Author's Note: OH. MY. WORD. We are at the LAST CHAPTER. How is that possible? It's weird, kind of, that this is the final update to this story. I'm rather attached to these characters. I admit that the other day when I was re-watching specific Tangled scenes so I could nail the timing for previous chapters, I briefly saw the characters as mine, as the way I've molded them. Hehe. As much as I love them, however, every story must have it's end and I'm ready to put them to rest.

Thank you for dealing with my notes, grammatical mistakes, imperfections in tying in the Tangled timeline at points, odd pacing or time skips, and random chapter updates.

Thank you so, so much for filling my inbox with notifications of follows, favorites, and reviews. It means so much to me and I wish I could express my utter gratitude to you all. If you're a silent reader (no faves, follows, or reviews) I hope you liked my story! If not, or if you did, I won't mind if you dropped a line or two on what you enjoyed and what you maybe didn't. Advice is always welcomed!

Banci Taman Lawang: Again, thank you for the idea of and permission to use your idea for a scene in this chapter. I took the liberty of naming a character after you to honor you, I hope you don't mind. :)

Guest: Bless you. ;) I'm so glad you understand my struggle with that! I hope I did it justice. Thank you for your reviews and cheer, you're a dear.

IceQueenandFireQueen: I'm in the habit of writing that name now due to your utter faithfulness in reviewing. Thank you so much for all of your comments, advice, and kindness. Youre a true blessing and may all of your written work receive a follower as wonderful as you! :)

DoomgirlForever: Where do I begin with you? You have been with me from the start, so I thank you and am honored to have journeyed this with you. Thank you so much for constantly leaving such sweet words for me to read in your reviews. :)

DISCLAIMER: Tangled, I do not own. This FanFic I DO own and some of the characters and their personalities. I have permission from Banci Taman Lawang to use the idea of a scene used in here.

"Soldier Conli!" I heard my name hollered from down the hall. Turning, I saw that it belonged to a guard from the Royal Floor. Guards from the Royal Floor are those who interact more with the Royals; they are more on a ground level, so to speak, with the king and queen. True, the king and queen have the right to speak to and associate with any working person of the palace, but typically, a Royal Floor Guard meant one of many years in service, of dedication, and of trustworthiness.

"Yes, Taman?" I answered the guard who quickly approached my proximity with a hasted gait. I was on patrol in my typical place near the library –relieved to be stationed so far from the entire hubbub with the reunited royals.

"My sister's wedding rehearsal is tomorrow and I have to be there for her," Taman explained.

"Man, another wedding to plan?" I asked with a light laugh. The Lost Princess, Rapunzel, returned a fortnight ago, and she was due to walk down the aisle in ten days time.

"You're telling me," he chuckled with me. "Is there anyway you could take over my shift during that time?"

"Yeah, sure," I replied, hiding my slight disappointment. I was looking forward to my time off to spend in the library with Murphy/Ari, or catching up on some snooze, but an opportunity to work at a Royal Floor status was enticing. Gainey promised me the promotion once the chaos from the reunion and wedding took place and he could shift around the patrolling schedule to make room for me.

"Thanks, man, I owe you one," Taman beamed as he slapped my shoulder in gratitude.

"Ah, no problem," I attempted to reply without wincing. "So, who's the lucky guy to capture Tambor's attention?"

"Some thug," Taman grumbled. "His name's Jeffrey."

"Oh, that big nose ruffian?"

"Yeah," he scoffed, clearly none to pleased with Tambor's pick for a husband.

"He seems nice," I reasoned, fishing desperately to try to compliment the brute. I met him during the weeklong celebration at the princess's return. All of the ruffians from the Snuggly Duckling were actually quite pleasant when they migrated through for the party for Princess Rapunzel. I saw that strange Cupid Man once again and had to physically restrain Gainey from tackling him while reminding the captain that he turned over a new leaf and was going to forgive the crazy old coot.

"He's a big romantic," answered Taman with a small sigh. "And it seems over the top sometimes, but it at least means he'll take quality care of my little sis."

"True. Well, best of luck at the rehearsal tomorrow, Taman," I commented as we parted ways.

"Thanks again, Conli!"

"Morning, Bergen. I'm Conli, the fill-in for Taman today," I reported to a gruff looking guard. He grunted and handed me a piece of paper with what looked like Taman's routine for his shift.

Patrol. Patrol. Patrol. Lunch. Patrol. Fencing Lessons.

Pretty basic schedule, if you ask me. The patrolling the Royals' halls didn't bother me; it was the last item on the list of duties for the day that was puzzling. I know some guards have talents and are able to help out a noble every now and then, but I haven't heard of fencing lessons in ages. The king easily throws out his back in physical activities, thus, why he reads so much. And the princess is exuberant, but fencing lessons? Whatever, who am I to judge? I was already proved wrong once this month about the thugs from the Snuggly Duckling singing, I suppose I could be in the false assuming once again.

The day passed casually. I think the most exciting thing on my rounds was a spider scanting over the slick tiles of the hallway. Although it was quiet, I was thankful, the last couple of weeks have been crazy. To life say life at the Corona Castle went back to normal after our kingdom gained back our beloved princess –lost for eighteen years- would be an understatement. But then again, it may just rightly peg the status quo of the palace. Of course, the maids were in chaos to clean the entire abode, guards were assigned more shifts, and the twinkle in the king's eye returned as the Queen Mother's smile lit up her whole face once more.

Murphy, urged by me, finally wrote his father who in turn immediately demanded a meeting. Murphy met his father shortly after that and demanded that the king stop his pursuit of kingdom expansion by taking over Corona. He also reassured the Southern Isles king that the Magical Golden Flower is no more. The king returned to the Southern Isles with a signed contract by the Corona King saying that they'll live in tolerance with each other if Corona keeps Murphy and the Stabbington Brothers, but the Southern Isles may travel through the seas surrounding Corona to reach other trading partners and kingdoms.

Me, I remained a guard. I did, however, receive a pay raise and a higher status. No longer a Greenhorn, or basic palace guard, but an actual protector of the Royals with "Soldier" before my name. Soldier Conli, I like that. And I know Nathan would too.

I can't help but smile at the memory of my late brother. Yes, the pain still hits me right in the gut every now and then, but it's like I have a piece of him when I'm serving my kingdom. And now that Gainey and I have made amends and patched things up, I have another side of Nathan I couldn't have before with Gainey's hesitation in my friendship.

Gainey still holds the position of Captain of the Guards, although, it seems as if Maximus assumed he is of the title instead. But at least it's cheaper to pay Maximus in apples –Gainey never appreciated that joke. Before Maximus could take over the crime in the kingdom, however, he, Gainey, and I all sat down with the king and explained how Flynn Rider should be relieved of the death penalty for his crimes.

At first the king wasn't convinced, but Murphy happened to walk in at that moment, and I swore I saw memories of the king being proved wrong that no matter where you're from or what you stood for, if you love Corona and fought for it -Murphy in protecting the king; Rider in returning the crown and Lost princess- you should have the freedom to live in it like Murphy has received. The king delivered the news to Rider himself while I fidgeted and felt twisted in my stomach all the while. I knew I had to speak to the ex-thief personally soon, but he was too swamped with prince lessons and wedding planning to get involved with memory lane with a guard, right?

So, I allowed the chaotic current the castle life to prevent me from completely facing my past, but I knew that with each moment passing, I lost another small slice of peace.

The later part of the afternoon was approaching as I finished up my final steps on the last patrol portion of the schedule and marched to the appropriate room for the fencing lesson. The room was large and spacious. Some may call it a gym, although the official royal gym was on another floor. This area is mainly used for smaller balls, a banquet perhaps, or the necessary lesson that required extra space such as this.

I entered quietly, but my armor prohibited complete mouse status. I removed my heavy gear and grabbed a pair of loose fitting breeches and a thin cotton tunic: athletic wear. Moving to the small changing room, I slipped into the sporting garb and exited quickly. I then notice my pupil in the opposite corner fixing his sword's hilt.

"I'll be just a moment, Taman," the man remarked without turning.

"I'm not Taman, actually," I explained. The person perked up and began to rotate to face me. "He had another obligation and I'm his filler for the day. My name is-"

"Conli," he breathed in a disbelief tone.

"Conli," I weakly stated when I saw who he was.

"I presume you know how to fence and will commence this lesson, then?" he stated formally, as if we've never even encountered each other. Had he so easily forgotten our encounter on the balcony with Gainey and the princess? He tossed me a fencing sword, which I easily caught by the handle; I took this as my answer.

"I'm not as swift on my feet as some, but my sword-skills are noted," I stated impassively, completely ignoring the inward mourning part of my heart felt as I allowed bitterness to settle where I had decided to move on and make amends with him. If he wanted to throw away our history, fine. I can play fierce sword instructor if he wanted to be the pouty pupil. That's just fine with me.

"We'll see."

"On my mark," I demanded. We entered the fencing area. We faced each other with our sword tips touching the floor but crossing each other's in typical fencing fashion. "On guard!"

Immediately, he brought up his weapon and began to parry me. I backed away from his thrusts and easily blocked his attacks. This carried on for several minutes until my curiosity bubbled over. I had to ask.

"How does the very thief who steals the most precious item in the kingdom end up in the castle and engaged to the princess, anyway?" I questioned my opponent.

"The same way a guard holds in custody the very person who was his best friend at one point and yet helps lead the guy to the gallows!" he responded. "By following his path!" He struck down with extra ferocity on that answer.

"That doesn't make sense!" I yelled back in reply with a quick block to his slam. "I was following orders and trying to provide for myself."

"As. Was. I." he gritted. Each word was enunciated with a harsh protrusion of his weapon. I skipped away from the metal.

"At least my way was legal and benefitted the kingdom," I baited with a sneer.

"My way got the princess back on the throne," he smirked. Good point. "And at least I also didn't backstab my friend!" He spun and swished his sword at me; I tucked and rolled just out of reach of the blade.

"Oh, please! Your way backstabbed just as well," I commented as I dueled him from a kneeling position. I didn't quite time that tuck and roll as best as I thought.

"I wasn't the first to jab the knife, though," he accused and swiped at my knees. I flung myself backwards to escape his wrath. "You abandoned me! You left me and didn't ever plan to think of me again!"

"I fought for you!" I fumed as I threw down my sword. "I bled and cried and protected you. I fought for you. But I'm done. I don't want to fight you anymore. Lesson over." I stepped over my dropped weapon and made my way to the small alcove where my armor rested.

"'Fought for me.' Fought for me?" He repeated in an irritated tone and followed me to the space. "Why do I find that hard to believe when you were the one who told me to get lost that day back in the courtyard?"

"You don't know how much I regret that day of leaving you behind," I muttered. Sighing, I quietly continued; "You don't know how much I've protected you from how the law could have treated you."

"I will admit that my timing on wanting you to be there for me with you training as a guard was not the most impeccable opportunity I could have taken," he confessed. "But, again, I don't see you leading me to be hanged as a friendly 'I'm sorry' gesture." Anger revisited his tone.

"You took Eugene from me," I threw the spite back at him, yanking myself around to look him in the eyes so he'd see my raw fury built up over the past few years. "You took not just the crown and what I love, but my best friend, my… my brother."

"I finally became what I had always wanted," he angrily retorted.

"A guy who'll never be left because he has everything?" furiously, I replied as I automatically was transported to the scenario when he first uttered that line in the palace courtyard: Do you think anyone would leave a guy who has everything?

His irate and contorted face immediately relaxed at my statement, and he physically took a half step back. "I'm not that person anymore," he murmured. "I'm a man with a new dream."

"Well, I'm not that person anymore either," I began, not really positive what I was addressing, as I ran a calloused hand through my damp hair. Defeated and unsure, I slumped to the ground, leaning against a wall of the alcove. Quiet filled the sweaty atmosphere as he pretended to be thoroughly interested in his hands suddenly.

I finally broke the tense silence by commenting, "Dreams are hard to fulfill."

"Who knew, right?" he agreed as he exhaled and caused his bangs to flutter at the breath, but then clamp back onto his perspiring forehead. After eyeing me warily, he too lowered himself to the sleek floor. He sat against the opposite wall facing me; a painful vacancy stretching between us.

I sighed and opened my mouth. "Look, Rider-"

"It's Eugene now," he gently interrupted. I glanced over and briefly met his brown orbs that held so much: hope, uncertainty, adventure, caution, fear, dreams.

"Well, now," crookedly I smiled. "Rider, I was wrong to behave the way I did back then in the courtyard all those years ago, but, in my defense, I was just a kid myself, how could I be expected to take you with me?"

Then it hit me, a full on smack across my face, a sock in my gut hard enough to stop my breathing. I finally realized and understood what Gainey was going through with Nathan's death and having to take me on.

Rider stared expectantly at me as I struggled to remember to inhale and to gather my thoughts simultaneously.

"He didn't want to live up to the expectations of Nathan," I mumbled as I mulled over my thoughts.

"What?" Lost, Eugene asked.

"I get it, Eugene, I get it," proudly, I announced to him with a beaming expression while he just continued to gawk at my random words. "Captain Gainey didn't want to take care of me when my brother died but had asked him to. Gainey didn't want to try to live up to the expectations I'd have of him to act like my brother."

"I'm not following…" Eugene responded in honest confusion. I couldn't blame him; I was hardly making sense to myself.

"Unconsciously, I did the same to you," I projected as I stood up to emphasis. "You and I both looked up tremendously to Flynnigan Ryder, and I knew I wouldn't amount to the man he was. When I turned you away, I was turning away from the possibility of being compared to that, and I knew I'd fail. And for not trying, for not even giving you a chance, for leaving you, for that I am sorry, Eugene. So, so sorry."

Neither of us knew how to respond to my heartfelt, apologetic epiphany.

"That's why I took it, you know," quietly, he finally spoke. I looked at him, but he wasn't facing me. His gaze was on the ground, but his mind a thousand miles away and seeing things I couldn't, I'm sure.

"Took what exactly?" I hesitantly questioned, frightened of saying the wrong thing and crushing the delicate, egg-shell bridge of trust between us, through the gap of the alcove.

"Took the crown, got involved with the Stabbington Brothers who wanted revenge on some guard or something, thieved, take your pick," Eugene said with a bitter tone. " I knew the best way to get back at you would be to take what meant most to the kingdom you loved to serve so much. I'm not saying it was right, but I knew it'd get you. Just on how I knew it'd get you if I stuffed some hay in my shirt before descending into the crown room at the off-chanced you'd be in there."

"You wanted me to know precisely who stole it and why," I answered. Grimly, he nodded to confirm. "What made you return it then?"

"So, I met a girl…" sheepishly, he began with a slight blush. I snapped my head to look at him to try to interpret what direction this conversation was going.

"I noticed that," I smiled as an image of the princess came to mind.

"And she taught me a lot about dreams, and achieving them and such," he continued. "But one of the most profound lessons I learned from her, she doesn't even know I was aware of." Eugene went on to explain what all happened to him after his escape from the gallows to him returning on the balcony with the Lost Princess. He told me of finding Rapunzel in her tower and her over-protective mother figure, Mother Gothel, and all the horrible things she did to hide the princess with magic hair away from the world and for her own personal use.
"I haven't really thought about it until now," Eugene pondered out loud after he finished telling me his piece. "But as I was fading in and out of consciousness, I was aware of one action," he reminisced. I tried to hide my grimace at him entering Death's door. "As Mother Gothel fell out the window, she reached for her."

"For the princess?" I asked to clarify.

He shook his head. "No, the princess reached for Mother Gothel. After all she did to her, Rapunzel was still willing to forgive her."

"Family is an incredibly powerful thing," I managed to comment after processing Eugene's tale of how he died, and then resurrected. "It's not always perfect."

"But it'll hold true," he stated.

"Brothers?" I asked as I offered my hand to his.

"Brothers," he confirmed as he accepted my handshake. "I have a request of you, though."

We began to walk out of the room where we had fenced and entered into the large hallway.

"Oh?"

"Traditionally, a royal wedding just has the bride, groom, and minister up front -no bridesmaids or groomsmen. And Rapunzel wants to do every thing to tradition. In her mind it helps smooth over lost time or something. Had this not be the case, however, you'd be my best man, but since I'm not technically allowed that... would you mind coming to my wedding?" Eugene seemed shy in asking this, so I rolled my eyes at his doubt in my response and in the fact that he had to ask.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I joyfully answered.

"And do you think you could bring the Stabbington Brothers?" I was taken aback at his request, why would he want two thugs attending his wedding? He explained in answer to my silence: "I want them to see me happy."

"This your Eugene-idea of revenge?" I loosely jested.

"I want them to know that no matter their past, they can have new dreams too," Eugene replied. "No matter their crimes, what they deserve, what scars they have –physically and emotionally- they can let it go and find a happily ever after."

"That's incredibly noble of you," I remarked. "But also a bit cheesy," I smirked with a teasing smile. He answered back with a grin of his own. "I'll not only make sure that the Stabbington Brothers attend your wedding, Your Royal Highness," I stated. "But I'll personally guard them at the event."

"You know that it's a spring wedding, right, Conli?"

"What of it?"

"Nothing, I just don't want you hacking all over them with your allergies," he joked as I softly hit his arm.

"You know me," I laughed. "Cursed with Hay Fever."

It was nearing time for the ceremony to begin, thus the frantic final minute touch ups on the seating, floral arrangements, and the dealings with the disappearance of a certain groom –claiming he had to do or get something prior to the ceremony. I observed the people milling about like ants as I stood near the double doors, waiting for a pair of very special guests.

"Why did you want these two again?" Gainey asked, obviously a bit peeved at the extra work they were causing. He held on to Ron who held a bitter expression and Bryon gripped the latter of the Stabbington duo.

"Special request from the prince," I replied with a grin.

"Oh? So you two made up, then?" he asked. Although Eugene and I did make amends over a week ago, the wedding planning and coronation details haven't permitted me leisure time to chat with my favorite librarian or captain. Odd, but still welcomed, how quickly, we've built up a brotherhood between he and I.

"We did," I nodded to emphasis the statement. Gainey mimicked the action and Bryon smiled from his position a few feet away.

"Good."

"Yeah, feels good to have that behind me now," I commented to the captain. "But you want to know something funny?"

"What?" Gainey humored me by inquiring.

"It was during our argument prior to the apologizing when I realized, completely realized and understood why you did what you did for me and stuff. So thank you."

"You're thanking me?" bewildered, Gainey asked. He was clearly taken aback at the change of the conversation.

"I am. Thank you for thinking of me and trying to put me first. It's truly an honor to serve a captain who thinks so much of others," I sincerely complimented.

"It's a trait learned from Nathan," he answered with a small smile. "He'd be proud of you, Conli. Right proud of the guard you are for Corona, of man of honor you are."

"Thank you, Captain," I answered with a wobbly, emotional smile. "He'd be proud of you, too. And I'm proud of you as well."

"Same," Gainey stated as he clasped my shoulder before turning to snatch Ron's arm and lead him and his brother into the back.

"I'm proud of you, too, Conli," Bryon slipped in before he had to follow the captain and brothers through the doors. I didn't have time to reply to him since he disappeared so quickly, but I appreciated his comment all the same.

I was getting lost in thinking of all the role models and people who have influenced me lately, such as Bryon, Gainey, Nathan, Murphy, Eugene, and even Ron, when a voice suddenly startled me out of my thoughts.

"I know it's my wedding day," the voice stated. "But I want to give something to you." The words were oddly familiar.

"Now?" I asked, slightly stressed that he has been playing hokey just mere minutes away from the princess walking down the aisle.

"It's going to be a very big day," he predicted in proclamation. "And I don't want my brother to feel forgotten. Here," Eugene offered as he extended his arms from behind his back.

The object wasn't wrapped and it was quite plain, and yet it was the most beautiful thing. I laughed as I read the book's title, "The Tales of Flynnigan Ryder." Tears trickled down my face.

"It was my favorite book growing up," continued Eugene, emotion welling up in his tone. "Maybe it can be there for you the way it was there for me." I could only nod and clutch the beloved jacket to my chest.

"Thank you," I whispered, hoping he knew what this meant to me.

"And here is part two," he stated as he pressed another book into my hands.

"Hay Fever, Allergies, Sneezing, and How to Deal With It?" I read this in question, confused by his gift.

"I know you're fine with sneezing and all," Eugene stated. "But this is a rental from the library, suggested by a librarian intern who knows what you're going through."

"Mandy has allergies, too?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"Who knew, right?" smiled Eugene with a mischievous grin. I smiled and shook my head at his and Rapunzel's obvious meddling with my social/hopeful love life.

I glanced to the side at a sudden burst of noise to see the wedding coordinator, Pertune's cousin believe it or not, hollering something about needing to find the prince-to-be for the ceremony to start on time.

"Don't you have a wedding to get to?" I asked, inclining my head to the twitching fellow nearing us.

"Yes," Eugene answered beaming at the thought of his princess. "How do I look?" He posed by placing his hands on his hips and held a dignified expression over his usual smolder. For a brief moment, I saw the squirrely kid who annoyed me as I tried to read so long ago at the orphanage; I blinked and saw a humble man about to marry his dream and become a prince soon after.

"You're as shining as your character," I responded. "Brighter than the Corona sun."

"Truly? How's my nose?" questioned he with a slight panic on realizing how he's usually depicted.

"You're fine just the way you are, Eugene," I reminded him, despite his nose being perfectly normal.

"So are you, Conli," he answered back with a carefree grin as he was ushered through the doors by the frazzled wedding coordinator.

"Right," I half-heartily agreed as I glanced at the clock and began to move away since I had to slip in a side door to take up my post on guarding the back area and simultaneously monitor the Stabbington Brothers.

"Conli!" he called. He had to raise his voice above the crowd's chatter. I stopped and turned to him. "I mean it," he proclaimed. He was leaning back against the gentle guide of Tim and Kiel who were responsible for urging the prince-to-be to take his spot as the groom up at the front. "You're my brother, Conli. Through thick and thin; Hay Fever and all."

Tears gathered in my blues –from the book gift, I'm sure. I had no doubt he'd make a difference in the kingdom as a husband and as the prince. He had my full confidence and I knew he'd never lie or lead me in the wrong; so I received the faith he had in me. And for the first time in my life, I knew that issues such as being without Nathan's capable hands, having an injured leg, or even the silly allergy of hay were apart of who I am and apart of my story. Just on how being orphaned and becoming a thief and finding redemption was in Eugene's tale. And that was okay, because we all had our own talents and skills. And while it was just fine to aspire for characteristics others had, it's good to find joy in what makes me me; what makes me Conli Anderson. Yes, brother and son and guard, but so much more. The spaces after my name were filled with so much more than those relations and with my faults that had for so long blinded me to the chances at overcoming my weaknesses and discovering possibilities of being great at being me. My spaces were now sated with my adventures and boring days, with my trials and triumphs. My spaces were filled with me. And I couldn't wait to see what other experiences I can fill in the spaces with.

I smiled with this revelation as I replied back to Eugene before he completely disappeared through the doors: "Brothers through thick and thin, Eugene. Hay Fever and all."

Tangled Scene: Tangled Ever After movie.

Banci Taman Lawang Scene: Sword fighting reunion.

Final Author's Note: Thank you for sticking with me and for reading through my first multi-chapter FanFiction ever! I learned lots for sure, and I hope you enjoyed the ride. Okay, I checked what this story's length is without Author's notes and such: 111 Word document pages with the font on size 9. 111 PAGES! Over 50,180 words! That's crazy! Over 50,000+ words of me babbling about a sneezing guard. My word. :)

If you ever need a pick-me-up, have a prayer request, or just need to talk to someone, feel free to message me! I cannot close this without letting you know that you are worth it. You are enough and never too much. There is a God out there who loves you very much. So much that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to the world to die on the cross so we wouldn't have to pay for the sins of the world. Check out the details in John 3:16. Please don't think I'm shoving religion down your throat. I'm simply expressing my personal encouragement. :)

Again, thank you for reading this FanFic; it is truly appreciated. I hope to see you on another FanFic soon! :)

God Bless.