I used a book called "Good Faeries/Bad Faeries" by Brian Froud as my reference for the Fairy names. Although you might still be confused if you've read that book. I'm giving it a little twist.
There is a missing scene with regards to Belle's health. I know but that won't be seeing daylight for a while since I'm waiting to see what the show has in store for us before dwelling on it.
Happy New Year everyone!
Leroy and Moe both saw the familiar Cadillac driving down the street towards the pawnshop and both sighed. Belle was about to find out something that would determine if Moe himself would stay in Storybrooke or not.
"Shouldn't one or both of you accompany her," asked Granny, placing a plate of eggs and bacon before both of them.
"I'd rather not be there to see her reaction," said Leroy. "I told Gold to tell her face to face but he so determined that this was better."
"Because he didn't want Belle trying to change his mind," argued Granny. "He was doing what he thought was right."
"But it isn't right sister," said Leroy, glaring at the older woman. "Fine, trapping all the Darkness in the Underworld is the right thing to do but he's the bloody Dark One. He's a smart bastard. If he really wanted to, he'll find another way."
"Oh he wants to," began Moe. "He's just not sure if it's worth it. If he has something to come back to." At his last word, his eyes drifted back to the pawnshop. "I wanna say he should just rot there but…"
"But even though he has done a lot of things, he makes her happy," finished Granny. "I may only know him as the Dark One but he was a man before. A father who would do anything for his son."
"And he will do anything to protect her," said Moe, sighing, his mind going to the day before.
"We need to talk."
Moe figured as much. Belle had called to inform him that she was staying. That she didn't need to go away to know what she wanted. She wanted to have a life with the man she loves.
"And what do we need to talk about?" asked Moe, not turning to face his son-in-law.
"if she leaves, please accompany her."
"What?!" Moe turned to see Rumplestiltskin, without his cane, hands in his coat pockets looking down at the floor.
"If she leaves," began Gold again but at this he looked up and met his gaze. "Go with her."
"She just came back I don't think she'll go off and leave," said Moe turning his back once again but this time Gold moved forward and dropped a very heavy object before Moe. It was the Dark One Dagger...more importantly it was the Dark One Dagger with 'Rumplestiltskin' on it.
Moe stared at it then glared at its owner not needing to say anything as Gold took the thing and hid it again in his coat. But Moe caught it, the expression on Gold's face. The man wasn't trying to hide it. Regret.
"What did you do?" asked Moe. His tone wasn't angry or judgemental, it was curious and Gold found himself looking up and meeting his gaze.
"All the previous Dark Ones are in me," said Gold. "And in order to protect the people I care about, I'm going somewhere where I can trap them all forever."
"You along with them," finished Moe. He didn't know what to think of the idea. Should he be happy that the man he hated was willingly going away and give back Belle her freedom or should he try to stop it because no matter what Belle loves the man and she would be devastated.
"I left her a memory potion," said Gold. "Making her forget about her love for me. Maybe she'll go on her adventure again. I just want her to be happy and I want her safe. If she goes, please accompany her."
Moe stared at him as though he was insane. Belle would actually like the idea of him going with her but it wasn't just about that. He wasn't well off in this world and it would be hard to navigate this realm, let alone doing it for two people.
"I don't have any money."
"Use mine. I have no use for it," said Gold. The man was persistent and Moe had to give him that. "Please. I just want to make sure when I'm gone, she'll be safe and happy."
"You think she'll be happy after what you're going to do?" came the harsh reply and Gold once again focused on the floor. "I may not like your relationship but she's happy with you."
"She shouldn't be."
"Nobody decides her fate but her," said Moe, repeating the same words her brave daughter had muttered all those years ago. "You should know that more than anyone."
"That's why I am deciding not to be with her," said Gold, still more interested on the floor and not his father-in-law. "I never thought she'd come back...I thought I had nothing to live for."
"Well she's back so what now?" demanded Moe. "You can find another way. You always do."
"I planned for a one-way trip." said Gold, finally looking up. "Ms. Swan wants to rescue her pirate, my blood opens the Underworld. Once I'm there, I'm going to make sure the Darkness stays there and if my own life is the price to protect Belle from the Darkness then so be it."
"Gold…"
"I just need to know that someone will look out for her," pleaded Gold. "That someone will be there to protect her, to listen to her. Please. Just give me that."
Moe studied the broken man in front of him. This wasn't the Dark One he had met all those years ago in the Enchanted Forest, nor the man who almost beat him to death. This was a man who was willing to sacrifice his life for the woman he loved. Frankly, Moe didn't know what to think of him.
"I will."
Granny had gone back to her duties and served her other customers. All the while sneaking glances at the pawnshop. Her mind must have been on autopilot because she found herself preparing Belle's usual sandwich and soup once again, the meal she had been getting for the past weeks that Gold was in his coma and Belle stood vigil by his side.
Granny had seen Gold after he had managed to escape Emma and Merida because Belle had asked if she could bring food to the shop. Granny did so and was surprised to see a badly bruised and awake Gold who looked like he was ready to hide under the table at the back of the shop when she had entered.
She knew the story of Rumplestiltskin. The spinner who damaged his own leg to get back to raise his son. For her, what Rumplestiltskin did was choose to be a parent instead of an important hero.
And Granny found him making another choice just yesterday.
Gold had come to the diner after lunch and the place was deserted. He ordered iced tea and that was it.
Granny studied him and it looked like he had the weight of the entire world on his shoulders and she didn't know what pushed her but she joined him, placing the glass of iced tea in front of him.
"Mind sharing with the whole class?" asked Granny as Gold looked up at her, startled.
"Not particularly, no," whispered Gold and Granny felt a little of her old annoyance with the man resurfacing.
"Then pray tell why you're here in my deserted diner, Gold," demanded Granny.
"I thought your diner was always welcome to customers," said Gold, a hint of his old self. "Or just because I'm evil I'm not welcome."
"You're not evil," said Granny, catching the tone of his voice.
"Oh Mrs. Lucas," said Gold, a smile the reminded her of the Dark One. "I believe I am."
And then right before her eyes, purple smoke materialized and at its wake, it left a familiar looking dagger. Although the engraving was a bit different, it was still the Dark One dagger and it had a name on it. Rumplestiltskin.
Granny didn't know what came over her but she leaned forward and slapped Gold hard across the face.
He didn't move and looked as though he expected that reaction.
"Why?" hissed Granny and she knew the man wouldn't even answer but she was surprised when he sighed.
"Because I needed to save my grandson from losing another parent," said Rumple. "Because I needed to protect Belle from the Darkness." He turned to look out the window, gazing back at the shop. "Because I thought I had nothing to live for anymore."
"Belle came back," said Granny.
"That she did," said Gold. "I thought I would never see her again and I made my choice." He took his tea and slowly drank it. "Emma knows and she wants me to get her to the Underworld to rescue Hook or she'll tell Belle what I did."
"What does she think you did?" asked Granny because she knew that Gold wouldn't have told the Saviour the truth.
"That I wanted the power back," said Gold.
"She believed you?" asked Granny. "After everything that happened with the hat, she believed you wanted the power back?"
"People are blinded when they lose a person they love the most Mrs. Lucas," said Gold and Granny had to agree.
"You're going to stay there aren't you?" asked Granny, already knowing that Gold planned to get the heroes to the Underworld and back but for him, it was going to be a one-way trip.
"I thought I had nothing to live for," began Gold, draining his glass. "Besides, she's better off without me."
"You weren't the one here watching her wallow in her own sadness now were you?" hissed Granny. "She was a wreck from day 1, Gold. Don't tell me she's better off without you."
"She had Will," replied Gold and Granny resisted the urge to slap him again. Why were men so infuriating?
"Gold she loves you," said Granny.
Gold sighed and stood, left a couple of bills on the table. "You took care of Belle when I was in the coma. You have my thanks. I can assume that you'll continue to look out for her? Make sure she eats...she's not really that talented in the kitchen. I promised I'd teach her how to cook properly but all she's mastered is the microwave."
Granny shook her head as she stood as well. "You don't need to ask if I'd watch out for your wife. I will until you get back."
"I won't be coming back," said Gold and before Granny could reply, he added, "I'm not even sure Belle will stay here. She was off to go see the world and I think after this latest stunt I pulled, she'll probably want to get as far away from here as possible."
"Gold," began Granny and her tone left for no arguments as the Dark One turned to face her. "You are doing partially the right thing."
"Partially?"
"Come home and you've done it correctly," said Granny and for once she was rewarded with a genuine, albeit small, smile from the man. "For her."
"She won't have me, Mrs. Lucas." said Gold turning back towards the door. "She wants a hero. All she's ever gotten was a coward pretending to be one for her. I can't be the man that she loves. I want to...but I can't."
Gold was wrong though as Granny looked back at the conversation the previous day. He was a hero. He just didn't see it or chose not to see it. A man willing to take all accusations from others in order to save their love ones, a man willing to die to give the people he cares about their own happiness...that was a hero in Granny's books.
Leroy was angry. He couldn't care less if it was the Dark One he was angry. Dark One or not, Gold was always a piece of work. But Leroy had put up with him because of Belle. Belle was a good person, why she fell in love with someone like Gold is beyond any reasoning in any realms but she did and there was no question it was true love. Gold would do anything for her.
It pained Leroy to see Belle holding the rose jar all the time they were in Camelot. How she would just look at it and her eyes would widen and start to tear up every time a petal would fall from the rose inside. It meant that Gold was closer to dying and she was stuck in Camelot not being able to save him.
And now the bloody idiot was going to run off again and endanger himself. After everything that Belle has put up with.
Why Leroy didn't slug the bastard and tied him up so the heroes won't find him was again beyond the dwarf and now waiting for Belle to find out what her husband did, Leroy wished he had done so.
"What do you want Gold?" They were in the docks where Leroy had tried to sell his boat to save the convent.
In answer, Gold tossed Leroy a vial of blue liquid. "That'll return Dopey to normal. The curse on the town line is broken so you can cross it without turning yourself."
"And how do you know that?" demanded Leroy, looking suspiciously at the potion and at Gold.
"Because I broke it," replied Gold plainly.
"Not fooling me," said Leroy and Gold sighed and reached inside his coat to reveal the dagger...the dagger with his name on it.
"What the?" asked Leroy and before he could even comprehend what was happening, Gold hid the dagger again. "What are you playing at?"
"Let's make a deal," said Gold walking forward and Leroy was frozen on spot. "You get to save Dopey if you promise to watch over Belle."
That was the last thing Leroy had expected to hear. "What?"
"Don't make me say it again because you perfectly well heard it," said Gold. "Do we have a deal or not?"
"You tell me what's going on first," demanded Leroy. "Nobody in this bloody town cares about us ordinary folk and just a few hours ago you were one of us, not in the loop until the bloody pirate attacked you."
Gold sighed and turned his attention to their surroundings, his gaze far away. "Ms. Swan wishes to get Hook back from the Underworld and since my blood opens the portal, I'm being dragged along."
"And you agreed because?" asked Leroy. "You know better question, why are you asking me to watch over Belle? Do this thing for the Charmings and then come back. You're always a slimy bastard who manages to dodge the bullet loads of times now."
"I don't think there's any dodging this time around," said Gold.
"What are you playing at Gold?" asked Leroy. "Come on, you're asking me to look out for Belle like you're not coming back and you're just willingly saving the man who wanted you dead for centuries. What gives?"
"Emma will tell Belle I'm the Dark One if I don't help her," replied Gold but Leroy didn't buy it.
"Oh that is not it," said Leroy, getting up close to Gold's face. "Even if Emma tells Belle you're the Dark One again why is it that this sounds like a suicide mission for you? Like the one you did with Neverland?"
Gold sighed. "Because I'm staying in the Underworld to trap all the previous Dark Ones there forever. So they won't be trouble anymore for anyone, especially for her."
Leroy's eyes widened. He knew there was some sort of plan but he had thought that it was self-sacrifice. Gold was going to sacrifice himself to finish what he had started, riding the world of the Darkness. He was going to be a hero and suddenly Leroy's surprised turned into anger.
"So you're willing to sacrifice yourself and leave Belle just so you can be a hero," accused Leroy.
"I'm no hero," began Gold, barely a whisper. "I'm a coward. I'm taking the easy way out because I have nothing to live for."
"What are you talking about? Belle came back!"
"But she doesn't love me," said Gold. "She never had. She loves the idea of me being someone good, someone she could be proud of. I'm not any of that. I'm just a coward. As much as I want to change for her, I can't. I've tried and failed. How many times do I have to break my heart when the truth is this, I'm not good enough for the woman I love."
"Gold are you really an idiot?" asked Leroy. "She loves you!"
"She loves the man she thinks I can be," said Gold.
Leroy stopped and studied Gold. He looked as though he had already given up. This was a big turnaround from Rumplestiltskin, the Dark One that he was used to.
"Say I do promise to watch over Belle," began Leroy. "Are you also asking that I don't tell her what you plan on doing? Because brother she deserves to know the truth. You don't need to lie to make her feel better. Don't give her the 'you wanted power' thing because even if it gives her an excuse to hate you, it's not fair."
"She does deserve the truth."
Leroy waited for him to add to that but Gold remained silent. "Oi, I am not going to tell Belle."
"I'm not asking you to," said Gold. "I'm going to tell her and I'm giving her an option. I left a potion that will take away her memories and feelings of me. She can finally have the adventure she always wanted."
"Belle won't be happy without you," said Leroy. "As much I don't like it, she's happy, truly happy with you."
Gold remained silent and then started to walk away. "Take care of her, Leroy."
"Gold," called Leroy. "You have to tell her."
"I left her a letter," said Gold not turning back and Leroy resisted the urge to throw anything at him.
"A letter? You need to do this face to face!"
"I told you," said Gold stopping but not turning back. "I've always been a coward."
As Leroy watched his retreating form, he knew that Gold wasn't a coward. He was a big idiot yes but not a coward. Just the total opposite.
Leroy turned to the pawn shop again. Belle must have found the letter by now.
"You wanna go over there?" asked Moe. He's been studying Leroy for the past few minutes, glancing between the dwarf and the pawnshop.
"Gold asked us to look after her," said Leroy. "That starts with helping her decide."
"She decides her own fate," replied Moe. "I can't really ask her to stay here after all she's been through."
"Then what do we do?" hissed Leroy.
"Hope that she makes the right choice."
Thank you for showing me that. For believing that a coward can be a hero.
I love you, Belle. Goodbye.
Rumple
Belle stood in the shop, both hands on the letter Rumple had left on the shop counter with a vile of what she now assumed as the potion and their now fixed cup. Correction, her fixed cup because the man she loved broker her trust once again and decided to leave on a suicide mission because he thought it was best for her.
Belle felt her legs give out and she found herself on the floor, still holding on to the letter. She leaned back on one of the shelves and stared at the last part of the letter. His name.
She didn't know how long she stood there staring and thinking about him when pure anger erupted from deep within her. How dare he? After everything they had been through, after all the heartache they have faced because they never told each other the whole truth...how dare he do it again?
How dare he decide that leaving was what was best for her? How dare he decide that she would be better off leaving Storybrooke and forgetting about him? How dare he decide to make a sacrifice to save her life without telling her?
She crumpled the letter in her hand in anger and threw it as far away as possible. She buried her head in her hands and cried. It was both her anger and despair for the man that she loved that drove her to tears. She should have known something was up. She should have known that he had a reason why he didn't want her to say goodbye at the lake.
"Belle?"
She didn't even notice the bell above the door ring as her father and Leroy entered the shop. Her father immediately kneeling beside her and taking her into his arms.
"I'm so sorry Belle," whispered Moe. "I'm sorry."
She didn't couldn't find any words to say and she just continued to cry on her father's shoulder. Leroy looked at the counter and sighed in relief to see that the potion was still there, untouched. He saw the letter in a crumpled heap a few feet from them and went to retrieve it. He knew Belle would want to have it, after she's calmed down a bit because Leroy knew Belle was going to make the right call.
Moe helped her daughter to sit at the cot located at the back of the shop. He sat beside her while Leroy took another chair and sat in front of them. Belle had stopped crying and just continued to hug her father for dear life.
"Sweetheart," began Moe but the rest of the words went dry in his throat. What should he say? He truly didn't want her to leave Storybrooke but he didn't want her to continue on suffering as well.
"You still in there sister?" asked Leroy softly and Moe didn't know if he should glare at the dwarf or not. The small gesture might have done the trick anyway as Belle sighed and relinquished her hold on her father.
"I am," whispered Belle. "I'm sorry. Did you two need something?"
The two men exchanged glances and immediately Belle understood.
"He told you," said Belle, staring at her father. "And you let him go?!" The increase in strength and volume of her voice surprised both men but Moe snapped out of it quickly and placed both his hands on her shoulders.
"We tried to talk to him, but Gold is a very persistent man," began Moe.
"Make that bastard," said Leroy. "Talked to Granny too. Asked the three of us the same thing, to look out for you."
"He shouldn't have troubled himself seeing as he doesn't really care," hissed Belle as she stood and walked to the front of the shop. Moe and Leroy scrambling to follow her.
"But the thing is, he does care," said Leroy. "Look I know you're mad about him being the Dark One again-"
"I'm not mad that he's the Dark One again," shouted Belle, glaring at Leroy. "I'm mad because he didn't tell me!" She then took the potion from the counter and Moe and Leroy made to take it from her. "I'm mad because he keeps thinking and deciding what's best for me like I'm some delicate little girl who can't decide what to do with her life. Well how's this for little Belle!" She threw the potion hard, not really aiming and Moe and Leroy heaved a sigh of relief as the bottle shattered as it hit the closest wall and the potion spilled uselessly to the floor.
Moe and Leroy turned to each other and laughed. "Someone should remind the Dark One that nobody decides her fate but her."
"That privilege is mine," said Belle as she turned to Moe and Leroy. "I'm going to find a way to bring him back and he is going to receive the bollocking of his existence."
She headed to the back of the shop to look through some of Rumple's books about the Underworld and about the Darkness. She was already reading through some of them in the library and know she needed more books. She was surprised to see that her father and Leroy followed her, offering a hand to help.
"Taking these to the library?" asked Leroy as Moe picked some books up.
"Some of the books about the Dark One is already there," explained Belle. "I'm taking the books with reference to the Underworld, maybe find a way to communicate with them."
Moe smiled hearing Belle sound a little like her old self. He and Leroy helped her get to the library with all the books and when Leroy offered to help with the research, Belle raised a questioningly glance at the dwarf then at her father.
"Let's just say, Gold has surprised all of us," offered Moe as an explanation. "Besides, he is important to you."
"Yes he is," said Belle with a small sad smile.
"He did it to save you, Henry," said Moe. "And to protect you."
"I read the letter," said Belle, turning to grab a few books. "I know, Papa. But the thing is, he should realize by now that we're stronger together. I don't need protecting. I need to help the people I love."
Moe smiled and placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Then let's get on with it."
"I really do not understand people and their desire for magic," grumbled Merida as she sat with the others in the library and opened a new book. Belle was surprised that a lot of people offered to help with the research about the Dark One and the Underworld.
Merida, who of course was still in Storybrooke because the people who had the ability to get her back to the Enchanted Forest was not in town, offered to help as well as Tinkerbelle and Astrid (although it was a secret from the other fairies). Aurora and Philip had also offered their services as well but what surprised Belle the most was when Ashley Boyd, asked if there was anything she could do to help.
"Take it as my apology for helping trap him before the curse," said Ashley. "And as my sorry for pepper spraying him and giving him a slight concussion."
"Thank you," said Belle.
"I get why he did it," replied Ashley. "After I had Alexandra, I would do anything and everything to protect my child and to find my way back to her."
"It's not just about a child of your own," said Merida from one of the tables. "For that man, I think it's a bigger picture. It's about family."
Belle nodded remembering the letter that her husband left and how he explained that his actions were to protect his grandson.
"You're right," said Belle. "Rumple cares about his family more than his own well-being."
They settled into a comfortable work silence, the occasion sound of a page being turned was the only sound in the library.
"I wish Mulan was here," voiced Aurora all of a sudden. "I hope she and Ruby are alright."
Merida, once regaining her memories, had told the others about her encounter with Mulan and with Ruby. This gave Granny a bit of reassurance and was glad her granddaughter was safe.
"I'm pretty sure they are," said Merida, closing yet another book and grabbing another one. "I fear for anyone who gets in their way, actually."
"Delivery!" called Granny as she entered the library. "My our research group has increased in number. Astrid, Mother Superior is looking for you and Leroy vouched for you."
The young fairy's eyes went wide and groaned. "I don't which one would give her a worse heart attack, me finding a way to get the Dark One back to Town or me hanging out with Leroy."
"I would wager the research," said Tink. "But at least you can get away with hanging out with Grumpy now, Astrid."
Astrid groaned as she covered her head with her hands. "You know if you just live in the convent with us, it might not be as unbearable."
"As long as Blue still has that stick up her arse," said Tink, taking the offered food that Granny handed her. "I would say no, sorry Astrid."
"I'm glad she wasn't my fairy godmother," began Ashley. "Though, I didn't really meet her. Gold called her the Yellow Fairy and that nobody really mourned her."
"Yeah," offered Astrid. "She and Blue never really did see eye to eye and mostly people hated Blue but they despised her."
"Why was that?" asked Aurora.
"Well the Yellow Fairy was always bragging that she could hold the White Wand of Authority," began Astrid. "It was the Queen Brighid the Bright's wand and legend says that only her chosen ones, the White Ladies as we've called them, can wield it. Blue is one of course but she doesn't really brag about it."
"Why not?" asked Belle, not really seeing Mother Superior as a humbly type of being.
"Don't know but her face seems sad every time the White Fairy is mentioned," explained Astrid. "That's what we call the Queen Brighid the Bright."
"Maybe it's because of Gwenwyfar," said Tink and Astrid gasped at her. "What? It's not like she'll pop up if I say her name. She's been dead for who knows how long, Astrid."
"Who's Gwenwyfar?" asked Belle and Astrid's wide eyes turned to her.
"Please don't say that name," whispered Astrid in fear. "It's like that villain in the Harry Potter books."
"And like in that book, 'Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself'," said Tink. "Astrid, the Queen of Darkness' reign on all worlds ended millennia ago."
"And yet Blue still watches over the Black candle like it'll ignite again." said Astrid.
"Care to enlighten the whole class?" asked Ashley. "Or do we have to have Belle scour through all the books Gold has on magic and fairies."
"If there is Queen Brighid the Bright," began Astrid. "There is a Queen of Darkness. They say there was a great war back then and that the fairies backing the Queen of Darkness wanted to enslave humankind. The White Fairy, with other magical beings, stopped them and ended the genocide of human magic users. From what I heard, even Nimue fought alongside Merlin and the White Fairy."
"What happened to the Queen of Darkness?" asked Merida.
"Blue knows but she won't tell anyone," said Astrid. "All we have is her reassurance that the Queen of Darkness won't be anyone's problem."
"Is she that horrible?" asked Ashley.
"I'm that old and I've heard stories that scared me when I was a little girl," said Granny. "Usually the fairies could handle her, but then she turned to terrorizing humans and absorbing the magic of human magic users."
"What does she have against humans with magic?" asked Philip.
"From her point of view," began Tink. "Humans weren't meant to have magic but because of magical objects and of course Merlin and Nimue drinking from the grail, humans were granted powers."
"As the Queen of Darkness puts it," began Astrid. "She was just righting the wrong that humans did."
"Humans aren't slaves," began Belle, her tone different from the usually and Granny was the one that picked it up. Her position to enslaving someone was very clear, especially with what happened to Rumplestiltskin during Zelena's terror days.
"Very true," said Granny looking at Belle and giving her a small smile. "No one, no matter what or who they are, should be forced to do things."
Belle nodded and studied her companions. Who would have thought that the small group in the library could come and work together to help a man who once upon a time, terrorized their lives.
"Belle!" came the sudden call from Merida and Belle turned to her. "I had a sudden idea. We're not just searching a way to get Rumple back from the Underworld right? We're also looking for a way to communicate with them."
"If we can, yeah," said Belle, walking up to the red-head archer. "Do you have something?"
"Not here," said Merida. "But back at home, the witch gave me a pouch of magical ale that I used to summon my father's spirit from the Underworld so I could talk to him. But I had to pour over his grave."
"Well who do we have buried here?" asked Tink. "Maybe we can pass on a message to the rest."
Belle thought for a moment but then the answer jumped at her. "Baelfire!"
While Belle and Merida worked on creating the magical ale, the others continued to do research on trips to Underworld and whether or not a soul was a price to pay for such a trip or can anyone trapped there without necessarily dying could still escape.
They had been doing it for some weeks now and Granny decided that they needed a proper dinner. As they all gathered in the diner, Astrid and Tink both felt the change in the magic surrounding the town.
"What is it?" asked Belle as both Tink and Astrid swayed.
"It was the same feeling when the fury came for Robin," managed Tink, holding her head in one hand and the other steadying her on one of the chairs.
"That would mean the portal is open wouldn't it?" asked Ashley. "Maybe you should head to the lake."
Belle wanted to object but Merida grabbed her arm and proceeded to leave the diner with Leroy, Tinkerbelle and Aurora. Philip and Ashley would get Astrid back to the convent.
As the small group arrived near the lake, Belle's heart immediately leaped to her throat. There he was standing with Emma near the edge of the lake, looking back as the boat headed back to the Underworld. He was there. He was alive. He was home.
"Rumple?"
She'd know those brown eyes anywhere and that smile he had only reserved for either her or Baelfire. She gladly returned the small gesture and finally urged her legs to move, to run towards her husband. She saw him take one step forward but then his expression changed and he suddenly turned. Belle felt the magic in the air as Rumple shoved everyone out of the way as Darkness once again surrounded him.
"No!" screamed Belle as the Darkness solidified into a form of a woman, dressed in a black cloak and covered in green scales. From the pictures she found during her research, she knew this was Nimue.
Belle could tell that Nimue was whispering something to Rumple as she held him with the tendrils of Darkness. She could see her husband struggle and she tried to come closer but Leroy held her back. She saw Emma and Regina try but where flung back by Nimue's magic.
"I am going to consume your soul, Rumplestiltskin," taunted Nimue. "And with your last conscious thought, I am going to kill every single one of your family with your face. The last thing they will see is you crushing their heart. And just as you breathe your last, I'm going to show you their bodies, their lifeless eyes looking at you, telling you it's all your fault."
Belle could see Rumple frantically pulling on the Darkness that was holding him in place as Nimue laughed. "There's nothing you can do Rumplestiltskin. Do you know why? Because you don't have the Darkness anymore. And without the power, you, Rumplestiltskin, are nothing."
Belle felt all the air leave her as Rumple locked eyes with her. "I am not nothing. My name is Rumplestiltskin. I am a grandfather. I am a father. I am a husband." Belle could see all the love on those brown eyes looking right at her, right into her soul. "I was never nothing. Excalibur!"
"Rumple!"
The sword appeared on her husband's hand and he drove it through him, piercing Nimue's chest as well.
"If I have to kill myself to protect the people I love, then so be it!"
It was as if it was in slow motion. She was back on Main Street of the town, watching as Rumple plunged the dagger into his father and eventually himself and Belle was powerless to stop him. Just like now as Rumple twisted the blade in his chest and Nimue's scream pierced the night of Storybrooke. White and dark magic surrounded the pair, dissolving in an explosion of pure white light and what remained was Rumplestiltskin, his arm still holding Excalibur through his chest. With an effort, he removed the sword and staggered back, falling to the lake before Emma or Regina could catch him with their magic.
Belle watched as Emma made to jump to the lake and fish him out but Regina held her back. She used her magic to find him and slowly brought him to the surface, Excalibur still clutched in his hand. Regina gently put him down and Belle ran to him.
"Rumple," said Belle, choking back her own sobs. She took his hand and brought it to her face. "Rumple, please…"
Rumple blinked, but his eyes were growing heavy. "Belle...love...you."
"I love you too," whispered Belle through her tears. "Please don't…"
But he had closed his eyes and Belle scooped him into her arms and held him close, crying into his shoulder. "Rumple…"
"Can't we heal him?" she heard Emma above her..
"You remember what Merlin said," replied Regina and Belle could hear the crack in her voice. "A wound from Excalibur cannot be healed."
"Unless it chooses to be."
Belle's head snapped up. She knew that voice….the same tone when he had complimented her on being clever. Belle's eyes landed on Merlin as he made his way towards her and her husband. Not too far behind him where some familiar faces. Peter Pan and Cora...and another woman who Killian had described to her before...Milah.
Merlin knelt beside her and offered a reassuring smile. Belle nodded and gently lowered Rumple back on the ground.
"Excalibur chooses its own miracles," said Merlin, as he placed a hand over the wound on Rumple's chest. It glowed white and Peter Pan joined in, as well as Milah and Cora. Emma and Regina, following suite and stretching out their own hands. Belle's eyes widened. The wound was healing, slowly, but it was healing.
"It needs a push," said Merlin all of a sudden as Belle turned to look at him. "You need to help us with that, clever one."
"How-" began Belle but suddenly knew what he had wanted her to do. She looked at Rumple and gathered up her courage. This had to work. He had no right to come back only to for him to die in her arms. She was going to fight for him, no matter what. She leaned forward and kissed him, putting all her faith and love for Rumplestiltskin in the kiss and those healing Rumple felt the surge of power and with their combined effort, managed to heal the wound.
"Why isn't he waking?" asked Henry, from her right where he was standing with David.
"He needs the rest," explained Merlin. He waved his hand over Rumple and Belle felt the same feeling as when the Apprentice had done the same gesture to Rumple back in the shop. "I'm sorry to do this to you again, Belle. But I've put him under a stasis spell. He needs to gather his strength, and learn to harness his power."
He turned to the group and began to speak but Belle focused on her husband's pale face. He was breathing, unlike before when the Darkness was pulled from his heart and his chest barely rose. Belle laid a hand on his chest just to reassure her that she was alive. She felt it. The small beat of his heart, the gentle rise of his chest.
"What do we need to do?" asked Emma, the question bringing Belle back to reality.
"For now?" said Merlin as he studied his grandson. "Get him to the hospital. I'm sure his magic is healing him still but your world's wonders can help. Although, I'm sure that Victor might rub it in my grandson's face that he had science for help."
A small smile found its way on Belle's face. Yes, her husband would probably groan in frustration at the thought of needing to be in the hospital. But Merlin himself had suggested it...wait did she hear right? "Did you say-"
"Yes," said Merlin with a smile. "Rumpelstiltskin is my grandson."
Regina cleared her throat and Belle turned to her. "It'd be easy to magic him to the hospital." Belle nodded.
"I'll leave you to it." said Merlin. "I have a few things that need my attention before heading back to the Underworld."
With a nod to them, Merlin disappeared in array of white smoke.
"Grandson?" asked Leroy as the others made their way to recently returned heroes. "Gold is the grandson of the greatest sorcerer of all time?"
"Details later," said Snow. "We need to get him to the hospital."
"We'll meet you there," said Regina and Belle nodded to her. Regina stretched her hands over herself, Belle and Rumple and in a cloud of purple smoke they were transported to the ER. "Whale! Emergency!"
A wave of activity was heard as Victor emerged from a room and locked eyes with Belle. Immediately he was kneeling by Rumple's side, shouting orders to the other Hospital staff. Regina gently coaxed Belle to get out of the way of the medical staff and Belle let herself be dragged away as Whale and some nurses laid Rumple on a gurney and wheeled him away.
