Tangled Up in You
A/N: Disclaimer still applies. Sorry it is short, BUT, ain't I a stinker…?
Chapter Seven: Eugene's Revelation, Part Seven
The First Encounter (Part One):
Lieutenant Rupert had just finished inspecting his troops, his supremely dedicated and talented troops; sincerely and earnestly complimenting them on their readiness as well as their appearance and professionalism; dispatching them to their assigned posts within the dockage and warehouse areas of Corona's waterfront, when a disturbance in the water caught his trained eye.
He was shocked at what he saw; at first he couldn't believe it, for this sight was too incredible to even begin to imagine; it was a small boat; a boat containing two young people, one male and one female; one well known due to his notoriety, and the other not, yet so seemingly familiar.
Rupert, his mouth open almost to the point that his chin had literally hit the ground, was presented with the completely unbelievable sight of a green eyed, blond-haired young woman; clothed in a simple, yet elegantly adorned pastel gown, with beautifully braided long golden hair, her feet bare; accompanied by, of all the possible escorts in these several local kingdoms, Flynn Rider. Really! Flynn Rider? Yes, dear; the Flynn Rider!
The notoriously infamous and dastardly Flynn Rider; the man who had totally humiliated the entire Royal Guard with his daring theft of the Lost Princess' tiara; the tiara currently gracing this young woman's head; the tiara stolen just a day previous; the tiara, a perfect fit upon this woman's head; as if customed fabricated, just for her.
Obviously, Flynn did not realize the price on his head, or was so arrogant as not to care; though, in this case, truth WAS stranger than fiction, fan fiction, that is; for, and even he would acknowledge later, Rupert could not be more wrong. Flynn did know; but also knew in his heart that the risk to be endured was worth the accomplishment of his newly self-proclaimed duty of returning Rapunzel, the Lost Princess, to her parents; his new dream.
"RIDER," Lieutenant Rupert exclaimed, drawing his sword, ready to capture the thief; but hesitating due to a gnawing thought.
"Please wait, this is very important, I need to see their highnesses. Immediately" Eugene cried.
Rupert grimaced, knowing what was about to come, a plea for mercy; "Why? It should be so much easier just to kill you and be done with you and…,"
"…because of Rapunzel," Eugene anxiously, and quietly interrupted, gesturing to his companion.
"Who is she? Your new accomplice," Lieutenant Rupert absent mindedly snickered, intent as he was on the imminent capture; not really listening to Eugene's revelation; not registering her name and only barely making the connection between this girl and his past briefings; his secret briefings, the knowledge committed to memory with the original documentation completely and irreversibly destroyed; the critical sub-folder, the sub-folder containing thirty-six very special portraits; each prominently marked 'ABOVE TOP SECRET,' the entire folder prominently marked with more access limiting markings; 'SPECIAL ACCESS REQUIRED,' and 'LIMITED TO LEVEL DELTA-FOUR CLEARANCES; momentarily forgotten.
No, in a monumental lapse of the military bearing he was known for, everything was forgotten; his attention fully on the notorious Flynn Rider and his desire to avenge the honor of Corona; yet, the strange and wonderful thought of familiarity growing ever stronger, the information contained in his sub-conscious slowly moving to the forefront; the conviction that he actually did know who she was and that she was no mere accomplice of the most notorious thief of the kingdom; also thinking that there was definitely more here than met the eye.
Thus; as his subconscious won out over his involuntary reaction; he began shaking his head in utter disbelief; not willing to believe, but knowing he had to; for the sake of his kingdom; his wonderful kingdom of the sun.
No, Rupert finally convinced himself; there WAS more here than met the eye; she was much, much more; of that he was absolutely sure, the thought confirmed by Eugene's next words; words that would reverberate through him, and ultimately all of Corona, as if a massive earthquake shock; words that would shake him to the core, turn his world upside down and bring them into an initially uneasy, yet ultimately beneficial alliance; an alliance that would serve the kingdom well in the weeks to come; an alliance that would bring peace to a royal family and an unequalled outpouring of joy from their kingdom.
DUN, DUN, DUN!
What happens next?
Please, stay tuned; um, checking back… !
