Authors Note: Well here it is my first OUAT fanfic! I've had this story for a Rumple/OC in my head for a long time and meant to post it before the writers of the show came out with Rumbelle and then it seemed a little redundant. But it wouldn't leave me alone so I decided to put it up anyway. I don't own anything from OUAT except my OC and I don't even own her. She's not technically a Fairy-Tale character, but when Frankenstein joined the troupe it seemed acceptable. I hope you enjoy! – LadyLisa.
Night time had fallen but the forest still pulsed with the heat of the afternoon sun. Between the towering trees in the glow of the moon walked a young man and woman, almost too weary to carry on but with nothing to turn back to and no choice but to drag their bare, blistered feet further down the dirt road. Both wore heavy, hooded cloaks for despite the heat, nothing was more important than avoiding discovery.
They had been walking for hours and still it seemed there was no end in sight. The forest seemed to stretch forward into eternity, nothing to distinguish the miles of woodland that lay ahead with the miles they had already put behind them.
With every step, both seemed to become more and more agitated, glancing cautiously into the darkness at the sound of every snapping twig, every rustle of leaves. The fear of the hunted of the hunter.
Suddenly the forest fell into darkness. Dark clouds had gathered, blotting out the pearly rays of the moon and the low rumble of thunder echoed about them. The man glanced up at the sky, frightened by the sudden darkness, as though he read his own death sentence in the stars. The woman turned round to find her partner had come to a halt in the middle of the road.
"No more. I will go no further." His voice shook with fear but it was determined.
"What do you mean? It can't be far now." She said.
"This cannot be the way. There must be something else we can do, somewhere else we can try." He pleaded.
The woman sighed wearily. "I can't say I don't have my own misgivings," she admitted softly, "But there is nothing else for it. Our people are under threat. We are being hunted down and no one will even attempt to protect us. There is nowhere else for us to turn, we have to try."
"But to seek his help-"
"I know," she gently placed her fingertips on his lips, "But we have no choice."
He looked into her dark eyes and saw fear. The same fear he knew was mirrored in his own. But there was something in her eyes that was missing from his. A determination to follow this dangerous and uncertain road at whatever cost.
For what was waiting for her at the end of this road – was sanctuary.
"Here we are." The woman said softly. "This is the place."
Slowly, as though stepping on sacred ground, they made their way into a small clearing in the forest.
"Are you sure?" The man asked, glancing about him.
The young woman smiled wryly "Have I ever been wrong before?" she asked, looking about her. Certainly there was nothing here that appeared any different from the miles of forest they had passed through. But somehow she knew instinctively that this was their destination. Just as she could tell the people who came to her looking for answers to what lay in their futures, and the paths that needed to be taken. Had she known it, it was this very skill that put her, and her people, in such grave danger.
"Well if this is the spot, then where the hell is he?" The man asked gruffly.
"Tut tut, so impatient!" A voice jeered. The couple jumped and spun around to find the strange figure Rumplestiltskin sitting cross-legged on a fallen log. He seemed rather amused by their fright.
"Shouldn't you have seen that coming dearie?" he asked the young woman with a mischievous grin.
The man by her side put his hand to his belt to grasp his dagger but the young woman stayed his hand. This was their last chance at survival. This man held their entire future in his reptilian hands.
Pushing her hood from her head she walked up to face him, trying desperately to feel as brave as she was trying to look.
"What I need to know," she asked, trying to keep the tremor from her voice, "Is can you help us?"
Rumplestiltskin rose to his feet, his fingertips pressed together in contemplation.
"That remains to be seen. Why don't you enlighten me as to your," he flourished his hands, predicament."
She took a deep breath to steady herself. "It is no secret what is happening to my people. The Queen is hunting us down, killing any gypsy she finds. We don't know why, we just know that it is pointless to try and reason with her. We came here tonight to ask for your help. Is there anything you can do to protect us?"
Rumpelstilskin surveyed the woman before him closely. She was a young woman, with the golden brown skin of those who spend their entire lives under the blaze of the sun. She was a rather small woman in stature, with a head of black curls flowing down past her chest, a green scarf tying it off her forehead and her dark brown eyes, framed by long sooty lashes, seemed almost too big for her small heart-shaped face. She hardly cut an imposing figure. But there was a ferocious energy about her, putting him in mind of a small dog with a savage bite. He grinned a wide malicious grin.
"There is very little I can't do Dearie."
"Can you do this?"
"For a price."
The woman visibly relaxed at these words. They had passed the first stage, he had agreed to help. The price she regarded as inconsequential. Her companion however tensed, gripping the handle of his dagger tightly.
"What price is that?" he growled. Rumplestilskin cackled mischievously.
"All great deeds demand sacrifice. Tell me my dear," he leaned in close to the young woman's face, "What would you give to keep your people out of harm's way?"
"Anything it takes." She said. "Just tell us what you want."
"What I want…is you."
"What do you want with me?" her voice trembled. He let out another terrible, high-pitched giggle.
"What would a creature like me want with a woman who can foresee the future?" he asked sarcastically, and she felt her heart clench in her chest.
"I help you out," Rumpelstiltskin continued, "And your gift, you mind, belong to me." He pressed his fingers against her forehead, staring deep into her eyes "How badly do you want it?"
She stared at him for what could have been minutes, seconds or hours. Time had ceased to exist, ceased to matter in this moment. The moment you know your world will change forever, and you will never come back the same.
"Deal." And reaching out, she shook his hand.
"No!" the man screamed, as though this handshake had been her death warrant. "No, Esmeralda I won't let you!" She turned slowly to face him.
"It's done." She whispered. Tears gathered in her eyes and this time she made no attempt to hold them back. A terrible fear had awakened inside her. Instinctively she knew that this could never end in anything but tragedy. Esmeralda threw herself into her friend's arms and clutched him to her. He had also begun to cry and his tears cascaded down his cheeks, into her black hair as he clutched her to him.
"I hate to destroy such a beautiful moment," Rumpelstilskin said, "But I have other appointments to keep. And so come, my dear." And reaching out, he pulled Esmeralda from the man's arms and to his side.
"Where are you taking me?" Esmeralda demanded, "Why are you taking me? I won't go back on my word, I swear it!"
"Oh I'm sure of that dearie. But it is wise to protect one's assets."
The man drew his dagger from his belt and charged forward, raising the blade high. Rumpelstilskin merely smiled and as the dagger came down upon him, clicked his fingers and with a puff of purple smoke, he and Esmeralda vanished into the night air, leaving nothing but a heartbroken lover, and the roar of an approaching storm.
Well there you go! Not the greatest chapter I'll admit but it does get better. I know it has a distinct Rumbelle flavour to it, but it's how I always imagined the story. It IS possible for 2 people to have similar ideas! Truly! Should I keep going or take it down? Let me know! - LadyLisa