A/N: Apparently, I'm on a serious Once Upon a Time kick at the moment. This is a story that's been running around in my head for a long time now and I'm just getting around to actually writing it. I've always thought they could have addressed certain characters (not saying who because I don't want to spoil it!) within the show and they didn't. So, since Adam and Eddy didn't, I'll put my own twist to it!
It was a cold and crisp autumn evening. The kind that promised a harsh winter was well on its way. A lone traveler walked along the mountain trail leading to a quite foreboding castle. The traveler wore a rich red cloak, his face buried deep inside the cowl. He paused for a moment once the castle came into full view, a dangerous smile that none could see dancing across his lips. This will do he thought to himself. The castle in question was made of dark stone and sprawled across the encompassing land. It's many spires and towers spoke of extravagance and riches, but the traveler was most interested in its location. Buried high in the forbidden mountains, natural barriers isolated the fortress. The traveler knew that if he had waited any longer, the mountain pass he was currently treading would have been covered in snow and the castle would be nigh impossible to reach without magic or a great deal of determination. Yes, this castle would do nicely as his new home.
Rumpelstiltskin continued his tread towards the appropriately named Dark Castle. He could easily have teleported himself to the doorstep, but considering the castle was currently owned by a dark sorcerer that might be a tad rude. Not that he cared per-say, but it might turn the deal he was hoping to propose sour a tad too quickly. So instead, he found himself walking the long pass from the village below to what would soon be his castle. The walk gave him time to clear his mind as well and he knew that he would need to be at his best for this little interaction.
As the Dark One, he now had unlimited power; however, that unlimited power had not come with instructions as to how to wield it. Five years after taking on the power he had more control and a better understanding, but the voice of his curse was still strong inside his mind. He managed to push it down most of the time, but every now and then the curse, along with his temper, got the better of him. The little debacles with the Seer and with Milah had taught him what could happen when he let his emotions rule him. Still those incidents were years in the past. Today he knew he could keep both in check long enough to make a deal and secure himself a castle fit for the Dark One. Especially now that he'd had time to mentally stuff said temper and voices down as far as he could.
Yet the need for a new home brought up unpleasant memories. The most unpleasant being the reason Rumpelstiltskin needed a new abode. He had stayed in the Frontlands for two years after losing Bae. Had stayed in the cottage he had improved for his son. Hoping against all hope that Bae would soon return, and he knew if that happened, Bae would go home first. But two years in the cottage that reminded him of all his failures had been too much. He paid his neighbors well, instilled enough fear in them, and promised to continue paying them if they would watch the property and let him know if the boy ever returned. After that he continued his search for a way to his son.
The Dark One had spent the last three years jumping from realm to realm making deals and enemies as well as finding informants and learning about his new powers. After three years of work – and an unfortunate encounter with the Seer – the imp knew he must remain in the Enchanted Forrest and begin work on the curse he needed. The curse which would take him to Baelfire. So here he found himself walking up the front path to an isolated and lonely castle befitting of an old monster who needed quiet and no prying eyes. Rumpelstiltskin knew that a castle such as this would be the only way to keep people from intervening in his work and to keep him focused on the task he needed to fulfill. He'd promised to never again care for or love another person and he damned well meant to keep that promise until he got his son back.
His musings carried him to the large front doors of the Dark Castle, before he could raise a finger to knock, the doors opened into a large hall. The large foyer was impressive, and Rumpelstiltskin could tell that with a little work it could be something truly spectacular. However, under current ownership the hall was dimly lit and as unattractive a place as any he'd seen. The Dark One walked forward and pulled back his hood. A quiet sound came from two equally large doors down the hall on his right. Since there was no one to accept him at the door, he assumed that that was the direction in which to head.
These doors opened for him and led Rumpelstiltskin into what was obviously meant to be a huge dining room. This room was equally as dirty and unattractive as that which he had just left. It seemed as if the current owner had little consideration for cleanliness or perhaps he just simply did not care for the state of the magnificent home. Those two conjectures told the former spinner much about the sorcerer he was about to meet. One could create a sense of foreboding in such a castle without letting the place fester and rot away. Someone giving such little notice and care to this striking of a castle either came from a splendid lifestyle and no longer cared or was simply squatting here before moving on. Either way, the imp knew that this deal should be an easy one.
"I'm not usually one for visitors," a gravelly voice called from the center of the room. Rumpelstiltskin located the voice and beheld an aged man with long greying hair and tanned skin tinkering with some potion or another. His thin and lanky form didn't look imposing, but then looks were often deceiving.
"I figured you could make an exception for me," Rumpelstiltskin replied in a high voice. "I've come to strike a deal."
The elder man looked up from his concoction as the stranger moved into the room. "A deal?" he contemplated. "What sort of deal could the Dark One offer me?" A knowing smirk crossed the old man's face as he saw his guest for the first time.
"Well it seems as if I'm at a disadvantage," the imp answered without missing a beat. "You have obviously heard of me, not surprised, and yet I've no idea who you are." The insulting lie was simple, but effective. He'd researched the man as well as any could: listening in to conversations at the local village, threatening and bribing those who'd met the sorcerer, and generally wedeling information from anyone he could without his inquiries gaining too much attention.
The aged sorcerer noticed the mild insult at once and straightened himself, the potion on the table forgotten. "You've been away for too long Dark One. Or perhaps you're just too young yet to know who you should and should not fear. My name is Silas and you are currently trespassing in my home."
"Now now dearie, it's hardly trespassing if the doors let me in," Rumpelstiltskin quipped ignoring the other man's posturing and noting the annoyed twitch in Silas's jaw. "However, it is interesting that you mention your home in fact, because that is why I'm here."
Silas watched the Dark One with calculating eyes for a long moment, "What is it that you want?" he asked slowly.
"Straight to the point, I like it!" the imp extolled with a high-pitched chuckle. "I find that I'm in need of accommodations," he twirled his hands for emphasis as he spoke, "and this castle is exactly what I'm looking for. If you are willing to part with it, I'm willing to provide you with something valuable in exchange."
A sneer crossed the aged man's face, "And what could a lowly spinner hope to exchange for my home?"
Rage flared inside of the imp for a moment and a dangerous flare of red crossed his gaze, his face however remained blank. "So, you know my story, how intriguing."
"I make it my business to know about those who hold power as well as knowing about those who merely think they hold power," the sorcerer acknowledged evenly.
"Well then, if you know my reputation you know that I am more than capable of providing you with an equal payment," Rumpelstiltskin retorted ignoring his curse's assertions that he should just kill the sorcerer and be done.
The two men stared at one another for several long moments, each sizing the other up while assessing the situation. Finally, quiet footsteps entering from a door which could only be a servant's entrance broke the spell between the two. A young boy in tattered clothing entered the room. "Boy," Silas's voice rang out making the young boy flinch, "make yourself useful and bring some tea for me and my guest." The child nodded slightly and darted back through the door. "Why don't we sit and discuss this deal of yours then," Silas continued directing the Dark one to a small table next to the fireplace. Rumpelstiltskin nodded and followed the man to the other side of the room; his thoughts however were no longer on the deal he'd come to discuss. Instead the spinner's thoughts drifted back to the young boy he'd just seen.
"Who's the boy?" Rumpelstiltskin asked partially out of curiosity and partially to divert the other man's attention for a moment.
"He was sold to me as an apprentice. Bloody useless trade. I've kept him around for cleaning and cooking and the likes," Silas commented offhandedly as the two settled back into the two chairs closest to the fire.
"Seems as if he's useless in that sense as well," the imp observed indicating the exceedingly impressive collection of dust around the room. The quip did much to mask the growing anger of Rumpelstiltskin.
The other man nodded before continuing the previous conversation, "So, you want my castle. I can't say that I'm particularly surprised, it is rather impressive. But I am curious, why not build your own elsewhere? Why not create something specifically yours?"
The attempt at intellectual conversation didn't fool or sidetrack the malevolent imp, but, for now, he allowed it. "All magic comes with a price dearie. I'm not quite prepared to pay such a large price for comfort. I am however willing to pay you for this already completed estate."
Silas contemplated that statement and shot Rumpelstiltskin a calculating look, "It would seem that you're rather more knowledgeable about magic than many of your predecessors Dark One. But if you aren't willing to pay the price of the magic to build such a place, how are you prepared to pay the price to acquire the amount of gold I would require?" So, the man knew of other Dark Ones. Much to the imp's irritation, Silas had once again impressed him.
"I spin straw into gold," the imp countered nonchalantly "price on that front shouldn't be a problem."
That at least seemed to catch the sorcerer off guard, "You spin straw into gold? How interesting." He gave the Dark One an appraising look over his templed fingers, "how much would you be willing to pay me Dark One?"
The imp let out yet another high-pitched chuckle, "That's not how I operate dearie. How much do you want for the whole of the castle and its surrounding property?" Rumpelstiltskin made certain to specify exactly what it was that he was after and saw brief irritation flash through the other sorcerer's eyes.
Silas scowled in return, but before he could respond the boy walked back into the room carrying a tray with two cups and tea pot on it. "It's about time," the old man snapped at the child. "How incompetent are you, that it takes you this long to boil water?"
The boy flinched at the harsh words, but his only reply was to keep his eyes down as he drew closer. As the boy stepped into the firelight, Rumpelstiltskin got a better look at him. He looked to be about the age Bae was when his father took on the curse of the Dark One. The boy's hair was a dark, messy and matted mess that looked as if he hadn't had a decent washing in years. His skin was taught across his face and Rumpelstiltskin guessed that the boy's ribs would be easily visible under the tattered tunic that hung loosely around his frame. When the boy handed him a cup he could see slight bruising on the child's wrists and arms. Rage once again poured through Rumpelstiltskin and it took every ounce of his self-control not to murder Silas on the spot. He nodded his thanks to the young boy as he took the cup.
As the boy, handed Silas a cup the man roughly grabbed the boy's wrist, "remind me to have a discussion with you later about letting people in the front doors," the man growled in a low voice. The boy began to shake slightly as he nodded his head never taking his eyes off the floor. "You're dismissed," he ordered roughly as released the child's wrist. The boy darted back to the servant's entrance. "It's so hard to find good help," Silas continued oblivious to the vicious gleam in the imp's eye. "Back to business then. What if I choose to ignore your proposition and simply send you packing."
A slightly victorious chuckle escaped the imp, "Now you see that is where you're mistaken. I'm not making a proposition. I'm taking this castle tonight. The deal is that I will pay you well for it and I will allow you to retain the possession of your miserable little life." The last came out in a low growl that held none of the imp and only barely concealed the rage bubbling inside him.
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees as all hope of a calm agreement fled. Rumpelstiltskin knew it was unwise to threaten the man, knew that it would end messier than he anticipated, but the Dark One couldn't find it in himself to care. He felt magic begin to build around Silas, even as the man continued sitting calmly. "You must think much of yourself if you believe that something like you could ever hope to threaten me in such a way. Such arrogance is normal in Dark Ones."
"I think of it more as confidence dearie," the imp chided. Rumpelstiltskin knew that the man sitting across from him had more knowledge in dark magic than he did, but he had not spent the past five years idle. What magic he didn't know his curse could guide him in, especially now that Rumpelstiltskin agreed with it about the death of the old sorcerer.
Silas's attack came with little warning as the spry old man leapt up from his chair. The Dark One was able to easily counter the attack with a flick of his finger. In return he sent an equally powerful attack at the offending sorcerer. Silas quickly shielded himself in surprise. The imp had yet to leave his seat and projected an airof boredom. Rumpelstiltskin felt the following attack building before Silas ever moved and was able to easily dismantle the spell sent his way. At the same time, he constructed another nasty spell and sent it towards the elder man. The spell connected and sent Silas flying into the opposite wall. A satisfying crunch told the imp that the hit was sufficiently hard. He stood as Silas woozily regained his footing. In a flash he teleported directly in front of the lesser sorcerer and grabbed Silas by the throat. While Rumpelstiltskin had a slight build, his curse lent him unparalleled physical strength. He lifted the man and pushed him back into the wall. Power radiated off the imp as the Dark One and its host battled for control once more.
"I really hoped that we could just make a deal," the imp snarled. Silas's eyes went wide with terror in the moment before the Dark One shoved his empty hand into the man's chest. He crushed the old man's heart before he had it fully out of the body. The once great sorcerer crumpled to the floor as Rumpelstiltskin struggled to push the voice of his curse aside. Defeating the older sorcerer had been far easier than he could ever have imagined, but then his anger had gotten the best of him after seeing the young boy.
On that thought the imp turned and looked back to the servant's door. He sent his magic out searching for the child. Allowing his magic to lead the way, Rumpelstiltskin made his way through the door and down several long hallways. At the end of one hallway he found a staircase which seemed to lead to the bowels of the castle. He descended the staircase and after several turns found himself in a dark and dank corridor. Found the dungeons easily enough, he thought to himself as he created a ball of light in right hand. He followed the passage until he came across a partially opened solid oak door. Now that the imp found himself at the door, he didn't know what to do. The child would obviously be frightened by him, especially once he discovered what Rumpelstiltskin had done to the boy's master. But then again, he might be thankful for his freedom. The Dark One took a deep steadying breath, banishing the imp as well as the many voices of the Dark One from his mind. He needed complete control of himself in this moment but pushing out the voices proved difficult after allowing them such freedom. Stealing himself Rumpelstiltskin knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open.
The cell was small and held no insulation against the frigid cold of the lower castle. Straw littered the floor and unless Rumpelstiltskin was mistaken those were rodent eyes in the far corner. The boy sat huddled close to the door. He had a piece of fabric that might have at one time been a blanket draped around him. The child looked up in surprise at the visitor, light green eyes reflected the light before being cast quickly back to the ground. "Hello," the man offered quietly. When the boy didn't reply Rumpelstiltskin took a small step forward. The boy flinched slightly making the imp curse himself quietly.
Crouching down he tried again, "My name is Rumpelstiltskin and I've come to help you." Despite the boy's refusal to look up at him, the former spinner could see confusion dance across the child's features. "I know this may be confusing, but this is my castle now. Silas is gone, and he's left you here. With me." At the mention of his former master's departure something akin to joy lit the boys expression before slipping back into a blank stare. The imp let out a long breath as he realized that this would not be an easy venture. "How about let's start by getting you out of here and finding something warm to eat?"
Much to the imp's surprise that suggestion brought the boy to his feet. Rumpelstiltskin stood as well, moving slowly and not getting too close to the child. Any sudden movements or unwanted touches were sure to scare the already petrified child. "Before we leave, why don't you tell me your name." When the boy merely continued standing in place, he tried again, "Just so that I have something to call you."
"Cheshire," came the hoarse reply, "My name is Cheshire."
This chapter is mostly just set up for what's to come and now we can really get into the story! I hope to have the next chapter up soon but updates for this will probably be slightly sporadic because of ya know life and all. If you like (or even don't like) what I do, let me know, hopefully that will motivate me appropriately. See you guys in the next chapter!