Frozen and shocked, Belle stood in the snow wondering who exactly this man was. Something told her he was more than a common criminal sentenced to take the black, now there was much more to this story she didn't know. However, words seemed to fail her. Standing there, staring back at the man dressed in black, all the girl could say was "well, are you going to make me walk all the way to the other side of the wall?"
The man cackled, and stepped towards her, placing a hand in the middle of her back and ushering her towards his horse. "You are a funny one, Belle."
He helped her onto the back of the horse and once she was secured in the saddle, Belle bent over to look at the man again. "Do I get to know your name yet?"
He took her hands into his gloved ones, warming the girl's chilled skin. "Rumpelstiltskin."
Belle thought it was a rather odd name but decided against telling him so. Instead, he jumped up into the saddle behind her, wrapping his arms around to hold the reins. Belle sat up a little too straight, her body stiff with anxiety with Rumple so close, but she did enjoy the warmth from his nearness.
They rode right through Mole's Town where the other brother's horses were still waiting for them to come out of their drunken haze. By the time they reached the gates of Castle Black, the sun was just barely beginning to rise. Riding through the gates, Rumpelstiltskin immediately slid from the animal's back and grabbed Belle by the waist, probably intending to help her down but ended up dragging her into the snow. "We have to hurry," he said, eyes darting around the yard for any people who might be watching. Then he started off towards one of the crumbling towers, towing Belle behind him. Inside the stone structure wasn't all that warmer from being outside, but she had no time to complain about it because they were already headed down a staircase and into a room full of cells. He lead her down the length of the room until they were facing the farthest corner of it.
"For now, until…" he trailed off. The sound of footsteps from above caught their attention and Rumple quickly shoved Belle into the cell added an "I'll be back," and then vanished up the stairs.
"I stole a horse, basically got arrested and risked my life to live underground yet again," Belle muttered to herself, sitting in the cell with her back against the wall and her brain slowly turning to mush. There wasn't even anything to do here, just to sit and think. The sound of her stomach growling reached her ears and she couldn't help but sigh. Perhaps she didn't need so much adventure, maybe she should have stayed home and married Gaston. At least then she'd have something to do instead of just sitting here.
The sound of boots against stone echoed against the walls, and Belle crawled to the opening of the cell to see who it was. Naturally, the only person who had been here in the last few hours, it was Rumpelstiltskin. Kneeling down next to her, he laid out the meal he managed to smuggle away. His gift consisted off a few slices of bread wrapped in a handkerchief and a water skin. After looking at the food a little warily, Belle carefully lifted a piece of bread and took a bite. It was still warm and just having the food in her mouth made her stomach rumble even louder, demanding she eat more and she was more than happy to obey.
"Thank you," she managed between bites of bread. Rumple gave a shrug and a frown tugged at the corner of his lips.
"It's just bread," he said, his features pulled into confusion. The girl was acting like he had given her feast. She merely smiled at him and shoved the rest of the slice that had been in her hand in her mouth. Rumple shook his head to loosen any odd thoughts that might be clinging to the inside of his skull and stood up. "I'm afraid you'll be staying here awhile, dearie."
"Well, is there anything I can do here?" Belle asked, her frustration showing in her voice.
"I'll think of something," Rumple said, waving his hand as if do swat her question away, and started for the stairs.
"Rumpelstiltskin?" Belle asked hesitantly, still unsure how to fit the name in her mouth. The man turned around and raised an eyebrow at her and she replied with a smirk that showed off the ruby of her lips. "Thank you for taking me away."
Taken aback by the confession, Rumple blinked a few times at the girl before starting for the stairs again tossing an"I didn't take you away, I arrested you!" over his shoulder. As his boots hit the stone steps, Rumple's mind was full of Belle's grin. What kind of girl is thankful for being stolen by the likes of him?