A/N: I'm glad that you somewhat liked my addition of Eugene's mother. She will appear again, and I even have a name for her now. (yay!)

I know this chapter is on the short side too, but I really liked it and wanted to post it today. So there you go.

Many thanks to you all for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tangled

Chapter 12-The Return of the Big White Horse

"Flattery will get you everywhere."

-Common saying

Contrary to my own expectations, I actually slept quite well that night. I anticipated waking up often because I was sleeping in a new place, but I didn't. Instead of tossing and turning all night, I dreamed peacefully about a small brown-haired boy, and his beautiful mother (funny how that boy looked a lot like a young Eugene).

I slept so soundly that it was even more startling to be woken up by a loud screech: "AHHHH!"

Instantly alarmed, I jumped to my feet just in time to see a very nervous looking Eugene being dragged away by The Big White Horse. For a moment, I just stood there, stunned. This has to be the strangest horse that ever existed in the history of the world. I likely would have continued to stand there,(because seriously? Could there ever be another horse like that? Even you, dear listener, would have been flabbergasted by that horse), completely bewildered, but I heard Eugene pleading with The Big White Horse, and I knew I needed to help. So I quickly caught up with them, and began to pull Eugene away from the horse.

"Give (grunt) me (grunt) him (grunt) back!" I demanded as I tugged Eugene away from the horse with all my strength. It took quite a lot of effort (and I secretly thanked Mother for all the times I had to pull her up) but eventually I managed to free Eugene (well, all of him except one of his brown boots. The horse managed to hang on to that). Unfortunately, freeing him meant that we both flew away from the horse, and hit the ground hard. The wind was knocked out both of us for a minute. Ohhhhhh, that hurt.

Do you remember that I told you that this horse possessed tenacity in spades? Well, he wasn't about to give Eugene up, and began to charge at us once more. By that time, the breath had returned to my lungs, and I leaped up again. "Whoa! Whoa!" I said repeatedly in an attempt to both calm the horse and keep him away from Eugene. The Big White Horse (or the BWH as he will be known hereafter) was in no mood for calmness. Oh no, he kept rearing and running at Eugene. But as relentless as this horse was, he was no match for me. I persistently tried to calm him down, and finally he stopped trying to make mincemeat out of Eugene.

"That's it," I encouraged when the horse at last stayed still for more than a minute. "Now, sit," I ordered. The BWH shook his head. "Sit," I repeated more sternly. He finally obeyed and sat down reluctantly.

"What?" said a very incredulous Eugene from behind me. Obviously, talking to the BWH had never occurred to him. "Now drop the boot," I commanded. The horse shook his head again. "Drop it," I insisted. He dropped the boot, but by his demeanor I could tell that he was not pleased. I'm only obeying you because I'm such a gentlemen of a horse, his eyes said. Delighted I walked over to the horse, and stroked his nose gently. "Aw, you're such a good boy," I said. The BWH's tail began to thump in pleasure. Why, he's nothing but a big softie, just like the Vikings! All he wants is somebody to understand and appreciate him. "You tired from chasing that bad man all over the place?" I asked the BWH. He nickered in agreement.

"Excuse me?" said Eugene indignantly. Eugene, I thought, I'm trying to get this horse to stop trying to take a bite out of you and you are so not helping. Of course I don't think you're a bad man. I gave the BWH a hug. "Nobody appreciates you, do they?" I asked. "Do they?" He blew out a deep breath, as if to say no one does at all, and put his finely shaped head over my shoulder.

"He's a bad horse!" said Eugene as he pulled on his boot (the boot that I had rescued, to be accurate). Eugene, I like you and everything, but please stop talking. "Oh, he's nothing but a big sweetheart!" I told him. The BWH whinnied, as if to say now you've got it right. "Isn't that right?" I decided right then and there that I liked the BWH, no matter how much he had chased us. He seemed like such a nice horse beneath it all. I wonder if he had a name. Obviously his owners didn't call him The Big White Horse. I mean, it is quite a mouthful. I pulled away from the horse for a second, searching for some sort of nameplate. It didn't take me long to find one-Maximus it read. Maximus! How very appropriate for such a magnanimous horse. "Maximus?" I said to the horse, as I scratched under his chin. Maximus whickered again, in complete bliss.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me," said Eugene, crossing his arms across his chest. I ignored him (like I did the last time he had made a quick remark), but Maximus gave him what I can only classify as a horsey glare. I let out a deep sigh. Time to break up their little party. "Look," I said to Maximus. The truth is always best. "Today is kind of the biggest day of my life, and the thing is…."

I walked over to Eugene and gently pulled him by his arm back over to Maximus. It's amazing how I can feel the animosity just by touching his arm, I thought. My stomach flipped over and I decided I was nervous about Maximus. Of course, you know better, my dear listener, but I alternatively buried and fed my growing feelings for Eugene during our journey. And this was one of those times when I euphemized what I was feeling. "I need you to not get him arrested," I told Maximus. He whinnied in protest.

"Just for twenty-four hours!" I amended, hoping he would agree. If he didn't, Eugene wouldn't be the only one in trouble. "And then you can chase each other to your heart's content, okay?" Eugene sighed, and I could tell that he would agree to my terms. He did, and stuck out his hand for Maximus to shake. Maximus looked the complete opposite direction. Not a chance, pal. I let out a deep breath, ready to pull out my ace. "And it's also my birthday," I informed Maximus. "Just so you know."

Maximus' shoulders slumped. Got you! He reluctantly put his hoof into Eugene's hand, and they shook on it. One problem taken care of, I thought triumphantly as I walked between them. Suddenly the realization that today was the day I was going to see the lanterns filled me. Excitement and anticipation covered me like a wave. This is going to be the best day ever! "So, Eugene," I said. "What should we do…" Very loud groan. I turned back to look at Eugene and Maximus. Eugene was on the ground, clutching his chest, and Maximus looked quite….guilty. Some agreement!

I walked over to Maximus, and placed one hand on his noise. "Now, none of that," I scolded. "You made an agreement, remember? And a magnanimous horse like you always keeps his agreement." He whickered, looking quite repentant. I heard Eugene make vomiting noises from behind me and I knew exactly what he was saying-magnanimous nothing! He's a bad horse. I sighed again, for what seemed like the twentieth time that morning. Enough of this!

"Now, look," I told both of them sternly. "I can't keep my eyes on you every second. But Pascal can, and if you don't behave, I'll tell him to do something to you. And I can guarantee that you won't like it. So, can you please act civil?" Maximus looked nonplussed. Eugene, on the other hand, looked almost…scared. I could tell he remembered Pascal's tongue in his ear. Ha, he can do something much worse than a tongue in your ear! I gave them both my best glare.

"Oh, all right!" agreed Eugene. "But Max here started it!"

Why do I suddenly feel like I'm with two three year olds? "I can tell you right now that I don't care who started it, and Pascal won't either," I said. "Now will you please stop this so I can enjoy my birthday?"

Maximus let out of whicker of agreement. Eugene had crossed his arms across his chest again, clearly annoyed.

"Oh, all right!" he said finally.

At last! Success! "Great! So can we go see the capital now, because I've never seen it and I've always…" I asked excitedly.

Eugene chuckled. "You know, Blondie, ordinarily I wouldn't say this. But since it's your birthday, we can go see whatever you want."

Really? He was going to let me choose where we went? "Thank you," I said gratefully. "And I'd like to see anything you would like to show me too."

He looked surprised, and then smirked his Flynn Rider smirk. Funny, that smirk didn't cause me to feel annoyed, but rather as if twenty butterflies had been let loose in my chest. Weird. "Oh, well, you'll be in for a treat. Flynn Rider haunts all the best spots."

My heart beat faster in anticipation. This is going to be the best birthday!