"You must not do this," Reul Ghorm told him. "It is a terrible mistake, and one you will surely come to regret."

King George frowned. The Blue Fairy had insisted on speaking to him this day. She was flitting about in front of him. "I cannot refuse him. Rumpelstiltskin kept his part of our bargain and so I must honor mine. Besides, the entire kingdom has gathered to witness the ceremony and celebrate our victory. Do you really expect me to go back on my word and send him away?"

"He did not aid you out of any noble purpose, what he did he did for selfish reasons."

"I know that, and I don't care. Whatever his purpose he did far more to help me than you and your kind ever have."

"Light magic is not meant for killing or for war."

"Well killing was exactly what was needed. The ogres are gone, that nightmare is over."

"Yes," the Blue Fairy said grimly. "And a new nightmare begun."

"Have you had some sort of vision of the future? Do you have something specific to warn me about?"

She shook her head. "I do not have the gift of prophecy, but it does not require foretelling to know that only misfortune can come of accepting that creature."

"So you're telling me I shouldn't trust the Dark One? Well thank you for that brilliant piece of advice."

"Do not mock me! I am trying to help you."

"With what? Empty words that only point out what I already know? That's about all one should expect from a fairy. What real good have you ever accomplished? Rumpelstiltskin has done more to help my kingdom than all you fairies combined."

"A fairy's help is given freely, our sole purpose to aid others. His will always come with a price."

"I'll pay it, so long as I get what I want."

"Then I truly hope the price never becomes more than you can afford." She flew away and out the nearest window.

King George was not sorry to see her go. People who could use magic always assumed they were so much smarter than everyone else. He was not a fool, of course Rumpelstiltskin could not be trusted. That did not mean he could renege on their agreement. The Dark One had immense power. He wanted very much to have that power used to his own ends. He would watch Rumpelstiltskin very carefully and find a way to gain leverage on him.

XXX

Milah had never imagined she would be here, in the king's castle, or that she would ever see such a throng of people all in one place. Thousands had gathered here to celebrate Rumple and to witness his elevation to nobility. She would become a duchess and live in her very own castle. She was wearing a scarlet gown and about her neck was a ruby pendant the color of fresh blood. After the ceremony there would be a royal ball thrown in Rumple's honor. It was all so wonderful, like something out of a fairy tale.

"What do you think, my love? Does it suit me?"

Milah turned away from the window to look at her husband. He was in a cloak and suit of purest white. On his hip was a belt and sword. The clothes were perfectly tailored and worthy of any prince.

They were wasted on him. That hideous greenish-gold skin ruined the effect. A frog dressed in silk remained a frog.

"Darling? Is there anything you could do about your appearance?"

"You prefer red? We could match."

"No, no, no the clothes are perfect. But… is there anything you could do about your face? Most of the people out in the crowd have never seen you. I would hate to have their very first impression be that you look like a monster."

"You know what they say about looks being deceiving, my love. Though not in this case," he smirked and wiped at his sleeves.

"You enjoy upsetting people don't you?" she asked disapprovingly.

"Oh it's not so much that I enjoy it, as I don't care. I can turn them all into snails if I like, what do their opinions matter to me?"

Milah crossed her arms over her chest. "What of my opinion?"

Rumple gave a weary sigh. He then waved a hand in front of his face. He was transformed back into the man he had been before. "Better?"

She instinctively glanced at his feet.

Giggling he twirled about effortlessly for her. "It's only an illusion dear, nothing's changed."

"Does that mean you could make yourself look like anyone you wanted?"

His lips turned down. "There someone you have in mind? A certain pirate perhaps?"

"Of course not! It was just a question."

"Just idle speculation, eh? This is the face of the man you married and of the man who fathered Bealfire. It should be good enough."

She wished that were so. She truly wished she could love him. Milah never had, but at the beginning she had liked him. He had been a good man and had always tried his best. But she'd never felt anything for him. He'd always claimed to love her, and had been the best choice among the young men who'd courted her.

Then he'd crippled himself and she'd come to loathe him. And now that he could put the world at her feet she found she could not change her heart. All she could do was pretend and enjoy those things he could give her.

"It is more than enough my husband, you look very handsome." She saw him relax and knew he was mollified. She went over and placed a gentle kiss on his lips and slipped her arm into his. "Shall we go, my darling?"

He gave her hand a light squeeze. "Yes."

XXX

When they entered the courtyard every eye turned in their direction. The people all thought they looked the part of the heroic savior and his loving wife. When Rumple knelt and swore the oath of fealty the people cheered long and loudly. He truly was their hero.

Milah was proud of him. Even if she could never bring herself to love Rumple, on that day she was truly happy.