Chapter 9.
I've got exams coming up soon so I might not post for about a month's time. I'm sorry but will definitely continue when exams are over!
Rumplestiltskin walked to the bottom of Belle's tower on the outside of the castle. The grass was wet and muddy which was good, he hoped to have caught some of Belle's footsteps leading her track away from the castle. He hoped he could catch her by following her steps. To his astonishment, two pairs of footprints were found. Belle's and someone else's. 'Of course, she couldn't have escaped on her own.' He studied the other boot print carefully. It was larger and seemed to be appropriate for this kind of landscape, unlike Belle's heels which all but sank into the mud when she was trying to walk away from her tower. 'Must have been of a man.' The thought of a man near Belle made his blood boil furiously as he gritted his teeth and growled softly.
He felt his heartbeat quicken as he lost track of their trail. The rain must have washed it away. Rumple sighed in agitation and could only think it appropriate to take it out on his maid. ''Blasted girl, thinking she can run away from me?! She has no idea what I have in store for her. No idea, no idea!'' The high pitch and sadistic tone came back within his voice as he all but waved his hands frantically in the air before giggling maliciously. He walked in the direction of where the footprints looked like they were heading. He wanted to find her, make sure nothing and no one had harmed her as well as punish her for thinking she can just merely walk out of The Dark Castle unnoticed. He was suspicious of the male character that had escorted her all this way, there seemed to be no struggle in Belle's footsteps, showing him that she came willingly. He did not know whether this pleased him or not. Pleased that she did not seemed to be harmed or forced in any way but unpleased at the fact that she willingly left her duties and Rumplestiltskin himself.
He finally came to what looked like an abandoned campsite. The tents were left deranged over the floor, the white clean fabric now coated with a layer of grim dirt and mud. The firewood seemed to be fresh as smoke was coming from the blackened branches that sufficed as appropriate firewood. 'He must have lead Belle here.' Rumple thought as he bent down and slid his finger across one of the burned-out oak. 'Warm.' He thought as he looked around, inspecting the campsite further. He rummaged through the only tent still standing. He entered it furiously, desperate to find his maid. The torn down tents showed sign of no inhibitors except the tied-up horses, which seemed to be packed as if just ready to leave, made Rumple assume something unpleasant had indeed happened to Belle.
Inside the tent, he was immediately greeted by Belle's aromatic perfume. His years as The Dark One had made his senses extra sensitive. It was a 'perk' so to say. A smile crept across his face at the smell of her sweet scent. He was happy to know that Belle was indeed here, his shoulders hung loosely at his body as he was reassured he was in the right direction of finding her. He saw Belle's gowns in one corner of the room and a stack of fallen books disarranged on her cot. 'She must have left in a hurry.' He thought as he ran his fingers over the books, knowing she had touched them too. 'Or taken.' The thought in his head was unnerving. 'She took the time to gather her gowns before she left the castle, why leave them here now?' More and more evidence piled up, convincing Rumple that she did not leave on her own accord.
He couldn't contain his anger and with closed fists he repeatedly hit Belle's former cot, causing the dried-up pieces of hay that were lying all over the campsite to lift up from her cot and fall back down as his fists left the bed. Eventually, the small coarse blanket fell behind it.
Out of breath, Rumple sat down on her cot and tried to pace his breathing. He screamed as he kicked one of the books that were sat next to her cot across the tent, hitting the cloth and allowing the whole tent to ripple. He looked next to him and profusely hit the small flat feathery pile that must have sufficed as a pillow for Belle. He hit through the feathers and heard a small crunch.
He stopped mediately and his face softened as he saw the corner of a piece of parchment stick out from between the feathers. His chest still heaving up and down, he grabbed the corner and pulled it from its soft, hiding place. It was folded and possibly a message, he didn't want to invade her privacy but needed to unfold it and see if Belle had left any clues to her whereabouts. He wondered why he was thinking of invading her privacy anyway, she belonged to him. She didn't deserve privacy or any such luxuries in his eyes.
He slowly unfolded the parchment only to find a coal drawn picture stare him back at in the face.
He looked slightly bewildered as he dragged his nail across the page. ''Belle..'' He whispered as he looked at himself, sitting behind his wheel, amazed by her talent as well as the way she had drawn him. He looked at his hands which were gripping the sides of the small paper tightly, the greenish golden scales staring back at him with his blackened nails. He was a monster, how could she draw him like this, like he was anything but..that. He looked at the paper again and he noticed his whole body starting to relax as he let out a soft sigh. 'She does love.. me.' He suddenly felt stupid for doubting her, how he must have seemed when she confessed her feelings for him. His mouth started to form a hard line as his serious and stern look reappeared across his features.
Rumple ruffled through his satchel he had brought, his fingers touching herbs and plants inside of it, they were dried up and felt rough, their only use would now be for potion making. Rumple grabbed a handful and held his closed fist over her drawing, this belonged to Belle, he could find her with this. He crushed the herbs and a pink dust seeped through his fingers. It touched the parchment and not too long after that, it was covered in this glittery mess. Rumple put the paper down and clapped his hands together to rid him of any specks of dust before the paper lifted from his lap and started to float up into the air. ''Locater potion always does the trick.'' He said to himself in amusement of his resourcefulness. Belle's property soon left the tent and floated east.
Belle coughed heavily as she shook her head to try and get some of her hair out of her face. She was sweaty and she felt hot which was shocking as the whole room was cold. It was still dark in what could only have been a cell. She continued coughing before resting her head back against the wall, groaning. She was defiantly coming down with some kind of illness. Belle closed her eyes hoping to sleep it off if that was even possible in this wretched place. She could hear the small peeps and footsteps from the mice, alerting her that although it was dark, they could hear her. This meant that even though she was there they were not afraid of her like they knew she couldn't move. Her only conclusion was that wherever she was, prisoners were common down here. She started to feel a bit weary of the place but her eyelids felt heavy and she was soon taken by sleep.
Belle was jolted awake by a heavy metal door creaking open and dragging across the stone floor, the mice all but scurried away as daylight was let into the cell. 'So now they'll go away.' She thought realising that whatever came through that door must be a treat. Belle shut her eyes. The light was practically burning her sight as it felt like she hadn't seen daylight in several days. Eventually, she opened her eyes blinking rapidly to slowly let her eyes a just to the brightness. Her eyes were fixed on the door when she noticed no one was coming through. Her breath had quickened along with her heartbeat as she started to take in her surroundings. It was a cell, she was right. Bars surrounding her every angle and she was chained against the floor at both wrists and ankles. The dungeon was much larger than Rumple's and it had a lot more capacity for god knows what.
A woman appeared in an emerald-green silky smoke cloud. Her hair shone against the bright rays coming from beyond the open door. Her fell red hair danced in curls over her shoulders. Bright blue eyes caught Belle's attention. She was wearing a skin-tight black dress and a cloak which was as green as the greenest grass Belle could image. Her skin reminded her of Rumpelstiltskin's it was green and although lighter than Rumple's, it was shining with golden specks, complementing her sea blue eyes. This woman smiled brightly, her clean pearl white teeth almost made her look beautiful. ''Well, Well, Well. Looks like my sister brought me a little toy.'' She said with her hands on her hips giggling away as she fixated her eyes upon Belle who was making awful sounds trying to get out of her chains.
Rumple was dragging his feet along the grass, trying to dodge the trees the paper was so kindly avoiding. He looked around at his surrounding but found nothing but tall treetops. ''Can't you go any faster!'' He rolled his eyes at the parchment as he angerly crossed his arms and walked as slowly as the paper was travelling. He came across a pathway. The parchment was leading across it in a straight line which made Rumple suspicious. He gathered his stance and clicked his fingers. The parchment stood still for a minute before all the pink dust evaporated into thin air and the paper fell to the floor. ''No need, I know exactly where this path leads.'' He said growling as he picked up the paper before staring at it for a brief moment. 'I'm coming, Belle.' He sealed it in his front pocket of his leather hide bodice. His pace fastened and he clenched his fists, knowing this road led to The Queen. ''If you have hurt a single hair.. If you even think about..'' He mumbled to himself as he bared his teeth in anger.
Belle's fear got the better of her as this woman opened the cell door with the flick of her wrist before trotting in, making the loud noises on her heels stand out. ''No! Stay away from me!'' Belle pleaded as she scurried her feet back to the wall as much as she could. ''And why would I do that?'' This woman's voice became deeper and more sinister before she was stopped in her steps by an all too familiar voice. ''No, Zelena. She's not to be harmed.'' The Queen walked through the door which made Zelena stomp her feet like a toddler before rolling her eyes and groaning in disappointment. The Queen neared Belle's cell as she smiled the evillest grin at her, her black lipstick in contrast with her white teeth sent shivers down Belle's spine. ''Not yet anyway.'' The Queen spoke as she narrowed her eyes at Belle. Belle's chest heaved up in down in fear. ''Come sis.'' The Queen spoke before retreating out of the cell and the dungeon followed by Zelena before closing the door, again leaving her in complete and utter darkness. Belle fell down to the floor, her knees weak in fear as she felt hot tears run down her cheeks, she didn't notice she had been crying. Belle continued coughing, the sound of her throat disagreeing with her circumstances became coarser and she started to feel pain in her chest every time she coughed. She started to feel weaker as her hands and legs got shakier.
Sweat started to form on Belle's forehead as she was breathing heavily, she was out of breath but of what? She felt horrid and all she wanted to do was close her eyes and sleep, but for some odd reason she felt like she would never see the light of day again, or Rumple for that matter, if she did.
Hours later The Queen appeared in front of Belle in a black smog cloud. It sent her heart racing when suddenly light was found within this dungeon and she saw the equivalent of death stand before her, in her cell.
Belle groaned out of pain and fear as she saw a look of what could almost be described as empathy upon The Queen's face. ''Oh, not feeling well?'' She spoke with a deep and demanding voice; the words were one of concern but she made it sound like the venom from a scorpion. Her worry soon disappeared and was replaced with a laugh. She knew what was wrong with Belle and she probably caused it too. ''W..What have you done to me?'' Belle voiced but only came out in soft whispers as she repeatedly coughed afterwards. The Queen leant against the back of the cell door crossing her arms as he ebony black hair hung loose over her slim body. ''Well you see, I have cursed you.'' She said as she looked upon her nails, checking them. Belle's eyes sprung open and she tensed her body which only made her cough more and make her feel weaker. ''The more your 'true love' comes near you, the quicker you die.'' She said putting emphasis on the words she spoke. ''And by the looks of it, he's not far now.'' She laughed as she flicked back her hair in amusement. Why would she do such a thing? She didn't even know her, why kill her? ''True love?'' Belle spoke softly as she closed her eyes and her head hung forward leaning on her arms, every word and move she made, made her feel weaker. ''Yes, dear old Rumplestiltskin of course.'' Belle lifted her head to meet The Queen's gaze she could feel upon her. She was now leant down and cupping Belle's chin as she whispered '' I killed his other wife, can't allow him to acquire another one.'' She narrowed her eyes at Belle as the same broad smile came across her face. 'She killed Rumple's wife!' The evil she felt for this woman seemed to be true, The Queen and Rumple had a definite history together, she was slightly happy that it wasn't an intimate past but felt sorry for even thinking about her own personal gains with her relationship with Rumple at this point.
Belle's vision got blurry as the last thing she saw was a loud thump in the background and The Queen's smile fading and the words slowly coming from her mouth. ''That was quick.'' Before her unconsciousness took over her body and she was forced against the wall as he body lay defenceless against the stone floor.
''REGINA!'' The front door of the castle was swung open only to reveal a small but angry man stand in the grand opening of them. The castle seemed empty as he walked through to be faced with Zelena. ''Hello, old friend. It's been a while.'' She said winking at the Dark One, seeming not at all feared by his presence or his power as she smiled at him in a way that infuriated Rumple even further. ''What have you done with her?'' Rumple growled through his teeth as he put up his hand and Zelena was thrown back against the wall with his powerful magic, choking her. She became full of fear at this moment, gasping for air, reaching with her hands to her throat, speaking was not an option. She couldn't move another inch of her body as his hands seem to twitch, choking her further.
Zelena smiled as she heard feint heels in the distance, tapping away through the long stone corridor they were standing in. Rumple got distracted and faced the direction the noise was coming from. He tightened his grip on Zelena as Regina entered around the corner. ''Oh, let her go, it's me you want.'' She said with full confidence, seeming like facing the Dark One was child's play as she put her hands on her hips like an agitated mother would. ''With pleasure.'' Rumplestiltskin replied before he released Zelena who all but lost her stance and fell to the stone floor gripping at her neck, allowing air back inside her lungs as she softly growled at Rumple who was now facing Regina. She felt slightly jealous, he always chose her, whether it was pleasant or not, Zelena was always chosen second best by this imp.
Rumple waved his hands around and Regina was tossed against the wall, her arms and legs immediately entangled by stone cuffs that came out of the wall, restricting her movements. She grunted out of pain before a small smile erupted on her face. ''I wouldn't do that if I were you.'' She said intimidatingly. ''Where is she? Dearie.'' He asked, his voice grew impatient as her expression grew more playful. ''Do you want her?'' The Queen asked as if genuinely wanting to return her. Rumple who was blinded with anger and rage spat at her ''Well, I didn't come here to talk to you and your green sister for fun, dearie.'' He growled as Zelena crossed her arms and rolled her eyes walking away from this scene, seeing as she was no longer needed, she never was when her sister wanted to play with her former teacher, Rumplestiltskin.
''Fine, release me and I will give her to you, I submit.'' Regina pleaded as she closed her eyes and lifted her hands as much as the restraints would allow her too, indicating defeat. But Regina showed no sign of fear or defeat. Rumple's stance grew softer as his breathing was more under control thinking about being near Belle again, if this witch was telling the truth that is. Still weary he released Regina with the flick of his wrist. Regina fell to the floor, she gently rubbed her wrists before she waved her hands and Belle appeared unconscious in front of them on the floor. Belle's sleeping form was soft and seemed innocent. Rumple's eyes were drawn to her bruised wrists and ankles which were exposed by the pulled-up leather trousers. All her clothes covered in dirt as her damp hair hung in stands over her face, she was sweating furiously and groaned in pain in her sleep. ''What have you done to her.'' He stood still as he clenched his fists, not moving an inch towards Belle now seeing the suspicion raised by her sudden return. Rumple could think more clearly now that Belle was near him. He felt more in control of his anger and could see that there was definitely something wrong as Regina wouldn't just steal her away to give back to him. Regina all but giggled at his question before she turned her heel and went the other way through the castle, waving back behind her ''Nothing dear, just take her. She's yours.'' She could barely contain her laughter as she spoke.
Belle and Rumple were left alone in the corridor of Regina's castle.
Rumple felt anxious, she looked ill, almost on the verge of death even, her skin was pale almost grey of colour and her eyelids and lips were bright pink, chapped through the dehydration, she had clearly not eaten and drunk for a while but he refused to step near her. His anger for Belle and her little runaway act were cast away and replaced by feelings of worry, he needed to fix whatever was wrong with her. Regina had some kind of spell on her that made him suspicious of just picking her up and returning to The Dark Castle. He paced around her body nervously. 'What if it was a double bluff and she was actually fine to handle, I could whisk us off to the castle and fix her there, but what if she isn't fine at all and she would die at my touch.' He drove his hands through his hair nervously, pulling at the curls on his head thinking he should have brought more potions with him. He was distracted by Belle's cough, it was coarse, afterwards, she took long and deep breaths; breathing in, they seemed to be restricting her throat, they sounded dry and her lungs sounded infected. He became worried and every bone in his body ached to pick her up and sort out the damage later and bring her to his castle where she would be safe, to bring her home. But he reminded himself of Regina and how she had killed Milah and how she would probably do the same to Belle.
It had been over a hundred years since Milah passed away, but Rumple could remember it so clearly.
It had been a rainy night and Rumple was still quite new to becoming The Dark One. Milah had wanted him to grow stronger for both her and their child but disagreed with his methods of tampering with dark magic. After several nights of long and loud arguments on how he was a coward for seeking magic, needing power to become brave, she wanted him to give it all up so they could be a family again but Rumple told her that giving up the power would be impossible, the price to pay would be his life and he wasn't ready to leave Bae behind. Milah, on the other hand, thought death was the appropriate way to lose his cowardice and die a hero. Eventually, Milah took their son, Baelfire and tried to get as far away from Rumple as possible. Baelfire was against this, he wanted to stay with his papa, he felt secure with him, his magic was powerful and although everyone was afraid of The Dark One, he saw good in his father and wanted to be by his side to ensure that goodness stayed intact, bus alas his mother had the final say and all but dragged him out of the cottage before leaving for a better and happier life aboard the Jolly Roger with which she claimed to be an old friend but Rumple had seen them get more than just acquainted in the tavern, multiple times.
When Milah and Baelfire were aboard the Jolly Roger, the waves seemed to make the ship bobble from left to right and the sound of the far away seagulls alarmed them that no one was aboard. Milah held on to Bae's hand tightly as she looked around shouting for her lover's name ''Killian?'' Only to be greeted by a woman with a slick red dress clenched to her body, highlighting her every curve with her onyx long hair flowing behind her like waves flowed across the sea. ''Get behind me Bae.'' Milah commanded to her son as she shoved him behind her, shielding any danger that she could feel was coming. The Queen smiled at the young woman and her son, a malevolent smile but a smile non the less. ''Your little captain isn't here to save you, Mrs Jones.'' Baelfire's eyes widened in shock at the way this woman addressed his mother. ''Jones? That's not your name.'' He spoke as he pulled on his mother's dress, trying to get her attention and wanting her to turn around. She complied as she turned to face her son and knelt down before gripping him at both his shoulders staring him in the eyes. ''Get your father.'' Baelfire stood and stared at his mother. 'Why wasn't she telling this woman that Jones wasn't her name? Why is papa needed? Why is mummy looking so scared?' All thoughts rushing through this child's mind as the only thing he could do was stare back into his mother's big light blue eyes, matching the colour of the sea on the horizon. ''NOW!'' His mother's voice broke his thoughts as he was jolted back to reality, running off the ship in search of his papa.
Minutes later Rumple was dragged back to the ship by his son. Regina looked upon this man, full of scales and big green reptilian eyes. She knew exactly who he was and what power he held. Regina grabbed Milah by her arm and in her other hand, she lit a warm fireball in her hand. ''Not. One. Step. Dark One.'' She commanded as she brought the flame closer to her face. The scorching heat made Milah turn her head and groan in pain as The Queen's black long nails were being dug into her arm.
Rumple stopped in his steps as did his son. Rumple looked worried and he put up his hands in the air, indicating defeat and looking scared of the confidence within this woman. ''I..I don't want any trouble, please don't hurt her.'' He pleaded for her release and health as he glanced at his wife in fear of what will befall on her. ''You're not Killian Jones, you're not the pirate.'' Regina looked disgusted as she glanced from Rumple to Milah, back to their son, putting the pieces together. ''Oh. You dirty slut.'' Regina released her as she giggled in amusement. Milah backed away from her touch as she leant against one of the wooden poles on the ship, looking at The Queen in a challenging way, her eyes prying her to keep quiet.
''Married to both the pirate and The Dark One? Very.. talented.'' She growled as she looked upon a confused and hurt Rumplestiltskin. ''What?'' Is all that escape his mouth. His whispering and broken voice caught his son's attention. ''Is that why she called you Mrs Jones?'' Baelfire spoke as he looked upon his mother while grasping at his father's linen shirt. ''Milah?'' Rumple spoke as Milah all but turned her face away from her family and stared into the open sea. ''Yes. If you weren't such a coward Rumple. If you could have just fought in the war, we would be happy.'' Her stern voice breaking the silence as she gave an angry glance towards her first husband.
Regina clapped her hands and stood up from the crate she had positioned herself on. ''Well, that's not very nice.'' She pouted at Milah as she approached her and smiled that evil grin she so dearly loved to show.
Rumple looked upon Baelfire who was staring back at him, tears filled his glassy emerald eyes. Rumple stroked his cheek trying to hush him as the same look that was upon his son's face was playing out inside of him. He felt broken, betrayed and deceived. He knew she had her fun at the tavern but what made him worry less was that he always knew that at the end of the day she was his and his alone. Now even this thought was shattered. Every positive thought and feeling he had for her seemed to vanish.
Rumple and Baelfire were soon brought back to the scene on the boat as they heard a small painful groan escape Milah's mouth.
The Queen had her arm quarter way inside Milah's chest, still grinning as Milah all but slid down the wooden pole as Regina pulled out her arm in a swift motion revealing a beating and glowing red heart within her palm. Milah looked afraid, tears were falling across her face when she could hear footsteps approach the ship, a man with short black hair and a long black leather trench coat caught her eye. She diverted her gaze from The Queen to this man. ''Killian..'' She smiled with tears in her eyes as The Queen tightened her grip upon the heart and it started to beat faster, like it was gasping for air. Milah responded by coughing and the grabbing of her chest before the heart in Regina's hand was converted into a grey fine dust as it seeped onto the deck of the ship. Rumple, Baelfire and Killian all stared at this witch in shock. ''You should thank me really.'' Regina spoke before laughing and disappearing into a black thin cloud, vanishing from view.
Rumple fell to his knees. He gasped for air when she disappeared realising he was holding his breath all this time. He stared upon his wife's deceased body lying against the pole on the deck of the ship she was going to depart on with her second husband. ''MUMMY!'' Baelfire broke the silence allowing both men to stare upon this boy before being shot to reality. ''Milah, love.'' The captain of this vessel spoke before boarding his ship to get closer to his lover's corpse. ''DON'T GO NEAR HER.'' Rumple spoke. His voice had completely changed. It was stern and full of anger, he looked down, his curls covering his face as he got back up on both feet and stepped on board. ''She's my wife, mate.'' Killian spoke as he sized up the man, realising he was taller and feeling more confident. Rumple looked up at the man, his pupils were as small as a grain of salt as he bared his teeth to this man, showing him no fear. ''SHE WAS MINE FIRST!'' Rumple's anger awakening his dark powers as he held up his hand and the man was pushed overboard by a whirlwind of magic.
A splash being the only sound heard from and remembered from Rumplestiltskin's memory.
