Chapter 2
Losing to win
Nights and days continued to be like that. By the time I had cleaned the whole castle – well the rooms which I was allowed in – a whole month had passed. I never once saw my master. I began call him that since two days ago. Before he was just a dealmaker. But then I began to wonder how to address him when I would someday face him again. I thought about dealmaker – but then again I think he wouldn't like that. Then I thought about just saying his name – but that is too long and informal. So just master would be fit I thought.
Once - I think I saw a glimpse of him, but my eyes could have been playing tricks on me. Somedays I was not allowed to enter the great hall, because that is where he was spinning his straw. He would lock the door magically – making it impossible to enter. Believe me I tried. Now I am scrubbing the great hall. Everywhere I find little left over straw and dust. Sometimes I even find some gold. I sweep it up and separate the gold from the dirt. Maybe he would need it later. Then I hear footsteps coming this way. I hurriedly stand up and made it to leave when my master says: "Don't bother to leave. You can continue." He didn't even look at me and I can't seem to find the right words to speak. "Well, what are you waiting for, dearie. Continue." My eyebrows knitted together out of frustration. I still had to get used to be spoken to like that.
"Yes, master." He stopped in his tracks and turns around to finally face me. "Master? Since when did I order you to call me that?"
"You didn't. But – what else do I call someone who has me locked up in a dungeon all night only to release me to clean his castle?" He walks slowly over to me. I don't know why but it makes me nervous. Actually I do know why – He is the dark one. Standing just a few inches away from me he says: "Don't call me master. You can call me sir, Just like before." I didn't understand why he made such a big fuss about it. It's not like I called him names or something. "Yes, sir." I said in a low voice and tried to turn around but was stopped as he grabbed my right wrist.
"I am present for dinner tonight." Is what he said as he sees me looking pained. The magic in him was too much to bear. It really sparkled inside me and although it didn't hurt – it felt like too much. "I will serve you dinner, sir." And with that he lets me go and headed towards his spinning wheel – making a huge amount of gold. It's funny really – he has everything he needed – but still continues to spin gold. Secretly I looked at him while scrubbing the floor. He seemed to look at peace. Not like the madness I saw just a few minutes ago.
Daring to be more brave I looked him from head to toe. His skin – it's smooth but yet a little rough. His skin grey-greenish colored and 'glittery sparkly' made it look like the night sky. He wore a dragon leather outfit. It suited him in a weird sense of fashion. His hair needed some washing but was wavy and brownish-grey.
"I don't hear you scrubbing that floor anymore, dearie? Is there something you want to say?" I look back to the ground and start scrubbing the floor like I am possessed. "No, sir." I was caught staring and that made my cheeks flush pink. I feel uneasy and sprint out of the room when I was finally finished scrubbing the damn floor. Making a note to myself to never let my mind wonder again I began to prepare dinner for the only other person in this huge castle.
"Tonight we begin with a cauliflower soup finished with garden herbs on top. Followed by a tenderloin with a crust of sundried tomato, paprika and basil. As desert I made white chocolate mousse with a dark chocolate crumble on top." I state and place everything in front of him turning to leave. "You are not staying?" He asks with a hint of curiousness. "Do you want me to stay?" I ask in return. "Well… aren't you hungry. You look pale and I couldn't possibly eat all of this on my own now, can I?" I look him over – trying to spy any form of trap in his amber colored eyes. "Would you come over and sit by my side." He hesitates for a moment followed by: "Please?"
Not willing to anger him – which luckily I haven't done yet - I sat down obediently. "How are you?" He asks bluntly, looking straight at me. "I uh… Fine, sir." I finish while scooping some mashed potatoes on my plate. It is awkward to say at least. I assumed I was not allowed to speak unless spoken to and here I sit – dining with the dealmaker. "Your cooking skills are sublime my dear. Where did you learn how to cook like this?" Well… nowhere really. "I have taught it myself, sir. When I worked at the tavern I also cooked for the travelers." He giggles. "I picked out the best maid in the kingdom, didn't I?" I couldn't help but blush.
At the tavern plates were smashed over because they were too drunk to eat properly. Often I found myself re-cooking their dinner because they just couldn't simply shove it in their mouth. "Thank you." I simply said. He notice my discomfort and smiled even more. "You are not used to any kind of compliments, are you dearie?" I didn't answer that question. It was clear that no one ever did compliment me on something.
"How was life back at… well you know – home?" He asked doubting he should say the word home – knowing this was forced to be my new home. "Ordinary." I replied – sipping from the whine he had poured for me. "Wake up – clean – work – go home to sleep and do it all over again the next morning." He seems to listen intently to my story – like he was listening to a news article. "Not the adventure I was dreaming of."
"What did you dream of?" His fingers tightly around his goblet of whine and his other hand around his fork. "Everything really. But my biggest dream was learning to do magic. It's stupid really. I couldn't do it even if I desperately wanted to. That's how it works, doesn't it. You are either born with it or given." I see a sparkle in those eyes as he shifts in his chair. "What if I told you there could be another way." Mischievously he stood from his chair and stands behind me hands on my shoulder.
"You could be my apprentice and I can teach you magic." – "But it Is dark magic, sir." He giggles and squeezed my shoulders. "Of course, dearie. It would suit you just right. I can teach you to brew potions and preform the best curses!" I become very aware of his hands on my shoulders. I looked at them and then up to face him. "Did you save me that day so your castle could be cleaned or was it something else?" I turned around to fully face him. "Well, I always knew there was something strong inside of you. I just need to know if you are up to it. If one wants to learn magic.. you really do need to want it. To feel it."
He gently grabs my hand and looked at me intently. "You want a life filled with adventure. I just want to something to do to kill the time." The stare was too much to hold, so I look down at our hands. "Okay." I say and I hear him giggle impishly.
"Now," He began – a smile still playing on his face. "As you have been promoted to a position as my apprentice; you no longer sleep in the dungeon. I have another room prepared for you." He begins and paced in front of her. "We will begin with practicing tomorrow. You still have to clean afterwards and make me dinner. Let's say it is your way in paying me for the lessons." I just nodded overwhelmed by the big change of plans. "Good, now go to sleep. I need you to be at your best tomorrow." I looked at him sheepishly. "What?" He asked seeming to forget one important thing. "I… how do I get to this new room?" With a wave of his hand – purple smoke surrounded me. In a second we were sanding in what looked like the royal bedchambers. There are a lot of rich green colors and – I guess he can look into my mind as well – everything that I could imagine how a queen would sleep. I thought the little details and touches of gold resembled the gift he was giving me right now. "You could make yourself at home, I guess." He said while he picks up a little statue of an elegant brass woman resting peacefully on a rock of gold. "This room is located in the east tower."
I walked over towards the huge window with a balcony. "So the morning sun will wake me up with it's warm rays of sun. How nice." The view was astounding – like everything was covered in a layer of snow and you could see villages far, far away. "It's… perfect. How did you know I'd like this? I mean the colors are precisely what I imagined the queen would sleep in." But when I turn around, he is gone.
I feel all tingly and fruzly – if that is even a word – inside. This was after all the right deal. I got the chance to learn magic! Not even in my dreams was this realistic. I imagined to do all kinds of spells. Fire, wind, time freezing – I know, I am really old fashioned when it comes to imagination. As I lay on the soft bed I start to realize what it must been for him. All alone here in the castle. Not that I saw him often, but – you know – maybe that's why he offered this. I'm the only person around here that kept him company – on my – sort of – free will.
I hope I can really do this, but in my mind I'm already the powerful witch I hoped I could be. With this thoughts in my mind I fell into sleep, filled with beautiful and wonderful dreams – a smile lingering on my lips.
Rumpelstiltskin – however – hadn't disappeared. He was just not visible from her view. He wanted to see her reaction and wasn't disappointed. In order to learn magic – you need to want it. To really and sincerely want the power. At least that is how far he knew the dark side of the thing called magic. He could teach her; give her a little of his power to enlighten hers. Rumpel could see her practically dance around the room – excitement dripping from her actions. He rarely made people that happy. He only made them miserable and gave them hope that was based on a lie. Even though he was the Dark One, there was still some part of the man he used to be. The only part of him that had known how to love.
This wasn't what he had planned out for her. He had sent the pirate back towards the tavern – crushing his heart when the deal was done. He saw her pretty face and felt like he needed to own it. Just to have it. To live here in this castle could be lonely and he needed something else - other than spinning - to take his mind off. Peacefully Sarah went to sleep, her eyes shut as a smile lingered moments longer on her face. He walks over to her and touches her forehead, making bad dreams go away as he refilled them with happy ones.
The red hair makes her stand out in all those green colors. He made sure she would like the room. He could read her like an open book. He just needed to look at her and he already sensed how Sarah thought a royal bedroom looked like. Like he said; an open book.
He needed an apprentice. Someone to do the dirty work for him – and if it worked what he had planned out… Well, let's just say it would make it a lot easier to be everywhere. He could teach her to be his eyes and ears. Tomorrow would be an interesting day. As he gave the young thing one last – but curious – glance he 'poofed' himself out of the place.
As I opened my eyes – my head feels a bit foggy. I am not sure where I am and even though I remember last night's events – I still need to get used to the light coming from the window. I slept heavenly compared to the damp and cold dungeon. My hair is a mess from all the tossing and turning as I look at myself in the reflection in the window. I wonder why he hasn't got one mirror in the whole castle. Getting ready – the excitement creeps back into me. Today I'm going to learn magic! Tempting as it is to go all wild – I keep myself calm by the thought that it maybe will not go as planned. Maybe he was wrong when he thought I had it in me to be a witch. There is a knock on the door just as I had put on a white dress with lace sleeves. My hair is already brushed as two little braids tied at the back so my hair doesn't get in the way too much. I open the door the find the Dark One in front of me. "Good morning, sir." I reply – not hiding the excitement in my voice. "Yea", yeah. Come with me." He turns around and stormed down the stairs of my tower – yes, my room is all the way up a tower. Isn't that just great. No really – I'm not sarcastic this time!
As we turn and walk down some more stairs we finally arrive at a spacious room. There was no furniture other than a simple table and two chairs. "This.." He says while getting the chairs out of the way and placing the same little statue he was holding yesterday on the table. "is the beginning of your training." As I blink my eyes, he was right behind me. Hands on my shoulders; he whispers into my ear: "You simply need to think to want it in your left hand." He gently gets my hand and hold it in front of me – his own hand beneath for support. "Close your eyes." I did obediently what he asks and close them – making me feel his touch even more. "Now.." He still whispers. "Think of the statue , dearie." I concentrate – with closed eyes imagining the statue before me. I became unaware of my surroundings. Only the gentle touches of my teacher and the statue in my mind. As I open my eyes after a few seconds – full of expectations – I got disappointed. It hadn't work.
"Don't look upset, dearie. It's just the first time." I frown and say: "I hoped I could do it." He then giggles. "Oh, but that's where you go wrong, sweetie. See – you need to want it. To really want it." I looked him over. Didn't I already convinced myself that I really, really want this. It's way better than cleaning all day. That's for sure.
"Again." He muses and turns me around again. "This time you need to believe you can do it. Not hope." Again I close my eyes – hand in front of me and the image of the statue in my mind.
I need to succeed. I can do this. I want this. I want to have the statue in my hand.
And as soon as I thought the latter I felt a weight in my hand. I open my eyes and to my surprise: IT HAD WORKED! I am amazed and speechless – giggling from my teacher on the background. "I knew you were a fast learner. But this is only the beginning. Try some more. I have business to attend to." He smirked and poof…gone. I practice and practice and practice and… well you get the point. Sometimes I failed but at the end of the afternoon I kept on succeeding. The joy from the successes made me almost dance around the room.
Magic was great. You could use it to do anything! And this was my first step. I could feel I had a different magic then the dealmaker – my teacher. With everything he did a dark purple smoke surrounded it. My magic was more a light greenish. It must represent the spirit – our aura. When I was satisfied I had to withhold myself to skip to the kitchen – that happy am I with my new founded powers. Cleaning the dining hall and the great hall plus his bedchambers I sang songs I knew since I was a little girl. It was new territory – his room. But I think after 4 weeks he trusted me enough to let me clean it. Maybe after all, my time here wouldn't be bad at all. I mean I still need to work, but the reward is for me to learn magic. The thought alone made me al swirly. Maybe a bit too swirly as in a second I bumped over a crystal ball. I gasp and run after it. It went all the way down and I cringe every time I hear it crash onto an other step. "Come here, dammit!" I curse to myself hoping it would not be damaged.
"Got it!" I said while letting out a breath. "I can see…" Looking up I realize I'm at the feet of – do I need to say teacher or dealmaker every time. Let's just call him – Rumpel? "Stand up, foolish girl." Never ever have I been this quick. Never ever had I touched anything of his belongings. "When I told you to clean my room, I thought I had made it clear you are not to touch my things. Did I really needed to tell you not to break anything. Because – I assumed – that was obvious." A lump formed in my throat – unable to say anything. Why did this always happen. "Go cook some dinner." He said worthlessly and pushed me aside – roughly grabbing the ball out of my hands. "Y… yes, sir. Sorry sir." I finally say, hoping this would be it.
"We will not practice tomorrow. You can go clean the dungeons. Enough blood on the walls. One must think I painted it over there." There is was. "Yes sir." I practically ran further down the stairs. I'm not looking out for tomorrow – but now I need to race down the kitchen to make his dinner. I do not want to test his patience twice a day. No.. no I certainly not!
