"What?... Me?"

"Yes."

"I don't have any leadership qualities. I barely manage to take care of my own family, how the hell am I supposed to take care of an entire kingdom?" Rumple's eyes were filled with fear and desperation, something he did not even attempt to hide.

"That's not true," said Alaek.

"Yes, darling. All the times we've been in trouble, we've survived due mostly to your leadership, your advice," said Belle, placing a hand on his trembling shoulder.

"You may be mostly brains, brother…. But you have a warrior's spirit, and that spirit has been known to show itself often. It takes a good mind to run a kingdom anyway," said Alaek.

"These people need a leader, they want a leader. And they want you…. only you. Don't deny them," said Charming.

Rumple sat on the wooden stool against the wall, he put his face in his hands, using his fingers to roughly massage his temple; he could feel everyone's eyes burning multiple holes into his very soul. How could they ask him of this? He was no Prince, not even close; the very idea of the Dark One being a Prince was almost hilarious. He couldn't do this; it was too much to ask. There was absolutely no way. He looked up, when he felt Belle's hand rubbing his neck, trying to soothe him. She stared into his eyes, and took his hand in hers. Rumple loved those eyes, they always calmed him, no matter what he was feeling, and this time was no different; he gave her a weak smile, and let her help him to his feet. He looked at the rest of them, and whispered:

"Very well."

What did he just get himself into?

3 days later…

It was a beautiful day to be crowned, Rumple couldn't remember the last time the sky was so clear. A massive crowd of villagers stood silent in the middle of the village square. Rumple had spent three long days, without rest, building homes for the newcomers, and building an entire village that completely surrounded the walls of his castle. The Grand Minister stood in front of the castle doors; book in hand, along with all the other Kings, Queens, Princesses, and Princes in the realm. Even Regina stood up there, wearing her usual scowl and black outfit. The crowd parted, allowing Rumple and Belle to pass. Rumple was dressed in his favorite blue, black, and gold outfit he wore at his wedding, and Belle wore her traditional trademark yellow gown. They started to walk, hand in hand, down the aisle of happy people first, Alaek followed soon after, wearing a nice brown leather ensemble. All eyes were on the small family, slowing walking towards the stone steps; Rumple tried to focus on the stone lion embedded in the archway above the doors, he was scared, and he tried desperately to hide it from the people who looked upon him with nothing but pride. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught several small children sitting on their fathers' shoulders, gasping at the sight of them, and tugging on their fathers' hair, and excitedly yelling:

"Look! Look! Papa! It's Prince Rumplestiltskin and Prince Alaek.

Or the girls would yell:

" Look, Mama! It's the Princess!"

He looked over, and caught Belle smiling at the new found admiration. Rumple suddenly felt a calming force erupting throughout his body, relaxing him; he knew in an instant it was Alaek. If it was one thing he knew, it was that Alaek never failed in sensing other people's emotions. Sometimes Rumple found it extremely annoying, but most of the time it was what he loved most about him, his ability to sense when he needed to vent. They reached the front faster than Rumple had anticipated, and climbed the stone steps. Alaek took his place beside Belle, and the grand minister motioned for them to kneel.

"Rumplestiltskin… do you swear to uphold the laws of the realm, respond to every call for help, and defend your kingdom until your last breath?"

"I do."

"Very well… Therefore, with my power as grand minister, and on behalf of the royal council…."

He waved his hand, three young boys carrying three crowns that sat neatly on little individual blue pillows, walked out and stood in a line next to the minister. He picked up the first crown, holding carefully in his hands as if it were a stick of dynamite; he turned to face them again.

"I place this crown on your head, and I dub thee…. Prince Rumplestiltskin," he said, as he placed the crown on Rumple's head.

He took the second crown, moved to stand in front of Belle.

"And by marriage, I dub thee….. Princess Belle," he said, as he placed the crown gently on her head.

He took the last crown, and stood in front of Alaek.

"And by blood, I dub thee….. Prince Alaek."

He placed the crown on Alaek's head, and stepped back, raising his arms into the air.

"Long may you reign…. Hear! Hear!" he shouted.

Alaek and Rumple stood up, then turned, and helped Belle to her feet. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause; the new royal family couldn't help but smile at each other.

There was a massive feast that night; bigger than any wedding. The villagers sang and danced, some get into short drunken fights that were promptly broken up by calmer headed men. Rumple, Belle, and Alaek sat on three massive thrones at the very spot where they were crowned several hours earlier. Each nodded, as villagers brought them endless gifts that seemed to pile up to the sky. The young children, particularly the girls, who seemed to be taken with Belle, each brought her a crown of flowers, which Belle wore proudly, letting them replace the golden one she had just received. The young women also approached with flowers of all kinds, but instead, gave them to Alaek, who gave them a weak smile in return. They bowed and giggled like the smitten girls they were; they were no doubt hoping to be the next princess.

"Well.. Well… Someone's getting a lot of attention from the lovely ladies," said Belle, teasing him.

"Oh please…. Not anytime soon."

"Come on, Al. Maybe you should finally settle down. You've been on the run practically your whole life. This is your home now, time to find someone else to share it with."

"I have you two."

"I meant someone besides us…. and romantically."

"Fine. Maybe you're right."

"Besides… I now need as many heirs as possible," said Rumple.

"Already talking about heirs I see….."

Rumple's heart skipped a beat; he knew that voice. That voice he had missed for years, the one voice he had longed to hear since he had returned to his world; Bae, his son, stood in front of them, he looked a little older, his hair had grown some, but he still had same innocence that he had come to know.

"Bae?"

He nodded, but Belle sensed some uneasiness in his stance and in his voice. Alaek stood up from his throne, and stepped down, his arms opened wide and smiling at him.

"Nephew…"

Bae embraced him, laughing as he did so, after all he wasn't mad at his Uncle.

"How are you, boy?" asked Alaek.

"Fine, Al thank you…. The Blue Fairy sent us word of you all's new titles. Though I should congratulate you."

"It's good to see you, son."

Belle stepped down to hug him as well. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, and he equally returned her love, happy to be in her arms once again.

"Hey, Mom," he sighed.

"You're not eating enough, are you?" asked Belle , as she rubbed his stomach.

Bae laughed at her stereotypical mom response. He loved to refer to Belle as his mother instead of his step-mother; she was more of a mother to him now than Milah ever was. He trusted her above everyone else, even Emma and Henry. Rumple joined his family; he placed a loving hand on Bae's shoulder.

"We need to talk, Papa….. Alone."

"Of course….. Follow me."

Neverland…..

Deep below the calm surrounding sea, a young mermaid swam briskly though the reef, her fish friend, Flounder, in tow. Ariel's long red hair flowed beautifully behind her; she ducked behind a coral and swam down, going deeper towards the bottom; unbeknownst to her, two slippery eels were watching her in the distance with their bright yellow eyes. It was getting darker the deeper she went, the only light was a small sliver at the very bottom; miles down. For Ariel the swim down seem to get quicker and quicker the more she did it; she finally reached the bottom of the reef , the natural glow of the sea kingdom never failed to astound her, even though she was born and raised here, it never caused her to not stop and appreciate it's beauty. The coral castle stood tall, as thousands of Merpeople swam freely around it. Unfortunately, she could not admire it for long; she was already late for her father's ceremony. Not only was she supposed to sing, but she promised him she would at least meet the next round of suitors for her hand in marriage. It wasn't that the Mermen she met weren't worthy, but Ariel wanted nothing more than to go to the top world and see what it was like to live amongst the humans. It was her dream, but the King was always against it, to him humans were the most evil creatures to walk on two legs, and she and her sisters, as well as all the Merpeople were to stay below the water unless told otherwise, but Ariel couldn't help herself, she had to know what it would be like to live as a human. She hurried into the castle halls, and up to her father's throne room. He was sitting on his throne, triton in hand, brooding in the dark. Ariel approached him with caution, fully knowing why he looked so angry.

"I'm sorry, father."

"Where were you?"

"I was swimming around the reef…."

"Close to the shore?!"

Her father didn't like her swimming so close to the shore, he thought it wasn't safe, but she could not lie to him.

"Yes," she whispered.

"How many times have I told you?!"

"I know, father."

"I can't tell. How can I tell? You still go to shore; even though I have told you countless times that the humans are dangerous."

"I'm sorry, father!" she yelled, the tears flowing down her cheeks.

"So am I."

Ariel looked at him, puzzled.

"My daughter, I hereby sentence you to confinement…. For your own safety…. For your own protection."

"Father, no!" she screamed.

"You are not to leave your quarters until you learn that the humans cannot be trusted. Everything you need will be provided for you."

"So I am to be a prisoner, then?"

"If that is what it will take to protect you from the humans….. yes."

Two guards appeared behind her like two shadows, and took her on each arm.

"Take her two her quarters," he commanded.

"Yes, sire," they replied in unison, like well-trained soldiers.

Ariel and the two guards reached her room in what seemed to be days long, they slammed the door behind her; she swam over to the bed cried endlessly into the pillow. Luckily for the two black eels, she hadn't noticed them watching her through the window.

"We must tell our mistress about this new development," Flotsam hissed.