The story is winding down and I would like to thank all my readers, reviewers and everyone else who alerted this story and made it one of their favorites. This has been fun to write and I'm glad many of you stuck with it.

And now here's the next chapter.

Chapter 18

The entire ballroom had followed the Guards outside. The King turned to look at his wife who was still sitting on the dais only to notice that she was staring right back at him. What the heck was happening here?

"Maybe we should move this little engagement party outside," the Queen suggested, holding out her hand.

The King smiled and took her hand in his. "Well, I guess you're right, That's exactly what it's going to be in a few minutes, but where the heck are the other young men and who the heck am I going to announce it to? I mean…"

The Queen shook her head. "You can't worry about everything, my lord. Come, let's go join the others. You might even find the rest your daughter and future son-in-law there."

And the two looked at each other and, hand in hand, they joined the others outside on the South Balcony.

XXXXXX

Elvira stood by herself in the ballroom waiting for Honor to show up. She had no idea where she had disappeared to. She didn't want the younger angel to return to a completely empty ballroom, now did she? She lowered her eyes to the floor and shook her head. Where the heck was she?

"Pssst" she heard by the door. Elvira looked up and a smile lit up her face as she caught Honor by the door motioning for her to come join her on the balcony with everyone else.

"What are you doing?" Elvira said, "we're supposed to keep a low profile. Be as quiet as possible and no materializing, remember?"

Honor shook her head. "I think that Mike forgot the arrangement he made with the King and Queen. We are supposed to materialize as Ladies in Waiting to Rapunzel."

Elvira frowned. "And who the heck told you that? The last thing I heard…"

Honor smiled and pointed. "You're going to have to do something anyway, Elvira. I can feel it."

Elvira shook her head. "No. We're under orders. I'll watch and wait and we'll use our discretion when the time comes. You got it?"

Honor smiled and pulled her out the open back doors. This led out to a small garden and one of the two balconies. Honor pointed to the 10 bachelors who were now grouped in a circle around the King and Queen.

"Well," Elvira nodded. "It looks as though the King won't be making his announcement after all."

She saw Honor smile in her direction and she smiled back. Then her eyes wandered around the balcony for Eugene and Rapunzel.

She found the two of them alright, they were off by themselves in the darkness, but it also appeared someone was with them. It was someone who had a strong resemblance to Eugene Fitzherbert and could easily pass for his double.

And the two of them were involved in a heated argument, although Elvira and Honor could hardly hear what they were saying.

"Let's get up a bit closer," Honor encouraged as she grabbed Elvira by the arm. "You might not have to materialize after all."

XXXXXX

"Who the heck do you think you are, Rider, butting in like this. She belongs to me now; we just need the King and Queen to confirm it."

Rider smiled and shook his head. "You've got that wrong, Fitz, very wrong."

"I've wanted to meet her all my life and now that I finally…"

"Finally what?" Rider asked, looking in Rapunzel's direction. "I've got plans, FItz, I know what I have to do. It's all up here." He patted his head. "You know, the brain? Now why don't you listen to me and let her go before someone gets hurt."

Eugene smiled. "And who do you plan to hurt, Rider? You've never killed anyone in your life, have you? You're harmless like me. You'd never hurt a fly, you don't know how."

Rider shook his head and pulled a knife from his belt and brandished it at Eugene. "Let her go or else I swear I'll use it."

Eugene smiled and made a move for the knife, but stopped in mid movement. He looked around when he noticed that everything was dead quiet.

"Hand her over, Fitz," Rider said again, moving closer, still threatening him with the knife.

Eugene shook his head and took one look around. Every eye was on him and Eugene, even the Guards and even….

"Elvira," he whispered as she materialized before him. It was very very brief as if she was trying to tell him or show him something. He looked toward the King and Queen who were also staring straight at him.

As if on cue, the chapel bell inside the castle began to peal. It was almost 12 am.

One second passed by.

Eugene sighed and turned his attention toward Flynn Rider.

Then another.

"Alright," he said. "You want her, take her. She's all yours."

Now it was three.

Rider stared at him. "What?"

Four bells

"I told you to take her, Rider. She's all yours with my blessing."

Five

Rider smiled. He couldn't believe it. It was now his turn to look around the balcony.

Six.

He stared over at the King and Queen who just stared back at him without a movement or a response.

Seven.

He looked around the balcony again. Everyone was awaiting the outcome of this.

Eight.

Rider couldn't believe his luck. He turned his gaze toward Rapunzel.

Nine.

He held his hand out for her to take into her own.

Ten.

Rapunzel stared at Eugene, a look of confusion on her face, her green eyes wide with fear.

Eleven.

Eugene just smiled and grabbed Rapunzel's hand and placed it in Rider's.

Twelve.

It was done.

She was his now, to do with what he wanted. It was a cinch. He touched her and nothing happened. There was no curse, it was gone. The throne was his. Rider felt every bone in his body tingle. He shivered with excitement as he held their hands up in the air in triumph.