Epilogue - A New Dream

Flynn was barely paying attention as he followed the flow of foot traffic across the bridge. The twins were just ahead of him, their heads visible above the crowd. But his mind was back in the throne room.

Getting caught had been embarrassing, but he hadn't been worried. Zela would have plenty of time to persuade the Princess to leave her alone, then she would organize a daring rescue and rub it in his face for weeks. He was resigned to his fate when the King and Queen arrived, but his heart had dropped into his stomach when he saw Zela with them. If SHE had been caught... threatening the Princess was a death sentence for sure.

The world seemed to freeze as his brain went into overdrive. Images flashed through his mind quicker than he could process them. Zela behind bars. Zela with a noose around her neck. Zela in a coffin. Before he knew what he was doing, he was straining against the ropes holding his hands. Beside him, Si & Pat were quickly doing the same. She couldn't die! Not when he'd finally realized...

Flynn ended that train of thought quickly. It wouldn't do him any good now. Zela was fine. She was with her family. She had a FAMILY. It didn't matter how he felt about it, he wasn't going to take her away from them.

It had been obvious the second he'd thought to look for it. She was a spitting image of the Queen, except for the blonde streak... His Blondie... No. Not his. Not ever really. He'd hoped... maybe. But that wasn't going to happen now. She was a princess... and he was just a thief. He scowled at the thought. Just a thief. Not even worth the dirt on her boots anymore. She was royalty.

He rubbed at the sore spot on the back of his head where she'd smacked him. 'What am I going to do with you?' Forget about him. That's what she's going to do. She'll forget all about him in the hustle and bustle of palace life. She'll attend grand balls and meet other royalty. Probably marry some dashing prince. He laughed. If anyone deserved a prince, it was Zela. Or would she go back to Rapunzel? That was her real name after all... He laughed again. She'd hate it.

He was going to miss her laugh. And her glare. The girl could make you want to bury yourself with her glare. But it was her smile he was going to miss most. That small grin that seemed to light up the room. And the way she hummed those silly little lullabies when she healed someone. Her singing voice was fantastic, but she was so shy about it... He'd wanted to encourage her to sing more. There was so many things he wanted to tell her...

She'd never know about the orphanage fund now... He'd been planning it as a big surprise for Fall Festival. That was when they'd celebrated her 'birthday' after all... though now he knew that the Lantern Festival was her real birthday. Maybe she'd learn about it eventually. She'd never know it was him, of course, but she'd be glad that someone was helping the orphanages. If they had better funding there wouldn't be kids sleeping in the streets like Zela had. He'd been working on the paperwork for ages. It was going to be a legitimate organization. So what if some of the funds were donated by shady individuals? Most criminals had been orphans, foundlings, or abandoned children. Hookie in particular was really excited about having a concert to raise money.

His thoughts drifted back to this morning. Before they had even set foot in the Capital. The twins were racing ahead of them, but Zela was nervous so Flynn had held back, walking slowly beside her. Even in the dark of the forest, her hair glimmered. She was beautiful. He'd almost spilled his heart out, but he'd chickened out and kept silent beside her. After a while just walking in silence, she'd reached over and grabbed his hand. He'd jumped slightly, his fingers tingling as she squeezed them. He looked over to her and was rewarded with a smile.

"Thanks for staying with me. I've got the jitters this morning. I haven't been this nervous about a job in ages."

"Well it's personal. This isn't just some paid gig. This is about you. You have every right to be a little nervous. But don't you worry about a thing. It's all going to turn out alright in the end. You'll see."

In a way he'd been right. Zela was reunited with her family again. She could be happy. And she was finally safe. But somehow it all just felt so... wrong.

"What am I supposed to do now?" He murmured.

He was broken out of his self-pity by the sound of thundering hooves behind him. He knew that sound. It was the Captain of the Guard! The King must have changed his mind! He cast a quick look at the twins but they were already sprinting for the far end of the bridge. He was turning to follow when he heard something he never thought he would hear again. Her laugh!

He turned back just in time to catch her as she dove from the horse's back. Her arms fastened around his neck and she knocked him sprawling. He didn't even care that he couldn't breathe because suddenly she was kissing him. He thought time was going to stop.

Unfortunately it was over all too quickly. She sat up, giggling into her hand and just staring at him. He took a moment to refill his lungs before pulling her back in for another kiss. They finally broke apart and he found his voice again.

"But why? I thought... You're the princess! Why would you..."

"They wanted me to wear a dress." The pure disgust on her face made him throw back his head and laugh. "I mean, seriously. Can you imagine ME in some fancy gown with jewels and a crown? I'll keep my leggings, thank you very much." She smiled and suddenly all was right with the world again.

He was reaching out to pull her in for another kiss when his view was suddenly blocked by a snarling horse snout.

"Um... Hi there, Maximus... Why did you have to bring him?"

"The Captain had told him who I was, and when I tried to sneak out he'd blocked the gate. I asked him if he would be willing to be my royal guard and he graciously accepted." She turned and began to pet the brute who was now wagging his tail like a dog. "He's such a good boy, after all. And they just don't appreciate him, do they? Do they?" She crooned.

"Well if Maximus would be willing to give us a ride back to the Duckling, I can think of two guys who are going to be very excited to see you again." Flynn smiled and hoisted himself up into the saddle. "Would Her Royal Highness care for a ride?"

Her laugh was like music to his ears as she took his hand. "Why thank you, kind sir. Though I have to say I question the motives of such a handsome rogue as yourself."

"As you should, my dear Princess. But fear not, for this rogue is entirely yours." He kissed her again as Maximus broke into a gallop and they left the Capital behind them.

A/N - You didn't REALLY think I would split them up like that did you? I admit, I was hoping for some outraged reviews after the 'final chapter.' You guys certainly seemed to like all the drama. Tee hee! But this was how I always planned it to end. They spend their lives together, doing bad things for good causes and having amazing adventures along the way. Thank you all for reading this little fic, I hope you enjoyed it. If I get bit by this particular bug again I may update with a one shot or two, but I doubt it. Thanks again! Happy reading!

To the guest who asked for a Stabbington Brothers story, I must admit, I never put much thought into their backgrounds! I'll have to think on that one for a little bit! I can't promise I'll do one, but it's an interesting idea!

Thanks again to everyone who read my little fic. I hope you enjoyed it!