Day One: Hero Belle saves the day!

But it came with a price.

Rumpelstiltskin teleports belle to the Dark Castle.

"You should really think before you make decisions like this dearie! Forever is a long time you know." She collapses to her knees, trying not to dry heave. She wasn't used to teleporting and it made her quite nauseous. After a few minutes she gets up.

"I know what I want. My friends and family are more important then me." He takes her arm and brings her to the kitchen. "Supper is to be ready at 6:30 sharp. You will find a list of what is expected of you by your bed in the dungeon."

"Thank you sir," she replies. He disappears in a cloud of purple smoke. She runs into the dungeon and finds a more suitable dress meant for cleaning. Her work begins. At 6:30 she brings out supper which is roast with carrots and potatoes. She sets it down quietly and leaves to clean up when a hand grabs her wrist. She jumps.

"Really dearie. You think I am going to keep a starving maid around here?" She turns around.

"But master-"

"Just sit down and eat before I change my mind," he says with a smirk. She sits down and eats, careful not to take to much. A few hours later, after cleaning the dining hall and trying to organize the kitchen Rumpelstiltskin appears beside her.

"Were going to the dungeon. I will be here in the morning at eight so you can continue working." They walk to the dungeon and he pushes her in, locking the door with a giggle. This man was crazy. Belle starts to question what she bargained for.

Day four.

Belle brings out lunch. She was ever so grateful that he let her eat with him. Although neither one had ever really talked during meal time it was nice to have someone around. She actually found herself missing him when he left. She sits down at the table beside him sips some of the tea. He looks over at her.

"Belle, you really ought to get some new gowns. We can't always have you looking like this dearie." She smiles. This was the first time he had called her by her own name.

"It would be very nice." She looks at him.

"Very well then. You shall find some in the dungeon." She gapes.

"Thank you Sir. Thank you so very much!" Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. Rumpelstiltskin looks over at her. He is surprised that she is thanking him. Where was the snotty princess he had imagined? Things had seemed to change quickly after a few days with her. But he was a monster. Not even she had denied that.

Day six. Could he possibly like her?

Again, bringing out afternoon tea. Rumplestiltskin begins to list what he wanted done for the day. "You will clean the towers, dust the furniture, and...oh. Skin the children I bring for their pelts. Belle drops the cup and gasps. "Just a quip dearie." She sighs, bending down to pick up the cup. Had she ever been told a joke before?

"I am so sorry. Its chipped." She points to it. "But you can barely see it. Its very little." She pleads with him and starts to back up, teary eyed.

"Its just a cup." He states. What made her so afraid? It is easily replaceable.

"Right." She says hesitantly, shutting her eyes. She brings it over to him and he takes it, pouring himself some tea this time. Belle looks at him, confused and goes about her chores.

Day ten: Letting a little light in.

Belle watches her master spin. Its so relaxing, the sound of the hay and the wheel creaking. She always made sure to work in the spinning room while he was spinning. Surprisingly, belle enjoyed working here more then she did trying to avoid Gaston and learning her royal habits and such. Even though she could never leave, she could roam around as much as she liked. She found a ladder on the corner of the room and brought it over to the windows. Yanking on the curtains she tries to let in some much needed light. She takes a breather and finds him gathering more straw.

"Why do you spin so much?" she asks. He looks over.

"It helps me forget."

"Forget what?" belle asks. He focuses on spinning. She was so innocent. He would never admit it but she was beginning to grow on him.

"Guess it worked," he says. She laughs. He glances over at her, grinning. What was she doing up their? She could get hurt! He walks over as she yanks on the curtains.

"What did you do! Nail them down?"

"Yes," he replies sheepishly. A few more yanks and she falls off the ladder. He catches her in his arms and peers down at her beautiful face. So innocent. So wonderful. She smiles.

"Thank you," she says. He puts her down.

"Its nothing." Everything in his mind wants to explode. He wants her. Now he has a weakness. Love.

And Now the Story Begins

She ran as fast as she could away from the castle. The words rang in her head.

"Its simple dearie. My power, is more important to me, then you." Soon, she hitches a ride home arrives at the castle. She finds her father reading in his chair.

"Papa?" she says. He turns around and backs up. "Get her away from me!" In seconds she is up in the highest tower, to stunned to speak. She gets a note.

"My dearest belle. You cannot be in our presence until your soul has been cleansed from the darkness of the monster." She sits down and looks out the window. Tears cloud her eyes and she sobs uncontrollably. Everyone hated her now.

She awakes the next morning starving and cold. Two priests enter in and sit down on the straw bed.

"Are you here to help me?" she asks. One of them slaps her, sending her flying off the bed.

"Speak not. We are here to cleanse your soul from the wickedness of the beast." Soon, everyone could here the cries and please for mercy at the east wing. Weeks went bye. I would take time to describe the horrible things that happened to her but it was so awful,i really would like to have her explain it herself.

Rumplestiltskin takes the message from Regina and destroys another one of his rooms in anger. How could this happen? His beautiful belle. In his heart he knew she hadn't purposely done it but the dark side had taken over and he had kicked her out. He grabs a magic mirror. He didn't care if he saw her bloody carcase fallen at the edge of the castle. He had to know for sure. "Show me Belle!" he yells. "S how me!" She sits at the edge of the window on the east tower, praying. Burns and cuts run the length of her body. She only wears a slip with barely any undergarments. Gasping he magics himself over into the room and grabs her away from the window, laying her screaming body on the bed. He shuts the window and slowly makes his way towards the traumatized girl.

"Belle," he whispers. She stops screaming and sits with her knees hugging her chest. Its him. The smell of herbs and straw comfort her.

"Master," she barely breaths out. Two men suddenly appear with knives and scourges. "Noooo!" She screams. He takes them and throws them out the window, belle still screaming. Disgusted with the way her father had treated her, he casts a sleeping spell to help bring her back to the dark castle.

&/&

Herbs. Crackling. Light. She slowly opens her eyes. She starts to move her arm. With a grunt she puts it back down. Pain shoots through every last limb. Afraid, she scans the room. Barely able to see she makes out a window and a few candles. She breaths in and smells herbs and straw. Unable to move she starts to whimper.

"Belle," he whispers. She starts to panic.

"Please don't hurt me. Please," she mumbles. Her lips are swollen and bleeding.

"No. I would never hurt you," she closes her eyes, comforted by the his scent. "Belle, I need you to sit up for me." She feels a wet washrag on top of her forehead. A hand comes up underneath her neck. She tries to sit up but her muscles cramp, freezing her in place.

"I can't." she winces. Rumpelstiltskin picks her up bridal style and places her in a cool bath. He washes her face allowing her to open her eyes. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean all this," she says, wincing. Everything burns. Bruises and cuts line her stomach.

"My belle. It's my fault. Rest. I will take care of you." To weak to argue she lets him lather her hair. When she is clean he carries her back to the bed.

"Belle. You need to sit up." She slowly turns her head to look at him. "I can see you," she says smiling. She is relieved. Everything is coming back.

"Sit up," he says. She grimaces, slowly bringing herself up to her elbows. Helping her lean back on the pillows, Rumple gives her something to drink.

"Why is it green?" she asks.

"Its a potion dearie. You have to swallow it." He lifts it to her face. She swallows it but barely. It's bitter and thick with a hint of a parsley taste. Suddenly, the pain is greatly relieved and she finds herself more awake.

"How do you feel?" Rumple asks.

"A lot better and more awake now. Thank you. As soon as I heal I will find somewhere else to go. I promise."

"No Belle. You will be staying here."

"But you kicked me out. Remember, your power is more-" he clamps his hand over her mouth.

"Never say that again. I was being stupid. Without you, I am nothing." Tears cloud her eyes threatening to fall.

"I thought you never loved me," she whispers. He climbs on the bed and wraps his arm around her shoulder. He would never understand why she wanted to be with him. But he needed her so much.

"I thought I couldn't be loved," he whispers in her ear. She giggles. "What?" he asks.

"I love you more then I have ever loved anyone Rumpelstiltskin. If you don't mind me calling you by your name." He takes in the sweet scent of her hair.

"I always wondered why you called me master," he whispers. She giggles again batting his face away.

"Whats wrong Belle?" he asks.

"That tickles."

"Oh really?" He runs his finger behind her ear and she shies away, laughing. She was so beautiful this way. Her smile was what made him want to live on.

"Why did you rescue me?"

"Because you were in trouble. Plus, this place is filthy."

"Hmhm," she replies sarcastically.

"Well, you don't seem to have very many friends yourself," he says teasingly.

"I have my horse."

"Because you completely rely on the friendship of your horse."

"And you."

"Well, I am flattered."

"Do you want me to make supper?" she asks.

"How do you plan on doing that?"

"Slowly." He rolls his eyes. She was so headstrong. Here she is barely able to walk and she wants to make sure we have something to eat.

"No need dearie. I can take care of that. I will be right back." He poofs downstairs and makes some vegetable soup. Simple and yet, satisfying. He carries it upstairs and finds belle on the floor, heaving. The floor beneath her is stained red.

"Belle!" he yells, running to her side. He lifts her body back onto the bed and waits until she calms down. After examining her stomach he finds she is very bruised internally.

"Belle, I need you to take a deep breath for me, ok?" She nods her head and grimaces. With a blue glow he puts a healing spell on her stomach and lungs.

"Thank you," she replies weakly.

"You need to eat a little bit or you will continue to vomit." After sipping her soup she falls asleep on his shoulder. He runs his fingers through her hair.

"I love you belle," he whispers.