Chapter 17

Eugene joined Princess Rapunzel's many suitors about an hour later. He was told to be himself and to basically blend into the surroundings. The idea was that Eugene should dance as many dances as he could with Rapunzel, so that by the time the King's announcement of Rapunzel's choice would come naturally and with ease. It wasn't supposed to look like a set up, even though it was. The King needed this to look as naturally as possible.

The King was going to announce Rapunzel's choice at the stroke of midnight. All suitors still here would be told to leave. It was as simple and easy as that, at least that's what the King announced at the start of the ball anyway.

And so one by one, Rapunzel chose her bachelors wisely, letting everyone believe that she hadn't made up her mind yet. Everyone it seemed but Flynn Rider, who had entered with all the other eligible bachelors. Jeez, he even stood next to Eugene. He and Rapunzel made eye contact, but that was about it, Rapunzel ignored him for the next few dances anyway.

And so Eugene played along as did the rest of the Royal family, right up until the stroke of midnight; at which time he was sure that all heck would break that was the idea, wasn't it? Eugene would have to be ready for it all and ready he would be.

XXXXX

Elvira and Honor watched as the princess chose her suitors with care. Too much care, Honor thought as she avoided Rider again.

"Are you sure she's doing the right thing by not dancing with him?" Honor asked, frowning. "She should at least have one…"

Elvira cut her off. "She can't, there is a reason. It has to wait until midnight, Honor. You were there, you heard the whole thing."

Honor nodded. She was there, what had she been thinking? It was supposed to be this way, like it or not. She just didn't like or trust Flynn Rider and she hoped that she was wrong about the rest of the evening. She had promised Michael that she wouldn't materialize; even though she wanted to. She was going to be there when the sparks flew and that's when she'd be needed the most.

She looked around for Rider, just to see if he was on the dance floor, but there was no sight of him anywhere. She could see nothing, not even a glimpse of him.

That is until she looked over the edge of the ballroom where Rider was engaged in conversation with several of the bachelors. Honor hooked over at Elvira. She was smiling broadly, watching Eugene and Rapunzel dance. She didn't take her eyes of them for a second.

Honor watched them gliding along the ballroom floor and they never looked happier. She felt a pang of jealousy as she watched the two of them laughing and smiling in each other's arms. Suddenly, Michael popped into her head. She was hoping that he'd feel the same way Eugene felt about Rapunzel. After this was all over, she would work on that, prying him little by little away from Elvira.

Not that she really needed to. Michael wanted someone younger, someone vibrant than Elvira, besides which the woman was in love with her father. She vowed that if there was a happy ending here, there would be one for the four of them. She loved Elvira and had always wanted a mother, something she never had growing had.

Honor nodded her head and forced herself back into reality and the task at hand. Where was Flynn Rider and the guys? One minute he was talking with a group of suitors and the next he was gone.

She threw Elvira a look, but didn't want to disturb here. Still looking in her direction, Honor wandered off, hoping to find Flynn Rider before this whole situation got out of hand.

XXXXXX

Rapunzel was having a great time going from suitor to suitor. The men surrounded her like moths to a flame, trying to get her attention. But all she had eyes for was Eugene. There was something about him, something that had drawn her to him since he had picked her up and held her in his arms. Something about his voice and his face that made her dream of him while she was growing up. There was just something about him that she could shake off, something that drew her in. Maybe it was the danger of being with a thief, she didn't know, but all her efforts to get him to change had paid off.

And then there had Flynn Rider. Although the two looked alike, she knew instantly that he was no good for her. Rapunzel knew that this was not the man who saved her, no matter how many times he tried to convince her that he was. He just wasn't the calming presence that Eugene had been. When they touched each other; Flynn's hand was cold and distant while Eugene's was always warm and inviting.

She was intrigued with the stories that he was a witch's last surviving descendent, but she needed to see for herself. She wanted to see just what would happen at midnight when she finally would let him touch her hair. She wanted to see if her mother's predictions were true.

And Rapunzel was sure that she was right.

XXXXX

Honor was the only one who noticed the disappearance of the bachelors, Rapunzel made remarks to Eugene about it. It seemed as though most of them had disappeared along with Flynn Rider. Now she really didn't have to worry about who to choose because it seemed that Eugene was the only one left to dance with anyway.

"Where is everyone?" Eugene asked as the music stopped. He looked over at Rapunzel.

"I don't know," Rapunzel said, "First there were 10 of them and now there's none."

"And no Flynn Rider either," Eugene said as he heard the chapel bells toll on the half hour.

"It's eleven thirty," Eugene said, turning his attention to her. He smiled. "Your father is supposed to announce your choice…"

"At midnight," Rapunzel nodded, "but it's obvious who my choice is now."

Eugene nodded and grabbed her hand. "Come on, I could use some night air. It's getting stuffy in here anyway."

Rapunzel nodded. Maybe they could use some fresh air.

XXXXXXX

The King was watching the proceedings seated next to his wife on the dais. He wasn't much of a dancer anymore, but he had made a few rounds with his wife and even danced with his daughter. But now he was concerned. First Flynn Rider and the bachelors went missing, now Eugene and Rapunzel. Something was wrong.

He heard a commotion going on and looked over to his right where the entrance to the ballroom was. Seemed everyone was milling around there. One of the guards actually called him over.

And so, making his apologies to the Queen, strode over to find the Stabbington boys in custody. They weren't in chains yet and the King wondered why.

It was that moment that Flynn Rider happened to make his appearance, but where were the other bachelors?

'You," Sideburns called, pointing in Flynn's direction.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to listen; the Queen, Eugene and Rapunzel; even Elvira. That's when she noticed that Honor was gone.

"That's him," Sideburns called out, as tour guardsman placed the chains around their wrists. "That's the one who responsible, not us. We were dragged here."

And everyone watched as the Stabbington Brothers were dragged out of the castle ballroom.

The King heard the bell toll at the 45 minute mark. It was almost 12. He was going to have to make two announcements.

And probably arrest Flynnagan Rider in the process.

And where were the two angels that Michael and Gabe had promised? He hadn't seen them anywhere.

This wasn't going to be as easy as he first thought.