So….this is my first (and, thus far, only planned) fic for Tangled. I just recently saw this movie (but I do not have yet have it memorized inside and out like I do How To Train Your Dragon, so I apologize if I get something wrong. This is not meant to be overly long, but it wouldn't leave me alone until I wrote it down, so…here we go…

The One Thing (I Never Meant To Steal)

As a bandit, I had made it my life's work to take things that do not belong to me. It sure beat being an orphan. That is why I chose to change my name and leave behind my past life. So far, it was an accomplishment. The entire kingdom knew my name and my face was plastered on every Wanted! poster around. A house here, a tree there. My only complaint was that the kingdom could never get my nose correct on any of them. I mean, really, how hard is it to make these drawings accurate? Do they actually expect to catch me with those phony posters? Still, I kept one step ahead of the palace guards. You can never be too caution in my line of work.

Of course, I was not caution enough. Go figure. I and my henchmen had managed to finally steal the crown of the lost princess. It was rumored to be very valuable and…I wanted it. Just like I wanted a castle, but I didn't realize that until we were breaking in. This time was close and we were almost caught. I was too sly, though, and made a break for it, stranding those two dim-witted henchmen. A run-in with a palace horse (and the series of circumstances that ensued) led me to a mysterious tower in the middle of a hidden cove and situated next to a serene waterfall. I did not question its existence and chose to seek refuge in the tower. That turned out to be a mistake as I do not remember much of what happened next.

Quickly I learned that this tower was occupied by a girl. This girl, named Rapunzel, was feisty to say the least. Apparently, she had never trekked beyond the walls of her tower. Strange, I know. She took the crown and hid it from me, using it to bait me into taking her out to see the light show the kingdom puts on annually on the lost princess's birthday. Unfortunately, I had to agree to her terms because I really needed that crown back.

Once out of the tower, I learned that, along with her feisty nature, she was clearly bipolar. I took her lows with her highs (but not without attempting to convince her to go back, call this whole adventure off, and regain possession of the crown). However, despite my attempts, I was always unsuccessful and the quest continued.

As I continued to spend time with Rapunzel, though, something changed. Inside, I felt grateful that she had been persistent about achieving her dream and making it come true. I could not imagine my life if I had not entered that tower and met her. My life really turned around and I think it's safe to say that it was all because of her.

As a bandit, I had become skilled at taking things that did not belong to me. These raids were most often planned and, going in, I knew what I wanted. In all my years as a bandit, though, there was one thing that I managed to steal without intending to do so. The one thing that I never meant to steal (but somehow managed to do so anyway) was…Rapunzel's heart. My presence must have rubbed off on her, too, because she also managed to steal mine. Strangely, though, I would not have it any other way.

I'm sure that this idea has been explored before, but I swear that this story is my own original creation and take on this idea. Thanks for reading and I may try to come up with another Tangled story someday in the future (because it is such a great movie!).