The warm sunshine and light breeze made the walk back to the royal capital of Corona a pleasant one for Cassandra and Rapunzel, though the events of earlier that morning still weighed heavily on them both. They walked together alongside Fidella, who was without a rider, as Cassandra didn't want to risk injuring her further after landing on her back from such a great height. The two were holding hands, with Rapunzel occasionally leaning on Cassandra for comfort and support... something both of them needed as they talked about what had happened before and what they were going to do now.
"I'm a little worried about mom and dad..." said Rapunzel, looking up at Cassandra and squeezing her hand tightly. "What if they don't recognize me? It's been eighteen years, and my hair is different, and..."
"It'll be all right, Raps," Cassandra reassured her. "Parents never forget... they'll know exactly who you are, and they'll love you as much as they always have."
Rapunzel was still nervous about meeting her parents, even if they did recognize her. Her whole life was about to change... she was about to go from being a girl trapped in a tower to being the princess of an entire kingdom... with so much to learn.
"I just hope dad understands why I did what I did. Who knows, the moment I step in there he might send me straight to a convent."
"I won't let that happen," said Rapunzel. "I'll let the whole kingdom know how you saved me and brought me back. He'll have to let you into the guard! Maybe he'll step down and make you captain!"
"Yeah, that'd be a stretch," replied Cassandra sarcastically, smiling but also rolling her eyes. "Actually, I've been thinking about the guard, and... I'm not so sure it's even what I want anymore. Remember when I told you you were my destiny?"
Rapunzel nodded, a mixture of emotions suddenly flooding her mind. It was a happy memory... it was when she knew Cassandra loved her more than anything else in the world, and that the two could spend the rest of their lives together... but it was also a sad memory, as it was the last thing Cassandra said before she died. Rapunzel's heart hurt every time she thought about Cassandra dying in her arms, and as Cassandra saw the sad look forming on Rapunzel's face, she leaned over and nuzzled her cheek.
"Hey, sorry to bring it up... I'm okay now, Raps, I'm right here and I always will be."
"I know, it's just... it's hard... thinking about everything. Mother... she... I..."
Cassandra stopped for a moment and turned to Rapunzel, taking both hands in hers.
"Raps, what you did back there... it was the right thing, even if it doesn't feel like it. That woman, she... she was using you."
"But I still loved her, even after everything she did, and I'm the one who..."
Rapunzel gently lifted her hands and Cassandra's in order to wipe a tear from her face. Cassandra leaned in and kissed the top of Rapunzel's hands, and gave her a reassuring smile.
"You are my destiny, Raps. I still want to join the guard and protect people, but the person I most want to protect now is you. I'll go anywhere you want... to the palace, or around the world, or wherever. I just want to be by your side. I'm right here."
"Cass... she was your mother too, are you feeling okay?"
"She was not my mother, Raps. She used us both... I'm just sorry she used you so much longer than she used me. I wish it had been me locked up with her and not you..."
"No, Cass... I'm... I'm glad it went the way it did. I learned so much about myself from her and from you... I learned how strong I am, I learned how to stand up for myself and fight for what matters. I... I'll miss her, in some strange way... but I don't regret what I did, and I don't regret what happened to me. What matters how is that I'm safe... we're safe, and I can finally start living my life the way I want."
"...I can too, Raps."
The two shared a quick peck on the lips before resuming their journey, walking down the road that led to the capital. They didn't know what would happen when they got there... what their parents would say, how the kingdom would react, but at this point, nothing mattered except the fact that they had each other. They'd deal with everything else as it came.
The road was mostly empty, and the two had plenty of time to themselves, continuing to talk and enjoy the pleasant day, their stroll only interrupted by another set of companions heading down the road in the opposite direction. As Fidella saw them, she glared a warning, and Cassandra rolled her eyes. Rapunzel, however, was much more excited to see the two travelers, and she even stepped out ahead of her companions to greet them.
"Raps, be careful!" Cassandra called out to her.
"It's so good to see you two again!" Rapunzel said happily, eyes beaming with excitement.
The two thieves were much less excited, trudging away from the capital with their heads slightly bowed, and glum looks on their faces. They'd had the crown, gotten away with a fortune... but had lost it all because Flynn, whose real name he'd revealed to Cassandra as Eugene, had gotten a sudden attack of conscience and had decided to play hero, just like the literary hero whose namesake he took. He couldn't help but smile when he saw Rapunzel, her happy face and sweet voice lifting his downtrodden spirits. Lance was quite happy as well, ready to forgive and forget his hands-on encounter with Rapunzel and Cassandra back at the inn.
"Blondie!" Eugene called to her. "Wait... uh... you... cut... and dyed your hair? What happened, you trip over it one too many times running from the guards?"
"Nice to see you too," Rapunzel replied with a giggle and a smirk.
"I think you two owe us a crown," said Lance, looking over at Cassandra. "After all, my buddy here did save you from those big mean Stabbington brothers."
"Yeah, that's not gonna happen," Cassandra replied. "In fact, I think I hear the royal guard coming, you might want to run."
Eugene and Lance both laughed nervously, but Rapunzel was in a much more friendly mood, especially after what Cassandra had told her about Eugene and how he'd saved her life. She knew the thief had a good heart, and after what he'd done for Cassandra, she'd always be grateful.
"You two still trying to catch us?" asked Eugene, noticing that Rapunzel hadn't made any move to capture or attack him this time around.
"Nope," replied Rapunzel. "After what you did for Cassandra, I think you deserve a royal pardon."
"Oh! She... told you about that, huh?" said Eugene, looking slightly nervous as he glanced over at Cassandra. "What else did she uh, tell you?"
"Nothing," said Rapunzel, looking back at Cassandra, who was smiling increasingly wide. "Why... is there something else I should know about you?"
"N...no, of course not!" Eugene said with a nervous laugh, putting his hand on his chin.
"He's still got your frying pan," replied Lance.
"Oh! Well... there are plenty of frying pans where we're going," said Rapunzel. "Maybe you should keep it."
"Really?" said Eugene, taking it out of his satchel and holding it up. "Because a guy could get used to swinging this thing... no, you know what, Rapunzel? You take it."
Eugene then handed Rapunzel the frying pan, and she took it with a smile. She looked back at Cassandra, who rolled her eyes again but allowed herself a friendly smile back, showing Eugene and Lance that there were no hard feelings... and that she was still grateful to Eugene for saving her, which in turn had given her the chance to save Rapunzel.
We really do owe them our lives, thought Cassandra, wondering how her father would react to finding out she'd been rescued by the most wanted thief in the kingdom... and that she wanted to give him a pardon provided he didn't try stealing anything else. Who knows, it might be good having a couple of thieves as friends. I'm sure they know plenty of places other thieves are hiding, if they could be persuaded to break their code. I might not be good at convincing them, but Rapunzel... enough sweet talk and they might be ready to cough up anything.
"You going soft, Flynn?" asked Lance, smiling and crossing his arms over his chest.
"Hey, you're the one who spilled all our secrets after she sweet talked you!" said Eugene, looking back at Lance.
"She threatened me! ...kind of."
"Oh, about that, Lance, I am so sorry!" said Rapunzel, walking over and giving him a hug. "I never should've threatened to call the guards on you, it was just awful of me and I hope you can forgive me..."
"Ugh," Cassandra groaned, rolling her eyes again. "Can we just go? I'm starting to get sick watching all this sweetness."
"Still as grumpy as ever, I see," said Eugene. "Sounds like you'll fit right in with the Royal Guard!"
"I'll be a better guard than you are a thief," replied Cassandra with a smirk.
"She has a point," said Rapunzel as she released Lance from the tight hug. "I think you two would be much happier doing something else besides stealing from people! Maybe you could take jobs saving people from bad guys?"
"You mean mercenary work? Uh, no, that's not gonna happen," replied Eugene, letting out a sigh. "Look, Rapunzel, I... I've been thinking a lot since we spoke, and maybe you're right, maybe thieving's not our thing..."
"It's not?" said Lance, looking somewhat surprised.
"Me and Lance are going to go and take a long hard look at our lives, see if there's something else we can make of ourselves."
"We are?" Lance said again, raising his eyebrow as if he was looking at a completely different person.
"I'll believe it when I see it," Cassandra snarked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Well, let me know when you do, I'll try to find work for you!" Rapunzel said happily, starting back over to Cassandra.
"I mean it, saving your friend really had a big impact on me," said Eugene, turning to Lance. "But... I get it if it's not what you want to be doing."
"Hey, you busted me out of prison, the least I can do is hear you out," Lance replied, looking over at Rapunzel. "You really have a way with people, you know that?"
Rapunzel smiled proudly, and Cassandra put a hand on her shoulder.
"In the meantime, I'll tell the guards not to arrest you the moment they see you," said Rapunzel.
"Uh, how are you gonna do that?" asked Eugene.
"You'll find out soon enough," Rapunzel replied. She then turned back to leave with Cassandra... but before she did, she leaned up and kissed Eugene on the cheek. "And thank you... for saving Cassandra's life."
"You're... welcome," said Eugene, touching the spot on his cheek where Rapunzel had kissed him. As he started to blush, he then watched as she walked over and kissed Cassandra on the lips, and the blush disappeared from his face. I... guess I should've seen that coming.
"And for the record?" said Rapunzel, as she and Cassandra walked past Eugene and Lance on the road. "I like Eugene Fitzherbert much better than Flynn Rider."
"...you told her!" shouted Eugene. Cassandra just shrugged her shoulders, and she and Rapunzel soon disappeared down the path, as Eugene sighed and turned to his friend. "Well, there goes my reputation."
Lance, meanwhile, was already putting two and two together. The painting in the town square, Rapunzel's formerly blonde hair, her green eyes, the fact that she could be both as sweet as the queen and as firm as the king...
"Buddy, did I ever tell you the benefit of having friends in high places? Maybe we should think twice about giving up this thieving thing."
"I dunno, Lance, I'm really thinking about turning over a new leaf. I know it sounds crazy, but those two reminded me about why I took on the name Flynn Rider in the first place... to help people, not to help myself. If they're telling the truth about getting our names cleared with the guards, this could be a chance at a fresh start... for you and me both."
"Yeah, that's true... the thing is, there's this treasure I heard about in prison, and it's still buried deep under Corona. It's no crown, but it'll be an easy job to pull off... and we could help a lot of people with the money we make."
Eugene scratched his chin, thinking about a lot of things... Rapunzel and everything she'd said... the rush of excitement it had given him to rescue Cassandra... and he still wasn't sure what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, especially with a clean slate being dangled in front of him.
And yet, Lance's job sounded intriguing... and the idea of running with his best friend again really could be a lot of fun.
"Or, you know, we could just give up on stealing altogether and see what kind of jobs the lost princess might have for us. It's totally up to you."
"...guess pulling another heist could be a lot of- wait, lost princess?!"
"Yep, something tells me you just saved the girlfriend of the lost princess, and that might be worth even more than that treasure."
Eugene still couldn't believe what Lance was telling him. The lost princess? That girl Rapunzel was the lost princess? Before he could ponder it further, Lance put a hand on his shoulder, and the two started walking down the road together, as many new possibilities entered their minds. Whether they'd truly take Rapunzel's offer of a clean slate, or whether they'd slide back into a life of crime, neither of them yet knew... but their lives had been forever changed by their encounter with Rapunzel and Cassandra, and things would never be the same.
Meanwhile, Rapunzel and Cassandra were still thinking about the two thieves as they continued toward the capital.
"You know, Cass... I have a feeling we'll be seeing both of them again."
"I hope not," Cassandra groaned, earning a light elbow in her side from Rapunzel.
"Come on... you know deep down they're both good people."
"Maybe, but even for good people, bad habits die hard. I just don't want you getting mixed up in any more trouble for a while."
"You call it trouble, I call it adventure!"
Cassandra smiled. Rapunzel had a way of bringing light to even the darkest moments... and though she still feared the unknown, and still worried that she and Rapunzel might be torn apart by their new lives, she couldn't help but feel less afraid whenever her companion was near.
Finally, late in the afternoon, she and Rapunzel finally made it back to Corona's capital. The city was much calmer than it had been the previous day, and workers were busy cleaning up after the previous day's festivities. A few townspeople and guards recognized Cassandra, and tried to ask her about her father, but she waved them off, wanting to get Rapunzel back to her parents as quickly as possible. She hoped she wouldn't be interrupted along the way, but fortunately, no one stopped them from reaching the palace, and the two guards, both recognizing Cassandra, opened the door to allow both of them in, while Fidella remained outside. Cassandra could feel Rapunzel's hand trembling as they walked inside, and she tightened her grip, hoping that nerves wouldn't ruin the princess' reunion with her parents.
"Hey... it'll be all right," said Cassandra.
"I know, it's just... I've never truly met my parents before... I hope everything goes okay."
"It will. I promise."
They continued through the palace, until reaching a long hallway near the throne room. Cassandra recognized her father standing near the door, having a worried conversation with two other guards. She heard her name being mentioned, and grew nervous herself as she and Rapunzel approached... feeling her own hand start to tremble and Rapunzel's hand tighten around it. Finally, the captain turned, and his eyes met Cassandra's for the first time. Cassandra stood at attention, Rapunzel's hand still clasped tightly in hers.
"Cassandra!"
The captain immediately walked over to his daughter, who tried her best not to show her emotion... but her trembling hands and quivering lip gave her away. She looked away from her father and toward Rapunzel, who just gave her a warm smile, as if to say that her own reunion could wait... she knew how much Cassandra and her father had missed each other.
But Cassandra, ever the dutiful soldier, shook her head and looked back at her father, swallowing back a sob and remaining stern and resolute.
"I have to see the king and queen immediately," she said. "This girl, Rapunzel... she is the lost princess."
"What?" the captain breathed, shaking his head in slight disbelief. "Cassandra, I don't understand-"
"Please, take us to them," said Cassandra, whose expression softened a bit as she read the confusion on her father's face. "And then... then we can... talk."
The captain didn't know what to do... whether to challenge Cassandra's assertion that this strange girl with short brown hair was the lost princess, or to sweep his daughter up into his arms... or to do his duty and do what his daughter asked. He had no reason not to believe she was telling the truth... and this girl's eyes did bear a striking resemblance to those of the queen... he'd also been told that his daughter had been attacked in the forest by a blonde girl, the same one who'd been with Cassandra when she'd defied him back at the dam, and this girl's face looked a lot like hers... then he remembered his training.
When faced with many different options, always choose duty.
"...right," said the captain, finally nodding his head. "I'll... I'll go get them right away. I think in the meantime, you two should wait out on the balcony."
Cassandra and Rapunzel looked at each other, before turning back to the captain. Cassandra nodded her head.
"Of course," said Cassandra. "C'mon, Raps, let's go..."
"Right... thank you," said Rapunzel to the captain. As Cassandra passed her father, he reached out and took her other hand, squeezing it tightly. Their eyes met again... both of them almost let the mask slip, but neither shed a tear. They just nodded to each other, and Cassandra reassured him.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said quietly. "We'll talk soon, I promise."
The two stepped out onto the balcony, while the captain himself went to go fetch the king and queen. They stood together, looking out over the kingdom and taking it all in... Cassandra happy to be back home, and Rapunzel happy herself... and nervous, and all sorts of other emotions as she and Cassandra waited for the royals to emerge. They held each other's hands and wondered just what Rapunzel's parents would say... and what would happen to them afterward.
Then, the door opened.
"Cassandra?" came Queen Arianna's voice from the doorway. Cassandra turned, followed by Rapunzel, the two still holding each other's hands tightly. "Your father told me you've returned... with... with our daughter."
"Your majesty," replied Cassandra, bowing deeply. "I've returned with Rapunzel, safe and sound... I promise you, it's her. She might look a little different, but..."
Cassandra's voice trailed off as Arianna stepped closer, and Rapunzel stepped forward to meet her. They looked into each other's eyes as they stepped closer, but Arianna already knew... a mother always does. She met Rapunzel and reached up, touching her daughter's face and giving a look of recognition and joy. Rapunzel smiled sweetly, and tears found their way to her eyes... and to Cassandra's as she watched the mother and daughter reunite. Arianna then embraced Rapunzel, and Rapunzel returned the embrace, and she and Rapunzel began to cry together, and tears flowed from Cassandra's eyes as well, tears she tried to wipe away but couldn't quickly enough. King Frederic stepped forward as well, and Rapunzel looked up at him... and then he joined the embrace, and the three fell to their knees, holding each other and smiling and crying as Cassandra looked on, watching with a satisfied smile. As the newly reunited family held each other, Arianna looked up and saw Cassandra, and her eyes shined with gratitude.
"Cassandra, thank you for bringing my daughter back to me," she said, reaching up to invite Cassandra into the embrace. Cassandra, wiping away another tear, shook her head and tried her best to maintain professional decorum.
"She... she brought herself back," Cassandra replied. "I just helped... a little."
Arianna was touched by Cassandra's humility, but wouldn't take no for an answer, continuing to reach for her hand. Cassandra sighed and reluctantly extended her own, more for Rapunzel than anything else... when she was quickly pulled in by the queen, and soon found herself in the middle of the embrace, feeling the love, joy, and gratitude from all three of them. She couldn't help but smile as Rapunzel and her parents both held her tight... and as Cassandra felt the warmth of Arianna's touch in particular, she soon found herself overwhelmed by emotion, and her tears began to flow a lot faster.
Cassandra had never in her entire life felt a mother's love until that very moment, and the queen had enough love for both Rapunzel and her companion. Rapunzel was more than happy to let Cassandra and Arianna nuzzle together, and Cassandra let out a sob, tears flowing freely down her face.
"Raps... this is your moment," Cassandra whispered, looking into Rapunzel's eyes.
"I know," Rapunzel replied, smiling as she soaked in the love from both her parents and Cassandra. "But I want them to know just how much you mean to me..."
The king and queen looked at each other, and Arianna smiled, remembering the courtship between Frederic and herself, and understanding just how close her daughter had become with Cassandra. Frederic nodded, though he wondered if the captain knew about any of this. He didn't spend much more time thinking about it... at the moment, he was just happy to have his daughter back... he didn't care who she was with, or what had happened... only the result mattered. The lost princess had returned... his sadness had been replaced with joy, and now he and his beloved queen both knew... everything was different now.
The hug lasted for a long time, and the king and queen waited until Rapunzel had begun to stand before they rose with her, and Cassandra as well. Cassandra wanted to stay with Rapunzel a bit longer, but knew that she and her parents had a massive amount of catching up to do... this really was Rapunzel's moment, and she deserved some time alone with the parents who'd been searching for her their whole lives.
"Raps, I'm... gonna go talk to my dad," said Cassandra, gesturing toward the door. "I'm sure you three have a lot to say to each other."
"Of course," replied Rapunzel, still holding Cassandra's hands tightly in her own. "Good luck, okay?"
Cassandra nodded, and then felt the king's hand on one of her shoulders.
"Cassandra, you'll be very handsomely rewarded for what you've done today, I promise you," said Frederick. "I'll make sure your father understands that you're ready for the Guard."
"Thank you, your majesty," said Cassandra graciously. "But... knowing that Rapunzel's safe and finally home with her real parents is enough reward for me, and with all due respect, whether or not I'm ready for the Guard is... still my dad's decision."
"Ah, ever the humble soldier," replied the king. "You're a shining example of the best Corona has to-"
Arianna gave her husband a look as if to tell him he was laying it on far too thick, then turned to Cassandra and smiled warmly.
"I know how close you and Rapunzel have become," said Arianna, prompting Cassandra to blush slightly. "I'm sure you'll want to spend some more time together later... so feel free to come back when you and your father are done speaking."
"Th...thank you... both of you... I'd... best be going."
Cassandra turned and left the balcony, and could hear Rapunzel starting to talk to her parents as she walked away. She wiped the last of the tears from her face, feeling an intense pride as she made her way back into the palace. Whatever happened with her dad, or the Guard, she had reunited a missing girl with her parents... she had reunited a family. That meant so much more than catching a thief, or saving a damsel, or defeating a villain... and Cassandra could rest well, knowing that her bravery had accomplished something truly worthwhile.
She went to look for her father, but didn't have to search long... he was waiting right outside the balcony door.
Their eyes met, and Cassandra opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words. He said nothing to her either, looking down at her as she started to bow her head. She'd been through so much, learned so much, done so much, and yet here she was, right back to square one, barely able to face her father... she opened her mouth again, and her eyes began to burn as more tears came to them.
And as everything that had happened in the past couple days flooded back to her, Cassandra found herself suddenly overcome with emotion. She didn't say a word... she just collapsed, sobbing, into her father's arms, and was immediately embraced as she continued to cry into his chest, overwhelmed by it all and so very glad to be home and safe. Countless times, she thought she'd never see her father again, even though he was often the last person she wanted to see. She felt an all-encompassing need to apologize to him, but couldn't even form a single word, and felt his embrace tighten, and could even feel some sobs coming from him as well. She looked up and saw his eyes closed, no tears in them, but could feel the emotion in his gestures as he continued to hold her tightly.
She still couldn't apologize... all she could do was explain herself.
"I... I just wanted you to be proud of me..." Cassandra finally choked out, looking at him with the same sad, frightened eyes of that scared little girl her father had rescued from Gothel's cottage all those years ago. Her father looked at her, and finally, a tear came to his eye. He wiped it away and looked down at Cassandra, finally able to tell her the truth after all these years.
"I was always proud of you," he said, prompting another loud wave of sobbing from Cassandra, who buried her head in his chest again. "And I'm so sorry... for everything."
He didn't have to say what he was sorry for... Cassandra knew. Things would be different now... things were going to change. She didn't know exactly how they would change, but the days of being held back, the days of being sheltered, the days of being controlled... those days were over. She could see on her father's face and could hear it in the tone of his voice. She was all grown up now, and finally, she'd be treated as such... and she only had to almost die a whole bunch of times to make it happen.
"Why are you apologizing?" Cassandra stammered out.
"Because I'm the only one who needs to," replied the captain. "Whatever danger you put yourself in, it's because I didn't support you. You should have been leading the expedition to go after Flynn Rider... instead, you had to go after him yourself because I was too scared to let you out of the palace."
"...and I found the lost princess," said Cassandra, after the captain finally released her from the embrace. "I never would have found her otherwise... so in a way, maybe I should be thanking you."
The captain chuckled to himself, recognizing the slight bit of sarcasm in his daughter's voice.
"And to think I'd given up on finding her. But you... you never did, even after I tried to make you."
"I gave up, for a while," said Cassandra, bowing her head.
"No," replied the captain. "You always hoped you'd find her, you never gave up entirely. Deep down, you always believed you'd be the one to bring her back... maybe that's why I was so worried about letting you go, because I was worried you'd try chasing down that dream I'd given up on. So... even if I had believed in you sooner, you still would've found her. Hell, I bet you'd have found her even sooner."
Cassandra smiled, looking slightly away from her father now. Then, a dark thought crossed her mind, and she bowed her head before looking back with a grim expression.
"I found someone else too, dad," said Cassandra, holding her arms close to her chest. "I... I found mother."
"Oh," replied the captain, sadness crossing his voice as he saw the look of grief in Cassandra's eyes. "I'm so sorry."
"She tried to kill me," Cassandra said, almost in a whisper. "Actually... she did kill me, sort of... it took the last of Rapunzel's healing powers to bring me back."
The captain didn't know what to think... his daughter had died? Rapunzel had healing powers? He scratched his head for a moment, but noticing the state his daughter was in, he soon reached forward and placed a supporting hand on her shoulder, trying to bring back her smile.
"Cassandra, I don't know what to tell you..."
"...she wasn't my real mother," said Cassandra, placing her hand on her father's. "She never loved me, even after she gave birth to me. She kept me in that cottage for years, doing chores for her so she could go out and bask in the Sundrop's glow, or flirt with men, or whatever it is she spent her days doing. I didn't have anyone until you came and saved me..."
"When I lost Katia, I thought I'd lost everything too..." replied the captain, his voice starting to quiver. "I didn't know what came over me when I found you in that cottage, but something told me I had to be your father. Maybe it was Katia, speaking to me from the grave... but... whatever it was, I'm thankful every day to have you as a daughter. I've made some mistakes..."
"You were the best dad I ever could've asked for," said Cassandra. "Thank you."
The captain could no longer contain his emotions, and as he began to sob, Cassandra embraced him again, letting him bury his head against her shoulder so that no passing guards would see him cry. She still had a lot to tell him... how she and Rapunzel had met, the time they had together at the pub... and she'd probably need to tell him what the Stabbingtons tried to do, though she'd talk to Rapunzel about it first, so she could decide whether or not she needed to hide them before the captain got to them. After the captain had his cry, the two began walking the halls of the palace together, continuing to catch up, and talking about Cassandra's future with the royal guard. It would take some time to hash everything out, but Cassandra already knew she'd never have to worry about being unfairly held back again.
O-O-O
Of course, Rapunzel's return was a source of celebration for Corona. The workers didn't even have time to finish up cleaning from the last festival before the new one began, kicking off an entire week of dancing in the streets as everyone in the kingdom got to know the lost princess for the first time. Cassandra spent almost the whole week at Rapunzel's side, and though she tried to focus on protecting the princess, more often than not, Rapunzel dragged her into one party after another.
Nearly everyone in the kingdom was invited, and that meant everyone... even those with light criminal records like the thugs from the Snuggly Duckling got a full pardon, allowing them to accept the invite Rapunzel had insisted on giving them. That gave the thug known as Hookhand plenty of time to indulge in his dream of playing the piano, while Cassandra tried her best to restrain herself from starting another fight.
"I gotta say, the crown looks good on you, princess," said Cassandra, watching as Rapunzel mingled with the young braid-wearing girls who they'd first met at the lost princess festival. "Still not used to calling you that..."
"Then don't," said Rapunzel with a giggle, her beautiful crown sparking in the sunlight. "Just call me Raps, and I'll keep calling you Cass."
Cassandra nodded, then began looking back and forth, her eyes cautiously scanning the crowd.
"Cass, what are you doing?" asked Rapunzel.
"Just keeping an eye out in case anyone shows up to steal the crown. Particularly Eugene and Lance."
"Oh, stop that, I think they've turned over a new leaf and we've got nothing to worry about from them. Besides, Fidella and Maximus are in charge of security, just look at them!"
Cassandra looked over to see the two horses walking amongst a group of guards together, inspecting them carefully. As Fidella scowled at one of the guards who'd been slouching, she felt Maximus rubbing his snout against her in a flirtatious manner, and when she snapped her head toward him, Maximus gave an innocent look, whistling to himself as Fidella snorted and nudged him with her own snout. Rapunzel giggled, then giggled again as Pascal crawled up onto her shoulder.
"Yes, Pascal, we're finally home," said Rapunzel, playfully kissing her chameleon on the top of his head. Cassandra then felt a pair of feet perch on her own shoulder, and looked up to see her owl, hooting softly.
"Good to see you again too, Owl," replied Cassandra. "Hope you weren't too lonely while I was away... did you keep yourself well fed?"
Cassandra's owl hooted again and nodded. She looked up to see her father standing nearby, keeping watch over the king and queen, and she and Rapunzel walked over to them. Rapunzel hugged her parents tightly, something she'd done quiet a bit over the past 24 hours, and the captain simply gave Cassandra a proud nod, acknowledging all the good work she'd done.
All of this is because of you, Cassandra, thought the captain, looking out over the town square to see thousands of people dancing and cheering happily. He then looked at the king and queen with their daughter, and realized just how close he'd come to losing his own family a second time. He would still worry about Cassandra, worry about her every day, especially after all the close calls she'd told him about... but he knew she could protect herself far better than anything he could do for her. She'd already surpassed him as a fighter, and after bringing back Rapunzel safe and sound, she'd surpassed him as a hero as well.
He looked at Rapunzel, and after everything Cassandra had told him about her, he knew his daughter would still have someone to protect her. He hated to place such a burden on the princess, but just like his daughter's own ambitions, it wasn't his choice to make.
Keep her safe, Rapunzel. I know she'll do the same for you.
Rapunzel parted from her parents and took Cassandra's hand once again, pulling her toward a large group dance going on in the square. Cassandra was reluctant at first, but her walls broke down quickly, and she smiled and laughed as Rapunzel began dancing with her in the middle of a large crowd of people.
"Ah, so, our daughters," said the king, standing next to the captain as he watched Rapunzel and Cassandra dance in the square.
"To be quite honest, your majesty, I wasn't even aware Cassandra liked girls," replied the captain. "I wasn't so sure she liked anyone."
"Well, the princess will need a bodyguard," said the king, "and I can think of no one better than your brave daughter."
"That would be an honor," replied the captain, a bit nervous as he continued to speak. "But, uh... that would have to be Cassandra's decision... your majesty."
"Of course, of course," said the king, giving the captain a firm pat on the back. "Though, as her commanding officer-"
"I was actually thinking of stepping down and recommending her for captain."
"Oh? She's only twenty-one, do you think she's ready?"
The captain watched as his daughter danced with Rapunzel, and for the first time since she was a little girl, staring up at the floating lanterns with joy and wonder, he saw that Cassandra was truly happy. She was smiling, she was laughing... she picked up Rapunzel and twirled her around, and the two laughed together, looking into each other's eyes without a care in the world.
And the captain was happy as well.
"I think my daughter is ready for anything," said the captain, watching his daughter dance with Rapunzel in the sunlight. The king watched as well, and Rapunzel's laughter brought joy to his heart... and he knew that much of that joy came from being with Cassandra.
"Then whatever she decides, it will be," replied the king. "Will you remain at your post if she's not willing to become captain?"
"I will," the captain said. "If you're willing to keep me on."
"You trained the knight who saved my daughter... which makes you the best captain of the guard Corona's ever had. I'd hate to see you go."
"It'll be up to Cassandra," the captain replied. As it always should have been.
O-O-O
On the last day of Corona's celebrations, Rapunzel was happy but exhausted, sitting on her bed in her room at the palace... her room at the palace.
My room at the palace.
My palace.
My home.
Though her room wasn't quite as warm as the one she had back at the tower, she'd wasted no time making it her own, decorating and painting it with her favorite things. Pascal was there, of course, her best friend, always by her side, loving the chance to explore a new environment... and of course, the palace itself was massive, providing Rapunzel plenty of space to run around and plenty of people to talk to... so many people it was almost overwhelming.
Of course, her favorite people were all so close by. Her father, a bit overprotective but warm and supporting. Her mother, who was so much kinder than Gothel had ever been, and who Rapunzel realized most of her creative side came from...
And Cassandra... her savior, her protector, her true love. Cassandra was there, living in the room just down the hallway, and the two saw each other every day, from early in the morning to late at night. They'd spent the week partying on the streets of Corona together, and already had so many plays for the days and weeks beyond... Cassandra had introduced Rapunzel to her collection of weapons, and Rapunzel had already made plans to have Cassandra pose for a portrait sometime next week.
Rapunzel couldn't believe she'd been so lucky to find so much love and happiness after her world had been turned upside down. Though she still had some remnant feelings of mourning toward Gothel, and though the trauma of what she'd endured would remain for quite some time, her brief week in the palace had already started to push most of the hurt and heartbreak from her mind. Her loved ones were there to support her... Cassandra was there to support her.
"Raps?" came Cassandra's voice as the door opened to Rapunzel's room. Rapunzel, still sitting on her bed, gestured for Cassandra to come over.
"It's good to see you, Cass! Sorry I ducked away from the party early... I'm just... all partied out, you know?"
"Well, even someone like you can't spend the whole week dancing," said Cassandra, smiling as she sat down on the bed next to her. "How are you feeling?"
"Hmm?"
"I mean... about everything," said Cassandra. "Your parents, the palace, everything that's happened... I know it's been a big adjustment, I wouldn't blame you if you were having a rough time."
"Well... I mean, it's been like a dream come true, you know? I love my parents, and I love the people of Corona... I can finally go anywhere and do anything I want! There are so many books in the library, and so many new foods to try, and there's so much to do! But... but it's still hard."
"You miss Gothel?"
"No... well..."
Cassandra reached over and touched Rapunzel's hands, stroking them softly. She looked into her eyes, not blaming her at all for feeling the way she did, even though Gothel was the woman who'd tried to kill her.
"...I spent eighteen years being raised by her, and even though she was using me and keeping me prisoner... I feel guilty about killing her."
"You didn't kill her, Raps. You cut your hair, and she was disconnected from its magic. It's her fault she chose to bind herself to the magic of your hair."
"But I..."
"...it's okay," said Cassandra, squeezing Rapunzel's hands. "It's okay to feel however you want to feel... I just don't want you to be sad, that's all."
"Not just sad," said Rapunzel, leaning on Cassandra. "I have nightmares about being chained up in that tower and being taken away... I have nightmares about her hurting you."
Cassandra nuzzled Rapunzel, and soon, the princess' head was buried in her chest. She stroked her hands up and down Rapunzel's head, running her hands through Rapunzel's short hair as she caressed her.
"I had a nightmare about the Stabbingtons every single night this week," said Cassandra, her voice shaking. Rapunzel looked up at her, a look of sorrow and guilt in her eyes.
"Of them... hurting you?"
"Of them hurting you," said Cassandra. She thought she might shed a tear, but it was Rapunzel who cried first, and the two embraced tenderly, holding each other close and trying not to let their minds dwell on the subject that had brought them both so much pain. "I accepted the offer to become your bodyguard because I want to protect you, but I know, Rapunzel, I know you don't need me to protect you... you're the strongest person I know, but even so... it's overwhelming, I want to protect you so much it hurts... Raps, I'm sorry..."
"Sorry for what?"
"Sorry for not believing in you," whispered Cassandra, a tear finally sliding down her face. Rapunzel nuzzled it away, looking deeply into Cassandra's eyes.
"Cass... just because you want to protect me doesn't mean you don't believe in me. I believe in you too, but I still want to protect you... actually, I've dreamed about rescuing you a couple of times."
"You... rescue me?" asked Cassandra, before snickering. She immediately looked guilty, and tried her best to clarify herself. "I mean, you're... completely capable of rescuing me, you're more than strong enough, it's just... hard to imagine the brave knight Rapunzel storming in to rescue the fair damsel Cassandra."
"Oh, you can't see me as a brave knight, huh?" said Rapunzel, sitting up on the bed and striking her best knightly pose. Cassandra put her hand up to her mouth, stifling another laugh, and Rapunzel continued with the routine, even deepening her voice. "Fear not, Cassandra, for I, the brave Lady Rapunzel-"
Cassandra cackled out loud, doubling over on the bed and completely losing it as she laughed loud enough to fill the entire room. Rapunzel began snickering as well, and she and Cassandra both shared a laugh with one another, wiping tears of laughter from their eyes. Cassandra knew Rapunzel was brave, just like the heroines in her stories, but it was hard to see Rapunzel as a knight, simply because the knights her dad had always told her about were so firm and strict, and Rapunzel, so free-spirited and kind, was anything but.
"Actually," confessed Cassandra, sheepishly blushing as she looked into Rapunzel's eyes with a shy smile. "When Eugene showed up and clobbered the Stabbingtons with that frying pan, I thought for sure it was you... I was really hoping it was you."
Rapunzel looked away, slightly guilty... while Cassandra was being held captive by the Stabbingtons, she was returning to the tower with Gothel... thinking for sure that Cassandra had betrayed her.
Imagine... while I was believing Gothel's lies about Cassandra, she could've been...
Rapunzel shivered, and Cassandra reached out and grabbed her hands again.
"It's not your fault," said Cassandra.
"I wish I could've saved you," replied Rapunzel, still looking guilty.
"I know, but it's not your fault, it was Gothel's. ...my own mother left me to those dogs... if I had known when I'd come into that room, she never would've gotten a single word out of her mouth."
"I'm glad you didn't kill her," said Rapunzel, placing her hand on Cassandra's face. "I hope you don't ever kill anyone."
"First thing you did when you and your dad got to have a serious discussion about Corona's affairs was get him to end the practice of hanging," said Cassandra, pride clearly present in her voice. "You begged him until he agreed to call off all executions."
"Then I begged your dad not to kill the Stabbingtons," said Rapunzel.
"Why?" asked Cassandra, not because she was unhappy with Rapunzel's request, but because she wanted to hear in Rapunzel's own words why she wanted mercy for them even after Cassandra explained everything they'd tried to do to her.
"Because... and don't take this the wrong way, Cass, because I hate them for what they almost did to you, but... I see the good even in them... I don't think anyone deserves to die, no matter what they've done."
Rapunzel had never intended to kill Gothel when she'd cut her own hair... she just wanted to be free of her. If she could have been free of Gothel and saved her at the same time, she would have... Cassandra knew, she always knew, and she just kept smiling at Rapunzel. She leaned forward, nuzzling their foreheads together.
"Gothel was so wrong about you," Cassandra said softly.
"Hmm?"
"Remember when you told me what she said about sunshine? About how dark and cruel the world is, and how, if it finds even the slightest ray of sunshine, it destroys it?"
Rapunzel nodded, keeping her forehead pressed to Cassandra's.
"There is nothing in this world that could ever destroy your light, Raps. You are... you are the light that destroys the darkness. That's your power. You destroyed the darkness in me, and you are still that light, even without your magic."
"Cass..." whispered Rapunzel, clutching Cassandra's hands tightly as both of them began to cry, still smiling but overcome with emotion and trying to keep the trauma from intruding into her mind.
"Raps, all my life, I dreamed about the lost princess, imagining how I'd find her, picturing in my head over and over again how I'd rescue her. I spent so much time imagining myself saving the lost princess and spending the rest of my life with her."
Cassandra parted slightly from Rapunzel, just far enough so that she could clearly see the face of her beloved. Behind Cassandra's tear-drenched face, Rapunzel could see a smile of unmistakable joy.
"I spent my whole life dreaming I'd save the lost princess... I never dreamed she'd be the one to save me."
Cassandra leaned in, but she didn't have to come all the way... Rapunzel met her before the middle, and their lips touched, and then engulfed one another's, and soon they were locked in a fierce embrace and a passionate kiss, one neither of them wanted to part from. As tears slid down both their faces, they held each other tightly, hands all over the other's back, legs tangled, eyes closed as they felt each other's warmth. For all they'd endured, for all their trauma and pain, they had found each other in the darkness and had brought each other to the light, and now, nothing could tear them apart. There would be more adventures, more close calls, more pain... more joy, more laughter, more love than either of them could imagine.
When their lips finally parted, both of them were smiling... breathing heavily, but smiling.
"I love you, Raps," said Cassandra, looking into the eyes of her sweet princess and knowing this beautiful woman in her arms was her destiny.
"I love you too, Cass," said Rapunzel, looking into the eyes of her brave knight, her destiny staring right back.
And the two of them kissed again, meeting like the sun and the moon in the midst of an eclipse, shining in each other's arms, basking in each other's love, safe in their embrace...
Happily ever after.