FINALLY! The chapter you've all been waiting for! :)(But not necessarily in the way you suspect because I'm sneaky like that!) And there was much rejoicing. YAY! (Sorry, I'm on a Monty Python and the Holy Grail kick right now. It will pass-"None shall pass."-eventually. Haha)

Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or Tangled or anything else I might reference (including a line from Narnia, the Musical). :'( Stop bothering me about it or I'll turn you into a newt! (*Sigh*)

P.S. - This has hit 50K words! Heck to the yes! And there was much rejoicing. Please enjoy this chapter and review! :)

Chapter X – A Narnian Christmas

Susan and Edmund looked at each other and immediately rushed out of the room. Rapunzel didn't know what to do, so she just stood there, and continued hanging decorations. Susan and Edmund ran as fast as they could to the entry hall. There stood High King Peter and Queen Lucy, soaking wet.

"Pete! Lu!" Edmund cried out. The family quickly formed a group hug, despite the fact that Peter and Lucy were wet. Susan and Edmund were just glad that their siblings were home. "How did you get here so fast?"

"The messenger with your letter found us about three hours away from Cair Paravel," Lucy explained. "It was just easiest for us to come straight home. We didn't want to miss Christmas! And we also have other news—"

"That can wait," Peter interrupted. "We'll tell you later. Let's go change into something warm and dry. You two need to change as well," he said regarding Edmund and Susan's now wet clothes. They laughed and the four linked arms as they walked through the halls of Cair Paravel.

Peter and Edmund broke off to go to their rooms, but Susan and Lucy remained together. Susan quickly ran into her room and grabbed a dress, but then ran back to her younger sister's room. "So how was Corona?" Susan asked.

"Lovely," Lucy answered. "It was very beautiful, but they don't get snow. The only change that winter brings is chilly weather. But other than that, it seems to be about the same year round. I missed the snow! Oh, and Susan, I brought a friend home with me! Her name is Hadassah and she was a servant, but she was more like a daughter to King Harold and Queen Julia. Oh, the King and Queen of Corona are wonderful people! They are so kind!"

"Did you tell them that their daughter is here?" Susan asked, interrupting Lucy's fast words.

"Oh, um, no," Lucy said, quickly embarrassed. "I didn't even tell Peter. The opportunity never came up."

"Lu…" Susan said, trailing off because she was disappointed with Lucy.

Lucy sighed. "It's not as if we aren't going to go back! Peter's now betrothed to Princess Helene! He and King Harold agreed to it, along with trade routes, peace treaties, and everything else!"

"He what?" Susan asked, shocked. "Peter didn't tell us that."

"He only told me right before we left. I think that he thinks that Helene is dead. If he knew what he had gotten himself into…" Lucy became lost in her own thoughts.

"That's why you didn't tell him," Susan said, realizing that her sister knew sooner than she let on. "Well, Edmund is going to be upset."

"Why?"

"He and Rapunzel, who doesn't like being called Princess Helene, by the way, so don't bring it up. He and Rapunzel became involved, but she's torn by her feelings for Eugene, who is Flynn Rider."

"Oh, Susan," Lucy said, her eyes widening to the size of saucers. How am I going to tell her that Flynn Rider is in the castle? Lucy asked herself. "Are you alright with that?"

"Why shouldn't I be?" Susan snapped, a little more hostile than the situation called for. "It's not like I'm ever going to see him again."

If you only knew… Lucy thought. "Well…how have things been here in Narnia?"

"Oh, Lucy," Susan said, tears filling her eyes. "Things were alright until this morning when we found out that Mr. and Mrs. Beaver have been murdered. Whoever has been attacking Narnia attacked Beaver's dam and no one survived! It's been positively dreadful! Ed and I have tried to be cheerful as we get ready for Christmas, but I'm so bad at pretending! I just don't know what we're going to do."

"Susan," Lucy said, throwing her arms around her sister. "We're just going to have to accept that it was Aslan's will and he had a purpose for it."

"But that's so hard."

"I know, but it's the only thing we can do. We can grieve for them, and honor them, and try to go on."

Susan nodded. "I have a surprise for you, Lucy. I'm throwing another Christmas ball on Christmas day, just like we had a few years ago. I've kept a secret from everyone else, but I think that you need to help me plan it."

"Of course!" Lucy exclaimed, suddenly very excited. "Oh, we have so much to do! Who all is invited?"

"I've sent word to Archenland, Corona (while you were gone, it was the right thing to do), and, unfortunately, Calormen. I felt like I had to invited the Calormenes or I wouldn't be a good hostess. I've been planning this for a very long time. Since August, probably."

"Oh, Susan, this is so exciting!" Lucy clasped her hands together eagerly. "Do you know who all will be there?"

"King Lune, Prince Corin (don't give me that look, Lucy!), and all the usual Narnians. I haven't heard from Calormen, but that doesn't mean anything. And the King and Queen of Corona said that they wished they could, but they didn't think they would make it in time. It's understandable, since it's such a long journey."

"I'm so excited! I don't think I can wait until the day after tomorrow!" Lucy bounced up and down to express her enthusiasm. Susan laughed.

The Queens had finished changing clothes and were now putting their shoes on. "Come," Susan said, holding her hand out to her sister. "We must finish hanging the Christmas decorations and you must meet Rapunzel."

"And you must meet Hadassah!" Lucy said. "She's one of my best friends! I told her that she could have the room next to mine! Is that alright?"

"Of course, Lu," Susan said happily.

The two sisters walked arm in arm back to the throne room. When they entered, their brothers were laughing as they walked in through another door. The girls smiled at the boys and the four walked toward each other. "Hello again," Peter said.

"Come, you need to meet Rapunzel," Susan said. The Pevensies walked over to the blonde, who was happily singing to herself as she hung decorations on the large tree. "Rapunzel! These are my siblings, Lucy and Peter."

"Hi," Rapunzel said. "I've heard so much about you!"

"And we've heard basically nothing about you," Peter said. He noticed that her eyes were very large. He also noticed that her thick braid almost reached the floor. That was a lot of hair. "I'm Peter," he said, holding out his hand. She took it and he shook it.

"And I'm Lucy!" the smallest Pevensie exclaimed, pulling the slightly taller girl into a hug. Peter noticed how Edmund and Rapunzel seemed to be avoiding eye contact with each other. He knew he would have to confront either Ed or Su about that later. "I wonder where Hadassah is…" Lucy wondered aloud and then wandered off.

"Rapunzel!" a faun called. The faun held up some garland and Rapunzel smiled and ran over to help.

"She seems to be getting on well," Peter said. "What's with all that hair?"

"It's magical," Edmund said. "When she sings, it glows. And if she cuts it off, it turns brown, loses its power, and doesn't grow anymore."

"I can see why she wouldn't want to cut it off. Is she trustworthy?"

Susan and Edmund both looked at their brother with looks of horror etched upon their faces. "Why would you ask such a thing?" Susan asked.

"It just seems a little suspicious that she would arrive just as the attacks are getting worse and Narnia is at its weakest with the monarchs divided."

"No," Susan and Edmund both said. Edmund continued, "She's completely trustworthy. And harmless. I would like to see the day where she hurt anyone. Well, actually, it would be interesting to see her fight the woman who kidnapped her."

"What happened?"

"You know the story, Peter."

"No, I don't," the High King argued.

"Yes, you do," Edmund said.

"Lucy didn't tell him," Susan told her younger brother. "Rapunzel is the lost princess of Corona."

"What?" Peter asked, a look of utter despair crossing his features. "She…that girl is the lost princess?"

Susan and Edmund nodded. "And she knows Flynn Rider," Susan said. "Except she knows him as Eugene Fitzherbert. And they're in love." Peter raised his eyebrows. "But I don't think he's going to come for her as she thinks he will. There's no way he's ever coming near Cair Paravel again. After all, he wouldn't make it past the drawbridge without being arrested and thrown into the dungeon."

"About that—" Peter began, but was interrupted by Lucy bringing a girl over.

"This is Hadassah!" she exclaimed. "Hadassah, this is Susan and Edmund. They're my sister and other brother. Edmund is your age."

"It's nice to meet you," Hadassah said. "Is there anything you want me to do for you, Lucy?"

The Valiant Queen rolled her eyes and sighed. "Hadassah, I keep telling you! You're here as a guest! Not as a servant!" The girls smiled at each other and ran off again.

"She seems nice," Susan said.

Peter nodded. "She's a very nice girl. Helpful, too. She seems to know exactly what you need before you need it. And Lucy simply adores her. Even though Hadassah is two years older than Lucy, they get along extremely well. It seems that Lucy finally has a best friend. And a real one. Not one of those girls who Lucy gets along with but everyone knows that they hate each other. Well, I don't think Lucy knows that."

Susan and Edmund laughed as they saw Hadassah and Lucy running around, helping where help was needed. It was true. Hadassah always seemed to know where to go next. "I'm glad that Lucy has a friend," Susan said. "It's about time she actually enjoys company with another girl who is pretty close to her age."

Eugene Fitzherbert leaned against the cold, damp wall in his prison cell. It was worse here than it was in Corona! At least it was warm there. Now what was going to happen to him? Were the Narnian rulers going to sentence him to death? Or would he be shipped back to Corona to be killed there? He knew that he was going to die either way.

If Eugene had a choice, he would rather die in Narnia. It was better to die trying to find Rapunzel than to return to the place where he had met her. Especially if he was hanged at the gallows by the castle. He would have to go through the village to get there, and he would be reminded of all the places he had been with Rapunzel. He doubted that the gang of thugs from the Snuggly Duckling would be there to save him this time. He doubted that they were even on their own. The thugs were probably locked up for helping him escape.

Eugene Fitzherbert knew three things for sure. One, this was going to be the absolute worst Christmas ever. Two, he was going to die within the next few weeks. Three, he would never see Rapunzel again. And he definitely regretted the third thing the most.

On Christmas morning, the Pevensie family, plus Rapunzel, were gathered in the Pevensie's private sitting room. Hadassah had opted to spend her Christmas morning helping others. She felt bad for intruding on the family, even though Lucy told her time and time again that she would love to have Hadassah join them. Hadassah had promptly turned the Queen down.

The five people were all in their nightclothes with robes and slippers and blankets everywhere. They were snacking on the breakfast foods that had been laid out for them earlier in the morning. The sun was barely rising on the horizon, but the people didn't care. It was Christmas!

They eagerly looked at the things that Father Christmas had left for them. Peter received a book about different types of swords; Susan received a book about the detailed and complete history of Narnia (it was over a thousand pages); Edmund received a new dagger; Lucy received a new headband that had laurel flowers on it (which was Lucy's signature flower); Rapunzel received a set of about fifty diamond hair pins to place in her braid.

They began to open their other gifts, one at a time, going around the circle from youngest to oldest (which there was some discrepancy about who was older: Edmund or Rapunzel; Edmund was older by about ten months). Everyone was very grateful for their gifts. Rapunzel was quite embarrassed when they opened her presents because she didn't know what they were, as Susan had picked them out. The Gentle Queen said nothing about the fact that she knew what she was getting from Rapunzel ("Oh, Rapunzel! It's perfect! Thank you so much!"). The lost princess was also in shock because they had all given her gifts. Even Peter and Lucy had heard of her from their brother and sister, and had gotten her things while they were in Corona.

Thinking that she would enjoy it, Lucy had gotten Rapunzel a purple flag with the golden sun on it. Rapunzel treasured it greatly, even though she already had one tucked in her bodice. Rapunzel carried her flag with her everywhere because it was a memoir of her two magical days with Eugene Fitzherbert and the best birthday ever.

The gift-giving only lasted about three hours, and that was with a few breaks so they could stretch their legs or get more food. After a long time of messing around with their gifts (namely a duel between Peter and Edmund, who had both gotten new daggers, that resulted in the breaking of a lamp), they split up so they could get ready for the ball that night, which had come as a surprise to Rapunzel, Edmund, and Peter.

For the most part, everyone got ready by themselves, but about an hour before the ball was scheduled to begin, Susan and Lucy came into Rapunzel's room. Both were completely ready with their dresses on and hair done, with their crowns sitting atop their heads. Susan's dress was black and white with white sleeves and a black underskirt. It made her look even fairer with her dark hair, ruby red lips, and gold crown. Lucy's dress was red with a white under dress. It looked pretty with her reddish brown hair and silver crown.

Rapunzel's own dress was green. The sleeves were light green and the skirt and bodice were forest green. Susan had given the dress to her as a Christmas present. She had convinced Rapunzel that the green brought out her eyes. "Do you want help?" Susan asked.

"Well, I—"

"Don't even bother to answer," Lucy said. "We're going to help you anyway."

The Queens approached the lost princess and took the box of diamond pins away from her. Susan opened the box and set it on the vanity. She turned Rapunzel to face the wall and she and Lucy set upon the task of doing Rapunzel's hair.

The girls discussed simple matters while Lucy and Susan strategically placed the diamonds within the large braid so that the pins were hidden and only the diamonds showed. The overall effect was ethereal. After half an hour of this, the girls turned Rapunzel toward the mirror. "Oh, my," was all the princess could get out.

She looked stunning. The diamonds in her hair reflected the light and made her look like she was glowing. "Now," Susan said, "I wouldn't sing your song tonight to make your hair glow. That might just be a little too much." The girls laughed. "Just…one…more… There." She had placed the last pin close to Rapunzel's face. "You look gorgeous," the Gentle Queen said. "Well, at least I don't have to worry about being the center of attention tonight."

Edmund's head turned as he saw three girls enter the room. One of them, Lucy, immediately peeled off to go find Hadassah. The other two, Susan and Rapunzel, approached Edmund and Peter. Rapunzel seemed to be sparkling. As she turned around to say "Hello" to somebody, Edmund saw that the diamond pins were placed all over her braid, like she normally had the flowers.

"You both look very nice," Peter said as soon as Susan and Rapunzel were close. "But you're three minutes late." The girls laughed. "But I suppose all is forgiven. It is Christmas after all."

The four laughed again. "May I have this dance?" Peter asked Susan, offering his arm out to her. She smiled and walked off with her brother.

Edmund and Rapunzel stood there awkwardly for a moment before Edmund got his brains about him and he offered his arm to Rapunzel. She took it with a smile, and allowed herself to be led to the center of the dance floor.

"I'm afraid I'm not a very good dancer," she told him.

"You have nothing to worry about," Edmund said. "I'm a very good dancer." She laughed and Edmund smiled. They floated about the dance floor, soon forgetting that anybody else was there. Rapunzel bit her lower lip and smiled at Edmund. He was so tall! The fast dance ended and slow music began. Not wanting to be rude and ask to leave to save them the awkwardness, Rapunzel just kept dancing with Edmund.

It was different than dancing with Eugene. Not that she had danced with Eugene much at all. Only for a few seconds on her birthday. But those few seconds had been magical!

They danced for a very, very long time. Eventually, the two left the dance floor to find someplace quieter to talk. They opted for a corner of the ballroom. While not ideal, the corner had a few chairs and was far enough away from the small orchestra and talking people. "Are you having fun?"

"Oh, yes!" Rapunzel exclaimed.

"Good," Edmund said, and took her hand. Rapunzel looked up at him. Something in her heart twitched. She wondered if it would be so bad to be with Edmund…he was a very nice person, and she had no idea if Eugene would ever come back! She probably wouldn't ever see him again. Edmund looked into her eyes and saw that she was slowly coming to accept him.

He fixed the tiny diamond that had fallen slightly, and traced her jaw with his thumb. He carefully placed his hand on the back of her neck. Rapunzel knew what was coming. She saw him coming closer to her. Edmund closed his eyes. She looked at his dark hair. Rapunzel tilted her head slightly and began to close her eyes as his lips were mere inches away from her own…

But then Rapunzel saw something scurry across the floor. Something small and green. She stopped in her tracks. "Is everything alright?" Edmund asked, feeling embarrassed and dejected.

"Yes," she said. "Excuse me for a moment."

Rapunzel followed the creature, leaving the ballroom. Not paying attention to where she was going, Rapunzel followed the lizard. Eventually, she caught up to it. It looked up at her. "Pascal!" she cried, picking up the chameleon. She hugged him for a moment, but he was looking up at her with a worried look in his eyes. "What's wrong?" He pointed his tail down at the ground. She set him down, and Pascal ran off again. Rapunzel followed him down hallways and corridors and stairs that she had never visited before. "Where are we?" she asked, but got no reply. Just more running.

She heard a commotion up ahead. Then she saw four guards leading a prisoner away. Rapunzel knew that she shouldn't be here. But she continued on anyway. As she got closer, she realized that they didn't see her. But the prisoner did. "Rapunzel!" he cried.

Rapunzel's heart soared and broke simultaneously. "Eugene!"