Chapter 9

Back in Perth, the Inn of the Seven Dwarves was busier than ever. The warm spell had cleared the roads just enough for traffic to move from village to village. News spread far and wide of two new innkeepers, Flo and Gene Fitzherbert, who were doing a bang up job attracting guests; Gene with his smooth style of dealing with customers and Flo with her attention to detail with cleaning and cooking. The inn became such a popular stop that there wasn't enough room to accommodate all the guests.

And so the Thugs got busy adding an extension to the inn. There were already seven added rooms to the barn, where a guest could still partake of the wonderful meals served morning, noon and night. Take away service was added as well. People from far and wide were known to visit Flo's kitchen for her absolutely marvelous brownies, cakes and pies.

And when she wasn't cooking, Flo painted. For the first time, colorful murals adorned the walls of the inn. There were scenes of snow covered trees, hills, lakes and forests. Flowers budding in the almost spring like air were depicted as well as the local wildlife.

And there were paintings as well that went on display along with the Pub Thugs wares. Craft shows once a month attracted a local following. Fang's puppet shows and Hookhand's show tunes and classical pieces kept the crowds entertained.

Amid all this popularity however, four months had gone by and there was no sign of Queen Greta or Flynn's former partners, the Stabbington brothers.

But the one thing they both knew was not to let their guard down. The Queen and her cronies were still alive and one day, they would be discovered. This fact consumed Eugene and it was all that Rapunzel could do to soothe his nerves, although she found that it was good therapy for both of them. They went for quiet walks and horseback rides whenever they found time to do so. Rapunzel loved her freedom away from the horrible tower that had imprisoned her for so long.

Life was prosperous and busy for both the Thugs and new innkeepers until one day three faces that they had forgotten about suddenly appeared at their doorstep.

The Seven Dwarves was well known before the arrival of the Ftizherberts, but somehow they were the ones who put it on the map. And so one night, Bastian told the twins that they were staying there for a night before moving onward.

As soon as they walked in, they were greeted with a variety of smells from the kitchen. It was Big Nose at the counter who walked asked if they needed any help. Flo was helping Lena in the kitchen and it was she who peeked out the swinging door.

Eugene was in the barn as usual tending to the horses and livestock. It was Greno who brought the new horses into the barn and handed them to Eugene.

"New arrivals," he told him, handing Eugene the reins. "We'll have to put them in here for the night, they can handle it."

Eugene nodded and accepted the horses, but not before noticing that they were indeed palace horses, all decked out with the Queen's symbol of the Golden Flower.

"Greno," he called out and the thug turned around.

"What did these men look like?"

Greno smiled. "Well, two are big and burly. One wears an eye patch and the other has long thick sideburns. The third is tall and slender, but muscular. He's built a lot like you are, Gene."

Eugene nodded and watched him leave. His worst nightmares had finally come true. They found them.

Eugene was going to have to one of two things. Dig up the disguises that the Fang and Killer created for them or leave in the dead of night.

He decided to listen to Rapunzel and grab those disguises. That of course was dependent on how long they stayed here.

XXXXXX

Rapunzel hurried to the barn. Of course, she had recognized Bastian first, but she had seen the other two before, probably those wanted posters alongside the notorious Flynn Rider. Both were missing and still wanted. Could it be coincidence that they both disappeared at the same time or was that rumors that were floating about?

In her arms were the disguises that Fang and Killer made. She had already applied her makeup so she wouldn't be recognized and placed a short dark brown wig on her head. A small bonnet covered her hair.

"Gene," she called into the cool darkness of the barn. "Gene, where are you?"

"Over here, Flo," Eugene answered, coming out of the shadows.

"They've arrived and Big Nose and Shorty are taking good care of them. They are so drunk now, they don't know their which end is up."

Eugene smiled. Shorty had his ways alright. "You have what we need?"

Rapunzel nodded and handed his over to him. They dressed quickly and admired each other with a smile.

Flo was a slightly pudgy woman with round red cheeks and Eugene suddenly developed a paunch. His cheeks were equally red and round.

The disguises were clever and they would work, especially for one night

Or so they hoped.

XXXXXXX

The three new arrivals were shown to their rooms by Eugene himself. He didn't have much to explain to them as Greno, Tor and Gunter helped guide them. They hadn't even been paying attention. The twins broke into a lighthearted song that Eugene was careful not to join in. The song was from his past, from the orphanage that he and the Stabbington boys grew up in.

The Thugs got them undressed and settled them into their pallets for their rest. It was already way past 2 in the morning and the boys would have a long sleep.

But Eugene could not rest, he was nervous as usual. Rapunzel came down the steps to join him in the common room where he now sat.

"We're going to have to leave," Eugene said, shaking his head. "There is no other way."

Rapunzel nodded. "Everything is packed, Eugene. The Thugs have made arrangements for us to be put up in the village. Once Bastian and the Stabbington boys are gone, we'll be able to come back here, but we must be careful. We'll have to leave now."

Eugene looked up and touched her cheek. "What if they ask for the innkeepers."

Rapunzel shook her head and smiled. "Everything is taken care of. They all wish us well. By the time they wake up we'll be gone."

"And what if they don't leave," Eugene said.

Rapunzel smiled. "That option has been taken of as well. I wouldn't even think twice about that one."

Eugene smiled. "Let's get a move on then."

They both stood up and headed for their horses. Eugene was confident that they wouldn't be any problems thanks to Rapunzel's calming and soothing words as usual.

The woman was amazing. Eugene knew that he couldn't have gotten this far without her.