Chapter IV
Enchanted Forest
"Oh no." He spoke quietly as they approached the road that led towards the manor. "I can see them. They're blocking the road. It seems our journey will be a little longer."
"How do you know?" She spoke quietly.
They crossed over the road, continuing along the edge of the forest. He pointed down the road and there lay a fallen tree on the road. "They do it to rob people." He kicked his horse into a trot. "It's how they killed my father. They block the road and hide in the trees."
"Oh I see." She nodded and held him a little tighter, trying to comfort him from her position. "So, how long will it take us to get there?"
"A day at the most. We'll have to go out of our way to get to your manor." He spoke as they trotted along. "We'll stop at noon for food and then continue on until it starts getting dark."
Storybrooke, Maine
Everyday, Rumplestiltskin visited his wife. Some days he would visit alone and other days he visited with Belle. She never went into the room as she didn't want to disturb their time together. "You would like Belle. She is very sweet, beautiful and so kind." He spoke gently and held her hand. "I miss you, Katrina. I have done ever since you left me." He sighed heavily. "But I think I love Belle. I know I shouldn't but I do." His finger was playing with his wedding ring. "I still love you."
"Mr Gold... Um... Sorry. Visiting hours are over." The nurse spoke gently.
"Thank you. I will leave in a moment." He lifted her hand close to his lips. The nurse left the room. "Wake up, my love. Please." He kissed her knuckles softly. "I shall be back tomorrow. Like I always do." He stood up, straightened his suit and left. It felt strange not having to use his cane any more. He missed bits of his non-magical life in Storybrooke but not all of them. His painful limp he did not miss. "I love you, my darling."
Enchanted Forest
When they stopped at noon, they hid within the trees. Here, Rumplestiltskin gave a yawn. "Oh! You haven't slept!" Katrina exclaimed when she caught the second yawn.
"I'll sleep when you're safe." He shook his head and pulled out some food and the water flask.
"No. Sleep now. I'll wake you in an hour. You are more use to us both with some sleep in your system than nearly falling asleep from exhaustion." She urged him. "Please. Sleep for a while."
"Here." He pulled out a dagger from his boot and held it out to her. "Just in case. If anyone approaches, wake me immediately."
"Of course. Just sleep. Please." She led him to the tree and waited for him to sit down. She watched him as he closed his eyes and was asleep within minutes. He looked so tired and it was her fault. Well, the bandits fault. She smiled as he slept. He looked peaceful again.
Storybrooke, Maine
Emma Swan had made it her duty to see if every resident of Storybrooke was coping with their memories and identities returning. Today, she was visiting the hospital and seeing if the patients and staff were comfortable. She brought Henry along as he refused to go back to Regina, who was hell bent on making sure everyone has unhappy ending.
She had reached the Intensive Care Unit, where she found Henry sitting with a young woman. He was reading to her from his story book. She now understood that all his stories were, in fact, true. She pushed open the door and listened to him. "No matter what the two of them did, they could not deny that they had fallen in love. Two people from two different societies were not meant to be together but these two were going to defy all odds and be together." He closed the book and watched the comatose woman.
"Henry?" Emma spoke and walked inside. "Who is she?"
"Lady Katrina." He smiled at his mother. "Well, that's who she was before she ran away and married a poor man." He opened the book and holding it out to Emma. "She's Rumplestiltskin's wife."
"Mr Gold's wife?" Looking down at the picture of a young couple on their wedding day. "I never knew."
"Nobody did." A voice came from behind them. "Miss Swan. Hello Henry." He gave them both a smile. "Yes. She is my wife. Right now, I am trying to find a way to wake her." He looked at Henry's book. "Does your book say anything about who placed her in this state?"
"I'm sorry, Mr Gold. Her story finishes when you marry her." Henry said as he held his book close to his chest.
"We'll leave you the two alone." Emma nodded and escorted Henry out of the room and the hospital. Once they were in her car and driving back towards the police station. "You lied to Mr Gold."
"Yes." Henry nodded and opened his book again. "I know who put her to sleep and why she did." Reading the story silently to himself.
Enchanted Forest
Rumplestiltskin had had enough rest and they were soon on their way again. "We should find a place to shelter. It will be too dark to travel any further."
"There!" She pointed to a cottage,which seemed to have no life inside. "We can rest there for the night." They reached the cottage and she dismounted. She cautiously approached the cottage but it was abandoned and empty, so she entered it.
Rumplestiltskin closely followed her. "I'll get some firewood." He smiled a little as he handed her the dagger. "Stay inside." He left and returned 15 minutes later with a load of firewood. He knelt in front of the fireplace and began lighting a fire. Soon, the whole cottage was filled with warm and light. The two sat in silence as Katrina made some soup for them both. "Tell me about your siblings." Rumplestiltskin broke the silence. "What are they like?"
She laughed softly. "Nothing like me. Well, my brothers are strong, courageous and brilliant. My sisters are beautiful, clever and everything I'm not."
"You are beautiful." He blurted out. He was so shocked at the statement that he looked away.
"No. I'm not. Well, compared to my sisters, I'm just plain little Katrina." She shrugged her shoulders as she stared at her lap. Her cheeks were red with embarrassment. She hated talking about herself and comparing herself to her sisters because they were beauties and she was not. Plus, he had said she was beautiful. Only her father had called her beautiful. Her mother always called her plain. Hence the nickname, plain little Katrina.
He knelt in front of her and wiped away the tears, that were falling down her cheeks. She had not realised that she was crying. "I have not met your sisters but you are very beautiful." He lifted her head by placing his finger under her chin. Their eyes met. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met." He knelt up and kissed her lips softly.
He pulled away and she stared at him. Her eyes wide with shock. Her lower lip trembled for a split second. "Kiss me again." She asked him as she knelt on the floor in front of him.
"Yes, my Lady." He smiled and pulled her close, his lips pressing hard against her own. When they pulled away a few minutes later, they just stared at each other, breathing heavily. "What now?"
"I... I don't know." She said sadly. Their kiss was spontaneous. But was it true love or was it just a passing fancy? Her hands still rested on his shoulders and his hands on her waist. What could they do? They were from completely different social circles. Her father would never allow her to marry him. Marry him? Why did she think that? It was impossible. Or was it?
"Katrina?" He moved closer, resting his forehead against her own. "Come back to me." He stroked her face gently.
She laughed slightly. "Sorry. I was thinking." Her smile broadening as she studied his face. He was smiling. A smile where it reached his eyes and the whole of his face seemed to be alight. "We need to rest." She smiled as she cupped his cheek with her hand. This time she initiated the kiss.
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A/N: Sorry I haven't updated for a while. Went to London for a few days to shop and see Shrek the Musical, which is AMAZING!
Responses:
LoverOfRumpelstiltskin: I dislike her because of the rumours stated in Desperate Souls. So I wanted to write this story about his wife in a good light. I just hope in Season 2 we learn more about her and what happened to her.
