YAY! Two chapters in one DAY! Wow...this should be in like the world record books or something. JK! But anyway, Chapter 3, I think, is where it really starts getting interesting. I hope you feel the same way too! And don't worry. This isn't one of those stories I'm just going to throw aside. I'm actually really stuck on it. :-)

I don't own Tangled...or I See the Light...or Flynn Rider...or Rapunzel...OR ANYTHING COOL! GRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Man, this is not what I had in mind when Blondie said I'd be staying at the castle.

And it was true; the dungeon was definitely not what Flynn had in mind, in fact, ever again.

But still, here he was, locked up like an animal in a dark, barred, rat-infested cell. He'd been there enough, he was kind of used to it, but after sleeping in such regal conditions like in the palace…Man, what had he gotten himself into?

And the thing was, he hadn't gotten himself into anything. For once, he was completely innocent. He hadn't done a thing wrong! So how the heck did the king find proof?

Flynn had no idea. Perhaps it was just 'cause the king was angered that Flynn was in Rapunzel's room in the first place. Or maybe he had found a hair that fell off Flynn's head while he was interrogating Pascal. Either way, Flynn was a prisoner once again.

Finding it uncomfortable slumped against the dirt wall, Flynn stood up straight and peered out the small, barred, dungeon window.

He had the first cell, this time—nearest to the entrance—so he could have a view of the courtyard. It was a dim view, seeing that it was late at night, but Flynn could still spot the silhouettes of the flowers in the imperial garden, swaying gently in the nighttime breeze. He could even hear the soft trickling of the fountain, which Rapunzel completely adored to visit.

"Oh, Rapunzel," he sighed, resting his head against the window, his gaze stuck on those flowers. It was only yesterday that he was there, with her, and she was safe in his arms.

By now, it almost seemed like just a dream…

O-O-O-O-O

"Eugene, I love you," Rapunzel had said, curled up contentedly in Flynn's arms.

Flynn chuckled. Though everyone in the city knew that he preferred to be called Eugene now, Rapunzel was the only one that did. He guessed that everyone was just too used to the infamous Flynn Rider running around, not Eugene Fitzherbert. Still, every time it came out of his love's mouth, it was beautiful.

"Love you, too, Blondie," Flynn grinned, tenderly running his fingers through Rapunzel's now-brunette hair. Even though it had changed, Rapunzel hadn't, and she'd always be the same old Blondie to Flynn.

Rapunzel sighed contentedly, her eyes stuck on the fountain. Flynn held her tighter, his heart lifted by the sound of her happiness. But then, she let out another sigh, more depressed.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Flynn had asked.

"Eugene…" Rapunzel said, her eyes still stuck on the gorgeous fountain. "Do you think I'm…pretty?"

The question completely blew Flynn away. Of course she was pretty! The girl was beautiful! He leaned around and gazed into her jade green eyes. "'Course I do. What on earth would make you think you weren't?"

Rapunzel rose to her feet—her bare feet, Flynn might add—and immediately Flynn did the same.

"It's just…" Rapunzel searched for words. "Ok, I know Gothel isn't my mother any more, but still, everything she's said about me over the past eighteen years…it just sort of stuck."

Flynn was stunned. What kind of mother would tell her daughter such terrible things that weren't true? Well, Gothel was evil, but to such a beautiful girl as Rapunzel? Flynn wouldn't allow her to be put down by such lies. Instead, he gently grasped her shoulders and led her to the fountain.

"Hey, Blondie, would I lie to you?"

"No," Rapunzel shrugged, "but—"

"Rapunzel, look into that fountain." Flynn said, gazing at their reflection in the shimmering pool of water. Even the reflection stunned him. The image of him with this breathtaking young lady? He must have been the luckiest guy alive. Soon, Rapunzel's green eyes were gazing into the fountain as well, and for a minute, both of them were silent.

"Do you know what I see?" Flynn asked. "I see—"

"Let me guess," Rapunzel cut him off, "you see a strong, confident, beautiful young lady. Oh, and I'm here too." Then Rapunzel giggled. "Of course, I couldn't really see you calling yourself a strong, confident, beautiful young lady."

"No, not exactly my description," Flynn chuckled. But then he moved out of the way, so only Rapunzel's reflection shone in the glimmering water. "But really. I don't just see a strong, confident, beautiful young lady when I look at you. I see Rapunzel: A strong, confident, beautiful, funny, smart, brave, cute, optimistic, all around amazing young lady."

Rapunzel smiled and looked back into the fountain.

"Now, what do you see?" Flynn asked.

"I see…" Rapunzel whispered, "…all those things." She turned back to face Flynn. "Thank you."

"Hey, no problem," Flynn shrugged.

Rapunzel looked back into the fountain one more time. "Flynn, remember when…I almost lost you…and…I said that you were my new dream?"

"Yeah," Flynn nodded.

Then, all of a sudden, the young princess turned and embraced Flynn in a tight, warm hug, and Flynn returned her gesture. All the love that Flynn had been reluctant to show was given to Rapunzel in this warm embrace, and then that beautiful girl whispered something that made Flynn's heart soar.

"You still are."

O-O-O-O-O

Even in a place as dark as this, those brilliant memories of her flooded his mind, and it made Flynn collapse onto the ground at how powerful they were. And now, to think of that brilliant girl…lost…possibly hurt…

And Flynn was powerless to stop it.

So Flynn did the only thing he could do; something he had always been reluctant to do…something he never swore he would ever do again…but secretly, that girl had brought it out in him.

He began to sing.

It was quietly, so no one could hear him, but he could hear himself, and right now, a beautiful moment he had shared with Rapunzel could be treasured right here, right now.

"All those days
Chasing down a daydream
All those years
Living in a blur
All that time
Never truly seeing
Things the way they were
Now she's here
Shining in the starlight
Now she's here
Suddenly I know
If she's here
It's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

And at last, I see the light

And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last, I see the light
And it's like the sky is new

And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once
Everything is different
Now that I see you
Now that I see you."

O-O-O-O-O

Early the next morning, Flynn awoke to the deafening clang of his cell door and a painful ache in his back. Before he could even comprehend what was going on, the palace guards had already swooped in and chained his wrists, and then began leading him away.

Oh, yeah, Flynn thought, Now I remember. I'm being dragged off to trial because of some crime I didn't commit against my one true love. That makes perfect sense.

As the doors were swung open from the dark dungeon and Flynn was led into the blinding sunlight, he wondered where Rapunzel really was, and what she was doing. She was brave, that was true, but there was only so much one girl could take. She was probably lost…hurt…abandoned…

Or dead. The thought stabbed Flynn like a knife. How? How could he have let this happen?

The previous night, Flynn did nothing but think of possible suspects that would have wanted to steal his beloved. So far, he had come up with only three, but facts proved them impossible. His first two suspects were the Stabbington Brothers, whom he had worked with in the past and had a grudge against Flynn for foiling their plans. But that just didn't fit, because Flynn had seen them both locked up in their cells when he was led to the dungeon. No, that couldn't be right.

His next suspicion was Gothel, mainly because of his troubling dream. But, no, that wasn't right either. As much as she haunted him in his dreams, Gothel was dead, and there was nothing that could change that.

So, Flynn was right back down to nothing. No clues, no facts, no ideas…he'd never felt so powerless in his life.

As the group of guards led the accused criminal towards the throne room, Flynn thought about what was really puzzling him: What did the King mean when he said he had proof? That was impossible—unless it was some kind of freak misunderstanding. But if Flynn had no idea what he did, how could he explain that to the king?

Come on, Eugene, think, think! Flynn told himself in his brain. But he was not the best personal coach, and as the doors to the throne room were heaved open, and Flynn was led, defeated, before the King and Queen, he at once found himself at complete loss for words.

"Flynn Rider," the King boomed, his angry gaze fixed on the shackled young man. "You have been summoned to this court because you have been convicted of the…kidnapping of Princess Rapunzel." Flynn could tell it troubled the King to speak of his missing daughter. Meanwhile, the Queen sat beside her husband, gazing worriedly at Flynn. She said nothing, but Flynn could see the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" the king asked, fire in his eyes. Flynn was surprised. The King was usually so good-natured…Flynn had never seen him this angry before.

"Sir, I…" Flynn took a deep breath. "It's true, in the past, I've lied, and thieved, and as I look back at myself, I realize all the terrible things that I've done, but…" he looked up and stared sincerely at both the king and queen. "…I would never, ever, put another human being in danger. And especially Rapunzel. She is…the most amazing person I've ever met, and I…couldn't imagine anything happening to her. If…it did…" Flynn had to bite his lip to try to get through the sorrowful images in his mind. "…I…I don't think I could bear it. Your highness, I am innocent. And I'm not just saying this for my own good. I'm saying this for Rapunzel. Your daughter's. I know she's out there, and the sooner we figure out who the real culprit is, the sooner we can find her—and—and bring her home! Because…I want nothing more…than to see her safe." Flynn took one more deep breath, his eyes shut and fists clenched behind his back. "Please…Please, sir, you have to believe me."

The King and Queen were both silent during Flynn's heartfelt speech, and finally, the Queen now spoke up.

"Is there anything else…Eugene?"

Flynn was shocked. The Queen herself…she had called him Eugene. She really did care. Perhaps now was the time to ask…

"And…if I may…Your highness, what kind of proof did you find against me?"

"That will not be discussed right now," the captain of the guard, who was stationed right in front of the King and Queen's thrones, spoke up, and Flynn shot him an agitated glare. But then, the king solemnly nodded.

"He's right. I'm sorry, Rider, but I can't reveal that to you," the King said. Then, he let out a sigh and stood up from his throne. "Alright, Rider. I think we've heard enough." He turned to his guards and nodded. "Please lead him out, so we can deliberate concerning his sentencing or freedom."

The guards nodded, and—in a rather rough manner—led Flynn out of the throne room and shut the door, so the monarchy, the captain of the guard, and some of the other council members could debate.

Flynn dared not speak to the guards, who seemed to eye him suspiciously with every breath he took, but instead, he thought to himself.

I think I did pretty well…well, of course I did, I was telling the complete and honest truth…for once. Flynn sighed. Would his reputation alter his chances of a fair sentence? He thought of how Pascal had shown him what happened. Maybe I should have brought the frog… He thought of Rapunzel's little pet, which had been placed back in Rapunzel's room after Flynn's arrest.

The more Flynn thought, the more his emotions swayed. One minute, he felt comforted that he would be led to justice, and the other, he felt anxious that the royal figures would deny him fair sentence just because of his criminal past. Even if he got years or even life in prison, it would be worth it if they would just keep looking for Rapunzel.

But still, the King must have trusted me, at least a little. Both the King and Queen seemed like they truly believed what I said…The Queen even called me Eugene! But what…what is this 'proof' stuff? Flynn still was baffled about what had been said.

After what seemed like years of waiting, drowning in his own anxiety, the doors finally opened and Flynn saw the captain of the guard step out and command the others. "Bring Rider back inside. It's been decided."

Flynn took a deep breath and prayed for a miracle as he stepped through the door, once again before the King, Queen, and a few other officials.

But what met him was certainly not a miracle.

"Flynn Rider," the King announced, "you are hereby sentenced to execution by hanging for the proven kidnapping of Princess Rapunzel, to be carried out this evening."