Disclaimer: I don't own Tangled and none of the quotes or characters in this story! All credit goes to Disney

(\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/)

Chapter 3: Kingdom's Rejoice

Flynn tuned out the world as he was blindly pushed threw the forest. He followed without a fuss, as did the young blonde headed girl, Rapunzel, who had now quieted down enough to be carried in peace as apposed to the frantic fighting mess she had been ten minutes ago. Who could blame her though? Strange boy shows up to your home, runs away, comes back with ten strange men that start looking for ways to bust into your home before capturing you. Heck, I would be freaked out too. Although according to this whole princess situation, it wasn't like she was leaving anything essential behind…or so he thought. Flynn lifted his head and turned to the girl that was still being cradled. Her tears had stopped flowing and she now appeared to be shivering although he could he the guard's hushed whispers telling her they wouldn't hurt her and that she was now safe. She kept mumbling something about her mother…probably the one who had kidnapped the girl. Although it looked like some family was about to get a happy ending, Flynn was still concerned about his own fate in this matter. He was the one that found the girl, so where would he go from here?

"Soo…about those apples…finding a princess doesn't pardon me by any chance, does it?" Flynn asked hopefully.

The head of the guard's looked back at Flynn with a weird expression as if he didn't know how to respond to the question.

"Just keep quiet Rider, we will be to palace soon." With that he turned back around and resumed his focus.

Flynn looked ahead and was shocked to discover that they were indeed close to the castle. They had been traveling through town, and now that he noticed, there were many eyes staring at them curiously. They did make quite the site…a little girl being cradled in the middle of a group of palace guards, and a known trouble maker all following the head guard of the kingdom. The scene could even be called comical to a point. When they finally made it to the palace gates, for the first time, Flynn felt a fear was over him. What would they do? Or say? Maybe finding this girl might not turn out for the best, at least for him. They finished their walk up the stairs that led to the entrance hall of the castle. They were made to wait outside with the guards as the captain ordered someone to retrieve the king and queen.

(Flynn POV)

They sat Blondie down on her feet for a moment, and for some strange reason, she ran to my side and hid beside me. Maybe it was because I looked her age? Or perhaps she thought we were in the same situation…none the less it felt awkward, but for changing her life so dramatically in less than an hour, I suppose letting her cling to me to find comfort was the least that I could do for her. We waited in apprehension for the king and queen to appear. After about five minutes, the palace doors slowly opened. The first to appear was the queen, and she stepped forward hesitantly as if she didn't know what to expect. She slowly stepped to us, and I slowly felt myself holding my breath as she neared. She looked down at the young girl who was still clinging to me, and I gently removed her arms from me before stepping back so that the queen could get a better look. 'Please be the right girl…' As Blondie finally picked her head up, the queen gasped and quickly covered her mouth as tears of disbelief and happiness ran down the sides of her face.

(Normal POV)

The queen kneeled to Rapunzel and cupped her face gently. She slowly stroked her hair before letting out a small laugh of excitement. The king, who had finally approached grave a short joyful filled laugh as he too took his first glimpse of the daughter he had missed for five long years. All though they looked at Rapunzel with love and happiness, she still looked frightened and took a step back to once again grab hold to Flynn. As if just noticing his presence for the first time, the queen stood and stared at him curiously. Surprisingly, it was the head guard who stepped forward and spoke on his behalf.

"My lady, we were in pursuit of Rider here, when he came with us saying he had happened upon the young princess. We didn't believe him at first, but after doubling checking, I am glad that we did. We may have never found her otherwise." The captain then stood back, as the queen with wide eyes and a slightly parted mouth turned to him again. Tears again flowed from her eyes, and without further warning, she quickly wrapped him into a hug. Flynn quickly released the breath he didn't realize he was still holding, standing as still as possible not quite sure what the proper course of action would be. Although he was highly surprised at what he heard next.

"Thank you." The queen softly whispered in his ear." Thank you so much, young man. Your deed will not go without payment. My husband and I are eternally grateful." She then pulled back and graced him with her beautiful smile. Flynn's cheeks slightly reddened, not expecting that at all. He stuttered out a quite 'Of course, your highness,' before he was released as they made their way back to the still scared young girl. He was with them the entire time, as they told her the truth about her life, what had become of her while she was still a newborn, and how they searched everyday since then. They told her how they released the lanterns every year on her birthday, in hopes that she would see them and hopefully return to them one day. Of course she protested most of the story, claiming she already had a mother, but after listening to them talk about her in such great detail, no matter how small and seeing the mural painted of her 'family' shortly after she was born, she couldn't deny it any longer. They told her were most of her features came from, and that her golden locks were probably a result of the flower that had used before she was born to heal the queen.

The whole scene was pretty emotional, and had Flynn feeling bad for the girl. Of course he had become an orphan at a young age, but he wasn't taken from his mother as a baby. Who could be so evil? Whoever she was, they were making plans for her escape now, as they prepared a troop of guards to go back into the forest and arrest who ever came to the tower so that they could be brought back to stand trial.

After what seemed like hours and the young princess who was trying to come to terms with things was recounting on her life, or as much as she could remember, it seemed like the attention was once again on him. It was getting late, and he assumed someone would soon escort him back to the orphanage. The queen once again spoke to him in the soft, yet authoritive voice of hers.

"Young man, what is your name? Your real name, if you please."

"E-Eugene Fitzherbert, ma'am"

"Where do you stay, Eugene? Who are your parents, I wish to speak to them."

At that Eugene, stopped talking and looked down. After a moment, he collected himself and raised his head to once again address the queen.

"That won't be possible ma'am…my mother died when I was young, and I've never known my father. I stay at the local orphanage in town…" Although embarrassed, Eugene managed to maintain eye contact.

The queen looked startled at the revelation, but soon a soft smile once again graced her lips.

"I think my husband will agree with me when I say that a reward for such a special occasion can only be rewarded in a certain way. You shall stay with us, and when my daughter becomes of age, you will be placed in line as one of many suitors to marry her and rule our kingdom, if she so chooses you."

Eugene mouth had fallen open at the beginning, and though it was probably improper and rude to stare at the royal family in such a way, he couldn't help it. Did…she just say, what he thought she did? Impossible! All of this for finding their daughter?! It seemed a little extreme in his head, although he probably shouldn't be complaining...He couldn't hold his tongue though.

"Your highness, could you possibly, um…explain that a little bit more? Please?" Eugene looked nervous although the only reaction he got was a small laugh from both the king and queen.

"Very well then young man, in other words, welcome to your new home."