Last chapter! It's been a blast writing this. :D Also, don't forget to check out the incredible artwork that was made by red_b_rackham. (I know the links in the profile aren't working, so click the "homepage" link which will take you to my LJ. Click the "fic: taming the rider" tag and you'll be able to see it from there. :D :D ) Thanks again for taking the time to read/review/enjoy this little fic of mine. :D :D

She and I walk a little closer than we have been all day. We make our way to where Max and Pascal are waiting.

Before we can go to the boat that is waiting for us, there is something I need to do for that horse. Sure he and I barely tolerate each other, but he did keep his word to Rapunzel, despite his oath to the royal guard. That kind of behavior deserves some kind of reward, I figure.

I look at Max. "Could you take Rapunzel to the docks for me?"

I don't miss Pascal's jaw dropping at the use of her proper name.

Max, however, looks at me suspiciously. I guess we're still working on the trust issue. "I'll be back," I reply, holding up my hands in innocence, "I promise."

Rapunzel, my heroine, comes to my aid. She reaches up and scratches under his chin. "He'll be back, Maximus. It's almost time for the lanterns!"

With a huff and a snort, the horse relents. I don't even bother looking back because I know I don't have much time to do what I have planned. Most of the shopkeepers have closed for the celebration, but I manage to find a singular woman who is about the close for the night.

"Hey," I call out, slightly winded. "You've got any apples left?"

"I sure do." She holds up a bag filled to the brim. Perfect for Max.

I drop the coins in her hand and snag the bag. It isn't until I've walked several feet that I realized that I haven't stolen anything the entire day. I can't remember the last time that has happened voluntarily. I resist the urge to pocket something to prove to myself that Flynn Rider hasn't gone anywhere, but I find my drive oddly lacking.

As I sling the bag over my shoulder, I think about Rapunzel and how I enjoyed spending the day with her much more than I ever expected to. I'm pretty sure these feelings goes beyond being smitten by a beautiful woman.

The problem is, I don't know what to do with these emotions. Act on them? It's not fair to pull Rapunzel into a life on the lam. Though she is out of her tower, she would be no less imprisoned if she were to follow me. No, I would have to come up with another idea.

I'm still trying to figure out a solution when I finally approach the docks. Rapunzel and our animals companions are waiting for me by the only boat tied to the side. I hide my gift to Max behind my back and make my way to where they are waiting.

While Rapunzel is busy talking to Max -"I told you Eugene would come back!"-I sneak the bag of apples in the boat. With one foot on the dock and the other in the boat, I hold my hand for Rapunzel to take. She grasps mine and carefully steps inside. Her eyes widen as the boat rocks slightly.

"It's alright. I've got you," I assure her with a soft smile.

She gives me a reassuring look and takes a seat. As I'm about to step inside, I feel the strangest sensation run up my leg. I look down and see Pascal scurrying up my body. I guess that means he's going to act as our chaperone for the evening. I'm surprised to find that I really don't mind. He's probably looking forward to the lanterns as much as Rapunzel.

I step completely onto the boat. Under my seat, I can see the edges of the paper lanterns sticking out. So, Cupid's helper did stay true to his word. I grab the oar and push the boat away from the dock.

Max, for his part, looks rather pitiful standing there all by himself. "Hey Max!" I call out.

He cocks his head to the side inquisitively.

With a one-handed heave, I toss the bag of apples onto the dock right at his feet.

He narrows his eyes at me. Hasn't he ever heard of the saying "don't look a gift horse in the mouth"? Sheesh. You would think he's ungrateful or something.

"What? I bought them."

This appeases him. He starts munching on the fruit immediately. I wait two heartbeats before adding a cryptic, "Most of them." That will teach him to wake me up again, I think smugly.

I turn back to Rapunzel who is looking around, trying to understand what I have planned for the rest of the evening. "Where are we going?"

"Well, best day of your life..." I hold out my hand for Pascal to climb on it. I put him on the back of the boat where he won't be in danger of getting crushed by my manly rowing. "I figure you should have a decent seat."

She's pretty quiet as I continue to row the boat away from the others. I would have thought by now she would have been impressed with the view of the enormous boats that are floating around us. As we drift further away from the shore, I have to admit even though I have lived in Corona my entire life, the kingdom and its palace look amazing.

I finally steer the boat to the perfect position for viewing the lanterns when they go on their flight. From here, Rapunzel and I will be able to see every light that floats in the sky. We lean on the edge of the boat, looking at the silhouette of Corona.

I'm about to ask her what she thinks of the view when, to my surprise, Rapunzel lets out a sad sigh. This isn't the reaction I am going for. "You ok?"

If I was surprised by her initial reaction, I am flabbergasted by her next words. "I'm terrified."

I would understand if she had said nervous, excited or exhausted (especially after the past two days that we had), but terrified?

"Why?" I can't help but to ask.

She doesn't even turn in my direction. She keeps her eyes fixated on the kingdom before us. "I've been looking out a window for eighteen years, dreaming about what it might feel like when those lights rise in the sky. What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be?"

"It will be."

"And what if it is?" Rapunzel asked, finally facing me. "What do I do then?"

"Well, that's the good part, I guess. You get to find a new dream." I look at her meaningfully, wondering if she picks up on my double meaning.

She gives me a small smile and I'm not sure she understands what I'm trying to say without actually saying the words. For the first time in my adult life, I am wanting to walk away from that fake reputation I have established as Flynn Rider and embrace the man that I have always been. And I want Rapunzel to be part of that future.

I turn away from her, not knowing if I'm disappointed or relieved that she didn't instantly comprehend what I meant. There will be time for heartfelt confessions later, I tell myself. Right now, it's Rapunzel's time to live out her dream.

We look out at the nighttime sky expectantly. She dips a finger into the inky water. "How much longer until we can see the lights?" she wonders.

I scan the sky, but it is lantern-free at the moment. "It shouldn't be much longer. Once the king and queen release the first lantern, everyone else in the kingdom follows," I explain.

"I hope that the princess can see the lights tonight wherever she is," Rapunzel says softly. "After all, this is all for her."

And you, I add silently. Sure the tradition may have started because of what happened to the lost princess, but somewhere along the line Rapunzel's life became intertwined with these lanterns.

She starts to fidget, eager to see the lights. Subconsciously, she plucks a flower from her hair but before she can tug it out of place, her hair gets caught in it.

"Here," I say, stilling her hand. I carefully pull the flower out of its position and hand it to her.

She smiles appreciatively as she takes it. Slowly, thoughtfully, she puts in on the surface of the water as if she is creating another masterpiece.

Without prompting, I take several more flowers out of her hair and put them in my palm for Rapunzel to use.

"Thank you," she says earnestly before looking at the selection set before her. She chooses a purple flower and lets it float next to the orange one.

This continues for the next five minutes. I have to admit my hand is getting tired holding out these flowers for Rapunzel, but I really don't mind. She already seems more relaxed, calming her nerves by tapping in to her creativity.

I'm too busy looking at Rapunzel (all right, I'm gazing, happy now?) to notice the lantern that starts to float in the sky so when she suddenly jumps and and nearly capsizes the boat, I am totally unprepared. I go flying back in a ridiculous manner, doing what I can to keep the boat from flipping over.

When I mange to pull myself up into a sitting position, I look at Pascal who is holding on to the boat for dear life. "You ok?"

He looks a little more green than normal, but he gives me a nod.

I turn back to Rapunzel who is holding onto the front of the boat, watching the lights fly in the sky with such intent interest, I doubt she knows that we are still here. She lets out of soft sigh and I just when I think I have control of my feeling concerning Rapunzel, I feel a burst of something -some would call it love- run through me.

The lanterns are starting to float in our direction and even I have to admit, their reflection bouncing of the water is quite a sight. I really knew what I was doing when I sought the boat this morning.

I give Pascal a sideways glance and notice that even he's getting rather teary-eyed.

While Rapunzel is busy gazing at the lanterns in the sky, I get our own pair of lanterns ready. I carefully use the long match that was next to them and light it using the lamp at the end of the boat. With my free hand, I put my fingers to my lips, hoping Pascal can keep a secret.

His chest puffs out and he gives a salute. It's nice to know at least one animal is on my side.

I sit back down and light one lantern, catching it behind my legs as I light the other. Rapunzel must notice all of the movement because she turns from the show in the sky to me.

I hold the lanterns up with a hopeful smile.

With one of her own, she practically dances across the boat and sits right before me. "I have something for you too." She reaches behind her and pulls out my satchel. Where in the world did she get that? "I should have given it to you before but I was just scared. And the thing is, I'm not scared anymore. You know what I mean?"

I know exactly what she means, but I decide to not confess my overflow of emotions. I shift one lantern to my left hand and push down the satchel with my right. I don't need that anymore. "I'm starting to."

Rapunzel grins broadly.

Together, we release the lanterns into the sea of lights above us. I watch as they dance and spin in the air, somehow managing to stay together despite the thousands of lights that are in the sky. I lose track of them as they continue to float in the sky and turn back to Rapunzel. She starts pointing to the side of the boat excitedly.

One of the lanterns -the lost princess's lantern if I'm not mistaken- is floating down to the water's surface. She leans forward and taps the bottom of it, sending it sailing in the air.

That's it. I can't wait any longer. I take her hands in my own and let her know how I feel.

I really don't want to get into the details, but I'll just say there might have been some singing involved.

As we move closer together, I know this is the perfect time for out first kiss, a symbol of the birth of my new dream with Rapunzel.

I wish I would say that our lips met tenderly and I was able to give Rapunzel a birthday present that she would have never forgotten, but that's not the way it happened at all.

And really, I'd like to get into all of the details of what happened next, including my legendary acts of heroism, but that's a different story: the story of how I died.