The Fowls were a notoriously powerful family.

As the ruling family of Haven, they were widely respected throughout the world. But it would be a big fat lie to say that they didn't have enemies.

The king and patriarch of the family, Artemis Fowl the First, had been quite the troublemaker in his youth. A thief, a smuggler and all-round criminal. Everyone in the kingdom knew this, despite him never being convicted, which, as you can imagine, stirred up quite some protest when it was declared that he'd be the next king. Of course, he claimed that he had settled down after ascending the thrown, but truth be told, no one was really surprised when rumors of one of the King's latest shady ventures spread amongst the kingdom a year later.

Despite the King's occasionally suspicious activities, the people of Haven were a relatively happy bunch. The kingdom flourished under Artemis Fowl I and his wife, Angeline Fowl, and soon, the discomfort about Artemis Senior's criminal record was forgotten.

But not everyone forgot. And those few who never moved on from the past swore to give Fowl exactly what he deserved.

But how?

******Line Break******

September 1st, a few years later.

King Artemis Fowl I paced frantically outside his wife's room.

Why hadn't anyone let him in yet? Surely it must have finished by now? Had something gone wrong?

The palace guards watched in amusement as their usually composed king took several deep breaths to try and lower his heartbeat. They stopped abruptly as a towering figure walked past them, dutifully positioning himself beside the king.

"Butler, excellent." the king sighed, his body sagging in relief, "You made it."

Butler had been sent to accompany a group of nobles on a diplomatic mission a week ago. No one had been particularly worried about Butler missing the birth of his future charge, seeing as the child wasn't supposed to be born for another week or two at least.

The little tike hadn't even been born yet and he was already surprising them.

Butler straightened up, "Of course, your majesty."

Artemis Senior chuckled, "Relax, old friend. At ease."

Butler raised an eyebrow, "A bit rich coming from you, sir."

The guards tensed instinctively, for if it had been anyone else who had said such a thing, they probably would've been punished soundly. Luckily for the giant man in the corridor, the Butlers and Fowls had a long history together, and all that his statement earned him was a slightly strained laugh.

Suddenly, the door cracked open, and a maid poked her head out, giving the king a curt nod and a soft smile, inviting him in.

Artemis Senior gulped, hesitating slightly before heading into the room, with Butler close on his tail.

Inside the room, an exhausted Angeline Fowl smiled brightly at her husband as he approached her bed.

The new father stared in wonder at the little bundle of joy in her arms.

"His name is Artemis." she said firmly.

Artemis Senior didn't disagree, seeing that determined glint in his wife's eye, knowing that despite how tired she was, Angeline wouldn't back down on this one.

"Artemis Fowl the Second." he mused, gently accepting the baby being thrust into his arms, "I think it fits him."

Indeed it did, for the baby prince looked exactly like his father. He had the same raven black hair and unnaturally pale complexion. His eyes were what really sold the look though. He had the same piercing, icy blue eyes as his ancestors before him.

He was a Fowl, alright.

The child stared up at him quietly, unblinking and curious, which to be honest, kind of freaked out Artemis the First, who half expected the kid to start crying any second.

"Um, Angeline dear," he hissed, "Why is he staring at me like that?"

Angeline laughed softly, "Relax, Timmy. He's just curious. He's going to smart one, I can tell already."

Artemis Senior could see where she was coming from. There was a certain spark of intelligence in his eyes that he was fairly sure was not common amongst newborn babies.

"Yes," he agreed, "Our clever little Arty." he whispered gently.

*****Line Break*****

Soon, various nobles started pouring into the room to meet the newest addition to the royal family.

Butler stayed close to the little family, while trying not to impose.

At least until Angeline pulled him closer, handing him his new charge.

"Hello Artemis," he said softly, "I'm your bodyguard Butler."

Maybe it was stupid trying to talk to a baby, but this was the boy he would spend the rest of his life trying to protect. He'd rather forge a connection with the child early on, rather than have the boy grow up hating him.

Eventually, he handed the young prince back to his mother, opting instead to observe the family's various well-wishers.

Butler's uncle, the Major, took one look at the boy before remarking with amusement, "He looks exactly like his father as a child."

This, of course, led to several of the other guests cooing over the baby and pointing out the numerous similarities between father and son.

It was all in good fun until someone said, "I'll bet that he'll turn out to be as great a man as his father, one day."

One of the kingdom's most respected noblewomen/businesswomen, Opal Koboi, muttered under her breath, "Another one? This kingdom will be damned before I let that happen." she grumbled, before striding out of the room gracefully.

In the excitement of the evening, Butler disregarded her offhand comment, dismissing it as Koboi's regular slightly irritated behaviour.

That would soon become the biggest mistake of his life.

******Line Break******

That night, the royal family assembled on the balcony, releasing thousands of blue lanterns into the sky to commemorate the birth of the new heir.

It was a joyous occasion, and no one could've guessed that the night would take such a dark turn.

******Line Break******

"Nephew!" Butler heard his uncle call.

The Major strode up his nephew, a small smile on his lips, " You have a principal now. There is much we must discuss. Come."

"Uncle," Butler protested weakly, "I can't abandon my post."

"Nonsense." he declared with a huff, "The boy's barely been born. You can spare a few minutes."

Reluctantly, Butler followed his uncle away from the prince's bedroom, to his room a few corridors away.

If he had looked closely, he would've noticed that the Major's pupil's were ragged.

*****Line Break*****

A few minutes later, a cloaked figure broke into the child's huge room.

Carefully, they picked the child up, quietly making their way towards the balcony.

The prince blearily opened his eyes, making quiet whimpering noises when he saw the figure looming over him.

"Hush, child." the cloaked figure whispered, "Everything will be alright."

Unfortunately for them, this particular child was smart enough to know that everything would not be alright.

The baby let out a loud wail.

The figure growled in frustration, frustrated that her easy escape had been ruined.

"Quiet, child." they insisted, with more force this time, her eyes glowing with mesmerizing light.

The child fell silent, as though compelled to obey. But the damage had already been done, they could hear footsteps approaching from the King and Queen's room next door.

By the time Artemis Senior and Angeline made it to their son's room and realized that the problem was much bigger than a hungry baby, Artemis Fowl the Second was gone.

A.N:

So what do you think?

I've recently developed an obsession with Tangled AU's, and when I realized that there were no Artemis Fowl Tangled Au's, I just had to write my own.

This was... probably not the best idea, considering the fact that I've already got two stories that need updating, but hey, you can't delay inspiration. Publishing this was a very spontaneous decision, and by the time I got some rest and actually THOUGHT about it, I began to regret all my life decisions.

Anyway, I'd love to hear what you think!

-Keera