Rumpelstiltskin [to Belle, about the pillow]: "It's not to help you sleep, dearie — it's to muffle the cries so I can get back to work!"

Chapter Three

(prompts - silence and darkness)

For seven days, he kept her locked up in the dungeon. It was cold and it was dark. Belle was lonely.

At first, there was only a small pile of straw on the dusty floor for her to sleep on. It wasn't comfortable. The straw was course against her skin. Belle missed her silk sheets. She longed for her soft blankets in the palace at Avonlea. She daydreamed of her warm, comfy bed.

As she stood in front of the barred window, taking in the dying light, a bed appeared. It was as soft as a kitten's fur. Belle climbed in and burrowed beneath the blankets. The bed was so cozy. She smiled, knowing that Rumpelstiltskin had sent it to her. Warm feelings burst inside her heart as she thought of him. He really wasn't so bad after all.

When she'd been hungry, a small meal of cheese and bread had appeared at her bedside... and when she was thirsty, a serving tray had materialized as if from out of the darkness. Tiny, delicate cups were upon the tray, accompanied by a steaming kettle of tea. How had he known that the tea was her favorite? It was as if the Dark One were reading her thoughts.

She blushed when she presumed he could read her innermost thoughts and that was how he was answering her every need. Did he know that she was full of longings? Did he know that she ached for the sound of his voice? She was so intrigued by the Dark One. She was fascinated by his laugh. She wanted to talk to him. She wanted to ask him why he had brought her to Dark Castle. What were his plans for her? The thoughts were dancing through her brain as she remembered his words and his mannerisms. When she had asked his intentions toward her, he eluded that he might want a physical relationship with her. If he did, how would she survive his touch? And if he never came to retrieve her from the dungeon, would she die of loneliness?

The questions kept her from resting comfortably. As she lay upon the very soft bed, Belle began to cry. She missed her father. She missed Avonlea. She missed her friends. And most of all, she was missing the Dark One. Where was he? And why did he leave her locked up in the dungeon?

Her sobs became louder as they tore from her soul. The blanket became soaked with her tears. She was missing her mother's hugs. Her mother had died saving Belle's life. In turn, Belle had made a deal with the Dark One to save Avonlea from the ogres. She had made a tremendous sacrifice, She had agreed to leave with the Dark One... and as a result, she had been locked in the dungeon. She had been presented with food, tea, and a nice, soft bed, but she didn't want those things. She suddenly realized she wanted MORE. She wanted the Dark One. She wanted him. She longed for his touch.

WHERE WAS HE?!

Suddenly the door was thrown open. She looked up with tears sparkling in her eyes. Through blurry vision, she saw Rumpelstiltskin in the doorway. He had an exasperated look upon his face.

"What is this incessant crying?" he demanded. He didn't look none-too-happy. "It's distracting me - I'm trying to spin."

"I'm sad," Belle said in a whimper.

"All you can do is cry?"

"Well, yes!" she replied in a chastising voice. "I miss my family and friends... I agreed to come here with you, but you left me in the dungeon. Why- why did you lock me up?"

"I have my reasons," he said. "But we can't have you crying all the time... It has to stop. NOW."

Suddenly he waved his hand and a silken pillow appeared. He handed it to her. "Maybe this will help," he said.

"Ohhh thank you," she said. "Maybe now I can get some sleep."

The Dark One rolled his eyes. "It's not to help you sleep, dearie — it's to muffle the cries so I can get back to work!"

And with that, he turned on his heel. He was gone before she could respond. Once again, she was locked up in the cell. Belle hugged the pillow as she settled down upon her bed. The Dark One had come to her when she needed him. He had brought her a pillow, just as he had made the food, the tea, and the bed appear. He was softening to her. She knew it. It wouldn't be long at all until he decided to let her into his world. When he came for her, she would be ready.

~*~o~*~

Rumpelstiltskin returned to the great hall and his spinning wheel, but he could not concentrate, not at all. The crying had stopped, but even so, all he could think of was her. He could hear her breathing. He could feel her moods... and sometimes, he could hear her thoughts. They were racing through his head faster than the spinning wheel could spin. She was hugging the pillow and thinking of him.

Damn! He wanted her! From the moment he heard her voice calling out to him, he had desired her. And when he had laid eyes on her, he had seen her courage and her determination and he knew he had to have her. She would be his. It was just a matter of time.

For now, he was fighting it. He spun the straw into gold because it helped him to forget. For a moment, he forgot the beautiful young woman he had locked up in the dungeon. But only for a moment... then all at once, the desire came back to him, ten times more intense.

His leather pants tightened against his crotch. The Dark One groaned. It was time to alleviate some stress. The straw wasn't helping him to forget. The gold shimmers only reminded him of her gown and the way it clung so sweetly to her curves. He wanted to touch them. He wanted to tear away the gown and lay her on the great table. He wanted to cover her with his caresses. He wanted to-!

Soon. Soon, she'd be his.

But for now, he would have to take matters into his own hands. She wasn't ready to lie with the Dark One. He must prepare her. After she got used to him and his wicked ways, then he would take her.

"It's forever, dearie,' he said as he stood up and left the great hall. He was headed up the staircase, toward his bedchamber. It would be upon his bed where they would consummate their union. Belle had promised she would stay with him forever. He intended to make sure she kept that promise.

He'd never let her go. He had lost everything and everyone who had ever had meaning to him. But she was his to keep. She'd never leave him. Of that he was certain. She would soon discover what it meant to love the Dark One.

"Belle," he murmured as he shed himself of his clothing. His golden skin was gleaming as he lie down upon his bed. He thought of her soft lips and her creamy skin. She was his - his forever.

He could hear her voice as he wrapped his hand around his cock, stroking it, As he fondled his length, he brought himself just to edge of a climax. He whispered her name just before he reached his summit. He sent her a kinky thought as he erupted, splashing his throbbing flesh with the essence of his seed.

In the dungeon below, Belle was curled up with her pillow, dreaming of him. Hot, passionate thoughts made her shudder. He had sent her the dream. It was just a taste of what was to come. She thought she heard him whispering her name. She thought she felt his touch upon her body as he caressed her skin with his calloused hands. Suddenly then, it ended as abruptly as it started, and Belle was left in a state of arousal.

When she awoke, she felt restless and unfulfilled. She stared into the darkness, wondering about her dream. It had been so real. She could have sworn she had heard his voice, just as if he were in the dungeon. But now, there was nothing but silence.

She wondered what would happen if she said his name three times. Would she summon him to her side? "Rumpelstiltskin, I summon thee," she called out to him in her mind. She waited, but he didn't appear.

Where was he? And when would he let her out?

She didn't like waiting. Belle was very impatient. She wanted to know what was expected of her, now that she was here. Surely he wouldn't keep her prisoner much longer. She needed to be free. Most of all, she needed him.

She was drawn to the Dark One. He fascinated her as no one had before. Belle suddenly realized why she had agreed to his deal. She had wanted to save Avonlea - that much was true... but there was so much more. Her heart had other intentions... for it knew that Avonlea wasn't the only thing in need of saving.