When You Wish Upon a Star
Summary: Belle French is no longer happy in Storybrooke, wanting more than what life has to offer. One night, a wish upon a star brings her to a far-off land where there are ogres, werewolves and other beasts. Thankfully, she also happens upon a wool spinner and his son. (AU)
A/N: I reference to a scene in the Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast in this one! ;) Ho man, I am still sick. It is driving me nuts. No runny nose or anything, but I have that really heavy, achy feeling that comes with a fever and makes me want to lay in bed all day. My head is spinning from the lack of activity, haha. I hope that isn't reflected in my writing, haha!
Just note this chapter is a bit shorter than usual due to the under the weather-ness and because I liked the pace of this chapter and didn't want to change anything. I'll make it up to you!
TeamTHEFT: Thanks so much, you've been such a dedicated R&R'er! I love reading your reviews every time! In terms of the curse, we'll have to see where that takes us, won't we? ;)
Manyfandomsonegirl: Welcome, new reader and reviewer! I am thrilled you are enjoying the fic! I fully intend to keep going, and finish. ;)
cheesyteal'c: Was this update soon enough for you? :D
Stargate533: Haha, I'd love to write the chapter where Belle spends an entire afternoon reading to Rumplestiltskin, but I have a feeling that one wouldn't be as interesting.
Allielove95: Thank you! I hope you made it up to this chapter! ;)
thedoctorsgirl42: Aren't they, though? I figured this was a safe route to take considering Maurice tried to send her across the town line handcuffed to a mine cart in the show.
MyraValhallah: Thank you! Glad you've enjoyed it so far, we're almost finished!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Once Upon a Time or Disney.
Chapter 10: Kill the Beast
It was a depressing day when Belle realized that the room of fire was her sanctuary. Falling asleep took away the pain and the desperation of being back home with parents that were trying to control her life. The more forgiving part of herself knew they still thought of her as a child, as she'd been absent from them most of her life, but the truth was, she was an adult. She had the right to make her own choices – they just didn't see it that way. She wanted them to be a part of her life, to be approving of Rumplestiltskin. She'd spent too much time away from all of them, so she wanted them to be together. If she could just get her parents away from the comfort of magic, of holding her captive in this enchanted castle, then she could get through to them!
Belle sat in the corner of the fiery room again, knees drawn to her chest as she wiped her tears on the fabric of her dress. She wanted to reach out to Rumplestiltskin; she wished she had some way of communicating with him, but being locked in a tower, she couldn't exactly write a letter. Cellphones from Storybrooke were looking mighty good right now.
She toyed with her novel pendant, able to take in all of its detail even in the dream. She felt the small grooves beneath her fingertips, but something made her squint her eyes in curiosity.
"A latch?" Her thumb carefully snapped the latch open, and her eyes widened when she realized the novel actually opened, tiny golden pages with inscriptions turning with each gentle flick of her fingers.
Once upon a time, one page read.
There was an ugly man, said the next.
Loved by a beautiful woman.
She showed him many things:
Love is patience.
Love is selfless.
And, most importantly she showed him…
True love is -
Us.
Belle heaved a sob, feeling the sting of the smoke. She was suddenly a blubbering mess, sobbing and coughing and rubbing her wet face against her dress. All she wanted to do was kiss Rumplestiltskin silly for such a heartwarming gift. How could she not see the good in him if he could produce something with so much love even while under the Dark Curse? She didn't even see Snow White approach her, only noticing her presence when she felt a cool chill on her shoulder, the woman's hand going straight through her shoulder due to their transparencies.
"Snow," Belle said quietly, rubbing her eyes. "Sorry. How are you?"
"How are you?" Snow asked, arching an eyebrow and sitting across from her. "What's wrong?"
"I'm being held captive – seems to be a recurring theme in my life," Belle said bitterly.
"Recurring?" Snow White repeated. "You're not being held by the Dark One anymore?" In the several times she'd met with Belle in this room, the stories she'd told were always from the Dark Castle.
"No, he lifted the restrictions. I went to go tell my parents to tell them the good news, but… but they weren't so willing to hear the part about me loving the Dark One."
"Not many people are when it comes to him. He's terrorized many across the land."
Belle remained silent, his darker ways always a subject strong enough to make her uncomfortable. She knew he'd been a monster, fueled by the desire for power and the search for his son. But he was a good person who made bad choices. She was trying to help him with that, and she'd seen a lot of improvement.
"It's still my life," Belle said quietly. "I should be with him right now."
Snow White gasped suddenly, leaning back so she could see Belle's shoulders. Her eyes went wide.
"Belle! What have they done to you?!"
Belle sat up straighter, trying to conceal the wounds on her back that were apparently visible even in their diaphanous state.
"My father," she said bitterly. "After he locked me in the tower, he sent clerics in to 'cleanse my soul' with scourges and flaying. I would have flung myself off the tower if I didn't know what it would do to Rumple. He shouldn't have to suffer through so much pain."
Snow White wasn't in the mindset to disagree, still lingering on the strangely endearing nickname.
"You call the Dark One 'Rumple'..?"
"Ugh, this is so typical," Belle said, not noticing the confusion in Snow White's tone. "We get just a few moments of happiness, then something happens to try and keep us apart. Look what he made me," Belle said, holding out the pendent. She flipped through the pages so Snow White could read, and she saw her look of incredulousness fade into one of sympathy.
"Oh, Belle… he made that? It's beautiful."
"I know! And I can't even thank him properly for it!" Belle felt a tear roll down her cheek again, and Snow White tried to pat her shoulder, only succeeding in making a portion of her body feel cold.
"Hey… it'll be okay. Why don't I… Why don't I see if I can talk to him for you?"
"What?" Belle's head shot up, her red eyes going wide. "You would do that?" She took in the kindness in Snow White's face.
"Yeah. You helped me through this terrible nightmare. It's the least I could do. Especially if it's for true love. I'm a big fan of it, myself. And it's got to be better than clerics trying to cleanse an already pure soul."
Belle would have hugged her if she could. She could feel herself fading, and all she could do was smile.
"Oh, thank you, Snow White. Thank you. Just warn him that Gaston and his men are preparing for an attack. Tell him to be careful."
"No problem," she said. "Just hang in there, okay?"
But Belle was gone from the room, awakening to another dreadful day locked in a tower.
Rumplestiltskin was worried when two days passed and Belle had not returned. By the end of the third day, he was positively anxious. He waited for the end of the fourth day, spending it pacing back and forth in his study. She still did not return.
The first thought that ran through his mind was that something had happened to her. But he quickly pushed the thought aside; she was probably just extending the stay with her parents. It was probably taking longer than normal.
But then why hadn't she written him?
He wanted to snap his fingers and end up in Avonlea, but he didn't want to seem too eager in case it really was nothing. He decided to wait until the end of the week, and if she still hadn't returned, he would go to her. And, he thought bitterly, scold her for not warning him of how long her visits would actually take. He really should have kept the restrictions on that girl. She was too much of a free soul.
He wondered if she'd discovered that her necklace was actually a real, golden book yet.
He had to admit, he was very proud of that gift. He was in the process of making another one, and he supposed that was why he was so eager for her return. He glanced at the golden band that sat atop his desk, waiting for a perfect diamond to make it complete. He was going to use the same diamonds from the fairy dust mines, because with a soul as pure as Belle's, she deserved only the best.
But she had to come home if she was going to receive it.
He glanced out the window, his eyes widening when he saw a cloaked figure walking down his castle's path in the heavy rain. His heart jumped with joy and he ran down the several steps to the front hall, throwing the doors open. The figure hadn't even knocked on the door yet, and her face registered the slight surprise. She was too tall, he noticed immediately, her hair too dark. His shoulders fell.
"Looking to make a deal?" he asked, masking his disappointment.
"No," the woman said, pulling back her hood. He blinked, and he forced his lips to twist into a wicked smile.
"My, my, if it isn't Snow White in the flesh. What can I do for you, dearie?"
"Actually, I'm here to help you," she said, gesturing to his castle. "May I come in?" She seemed to register his hesitation into letting the Evil Queen's nemesis into his home, so she spoke again.
"It's about Belle."
"What? Is she all right?" Rumplestiltskin asked immediately, but Snow White once again gestured into his castle. After another pause, he opened the doors wide and allowed her to walk inside. He saw her drip water onto his plush carpets, and he eyed her with dismay. If she noticed, she pretended not to.
"I suppose you're expecting tea as well," he said sarcastically, but Snow White smiled.
"That would be lovely." He led her up to the grand hall, snapping his fingers and glancing at the tea set that appeared on his table. Snow White poured herself a cup, humming at the warmth and the sweetness.
"Now that that's all done with," he said impatiently, "Tell me what you know about Belle." Snow White's expression became guarded now, and she gestured to his chair.
"Why don't you have a seat?"
"I'm perfectly fine standing, dearie," he assured her with a sneer. Snow White sighed, leaning against the table.
"Fine. She's with her parents."
"She's safe?" he asked, looking a bit crestfallen. "Then why hasn't she written?"
"Safe, in a manner of speaking," Snow White amended with a frown. "They weren't too kind when they learned their only child had fallen for the darkest being known to man. They locked her in a tower, they're tying to get clerics to cleanse her soul-"
He heard very little after that, his hands balling into fists at his sides. He closed his eyes as that dark rage flowed through his veins, and he pictured himself beating Maurice to bloody pulp in a very similar manner to what he'd done to the Duke.
"If you'll excuse me, dearie," he said, interrupting Snow White's rambles, "I have to make a trip."
"Wait, wait, they're preparing for your attack. Gaston-" Snow White said, and he scoffed.
"There's a reason your kingdom fears me, you know. I stopped the Ogre Wars; I have a feeling I can handle the idiot and his men."
"But," Snow White said, "Belle wouldn't want you to endanger anyone for her sake. You should know that better than I do."
Rumplestiltskin paused, realizing something. He'd never seen Belle interact with anyone outside of Regina before, and she'd told him the story about how she met Red in the pub. She'd never mentioned Snow White before. She'd mentioned someone else though, in her dreams…
"You're the other person in the room of fire," he said, pointing to her. "That's how you know all of this." Snow White nodded.
"And you're the one who helped her get through it. She's told me a lot about you. Showed me the necklace. It's beautiful." Rumplestiltskin sneered again, not entirely sure how he felt about someone other than Belle realizing his soft spot for romance.
"Go, find her. Save her. But don't harm her or her village, okay? Her parents made the wrong decision trying to keep her from you, but they're still her parents. If she didn't want you to harm Regina for putting her under the sleeping curse, she's not going to want you to harm her parents for them thinking they're protecting their child."
He felt that rage flare through him again, this time at the realization that Snow White was right. He growled and nodded his head, watching as she set aside her now empty teacup and stood from the table.
"I figured someone should tell you. If not for your own sanity, then for Belle's safety." Snow White's voice was pure and kind, as gentle as her reputation claimed her to be. He watched as she began walking towards the door.
"Ah," he said hesitantly, not meeting Snow White's eye when she turned to face him, "Thank you." The young woman smiled and nodded. Once Snow White had left, he ran up to his study, threw on his cloak and pocketed his unfinished ring. He was going to give this to her no matter what. He remembered the deal – the promise – they had struck: "It's forever."
If Gaston had his men ready to go, he knew appearing right at the castle's doorsteps was not exactly the smartest tactic. He threw his hood over his head and appeared at the town's entrance. Stealth was probably the better route to take. He expected to see guards, certainly. But he had not anticipated being the subject of almost every conversation.
"Did you hear? The rulers are preparing for an attack by the Dark One."
"Why?"
"Rumour is he's corrupted their daughter – she's fallen for him!"
"No! That pretty little thing could do so much better."
He felt his lips twitch downwards when he heard the disdain in their voices, firmly reminding himself that no one needed to approve. What Belle and him had was real, and it was worth fighting for. As he went deeper into town, the rumours became more ridiculous, like how Belle had become as dark as the Dark One himself.
When he was closer to the castle, he could hear the guards talking amongst themselves, spreading even more nasty rumours. And, he realized with displeasure, Gaston was among them.
"The beast will make off with our children! He'll come after them in the night," one of the men exclaimed. Gaston nodded fiercely.
"We're not safe until his head is mounted on my wall! I say we kill the beast!"
Yeah, good luck with that, he thought bitterly as he watched Gaston head inside the castle. Rumplestiltskin headed down an alleyway and took a detour to avoid running into him. With the help of magic, he was able to get there fairly easily without being seen. He wandered the perimeter of their estate, looking through every window of every tower he could see. After several agonizing minutes, he finally spotted her, looking out the window. The grief on her stunning face was overwhelming, and, knowing his destination now, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
When he appeared in her room, the first thing he saw were the appalling wounds across Belle's back. Her dress was unlaced so the fabric would not touch them, probably because they still stung. That possessiveness, that anger flowed through him at the thought of these people harming his Belle. She was still unaware of his presence, so he silently walked up to her, waving a hand over her injuries and watching as they healed before his eyes. Once gone, magic laced her dress back up, making Belle jump in surprise. She turned to face him, and that smile on her face was all he needed to make that rage of his disappear – for now.
His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist when she greeted him with the tightest hug she had ever given him, and he heaved a sigh of relief.
"Rumple! Oh, thank goodness, I was scared I'd never get to see you again!"
"If you were going to entrust anyone with the news of your safety, I'm glad it was Snow White," he said, and Belle laughed. Amazing – she could still laugh at a time like this.
"That Snow White works fast, doesn't she?"
"It seems so."
"That's the story of you and me," Belle said with a smile, quoting Disney, though he wouldn't know it. "From the very beginning, we were meant to be." His gaze flickered to her lips at the sentiment, and he frowned when she raised her fingertips to caress his own.
"If I could kiss you right now," he said quietly, "I would."
"About that," Belle said, her eyes widening. "My parents, they have a bean. We could go to Storybrooke, you and me, and we could find Bae. We can finally get him back, have it be just like before."
His heart skipped a beat, thinking back to all of the close calls he'd had with these rare, magical beans. And Belle's parents had one.
"Where is it?" he asked. Belle gestured to the door.
"Upstairs – they keep it locked in one of mom's jewelry boxes. Come on, we have to hurry before they realize you're here!"
Rumplestiltskin unlocked the door immediately, manual locks no challenge for a man who had the most powerful dark magic across the land. Belle's time away from the Avonlea castle hadn't affected her much, as she ran through the hallways as though she remembered the layout like the back of her hand. Rumplestiltskin followed, listening carefully for footsteps or voices. It seemed most of the guards were outside that day, but there was still the matter of her parents.
"In here," she whispered. She peeked in, checking to see if the coast was clear, and once she was certain, she tiptoed in. He unlocked the jewelry box she held out to him, and his heart began to race when he saw the magic bean for himself.
Bae, he thought, taking the bean and pocketing it. I'm coming back, son.
Belle smiled, kissing his cheek and taking his hand once more.
"Come on, we have to-"
"Well! I was wondering where you'd run off to. The clerics are here, Belle." Rumplestiltskin turned as the door swung open, and he was found looking into the displeased expression of Sir Maurice. The Dark One suddenly stood taller, his shoulders squaring as he looked into the man's pudgy, wrinkly face.
"Oh, look, if it isn't the man who locked his own daughter in a tower and got clerics to abuse her because he wasn't man enough to do it himself." He could feel Belle's hand on his sleeve, keeping him close to her – keeping him grounded. Maurice scoffed.
"A parent does what he has to," he said. "What would a dark soul like you know about being a parent?"
"More than you, clearly," Rumplestiltskin spat.
"Gaston!" Maurice cried over his shoulder. "Gaston, it's time! He's here!"
"No!" Belle exclaimed, but Maurice pulled Belle by the hand and pulled her to his side.
"If you think I'm going to let you touch her again after what you've already done to her, you've got another thing coming," he said. Belle struggled against him, and Rumplestiltskin almost resorted to magic to get her back, but Gaston ran in. He was pointing an arrow at him, but he shook his head. These people! He could only die by his own dagger.
The second the arrow struck him though, he found himself gasping from the pain. The arrow was enchanted, and while it may not kill him, it hurt like a bitch. He knew of only one person who could conjure this type of magic, and he looked up into the faces of Maurice and Gaston. Did these two people really think they knew how to love Belle better than he did?
"Been working with the Evil Queen, have you?" he said bitterly. "That's how we all ended up here, isn't it?"
"Silence, beast!" Gaston exclaimed, and he pushed him through the window, as Rumplestiltskin had done to him not too long ago. Belle cried out but Maurice held her back, and Rumplestiltskin felt himself hit the rough tiles of the castle's roof, the arrow digging deeper into his shoulder. Gaston was not far behind. As he skidded to a stop, he felt the tiles scrape at his skin, enough to cause pain for a few seconds before the wounds closed up. There was still the matter of the painful arrow stuck in his shoulder, but he was too busy thinking of multiple scenarios in which he could cause Gaston the most pain in his death.
"Get up," Gaston demanded, driven by his lust for revenge in humiliating him back in the Dark Castle. "Get up!" Rumplestiltskin wanted to, but the thought of murdering someone in front of Belle was enough to make him halt his desire to retaliate. He was trying to be better for her. He was trying to be good. But these people were making it bloody difficult.
"What's the matter, beast? Is Belle right? Are you too kind and gentle to fight back?!"
"No!" Rumplestiltskin could hear Belle's cry; he looked up to the shattered window, spotting her looking down at them and being held back by her father. Gaston was wielding his sword now, raising it above his head. Rumplestiltskin may not be willing to murder in front of her, but he was also unwilling to let others stand idly by while he was whipped by the village idiot. He grabbed the sword by the blade, realizing it too, was enchanted. He winced at the pain but used the strength of his magic to push the sword towards Gaston. He finally saw the fear register on the man's face when he overpowered him, and it felt good.
They struggled, and any wounds the man gave him healed within seconds, but he was slowed due to the enchanted arrow in his shoulder. Rumplestiltskin found himself falling from one part of the roof to the next, trying to ignore Belle's horrified cries in the background.
"Were you in love with her, beast?" Gaston mocked cruelly. "Did you honestly think she'd want you when she had someone like me?!"
Rumplestiltskin felt that rage again, and he tried to suppress it, but it wasn't working so well. Gaston was walking towards him, swinging his sword like a mad man. The darkness took over him and he used magic to crush his throat, swinging him over the edge of the roof, feet dangling in the air. In mere seconds, just like before, Gaston reverted from an evil knight to a sniveling coward.
"No! Don't hurt me, please! I'll do anything! Anything!"
"And you think I'm the beast," he growled. "It is you, Gaston, who is the real beast," Rumplestiltskin sneered, letting him fall back onto the rooftop and turning when he heard Belle call his name. She had somehow left the grip of her father and made it to the nearest balcony. He turned and faced her with a smile, glad she had at least seen him sparing Gaston's life. He could have dropped him over the edge if he wanted to. She was reaching out to him now and he climbed the tiles, reaching her hand out to her.
But then he felt that blasted enchanted sword stab him in his side and he cried out, Belle's hand the only thing keeping him steady. He felt Gaston grab at his cloak, and heard the clang of metal as he dropped his sword and it hit the roof. He was losing balance, he realized. Rumplestiltskin glanced at him, but it was too late. Gaston had fallen, was falling, with a horrific, blood-curdling scream. When it ended, he could only assume the worst. He almost lost his footing at the sight, but Belle pulled him up onto the balcony, her arms wrapping securely around him. He had a moment of peace, where he tucked a curl of hair behind her ear, and she gently caressed his cheek. For a moment, all he felt was love.
"You ready?" he whispered, and Belle nodded, watching as he pulled the bean out of his pocket.
"Ready."
He threw the bean over the edge, watching as the green portal opened up beneath them. She gave his hand a squeeze.
But then he felt Belle being pulled from him; he felt magic rippling through the air. She was torn from his grip and she fell over the side of the balcony, making him scream out in terror.
"Belle!"
He made a move to jump but magic held him, and he growled in desperation. He rushed to the edge, reaching his hand out instead and using magic to bring Belle back to him. He felt himself grasping tightly onto her hand, looking into her terrified eyes, and he was wheeled back to all those years ago, when he had been in this exact same position with Bae. Except this time, he wanted to go with her - but he couldn't.
"Go!" he heard a voice say, and looked over his shoulder, filled with dread, as Sir Maurice and Lady Rose jumped over the edge into the portal. Regina was standing by the door, using her magic to keep him in his place. They trusted Regina to keep him there – to make him let Belle go. He glared at her.
"You have to let me go," he said. "I can't lose her-!"
"The curse," Regina demanded. "You have to tell me how to revive the curse."
"You can't-"
"Then start from scratch. Either way, you're not going with your precious Belle until I get my hands on it!"
Rumplestiltskin cried out, trying to summon his own magic to fight hers. But she was relentless, and he could feel the tears threatening to fall.
"Please," he begged, feeling once more like the wool spinner pleading with a pirate for his love. "Please, we were going to find Bae. Let me go with her."
"And I was going to get my revenge for Snow White the death ofmy true love," Regina spat. But he couldn't allow this – not after Snow White had come to him to tell him about Belle. He owed that woman more than he cared to admit.
"It's okay," he heard Belle say, and he looked back down at her.
"No," he said, refusing to let her go. He would not open his grip like he did to Bae!
"She's not going to let you go," Belle said, glancing over his shoulder at Regina who was watching them both with evil eyes. "Without magic interfering, I can actually get through to my parents – explain everything. And I can get a head start on looking for your son."
Rumplestiltskin felt himself crying, his head shaking left and right.
"No, Belle, no, I'm supposed to come with you!"
"The portal's closing," Regina warned him maliciously. "Either one of you goes or neither of you do."
"It's okay," Belle said again, and he could actually feel his heart shattering into pieces, his chest wrenching with pain. She looked up at him with that brave smile and those kind eyes.
"You'll find a way back, and you'll do it the right way. And I'll be waiting. If we're lucky, I'll be waiting with Bae." Just hearing her say his son's name again made him sob shamelessly. Years later and he was making the same mistake – he was letting the only person he loved go.
"Belle," he whispered. "I love you."
"Yes," she said. "I love you, too."
And, much too soon, he released his grip, and watched the green portal swallow her into the abyss.
Rumplestiltskin was pulled out of his sorrow when he heard Regina's evil laugh, and he stood up from where he'd been leaning over the edge of the balcony. He pressed the taller woman up against the door, pure hatred in his amber eyes.
"You really wanted that little curse, didn't you?"
"Apparently, this was the only way I could get it," she replied, meeting his glare with a wicked smile. "Now you have to help me. If you ever want to see Bae again – or Belle."
"What do you have left of the curse?" he asked, and Regina chuckled darkly.
"Follow me."
A/N: Okay. It looks bad. It probably is bad. But we're nearing the end, and that's probably a good sign that things won't be bad for very long. Right? Right. Leave me a review and let me know what you think!
PS - that novel necklace is actually a real thing! I received one when I was a child, but it said the 'Our Father' prayer instead of.. you know, romantic stuff. :)