Authors Note: So already theres's a problem! How will Rapunzel and Eugene get out of this one?- Keep reading to find out! Thank you to everyone who keeps reading I've had alot of visitors this month and I hope you like the story. Please keep commenting because I really want to know what you think. Thank you!
Lantern Chapter 21
I found myself spending the rest of the morning moping around the palace, unable to stay doing anything for long. I didn't even have Eugene to worry with as he had gone out into the Kingdom this morning with father. I knew Eugene would have rather stayed with me on a day like today, but father wanted to get to know Eugene better and so they often went out together. Secretly I think Eugene enjoys there outings as the King is becoming like a father to him.
Anyway like I was saying I couldn't settle doing anything and all I could think about was the meeting. I started to paint but my hand kept shaking and the lines went wonky. I started to read a book but all I ended up doing was staring at the pages blankly. I even baked a cake but I was so lost in thought that I forgot about it and it came out burnt. I gave up after that.
Slowly I sloped back to my room and sat looking at the clock, which to my dismay showed it had only just gone one. The meeting didn't even start until three and I've read that they can go on for hours. I sighed deeply and laid back on my bed, just before I heard the door open.
At first I panicked and thought it might be one of the servants and I should pretend to look happy, however I soon realised that no one ever came into my room without knocking first. Well, everyone except mother that is.
I forced myself to sit up and sure enough saw her standing wearily in the door.
"Mother," I said softly inviting her to come in and sit on my bed. She still looked pale and skinny but the glimmer had returned to her eyes and she carried the air of confidence that she always used to with her.
"Everything's going to be alright you know, it may not seem that way now but it will be," she said reaching out and caressing my cheek gently.
"It's just so unfair all Eugene did was save me when I was in trouble and now he's in trouble because of it. I just can't bare the thought of a life without him, how can the Captain do this to us?" I said confiding in the only person aside from Eugene who understood me fully.
"The Captain is a cruel man," mother said matter-of-factly. This shocked me as I had never heard her say a bad word about anyone. She saw my expression and averted my gaze before continuing.
"Just remember, light is always brighter than darkness and no matter how hard darkness try's light always shines through, just the way it did when you lived in the tower. You just have to be patient. Rainbows only appear after a storm," she smiled and returned her gaze to meet mine. For a moment she looked as if she was going to add something but never did.
"I know, I just wish that bad things didn't have to happen before things can get better," I sighed. Mother just smiled lovingly before standing up.
"Don't worry my darling everything will turn out well you'll see, but for now I really must go attend to some wedding details but remember I'm always here if you need to talk," she said kissing my forehead before heading for the door.
"Thanks mother," I replied before she headed out of the door leaving me alone with my thoughts once more.
…..
Eugene nodded politely and smiled at the village people as he walked through the Kingdom beside the King. They had been out for a couple of hours now and Eugene hadn't been able to think about anything except the meeting. Usually he liked going out with the King and imagining his future in the Kingdom with Rapunzel. Today however was different.
He had stayed quiet and only made small talk when required, but for the most part he had been lost in his thoughts, mainly worrying about Rapunzel and how she was coping.
She might be able to mask her feelings well but Eugene wasn't buying it. He had seen her face when she had heard of the meeting and felt her nails dig in to his hand. To be honest he felt as worried as he knew she was but being Flynn Rider he could mask his feelings well.
"So, what do you think?" King Walter asked Eugene. Eugene just stared back blankly having not been listening to anything but his thoughts for the last few minutes. He scratched the back of his neck nervously, not sure what to say.
"Ermmm yeah that sounds fine," he replied trying to stay cool but he knew he wasn't fooling the King. The King himself just shook his head.
"Off you go," he said rolling his eyes but at the same time smiling.
"What?" Eugene asked utterly confused.
"It doesn't take a genius to work out where you want to be. I thought that taking you away from the palace would take your mind off things but it seems to be making things worse. It's obvious you only want to be with her so off you go. I have a few jobs to attend though, so I'm afraid you'll have to make your way back by yourself," the King said reassuring Eugene by squeezing his shoulder.
"Thanks I'll see you there," Eugene said practically running back to the palace. He didn't know if he was being rude but he couldn't think straight so it didn't matter. All he wanted was to get back to her.
That is why he was surprised to find himself run past the palace, when he finally reached it. He ran around it and stopped suddenly when he got to the back and found himself standing at the foot of a small but decorative building.
Carefully inked above the door were the words that made his heart sink, TheGuardCouncilRooms. He wasn't sure why he had come here, probably just to see what it was like he supposed, where the decisions that would affect the rest of his life were going to be made.
"Oh man," he said under his breath.
"I thought I might have the unpleasant experience of seeing you today," a harsh voice said as Eugene heard a horse halt behind him. Immediately he knew who it was. The Captain.
"I just came to see what the rooms were like." Eugene replied bluntly.
"Hmmm I bet you did, well you've seen them now so off you go, I don't want to have to get my men to have to sort you out oh and by the way I wouldn't order a wedding cake because I doubt they'll be a wedding when the council here what happened," the Captain snorted.
"How can you do this? I've done nothing to be ashamed of and the King and Queen know that!" Eugene said roughly.
"Nothing to be ashamed of! You're nothing more than a common thief and just because the King and Queen chose to ignore this doesn't make it any less real," the Captain shouted words that hurt Eugene, but bounced off Flynn.
"Go on then go to your meeting and see if it changes anything, the council is made up of good men who are bound to see through you." Eugene replied turning and walking back to the palace. The Captain watched angrily as Eugene disappeared around the corner.
"I'll make sure you never get to rule this Kingdom and never get to marry the Princess. No matter what it takes I'll get you Rider," the Captain said to himself, meaning every word he said.