Hey! So I'm back with my next chapter, and I think you guys will like it. As always, please let me know what you think! I'd love to hear what you guys have to say :)
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forevertangledlover: Thank you for being my first ever review! I'm really glad you liked it :) And to find out, I guess you'll have to read this chapter. Mwahahahaha :)
Disclaimer: I still don't own Tangled.
Rapunzel's POV
I can barely contain my excitement as I enter the bustling town. Everything amazes me, from the merchants trying to get you to buy their products, to the children running and playing in the streets. I turn my head to every delightful smell, every sound of music, taking in everything around me.
Of course, many notice their princess walking among them in the town, but they're used to it. I come here often, just to be here, with all of them. I don't know why, though, this time feels different. Everything seems to shine and radiate in a new light. My newfound, albeit temporary, freedom probably has a part in that.
When I finally make it to the town square, my stomach is growling. I've never walked this far into the town, so I have no idea where to go. I feel like a lost puppy, walking around completely clueless. I look around and find the nearest person to me, a young woman with children.
"Excuse me," I begin, touching her elbow slightly to get her attention. She turns her head, and as soon as she sees me, her eyes widen and she takes a deep bow.
"Princess," she breathes.
I wave a hand and lift her up. "There's no need for that. I'm just Rapunzel today." I smile at her and wave at her baby.
"Oh, yes, pri- uh, Rapunzel." She smiles back and looks down at her giggling child.
"I was just wondering if you knew where the nearest bakery is?" I ask her. "I've never really been this far into town before."
"Hmm, let's see…" She looks around, probably trying to decide on the best bakery. "That one over there, is a very nice one." She points to a stand with flower pots out front and a sign with a pie on it.
"Thank you," I smile gratefully. I turn my attention back to the baby. "She really is adorable," I say as I tickle her tummy. I laugh to myself and wave goodbye to the sweet family.
I make my way to the bakery the woman recommended, and my mouth starts to water at the delightful aroma of all the pastries. I take a moment and just close my eyes and take it all in. The sounds, the amazing smell. I open my eyes and smile wider as I get to the bakery's front.
I decide on a strawberry frosted cupcake with a bright red cherry on top.
"Fine choice, princess," the baker comments as he hands me the cupcake.
"Just Rapunzel, please," I say as I take the treat. I want to be normal today, not the princess of Corona, or anything like that. Just Rapunzel.
"Sure." The older man smiles, and I hand him the money. After saying a thank you to him, I turn around and leave the stand. I take in the smell of the sweet cupcake, then take a large bite. My eyes close, and I sigh in complete contentment. It really is the best cupcake I have ever eaten.
I stop paying attention to all the people walking by, and just focus on the flavors exploding in my mouth. I'm about a third of the way through my cupcake when suddenly I feel a heavy shoulder hit my chest. The force is enough to knock me to the ground. I grunt and fall onto the rock path with a thud. Nobody really noticed except for the one who knocked me over. I look up to see a hand extended toward me, offering to help me up.
The hand belonged to probably the most handsome young man I have ever seen. He has chestnut brown eyes, with dark lashes framing them. His dark brown hair fell slightly in his tanned face, which just made him even better looking. He wore a blue-ish vest with a white undershirt and a brown belt slung around his hips.
I kind of just sit there, staring at him for a few seconds, then turn my attention to his outstretched hand. A princess would take it, thank him, apologize, and be on her graceful way. But I'm not a princess today, and he knocked me over, for crying out loud! Rude!
I disregard his hand and stand up, brushing the dirt off my dress.
The man retracts his hand and runs it through his hair. "You okay?" he asks softly.
"Fine," I say, making eye contact with him. He stands there for a second, clears his throat, then puts out his hand again.
"I'm Flynn," he says with a smile. His demeanor seems to change, and he stands up a little straighter. "Sorry for, you know, knocking you down, but you really should be paying more attention to where you're going." He winks at me.
I place my hands on my hips defiantly. "I was watching, I just…" I pause. "Got distracted." I look down at my cupcake, which was now smashed on the ground, a few feet away after being thrown out of my hand. Looking away from the cupcake and back up at Flynn, I see his hand still hovering in the air.
This time, I take it. "Ra-" He interrupts me before I can finish.
"Princess Rapunzel. Yeah, I know."
"Oh, right." I smile slightly. "But not 'princess' Rapunzel, please. Just Rapunzel." If I had a dime for every time I've said that today…
"Okay, 'Just Rapunzel'," he replies with a smirk.
I roll my eyes and change the subject. "You don't seem that surprised to see me," I comment.
"Well, I'm not really from around here," he says, "but I am familiar with this kingdom, so I know of its royals."
"Oh." I was still confused after he said it, but I didn't make any more comments. We kind of just stand there for a minute, looking at each other, when I finally speak up.
"Well, I should probably be going," I say. "But it was nice to meet you… Flynn." I smile and start walking away.
"You too," he says quietly, but I catch it and smile bigger. He can't see though, because my back is turned, but I think I feel him smiling too.
Flynn's POV
I don't usually go to the Kingdom.
Actually, scratch that, I just don't do it. But this time, I had to. I was desperate, and a place like Corona was a perfect place to accomplish my needs.
I don't usually come here because this is the place I'm most wanted, where I have to be careful. In most kingdoms I visit, I am virtually just the faceless bandit whom no one has even come close to identifying, so I can roam free without a care. But they aren't as wealthy as Corona, so I need to be here, where I am the most well-known criminal in the Kingdom.
But I manage to conceal myself, hiding my true identity. My nose is what mostly keeps me unrecognizable, they can never get it right on the WANTED posters. Although it also may have to do with the fact that my thieving actually helps some people.
Anyways, more to the point, I am in Corona and it is not pleasant. I feel like everyone is staring at me. Even though I keep my head down and my shoulders hunched, I feel like people will see the real me and stop me in the act.
But I'm too sneaky for that.
My goal is to reach the castle by noon so that I will still have time for other small thieving later today.
So I walk briskly through the busy town, keeping my head hung low.
After just entering the square, I feel a small frame bump into my shoulder, and I hear a grunt as someone hits the hard stone floor. I consider walking away and pretending nothing happened, but after realizing the person I knocked to the ground was a lady, I couldn't just let her stay there.
Besides, what harm could a couple minutes of flirting do?
I stop and turn to face the fallen girl, and outstretch my hand. She was still recovering, but soon I got a glance of her face.
Oh God.
It's the princess.
My mouth drops and my eyes widen, but only for a split second before I compose myself.
She finally looks up and my mouth threatens to fall again.
She is absolutely beautiful, more beautiful than any paintings or mosaics I have ever seen of her around the kingdom. Her hair shines in the morning sun, and her face pleads innocence. But the thing I see mostly are her big emerald eyes, sparkling in the sunlight. They are what capture me in first.
My mind snaps back to reality once she stands, completely ignoring my hand. I muster up some courage and utter two words.
"You okay?" I ask.
"Fine," is all she says.
Suddenly, I my brain reminds me that, hey, you're Flynn Rider, the lady's man, the hunk that girls faint over. Play it cool.
I clear my throat and apologize for knocking her down, but imply that it was her fault. The reaction I get is unexpected.
She is defiant, not like the normal princess you would meet. In fact, if she was a normal princess, she would already have walked away by now, bored of talking to a lowly commoner.
But she was still here, so I decided to make the best of it.
She tries to tell me who she is, but I already know, so I don't let her finish, calling her princess before she corrects me, shortening it to "Just Rapunzel".
"You don't seem that surprised to see me," she says, ignoring my clever title for her.
"Yeah, well I'm not from around here, but I am familiar with the kingdom and its royals." That isn't entirely true. I started out thieving in Corona, so I am from here. But if I told her that, she probably would expect to see me around more, which, of course, I won't be.
My comment was hard to understand to her, I can tell by her facial expression, but she still pretends like she gets what I'm saying.
My mind wanders a bit, and I allow myself to look at her again. The green dress she wears brings out her eyes and figure, so I can't help but stare at her for a few short moments.
She cuts it short by saying she should get going, but that it was nice to meet me.
As she turns away and leaves, I murmur, "You too," but I don't think she heard it.
I shouldn't care if she heard it or not, right? I mean, why do I care? She is not the reason I'm here, so I need to focus on the task and hand and snap out of it.
She's just a girl, I say to myself. No need to keep thinking about it.
But I can't stop. She probably forgot the whole thing ever happened, and here I am, still dwelling on the feeling of her delicate hand in mine.
No, stop. You don't have the freedom to revolve your thoughts around a girl. And the princess, too. Really, Rider? I shake my head and begin walking towards the castle again.
As I get closer and closer to the palace, I start seeing more and more royal guards, appearing out of nowhere just patrolling the town. I keep having to slip into alleyways and alcove on walls of shops more and more the closer I get.
Soon, I get in about a mile south, and there are too many guards for me to get any closer than I am. I curse under my breath and turn my back to the wall I'm hiding behind. I wrack my brain, trying to decipher what is so important that needs so many guards?
Wait…
What day is it? What week?
Ah, I understand. The princess's coronation is next week. They can't afford any casualties, such as the crown being stolen. Which just so happens to be my exact plan.
Wonderful.
I take one more glance at the castle and begin walking back towards the main square, still hiding from guards wherever they appear.
As I make my way back, I know I can't give up. I need that crown. I need to come up with a plan before the princess gets the crown, before it's out of reach completely.
Wait, the princess. Rapunzel.
Couldn't she get me in to the castle?
It would be so easy. I wouldn't even have to sneak in, she could just walk me in with her. I could… I could wear a cloak that day, or hide my face as we walk in past the guards.
It's risky. Very risky, but it's the best option I have now.
So it's back to the princess. I have to gain her trust… somehow…
Maybe she will still be in the village? I'm not sure, but I will find her. Even if it takes all day. I need that crown, and Rapunzel is the key to my success.
Did you like it? I hope so... but if not, constructive criticism is always appreciated :) I hope to update soon with the next installment. Once again, please review, I love reviews (even if it's only one person) :)
