Chapter 11
With things settled between Rumplestiltskin and Belle, the sessions with Prince Eric went much more smoothly. Rumplestilksin was more involved in the talks whereas before, he'd hardly uttered two words. He was more pleasant as well, as pleasant as the Dark One could be, and the councilors wondered amongst themselves what had caused this sudden change, however small it seemed. A few of the men approached Leonardo and asked if he knew why Rumplestiltskin was cooperating more than normal. Leonardo only shrugged and told them to enjoy it while it lasted, for there was no telling just what caused Rumplestiltskin's mood to shift and change.
With Rumplestiltskin's change in behavior came an easiness to the sessions, and the council found themselves very willing to negotiate an alliance with the visiting royal. Once the terms were settled, the contract was signed and the group celebrated their success. With the alliance came several benefits to both sides. Trade routes would be established between the two kingdoms, and both kingdoms would answer a call for aid should the other request it. It was a strong union, one that would allow Avonlea to have access to the sea and the Sea Kingdom to have access to trade routes to the Far East.
With negotiations settled, Eric decided it was time to return home. He had enjoyed visiting the kingdom ruled by the Dark One, and Belle had proved to be a wonderful friend and powerful ally. But the sea called him home, and with his duties to the crown settled he was determined to resume his search for the mysterious beauty who had pulled him from the wreckage and dragged him to shore. Belle and Leonardo escorted the prince outside where his carriage awaited. When they reached the carriage, Eric paused, took Belle's hand, and kissed it gently.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty, for your kindness and willingness to unite with our kingdom. We owe you a great debt."
Belle smiled. "You owe us nothing," she said kindly. "We are honored to have you as a friend and ally, and I am already looking forward to our next meeting."
"Perhaps next time you could visit us?" Eric offered. "I have a new ship. I could take you out on it."
Belle beamed at the idea, "I would love that," she said happily. Eric turned to Leonardo, who bowed his head in respect for the prince.
"It was an honor to have you, Prince Eric," he said softly and Eric laughed and pulled the old man into a hug.
"Thank you, Leonardo," he declared, letting the old man go who huffed, then laughed heartily as he adjusted his robes.
"You young monarchs pay no mind to propriety," he said, offering Belle a wink. "A prince embracing a member of the council. Very, very non-traditional."
"A little progress never hurt anyone," Eric said lightly before he paused and looked around, brows furrowing in confusion. Belle asked him what was the matter and he replied, "I wanted to thank the Dark One for his help. Gods know what made him warm up to me, but his input was invaluable."
Belle tried to hide her smile at the mention of Rumplestiltskin. It had only been a couple days since they decided to begin a relationship, but she couldn't shake the giddy feeling that came over her at the mention of his name. They were being discreet, treating each other with the same kindness and respect that they'd always displayed in front of the council and servants, but Belle could see the love shining in his eyes when he glanced at her and wondered if he could see the same coming from her. She tried her best to keep her smiles and blushes at bay – she was a queen, not a lovesick little girl – but she longed for the day when she would not have to keep her happiness a secret.
But a secret it was to remain, from everyone. Not even Leonardo was to know, though Rumplestiltskin had commented that the old man would probably take one look at them and figure it out anyway. "I swear," Rumplestiltskin had complained, "That man can read minds. One look at us and he'll know."
Bringing her thoughts back to the present, Belle responded, "Unfortunately, Rumplestiltskin sent me a message earlier saying that he would be out for most of the morning. Someone wished to make a deal, and when he is summoned he must go. But I will give him your message, if you wish."
Eric nodded. "Please do," he said. "I admit I was terrified of meeting him. I was convinced he'd turn me into a fish or something if I stepped out of line but, while he is still terrifying, he makes for a good ally."
"That seems to be the general consensus around here," Leonardo agreed. "He's wild and dangerous, but loyal. Give him a reason to think well of you, and there will be no problems."
Eric agreed, then turned to his carriage, where a footman stood waiting patiently. "Well, I'd best be off. I have a long ride ahead of me."
Before he got in the carriage, Belle reached out and hugged him. He returned the gesture gladly, then hopped into the carriage. The driver cracked his whip, stirring the horses, and the carriage began to move.
"Good luck finding your love!" Belle called out suddenly, and Eric stuck his head out of the window and waved cheerfully in acknowledgement.
Leonardo chuckled at her. "Yelling at a retreating carriage? Such lack of decorum, Your Majesty," Leonardo scolded playfully. Belle laughed as she turned and took his arm and let him escort her back into the castle. They went their separate ways once inside and Belle stood idly in the grand foyer, wondering what to do. It was to be a slow day for her; the council electing to take a day to rest after spending so much time with Eric working out the terms of their alliance.
Although she wished for something to do, she was grateful that the kingdom was in a state that did not require her constant attention. Since her coronation, the people had allowed an uneasy calm to settle over them. The fact that the Dark One was among them was unnerving, but as their Queen had promised, he was helping the lands. They were not fully recovered from the damage of the ogres, but the land was improving, and the economy was returning to its previous prosperous state, and for that the people were grateful to their rulers, even if they were terrified of one.
Belle decided that until she was summoned - which she knew would be sooner rather than later - she would take the opportunity to relax in the library. Between preparing for her father's funeral, working on the terms of her deal with Rumplestiltskin and the council, the coronation, ball, and simply running the kingdom, Belle had hardly had a moment to just sit and...
To just sit, really.
Like she had told Rumplestiltskin the night of the ball, she missed being able to just sit in quiet and not have to worry about a kingdom, or her people, or anything else. She would not give up her duties for anything (except maybe her father, but she pushed that thought aside as quickly as it came) and she enjoyed being useful and being the harbinger of a time of change to a people who otherwise would have been content with the ways of old.
Wanting to put her thoughts to a rest, Belle decided she would pull out one of her old romance novels. Her father had never approved of them, and her governess had declared such literature to be unsuitable for a young girl, but Belle enjoyed them - occasionally. She did not read them often for she agreed that too much silliness and fantasy could not be productive to her thoughts, but she was tired of thinking, and merely wished to enjoy something simple and pleasing. A romance would do just the trick.
Belle entered the library and moved in the direction of her secret stash of romance novels. Pulling the ladder over to a section dedicated to astronomy (which had hardly been touched, if the pile of dust covering them were any indicator), she grabbed a large tome about the stages of the moon and placed it on the shelf above her. Reaching back, she fumbled around until her hand rested on a smaller, well-worn book, and pulled it out with a smile. She set it on the shelf, then picked up the astronomy book and returned it to its place.
Winding her arms around the ladder to keep her steady, she flipped through the novel, eager to read it again. It was a silly book, but it had been her mothers, and she cherished it as much as she cherished her father's poetry book. Her father had disapproved of her mother's books, but she'd hidden them well, scattered throughout the library, in places where only the most dedicated of readers would visit.
Luckily, Belle was one such reader. She'd been delighted when she'd found the books, and had asked her maid about them. The older woman had huffed and declared that Belle's mother had been quite a fan of such books, but they had no place in a proper lady's library. Belle had merely laughed at that, and promptly searched the rest of the library for more hidden books. Each time she found one, she felt a little closer to her mother.
"Found you."
Belle let out a shriek, letting the book fall from her hands as she gripped the ladder in surprise. She looked down with a grimace, her fear replaced with distress over the book, which now lay face down, the pages bent and the spine split further than before. Turning her head, she glared down at Rumplestiltskin who was standing just beneath her on the ladder, with a mixture of fear and relief. "What on earth are you doing?!" She fussed at him. "You scared me half to death! And I'm on a ladder! A tall ladder!"
Rumple moved up a step, making him almost level with Belle. He leaned close to her, lips almost brushing against her ear, "Exactly," he whispered mischievously, "I am aware of your history with ladders. I thought I might join you to make sure you didn't give a repeat performance."
"You would catch me though," Belle declared. "If I fell."
Rumple touched his forehead to her shoulder and hummed in pleasure. "I will always catch you when you fall."
Belle smiled, "When?"
"You do have a history of falling off ladders, my dear," Rumplestiltskin said as he began to climb down the ladder. After he was down several rungs, Belle followed suit, and when she was near the bottom, Rumple placed his hands on her hips and steadied her as she hopped off the bottom step. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, gazing at him lovingly. After a moment she broke away and bent down to pick up the book she'd dropped in her fright. She stood and messed with it, trying to smooth out the creases in the now bent pages.
Rumple leaned over and observed the cover and raised an eyebrow in amusement. "You read romance novels?" He asked, surprised.
"I do."
"Hmm."
Belle shot him a glare. "And what is that supposed to mean?" She questioned, her voice high and tight. Rumplestiltskin chuckled and patted her arm, "Nothing, dearest," he cooed indulgently, "Just surprised, is all."
"Well I may be a queen, but I'm also a romantic," she informed him. "A little romance never hurt anyone."
"Oh, I don't know about that," Rumplestiltskin murmured. "Your pursuit of romance almost caused you to fall off a ladder. Again." Belle laughed as she wound her arm around his and began to pull him toward a sofa in the back of the library.
"You almost caused me to fall off the ladder," she grumbled before saying, "I was going to read for a bit. Would you like to sit with me? I could read aloud, if you wanted." Rumple smiled softly and laid his hand over the one resting on his arm.
"I would like that very much," he said softly. "Even if it is a romance novel."
She rolled her eyes and when they reached the sofa Rumple plopped down onto it. He reclined against the arm and spread his legs apart; patting the empty space in between, indicating that he wanted her to sit there. Belle stared at him, scandalized. "I can't sit there, Rumple!" She exclaimed in a hushed voice. "What if someone walked in and saw us? You were the one who said we needed to keep things secret."
It was Rumplestiltskin's turn to roll his eyes, and with a flick of his hand, Belle heard the distinct click of the locks to the doors. Rumple looked quite pleased with himself as he said, "There. Problem solved."
Laughing, Belle moved and settled in between his legs. After he wrapped his arms around her, she pressed her back tightly against him she began to read.
-000-
Belle stirred awake, blinking groggily as she realized she was still in the library. She waited for consciousness to take hold and tried to stretch her stiff limbs only to find that she could barely move. She looked down to see that she was still between Rumplestiltskin's legs, his arms wrapped tightly around her. She shifted as much as she could and turned to see him peeking at her through half-open lids.
"Did we fall asleep?" She asked and he shrugged lazily.
"It would appear so. Must have dozed off due to the utter droll that you call a romance novel."
"We should probably go," Belle said, ignoring his comment, and she tried to stand, but Rumplestiltskin kept a tight hold of her.
"I doubt anyone really needs you at the moment, sweetheart," Rumple said as he pulled her closer to him.
"I know, but Leonardo doesn't like it if no one knows where I am," she explained. "I should really let someone know where I've been all afternoon."
Rumplestiltskin's grip did not loosen as he stated, "I know where you are," he said with a grin. "And we've only been here about an hour. Surely the kingdom can survive without you for that long."
Belle sighed, resigned and nodded. "I suppose you're right," she conceded. She was silent for a few moments before adding, "It was nice, though."
"What was nice?" Rumplestiltskin asked as Belle shifted and moved, maneuvering herself so she lay next to him on the sofa rather than in front of him. "Waking up in your arms," she whispered sweetly. Rumplestiltskin looked at her in bewilderment as she lifted her hand to play with the hair that framed his face. "I'm sure that sounds silly," she said with a blush, "But it is true. Minus the stiff muscles from sleeping in an awkward position, waking up with you here was rather enjoyable."
Rumplestiltskin said nothing, merely pulled her closer, though the action was still hesitant. A part of him had adapted easily to the fact that Belle loved him. He'd always been a creature of emotion, using and manipulating and thriving on his emotions and the emotions of others to gain the upper hand. He knew from personal experience that sometimes his emotions hindered his judgment, but other times – like the present one – he reveled in the fact that he was a man in love with a beautiful woman who saw him as something more than just the Dark One.
There was a part of him, however, that was still terrified that all this was a trick. That she didn't (couldn't) love him and that at any moment she was going to turn around and tell him that he was a fool and that she would never love someone like him. A lifetime of being despised, feared, and cowardly had made it that much harder to believe that he was worthy of love – especially the kind of love that Belle so willingly offered. He knew that she did not give it lightly, but she did offer it to him freely, and if he ever began to doubt her feelings for him, he only needed to remind himself of the first (and so far only) kiss they'd shared not that long ago. A simple brush of lips had almost rendered him completely powerless, a thought that still stunned him. He'd kissed women before, deeply and passionately, but never before had he felt what had when Belle tentatively pressed her lips to his.
He pulled Belle closer to him then, and she smiled and sighed pleasantly at the gesture, content to forsake her duties for a few minutes longer in favor of being held by the all-powerful Dark One. He could feel the peace and happiness and warmth radiate off of her in waves, and the sensation left him dizzy. He could feel the love she felt for him like a blanket over them, warming him and comforting him in a way he'd never thought possible.
He longed to kiss her then; longed to express to her how much she meant to him, how much he loved her. For he loved her more than he'd ever thought himself capable of loving again. Her eyes lifted to meet his and she smiled lovingly at him. Yes, he thought as he rested his forehead against hers, breathing her in, he longed to kiss her. And someday, he would kiss her; properly; without restraint and without worry.
End Chapter Eleven
Author's Notes:
Thanks to Sirensong24 for looking this over! Apologies if there are still any mistakes we missed.
We are finally going to meet Lacey tomorrow. Are you ready?
Again, thank you to everyone who reviewed. I appreciate it very much. I'm so glad you all are enjoying the story! I know I'm enjoying writing it for you all!
Chapter 12 will be posted on April 27!
