Wow, I can't believe we're on Chapter 11 already! That's just...wow. How long has it been since I've started this? Ah, oh well. What really matters is all you people thinking "Man, just finish it already!" will finally get your wish. Just one more chapter to go after this! But don't just skip this one to get to the last chapter, or then I'll have to hit you with a frying pan.

I own nothing, nothing, NOTHING!

I want something, something, SOMETHING!

It's amazing, 'mazing, 'MAZING!

How-

Oh, for crying out loud, I don't own Tangled. :-(

All three of them, Flynn, Rapunzel, and Pascal, couldn't help but scream as they plummeted down, just out of reach of the guards. Flynn gripped Rapunzel tightly, never wanting to let go, listening for the clacking of the pulley to reassure them that they still had hold as they neared the hard ground. For a moment, a fearful thought flashed through Flynn's mind that the guards could just sever the hair on their way down, but that fear was replaced with a sigh of relief as they finally touched the bottom. He couldn't believe it. It worked! They had made it!

Maximus, who was just fighting off a few other guards who remained outside, quickly turned and raced over to the three of them, wasting no time in scooping them up and galloping away. Rapunzel still gripped Flynn tightly as they rode away on the horse, but now, instead of fear, a joyous expression was painted on her face, and she threw her head back and laughed.

That was what Flynn needed to hear.

That amazing laughter urged him on, a smile spreading across his face as he encouraged Maximus to go faster. Flynn recalled when he had last been on the horse with her—the poor girl was unconscious, hurt, barely alive…and now, she was happy as ever, laughing at the fact that they were free.

They were free.

They were free.

O-O-O-O-O

It had been nighttime when they had left the tower, and as they neared the castle, the sun was once again rising over the horizon. Rapunzel had fallen asleep, her delicate arms wrapped around Flynn's neck as he rode through the kingdom. He held her tight in front of him with one arm and onto Max's reins with the other. Rapunzel's flawless figure rose and fell with every breath she took, and curled up into Flynn's waist, obviously feeling safe and secure. Flynn smiled down at her every so often, his grateful eyes taking in her wonder.

It felt so good to have her in his arms once again.

The closer Flynn got to the castle, the more he thought about this: It was his third day since setting out to find Rapunzel, and now, here she was, safe with him, ready to be bought back to the place where she truly belonged.

Home.

It must have been rather unusual, the early risers looking out their front windows to see a former thief riding in with the slumbering princess. Though Flynn knew it looked suspicious, nobody came out, or reacted, or did anything to call any more attention to him. They knew the princess had been missing, but perhaps they knew of Flynn's undying love for her as well.

That was what really mattered.

Flynn could spot the lights illuminating the royal castle from a short distance, and Flynn knew it was time to wake up Rapunzel so she could happily greet her mother and father.

"Rapunzel," he said softly, shaking her gently. "Rapunzel, come on, Blondie, wake up…"

Rapunzel didn't open her eyes; instead, she let out a soft mumble.

"Sing…"

Her reply was completely unexpected. Flynn had either heard wrong, or the girl was dreaming. Yes, that must be it.

He tried again, just as soothingly. "Come on, Blondie, seriously…we're almost there."

Rapunzel scrunched up her face, and this time, flicked up her hand to bat at his face. "Eugene…" she murmured again, "…sing…"

Now Flynn knew she was talking about him. Eugene Fitzherbert, sing? What planet was she on? He did not sing. At least not in public, anyway. And there were enough early birds walking the streets for this to be considered "public".

But still, it was at Rapunzel's request. And whatever she asked meant the world to him. If she wanted something from Flynn, she was going to get it.

And if it was a song she wanted, she'd get a song.

Flynn racked his brain for something to serenade his love with, and then something hit him that spread a smile across his face. He had sung this once, quite reluctantly, he might add, in the middle of a pub surrounded by thugs. Perfect conditions, right? But back then his dreams had been full of stacks of cash and his own personal paradise island. But now, Flynn's dreams were of her…Rapunzel…her being with him forever. His dreams were no longer of money, or riches.

Rapunzel was worth more than all the money in the world.

And so, he began to sing, altering the words just right so they fit his new dream: Rapunzel.

"I've had dreams of owning islands,

And heists that led to violence,

But never did I think I'd be like this…

With my true love in my arms

As I keep her safe from harm

Ever since that beautiful first kiss…

I have a dream,

I have a dream,

And though it might seem strange coming from me...

I'll forever love this girl,

Because, man, she is my world,

Rapunzel, you're my one and only dream…"

And as Flynn sang, he saw a smile peek through Rapunzel's lips, and he softly continued to serenade his love. This was worth everything, no matter how many songs he had to sing.

"I have a dream,

I have a dream…"

Flynn stroked her hair, and Pascal shot him a knowing smile, as Rapunzel curled up even closer to him. Flynn looked out on the street. A few people were eyeing him, but he didn't care anymore. If Rapunzel heard it, that was the important part.

"…and though it might seem strange coming from me…"

And as Maximus came to a halt in front of the huge castle, Flynn thought of all Rapunzel and he had been through over the past few days. Heck, that had been enough adventure to last a lifetime, for anyone.

"…I'll forever love this girl,

Because, man, she is my world…"

But looking down at the beautiful young woman he held in his arms, he was amazed at how lucky he had been. Someone as wonderful as her loved someone as, well, Eugene Fitzherbert-ish as him.

And Flynn watched as the drawbridge came down, revealing the huge towering entrance to the castle. The King and Queen had been awaiting him, and he had been successful. He had their daughter, and now he could bring her back, where she could be safe, and comforted and happy once again. Because if she could be happy…then Flynn definitely was happy.

"Rapunzel, you're my one and only dream…"

O-O-O-O-O

Flynn entered the royal throne room, escorted by two guards who had met them in the hallway. They, genuinely, seemed happy to have him back with the princess, and Flynn was glad to find some guards that hadn't been part of the Captain's scheme.

Immediately upon seeing him, the King rose up to his feet, eyes wide with anxiety.

"Rider," he gasped, and Flynn could tell he feared the worst. Flynn's eyes wandered to the queen, who sat down in grieved silence, with tearstains on her cheeks. "Where is she? Is she…did you find her…is she…"

Flynn smiled assuredly at the king. "Well," he said, gesturing to the door, "why don't you ask her yourself, your majesty?"

Suddenly, the doors flew open, and Rapunzel appeared, the glow of brilliant joy shining all over her face. Her father's jaw dropped in relief and amazement, and the Queen's hands flew to her mouth, tears of joy breaking way through her tears of pain.

"Mom!" Rapunzel cried out blissfully, and took off in a run down the throne room carpet. "Daddy!"

"Rapunzel!" both parents chorused, leaping from their spots and running over to embrace their daughter.

What followed was a heartwarming moment of hugs and kisses and pure celebration, and all Flynn could do was watch with a satisfied smile on his face. He remembered the first time he had reunited Rapunzel with her parents, and this time was no different in how much it touched his heart.

"Rapunzel, my dear," her mother finally said through all the laughter and joyous tears. "Who—who did this? What happened to you?"

"It wasn't Eugene," Rapunzel said up front. "No, he was the one who rescued me. In fact, it was…the Captain."

The look on the King and Queen's face startled Flynn—how drastically their expressions changed—and he saw the King stare, wide-eyed at his daughter, tears once again filling his eyes.

"How…how could I have let this happen…" he whispered breathlessly, half to himself and half to his daughter. "I never imagined…he was the one who told me that Rider—"

"He framed him, Daddy," Rapunzel explained. She then told them the whole story, and Flynn added some facts every now and again, mainly around the time when Rapunzel was unconscious. Finally, the Princess ended with, "…but Eugene helped me escape. He almost gave his life…just so I could get home to you."

Both the King and Queen looked at Flynn in shock, and even both of the guards turned their heads towards him in surprise. Ordinarily, Flynn would have felt great, having this much attention, but for some reason, he felt embarrassed, having all eyes on him.

"Is this true?" the King finally asked.

Flynn nodded his head. "Yes, sir."

Now it was the Queen's turn to gasp. "Oh, Eugene…we're so sorry…if only we'd known…we would have never—"

"It's all right, your highness," Flynn reassured her, as Rapunzel walked over to his side. Flynn embraced his love in a hug, giving her a light kiss on the forehead. "What's really important is that she's here now…safe."

Suddenly, a huge slam broke them out of the moment, and the throne room doors flew open as the Captain and his ragged, angered band of guards stormed into the room.

"Your highness!" the Captain bellowed, unaware that Flynn and Rapunzel were standing a mere twenty feet from him. "Rider—he escaped! We tried to stop him, but he—he—he—"

Flynn cleared his throat and could barely stifle a laugh at the Captain's expression when he saw both Flynn and Rapunzel were standing right there. In fact, he couldn't resist giving the bewildered captain a little wave.

"But, he—h—what—ah…" the Captain stuttered incoherently. Flynn could tell exactly what the Captain's intentions were a minute ago: he was going to storm in here, accuse Flynn, and have the king send out guards to ensure his capture. But now that Flynn was here, along with the Princess…

Things were not looking good.

But, as vengeful as he was against Flynn, the Captain immediately started making excuses, turning his surprised stutter into feigned astonishment that Rapunzel had returned. Immediately, he gave her a bow, and all the other guards followed.

"Oh—Princess!" he gasped, "Your majesty, you've returned! Welcome home!"

"Don't even think about trying to fool us, Captain," the King glared down at the Captain and his guards until they nervously scrambled up from their bow, "and the rest of you men, too. You may have been able to deceive us once, but your lies have been revealed."

"B—But, your majesty!" the Captain stuttered again, finding himself in quite a situation. "We have eyewitnesses! You trust a little girl and a criminal over all of us?" he gestured to his group.

"He's not a criminal!" Rapunzel objected, and then smiled as she held her engagement ring forward. "In fact, he's soon-to-be your prince, and I suggest you start addressing him as such."

The Captain's jaw dropped open, along with the rest of his men. Now they really did have nothing to say.

The Queen stepped forward. "We trust our daughter, and this fine young gentleman,"—Flynn's heart soared when he heard that—"more than any of you traitors."

"B—b—but—Rider! He's a—"

"Captain, you and the rest of your men are hereby charged with the kidnapping and attempted murder of both Princess Rapunzel and Eugene Fitzherbert," the King said gravely. Then, he called for the rest of his guards, the loyal ones, to come and take the Captain and the others away. Flynn watched in stunned silence, and Rapunzel closed her eyes and buried her face into his vest. She couldn't watch anyone being led to such a fate, even people as cruel as the Captain and his men.

"But, your highness!" the Captain objected as he was dragged away. "We are your officials! Lies! The rest is all lies! They are—"

Finally, the doors slammed closed, and the room was silent.

The Captain and his men were gone forever.

Finally, the King looked down at Flynn, who still had Rapunzel in his arms, and then broke the silence.

"Now then," he asked, "what's this about a prince?"

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