I watch the woman who I thought was my mother fall down to the ground. As soon as I hear something I can only assume is her body I give Eugene my attention once more. I can't believe she tried to kill the man I love. I can't believe the man I love chopped my long hair. Now I can't save him.
"No, no, no, no. Eugene! Look at me! Stay with me Eugene!" I urge grabbing his hand and putting it to my unmagical, ordinary brown hair. "Flower gleam and glow. Let you power shine, make the clock reverse bring back what once was mine".
"Rapunzel," Eugene says interrupting me trying desperately to save his life.
"What?"
"You were my new dream," he whispers. I try to laugh through the tears coming down my face.
"And you were mine," I admit. I watch him with a heavy heart as he dies in my arms. Why does a broken heart hurt so much? No one told me how when a person dies a part of you dies with them. It was just me and Pascal once more.

"Heal what has been hurt. Change the fate's design, save what has been lost. Bring back what once was mine. What once was mine". The tears are coming down my face and onto his. The only thing to stop me while I'm crying my heart out is a yellow flash of light coming from where "my mother" had stabbed him. I look up to see light emanating from his stomach. As soon as it fades I check out the wound to see it has been healed. I move a piece of hair out of my face as I look over at his face. His eyes slowly open.
"Rapunzel?" he asks weakly.
"Eugene?" I gape.
"Did I ever tell you I've got a thing for brunettes?" he teases.
"Eugene!" I exclaim attacking him with a huge hug. After I feel him hug me back I let him go, close my eyes, and press my lips against his. He kisses me back and after a moment pushes me away.
"Help me get these chains off," he says hastily. Hopping over the glass scattered around the room to the keys on the counter I return and unchain him. He grabs my hand and drags me up the stairs and into my room where we begin kissing once more. It turns into more and when that is over we lie side by side.
"I- I wanted to thank you. For saving my life. I owe you Blondie- I mean Rapunzel," Eugene says.
"Do you remember when we went to town? Hey, how old is the lost Princess?" I wonder aloud. I hope he catches on soon.
"It was magical in town with you yesterday. As for the princess, I think yesterday she turned about 18," Eugene responds. He turns to look at me not asking but I can still tell he is wondering why I want to know.
"Eugene, I just found out that- I found out before you came that I am the lost Princess. Think about it! My birthday was yesterday and so was the lost princess's. She turned 18 yesterday and so did I! How long has the princess been missing? Since she was kidnapped as a baby 18 years ago, I've lived here for around that same amount of time. I think I've known deep down that she wasn't always my mom. She never even looked like me and when I asked about my father she said he died when she was three months pregnant with me. She said he fell out the tower window the night before she told him that they were expecting me. She said he could've found out when she was telling a friend or something and wanted out because he didn't want to be a dad. I should've known though. Every time she felt "run down" I would have to sing for her and she'd be young again," I explain. He remains quiet for a moment. I'm assuming it takes time to understand what I said.
"Oh crap! What have I done?" he asks.
"What do you mean 'oh crap'? Did you even listen to what I just said?" I snap. Clearly the answer is no.
"You don't get it! If you really are the lost princess then that means I could be killed for what happened! It's bad enough that he already wants me dead! If he finds out then I am deader than a dead man," he panics.
"Well then he doesn't have to know. Whatever you're freaking out about no one will have to find out. It's our secret," I tell him.
"I can't believe that happened," he announces.
"Eugene!" I practically yell to get his attention.
"Fine. We tell no one or it will be my neck," he agrees.
"I don't even know why you're worried," I say beginning to kiss him once again.
"Get up. We're going back to the kingdom," he finally says calmly. Why is he suddenly so calm? Ugh, guys are so difficult to understand.
"Why? What are we going to do?" I ask him beginning to do as I'm told.
"I know that you and I have made the decision to be together after what had just happened. Now, the only question left to answer is what happens next? Do we stay here forever or go back to town? I have made the decision for us though. We're going to take you home, Rapunzel. You will finally get to meet your family and you'll truly be home," Eugene tells me. I blink back happy tears. Home. He's taking me to where I belong.
"Okay. Let's go meet my family," I announce through tears of joy. We take the secret stairs out and he helps me onto Maximus.
"Rapunzel is the lost Princess Max. What do you say we take her home?" he coaxes the horse. I grab onto Eugene tightly as we speed away. Once in the clear we come to an erupt halt. Eugene gets off and runs back towards the tower. Max and I follow him with Pascal holding onto Max's mane with his dear life. Upon arriving we see Eugene freaking out once more.
"Rapunzel, what happened to her body? What did you see after that chameleon tripped her?" Eugene asks me in sheer panic.
"Why are you asking me? We both saw what happened. She fell- that's her cloak! Is she really dead?" I begin wondering. Fear creeps up my spine.
"I think she's dead! My guess is that these are her ashes on her cloak. She's so old she became dust about the time she hit the ground maybe," he guesses with a sigh of relief. I look at gray dust on the cloak. Whoa.
"Eugene. I'm scared of this place, please take me home," I beg him.
"Alright. Let's go," he tells me mounting Max and we race off once more. After a while we reach the bridge where the kingdom entrance is. Eugene urges Max to go back to the castle faster.
Upon arriving I see the guards begin walking towards Eugene.
"It's so suicidal for you to come back," one guard says.
"King Thomas said to make sure you still get to the gallows if you ever came back," the other guard says.
"And the captain isn't happy you stole his horse," the first guard says. Eugene helps me off of Max's back and pushes me behind him.
"Well the captain can get over himself. As for King Thomas? Let him know that his daughter has finally come home. I have found the lost princess," Eugene announces.
"I'm Rapunzel- uh... Princess Rapunzel," I tell the guards.
"Well we have a few questions before we get the king and queen girly. When is you birthday? How old are you? If you are the lost princess then where have you been this entire time? What makes you think that you are the lost princess?" guard one asks rudely.
"My birthday was yesterday, I turned 18. The woman I thought was my mother confessed to kidnapping me after I realized that this kingdom's symbol meant something. In a memory I saw the symbol and the king and queen. I understand how crazy that sounds but it's true! The woman who kidnapped me kept me deep within the forest in a hidden cove in a tall tower. Now, I demand to see the king and queen because I want to know if I truly belong here and who my real family is," I demand close to tears. Another guard who while the other guards had been questioning me walks over to me and I shove Eugene out of the way. Last thing I want to do is watch him die in front of me once more. The guard circles me and looks closely at my face. His face softens.
"Conli, go get the king and queen. Let them know that the lost princess has finally returned home," he orders guard one. Conli makes a run for it as he scrambles inside.
"What makes you believe her? I could've brought some random girl," Eugene tells him.

"But it's not. This is the lost princess," the guard responds.

"Took me a while to believe she was the lost princess. I didn't realize I found her. How did you know just by looking at her?" he wonders.
"She looks like Queen Primrose. And as for you Rider just be glad I'm not sending you to the gallows. I'm letting King Thomas deal with you," he answers.
"Well time to let the cat out of the bag because my name isn't really Flynn Rider. I got that name from a child's book when I was little," Eugene admits tauntingly with a sly smile on his face.
"Then what is it?" the guard asks skeptically.
"Eugene Fitzherbert," he confesses. That sly grin had disappeared. The guard lets out a small laugh before looking back to me.
"I'm the captain of the guards, but you can call me Captain, Princess. I actually have a daughter who works inside, and she's around your age. Jenkins, put Max in the stables. If you and Rider- I mean whatever his name is because I forgot it already, would come with me I can take you to the balcony where it'll be easier for them to see you immediately," Captain tells me leading Eugene and I up some stairs. He follows the Jenkins guard to where the stables must be and we walk to the part of the balcony where you can hold onto the rail while you overlook the kingdom.
"Where you're standing is the exact place the king and queen stand when they release the lantern," Eugene informs me.
"I feel like I'm in a very historic place," I respond. I feel a shiver run down my spine. A moment later I want to kiss Eugene once more because he puts his arm around my waist. I put my head on his chest before making him hold my hand because some of the town's people begin staring.
"This feels weird. I'm a wanted criminal and everyone staring at us now knows that. Really I should've died had Max not gotten the guys from the Snuggly Duckling. People never get to stand up here unless they are worth triple everyone down there or the king and queen invites them," Eugene says. The look on his face says he will never be worthy of standing on the balcony next to me now that I'm a princess and he is a wanted thief.
"Well let them think what they want," I respond watching the sunset. The sky is so much brighter and a lot prettier here in the kingdom.
"I love you," Eugene tells me.
"I don't really know what love is, but I feel this thing in my chest. It makes me feel happy and wants me to constantly be next to and in your arms. If that's love then I love you too," I tell him.

At that moment the castle doors open. At the doors is a slender looking woman with brown hair and a full length purple and white dress. Her hair is halfway up and the hair that is down reaches the bottom of her back. On her neck is a pearl necklace with three pink gems in the middle, and she has earrings that match her necklace. A man is behind her. He has a medium build, and he is in a blue and yellow shirt with the sun symbol on a thick necklace with expensive looking gems. The man is wearing a reddish-purple sleeveless jacket, and blue pants with brown shoes. He looks a couple years older then the woman, his brown hair has some gray mixed into it along with his facial hair. The woman is first to move, and after a couple of steps she stops so I take about four. She continues to approach me with more and more steps pausing at least four steps from my location. She seems hesitant to continue coming near me. Reaching a hand out she touches my face looking at my face closely for a moment. She looks like she's about to cry. I get a feeling I'm where I belong and like her I am seconds from happy tears. She pulls me into a hug, and unlike the woman I thought was my mother she hugs me tight stroking my hair. We both cry happily. I look up at the man who just stands behind his wife smiling. He chuckles softly before joining the woman and I. I feel the three of us sink to the floor and for once I feel safe without Eugene behind me. I feel safe in the arms of the king and queen. The queen moves an arm from around me and a moment later I feel another person join the hug. Even with my eyes closed I can tell it's Eugene because of the smell of his clothes. Moments later we are interrupted by a girl.
"King Thomas, Queen Primrose? Dinner is ready," she says. As soon as we stop hugging Eugene scurries away and goes back to where I had left him when the king and queen had came outside. I spring up after he does, suddenly full of energy because next to meeting Eugene it was the bestest day ever.
"Thanks Cassandra," the king says. I help him up and he helps his wife up.

"I've been waiting for this day for the past 18 years. We both have been waiting for this day," the queen tells me wiping her eyes.
"What are you doing here Rider? I thought I gave orders to my men to have you executed this morning," the king tells Eugene.
"Your highness," I begin to say.
"Sweetie, you don't have to call us that. We are your Mom and Dad so instead of being formal please just call us that," the queen- Mom explains. Her eyes shifting between me and the king- Dad before setting back on me.
"His name isn't Flynn Rider. It's Eugene Fitzherbert. Earlier today he saved me and he's the one that brought me here. He's changed for the better, I promise," I tell my parents. It's weird having both parents mainly because I've never had a father.
"Thank you Flynn- er... Eugene. Thank you for bringing our baby home," Mom tells him.
"I-I don't know what I would've done without him," I say proudly.
"Well, I guess I can grant you your freedom because of that. Nevertheless you are still a criminal and I can't have you in this kingdom," Dad says to him. I watch Eugene's face become a mix between sad and confused.
"D- Dad, if he promises to change his ways then can he stay?" I ask. My parents stare at me for a second before sharing a look towards each other.
"Thomas, please at least think about it. Let her know in the morning. One night at least won't hurt," Mom begs him.
"Okay, I'll think about it. The only reason I'm doing this is because of our daughter," Dad says.
"I'm not sure what name the horrible woman gave you, but we named you Princess Rapunzel Renay Jones of Corona the night you were taken. Neither of us have told a single soul that was it because it was supposed to be announced at the ball the next day. Like the lanterns the ball was supposed to celebrate your birth," Mom explains confused after seeing the shocked look on my face.
"My name is Rapunzel! I've been going by that name my whole life! She must've over heard you and she named me Rapunzel. I'm not sure if ," I realize.
"At least you don't have to work on going by another name," Eugene jokes. I'm the only one to laugh at his joke.
"Let's go back inside. Dinner is getting cold, and it's getting dark out here. Please join us Eugene. We'll give you a place to stay until King Thomas makes his decision, and food," Mom promises.
"Please accept. I want to spend more time with you," I whisper in his ear.
"It would be an honor to," he tells my parents.
As we go in Mom gives me this look as if she was telling me I could do better, like end up with a man of royal descent.
Upon arriving inside it is HUGE and so fancy. The place is so much taller than my tower! It's at least three times grander.
"When you aren't working with bad guys you never realize how big this place is," Eugene mumbles. I smile. We reach the dining table within ten minutes the castle is so big.
"Your father sits at the end right there I sit next to him no matter what. You can sit on the other side of him, and Eugene can sit next to you. That is if you want to," Mom says. Dad pushes her chair close to the table, and Eugene does the same thing as soon as I take my place. I give him a small smile. We take turns catching up on the past eighteen years since I've been gone. By the time we finish dinner it's nine o'clock, and by the time we finish talking I am struggling to stay awake at midnight. I put my head on Eugene's shoulder and close my eyes while Mom goes to check on the time, and Dad sends some of the castle workers home for the night.
"Rapunzel," Eugene says waking me up. I look at him groggily and rub my eyes hoping I don't look like I fell asleep while my parents were away.
"Let's go show you your rooms," Mom says quietly. Mom shows us hers and Dad's room, then mine, and finally almost all the way across the hall is Eugene's room.

I try sleeping, but the thought of being alone in my room scares me so after ten minutes I leave my room and scurry over to my parents' room. They are whispering about something and there are papers spread across the bed in front of them. Dad looks up at me and scoops up the papers hiding them in a drawer next to his bed.
"Are you okay, dear?" he asks. I shake my head no.
"Come here, sweetheart. You can sleep with us tonight," Mom says holding her arms out. I rush over to my parents and climb to a spot right next to the both of them.
"After all this time it actually is nice to feel your presence. We missed a lot of your life, but I think I'm glad that this is one part of your childhood we never missed," Dad says turning out the lights.
"Personally I think I missed the first words the most. That and first steps, but this is still nice. It's the phase I never missed. Right before I went into labor I kept thinking about how nice this would be," Mom sighs. I fall asleep rather quickly after that. The safety feeling of being near my parents where I belong. It felt weird coming into the kingdom with a feeling I truly belonged here, but at the time until I saw the mural I couldn't place where. A voice told me I belonged here, but I shook it off thinking it was my child self dreaming of being a princess. I was so stupid.