"Disclaimer- I do not own OUAT, or their characters. Just my own people. Enjoy. =)

"Please…I will give you whatever you want, just protect her." There stood a woman, with long chestnut color hair, and eyes the color of the sky. The woman wore an extravagant dress; it was simple but also elegant. The dress was the color of the sky on the clearest day of spring, the dress left her shoulder's bare, but still had sleeves that, at the elbow flared out into the most delicate of lace, covering only half of her for arm. She wore a white corset on the outside of the dress giving this woman the image of curves any man would crave. At the ties of the corset the lower half of her dress split up, leaving the middle open to show the multiple layers of her dress. A mixture of blue and gold enhances the way the gown looked on the woman, making her that more desirable. Many men and women would agree that her name suits her perfectly, she was a gift from the heavens, and she was kind, caring, smart, brave and beautiful, so when she spoke her name, no one could disagree. Her name was Célestin, meaning "heavenly."

"It's not something without nothing dearie." There stood in front of the Celestin was an Imp. But not your average imp, he was known as the Deal Maker, The Spinner of Gold, but the one that most referred to him as was the "Dark One".

As he stood there in front of the Lady of the small provincial town, he couldn't help but feel some sort of pity for the woman, begging him to make sure her daughter stayed alright, knowing she wouldn't be part of this world much longer. No one should live knowing they were going to be leaving they're child alone un-protected. The moment he realized why he felt bad for her, he was hit with a flashback of himself and his son Baelfire, knowing he did exactly what this woman was trying to prevent, leave his child un protected, not under the care of a watchful eye. Getting lost in his own thoughts, his attention went back to the woman standing in front of him.

"Please Dark One, I beg you, anything. I cannot stand the thought of leaving my daughter all alone with no one to be there for her." Celestin stood there with pleading eyes. As she stood there waiting for his answer she did the only thing she could do, she started to cry. Not for herself, never for herself, only thoughts running through her head at the moment were leaving her little daughter alone in the world with no one, not even a friend. For she knew what her daughter's life was going to be like, being the daughter of a Lord and Lady, was not easy. It was a quiet, lonely life. A life she did not want for her daughter.

"As long as you stop with the tears then yes, I will take on the job of watching over her. But as I said before its not something without nothing dearie." As the Dark One stood there he thought about what he was getting himself into. Never has he made a deal where he didn't get some profit from it. But yet to his surprise this woman managed to convince him.

"Ok, what is it you desire? Name your price."

"My price, well dearie, my price is her." Giving his high pitch giggle as always when he stated the required toll. Knowing she was going to refuse. But the next words out of her mouth surprised him. Which was a very hard thing to do.

"Deal, on a few conditions though." She stated.

"Oh? And what might those be?" He asked her curiously.

"She is to remain here; I want her to have a normal life as she can get, atleast until she is old enough to be wed. You must never tell her I knew I was ill. And Lastly." She paused; waiting for him to make eye contact with her.

"Lastly?" he waited to what seemed liked forever to the imp. "Well spit it out already dearie, we don't have all day here." He stated started to get annoyed at the woman.

"And lastly, you must not, and I repeat, must not fall in love with her." Celestin stated to the strange gold and green man.

Hearing the last demand, he laughed, hard. "Trust me dearie, I wouldn't worry too much on the last one. I am not interested in looove. Love makes us sick, haunts our dreams, and destroys our days. Love has killed more than any disease. So trust me when I say dearie, they're won't be any chance of that." The imp stated matter of factly.

"I'm glad to hear it."

"So it's a deal, I protect your daughter, let her grown in this little town, and try not to fall in love with her, and in return, she will be mine when she is old enough. Yes?" he leaned closer to her, trying to make her realize just who she was dealing with.

"It's a deal." The moment she uttered the last word she knew everything was going to be alright for her little girl. "Though I am sure you must want to meet her, after all who would you know who you're supposed to be protecting if she is not introduced to you."

"Yes, yes. Let's just get this done and over with." He stated boredly. .

Smiling kindly at the man Celestin left the room, only to come back shortly after. This time she brought with her a small child. If he hadn't known better he would have believed that she was the same woman only, younger.

Before the Lady of the castle returned, he was already predicting how this little meet and greet would go off. She would bring the small girl into the room, and upon seeing himself the girl would start to scream and cry, scared out of her mind.

But to his surprise, the small girl standing there did none of the sorts. Instead she stood there gazing at him curiosity. She stood no older than the age of 6. Her chestnut hair rolling lightly down her back just passing the center of her back. She stared at him with open blue eyes, the same color blue as her mothers, but not only the color matched that of her mothers, but also the strength, intelligence, and to his surprise, sadness. One that a small child her age should not know. He couldn't help but think of how she was going to look growing up, he could tell, even now at such a small age, she would be beautiful, just like her mother. If not more.

Realizing that he and the little girl were currently having a staring contest, he decided to end it the best way he knows how. "It's not polite to stare dearie." he states in his high pitch voice, and just to try and scare her, he threw in his impish giggle.

"Oh! I am sorry sir. " At that she put her head down, in shame for being rude to their guest.

"It's no matter." The words slipping out of his mouth faster than he could catch them. For some reason seeing this small girl put her head down in shame bothered him greatly. To which he didn't know why.

"Dark One, this is my daughter..." Celestin started; only to stop when he put his hand up.

"Now, now dearie, why don't we leave introductions to me and her hmm? And I do believe I hear someone calling for you. "

Standing there not wanting to leave her daughter alone with him just yet. But knowing she would eventually have no choice. She turned to leave for the door. Before she left though she kneeled down to her daughter giving her little advice she could. Not realizing how much it would stick with her daughter throughout her adventures.

"Do the brave thing, and the bravery would follow." Smiling at her daughter she got up and headed to the door. Looking back only once to stare at the strange man. Smiling like she knew a big secret no one else knew.

He watched her close the door behind her in the corner of his eye. Never did he take his eyes off of the young child standing in front of him.

Knowing her mother had left the room, the small girl relaxed a bit. Not entirely but still some.

"Belle." She stated nervously. Watching as the man seemed to come out of his train of thought.

"Pardon me?"

"My name sir, it is belle." Giving the strange gold man a curtsy, remembering what her mother always said. 'A good princess is a polite, and caring princess.'

"It's quite the fitting name."

"And what may I ask is yours sir?" She looked at him with hope.

"You may ask." A cheshire grin appearing on his face.

"And? You said you would tell me." she said a little annoyed of the game he was playing with her.

"Ah, this is not true, you asked if you could ask for my name, and I said yes, you may ASK, But that doesn't mean I am going to give it to you." Giving his impish giggle, knowing that his response would drive the young child crazy, when Bae was her age silly things like that would drive him crazy.
"Fine." Stating as nonchalant as she could. She knew what this strange man was trying to do. And she wasn't going to fall for it. She was used to the town kids pulling pranks on her, saying stuff just to get her riled up. Due to her being younger than all of them, they always loved to make her life miserable.

"I Guess I will just have to make up a name for me to call you." She stood there dramatically, looking to the glass stained doors leading to a patio on the other side, hand on her chin, pretending to rub the mustache that wasn't there. She has spent many evenings in the "War Room" with her parents; never speaking just observing. Noticing when the Generals were deep in though they often did this, weather they realized it or not. Getting back to her original train of thought; of wondering what she could call this strange colored man. He was silly, strange, and not very nice. He was anything but a gentleman. And there was definitely nothing charming about him. At that moment she knew exactly what would set him off. Payback if you would.

Smiling like she just won a million gold coins she turned back to the man." I know exactly what im going to call you."

"Oh really Dearie? And what name have you decided I am worthy of?" Waving his hands in the air for emphasis.

"Your name shall be Charming." The small girl smiling at the Dark One, knowing very well that he would not appreciate being called charming.

He was dumbfounded, out of all the names she could have called him; she chose charming. Knowing well of the young prince to be in a few years, and such nickname would be given to him. "And may I ask why you chose such a name?" He asked curious for the small girls answer.

"Yes Charming, you may ask. But that doesn't mean you are going to get an answer." Smiling to herself, knowing she just pulled the same card he had pulled on her not moments ago.

"Fine dearie, I'll play this little game. Why did you choose such a prince like name to bestow upon a dark monster such as myself?" Asking slightly annoyed; knowing that the young girl managed to flip his little twist of words directly upon him.

"It's quite simple really, you're not as bad as you seem, you're not a monster, but you try to act like it. Deep down I know there is an ordinary man behind that thick skin. I can see you're a sad man, so you try to hide your sadness behind you little quips, and your way twisting of words. It gives you a sense of power, you feel like you don't have. And those things are just a wall build around the great sadness you have endeared all of your life. But I believe when you realize, your not as bad as you make people think, you come to realize, that you are quite charming, in your own way." She didn't dare look the man in the eyes, scared of the out lash she knew was going to come. 'Do the brave thing and Bravery will follow.' Her mother's favorite phrase.

She knew he was going to be mad at her, but she didn't care, she wanted him to know that she wasn't being fooled like everyone else with his little game. She may be a small child but she was definitely smarter than most kids her age. If there was one thing belle was good at it was reading people. But what he said next was a surprise she never expected.

"Rumpelstiltskin." He glared at the small child. For some reason what the small girl had said bothered him greatly. Probably do to the fact that she was spot on.

"Rumpelstiltskin…I like it. Very unique." She looked back at him smiling.

"Yes well…" Standing there for once loss of words. Not knowing how to take her compliments, no one ever said that. Usually when his name was spoken it was out of desperation, fear, and disgust. Never has his name been spoken so, sweetly I guess the word could be.

"So, Mr. Rumpelstiltskin, are you supposed to be babysitter?" she asked slightly annoyed.

At that comment he looked at her, surprise evident on his face.' She's much smarter than most children her age.' To an extent she was right, he was her 'babysitter' one could say but he wasn't going to be following this girl around and telling her what to do. No he would protect her when she needed protecting. Simply this and nothing more. He had better things to do than babysit this child.

"I have been hired to make sure you don't hurt yourself, simply your well-being. I will not be a nanny. Which reminds me." Twisting his hand in the air, a dark purple cloud formed, but just as quickly as it came it vanished. Instead laid in the man's clawed hand was a bracelet. It was made of solid gold, the design it held was simple. It looked as if someone had knotted threads of, straw together along the whole bracelet. In the center of the bracelet was a small design. She believed it was a spinner's wheel. 'I wonder what that is about.' She thought to herself.

"This will let me know whenever you need me, I have enchanted it so when you need me, I will feel it, and the ONLY way for it to come off is either by me, and if I allow you to yourself, or your Twuu wuuve." Flicking his wrist into the air for a more dramatic effect.

"Why basically you and my true love?" she asked curious, more of the true love one than anything else.

"That way, I don't have to hear you say over and over again that some superficial fool is your twuu wuuve." 'And so I know when I am allowed to end this deal. But she doesn't need to know that.'

"Well I wouldn't worry about that too much Rumpelstiltskin, I have no intentions or marring for some time. After all I am just 6 years old." She then walked towards the patio doors, staring off into the night. 'I would much rather go on adventures, and see places than marry some fool who thinks he's better than everyone.'

"Good point, my little princess." He then held his hand out for her left hand. He was surprised when she lightly placed her hand in his and didn't shudder or scream from touching him. But Belle wasn't your average little girl. She was special, even a monster such as he could see this.

After placing the bracelet around her wrist, he let go of belle's hand. Immediately she grabs his once more holding onto it so she can inspect his gold and green hand. She slowly traced every inch of her finger on his discolored one, marveling on how his skin was actually quite soft, but still had calloused hands. She wondered why a sorcerer such as himself would have hands of a hardworking man, when all he had to do was twitch his wrist and whatever he desired appeared.

He stared at her in complete shock. It was a surprise for her not to scream when she saw him, but to TOUCH him. "Curious dearie?"

"Yes quite, your hand is soft, I didn't expect that. But they are calloused like a man who used to work in the fields. And not like a sorcerer, such as yourself." She states flipping his hand over examining the top of his hand now.

He was constantly being amazed by this girl, she was not afraid of him like most, she didn't flinch when he came near her instead she made MORE contact with her, and the way she turned his tease back around into himself was most impressive. But what amazed him to no end was how much she knew but didn't know about him, in such a short amount of time they have known each other. Without him realizing it he knelt down, making it easier for her to inspect his hand. Realizing he was closer to her height she let go and immediately places her small hands on his face, marveling in the way his skin felt. Same as his hands she expected them to be hard, ad ruff, but instead his skin was soft. Feeling her place her hands upon his face he felt a wave of calm rush over him, a calm he hadn't felt in quite some time. Closing his eyes he leaned into her touch enjoying the calm she was giving him. After a few moments he realized that if someone were to walk in on this scene it would not look good for his reputation. Opening his eye his first sight was bright blue eyes. Shining with curiosity. Gently grabbing her hands he pulled her hands away, hearing her wine in protest made him laugh, not the usual imp laugh he gave away all the time, but a sincere laugh, one that hasn't been heard since he lost his son.

"Now dearie, I must get going, and I do believe I hear your mother calling for you."

"Oh must you leave already? I am having so much fun." At that moment she started to pout.

"Yes my little princess I must. But I will make you a deal alright?"

"Ok!"

"If I tell you a little secret about the bracelet you wear, you go to sleep no problems for your mother? And trust me I will know whether you hold up your end of the bargain."

"I don't understand how that's a fair trade for you but sure!"

"Yes yes, anyway. So it's a deal?"

"Yes it's a deal." She smiled at him.

"So the bracelet doesn't just let me know when you're in trouble it also has another ability. There's a reason why your true love can also take the bracelet off. You see when you become the age to wed, the moment you and your twuu wuuv meet, his name will become engraved on the inside of the bracelet. Revealing you to his identity."

"Really?" she asked jumping up and down. Staring at the bracelet amazed at how much power this small little bracelet held inside of it.

"Yes really dearie. Now if you would excuse me I am off." And with that he turns around and opens the patio doors to the balcony overlooking the village.

"What? How are you supposed to leave that way? You can't fly can you?" At the thought of her protector being able to fly made her all the more excited.

"Oh no, not fly." And with that he turned around and stepped off the edge of the balcony, falling to his death. At least so she thought.

"Rumpelstiltskin!" she yelled running over to the balcony where he just stepped to his death. When she managed to look over the edge, all she could see was a purple mist only a few feet down. She realized then that he could teleport. And with that knowledge she smiled.

Looking up into the dark, moonless night she comes to realize that her life would never be the same, whether it is better or for worse. She knew that moment on her adventure was just starting. And it all started with a golden bracelet and a magical Black Knight

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````A/N – Ok so that's the first chapter. This is my first attempt at writing so I would love any tips anyone is willing to give.=) anyway. Hoped you liked it!