Well, I guess you guys reacted as I thought you would. But still, I know you guys are reading out there and my day would be complete if you left at least one review telling me how you liked it or didn't like it. It would be very much appreciated if I could get just a little feedback from at least one of you out there.

I'll continue with the Runaway Princess later tonight. I decided to put this one up first. .

Chapter 1

From the Tales of Flynnagan Rider

In the Manner of Growing Up

It is no secret that I was born to privilege. Being the only boy in the family, things were simple enough. Let me introduce you: my parents, Chloe and Richard Rider, My birth name is Thomas. Boring, right? We had everything and anything that we asked for and more. We lived in a small manor house, but it could fit an entire household. The house had a great view and I could see the castle on one side and Tower Falls on the other. The only trouble was I didn't feel comfortable. I wanted out. I needed to experience life on my own, be my own man so to speak even though I was still a boy. I wanted to see all Four Kingdoms and beyond. So, on my 18th birthday, I tied a few sheets together, strung them out over my bedroom window and climbed down. I left a note telling my folks that I'd see them when I'd see them and disappeared, never once looking back.

XXXX

"Whatcha reading?" Rapunzel asked as she sat down next to the boy. "And how come you're back here and not at the party."

"I'm too young for the party, according to my parents anyway," Eugene said, closing the book.

"What do you mean too young, Eugene. You're almost 15 years old."

"And you, young lady, are still a baby."

Rapunzel frowned. 'What do you mean a baby? I'll be 10 next year." She read off the books title. "The Tales of Flynnagan Rider." She looked up and smiled. "What's that about anyway?"

Eugene smiled. "I thought you were a heavy reader, Princess. You never heard of this book?"

"Well," she said, "Fairy stories don't interest me."

"Fairy stories? Flynnagan Rider is an adventurer. He sails out to find riches, charms beautiful woman and has all the money in the world. He's got everything and I want to be just like him."

"Aren't you already like him?" Rapunzel smiled, making Eugene blush. Alright, maybe she wasn't a baby. She seemed far more grownup then her ten years.

"Right now, the only things that Flynnagan Rider and I have in common are the bucks, cutie pie. That's it."

"And the money is still not all yours, Eugene Fitzherbert."

"Not now, Punzie, but it will be someday. All of this."

"Is this what you want?"'

"What else would I want? My future is all sewn up. The closest thing I'll ever get to Flynn Rider is the name of the company."

"Rapunzel," a female voice called out. "Where are you? I'm back and I have some surprises for you."

Eugene laughed. "Is that your mother?"

Rapunzel picked herself up. "Were you expecting anyone else? She just wants to keep me around her. Besides, I shouldn't really be at this party. I'm way too young."

"Is that what she tells you?"

Rapunzel nodded. "I don't know why she keeps me locked up in that tower."

"It's a house, it just happens to be on top of hill. There's nothing wrong.."

"RAPUNZEL,"

Greta Gothel was standing there, her foot tapping. "Let's go, dear, time for dinner."

She looked over at Eugene. "See you later." Greta grabbed her hand and practically dragged her across the courtyard.

"You know, Rapunzel, that Mr. and Mrs. Fitzherbert don't like to see their son hanging around with the daughter of a servant."

Rapunzel frowned. "Mother, you know it's not like that. Those days are.."

"Listen to me, Rapunzel. You have no future with that boy. He's already been spoken for. His parents arranged his marriage a long time ago."

She reached the guest house and opened up the front screen door. She shooed Rapunzel in.

She took a last look at Eugene before her mother let the door slam.

XXXXX

Eugene smiled as he watched Greta pull her away. She was cute and mature for all of her ten years. He had always liked her, just as a friend, she was far too young to be anything else. His parents adored her, thought she was the cutest brown haired green eyed girl they'd ever seen, but that's where it ended. Servant's children and wealthy children do not mix. He couldn't even look at her without some comment from his parents.

Besides, he was already engaged to a beautiful girl, a beautiful girl who had a slight resemblance to Rapunzel, just she was two years older. The only trouble is, he didn't want Donna, she was someone his parents had forced him into marrying when the time was right.

"Eugene," he heard his mother call and sat up, closing the book. His parents wanted him to grow up, but right now he figured he'd have time. He wouldn't let his parents take his dreams away from him, they had done that before. He wanted to be free of all this, but right now he lived under their roof and had to do what they wanted.

Someday, he thought, someday.

"Coming, Mother,"