*AN: This fic is written based on all of the knowledge gleaned so far from 1 1/2 seasons of Tangled the Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure. Any discrepancies from future canon releases will either be remedied, or else accepted as part of an AU. With that, enjoy!*

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful kingdom named Corona. It had been built over the generations, honoring the sun, and the gifts of light and life which it offered- especially one particular gift: a magical golden flower which had grown from a small drop of sunlight that had fallen upon the earth long ago. It was reported to have the power to heal illnesses and wounds, and even reverse the effects of aging. However, the kingdom of Corona thrived, therefore having little use of such a flower. Thus, the myths and legends began to fade into obscurity.

All of that changed one fateful night. Corona's young Queen Arianna had fallen ill while delivering her first child. If something were not done, both would be lost. King Frederic ordered the entire kingdom to search for the fabled golden flower in the hope that it could save his ailing wife and their yet unborn child.

Indeed, the flower was found. In short order, it was brought to the king, who brewed it into an elixir to give to the queen. Arianna recovered and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl with golden blonde hair. The proud parents led the kingdom in a joyous celebration, including sending off a floating lantern to commemorate Princess Rapunzel.

The celebration ended abruptly, however. What the king and queen couldn't have known was that the golden flower that had saved Arianna and Rapunzel had been hidden, hoarded by a witch named Gothel for centuries for its power. The night after Rapunzel's christening, Gothel stole into the castle and took the baby princess, the flower's power now residing in her golden locks.

Years passed. Rapunzel grew up calling Gothel her mother, and being taught to fear the outside world. She kept hope, however, thanks to the flood of beautiful lights that filled the sky each year on her birthday. One year, she finally was brave enough to employ the services of a ne'er do well thief named Flynn Rider and leave her tower to see the lanterns for herself. In so doing, she discovered her true identity as the kingdom's princess, fell in love with Flynn -whose true name turned out to be Eugene Fitzherbert- and returned home to her family.

As the years passed, Rapunzel grew in kindness, wisdom and beauty. Over many ups and downs, she learned her royal duties and came to accept the challenges that she would one day face as queen. Rapunzel still often feared she may not be up to the task, but she found courage in the fact that she would always have her family and friends by her side- not to mention her true love, Eugene. After several failed attempts, Rapunzel finally accepted his proposal.

Not long after their wedding, King Frederic and Queen Arianna announced their belief that their daughter and son-in-law were ready to ascend the throne. The two were both of age, and of equal experience in leading Corona. And so came the week of their coronation.

"Raps, relax," the princess's lady-in-waiting admonished as she checked the hem of her liege's gown. "It's just a dinner."

"You're right, Cass," Rapunzel replied with a nervous chuckle. "It's only the dinner where Eugene and I present ourselves to representatives of Corona's allies from all over the world. The dinner which kicks off the week before we become the rulers of Corona."

"Come on, you know you'll do great." Cassandra assured.

"Remember the last time I was queen? And that was just for a day!"

"That was over three years ago." Cass stood and put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "We've all grown so much since then. And, besides, you know that, no matter what, your family, Eugene and I will always be there for you."

"I know you're right," Rapunzel said genuinely, breaking into a smile. "Thanks. Just pre-coronation jitters getting to me."

At that moment, there was a knock at the chamber door. Cassandra crossed the room to admit one of the castle's pages.

"My sincerest apologies for the interruption," he said. "But, the delegation from Arendelle has arrived."

At this, the queen-to-be's eyes brightened, accentuated by her wide grin. "Anna and Elsa!"

Barely remembering to lift her skirts, Rapunzel took off running towards the front door of the castle. Cassandra rolled her eyes, then smiled and went after the princess before she tripped and hurt herself. Before long, the guests were in sight.

"Anna! Elsa!" Rapunzel exclaimed, hugging her cousins. "I'm so glad you could make it."

"We wouldn't miss this for the world," Anna assured. The sentiment was chorused by her sister. "Oh! You remember Kristoff, don't you?"

"Of course. So good to see you again. How's business as the royal ice master and deliverer?"

"Good as always," the young man replied.

"And we can't forget Olaf," Elsa added.

"How could I forget my favorite little snowman?" Rapunzel smiled, kneeling down to his eye-level. "Got a warm hug for me?"

"Always!" Olaf chuckled, embracing Rapunzel.

"So, where's Eugene?" Anna asked.

"He's out riding off nerves," Rapunzel answered. "He has that luxury, since he won't need more than an hour to get ready for tonight. Anyway, there's so much we have to catch up on! It feels like it's been forever. How about we-"

"Rapunzel," Cassandra interrupted. "We're on a schedule, remember?"

"Right. Well, Richard here will show you to your rooms. I'll see you all at dinner. Re-match round of chess sometime, Elsa?"

"You're on," Elsa nodded with a smile. With that, the group separated. On the way back to Rapunzel's room, the two encountered Queen Arianna.

"And you're afraid you won't be good at this," she smiled in greeting.

"Yeah, Mom," her daughter chuckled. "It's easy greeting family. But, I won't be able to run up and hug every visiting dignitary as they come in. Remember how well that went before my princess coronation."

"That's not what I mean. It's true, you won't have as close an attachment to all of our guests, but I know that you will make the greatest effort you can to make each one of them feel welcome in a way that is unique to them. It comes naturally to you."

"Well, here's hoping."

"Sorry to break the touching moment, Your Majesty," Cassandra cut in. "But, we're still not done with alterations."

"Of course," Arianna smiled. "I'll see you at dinner."

The rest of the day passed without catastrophe, much to Rapunzel's amazement. Dinner went off without a hitch, and the queen-to-be found herself able to mingle and converse with everyone- well, given a little stammering, at first. It helped that Eugene was never far behind her. After dinner, Rapunzel was able to play Elsa in chess, then everyone left to go to bed.

"I swear, I think that snowman hates me," Eugene remarked as he and his wife were returning to their bedchamber.

"I'm pretty sure Olaf is incapable of hating anybody," Rapunzel replied.

"Did you see the way he looked at me? You steal a guy's nose one time!"

"I'm sure you're reading too much into it," Rapunzel chuckled. "Talk to him tomorrow, and I know you'll be getting one of his warm hugs in no time."

"To think that my friendship with a snowman is a normal topic of conversation," Eugene laughed. "Just goes to show you how much more interesting my life's become since I met you."

"Aw, that's so sweet! But, you still owe me for ditching me to go riding this afternoon."

"Eh, worth a shot."

Rapunzel's fear was colder than the chains around her wrists as she felt a familiar tugging on her scalp. Somehow, she knew that, even without the cloth gagging her, she would not be able to mutter a single sound to warn Eugene that he was climbing into a trap. Her Eugene. He had just escaped death at the hands of the Captain of the Guard, only to face it head-on at the hands of her "mother." And it's all because of me…

It broke Rapunzel's heart to hear the relief and love in Eugene's voice as he came inside. No doubt he had imagined himself playing the hero, sweeping his beloved off her feet and whisking her away to safety, to somewhere they could be together in peace and live happily ever after. Against her better judgment, Rapunzel attempted to call out to him once he noticed her in chains in one corner of the room. The only sound, however, was Gothel's knife meeting his flesh, followed by a sickening thud as he fell to the floor.

Rapunzel struggled against her bonds, ignoring her captor's admonitions. She would rather herself die than do nothing as the life drained out of Eugene's face, much less be dragged away to never know freedom again. No matter how much she pulled, no matter how she fought against the chains and her gag, nothing was stopping Gothel from pulling her away.

Through blurred, teary eyes, Rapunzel watched Eugene reach out for her, only for his arm to fall limp as the hidden trapdoor in the tower closed behind her and Gothel.

Finally, she found herself able to shout, to twist and turn even more fiercely. However, from somewhere in the darkness, large, warm hands were clutching her at the shoulders, trying to pin her down. Or, were they lifting her up?

"No," she cried.

"Rapunzel," a voice replied.

"No!"

"Rapunzel!"

Rapunzel's eyes fluttered open and met those of Eugene. His face betrayed obvious concern, a hand on either of her shoulders. Relieved, Rapunzel sobbed and buried her face in her husband's chest.

"Sssh, sssh, shhh," Eugene soothed, wrapping one arm around Rapunzel's waist, gently stroking her back. "It's okay. It's okay, I'm here. It was just a nightmare. You're safe."

"Oh, Eugene, it was awful," Rapunzel choked out. "We were back in the tower. You were- and Gothel was- and there was nothing I could do."

"Hey, hey, you're okay," Eugene assured. "Gothel's long gone, and a herd of wild bulls couldn't take me away from you again. And you're one of the strongest people I've ever met."

"It just felt so real."

"I know. I have dreams like that, too, sometimes." Eugene pulled away slightly, and used his free hand to tuck a loose strand of Rapunzel's hair behind her ear. "Thankfully, I always wake up, and you're still beside me."

"I guess pre-coronation nerves are getting to me more than I thought," Rapunzel chuckled softly.

"Yeah, probably. But don't sweat it. Just a couple more days. And you and I both know that you'll make a wonderful queen."

"With a king like you by my side, how can I miss?"

"Well, I wasn't going to say anything about that, but, now that you mention it.."

"Let me just stop you right there," Rapunzel laughed full-heartedly now. "Thank you."

"Anytime, Goldie. Now, try to get some more rest. Another full day tomorrow."

"You, too. I love you."

"I love you more."

"I love you most." Somehow, it didn't bother Rapunzel to repeat the routine she had done so many times with Gothel growing up in the tower. Maybe it was because she knew that, unlike Gothel, Eugene actually meant the words. That, and her husband's warm arm around her shoulders, gave her comfort and assured her that it was safe to close her eyes once again.

*AN: Hey! Welcome to my newest fic! The real action will start soon, I promise! In the meantime, thank you for reviewing, favoriting and following! Oh, and internet brownie points if you recognized the references to DDF's amazing fanart, "After snowmelt"!*