A/N –This is technically a sequel to Rescuing Rapunzel - but should still be accepted as a standalone story. All you need to know is Rapunzel still has her golden hair and Eugene didn't get as far as actually dying in the tower (he just lost consciousness a bit).

I was going to do some small edits/rewrites to Rescuing Rapunzel before doing a sequel – including fleshing out the rather hurried final chapter and filling in some plot holes – but then I read a fic that I felt almost cut and pasted key plot elements from my final chapter and I felt plagerised. As a result, there will be no rewrite – I am leaving the original publishing dates as they are. I have done the rewrite, but it will remain offline and for my own satisfaction only. This sequel will just have to fill in any blanks as it goes along.

I don't want anyone else to feel as I did, so if I have been inspired by any aspect of your unique plot elements and I am aware I am doing so, I will acknowledge as such in the chapter footnotes. These should be few and far between, as I pride myself on having an original imagination. Rant over, please now enjoy Itchy Feet...

Prologue

At last, Rapunzel was home, and she had a real family. She was a princess worth waiting for. Beloved by all, she led her kingdom with all the grace and wisdom that her parents did before her.

In fact, she seemed to have an uncanny natural ability when it came to affairs of state. She had sat in rapt silence during that first trade agreement with her father, intent only on observing and learning. But by the time the second, follow-up meeting was held, Rapunzel had asked questions and formed ideas and eventually took over negotiations before signing a mutually beneficial agreement that even the King hadn't been able to secure. Her parents had glowed with pride, even more so than her hair usually did.

Eugene had been proud too, of course. He was thrilled that Rapunzel had adapted so quickly to the palace and to the ruling life. But mostly he had been kicking his heels in the palace gardens. He was happy – of course he was happy – he had his freedom and a true, reciprocated love. His record had been expunged – if only as a technicality, since Eugene Nathanial Silas Fitzherbert didn't actually have a record; Flynn Rider had, but he had been allowed to die in that tower when Eugene passed out, and he would not be making a reappearance. The price had been removed from his head, and he had even been knighted, but somehow Eugene felt that didn't properly redress the balance. His newly discovered conscience was niggling at him, until he sought the king's council. Following that meeting, Eugene had taken a team of men and started work regenerating the poorest areas of the kingdom. It was hard physical labour, but with every day out in the fresh air, Eugene felt stronger and happier. He slept better at night, knowing he was helping to do good for the people the woman he loved was helping to rule. It didn't hurt his popularity stakes with the citizens, and the fact that Rapunzel had started admiring his better defined muscles also hadn't escaped his attention.

And so life continued, until the princess's nineteenth birthday. Eugene had spent the day, not fixing roofs – as that work was now all but completed – but planning with the king and queen for the celebrations. It was the best day ever. Every day since returning home had been Rapunzel's best day ever, much to Eugene's amusement. This one ended when Eugene rowed them out in a small boat, just as they had that first time a year ago. They lay comfortably in each other's arms, wrapped in Rapunzel's golden hair, watching the lanterns.

"Promise me something, Blondie," Eugene murmured, watching how Rapunzel intertwined her fingers with his.

"What is it?"

"Never lose your curiosity," he whispered, nuzzling his face into her hair until he could place a kiss on her neck.

It had to be coincidence that he mentioned curiosity, but it made Rapunzel sit up, looking with sincerity into Eugene's eyes, and admit she had itchy feet – and it had nothing to do with the shoes...

A/N – and just as promised, I have to acknowledge that Eugene's physical labour was inspired by a story by Miana. I'm not aware of any other unique inspirations – message me if you feel hard done by. Chapter One to follow.