The Jubilee Announcement

"My people," the King boomed from the plaza balcony, The square again filled with people, more people then ever before. The proclamation hadn't stated what this was about, but the king knew that rumors had spread long before the proclamation was written.

"I want to thank you first of all for all the years of faith and hope you have given us all these long years. Two days ago all of us launched the sky lanterns to signal hope for the return of the Lost Princess to call her home to our loving arms. They worked. Meet your princess. Princess Rapunzel!"

Rapunzel stepped forward flanked by the Queen and Eugene. There arose a mighty cheer, but underneath there was a buzz of talk.

"I know, I know, that is not the name we gave her, but that is the name she was raised with and it is the name she will be known by."

"Now I wish to honor her rescuers, Eugene Fitzherbert!" There was a another cheer, but the ones nearest the balcony buzzed because he looked a lot like Flynn Rider.

"Maximus" Everyone cheered as he was the most recognizable horse among the palace guard.

"And the Pub Thugs" Some people in the back cheered but most of those in the front gasped and a few small children became to cry. Poor BigNose looked like he wanted to cry too.

"I know what you must be thinking these men are criminals, how could they ever help get the princess home? If you will get to know these honored guests as my daughter did and how I have, you will know just how great a love I have for them and for you my people, Because if these are the type of people who are the criminals in this land, then what must our good people be be like. Let me tell you the tale of how the Lost Princess returned. And it all started with the lanterns."

He launched into the story about why Rapunzel was taken and how Gothel had used her as a slave to her selfish needs for all these years. How the lanterns had called to her, but the horrible abuses of Gothel had kept her in the tower. How the thief Flynn Rider had stolen the Crown of the Lost Princess had escaped the dedicated guards and with great cunning found the hidden tower where she was kept. How she had captured him with a frying pan, Eugene looked suitably embarrassed by that, and the crowed laughed and made him agree to take her to see the lanterns.

He wove a careful tale, his people had honored him all these painful years, and here was a chance to help them reach for higher level. There were honest cheers for the Pub thugs when he got to their part at the Snuggly Duckling, and he honored the palace guard for doing their duty, he did not want them ridiculed. Everyone was leaning forward as he told them of the dam break, and their escape.

They gasped as they learned she had almost been kidnapped again. The cheers that came when he told them of how Maximus and the Pub Thugs rescued Eugene from the prison where the loudest yet. Maximus summoned the strength to rear up once for the crowd, their answering roar was something he would always remember. The Pub Thugs and the Palace Guard were all standing straighter, proud of their parts in this rescue, even though they had not even known they were doing it. The crowd gasped as he told them of Eugene being stabbed. Many were crying as he related his daughter's desperate deal to save his life, his final selfless sacrifice to save her freedom and his death.

"But there was one final drop of magic left by the Sun's gift in our daughter, one last tear that saved Eugene Fitzherbert. Together they brought the exhausted Maximus back. Together proved she was the true Lost Princess, our daughter. Together, with the Pub Thugs they showed me the true quality of the people of this kingdom, the very finest. I am so proud of you all."

"In conclusion, To honor this joyous occasion we proclaim a Jubilee. To honor the freedom of our daughter, we proclaim the freedom of all slaves and indentured servants. To honor these brave men, we bid the prison doors open and beg all of you to find ways to bring them into our community, to help them find their best selves and best place. And finally to honor all the love you have given us all these years, we proclaim all debts be forgiven."

Oh, the cheers that rose that day.

The love the King had expressed to the people sunk into their hearts, they loved their princess and wanted to do her proud. Captain Taygon had been right thinking that the blissed out haze would last a whole week but he had never imagined the whole kingdom being in on it. The people not only welcomed the criminals into their arms but also each other. Everyone tried their best to make someones else's dream come true. Many people began doing completely different things, there was a massive shuffle as everything changed. Those who didn't know what their dreams were, were loved and encouraged to try whatever they wanted to try, as they continued in what they did know how to do and when they found their dream, there was much rejoicing.

Author's Notes: So how do you like how the King handled that?