A/N: Now in Constantinople, Hiccup and Rapunzel are going to be facing more bounty hunters seeking to deliver the lost princess back to Gothel. In these next few updates, Rapunzel is going to be swooned by Flynn Rider, only to realize he and the Stabington Brothers are after the bounty placed on her head. Anyway, let's get to it!

(Normal pov— Isle of Berk)

Hundreds of Viking ships of different tribes and kingdoms converged in Berk's harbor, all harboring enough warriors to sack an entire country. News of Queen Una's proposal to raid the Kingdom Corona lit a fire in many Vikings' blood, for too long, they had been preoccupied with the war with the dragons and dealing with other hostile Vikings within the Barbaric Archipelago. Now, however, was the time for the Vikings to set out and remind the people of this world that they were still a force to be reckoned with. Aside from the Meathead Tribe and Bog-Burglar Tribe who were pledging their support to the Shivering Isles and its queen, many more tribes from the Archipelago and even the mainland of Norway itself had come to partake in the first-ever raid outside of Scandinavia in three centuries.

Stoick the Vast, although wary about a great many of the tribes and kingdoms partaking in Queen Una's raid was quickly reassured by the Shivering Isle's leader that many of these unknown tribes and kingdoms were close allies of hers and that they would not break the laws on Berk nor create chaos. With this reassurance, Stoick welcomed Una's allies to his island and opened his Great Hall for them to feast and drink.

For Astrid Hofferson, this would be her chance to prove herself as the shield maiden she had trained to become her whole life. She had to sacrifice much to become the finest warrior Berk has ever produced in generations, among those sacrifices was discarding the friendship she once shared with Hiccup Haddock. Now a woman who had time to reflect on her past choices, Astrid harbored great resentment towards herself for discarding her friendship with Hiccup like he was nothing but another part of her justified the action of renouncing her friendship with Stoick's son because he was a distraction that would've kept her from reaching her ambitions and see her family well provided for.

Now, with Vikings gathering together and setting aside their differences to go raiding together as one people, Astrid couldn't help but wonder if Hiccup would learn of the impending raid and she wondered whether or not he would join them or fight against them. The latter was more likely. After all, why would Hiccup fight with those who treated him like the Scourge of Odin? Why fight with the Vikings when he had much to gain fighting against them? Astrid admitted that Berk was too blinded by tradition and ideals to not see the benefit of their former heir riding a Night Fury into battle, where Hiccup and the Unholy Offspring of Lightning and Death Itself were by their side, Vikings from all over Scandinavia would rally under Queen Una's command.

Now, the likelihood of fighting an experienced, battle-hardened Hiccup Haddock formed a pit of anxiety in Astrid's stomach, for two reasons. First, they would not be facing the same clumsy, awkward boy they saw as a curse, instead, they would be facing an opponent who knew how the Vikings thought and fought, making him a dangerous asset to those the Vikings would encounter in this raid. Second, Hiccup was a warrior in his own right, like all of the Scandinavian people, Astrid had heard tales and stories of Hiccup's prowess as a warrior and how he's traveled to Novgorod Rus, and even gone to China. The Hiccup Haddock they would most likely encounter was a man who knew how to fight, when to fight, and when not to fight.

Berk had unknowingly created its own worse enemy.

An enemy that could very well see this grand raid ultimately lead to failure and calamity.

Currently seated in the Great Hall while Vikings were feasting and drinking, Astrid was hoping the exclaims, clamors, and boisterous joy her people were expressing due to the upcoming raid would help distract her from the pressures of being Stoick's new heir and considering the option of finding a husband, one who wasn't branded as a skogarmaor.

"Phew! You're thinking face makes my mind hurt just looking at you,"

Looking up to see Ruffnut approach and sit across from her, the female Thorston twin poured herself a mug of ale and gestured around them. "I would think that you of all people would be joining in on the feasting, fighting, and celebrating, Hofferson. We Vikings are about to conduct our first raid after three hundred years, that's a big deal! Instead, I find you sitting by yourself and deep in your thoughts," after taking a drink of ale, Ruffnut gave her friend an encouraging smile. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

Sighing heavily, Astrid reached for her own mug and poured ale into it. Once her mug was full, she took a swig and shrugged. "I was just thinking about Hiccup and how he could be a threat to us all when we set out to raid Corona—"

"Pffft! Why are you thinking about that loser?" Tuffnut suddenly snorted while sitting next to his sister.

"Yeah, why are you thinking about Useless, Astrid?" Snotlout seated himself next to the fierce blond and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and spoke flirtatiously. "Why think of Stoick's little embarrassment, when you could think about me?" Disgusted, Astrid grabbed the meaty arm around her shoulder and twisted it violently behind Snotlout's back. His cry of pain was cut short when Astrid slammed his face against the table.

Snickering, Tuffnut turned to his sister, grinning in amusement. "I love it when she does that to him!"

Returning her brother's grin, Ruffnut nodded. "Tell me about it," she too snickered as Snotlout was squirming like a pig baking in the summer sun. "That never gets old."

"A-AHHH! As-Astrid!" The intensifying pain Snotlout was experiencing caused him to squeak out while using his free hand to tap the table repeatedly. "I-I yield! L-Let me go-AHHH!" With one final twist, Astrid released him.

"When will you get it through that thick skull of yours, Snotlout? Astrid will never be attracted to you?" Fishlegs stated as he sat down with a plate of food in one hand and a mug of honeyed ale in his other hand.

Landing a punch into the larger man's arms, Snotlout glared at him. "I least I take chances by putting myself out there for women to see that I'm a man worthy of them! Whereas you do nothing but shove your nose into books and other worthless things," Fishlegs, however, ignored the ignorant Jorgenson and began to eat his food. Scoffing at their overly large, high-browed friend, Snotlout then grinned. "I cannot wait when we set out and begin our raid!"

"Yeah, well, before you all showed up and ruined one on one time between me and Astrid, she was just about to express her concerns about Hiccup posing a threat to us all," Ruffnut said before turning to the fierce shield maiden and gave her an encouraging nod. "You were saying?"

Blowing a strand of hair out of her eyes, Astrid sat down and nodded. "Deny it all you want, but the fact is this, Hiccup isn't the same kid we all belittled, picked on, and discarded. He's his own man now, one who has amassed a vast fortune fighting in wars around Midgard, for being one of the most formidable bounty hunters in the Christian world, and he rides a Night Fury," shaking her head, Astrid looks at her reflection in the ale in her mug. "Every day we hear stories and accolades of praise from traders, merchants, travelers, and people from all over Midgard to see if any of us are as impressive as Hiccup."

"He did exactly what he promised he'd do, he said he would eclipse us all, and he did," Fishlegs sighed after swallowing a mouthful of food.

Growling, Snotlout pounded a clenched fist into the table. "How can that talking fishbone gain more fame, wealth, and recognition than us? It's insulting!"

"Pfft, yeah? Well, I think the world is better off not knowing a stinking turd like you,"

All eyes turned to Camicazi, heir to the Bog Burglar Tribe, and daughter to Big-Boobied Bertha. The short, yet fierce blond glared at the young Hairy Hooligans while twirling a throwing knife in her hands with ease while leaning back against a nearby pillar. By her side was Thuggory, heir to the Meathead Tribe and son of Mogadon the Meathead. Both heirs of these fierce, respected tribes were the only true friends Hiccup had while growing up, in a way, both Camicazi and Thuggory were Hiccup's siblings as they treated him with respect, affection, and taught him how to defend himself if need ever arose. When both heirs heard that Hiccup had been made an outlaw for bonding with a Night Fury, they were shocked and saddened that the boy they saw as a brother was no longer a part of their lives.

Rising from his seat, Snotlout bore his teeth at Camicazi. "What did you say to me, you pygmy?"

"You heard," Camicazi huffed while twirling her knife. "Just because Hiccup wasn't your typical Viking it doesn't make him less of a man—"

Barking out a sharp laugh, Snotlout retorted. "That's where your wrong, little thief, Hiccup should've been put to the sword the moment he entered this world. If you ask me? Midgard would've been better off if he hadn't been born," while Snotlout began laughing, Thuggory stormed over towards the laughing Jorgenson, grabbed a handful of his tunic, and landed a ferocious punch with enough force to break his jaw. But Thuggory landed six more brutal punches into the stocky Jorgenson's face, preventing Snotlout from any chance of fighting back, ending the fight before it even began. As Snotlout crashed down on the table, he tried getting back up, but Thuggory grabbed the back of his neck and his trousers in his other hand, lifting him up like he was nothing before hurling him at a nearby pillar.

"I suggest you shut that fat mouth of yours, Jorgenson. Unless, of course, you want me to shatter your jaw, which I'll be more than happy to do so if you ever speak like that about Hiccup Haddock again," Thuggory huffed before turning to the rest of the young Hooligans seated together. "The same goes for the rest of you. Our tribes may be allies and we may be fighting as one during this raid, but that's all we have in common as far as you're concerned."

"That's right. If you were true Vikings, you would've been there for Hiccup, not whittle him down day after day, year after year. After all, we Vikings take care of our own. And it's a shame that Berk would treat its own heir worse than a slave," Camicazi then hurled her knife right above Snotlout's head, nearly grazing his scalp, causing him to release a very "manly" yelp. Glaring at Astrid, the Bog Burglar heir shook her head. "You. Hiccup adored you, or rather worshiped you. He had his eyes set on no other girl in all the Archipelago but you, you were the girl he wanted to be with, forever. But you crushed his heart, spat on his affection for you, and for what? Glory? You gave Hiccup the cold shoulder just because of your family name being tarnished when your precious uncle froze in fear because of the Flightmare. And after all these years, where has all your labor gotten you? Are you famous or known throughout Midgard?" She then turned to the rest of the young Hooligans, ignoring the murderous glare Astrid was giving her. "No, she isn't. And certainly, none of you have done anything worthy of being recognized by man and the gods."

"Oi! What's this, then?"

The Berkguard arrived with shields raised and hands on their swords, prepared to draw them if the heirs of each respective tribe continued to cause trouble. "You are guests on our island, and you will behave as guests," the head of the guard said firmly. "Not that I blame you for wiping that smug look off of Spitelout Jorgenson's boy, however, repercussions will follow if any further harm comes to our chief's nephew."

"Of course, he was just speaking ill of a close friend of ours," Thuggory said with his hands held up. "No further harm will fall upon him or any of them. I swear."

"As do I," Camicazi reassured.

Grunting, the head guard nodded and ordered his companions to stand down. "We are meant to be one army as we set out to Corona in one month's time," he then gave both heirs a warning glare. "If I were you, I suggest you heed the laws of our chief and don't cause any more trouble." With that said, the Berkguard returned to feasting and drinking.

"Hehe, that's right, don't cause any more trouble, you two," Ruffnut grinned smugly. "But please, feel free to do so. I would very much love to see your parents discipline you for your defiance."

Scoffing at the female twin, Camicazi turned to the Meathead heir. "Let's go, just laying my eyes on this lot makes me sick." Grunting in agreement, Thuggory followed Camicazi as the two heirs joined the other Vikings their age at another table.

Astrid reached for her axe and was about to challenge Camicazi to fight for speaking of her family just to prove her point, but she was stopped by Fishlegs. "Astrid. Don't," he said firmly. "T-They're right... we should've been there for Hiccup. I should've been there for him."

"Ugh! Those two certainly killed the mood, didn't they?" Ruffnut mumbled to her brother.

"I don't know, it was pretty funny kick Snotlout's arse," Tuffnut grinned.

Snickering, Ruffnut nodded in agreement. "Good point," she then turned to Astrid. "Don't let Camicazi get under your skin. You two have been at odds since we were kids."

"Because she knows how I discarded my friendship with Hiccup in pursuit of glory and to become the finest shield maiden Berk has ever produced," setting her axe back down on the table, Astrid shook her head. "I just hope Hiccup has found some measure of peace even when all of Berk was determined to see him go over the edge."

Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Snotlout groaned and ripped Camicazi's throwing knife out of the pillar and snarled. "If Useless is stupid enough to prevent us from conquering, he'd do well to stay out of my way!" A devious smile spread across his face as he slammed the knife in his hand into the table. "Or else I'll do what Stoick didn't have the balls to do, I'll kill him."

Astrid was hoping that both Thuggory and Camicazi would come back and beat Snotlout to a pulp for saying such things. However, both heirs had made their point, they were all terrible to Hiccup, and despite his divergence, they should've been there for him.

Whatever fate had in store for them, Astrid hoped that her fate would lead her back to Hiccup so that she could at least apologize to him. And perhaps see whether or not she shared his earlier affections.

Astrid, however, wasn't holding her breath. After all, he had every reason to despise her and fight her along with all of Berk and those they were raiding with.

It would only be a matter of time until Astrid would encounter Hiccup, either on the battlefield or in negotiations. And she feared she wouldn't have the courage to face him.

(Constantinople— de facto capital of the Roman Empire)

After cutting ties with Drago Bludvist, Hiccup decided he'd show Rapunzel more of what Rus had to offer before moving on. Heather and Windshear joined them, for a time. While exploring Novgorod Rus, Hiccup was curious why his former lover was spending time with him and Rapunzel, she reassured him that she wasn't going to cross him and take the bounty of delivering the lost princess of Corona back to its rulers, instead, she was by their side just for company's sake; she wanted to get away from the harshness of bounty hunting and live. Skeptical at first, Rapunzel convinced Hiccup to let Heather and Windshear explore Novgorod with them, and despite his past with Heather, the banished Viking heir found it very hard to deny the blond beauty he was growing more fond of by the minute.

Both Rapunzel and Heather became friends and revealed that they had many things in common, the blond beauty, however, was glad to make a new friend that she could reach out to any time she wished thanks to the means of Terror Mail. Both bounty hunters were able to help Rapunzel bond with a Terrible Terror to serve as a carrier to deliver messages to whoever she wished, whether the message was urgent or not. After staying in Novgorod for an entire week, Heather bid both her new blond friend and former lover farewell before moving on and returning to the Bondsman Guild and acquiring another job.

Shortly after parting ways with Heather and Windshear, Rapunzel was curious as to what she and Hiccup could do together. Grinning, the banished Viking heir had decided to take his blond companion to a place that was so breathtaking that she would think of it as a place of fiction. The weeks of flying were full of adventure, fun, and heartfelt for both young adults and they grew closer and closer as each day passed.

Finally, upon reaching Constantinople, Rapunzel was left breathless at the sight of such a vast and beautiful city. Hiccup couldn't blame her at all, he explained that this place was ruled by the Romans who still had been ruling here since the days of old when the Roman Empire had to divide its territories to survive and that Constantinople was part of the Eastern Roman Empire and had managed to endure after centuries of challenges and hardships. Not only that, but these Romans worshiped the gods their ancestors did and were a formidable force in this part of the world. The former Viking heir further explained that this vast city was destined to be the center of the world. It was the hinge: Europe, Asia, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, the Balkan world, and Italian city-states... it's as if there's a butterfly, and Constantinople is the body of that figurative butterfly.

"I've never seen such a place before," Rapunzel spoke in a hushed tone, the early afternoon sun made her radiant and her curious eyes sparkled with both wonder and awe at the vastness of such a city. Turning to Pascal who was perched on her right shoulder, she grinned. "Isn't this amazing?" Her Chameleon companion smiled and nodded in agreement.

Guiding Toothless to fly alongside her and Bluster, the young bounty hunter wagged his eyebrows. "What did I tell you? It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"That's a gross understatement," Rapunzel laughed lightly. "I... I don't have the words."

Hiccup too was at a loss for words, seeing this beautiful woman eager to explore the city and experience everything it had to offer while at his side made Hiccup's heart beat like war drums.

When their green eyes locked, it felt as if time had suddenly stood still. Over the last few weeks, they had grown so close and told each other nearly everything there was about each other. Never before had Hiccup grown such a connection with another human being, none except Heather, perhaps, but even that was now being called into question. Unlike Rapunzel, who had nothing to hide, Heather had kept secrets from him and lied to protect him because she didn't want him to be "too caring." But the fact that Rapunzel was holding nothing back and genuine made Hiccup realizes that despite her naivety and little experience in the real world, she wanted to show him that there was good in humanity.

Suddenly, Hiccup noticed the blond beauty looking down at his lips. The implication was clear that she wanted to kiss him, and Hiccup had no objection to that.

Unfortunately, before they could come close for a kiss, a massive Roman warship signaled them down below. Pulling out his telescope, Hiccup looked down to see who was signaling him. Humming lowly, he then lowered his glass and noted the concern on Rapunzel's face. "Don't worry, it's the emperor's son, Gallio Petillius Plautis, he's next in line to assume the throne and become emperor of Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire," he said reassuringly before grinning. "C'mon! Let me introduce him to you." As he urged Toothless to descend, he could see the men under the Imperial Prince make way for the Night Fury to land as well as Bluster who then stretched her stiff limbs once on the deck of the ship.

"Hiccup Haddock III, you descend like the Sword of Damocles, ready to dispatch those who cross into the depths of Hades."

Prince Gallio grinned with extended arms. He was a well-built man who was in his early thirties, sporting short, spiky brown hair, rapturous brown eyes, and sporting no facial hair on his chiseled face. His armor was immaculate, gleaming steel which looked as though it were made out of the purest form of onyx than the finished product of simple men whose trade is that of smithing. His helmet was carved from a single piece of ebony steel with a face plate to instill fear into the hearts of those brazen enough to challenge him, and crested with gilded feathers, it signified his position as Imperial Prince among the countless centurions in the army as well as making him stand out with his violet cape.

"Highness," bowing his head in greetings, Hiccup turned to Rapunzel who had slid off of Bluster and hid behind him. Cooing reassuring words into her ear, the Viking bounty hunter presented the beautiful blond to the Roman prince. "This is Rapunzel, she's the lost princess of Corona."

Taking one of her hands, Gallio kissed her knuckles and gave her a greeting nod. "Welcome to Constantinople, Princess Rapunzel," he then raised a curious eyebrow while crossing his arms across his chest. "I'm familiar with Corona, and I'm also aware that its rulers, Frederic and Arianna had been endlessly searching for their abducted daughter. Yet now you stand by one of the most famous men in the world. Tell me, how exactly did you flee from your abductors?" Shy at first, Rapunzel looked at Hiccup, silently asking him if it was alright for her to disclose such information. He gave her a warm smile and nodded, encouraging her to speak.

"M-My... abductor claimed to be my mother and she sought to lock me away in a tower because I possess something that people would kill for,"

"Oh? And what might that be?" Prince Gallio inquired.

Reaching for her braided hair, Rapunzel stroked it before chuckling nervously. "It's... do you believe in magic, prince?"

"I believe there are many things in the world that we do not truly understand," narrowing his eyes, he tilted his head. "You are capable of magic?" When the blond nodded in confirmation, the prince looked at her hair and understood. "Incredible," murmuring softly to himself, he then clasped his hands together. "Perhaps you can explain how you came to possess such power when I introduce you to my father, Emperor Proculus Tettidius Plautis." Turning to his shipmaster, the Imperial Prince barked out. "Take us to the city!"

"At once, sire!"

As the warship began to move, the prince gave a nod at the Viking bounty hunter and lost princess before attending to other matters for the time being. Rapunzel, however, took the time to take in the site of entering this breathtaking city via ship. Turning around to see Hiccup and Toothless eyeing her, she beamed and urged him to join her. "C'mon, Hic!" Laughing at her excitement, Hiccup came up behind her. He was a foot taller than her, and before he knew it, he was wrapping arms around her torso and pressing his front against her back until they were flushed. Gasping in surprise, Rapunzel turned her head so that she could look into the handsome face and gorgeous eyes of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III.

His smile made her knees weak and blush graced her cheeks before she ultimately leaned back into Hiccup's hold and released a dreamy sigh.

Each day she spent with Hiccup, the more she realized that she was falling for him; being in his arms at this very moment made Rapunzel feel so safe, happy, and free. A part of her feared that all of this was a dream, that she would awake and find herself back in that dungeon of a tower with Gothel telling her what to do and what not to do. Despite that dreadful fear, however, the wind caressing her face, the scent of the sea, and the strong yet gentle feeling of Hiccup's arms and body around her reassured Rapunzel that this wasn't a dream and that she was truly free to live her life the way she wanted to.

With Rapunzel in his arms, Hiccup had no doubt that she could feel his heart thundering in his chest. An embarrassing aftereffect of holding a beautiful woman flush against him as if they were lovers. The desire to kiss Rapunzel and confess his feelings for her was growing as each day passed, however, Hiccup didn't want to overwhelm her so quickly. She was experiencing life outside of the tower she was held in, after all, not only that, but she was a princess whose parents would be eager to have her returned to them.

She was a princess and he was branded as an outlaw and possibly stands no chance of courting a young woman who will one day become a strong, powerful queen.

"Mmm, thank you, Hiccup," looking over her shoulder to smile at Hiccup, the blond beauty beamed. "Thank you for taking me here. I can't wait to see what Constantinople has to offer." Leaning up on the tips of her toes, she pressed her lips against his cheek. Smiling at her words and gesture of gratitude, Hiccup merely nodded and held her closer, causing Rapunzel to sigh happily.

Although Constantinople was full of wonder to those who stood as travelers and explorers, it was still a vast city that held people in association with the Bondsman Guild. Hiccup knew that once they entered the city, bounty hunters would undoubtedly be sticking their noses in their direction and attempting to claim the bounty of bringing Rapunzel back to Corona.

Whatever would transpire in the coming days, Hiccup would keep his guard up. Even though he was holding a goddess in his arms doesn't mean he wouldn't be ignorant.

Eugene Fitzherbert or Flynn Rider was eating a sweet pastry after having a delicious, hearty meal. The man knew that the key to getting what he wanted was patience. Even before he became a bounty hunter, his time-thieving had taught him that good things happen to people who are patient. His partners, the Stabington Brothers weren't by his side, they were spreading the word in the Bondsman Guild establishment in Constantinople that a petite blond with freakishly long, magical hair would be here in this city with the legendary Dragon Rider.

That bit of knowledge was courtesy of the bounty hunter, Ripper.

"I pay you and your brutish companions to fetch Rapunzel, and yet I find you here, helping yourself to sweets!?"

Nearly jumping out of his skin at the coarse, raspy voice of Gothel, Flynn placed a hand over his chest while taking deep breaths to calm his heart, which threatened to burst out of his chest. "Lady, don't ever sneak up on me like that again!" He exhaled with a glare before snorting. "How did you even get here anyway?"

"I have allies and connections of my own," Gothel smirked, her malicious grin was then replaced with a sneer. "Why are you being idle and not looking for Rapunzel?"

"Hey, do I tell you how to be an obsessive old hag who desperately clings to the vanity of youth and a long life?" Flynn smirked as Gothel's features twisted with anger before he noticed her reaching for a dagger. "Do that, and I'll alert the guards that you tried to commit murder in broad daylight." Biting her tongue to hold back the curses she want to spit in Flynn's face, the old woman wrapped herself tightly in her cloak while sighing heavily. After taking the last bite of the sweet pastry he had bought, Flynn hummed before noting flocks of people gathering near the streets.

"Make way! Make way, for the Imperial Prince and his guests of honor!"

Pushing his way through the crowd, Flynn grinned at the sight of both Hiccup Haddock and Rapunzel together as they steered their dragons behind Prince Gallio's chariot. Word on the streets was that the Imperial Prince and a significant portion of the Roman armada were deployed to Sicily where fierce brigands and pirates were attempting to steal grain shipments to Constantinople and then offer them back for a price that was beyond reasonable. With that resistance crushed, Gallio and the Roman armada returned home to receive a hero's welcome.

"Yes! There you are, my girl!"

Turning to see Gothel's eyes glaze with the desire to have her back in her clutches, Flynn sneered in disgust at the old crone but kept his mouth shut.

"She... has a dragon? How—?"

"The Dragon Rider. That's how," Flynn deadpanned while pointing at Hicccp. "Word in the Bondsman Guild is that he was once an heir to a desolate piece of rock in Norway, the tribe of Vikings there fought dragons. He trained one, however, the most feared one among them. Because of that, he was branded as an outlaw among his people, now look at him, galloping behind a Roman prince like a peacock." Eyeing Rapunzel, he snorted. "With a beautiful woman by his side, I might add."

Turning to face Flynn, the cloaked Gothel bore her teeth. "I don't care what you have to do or who you have to kill to wrest her from that barbarian filth. But I want Rapunzel back—"

"Yeah yeah, I'm aware," rolling his eyes in annoyance, Flynn began to formulate a plan to swoon the naive blond and bring her back to his benefactor. "She'll most likely want to explore a portion of the city before the day ends. I'll follow them from a distance and wait until she and Haddock step out of the palace. Once the blondie is distracted with the awe of this place, I'll make my move." Before Gothel could object, Flynn had already disappeared in the vast crowds of people praising their prince.

Under different circumstances, Gothel wouldn't rush the bounty hunter's progress, however, the effects of the Dreamwing magic were wearing off by the day, and she could feel herself desiccating from the inside out.

"Patience," she murmured herself. "All good things to those who wait."

She would have her moment. And once Rapunzel was back in her possession, she would see to it that she would never let her slip from her grasp, ever again.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and pretty soon, things are about to get interesting, in more ways than one! Thanks for tuning in, and I'll see you in the next update!