An entire day passed uneventfully. Eugene was constantly watching and listening for Hans and his men, but no one passed the base of the North Mountain. The cold persisted, forcing Eugene and Rapunzel to make a quick trip to the inn and back for some firewood and food. Though they were nervous about the trip, they got through it unscathed and unnoticed.
It happened in the middle of the night. Distant shouting. Eugene woke himself out of a sleepy stupor and jumped to his feet. He swayed where he stood, having had no sleep in two days due to his role as lookout. Rapunzel had urged him to get some sleep or let her watch, but he had refused both. He was her husband and he was going to protect her.
Eugene rushed to Rapunzel, curled up under two cloaks on the single bed in the corner of the shed. He shook her shoulder gently, and her eyes slowly blinked open.
"There are people over the rise. Could be Hans. I'm going to check it out."
"I'm coming with you," she muttered, pushing herself up.
"No. Stay here and bar the door. There are plenty of weapons around here if you need them. If it's Hans out there, I don't want you anywhere near him." He looked at her seriously, knowing her tendency to do reckless things in order to help him. "Okay?"
She sighed, clearly unhappy. "Okay. Be safe." She leaned forward and kissed him for a long moment, and Eugene sensed the meaning behind it. In case you don't come back.
"I'll be back," he said softly as he pulled away. "I promise." In an attempt to lighten the mood he rolled his eyes as he stood up. "You worry too much, blondie."
He reached down to grab the wooden handle of an axe from the pile of random objects on the floor, but saw something underneath it that grabbed his attention.
"Would you look at that?" he said as he tugged on the black metal handle protruding from the mess. The large frying pan pulled loose, its surface dented in several places, though still good for the purpose he had in mind.
"Ha!" Eugene flipped it in his hand and smiled. "This might come in handy." He looked back at Rapunzel one last time. "I'll be back soon."
And with that, he walked out of the shack and into the freezing cold.