She woke up feeling blissfully content and unaware, forgetting what had happened for a moment and groaning at the thought of another normal day.
Until the full weight of everything she had done came crashing back to her. Dagger. Summoning. Rumpelstiltskin. Right.
The Dark One was sleeping in her castle. Or whatever Dark Ones did at night. As he'd been doing, apparently, for twenty years.
She had been too pumped up on adrenaline, too furious, too busy getting things done, to think.
Now, she didn't have that luxury.
She wasn't fool enough to think her decision wouldn't have any consequences. This was the Dark One shed enslaved, however unwillingly. Were he to get hold of the dagger, she had no illusions about the kind of destruction he would cause.
It's time, she realized, to make a deal.
Belle turned over and buried her face in her pillow. She needed a few moments of peace before she had to start her day.
'I'm going to ask a question, Rumplestiltskin, and I want an honest answer.'
She was being perfectly serious for once, her sapphire eyes fixed intently on his face. Her words were enough of a command to be recognized by the dagger, and even with his scarce experience with her, he knew it must be no small matter. He seethed inside, wishing he knew what to expect.
'As you wish, my lady,' he replied, with a small, seated bow 'And what would this important query be?"
"If your dagger fell into your hands right now, what would be the fate of Avonlea?"
He almost laughed at that, so easy was the answer for him. In fact, it would be a pleasure to fulfill this particular demand.
"I would wipe your proud little town off the face of the earth." he stated simply and with relish. "I'd make you and your father watch as I left no living soul in his land, and you could know it was your fault. I'd feel his blood on my hands, and trust me when I say, dearie, he'd beg me for death before I would grant him that mercy."
She shivered slightly, involuntarily. He had leaned forward as he spoke, and the sun from the window reflected the gleam in his eyes. He grinned at her fear, making sure to display his rotting teeth. "And I wold enjoy every, single, bloody moment of it."
She looked straight back, not breaking eye contact. "And me?"
"Oh, I don't know, I do need a maid. I could take you with me, let you do something useful for a change."
"I thought so. That is why I want to make an offer."
"Oh?"
It was her turn to lean forward, stressing her terms.
"You will not touch, use magic against, or in any other way or form harm any of my people. You will leave them in peace and prosperity, whatever the circumstances. You will help me stabilize the kingdom, stop the Ogre attacks, help me rule."
He opened his mouth to speak, but Belle beat him to it.
"That's not an-"
"And in return, I will give you back this,'' drawing the kris out of a sheath "one year from now."
Rumplestiltskin did not speak for nearly a minute.
He simply stared at her. And then he burst out laughing.
"What?" She glared, hating whenever anyone laughed at her. It was something men around her did often. The maniacal giggles disappeared almost as soon as they had started, and he focused again.
"Dearie, you were serious?"
"Of course." she replied, looking concerned "It seems reasonable. Hopefully I won't need your help by then, and we can both- what?"
He was looking at her as if she was mad. When he spoke, he did it carefully, slowly, as if explaining to a child. "No-one gives up power they've had a taste of, mistress. Especially power like this, when you can have anything you want. Silks. Jewels. Kingdoms."
Belle frowned. ''But you lose your free will.''
''That is how it works.''
''I don'want to control you. I hardly need silks or jewels or kingdoms.''
''You still won't fulfill your promise.''
Trust. This was about trust.
''You think I don't understand the situation. Don't know what you're capable of, what is in my power right now, don't you?"
You have no idea the forces you are dealing with.
"Yes."
"Well, I do. You spin straw into gold Rumplestiltskin. Legends of your power spread across the lands. Right now, I could order you to burn down the world, and I could stand in the ashes. I could have the world at my feet, and no-one could dispute it. I am not a child, I understand what I have. and I don't want it. I want safety, security, and your word. Do you accept my terms?"
We will see when the time comes, princess. Both sides must be fulfilled, or my word is void.
His voice shook, just a little.
"You have a deal."
"You did what?"
"Papa, calm down, this isn't good for your health-"
"I will not have that monster roaming around the castle! It belongs in a cage-"
"Papa-"
"What if it tries to harm you?"
She reached the end of her patience "Like you did to him?"
"Belle, he's a beast! He needs to be kept leashed. The world must be protected from his evil."
Perhaps, but what right did you have to decide that?
And she hadn't even told him of the deal yet.
"I'll come later, papa, after you have calmed down."
He wouldn't even admit his mistake. Once, she had loved her father so much, never thought he could hurt anyone needlessly. She had always, always trusted him.
How had everything changed so fast?
