Rumpel did manage to come down out of his tower for the promised meal. The smell of lamb had everyone's mouth-watering at it drifted in and out of every room, torturing the two men shamelessly.
They were almost like two young boys sitting down to a feast when Belle called them. The men seemed to let down their inhibitions around her somewhat, especially Rumpelstiltskin who had been so aloof and cold with her before, now seemed almost happy if that was even possible,Jefferson talked up a storm while they all stuffed themselves merrily, a seldom seen smile even crossed Rumpelstiltskin's face, one which he promptly lost when he noticed Belle was watching him , but they were enjoying themselves that was for sure while she sat back in self-satisfaction at the meal she had prepared, basking in their unspoken praise. Their actions spoke louder than words, it was almost as if they had all been living together for sometime rather than she had only spent one night in their presence. This was the way families acted Belle thought, for she had never really had one. Belle's smile slowly transformed into something sadder as she noticed the sun dipping lower into the horizon as they all sat back stuffed with stew.
Jefferson noticed her glance out the window at the waning sun then watched as her head dropped, she sat staring at her hands for a moment , lost in thought. Jefferson could just about guess what that thought may be. "So Miss Belle," His voice sliced through the silence, " Where will you go when you leave us, do you an exciting destination in mind. If you do then you simply must tell, Right Rum?"
Rumpelstiltskin kept his eyes on his stew, never looking up, he briefly wondered if he shouldn't just disappear in a cloud of smoke, with his bowl of course, that way he wouldn't be subjected to the hatter's annoying questions or sad puppy dog eyes from the girl sitting at the table looking so forlorn that he was sure Jefferson would break out weeping himself in sympathy with her when he found out what Rumpel already knew, that she had nowhere to go.
"I, uh hadn't really given much thought to a destination, I've concentrated on just getting away and staying away." Jefferson looked appalled and Belle was sorry she had said anything, she should have just kept her mouth shut. She looked over at Rumpel for his reaction but found him rather unresponsive, looking at his bowl, chewing his food quietly, trying to look as if he weren't listening.
"It's not so bad really, I've been gone for almost a month and living outdoors...well, it's great, I love it." Belle noticed Jefferson's look of disbelief and frowned, she was never any good at lying. "Belle it's turning off cold and believe me, I've slept outside in nights such as these and it is anything but pleasant let me tell you, so you can't fool me. No way are we going to let you go...tonight I mean, are we Rumpel?" He looked over at Rum expectantly, "Well?" Oh great, he just wasn't going to let this one go was he? Rumpelstiltskin sat his bowl down just a little too hard, making Belle flinch slightly. His eyes were full of intensity as he leveled his gaze on her, making her shiver slightly, but ignoring Jefferson all together. He licked his lips, still tasting the stew on them, before wiping his mouth with his napkin lightly, "this dinner may warrant you another night here if you wish." Belle could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest as he continued to stare with his bird like eyes that held her captive. She felt in fear of him but just the slightest bit curiosity as to why he looked so different, was it the magic? Belle remembered vaguely that an old woman lived right outside the village by her father's castle and everyone claimed she was a witch who could do magic, but she didn't look anything like the sorcerer before her, was dark magic so different?
"Well, it is getting dark, perhaps another night here and I could leave right after breakfast." Jefferson was delighted, any more time with Belle was welcome as far as he was concerned, he didn't give one whit what his grumpy castle-mate thought about it.
Belle and Rumpelstiltskin finished their meal in silence as Jefferson promised to take her on a tour of the castle after they were done, but Belle had other plans. "I would love a tour Jefferson but I have a few things that I need to tend too first if I'm leaving in the morning."
"Such as?" Both Jefferson and Belle looked over at the Dark One when he voiced his question. Belle cleared her throat softly before continuing, "Well, I need to wash my outfit, it's the only one I have and, well, I was hoping that I could use your well or maybe some lye soap. Belle felt suddenly conscious as both Jefferson and Rumpel listened intently although Rumpel kept his hooded expression as if he were only mildly tolerating her. "Of Course Miss Belle, I can give you everything you need to fix you up as soon as your done eating." Belle smiled happily at Jefferson, "I appreciate everything you have done" she looked over at Rumpel who was slowly chewing his food staring at her, his eyes narrowed a bit when she smiled at him, "the both of you, I mean."
After supper Belle began gathering the dishes with Jefferson's help, they cleaned up as Rumpelstiltskin retired to his spinning wheel in silence. "Does this pump really always carry hot water? it's so wonderful, how do you do it?" Jefferson would have loved to take the credit, but he couldn't. "Magic, Rum does it somehow. There is even hot water in the washroom but that's nothing compared to the tub." Belle's eyes lite up, "You mean you don't have to carry water from the well up to the tub?" Jefferson laughed, my but she did look adorable when her curiosity was peaked. "I told you, he's quite a handy room-mate to have around." Belle ran her hands under the water Jefferson pumped into the large sink full of dishes, "Yes, I think I'm beginning to understand, but why is he so..." Jefferson guessed what she might be trying to say,"mad all the time?" he tried to finish her sentence. "Well, I was going to say sad" she said, "By the way I wanted to ask, who is the boy he draws, I saw pictures up in the tower..." Jefferson finished with the water as he began rolling up his large flowing sleeves so as to not get water on them, while he helped the little beauty finish her task, "Well, that would be his son. He says he lost him in some tragic accident, but personally I think there is a lot more than he is letting on. Rum likes his privacy, he really doesn't speak of it and in case you hadn't noticed he prefers solitude to company. Don't take it personal Miss Belle, I think he likes you, if not he wouldn't have let you come two-steps through the door in the tower or graced our presence tonight. It's quite the big deal although I'm sure he would deny it if you went to asking."
Belle listened in silence as she did the dishes, letting The hatter rinse so they could be done and on to cleaning her traveling outfit. Pants really didn't seem very lady like but they were more practical than dresses when out on the road, but she still preferred them. wearing men's clothes didn't seem right for a woman to Belle.
Jefferson showed her a very advanced laundry room that was complete with a ringing apparatus that made getting the water out a snap. Jefferson left her to her own devices as she filled the large tub with water out of the same miraculous pump of never-ending hot liquid as was in the kitchen. She truly felt kind of foolish with nothing else to put on while she washed, except her dressing gown that she wore last night, knowing she would have no choice but to put her wet clean clothes back on to go to her room then try to dry them by the fireplace, but it was a small price to pay to be wearing fresh, clean clothes. Hurriedly Belle shrugged off her outfit, slipping on her gown as she scrubbed at her clothes till her fingers were red and pruney from the soap and hot water. It was so much better with the hot water versus the cold and a snap with the ringer Jefferson had rigged up. Before long she was back in her wet clothes, she felt soggy as she climbed the stairs to her rooms, but better.
Belle opened the door to her rooms and after locking it she immediately took off her wet laundry, placing them close to the fire. She took a chance on what Jefferson told her about the tub. She clapped her hands in bliss as the tub filled with hot water with just a turn of an odd looking handle located at the end of it. With a sigh of delight Belle slipped down in the hot water, relishing in the warmth of the tub. It felt like it had been years since she had taken a proper bath, opting instead for a quick dip in an ice-cold lake or pond when she could. After a long soak she used a few viles of sweet-smelling liquid on her hair before rinsing off and finding a rather large drying towel. She had never seen a bathing room so lavish, even in her father's castle.
She exited the washroom wrapped in her large towel, her wet hair hanging down loose and wet, to find that someone had been in there. They had to be, for laying on her bed was a dress. Belle couldn't believe her eyes as she picked it up, examining it. it was beautiful, with white puffy sleeves and a blue bodice trimmed in a forest brown ribbon gracing the top. She felt the soft fabric between her fingers as she held it up to her form, pleased that it looked like a perfect fit. She wondered which one of them had a dress just lying around that they were willing to let her borrow, surely they hadn't given it to her. She must thank them, it was the proper thing to do. She quickly go dressed and pulled her hair back with a matching ribbon that she found on her bed and made her way down the stairs to the main hall where she had last seen the men lounging.
Jefferson was staring at the fireplace thinking of their pretty little house guest as he sipped his tea with the sound of Rumpel's spinning wheel twirling in the background. The squeaking of the wheel had become a welcoming presence in the evenings and since Rumpel was not a great conversationalist, the creaking wheel kept the deafning silence away, for both of them. His head turned at the sound of the doors opening and his jaw dropped at the sight of Belle in a beautiful blue dress. " I didn't expect you down here Miss Belle" he said as he stood up. It was proper manners to stand when a lady entered a room. He looked over at Rumpel who hadn't even acknowledged her presence."I must say you look as lovely as a spring day in that dress, I thought you said you had no other outfit, but here you are in a delightful little number." Belle blushed as she basked in the man's praise. "Well, I found it on my bed, I came down to thank you for offering it to me untill my traveling clothes dried."
Belle could tell from his puzzled expression that it was not the hatter that had supplied the dress. Her eyes went to the Dark One as he kept right on with his task as if his life depended on it, making a point of not looking at her that was painfully obvious. Belle walked over to the spinning wheel, listening to it as it rolled around, she liked the pleasant sound it made as well. "Do I have you to thank for this lovely gown, Rumpelstiltskin?" her voice was soft, almost as if she didn't want to be overheard by the other man who sat watching them from over by the fire. Rumpel glanced quickly at her in the dress before turning back to the wheel, "I see it fits. I just happened to have it and thought..." He didn't get to finish his sentence before he felt her warm little hand touch his shoulder. "Thank you." Belle felt him stiffen at her touch, no one had dared touch him in a hundred years and now this slip of a girl who by all rights should have been terrified of him, showed no fear, none what so ever that he could detect. "It was no matter." Belle smiled, that was probably the closest to a thank you as she was liable to get, as she watched the fireplace cast a different light on his features, making his scaly skin shimmer in the darkness before casting him in shadow once again. she stared at the turning wheel for a few minutes before turning her attention back to the hatter and the fireplace. Much to his relief the hatter saw her approaching him and offered her a cup of tea which she took.
She took a seat in a chair by the Hatter who sat on a sofa sipping his tea. "Jefferson?" He turned to smile at the sound of his name, "Hum?" Belle took a sip of her tea, "I was wondering, there are so many unique things here at Dark Castle, you wouldn't happen to posses some kind of map would you? I know it is a rare item, but if I could find one it would help me in planning where to go next." Jefferson stood up and offered Belle his hand. "We happen to have a very interesting thing I would love to show you that may help. come with me Miss Belle."
Belle followed Jefferson out of the hall without a backward glance at Rumpel and as he led her to a room down a corridor Belle was surprised to find a wall completely covered in the most detailed map of all the kingdoms. Her eyes lite up in astonishment, "How ever did you come across this Jefferson? It's the most wonderful thing I ever saw, truly. My father would kill for something so grand." He smiled at her child-like wonderment at the map, "Sadly I cannot accept any credit for this Miss Belle. It happened to be here when I came. I'm not sure where Rumpel acquired it from, when I found it, the whole thing was completely covered in dust. I was just as surprised as you are now when I first came across it." Belle hardly heard him as she examined it, running her finger over her father's kingdom clearly outlined on the wall map. "Fascinating" she said quietly. "Belle, I haven't said anything to Rumpel yet but I was wondering if you wouldn't stay here for a while." Belle turned suddenly to the hatter, Belle tried to understand what he was saying, "Here Jefferson? You want me to stay here at the castle?" Jefferson reached for her hand which she allowed, "I hate to think of you wandering aimlessly about out in the wild woods all alone. It's a wonder you haven't been kidnapped or killed. Please consider staying here with us...with me." He took a step closer to Belle. She felt her face heat up at his nearness. he caught a strand of loose hair around her face before soothing it back, "Just untill you have figured out where you are going, or untill I can convince you to stay forever."
Belle felt trapped in his eyes, they were mesmerizing as he seemed to be getting closer to her. "What would your friend have to say about this, I'm quite sure he would mind." Belle felt like she would be certainly lost in his eyes if she didn't tear herself away right now, she looked down at their joined hands. Jefferson lifted her chin with his fingers, "I will make him understand, I guarantee you that he will agree."
"WILL you?" both of their heads jerked toward the sound of Rumpel's voice as he stood propped up against the frame of the open door. Belle let her hand drop from Jefferson's grip as the Dark One walked into the room, keeping his eyes on Belle. "Oh Rumpel, even you couldn't let this woman go tearing off into no where, she's days away from the next town and has no one, surely you can spare another room." Rumpel raised his hand to silence Jefferson while he kept his eyes firmly established on Belle's blushing face, she was not used to so much attention, especially from the two eccentric men. "I'm not running an inn as I have said, but a deal can always be struck when two people have something that the other wants." Belle tried in vain to keep her breathing even under his commanding gaze. Why did he have such a profound effect on her when he looked at her that way, like he wanted to devour her alive. Her voice sounded odd to her own ears as she spoke, "Do I have something that you want? If I do please tell me."
Jefferson's smile quickly turned into a pouting frown as a smirk appeared on Rum's face at the girl's question, "Dearie, I think you could be useful, that is certain." Belle bit her bottom lip as she tried to hold his gaze. "I could cook and clean while I am here, as payment of course." Rumpel looked her up and down, "Of course." he replied before looking for the first time at Jefferson. "This one here is completely useless as you might have guessed by now, I'm sure you can teach him a thing or two before your on your way, hopefully you can improve his cooking skills if nothing else." Belle snickered as Jefferson looked positively insulted at Rumpel. "Well at least I put forth an effort, thank you." Rumpelstiltskin pretended not to hear as he turned and walked out the way he had come in with Belle watching him leave, throughly intrigued with him.