I'm really very disappointed with this chapter. I'm not a fan of my own writing. At least one chapter without Eric- enjoy…

The chapter song "Sacrifice" by Elton John.

Queen Anne of Corona was standing near the large royal window of her bedroom. She always loved this window as it gave the view of the tiny island kingdom below. Her green eyes followed the busy crowd along the roads of Corona below. Buyers were bargaining with the sellers and a strange chaos rose in the middle of the market. Every day she enjoyed these tiny pictures of the people around her. But today was different. Today her eyes weren't watching the usual busy lives of the people of the kingdom. Instead she was watching two people, a boy and a girl running along the length of the royal garden. The man's long ponytail was flying with the wind and the girl was giggling behind him. That man who just arrived yesterday no one but her late son-in-law. Still no one except them and their daughter knew the real truth. Everyone was still thinking that the king and queen allowed him to stay even crossing the personal boundaries of the princess just to keep their daughter's sanity. She took a deep breath. Rapunzel seemed really happy with the new found joy. How much she wanted her to be happy, see a smile on her beautiful face. She wanted her to be happy always. Her emerald eyes traveled to the man who was now sitting beside the royal fountain, his brown eyes locked into her daughter's face. She just learned the truth last night but it seemed that she better never knew it. She could read the affection there- no mistake it was love. One just found her lost love back while another found his real self. And her motherly heart wanted to the old Eugene to come back anyhow, just to keep her precious daughter happy. A sigh ripped from her throat once again. But it was too late for everything. The world would collapse at any moment just for their mistake.

But it shouldn't happen. She knew this truth from the moment she saw her daughter running like an insane to save the last letter of her beloved. She knew Rapunzel couldn't live without Eugene. Then why should she pay again for the mistake they made? The council….

Her heart skipped a beat. So it wasn't a nightmare. It was the truth.

'Anne!" a hand on her shoulder made the queen to turn back from the window. She turned to find her husband King Rupert standing behind her. His aged face was full of pain just like her.

'I know what you're thinking." The king spoke. The king was trying hard to hide his feelings. But Anne's keen eyes couldn't miss the lines of pain written in his face. Both of them fell silent together while their eyes were watching the happy couple below.

King Rupert & Queen Anne watched their daughter dragging her husband near the apple tree. Her green eyes were glittering with curiosity. She slipped her hand in his large ones and whispered something in his ears. The young man turned his deep brown eyes to his companion, his eyes were vacant. Rapunzel was trying to tell him something, holding his face between her palms. She was wearing a navy blue gown matched with the navy blue vest of her companion. Her eyes were full of tears. The stranger was wiping away her tears with his thumbs murmuring something in her ears. And a thin smile laced her lips. Her eyes glittered with joy once more.

A thin smile laced King Rupert's lips. 'They look very happy together.' He looked at his wife Queen Anne. Anne smiled too when she noticed her daughter flying into her companion's arms & knocked him on his back on the ground. "Someone tried to kill him that day. And he had to cross a long path to be here.' She chuckled looking back at her husband "But at last they are together. We can tell the council the cause of delay." The king turned his curious eyes to his childish wife. That girl never grew up. 'Then they'll know about his association with pirates and thieves during his stay in the middle kingdom. According to the law he is a criminal." "But he didn't do anything actually." Anne tried to smile " He was suffering from amnesia."

"Hush…" King Rupert gently placed a finger on her lips "If they find it then he'll be proven as an insane. That'll be worse. The council will throw him either in an asylum or jail."

'But.." Anne sounded impatient "Eugene is royalty. They can't treat him like this!"

'Don't say it Anne.' King Rupert silenced his wife "A criminal or insane can't remain as royalty. Remember how the council canceled Prince Eltor's royal status for his criminal offence! So our Eugene became the crown prince again. According to the law Eugene isn't a royalty anymore. So the council can treat him as anything." Queen Anne gasped as the smile disappeared from her husband's face. 'I'm afraid that I'll hurt them again.' His voice sounded grim."It's too late for both of them. The councils of both kingdoms decided to announce Count Eric as the crown prince. ''No,' Anne gasped 'How can they do that? This is injustice.'

Rupert gave her another sad smile 'I've another bad news for you Anne. The council of Naldora had already declared the decision. The worst of all the old treaty is coming into the discussion again."

Anne covered her mouth with her small hands. Her big emerald eyes were full of tears 'Why should they pay for only one accident? Can't we give them a chance?' her voice trailed. Her small body began to tremble with the fear of the uncertain future of her daughter. Rupert hugged his wife tightly "Look Anne, we can't change the laws until it is approved by the council. And Naldora is another kingdom. We can't influence them with our decisions."

She tilted her head to look into his blue eyes & gently placed a hand along his cheeks "So it happens!" she whispered. The king said nothing but gave a soft nod. The queen fell silent too. Her eyes were watching the two happy people sitting below the apple tree now. The king pressed his wife's hand softly. "I'm really sorry, Anne. But you must tell her now." Anne knew it was the time to tell her daughter everything.

()()()

They were sitting under the shadow of the large apple tree. The large fountain was flowing behind them. And the princess placed her head upon his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. He was playing with her pixie brown hair; the spiky ends were pricking his fingers. There was a vacant look in his eyes; a thought was ravishing his brain.

'Eugene! Eugene!" Rapunzel set her jade green eyes into his chocolate ones, "I know that fire on the day of our coronation wasn't an accident. It was a clear plan ..." her small hands were clutching his shirt collar had 'Who was behind that attack that day? Can you remember?"

"No, Blondie!" Eugene's eyes were blank. Wrinkles crossed his forehead as he tried to remember. 'Please, Eugene, please! Try to remember... it was a conspiracy… We must find them." Rapunzel's small hands were shaking his shoulder. Tears were streaming down along her cheeks. Her hopeful eyes were waiting for his answer "You need to remember, for yourself."

He knew that.. he needed to remember them before they could snatch him away from her again.

Eugene closed his eyes, leaning against the tree- the trail of bloody history…the dancing fire… one eagle crown…..and then… His last memory was a girl crying with pain, he was searching for help…. & then an unbearable pain in his head. Then everything was lost in the darkness.

If you go back to her, she'll die.

There was so many sounds.. So many voices around him but he couldn't understand them. There were so many faces but he didn't know them. It scared him… some faces, some cruel laughter… he didn't want to remember those days…those dark memories of three years.

But at last his mind stopped at only one voice, whispering in his ears. His head felt heavy like a stone. But among all these haziness he could feel a soft small hand was tracing his face gently. He knew that touch. He grabbed that hand instinctively hoping to remember the face where it belonged.

'Eugene!' Rapunzel gasped as she saw his eyelids flickered open. Her heart filled with hope."What's wrong? 'she moved her head closer to see his face.

Although it was extremely painful but Eugene opened his eyes to forget the faces of his dream. The memories were suffocating him. But he couldn't remember the names, the faces. He closed & opened his eyes for several times but everything remained as blank as before.

The memories were threatening him for long three years- the fear of death of his beloved. The strange emptiness was engulfing him. His brain wanted to erase the nightmares from his memory- the dark three years.

'Rapunzel!' a strange fear filled his mind as he began to feel frightened & alone. 'Rapunzel where are you?' his voice sounded like a scared child. He stretched his arms forward desperately searching for his beloved. It seemed like his sixth sense was telling him that something bad would happen very soon. Rapunzel sensed something unusual in his voice. She moved closer & took his hand. 'I'm here.' She placed his palms on her cheek 'I'm near you.'

Eugene's arms encircled her body dragging her closer. His arms were pressing her body so tightly as if he was afraid of losing her. 'I'm afraid, Rapunzel!" he whispered.

Rapunzel looked into his beautiful brown eyes. But she gasped at the strange vacant look in them. His eyes were fixed & the dark pupils were strangely dilated.

'What's wrong with you, Eugene?' her voice trembled with an unknown fear "Why you're afraid?"

'Rapunzel!' Eugene whispered at last ' But I know they're waiting for us."

'Who?' Rapunzel gasped.

"I can't remember any of them.."Eugene shook his head impatiently "

Eugene's scared face made her afraid too. But she quickly controlled herself. 'It's nothing Eugene.' She kissed his forehead" Nothing can take me away from you ever."

He clanged to her like a scared child. Her soothing touch was calming down his fears. He didn't know but his a strange fear clang to his mind, the nightmares were ravishing his brain each time he tried to remember. He didn't want to remember again.

His fingers were tracing her hair, her perfect lips. A drop of silent tear rolled from his eyes. But he loved this girl. He knew that he had always loved her. He found himself back just for her.

Rapunzel encircled her arms around him, stroking his hair gently, and whispered "Everything will be alright, Eugene. We're going to tell my parents everything right now. See they'll help you to find out them. We'll have our happily ever after."

And he believed that.

()()()

"Would you prefer if I told her?" the King asked.

"I'll call her in," Queen Anne sighed. "I'll tell her. Her reaction…I'm sure it's not going to be pretty."

King Rupert took his wife's hands in his own and nodded. They were never torn apart at least for any stupid laws or any forgotten treaty.

…Like her daughter would have to.

The two finally ended the embrace, and then, with one more nod, Queen Anne turned and began walking down the hall, leaving King Rupert standing behind in silence.

The hallway was huge, and practically empty. Every now and then the Queen would pass a guard or a servant or such, and they would give her a respectful bow. The Queen was so lost in her thoughts. How on earth was she going to tell her daughter that her marriage was invalid just when they were reunited!

As much as Queen Anne hated doing this, the law was the law, and there was nothing they could do about it. She knew. Rupert had checked. It was another kingdom and they couldn't persuade the council to change their minds about the law. Three and half years had passed since Eugene disappeared. The council waited for all this time. Now it was time to choose a new heir for the throne. And they had chosen. Queen Rubina was declared as the last ruler from Fitzherbert family.

But what about Eugene? That meant he was no longer belonged to the royalty. Wouldn't it be sure that the new crown prince never allows him here? The suffering couple just found each other back. That poor boy suffered a lot in last few years. But that made the situation more critical. The council would never consider him appropriate for the throne anymore for the life he led in the last three and half years. Rapunzel was still crown princess of Naldora and the royal marriage became invalid if the husband die, become insane or disappears more than three years without any child as the next heir. That meant Rapunzel and Eugene were no longer married and Rapunzel was bound to marry the current crown prince.

The realization of it all was overwhelming—it didn't look like there was going to be any solution to this mess. Queen Anne sighed once again as she laid her hand against the courtyard door. Should she really do this? Then again…what choice did she have? Either way, they had every right to know. Taking in a deep breath, she slowly eased open the heavy door, and squinted as the sunlight flooded her vision. A fear clutched her heart as she caught sight of Eugene and Rapunzel was engaged in a conversation about the decision announcing Eugene's arrival to the council.

The conversation was interrupted as Queen Anne entered into the royal garden. Their heads shot up with the sound of her soft footsteps.

"Rapunzel…" she called her only daughter.

"Mother," Rapunzel greeted the Queen with a smile. And Eugene bowed respectfully to her 'Your highness…."

Anne took another look of the young man with gorgeous golden brown eyes. Her heart sank at the sight of him. He didn't forget the love for her daughter when he lost every memory of his past.

"May I talk with you, daughter?" Anne gave a look at her, careful to hide her sorrows.

'"I've a news for you too mother!" Rapunzel grinned taking Eugene's one arm into hers.

Anne's heart sank. She knew what she wanted to say.

'Well, come inside." She led both of them inside.

Rapunzel gave a cheerful smile and Eugene pressed her hand gently. Their eyes were shining with hope. Their world would be reunited again.

()()()

Best to get straight to the point, the Queen thought, taking in a deep breath. They walked along the long corridor. Her eyes took a glance of the couple walking just behind her holding hands.

At last they reached the large royal bedchamber and the queen slammed the door behind.

Rapunzel was too euphoric to tell the whole matter. She wrapped her arms around Eugene and announced "Mother, this is Eugene. He came back. He never died."

Queen Anne walked near the former husband of her daughter. She watched him for a while. The dark circles under his eyes, the unruly long hairs plastered on his handsome face & the lost look in his beautiful eyes hadn't escaped her eyes. She knew he suffered a lot in his dark days. Without any memory of his past he had no way to escape either. 'Ah, Eugene!' she gently cupped his chin 'Look what have you done to yourself?' she brushed away a stray piece of mahogany hair from his forehead.

And her motherly touch made Eugene to feel at home. He began to feel relaxed. Ah, he knew her, may be any forgotten past. He could realize there were so many wonderful days full of some wonderful people.

'It's alright, your highness!" Eugene kissed her hand gently tying to smile. The sad eyes of the queen didn't escape his eyes. He knew behind the clam sky the storm was waiting.

"It's really wonderful, darling." She pressed his hand gently 'It's really great to have you back." her words sounded dry as a desert. Then she planted a soft kiss on Eugene's forehead. Her touch made him shiver. What a lucky man he was having these beautiful people around him.

Then she turned her face towards her daughter "Can I tell you something to both of you?"

"Yes!" Rapunzel shrugged, the smile on her face still there. "Of course." She then turned to Eugene, who had been standing silently next to her.

She stood on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, and then giggled as he pulled her into a hug and planted one on her forehead.

The sight was almost too much for the Queen to bear, how much she hated to be the bearer of bad news. But she needed to tell.

And, draping a hand over her daughter's shoulder, Queen Anne could barely tell about the horrible decision of the council.

Hereby the council of Corona and Naldora declares Count Eric of Naldora, the second to throne as the crown prince of the joint throne and Queen Rubina Fitzherbert as the last of Fitzherbert family. The absence of Prince Eugene more than three years (whether dead or alive) and the absence of any legal heir from his bloodline the council declares him as inappropriate for the throne canceling his royal status and the royal marriage with Princess Rapunzel of Corona is invalid by this law (The constitution of Naldora pg: 256, law: 29, Royal laws of Corona pg: 478, law: 95).

Signed- Lord Denvan, the chief councilor of Corona and Lord Henry, the chief councilor of Naldora

The news slammed against Eugene like a brick. An invalid marriage? The law of inheritance? Rules of royal status? That just completely knocked the breath out of him. But it was none of their fault. Oh, God, no…How was it they couldn't be together? Just when everything was so perfect…

"You must do it just to protect Eugene." He heard the queen saying to her daughter.

He put his hands on the princess's shoulders and gazed into her green eyes, which were overflowing with tears.

And that moment their world crushed down once again.

So horrible writer's block…

I need to get rid of it.

Please leave some ideas in your reviews and save this story from dying.