"Ha. I knew something was up! I hate it when people keep secrets from me. I'm NOT too little to know things!" Amber was indignant. She hated being left out and made sure to let everyone around her know it.
"Flynn! Eugene! What are you guys doing here? And who is that?" Amber asked.
"Amber, mind your manners!" Sofia admonished her quietly. "Besides, that young lady over there is Princess Rapunzel."
"Princess? They found her?"
"Yes, Amber. Flynn and Eugene brought her home a short while ago." Sofia responded, glancing over to Edmund and nodding towards her sons. Edmund understood her silent entreaty.
"And Amber, these are your older brothers. Flynn and Eugene. Flynn, Eugene, this is your sister, Amber." Edmund introduced them to each other. Amber wasn't shy about expressing herself and threw herself at Eugene and Flynn in turn, hugging them tightly. She was afraid if she let them go, they would somehow disappear.
Queen Arianna watched the emotional scene for a moment before looking around as if just noticing that they were in plain sight of the village before clearing her throat.
"I think we should move this reunion to some place more private. Why don't we retire to my sitting room? We can talk freely there, with no worry of being overheard or interrupted."
The group looked around, nodding to themselves. "That sounds like a great idea, my dear," King Frederic replied. "Arianna, please lead the way. I have something I need to do before I can join you. I will be there shortly."
The queen led the group towards her sitting room as the king turned towards the throne room and the small office just off of it that the captain of the guards sometimes used.
"Ah, there you are James. I have a small task I need you to do for me." King Frederic wasted no time on small talk.
"Of course, Your Majesty. What can I do for you?" James asked, knowing it must be important for the king to have come to him on his own instead of sending a footman to locate him.
"I need you to let the kingdom know that there will be an announcement this evening. They will need to be in attendance. Queen Arianna and I have some news and it would be best to let everyone know at the same time. We will be on the balcony this evening just before sunset."
"Yes, sir. I will make sure every person in the kingdom is aware of the announcement. Is there anything else you need me to do in preparation?"
"No, thank you, James. I must get back to the queen now. Thank you again." With that the king turned and walked out, heading for the queen's sitting room, eager to get back to his family.
A few minutes later, he entered the room to find the group talking about rescuing Rapunzel from the tower. Looking up, Arianna noticed Frederic had returned. "You're back!" the queen exclaimed. "They were just explaining how they rescued Rapunzel. Arabelle took those guards with her, and Flynn here led them straight to the tower. They got there just in time to see that horrible woman fall to her death." Arianna shuddered at the thought.
"I'm so glad you were able to bring my girls home to me, Flynn, Eugene. I am beyond grateful to the both of you." King Frederic was quick to reply.
Later that evening, shortly before sunset, the king and queen gathered on the balcony with the Duke and Duchess of Cambria. Arabelle, Rapunzel, Flynn and Eugene were all waiting in the room just inside the doors. The king nodded to the duke before turning to greet his subjects.
"I have wonderful news to share with you all. Earlier today, Princess Rapunzel was returned to us." The king stopped talking to allow the cacophony of cheers to settle down before continuing. "We have multiple people to thank for the safe return of our eldest daughter. First and foremost are the Duke of Cambria's sons, Flynn and Eugene Fitzherbert. They along with Princess Arabelle located the tower in which Rapunzel was being held and managed to free her and bring her home. Please join me in welcoming her home."
More cheers went up and the king paused again, motioning to the four waiting just inside the palace doors. The cheers died down again as the princesses emerged. Gasps were heard coming from the courtyard along with murmurs about a miracle having occurred with their safe return. Noticing that Flynn and Eugene had both held back, Frederic motioned again, urging them both out onto the balcony.
"Once again, let's thank Flynn and Eugene Fitzherbert for returning both of our princesses safe and sound." Queen Arianna raised her voice to be heard over the crowd. With her statement, cheers once again erupted from the courtyard. "We wanted to share our joy with you now as we did when our precious girls were born. Thank you!" with that the queen turned around and headed back into the palace with the others not far behind.
The festivities surrounding the princesses' birthday ended up stretching into a full week as the entire kingdom rejoiced about the return of the heir to the throne. Although the majority of people were happy that she had been returned safe and sound, some were not so happy. There was one, in particular, who was extremely unhappy. Ugh, he thought to himself. Will those two never go away? They seem to bounce back from everything, no matter what I do.
Flynn was struggling with guilt. He knew, at least subconsciously, that there was nothing he could have done to prevent Eugene's arrest and imprisonment or his death at the hands of Gothel, but he could not stop himself from feeling like he should have done more. He had sworn to protect his brother and had failed.
I have to do something, Flynn thought. Maybe, just maybe I can still protect Eugene. If I turn myself in, they will have finally captured the infamous Flynn Rider and can leave Eugene alone. That way Eugene and Rapunzel can have their happy ever after. With that thought, Flynn decided to get some sleep. He would turn himself in first thing in the morning.