Writer's note: So, it's been a while! I did something I told myself I'd not do for this fandom, and that is to start more fics than I can handle. But I'm trying my best to update all of them within a month from the last update. Maybe that'll help me manage all four WIPs better!


Chapter 9: In which Belle learns something new and frightening

The castle was true to its name. The walk seemed arduous as they wound through corridors with only lamplight to guide the way. From what Belle could see there were windows cut in the stone walls, but thick drapery curtains covered every one they passed. She reasoned it was for keeping the cold out with it being the winter season and all. Come spring, she would make an effort to take the curtains down. Sunlight would bring warmth into this damp dwelling.

Belle attempted to stay close to Rumpelstiltskin, her imagination running a tad wild. What if there were suits of armor ready to attack any strangers in the castle? But no, Rumpelstilskin informed her there were no such enchantments as that. Her books made magic seem fanciful and free spirited. She had much to learn about magic and her wild sorcerer.

Rumpeltilskin's strides were longer and faster and sometimes she had to jog several steps to catch up. They finally came to a stairwell that curled around as if leading to a tower. The stairs grew narrower and swallower the more they climbed until they ascended the top that opened into a circular chamber. So, it was a tower.

Rumpelstilskin turned sharply on his heel, sweeping a hand about the tower. "You wished to know where a sorcerer works" he stated, smiling smugly.

"It's grand!" Belle exclaimed, spinning around to take it in. A long work table housed beakers and flasks, along with several crude, mysterious instruments. A very high bookshelf crammed with thick, dusty books sat in the farthest right corner. A monstrous bay window faced the castle's front gate. What piqued her interest far more was the spinning wheel near the window. She spotting another downstairs in the great room as well, and wondered now if the legends of The Spinner were true. Another question to tuck away.

"It resembles a laboratory" she commented, raising a finger to touch a glass beaker filled with a purple liquid.

Rumpelstiltskin caught her by the wrist as fast as a crane would catch a toad. Belle jumped, snapping her surprised gaze to him "I wouldn't touch if I were you, dearie" he warned, moving her away from the work table, releasing her wrist with a dramatic sweep of the hand.

"Oh" was all Belle could muster in response. She kept her hands clasped together in front of her, not wishing to disobey Rumpelstilskin's order. She may live at Dark Castle now, but he was still the master and she wished not to upset him. She hoped her curiosity would not bring her too much trouble.

Belle strolled around the tower, steps slow and halting, and he watched her intensely, reptilian eyes boring into her. Something he mentioned earlier came back to her that made her quite curious. "When you talked of the lamps and fireplaces being a simple spell, you also said it came at a small price." She turned to him, skirts swishing around her legs as she did. "What did you mean by that?"

"All magic comes at a price" he replied, low and slightly malicious.

Oh, she had so much to learn! "What's the price for lighting the castle?"

Rumpelstilskin stepped towards her, brushing fingertips along the edge of the work table. "The magic guarding the front gate is weakened when I light the castle," he came to a stop before her, "but I only use the spell when I am here. When I depart, the gates are well secured. Nothing comes in, nothing goes out."

"What will happen if someone tries to break through the gates?"

He leaned into her face, a gruesome smile widening his lips, and Belle felt the need to shrink back. "Let's say there wouldn't be many bones left unbroken."

Belle sucked in a breath. She knew magic could be treacherous, but never had she thought of Rumpelstilskin in that way. She reasoned that he had enemies as anyone and needed to protect himself and his possessions – and now her. "May I see the rest of the castle?" she asked in such a small voice.

"Of course, my lady." Rumpelstilskin bowed slightly, a sharp edge to his tone. At any time before their arrival Belle would have played along and curtsied and slid her arm around his, but this man hardly resembled her wild sorcerer who gave her a book and bantered with her as they danced.

Rumpelstilskin informed her there were only four important rooms of the castle besides her bed chambers that she should know of. The first three she already had seen: the great room, kitchen, and his tower. The last was the bathing chamber located several doors passed her bedroom. He told her if she were ever lost for more than an hour's time in the labyrinth of corridors all she needed to do was knock on a wall and he would be there to in the blink of an eye.

He left her again after showing her the bathing chamber, and Belle trudge back to her bedroom to retrieve her necessities from the trunk. She hung her dresses with care in the wardrobe, smoothing each one out and fluffy the skirts. She arranged them from comfortable, every day wear to elaborate party gowns. Caressing the satin forest green gown she wore at the last winter ball, she wondered if Rumpelstiltskin would take her a ball. She imagined they'd sweep across the dance floor and whisper of the newest royal gossip and be able to leave together instead of saying farewell for another two years. It was all wishful thinking, and Belle hoped deep in her heart that her wild sorcerer would take her desire to see the world seriously.

The sunset came and went as she arranged her room to feel more comfortable in her new home. She wasn't very hungry, but did not wish to venture to the kitchen passed midnight, even if the lamps glowed brightly to guide her way. Rumpelstilskin had not mentioned supper, and she wondered if he truly needed food to survive. She'd never seen him eat a single thing before, and only took meager sips of his tea earlier.

Belle remembered where the cheeses were stored and retrieved a few different kinds for variety's sake. She also sliced some bread to go with it. She resolved to explore the kitchen more thoroughly the next day. Without servants, she had to know how to cook and was thankful she had spent a fair amount of time in the kitchens back home. Baking was her forte, though she knew the basic of how to use pots and fire for cooking. Couldn't be that hard, could it? she reasoned.

She had sat down; munching on a white brie when footfalls caught her attention and Rumpelstilskin appeared in the kitchen's doorway. Belle sighed, relieved he had not surprised her this time.

"Hungry again, are we?" he inquired, stepping lightly to the table.

"I must eat, or I'd be starved to death by morning" she replied matter-of-factly, bring a piece of cheese to her lips.

"Oh yes," Rumpelstilskin leaned his bottom against the table beside her and sighed dramatically, "You'll need more food in the pantry."

Belle threw him a look of contempt. "That would be most helpful, sir. I cannot live off bread and cheese the rest of my life." And suddenly she was grateful their banter returned, but it reminded her of the time in his tower, how a cruel aura had come over him and it had frightened her. Belle cleared her throat, hand stilled beside her plate. "Rumpelstilskin?"

"Yes, dearie" he answered, staring wide, curious eyes at her.

"In your tower earlier-" Belle paused, glancing away from his piercing gaze, courage threatening to abandon her. "For the first time I saw you differently." She breathed in deep and met his gaze once more. "It frightened me, really. Your voice, mannerism, everything changed."

A moment of silence fell upon them. Rumpelstilskin pushed off the table to face her directly, his expression smug. "Well, maybe I'm not who you assumed I was."

Belle's shoulder's fell. That was not the answer she had hoped. "But I'm to be your companion for the rest of my life. I truly do not wish to fear you."

He bent to one knee, firmly grasping her chin between his index finger and thumb as if she were a disobedient child. "Now you are aware that there are other sides to me, dearie. I will not always be your playful sorcerer, as I know you will not always be the inquisitive girl I met many years ago. We'll find a way to make it work, shall we?

Belle nodded her agreement, though the intensity of his voice made her tremble.

"Will you sleep tonight?" Rumpelstilskin asked, as he straightened to stand.

"I will."

He smiled, a true smile, not crude or devilish, and Belle wondered how he could change so rapidly right in front of her eyes. "Good night, my dear." He turned heel and was gone again.