Summary: Rumplestiltskin is branded a coward after he injures himself in the war to be sent home. He returns home to find his wife Belle has bore him a son. She cannot think to cast him out but stands with him as a wife should stand with her husband.
A/N: I knoowww I have other projects, but I get ideas in my head and they won't go away until I write them down. And, I figure, I'd write them down and put them out there for your entertainment :-p. I'm still working on my other OUAT stories, its just slow go with school and the such. Once my winter break starts in December I'll probably be able to update quite a bit more frequently. Until then; enjoy!
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Chapter 1: Prologue
Rumplestiltskin wasn't the big man that a lot of his peers were that were called to action on the battlefield in the Ogres War. But he was still a man, and he was still called to arms by his country. Truthfully it terrified him when he got the notice. After all, he was just a spinner trying to scrape by, he couldn't leave his household, he couldn't leave his wife, she needed a man to help take care of her, to take care of the house. And it terrified him that he would leave her a widow if something were to happen to him.
So, staring down at the notice in his hands, he gripped it before rolling it back up, glancing up towards their hovel of a home. It was very small, just enough for the two of them. One room took up just about the whole house with a fireplace in the back center, a small kitchen off to the left, a tub for bathing to the right with a curtain should one want some privacy, a small loft that they kept provisions in, and their bed that would be pulled out to sit in front of the fire place at the winter time. They weren't rich by any means, they were simple peasants, and what his wife saw in him he would never know. He could not afford to decorate their home in finery or in many worldly comforts.
But he loved her, he loved her more than anything in this world. His sweet Isabelle, though he called her Belle. She was the light in his life, his everything. With her by his side he was sure he would be able to face the cruel world. They would get through the harshest of winters so long as they had each other. Telling her that he was being drafted for the war would break her heart, he knew it.
Taking in a deep breath, he walked the few yards back to his home where he knew his wife was waiting. He needed to be a man, he needed to take his wife and tell her that he would leave in the morning for the Ogre Wars, to protect their village and most importantly to protect her. He felt he needed to protect his sweet wife from the Ogres, ensure she would not even lay her pretty blue eyes on such things.
Walking up to the door, he slowly moved to open it and step inside, tucking the draft order into his pocket. The crackling of the fire was heard, as was the sounds of his wife doing her chores.
Once he entered, Belle looked up with the most brilliant smile. "Rumple! Good, you're home. I've missed you." she said. Stepping up to him, she moved to take the cloak from around his shoulders and hanging it up on the peg by the door before she moved her arms around his neck, leaning and kissing him gently.
Gods he would miss the feel of her lips on his. Resting his hands on her sides as he kissed her back with a fierceness that was probably unnecessary. He wasn't rough, but needing. What started out as a gentle kiss, he pulled her into a more passionate one, his tongue seeking out hers in a desperate attempt to remember the taste of her mouth.
It was her who leaned back from the kiss, her lips slightly swollen from his kiss and her cheeks flushed as she opened her eyes halfway, looking at him. "Mm, now what was that for, my love?" she asked, rubbing the back of his neck gently before leaning to give his nose a gentle kiss.
"It 'twas for the fact that I love you, my sweet Belle." he whispered with a small, sad smile.
She nodded a bit before leaning back. "And I love you. But, enough of that, dinner is almost ready." she said. Letting him go before she walked over to the small table they had just within the area of the kitchen. Taking two bowls and cups from the cabinet, she began setting the table. "Any luck selling your wares?" she asked.
And he instantly missed the feel of her soft curves against his chest. Looking up at her, he watched her, committing her image to memory as he'd done with her taste. She deserved better than he could give her, he knew that. She deserved a fine dress made of silk with gold embroidery, her hair done up beautifully smelling of lavender. But instead she was dressed in a simple dark blue peasants dress that fell to the floor, a white apron tied around her waist. The white of her apron was dirtied over many uses and wares. On her feet she wore simple brown shoes and her long brown chestnut curls were done up messily to keep from her face. The only jewelry she wore was her wedding band on her left ring finger. He hadn't had the money to buy her a fancy ring when they were courting. Instead he'd only had money enough to get a simple silver wedding band, no jewels, no diamonds, just a simple band. She deserved more, he knew it.
Taking in a deep breath, he walked up to the table and took a small bag of mostly copper and a few silvers from his pocket, sitting it on the table. "Aye, enough." he said, looking down at the bag and then up to Belle, seeing her smiling face at the sight of it.
"Ohh see! I knew you would!" she said excitedly. Filling each of the cups with tea she'd been brewing before she stepped up to the pot that was cooking at the fireplace. Taking a spoon and stirring the stew, she nodded indicating it was done. Taking her apron in hand and taking ahold of the pots handle, picking it up carefully with the help of her apron to guard her hands from the fire. Stepping over to the counter and sitting the pot down before taking both bowls and filling them with the stew.
He sat down at the table and looked up at her, watching her move with a small smile. "Aye, you did..." he muttered.
As she sat the bowls down in their places, resting the rest of the sliced loaf of bread in between the two bowls on the table, she looked at him and tilted her head to one side. "Is something the matter, Rumple? You keep staring at me as though I shall disappear..."
He couldn't help but think that she should disappear from his home, for her own good. He couldn't give her the things she needed, and he very well might make her a widow before her time. She was younger than him by several years, most had thought her mad for marrying a man so much older than she.
But truthfully, Rumplestiltskin was only in his thirties, years of hard labor giving him the appearance of someone much older. And Belle...well, she was barely in her twenties, and she was but a teenage girl when they'd met and she'd fallen in love with him. He was a man of honor, though, and courted her properly before they got married. They waited for their wedding night to share the same bed, and he marveled over how he'd been lucky enough to get such a beauty to agree to share the same bed with him.
"No...'tis nothing, we shall speak of it after dinner." he insisted, wanting to have a nice meal with her before he told her the news. Well, as nice of a meal as he could afford. It was stew again tonight made with the rabbit that he'd caught yesterday and potatoes from Belle's garden out back.
The panicking thought raced through his head. What would Belle eat without him? He did the hunting as men should, and while she kept a garden one could not live on just potatoes and a few carrots alone. He also did the spinning that kept money coming into his house. Again, he was old fashioned, he was the bread winner, he took care of his wife, while she took care of their house and ultimately him.
They ate in relative silence, sitting at the table, the soft sound of the crackling of the fireplace filling the room. As Belle ate, she looked up at him and decided to start some sort of conversation. "So...with the money you've made today I can go into town tomorrow and get some carrots for tomorrow nights stew. I'm afraid we're out of meat for tomorrow, but it'll still be delicious. I'll spice it up a bit. Oh, and I need to get some more things to make tomorrows bread, we have barely enough for breakfast in the morning. What would you like tomorrow, rye or oats?" she asked cheerfully as she ate.
At the sound of her question he sighed, resting his spoon down and looking down in the bowl. He'd eaten some of it, but barely even half of it. He wasn't hungry, he was more worried than anything.
Noticing his movements, Belle tilted her head to one side. "Rumple..what is the matter?" she asked, reaching out to take his hand with hers, gripping it a little. "Please...tell me...you can tell me anything."
He looked up at her, his sad brown eyes meeting with her confused blue ones. "I...I won't be here tomorrow."
That only confused her more. "Why ever not? You're always here. Do you need to go sell wares in the next village again?" she asked. She hated when he was gone for a day at a time to sell his wares, she missed him dreadfully.
But he shook his head and sighed. "No. I um...I've been drafted...to fight in the Ogres War. I...I leave tomorrow morning." he muttered, looking back down.
His words made her eyes widen in shock and fear. "Oh...oh Rumple.." she muttered. Letting his hand go, she moved to stand up and walk around the table. Hearing her movements, Rumplestiltskin shifted his chair out so she could sit sideways on his lap, her arms moving around his neck.
Gently she rubbed the back of his neck and leaned her forehead against his, nudging his head up a bit and looking into his eyes. "You'll...you'll come back to me, won't you?" she asked, fear lacing her voice.
Looking up at her, his eyes meeting hers as he moved his arms around her waist. He wanted to promise he'd come back to her so bad. He wanted to promise her the world though he couldn't. "I...I'll...I'll try, love."
Biting her bottom lip, she nodded a little. "Try your hardest to return to me. In one piece. I will not bury my husband." she said, fingers traveling to rest on his shoulders at the base of his neck.
He gave her a small smile and nodded. "I will always try my hardest to return to you, my sweet Belle..." he said, rubbing her sides slowly. And that part was the truth, he would do anything he had to in order to get back to her, to get back to the one light left in his life.
Gently she leaned to kiss him, brushing her nose against his. "Good. Then...I must give you something to ensure you'll try extra hard." she said with a small smile. Gently she started placing soft kisses from his lips and along his jawline to his ear. Softly nibbling on the lobe as she closed her eyes, leaning up close to him as her fingers traveled down his chest to start undoing the ties of his tunic, starting to reveal the skin underneath.
He shuddered at the feel of her lips, tongue and fingertips on his skin. His fingers gripped her a little as he closed his eyes. "Mm, Belle...you are quite the minx, aren't you?" he asked with a small chuckle.
She smiled against his skin and shrugged. "Come now, 'tis just my wifely duty, to ensure my husband is happy in every way." she said as she kissed along his jawline and up to his lips. Gently placing a kiss on his lips, she looked into his eyes. "I love you, Rumplestiltskin. No matter what happens I always will love you. And I'll be right here waiting for you when you come home. I'll always wait for you."
Kissing her back slowly, he looked up into her eyes and smiled just a little, nodding. "Ah, and I love you, my sweet. Leaving you will be the hardest thing I'll ever do."
"Watching you go will be even harder." she said. Running her fingers up his chest and resting her hand on his chest overtop of his heart. "No other woman will catch your eye while you're done..will they?" she asked with a small pout as she thought about it.
The question shocked him a bit and he shifted her on his lap to hold her closer. "What woman could catch my eye that is not you, love? You are the most beautiful woman in all of the realms...why would I want another?"
She shrugged, leaning to kiss the middle of his chest gently, looking up at him. "I've heard stories you know. Women talk. Talk of men on the fronts, passing through a village, seeking companies of the young women there. Women in taverns that will give themselves away. Oh I am not a traveled woman, but I do hear stories. Why, just at our little tavern is that woman who is entirely too friendly with passers by."
Slowly he moved his hands up to cup her face, bringing her to look up at him. "Love...there is no other woman I'd want to lay with. I don't see other women, I see only you. 'Tis me who should worry...my young, beautiful wife out here all by herself with no husband to care for her. What if a man catches your fancy?" he asked, shaking his head. No, this village would be nearly empty of men come tomorrow morning when they all went off to war. "How will you live? I am the bread winner...I do the hunting...what will you do? It worries me."
Smiling and nodding a bit. "Oh I'll think of something. Rumple, I've told you, I love only you, no one else. And I will wait for you to come home." she said. Leaning down to kiss him again slowly, pressing up close to him. Gently stating to kiss along the side of his neck again, she closed her eyes. "Mm...and as for what I'll do...I will think of something, I assure you that. I could...mend clothes, tailor things, make new clothes, whatever will bring in the money. I will be fine. 'Tis you I worry for...going on the front lines with those Ogres..." she said, shuddering a little.
He closed his eyes as he let her kiss along her neck, a sigh coming from his lips as he tilted his head to one side. "Oh...oh I'll be alright...I hope."
Gently she kissed along his neck and down to his chest, licking and nipping at his skin slowly. A smile formed on her legs as she felt how much he liked her touches and kisses pressing against her butt.
Continuing her kisses for a few moments, paying close attention to his neck and to a spot behind his ear that was most sensitive as she felt him harden in his pants. Then she stood up abruptly, reaching behind her and untying her apron, laying it across the table and looking at him. "Well, love, are you coming to bed? I must bid my dear husband a proper goodbye before he heads off to war..." she muttered slowly.
At first when she stood up he let out a small groan, looking up at her and watching her, smiling a bit. "What of the dishes?"
"Oh I'll clean them tomorrow. This is much more important.." she said as she walked towards the fireplace. Rumplestiltskin usually pulled their bed out for night, so she decided to get ready. Slowly she turned to half face him, the fire illuminating her, light dancing across her features. Reaching slowly to untie her bodice slowly, pulling the laces slowly to untie it. Oh she knew what she was doing as she watched Rumplestiltskin's eyes following her hands, following her every move. She might have been a virgin when they'd gotten married, but now she was a woman, experienced in pleasing her husband, and she did try hard to please him.
And now, Rumplestiltskin wanted to memorize every feature of his wife. The image of her smile, the way she looked at him with those intoxicating eyes as she undid her bodice, the image of the firelight playing across the soft skin of her face.
She smiled as she finished untying her bodice, pulling it apart and slowly slipping the sleeves of her dress down her arms, holding the bodice against her chest. Pulling it off, showing the top of her under shift. Reaching and untying her skirts to finish pulling the dress off, laying the fabric with her skirts and all over the chair near the fireplace.
And there she stood, in the light of the fire wearing her under shift that held loosely around her. Gently she reached up to untie her hair, letting her messy chestnut curls fall over her shoulder. Her hair was not as pretty as it could be, it was a bit messy from work. But she was still beautiful no matter how messy her hair was. It was rare that her hair shone brightly as it had done on their wedding day. Often Rumplestiltskin would help untangle her hair after a bath while she sat in front of him on the floor by the fire. He loved spending that time with her, grooming her hair lovingly. Now, her hair wasn't a complete mess yet, but it would get there.
Looking back at him, Belle smiled slowly. "Were you just going to watch?" she asked sweetly, gently brushing her hair over one shoulder.
At her question he quickly shook his head. Standing up, he walked over to the wall where their meager pallet bed stood up leaning against the wall. Taking it and sitting it down on its small legs and moving it closer to the fireplace. Shifting the padding to make sure it was comfortable. Taking the sheets and pulling it down onto the bed before he sat down, reaching to unlace his boots.
Belle watched him, giggling a bit at his eagerness. Slowly walking to the bed, she slid out of her shoes and moved onto her knees behind him. Shifting up closer to him, she reached to rest her hands on his shoulders, leaning down and starting to kiss along the side of his neck, pulling his hair off to one side. Her kisses made him shudder and lean back into her as he unlaced his boots and pulled them off.
While he did that, her fingers moved down to pull his tunic up and off since she'd already unbuttoned the top earlier. Tossing his shirt to one side, her fingers moved to start rubbing his shoulders. Kneading his muscles slowly, she leaned into his back, his head cradled against her shoulder. Gentle kisses she placed down his neck and along his left shoulder, her fingers moving to allow her kisses on his skin. Turning her face to look up to him, she smiled gently.
He returned her smile as he moved up and turned around. Gently pushing her back onto her back, he crawled on top of her. Feeling her legs spread and her knees come up to let him in between her legs, feeling her soft thighs against his sides, making him shudder a bit. The only thing that kept them from being naked were his pants and her shift, which he intended to do away with soon.
She smiled up at him, her fingers moving up along his arms, looking up at his face as he stared down at her. "So beautiful..." he whispered. Gently moving his hand up to brush her hair behind her ear, running his fingers down the side of her neck.
Gently she moved one hand to rest on his wrist, smiling to him as she blushed. It was dim in the fire lit room, but he could still see the small reddening of her cheeks, and he thought it was adorable. "You still blush when I call you beautiful." he said happily.
Leaning down, he placed slow kisses on the side of her neck, trailing his kisses down as his hand moved down from her neck to rest on her side. Gently pulling her to arch her back, feeling her chest press into his, feeling the fabric of her shift against his bare chest, and instantly he knew he'd rather feel her soft skin.
"Well...I can't help it. When a handsome man tells me I'm beautiful, it makes me blush." she said.
He chuckled softly. "Handsome? Where is this man? I'd like to tell him not to say such things to my wife." he said. Shifting to sit up a little, he rest his hands on her knees, slowly slipping them up to gently push her shift up her sides. Leaning down, he placed a kiss on her stomach as it was uncovered. Softly kissing up as he pushed the fabric up her body.
She shifted to help him slide her shift up, lifting her hips when it needed to go farther up her hips. "Mm...well, he's the spinner in town...he's quite the talent. Most handsome man in town.." she said. Resting her hands on the back of his head, her fingers moved down to rest more on the back of his neck. Slipping her fingertips into his hair, she closed her eyes and sighed happily, feeling his lips on her skin.
"Oh...well, I shall have a stern talking to this man, my sweet." he said, smiling a bit. Kissing up her stomach and along the middle of her breasts before he sat up. Gently pulling the fabric up and off of her, resting it to one side and looking back down at her as she laid bare underneath him.
She smiled up at him, a blush still on her cheeks as she reached to rest her hands on his chest, slowly slipping her fingers down to take ahold of the seam of his pants, starting to untie them. "I love you, Rumplestiltskin...this night, tonight, is all about us. If...if I am to spend time without you, I want tonight."
Nodding slowly as he slid his pants down and off as she finished undoing the ties. Leaning down on his forearms, one arm on either side of her head, feeling her skin flush against his. "My love, you might have every night of my life. You might have every day, too. Every single thing you want that I can give you, I will give you. I wish I could give you more...I wish I could give you gold and jewels, a proper ring..."
But she stopped him. Cupping his cheeks, she made him look at her face and smiled. "You've given me everything I want. All I want is you. I don't need gold or jewels, I just need you. So long as I have you, I am happy. So you can ensure you return to me, that is what will make me happy, that is what I want."
He smiled, leaning and kissing her slowly. "Whatever in this world I did to deserve you...I wish to continue doing it." he said, kissing her again a bit deeper, tilting his head to one side.
She returned his smile and kissed him back. Moving her arms around his neck, she pressed close to him, feeling his skin against hers and shuddering slowly. It felt so good to be with him. Truthfully, she'd heard stories about how sex was a wife's duty, and she might not enjoy it, but so long as her husband were happy than she'd done her job. It'd terrified her of sex at first, she was told that it'd hurt and men weren't always so kind. And really, not all men were that kind. A lot of men weren't. But her Rumplestiltskin was different, he always ensured she was happy, and he'd be gentle with her if she wished it. She remembered talking with her mother about sex before her wedding...and now she wouldn't dare tell her mother than truthfully she liked sex with her husband. A lot of time it was her that instigated sex, Rumplestiltskin did not have to force her into it to say the least.
Holding the kiss, he slowly moved one hand down her side and over her stomach. Slipping his fingers down, he found her center with them. Gently he moved two fingers to run along her folds, rubbing her lightly and dipping those two fingers into her. She was so wet, ready for him.
The sound of her moan into his lips made him shudder as he shifted up a little. Withdrawing his fingers, he rest both hands on either side of her head, gently pushing himself up to sink within her warmth, joining them as one.
She moaned out a bit louder, breaking the kiss and closing her eyes as she tilt her head back, the sudden feeling of fullness making her shudder. It felt so good to be joined with him this way.
"Oh Rumple..." she moaned, her fingers gripping his hair a little bit as she shifted her hips, wanting him to move within her. And he could tell what she wanted. Slowly he started to move his hips back and forth, groaning out against her as he moved within her wetness.
Sitting up on his knees so he could open his eyes halfway, looking down at her. He loved watching her while he made love to her, loved watching the look of pleasure on her face. His wife was beautiful, probably the most beautiful woman in the village, and she was all his. He was telling the truth when he told her he only had eyes for her. To him, no other woman could be as beautiful, no other woman could even match her beauty, even when she thought she looked her worst.
But now, the way her lips parted in pleasure as her eyes squeezed shut, her head turned to one side as her chestnut curls framed her head on their bed, she looked amazing. Gently he moved his hands to take her knees, his hands on the undersides of her knees so they stayed bent at his waist, thrusting himself into her, hearing her responding moan and letting out a groan himself.
She moved her hips to meet his thrusts, moaning out and biting her bottom lip. "Oh...oh Rumple! Oh Rumple...gods...harder.." she moaned out. And he answered her moans, thrusting his hips forward harder, thrusting forward into her.
Even with it beginning to be fall outside, the cold started to nip at the house, he would not have put the sheets on them now anyway. Sweat started to layer both of their skins, and her creamy skin layered with small goosebumps, her nipples hardened from the slight bit of chill in the room. They still had the fireplace to warm them, though, so it wasn't too frigid.
Her fingers moved to rest on the sheets, digging into the hand made sheets they used as she gripped them. Moving her hips to meet his thrusts, she arched back a little and tilted her head back in pleasure. He always loved that he could be the one that made her have that look on her face, bring her that much pleasure.
As he thrust, she moaned. He thrust harder into her, a bit faster, causing her to gasp and moan out loudly and shudder against him. It did feel oh so good to feel him like that, she never wanted it to stop. But, she felt the inevitable buildup raise through her, feeling it in the pit of her stomach at first.
She shuddered hard and nearly screamed out as she hit her climax, her insides tightening around him making her impossibly tighter. She arched her back, moaned and gripped the sheets tightly as she rode out her climax, feeling his movements within her.
And he wasn't far off. Moving his hands to rest on the bed again instead of her knees, he thrust harder into her, a bit more frantically as he reached his own climax at the feel of her insides tightening around him, milking him. Thrusting up into her and holding there as he emptied himself into her, moaning out her name softly.
Pressing his forehead against her shoulder, he breathed hard and moaned, gripping the sheets as well. After a moment, he felt her arms move up and around his neck, holding him against her as he fought not to fall flush on top of her.
He stayed there for a moment, recovering his ability to speak until he opened his eyes, looking up at her with a small smile. Looking up at her face, he saw her eyes still closed as she breathed hard.
After another moment she opened her eyes, turning her head to look down at him as she smiled. Running her fingers through his hair, she leaned to kiss him, brushing her nose against his. "That was...that was wonderful..." she whispered.
And he nodded in agreement. "Aye...its always wonderful with you." he said with a smile. And for a moment, just a moment, he forgot about the draft, that he'd have to leave her come morning. Right at that moment it was just them together. He liked it like that, when at night the entire world faded away and it was just the two of them.
He would return to her, he had to for more reasons than he would know quite yet.
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The Next Morning
It wasn't even dawn yet when they were both awake, getting him ready to go off to war. Belle fussed over him, packed his things, ensured he would have more than enough to tide him over on his journey. She mended the few holes in a few of his clothes, wrapped up the morning bread. She'd wrapped the entirety of what was left even though he insisted she keep half of it for herself for that morning. She'd rationalized that she would make more and have plenty for herself. But he still worried. He'd always worry.
And now here he was, getting ready to leave to meet the men at the front. He was tired, they'd stayed up quite late last night being together, making love more than once, kissing, touching, soft spoken words of love and adoration he hoped would tide him over.
Belle came up to him, pulling his cloak on him and tying it tightly. Taking his satchel and bringing it over his shoulder, fussing over his clothes, making sure things were tucked in and he was alright.
He chuckled a bit. "Belle, Belle...I'm fine, I'll be fine." he said, resting his hands on her elbows to stop her, smiling slowly. "My sweet Belle...I will miss you more than anything in this world. Are you sure you'll be okay?"
She nodded and gave him a sad smile. "I'll be fine. I'll survive until you can come home to me, to our lives. I will miss you more than anything too, my love. And I'll pray for you every moment of the day. Please be safe." she said, stepping up close to him and resting her hands on his chest.
"I will be as safe as possible. And I'll return from this war a hero, a man you can be proud of." he said.
Giving him a bit bigger of a smile, she nodded, stepping closer and leaning to kiss him slowly. "I am already proud of you." she told him, rubbing his chest slowly and sighing a little. She promised herself she wouldn't cry in front of him, and she wouldn't. She'd see him off with a smile and a wish to come home, that was what she could do for the man she loved. Women weren't allowed on the front or she'd find a way to go with him. Surely, though, he wouldn't allow her to do such a thing. But she'd try.
Rubbing her arms gently, he leaned to kiss her again, tilting his head to one side and pressing into the kiss, kissing her as though he may never get the chance again. And who knew, he might not to. It worried him still, but he would be strong, for her.
Slipping her hands up to rest on the sides of his neck, gripping him a bit before she leaned back, smiling and nodding. "You'll be late to meet with the other men. Go on before I refuse to let you leave." she said.
He nodded and sighed a little. "Alright. I love you, Isabelle, my Belle. I'll miss you every moment I'm gone." he said as he stepped back, slowly stepping to the door and opening it. Walking outside and she followed him.
She stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame and smiling. "I love you too, Rumplestiltskin. You be safe..." she said.
And she watched him walk away, walk towards the group of men that would be waiting in the center of town. Their house was nearer to the forest than the center, and she couldn't see the gathering of men, but she knew they were there. Tears formed in her eyes as she watched him, leaning herself against the doorframe and hugging herself against the cold chill of the morning. She was scared but she couldn't admit that to him.
Shaking her head, she wiped her eyes, and once he was out of sight she went back inside, closing the door and leaning her back against it. She'd wanted to break down crying ever since he told her he'd been drafted, but he hadn't, he couldn't in front of him.
Slowly sliding down the door, sitting at it and bringing her knees up to her chest. Wrapping her legs around them, her fingers fisting her skirts as she hid her face, letting out a painful cry into her knees. It'd been her worst nightmare come true, that her husband was called off to war. She knew entirely too many widows because of the war, and now the rest of the village men were being called away. Now what would she do?
She said a silent prayer, praying to whatever god was listening that Rumplestiltskin would return home to her, praying for his safety. For praying was all she could do for him.
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Eight Months Later: On The Front
Eight months is a long time to be away from his wife, and he worried about her every single day. He hoped she was well, that she fed herself well and took care of herself. He hated being away from her, being away from his family. And now he was going to be sent to the front lines. Just about every man that were sent to the front lines returned injured or didn't return at all.
Walking along the path in the middle of the camp they'd made, he stopped as he heard someone call "Soldier!"
Stopping and turning, he looked at him. "Me?" he asked.
"Yes. Please, come guard this crate with your life. There is a prisoner inside who might turn the tides in this war. Because of this prisoner, you might be home to see your wife within the month!" he said with a smile, patting his shoulder. Of course the soldier didn't know that Rumplestiltskin had a wife, they didn't know each other like that, at least not him and this man. But, most men here had wives and families.
Nodding, Rumplestiltskin walked up to the crate and stood in front of it, looking forward as he awaited relief. But then he heard it.
"Rumplestiltskin!" he heard a voice say.
Turning around, looking at the crate a little and then glancing around slowly. Reaching and pulling up the cover, looking in and blinking as he saw a child. "You're...you're a child..." he said almost appalled. Why were they keeping a child prisoner?
But when she looked up he took in a breath at the deformation of her face. "I'm a seer." she said. Sitting up, the small girl pointed towards the water pail. "Please...I haven't had a sip for days..."
"How did you know my name?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I am a seer. I see all, I know all."
Shaking his head, he rest one hand on the hilt of his sword. "Impossible. You must have heard someone speak it..."
She shook her head and held out her hands, the eyes on her hands opening. "Rumplestiltskin...son of a coward, raised by spinsters." she said. Bringing her hands down and closing them to close her eyes. "Did I over hear that? See, I told you. I see all...even what has yet to pass.."
"You mean...the future?"
"Indeed. Including yours."
He shook his head, turning away a little. "No no, I will not condone this dark magic..."
"Even if what I see concerns your wife? Isabelle..." she asked, raising her hands up and resting her wrists against the bars again, opening her hands to open the eyes.
Panic struck him as he turned to look at her. "Belle? Has something happened to her?" he asked, worry filling him at the idea of something happening to his wife.
"Give me water." she said defiantly. Resting her hands back into her lap.
Quickly he moved to grab the cup, filling it with water and handing it to her, watching as the girl took a generous gulp of the water eagerly. She truly hadn't drank in a long time it seemed. "Speak of what you know of my wife." he demanded.
After she finished drinking, she held up one hand, her other hand holding the cup. "She is very with child..."
Instantly his face brightened. "I...I am to be a father?" he asked excitedly. Yes he'd always wanted to be a father, and he did want to have a family with Belle more than anything.
"Yes...she will bare you a son. But...your actions on the battlefield tomorrow will leave him fatherless, will drive her from your arms." she insisted.
Panic rose in him as he shook his head. "Now...now you must tell me how I could stop this from happening?" he asked.
But she shook her head, bringing her hand back. "You cannot. What will be, will be." she promised, taking a sip from the cup.
He shook his head, panicking as he grabbed the cup, throwing it in the bucket. "Then I am done helping you! You're just trying to talk me into deserting!"
Her head turned towards him and she smiled, shaking her head. "You will know. Tomorrow when the troops ride into battle, you will know. Your son will be fatherless. Your wife will be without her husband because of your actions tomorrow." she declared.
Quickly he pulled the cover over, stepping back and staring hauntingly at the cage. She had to be lying...she had to be. Could his wife truly be with child? It was possible...but he wasn't sure.
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Later that night Rumplestiltskin was worried as he watched the injured be brought back from the lines. Watching as the men were carried in agony, he sighed. At least that wasn't him.
"Lucky sons of bitches..." one of the other men said standing next to him.
Looking up, Rumplestiltskin tilted his head to one side. "I think they would beg to differ..." he said.
"Aye, but they are alive, they are not dead. And their injuries make them unable to fight, thus they will be sent home in the morrow."
Thinking about that, Rumplestiltskin looked back to the men being carried away. "Home..." he said slowly.
The other man nodded. "Aye. To fight the ogres is to die. Pray that they be quick in ripping your limbs from your body.." he said, patting Rumple on the shoulder.
As the commander of their troop walked by, he looked at the two of them. "Suit up, ready yourself. We leave at first light to the front lines." he said as he kept on walking.
The idea haunted him. He would leave his son fatherless, his wife a widow. Walking back towards where the cage had once been with the girl, he looked down. What could he do? How could he live? And now he was definitely going to the front line. But what could he do?
Eyeing the mallet that the blacksmith used, he gulped a little, stepping up to it and taking it, picking it up and testing the weight in his hands. Chewing on his bottom lip, he grit his teeth a little as he contemplated what he was about to do. But...he had to do it, what else was he to do? His Belle couldn't raise their son on his own, and he did not want to let his son be without a father.
So, making up his mind, he took in a deep breath and bringing it down onto his right leg hard, causing him to gasp and fall onto the ground, gritting his teeth through the pain as he felt the bones in his leg shatter. He would never be able to walk right again, and he knew that. But he would have his family, his son would grow with his father.
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A Little Over A Month Later
It took Rumplestiltskin a while to make his way back home from the lines. He'd been held in an infirmary for a while until he was able to be put on a wagon to be taken home. And once that wagon was stopped at their village, he got off of it and limped and hobbled his way home, gripping the walking stick he used. He'd have to learn to walk the most effectively on it, it was all new to him.
But he hobbled home, looking up as the image of his house came into view. Months of being gone hadn't changed much of the small house. He could see light coming from it in the night that surrounded him. Belle had to be home. "B-Belle..." he muttered softly.
Limping his way to the door, he pulled it open and looked up to see the figure of his wife standing there in front of the fireplace. As the door open she turned around, looking at him as he entered and he saw it then. He saw the small baby in her arms, cooing with his hands up trying to tangle within her hair.
"R-Rumple!" she gasped, seeing his leg as her eyes widened. "Gods Rumple...come sit down." she said, stepping up to him and moving one arm to try and take his.
"Whats his name?" he asked, not moving from his spot, gripping his walking stick. "His name, Belle, what is it?"
She blinked and looked down at their son in her arms, a smile forming on her lips. "Baelfire..." she said lovingly as she looked down at their son.
Rumplestiltskin smiled and nodded. "A strong name!" he said, hobbling to have a seat on the chair, letting out a harsh breath as he finally sat down. Looking up at his wife and son, smiling happily.
"Aye...very strong." she said. Walking and closing the door before she walked back to Rumplestiltskin, moving to kneel in front of him, looking up at his face. "Now, what has happened to you?" she asked with concern, staring up at her husband.
But as she knelt, he looked down at the image of their son nestled into his mothers chest. "He is so beautiful..." he whispered, ashamed of the fact that he'd done this to himself.
"He is...handsome like his father." she said happily before looking back up at his face. "Is it true, Rumple?"
That seemed to break him from his gaze. Looking up at her, he blinked slowly. "Is what true?"
"Did you...did you do this to yourself?" she asked. Sitting up off her knees and moving to grab the stool, pulling it over and sitting just at Rumplestiltskin's feet, holding Baelfire against her chest as she looked up at him. One hand reached to rest on his knee, gripping his pants.
"Who...who told you that?" he asked.
Looking down, she sighed a bit. "Everyone. Rumors travel quickly from the fronts of the war. I heard you were coming home a month ago, I heard you'd hurt yourself to do so. I was terrified, Rumple...terrified of what had happened. Are the rumors true?" she asked, looking up at him.
He grit his teeth and looked away, nodding. "Aye..they are."
"Why?" was her simple question, rubbing his knee slowly.
Returning to her gaze, he gulped, afraid of her judgement. "A...a seer told me you would bare my son. Told me..told me that I'd die on the battlefield." he said, slowly looking back to her. "Please...I did this for you, for Baelfire..."
And Belle just nodded slowly, giving him a sweet smile. "Of course. You've come home to me. Its alright, Rumple...its alright." she said. Sitting up a little and slowly starting to hand Baelfire to him. "Here...say hello to your son."
He smiled as he looked into her eyes. She wasn't judging him? Oh but he was judging himself, and he was certain that he was even less worthy of his sweet Belle.
Looking down at Baelfire, he slowly moved to take him, letting his walking stick fall to the floor as he held his son for the first time. A smile formed on his lips as he held him, cradling him slowly. "Hello...Baelfire. I...Its okay, shh, shh, I'm..I'm your Papa..." he said as he carefully held the small child against his chest. It was surreal, he really was a father, his wife really did give him a beautiful son.
Belle watched them and smiled softly. "Here, you watch him and I'll go fetch water to make you some tea." she said as she stood up. Walking towards the door, she took the empty bucket on her way. Opening the door and closing it behind her, she sighed as she headed towards the well in town.
Yes, she would stand behind her husband. She still loved him, he was still her Rumplestiltskin.
Walking down to the well, she saw a few other women there and gave them a small smile. "Evening." she said. Stepping up behind one woman, waiting for her turn to be at the well. Holding the bucket in both hands, she glanced up.
One woman with long brown hair looked at Belle with a chuckle. "Well well, look who it is. The wife of the coward.." the girl said.
And Belle rolled her eyes. "Come now, Milah, why speak such things? My husband is alive, my son has a father...why would I mind how that happened?" she asked.
But Milah chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah well, my husband is dead and my children have no father. But, he died with honor, he died protecting his family. He did not become a coward and return to this village after harming himself. A run away is what you have, Belle. If you had any self respect you'd leave him."
The idea of leaving him made her angry, rage filled her as she gripped the bucket, glaring at Milah. "I have self respect! I love him, and I vowed to be his wife 'till death do we part. And I shall! He is my husband, my true love. I do not regret him coming back alive, nor should I." she said, holding her head up as she shot a glare at Milah.
"Ohh Belle...tell us...with a lame leg, how shall Rumplestiltskin provide for his family? Hm? Branded a coward, your lives are over. Your son would grow up better without his father."
Belle shook her head, stepping up to the well and attaching her bucket to the rope, tossing it down and glaring at Milah. "You will stop speaking such things of my husband, Milah. Or shall I remind everyone of your escapades within the tavern? Hm? The men? A lady does not lie with a man she is not wed to. And you've been lying with men before you buried your husband. At least I'm faithful."
The statement did not make Milah happy. Instead Milah glared at Belle, stepping up to her and grabbing her hair, pulling her back. "You shouldn't speak. I'd rather be a slut than a cowards wife. You are condemned, your entire family. You shall be the towns outcasts, remember that Belle. At least no other man in town will want you." she said.
Belle grit her teeth, pulling back from Milahs grip and shaking her head. "You will do well not to put your hands on me." she said, shaking her head. Pulling the bucket up once it was filled with water and untying it. Taking ahold of the handle, she picked it up and looked at Milah. "Keep your rotten self away from my family and myself, Milah. You are a bad influence on my son." she said.
Turning and walking away from the group of women, sighing as she held the bucket. So this is what their lives would be, so they would deal with it.
Walking back to the house, she opened the door and stepped in, seeing as Rumplestiltskin looked up at her. Giving him a smile, she closed the door and walked up to the kitchen counter, sitting the water on it and putting a kettle on, filling it with water to make tea.
Once that was done, she looked back at him and walked over, moving to sit on the stool by his feet and smiling up at him. "Thank you...for coming back. It'll all be okay now, love. You're home where you belong.."
He looked at her and gave her a smile. "Do you truly mean that, Belle? Do you truly believe things will be alright? You're not...you're not ashamed of me?" he asked. He knew how cruel people were, and he knew they'd be the outcasts because of his cowardice, but he had to come home to his wife.
Nodding slowly, she smiled. "Aye, I do. I mean every word. As long as we have our family we'll be okay. I love you, Rumple...and I would never be anything more than glad you're okay." she said. Leaning up and kissing him slowly for the first time, resting one hand on the side of his neck.
Leaning back from the kiss, she gave him a smile before sitting down, looking down at Baelfire in her husbands arms.
He smiled down at his wife and son, hoping he could be as optimistic as she. Could their lives really be that easy?
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A/N: Tadaaa, done. :-p. I hope you guys liked it! I'll be working on this along with my other stories. I am working on A Different Tale and the Princess and the Spinner next chapters, and I hope to get at least one of them up by the end of the week. I just had to write this down.
Read and review, let me know if you like it!