That voice. They both heard it and knew what it meant. Rapunzel ran to meet her aunt. Arianna followed, at a slower pace, close behind.
Rapunzel ran into the same room where she first met her aunt not so long ago. There she was, just like before talking to everyone, complimenting them, and just seeming so happy to see them. But there was someone else next to her. Someone Rapunzel didn't know. A young man who had the same dark brown hair and green eyes as Willow, but much taller and with slightly lighter skin.
Before she could say anything, her aunt wrapped her in a hug. "Rapunzel! So good to see you again. I told you I'd be back and look who I brought."
Arianna looked at the young man in front of her. She squinted her eyes. "Billy?"
With a smile he answered, "Yes aunt Arianna. Although I go by William now," he said before she hugged him, a hug he happily returned.
"Well, you've certainly put on some muscle. Bet you drive the girls crazy."
"Oh, he does," Willow interjected, adding, "Oh you haven't met your cousin Rapunzel."
He turned to face the princess. "No, I haven't, but I look forward to getting to know her."
Arianna suggested to her daughter, "Why don't you introduce your cousin to some of your friends while you get to know each other. I'll spend a little time with my sister."
Rapunzel was still a little stunned from the surprise but answered. "Sure, sounds great."
"See you later Aunt Arianna," he said giving her a kiss on the cheek. He turned to his cousin, offering his arm. "So, let's get antiquated while you introduce me to some of these friends of yours."
"Well, you're certainly quite a gentleman," she said as she took the offered arm.
A few minutes later, they walked out into the courtyard where Rapunzel knew that her husband and her best friend would be.
On seeing the two walk toward them Cass said, "Don't look now Eugene but I think you might have a rival."
"Nothing like that Eugene." Rapunzel assured him. "This is my cousin, William."
"Cousin?" Cass said. "I knew you had a couple of cousins in Arendelle, but I didn't know about this one."
"This one's related to me on my mother's side."
"You mean Willow?" Eugene said.
"That's right. Oh, I should introduce you. This is William, my aunt Willows son. William, this is Eugene, my husband; and Cassandra my best friend."
"Ah yes. Mother told me about you. Eugene Fitzherbert, aka Flynn Rider. Good to meet you." He held out his hand, which Eugene accepted.
He turned his attention to the dark-haired woman next to Eugene. "I hadn't heard about you though, Cassandra was it."
"Yes." She answered him.
He took her hand and bowed slightly. "A pleasure." He turned to Rapunzel. "Cousin, I think you might be the one facing some competition."
Cassandra shook her head. "I don't think so. We've become good friends, but I don't think I could ever see him that way."
"Yeah," Rapunzel said. "It's more of a brother and sister thing with them."
"Ah, I see." He asked Cass. "So how did you meet my cousin here?"
She looked a little sheepish but answered. "It's a long story. Basically, when she returned, I was her lady in waiting. Mosley because my father, the captain of the guards, taught me to fight and I could serve as a bodyguard to." She paused. "We, um, had a little falling out a while back, but that's been patched up."
"Falling out?" Eugene exclaimed. "Yeah, I guess we can go into more detail later." He then asked the visitor. "So, are you related to her other cousins in Arendelle?"
Rapunzel answered. "No, they're related through my father. Queen Iduna was my aunt on his side."
Eugene then asked William, "Okay, so what's your story?"
William smiled, A line right out of a Flynn Rider book. "Well mother stopped traveling for a while when she found out I was on the way, and for a while after that. Later we traveled together until I was older. Then she went on her way and I went on mine. I signed on as a cabin boy on a merchant ship. Later I signed on to the royal guard of Arendelle."
"How did you reconnect with your mother?" Eugene asked.
"We had an arrangement to meet in here each year. This last time we just decided we didn't want to go our own ways this time." Rapunzel listened with interest, but she seemed to see something, something in his eyes as he spoke. A slight melancholy.
"So, trained with the guard in Arendelle?" Cass said
"Yes," he said with a nod.
"We'll have to compare notes sometime. I could use a good sparring partner."
"You can talk about your travels to," Rapunzel suggested.
"William looked at Eugene, "Care to join us for some sword practice?"
"I might."
Cass asked a question. "I..hope this isn't too personal, but, who's your father?"
He sighed. "She never told me. I have wondered. But when I ask, she always changes the subject."
"I'm kind of in the same boat as far as my father goes. Kind of wish I hadn't found out who my mother was."
He looked at her puzzled but hesitant to pry. She volunteered, "Long story. Maybe I'll tell you later."
He nodded. "Well I don't know about mother but I'm glad to be home. I think it's time to settle in one place. At least for me."
"That would be great," Rapunzel said. "I'd love to have time to get to know you better...Maybe I'll talk to my parents about a welcome banquet, maybe a ball to."
He chuckled slightly. "Alright. But for now, how about showing me to some guest quarters so I can settle in."
"Sure, come with me." She motioned for him to follow and told the other two. "I'll see you in a little while." William added, "So will I. We'll set up a time for some sparring."
The two reached the quarters Rapunzel had in mind for him. They stepped in. "This'll be great. I'll go down in a while and get my things."
"Good. Your mother can stay in the suite next to this one." Both of them sat to talk a little more. "I'm glad to finally meet you. I think we're getting along very well already. I look forward to building on that."
She smiled, "Same here. I'm anxious to hear more about you."
He shrugged, "Not that much to tell. But we can talk anytime you like."
"I'll take you up on that." She told him. Then she added, "Oh, soon my other cousin, Elsa in Arendelle will have her coronation as Queen. Eugene and I will be attending the coronation to represent Corona...You've been at sea, and you know Arendelle. Why don't you come with us?"
He was happy for the opportunity to spend time with his family. He quickly accepted. "I'd like that. Do you know when you'll be going?"
"Not exactly, but soon."