The Christmas Gifts

All of Corona was buzzing with excitement with the announcement of a special Christmas party. Signs were posted everywhere; in shops, on trees and on lampposts. This was the first time that the villagers would be allowed inside the castle to greet the King and Queen and the new Prince and Princess; who had been married for one year. There were special times posted when the Royal family was available to minimize what the new Prince and Captain of the Guard called "crowd control."

It had been Rapunzel's idea. She wanted to get to meet everyone personally. The King and Queen agreed to it, but with reservations until Eugene stepped in and offered his advice.

"We've got to beef up security," Eugene had told the King and Queen.

And so it was to be, but it was now Rapunzel's job to supervise the writing of the invitations and see that they were personally handed out to everyone.

Rapunzel loved the work. She had been extremely busy during her 18 years living in the tower. She had already mingled with a few of the villagers on her daily visits, but this would be different.

Taking a short break from her work, she headed to her favorite place, the library. On her way there, she realized that Christmas would be here sooner than she thought and she needed to get Eugene a gift, but she wasn't sure what it was yet.

Rapunzel wasn't exactly sure what he liked and couldn't think of anything special. She combed the shelves until she found was she was looking for. It was a catalog of gifts that the shop owners made up every year to advertise their wares. Maybe she could find something in there.

And she did.

She remembered that Eugene had shown her a lovely wooden charm given to him by a little girl as a remembrance gift. The two met when they were both 5 years old and had become fast friends. Her long red curls and wide brown eyes had intrigued him, as they had prospective parents. Her name was Rowen and she was going to be adopted the next day. She didn't know how she had gotten it; it had been around her neck since they found her as a foundling child on the orphanage doorstep. It had been in the shape of an eagle soaring through the sky. It was tied by a rope chain and Rowen had tied it to his neck.

They were 12 years old when she left. The next day Eugene struck out on his own wearing the charm. He had never taken it off, except when the rope chain frayed and ripped apart when he was 16 years old. He had always found ribbons or ropes to tie it up with, but they had always kept breaking. He had always vowed to get a new chain for it, but never had gotten around to it.

Rapunzel decided to get him a beautiful silver chain for it. She found just the right place in the catalog and a great price. With a smile on her face, she closed the book and put it back on the shelf.

XXXXX

Eugene was working with Manny and the Guards, getting them ready for the big day. Somehow, a gift for Rapunzel had escaped his mind, being to busy. He had to think of something, this being their first Christmas together as man and wife.

He suddenly remembered a gift that a little girl had given her during one of her many visits to visit with the villagers. It had been a lovely glass copy of Pascal that she kept in a special place on the fireplace mantel. She never had a special cover for it and was always concerned about it breaking.

Eugene smiled.

"Manny," he called to his assistant, "I need you for a second."

"Yes, Your Highness?" he said rushing to his side.

Eugene still cringed at the title, but was getting used to it.

"Do you remember the name of the glassblower; the one who made up the beautiful glass figurine of Pascal?"

Manny smiled and nodded. "Yes I do. His name is Tobias and his shop is in the village. It's called the Glass Unicorn."

"Thanks Manny. I just had an idea for a Christmas gift for Rapunzel. I'd love to surprise her." He looked at him for a second. "Can you take over for me for a while? The plans are all laid out over there."

"You can count on me, Eugene. You know that."

Eugene raised an eyebrow, he wasn't so sure, but he clapped him on the back anyway. "Thanks, be back in a sec."