A.N. Hi everyone. Yes, another chapter! Finally, right :) I'm sorry it took so long, and I'm sorry it's so short. But I was trying to take everyone's advice to heart about shorter chapters and plus I can promise the next chapter will be up within the next few days. I've been busy with school but work is easing up. Anyway, I like this chapter even though nothing really happens in it. It was supposed to be much longer, but I cut in half for your liking.

Thank you to all my reviewers, you've all been so extremely inspiring. xbecbebex, The139Blossom, NikkyPickles, RadosianStar, mo, PrincessShahrazad, mommypenguinhd, AtlantisGirl12, Hanging on a thread, lana-bear, ArwenEvenstar

And now to the chapter:

Chapter Four:

Rapunzel stood in the cool mid-afternoon air, a slight chill coursing through her veins as a breeze rustled past, her skirt billowing out, lifting up. She brought down a restraining hand, holding it down. As the wind ruffled her hair, she could not help but remember her once long, golden locks. They had offered far more warmth than these tiny strands that barely reached the nape of her neck. Last night, standing before a mirror, she had gleaned, for the first time really, her new hairdo, and it had disturbed to see the uneven cut, the frayed ends. But while it had sent waves of nauseated shock rippling through, it had also given rise to more pleased feelings of knowing that this would always belong to Eugene.

Thinking of him made her heart pang in ache. She had not seen him since the night before when his death sentence had been revoked. Whispers about the castle said that the king and queen had been far too lenient, but they did not know what he had done to deserve such a pardon, and chances were they never would.

She missed him sorely, and while she was certain that he was safe somewhere within the castle, a tiny part of her could not help but fear that he'd gotten himself in trouble.

"Are you alright, darling?"

Rapunzel nodded silently as her mother appeared behind her in the frame of the door separating her balcony from her bedroom. She could not bring herself to say anything.

"Rapunzel?"

"I'm fine," she piped up, not wanting to concern her mother. Her voice was not nearly as strong as it should have been, or as convincing, but the pleading in her eyes were and the queen did not question her further.

"It's time."

Flanked on either side by her parents, Rapunzel was seconds away from being introduced, or re-introduced, to the Coronan people. She was dreadfully nervous to step out before them, which only made her wish that much harder for Eugene to be by her side.

The entire morning had been spent cleaning her up. Never before had she taken such a warm bath as she had that day, not to mention how ridiculously easy it had been to clean her now short hair. She had also been measured and fitted for new clothes by the royal seamstress, a rather kind woman named Diana. A mother of three, she had soft, grey hair and wrinkles that rivalled even Gothel's. But she was nothing like that woman, with her faded blue eyes and sweet smile and calling her "Chestnut" as if she had known Rapunzel all her life.

"I was the midwife that delivered you," she had admitted while tying rope around Rapunzel's figure and taking notes on a paper to her left, "You were the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen, even more so than my own. But don't tell them that."

Already, Rapunzel felt a deep affection towards Diana, and looked forward to getting to know her better.

Rocking gently on her feet, the anxiety in her heart rose to a fever pitch as Vincent stepped forward. "We're ready when you are, your majesties?"

"Thank you, Vincent. Rapunzel?"

She glanced up at her father. He was beaming, his face radiating with pride. All this happiness, all this joy was directly linked to her. To know that was not nearly as painful as feeling as she had when Eugene's life was in her hands, but it still felt like a heavy load weighing down on her shoulders "Okay," she managed to breathe, "I'm ready." It was now or never, and if she continued to postpone this moment, the sensation of trepidation would only worsens.

Her mother's hand wrapped gently around hers. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

Rapunzel knew she was right, but something inside of her was forcing her to fearfully consider the chance that the people would not accept her as readily as her parents had, that they would not see what the king and queen had seen.

And then the doors opened.

And loud cheers erupted.

Rapunzel stepped into the dying light, her silver shoes clacking against the floor. It felt weird to wear shoes – she must preferred to feel the ground she walked on – and she wobbled ever so slightly. With a steadying hand, the king held her up, preventing any possibly disaster. Gripping to him, she finally found a stride and managed to stay aloft. But this was the least of her problems.

Her new violet dress was tight around her bust, and she felt her breath catch as they reached the edge of the platform. The street was full of people, crowded together, yelling and screaming and clapping. She'd never seen so many humans in one place and staring at the group waving for her attention, a feeling of overwhelming rushed over her. She glanced through the face, but to take them all in only furthered her distress as dizziness came crashing down.

"Rapunzel!"

A singled voice shouted from among the hundred standing there, sending her heart into a beating frenzy. Desperately, she began to scan the crowd again, trying to see his face among the many.

"Rapunzel!" This time the voice was not one, but many calling out over the frantic shouts. Grinning widely, she looked to her right and as a sense of ease sunk in, she allowed herself to laugh.

Near the very back of the crowd, she finally saw him, standing tall, her Eugene. He was waving at her frantically, a huge grin curving the tips of his lips. And he was not alone. All around him stood the Snuggly Duckling thugs. They too were waving vigorously, laughing and smiling as she took notice of them.

How could she have missed them before? She waved back at them and they cheered excitedly. Vlad towered above everyone else and with a single hand, plucked Eugene off the ground as if he weighed nothing and placed him on his shoulders.

Her mother was giggling beside her too while her father tried hard to hold back the smirk wanting to spread across his stern features. His eyes focused on the group, exasperated, but Rapunzel knew that he was enjoying just as much as she was. And soon the entire kingdom was turning to stare at what and who had captured the princess's gaze.

Eugene smiled sceptically from where he stood perched rather precariously on Vlad's broad shoulders. He felt like an idiot, but seeing the relaxed look in Rapunzel's eyes made it worth looking the fool. The look of anxiety that had previously held claimed to her face had made him realize that she needed some form of relief. It was lucky he had been there to offer something. He almost hadn't.

That morning he rose early to a pounding dread as he realized he'd forgotten all about the thugs who had so generously rescued him the night before. Not having time to find a clean shirt, he was forced to don his stained vest and shirt. Ignoring the feel of caked blood on his skin, he rushed to the prison, hoping that freeing them would not take the whole morning. He was already missing Rapunzel and longed to see her before the evening's events. A smaller complex unattached to the palace, the prison was a square building with an open courtyard for public executions in the middle. Leaving the castle, he was met by two guards who hastily pointed their swords in his directions. He jumped in fright.

"Woah guys. Easy." Eugene gazed warily at the sharp points, "I'm just going for a walk."

Sliding their swords back into their sheaths, they did not relax, their eyes scrutinizing him carefully. "And where exactly are you walking to, Rider?"

"As much as I appreciate your concern, I don't require your assistance as an escort. I'm a big boy."

"That's not how King Phillip sees it," the taller of the two said, his expression stern and aggravated, "We've been specifically requested to watch your step. He doesn't trust you."

"With good reason," the other one muttered under his breath, echoing Eugene's own thoughts.

Sighing heavily, he relented to the fact that the king was taking every precaution to make sure he didn't mess up. Not the best situation. He was resolved to his predicament, even if it put a huge dent in his plan. "So, umm, fantastic. It'll be good to have some company. But let's just say I was headed to the prison, which is right across the way, let's just say for example, would it be necessary to have an armed escort for such short a distance?"

The two guards shared a glance before the shorter one began to speak. "What business do you have in the keep, Rider?"

"Just…visiting," Eugene scampered around the response.

Neither were impressed by his vagueness. "Who exactly are you visiting?"

"You know, maybe you should accompany me so I won't have to stand through the same questioning when I get there."

"You're not going there, not without direct permission for the king."

Eugene stared at Tall Guy incredulously, "Then what was the point of questioning me?"

"Curiously," he replied nonchalantly.

"It killed the cat. Ever hear that?" It was all Eugene could do to not learn forward and strangle the life out of the guard. They'd wasted his time with their stupid wonderings. Bored idiots. "I can't wait for the king. I have friends who have been wrongfully arrested."

"Who? The Stabbington Brothers? You didn't seem so friendly with them last time."

Eugene cringed. "No." The mere sound of their name was enough to fill him with a sense of disgust. Rapunzel had told him all about the terrible twosome and how they'd tried to capture her, intent on selling her to the highest bidder. And to think he had tried to make amends with those monsters.

"The guys who tried to break you free yesterday, then?"

"The guys who broke me free yesterday. In case you didn't notice…they were successful," Eugene corrected Shorty, annoyed by their persistent questions, "And yes."

"We haven't heard any news of their release if that's what you're set on, and they won't be…"

"…they only broke me out so I could save Rapunzel," Eugene interrupted.

Shorty ignored his comment, though he did glower at him, "…unless the king approve it."

"But they…"

"I don't make the rules, Rider. I only abide by and enforce them. If you really want to see them, you'll have to wait."

And wait he did. For two hours. He waited while the king attended to other duties. And then he waited another two hours while the king sat through a meeting with his advisors. And then another hour he waited as the king prepared for the night's events. Five hours in total he spent waiting alone, longing for Rapunzel, hating how time ticked by with slow precision. Five intolerable hours he sat around, people passing, staring at him as if he was a pariah, hurrying to the opposite side of the corridors as they tried to avoid coming to close to him. And then finally, he was granted an audience with his royal majesty.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Fitzherbert?" The king seemed far friendlier than he had yesterday, which encourage Eugene's quest.

"I should have mentioned this yesterday, but when I escaped…earlier yesterday, there were about 12 guys who helped me…"

The king nodded knowingly. "Yes. The…umm…what did they call themselves. The Fluffy Bunnies.."

"The Snuggly Duckling thugs," Eugene corrected him, struggling to keep a straight face. He would definitely be able to do some major teasing now.

"Yes. Fine lads. What about them?"

"Well…wait. You met them?" Eugene paused as this particular fact echoed uneasily in his mind. When would the king have met with them? Did he often frequent the Snuggly Duckling? His inability to remember their name would say otherwise.

"Early this morning, when I went to release them. Rapunzel was quite insistent when she learned that they were behind bars."

Eugene failed to find words as the king's statement jumbled his thoughts, leaving him thoroughly confused and uncertain. "They were released?" He faltered again. "This morning?" And then the truth hit him. Hard. "Those lousy bastards."

King Phillip did not need to hear any more to surmise why the young boy was upset. While not impressed with his language, he chose not to comment on it, instead showing his displeasure with a deep frown. "You will find that the guards are not too keen to know that you have escaped punishment. They will torment you with every chance they get."

He did not doubt the king's words. They rang true with annoying persistence. If the guards were set on destroying him, he would have to be incredibly careful to watch where he trod from now on. It was that or watch them lead him down to destruction.

After this less than encouraging discussion with the king, Eugene set on the task of locating the thugs. Glad to know that they'd been allowed to leave, he still felt a debt owed to them. And if they had indeed been released this morning, there was no doubt that they had already reached the Snuggly Duckling. Taking in stride the amount of time he had before Rapunzel's introduction in the late afternoon, he went looking for the one person he could count on getting him there and back in record time. And this one person was not a person at all.

Maximus was being carefully groomed when Eugene burst into the stable, intent on shanghaiing the white steed into aiding him. The stable boy, a lad by the name of Gill, jumped in surprise at the sight of a man he knew to be Flynn Rider, a man who had already caused him injury a few years back.

Grabbing a pitchfork, he brandished it threateningly, trying to look stronger and braver than his sixteen years. "Stay back! I'm warning you." Apparently, Gill had yet to hear the news of Flynn's daring rescue of the lost princess and was instead focusing on the prize that awaited Rider's capture. "I'm not afraid to use this."

Eugene took a step back, half amused, half worried with the boy's extreme enthusiasm and gusto. Glancing warily at the sharp prongs pointing in his direction, he tried not to imagine the possibility of them impaling him to the barn wall. "Take it easy, Gill. I'm not going to hurt you."

"That's what you said last time," Gill hissed, lashing out with sudden ire, "And look what happened."

What had happened was something that still played out clearly in Eugene's mind. He'd enlisted Gill's help in stealing a most precious necklace from a stand in the town square. The merchant was a particularly brutish man whose name most had forgotten in favour of Sir Hits-a-Lot. Of course, no one ever would ever say it in his face, opting to call him simply 'Sir' when dealing with his ill-temper. In any case, he's already been duped out of a hefty pay check, no thanks to Flynn Rider, and Flynn had known better than to hit the same stand twice in the same lifetime without a decent plan and a good reason. He had both.

Gill was as good enough a scapegoat as any. Latest apprentice to the stable master, the wage was hardly enough to support the starving family he had at home. One offer from Flynn was enough to convince him that stealing the necklace would bring him money and fast. The scheme was simple enough too: Gill would manoeuver in through the crowd milling around and cause a diversion. With everyone's attention diverted he would snatch up the necklace and return it to Flynn. And then they would pawn it off for big bucks, a healthy sum they could split straight down the middle. That's the plan Flynn set before Gill, and it worked like clockwork, so seamlessly that even Flynn could not believe his good fortune. With the necklace in his hand, he'd felt an overwhelming sense of success. And then he'd ran, leaving Gill looking temporarily stunned as Sir-Hits-a-Lot released a strangled cry of despair.

"He beat me," Gill almost sobbed, his thin frame trembling furiously, "Someone saw me run off and he beat me. I almost lost this job because of you. We had a deal. I bet you never even meant to keep it."

Eugene cringed in the fresh recollection of that day, that seemingly ordinary day. It had been anything but ordinary. In fact, it had been life altering. Flynn Rider had left behind a younger boy that day, not knowing the repercussions he would face, not caring. For the first time, he had manipulated someone else for his own gains, had left them to take the blame. That was the day it all changed; the day Flynn Rider repressed Eugene Fitzherbert, keeping him at bay. Well retribution day was finally here. Gill would and should be his first attempt to make amends.

"I'm really sorry…"

"Save it Rider." Gill's voice was growing in strength as anger raged through him. Even the glint in his eyes seemed more deadly as he too relived the memories of that day when the blows had fallen upon his head and his body, covering him in bruises and blood. That had been a day of transformation for him too, the day he'd gone from boy to man. "I don't want your shallow apologies. You've had three years to make it right. Now it's too late. All I want is revenge."

Eugene could not ignore the throbbing warning in his mind, forcing him to consider that the kid's wrath would lead him to do something stupid and rash. "Okay. Let's just calm down." But these words were not the ones Gill had wanted to hear and with a sudden roar, he reared back and launched the pitchfork in Eugene's direction.

Time seemed to slow as those three prongs glided towards Eugene. If he'd frozen for even a split second there was a chance that he would have become a human shish kabob. But, as it were, Flynn's super rapid instincts set in and Eugene managed to duck just in time to save himself from the weapon's vengeance. Passing over him, it grazed harmlessly against the tips of his hair before embedding itself in the spot where his neck had been only seconds before.

For a split second, he allowed himself to be impressed with Gill's accurate aim. And then he glanced upwards to face the now unarmed stable boy.

Needless to say, Gill was not nearly as confident as he had been when brandishing his weapon. He cowered slightly as Eugene stood up tall and unfazed. "Stay back, Rider. I mean it." But even his voice lacked the strength to make a fair threat. He was powerless.

"You could have killed me. Do you really want to be a killer?"

"I wanted revenge."

"Understandably," Eugene sighed as he sank onto a bale of hay, momentarily forgetting about the Thugs, "You're not alone." He cast his eyes downwards, hoping to play the victim card, hoping to ease Gill's mind. Flynn has been the master of deception, but Eugene was having a rather difficult time pulling this one off. It wasn't that he wasn't sorry for what he'd done, but he no longer felt comfortable with the idea of pretending to be the wounded party when it was all too obvious he wasn't.

But it was working. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Gill's resolve breaking as he too sat down beside Max. the horse had been particularly unhelpful so far, remaining silent, though Eugene was almost certain he'd heard him neigh in despair when Gill had flung the pitchfork. Now, he was carefully watching the two, his eyes warily focused on Gill, just in case.

"I don't want to kill you," Gill final spoke, "I'm furious with you, I am. It's just…you almost cost me my job and my life." The soft tone in Gill's voice disappeared suddenly, "But look here, Rider. I can't let you get away with stealing from here. You're going in."

Eugene glanced up quickly. "I appreciate you wanting to serve justice, but the honest truth is, I've already been granted pardon for my crimes."

"And I suppose you also found the lost princess, "Gill taunted, the disbelief on his face evident, the irony of his wording so amusing.

"Actually, I did. Just ask Max, if you don't believe me?" he added upon gleaning the reproachful look in Gill's eyes.

He turned expectantly to the horse, but Maximus was shaking his head. "Oh come on!" Eugene groaned at Max's unwillingness to help. "This is hardly the time for you to be stubborn."

It took a few more minutes of begging Max and silently promising him a bag of apples before the horse finally conceded. Drawing an x across his heart, he nodded excitedly in concurrence with Eugene's insistence that he's saved the princess and by extension himself.

Gill just shook his head. "And you expect me to believe a horse?"

Max glared at the boy as if to say 'I'm not just any horse.'

"He's the horse of the guards, he's been chasing me for years. I don't think he'd lie about me being forgiven, do you?"

After a few seconds of pensively considering Eugene's words, Gill relented rather hesitantly. He allowed Eugene to clamber aboard the large horse, settling on his broad back with a distrusting scowl still splashed across his face.

"I really am sorry, Gill. I hope in time I can make it up to you." Eugene felt compelled to say something at the disheartened look on the boy's face.

But Flynn's words meant nothing to Gill. "Just tell me how much the necklace went for. What did you con me out of?"

Eugene paused. The truth was too difficult to face, and he knew that Gill would not readily believe in it. "I got nothing for it. I never sold it."

As he'd predicted, Gill's furrow deepened distressingly. "I deserve the truth, not your ill-composed lies." Without another word, he turned his back on Eugene, bringing a close to their conversation.

Galloping off, Eugene considered people and their undying ability to misjudge him. Rapunzel hadn't, but she'd been a novelty. Gill might not believe him, but what he said was true. He'd never received anything for the necklace. He hadn't even tried to sell it, had never intended to. That necklace had gone to her and she'd broken his heart.

The rest of his mission had been quite uneventful, ending with Eugene successfully finding and apologizing to the thugs. They teased him horribly as he tried to convince them to go see Rapunzel, making kissing sounds like the childish folk they were.

"She could use some familiar faces," he insisted excitedly and finally they agreed.

And so here they were, like a couple of lunatics, waving down the princess's attention. It really was only then that Eugene realized the downside of this distraction, only when a whisper echoed from the man beside him.

"Rider?"

The stout old man with greying hair and narrowed eyes did not seem remotely pleased to recognize the grinning face bouncing up and down. As Eugene heard his name, his heart dropped in fear. Tearing his gaze from Rapunzel's beaming face, he turned to face his accuser. There was a spark of familiarity there, though he could not quite name the man.

"It is him! It's Flynn Rider!" the man's voice raised loud above the crowd as he was filled with certainty.

At that moment, all focus on celebrating the princess's return was forsaken in favour of shouted cries of anger. As a mob, the crowd began to pick up the cry, echoing the name 'Flynn Rider' as if it they were cursed words, their voices echoing out in the courtyard.

From Eugene's perspective, he had to admit that he alone was the problem in this situation. But taking the blame would bot ease the predicament nor sombre the crowd of people who's been privy to his less than goodly mannerisms.

Through the cries of 'Rider' and 'thief', he was fairly certain he head the name 'Eugene' called out, but, if he did, it was only for a second. It was far too faint to survive among the jeering noises of the group and was quick to die on the gathering wind. But it was enough for him to return his attention to the balcony where Rapunzel stood, gripping tightly on the railing, her eyes wide in concern. The queen seemed an exact duplicate of her daughter, her face pulled back in motherly worry. Even the king seemed anxious, but his trepidation seemed far less salient than the disappointment glaring in his eyes.

"I didn't do anything wrong," Eugene wanted to shout, "Just trying to calm down the princess." But he held his tongue as he was taken off Vlad's shoulders and place in a protective circle of Snuggly Duckling thugs.

"Can't seem to stay out of trouble, Rider," Hook Hand grumbled.

Eugene tried to laugh, but he failed miserably as the sound choked in his throat, stuck on the fact that he'd messed up…again. Poor Rapunzel. She was supposed to be celebrating this moment, not watching the crowd of people jump at him.

"Make room!"

The voice that suddenly blasted through the mumbled protests was unfortunately familiar. Peering through the human barricade separating him from his multiple victims, he could just make out the feathered helmets of the guard peeking over the heads of the populous, forming a line towards him.

"Come out Rider!" Vincent burst into view, shoving aside the people in the crowd. Reaching for his sword, he drew it, pointing it threateningly at the thugs. If he was the least bit troubled with the massive difference in size and structure, he did not show it. "You've nowhere to run."

What. The. Hell.

The rest of Corona's finest were doing their best to force the crowd back, while the thugs braced themselves against the captain. Was he serious? It took far too long for Eugene's mind to understand what exactly was happening. It was all supposed to be a show, an act to put people's minds at ease. They were going to arrest him again, hold him prisoner and drag him away while the crowd cheered on. Sure, it was a good plan, but it was nonetheless unsettling.

How Vincent must love this. As he forced his way through the thugs, he didn't even try to hide the grin on his face. "Come on, Rider." Grabbing a pair of handcuffs, he shut them tight around Eugene's wrists. "Let's make this look authentic," he lowered his voice, making sure no one else could hear, before shoving him forward. "Take him away!"

As Eugene was dragged away, the crowd released a loud roar of pleasure. They tried to barrel in on him, some even attempting to kick him as he passed. A loose wattle of spit splashed against his cheek. Was it really possible that this many people hated him, that so many were calling for his death? This whole demonstration of him being a thief would definitely not help the whole 'let's make amends plan'. But how was he to protest the point as he was forcefully led past the balcony.

Turning to face it, he caught a glimpse of Rapunzel's red face. She'd seen everything no doubt. Before she could have easily pretended that he was over exaggerating, but now, she couldn't deny the hatred people felt for him. God, he was an idiot.

A few more feet and then they reached a door. Pushed through it, he nearly fell over.

"Was that really necessary?" he growled as Vincent freed him from his bonds.

"What were you thinking? Was that your idea of keeping a low profile?"

Eugene rubbed his chaffed wrists, hating the ugly red welts forming on his hands. "She needed to smile."

"You made her cry," Vincent shot back angrily. He took it as a personal insult, a fact that seemed strange to Eugene. But he couldn't possibly understand the connection the captain felt for the young girl. He'd dedicated eighteen years of his life to protecting her. Now, he would dedicate as many more as he could to keeping her safe.

"I didn't mean to."

"Still," Vincent sighed, "The King wants to see you immediately."

"Perfect."

A.N. So what did you think? I was looking a little more into Eugene's past. I promise you'll get even more after. Please leave a review to let me know what you think (comment, constructive criticism, suggestions, questions). Anything, everything.

Love you all so much,

Faith 3