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.

Rating: T (though that is subject to change)

Tags: *Rumpelstiltskin/Belle, *Angst, *UST, *Fluff, *Dark One Rumpel, *Princess Belle, *Early days of the Dark Castle, *AU- Canon Divergence.

Summary: 31 drabbles set in the early days of Rumpelstiltskin and Belle in the Dark Castle. We all need a little hope.

A/N: I really am trying to keep my Rumbelle muse from deserting me in these trying times. Rumbelle is hope, they are love, they are magic. They are not what is being portrayed on the that blasted show. They have become a part of us and it is our duty to keep their love alive. Happy reading, dearies! (Another reposting from Dec 2016)

31 Days of Dark Castle Rumbelle

By:

Charlotte Ashmore

I

A Vision in Gold

Cold eyes, the color of amber, surveyed the room with little interest. Another day, another deal … another attempt to fill the hours of loneliness and boredom which plagued his rotted existence. Why did he bother? This particular deal had nothing to do with his grand scheme to find his son. He was simply bored … and this would, no doubt, prove to be fruitless as well. They would – like so many before them – offer him gold, he would refuse, and off he would go. It was getting to where it didn't pay to leave the castle.

Rumpelstiltskin was hoping this time would be different. The threat of ogres could draw him out as none other, his distaste for the creatures going back centuries. The hulking king, a sneer upon his face, looked to be desperate enough to make a deal, and the lummox at his side more brawn than brains. Yet, neither of them could hold his attention for long after he caught a swish of gold skirts.

He went through the motions, taunting the nobles with his trademark flare. It amused him the efforts they made to hide the girl from him. Did they think she would become tainted merely from sharing the same air as the Dark One? He refused their offer of gold, the absurdity of it causing him to giggle. What else could have brought up the giddiness welling in his chest? It was something he hadn't felt in centuries.

The girl peeked through a gap between her noble protectors, her lush pink bottom lip caught between her pearly teeth. His gaze narrowed on her, the breath catching in his chest as she stared back at him unafraid. It was avid curiosity lighting her cerulean eyes instead of the fear he'd expected. By the gods, she was a beauty! A living breathing treasure he could add to his vast collection. She would be the perfect price to rid her kingdom from the threat of the ogres who'd already claimed so many innocent lives. Even the dark demon who shared his soul clamored raucously for him to claim her. It would be vastly entertaining to have a new pet to toy with. He could bring the spoiled little princess to her knees, bend her to his will, break her with tasks she'd never performed in her privileged life.

The room erupted in chaotic protests as he named her as his price, the king outraged, her betrothed ready to fight for her. And then the Dark One was forced to hide his surprise as she stepped forward and made the choice her own. There was a strength hidden beneath her pretty face and silk gown, an innate courage he'd never before encountered in one so pampered. He could already feel his boredom dissipating to be replaced with something he couldn't quite recognize. It should have frightened him.

Rumpelstiltskin ignored her outraged father, her brainless betrothed, and the myriad advisors milling about the room, stepping into her personal space. It was his intent to intimidate, but as his long spinner's finger settled beneath her chin, tilting her face up to look into his eyes, it was defiance and determination he found in her gaze. "It's forever, dearie," he tittered gleefully, giving her one more chance to back out.

"My family … my friends? They will all live?" she countered, wanting to be sure he wouldn't go back on their deal.

He admired her fire, looking forward to her presence in his home. She would be a challenge. He placed his hand over his heart and gave a little bow. "You have my word."

"Then you have mine. I will go with you … forever."

The Dark One's body hummed with pleasure as her spoken vow merged with his magic, locking her into a new life, bound to the mage's whim. The king pleaded with her, but it was too late … she belonged to the sorcerer now, and he wasn't one to lightly give away what was his. He was a dragon who would horde her for his pleasure. There was no love, no light, no spirit of giving. He was a soul of darkness. Soon she, too, would learn to dwell in the abyss. She would have no choice.

A/N: Don't get your knickers in a twist, dearies. I wanted to do a little perspective on how he 'might' have been when he first heeded Avonlea's call to save them. Rumpelstiltskin said it himself that before she came into his life he was no fan of love. Some things I write in this verse will be canon compliant, others will be canon divergent and more AU. I hope you all enjoyed this first one and will continue to tune in each day to see what else might tickle your fancy. Thanks so very much for reading!