I can not apologize enough for the long, long, longgg hiatus.
However, I will be posting new chapters of this story, at least one chapter per week, but possibly more!

I've become so wrapped up in this story lately and I really hope my break has shaken off the writers block!
So, no more rambling. I hope you really enjoy the rest of this story!

Rumpelstiltskin fidgeted in his grand armchair, shifting his weight constantly. Belle was fighting against a small confident smile that was threatening to spoil her poised and powerful demeanor. The jittery imp raised his elegant hand into the air.
"Well, dearie, As you seem to be determine to pry into my life, what is it exactly you want to know?" his voice was smooth this time, almost musical. This pricked at Belle's confidence, she gazed at the roaring fire briefly to compose herself before she interrogated the mischievous Dark One.
"As I stated previously," she began, "I do not believe you can be all bad, Rumpelstiltskin, You were merely a man once, were you not?" The young woman looked straight into the eyes of this dreaded creature, making him shift uncomfortably in his chair once again. A shrill chirp came from the imp, before he quickly stood up, pacing back and forth in front of the grand fireplace, an elegant spin and he was facing her once again, coiled like a spring. Belle ignored his attempts to make her uneasy. "an answer would be appropriate." she stared at him again, impatient and curious.

"I was a 'mere' man," he hissed, adding emphasis to show his disapproval in her choice of vocabulary. "I was a father, a husband.." he paused, a subtle shift in mood spiked Belle's interest further. With a slight jump and another flourish of hand gestures, his persona came flooding back.
"Are you hoping to find my weak spot?" he chirped.
"No." Belle answered sharply. "You know where I have come from, I think I should know the same of you, Rumpelstiltskin." Rumpelstiltskin was puzzled by the inquisitive girl. He smiled wickedly before leaning closer to her.
"I shall indulge you.. Belle." Her name caught his throat once again, instantly he attempted to cover his blip with a shrill giggle. Dancing back to his chair, taking a seat once again. He gestured for Belle to continue with a flick of his wrist.
"Well if you were, in fact, a regular man, How did you become this... thing?" The young woman was embarrassed by her lack of knowledge but held her nerve, staring straight back at the odd imp. He leaned back in his chair and grinned.
"This 'thing'? Didn't anyone ever teach you manners?" he giggled again, his eyes sparkling in the light from the dancing flames. Belle chewed on her lip as a flush filled her pale cheeks. "I became, The Dark One, dearie, because power drives this awful world, Didn't you know that?" His tone became condescending and Belle's temper began to bubble inside her.

"Power, Rumpelstiltskin, comes from love." she hissed. "You seem to revel in hate and misery, which is no existence for any creature." The Dark One was shocked, yet intrigued.
"Such confidence for such a little thing." he retorted.
"I know my mind, and my heart, and that is something I take pride in." she spoke this time with sincerity, which once again, left Rumpelstiltskin feeling confused and somewhat bashful.
"You may think that for as long as you like, Dearie, but you will not find love here." his tone was quiet, pensive even. Belle was captivated by his sudden calm, but all too quickly his erratic mood was dark once again. "I have had enough of this nonsense." the imp said in a very matter of fact manner. Belle's brow knit in frustration.
"We had a deal Rumpelstiltskin!" her voice betrayed her, she could hear her own desperation. The imp stood up and turned away from her without a second glance and continue towards the doors of the large drawing room, pausing briefly he turned towards her,
"The deal, young lady, was your company in return for answers to your questions. And I have grown bored of both." and with that, he left the room.

Belle was left in the grand room bewildered and uneasy. The imp had sparked her curiosity and she was determined to know his past. She had to know just why he was like this. She watched the elegant flames jumping and swaying in the fireplace, as the time ticked by she was churning over all her interactions with The Dark One, hoping she could decode his odd behaviour, but it was hopeless. Dragging herself up from the comfortable armchair she crossed the room and slipped out through the large double doors into the hallway. The house was deathly quiet, beautifully ornate but eerie and intimidating. She quickly moved from hallway to secondary drawing rooms, up staircases and through corridors. Belle slumped against the wall, it was useless, she was lost in this vast palace. Belle knew that Rumpelstiltskin would not take kindly to being interrupted simply to help her find her bedroom, so she continued through the huge home.

Eventually she found herself at the base of one of the many towers in the palace, carefully she made her way up a narrow winding stone staircase, she knew that her room would not be here, but she decided to take advantage of the free time to explore. As she neared the top of the staircase, golden light shone into the tower through a small glass window, the light seem to guide her into the middle of the impressive room. Her eyes widened in delight at what she discovered. Books. Thousands of them. All neatly placed on huge shelves that covered the walls, from floor to ceiling. Many were old, tattered and ripped, where as others were pristine and brand new. The collection seemed to span every genre, every era, every event or possibility was recorded in their pages. She quickly scanned over a shelf on the north wall of the room.
"Extraordinary" she whispered to herself.
"Oh it's nothing, Dearie!" A voice followed by a shrill piercing laugh took Belle off guard. The young woman turned quickly, straining her eyes, searching the shadows for the figure she had become accustomed to.

Rumpelstiltskin showed himself, stepping into the golden ray of light from the small window, he bowed courteously, before straightening up and watching Belle for any reaction. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes examined the imp. The golden light made his seemingly scaled skin glint and sparkle. His hair was messy, coming to just below his sharp jaw line. He was beautiful, she thought to herself, not in a prince charming conventional way, but beautiful none the less. The imp cleared his throat trying to cease the silent standoff.
"What are you doing?" he questioned.
"I.. I got lost.." Belle frowned, her vulnerability disappointed the young woman.
"It's a very large castle.." Rumpelstiltskin replied, instantly cringing at his unnecessary statement.
"Yes.." she said quietly, "Your palace is very grand indeed." a red haze filled her cheeks.
"Would you like to take any of my books to your sleeping quarters?" the imp sounded sincere and soft, which made a small smile emerge on Belle's face. She nodded politely and offered a warm smile to the strange man.
"I would like that very much, Rumpelstiltskin." The girl gracefully stepped toward him, instinctively the imp stepped back, causing Belle to blush violently with embarrassment. "I'm sorry.." she began, but before she could speak another word, The mischievous Dark One was prancing around the room, pulling copious amounts of books from the shelves.

After a bizarre hour of relative normality pouring through different books, deciding which to take from his very carefully chosen selection, Belle picked three books. They were tales of far off lands, with princes and princesses finding their happy endings.
"If there is anything else you would like, please, do not hesitate, take whatever you need." The imp gushed. Belle smiled at his sudden warm demeanour, gathering her books, she smiled and took a confident step towards the nervous looking all powerful Dark One, leaning over she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you, Rumpel." she cooed before leaving the room and continuing down the stairway.

Rumpelstiltskin traced his fingers over his cheek where she had placed that polite little peck. His eyes were wide and his heart was thudding loudly in his chest.
"Rumpel.." he muttered to himself. Repeating the clipped name over and over in his head. Belle was tugging at the emotions he had deserted for so long. He paced back and forth for a short time, before pulling an old wooden chair out from under a small table, covered in books he had suggested for Belle. He sat down and leaned back in the chair, rubbing his brow with his index finger and thumb. 'This will all pass.' he told himself, 'She is tricking you.' his inner monologue continued, 'She wants to escape from you, it's only a matter of time.' Rumpelstiltskin picked up an old tattered book, launching it across the room he stood up and stormed out of the tower library and down the stone spiralling staircase. Up the hallway he continued, knocking any item in sight to the floor, ornate vases, suits of armour, anything at all in his path was torn down.

Eventually, with a trail of destruction behind him, he reached Belle's sleeping quarters. He was filled with contempt and ready to send Belle back to the dungeon for toying with him, but as he stood by her door, he could hear whimpers and soft cries coming from inside. Again, long dormant emotions attempted to stir inside The Dark One, his rage turned to sheer panic. Standing by her door, her fought to decide if he should enter, and if so, what exactly was he going to say to the young woman inside. Rumpelstiltskin smoothed out his jacket and straightened his posture, he knocked 4 times, then listened intently for any response, but nothing came from inside.
"Belle..?" he called. "Belle.. I..", his mind was blank, "May I come in?" the imp hissed at his own befuddlement. But still no response came from inside. Carefully he turned the door handle, peering through a small gap he saw her elegant silhouette in the lamp light, "Belle? Are you alright? I thought you might be in distress.." his words were soft, sincere and achingly sad.

Rumpelstiltskin opened the door, just enough to slip into the room. Belle was standing at the window with her back to her visitor. Quickly she tried to wipe her puffy eyes before turning to face him.
"I do apologize, I did not mean to disrupt your night." her head was bowed and her tone was vulnerable. Something inside Rumpel was desperate to reach out to her, to make her smile, but his inner darkness was taunting him again. 'She wants to leave.' it cooed to him. He grit his teeth and stood tall, walking slowly into Belle's room.
"Do not apologize, Dearie.." he replied quietly, "Are you unhappy? Do you wish to leave?" he asked, wiggling his fingers by his side as agitation tugged at his voice.
"No." she replied quickly. "No, I have made a deal.. and everything comes with a price.." she quoted, "but I did have dreams.. but now, well, I suppose I no longer have any dreams." her voice was strained and Rumpelstiltskin could see the tears threaten to fall from her innocent eyes. His heart was thumping against his chest again. He could feel old emotions bubble up all over again.
"But what about your books?" Rumpel tried to change the topic, he simply did not know how to comfort this fragile flower.
"Oh, no, I am very grateful.." Belle said quietly. "I would have preferred to see the world with my own eyes, that is all.." her voice faded out as tears began to win their battle, falling gracefully down her porcelain cheek.

The Dark One frantically skipped across the floor to were Belle stood, he waved his hand in the air with his usual elegant flare.
"Then perhaps you should join me on my next outing!" he giggled with excitement at his proposal. "I need a few ingredients from the nearby forest.. You, Dearie can help me gather them!" Belle was taken back yet again by his erratic shift in mood, but his request did brighten her spirit.
"I think I would very much enjoy that, Rumpel." her smile warmed his heart and he could not help but return the gesture.
"Yes, very well then, it's a deal!" he shrieked. A long finger was held in the air, "Rumpel.. Rumpel..." he muttered to himself. "I don't think that name will work Dearie.." he shook his head slowly from side to side, before thrusting his arms out into the air, "I am The Dark One." he stated confidently. Belle simply smiled and stepping towards him, she curtseyed and bowed her head.
"Of course, Dark One." she teased. Rumpelstiltskin rolled his eyes and looked at the young woman before buckling. He stood with his hands behind his back, allowing Belle to place another small kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Rumpel." she pulled away and this time spoke clearly and politely. "Supper will be ready within the hour, please be in the drawing room." she smiled warmly and hurried out of the room, her smile widening as she made her way to the large kitchen.