AN: I'm afraid that the next two chapters after this are going to be delayed. I leave tomorrow on a two week vacation and will be without internet. So look for the next update on October 29th. Then it will be back to the regular schedule November 3rd.

Nikkibecket1997: Thank you! I reveal some important clues in this chapter pertaining to that.

Rapunzel smiled as she watched Eugena disappeared among the night shadows under the trees. A Wonderfully pleasant warmth filled her chest, one that had nothing to do with the fire in front of her. It was strange. She had never felt so close to anyone before, not even her own mother.

Eugena was so very different from her persona of Flynn Rider. Where he was stand-offish and arrogant, Eugena was open and so very nice, even when she was in the midst of a freak out. She had even apologised for shouting at Rapunzel, something that Mother had never done. She had told about how her favourite book had inspired her to become Flynn Rider, though Rapunzel was still a little confused as to why she chose to pretend to be a man. Couldn't she have become a female thief?

Rapunzel thought back to that moment in the tower when she had first examined the unconscious Eugena. She had thought then, that Eugena was beautiful even as a man. Now she still was beautiful. Maybe not in the same way that Mother was beautiful, but still. She had strong features, but they suited her perfectly. She had to wonder how Eugena managed to disguise her figure though. Maybe, she has even less of a figure than I have. Rapunzel thought idly.

"Well," said a voice Rapunzel had never thought she's hear right then. "I thought he'd never leave."

"Mother?" With a sinking heart, she turned to see her mother standing behind her, pulling back the cowl of her cloak. A very tiny part of her was relieved as she noted Mother referred to Eugena as a he. That meant she hadn't been listening in that long on their conversation. In the thin moonlight filtering through the trees, Mother's appearance had changed drastically. The deep ebony of her hair had dulled and her skin had the look of paper. Add to that, her strangely pleasant expression, Mother had taken on a macabre aspect.

She inspected her nails for a second before meeting Rapunzel's eyes. "Hello, dear."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Pascal huddle down on the tree root they were sitting on and turn brown to match the colour of the bark. Rapunzel lunged to her feet, stammering nervously. "But I-I-I… I don't… How did you find me?" she asked as Mother walked over and put her arms around Rapunzel.

"Oh, it was easy, really." Mother replied, running one hand along Rapunzel's hair. "I just listened for the sound of complete and utter betrayal and followed that."

"Mother…" Rapunzel sighed. She could hear the blatant disappoint in her mother's words. She knew shouldn't have left the tower and she knew she had gone against Mother's wishes. Surely if she just explained things, it would be all right.

But Mother was clearly not in the mood to listen. "We're going home, Rapunzel. Now." she ordered, taking Rapunzel's left wrist. She turned and started to pull her daughter along behind her.

Rapunzel dug in her heels and pulled her wrist free. "You don't understand. I've been on this incredible journey, and I've seen and learned so much." She looked at Mother as she shyly added, "I've even met someone."

"Yes, the wanted thief. I'm so proud." Mother's expression hardened and the hold she placed on Rapunzel's wrist was vise-like this time. "Come on, Rapunzel."

But Rapunzel didn't want to just come on. She was a little annoyed that Mother had dismissed Eugena as just a wanted thief, even if that was technically what the other girl was. As she stumbled in her mother's wake, she protested, "Mother, wait. I think…" Again she pulled free. She no idea where her reason was coming from, but she just couldn't deny it. "I think sh… he likes me."

She felt guilty about changing the pronoun, but in a way she had promised Eugena that she wouldn't tell anyone the truth. And just like every other promise she made, she wasn't about to break this one.

"Likes you?" Mother repeated, looking over her shoulder at Rapunzel. "Please, Rapunzel, that's demented!"

"But Mother, I…" Rapunzel tried to protest. Just like always, Mother just rode right over top of her as she brushed pass her.

"This is why you never should have left. Dear this whole romance you've invented," The way Mother emphasised the word romance made Rapunzel frown slightly. She hadn't mentioned anything about a romance between her and Eugena. She had meant liked as friends.

A very tiny part of her protested even her own denial of that.

Mother continued without even noticing Rapunzel's distraction. She swooped up behind Rapunzel, taking a hold of her shoulders. "Just proves you're too naïve to be here."

For the first time in her life, Rapunzel couldn't bring herself to believe Mother's words. Something, a part of her that sounded a lot like both Eugena and Flynn, told her that what Mother was saying was all lies. That she was only doing this to scare Rapunzel.

"Why would he like you? Come on now, really." Mother continued, drawing Rapunzel around in a circle by her hands. She let go and lifted up two handfuls of Rapunzel's hair. "Look at you! You think that he's impressed?" She dropped the hair and drew back to the place she had first appeared. Spreading her arms wide, she crooned, "Don't be a dummy, come with Mummy. Mother…"

But Rapunzel had had enough of listening to her mother. "No!" the word blurted out before she could stop herself.

Mother paused and a dreadfully sly smirk crossed her lips. "No? Oh, I see how it is."

Rapunzel's eyes widened a little. A small ball of sudden fear formed in the pit of her stomach. She had never so openly defied her mother before. And now she couldn't help but be afraid of the consequences.

"Rapunzel knows best." Mother strutted forward, one hand on her hip. "Rapunzel's so mature now. Such a clever grown up miss." She patted Rapunzel roughly on the head and then lifted her chin with her fingers. Mother's nails dug a little under her chin as she flicked her hand away. "Rapunzel knows best. Fine, if you're so sure now, go ahead and give him THIS!"

She walked a few steps away and then turned, holding up Eugena's satchel from under her cloak. Rapunzel's mouth dropped open. "How did you…?" she struggled to ask. She couldn't imagine how her mother could have possible found it. Then she remembered. When she had hidden it the last time, it was possible that she hadn't closed the flap on it properly. Maybe the jewels on the metal thing had caught on some light and revealed the hiding place?

Mother took the thing from the satchel, brandishing it. "THIS is why he's here. Don't let him deceive you. Give it to him, watch, you'll see!" She flung it at Rapunzel and she caught it out of the air. Resolve filled Rapunzel. She wasn't going to let Mother know she was at all worried about Eugena's integrity.

"I will!" she declared defiantly.

"Trust me, my dear, that's how fast he'll leave you!" Mother snapped her fingers for emphasis as she stalked back to Rapunzel. Tossing the strap of the satchel over Rapunzel's shoulders, she got right into Rapunzel's face and hissed, "I won't say I told you so! Now Rapunzel knows best! So, if he's such a dreamboat, go ahead and put him," she circled once more behind Rapunzel as the girl looked down at the metal circle in her hands. The more Mother spoke, the tiniest bit of doubt formed. She couldn't help remember the number of times Flynn had tried to trick her into giving this back. Again Mother spat, "to the TEST!"

She drew back once more and Rapunzel put up a hand to keep her from leaving just yet. "Mother, wait!"

But Mother clearly intended for Rapunzel to learn this lesson on her own. "If he's lying, don't come crying! Mother knows BEST!" And with that, she vanished into the night.

Rapunzel was left with Eugena's satchel hanging off her shoulder, the metal circle in her hands, and a whole lot of doubt. She didn't want to believe that after all they had gone through; Eugena would abandon her just like Mother had said. Before she could gather her wits, there was the snap of a twig on the far side of the fire. And then Eugena called out to her.

"So, hey uh… Can I ask you something?"

Frantically, Rapunzel stuffed the circle and the satchel into the first hiding place she could see. She spotted Eugena swinging her legs over a fallen log, arms full of wood for the fire. She hurried back to the fireside, turning to make sure that no sign of the satchel was visible from there.

Eugena continued with her question, "Is there any chance I'm going to get super strength in my hand? Because I'm not going to lie. That would be stupendous." There was a pause and Eugena's voice changed from jovial to concerned. "Hey, you all right?"

"Oh! Sorry," Rapunzel said as nonchalantly as she could as she turned to face the other girl, "yes. Umm… Just lost in thought, I guess." She tried a smile, but it felt brittle even to her.

For a moment, it looked like it was as obvious to Eugena as well. But then she just gave a little fair-enough-shrug and knelt to dump her load of wood. "I mean, 'cause here's the thing, superhuman good looks, Flynn's always had them." She grinned playfully up at Rapunzel as she set about adding the wood to the fire. "Born with it, you could say. But superhuman strength? Can you imagine the possibilities of this?"

Nervously, as she listened to Eugena blather on, Rapunzel dared a glance over her shoulder at the hollow tree-stump where she had stashed the satchel. With Mother's warnings ringing in her mind, she was too scared now to reveal that satchel to Eugena. She didn't want to believe Mother was right, but she also didn't want to think otherwise either.

"There." Eugena sat back on her heels and slapped her hands together to brush them off. "That should last the night. Now, I don't know about you," she looked up at Rapunzel as the blonde girl took her seat on the root again and picked up Pascal, "but I have had a very long day and I have no problem admitting that I am exhausted. We should get some sleep."

Rapunzel quickly agreed and slid off the tree root. She started to gather up her hair to use as a combination pillow and blanket. Then she caught sight of Eugena watching her with a curious look in her brown eyes. Suddenly remembering her manners, Rapunzel held up part of her hair and asked, "Do you want some? My hair makes a pretty soft pillow and it always keeps me plenty warm."

"No, no." Eugena replied, holding up her hands. To take the sting out her words, she smiled as she explained. "Truth to tell, blondie. Of the two of us, I am the one more used to sleeping out of doors so you go right ahead. All yours."

Well, that does make sense I suppose, Rapunzel thought and said, "Okay then. Good night Eugena."

Eugena suddenly made a face and sighed. "You, uh… You aren't going to call me that tomorrow, are you?" she asked.

"Why not?" Rapunzel asked confused. "It's your name. Your real name."

"I know that, but," Eugena left out another huge sigh and waved a hand at the clothing she was wearing, "look at me! Nobody is going to believe that I'm a girl, dressed like this. And they're going to wonder why you're called a man by a girl's name. So can't you just keep calling me Flynn?"

With a frown, Rapunzel shook her head. "No. If I call you Flynn, people might try to get you arrested. Like the thugs back at the Snuggly Duckling. I don't want that to happen."

"But you can't call me Eugena!" she protested.

Okay, she sort of has a point there. Rapunzel could agree with that sentiment. She thought for a moment and then came up with a solution. "Eugene."

Eugena gave her a sideways look. "Beg pardon?"

"I'll call you Eugene." Rapunzel smiled. "It's close enough to your real name and it's not Flynn."

It was clear that Eugena wasn't going to win this and while the girl did concede defeat, she didn't do so gracefully. "There's no way I can talk you out of this, is there?" To answer, Rapunzel just shook her head firmly. Eugena make another face and groaned. "All right, all right. Well, good night blondie." She turned over onto her side with a huff.

Rapunzel curled up under her hair. Pascal settled down beside her. There were a few moments of silence as Rapunzel looked up at the few stars visible through the branches overhead. Seeing them, she suddenly remembered something she had wanted to ask nearly all day. "Hey, Eugena? Are you asleep yet?"

The figure on the other side of the fire didn't move. "No… What is it?"

"There's something that I've been wondering about. Can you tell me about the Heir?" Rapunzel asked. Eugena was silent for a moment and then turned slightly to look over her shoulder at her. She had one eyebrow raised so Rapunzel clarified, "When I asked you about the floating lights, you said they were 'the lantern thing they did for the Heir'. What does that mean?"

"You don't know the story?" There was genuine surprise in her voice.

Rapunzel refrained from rolling her eyes, thinking I wouldn't have asked if I did. Instead she just said, "Mother never tells me anything about Outside unless it's to tell me how horrible and dangerous it is." She was a little hesitant to bring up Mother's stories especially after the confrontation she had just had with her mother.

Eugena rolled onto her back and sat up on her elbows. "Huh. If that's the case, I'm surprised she wouldn't tell you this one then." Rapunzel looked at her curiously and Eugena shrugged. "Because if there ever was a story that would convince someone to not go outside, this would be it."

"Oh?" Rapunzel sat up as well, tucking the edges of her skirt around her legs. This was just making her more curious. "Can you tell me the story?"

"I don't know, blondie," Eugena complained, running her hand over her face, "It's not a very good story. In fact, it's… it's rather sad."

That just made Rapunzel all the more determined to hear it. "I still want to hear it." When Eugena looked like she was going to say no again, Rapunzel looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please?"

Eugena looked back at her and groaned. "Oh god, not the puppy eyes." She muttered in annoyance, but gave in. She sat up and crossed her legs. "Okay, okay. But don't blame me if you end up with nightmares. Now let me think." She furrowed her brows for a second and then took a deep breath. "It all starts with the sun. Once upon a time, it is said, a single drop of sunlight fell from the heavens. And from this small drop of sun grew a magic golden flower. It had the ability to heal the sick and injured."

As she listened to Eugena's story, Rapunzel couldn't help but notice that the golden flower had the same sort of power that her hair did. She wanted to interrupt to point that out, but she figured that would be a little rude.

"Unfortunately it was found by a greedy old witch. You might want to remember her. She's kind of important." Eugena continued, shooting Rapunzel a bit of a grin. "Well, centuries passed and a hop, skip, and a boat-ride away there grew a kingdom. The kingdom was ruled over by a beloved king and queen. And the queen, well, she was about to have a baby." At that moment, Eugena's expression changed, becoming more pensive. "But then she got sick. Really sick. There was nothing the doctors could do and she was running out of time, and that's when people start looking for a miracle."

"Or in this case, a magic golden flower?" Rapunzel dared to ask when Eugena paused.

Eugena looked at her and smiled, touching the side of her nose. "Exactly. Everyone went out in search for the flower. Not just Guards, but ordinary people too. And finally after weeks of searching it was found growing on a ledge over-looking the ocean. Two soldiers climbed down, dug up the flower, and brought it back to the kingdom. The doctors were able to make a potion out of it and the king gave it to the queen and the magic of the flower healed the queen. A healthy baby boy, a prince was born, with long golden hair." Eugena smiled at her again. "I'll give you a hint, that's Rupert, the Heir to the throne."

Rapunzel giggled softly. So far the story was actually nice, not sad or scary at all except for the queen getting sick.

"To celebrate his birth, the king and queen launched a flying lantern into the sky." Eugena lifted her hands to demonstrate the release of the imaginary lantern. "And for that one moment, everything was perfect." The smile on Eugena's lips faded suddenly. "And then that moment ended."

When she didn't continue the story for a moment, Rapunzel asked "Was it the witch?"

Eugena gave her a half-smile and pointed at her. "Ah! I told you she'd be important. You see this witch… No one really knows who she was… Well, instead of sharing the sun's gift, this witch hoarded its healing powers for her own use. When the king's men took the flower, she became angry and vowed revenge on the kingdom. One night, she broke into the castle, stole the child, and just like that," she snapped her fingers, "gone!"

Rapunzel gasped softly, bringing her fingers to her lips. That poor baby. And the poor king and queen too.

"The kingdom searched and searched, but they could not find the prince." Eugena gave a little sigh. "So each year, on his birthday, the king and queen released thousands of lanterns into the sky in the hope that one day their lost Heir would return." She cast a sideways look at Rapunzel. "So now that I've given you nightmares, Good night!" Quickly she lay back down on her side.

That make Rapunzel laugh. While this was a sad story, especially the ending, compared to some of her mother's tales about how the world was filled with horrible selfish people, it was not all that bad. "Hardly nightmare fuel, Eugena." She said and looked up at the stars again. "Do you think he'll ever come back?"

Eugena gave a soft exasperated sigh. "I highly doubt it, blondie. It's likely he isn't even still alive."

"That's a horrible thought!" Rapunzel cried. She just couldn't accept that outcome as calmly at Eugena seemed to. "I mean, the king and queen obviously still believe he'll come home. Otherwise why would they send up the lanterns every year?"

The other girl sat up once more. "But think about it, Goldie. He's been missing for almost twenty years. If he was still alive, wouldn't you think he'd come back by now?"

Rapunzel knew she made a very convincing argument. Still Rapunzel just couldn't bring herself to be as pessimistic as Eugena. "What if he can't? What if he doesn't know the lanterns are for him? What if he has been found, but just doesn't know it yet?"

Eugena looked at her for a long moment and then chuckled. "You really do believe that, don't you? Well, if you think so, I guess I can too. Now, please! Go to sleep." She looked at her with her own version of the 'puppy eyes', which was entirely different from Flynn's Smolder. Rapunzel couldn't help but laugh.

"Okay, okay." She said and the two of the settle down to sleep. As she curled up under her hair again she added, "It's strange though."

There was a groan from the other side of the fire. "What's strange?" Eugena asked, sounding completely unwilling to make any more conversation.

Rapunzel fiddled with a bit of hair by her cheek. "The prince and I… We have the same birthday." She explained.

"Really?" Now Eugena sounded interested and she turned to look at Rapunzel. "How old are you turning?"

"Eighteen." Rapunzel answered shyly.

She could see Eugena smile in the firelight. "Well, well. That is certainly an important one, so let me be the first to wish you a Happy Birthday. And with that in mind, I better make sure that tomorrow is the best day of your life. And to do that we really, really need to get some sleep! Please, I'm begging you!"

Rapunzel laughed again and said. "All right. Good night Eugena."

"Good night, birthday girl." Eugena answered and, for all appearances, went to sleep.

Rapunzel didn't follow into dreamland right away. She looked back up at the stars. She had wanted to mull over the story of the Lost Prince a little longer, but something Eugena had said just before going to sleep dominated her thoughts instead. The other girl had wished her a happy birthday. That made Rapunzel feel all warm and fizzy. And Eugena was the first to do so, at least for this year. More often than not, Mother would forget to say that particular phrase. Pascal hadn't been with her long enough so this would be the first year he could.

Her mind wandered back to Rupert, the Lost Prince. Tomorrow was his birthday too. Rapunzel smiled a little and said silently to the stars overhead, Happy birthday to you too, Prince Rupert. Where ever you are.