A/N: I'd like to dedicate this chapter to CharlotteAshmore for helping me. Without the advice I would've abandoned this story. Thanks, you've inspired me!
"A dream is a wish your heart makes when your fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for you keep."
- Cinderella
CHAPTER 2:Once Upon a Dream
"Then take my hand," Regina said, her hand outstretched for Belle to take.
Belle looked at her then her hand then back at her. A few moments ago, she would've taken the offer of freedom gladly but now that the offer of freedom was in the hands of Regina, she hesitated. She thought of everything she would be betraying if she did go with the queen. Aside from Rumple, the evil queen was second to the most loathed person in all the realms.
Could she hurt her father like this for the second time? Could she turn her back and choose evil? The first time was laced with good intentions. Now, her reason was solely for her well being- to survive. What would her people think if they found out?
Regina was a bit embarrassed by her confidence. She put her hand to her side. Belle is still hesitating. Well… who wouldn't? She just revealed her plan to her. Good thing se didn't go into details, or else the girl would never agree. Belle would be the highlight of her plan! She planned to kill the girl; stick the dagger in the girl's heart while Rumplestiltskin watched helplessly under her command. She was confident that if all else goes according to plan she would have him in her hands soon.
But that would not happen if Belle isn't part of all this. If she refuses then the plan would fail.
Regina smiled. "This is why it's called an option, dear," she said.
Regina turned around, her cloak flying. She wanted to let Belle think she'd leave. "Enjoy your life rotting in this cell."
Belle knew her time was up. She needed to decide now. Stay or Go. Two choices determines her fate. Stay or Go.
"WAIT!" She shouted perhaps a little too loud. For a moment she wondered if one of the clerics heard her.
"Yes?" Regina raised a perfect eyebrow at her.
Belle stepped forth. There were no more arguments between them. Regina offered her hand for her to take. Belle put up a brave front and placed her in Regina.
The world shifted around her. She felt magic seep into her being as a cloud of purple smoke engulfed both of them.
Then she felt it. For the first time in her life, she felt like her world shifted. Something inside her awoke. The thrill and excitement of being transported by magic was new and surprising. The first person who used magic on her was Rumplestiltskin. The magic was hauntingly familiar but it wasn't the same as this. She felt energized, her fingers tingled, and she felt warm all around.
When the cloud of smoke was gone- as if it slipped through the cracks on the tiled floor- her clothing changed. The white sheet that covered her body was replaced by a black dress. The pattern was simple not at all elegant. She hadn't been given any shoes to give her feet a fighting chance against the cold marble but she still silently thanked Regina for it.
"Now, I'm sure you are tired from the journey. The mirror will guide you to your chambers," Regina said before walking away from her, leaving her standing in the middle of the hall.
Regina was gone and her instruction didn't make sense. She looked around her and each frame was a mirror stretching from both sides. She was still standing on her place. A little bit shocked about what happened earlier. Something changed. She felt something there that wasn't there before. Her skin hummed, she felt sensitive all around. What happened?
Well, there's no point figuring that out in the dead of the night when I still have to figure out where I should be sleeping.
"Hello?" she called out in the now empty hallway.
No answer.
"Is someone there?"
Nothing.
"The queen said the mirrors will guide me. How?"
Still nothing.
Thinking that she was actually just making a fool of herself, Belle decided to walk right. When she steeped a foot on that direction, a face appeared in front of her.
"You're going the wrong way," it told her.
She stumbled back.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed
Her scream startled the face too.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" The face screamed back.
She backed away.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
The face seemed to do the same.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The two stood face to face, screaming their heads off in the empty hallway. Belle kept stumbling back until she stepped on her dress and fell to the floor.
THUD!
The face in the mirror disappeared.
Belle puts her hand on her chest feeling her heart beat fast. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. Where the hell did that come from?
The mirror will guide you to your chambers, Regina had said. That's when she realized that that would be the one to guide her to her chambers and she chased it away.
"I'm sorry," she apologized still lying on the floor. "Please come back."
After a few seconds it appeared again. The face was staring down at her sternly.
"It is rude to scream at someone who's only trying to help," he scolded.
She was still staring, her mouth open.
"Something the matter?" the man in the mirror asked.
She shook her head. She must've hit it hard if she's seeing this. Must be from hunger. Or thirst. Or both. She couldn't even remember the last time she ate. Maybe yesterday?
"Well, if there's nothing wrong then let us be on our way," the man began switching from mirror to mirror. As if he was walking on the other side.
Belle had gotten up from the floor but stayed her place. The man went to her. Obviously, annoyed at her lack of obedience.
"Excuse me…" He emphasized. "But one of us needs to get up before the queen does and it surely won't be you. So, please move it along."
Belle looked at him sideways and approached the mirror. Her fingers brushed the glass and then gently tapped on it.
"Do you need any help?" she asked.
"From what the queen ordered, I'm the one who should be helping you to your chambers," he yawned.
"No, I mean, are you stuck in there? Did the queen cursed you to live in a reflection?" Belle lowered her voice.
"I assure you, my dear, I am indubitably stuck here. No, I was not cursed by the queen. And I am definitely here by my own choice."
He was annoyed by the girl. If it was by different time, he would've greeted her with as much enthusiasm as hospitality calls for. But the queen woke him up in the middle of the night to escort this girl to one of the "guest rooms". Yes, he was cranky and her throwing questions at him wasn't helping.
"Oh, then you can leave whenever you want?" Belle asked again.
He glared at the girl. No, he CANNOT leave even if he wanted to. After he made the wish to be with her forever, he didn't expected to be sucked in a mirror. But love did have consequences.
"Do you want me to show you to your chambers? Or do you prefer to freeze to death here with your profane questions?" He asked back.
Belle smiled shyly at the man in the glass and bit her lip.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled and gestured for him to lead the way.
He shifted from mirror to mirror and Belle followed him. The cold ground was making her bare feet numb but she ignored it thinking she's had worse before.
The mirror came to an abrupt stop at a door. The man chanted some kind of spell then the door opened. Belle didn't had the chance to thank him when he disappeared. She waited a few seconds if he would come back but he didn't.
Letting out a sigh, she pushed the door open. Her eyes widened when she saw the inside of the room. It was bigger than her bed room, and twice as large as her previous lodging but the room was anything but luxurious. It looked like it was supposed to be a storage area rather than an actual bedroom. A little bit cramped with things that was hidden with a white cloth over them- possibly furniture. There was a single bed in the middle with 2 pillows on either side of it, and a door which she assumed led to a bathroom. It was dark and dusty, everything looked like it hadn't been used for ages. The floor and blanket was dirty but after spending the last month sleeping in a room where all the means of torture was displayed in full view for you while being tied to the bed posts every night, this looked like a freaking palace to Belle. Wow, how sad is it that I'm actually thrilled with this. She thought bewildered.
She'd expected to be put in a dungeon like her first stay in the Dark Castle. Belle went directly to the bed she was supposed to sleep in. She smiled and looked around thinking that she may be sharing this room with an unknown guest. But when there was none to be found, she dove to the bed. The bed creaked in protest at Belle's surprising dive, the covers crumpled and the pillows spilled on either side.
It smelled antique but she didn't mind. Then something sizzled in the air. Magic. It piqued her curiosity. Even when she lived in the Dark Castle she never felt that 'sizzle' in the air and Rumplestiltskin does magic in there almost every time. The given times that he doesn't, is when he is in his bed chambers- which was rarely.
She looked up and to her surprise a small dresser appeared across from her bed. It looked new and out of place from the rest of these things around her. In an achingly slow fashion, she went towards the dresser.
She opened the top drawer and found it filled with shades of black or grey. Her eyes lit up. I get a change of clothes! A huge smile beamed across her face. In the middle drawer, it was filled with plain undergarments. And on the final drawerwere two simple shoes also in black.
The dresser was obviously fit for a maid in a castle. But Belle's eyes twinkled at the new clothes that appeared in her room. She ran her fingers over each drawer, reminiscing the days when she had something much bigger than this. It feels like such a long time ago.
Oh, how her life changed drastically. From princess with profligate puffy gowns to wearing simple unaccustomed clothes. Rags to riches, it is then.
She let her hand hover on one of the handles. On countless occasions, since the kingdom was invaded by the ogres, Belle found herself in positions like this. She'd get excited at the most monotonous and simplistic things. Since she was a child, she forced herself to always look at the good side of everything. And if there was none, make one. If she was going to survive and do what needs to be done of royal blood without giving into greed, she had to keep her head up and, at the same time, not take anything for granted.
A yawn escaped her lips, her eyes got a bit droopy. It was now time to sleep. She went back on the ruined bed and laid her head to rest. Maybe now I could get a good night's sleep, she thought.
And she did.
Inside the Dark Castle Rumplestiltskin couldn't fall asleep. Well, he didn't need to sleep but he wanted to forget. When Regina told him the news of Belle's death he hoped that she was wrong but when he went to Avonlea, Regina was right. He was just in time to hear Belle's father announce to the whole kingdom that their princess was dead.
Belle was a good person. He could tell by how many people were crying at the dreadful news. As he passed by that night, he could hear groups of people testify to the kindness Belle shows. They'd share stories of how she would help aid the soldiers who fought in the battle against the ogres, how she would share what little food she could get from the castle to her people. Women, with tears in their eyes, would tell how Belle would teach them how to read and write. A girl, about eighteen summers, had told her beloved how Belle saved her from a life of a whore. But, most of all, they talked about her bravery for pledging her life to the Dark One to save her kingdom. Rumplestilskin came to a conclusion that Belle wasn't just loved by everyone, she became their light, their source of guidance. And because of him she was gone.
That added to Rumple's regrets. His heart was heavy with remorse which was why he wanted to sleep the pain away. At that moment he wanted to take his heart out and lock it in a box like Cora did but if he succumbed to the idea he'd lose his purpose. I would not let Belle ruin everything I have planned.
He knew his plan was crumbling already. His life's work will soon be altered. The future was changing. All morning he'd have visions of a woman in black. Her veil concealing her identity. This can't be good, he thought. Whoever this woman is, he needed to find her and kill her or else he would never get to the place his precious son, Bae, is.
But tonight, he would sleep. Just for tonight he'd let himself grieve from the loss. Maybe if he hadn't been so stubborn, she would still be alive. If only he had predicted that she'd die he never would've let her go. But, no, what the visions had given to him was that she would be walking away. That filled Rumplestiltskin with dread. If only he knew that he would drive her out that day.
"Belle, I love you," he whispered in the night. The wind carried the message away. He felt alone. Without Belle, he felt like he couldn't go on anymore but he had to for his son. For the first time in his life, he confessed to her the words that she wanted to hear only she would not get to hear it.
A tear slid down on the side of his face.
It was night time when she caught sight of the sea. Dark blue, with white, choppy waves smashing against the rocks of the shore, roaring like a monster. It stretches as far as the eye can see.
Where does it end? She thought.
He's coming, the wind whispered in her ear. Who? She haven't got a clue as to who he is but, somehow, she knew who is coming.
Belle walked forward and sat near the waves. Her feet was getting wet as she waited for him. I should be running far away but curiosity got the best of her. She wanted to know who he is eventhough she already had a feeling who he is.
She kept waiting… and waiting…and waiting but no one came.
Then a tune was heard from a distance. It was inconceivable at first. It sounded masculine.
"That's something there that wasn't there before," she muttered. She smiled at the sound of his voice. It was comforting.
She brought her knees up to her chest. Her head shot up. The music was getting closer and closer. Louder and louder. Something sweet, a melody, a sad melody. A mournful one. She didn't move.
"My heart, my dear, my love," the man sang each word as he emerged from the darkness.
She caught sight of him. Her imp. He was here in her dream but she didn't expect to see him so sad. The smirk that was always perched on his face was gone, replaced by tears and tiredness.
He hadn't seen her yet. He was too busy looking at the sky. How the stars had shined so brightly in the velvet sky. A long time ago, he overheard a dying father say to his child to look up in the sky. The sky, in all its vast glories, holds those who have fallen. The father said to his daughter to look up in the sky and think of him. He promised to always watch over the girl.
Rumplestiltskin wondered if Belle was one of those stars looking down on him. A song made it's way to him.
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Why is your distance oh so far?
Tell me, tell me, do you hear my cry?
Because, oh dear, I fear I cannot fly.
Oh my, you are such a sight
Of brilliant bliss and gallantry
Oh my, you are such a light
Of brilliant tears and agony
You bring, my dear,
This fear I fear
That True Love is lost
In the darkness that I boast
Please heaven be inches near-by
Because, oh dear, I didn't say goodbye
Please come back into the night
Because, oh dear, you were my light
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Do you see my novel scar?
Tell me, tell me, can I see you smile?
Because, oh dear, my light is blight
Belle walked slowly towards him as he sang. Rumplestiltskin was focused on the song that he didn't see Belle crept up behind him. When the song was finished hands wrapped around his torso as the person pressed herself against him. Belle hugged him closer, inhaling his scent. Rumple turned to face her and nuzzled her neck. She had missed Rumple so much this almost feels so real. Both of them knew this was a dream so they submitted into each other's embrace.
"I love you, Belle," he confessed. "I love you and I miss you terribly. I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry."
"Hush," Belle comforted; her fingers smoothing comfortably in his tangled hair.
Rumplestiltskin tightened his grip on Belle and cried. How pathetic was it that he was seeking comfort in someone that has no chance existing ever again. Belle was dead. This is a dream that came to haunt him. To taunt him of what he had lost.
Belle fought back a sob. He never seen him this broken. She was confused of it all. He let her go. He didn't love her. True Love's kiss didn't break the curse. So why was he sobbing in front of her apologizing like this?
"My spirit longeth for thee, within my troubled breast, although I be unworthy of so divine a guest," Belle quoted. The quote escaped Belle's lips. It just felt like the right thing to say in this nighttime abyss.
She's quoting books now? He chuckled. Rumple tilted her chin so she would be looking at him.
"Of so divine a guest, unworthy though I be, yet has my heart no rest, unless it comes from thee," he replied.
Belle tilted her head. This IS a dream, there was no way the Dark One would quote. I don't think Rum even knows them. All he studies are spell books. It's still a good dream. The best I've had in months.
"You're here," Belle laughed. They lied in the sand together. Their hands covering the other persons hip, legs tangled together. Belle noticed the Dark One had softer features. He looked as if a man in love. His eyes shined with adoration for her, his tearstained face turned up in a sincere smile.
"Belle, I'm sorry you died because of me. I'm sorry I left you. I'm so angry, Belle. I am so unbelievably angry. I have done so much evil, spread so much darkness… but this feeling… this emptiness inside me begins to grow. I failed you, Belle, and all I can think about is how much you had gone through because of me, and how there is nothing I can do about it," Belle cut him off.
"I-I died?" she questioned.
"And it's all because of me," he confirmed. Rumplestiltskin ran his hand on the side of her face, caressing her gently.
Belle took hold of his hand, her thumb drawing circles along the back of his hand. This is a dream, of course, he'd say that. That's a strange thing to say… Well, maybe I can make him say something else!
"Say it again," she whispered.
"What would you like me to say?" Rumple asked.
"Say that you love me again… You… You said it before," she said.
Rumplestiltskin smiled at this creature before him. The woman that was his true love was right in front of him. He didn't care whatever force brought her to him he only prayed she'd never leave.
"I love you, my Belle." He said it. He loves me. Belle couldn't find her voice to say it back. She was shocked that Rumplestilskin loved her.
"You love me," she stated. Tears of happiness formed in her eyes. At least in her dreams she'd get to hear the words he could never say in the daylight.
Rumple held her face, nodding at her words, "Yes, Belle, I love you."
"I love you too, Rumple," she confessed. A giggle escaped her lips as she pursed her lips. Rumple couldn't hold back his own happiness at hearing her say those words. He joined her laughter.
They looked into each other's eyes. The night passed in silence, lost into the sincerity of the words that settled between them, as they shared this sweet dream.
A/N: Sorry for the late update. Believe it or not, I forgot my password on this account because of the fact that I never log out of fanfiction. What's even worse was that I forgot the password to my e-mail that I used for this account so this chapter was originally 3 pages long but because of the late update I decided to extend. You may have read there that Rumple had visions, I just thought that the fact that he CAN see the future is something that I haven't seen put into writing before. Do you know any stories that talks about Rumplestiltskin's foresight? I really want to read some of those.
The song Rumple sang was a poem made by a hopeless romantic known as my cousin. It was entitled "Black Star." And I may have changed some words in the poem to fit the scene. I don't think she had the original piece posted anywhere in the web though. If you want to read her stories, her name here is MsDayDream.
Lastly, the quote exchange was entitled My Spirit longeth for Thee by John Byrom. I just thought that since Belle reads too many books and Rum has a freaking library with hella books they should quote some of them so pretend those kinds of books or poems are available in fairytale world. I'm not sure though if I'd give a story as to why they quote books from the real world so as for now pretend those kind of books exist in fairytale land.
Until next time!
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