As they roamed, Vora would ever-so-often clasp hands with him, and they would continue on their journey. Until they came into the center of the kingdom, where there was a market being held. Many saw the man with the golden skin. Some screamed, some ran, many feared him. He was the Dark One. The one whom parents had told children never to make contact with.

And then there was also the lamb of the kingdom. The pure, sweet girl many knew, holding hands with the delinquent creature.

As everyone fled, Rumpelstiltskin slowly mewed "No..." then louder, he cried out "No!" A tear fell down his face, leaving a line of Gold-less skin, replaced with a tan, leather-like, non-sparkling flesh tone. He held onto Vora, as she walked him into a corner, letting him try to get a hold onto what had just happened. This was devastating to him. Seeing the whole kingdom in fear, all due to him.

As he sat, Rumpelstiltskin had so many thoughts running through his cranium, he didn't say a word. His mouth would twitch out of place, giving Vora the impression that he was about to say something, but he just sat there, silent.

Remorse.

That's what over took him. He sat there, in deep remorse. "I'm so sorry, Vora..." was all that he had said.

"No, no Rumpelt." she replied. "Don't be sorry." She hugged him, as he continued "I've let so many down; You, Baelfire, John..."

"Baelfire?" she asked. "Bae...my son..."

Her face lost all expression "You have a son?"

"He's long gone, m'dear. He went away, and never returned."

He had had a son. That was almost startling news to her, yet intriguing.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry." That was when she noticed the line in his face. "Rumple...your skin, it's not gold!"

"What?" He wiped another tear from his eye. "Of course it's gold. Don't play such a harsh trick on me."

"No, no, c'mon!" She stood up, and he followed, as she ran back to the castle, looking for some sort of mirror.

When he saw it, he screamed. "I'm not gold! Only in one place, but I'm not gold! Aha! Vora!" he jumped up and down excitedly, almost dancing.

As they rejoiced, Adam came down into the prison in a rush. "Vora, what just happened down in the market?"

Her expression died. Gulping, she explained what had happened. "The people fled. They saw me with him, and they fled."

"I'm hearing stories of him threatening people and holding a dagger to your throat!" He grabbed Rumpelt by his shirt collar. "You bastard, you do anything to hurt her, I will kill you/myself/!"

"Adam!" she grasped his shoulder, "He didn't do anything! The people were scared of him, yet he didn't do a thing! We were just talking, then the screams began!" Falling to her knees, she begged "Don't hurt him, please..."

Adam released Rumpelt with a toss to the ground. As he stormed off, knowing Vora was safe, he finished, saying "Rumpelstiltskin, you remember my threat." Adam's eyes lowered to slits as he eyed the prisoner. "You're not allowed back out. Ever."

He slumped back in his cell, Vora leaning on the gate.

"Rumple...I'm really sorry." she said.

"It's alright m'dear..." He was torn apart inside. The people of his own village. People he had known his whole life, people he had known before this curse rampaged his body, his kin, all ran and screamed. They thought he was doing horrible things to Vora, even spreading rumors of him putting her under the knife.

"I'm really the one who should be apologizing. Now the kingdom thinks you insane...I'm sorry dear."

"It's okay, Rumpelt. We're both sorry. But sorry for what...Nothing. That's what." Now Vora was also a social outcast.

They probably considered her the Dark One's affiliate, or slave even. She needed to figure out a way to change their opinions on him...Somehow.