The tour of the castle ended, and it was only after Rumple and Belle had returned to their own castle that Henry thought about the simple act of touching his grandfather. He'd acted out of instinct, not thinking who it was he was offering comfort to in that moment. Who would have ever believed the Dark One would need comforting? And yet he had seemed so human. If Henry's ability to tell a lie hadn't told him to believe Rumple, the way he'd seen him act would have. Not only were they related, but Rumple had honestly loved his son.

Apparently that love extended to him. He wanted to help him be a successful king. The question now was could they work together and still have the kingdom's support? At this point, Henry was doubtful. Yet he couldn't break this connection to the only family he had. Besides, his grandfather was a man who knew how to arrange things, and that went far beyond getting the best out of a deal. If they worked together, they could see the kingdom thrive even better than it had under the previous king and queen.

Everything was put to the test the next day. As many people as could be gathered filed into the Great Hall. Henry stood where the king and queen had stood the day he was knighted, the day they were killed. These people had adored Queen Snow and King David, but Henry was young. He had only just become a knight. They wanted to follow him, but there was uncertainty over whether he was ready to rule. Henry knew there was talk, that some still say him as only a boy. He held on to hope that they would respect his judgment on this.

"My subjects," he began. "The loss of my grandparents, and my mother the princes, is a tragedy that has left a scar on the realm. It has been especially difficult for those who knew and loved them personally. The King and Queen lead us through happy, peaceful times. Their murder will not be returning to this realm." Technically, that was true. It had been decided to leave it at that, and a cheer answered that news. "I have inherited the burden of the crown. I am your king, as well as a knight of the realm. Both titles require me to be a servant to my people. I will do my best to succeed at that. I know I'm young, and will need advice. That is why one of my first acts as king is to appoint a new royal adviser."

At those words, Rumple entered the room, Belle holding his hand.

"It's the Dark One! Run!" Grumpy shouted, though he looked ready to stand his ground himself. He had been loyal to Snow White, and would protect her grandson.

A few started to run. Others drew swords. It was a mixture of annoying and amusing for Rumple when people did that. There was no way an ordinary weapon could have harmed him, yet there was always someone who was foolish enough to try. All it took was a snap of his fingers to freeze everyone. Henry looked at him in alarm when he did that.

"They're not hurt, Your Majesty." The way Rumple spoke was calculated. It was not submissive in any way, but it was filled with respect. He was careful to not appear to be a threat to the king. Even the way he stood did not convey the sense of power it usually did, although it left no doubt he was far from weak. "This is simply to make sure they hear you out."

Henry took a breath. This wasn't going as well as he would have wanted, but he had expected it. Everyone being frozen wasn't going to endear Rumple to them, but it was better than the alternative of them fleeing or attacking.

"I have made Rumplestiltskin," a decision on Henry's part to use Rumple's name rather than calling him the Dark One would hopefully put them at ease, "the new royal adviser. I know that is a shock, but he is not a threat to this kingdom or anyone in it. He has offered his advice, and I have accepted. You know my mother could tell a lie from the truth. I also have that gift. I know he is not deceiving me."

Rumple unfroze everyone then. They were calm enough to listen, but that was the best that could be said.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Grumpy said "Your grandfather had that thing locked away for a reason."

Rumple thought about giving a look of mock offense at being called a thing, but it was important for Henry's sake that his people accept this. That didn't mean he was just going to let Grumpy make a remark like that.

"If I was a threat to you, Dearie, you'd already be a stone figure decorating the grounds of my castle." Grumpy paled at that.

Now was the time to tell them. If they were going to rebel against him because of his bloodlines, he was never going to be able to rule them anyway. He wasn't going to start his rule by keeping secrets.

"King David was not my only grandfather," Henry told them. "My father, Sir Baelfire, was a man well known and respected for his courage. He gave his life to save others. As hard as it might be for many of you to believe, Rumplestiltskin is his father. That also makes him my grandfather."

That drew a collective gasp. The idea that the Dark One, the embodiment of evil, was in any way related to someone so heroic was inconceivable.

"I know you want to believe there's good in him," someone else said, "Especially if he's family. But wanting to believe something doesn't make it true."

"Sometimes, that's exactly what makes it true," Henry said. "There is more to Rumplestiltskin than we have admitted to ourselves. We have ignored that he has done good for too long, and accepted a false truth that he is an enemy,"

Belle took the chance to speak up.

"Everyone has heard how terrible the Ogre Wars were. No one talks about it, but it was Rumple who ended them. He saved Avonlea during the second Ogre War. He ended the first centuries before that."

"The only reason he ended the second Ogre War was because he took you prisoner in exchange!" someone called out.

"That's not true!" Belle corrected him. "I agreed to go with him in exchange. It was my choice. And in all the time I was with him, he never gave me a reason to regret it. I trusted him to keep his side of our agreement, and he has. He'll keep his word to help the king too. No matter what you've heard, he isn't a monster. "

Oh so reluctantly, the people quieted their murmuring. They weren't going to rebel against Henry just yet. If he was under the protection of the Dark One, there was nothing that could be done anyway. Only one young man stepped forward.

"You're really Sir Baelfire's father?" the young man asked, and Rumple nodded. The young man smiled. "My name is Gareth. I'm one of the family your son saved that night. We never got to thank him, but if I can thank you for him, at least that is something."

He held out his hand, and Rumple hesitated a second in surprise before shaking it. If one person in the kingdom was willing to accept him as Henry's adviser, it was a start.