Chapter 19: Happily Ever After

After sharing their moment, Rapunzel got Eugene out of the chain and they descended to the courtyard. Gothel's men had all been rounded up and were either still being tied up or sent to the dungeon. All together the spiders had taken most of the casualties, with everyone else getting knocked out at worst.

"Man, Gothel's guys got pounded." Eugene laughed.

"Well, they were trying to get in the way of true love." Rapunzel shrugged. "They asked for it."

"Eugene!" The couple turned and saw the prince and princess of Maldonia approach. The prince nursed a black eye as he pulled Eugene into a hug. "You old sea rat!"

"Naveen, ya jerk, all the time we had as shipmates, all the nights you said you'd kill me in the morning, and you never told me you were royalty I could mooch off of?" Eugene gave him a friendly punch in the arm. "That's just rude!"

"Hey, I was a pirate, my friend! It is my business to be rude." Naveen smiled.

"No wonder you were lazy jerk when we met." Tiana rolled her eyes.

"Eugene was the same way. First day I met him, he was taking a nap on the job." Rapunzel nodded.

"Does he think he's God's gift to women, too?" Tiana smirked knowingly.

"Oh yeah, and that I just can't help but fall to pieces when he does his cute faces." Rapunzel laughed.

"Oh no, our girls are bonding." Eugene groaned halfheartedly.

"Welcome to domestic bliss, my friend." Naveen shook his head in cheery resignation.

"Hey, Rider, you and your girl sure know how to party!" Dr. Facilier laughed as he straightened his torn top hat. "Well, seein' as I helped pull your bacon outta the fire, I think a little compensa…"

"Shadow Man! Fancy seeing you here!" Tiana gave the witch doctor a hostile smile.

"Yes, quite the reunion, no?" Naveen gave a sneer as he tepped up next to his wife.

"TIANA! NAVEEN! Well… it's a small world after all! All of us meetin' up like this? Eheh… You know, forget what I said, I'm actually feelin' kinda worn-out, so I'm just gonna head out! If ya see Mama, tell 'er I went home. Gimme a call if you need anymore miracles! BYE!" A puff of purple smoke erupted and Dr. Facilier was gone. Until they noticed him several yards away, running to the front gate as fast as he could.

"You know that guy, too?" Rapunzel asked.

"There was an issue where he made us frogs." Tiana explained, glaring after the retreating Shadow Man.

"It was actually not bad, since as frogs, we spent our first few days together naked." Naveen shrugged.

"Naveen, you're on very thin ice." Tiana warned.

"Want to borrow my frying pan?" Rapunzel offered brightly. "I find it very useful when Eugen misbehaves."

"And I have the concussions to prove it." Eugene rubbed the side of his head.

"I might take you up on that." Tiana grinned. "But, right now, we better help get everybody situated."

"Yeah, and we need to find Walter and his parents." Rapunzel grabbed Eugene's hand and dragged him through the crowd.

Maximus had taken over directing the guards while Captain Phoebus recovered from a bad hit to the head. He rapidly barked out orders to secure the castle and take care of the prisoners. It was really impressive to see him bark out orders, since horses usually neigh.

"I can't believe you got beaten by a couple kids and their grunkle." One of the soldiers growled as they were led away in cuffs.

"At least I didn't get captured by a toy cowboy and spaceman!" The second growled back.

"THIS ISN'T OVER!" Screamed Yzma, was still in the form of a rabbit, being carted off in a cage to the royal petting zoo. "I'll be back! No petting zoo can hold me! I'll get my revenge on all of you! You'll see!"

"Pipe down and get walkin', you degenerate creatures of darkness!" Barked a small white dog.

"Better do what Bolt says," purred his feline friend. "Otherwise he'll have to use his super bark."

"You can stop teasing me about that anytime, Mittens."

"That dog is so cute." Nancy commented to Edward as they bandaged a couple injured guards.

"He is… but he just can't get my name right." Edward laughed.

"You too?! He's been calling me Queen Adel since the reception! And why did he think Queen Elsa's name was Dezeem?" The queens shared a laugh as Rapunzel and Eugene appeared.

"Hello, Your Majesties. Have Gothel's boys been giving you trouble?" Eugene smirked at the scene in the courtyard.

"Queen Nancy, are you alright?" Rapunzel stooped and hugged her in relief.

"Hey, Punzie!" She smiled as she hugged her back. "We're fine. Just fixin' some scratches and bumps, and sending the left over baddies to the dungeon."

"Hey, Pacal, way to go with the witch!" Pip gave the chameleon a thumbs up.

Pascal whirred in pride and then asked something in lizard.

"Nah, we had it handled. Those goons were easy pickings. Heck, it was harder to get my cousins Chip and Dale to quit fightin' each other long enough to actually fight them!"

"Yes, this was truly a marvelous event! We haven't had such a romp with everyone since… um, Rapunzel, what happened to your hair?"

"Oh, well, Eugene cut it to get rid of its power and stop Gothel." Rapunzel ran a hair through her newly short hair.

"Oh." Nancy took a closer look at her new do. "It actually looks nice!"

"You think?" Rapunzel asked self-consciously.

"Oh yeah! In fact, now I can see the family resemblance better." Nancy smiled.

"Really?" Rapunzel asked.

"She's right; you look much more like your real mother. …Or at least the way she looked the last time I saw her." Edward went on before gasping. "Good heavens, your parents! We have to take you back to your parents!"

"Oh….. oh my gosh." Rapunzel's mind reeled. "My mother… my real mother and father! I have a father! What… what do I do? What do I say? What if they don't believe I'm their daughter? What if they don't like me? How am I going to…?"

"Blondie, calm down!" Eugene grabbed her shoulders. "They're your parents. They've been looking for you all this time. They've been sending out those lanterns for you every year. I don't think you have to worry about them not liking you."

"And we'll vouch for you, of course, Milady." Walter intoned as he walked up, wiping spider guts from his sword.

"Your Highness." Eugene curtly addressed the prince.

"Rider." Walter replied just as coldly.

"Actually, it's Fitzherbert. Eugene Fitzherbert."

"My mistake."

The two glared at each other, with the only thing keeping them from another sword fight was the fatigue and the presence of Rapunzel and the king and queen.

"I suppose you'll have to be pardoned now, considering you rescued a princess and saved the kingdom from Gothel's conspiracy." The prince grudgingly admitted.

"Might be nice, thanks."

"I'm sure Mother and Father will see to it." Walter nodded and cast a quick glance at Rapunzel. "Do I even need to tell you that I'll snap you in half if you hurt her?"

"Acceptable terms, wouldn't expect less from somebody knows Rapunzel and claims to be her friend."

"Sorry this whole thing didn't turn out so well." Rapunzel reached nervously for her hair. "Though, I guess it's a bit too late, now, seeing as we're still technically married."

"What?!" Everyone balked as they realized the ceremony had indeed finished before the battle began.

"Oh no…" Walter groaned.

"Well, actually, you aren't married. Andalasian law strictly states that any legal decisions made by parties under the influence of magic, evil or benign, cannot be held as legally binding. Walter was under a love spell, and thus not liable for any decisions made under duress. And seeing as Rapunzel truly did not want to be married at all, she also entered this under duress. Either of these circumstances nullifies the agreement, but most damning of all took place in the church. Gothel told Bishop Shorty to just declare you two husband and wife and skip the 'I do' section. Everyone knows that marital vows must include both parties saying 'I do' or it just doesn't count."

Everyone stared dumbstruck at King Edward.

"What? I'm the king, for pete's sake, I'm supposed to know these things. Why does everyone always think I only get by on my looks?" Edward asked.

"That's my smarty pants." Nancy hugged her husband.

"Well… that clears things up a bit." Rapunzel chuckled as she turned to Eugene. "It looks like we're finally in the free and clear. Uh, sorry, Walter"

"Not at all. I'd never be able to live with myself condemning my friend to a loveless marriage." Walter turned to Eugene. "Still, your taste in pirates does worry me."

"When I met him, he was a stable boy." Rapunzel smirked.

"Blondie!" Eugene whined.

"Not sure you can call me that anymore." She motioned to her hair.

"Nope. Sorry. Not happening. Been calling you 'Blondie' since we met, I don't care what your hair color is now, 'Blondie' stays." Eugene flatly stated.

"Well, if you insist." Rapunzel giggled as she hugged him. "Still, Walter, sorry you and your family had to go through all this."

"Nonsense. Being royalty comes with occupational hazards, like evil witches, magic spells and big nosed pirates."

"I beg your pardon?" Eugene growled.

"Walter, Eugene, don't make me separate you two." Rapunzel sternly told them.

"Actually, I was just going to help tend the wounded on the other side of the courtyard. So, I'll just be go-OH!"

The prince paused as a young woman bumped into him and dropped a basket of cloth and bandages.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

"No, it was probably my fault."

"Really, miss I do apologize, I just…" Walter trailed off and his eyes widened as he took in the sight of the woman.

"Oh, Your Highness, I uh…" The woman was a little younger than him, brunette, greyish-green eyes, almost like Rapunzel but more ingrained with high society.

"Let me help you with those." Walter hurriedly grabbed up the cloth and presented it to her, trying to think straight despite the music he alone suddenly heard. "My apologies again, Miss…"

"Oh! Um, Abbey! Abbey, Your Highness, Lady Abbey of Weselton. I'm here with my uncle, the Duke."

"Lovely." Walter gulped, staring into her eyes. "I mean, uh, it's lovely that you could make it! Yes, quite!"

"Well, um, I need to go." Abbey blushed.

"Oh, of course. I need to be going too. I ned to help bandage up the wounded on the other side of the courtyard, so I better be going."

"The other side of the courtyard? What a coincidence, I was going that way to do the same thing!"

"Oh! Well, would you like to go out with me? I MEAN, UM… Would-would-would you like to go and tend the wounded with me?"

"Um, sure! Absolutely, Your Highness!" Abbey grinned excitedly.

"Please, call me Walter." He gave her a warm smile.

"Well, all right… Walter." Abbey smiled giddily.

Rapunzel, Eugene and the Royal Couple giggled as they watched the flustered prince go off with the Weselton girl.

"He's been dreaming…" Edward began, and got an elbow to the ribs in response.

"Don't. Ruin. The moment." Nancy's smile never wavered even as she hissed through her teeth.

The next day, the people of Corona City were faced with a most unusual sight. The city had ground to a standstill upon seeing what approached them. Even from the castle, the King and Queen took notice. Out in the harbor, the strangest fleet they had ever laid eyes on sailed towards them. There were royal ships from Andalasia, Agrabah, France, Arendelle, England, Wonderland, and many more, and all with the pirate ship The Smolder leading the way.

Onboard the pirate ship, the crew scrambled to get everything ready for their captain's departure. They had sailed all this way, and it still needed to be ready for a swift getaway once their "guests" went ashore. Maximus had once again taken charge of the crew, using Ulf as an interpreter, and Vladimir as an interpreter for UIf.

Inside the captain's cabin, Rapunzel and Eugene, got ready for their last voyage. The satchel was already packed with their frying pan and the flag from her birthday.

Eugene began packing a second satchel, but with only one thing inside: the iconic clothes of the Dread Pirate Flynn Rider. Now that he was retiring, he's hand it off to someone else on the crew, and let the legend continue.

"Well, time to go." Eugene said, folding the outfit for the last time.

"Are you going to miss being Flynn Rider?" Rapunzel asked quietly.

"Nah, it's time for someone else take up the sword. Besides someone told me recently that she liked Eugene Fitzherbert better than Flynn." He smirked as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Hey, CAP'N!" Came a pounding on the door. "We're here!"

"Thanks for ruining the moment, Attila." Eugene groaned under his breath.

"Don't worry; we'll have plenty of moments later." Rapunzel smiled as they left the captain's cabin.

"Trim the sails! Weigh anchor!" Vladimir relayed the orders from Ulf from Maximus to the crew as they approached the bay.

"I can't believe we're back." Rapunzel smiled. "It seems so long ago since we spent my birthday here."

"You're finally home, Princess." Eugene smiled.

"We're finally home, you mean."

"Well, my home's anywhere you are, so I thought it went without saying."

"Shut up."

"Whatever you say, Blondie."

Rapunzel went across the deck and to where Hook Hand, Vladimir and Ulf where helping Maximus run the ship.

"So, what's your decision, guys?" Rapunzel asked. "This is a pretty nice place. You could be happy here, and it would be nice to have some friends around while I learn to do this whole princess thing all over again."

"You know, it's funny." Hook Hand gazed at his sword. "I've been chasing vengeance all my life. And now that the Stabbingtons are gone and my folks are avenged, I don't know what to do with myself."

"Have you considered piracy?" Rapunzel grinned. "With your talent as a swordfighter, you'd make a decent Dread Pirate Flynn Rider."

Hook Hand hummed in contemplation. "Nah! I'm tired of fightin'. I think I'll go back to playing piano. Less headaches."

"I think I'd like a new job too. Somethin' quiet. Maybe I could make ceramics!" Vlad smiled at one of his unicorns.

"Well, since I'm going to be a princess, maybe I could help you all out. After all, you helped me find my dream."

Ulf smiled and made a heartfelt gesture.

"How about you, Max? Are you coming with us, or do you wanna stay behind and become the first horse pirate?" Rapunzel asked teasingly.

Maximus gave an affronted snort. As if he'd ever leave her alone to deal with that idiot Eugene!

"Cap'n." Big Nose and Atilla addressed Eugene. "It's been an honor."

"Hey guys, and you don't need to call me captain anymore." Eugene smiled, holding the satchel with the Dread Pirate suit.

"Still, it's been an honor." The pirates saluted Eugene.

"Couldn't have asked for a meaner, seedier crew of cutthroats, villains and sea rats." He saluted back.

"Oh dang it, I promised myself I wouldn't cry." Big Nose sniffled.

"Guess all that's left is pick the next Dread Pirate Flynn Rider."

"Don't look at me, Cap'n." Attila waved off. "I'm retirin'. Thinkin' of startin' up a bakery."

"I'll take the place, least until a better guy comes along." Big Nose smiled. "Besides, you guys got something to keep you on the straight and narrow."

"Hey, don't be like that." Eugene admonished. "I've spent years trying to get together with my true love. Yours is bound to be out there somewhere."

"Well, we'll see." Big Nose smiled.

"HALT!" A shout came from the city. The guards had apparently readied the city's defenses in the face of the pirate led fleet. "COME NO FURTHER! STATE YOUR INTENTIONS!"

"Oh great." Eugene groaned. "Here we are trying to bring back their princess and they're ready to shoot at us."

"What do we do?!" Rapunzel gasped.

"Well, we just tell them what we're here for and… hope and pray they aren't dumb enough to fire." Eugene sheepishly explained.

"Great. These are my people, so, let me do the talking." Rapunzel nodded.

"But they'll be expecting to talk with the guy in charge, who in this case is the Dread Pirate Flynn Ri-" Eugene trailed off as Rapunzel grabbed the satchel and quickly threw the black mash and shirt over her dress.

"Can someone get me a megaphone?" The Dread Pirate Princess Rapunzel ordered.

"Uh, sure, Your Royal Captainness…" Atilla handed her the horn.

She grabbed it from the helmeted pirate and charged up to the deck and addressed the men onshore.

"Attention, people of Corona, this is the Dread Pirate Flynn Rider! I know you're probably getting ready to fire on my ship, but I wouldn't advise it considering your Lost Princess is onboard!"

The Coronan guards were visibly stunned.

"You heard that right, the Lost Princess is onboard and if you want her back, you will listen to our demands! Number 1: you will not fire on us, because that's pretty rude considering we're returning your princess and all. Number 2: the princess and her rescuers will be coming ashore momentarily, and when they do, you will take them to see the King and Queen! They've been apart long enough, don't you think? And number 3: Once the Princess and her friends reach the shore, we'll be leaving and you will be a good sport and not follow us! If you refuse our terms, we'll be forced to storm the city and deliver the Princess to the King and Queen ourselves! You have ten minutes to accept our terms!"

Rapunzel jumped back down to the deck as the crew stared at her audacity. She tore off the mask and tossed it to Eugene. "That should do it, don't you think?"

"I don't think I've ever been more attracted to you."

The response came quickly. "ALL RIGHT, SEND THE PRINCESS OVER."

Fifteen minutes later in the castle, one of the Lock Guards burst into the royal suite, wide eyed and out of breath. The guard stood there in a daze, almost unable to process the miracle that he'd seen with his own eyes.

The King and Queen jumped at the sudden appearance. "Is our daughter home?" That unspoken question was always on the King and Queen's faces whenever anyone arrived unexpectedly. Ironically, now that he could finally answer "yes," the guard couldn't find the words. His tongue failed him, so he just nodded.

The King and Queen gasped and rushed from the room. They vaguely heard the guard shout that she was waiting at the balcony as they ran past him. They ran faster than they had in years, careening through the castle halls, causing maids or guards to leap out of the way, knocking over furniture without a thought, their minds focused on getting to the balcony before their daughter disappeared again before they could reach her.

They reached the front doors of the castle and hesitated. They looked to one another for strength and pushed the doors open.

A couple the King and Queen did not recognize stood where the royal lantern always waited on their daughter's birthday. Rapunzel and Eugene turned at the sound of the door, their hands still clasped in obvious trepidation. The King and Queen stepped partially out the door, giving the younger couple a long, appraising look.

Rapunzel stepped forward, as did the Queen. Whatever doubt existed in any of their minds vanished when Rapunzel and the Queen locked eyes. The King couldn't help but realize how much the girl looked like his wife, and Eugene couldn't help but realize how much the Queen looked like Rapunzel.

Mother and daughter met halfway, and looked for all to see like they were mirror images of each other. The Queen reached up to cup Rapunzel's cheek, and gave a teary laugh of relief. She's home! Rapunzel gave her own crying laugh. My mother.

The Queen pulled Rapunzel into a hug, both shedding tears of joy. Rapunzel looked over her mother's shoulder at her father, who gave a relieved chuckle before wrapping his arms around his wife and child. The three of them sank to the ground, still desperately holding each other. Their family was whole again for the first time in eighteen years.

Eugene smiled at the reunion. He briefly considered slipping away and letting Rapunzel enjoy some time alone with her parents before getting it all bogged down with explanations of who he was and his criminal past. That plan went out the window when the Queen opened her eyes and extended a hand to him. He assumed she was extending a handshake in thanks; instead, when he took her hand, she yanked him off his feet and into their family group hug.

Well...you can image what happened next. The kingdom rejoiced for their Lost Princess had returned! The party lasted an entire week, everyone from the wedding in Andalasia attended, and honestly, with the amount of wine involved, quite a few people didn't remember most of it.

Dreams came true all over the place. Without interference from Gothel, Corona and Andalasia entered a new era of peace together. Prince Walter and Abbey really hit it off. The same time the following year, invitations were sent out for the Andalasian Royal Wedding: Take 2. Thankfully, this ceremony went on without any complications like a pirate attack, an attempted coup, or being presided over by Bishop Shorty. Walter even burst into song about his love for her while reciting his vows; his parents were so proud.

Hook Hand went back to playing piano and went on to become the most famous concert pianist in the world. Attila became a royal pastry chef, and his cupcakes went on to quell many a tough negotiation with foreign dignitaries. Vladimir opened a ceramics shop, the specialty item, of course, being a series of unicorns. Big Nose took up the mantle of the Dread Pirate Flynn Rider until he eventually found true love and passed the title on. Bishop Shorty stayed in his position as a man of the cloth and was often seen "blessing" the kegs at the Snuggly Duckling Pub. As for Ulf the mime, well, everyone assumed assume he was happy. He never told anyone otherwise.

Maximus joined the Corona Royal Guard and eventually rose to the rank of general. Thanks to Maximus, crime in the kingdom disappeared almost overnight…as did most of the apples. Pascal…never changed, but anyone who knew him was glad for that.

At last, Rapunzel was home and she finally had a real family. She was a princess worth waiting for. Beloved by all, she led her kingdom with all the grace and wisdom that her parents did before her. And as for Eugene, well, he stopped pirating and basically turned it all around. The two of them went on many other adventures together, but none quite as amazing as the one that brought them together.

But I know what the big question is: Did Rapunzel and Eugene ever get married? Well, I am pleased to tell you that after years and years of asking, and asking, and asking…

"He finally said yes!"

Rose, Zachary and their grandfather jumped at the voice.

"Mom, Dad!" The twins cheered as their parents entered the room.

"Hey, kids." Eugene waved as he sat at the foot of Zachary's bed.

"Oh, how are my sweethearts?" Rapunzel smiled as she hugged her son and daughter.

"We weren't feeling good before, but Grandpa told us a great story." Rose said, hugging her mom back.

"Oh, which one?" Rapunzel asked.

"This one in the Nineteen 80s Collection." The King showed his daughter the title page.

"Oh, of course, that one." Rapunzel rolled her eyes.

"You know it, Mom?" Zachary asked.

"You could say that." She shared a knowing look with her father and husband.

"Yeah, you can't go anywhere without somebody talking about it." Eugene shook his head. "Still, can't really blame 'em, it's a great story. It was actually based on how your father and I met."

"What?!" the twins gasped.

"So, you got lost in a Fire Swamp?" Rose asked excitedly.

"And Dad had a big swordfight with Uncle Hook in an abandoned castle?" Zachary eagerly asked

"And Pascal got turned into a dragon?"

"And fought a witch with an army of giant spiders?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Rapunzel laughed. "Actually, no, those things didn't happen. The writer kind of added some things to make the story more exciting. I certainly never tried to stab your father with a sword."

"No, but you sure knocked me out with a frying pan, plenty of times." Eugene rubbed his head.

"But, the part about how your dad used to be Flynn Rider, and I had magic hair? That was true."

"Cool!" The twins said together.

"I thought you would have figured it out when we told you not to ruin the moment." Rapunzel giggled.

"What?" Zachary asked.

"Remember when Zachary was complaining about the kissing during the lantern scene, and the book yelled at you?"

"Wait, you two did that?" The King asked, shocked. "Oh, thank goodness! I thought I was losing my mind."

Rapunzel and Eugene shared a laugh at their little prank. "You should have seen your faces."

"Wait. You mean, you've been listening to us read?" Rose asked.

"For how long?" Zachary demanded.

"We got home a while ago and Grandma told us you were getting a story from Grandpa." Rapunzel explained. "We got to your bedroom door just after the part where Eugene and Yzma had the battle of wits."

"Well, why didn't you come in and see us?" Zachary angrily asked.

"Well, you were having such a good time with your grandpa, and you two were so into the story, we didn't want to interrupt." Eugene shrugged. "Besides, if we were here, you'd probably stop the story even more asking us if all those things in the story were true or not."

"I guess it's pretty dumb thinking all those things happened." Zachary thought it over. "Especially Dad dying and then coming back because Mom cried on him."

"Yeah, I guess that's kinda silly." Rose giggled at the thought.

They didn't notice their parents and grandfather exchange sheepish looks.

"Right… silly. Well, that's it then." The King said, closing the book.

"Wait, it's over?" Rose asked.

"I'm afraid so." The King shrugged.

"But, that… that can't be the end already!" Zachary pouted.

"Sorry, children, but that is how the story ends." Their grandfather shrugged.

"Well, technically, the story is still going, seeing as your mom and I are still around." Eugene draped an arm over Rapunzel.

"That's true. So, I guess the real ending is that your dad and I are living happily ever after… until our next adventure." Rapunzel knelt by the beds and kissed the twins on the forehead. "Now, you two better go to sleep. It's way past your bedtime."

"Aw, can't we get another story?" Rose moaned as her mom tucked her in.

"Yeah, like that one Grandpa turned to when he dropped the book!" Zach excitedly offered. "With the bad guys in the tall building!"

"No." All three of the grownups answered.

"That story's a little too scary and violent for your age." Rapunzel said, pulling the blankets up to Zachary's shoulders.

"Just give it a few years, and if you're good, I'll read it to you when you're older." Eugene offered.

"Eugene." Rapunzel gave him a warning glare.

"What? It's not like it's the worst thing that came out of the Nineteen 80s." Eugene defended.

"Well, that's for another time. Goodnight, sweethearts." Rapunzel said as she switched off the lamp.

"Goodnight, Mom." They replied together.

"Sleep tight, kids." Eugene said as he moved towards the door.

'Goodnight, Dad."

"Pleasant dreams, kiddos." The King smiled as he tucked the book in hid arm.

"Goodnight, Grandpa." Rose said.

Zachary suddenly sat up and addressed his grandfather nervously. "Uh… Grandpa?"

"Yes, Zachary?"

"Uh… if you're not doing anything, do you…" He really didn't want to be the one to ask, but it looked like Rose was already falling asleep. "Do you think maybe you could come back and read us that story again tomorrow?"

Rapunzel, Eugene, and the King shared a smile.

"Whatever you say, Blondie." The King smiled as he pulled the door shut.

"Hey, don't call me 'blondie' just cause I got blonde hair!" Zachary sourly called after them.

"Good night!" Came a reply through the closed door.

The twins turned in their beds as they got comfortable. Falling asleep was a slow process, especially for little kids, so they had enough time for one quick conversation.

"Rose, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Zachary asked as he pulled his covers up.

"Sneak that book when we get the chance and read that other story?" Rose smiled mischievously.

"Bingo."

"Totally, but…" Rose yawned. "Maybe later."

"OK." Zachary yawned and the twins soon found themselves in dreamland.

"Thanks for dealing with the kids, Dad." Rapunzel gave her father a hug.

"It's always a pleasure, dear." The King smiled. "Well, I better get to bed too."

"Your Majesties." The Captain of the Guard approached. "All's quiet on the patrols, and your luggage has been taken back to your room."

"Thank you, Walter." Rapunzel smiled gratefully. "We'll be heading to bed now. We were just checking on the kids."

"Still sick?" The Captain asked.

"'Fraid so." Eugnene shrugged. "But they had fun with their grandpa telling them a bedtime story."

"Oh that's ni…" Captain Walter froze as he saw the book in the King's hands. "Oh no. Please don't tell me it was that "Bride Princess" story."

"Actually, yes." The King smirked, as the Captain grew more irritated.

"Oh, that stupid book! Do you know how much trouble that story has caused me?" The Captain growled as he marched off. "Can't even lead patrol without being mobbed by girls asking why I'm posing as a guard when I'm the Prince of Andalasia! Stupid, insipid, hack writer…"

"I'm just glad Abbey has more of a sense of humor than him." Rapunzel giggled. "When I first read that story, I was a little afraid she'd think something was going on between Walter and me."

"Oh, I think everyone knows better than to think that." Her father laughed.

"Yeah, like you would ever even look at another man besides me!" Eugene laughed as well.

"Always the modest one, eh, Eugene?" Rapunzel gave him a slap on the chest.

"Well, I'm going to turn in, see you two in the morning." The King yawned.

"Goodnight, Dad." Rapunzel waved as he father went upstairs. "I'm glad they had fun with their grandfather."

"Yeah, though, you think he could have picked a story that wasn't so much trouble." Eugene smiled as they walked to their room. "I mean, yeah, it's a good story, but some of the things they added are just crazy."

"I… sort of agree. It's not like it ruins the story or anything, but some of it does bug me. Like, why am I crying all the time?" Rapunzel laughed as they walked. "Sure, I can be emotional, but I don't think I cry that much!"

"And their portrayal of me is a hair away from being slander." Eugene nodded. "Bad enough the Captain gets written as a prince and I get made a stable boy, but then I'm a masked pirate?! Cover this face with a mask, are they crazy? Totally unrealistic!"

"Right, that's totally unacceptable." Rapunzel laughed. "Come on, Mr. Dread Pirate. This princess bride has had a long day, and right now I wanna just curl up in bed."

"And you'll need your Flynn Rider pillow, naturally." Eugene gave her his smarmiest grin,

"No, I need Eugene Fitzherbert." Rapunzel him a sardonic grin. "If you see him, Flynn, be sure to tell him I'm waiting for him."

Eugene smiled and put an arm around her shoulder. "As you wish."

The End

Happy New Year!

And that's it! The end of The Tangled Princess Bride! It's been a long road, but here we are. It's sad to see it come to an end, but it's the way things are.

I'd like to thank everyone who read, favorited, followed and reviewed this fic, as well as everyone who contributed to the TV Tropes page or recommended the story to anyone else, and I hope I didn't let you down and I hope it starts your New Year out right!

Keep an eye out on Youtube for an audio adaption of this fic made possible by TheITinFit.

Thanks everybody and I'll see you in my next story.

COMING SOON: Rapunzel and Eugene will return in Tangled Die Hard. Coming soon to a FanFictionNet near you! Yes, it's actually getting its own story!