Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a work of pure fiction. All characters and events depicted in this story are entirely fictitious. Any similarity to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Summary: Rumpelstiltskin knew Belle long before they made their deal. A long time. My take on what happened before they made their deal. Cover art by the fabulous Emilie Brown.

A/N: This little piece came to me while I was stuck on my other story "Why Did You Come Back". Of course, my brain wouldn't give me any peace until I put it to paper. I hope you enjoy the story. Please leave a review!

Her Little Secret

By:

CharlotteAshmore

I

Chance Meeting

The beauty of the approaching sunset did little to soothe him as he lowered himself to the ground and braced his back against the trunk of a towering oak tree, letting the magic of the ancient tree seep into his bones. Another wasted trip. Rumpelstiltskin, the Dark One, the Deal Maker and most feared sorcerer in the realm had once again been called upon to wield his magic. . . for a price.

Always for a price.

The magic demanded it. Another desperate soul to bend with his web of tricks and sorcery, always taking more than giving. But there was nothing he'd been able to do for the poor woman. She'd delivered another stillborn child, her third, and she'd called upon him to help her. He sighed wearily and closed his eyes at the memory. Magic could do much, but not that. With all the power at his disposal, he was unable to restore life to the dead.

He had a soft spot for children. He'd been a father once, centuries ago. He would have done anything for his precious son, his Baelfire. But that was another story. A story fraught with pain and loss and remorse and he refused to dig it from his bank of memories to torture himself this evening.

He took in his surroundings beneath the ancient oak in the field of wildflowers he'd chosen to rest. In the distance he could see the tiny kingdom nestled against the shore and wondered if maybe he could find another desperate soul in the small village, something to salvage the time he'd wasted. He started slightly when the bells atop the small church began to ring. Another death? No matter. He wasn't there to offer solace to the bereaved. After all, who would take solace from the arms of a monster?

He was weary, tired of the deals, tired of the loneliness which crept into the darkness of his soul. Maybe that was why he'd lingered here longer than necessary instead of returning to the Dark Castle. His castle, his home, filled with the treasures he'd collected over the centuries, offered every comfort imaginable. But what use were his collections and his creature comforts when he had no one with which to share it. Love and family were bleakly absent from his existence. Sometimes, he wondered if he'd be better off ending it and throwing himself upon his own dagger. It was these melancholy thoughts which had him so distracted he didn't hear her approach.

"Why do you look so sad?" asked a small tinkling feminine voice from somewhere above him. He cracked open an eye and looked up at the child, no more than seven or thereabout, who had asked the question. He didn't move, not wanting to frighten the child.

"Who says I'm sad?" he returned, keeping his tone low and even. "What do you even know of such things?"

She tried to smile at him, although it came out as more of a grimace. "I assure you, sir, I know what sadness is. And I know how to recognize it in others." She dropped onto the grass next to his hip, drawing her legs up to wrap her arms about her knees and he had to fight to remain still when his instinct was to flee from her closeness. No one ever wanted to get too near him. The fearlessness of youth, he thought with a wry smile.

The girl intrigued him, her words suited more to a much older child of fourteen maybe. "Who are you, pet? Where are your parents?" Her clothing was fine and well made, her hair braided into an intricate plait and adorned with jewels, marking her as a member of the nobility. Surely with the sun setting, someone had missed her by now. Why was she out in the fields surrounding the kingdom all alone? Could she not fathom the dangers which lurked unsuspecting in the dark?

Her lower lip trembled as she raised her jewel-bright eyes to meet his gaze. The crystal-blue orbs were filled with such sadness, he had to stop himself from reaching out to draw her into his arms, to offer her the comfort she sought. "I … did you hear the bells? They were for my mother. I couldn't stay and watch them take her away. So, I ran. I ran until my legs began to hurt. That's when I found you," she whispered into the night, her voice carrying to him on the slight breeze. She choked back a sob as the tears began to spill from her eyes.

Rumpelstiltskin abandoned his perch against the ancient tree and sat up, peering closely at the child, his nose scant inches from hers. "You're just a wee lass. You should have a protector to guard you against the dangers lurking out here."

She peered back at him just as intently, fascinated with the greenish gold tint of his skin and the way the sun made it glitter in the warm light. She held his eyes with her own, wondering how he'd gained such wondrous amber eyes the color of warm honey. "It is easy to run away from the guards my father sets to watch me. I am nothing but a spoiled little princess to them. They don't see me, just the title," she explained in a resigned tone. She reached up her little hand and touched his cheek, marveling at the texture of his skin. She'd thought it would be rough, but it was as smooth as her own. "You're quite lovely. Did you know that?"

He drew back from her innocent touch, unused to human contact. His face tingled where her hand had rested, and he didn't know how to react to her kindness or her words. Lovely, indeed, he snorted. "You must be a strange child indeed if you can find a monster lovely."

She giggled at his wounded pride. "You're not a monster. You're just a man resting in the meadow against my favorite tree. If you were truly a monster, surely you would have devoured me by now and taken your leave," she teased.

"Who are you, pet? What is your name?" he asked. He was slowly being drawn under her spell and was desperate to find a way to break it before it broke him. He watched the sun sink lower as she took her time forming her answer, hesitant to trust a stranger and knowing the dangers awaiting her if she did.

"I belong to the castle over the hill," she said, pointing in the distance. "I am Princess Belle." She held out her hand to shake his. Her eyes widened as he took her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles for a brief kiss. A pretty blush rose to settle in the apples of her cheeks. "No one has ever done that before," she said in a conspiratorial whisper, as if she were afraid someone would overhear her.

His laugh was warm when it came, a genuine laugh instead of the maniacal giggle which usually spewed forth from his mouth. "I may be a monster, dearie, but I do know how to greet the nobility. And that is the proper greeting for a princess. It's getting quite late for you to be traipsing about the countryside. Would you allow me to escort you home?"

Belle ducked her head and pressed her cheek against her knees. "I don't want to go home."

He frowned at the child princess as she sat there, her heart in her eyes. But he couldn't allow himself to care that she was sad or lost, like him. So why did he? He had to tread delicately with her so as not to alienate her and make her run again. "I'm sorry about your mother, pet. But how would your father be if he lost you as well? Is it fair to him to lose you both?" He placed a long finger beneath her chin and lifted her face to his. "Besides, tomorrow you will be able to tell all your friends of the monster you met in the meadow."

She rose angrily to her feet. "I don't have any friends. The children all think I'm odd and different and don't want to have anything to do with me. "Even the other nobles don't want to play with me."

His eyes narrowed dangerously. Ungrateful whelps. How could anyone not want to be friends with the disarming child before him? He could have so much fun turning the little buggars into snails for her to squash. "Why is that? Why do they not see your worth?"

"It doesn't matter," she said softly, pulling a handkerchief from her sleeve and blowing her nose. "I have my books, I don't need the others. I would rather spend time in my library anyway."

He thought of the immense library full of books in the Dark Castle he hadn't used in such a long time. Maybe he could bring her a new book next time he had need to visit this kingdom. The thought struck him as odd that he wouldn't mind visiting her again. He pushed the thought away and looked down at her as he rose to his feet. It was increasingly difficult to see her in the waning light. "Come, pet. Let's get you home."

She slipped her small hand into his much larger one and stepped to his side. She took a step forward to begin the trek back to the castle, but he pulled her back to his side with a laugh. "I thought we were leaving."

He dropped to one knee and smiled at her. "We are, pet, but not to walk. We're going to use magic." And before she could protest, a plume of violet smoke engulfed them, transporting them to the topmost parapet of the castle.

Belle's eyes were wide and filled with awe as she took in her surroundings. "That was amazing. I've read about magic in my books, but I never thought I would experience it for myself. This is the best birthday present I've ever received."

He was taken aback by that revelation. "It's your birthday?"

She nodded shyly. "Today I turned ten years old."

He tucked a stray curl behind her ear, surprised when she didn't recoil at his touch. "Happy birthday, pet." She dipped a quick curtsy. He drew the hood of his cloak about his head to hide his face and took her hand once again. "Show me where your room is so I may escort you."

Belle led him down stairwells and corridors until his head spun, finally coming to a stop before an oak door. She pushed the door open and let go of his hand, walking into the room to make certain her nursemaid wasn't lurking about. She took his hand once more and led him into her room, moving to another door and pushing it open. It opened up onto a grand terrace where her private garden was. There were stone benches and a cherry blossom tree and more rose bushes than he could count.

"This is where I spend my time when I am not in the library. Sometimes I like to sit on the bench and read," she said proudly, wanting him to see her sanctuary, wanting to share this little piece of her life with him.

"It suits you. Beauty for a little beauty," he chuckled with a smile as she sat down on the bench and looked up at him expectantly. "What?"

"Won't you sit with me?"

With just a moment's indecision, he dropped down to sit next to her. "I should go." He said with a growing sense of unease. He didn't want to be caught with the child, no matter how innocent the situation may be.

"Sir, would you visit me again? Would you be my friend?" she asked hesitantly, tears gathering in her eyes. "It would be nice if I had someone to talk to from time to time."

His heart melted for the girl. She was surrounded by family and servants and guards, but she was heartbreakingly lonely. How could her father not see the pain she was in? He patted her shoulder awkwardly and nodded. "I will, princess. I'll visit you again." He rose from the bench and turned to go, but paused one last time to look down at her upturned face. "And you don't have to call me sir. I have a name."

She chuckled softly, her voice sweet and melodious on the still night air. "But you haven't told me what it is."

He didn't really want to give her his name. It was only going to frighten her. Surely, she had heard of the Dark One. What parent didn't scare their children into submission with tales of the evil imp to get them to mind their manners? He bowed low to her, meeting her gaze. "My name is … Rumpelstiltskin."