CHAPTER FOUR

Hope surged through Rumpelstiltskin as he stared at the seed in the palm of his hand. So I wasn't dreaming. It's all real! She is so close but how do I release her from that tower? Reul Ghorm told him to look to Regina for his answers. He wished he knew exactly what he was looking for, and as if on cue, the blue fairy flew through his open window.

"Good morning, Rumpelstiltskin," Her eyes opened wide at the smile on his face. "You are in rare form this morning. I don't think I've ever seen you smile before. Sneer, yes. Smile, no."

"Your sarcasm won't faze me, Dearie. I must have wished for you again. Otherwise you wouldn't grace me with your presence." His expression darkened. "You lied to me. You told me Belle was dead."

"I said nothing of the kind. I told you she was out of your reach."

Ah, a legality that would have made me proud if I came up with it. "True, but we quibble over words. How do I release Belle from her prison? She's living in a dream world."

"Yes, she is. She's in the land where dreams come true. You have most of your answers already. And some of them lie with Regina."

He smirked, not keen on exposing himself to Regina more than necessary. "There is nothing else I can do?"

"Of course there is. But you must take a great risk."

"What kind of risk."

"You must bring your dagger with you."

He paused, certain to which dagger she referred. "If the wrong person gets hold of that dagger it will be the end of me."

"Do you think Belle is the wrong person?"

"No… well, I hope not." Shamed at his doubts, he pleaded with the blue fairy. "I must take this dagger with me to the land where dreams come true?"

"Yes. You'll know what to do with it when the time comes. Then hide it quickly again to protect yourself." She flittered towards the window. "I must go now. Sleeping Beauty needs me. Her prince is carousing with drunken lords again and the poor woman is miserable. Don't forget to look to Regina, no matter how unpleasant the task may be. Some of your answers lie with her." Before he could respond, she flew out the window and out of his sight.

He wasn't keen on confronting Regina but he saw no other recourse. If he was to have Belle back in his life that meant taking a few unpleasant risks. And dealing with Regina was one of the more unpleasant ones.

He bathed, dressed, and wandered into the square. His Belle was so close he could nearly feel her in his arms! His heart soared so high with joy he didn't even pester the locals for overdue rent. When gave a warm smile to Millicent the seamstress, she was so shocked she tripped over a chair as she carried a pile of sweaters to a table. She gave him a tentative smile and he tipped an imaginary hat at her, causing her to trip once again in sheer shock.

Rumpelstiltskin was being nice, something that never happened! His smile was warm enough to heat the countryside. For the first time in a very long time, he felt happy.

Weight tugged at his left trouser pocket and realized he hadn't removed Regina's bag of gold, originally payment to Millicent for her seamstress services. In a fit of generosity, he approached the woman, whose eyes opened wide as she backed away from him, cowering behind her stack of sweaters.

"Dearie, there's no need to look so afraid." The longer he talked, the lighter his heart felt. It was as if a great weight had lifted from his shoulders. He actually looked forward to his future, for once in his miserable life. Overcome by happiness, he did something very uncharacteristic of him – he gave away his wealth! He reached into his pocket, grabbed the bag of gold, and held it out to her.

"I believe this belongs to you. Regina paid you for sewing her dress." Millicent did not move, much to his amusement. "It's alright, I won't hurt you. I promise. Please, take it. You've earned it." He shook the bag, gold jangling within, its beautiful music calling to the young woman.

She took a few steps forward, snatched the bag, and quickly retreated to her safe spot behind the sweaters. Not once did she take her gaze from him. He giggled, full of mirth. Her fear touched him, but not the way it usually did. She looked rather comical cowering behind all that knitted wool. He eyed up the sweaters, admiring their workmanship. He pulled a midnight blue one from the pile and held it aloft. The herringbone knit was tight and expertly done. The beautiful color, the hue of the sky before dawn's light rose, would look lovely on Belle.

"How much for this sweater?" He asked.

"It's no cost to you, sir." Millicent's voice wavered in a combination of fear and amazement. "Your gold is no good here. Besides, I owe you rent."

"Nonsense, I wouldn't dream of not paying you for such beautiful goods. How much?"

"Uh… four gold?"

He handed her six shining coins. "Don't undersell yourself, Dearie. Your clothing is worth much more than that." With a flourish, he walked away from her store. "Thank you!" He called over his shoulder. "This is a gift. I know she'll love it."

He walked through the marketplace with a spring in his step and a song in his heart. Townspeople and clerks watched him in amazement, to his utter amusement, and he gave a good-hearted laugh to those who only a day earlier retreated from him in fear. He found he preferred confusion to fear. Catching people off guard was much more fun than scaring the holy hell out of them.

The crowd parted far ahead and he spied the familiar brown tresses and harried face rushing through the crowd. Regina was fast on Belle's heels, keeping his love in check so that she did not wander far.

Why did Regina let her out of her tower? And how did they get from the land where dreams come true to the village? Ah, the wonders of magic. So powerful yet so mysterious. Rumpelstiltskin shoved his way through the crowd, hoping to reduce the distance between him and Belle. Despite his limp, he made his way past the burgeoning people until he stood arm's length behind Belle. He gripped her by one arm and swung her around until she faced him.

An unfamiliar face stared at him, startled and confused. She was not Belle. She wasn't even very pretty and she had a mole on her chin. How could he have been so mistaken? Unperturbed, he would not let disappointment cloud his good mood. He knew his answers lie with Regina and his magical seed. If only he knew how to use it!

Amid much noise the crowd parted once again, and Regina strode towards him, not seeing him. Her strong-arm guards, four lumbering men with more brawn than brains, followed her. They operated on pure instinct and Rumpelstiltskin knew better than to get on their bad side. But he was in too fine a mood to let a little muscle scare him. After all, he had magical power that could easily overtake them, no matter how intimidating they were.

Regina even seemed less monstrous to him than usual. She made eye contact with him and gave him a broad smile.

"Still seeing things that aren't there, Rumpelstiltskin?"

"Oh, she's nearby, Dearie. And I will find her."

"I don't suppose it would do any good to remind you she has died."

"I won't let your lies dissuade me. And why is it that both times I've seen her in the crowds here you are not far behind?"

She flicked her eyebrows upwards and held her head high with pride. "You have quite the imagination. If I didn't know better I'd think you were accusing me of pulling a fast one on you."

"Are you?"

She laughed. "Heaven's no. Why would I do that? I don't have to pull anything on you. Your vivid imagination gives you more visions than anything I could muster."

He wanted to catch her off guard, so he asked his question quickly, changing the subject. "Have you ever been to the land where dreams come true?"

She paused for a moment, clearly caught unawares. She did not expect such a question, and she had no ready answer prepared for him. "I know the land of which you speak."

"When is the last time you were there?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because I know that's where you're keeping Belle."

Her smile did not reach her eyes. Her expression hardened, and she looked him square in the eyes, her gaze intense. "You have no idea what I do with my time, and it would be best if you don't follow me. Keep your dreams to yourself."

"Ah, so you know I've been dreaming of that land. You know I've been there. I will find her. You won't stop me."

"Do as you please. It's no concern of mine. But if I catch you stalking me I'll call my guards on you."

"I wouldn't dream of stalking you. No need to get testy."

"Well, then, on that note I must leave you. Don't overtax yourself looking for things out of your reach. And be careful what you wish for. Good day."

Out of your reach… the very same words Reul Ghorm used. He was sure Regina did not use those words by accident. He also wasn't sure what she meant by be careful what you wish for. Was that a warning or a threat? Knowing Regina, it could be both.

Nonetheless, he refused to let her statements dampen his good mood. He had a journey to complete! He purchased a fine bottle of red mead and a fat rabbit, ready for cooking. He walked home whistling a happy tune, and after a hearty meal of rabbit and fine wine, he went to a small closet behind his living room. He pulled out a narrow package wrapped in cloth from beneath the floorboards. The dagger reflected light shining through the living room windows, illuminating his name on the blade. He knew the risk of exposing his dagger to Belle – or anyone else for that matter – since anyone who possessed the dagger could control him as well as kill him.

But Reul Ghorm said he could only save Belle if he used the dagger. How, he did not know, but his true love was worth the risk.

He retreated to his bedroom and stashed the dagger beneath his pillow. Once he dressed for bed, he slid beneath the blankets with visions of golden flowers and a tall tower on his mind. Tonight he would release her from her prison. With his heart racing with excitement and anxiety, he drifted off to sleep.