Hello again, my dear readers! I should have had this up days ago, but I lost inspiration when I found out I couldn't take my senior trip to Disney World that I've been planning for a year now. BUT, I got over it, somewhat, I might say, when I found out that I have officially lost one hundred pounds since my gastric bypass on January 20, 2011. So to make up for it, I have given you my longest chapter yet! Huzzah!

So, as you recall, I did the little name game thing at the end of the last chapter. As for the last name, I got two votes for a last name, one against it. And as far as the first name of our little villain, I had sunnyprincessbird guess the right play, and Amy aka Luke guessed the play and give me a list of four names that included the name of our dear villain. Just so you know, the play was A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Now that that tangent is done, on with the story. :) Here is chapter four, Around Town.

Disclaimer: I don't own Tangled, but I am watching the movie right now… I've got a dream, I've got a dream…

Chapter Four

Around Town

Rapunzel dragged Eugene down the hall to bring him outside the castle doors. She tugged his hand as she ran in front of him, practically emanating exuberance.

Eugene glanced down at her feet, acknowledging that she was still without shoes. A grin swept across his face as he came up behind her and swept his arm under her legs, lifting her up and cradling her.

Rapunzel let out a short squeal of terror. "Eugene, no! Stop! What on earth are you doing?" Her large, curious green eyes meeting his, dark, brown, and mischievous.

"Well, I can't let the Princess hurt her feet, now can I?" He lightly tapped her nose, earning a giggle.

"Eugene, I'm sure you recall that I spent three days in a forest, a pub, and around the kingdom wearing absolutely nothing on my feet." She gave him a dazzling triumphant look.

"Yes, I do in fact recall, I just needed an excuse to do this." He began to twirl around, Rapunzel's grip on him tightening as she began to giggle. After a few moments, he stopped and pressed his forehead to hers.

"Let me down," she whispered, never breaking eye contact with him.

"If you wish, fair maiden." He set her feet down on the ground, but kept his arms around her abdomen as they continued to walk. Rapunzel looked up at him, slight confusion etched across her face. "What, I said I'd let you down, not let you go."

"Eugene…" she whined playfully.

"Fine, fine!" He threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Have it your way." He moved away from her and crossed his arms.

Rapunzel glanced at him skeptically before holding her hand out to him, which he took without a moment's hesitation. They both chucked softly.

"Hey, Rapunzel?"

"Hmm?"

"Have I told you lately that I love you so very much?" He looked at her, his love evident in his gaze.

"I love you more," she replied before she could stop herself. She had tried to convince herself that it was just an old habit and that it would go away eventually, but old habits did die hard.

Eugene didn't seem to notice her moment of inner turmoil. "I love you most. More than you could possibly imagine." He squeezed her hand gently and received a small in return.

By this time, they had managed to make their way to the castle gates and had entered into the bustling little town. They continued to stroll down the busy streets, stopping to greet everyone that bowed to the young princess. After a while, the townspeople started to wander off, leaving the young couple to themselves.

Eugene pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head before they continued their walk, neither really knowing where exactly they were headed.

Rapunzel leaned her head against Eugene's shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Eugene?"

"Yeah, Blondie?" He knew all too well that her hair wasn't blonde anymore. He had kind of made sure of that himself. Since then, it had become more of a 'term of endearment,' as he liked to call it.

Rapunzel shook her head lightly. "Why do you insist on calling me that? You, of all people, I might add, should know that my hair isn't blonde anymore." She gave him a mock stern look.

"Well, I…" The ex-thief paused for a moment. Why did he insist on calling her by that old nickname? "I… I don't know. It just stuck, I guess. But, if you don't want me to, I can stop and-" he started to protest, but Rapunzel covered her mouth with her hand, bringing her face dangerously close to his.

"No," she said, biting her lip in deep thought. "I think I'd like to keep it," she said, a hint of flirting in her voice.

Eugene smiled, bringing his lips closer to her ear. "Well, then, I'd be happy to oblige, Blondie."

Rapunzel pressed her head against his, a giggle escaping her lips. She took his hand in hers and they continued on their little endeavor.

A few short moments later, they found themselves at the fountain. They sat down on the rim and watched as some of the guards supervised the adornment of the village with the golden sun and purple background that was characteristic of Corona.

Eugene was the first to break the quiet surrounding them. "So, Princess, I talked to your parents."

"About?" She glanced at him curiously.

"About tomorrow," he said slyly.

"Well, what about tomorrow?" Her eyes narrowed at his evasiveness.

"Well, I may or may not have convinced your parents to send the lanterns up again. For you. For your birthday." He turned to see her expression.

Rapunzel gasped. "Eugene!" She threw her arms around his neck, and he froze in utter shock for a second before he wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you. So much. You don't know how much this means to me," she whispered, nuzzling into his neck.

"I think I've got a pretty good idea," he chuckled. He laid his head gently over Rapunzel's, whose was now resting against his chest. They stayed like that for a while, Rapunzel listening to his heartbeat, Eugene listening to her occasional contented sighs.

Eugene didn't know how long they sat like that, but he was fairly certain that his love had dozed off. "Rapunzel?" he asked quietly while dragging a gentle finger down her cheek.

"Don't worry. I'm awake." She sat up enough to look up at him and smile. "So…"

"So… What do you want to do now?"

She shifted herself to sit with her back against his chest. "Well, as much as I'd be content to stay like this, I'd like to go and spend the day getting lost in fairytales."

"Ah, the library." He got up, pulling the petite girl with him. "After you, Your Highness."

Rapunzel rolled her eyes and pulled the young man along with her. When they entered the library, Rapunzel couldn't help but allow a huge look of awe grace her features as she looked at the huge amount of books surrounding her. She never ceased to be amazed by the library, even after a full year of knowing that it existed. She scanned the large room, completely oblivious to Eugene watching her intently, a mixture of love and fascination on his face as his eyes followed her every move. She met his gaze, a wide smile across her face as she dropped his hand to gather what was sure to be an armload of books.

He chuckled as he made his way to their favorite spot to read to wait for her. He sat down on the large window seat, looking at the bookshelves, trying to keep a quiet, but protective eye on her.

He really did love her. He knew with all his heart that this was true. He, or rather, the old him, Flynn Rider, had died for her, and Eugene Fitzherbert would just as soon do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving her. And tomorrow night, on her birthday…

He was cut off from his thoughts as Rapunzel dropped a ridiculously large pile of books on the seat beside him. She then proceeded to tuck herself against him , her back once again against his chest. She picked up the first book on her pile and waited for him to put his arms around her so her could hold out the book in front of them for the both of them to see.

Eugene allowed a slight grin to appear on his face. He was holding none other than his practical childhood almanac, The Tales of Flynnagan Rider.

Rapunzel turned her head to look at him. "Will you do the honors and read to me?" She put on a little pout that Eugene found unfathomably adorable.

"Oh, if you insist." He gently kissed her nose before she turned around, wiggling to get herself comfy. He opened the book, holding it out to where they both could see. "The Tales of Flynnagan Rider." He flipped the page quietly. "Once upon a time, there was a rich and wealthy man, and his name was-"

"Flynnagan Rider," Rapunzel finished for him.

Eugene let out a deep chuckle before he continued his story. After roughly a half hour, they had finished the story, and Rapunzel took it from him, gingerly starting a new stack before she took the next book off of the original pile and handing it to him. They continued much in the same way for a multitude of books, reading until the sun was well on its journey to the western horizon. That was when Eugene noticed that his beloved was sleeping soundly against him. He set the book down before carefully scooping her up into his arms, standing up quietly.

He looked at the librarian, silently apologizing for leaving the books, but she only smiled, shook her head, and motioned for him to go on. So he headed for the castle, Rapunzel resting with her head against his chest, snoring ever so gently. This was how she remained as he traversed back up to the castle's grandiose front doors. That was how she remained when he stopped to let her parents softly kiss her goodnight.

He walked past his bedroom to hers and strode to the bed, gently laying her down. He pulled the covers up to her neck and gently kissed her forehead before he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, removed her crown, and bade her a murmured goodnight, before he, too, collapsed onto his bed, sleep quickly overcoming him.

So, it appears that Eugene has something planned for Rapunzel… Any guesses? Yes, no? Maybe so? Anyways, leave me a little review and I will give you cookies! Special cookies. Magic golden cookies. That only exist in your mind. OOOOOOOO… Yeah, I'm a little bit loopy, I was rough on sleep last night.

Seriously, review and make my day, and I promise I will have the next chapter up before next Sunday. :) And if you want, you can still make guesses about our lovely little villain. More on him to come later!

EugeneLoverRapunzel