I'm not sure this story will work. I thought of it while I was daydreaming about my next story. Hasn't been done before,I don't think anyhow. If it has then I haven't read it, so here it goes.
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Rumpelstiltskin sat looking bored at the dinner table, stirring his porridge with a claw lazily while listening to his so-called Castle mate praddle on about his dull adventures. Did he ever shut up? Rumpel wasn't sure. Spending time in his tower stopped most of the mindless, boring chatter that the Hatter carried on with, but at meal times he could be insufferable.
The Haberdasher had stayed with the sorcerer for, well forever it seemed like. He almost prefered his solitude but the portal jumper did come in handy and he had experienced some very entertaining jumps. They had developed a friendship over the years, but if he didn't shut the hell up and eat, Rumpel was going to have to seal his mouth closed or at the very least something dramatic would be in order.
Jefferson seemed unaware as he related his latest trip to Rumpel. Although he lived and loved Fairy tale land and the dark forest which he called his home and enjoyed living within the confines of Dark Castle, Wonderland drew his attention quite a bit. He was waiting to see the fabled Alice that would one day show up there. But Alas the wait was long and sometimes while he was there, pangs of home-sickness would drive him back to Rumpel's lair, for after all they were the best of friends, and Rumpel could put up with him longer than anyone else.
Jefferson did keep the Castle bustling with sound, starving off the emptiness the castle seemed to wallow in when he wasn't there. Rum had to admit it beat a blank as he suffered though Jefferson's adventures in Oz. "Rumpel you just wouldn't believe the little people there and such a colorful village too. They insisted they weren't dwarves but they were mesmerizing I tell you, just captivating. I would have loved to have brought one home to you." Rumpel rolled his eyes. If Jefferson had his way the castle would become a bed and breakfast for all sorts of visitors. He was always talking of bring something or other back with him. Often Rumpel was a little hesitant to go anywhere with him for fear he would replace him with something or other and he would end up stuck. If that ever happened, may the gods help The hatter if he ever got back, the man was no doubt a little off, and Rumpel had to be careful around him even though he was his only friend.
Rum gulped down his meal in an attempt not to prolong dinner time any longer than he had too, for today Rumpel felt off his game. He just wanted to get back to his potions and Jefferson could get back too...well what ever he did to entertain himself while Rumpel was locked away with his spells and potions , awaiting for a desperate soul to drag him off to wherever to make a deal that always was in Rumpel's best interest, not the desperate soul. His Castle was filled with trinkets of every sort from all different places.
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After Rumpel's departure Jefferson cleaned up the dishes, for if he didn't then it wouldn't get done and decided a walk would suit for today since spring had come to Dark Castle. Even though they lived high in the mountains and snowy peaks surrounded them, Jefferson would welcome any sort of something green that decided to make an appearance. Perhaps he would venture into town today. Rumpel hated town and never went even though the hatter would beg him to join him at the pub occasionally. Rum hated the looks of fear and the starring made him angry and on more than one occasion he had been forced to turn a villager or two into something unpleasant for staring, well no wonder they scattered like rats when Rum did grace town with his presence. Maybe Jefferson would just bring him back a little mead for later.
The giant iron gate that surrounded the castle creaked loudly as Jefferson left through them on his way. He could hear them shut of their own accord but he didn't bother to look back. The trip to town wasn't too far and a nice brisk walk before a little tavern time would do him good. A few wenches had caught Jefferson's eye from time to time, he did have a soft spot for the ladies he had to admit, but no one had yet to steal his heart away. Although Angellica would prey on his mind sometimes at night. Her soft sweet curves, beckoning him along the path, making his pace quicken, hopefully she would not be engaged in other activities for she was always happy to see him.
As Jefferson made his way toward town he caught a glimpse of someone coming toward him from a distance. The only thing behind him was treacherous mountain range and Dark Castle. Oh goodie, this piqued his interest. He was half tempted to hide and follow the stranger, surely on his way to see his beloved room-mate to strike a deal of some sort.
'oh damn they've seen me, too late for hiding, blasted hat' You could see it from a mile away although Jefferson refused to be without it for fear of theft. The figure froze in their tracks, staring at him. They were still such a distance off that he couldn't quite make out who or what they were but they did seem to be carrying something. 'perhaps a friendly hello would put them at ease, they look as if ready to bolt.'
Jefferson removed his hat slowly so as not to scare the person who obviously looked afraid or rather their posture suggested it, for their face was safely hidden in a cloak, along with everything else. The haberdasher bowed a most prestigious greeting to the wary stranger before speaking, "I believe it is custom when two strangers meet on a road that introductions are in order, don't you think?" The stranger stood unmoving in the distance but as Jefferson slowly inched forward he thought he caught a better glimpse of who he was dealing with. they were small, as if it were a child although they did not carry theirselves as a child would have. No this was no child and Jefferson made no doubt as the stranger pulled back the hood of the dark cloak to revel a face. A rather comely one at that, indeed this stranger was a person of the fairer sex, a woman.
the petite frame that matched the sweet little face curtsied to him politely before moving toward him. A rather large toothy grin graced Jefferson's face as he helped her close the distance between them. She stopped some feet away from him, wary but curious, looking him up and down as he did her. "Jefferson's the name my sweet and I feel I ought to warn you that you are on a sure course that will lead you straight to Dark Castle, the lair of the Dark One." The petite beauty looked confused at him as if she had never heard of the famous sorcerer, surely not, for everyone in the realm knew of him, she wasn't from around here, surely not for if she lived in the village he would have spotted her, he did carry a fondness for the ladies, many a shepherd's daughter had succumbed to his wiles at one time or another he thought fondly.
"My name is Belle, of Av...Glendolen. It's quite far from here, I would expect you have never heard of it." Jefferson couldn't really say that he had. "I was on my way to the next village, is it very far?" Jefferson smiled in pity, someone had badly misinformed the girl. "I'm afraid you are very far from any village but the one you just left and to make matters worse it is the other way, on the far side of the village that you should be traveling. Although I must tell you that the village you seek is several days away." The girl seemed to wilt before his very eyes. Jefferson could see her fatigue, her burden looked uncommonly heavy for such a slight slip of a woman child such as she. "I just so happen to live at the Castle you are walking so briskly toward, I'm positive you could come with me, that is if you didn't object and warm yourself, for when darkness takes hold in this land , wicked things stir in the unforgiving night."
The young girl's eyes widened in fear and Jefferson couldn't believe that they could have gotten any bigger than they were when he first beheld her and her beauty. Eyes of the most vivid blue graced a small heart-shaped face complete with full rosy lips making her look like a small graceful porcelain doll. "Come child, I mean you no harm, I only seek your comfort, tomorrow you may be on your way, but I would feel dreadful if you declined and on the morrow I find your bones picked clean by some dark and feral creäture haunting these woods." At the mention of ferocious beasts the girl clutched her pack to her chest tightly before nodding her understanding and acceptance of his much-needed help.
As they made their way back to the castle, the girl remained quiet and withdrawn as if she were frightened. Jefferson tried his best to make her feel at ease, pointing out the different trees and flowers and their uses, also reveling a little about himself in the process. As they reached the heavy iron bars that seemed to separate Dark Castle from the rest of the world, The young girl spoke, "I thought you spoke of a terrifying sorcerer living here, surely you are not he, do you live here with this person then?" She never took her eyes off the massive structure before her. It looming walls looked more like a prison than someone's dwelling. "Oh he's not so bad when you get to know him, let's just give him a chance, shall we? I'm sure he will not mind a beautiful girl such as yourself spending the night here." The girl blushed at the compliment, she seemed unused to such flattery from the opposite sex before. As Jefferson opened the door, allowing her to enter first as fitting for a gentleman to do, The girl looked as if in awe of the castle's surroundings.
The door closed with a heavy bang before Jefferson pulled the long bolt across the door sealing her in, "Can't have any lurking beasts finding their way in here can we?"
"I believe the Dark Castle already has it's share of lurking beasts in here, isn't that right, JEFFERSON?" The hatter and the girl both turned to look toward the voice coming from the hidden confines of the stairs that lay cloaked in darkness. The beauty gasped, taking a few tentative steps toward Jefferson as Rumpelstiltskin emerged from the blackness coming down the stairs at them. The girl had never seen such a man, if that is what he was. She couldn't decide if she should run, faint or introduce herself. She decided on the latter since the other two seemed pointless, since she was obviously in his home. She stepped forward seemingly unafraid but her legs shook violently in her boots.
"Please, allow me to introduce myself sir, My name is Belle and your friend here was kind enough to offer me shelter for the night." She offered her hand but he did not make any attempt to take it, he just circled her as if she were his prey, examining her at length. Belle didn't want to make any sudden movements around him for fear of what he might be capable of, he was very odd-looking indeed, not unpleasant though, just so different. His skin appeared to glisten as he moved like a large cat around her before coming to stand before the hatter who seemed completely unaffected by the sorcerer's appearance.
"Come on Rumpel, it's only for the night and some company might be nice for a change. I'm sure she has lots of interesting stories from her homeland, of..." he turned to Belle, "where did you say you were from again?" Belle turned from looking at Jefferson who was doing a lot of fast talking to the other man, back to look boldly again at Rumpelstiltskin, "Glendolen."
Rumple narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her, "Glendolen you say? I beg to differ Mistress Belle, I know exactly who you are and where you are from." The color drained visibly from her face as she took a step back, poised to run. A knowing smile washed over Rumpel's face as a giggle escaped looking at Belle's sudden discomfort, "Jefferson we are standing in the presence of royalty, this is Princess Belle...formally of Avonlea I presume."
Belle stammered at her unveiling by the strange man, "Please sir, I shall be gone by morning, only please dont show me to the door quite yet." Her pleading voice sounded very sincere Jefferson thought, he looked at his castle mate hopefully. He wasn't ready to be shed of the pretty little flower just yet. Rumple looked her up and down before speaking once again to Jefferson, ignoring her completely, "For the night Jefferson, only." Both the beauty and the hatter sighed in relief. Neither had been aware they had been holding their breath under the close scrutiny of the Dark One as he disappeared from whence he came.
"Here let me show you your room Princess Belle then we will get you something to eat." Belle smiled at Jefferson for his kindness, "Please, just Belle. I'm no longer what he called me, it's just Belle now, and that would be lovely, thank you."
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what do you think, is it worth my time!