Chapter 11 agree

Rumple's powers had restored to their natural glory and life was returning back to normal, well as normal as it can get for their family. Over the last month since Rumple's injury, the girls had become more curious about the world. Hatter tried to teach them but they always said it was not the same as going out there. All three adults agreed that if the girls were to leave the castle grounds, they would be accompanied by one of them.

The girls had enough and one night Arya and Grace had a very interesting conversation. After Belle left the Arya's room, Arya said "Grace, why do you think they keep us locked up in here?"

Grace looked confused "we are not locked up; they are just trying to protect us. That's all".

Arya got out of bed and walked over to the window. Grace sat up and stared at Arya. Arya said while looking up at the stars "I know they are trying to protect us and I love them for it. It's just...well its just, I want to see more of this world, I want to get to know people who don't know I'm the dark ones daughter" Arya looked down to her hands "...I want people not to be scared of me".

Grace got out of bed and went over to Arya. While they were looking at each other, Grace said "is that what this is about?" Arya nodded "Arya, you should know better than anyone that if people are scared of you because of your father then they do not deserve your friendship".

"But, Grace, don't you want to travel the world and meet new people who don't know who you are".

Grace looked down to the floor then back to Arya and said "I do want to travel the world as much as you do...but I think we may have different reasons. I want to travel the world to see new things but you I think you want to run from your past".

Arya sat on the windowsill "I do not want to run from my past I just want to meet people who don't know me".

Grace laughed and went to sit on the windowsill next to her "Arya, that is called running" Arya started laughing too. When they stopped Grace said "Arya, your past is what made you the adventurous type, it also made you my best friend. You shouldn't be ashamed of that".

"I'm not ashamed it's just...I don't think I will meet anyone who will accept me for me".

"Arya you know there are people out there who will...take your mother and fathers story for instance. You mother when she was our age heard storied of the dark one who ravaged towns and ate children for supper". They both laughed and Grace continued "what I'm saying is, your mother looked past all the stories she heard and she fell in love with him. That just shows that if someone wanted to be your friend or even fell in love with you they would look past your family and accept you".

"Your right, there are people out there who will accept me for me" she embraced Grace and said "thank you".

"What are best friends for?" they both laughed and when they pulled away she said "you know that whatever happens, you will always have your family who loves you".

"I know and I love all of you". Grace and Arya both smiled and went to bed.

Down stairs, Belle was cleaning up from supper, while once again Rumple and Hatter were discussing him being captured. "Rumple, how can you be okay with this?"

"Because this is the way it has to be, Hatter".

"I know but you are leaving your family just for some damn curse...and worst of all Belle doesn't even know about it".

"I know it hurts me everyday to think about leaving her and Arya...but if I'm not in the cell, then there may be complications with the curse".

"Complications. You are not the one who has to tell Belle and Arya that their beloved husband and father will not be coming home".

"Hatter, your making it sound like I'm never going to see them again...I'm only going to be gone a month then we will be reunited".

"Fine but I still think Belle deserves to know".

"I have already told you why I can't".

"So what if she tells you to stay. Think about it from her point of view, she will be losing you and you will be in a cell underneath her best friend's castle".

"Hatter you're making it sound like it is going to be easy on me".

"Isn't it. Ever since you and Belle have been married you have not spent more than a few hours apart and now you will be apart for a month".

"You don't think I know that hatter...every time I think about the day that I will have to leave my heart shatters and the only thing that is keeping me sane is that knowing that I will be reunited with all of you in the other land".

There were a few moments of silence then Hatter said "I'm sorry, Rumple, it's just...you are like a brother to me and Belle is like a sister, I don't want you to leave and at the same time I know that you have to... but the worst part of it all is...I just cant stand to think about how Belle will react, when I have to tell her, that you will not be coming home".

Rumple sighed "you are like a brother to me too and I know that this will be the hardest thing you will ever have to do but just know that if I had a choice, I would choose this life with the family...just promise me you will try and keep her away from the castle. I know that you will keep her safe and for that I thank you".

"I can't promise you that I will keep her away because you know that I can't...she will try to leave and see you. You know how stubborn she can get".

They both laughed then when they finished Rumple said "I know. It is one of the things I love about her...just tell her the truth she will understand".

"Yeah, after all the yelling and screaming and possible punching" they both started laughing again.

"Like you said she is like a sister to you". Rumple started laughing again but Hatter just kept a straight face.

"If I get hit by your wife or your daughter I'm blaming you".

"Deal, just tell them the truth and they will eventually understand" Hatter nodded "so who are you more afraid of my wife or my daughter?"

"Well Belle can sure hit someone and she stood up to the queen, even when injured also she is your wife, but considering you gave Arya a sword, taught her how to use it and she is you daughter...I would say it is about even".

They both laughed "now that you put if like that, I would agree with you".