Author's note: Couldn't resiste writing a Tangled one-shot. I watched it recently, and just got it for Christmas, so I'm kinda sorta obsessed with it at the moment. We will return to Zelda stuff in the next chapter! Enjoy and tell me what you think!


Theme 68 – Hero
Tangled – Rapunzel x Eugene

"Here we are." Eugene Fitzherbert, former thief pushed aside a set of foliage and revealed to his companion the masterpiece scene that was the Kingdom of Corona's castle, capital city, and main harbor. Eugene had been slightly reluctant to come back here, as he had only escaped being hung just that morning. But he had to. His companion, a lovely young woman named Rapunzel, was the princess of this great land. And not just any princess. She was the lost princess, for whom the kingdom had been sending up glowing lanterns every year on her birthday to call her back. But she had been kidnapped when she was just a baby, raised by one who wanted her not because she wanted a child, but for more selfish reasons. Now that lady was dead, and Rapunzel was going to be reunited with her true parents.

Eugene looked back at Rapunzel. "Well? You're home. Almost. Aren't you glad?"

Rapunzel fidgeted with the reins of the great white stallion, Maximus, that stood next to her. Her green chameleon Pascal was perched on the girl's shoulder. "I am...it's just..."

"You're nervous?"

Rapunzel nodded. "I'm meeting my parents – my real parents – for the first time. What if they don't recognize me? I don't have my golden hair...and the last time they saw me was when I was a baby. I've changed so much."

Eugene nodded. He had not known Rapunzel until a two days ago, but he had a gist of what the girl meant. Just that morning, she had had seventy feet of golden magical hair that could heal any wound and give eternal youth if one just sang a simple song. But Eugene had cut off every lock of that golden hair in order to save her, and now Rapunzel had simple brown, short-cropped hair. "You'll be fine. They'll know it's you."

"How?"

Eugene shrugged. "Well, you do look more like the Queen now." He took Rapunzel's hand and led her forward toward the bridge that led to the capital city. "You should get on Max," the former thief said. "A princess must make her entrance a grand one."

Rapunzel shrugged but followed his suggestion. Eugene walked beside the proud horse as they entered the city. People paused in their work, staring at the pair. Maximus didn't help. He pranced about like he owned the place, showing of that he had the lost princess riding on his back. Eugene tried not to be noticed, despite the attention. He was, after all, Flynn Rider, the kingdom's most wanted thief. Coming into the capital like this was probably not one of the best things to do. But he was also Eugene Fitzherbert, rescuer – and lover – of the lost princess of Corona. If not for his bad background, he would be welcomed like a hero. But because he was a wanted man, no one would want him to be anywhere but on his way to the gallows.

And he was right. Soon, soldiers and guards surrounded them, seeming to ignore Rapunzel and Maximus. The captain pushed his way through the crowd, his sword drawn. "You dare to come back here, Rider?" he demanded.

"Now, Captain, just let me explain," Eugene said, attempting to stop the man from running him through here and now.

But the captain only sneered. "You'll be hanged for sure, Rider. You mark my words." With motion of his hand, he and his underlings moved forward, ready to capture and possibly maim Eugene.

"Stop!"

For the first time, it seemed, the soldiers and guards noticed Rapunzel. Even Eugene was startled by the regal look on the girl's face. She sat straight in the saddle, and glared at the captain. The man floundered for words, not only recognizing Maximus, but also stunned at the sheer command Rapunzel held. "You shall not hang my escort!" Rapunzel ordered.

"And who are you to give us these orders?" a lesser guard demanded.

"I am Rapunzel, the once-lost princess of Corona." Now everyone within earshot floundered for words. Rapunzel continued. "My escort is Eugene Fitzherbert. He had found me and rescued me, and he shall not be hanged."

The captain gave a curt nod, then narrowed his eyes at Eugene. "We'll see. Come along." And he led the way through the city until they reached the courtyard of the castle. The captain offered a hand to help Rapunzel down from Maximus, but she refused, hopping down by herself. With a sigh, the captain ordered them to wait on the balcony and had one of his still-flustered underlings fetch the King and Queen.

Rapunzel turned away from the doors marked with the sun crest of Corona, staring out over the city and the harbor. Eugene took her hand and they waited in silence for a few moments. "I didn't know you could be so...royal," Eugene said. "Even I was intimidated."

Rapunzel gave a nervous giggle. "I didn't either. It just came naturally to me."

"Another proof that you really are the lost princess."

"I guess." She sighed and glanced at the captain, noting the trustless gaze he was throwing at them.

After a few more minutes, the sound of the doors opening caused Rapunzel and Eugene to turn. Rapunzel let go of Eugene's hand, taking a few timid steps toward the King and Queen.

The Queen was first to make a move. She stepped forward, and, as she approached her long-lost daughter, she extended her hand, before pulling Rapunzel into a hug. The King followed quickly, giving a joyful chuckle before enveloping his daughter and wife in a hug. The three of them fell to their knees with joy. After a moment, the Queen extended her hand to Eugene, and he took it, not expecting to be pulled into the hug as well.

After a few minutes, the hug was broken. Eugene was the first to stand, feeling slightly awkward, but also glad that the meeting had gone without any hitch.

The captain came forward, looking determined. "Your Majesty," he said as the King got to his feet. "This man..."

"I know who he is," the King said, waving a dismissive hand toward the captain before helping his wife and daughter to their feet. He looked at Eugene. "The notorious Flynn Rider."

"His real name is Eugene Fitzherbert," Rapunzel defended. "He rescued me."

"That I do not doubt, my dear," the King said, glancing at his daughter before locking the captain in his gaze. "Captain, this man here has brought home our dear Rapunzel. Therefore, I shall see to it that he is pardoned for his crimes. He is a hero to us, no longer a thief."

"T-thank you, your majesty," Eugene stammered. Rapunzel, too, looked relieved. She rushed forward to hug her father in a silent thanks. The King returned the hug and, once they parted, spoke again.

"Come and tell us what has transpired these past eighteen years. Both of you."

And so, Rapunzel, Eugene, the King, and the Queen all entered the palace, ready for a tale of a lifetime from the lost princess and her hero.

Theme 44 – Two Roads
OOT

Link and his best friend Princess Zelda sat in a grassy courtyard deep within the castle's grounds. Well, Link wasn't supposed to be there, but the only ones who knew he actually could get into this special garden were Zelda and her bodyguard.

The Hero of Time sighed, lying back on the green grass and looking up at the blue sky above him. Zelda glanced at him. "Tired?" she asked teasingly.

"Kind of," Link replied. He glanced at Zelda. "More like indecisive."

"How so?"

"I want to travel the world, to find Navi if I can. I want to see all there is to see, but I also want to stay here, by your side. I can't decide what to do."

Zelda didn't say anything for a moment. She looked up at the sky, smiling a bit as a pair of birds flew over head. "It's a tough choice," she said. "Staying here, or leaving. One choice, two roads."

"Hmm."

"If you stay, there's a greater chance that Ganondorf could come back."

"So I should go."

"Hush. Let me finish."

"Sorry."

Zelda smirked at him. "But, if you stay, you and I could be together...and you know I love you."

"And I you. What if I leave?"

"Chances are, you may not find Navi. She is a fairy after all, and when fairy's don't want to be found, they won't be found. But you'll get to go on so many adventures beyond your wildest imagination, battling foes, being looked up to...but..."

"But we won't be together."

"Well, eventually, if you decide to return from your journey, we will. But who knows how long you'll be gone and by then..." She paused with a sigh. "By then Father might not approve of our relationship."

"You'll just have to wait for me. I'd be back soon enough." He sat up, looking into Zelda's sapphire blue eyes. "I couldn't stay away from you."

Zelda's cheeks flushed red slightly. "I know," she murmured, looking away. "Neither could I."

The two sat in companionable silence, deep in thought. Neither noticed the soft footsteps of the Princess' bodyguard until the stealthy woman spoke up.

"Princess."

Link and Zelda both jumped at the sudden voice. "Impa, don't scare us like that!"

The Sheikah raised an eyebrow. "Why? So that you know when to stop your cuddling?"

Link's face went scarlet, and Zelda began to stammer. "W-we don't cuddle!"

Impa laughed. "I was only teasing, child."

Zelda sighed with annoyance. "Did my father send for me?"

"No. He's coming here. I wanted to warn you so that he doesn't catch you with Link by yourself. You know he'd have a fit."

"I know."

Link stood. "I can go. I don't want to get you in trouble."

Zelda nodded and stood. "Thank you."

"No, thank you. Your advice was much needed."

Zelda smiled. "I hope you can choose the path between your two roads."

"I hope so, too. Bye, Zelda."

"Goodbye, Link. I look forward to our next meeting."

Link gave a small bow and turned to leave the courtyard.