Spun Souls

By: RosexKnight

The awesome LilDove of AO3 suggested I do a Spinner!Rumple edition of my Soulmates!AU. So here we are! A sort of Spinner!Soulmates!Verse. Enjoy!

You're 18 when it happens.

It a weird bit of magic that some people say is as ancient as light and darkness and love and curses, but it's there.

On your 18th birthday, a name appears on your palm for only you and one other to see. Your soulmate they say. Some people followed it, some people brushed it off as hocus-pocus, but it was undeniable that those who were fortunate enough to meet the person whose name was on their hand was destined for happiness. True Love.

Market Day was one of the only days that brought Belle any real comfort. It was beginning to be the only day she had any real freedom. She did not resent her father or mother or even betrothed for it, but she knew she would miss her days of riding freely without any escorts and sneaking into the kitchen to bake herself some sweets. Even reading seemed to be something to be denied her. Still, on Market Day she could wander and, if she was lucky, not be recognized as The Lady of Avonlea by the wandering travelers.

Her thoughts were growing too dark as she walked through the market, the multiple maids that came with her familiar with the way these days worked and mostly leaving her to her own devices. Belle found herself tracing the name on her left palm more and more. She hadn't quite broken the habit of staring at it even a month after it had appeared. It was far too comforting these days. Rumpelstiltskin. It was such an odd name that felt older than some of the books in her father's library.

She was so lost in thought she barely noticed when the child ran into her legs, almost bouncing off of her and stumbling backwards.

"Sorry miss." The boy said immediately.

"No harm done." Belle said with a kind smile.

"Bae!" A voice called, and the boy looked behind him. A man with a walking staff was limping forward as fast as he could, fear immediately flickering behind his eyes as he saw Belle. "Bae I told you to stay in sight of the booth. I'm terribly sorry miss. He's only a boy he doesn't know any better."

Belle waved her hand dismissively, oblivious to how the man stared at it. "He was no trouble. You have a booth?"

"I..."

"Papa's a spinner." The boy declared, ignoring the way his father was shushing him. "He's the best spinner in Longborne."

"Really?" Belle glanced from the boy to his father, who seemed to be torn between shy ad fearful all at once. "Do you have any thread suited for embroidery?"

"Of-of course. This way..."

The man and son led her to their booth. Well, it was more of a simple display, only housing a dozen or so spools of threads and yarn of every color. But they all seemed flawless, and even sparkled in the light.

"You have a gift." Belle said in awe.

"I'm just a humble spinner, milady." He replied.

"Would it be trouble for you if I bought your whole stock? You could spin for kings!"

The spinner seemed taken aback, but the boy was much more eager. "We can spin more! Selling all this will get us through the winter!"

"Well then I'd be happy to!" Belle said cheerfully, reaching for her pouch of coins.

"Lady Belle!" A maid called, and Belle groaned as she approached. "Milady, we're finished."

"Alright." Belle said, looking defeated. "Just let me pay for this yarn."

The spinner was looking at her now. Staring shamelesly with boldness she hadn't known he possessed. It was almost as if he didn't believe she existed even as his son boxed up the thread in exchange for the coins.

"Belle." He breathed finally. "Lady of Avonlea."

Belle looked away sheepishly as her maid frowned at the spinner, obviously not happy with the disrespect. Belle paid it no mind. "Yes that's me."

"I..." He looked as though he was going to say something, and Belle shushed her maid as he struggled for words that died in his throat.

"His name is Rumpelstiltskin." Bae said, sensing the tension.

Now there was fear in his eye and he looked like he wanted to disappear, shrinking away from her as his hands trembled around his staff.

"Belle's the name that's on Papa's palm."

"Bae hush."

"But she might-"

"Hush boy!"

"I do." Belle lifted her left hand, palm up, so that he could see. She gulped, trying to steady her heart. "Do you...?"

"Aye." The spinner said, lifting his left palm in return so she could see her name. They both seemed to be knocked breathless.

"Madge." Belle said after a length of silence, her voice trembling slightly.

"Yes milady." The maid said, understanding without words. "I reckon your father won't be happy."

"He'll live."