Title: Before Dark
Author: AshleyOnFire
Fandom: Once Upon A Time
Rating: M
Pairing: Rumbelle

Synopsis: As his marriage to Milah falls apart, Rumple meets Belle at the market who is spending the summer traveling before marrying Gaston.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Once universe. I just love them from afar.

Chapter One

"Milah... Don't forget your breakfast." Rumple said quickly as the door to the hut slammed shut without even a reply.

Rumple sighed and sadly laid Milah's breakfast plate back on the table, where it would inevitably turn cold. Again. He turned to the corner of the hut to see that their son was thankfully still sleeping soundly, undisturbed by his mothers thundering exit. It looked like Bae would be going to the market with him today.

"Bae. Son. It's time to get up. You'll be helping me at the market today" Rumple said brushing the sleeping boy's hair away from his face. After a few moments he stirred and looked around the hut.

"Pa Pa, where's mom?" Bae asked confused and still half asleep.

"She... She has some things to take care of this morning. Quick get up and wash your face. We don't want to be late." Rumple said not wanting him to ask any more questions regarding the whereabouts or activities of his mother.

Rumple watched as Bae crawled from his bed and staggered to the wash basin. He was still just a boy and his parents where barely on speaking terms. Their relationship had taken it's downward turn when he had fled from the Ogars War to come home to her and their infant son, but things had deteriorated much further in the last few years. Rumple wanted to be as civil as possible for Bae's sake, but Milah was much more content with drinking and gambling at the local tavern all day, every day. He didn't wonder or worry too much about what she got up too, only that it hurt Bae that she wasn't ever around. The love had left their marriage, after years of trying for Bae's sake. Now it fell to him alone to support the family and take care of Bae most days.

"Ready Pa Pa." Bae said throwing his cloak over his shoulders his hair sticking out in all directions. Rumple couldn't help but smile at his son. Once outside, Rumple and Bae filled the cart and began their morning walk to sell wool at the village market.


Belle loved when she got the opportunity to travel, which wasn't as often as she would have liked. Her books where sometimes the only way she could see and experience new places. One of the conditions to her arranged marriage to Gaston was that they would spend the summer traveling before they went back home to be married. She wanted to see as much of the world as possible before then because she knew that once she was married to Gaston, she would be trapped in a different life. Belle delighted in every new place, but as they reached their last destination of the summer, her heart became heavy. They would spend a few weeks in this new place and then it was home to prepare for her wedding.

Today, like every other day, Belle was out early exploring her new surroundings. The local market of every city or village was one of her favorite places to visit. He loved the sights, smells and people she met at the market. Today, she was able to sneak out without Gaston or her guards. When she arrived at the market, the merchants were already set up and people were busy buying all sorts of different goods. She took her time strolling through the rows of merchants but stopped when she came across a booth selling spices. She tried to find something special to take back with her from each placed she traveled, so she could have something to remember it by.

At the next booth, she noticed a young boy trying to buy an apple, but it seemed he didn't have enough money. She quickly paid for her spices and walked over to the booth.

"An apple, please" Belle said as she handled the coin over to the merchant.

The boy looked up at her unsure of what to do.

"It's alright. Take one" Belle said smiling broadly.

The boy picked the largest apple in the pile, held it to his lips and took a deep breath inhaling it's sent.

"Thank you, Miss. My father, he has a booth selling wool right over..." The boy said turning around and realizing he had gotten turned around in the market.

"Tell you what, I'm looking to buy some wool and I'm a bit lost. This market is so big! Why don't we find your father's booth together?" Belle said wanting to make sure the boy found his way back to his father safely.

They made their way through the market, all the while the boy pointing out objects to Belle and telling her about the families that sold them. Belle found every unique story and item fascinating. Eventually, Bae got his bearings and led them to his father's booth.

Rumple was starting to get worried about where Bae had wandered off to, when he saw him approaching the booth through the crowd. Immediately after, he noticed a beautiful women was approaching with him.

"Bae, where did you run off to? I was getting worried" Rumple said hugging his son as he came behind the booth.

"She bought me an apple" Bae said as he proudly showed his father his shiny apple.

"Thank you Miss..." Rumple said turning to her.

"It was my pleasure. My name is Belle. I just wanted to make sure he got back to you safely. Have a nice day." Belle said as she started to turn away.

Bae pulled on his father's arm and whispered into his ear.

"Belle" Rumple call out quickly stopping her.

"Bae tells me that you are looking to buy some wool. Please help yourself for being so kind to my son" Rumple Said.

With a smile Belle once again approached the booth.

"I will take some of your wool, on one condition" Belle said after a moment of thought.

"What?" Bae asked excitedly.

"Well, I'm a visitor here and I would love if you and your father would show me around a little. You have such a knowledge of even the market, I'm fascinated to see that else this village has to see. If you have time, of course."

"We'd be happy to, Belle. It's the least we could do." Rumple said ashamed of his excitement to get to know this women better, "The market is closed tomorrow, but can we meet you here tomorrow morning? I think I know a place you would love"

"Great. Thank you, Mr..."

"Rumpelstiltskin. You can call me Rumple if you like" He said shyly.

"I would like that very much" Belle said feeling the warmth of the sun, "Until tomorrow then. Goodbye Rumple. Goodbye Bae. "

As Belle walked away from the booth, Rumple couldn't hide the smile on his face and didn't even hear Bae telling him that she had forgot to pick out her wool.


Belle enjoyed her walk home that afternoon after spending all day at the market. She was exhausted but her mood had improved greatly from her earlier gloomy state by the time she reached the manor that had been rented for their stay.

When Belle entered through the large wooden double doors, Gaston was sitting at the large dinning room table with his back to her. Waiting. Her shoulders fell in defeat as she let out a deep sigh, knowing this was an altercation she couldn't escape.

"Where have you been?" Gaston asked coldly without turning to look at her.

"I got up early and decided to walk to the market, that's all" Belle said trying to make light of the situation.

Gaston rose from the table and walked over to her with an expression of stone on his face.

"You know it's not safe for someone of your status to be wandering around these places without protection."

Belle was not convinced that he cared for her at all let alone if she was safe. His whole future depended on their marriage, so he didn't want anything to happen to her before the wedding. He had become very possessive since their marriage was arranged.

"Gaston, you're overreacting. These are just normal people living their lives. I don't need you or the guards to accompany me out. I'm a grown women and I won't be told where I can go or who I can see." Belle said shortly as started to walk away from him. Before she could get out of his reach, Gaston grabbed her wrist and yanked her back to him. Belle let out a small yelp of pain as he put his face in hers.

"I won't have this disobedience, Belle. I am to be your husband. Either you go out with me or the guards or you don't go out at all. Is that clear?"

Belle was so shaken she didn't have the nerve to stand up to him, so she quickly nodded her head. He let go of her arm and left the room without another glance at her. As soon as he was out of sight Belle raced up the stairs to her room and locked the door behind her. Still shaken, she walked over to the window seat rubbing her aching wrist. In the distance, she could see people going about their daily lives freely. A familiar wave of dread washed over her as she thought about the tortured life she had ahead of her.


A/N: I hope you guys like this first chapter! Please review and let me know! Muah!