The sunlight poured through the holes of the canopy in the forest, it warms the ground the patches of light help flours grow in the clearing spots, Belle's body relaxes, here she felt safe, her father has forbid her from entering the forest since she was small most of the time she had a chaperone even in the village, luckily he was sleeping off a hangover this morning on the chair on her front porch so she could seek out.

Belle breathes in the summers air sighing gently with content and blush covers her cheeks warming her more, hope kept her coming back to this place, the place where she met him for the first time.

She pushes down her dark green hood which had a black lace patten she was very fond of it seeing it was only one of the few items that was her mothers. She also wore it because she could tell by his glances at her that he liked it, she smiles to herself he was like no one she had never she had ever met but this would be her last visit to this place.

Sadness fills her chest she knew that this was the way of the world, being married off with no more words on the matter and even worse it was to an oaf who was only going though it to strengthen his claim as next leader of the village.

She shivers at the cold wind and her future of her life "penny for your thoughts deary"

Belle's eyes widen she turns to see his face who she knew all too well, hair covered his face he was smiling but his eyes held a sadness, his big brown eyes where gentle, he walks too her his leather trousers catching the sunlight from underneath his cloak, his chest was covered in a loose white shirt on his hand reaches out for hers and helps her up.

"Rumpelstilskin" she smiles gently and he holds up a book "thank you for this Belle, I did enjoy it after all" their fingers brush as she takes the book and holds it tight to her chest.

Her fingers rub the emboss on the front, a million thoughts now buzzed in her mind, he could see her struggle to find words as her mouth opens and closes.

"Belle?" She loved the way he said her name, she feared that he would figure her feelings for him and would be horrified by it, he would tell her to go and never return to him, she casts the thought away "I came to say good bye"

He nods slowly listening to her thoughts leave her mouth "in five days the Dark one is coming to collect his offering from the village" she looks to the floor "you think he will choose you?"

His voice was calm and full of understanding, it should have not been a surprise to her he was a warlock of the forest, he was known for his elixirs and vast knowledge of all subjects, "who knows, I am unmarried and of correct age"

"you are seventeen" he corrected her, his eyes where linked to hers now "I turn Eighteen on the day of offering" a small breath leaves his chest.

Every twenty years the dark one would take a woman as payment, she was to be unmarried and of the age of eighteen years, in return he would protect the village some say this deal had been since the dawn of time Belle didn't believe it she shifted looking down

"even if I am not chosen my father wishes me to marry Gaston the next day" sorrow filled Belle's eyes, Rumple knew how much she hated the fool
"I am sorry Belle"

She shakes her head, the sadness reached her chest now "at least it's not forever" she looks to the trees her eyes glassy now "maybe I will die in child birth, then I will be free" he looks at her a little angry "hush that"

He could not believe this strong and intelligent girl would just give up "you will not die Belle you are stronger than that" she meets his gaze " my hopes will my dreams, inside I will..."

"then you must run" his expression was deadly serious "I can't leave my father he is all I have"

Rumple crosses his arms over his chest "so you would marry, let yourself be shackled to a man you despise?" She smiles lightly "for my father and my village, yes"

His heart sank for the girl "I just wanted to thank you for everything" tears where pricking at her eyes "Belle" she steps back "you where kind to me and always there but I can't see you any more"

her words became more broken as she spoke she chocked out her last words which stabbed his chest "I'm sorry Rumpelstilskin"
she turns away tears now falling down, it was now or never

"No" He grasps on to her wrist pulling him to his chest holding her head with his spare hand

"Rumple..?" he breathes deeply collecting his thoughts "No, you are the one to thank, you are strong your heart is true" he places his hand under her chin making her look at him

"no matter what stay brave Belle, so do the brave thing and braveness will follow"

her hands press on his chest nodding in understanding, her hand reaches up to his neck fear in her eyes but not of him but what he might do, she reaches up and her lips brush his softly as a test, he cranes his neck to meet her once more and holds her tight in his arms, a blush lights her cheeks his fingers run though her hair holding her close once their lips parted, he places another on her forehead "I am sorry Belle, truly" his thumb strokes her cheek

"so am I"

he would not let go of her nor would she move, a new tear slips down her cheek which he rubs away with his thumb, he looks to the village as the bell rings out, they knew it meant a town meeting

"go" she nods gently leaving him their hands still holding till she turns and heads back down the path running, pulling up her hood as a protection from his gaze.