Chapter 25

Flynn made his excuses and headed home. While he was walking he kept trying to figure out what to say to Eugene. He was sure Eugene would be upset – especially if the Stabbingtons really did tell him about the theft. Now he was just hoping that no one else had figured out that he had a brother. Flynn was so lost in thought he didn't see the girl blocking his path.

"Flynn, what are you doing here?" Arabelle asked.

"Um, just on my way home. What's up, Princess?"

"Nothing much. I'm still the forgotten princess. No one notices me. I can basically do whatever I want." Arabelle's response was tart. "Sometimes I think I should have been the one taken. Then everyone would still have the precious heir to the throne."

"What are you talking about, Princess? You would definitely be missed. If you had been taken and your sister wasn't then they would be talking about you being the LOST princess. How would that have solved anything?"

"Flynn, I'm almost 18. It's like everyone is afraid of me disappearing – so they almost act like I already have. I don't really have any friends. It's just me and my old nanny. And she really doesn't come around much now seeing as how she's a Duchess."

"Only you would end up with a Duchess for a nanny, Princess. Where are you off to tonight then? Just out for a stroll?"

"Stop calling me that, Flynn. You know I hate it when you do that. You CAN call me by my name. It's not like we haven't known each other since I was a baby." Arabelle's temper was starting to get riled.

"But you are one. How is calling you by your title bad? Besides, it annoys you. Gotta keep doing that."

"Ugh, BOYS! Whatever. Are you staying out of trouble these days, Flynn? Or have you gone back to your old thieving tendencies?"

"Wait, what? How did you….? Nevermind, I don't want to know. I need to get home. Eugene and I may have found a job. I'll see you later, Princess. Be careful going home." Flynn's mind was already back on the theft the Stabbingtons had forced him into, otherwise he never would have left without escorting her home.

"Oh My God, Flynn. You are going to let me walk home alone?" Arabelle was shocked.

"I just have a lot on my mind. Come on, Princess. Let's get you home. No more tricks."

Arabelle grinned to herself. Like I'm gonna make that promise. He thinks I sneak out just to get out of the castle. Little does he know, I do it so I can see him.

Flynn took Arabelle's hand and started walking back towards the castle. Both of them lost in their own thoughts. Arabelle was trying to figure out how to get Flynn to talk to her – and tell her about what he was so worried about, while Flynn was more concerned with keeping Arabelle and Eugene out of danger.

"So, what's on your mind? And before you tell me that it's nothing, I know you better than that, so spill."

Flynn sighed. He knew he wouldn't be able to get away with keeping anything from her for long when she was like this. He groaned inwardly and changed the subject.

"What are you doing these days, Princess? I haven't seen you in a while. Giving the guards a hard time?"

"It's not going to work, Flynn. I am gonna find a way to make you tell me what's wrong. What good is it being a princess if you can't help your friends? Spill it, Flynn. You know you want to tell me anyway."

Flynn almost growled in frustration. "Fine, will you at least let me talk to Eugene first?"

"As long as you tell me soon, I guess I can live with that. Just don't take too long to tell him. If it's bothering you this much, you need to tell me."

"Fine, whatever, Princess. Let's get you home so I can go talk to Eugene."

"Flynn," Arabelle hissed, "stop calling me that. You know I don't like it."

"Whatever you say, Princess," Flynn responded. And with that, he turned to follow Arabelle home. He just hoped Eugene was ok.

After leaving Arabelle at the stables on the palace grounds, Flynn hurried home.

Arabelle was fuming. How dare Flynn refuse to tell me what was going on. It's not like I'm a baby. Geez. Ugh. Bet he wouldn't even notice if I followed him home.

Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess's youngest child, a 12-year-old girl named Amber, snuck out of her home without her parents knowing. Right after she left, the Stabbington brothers found her and figured they could get even more gold by kidnapping the daughter of a well-known Duke. They bound and gagged her and carried her away to their hideout. Unfortunately, before they could send a messenger to let the Duke and Duchess know of the ransom they wanted before they would return Amber to her home, they had a visitor.

"What are you doing here? You said it was dangerous to be seen talking to us."

"Shut up, you idiot. What do you have there? Did you kidnap someone or something?" their visitor snapped. "That could ruin the whole plan. Whoever it is could recognize me."

"The Duke's daughter was running around unprotected. We couldn't leave her roaming around free. Figured we could make even more gold by making him pay ransom before we give her back. Don't worry, she's knocked out. What did you come here for anyway?"

"You kidnapped the DUKE's daughter? Are you insane? She knows me."

"Relax, like I said, she's knocked out."

"Whatever, I came to find out how the plans to steal the crown are coming? There can't be any mistakes."

"Don't worry, we have a good plan. We are blackmailing that Flynn Rider guy. We figured he wouldn't want us to hurt his brother. Thanks for the tip about there being another one of them."

While they were talking, they moved away from the bound and gagged girl. Little did they know, she had managed to untie the ropes holding her and was only feigning sleep. She quietly removed the gag and moved towards the trio to keep listening. Come on Amber, think. We know that voice. Oh, why can't I remember who?

She continued to listen finding out that whoever their visitor was, he was the one to give them the idea of stealing the crown. When it looked like the visitor was about to leave, she crept away and towards the horses that the Stabbingtons had stolen earlier that day. They don't need all these horses. It's not like they take care of them. Guess I will just let them go. Maybe I can take one and ride it back to the castle.

With that, before they noticed she was missing, she let the horses go, leaping onto the back of the last horse she released, grateful she was a good rider, and raced away in the opposite direction from the Stabbingtons and their mysterious visitor.

It wasn't long before the trees thinned out and Amber noticed a cottage in the distance with a separate shelter that she assumed was for horses. I am totally lost, but maybe whoever lives here can at least give me directions to the palace. I can find my way home from there – besides that's where Mom and Dad were when I took off.

"Hello, anyone here?" Amber called out the question. As she asked the question, she noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye. When she turned in the general direction, she was face to face with a man. Oh, my goodness, it's Flynn Rider – the wanted criminal. I saw the wanted poster just yesterday. Funny, the nose doesn't look right. Amber gulped. "Ummm, h-h-hello." She stuttered.

"Oh, hello little girl. What are you doing here so far from home?"

Amber was saved from answering when there was a rustle and Flynn rushed into the clearing.

"Eugene, are you ok? Did anything happen or did you have any visitors while I was gone?"

"Hi, Flynn. No visitors until now. Flynn this is… What IS your name, little girl?"