/ I have been wracking my wee brain trying to think of how to celebrate my 10th chapter and I think I have finally made a decision. Hold onto your hats lads and lassies you are about to get a look into Rumple and Grainne's past. Prepare to see how the lovely pair first met! Enjoy!

"I hate these damn dresses" Grainne grumbled under her breath as her hand maiden Edith laced up the back of her extravagant gown. "Now now dear girl your papa got this made especially for tonight's festivities" she chimed tugging the black silk strands tighter and tighter "he is hoping a man catches my eye I know it. Dressing me up like this, having this idiotic ball. He wants me to find a husband. I do not want a damn husband." She sighed as Edith finally released her from her iron grip. For a petite older woman she certainly had some strength left in her. "Well my lady would that really be a bad thing, you are a beautiful girl. Ant man would be lucky to have you as his bride. Embrace it" She smiled patting Grainne's cheek tenderly. "You are already late. Finish up and come down before your papa comes to retrieve you" she grinned stepping out the door shutting it behind her. Once alone in her bed chambers she took a moment to gather her thoughts. She hated acting all regal and lady like, she hated these damn corsets, she hated that her father wanted her wed when she was perfectly happy to live without a man. She knew what he wanted, he wanted her to marry because he didn't think she could rule a kingdom alone. She could though, she would prove to him that she was more than capable to lead their land… She had already fought in his wars with Cormac. She had already won him the respect of countless covens thanks to her negotiating skills yet he still thought she needed a man to be a true leader. He was wrong, so very wrong.

She frowned at her reflection in the mirror, the dress was beautiful yes… an emerald green satin gown. Thanks to the corset her waist was hugged in tightly, the curve of her body trailing away into the very faint ruffle from the skirt of her gown. The sweetheart neckline hid just enough cleavage beneath the simple top. She wore a gold arm band on her right bicep. It was a Celtic knot, she wore it often to honour her mother. Edith had secured half her curly locks back in an intricate plait, the rest flowed delicately down to the small of her back. She took one more look at herself before turning on her heels and making her way down the stone staircase to the heart of the ball. Ah yes, it was certainly in full swing. Lords and ladies [of a supernatural origin] danced and drank jovially. There were many woman dressed to impress, giant gaudy gowns with big metal hoops beneath them… Huge hair and ridiculous clown like makeup. They stank of nothing but desperation to her. Cormac emerged from some dark crevice of the great hall to hand her a chalice of wine "you look like you need this more than I" he sighed. "Where is father even?" She frowned "this was his stupid idea" she said knocking back a hearty mouthful of the wine enjoying the comforting burn of it down her throat. "Seeing there are many important folk here tonight he has called an impromptu council meeting in the throne room. Left me in charge." He frowned "I suppose I should mingle that being the case" he said grabbing his own chalice and topping it up plastering a false smile on his face. She laughed lightly at him as he departed.

The night felt endless, grossly intoxicated suitors consistently irked her all night with their half-hearted advances. She was more than aware that the only thing they wanted from her was between the sheets. Scoundrels. She was just topping up her glass when another male voice caught her attention. "I thought this was a party but judging by your expression I am clearly mistaken" the thick Scottish accent said in amusement. She turned around sharply recognising the man behind the voice in a second. "Rumpelstiltskin, has someone had the audacity to call you here to make a deal at my father's party" she smirked. She had only seen him once before, he certainly was handsome. He looked similar in age to her. Probably around 24. His hair reminded her of Cormac's. Not in colour obviously but the way it stood, dark hair standing in its own messy natural spikes. His eyes were dark, darker than the average mans that was for sure, his skin was pale. Not as pale as hers obviously but it certainly had an ivory tone to it. Like he wasn't getting enough sun. As much as she didn't want to she felt her eyes ghost over his tight defined jaw line. He was dressed as he always was, in those leathers of his… They certainly complimented his shape that was for sure. He was the most interesting thing in this damn room anyway. "Alas no, I was invited. By your father in fact. I thought he wanted to strike up a deal… Clearly not" he said with a flourish of his hands. Always so theatrical. "Yes I am afraid he has gone to deal in council matters. The gauntlet has been handed to my brother tonight. Considering how much wine he has consumed I am assuming he has not taken it in his stride." She laughed.

The music changed tempo, it was all very regal of course, nothing but violins and pianos. Rumple came forward extending a hand to her "would the lady care to dance?" He said a mischievous glint in those dark brown eyes of his. "As much as I dislike this dancing business… The kingdom would talk if I did not go around the floor at least once" she smirked taking his hand. As he lead her out they fell into unison with the other lords and ladies around them. One of his hands curled around her waist the other taking her hand. Her arm wrapped around his shoulder as their feet moved together with everyone else's to the tune of the song. "Ah, the tongues of your kingdom will be a wag anyway once word gets out you shared the floor with the dark one" he whispered in her ear. She rolled her eyes "I would take the dark one over the other morons trying to grasp my attention tonight." She grumbled, it was a reprieve being with him. It meant any man that had desired to bother her before were suddenly too afraid to come over. "Beautiful dress by the way… Very… Eye catching" He smirked. "Why thank you, my papa got it made for me. Trying to sweeten me up for this party" she sighed. "I am surprised you wore it… I heard your outfit choices are… Controversial." She had to laugh at this "ah yes, the gentry nearly passed away when they first spotted me wearing trousers. I can hardly go onto the battlefield in a dress." She said knowing he was saying such things on purpose to rile her. "I have been told by many a man you are magnificent on the battlefield. I never knew one could kill with finesse but you manage it allegedly" he said causing her head to shoot up her icy blue eyes eyeing him "allegedly? The way I put a man down on the field is a work of art. You should come see for yourself next week. We have to do some spring cleaning, a couple of hundred rouge vampires will be getting put to sleep by myself and a few others." She said looking him into the eye in a challenging fashion "careful dearie that almost sounded like an invitation" he winked. She felt a light blush rise in her cheeks… She was blushing? That never happened before… Why was she blushing? "Well that's because it was, Dearie" she whispered a light smirk appearing on the corner of her mouth. Suddenly she was very aware of this man's hand on her waist… Of how close their chests were to touching. It all became very evident to her… She needed air.

"Come on" She said grabbing his hand she pulled him through the crowd to the balcony. She pulled the doors firmly shut behind her leaning against the wall overlooking her kingdom. "I was done feeling every ones prying eyes on me. Or should I say us" she said opening the door momentarily to retrieve two chalices. Shutting it behind her she handed him one which he took cautiously. "You know when your dear father discovers what company you chose to keep at this little party he will be less than impressed" Rumple noted sipping the sweet wine. "Oh please, you were invited. He is only having this party because he wants me to find a husband. He clearly see's potential in you if you are here" she grinned, he laughed lightly shaking his head "well sorry to disappoint but I am not marriage material." He said with another dramatic flourish of his hands. "Nor am I! I never want to get married." She said indignantly as she walked over to stand next to him. His eyes fell on the cuff on her bicep. "What a peculiar piece that is." He mused, as a spinner of gold things made from it intrigued him. "It was my mothers, not many know this but Ireland has a vast amount of gold. It was forged by one of her best goldsmiths." She smiled. "Ireland you say, a fellow Celt. I often wondered where this came from" he said his fingers plucking up a strand of her red hair. His close proximity made her breath quicken slightly. "I thought you were from the enchanted forest?" She asked curiously trying to keep a monotone expression. "Well technically yes, but I am a patron of Scotland" he said letting her hair fall back into place. "So we both have the blood of the Celts in our veins. They are a fiery people you know" she teased nudging him with her elbow. "Well going by how you carry on I would believe that." He said swirling his wine in the glass. She arched a brow at him placing her hands on her hips "just because you put the celts to shame with your deals and contracts and loopholes. Where is that fiery impulse oh mighty dark one?" She challenged her eyes shining in delight at the mischief of it all. He smirked for a moment setting his glass down. "So you want to see my impulsive side? If that's what the lady wants" he said half bowing, she was about to question his idea of impulsive when in a flash he was before her his hands cupping her face. He pulled it to his own their lips colliding into a fiery passionate kiss. She should have been angry… She should have been furious… But the feeling of his lips on hers… It was electric, it made the blush burn red on her cheeks, it made her lips tingle… It made her heart race. They kissed in hot open mouth kisses her fingers weaving into that untameable hair. "Impulsive enough for you?" He said breathlessly against her mouth "oh gods shut up you idiot man" she smirked pulling his lips back to hers. His shoulders felt the strain of bending down to her, he didn't have to bend down much but it was enough for him to feel a cramp. He did not wish to cease kissing the fiery beauty before him though… Wrapping his arms firmly around her waist he lifted her up a few inches from the ground. She smirked as their bodies pressed together by the motion. She could not deny the spark between them… The chemistry… This was an alien feeling to her. She never felt this way about a male before.

Even as they struggled for breath their lips remained together. For such a dark man Rumple was the tenderest of kissers. He probably did this sort of thing all the time. She wasn't expecting him to stick around or anything… Although she hoped he would. As he pulled away for much needed air he set her back down. Her lips were on fire from his kisses. Her body was on fire for him… She was more than happy to have an encounter between the sheets with this man… In the distance they could hear the commotion of her father returning to the party she was disappointed, she knew with his return she would have to go back inside. As she turned to exit he grabbed her wrist. "So, does the invitation still stand for a rendezvous on the battlefield next week?" He asked. He wished to see her again? She hid her glee behind a mask of decorum "well… I suppose so." She said unable to hide her smirk. "Wonderful, then it's a date." He winked before disappearing into a mist of purple smoke. "It's a date" she whispered to herself. What a place for a date, on the battlefield… Mercilessly killing her enemies with a man that turned her into a hormonal teenage girl with one look… It was going to be perfect. She was going to have to thank her papa very much… His party had truly been a roaring success.

/ Ooh their first encounter, maybe I will feature their first date on the battlefield when I get around to writing the prequel to this fanfic. Sexy times coming in chapter 11 folks. Also, some creepy blood related vampire killy sadist stuff. Let's just say we see just how dark Rumple and Grainne's dark sides can be in the bedroom in chapter 11. YE HAVE BEEN WARNED. Thanks for reading! :D