Chapter 11

She was gone, not coming back, out of sight but never out of mind, she would ghost is dreams, his mind and his heart for every beat it still had on this earth, of that he was sure, no amount of scotch could take that from him.

The Prince's ball had passed in a blur of awkward dancing, small talk and lots and lots of alcohol. This hadn't gone unnoticed by Baelfire, Jefferson or any of the staff. They all tried to talk to him but instead he brushed them off, pushing away the only people who stilled cared for him, I mean that's what you do right? When you're hurting, when you feel overcome with emotion that you cant explain.

Minutes, Hours, days perhaps, had passed since Belle's departure and Still the King sat in his study, drinking Scotch and slouching in his chair, he still wore the blue and gold suit, not bothering to change.

He just sat staring at nothing, off into space, his brain kept imagining different outcomes, if she'd stayed, if he'd been braver and told her how he felt, If he'd gone after her, would they have been happy? Could she ever care for him how he cared for her? Questions to which he would never find the answer.

Instead he just took another swig of his whisky and stared harder at the nothingness on the opposite wall, how had his life become so dark and grey just because one person had left his life, the answer was simply, he was fully, hopelessly in love with her.

"Your still moping in here?" Jefferson asked as he barged into the room, not caring to knock or respect that the King might want to be alone.

"Oh go away" Rumple growled as Jefferson made his way over to the windows with large steps.

"You should know that Baelfire filled into your shoes perfectly to say goodbye to the Nolands" Jefferson told him as he opened the curtains letting the room flood with natural sunlight.

Rumple cringed and groaned as the sun hit his eyes, his head began to thump.

"Of course he did" The king nodded, his son was a fine Prince and a lovely person with a big heart, exactly the person he'd tried to raise him to be.

"He also has dealt with Glass and The Mills ladies" Jefferson smiled as Rumple looked at him shocked "They won't be bothering you or this family again"

The King shook his head "You can't be certain that Miss French's early departure was as a result of Glass and The Mills doing" he spoke, almost as if he'd slipped his mask back on, walls back up, this was the King talking and not Rumplestiltskin the man.

"Does it matter, they were rotten" Jefferson sighed with exasperation as he threw himself into the chair opposite his cousin "And you don't need them here"

Rumple nodded "What of the Mills estate, Henry was a good man, his hard work shouldn't have gone in vein" he asked. The late Henry Mills had been a hard working man, the King had respected him, well apart from his taste in wife.

"Perhaps the other Mills girl, Regina?" Jefferson suggested "She and her husband Robin run the tavern in town, maybe they could do something with it?"

"I'll write to them" The King then reached for a pen and paper and was about to scrawl down something when Jefferson lent across the table and pulled the paper away from him "What..."

"The letter can wait" he suggested before smiling "I have other news"

"Tell me" Rumple encouraged.

"Apollo has been spotted in one of the sleepy villages near the border" Jefferson said as he stood up, looking out of the window at the clear blue sky. "It's a beautiful day for a ride isn't it"

...C\_'/...

Belle sat in her father's house, it didn't feel like home, though it was the place her parents had raised her, he still felt cold, not comfortable, it had always been something she couldn't put her finger on, the whole village made her feel like she didn't fit in.

Her father had always told her it was because she was beautiful, that everyone was just jealous of her. Is that all he thought she had, a pretty face. She personally had always thought herself to be quite plain.

She sat on the windowsill in her bedroom, a book open in her lap, she'd been on the same chapter for the whole morning, her mind, her heart they just weren't into reading books.

Regret was all she could think of, should she have stayed? Spoken to Rumple and let him tell her whatever it was, she groaned out loud in frustration, she'd been weak, letting Cora toy with her emotions, make her give in to her fear of loving someone who only loved her for the way she looked.

Her thoughts kept turning to him, hoping he was happy, hoping that he wasn't hurt by her leaving, she half hoped he would come and rescue her from her father's plans for her.

Originally she had planned to stay with her father for a few weeks before returning to the Nolands as Emma's governess. Her father however had other plans. He'd written to Lord and Lady Noland, explaining that he needed his daughter back and he wasn't sure when she would be free to go back to them, it was all a ploy to keep her here and marry her off to Gaston.

Just the thought of his name was enough to make her stomach drop into a pit of despair. So far he'd come to their house everyday for their evening meal, His father made sure that Gaston was always sat as close as he could to her and bragged to her all night about all sorts of things, not giving her a chance to speak let alone think.

Belle knew her father only wanted her happiness, but surly he could see that that did not include Gaston.

Resting her head against the cool glass window, she took a deep breath. She'd made the wrong decision and now she's trapped.

The Sound of hooves walking on the gravel below the house made her look down. The house was for Avonlean' standards a large house but the land it came on was not much larger than the footprint of the house and so where their front garden gate ended a gravelled road began, she often spied merchants and other men on horses, even carriages going past the house.

A fine looking horse appeared, all black apart from a grey streak in its mane and the top of its ear, she recognised the horse but couldn't think why, it nagged her at the back of her head.

She watched as the rider dressed in all dark brown with a large brown rimed hat covering their face, stopped outside and got off of the horse, rain began to splatter the window, obscuring her view of the person in brown as they made their way to the front door below her.

Hearing the knock Belle grabbed her Shawl from where it sat on the end of her bed and close her book before getting up and heading to see who the visitor was.

As she walked down the corridor she could hear her father talking to someone in a low tone before the slamming of the large oak door could be heard.

"Who was it Papa?" She asked her father as she walked down the staircase, he looked at her like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Oh good, you're up from your afternoon rest" he smiled "Gaston I'm sure will be here soon" he called over his shoulder as he turned to go back to his study.

Belle being frustrated from the lack of answer, reached out and took her father's arm to stop him from avoiding her, "Who was at the door?"

Maurice sighed with exasperation "It was just some Spinner"

The moment the words left his lips it all clicked in her brain, the horse Apollo. "Did he have a name?" she asked, her heart beating so fast she thought she might fate or be sick.

"Ugh I think so" her father grumbled, sensing her urgency he began to think as much as he could "Something Gold"

The brunet beauty almost fell to the floor, it was him, he'd come "What did you say to him?" she demanded.

"Just that you wouldn't want to see him as we were expecting your fiancé any moment"

"What fiancé?" she asked outraged, Rumple wouldn't have taken that well at all, what had she done, if only she had stayed.

"Why, Gaston, of course" her father said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "He's planning to ask you tonight, perhaps you should wear one of those pretty dresses that Gaston likes"

"No" she shook her head, "No" she repeated herself.

"Isabelle..." her father began but she put her hand up in defence.

she didn't speak, instead she turned on the heels of her feet and walked out of the front door, not caring that it was raining, not listening to her father's calls, she just had to find him.

The winds were harsh but that didn't stop her from running as fast as she could, knowing Apollo was the fastest horse the King owned.

Picking up the corner of her dress she ran as fast as she could. not caring that the rain fell faster or that her dress and boots were getting flicked with mud as she splashed through puddles. All she could hear was the sound of her deep breathing and her heart thundering in her chest.

soon Belle reached the market square, she looked around in the hopes that he had stopped before leaving, the place was so crowded that everyone almost looked the same and there was no way that she could go around asking for the king, they'd think she'd lost her mind more than they usually did.

"Belle" She heard he name being called and automatically felt her heart lurch in her chest.

A Familiar jacket was put around her arms as she felt herself being guided to one of the canopied areas of the markets, the rain was getting harder so at least she was safe from that.

"What are you doing out here? Without a coat"

Belle sighed "Just leave me Gaston" she all but growled as she slipped his jacket off of her and shoved it back into his arms "My business doesn't concern you" she tried to walk away but she staggered a little on the slippery wet floor beneath her. Gaston caught her and stopped her from falling but in doing so he pulled her a little too close to him for her liking.

None of the other people seemed to give any notice to the fact that she was fighting to get out of his arms, she was trapped. "I think your only business should concern me" He growled, his breath hot against her ear.

"I disagree" Belle said as she tried to fight his strong grip on her shoulders "You are the last man I wish to have business with" she spat, only causing him to grip her tighter.

"It's too late, your father's already given me your hand" Gaston all but chuckled, his big pearly white gleaming in the rain sodden day. Most girls would swoon over his every whim and desire, not Belle, never, she was a women, free to make up her own mind, decide her own fate, she knew what she wanted.

With this new resilience running through her veins, Belle shoved the offending buffoon away from her person, "No one decides my fate by me" she all but yelled at him before walking away, her head held high, not caring about the heavy rain.

As she took one more step, she was pulled back by Gaston grabbing her wrist and pulling her with all his strength towards him once more. "Let go of me" she cried in pain as her wrist burnt with pain. "Let go" she shouted, firmer this time.

"She told you to let go of her"

Everyone seemed to freeze, for who would ever challenge Gaston?

"There is nothing here to concern you" Gaston spoke first, never one to back down easy, "My fiancé and I were just not seeing eye to eye"

Belle began to protest but Gaston tugged on her wrist causing her protest to die in a whimper of pain.

"Un hand her now" the person spoke.

"Who are you to order me?" Gaston asked cockily.

"I'm Sir Hunter of the King's guard" Belle let out a breath of relief, she knew she recognised the accent. Did this mean that Rumple was near too? She took a breath before turning to meet Hunter's gaze.

"Miss French" Graham said with a small bow of his head from where he sat on his horse.

"Sir Hunter" she bowed her head as she blinked back the tears of pain.

"You know each other" Gaston looked between the knight and women he would marry.

"Miss French is a good friend to the royal household" Hunter explained, he knew the moment the kind heard of this, this Mr Gaston would be lucky to escape punishment with all his limbs intact.

"She's never been near the royal houses, so I think you're lying" Gaston said defiantly, "Also, what is a member of the King's guard doing out here in our tiny town?"

"That is the King's business" Hunter said, not looking at Gaston but at Belle instead, at the mention of the King having business in their town he noticed her eyes shine a little brighter, she gave a big tug of her arm making Gaston finally let go of her.

Now free she approached Graham on his horse "Is he here?" she asked, her voice a little hushed.

"He went off on a personal matter, I assumed it was to see you" he explained just as quietly.

At that moment there came the sounds of horse hooves coming from one of the many entry ways, everyone turned to see who it was.

As she'd hoped, the man from earlier was indeed Rumplestiltskin, dressed in dark brown leather with his large dark brown hat. "Hunter, what is going on here?" he asked as he got Apollo to stop not far from Graham and the large group of people that surrounded him.

"Everything is fine your highness" Hunter assured "I was just making sure Miss French was alright"

Rumple's eyes grew large, he jumped off of Apollo at once, not bothering with his cane as he made his way around the other side of Graham to where Belle stood, holding her wrist and Gaston only a few steps from her.

"Miss French" he almost gave her a full smile, not caring that everyone, even Gaston was staring at him.

"Your Majesty" she curtsied, not caring how muddy and soaked her dress was, her smile lit up the whole village, it gave him hope.

"May I speak with your in private?" he asked as he took off his hat, succumbing to the fact they were surrounded.

"Of course" she agreed taking his hand without any thought and letting him lead her away from all of the people.

They found a quiet stable where Apollo could have water and straw while they spoke. "I went to your home" He began.

Belle nodded "I know" she began as she took a deep breath, she took a step closer to him "He lied to you, I'm not Gaston's fiancé" she watched as a watery smile graced his face as she took his hands in hers "I am sorry that I left, I only ran because...I was scared" she confessed.

"Scared of what?" he asked as he brushed her hair out of her face then leaving his hand to caress her cheek.

"That soon you'd be bored of me, that you perhaps wanted me for nothing but my looks" she continued, unable to reach his gaze.

He shook his head and let out a little chuckle "We've both been fools" he sighed "You see i didn't come after you straightaway because I to was afraid" he began, now she was in front of him, so close, he had to be brave, for her, for everyone. "I was afraid that just like in my past, you would wake up one day and feel you are trapped and wish to be let out at once and for me to never see you again"

"You have nothing to fear" she assured, her voice soft and gentle, so different than when she'd spoken to Gaston.

"Aye, and neither do you" he added, his voice a little gruff from all the emotion swirling inside of him.

"Why did you come?" she asked "to my father's house"

"I was trying to do the brave thing and hope that bravery followed" he began "I wished to ask you...I know it's a lot of responsibility...that I..." began to ramble.

Belle cocked her head to the side and bit her bottom lip in an attempt to understand what he was saying.

"I wish to marry you" he blurted out without any of the speech or finesse that he had planned.

"What?" Belle mumbled, her head suddenly feeling like she'd drunk too much wine.

"I know we haven't known one another for as long as I'd liked and that marrying me comes with duties and roles that are too much to ask but I cugh..." He began to ramble once more when Belle pressed a finger to his lips.

"Yes" she told him brightly.

"But..." he began but she kissed him on the cheek to stop him talking.

"I love you" she told him, "I know that marrying you comes with more obligations than is usual, but I don't care" she said pointedly "I'm in love with you, the man you are, the rest is just something I will have to learn".

"You love me?" he asked, full of surprise.

"I love you" she repeated with a slight giggle of happiness.

Rumple bought her closer to him "I love you too" his words were all the encouragement she needed to pull him closer and kiss him on the lips. she slipped her hand under his leather jacket, letting his bodily heat radiate through her chilled bones.

"My Belle" he whispered as they drew back for breath before resting their foreheads against one another.

"My Spinner" she grinned, knowing he would know the meaning behind the sentiment, that he would understand she loved him for the person not the position in society he held.

Rumple went to kiss her again when they heard a small cough from the entrance of the stables. They pulled apart to see Graham with his back to them.

"What is it Hunter?" Rumple asked as he let Belle out of his arms but kept hold of one of her hands.

Graham turned around to face Belle and the King "If we do not leave soon sire then we will not make it back to the castle by dark as your promised the Prince" he reminded.

"Uh, of course" Rumple nodded, the joy of only a few moments ago seemed to have dissipated. "I would like you to head back without me" he stated,

"Sire" Graham said wearingly, the King should never be left alone, let alone in a sleepy town that they did not visit often and so had no idea it's true nature.

"I wish for you to ask the servants to prepare the Queen's quarters and to call the council in for a meeting the day after tomorrow"

"The Queen's quarters?" Hunter looked shocked.

"Yes" Rumple nodded "Miss French has agreed to be my wife"

"Congratulations" Graham bowed to the king before taking Belle's hand and kissing her knuckles "I am here to serve you your majesty"

"Please" Belle blushed a little "I am not yet a queen" she reminded.

Graham nodded, he may not have liked her in the past, but he was sure she would prove him wrong yet. "I shall leave you then, when shall I tell the Prince you will return"

"I'll be home tomorrow" Rumple assured "I must speak with Miss French's father tonight" he explained.

Graham nodded before turning to leave, jumping on his horse, leaving the couple alone once more.

...C\_'/...

Belle and Rumple arrived at Belle's childhood home not long after Graham had left, "I hope Gaston hasn't gotten to Papa first" Belle prayed allowed as Rumple slowed Apollo down to a stop in front of the house.

"Everything will be fine, I'm sure" Rumple tried to be positive, though he was sure that Maurice would only accept the engagement because of the status involved from what he'd heard about the man.

The King got off of the horse first before helping Belle down from where she had sat behind him.

She took his arm before they walked to the house "Papa" Belle called as they walked through the front door, Rumple only letting go of her arm to shut the front door behind him.

"i'm in here Belle" Her father's voice came from the living room.

Belle took a deep breath, flexing her knuckles nervously, the man beside her noticed this.

"It will be ok" Rumple whispered to Belle, pressing a kiss to her forehead and squeezed her shoulders.

Belle gave him a small smile before leading him to the living room, the room was cosy, caressed in the orange hue from the fireplace, Her father sat in a large, over stuffed arm chair. "Papa" she smiled as she walked up to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Rumple decided to stay by the door and observe the scene, the house had seemed so big from the outside, yet this one room seemed so small, but yet so cosy.

"Belle, Gaston say's you embarrassed him in front of the whole town" Maurice began, not listening to Belle as she began to explain, he spoke over her, Rumple didn't like this at all, how could one man be so stubborn and blind.

"Now I'm sure that if you go to him and apologise, he may re consider his offer" Maurice explained.

His daughter shook her head "I will not marry Gaston, there's someon..." she begun but her father once again cut her off.

"Yes, he mentioned you'd gone off with some older fellow, if it's that Spinner"

"Please Papa" Belle all but yelled at him, "He's not a spinner"

"It doesn't matter what he does Belle, Gaston could make you a Lady, give you a comfortable wife" he stressed.

"I'll make her a Queen" Rumple said as he walked into the room, out of the darkness.

"What?" Maurice looked at the man before him with utter confusion.

"I am Rumplestiltskin Goldlace, my offer of marriage to your daughter has been accepted and I would like your permission to set a date"

"The King" Maurice looked from Rumple to his daughter "Belle, is this true? Please, only marry him if it's truly your wish" he begged. Obviously he believed the rumours that he'd heard about the King.

"I love him Papa, he's not like you think, he's loving, intelligent, he loves me and not for my looks, for who I am inside" Belle's eyes shined with the love and admiration she had for the man she spoke of.

"Then I guess that I have to say yes" Maurice gave her a small smile as Rumple came to Belle's side and took her hands in his. Then a sadness washed over his face, "Though it will pain me that you'll be on the other side of the kingdom" he sighed, not wanting his daughter to see how old and vulnerable he was, or he felt.

"Sir" Rumple began before clearing his throat "If you are willing, there is a seat at my court, I would very much like you to fill it".

"You would?" Maurice was shocked, Belle too turned to her fiancé with wide eyes, she knew Rumple was a good man but surely this was too generous.

"Yes" The king said assuredly, "As the Queen Belle will need an adviser, ugh someone to be by her side when we take court, there will most likely be times when we do not see eye to eye on matters and I'm sure she would appreciate and friendly face" he explained.

"I would" Belle encouraged her father.

"You'll allow her into your court?" Maurice couldn't believe his ears, women in court never happened, let alone a queen having such standing, normally they were seen as beautiful objects for the King side, it seemed that his daughter really had found a special one.

"She shall be my equal" Rumple turned to look at Belle "Though she is the most beautiful women that i have ever had the fortune to gaze eyes upon, she has a strong mind and strength that I love" he reassured both Belle and her father.

"The position on court also comes with a small cottage and land not to far from the castle, where there will be a few servants at your disposal" Rumple then quickly explained.

"Then I except" Maurice grinned as Belle turned to kiss her fiancé on the cheek and whispered something in his ear, most likely her thanks.

After short moment, Rumple stepped away from Belle "I will intrude no longer, I should be leaving" he stated as he looked out of the window to see the late afternoon sun was setting.

Belle gave her father an almost desperate look, Maurice stood from his chair "You are more than welcome to stay Sire" he suggested "I'm sure Belle can show you to our guest room while I heat up some hearty stew" he continued.

"Thank you, I don't wish to trouble you" Rumple bowed his head, not wanting Maurice's kindness just because of who he was and what he'd offered the man.

"It's no trouble at all, we will soon be family" he reminded.

The king conceded "That is true" He was going to Marry Belle, that thought alone could warm him more than a bowl of hearty stew and a comfortable bed for the night, though that still wouldn't go amiss. "And please, call me Rumplestiltskin"

...C\_'/...

That evening was filled with much talk of fond childhood memories of Belle and plans for what the future held. As they'd spoken and ate their stew in the warm glow of the fire light Maurice couldn't help but notice the smile on his daughters face.

She was happier than he'd ever seen her, than he ever thought he would ever see her. The way she looked at Rumplestiltskin reminded him of a way that a pair of similar blue eyes had once looked at him. Collette, his dear Collette, if only she was here to see Belle in love and happy, to be here when this new chapter in their lives started, something that he'd never believed would happen on all his wildest dreams.

The next morning came faster than Belle would have liked, the morning sky was blue and clear, such a contrast to the rain and grey clouds from the day before.

Maurice and Rumple exchanged a short goodbye before the older man retired to his study, he had a lot of plans to make for the next few days, this left Belle and Rumple standing on the front steps.

"I will never be able to thank you enough for all that you're doing for me, for my father" Belle told him for what felt like the 100th time since the pervious evening.

"It's nothing" he shrugged it off as she took both his hands in her own.

"It's not nothing, you're not only going to make me the happiest women in the world but your giving me comfort in the knowledge that my father will be looked after" Belle reminded, looking into his chocolate brown eyes, her heart melting just a little.

"I love you Belle, I want our life together to be a happy one" he explained as he rubbed her fingers, especially the one which held her engagement ring, a symbol of his love for her.

Belle leant forward to kiss him on the lips, he cupped her cheek with his hand, both knew that such public displays of affection were usually frowned upon but neither cared and they hoped that they never would.

"I love you too" she took a breath as they parted before giving him a another kiss, "I will miss you" she confessed, it seemed silly, only the day before she never thought she would see him again, let alone tell him that she loved him, that she missed him.

"And I will miss you" he assured, pressing a kiss to her forehead "I'll return in two days" he reminded her as he let her go, putting his brown hat back on his head as he walked over to Apollo.

"See you in two days" she called as he mounted the horse, he lifted his hand in a wave goodbye before clicking his tongue making the horse start down the road in a small trot.

Belle stood for a moment, still staring into the direction that he had headed. She couldn't help but let out a small laugh. The future had once been a scary, dark, cold place that she'd hated to let her mind wander, then Rumple had walked in like a flicker of hope in the ocean of darkness, now the future didn't seem so scary at all.

..C\_'/...

A/N: it's taken me so long to write this, scrapped it and re started it too many times to count. Hope you liked it, Any suggestions on what you want to see before I end it, let me know xx