"Wait, just how exactly did you know that?" Arabelle asked.
"Henry is the one that took us in the morning after we lost our mom. We stayed with him and his family for a week before going to that orphanage."
Eugene looked at Flynn nervously. What is this going to mean for us? He can't possibly still hold a grudge against us for something that happened 20 years ago, when we were all kids.
I don't know yet, Eugene. Maybe he will be a better man now.
But you don't think so do you, Flynn?
Not likely, no. He was a bully back then. And usually, bullies grow up to be bigger bullies, not nice people.
I guess we just have to wait and see, right?
Yep. Either way, we will be ok. At least it's not Marcus. That would be bad. Having someone that mean and spiteful in a position of power like that would NOT be good for us, or anyone really.
"Well, ladies, what do you say we eat some food and get going? We have a lot of things to do today." Eugene suggested. "After all, every day can't be your birthday, right Rapunzel?"
"Wait, today is your birthday, Rapunzel? Why didn't you tell us?" Arabelle asks, surprised.
"Oh, um yeah. It is." Rapunzel responded. "It's no big deal. We're already doing something special. I have always wanted to see the lanterns."
Arabelle nodded thoughtfully, thinking about what today was for herself as well. What if she really IS my sister? I mean I had suspicions that she was before, but now I'm positive she is. Now everyone will be happy. The Duke and Duchess will get their sons back, and Mom and Dad get Rapunzel back. Maybe with her back, I won't be so forgotten. I don't think Rapunzel would let them ignore me. Especially now. But how do I get them all together without spoiling the surprise? I will have to think about that.
"That sounds good. Let's hurry. There is so much to see in the village outside the palace. But first, we need to get your hair braided and out of the way. We can't have people tripping over it all the time." Flynn said. "Princess, where do we go to get her hair braided?"
"Oh, the best thing to do to get it braided is to go to the fountain in the middle of the village. There are always a bunch of young girls playing there that can braid. And considering just how much hair there is, we may need a bunch of them to get it all done."
With that, Arabelle grabbed some of the food and sat down to eat. Eugene was quick to grab some for Rapunzel. Once he gave her the food, he grabbed some for himself. Flynn had waited until everyone else had gotten their food before grabbing some for himself, not wanting to leave anyone else hungry. Once they had all eaten Eugene stood up and gathered the remains to be repacked in the bag he had carried it in. When he had finished, he looked back at the other three.
"Well, are we ready to do this then?" he asked them.
"Yes!" Rapunzel exclaimed excitedly.
With that, the four headed towards the village square near the palace. The village was already bustling, even though it was still early. Adults were running around trying to get everything finished up for the lantern festival. The children were all congregated around the fountain in the middle of the square. As they approached the fountain, one of the girls screamed and ran up to Eugene.
"Eugene! You saved me! You have to come meet my daddy," the girl stated as she tugged him towards the palace gates. "DADDY!" she yelled. "You gotta come meet the man who saved me. Daddy, hurry before he leaves." As the girl pulled Eugene towards her father, they got separated from Rapunzel, Arabelle and Flynn.
"Leila, why aren't you playing around the fountain with your friends?" her father asked as he crouched in front of her. "I've been looking for you."
"But Daddy, I found him."
"Found who, Leila?" he asked her.
"The man who saved me from the fire, Daddy. Look," she said as she tugged Eugene in front of her. "His name's Eugene, Daddy." Finally, he stood up, looking towards Eugene.
"Well, young man. What do you have to say for yourself? Why would you risk your life for someone you didn't know?"
"Well, sir," Eugene said, trying not to stutter. "I lost my mother in a fire many years ago. I couldn't stand the thought of a child being lost if I could stop it. I didn't really think beyond that. I just, I had to, sir."
"Well, it was definitely appreciated. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
Flynn? Eugene reached out to his brother. You know that guard, the one whose house burnt down in that fire yesterday? He's here. Do you think it's safe for us to be seen together right now?
It will be fine, Arabelle and Rapunzel will be with us, no one will expect us to be with anyone. Where did you go anyway?
We met up with her dad not far from the palace gates.
OK, we will be there in a couple minutes. It's crazy out here right now. Maybe start working your way back to the fountain so we can have the girls braid Rapunzel's hair.
Ok. I'll see if I can get away quickly without raising suspicion.
"There must be something I can do to thank you for saving my Leila." The guard interrupted the brothers' exchange.
"Um, n-n-no thanks necessary s-s-sir." Eugene stammered. "I just want to go enjoy the festival."
"Well, my name is Colton. If you ever need anything, please have a message sent to me. I will help any way that I can," the guard stated.
"Yes, sir. I can do that." said Eugene, glancing around. "I will see you around, Colton."
"Daddy," Leila interrupted. "Can I go back and play? Please?"
Crouching down so he could look his daughter in the eye, Colton's demeanor softened as he spoke. "Of course you can, Leila."
"I would be happy to escort her back to her friends, so she doesn't get lost or sidetracked, sir," Eugene offered, trying not to sound eager to get away. "I was heading back in that direction anyway."
"Thank you, Eugene. That would be great. Bye, Leila. You be good. I will see you after work." With that Colton turned and strode away, returning to his post in front of the gates.