Before he came, everything was peaceful. Before he came, everything was normal. Before he came, she didn't even expect that she could be useful, especially to him.
It all started with a nonchalant knock at her door. Her flustered grandmother, withered hands wringing together nervously against her patchwork apron, went to answer it. Agatha heard a gasp as she opened it, with the protesting squeal of wood scraping wood. Crouching in the back of the cottage, she wondered who it could be.
"What are you doing here?"
"Surprised to see me?" asked a dreadfully familiar voice. "We had a deal, dearie."
"I don't make deals, especially not with the likes of you," she answered stubbornly.
"Your daughter did!" he answered gleefully. "Where is she?"
"Who?"
"Your granddaughter," he said.
Agatha felt her heart quicken, and she pressed herself against the wall, feeling trapped.
"I'm the only one here," her grandmother answered bravely.
"I can tell when someone's lying, dearie," he said, the rasping voice deadly calm.
"You're not taking her anywhere until you tell me what's going on!"
An unnatural, high-pitched laugh sounded. "Your daughter made a deal with me. She sent me to get revenge for the murder of her husband, and she would give me her only child." Agatha saw the man slowly circling her as he talked. "I've held up my end of the bargain, and I always expect payment."
"How do I know you can be trusted with her?" Her grandmother had been slowly turning to keep him in sight.
"I give you my word." He made a mocking bow in front of her, but she still eyed him suspiciously. "I've heard tales about you, Rumplestiltskin." He grinned."My reputation precedes me!"
"Don't think that it hasn't!" she replied more forcefully. "I know what you're about! You're going to go back on your word!"
"If you're so sure about that," he turned to face her, "why don't we let the child decide for herself?"
Agatha's grandma appeared agitated, her eyes darting all around the room, not daring to look at the Dark One. "Alright," she said slowly.
Her heart beating like a frightened animal, Agatha stood and made her silent way into the prescence of the two. "I'm here," she announced, darting a quick glance at Rumplestiltskin, who waved a hand dismissively. "Leave us," he commanded. Her grandmother squeezed Agatha's hand once, then shuffled obediently to the back room where they slept.
"Let's skip the pleasantries. You already know who I am, as I do you," Agatha said, crossing her arms over her chest. "What do you want of me?"
"Well, dearie," he started circling once more, "a little bird whispered in my ear that you," he pointed with a grin, "have magic."
She immediatly gasped, unwilling and uncomfortable sharing her secrets with strangers, especially this one. Just his prescence made her uneasy, his clothes, the circling as if she were prey, his eyes, good Lord those eyes...
"You look surprised, dearie," he mused. "But then again, most people are. Oh yes, I know everything that goes on in this land. I even know about you, Agatha."
She shivered at the thought of her secrets now. He must already know. Then..."How could I be of any use to you?" she asked.
"So you do have it? Interesting," he purred. "It's simple really. I take you on as my apprentice, and if you survive, you," he gestured with a flourish, "will become the Dark One."
Agatha drew herself up. "And if I refuse?" She knew the probable consequences.
"A deal is a deal, dearie," Rumplestiltskin stopped in front of her, "and if you refuse," he leaned forward and lowered his voice, "your life will pay handsomely."
Her heart beat so loud that she wondered if he could hear it. "I...accept." What have you done?! her conscious screamed in her head. The right thing, she replied.
He let out a maniacal laugh. "Excellent!" He went to the door, then turned back."I'll be waiting," he said then vanished in a cloud of scarlet smoke.