A Tale of Time
Written by: Adventure-Seeking-Juliet
When: During one of the few hours I have free time.
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or Rumbelle...
A/N Belle's attempted escape from the Evil Queen's dungeon sends her spiraling through time, right into the arms of a cowardly spinner, only days before he leaves for the Ogre Wars. TimeTravelAu for tripleagent's picture prompt.
You can find said prompt /post/22026738775/prompts
I hope you enjoy~
Part One- Running
Belle leaned on a tree next to her, breathing heavily. She had been running for hours, trying to put as much distance between herself and the Evil Queen's prison as she could.
But she was tired-soon she would have to stop running.
She had been trapped in the queen's dungeon for only two weeks, and she had never felt so weak in her life.
She had no means of protecting herself once she did escape. Belle could only hope to run into a kind-hearted soul who could give her shelter.
But the woods stretched on for as far as her eyes could see, and she was alone.
There was a rustling sound a few feet behind her, and Belle struggled forward, determined to save herself. She did not need a knight in shining armor to save her...
or a golden-skinned goblin to whisk her away...
No. Belle would save herself, like any other hero.
She took a few more stumbling steps, pulling her tarnished travelling cloak tighter around her, then she heard another sound.
Voices.
They were deep and rumbling- like men. Regina's soldiers were gaining on her.
Regina's back was turned away from her men. She was studying the newest heart in her collection.
There was a cough from behind her, and Regina knew one her soldiers was awaiting the call.
They had been tracking that stupid girl for the past half hour, the only reason she was still alive was because Regina had yet to giver the order.
The killing order.
There was really no point, Regina had Belle's heart. No matter where she went, Regina could destroy her.
"Will you be joining us, m'lady?"
Regina turned to her highest ranking officer, hiding the heart behind her back" I will be there shortly. Bring the girl back under any means necessary, but do not kill her."
The guard seemed confused," What shall we do to her, then, your highness?"
"Make her wish she was dead."
Regina dismissed the guard with a wave of her hand, then returned her attention back to the heart lying in front of her.
What an interesting situation- Regina had the heart of Rumpelstiltskin's true love in her hands.
It would be so easy to break it. To kill Belle...but she could have so much more fun if she played with the little girl.
"What kind of deal would you make for her, Rumpel?" Regina whispered, running one crooked nail down the center of Belle's heart.
Regina grinned as a tiny trickle of blood oozed from the girl's heart.
She held it in her hand-and squeezed.
"Let's see how fast you can run now, Belle."
A pressure latched on to Belle's heart, and her legs collapsed beneath her.
Her small hands immediately went to her chest, but nothing could stop the terrible feeling that was spreading through her.
It was like a hand had clamped down on her heart. She couldn't breathe...and she was dizzy.
The voices were growing louder, and she thought she could hear them shouting out to her now.
But, despite the agonizing pain in her chest, Belle crawled to her feet.
She had to keep moving.
She took a few more fumbling steps, gasping with the effort.
Then the Queen's voice, enhanced by some form of magic, came booming though the forest," If you run like a deer, you will be killed like one."
Belle gritted her teeth, but the pressure around her heart had ceased.
She lurched forward, running blindly around the trees.
Her head was spinning...and Regina was cackling...and her men were yelling...
That was when Belle saw it.
It was unlike anything she had seen before. It was shimmering- tinted with colors of blue and black.
It was a portal, hidden amongst the trees. Belle skidded to a halt, only a few feet away from the glowing mass.
She couldn't see where it led, but anywhere had to be better than the prison she had escaped from.
Belle took one last breath.
"Do not take a step closer," Regina's voice rang out, feral and shrill.
Belle smiled to herself...and casually, took one step forward, and vanished.
A/N So, this story is going to be interesting. I have it all planned out, kind of, for once. Please review?
If you would like to prompt me, please private message me your prompt or leave it in a review! I'll take anything from summaries, to songs, to pictures, to short phrases.