A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing, Lovelies!

~8~8~

Regina sat reclined in her alabaster slate colored throne caught in the mires of tortuous boredom. She lounged like a lazy and inattentive cat, her maple brown eyes staring at the huge double doors of her illustrious court as she ignored the timid filthy peasantry kneeling at her dais murmuring helpless pleas for her scant mercy she deemed to show now and again.

Her delicate hand toyed with a pink conch shell that rested at the hallow of her throat and was strung upon a golden necklace. She smiled wickedly as her fingers smoothed against its abrasive sides. That pretty little mermaid's voice was captured inside whilst she vainly attempted to woo a human prince who lived on a far away coast.

Her Highness simply had to chuckle at the deliciously dark irony. How could she say she loved him being mute? Her advantageous deal only proved she could do what that gray toad Rumpelstiltskin could do, and better at that!

Rumpelstiltskin. A hiss nearly wretched out of Regina's mouth as her thin lips curled into a viscous sneer. His very name sparked a frown to bloom upon her sharp features; her eyes narrowing slightly. She hadn't spoken to the imp in over three weeks now. Usually he would come caterwauling around her, prodding her temper and stoking her wrath with his irritating snicker, cocky grin, and so far truthful words.

Oh how that galled her; to stew anger in her belly at the very thought and bring a glint of malice to her brown marble eyes! Even his very stupidly long name could cause her body to quake in gnashing loathing.

Standing up suddenly from her high backed throne, unable to stand simply doing nothing but watching the groveling peasantry come and go with their little pathetic whining of hunger and exhaustion, the queen spoke a few words magic words and disappeared in a mist of blackness that rose in chilling tendrils from the floor.

Within moments she was in her palace tower; the place where only a select few guardsmen and those who needed to be there, depending on the circumstances, were allowed entry.

She punched a fist in her hand as she began her normal pacing. The well worn wood floor under her rather stylish heels testified that this wasn't the only time she'd set up a thoughtful back and forth stride.

Rumpel, Rumpel, Rumpel. How to bring him low, how to make him sup a bitter poison that would leave him writhing upon the earth in the throes of the most horrific agony ever dealt to flesh?

As she was thinking these oh so pleasant thoughts a sharp but low thrummed whistle caught her attention. Much too attentive to simply ignore the odd sound, Regina turned about sharply to where the peculiar noise had emanated. Her guards, clad head to toe in onyx enchanted plate, were staring wide eyed in her direction. Though she had thought she was hidden from view, they appeared to be making cat calls.

The anger that had been towards Rumpel stirred to the men guarding her tower. Her faced darkened in fury as her jaw set. "Just who do you think you're whistling at like a common milkmaid, morons?" She hissed as she made herself fully known. A spell was on the tip of her tongue to turn them all into mice at their blasphemous actions.

The sentries straightened immediately, their faces turning a sickly pale as they each recognized their horrendous blunder. One of them miraculously had the courage to step forward warily, his throat warbling in fear. "Forgive us, milady. We truly weren't whistling at you." He paused for a moment, swallowing nervously as he pointed behind her. "You see there's a girl in the castle of the Dark One."

"What?" Regina snapped angrily to hide her confusion.

Jerking around she saw in the mirror, she used to talk with the other powerful wielders of magic, a girl was indeed looking into it. She had long tresses of honey chestnut curls that she tied with a blue slip of ribbon. Her eyes were like a misty fog blue that fell upon mountain valleys at dawn; entrancing like, and her dress was a sky blue with white about the short sleeves. It was modest, efficient, but very lovely on her form.

She had a duster in one hand and was staring curiously into the mirror, obviously not seeing those who were staring back at her.

Behind Regina the guards were more than a little vocal as they voiced their impression and opinions about the woman.

"Ah, a pretty one."

"I wonder where that gray lizard stole her away from. Must a left some jealous suitors behind. I know I'd be fit to be tied letting one like that get away."

"Wouldn't mind her one bit if she came to 'visit' me in the barracks."

"Enough!" Regina barked suddenly, making the guards halt their oh so inappropriate banter. Men, she snorted derisively and rolled her eyes, always thinking below the waist.

Taking a few quiet steps forward as if the girl might hear her and startle like a nervous deer, the queen folded her hands in front of her black gown and peered intently at the beauty on the other side of the glass. The image of the girl only lasted a few moments more before she hastily put the magical shroud back over top that blocked Regina's scrying magic.

Just what was a woman doing in Rumpelstiltskin's castle? As far as Regina knew he'd never shown much interest in the other species, besides hammering out deals and stealing infants. Tapping a well manicured finger against her chin, the queen pondered the presence of the odd woman. Was she a prisoner or come willingly? What had she done to wind up in Rumpelstiltskin's castle, dusting and doing other house hold chores for him?

A slow but malice filled smile weaseled unto Regina's face as she examined the new friend or foe in the Dark One's grasp. She had no knowledge who this woman that stood in his castle now was, but with her most powerful magic and a good but of luck she could possibly find out.

Thoroughly satisfied, with a potential new opening to reveal a flaw in the devious Dark One, Regina could not help but utter a grating cackle. Turning to face the once gawking sentries she flicked her hand dismissingly at them and in seconds had transformed them into tiny cockroaches.

She smiled broadly as they scurried about the stone floor in panic trying very hard to run away as Regina drew near; casually stalking them as a cat might do a new ball of yarn.

"You whistle for a little nobody in a mirror?" She hissed cruelly down at the insects. "This will show you who is the fairest of them all." With out another word she vilely squished them under her shoes one by one; each making a horrid crunch as she did so.

~8~8~

Cold sheets of heavy driving rain battered vainly against the enchanted stones of the Dark Castle. Occasionally a stroke of lightening would thrash against the sky making the windows of the castle alight the citadel with luminescence. Thunder rumbled and roared in its churning ways, almost making the ancient yet sturdy castle shake.

Inside the manor, the one soul who remained paid little heed to the treacherous weather swirling about the realm.

What in the world was so special about that full length mirror, Belle pondered as she sat reading in the high backed chair of the main hall. The book about two brothers going to war was open, but she was barely reading it as she stared into the glowing fireplace.

Any other time she would have holed up in the library to read, but to be honest with herself she was feeling rather lonely and the plush leather almost smelled like the magical fiend; warming her in a way. Truth be told, she missed him a great deal when he was gallivanting out in the world making deals and changing fates.

She was always so happy when he came back, and liked to think that some part of him, that he hid, missed her as well. But no, that was probably her over active imagination. Why could he possibly be happy to see a slave; another trinket gotten in a deal? If anything he might only be mildly pleased to see that she hadn't tried to run away.

As it stood, Rum was gone to do business and wouldn't be back for a couple of days leaving her by her lonesome. And ever since the first time he had departed he had strictly forbidden her to tamper with the mirror.

She had tried to ask what was so important about it a number of occasions, but he'd only shake his head admonishingly at her and say it wasn't for her to know.

She assumed it must have some magical property, but hadn't a clue what it could be. Then today she'd accidentally had an end of the quilt that covered it hook around her foot making the fabric come sliding off it as she nearly tripped.

Admittedly she had stared into it for a moment or two, hoping to catch some glimpse of magic, but it looked like another ordinary mirror. The polished oak on the side was carved with swirls that rose up to the top and were molded like satyr horns. The bottom of the full length mirror looked like it was carved into claws that were curled around black orbs.

Despite its odd look their seemed nothing remotely special concerning it which she couldn't tell had disappointed or relived her.

A thunderous dull thud suddenly echoed around the keep mildly starling Belle away from her contemplations of the old mirror. It stopped for a moment then sounded again, letting the beauty know some one was banging at the huge double doors with its thick iron knocker.

A visitor? Rumpel had had a rare few visitors since she'd arrived and every time had ordered her off to her room when another was present. She almost felt as if he were stowing her away like a dirty secret.

Yawning widely she stood up nervously wondering if she should answer or decided to fake no one was home and hoped they leave. But then again Rumpel never forbade her to answer the door, and if someone trekked all night in the middle of a rain storm to seek of the infamous Rumpelstiltskin, it must be in either desperation or the utmost importance.

Deciding to chance it, mostly due to her insatiable curiosity, Belle placed her book down gently, and then snuck upon cat's feet to the entrance. Only a few guttering torches lit her path, but now so adept at working about the castle, she was confident she could navigate the cold lonely halls blindfolded.

Reaching the doors, she peered through a secret guards spy hole to look upon the one who came knocking. Belle was more than a little shocked to see a bent over elderly woman banging with what looked like the last of her strength.

She looked older than time itself, her body cracked and hunched with the weight of a hard life; even more so added with her soaked clothes that were sopped with rain. She was wearing a ragged black cloak that fluttered in the chill winds sent down the mountains and mingled with the blackness of night. A few wisps of hoary hair that fell from her cloaks hood were a startling white that seemed to make the moon pale in comparison to its unblemished brilliance.

She looked to be shivering with the cold that seemed to blow through her ragged body and Belle instantly felt a pity for the old woman.

"Can I help you?" Belle asked finally in a split decision to make herself known.

The old woman stopped banging, her breathing labored as she peered into the blackness; her rain blurred eyes squinting almost as if they were closed. "I-I don't mean to be a bother, but I've been walking for a long time and I'm afraid I've lost my way. I could use a few moments to rest by a fire if I may." She croaked; her voice scratchy and sharp like a rusted hinge on a garden gate.

Belle knew she shouldn't, but her heart was moved for the elderly soul, begging for shelter. Besides, Rum wouldn't be home for another two days and she could always call his name in an emergency if it was some sort of trap, and the castle was well equipped with its own defenses to boot.

"A moment." Belle stated then shut the peep hole deciding to allow the elder entry.

Oh far too easy! Regina grinned wickedly from behind her magical guise. What looked like a haggard old woman was actually a queen clad head to toe with every bit of magical enchantment, dust, spell, and potion she possessed to slip under Rumpel's magical radar.

It had cost her a lot of planning, some people to pay off to avert the fiend's attention half way across the world, and her most powerful spells in her arsenal for this one shot to infiltrate. But so far it seemed to be going as planned.

With in a few moments a side servant door was creaked open, and the girl who had been standing in the mirror, oblivious to the eyes that spied her was beckoning her inside the home of the famed Dark One.

"Thank you kindly, milady." Regina chocked as she waddled inside at a rickety gait. "I promise I won't stay long, just a tiny spell to warm these old bones."

Belle smiled warmly at the elderly lady. "Nonsense. I'll get you a place by the fire in the kitchen and give you something to eat." She assured the lady. "I'm Belle by the way."

"Thank you, Belle. But oh I don't want to be to much a nuisance." The witch echoed again, seemingly every inch the meekest old woman who truly believed she was intruding.

As they walked into the kitchen, Belle sat the 'old woman' by the fire and began taking out leftovers from her meal at supper.

From behind, Regina watched her curiously, taking every detail into account and storing it into her tactile brain. The woman walked about freely, and seemed much to at ease to be termed a captive. She could detect no magic or curse layered upon her body, and no fear concerning the Dark One.

"If I may ask, who is the lord or lady of this manor?" Regina inquired in a winded gasp.

Belle paused a moment, as if fighting a battle inside herself on how much to reveal. Then again, who didn't know of the Dark One? "Rumpelstiltskin. This is the Dark Castle." She replied strongly as if that wasn't enough to make people go fleeing in stark terror.

"Oh." The ancient woman breathed in surprise at the name. Her wrinkled features seemed to shudder once as if in fear. "Will he be angry that I'm here?"

Belle shook her head fiercely, trying to assuage the woman's fears. "No, no, he's currently distracted in another matter so I don't believe he even knows anyone else but me is here."

That was interesting, he trusted her to traipse about his enchanted castle freely without any sort of bonds or shackles while he was indisposed. Regina made a mental note of that fact as the girl she now knew was Belle, pushed a plate her way.

She dove in as if she'd been starving, all the while trying to sound like a simply curious, but amiable old shrew. "I did not know the Dark One had a wife." Regina stated trying to prod and poke what Belle was out into the open. She had to figure out just what was the relationship that stood between the chestnut haired woman and the devious Rumpel.

Bell blushed fiercely, so that it almost felt as if her cheeks were ablaze at the woman's innocent question. She shook her head sagely. "No, I'm not his wife."

"A daughter?" The old one inquired, but her aged tone had a hint of dubiousness in it.

"No."

"A vassal?"

"Sort of…"

Oh. Regina knew instantly the established link between maid and monster. The fool had somehow managed to get herself sold or had sold herself to Rumpelstiltskin in a bargain. She could have cackled in the stupid woman's face at her fate of drudgery and servitude, but tactfully kept her old lady composure. Instead, she let a tiny gasp of saddened shock pass her lips.

Laying a seemingly gnarled and crooked work worn hand over Belle's own she tried to look and sound her most sympathetic. "A pity a lovely young lass like you should be a slave. I can't imagine what it must be liked to be owned by a creature such as him. How horrible a fate to be dealt into this lot of life."

Belle only shrugged mildly in reply. That fact barely even bothered her anymore. She had come to see it more like permanent employment to a man who treated her mostly as an equal rather than his claim of ownership over her.

"I apologize for asking. I see your wariness to speak on the matter." Regina nodded soberly as if mistaking the silence for fear and sadness. "I do not blame you. He must be a harsh taskmaster to abide by."

Belle found herself bristling slightly, wanting to defend Rum. "Actually no, he is by no means the cruel being people take him for." The beauty sighed almost wistfully into space. She still remembered striding into the once huge deserted room, now a library and seeing the menagerie of books of all kinds and colors lining the shelves, fondly. "He can be sweet and kind and considerate..."

Behind his dark slate eyes and gray-gold flesh that glimmered in light, she could see a warmth that lurked under the surface wanting to come out. But something, something vile and dark that festered inside kept it fettered away.

The witch forced herself not to grin in victory. That was it, Regina knew, telling her everything. Whoever could truly term Rumpelstiltskin, the famed Dark One, as any of those things was either demented or there was something truly there that the rest of the word did not see.

"Taken a fancy to your master have you, girl?" She asked slyly; her tone amused in an old, match-maker fashion.

Belle's eyes widened at the words, her blood pumping insanely fast as her cheeks alit with another rosy blush. "No! I mean…why would…maybe…I don't know." She admitted rather exhaustedly as if she had been long debating the thought.

Who knew, perhaps she had. It sure wasn't fear of him that made her heart flutter when he spoke to her.

Although a part of her was screaming to be wary of this woman she'd only just met, Belle hadn't seen another person besides Rumpel in over six moon turns and this woman was so nice and inviting. Besides, she'd probably never see the old woman again or anyone else for that matter so what was the harm.

There was of course a chance Rum would find out, but she wasn't afraid of his temper and would simply take what came from such an instance if he did discover she had let some one into the Dark Castle.

"It's not unheard of." Regina filled in tactfully to allow some of the embarrassment to fade away from Belle's features. "A kind master can make you feel like you're in love when it's all one has, and your very life hinges upon that kindness. The question is however, do you like him simply because he treats you well, or do you like him because of who he is all around, both good and the no doubt bad side of him?"

Belle remained silent as she pondered the elder female's words. There was truth and wisdom to them, but she couldn't help but feel the old one was trying to pry. Not wishing to revel anymore of her…whatever she felt for Rumpelstiltskin, she brilliantly changed the subject until the ancient soul was ready to depart.

By the time she was ready to leave, the night was still and the gushing rains had moved on to wash other parts of the land. The moon was vaguely peeking out behind a veil of gray clouds, making the droplets of water shimmer upon the grasses like jewels that sprung up from the earth.

"Once again I thank you for your kindness, but try not to mention that I was here. I wouldn't want you beaten for allowing a haggard old woman into your master's castle without his permission." Regina wheezed in the masked elderly woman's tone. Her gnarled fingers uncurled like vicious eagle's talons as she placed her hand over Belle's.

The beauty suppressed an odd and unpleasant shiver at the touch that seemed stone cold even after being by a fire for an hour. Still, she smiled warmly at the crone as she opened the side door to leave from the castle.

"For your kindness I will tell you one thing." The lady in disguise continued. Limping out the door she turned back to face Belle; her oddly young looking eyes holding flecks of sickly green. "There is a tale that is known to us elders about a way to defeat the Dark One. If you should realize that you do not care for him I know of an ancient legend that tells tale of an enchanted dagger gilded of silver and onyx. It is said that whoever controls the blade also controls the Dark One. It is probably an old tall tale, but there's no harm in knowing." She smiled slyly. "Besides, wouldn't it be nice to be master instead of slave? To have all you desire at a blades tip?"

Belle didn't know why, but the words burrowed into her, like the old woman had just driven her hand through her gut; disturbing her deeply. Who was this woman who knew such information about mythic daggers and such?

Trying to force a smile, the beauty only managed a half unsure smirk as she closed the door and made sure to lock it tight. A way to control Rumpelstiltskin? No, Belle shook her head determinedly as she strode to her room. Even if was possible she would never do that to him.

Regina allowed herself a clever cackle as she walked the narrow mountain path away from the Dark Castle. So Rumpel's little slave girl had taken a shine to him; thinking she liked, perhaps even loved him. Oh what glorious havoc that could wreck upon the arrogant Dark One!

She had only related the story of the dagger as a fall back plan; just incase the love blossoming in Belle withered and died as love was sometimes wont to do. It was always good to have a back up plan or perhaps ally if things went awry; especially when it concerned anything dealing with Rumpelstiltskin.

If Rumpel spurned or hurt the girl, then Regina could see a very possible spy in the manor of the Dark One reporting all his coming and goings to her.

~8~8~

A/N: So yes, this was very Regina heavy, but we'll be back to more Rum/Belle next chapter!