Hi. I have apologies later. I fixed a few things in earlier chapters. You may want to go back and read chapter 4 specifically. It's not very long! It will make sense later on. And guess who's the proud owner of the Tangled DVD? MEEE! I think I've watched it three times in four days. Oh well. :)

And thank you to Reverend Lovejoy for being awesome.


Rapunzel held on very tightly to Eugene as her parents showed them around the castle.

"And this was going to be your room, before you were…" Jonathan paused, standing in front of yet another door.

"This is your room, Rapunzel," Eleanor said quickly. Smiling at Rapunzel, she opened the door. Rapunzel half expected it to be completely empty, but she was proven wrong. The room was very large, with vaulted ceilings and a bed and dresser.

"I know it's not much now, but we can get you a few things," Eleanor said, rubbing Rapunzel's back.

"The walls are plain, Blondie, you can paint all over them," Eugene said, trying to cheer up Rapunzel. She hadn't noticed it at first, but yes, the walls not felt very bare to her. Rapunzel was still overwhelmed by everything, and she was at a loss for words.

"Rapunzel, are you okay?" Eleanor asked tentatively.

"What? Oh, um yes, sorry, I'm fine. More than fine. It's just… it's a lot to take in." Eleanor's eyes softened and she replied,

"I know, dear." Jonathan cleared his throat.

"If you don't mind, I would like to have a quick word with Rid… Eugene." Eugene nodded and gently kissed Rapunzel's cheek before following Jonathan out of the room. Eleanor placed a comforting arm around Rapunzel's shoulders.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Eleanor led Rapunzel to her bed and they both sat down.

"Yes, I'm fine," Rapunzel reassure her mother, "I'm just getting used to it all." Suddenly everything came to a crashing halt and time caught up with Rapunzel. She felt tears well up in her eyes. Happy tears. She was home, how could she not be happy? Eleanor pulled Rapunzel toward her and hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry. These are happy tears," Rapunzel said, wiping her eyes.

"Don't be sorry, dear. I know it's overwhelming, but don't worry. I know that you'll fit right in." Rapunzel leaned away from her mother, smiling.

"Thank you." Eleanor returned her smile and rose from the bed, seeing her husband and Eugene walk back into the room. Eugene saw Rapunzel crying and hurried over to her.

"Rapunzel, what's wrong?" He sat next to her and wiped a tear away.

"Nothing. I'm fine now," Rapunzel replied, still smiling. Eugene grinned at her and wiped away the last of her tears. "What did my father want to talk about?" Rapunzel asked, glancing at her parents who were conversing as well.

"Oh, nothing really. He just wanted to make sure that I planned on getting your crown back and what not. Making sure I wasn't planning on taking it and leaving with it. Or leaving you." Rapunzel felt herself begin to blush. "But don't worry, Blondie. You know I wouldn't do that. Your father already told me that he would snap me in half if I did anything to hurt you. I think I would be the first to snap myself in half if I did that." Rapunzel giggled at how easily Eugene was saying all of this. She leaned toward him and added,

"So how about we avoid the whole thing? Then I am unhurt, and you aren't snapped in half." Eugene nodded in response and softly kissed her before being interrupted by her parents.

"All right, Eugene. Jonathan has told me that you agreed to head back for the crown the day after tomorrow?"

"That's right."

"And that you promised to bring it back?" Eugene nodded. Eleanor smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Good."


Rapunzel was in a much better mood the next day. Suddenly everything seemed wonderful to her, and she wanted everyone to know. She was overcome with happiness and Eugene and her parents were glad to see this. She never seemed like she would run out of energy. For Eugene, the majority of the day was spent with Rapunzel tugging him all around the castle. He obliged, enjoying the fact that Rapunzel was finally seeming to accept her new life. Of course, she hadn't yet taken on the enormity of the role of being princess of Corona. And no one in the town had known that the lost princess wasn't, well… lost anymore.

Jonathan and Eleanor had thought about how and when they would present their daughter to the town. Of course, the townspeople would be overjoyed with the fact that the princess had returned, but how would they let them know? As the two were conversing, the captain of the guards had knocked on their door.

"Excuse me your highnesses, I would like a word." Jonathan nodded and gestured for the man to enter.

"What is it, Robert?"

"I would like to speak to you about the conditions on which you have given Rider. As you know, I do my job for the protection and well-keeping of this kingdom, and for that reason only. Rider is a thief and nothing else, despite what he has led you to believe. I don't know what he, or your daughter, told you but he was not the one to find the lost princess. As I was hunting him down, I came across a distinct tower in the-"

"Robert, as much as I admire your willingness to do whatever it takes in order to protect the kingdom, Eugene won't be executed," Eleanor interrupted, holding up a hand.

"Your majesty, I'm just trying to point out that Rider has thieved from this kingdom many times, and he didn't find the lost princess. He shouldn't be redeemed-"

"I won't have this conversation any longer. Thank you," Jonathan said. Robert opened his mouth to say something else, but there was finality in the King's voice that he could not ignore. Bowing his head, Robert quietly said,

"Thank you, your majesties." He swiftly spun around and left the room.


"Eugene, do you have to go tomorrow?" Rapunzel squirmed closer to Eugene and rested her head on his shoulder. She shivered slightly from the brisk air and the grass was beginning to dampen beneath her. Eugene wrapped an arm around her and kissed her forehead.

"Unfortunately. But don't worry. Your handsome thief will be back before you know it." Rapunzel giggled and closed her eyes, sighing.

"Just don't do anything stupid," she scolded. Eugene scoffed in disbelief.

"Really, Blondie? After everything I did for you? Geeze, and here I was thinking that you knew I never did anything stupid." Rapunzel raised an eyebrow and lifted her head to look at Eugene. He grinned at her and ran his fingers through her hair.

"Yep, you never do anything stupid." Eugene shook his head.

"Never."

"So when you stole my crown? That wasn't stupidity?" Rapunzel asked teasingly.

"Hey, that was when I was Flynn. That was an unfair one. And no, that wasn't stupidity. If I hadn't stolen that crown I wouldn't have met you, would I?" Rapunzel felt a smile creep along her lips.

"Very true." She lifted her head and kissed him gently. "Just come back safely."


I'm sorry. I don't really have any excuse for why it took me so long to put this up. I'm just a lazy person. Apologies! You can yell at me in the reviews, if you like. I'm trying REALLY hard to update sooner and make longer chapters. I'm working on the next chapter, so hopefully it will be up before next week :P Well, thank you for being patient. And please please please review!