Title: The Price of Happiness

Author: Miss Peg

Rating: PG-12

Genre: Dystopian Future

Prompt: Walk

Fandom: Once Upon A Time

Summary: The Queen's curse didn't turn out quite how she expected, leaving Rumpelstiltskin without his powers. What price will he pay in order to get them back?

Spoilers: 1.01: Pilot, but it's mostly AU.

Notes: Written for the 15genres1prompt challenge. I've not written all that many OUAT fics, especially long ones, let alone an AU fic. But here I am, ready and waiting to know what you lovely people think about this one.

The Queen lifted her hands and stared around the palace at her guards, standing in lines like an army waiting for orders. When she lowered her arms again they all clapped and cheered. Whatever happened now, nothing could stop this, nothing could break this curse. She raised her hands again to silence her guards and cleared her throat in order to prepare for a speech.

'My faithful minions, this is not the world I had hoped to create when I placed a curse upon our kingdom.' The room fell deathly silent, any last conversations dried up and all heads turned to face the Queen. 'This. Is. Better.'

Once more her guards celebrated her words, cheering loudly until she silenced them once more. She'd always had power in the kingdom and yet no one had ever responded to her in quite the same way as they did now. Waiting on her every word, her every action, in order to know what to do next.

'Go forth into the forest, bring me meat and fish, bring me townspeople willing to serve me. If anyone defies my orders, slay them.'

She stood taller than she'd ever stood before, staring over the heads of the guards as she rested upon the platform.

'You, you and you,' she said, pointing to guards on the front row. 'Bring me Rumpelstiltskin and whatever you do, do not let him trick you.'

Every face stared at her, awaiting the next order. She let out a low and sinister laugh, her lips curled into a smile.

'What are you waiting for? Go, go, before nightfall.'

The large doors at the far end of the grand hall opened causing a sea of blackness to swarm out of the building and into the forest outside. She watched with mild interest as each and every one of her guards disappeared from sight.

x

'Let go of me!'

Rumpelstiltskin fought, his arms flailing out in the hope of pushing back one of the seven men surrounding him. He stamped his feet, he kicked his legs and he spat in their faces. He would not be manhandled by anyone, let alone lowly servants of the Queen.

'Finally,' she spoke, her voice loud and condescending. One of the guards pushed himself forwards as they all dispersed around the room, leaving him in the centre, alone. 'Come to me.'

He let out a soft chuckle, who was she to order him around? Then a sword pressed ever so sharply into the base of his spine and he jumped forwards, before taking each step closer to the woman glaring down upon him.

'What am I doing here? Why did you call for me?'

'Bow before me, you fool,' she shouted and as he began to laugh, once more a sword pressed heavily into his back. He knelt down on the ground and the Queen laughed in return. 'Now that I have you at my mercy, you will follow my orders.'

'And what will I get in return?' he asked, lifting his head briefly, before a boot pushed it back down.

'There will be rewards for anyone who seeks to prove themselves to me.'

'Will you give me back my power?'

'That depends.'

He sat upright again. Before the boot could land upon the back of his head once more, the Queen shook her head and waved the guard away. He stayed on his knees, considering his next move.

'Give me back my powers,' he screamed, leaping to his feet and pressing the tips of his fingers against the sides of the Queen's neck. He stared into her dark, black eyes and waited for a response. When no words came he began to chuckle.

More fool him.

Her powers reached far beyond what he had ever imagined them to as he flew across the room, landing hard on his back against the stone floor. He writhed in pain, rubbing the bruise forming at the base of his spine as he regained stability on his feet. He lowered his head.

'Please accept my sincerest apologies, my Queen. I will do whatever it takes.'

She raised her eyebrows, her thumb and forefinger resting upon her chin as she considered him briefly. 'Should you be a faithful servant then eventually you will be rewarded with the happy ending you so desire.'

'My powers, my Queen?'

'Are part of the package.'

'I accept the terms,' he muttered, bowing before her.

'Glad to have you on board,' she replied, offering him a seat at her table.

'Before I forget what were those mechanical beings crawling around the forest like ants?'

'They are subservients assisting me in my reign. What's it to you?'

He stared at her with a large smirk. 'They're marvellous.'

'Thank you very much.'

'What is it that you'd like me to do?'

'All in good time.'

x

Rumpelstiltskin wandered through the forest, his heart thumping along in his chest with every footstep. Whatever happened now, his whole life, his happiness, it all rested on his next steps. He approached the castle ruins and marched onwards, past the entry gate and into the castle grounds. There he found her, sitting by their lake with the baby in her arms and a backdrop of fallen castle walls.

'She's a little darling,' he smirked, reaching out a finger to the baby's face which Snow quickly pulled from his grasp. He shook his head. 'Now, now dear, I won't hurt you…yet.'

'Stay away from us,' Snow gasped, struggling to get to her feet whilst keeping her daughter wrapped in the blanket in her arms.

'I'm here to help you,' he assured her, though kept his distance. He knew all too well the anger that girl could hold in and now that she was a protective mother, he didn't much fancy being on the receiving end of her wrath. 'I can help return our world to its former glory.'

'No!'

The voice came from behind him, travelling across the wind like heavy rain, quickly followed by a pair of hands dragging at the back of his clothing. He fought him off, pushed him to the ground beside him and retreated.

'This is your fault; it's your fault my kingdom is in this mess. We don't want you here.'

'I think you'll find, Prince James,' said Rumpelstiltskin with a light chuckle. 'That your pretty little wife and child are the cause of this…misery. But, I was offering her my assistance in getting our world back.'

He stared as the prince stared back. Had he had his powers he'd have used them to obliterate the poor sod long before he'd had the chance to draw his sword. Unfortunately it was impossible as neither did he have his powers nor the prince have his sword.

'What's in it for you?' he asked, his hand resting nervously upon the pouch where his sword usually hung.

The baby cried, distracting the young prince long enough for Rumpelstiltskin to take a few tentative steps forward. When the prince turned his attention back towards him, he stopped.

'In this world I am powerless,' he informed him. 'I hate it here as much as you and your snivelling little brat.'

'What's really in it for you?' said James, his eyebrows raised and his teeth clenched.

'You know me well.'

'Everything comes with a price.'

Rumpelstiltskin considered what he was saying and though he already knew what price he was willing to offer to the young couple, he kept them waiting, until the girl could barely keep her mouth closed.

'I want the babe.'

'Never,' she screamed, clutching the blanket covered baby ever slightly so tighter as though it would make any difference what so ever. He let out a slow laugh.

'So be it,' he said. 'Then I will have to do the Queen's bidding and regain my powers that way. Whatever she asks, regardless of the consequences.'

'What are you talking about?' James asked, stepping towards him, his eyes burning with aggression and fear.

Rumpelstiltskin closed the gap and though he stood almost a foot below the prince, he stared up into his eyes with as much venom and hatred. 'Either you give me your child and I find her a safe and loving home, or I kill her and your beautiful Princess by order of the Queen.'

'No!' James shouted, reaching for the pouch on his belt once more. Rumpelstiltskin laughed at his stupidity, no amount of wishful thinking would allow his sword to appear.

'Wait.' Snow stepped forwards, her chest heaving with every breath that she took. Ever the level headed one, he'd always thought so. If he could appeal to just one of them, it would be her. 'If it's the only way that Emma will be safe.'

'I'm not giving her up, Snow,' said James, turning into her embrace and stroking her cheek with his index fingers. 'He can make threats, but I'm going to protect you, both of you.'

'You and what army?' said Rumeplstiltskin, smiling as he sensed victory on the horizon. He waved his hand at the ruins which surrounded them. 'If I'm not mistaken your kingdom, your soldiers, they no longer exist.'

'There's others like us.' James spoke more to Snow than he and though he wished to be addressed directly, he listened carefully for signs of what would happen next. 'They'll fight, they'll protect our world.'

Rumpelstiltskin tapped the tips of his fingers together and stared at the couple. They huddled together, the baby resting between their breasts. Oh he loved the smell of victory in the morning.

'Except,' he began, taking a step forwards with every word. 'It's not your world, not anymore.'

They inched nearer as he stepped closer to them. They looked frightened and alone, together physically and yet separated in many ways. Rumpelstiltskin sent them a brief smile as he turned on his tail and wandered away from them. He turned once more, to bid a final farewell.

'You have twenty-four hours to make a decision, or, I kill you all.'