a/n this chapter is not too different from the original chapter because bae is mostly mentioned rather than present, but since this is a rewrite of the original story, its bound to happen some but I still hope you enjoy it. Also, the history between Rum/Milah/Bae will be different than the show bc obviously if Milah had just left then Rum nor Bae would care to have another woman in their life. Thanks so much for reading and I will try to keep updating on a regular basis until the baby comes :)
Belle returned to the kitchen to find Bae had calmed down. When she noticed the cookies in his hands, she laughed and playfully scolded Mrs. Potts, before returning to her room with him.
After her chat with her father, she was relieved he had told her about the stranger in the castle, but she was angry with him for taking a prisoner for such selfish reasons. She knew the state her kingdom was in. The Ogre Wars had been very devastating to the subjects, and the aftermath still lingered. Yet, it was not ok to take one life unwillingly to prosper.
Her father had also called Rumplestiltskin a beast. Even though she had only met him once, she knew from the moment she laid eyes on him that he was no such thing. He was only misunderstood. She had always been a good judge of character, and had yet to be wrong. It occurred to her that part of his act was his concern for the safety of his son, but she still wasn't completely sure Bae was his son.
Staying in her room for the rest of the day was very frustrating for Belle, but Bae's company made it so much easier. She hated being coped up. All she had ever wanted to do was be free. Even when she wasn't confined to her room, she wasn't allowed to leave the castle, or the castle grounds, so she still felt captive. In a way she was being locked up in a fancier dungeon. Normally she would have ventured out through the tunnels, but Bae was still settling in, getting use to her and the castle, so she didn't think it was a good idea.
Belle had no desire to be queen. Even as queen she would still not be free. She was thankful her father hadn't forced her to marry yet, but she could feel the day soon approaching. She wanted to be able to marry someone she fell in love with, not some prince she never even met from a far off kingdom. She decided not to worry about that now, because that wasn't the problem at hand. Bae was her priority.
She spent the next two days trying to get to know the little boy, and get him to open up to her. Her father had one of the servants bring up clothing and other necessities for Bae, just like he promised.
She thought the job of taking care of a three year old would be harder, but he wasn't a demanding little boy. She told herself not to get used to it, because when he became more comfortable things might change. She did notice he was very curious, something the two of them had in common, and wanted to explore everything she had in her room. She spent some time making her room safer, putting things away that would harm him, or that he could make a tremendous mess with.
He started talking to her a bit more, but his sentences were short, and he mostly inquired about his father. Belle wasn't sure what to tell him. She wasn't completely sure that Rumplestiltskin was his father and she didn't want to get his hopes up by telling him he was here. She wanted to visit Rum again to try to find out more information, not to mention she desperately wanted to see him again.
Belle began to grow anxious as the day approached that Rumplestiltskin would find out she was the princess and not a caretaker. She needed to see him one last time before he found out, and tell him the truth. 'He may never speak to me again when he finds out who I really am.' She was unable to visit him again until the night before her father was to introduce him to the royal court.
After Belle had read a story, tucked Bae in for the night, and made sure he was asleep, she grabbed a torch to head down to the dungeon. She hoped Rumplestiltskin was still down there, and not moved to the west wing yet. She grabbed a cloak and began her walk through the passageways.
When she arrived, she eased the secret door open, listening for anyone who may catch her. She could hear nothing, so she cautiously continued out of hiding. She peeked around the corner, and to her relief there was no one by the cell. Rumplestiltskin was standing there looking towards the very spot she was standing as if he knew she was coming.
"Hello, again dearie, what brings you to the monster's cave?" he questioned.
Belle stepped out of the shadows and walked up to the bars, "How did you know I was here?"
"Let's call it…intuition."
"Oh, ok, sure." Belle let the hood of her cape fall revealing her long chestnut curls, which seemed to sparkle in the tiny amount of light that was streaming into the dungeon.
Rumplestiltskin couldn't help but notice how they made her seem all the more beautiful. He immediately pushed those thoughts out of his mind. He had made the mistake of falling for a woman once before, and swore he would never do it again. 'No woman would think of me as anything, and besides she is just a spy. To think in such a manner creates a weakness, and I can afford no weaknesses.'
Belle stepped up, grabbed the bars, and smiled, "I wanted to see you again."
Rumplestiltskin looked puzzled for a second but quickly replaced his expression with his usual imp like one, "Any why is that dearie? Still haven't learned what a monster I truly am? The king has not told everyone of my arrival yet?"
Belle scowled at him, "I told you I don't think you are a monster, and he plans to let the kingdom know tomorrow in front of the royal court."
Rumplestiltskin took a step forward and waved his hands through the air as he spoke, "And how did you come to know this information dearie? Surely just a caretaker wouldn't have any part of knowing the royal business." He sneered at her.
Belle knew he knew she wasn't really the caretaker. She didn't think he ever thought she was. 'Perhaps I should get it over with and tell him, he's gonna find out soon either way. It's better if it comes from me.' She looked down at the ground and then back up at Rumple, "I…uh…I need to tell you something."
Rumplestiltskin put his hands behind his back, "And that would be what? Ready to tell me about what the king has done with the boy?"
Belle hesitated, "I told you, the boy is safe, you have nothing to worry about."
"Now you see, that would be so much easier to believe if you didn't lie about who you are," he stated in a clipped tone.
A sad expression mixed with fear washed over Belle's face. She didn't expect him to admit to knowing she was lying. "If I tell you who I am, I don't want you to stop talking to me, I promise I mean you no harm!" She said rather desperately.
"Ah, another deal…I thought you weren't here for that…yet here is the second one you have asked of me."
"Well I didn't mean it that way…I'll tell you no matter what you chose…I would just like it, I mean I hope that we could possibly be friends."
Rumplestiltskin burst out into laughter. Loud, cruel, mocking laughter, "Friends? What would make you want to be friends with the likes of me? No one is ever my friend, and if they say they are then there is always an ulterior motive."
Belle looked confused, "You…you don't have any friends?"
Rumplestiltskin continued laughing, "Dearie, I can tell you I don't think I've ever had a friend in my entire life, and I'm pretty sure you won't be the first."
Belle didn't think it was funny. She felt rather sad that Rumplestiltskin had no one to call a friend, or even think himself worthy of one, "Why do you doubt yourself so?"
Rumplestiltskin finally ceased the laughing and looked back into Belle's eyes, "I am a monster, a beast, a creature unworthy of friendship or love. Ask anyone and they will tell you the same."
Belle frowned, "But the little boy, you seem to care for him, is he your son?"
"It's none of your business what that boy is to me, now are you going to tell me where he is, or are you going to keep stringing me along?"
Belle bit her bottom lip, "Rum, I…"
Rumplestiltskin cocked an eyebrow at the nickname. 'She had said she would use it, but I didn't actually believe her.'
"Perhaps we could be friends one day, but for that to happen, I have to tell you the truth."
Rumplestiltskin was all ears.
"I'm not really the caretaker of this castle, and I do know where the boy is. My name really is Belle, but I'm actually the…"
Suddenly a door swung open and several footsteps could be heard approaching. Rumple and Belle gasped and turned their heads to the sound, but when Rumple turned back to look at Belle she was gone. 'How does she do that I wonder?'
Two guards appeared before him, "What were you laughing at imp? Is there someone down here?"
The second guard began to search the area, but found no one.
"I was laughing at myself, being locked behind bars can make you rather mad you know," Rumplestiltskin said through an evil grin.
The guard humphed, "His majesty the king requests your presence. You are to be on your best behavior and not give us any trouble understand?"
Rumplestiltskin gave a small mocking bow, "If the king wishes it then so be it."
The guards unlocked the cell and led Rumplestiltskin out of the dungeon.
Belle was listening intently from behind the secret doorway. She smiled to herself. 'He didn't give me away!' she thought excitedly, but the excitement she felt dissipated quickly. Their conversation had been interrupted before she could tell him the truth. She didn't think she would have a chance to see him before tomorrow. She hoped he would understand, but part of her thought he might be angry.
She tried not to think about it because now she had to get to the main hall to see what her father had to say. She rushed through the corridors until she arrived at the peephole to the main hall. She made it just in time to see Rumplestiltskin enter with the guards. King Maurice was sitting on his throne. All was silent for a minute.
"Bow before your king beast," one of the guards said as they shoved Rumplestiltskin forward.
'Do they have to be so rough?' Belle wondered.
Rumplestiltskin kept a straight face and took a bow, "Your majesty. How may I be of service to you?"
"I have brought you here to tell you of your duties in the castle."
Rumplestiltskin stood back up and placed his hands behind his back, "And what might they be?"
"I hear that you are able to spin straw into gold, is this true?"
"You heard correctly."
"Good. A room has been set up for you in the west wing. Whatever you need will be provided for you, spinning wheel, straw, etc. You will meet a certain quota of gold each week. You will be confined to this room, unless instructed otherwise, instead of the dungeon. The room will stay locked so do not try to escape."
"As if I could your majesty," Rumple said mockingly through gritted teeth.
"Enough! You will not speak to me in such a manner. I am your master now. You will do as I say," King Maurice stood up.
"As you wish."
"Now, to continue, you will serve as my right hand in battles and treaties. You will only appear before others when I request it. I'm sure a man of your reputation will have no problem persuading others to do things in my favor."
"You presume correctly your majesty."
"Tomorrow I will introduce you to the royal court, and the kingdom. My daughter will also be there. You will do well to keep your distance from her. You may speak only when spoken to."
"Yes, your majesty. Anything else?"
"Yes, you will tell me who the parents are of the little boy we found in your castle."
Rumplestiltskin took a moment before he answered. He knew if he told the King the truth Bae would be in danger. 'If the king see's me as some sort of demon, then he will only think of my son as a demon. There is no telling what he will do to him.' Rumplestiltskin came up with a way to tell the truth, but not the whole truth, "Just a poor old spinner and his wife."
"And where can I find these people?"
"They are long gone."
"You mean they are dead?"
Rumplestiltskin chuckled, "You might say that."
King Maurice looked disgusted, 'Sick creature.' It was obvious that he assumed Rumplestiltskin killed the parents and kidnapped the little boy. He waved his hand through the air to dismiss Rumplestiltskin. He didn't want to look upon him anymore, "That is all for now, Sir Lucan will show you to your quarters and work room. Meals will be brought to you. Do you have any questions?"
Rumplestiltskin shook his head, "But if I may I have something to say to you."
"Go ahead."
"I hope you hid it well."
"What?"
"You know what I speak of. I hope you hid it well because I will find it, and when I do you will regret the day you ever messed with me."
"You'll never find it monster. I have nothing to fear. Guards, take him away."
"Oh, we will see about that."
Belle didn't even watch as the guards took Rumplestiltskin away. She was in shock. She was very upset about what she just heard. She had been so sure that Bae was Rumplestiltskin's son, but he told her father otherwise. Bae was the son of a spinner and his wife who were dead. 'So my father was right. He did take the boy. But why?'
As she walked back to her room, her heart continued to scream that Rum really was Bae's father. She had seen the love and worry in Rumplestiltskin's eyes. Also, they had such similar features, but then something else occurred to her. Rumplestiltskin had the most unique, strangest skin she had ever seen. However, Bae's skin was completely normal. 'Surely he would have inherited at least a little of the skin pigment from his father.' There was something out of place about the situation and she couldn't put her finger on it. 'Perhaps Rumplestiltskin was leaving out key details.'
Belle was also slightly depressed about the threat Rumplestiltskin gave her father as well. 'Rum threatened my father…this must be more serious than I thought. They must have been talking about that funny looking dagger; I don't see what else it could be. What is so special about that thing?'
Belle sighed and sat down on her bed next to the sleeping Bae. She stroked his head as he slept. 'Even if Rumplestiltskin really wasn't his father, he must think of him so.' Belle was caught in this delimma and she needed to figure out what to do soon.
