The Miracle—Redux
A/N #1: For those of you who have read "Favorite Things," by 9r7g5h you might recognize my plot bunny. I give full credit for the idea to her and recommend her stories!
A/N #2: This story "kind of" follows my other stories, so you might recognize a few of my OCs here that are still awaiting their full development there… I am also using the word 'mom' rather than 'mother' as I feel that it would be more easily accepted by Rapunzel after a careful explanation of the differences provided by Eugene in another story that I am soon to post. I am also providing this spoiler alert. That said; I hope not to spoil things too much.
A/N #3: This is my own tear transference story. I hope you enjoy it; it has greatly expanded from the original idea.
A/N #4: We have reached the end of this segment of my epic; sniff, sniff. Seriously, though, I have enjoyed the journey probably as much as Eugene! So, in this multi-chapter finale, we move forward 15 years, to a very special day for little Becky; with flashbacks as required, of course.
Chapter 25: Epilogue…; part 1
The story picks up 15 years later as little Becky, well adapted to her role as the crown princess of the Royal Kingdom of Corona-by-the-Sea, and her mom, one Queen Rapunzel, are preparing the younger Fitzherbert for a very special event…
"Mom! What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Becky asked her mother, the kind and benevolent queen of Corona.
"Oh, my dear child. It is just that my little girl is getting married today to the most wonderful man from the Republic of Olvastavia!" Rapunzel dreamily sighed with a small trail of tears running down her face as she took in the sight of her eldest daughter in the most beautiful of wedding dresses. Of course, as this wedding dress had been used by both Catherine on her wedding day and Rapunzel on hers, it was no surprise that it was the most beautiful dress not only in Corona, but also all Io.
"Mom! If you don't mind!" Becky blurted out as she rolled her eyes at her mother, the queen and turned back towards the mirror as she applied the finishing touches to her makeup. Her mom could be so infuriating some times.
"What…?" Rapunzel asked with a large and happy grin on her face. She was fully aware of what had Becky's goat, so to speak, and took an almost perverse pleasure in pushing the crown princess' buttons every chance she got. Of course, Becky was just as skilled at pushing those of her mom as well, having become well versed in the past 15 years.
"Mom, I am 23 years old, and the Crown Princess of Corona. I do not think that qualifies me anymore for the title "little girl. Now, for the Princess moniker, maybe I do but maybe I don't qualify for that one."
"Whether you are eight years old or 58 years old, as long as I am alive on this wonderful planet of Sonnen III, you will always be my little girl."
"I guess so…"
"And, never forget that you ARE the rightful crown princess of Corona. Your dad and I carefully reviewed all the appropriate laws, rules, and regulations of not only Corona, but also Constella, Estrella, and Orion. We also sought the council of the nobles from all four kingdoms and they actually found themselves in full agreement with each other concerning this matter; a first in the recorded history of Io. As my daughter, you are the rightful Crown Princess. Do you remember the joy of the people on that special night about 15 years ago?"
"Yes. It was the second best of my life!"
"Soon to be the third…"
"Mom!"
"Well…"
"Please…!"
Fifteen Years Previous…
Little Becky was terrified, of that there was no question. She had not had any idea what her simple request of Eugene was to entail or of her new destiny. That Rapunzel had also happily offered to become her adoptive mom greatly simplified the object of her fear as she clearly knew her future proper placement within the hierarchy of Corona; she was to become the crown princess. She was sitting at a wonderful bureau in her new bedroom in the Royal Palace of Corona nervously giggling as her new mother brushed her wonderful blonde hair; blonde hair that, with Rapunzel's unlikely transformation a couple days earlier, was indistinguishable from the other.
"Becky, please relax, everything will be fine! Trust me!" Rapunzel stated, as her emerald green eyes, so full of love for the young girl before her, locked with the sapphire blue eyes of her daughter.
"I know, mom. It is just that I did not realize what asking Eugene to adopt me would mean. When I made the request I was so happy that I was going to live and I did not even think about the chances of you wanting to become my adoptive mom. I knew that you cared for me a lot, but I did not realize that the happy smile I received from you was different from those you showed the other orphans. Now, I am about to become a princess of Corona, and I am scared. What if they don't like me?" Becky asked.
"What if they…? Are you serious, Becky? Do you not realize that the people of Corona will be absolutely thrilled to know that Eugene and I will provide an heir for the kingdom?" Rapunzel asked.
"Umm…"
"How is my little grandchild?" A voice called out as Becky looked up and saw a second set of emerald eyes looking back at her from the mirror; eyes that were framed in the most wonderful crop of chestnut brown hair.
"Nana!" Becky happily called out as she rose from her seat and gave Catherine a big hug; a hug that Catherine happily returned.
"How is the future Crown Princess of Corona?"
"Scared." Stated her mom, Rapunzel.
"Scared? Why, for heaven's sake?" Asked her new adoptive grandmother, and queen of Corona.
"Our adorable little Becky here seems to have doubts concerning the adoration for her that the people of Corona feel.
"Well, I know how to fix that!" Catherine stated.
"You do?"
"Of course! Let's go see the artist formerly known as Hookhand in the Royal Conservatory."
"Of course!" Rapunzel happily remarked. She thought back to the events of just two days ago and the look of wonder worn on his face has he took in the sight of his fully restored hand.
Two Days Previous…
"What happened?" Hookhand asked Big Nose and Thor as they all recovered from the shock of the blast of benign golden light as it swept through Corona in two waves that overwhelmed all in its path as it swept across the countryside in the aftermath of the miracle at the Orphanage.
"I don't…, what happened to your hand?" Big Nose asked with perhaps the largest look of surprise that anyone, in the aftermath of the miracle, wore.
"What do you…?" Hookhand asked before passing out from the shock of the sight before him.
"Hookhand!" Big Nose called out as he took a nearby bucket of water and flung it on him.
"What happened?" Hookhand asked as he shook the excess water from his body and looked at his hands without really seeing them.
"Look!" Thor shockingly stated as he gestured for him to look at his two hands; hands that were perfect mirror images of their opposite. He gingerly wiggled the fingers on his newly restored hand.
"Let me try out my new hand…!" Hookhand excitedly shouted as he got up and ran towards the Royal Conservatory.
To say that the residents and staff of the royal palace were shocked was to seriously understate the matter. As soon as Hookhand; oops, the musician formerly known as Hookhand; sat down behind the ebonies and ivories and began playing, possibly everyone within earshot rapidly made their way towards the Royal Conservatory to determine the source of the wonderful notes. As he finished the first piece, the cheering and applause was so thundering that it left him speechless and in tears; especially when William, Catherine, Eugene, Rapunzel, and little Becky added their cheers to his masterful playing as they listened with complete rapture the following day…oh, to see a dream come true!
Two Days Later…
"What an amazing event. Don't you think?" Rapunzel asked the combined audience of her mother and her daughter.
"Yes. So, what are we waiting for? I want to hear him play again…!" Becky called out as she ran in a very un-princess like way to the open door to her room and began to tear down the hallway before very quickly running into an immovable object.
"Oof!"
"Eugene!" Rapunzel called out as she recognized the voice.
"Are you ok?" Catherine asked as she walked out into the hallway and saw a sprawled out Eugene with a blushing little Becky sitting astride his chest.
"Yes, of course. I did not realize how much energy an eight year old could contain."
"Well I am glad you are here, Eugene." Rapunzel said as she gave her fiancé a hug and kiss.
Author's Note:
Oh, yes! The Royal Engagement! How could I forget to mention that? You see, it occurred on the evening of the miracle as Eugene and Rapunzel sat side by side at the Royal Gazebo. That said, you will have to wait a little longer to read about it! Sorry!
"What is wrong, Becky?" Eugene asked.
"What if they don't like me?" Becky shyly asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"What do you…? Are you saying what I think…? You are kidding, right?" Eugene asked; the surprise very prevalent on his face.
"Umm…."
"Everything will be fine. Trust me."
"Ok…" Becky replied, her confidence still lacking.
"Tell you what; let's go out on the town and I will show you how much the people of Corona absolutely love and adore you."
"Ok, dad." Becky shyly stated.
"It'll be fine!" Eugene replied as he gently hugged her and gave her a quick peck on her forehead.
"Please be back by 7:00, Eugene. The ceremony begins promptly at 7:45." Catherine stated.
"Ok, Catherine; I will ensure that we will not be late. Let's go, Becky!" Eugene happily called out as he stood back up after Becky got off him and gently took her by the hand and led her down the long hallway and towards the front entrance of the palace.
"He is such a good dad for her." A familiar voice called out from the hallway as she walked up as Eugene and Becky turned down a second hallway.
"Yes, Kimberly, that he is. He is such a treasure himself." Rapunzel replied as she turned and walked over and gave her future mother-in-law a warm hug and a kiss on her cheek.
"I think that you will both be a great influence on him as it is in his nature to care deeply for those around him."
"You can say that again!" Another voice called out. This voice, belonging Amanda, brought an even larger smile to the faces of the other three women currently standing there. The four women went down into the Royal Garden to enjoy a few moments of quiet before getting prepared for the ceremony to follow.
The visit to the village went far better than even Eugene had hoped it would. Everyone, and I mean everyone, went out of their way to meet with and welcome the new princess of Corona. Each individual and family that came up her with large smiles on their faces and the kindest words all served to increase Becky's confidence.
Needless to say, the ceremony went off without a hitch. A promptly 7:45, as the light of the sun had fully surrendered to the darkness of the new moon, King William began his welcoming remarks.
"Good people of Corona! Tonight we celebrate four amazing events!"
The cheering of the crowd was amazing. Becky's confidence rose even higher and surpassed that of Eugene on the eve of the celebration that lasted a week.
"As you know, an event occurred two mornings ago that drastically altered the destiny of not only our good kingdom of Corona, but also that of all Io and perhaps the rest of Sonnen III as well."
"Eugene! Eugene! Eugene!" The people called out. They were eager to see not only their saviour but also the future Prince Consort. Eugene gracefully strode forward and waved to the crowd.
His parents, Amanda's parents, Colonel Rupert and Amanda MacIntyre, Lord Andrew and Lady Annabella and their sixteen year old son Andrew junior and fourteen year old daughter Anna Marie, Lord Marcus and his wife Lady Marianna Celeste, Mistress Cassiopeia, Marcus junior with his new girlfriend Crown Princess Stephanie, and Robert with his new girlfriend Crown Princess Chelsea all stood beside Queen Catherine, Crown Princess Rapunzel, and little Becky.
"Yes. Eugene, tonight's ceremony actually begins with you." King William remarked to the quite surprised young man as he grinned at both the warm welcome by the citizens of Corona and the look of wonder upon the younger man's face.
"It does..?" He replied. He had thought the uniform he was wearing was because of his role in Becky's coronation ceremony.
"Yes, it does. Please come forward."
"Of course."
Eugene strode forward towards the low railing encasing the lantern balcony as it was called by both the royals and those who ensured the smooth operation of the palace. The people's cheering deeply affected him and warmed his heart, as he realized that Flynn Rider was truly gone forever and he indeed was one Lord Eugene Fitzherbert of Avandell. He was immaculately dressed in the purest white uniform; a purple sash running from over his right shoulder to his left waist; around his neck he wore the golden sun symbol of Corona on a beautifully designed and crafted necklace. At his side, in an ornately decorated scabbard, he wore his favourite sword; one of the pair of twin Katanas he claimed as his own at the Battle for Olvastavia Liberation; as it was now called, five years later, yet not completely known to all citizens of Io.
"Please kneel." King William commanded as he gestured for the quite surprised Eugene to kneel on a finely sewn pillow sighted in such a way that all the people observing the ceremony could see all.
The crowd murmured as they waited for the ceremony to commence. The village grapevine had actually gotten this story right for once. There was minimal surprise, therefore, that Eugene was to be so honoured, although they did miss a couple minor, and not so minor details.
"Good people of Corona," King William began, "as you know, at daybreak two days ago, Sir Eugene responded to a crisis with the bravery and selflessness expected of a member of royalty or nobility. His actions, taken despite the risk to himself, ensured that not only Corona and Io, but perhaps even all of Sonnen III, were saved from the scourge of the most virulent and uncaring form of the Black Death. He accurately deduced the source of the infection, and ensured its complete destruction, thus ending the threat dead in its tracks as well as improbably saving a very scared little girl who was the potential first victim. Additionally, he also managed to save not only the severely drought withered crops but also our famished livestock. Finally, as you can see by the still orbiting passive orb of energy bathing Corona with its benign aquamarine light, there were additional miracles that occurred, perhaps most important, the return to health of even the most ill individuals. Corona has never been better, or happier."
King William paused for a moment as the thunderous applause rose in a massive crescendo before falling off into silence. The group waited with baited breath for the king to continue. To say that his next words were to leave them more amazed then before is, yet again, to seriously understate their surprise…
"Yes, my good people, Sir Eugene Fitzherbert is quite the hero who is worthy of more praise than any fifty kingdoms could bestow upon one man. But there is more, much more. For you see, now that it can be told, Eugene has served the better good of Corona going back over five years…"
Yet again, the king paused as the murmurs of the crowd rose and then fell of their own accord. They yet again waited with baited breath for their good king to continue.
"How many of you know of the former Olvassia Empire?" King William asked, rhetorically.
The crowd, surprised by the mention of what had once been the most evil of empires, and how it quite suddenly declined, to be replaced by the benevolent Republic of Olvastavia, could only look on in absolute silence, for even the crickets were rendered 'speechless,' as they waited for their king to continue.
"Better yet, who here knows of the Unlikely Renegade…?"
A/N #5: Please read, enjoy, and review, review, review!