A/N: As I type this up, I am almost crying. You know hy? Because this is the second to last chapter in this story… *sniffle* Yes, it's the sad truth. I've grown so close to each and everyone one of you guys, whether you read or reviewed my story. Each of the kind reviews bringa smile to my face, so I thank you for that. :) Thank you all for your support, BUT! It's not over yet! But enjoy this chapter for me! (It's super long too!) :D
Oh and congrats to EugeneLoverRapunzel for guessing right on what Rapunzel saw in the kitchen in the last chapter! It was a frying pan! Now let's see what Rapunzel does with it!
The Rapids Settle
Rapunzel- Kitchen in the Cottage
One of the first smiles that I have had in a long time began to creep onto my face as I lay my green eyes on it; the frying pan. I closed my eyes and shook my head, not believing my luck! Was there finally a slit of sunlight coming through the clouds during the storm? I walked slowly towards it, fearing that it would disappear; my last hope. Once I reached it, I lay a tentative hand on the handle and gripped it tight. Suddenly my emotions became over powering, and I yanked the frying pan towards myself and hugged it tightly; skipping around the room. I stretched out my arms again to see my reflection in its shiny surface. I watched as my reflection and I let out a deep breath; both knowing that everything that was about to be done had to be perfect. Finally ready, I moved the frying pan to above my head, ready to strike once I opened the door. As silently as I could, I crept towards the door, trying my hardest to not make any sounds that would foreshadow my attack.
Once I had reached the door, I let out a silent exhale; it was now or never. With all my might I kicked open the door and was satisfied when it slammed open revealing two dumb-founded thugs staring at me with shock. What a Kodak moment. I quickly focused myself once more and began to scream like a crazy person as I swung with all of my might at the thug on my left, Disaster. I heard a resounding 'BANG!' as the metal hit the dumb-founded face; and then a crash as the great beast fell to the ground unconscious. I whipped around to my right towards Menace, a look of pure anger covering my face. I think I even saw some fear etched into his face. But before I could confirm it, I heard a voice call out from the bedroom right next to where we were standing, "Is everything alright out there guys?" I recognized the voice immediately to be McDorny's and realized my time was short. I squared my shoulders, raised my frying pan, and with another maddening scream knocked the other great beast to the ground.
Breathing heavily, I twirled the frying pan in my hand, "And that's how you get out of captivity in style!" But as soon as the words left my mouth, a strong arm grabbed the arm holding the frying pan and pinned it painfully behind me while the other arm wasn't slow to place a knife at my throat, "And it's also how you get back into captivity in style, huh princess?" Alfred. I squeezed my eyes shut, why, of all times did he have to show up? My state of despair quickly flared up into anger, He's always in the way. Always! I am SO sick of him ruining my life! I managed to jab Alfred in the gut with my other elbow and quickly shoved the knife away from my throat; I jerked myself away from my captor once the arms slackened theirs grip.
I whipped around to see him bent over and clutching his stomach in pain; small whimpers escaping his mouth. I strode towards him and spat, "You know what Alfred? I'm really tired of you raining on my parade and getting in the way." And with one fluid motion of my frying pan I sent him falling to the ground alongside his cronies. I took a step back and viewed my handiwork. Satisfied I nodded and sauntered out of the cottage.
Suddenly, I immediately remembered why I was captured, "Eugene!" I yelped and quickly began to run through the forest to the kingdom and my love. "I'm coming for you Eugene. I'm coming."
Eugene/Flynn- The Kingdom's Gallows
I stood there in silent defiance as the guards lowered the thick rope over my frock of brown hair; and finally the rest of my head. I could feel its minimal weight on my collarbone and I felt a pang of fear for what was coming next. Come on Eugene, be a man. It's just- no. Forget this tough guy stuff. This is the end for me anyways. Realizing this, I let a single tear leak from my eye and make its way down my face. I didn't even bother to wipe it away.
I watched as the King and Queen made their way to the seats designated for them among the other chairs. Both were wearing their crown's this time I noticed. As they took their seats, another guard strode forward carrying a scroll containing my 'crime.' He unfurled it slowly while glancing at me, probably trying to see if he was making me frightened. What a jerk. Finally he began, and with a booming voice proclaimed, "Eugene Flynn Fitzherbert. Crimes committed: Stealing of the Queen's crown and breaking out of prison. Sentence: death obviously." He smirked and I sub-consciously clenched my fists. The guard rolled the scroll back up and nodded at the guard who had lowered the rope over my head earlier. The latter strode towards me once more but stopped at the handle that would lower the floor beneath me. I squeezed my eyes shut and whispered my last words to this world, "I love you Rapunzel. I'll always love you no matter what."
Suddenly I heard a loud crash that made my eyes shoot open in surprise. It didn't take me a second to discover the source of the sound, it was Rapunzel bursting through the door breathing deeply and holding a frying pan. My heart gave a leap as it always did whenever I saw her; but it settled down when I remembered she didn't love me back. Stupid karma. The King and Queen stood up and strode over to Rapunzel. It was the King who spoke first, "Rapunzel, sweetheart, now is not the time. Look honey, you probably don't want to see this. Go back to your room and when we return you can tell us whatever you wanted-" "No!" Rapunzel bellowed cutting him off. "No, you will hear me out and that's that!" She said with sudden authority. The King sighed, "Fine then. What is it?"
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, momentarily blocking off the view of her beautiful, green eyes. Opening them again, she began, "Eugene is innocent. The real culprit is your guard Alfred McDorny." At this the King snorted in disbelief. But this time it was the Queen who reasoned with him, "Arthur, come on. Let her finish." After a moment, the King slowly nodded. Rapunzel glanced in my direction for a moment, and I held her gaze for a moment. Yet although my anger and resentment at her were bubbling over inside of me, a small smile slipped out; too much of my surprise. Her face lit up and she turned back to her parents before she could see that the smile had left as quickly as it had come. "Alfred teamed up with the thugs Menace and Disaster and broke them out of the prison. Then they..."
Rapunzel then continued to tell her parents and I the true story. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes as she did though. I was still mad at her for what she did to my heart and I was for sure not in a forgiving mood. As she finished the story, she motioned for them to follow her for proof that her tale was true. The King and Queen exchanged looks, trying to decide whether to leave the execution for this. Mary, the Queen shrugged, and the three of them hurriedly left the gallows towards this 'cottage.'
An awkward silence filled the gallows soon afterwards. The guard that was still standing by the handle shifted his weight uncomfortably and looked up to me, "So, umm, how's your day been?" I rolled my eyes and prayed that the royal trio would return soon.
The King- The Forest Nearby the Cottage
As I hurriedly ran with my daughter and wife, I thought back to what Rapunzel had just said. Sure it all made sense and fit into place, but really? Alfred McDorny? My best soldier? How could he be the true criminal? No offense, but Rider fit the crime much better. But it all depends on what lay inside of the cottage.
As we finally arrived at a small clearing in the forest, we came upon a small, old, run-down cottage. Rapunzel stopped momentarily from her run to look back at Mary and me. She motioned for us to follow and darted of towards the cottage. I was breathing deeply from the previous run and shook my head in disbelief at Rapunzel's request for me to run to the cottage. Men like me were not meant to run this much. I thought as I glanced down towards my slightly protruding stomach.
Nevertheless, I strode quickly to the cottage and stepped inside. A thick cloud of dust greeted me as I walked inside and drove me into a coughing fit. But what shocked me the most were the three bodies lying unconscious on the floor. I recognized them immediately to be the two thugs and, to my horror, Alfred McDorny.
At that moment, seeing the proof in my face, my best soldier on the ground, the knife that he threatened my own daughter with in his hand, my mind all but shattered. Everything I thought and believed was proved false all with this one single scene. I've had a traitor in my midst all this time; endangering my family the entire time. I looked down once more to the man who was once a close friend of mine; an ally and someone I could rely on. But now-
"YOU FILTHY SCOUNDREL!" I shouted as I reared my foot back and kicked McDorny hard in the ribs. I watched as he tucked his knees to his chest and whimpered even while he was unconscious. Breathing hard and suddenly aware of the show I had just put on for my family, I turned towards them, almost fearing the looks of horror probably on their faces. But to my shock, there was a pleased, almost reverent look on their faces. My wife, who looked even more joyous about what I had done, was the one who spoke first, "You know, I was about to do the same thing." The three of us burst into great belts of laughter that we so needed and hadn't had in a long while. At that exact moment, I never felt closer to them.
Suddenly remembering what must be done now, I gave Rapunzel the honor of carrying out an order I'm sure she will pleased with. "Rapunzel dear, would you do me a favor and head back to the gallows? I'm sure there's some news that you'd love to tell Flynn.
Just as I had predicted, my beautiful daughter's face split immediately into a huge grin. "Of course father! I'll see you back at home!" She threw over her shoulder as she was turning for the door. I strode over to the window of the cottage and watched as she took off into a run and entered the great depths of the forest. A small smile slowly grew upon my lips; I had never been more proud of someone.
Eugene/ Flynn- The Kingdom's Gallows
After about 20 minutes of awkward small talk with the guard, I saw one of the royal trio return finally. It was Rapunzel. Although her short, brunette hair was wind-swept and her face was flushed from running, I believed she never looked more beautiful. Wait a second! Erase that thought! You're mad at her remembered? It broke my already shattered heart, but I forced a glare to form on my already stony face.
Rapunzel caught sight of me and shouted with ecstatic emotion, "Eugene! Eugene you're free! You're free to go! You're innocent!" And with that she turned to the awkward small talk guard and ordered still smiling, "Hey you! Didn't you hear? Release him at once!" The guard jumped slightly, startled by the order, but nevertheless pulled out a small knife and sliced the rope connected to the loop around my neck. I quickly pulled off the remnants of my canceled out death from my neck and tossed it to the ground. Just then a huge force rushed into me, almost knocking me to the ground beside the loop of rope. Startled I looked down to see the source. It was Rapunzel squeezing my chest and squealing with glee. I was even almost swept up in the moment with her... almost.
"Wait a minute; what did you call me earlier?" I said slowly and quietly to the joyous girl clinging to me. Rapunzel immediately stopped squealing and her grip loosened. She looked up into my brown eyes with question. I rolled my eyes although it pained me so much to do so. "If you don't remember, my name is not Eugene. It's Flynn," I said in a monotone voice. My former love, but the one who still had my heart, slowly withdrew her arms and stepped back from me with tears threatening to pour out at any moment. With a tentative voice she spoke, "What, what do you mean? I thought you loved me?" I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing I had to say the final blow. My body was screaming at me in protest though; this would be the statement that would kill me to say. "I don't know anymore. I just don't know. I'm leaving you now. Goodbye." And with that I stepped around her shaking body, picked up Alfred's bag off the ground and left the gallows. But even as I was shutting the door behind me, I heard the sobs begin. But they weren't just hers, they were also mine.
It had been a day since the entire gallows incident, and I avoided the castle as much as possible the entire time. I was sitting in the shadows, eating a small, green apple I had stolen from a nearby shop. While brooding over my thoughts, I looked down to the small side-bag that had once been Alfred's. He and my former acquaintances were now back in prison for life, thank goodness, and in the most highly guarded cells. Curious, I reached down and plopped the bag into my lap. I began to wonder what else the jerk face kept in there. Gingerly, I opened it up and began to rummage through it. I saw a comb; he always had to keep his hair perfect; a make-shift compass, a pouch of money; mine now; and also a small stack of letters. Curious, I pulled out the letters and began to read them.
As I finished reading, there was an evident look of horror and loathing upon my face. But the loathing wasn't for Alfred and his cronies; well partially; but it mostly towards myself. She was telling the truth. She was telling the truth and I didn't believe her! I can't believe this! How could I? What am I going to do? She probably hates me now; I don't blame her after what I did. There's nothing that could ever make up for what I did to her.
Wait a minute! There is something! Yes, that would be perfect! Joyous at my new discovery and of the healing of my heart, I frantically searched my pockets, shirt and shoes for the one thing that could piece together my love life. My heart was leaping inside of my chest though. She loved me! I was wrong, she still loved me! And it would be an utter lie to say I didn't love her back!
Finally, I came across the item. A small, bundle of cloth lay in my hand; the cloth was concealing the item. "Perfect," I whispered to myself with a smile, "Just perfect."
A/N: YAAAAAYYYYYYYY! Finally Eugene knows the truth! This is one of my favorite chapters to tell you the truth. I laugh, I cry, and I sing for joy at the end! So, please review and tell me what you think of it! And, *sniffle*, the last chapter will be up soon! :D :( :) (Confused emotions….) Anyways, also in your review, try to guess what's inside the cloth! I know it could be anything, (on another website someone actually guessed it was a "In the cloth is a pearl. But not just any pearl. Not even a pretty, luminous, pink pearl. No, this pearl is very special indeed. It has the power to attract an army of monkeys to where ever you are - instantly!" So yeah, any guess could possibly be true! Just give it a shot! It could be a serious guess, or a crazy far-off whacko one! I love all you guys so much! Thanks again! (Oh snap, this chapter was 2,972 words. Take that! Awwwww snap!) ;)