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At the campsite, wearing an old worn out cloak so she wouldn't be recognised, Belle carefully crept her way around a few tents, a few feet away from her was table with woman and children around it preparing the food they had gathered. Keeping her head down Belle walked over to the table and helped sorting out the food, everybody kept themselves so busy to stop themselves from feeling terrified that they didn't even notice an extra person at the table.
Belle could see everything from where she was, in front of her was a little boy around 8 or 9 who was scooping up a handful of berries and secretly slipping one into his mouth before putting the rest into a dish, she must have been staring longer then she thought because the boy looked up and gasped at her, she took a quick look around her, smiled at the boy and then popped a berry in her mouth and winked as if to say "secrets safe with me". A huge grin appeared on the boy's face and he went back to sneaking berries between handfuls. Belle let out a little giggle in response. Belle looked up into the distance and saw men putting up shelter and if she moved her head to the right she could see people finishing the dungeon, a tall man (clearly in charge) walked over to two men and commanded.
"You two, Mulan and Philip left a few moments ago to continue their search for the princess Aurora, I need you to guard Cora until the dungeons are finished."
Belle watched the two men stop what they were doing and walk over to where Cora was. Belle had been watching Cora out of the corner of her eye, as the two men took their positions just in front of Cora. Belle tilted her head so she was looking down but still had Cora in view, she heard Cora pleading with the two guards. Belle made sure that nobody was looking at her before lifting up her hand flicking her wrist, all of a sudden the ropes binding Cora's hands together slipped off her wrists. Belle observed the stund look on Cora's face, Cora took a quick look at both of the guards then down at the rope, and with a flick of her wrist there was a puff of smoke, the ropes were back around her wrist.
Belle glared at Cora and gave a slight smirk, then in a quiet voice said "Hmmm, not as powerless as she's leading people to believe."
Past
Belle woke up in a spinning room, groggy she placed her hand down and tried to push herself up but a sharp pain shot though her arm. Belle let out a cry and fell back on to something soft, she felt a something press down on her forehead, she turned her head and saw a dark figure before she fell back to sleep.
A few hours later Belle woke up again, the room had stopped spinning and she tried propping herself up with her hand again, another sharp pain shot through her arm, she immediately jerked up her arm and grabbed on to it with her other hand. After her arm stopped throbbing she looked down at her arm.
What happened? I'm not bleeding anymore, why do I still hurt? She thought. Belle lifted her head up and looked around and found herself in a soft bed…but not one she recognised.
"How did I get out of the Queens cell?" she managed to speak, voice barely registering. All of a sudden the door opened startling belle. She saw a shy head awkwardly appear around the door.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you." The man moved closer into the room, "I made you some snacks; I uh didn't know how hungry you'd be... I also made you some tea…but it's…it's probably cold by now."
Belle looked at the table next to her and saw a tray with a small tea set and a plate with some biscuits and a few sandwiches, Belle stared at the tea set fighting back tears, she had thought about what she would say to him if she ever saw him again, ever since she got the courage to go back to him; the day she was abducted by The Queen and now she had no idea what to say to him, all she could do was stare at him.
"I ah, healed your wounds" he said as he took a couple of short fast steps towards her, "but… you'll still hurt for a while… you were tortured for so long you see, I got rid of all the cuts, the scares and… and the burns, but… well the older the injuries are; the longer it takes for the pain to go away, unlike newer injuries where the pain goes immediately … you'll be ok though, just think of it as sore muscles from working out too much." He stammered not even sure if he was making much sense.
Belle sat there staring at him and then opened her mouth to speak but just let out a breath of air she didn't realise she was holding. He sat on the edge of the bed in front of her and nervously held out his hand and cupped the side of her face.
"Belle? Belle please say something"
Belle closed her eyes and moved into his touch, she grabbed onto his hand and squeezed it tightly before pulling his hand away from her face. She opened her eyes and stared into his before lunging forwards and wrapping her arms around him.
"I love you! Rumpelstiltskin" she stated in a strong voice, making sure it got through to him this time.
"Yes, and I love you too" Rumplestiltskin whispered
Belle let out a sigh of relief in the form of a small laugh and hugged him tightly before letting go.
"Rumpelstiltskin, Where are we?" she asked
"We're at Jefferson's" he answered
"When I found you, I needed to get you to a safe place so I could heal you and Jefferson's was closer than my Estate."
"But this, isn't Jefferson's place" Belle pointed out.
"Yes, it is" Rumplestiltskin said "He retired from Porthole jumping so he could take care of Grace"
"He took you advice" Belle said with a smile
"Yes he did" Rumplestiltskin said getting lost in Belles eyes "Anyway he wasn't earning enough money so he had to move out." He said shaking his head so he was looking at the ground.
Belle bit her lip still smiling; she moved so she was sitting next to him and then nuzzled up close forcing herself under his arm so she could cuddle his chest.
"Rumpelstiltskin, how long have I been here?" as she asked a tall man walked through the door
"Almost a week" The man said
"Jefferson" Belle cried sitting up
A huge grin appeared on Jefferson's face as he walked towards Belle.
"Are you feeling better Belle?" he asked placing his hand on her forehead
Belle looked up at him then let out a chuckle "Of course, the dark figure" she said remembering the hand on her forehead from the first time she tried to wake up.
"What?" both Jefferson and Rumpelstiltskin asked, a little bit confused
"Nothing" she said shaking her head while taking Jefferson's hand "Thank you, for taking care of me"
"It was my pleasure" he said giving her a warm smile
Rumpelstiltskin sat back and folded his arms then gave a little pout.
"I helped too" he said in a childish huff.
present
Belle watched the leader of the survivors collect Cora, by this time she had learn that his name was Lancelot and she watched as he lead her over to the dungeon. She waited until they were just out of site before heading off around the back of the dungeon so she could climb over the top and peer through the window on the roof. As she reached the top she heard voices from inside unfortunately she couldn't make out what they were saying. She moved closer and peered through the window, Belle saw Cora talking to Lancelot, it was clear that she had dropped her helpless act, she looked a lot more confident now then she had before, back straight, head high, eyes firmly locked onto Lancelot's and although Belle could only hear mumbles she did notice that the tone of Cora's voice was calm almost scary calm. All of a sudden the shackles that Lancelot had put on Cora just moments before dropped to the ground, Cora flicked her wrist and then in a cloud of purple smoke Lancelot was gone.
Belle clasped her hand around her mouth and pulled herself away from the window.
Oh my god, she thought as he climbed down, what did she do to him?
Belle stepped on a couple of stones that slipped under her feet making her tumble down the rest of the way. Belle yelped as she hit the ground, luckily she wasn't that far from the ground when she slipped, she picked herself up a dusted herself off in a huff.
"Rumpelstiltskin would have seen me falling and caught me" she grumbled under her breath. She finished dusting herself off and turned to walk back to the group but instantly spun into someone knocking her back on to the ground.
"Oh for goodness sake" she said sharply trying to pick herself up again.
Belle heard a deep voice from above her start to laugh.
Angrily Belle shot her head up to tell the man off but all anger washed away from her face when she saw who it was standing over her laughing.
"Sir Lancelot?" she questioned
Wait What! Hadn't she just….. He was with Cora and then… This isn't right.
"I'm sorry", he said bending down and holding out his hand to help her up.
"I didn't think anyone was around here"
Belle stared at Lancelot carefully then accepted his hand, Lancelot pulled her up and then asked
"What are you doing around here?"
"I needed a little privacy" Belle lied waving her hand to point at the trees
"Ah of course" He said gently, although his face was clearly dismissing what she had said, causing Belle to suppress a smile.
"Well", Lancelot started taking back her hand, "Everyone has just sat down to eat, you can join me in my tent."
"Oh no that's really not necessary, I can sit with everyone else" she stammered trying to pull away from his grip, but it was no good he was already dragging her towards his tent.
"Nonsense, it's a hot day and all you have to protect you is that worn out cloak" he said as they reach his tent. Lancelot opened the flap and gestured for her to walk inside, "Please join me"
"Belle fiddled with her ring, If this is really Lancelot then his clearly not as honourable as everyone says, But if it's Cora and I go in this tent I could be in a lot of danger, Belle looked up from her ring and at Lancelot and in that moment realised that she didn't actually have much choice, I hope it's Lancelot; an over confident male I can handle, Cora I'm not so sure about, she thought as she walked into his tent.
Past
After a few days of resting Rumpelstiltskin took Belle back to his estate, He offered to teleport them there because he wanted to get her home as soon as possible just in case somebody else tried to hurt her, but she had insisted on walking.
Rumpelstiltskin I haven't been outside in months, we're walking and that's the end of it. Rumpelstiltskin shook his head and gave a silent laugh as he replayed the thought in his head. She never did listen to anything I said. Rumpelstiltskin wasn't too impressed when she had insisted on walking but softened when he realised how much it had cheered her up.
"Well, we're home," he said nervously as they approached the Dark Castle.
Rumpelstiltskin flicked his wrist and the doors flew open. Belle smiled and wondered in, Rumpelstiltskin followed her and watched her move around the house, he noticed her actions getting slower as she walked around the room, the smile on her face had gone and she now wearing a confused look, she turned to him and glared.
Oh dear, is she mad? She was smiling a when she walked in, what changed?
"What's wrong Sweetheart?" He asked hoping he hadn't done anything to upset her already
"While I was gone did you just refuse to clean?" she jokingly scolded folding her arms
Rumpelstiltskin snorted at the remark, of course that's the first thing she'd mention; I knew I should of tidied up a bit before bring her back.
"Well truthfully I did think about cleaning but I knew you'd come crawling back to me eventually so I didn't really bother with it." He teased waving his arms around; He noticed Belle's expression change to a wide eyed mouth open shocked look.
"Oh really… crawling." She repeated
"Mmm, Yes on all fours" he said gesturing at his feet
"Ah ha ha, is that right" She laughed dryly
"Well in any case I'm not cleaning this mess up" She said throwing her arms in the air.
"Oh? Well, if you're not going to clean anything then it's a bit pointless you being here then isn't it." He said walking over to his spinning wheel, "I'm actually very busy so… go entertain yourself." He gave her a little showing motion with his hand as he sat down at his wheel pretending to ignore her.
Belle's shocked expression turned into a wide smile as she lent down on to the table in front of her and muttered
"Oh, I'll entertain myself"
Belle walked over to Rumpelstiltskin and took the straw from his hand then sat on his lap resting her head on him, and gave the straw back to him so he could keep working.
"You don't mind if I sit here do you?" she asked burrowing her head into his shoulder
Belle wasn't looking at him directly but she could see him looking down at her awkwardly out of the corner of her eye. She heard him make his high pitched wheezing noise
"No of course not" he said as he attempted to return too spinning.
Rumpelstiltskin felt a slight tugging on his shirt and looked down, he saw Belle playing with his collar
Belle looked up at him and gave him an innocent smile before moving her hand down his chest and then up around his neck. Rumpelstiltskin cleared his throat as he felt another arm wrap around his neck. Rumpelstiltskin turn his head to speak to Belle but just ended up brushing his nose against hers, he hadn't realised how close she had managed to get. Rumpelstiltskin was about to speak when Belle spoke first.
"Rumpelstiltskin, I think I should apologies to you" she whispered to him still face to face.
Rumpelstiltskin scrunched his eyebrows then lent in even closer "What for" he asked
"Doubting you" she said simply, "When the Queen abducted me she told me that you knew where I was and what she was planning on doing with me, and that you were still mad and had chosen not to come for me." Belle saw his eyes find the floor and she continued. "I didn't believe her at first", she assured him, "But then the months rolled by and I lost track of time …and I guess…. I thought…."
"Belle", Rumpelstiltskin interrupted "If I had known where you were, I never would have allowed any of this" Rumpelstiltskin placed his hand on her cheek, "Belle Her Majesty had me convinced that you were dead", Belle looked as if she wanted to say something but he put his thumb over her mouth. "Belle, I would've done anything for you, I'd still do anything for you"
Belle moved his thumb and placed her hand on the side of his face "In that case, you can start by dusting of the shelves, they're filthy."
Rumpelstiltskin's let out a silent chuckle, "cheeky Vixen" he said pulling her closer resting his chin on her head. "Fine you win, I'll dust the shelves… but only if you sweep out the corridor." He said pointing at her
"Fine deal", she giggled
Rumpelstiltskin and Belle stayed in a silent embrace for a while until Rumpelstiltskin broke the silence.
"Belle I'd like to teach you magic"
Belle pulled away and looked at Rumpelstiltskin curiously.
"You want to…to teach me magic?" she repeated, "Why… Wait… No, no I don't want to learn magic" she said backing away from him.
"Rumpelstiltskin looked at Belle and reached his arm out to touch her cheek "Why not?, what is it darling"
"I've seen the type of things magic does, I don't want to be a part of that" she said shaking her head
"Belle I know you haven't had the best experience with magic but it won't corrupt you if don't abuse it." Rumpelstiltskin assured her
She looked at him unsure until he put his other arm around his waist
"Listen sweetheart, as much as I would like to I can't be around to protect you all the time, I want to know that you're safe when I'm not there and magic can do that, even if you only learn how teleport yourself out of danger." He said
"And you can promise me that it won't corrupt me, that I won't turn into someone like Regina" she questioned eyeing him gingerly
"That, my dear, is entirely up to you" he said brushing a strand of hair away from his face
"Is that what you told Regina too?" she asked folding her arms
Rumpelstitskin stood back and fiddled with his fingers
"Err…well yes" he said shrugging it off, he saw Belle rolling her eyes and putting her hands on her hips.
"I won't let it corrupt you" he said
Belle didn't believe that if he taught her magic he would be able to stop it from corrupting her, so she stood up straight hands still on her hips "Rumpel how are you supposed to stop me from misusing my power if you can barely stop yourself from misusing yours." She countered
Rumpelstiltskin grabbed her hand "Because Belle, that light that you're able to see in people is what I love most about you, and if I let you lose that there will be nobody left to see anything in me."
Belle let her hand's drop to the side and her eyes softened. "Go on"
"Belle you're the only person that has ever seen anything in me, nobody else has ever bothered"
Belle smiled and put her hand behind his head and pulled him close, Rumpelstiltskin thought she was going to kiss him again but she pressed his forehead against hers and whispered "Now why couldn't you just say that three months ago"
She moved her head so they were cheek to cheek and Rumpelstiltskin wrapped his arms her pulling her into an embrace, Belle could hear his breathing getting louder like he was trying to hold back tears.
"Rumpelstiltskin", Belle said moving her head away from his to look at him "Ok, you can teach me magic"
She saw Rumpelstiltskin's eyes light up and he pulled her in for another hug.
"Rumpelstiltskin, just so we're clear you're only teaching me enough to defend myself." She quietly said in his ear
"Let's just see where it takes us dearie" he said giving a knowing smirk
present
Inside Lancelot's tent Belle had found a place to sit and Lancelot handed her a plate with some berries and bread on it.
"I'm sorry there's no meat, he said, "I've sent out a group of hunters, they should be back soon"
"Oh, no this is fine; thank you" she said smiling at him
Lancelot picked up a plate for himself and then sat next to her, Belle saw him watching her eat out of the corner of her eye.
"So who is your husband?" he suddenly asked shocking Belle and causing her to drop her plate, Belle let out a silent laugh and shook her head
"I'm sorry" she said bending down to clear the mess she made
"No, I'm sorry" he said crouching down to help her, "I shouldn't have asked, it's just that, that's a very interesting ring you have."
Belle paused at his words and looked up at him for a moment before going back to clearing up the mess.
"He was just a simple spinner, you wouldn't have heard of him, he liked to keep to himself…he wasn't very good at letting people in, I sometimes got the feeling he didn't really know how to but he was more of a gentleman then most men and if you did get the chance to know him… really know him then he'd do anything for you" she finally answered with a far off look. She wasn't worried about giving away Rumpelstiltskin, the way she described him nobody ever believed that she was talking about 'The Dark One'
"You kept using the word was, did he die?" Lancelot moved his head to try to get her eye contact
"I don't know, he was taken with the curse, I don't know if he's ok where ever he is or not" Belle said sadly
"Your husband was taken with the curse" Lancelot repeated "And you were left behind"
"Yes" Belle said fiddling with her ring
"That is a very interesting ring you have" Lancelot remarked again gesturing to her left hand "It's not just gold though is it… it sparkles when you move your hand"
"Oh", Belle said holding on to her ring, "That would be the emerald"
"There are emeralds around your gold ring" Lancelot said taking her hand to take a closer look at the ring.
"Ah…no, the emerald's mixed in with the gold" she said pulling her hand away
"How cute" he said while sticking bread into his mouth
Belle eyed him while he ate, she knew that she didn't know him but didn't think he'd be the type of person to say 'how cute' in that context or in that manner. Belle got a feeling she had said too much again and opened her mouth to excuse herself when she heard yelling coming from outside.
"EMMA RUN"
Belle raced over to the front of the tent and pulled back the cloth so she could see what was happening. She saw two women run pass, it took her a moment but she recognised one of them as Snow White, she couldn't place the blond though. Belle then saw something fly through the air and hit Snow White in the back, she looked over at where the weapon came from and she saw mulan standing there, Belle chuckled as she looked back at Snow White and the other girl and saw her bending over to comfort the unconscious Snow. Belle smiled recognising the woman and walked out of the tent.
"She has Snow Whites chin" Belle moved closer but managed to stay hidden, she watched a group of solders drag them off to the dungeons and then it dawned on her.
"The only way those two could possibly be here is through magic, but the curse was designed to take everybody to a world without magic" Belle glared and grounded her jaw
"RUMPEL-STILT-SKIN"