Defiance

Rumple hadn't slept. He might have to leave this village, the only place he was familiar with in the entire world. A part of him was petrified at that thought, but another part was very curious and exited. Miss Locke thought it would be terrible if he couldn't return to the farm, but he was not so sure if he shared that sentiment. There wasn't really anything to keep him here. Perhaps a journey with the merchants, an opportunity to learn a trade, wasn't so bad. But he would have to wait until tonight to find out what would be his fate.

During the day, he wanders out on the fields. He takes care not to go anywhere near Master Adair's farmhouse. When he gets near the forest, he hesitates. It might be unwise to enter on his own. A small fire in the distance lures him into the dark woods nevertheless. As he comes closer to the light, he notices that it's Adair and his following. They appear to have built a raft and have gathered some provisions. As Rumple listens to their conversation, he suddenly realizes that, unlike the other boys, both Aengus and Aidan are not displaying pure admiration for Adair. They seem put out and, jealous, maybe. That's interesting, he thinks. Being the pariah of the village, it never occurred to him that insiders might have their own issues.

As the group is preparing to return to the village, he keeps very still. He decides to leave when the boys have gone, because they might see him if he leaves first. Aidan and Aengus are hanging back a bit, and Rumple is close enough to overhear them speak. "He always wants to have things his way," Aidan is complaining. Aengus nods in agreement. "He thinks he's the big leader, father's first born and heir, everyone's favourite…" "I don't like having two older brothers either," Aengus complains. "They always do everything without me, get to see the world, go to war…" "You know what we should do?" Aidan whispers, "Take the raft ourselves, leave them all behind; that way we'll be the heroes!" "Just to two of us?" Aengus says surprised. "Isn't that, you know…" He doesn't actually say the word dangerous, in case Aidan thinks he's afraid. "Who else do you want to take along?" "I don't know." "See, we'll go together."


They've just finished dinner, when Joseph Waterhouse knocks on the door. Miss Locke greets him and he enters the shabby hut. "So, not to beat around the bush here, Master Adair decided to give you another chance. You are an incredibly lucky lad, you know that?" "Thank you, sir, thank you so much!" Rumple and Miss Locke exclaim in unison. "Why don't you go outside now, boy," Joseph continues, "I need to discuss some matters with Miss Locke here." Rumple runs out of the house, very relieved. Having lost the chance of adventures stings a bit, but his relief is many times greater. He can stay, he doesn't need to abandon the only life he knows.

As they see Rumple running away, with a much lighter step than yesterday, Joseph continues. "I'm not certain as to why he would do this," referring to his master. "I've seen him lash out for far lesser violations. Both running away and abandoning his tools are not easily overlooked." "Perhaps, because he is a child still and it was his first day," Miss Locke offers as explanation. "No, that wouldn't matter to him. It must be something else, something else entirely…" "Have you ever heard something about, well, Rumplestiltskin's father and your master?" Miss Locke asks somewhat nervously, wondering if she should even ask such a personal question. "No, I haven't, should I have?" he asks amazed. "Just something I heard a long time ago," she deflects. "Oh, well, talk plenty in a small place like this, and that's what it is, just talk. The idea of my master, and that man…. Are cowards really men?" he scoffs. "I shouldn't put any stock into it, if I were you." And with that he brusquely takes his leave.


Rumple meets the magic practitioner, or bumps into him, literally. "Watch it, young boy, what's your name again?" the man asks not too nicely. "Rumplestiltskin." "Right, Miss Locke's young fellow." Seeing an opportunity, he adds, "You haven't been round for an amulet yet, have you? I would have remembered." "No, that's right," Rumple says defiantly. He doesn't like this man and his magic. Frankly, he's a little scared of him and his bulging eyes. "Your Miss Locke got quite a good one, I recall." "She's not my Miss Locke." Rumple rolls his eyes. The man ignores his behaviour. "I could get you one for tending to my garden," he offers slyly. Rumple hesitates. "I can see you are interested, you cannot hide your inner thoughts from me, you know…" He continues, "The herbs in my garden need tending to early in the morning and late in the evening. I cannot always be bothered myself, but it's a vital job nevertheless. Fortunately, there is usually someone desp… ," he coughs loudly, "interested enough to assist me." "No, thanks, I can defend myself," Rumple answers far more bravely than he actually feels. "Your loss young fellow, your loss indeed," he shakes his head, puts a look of terror on his face and mumbles sinisterly, "You'll wish you'd taken my offer soon, very soon…"