~Chapter 24~

Eugene

I had never before felt such regret as the ship I boarded left the Corona harbor. I wrestled with feelings of staying at least until she woke up, but I also knew it would be easier if I left before that. I've been gone for over a month and it hasn't gotten easier.

Hartsmouth was a quiet community southeast from Corona as the crow flies. The village was small, probably around a quarter the size of Corona. A few streets that weaved and circled around one another. Up a hill just outside the village there was a cottage that sat below a lighthouse. I wondered if ships had crashed into Hartsmouth, which explained the need for the lighthouse. Most residents here were fishermen, so the market was not the best smelling. Though the taste made up for the smell as the Hartsmouth trout was a delicacy and was shipped out everywhere. It was quite the booming business for such a small community. With that business came me wanting to be helpful and earn a living. King Frederic had gifted me money, but I didn't want to rely on that to live. I needed to be useful and not be idle. Though best laid plans aren't always what we expect. Every fisherman or ship captain that I approached for hire took one look at my stump of an arm and politely refused me. It was no question the work was hard even with the use of two arms, but nobody gave me a shot. In that first week since arriving at Hartsmouth, I had been denied every job they possibly had available. It was defeating and made me wonder if I had made a terrible mistake. I had planned to buy a plot of land or vacant house in town, but there were none available. The local inn was my home while I figured everything out. The bed was lumpy and I was still getting used to one arm. The pain from the stump came in waves and I did my best to ignore it. Of the things that I had lost recently, my arm was the easiest.

Every night fishermen and sailors would come in from their boats and have some ale to end each day. The inn was a pub in the evenings, so getting sleep was a bit of a nightmare. The innkeeper Luke did me a solid by letting me help behind the counter on busy nights. He wasn't put off my missing limb and I actually drew business to the pub. Sailors would ask how I lost my arm thinking it was an accident at sea or from a shark or carnivorous beast. It was easier to let them believe what they wanted rather than to correct their notions. I became known as the one-armed bartender real quick around town. The past weeks had been a learning experience, but it was a distraction from the great loss I had felt.

Several times I started letters to write to her just for my own knowledge of knowing she woke up and was okay. Though I never sent out anything. I refused to be a reminder of her past and traumatic experiences of being taken from her home because I played a part in her kidnapping back then. I didn't think I'd ever rid myself of that guilt. All I could do was hope for her happiness in her new life with her family. She was a princess after all and heir to a throne. She would want for nothing.

One evening as Luke and I were cleaning up the bar counter, he pulled me aside away from the customers.

"Eugene, I think I've found a job and somewhere for you to live."

I stopped scrubbing the counter looking at him confused.

"You kicking me out, Luke? It's my missing arm, isn't it?" I teased, lightly. Though I said that half-seriously. My missing arm had proven a challenge just to find a good job to support myself. Nobody knew about the king's money and they didn't need to. I wanted to do this on my own.

"Hardly," Luke replied, "You work hard and it shows every day, but I just found out about something that you might like more."

"What is this exactly?"

"Old man Kane died yesterday."

"I have no idea who that is, but my regrets to his family," I muttered.

"He lived and ran the lighthouse at the top of the hill."

"And you're telling me this-"

"Because I thought you might want to get out of this inn and have a place of your own." Luke said, "Should you accept the post of lighthouse master, you tend the light and learn some general mechanics, but I think you could manage. What do you say, Eugene, you interested?"

I looked down at my stump where my arm used to be, unsure if my one missing arm would be a problem.

"I don't know, Luke. It sounds like a two-arm job."

He grabbed my shoulder.

"I wouldn't have told you about it if I didn't think you could do it. I've known old man Kane for years and watched his work. You are more than capable." Luke nodded.

I appreciated his confidence in me, but I wish I shared that same confidence. Though the offer was appealing, I still hesitated out of fear. I heard Rapunzel's voice in my head suddenly as I contemplated this. Always thinking of her when I felt discouraged.

"Come on, Eugene. You never know what can happen if you don't try."

The hesitation was still there, but ultimately I told Luke I'd take the job. I was shown the lighthouse and my duties the next morning. The job overall was simple. Waking early to clean the light and check the mechanics. Then returning to the light late in the evening to be sure the glass remained clear after the daytime shift. It was simple overall. General upkeep and cleaning. The base of the lighthouse made of solid stone with a circular staircase leading right up to the light up top. A small door led out to the balcony outside. The view was stunning and I had seen many amazing sunsets since taking this post. Rapunzel would have loved to paint any of them and sit out here for hours doing so. My cottage connected to the lighthouse and it was perfect for me. A single bedroom with a kitchen and fireplace. It struck me on the first night of living in this space that I had finally made it. A dream and idea I had for years. Living on an island on my own and away from the thieving lifestyle I once lived. Though I had to admit to myself, the dream had changed. Being here alone was the last thing that I wanted.

My first week as the new lighthouse master went as well as expected. Though by week two, a windstorm struck Hartsmouth from the sea and blew tons of debris at the lighthouse. The surrounding ironclad windows surrounding the light were bent and broken in many places. This was my first challenge, but I faced it head-on. A hammer was all I needed to restore the broken areas. After three days, I fixed everything, though my arm was sore for a week afterward. I didn't have the luxury of switching the hammering between the strength of both my arms. It was difficult at times, but I did manage the job and I was equally impressed and shocked that it was going so well. One evening nearing twilight, it was nearing the end of my third week since taking over the lighthouse and as I scrubbed the glass, I saw a ship on the horizon. Traders came in and out of the harbor, but this ship was bigger. There was no mistaking the flag of Corona flying proudly in the wind attached to the mast. I looked on in confusion until I saw her walk down the gangplank. Seeing her was an unexpected surprise and everything in me wanted to run to her and hold her. I shook myself out of those musings. I couldn't think like that. Seeing that she was awake and healthy gave me an overwhelming sense of relief. She approached a few people in town and only one directed her pointing to the lighthouse. Why was she looking for me?

A nauseating feeling was churning around in my stomach. As she approached my cottage, I ran downstairs to my cottage door. A soft knock was then heard as I held my breath. I didn't answer the door. She shouldn't have come, I didn't want her to see me like this. If she happened to remember me, I didn't want it to be as this. A cripple of a one-armed man. I bit my lip when I heard her soft-spoken voice.

"Eugene? It's me." She said.

I fought every desire to open this door and acknowledge her presence. The door stayed closed as I leaned against it.

"I came to tell you that I'm sorry for forgetting."

Her voice came through the door as clearly as if she were standing right here in the room.

"It was nobody's fault but my own. I was given a warning about the effects of the moonflower and I ignored them. For weeks I've felt more lost than I ever knew I could be. Pieces of myself went missing and I've been aimlessly wandering the dark and that's been terrifying."

Her voice broke and I could hear her start to cry. My hand balled into a fist at my side. The door still remained shut.

"But then," She sniffled, "My mother showed me an incredible storybook about a swashbuckling rogue named Flynnigan Rider. Then it all came flooding back. A man who taught me how to write letters and how to ride on horseback. A man who has always had my best interests even despite the fact he aided in my abduction to Ravadyn. A man who got paper lanterns for me knowing what they meant to me. A man who taught me how to dance by firelight and who has made me feel seen since the moment we met. That man is you, Eugene, the man I've fallen in love with."

She paused as I had my hand on the doorknob and still the door remained closed.

"I want you by my side." She said, "I've seen my life without you and that's not the life I want. I love you, Eugene, please come home with me."

Silence. I still had the doorknob in my hand ready to turn. I wanted to rip the door off its hinges and face her, but I couldn't. My handicap would get in the way and the last thing I wanted for her was to be burdensome right when she finally has her freedom. It was better this way. I was lying to myself and I knew that.

"Eugene, please, just let me see you, so I know you're okay."

I put my hand on the door.

"I'm okay, Blondie," I replied.

Knowing I had to push her away killed me.

"Blondie? Really?" She muttered.

"Go home." I said.

She paused.

"You don't mean that," She muttered as I could hear her choking back tears.

"I don't know how I can be more clear," I said, through gritted teeth.

"Eugene, I don't want to leave you here alone."

"I'm better off alone. Go home." I said, firmly.

She was crying the most now. I couldn't stand to listen to it especially knowing I caused it. I wanted to make her happy and help her chase all her dreams, but I couldn't do that now. Not like this. I walked away from the door and through the cottage to the lighthouse and upstairs to the balcony. I saw her standing outside the cottage door with a few soldiers several paces away giving her privacy. She stood there for five minutes. Then ten and finally after over a half-hour, she turned away from the door and began the descent down the hill. Her braided blonde hair hung behind her as she walked slowly as I watched knowing full well how much I had just hurt her. Then she stopped and as she turned back toward the lighthouse, I ducked down against the stone wall of the balcony out of sight. Remaining hidden for over a minute before I stood back up again. Rapunzel was long gone already in the marketplace of Hartsmouth nearing the harbor. As I watched her walk up the gangplank back onto the ship and pounded my fist against the balcony railing. This isn't what was best. What on earth was I thinking? Being apart was the worst alternative I could possibly imagine. The crushing rocks that took my arm must have hit my head too for me to think that spending a life without this woman would be worth it. I wanted her by my side and I had to tell her.

I sprang from the balcony climbing down the stairs, through my cottage, and back outside. Her ship had pulled away from the harbor and was gliding out on the water paralleling Hartsmouth Isle. I had mere moments to decide how I could stop that ship from leaving. I would have to run down the hill of the south end of the Isle to the waterfront and maybe I could snatch a rowboat and get to the ship before it got out to the open ocean. It was a weak plan, but a plan nonetheless. As fast as my feet could carry me, I sprinted from the lighthouse, running down the hillside. It may have been irrational and poorly planned out, but my feet just took off toward Rapunzel's ship. My feet tripped over themselves as I ran down the rocky, steep terrain. These boots did not have the traction they once did. I kept my focus on the ship as it came around the tip of the isle. There was hardly time as I kept pushing my legs to go faster. Beads of sweat dripped down my forehead as I went to wipe my brow my left foot tripped up and soon I was falling over curling into a somersault. My momentum kept me going down the hillside and once I finally stopped rolling against the sand of the beach, I couldn't tell which way was up or down. A small fisherman's rowboat was a few yards away as I staggered up to my feet. Warm blood was sliding down the side of my face from a gash I had no doubt received from the tumble. I got to the rowboat as the ship was passing by the beach. I spotted Rapunzel on the deck as I cupped my one hand around my mouth. Inhaling deep, I yelled her name as long and as loud as I could in one breath. She looked up thankfully hearing me. The ship was still moving at full speed and as I pushed out the rowboat from the beach deeper into the water, I realized a problem. There was no way to row with one arm. Sailors on the ship began running around on deck as the ship began to slow. I tried to think of a way to row when I heard a splash hit the water. There was no mistaking Rapunzel's blonde hair and it was she who took the dive. Terrified for her safety, I took a single oar and tried to paddle out to her. Remembering that water had nearly taken her from me twice since we'd met, I called out to her. My boat barely was moving as my single-handed rowing was getting me nowhere.

"Hang on, keep your head above the surface," I called to her unsure if she could hear me if her ears were below the surface. Why would she even attempt diving from the ship? She should have waited for me to get to the ship. I kept rowing barely managing to close the distance between us, but I did notice she still drew near. Her head stayed above the surface as she kicked and splashed toward my boat. She was swimming, quite proficiently to my surprise. Then she disappeared beneath the surface as I stopped paddling trying to spot her.

"Rapunzel!" I shouted.

Suddenly a gasp of air was heard as I turned behind me as Rapunzel was almost to shore clearly touching the sand where she stood still shoulder deep in the water.

"Eugene?" She said turning her head this way and that clearly expecting me to be waiting at the shore. I called to her again as our eyes met at a distance and I began to paddle as quick as I could manage back to shore. Rapunzel crawled out of the water wringing out her hair as my rowboat dug into the sand moments later. I crawled out of the boat as we just locked eyes. Her gaze stayed with mine until she looked down at my missing left arm. Her green eyes filled with tears.

"So, you can swim now?" I asked, casually trying to distract the both of us from what we really wanted to talk about.

"I learned." She nodded.

Silence fell between us as she reached for her braid and began to unravel her hair.

"Is this why you left Corona? Because of your arm?" She asked directly.

I exhaled a sharp breath knowing she wouldn't understand.

"You finally found your real family and have your freedom. I wasn't about to jeopardize that for you. It was easier to start fresh somewhere else."

"Easier for who?" She snapped back.

"Rapunzel, I'm not a good man. I've been nothing but a plague upon you since we met, so it was better to leave."

She was crying now and I hated that I was the cause. Closing the gap between us, I pulled her toward me with my one arm holding her. We stayed like this for several moments and I hated that we couldn't stay like this. Rapunzel took a step back looking at me wiping her face.

"You idiot, did you really think a missing limb would change anything?"

"It's a burden. I'm lucky I found work here in Hartsmouth." I insisted, "You just found your freedom and this will take that away from you."

She recoiled and I felt horrible for being so blunt, but she needed to understand my new situation. Everything was different.

"You once asked me what my dream was." She said.

"I did," I nodded, "You told me how much you wanted to see the lanterns, but most importantly, you talked about freedom. How much you desire it. I don't want to keep you from that. I've already done enough harm in your life."

"We wouldn't have met otherwise." She muttered, "This newfound sense of freedom doesn't make sense without the people I love surrounding me. Without you, Eugene, it doesn't exist."

Tears fell from her eyes again knowing I was the cause of them killed me inside. Gently I reached my arm out toward her rubbing at her cheeks with my thumb.

"There's something you should know," I said.

"What?"

"Your father provided me financial means and a place to call my own. I have everything I wanted here, but I discovered that once I had all this, I didn't want it. The dream changed and in its place, you became my new dream."

"Eugene," She muttered, pursing her lips.

"Living a life without you doesn't make sense, but will you be happy by my side? With freedom comes choice and-"

"I choose you, Eugene. Every day." She smiled.

Pulling her close, I pressed my lips to hers firmly. How long I had waited to share this moment with her. She wrapped her hands around my neck smiling wide as we pulled away.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I just never have known I could feel such unadulterated joy before."

"You and me both," I agreed, "Though I do have some thoughts on what you told me outside my door at the cottage."

"Do you?" She smirked.

"I love you, too." I said.

Closing the gap between us, I met her lips again. As we pulled apart, I took her hand in mine as we prepared to make our way to the ship back home to Corona. The ship circled around back to the Hartsmouth harbor for Rapunzel and I to board. I stopped by the inn to notify Luke that I was leaving for Corona and I felt awful for leaving so suddenly. Luke was anything but mad, in fact, gracious.

"Be well, Eugene. Don't be a stranger, ya hear?"

I hugged my friend goodbye leaving the village behind me. The sailors on the ship lowered the gangplank for Rapunzel and I, but she stopped me from going on board.

"What is it?" I asked.

Without answering me, she took an end of her hair and began wrapping my stump of an arm in her hair. I resisted, unraveling her hair immediately.

"Don't, it'll waste your energy. My arm is gone, there isn't a bleeding open wound."

Rapunzel sighed and lowered my arm to my side.

"There's no harm in trying, is there?" She asked, searching my eyes.

I couldn't argue there. She rewrapped my left arm and sang the song of healing. I didn't want her feeling disappointed because I knew how this was going to turn out. A sudden heat surrounded my arm and something began to move. To my complete shock, my left arm regrew. I stared in disbelief turning my arm this way and that even poking it thinking it wasn't real. Rapunzel unwrapped her hair from my arm and promptly kissed the top of my new hand.

"It was worth trying," She smiled taking my left hand in hers entwining our fingers.

I rolled my eyes pressing my lips to her forehead as we boarded the ship. Queen Arianna was on board, not to my surprise wanting to keep her daughter close. She gave me a warm welcome as we sailed home back to Corona. I was content being alone, but I would have never been as happy as I was now with Rapunzel by my side.

Corona was more rebuilt now since I first left. It made me relieved that repairs after the siege from Ravadyn were moving forward expediently. King Frederic welcomed me back just as kindly as his wife did on the ship. I tried to return the money he gave me when I first left, but he wouldn't hear of it. The same day I was bestowed a new title in recognition of my services to the kingdom, as if the money and land in Hartsmouth weren't enough. Though now that I was staying in Corona, Frederic named me Grand Marshall of Corona. I would now be overseeing the upkeep and maintenance of the laws of the nation with frequent correspondence and reports from the captain of the Corona guard. I couldn't believe it. As a boy who grew up with nothing, I could have never imagined such an outcome for my future.

A week since our return, the summer months were blazing and Rapunzel and I often went horseback riding, packing picnics, or swimming when I wasn't busy with my new job. One afternoon during my rounds through the village, I stopped by the local pawn dealer. I could now get back what was rightfully mine. Five years ago, Logan and Leeland sold my one family heirloom here to pay off gambling debts. I was furious, but didn't have the means to get the heirloom back. Today, I walked into the shop and purchased my mother's silver diamond ring. The same day, I had a private audience with Frederic and Arianna. I grew nervous as I approached them in the throne room. I took a deep breath with a swallow opening my mouth to speak.

"Your majesties, I have an important question for the both of you."