Another
By RosexKnight
For her daughter's sake, Colette tries to bargain with The Dark One…
Chapter Three ~ Bargaining
He wasn't coming. The realization hit Colette the moment the last syllable of his name slipped from her lips for a third time. That couldn't be right. Legends said he always came when called three times.
One minute…Two…Three…Four….Seven.
He wasn't coming. But then again, why would he? She doubted he'd wish to make a deal with her. Especially since he's released not only Belle but Gaston as well. He had more than made up for any grief he may have caused, and a new happiness would fall over the kingdom. Still, a mother knew when her daughter was unhappy. And she had never seen Belle so out of sorts than these few days she'd been back. She almost looked out of place in her room. As if she didn't belong there anymore. And now she was to marry Gaston? Colette couldn't bear the thought of her daughter unhappy for the rest of her life. Better an old maid than with a man who did not have your heart.
He'd sent Belle away. Released her from his grip. Didn't that count for something? Colette shook her head, closing her eyes and beginning again.
"Rum-"
In an instant the world had shifted around her, and a tingling sensation prickled her skin uncomfortably.
"I heard you the first three times, Dearie."
Colette went rigid. His voice was mocking, the same sing-song he'd had in his tone when he appeared to help them with the ogres.
When she opened her eyes she realized she was no longer in the stables, but instead in a grand hall. The main meeting room of a castle. A fire burned absently in the hearth, two chairs at it. A long table stretched across the floor before her set with two chairs at it. Beside the open window on the other end of the room was a sitting couch and end table. On the other side of the window a spinning wheel, and at it the little imp that had come to take her daughter away half a year ago.
Two. Pairs of everything, she noted. Always two.
"Well? What do you want?" He asked, not even looking at her as he spun the wheel. Though his voice indicated she had no room for error here, "I gave back the girl. I even threw in her little knight in shining armor for you. Would you like her wrapped in golden silk as well?"
"N-no." Colette managed, daring to take a step closer. If her daughter could face The Dark One, couldn't she as well?
"Then what?"
His tone made her stop short. The taunting sing-song in his voice evaporated completely. It was an annoyed almost...snarl. Her very presence annoyed him. Suddenly this seemed incredibly tenser than she'd have liked.
Colette swallowed her fear. "She is to marry Gaston in three days' time."
Rumpelstiltskin scoffed, but the stopping of the spinning wheel did not go unnoticed by the mother. "Well I certainly hope you didn't call to offer me an invitation. Ew."
His mocking tone was back, and she relaxed a bit "No I..." Something downed on her as she searched for words. "You didn't come."
"What?"
"When I summoned you. You didn't come. You-"
He was on his feet in an instant, the stool he was sitting on clattering harshly against the stone floor. She blinked, and his hand was suddenly hovering over her throat.
"Watch it, dearie." He snarled. "Your daughter isn't here. Neither is her blasted knight. I have no more business with you. Why would I have done you the grace of coming to your land?"
"Because she's marrying Gaston in three days." Colette insisted, her body unable to move despite her wishes to step backwards.
She'd pictured this differently. But then again books were always different. Why wasn't he understanding?
He took a step back, and she felt air rush back into her lungs without her knowing they needed it. Magic? Or was she just holding a breath?
"And how does this news affect me?"
The woman shook her head. "Because my daughter loves you. Doesn't that mean anything at all to you?"
A glimmer of anguish whipped behind his eyes, there and gone in an instant. Something only a mother would notice.
"It does not." He said firmly, as if trying to convince himself of that too. "The foolish girl knows nothing of real love. She reads too many books. Besides, wasn't this the original arrangement? She gets her knight and you get heirs? Land? Troops? Riches?"
"Yes of course but things have changed."
"Nothing has changed. And we no longer have any business."
"You love her too."
The words had tumbled out like water from a faucet. The look that Rumpelstiltskin gave her made her wish she'd held her tongue. Had Belle ever gotten that look? The gaze filled with malice for something she wasn't sure was just her?
He couldn't deny it. Wouldn't. Two chairs? A place at the window for two? No.
This time his hand did reach her neck, and he squeezed, his long nails taking against the skin of her cheek and nape. Not enough to break skin. Yet.
"I don't suppose she'd love me very much if I killed her mother. Who speaks so out of line to me." He tightened his grip and she squeaked. "Eh?"
"You won't." She choked, her hands trying desperately to loosen his grip on her. "You won't dare to."
He tossed her away like a sack of flour. She stumbled, hitting the wooden table so hard it made her side sting.
"Don't you call upon me to tell me what I will and will not do!" He was yelling now, Colette below him, gasping for air. "You may be the daughter of that wench but I-"
"Don't you dare call my daughter a wench you beast!"
Her sudden motherly tone made Rumpelstiltskin falter for a moment, and Colette took the opportunity to stride forward.
"You took my daughter from me. You made her work as your caretaker. And you broke her heart. Now she is going to be condemned to a life of unhappiness because of you." As Colette proceeded forward, the imp moved backwards, stopping only when he bumped against his spinning wheel. Now he saw where Belle got her fire. "She cried herself to sleep in my arms seven nights ago because of you Rumpelstiltskin and I will never forgive you for that. But this…Is The Dark One really so cowardly that he will not face his caretaker? Or is it that Rumpelstiltskin is so cowardly he cannot face Belle?"
His fingers tightened around the wheel so hard it was a wonder he didn't snap the wood. "You gave her to Gaston before our deal was struck! I've put you right back where you started for her sake!" He snapped, his voice riddled with anger and desperation. "I was helping!"
Colette had a feeling he truly did believe that.
"She does not love Gaston she loves you." The firmness of her voice surprised her, and Rumpelstiltskin gave her a frown. As if he were a child getting scolded. A silence stretched over them. "And you love her too. Why else would you bring me here rather than appearing? You didn't want to risk seeing her again. You still have the castle set for two hoping she'll come back. And now you're simply giving her away?"
Rumpelstiltskin remained silent, giving Colette a glare so hard she thought he'd have her burst into flames at any moment. However, whatever fear had been in her belly had evaporated, replaced with nothing but parental concern. He turned, unable to look at her. This woman was her mother. And looked too much like her for him to face now. Especially like this.
"I'm giving her what she needs." He said quietly, his tone losing it's harshness and becoming more…human. "Her best chance. It's with her knight. Not a monster."
"She doesn't want a knight. Belle is far too good for something so cliché." Colette stepped away from him, suddenly realizing what had happened. A prickle of fear ran through her spine, but he made no move for her. No wave of his hand to turn her into a toad. "And it's not what you want either. Are you really content, knowing that she'll be with another?"
"She could never love me."
"And yet she does. I see it in her every time someone brings you up. She...lightens." Rumple snorted, and it made Colette frown. "She'll be with another. If not Gaston then someone else. She has a line of suitors so long it could wrap this room three times."
The spinner remained silent.
"With another." Colette repeated, trying desperately to make him see. "In his arms. In his bed. Wearing his ring. Bearing his children."
"Enough!" He snapped.
The fire suddenly blew out, and a chill fell over the room. Colette took a step back, new fear bubbling in her belly now that her anger had vanished and she could no longer see him.
"A parent knows when their child is in need, Rumpelstiltskin." She ventured, "And a parent will make any sacrifice for their child. Whatever deal I need to make with you. Whatever your price, name it. Just please try to see…"
"Oh no. You don't get to lecture me about sacrificing for a child, dearie." His voice was behind her now, his hand on the back of her neck harshly, making her unable to turn to look at him lest she get cut by his nails. "I know of concern and sacrifice for a child all too well."
"Please…" Colette begged, her voice unable to come but with a whimper.
"No." He said flatly. His chest gave a squeeze at the word. He knew the feeling. The sacrifice she'd make for Belle's happiness. Still, something inside of him rose, and he could not risk her. Could not tether Belle to a monster when she had a chance at the life she'd wanted. "There will be no deal."
"But—"
"Ah ah. You forget your place. I've let you have your fun but I'm afraid you called upon me for nothing." He pushed her away, giving a terrible giggle that seemed too forced "Sorry to disappoint you, dearie.
"She was right then." Colette sighed, defeated. Everything inside of her deflated.
"Hm?
"You are a man who makes wrong choices."
There was a sound from him. One of anger and familiar hurt. The woman closed her eyes, bracing for the worst. Instead, everything shifted around her again, and she was back at the door of the room Gaston had slept in. How did he know where…?
She heard voices coming from the other side of the door and understood. He'd been watching. Always watching. That's how he knew exactly when to send Gaston back. In his own way, he was sacrificing for Belle. Seeing it as giving her a better life.
Oh how wrong he was…