and two young people turned around and stepped away from the edge where they had been surveying the kingdom.

Fleetingly it crossed my mind that the young man was the wanted thief who was causing grief throughout the kingdom. Then I pushed that thought aside and turned my attention to the young girl standing before me.

Her hair was brown, like mine rather than the blonde my daughters had been when she was born. Then again, hair could get darker as people got older, couldn't it? Her eyes were green-gray eyes matched my daughters, but I just couldn't be sure. Was this my daughter?

I searched my heart and felt the answer was yes, and then I remembered something I had forgotten over the years.

The horrible night, 18 years ago, when my daughter had been taken from me, there had been a lock of brown hair in the crib.

Everyone had assumed it was the culprit's hair and perhaps Rapunzel had pulled on it, but the hair had looked clean, like a cut.

I sutdied her short, unruly hair again and began to cry.

This was my daughter.

I quickly embraced her and cried quietly against her, feeling her tears as well as my own and my husbands who had decided to join us.

Then I looked up at the wanted thief. His look said it all. He had brought my daughter home. I took his hand and pulled him into the embrace as well.

Our family was finally whole.

And my daughter was home.

Hope you enjoyed, I was just watching the movie again and thought, what happened to the lock of hair Gothel cut? Then I was like, maybe that's how the queen realized it was her daughter! FANFIC TIME! Inspired by this up at camp I knew I had to write this but didn't get it written until now, so here it is. A short little drabble.

Please review and let me know your thoughts. Also advice or compliments always appreciated!

Thankies,

OSK