Lost Girl, Lost Boy
Chapter Eleven
After getting a few hours of sleep through the remainder of the night, despite the fact that as the Dark One he didn't have a need to sleep, Mr. Gold awoke within his cage and then got busy again spinning strand after strand of straw into gold as Zelena ordered him to remain there until she came down to give him his next order.
While doing so, Gold quietly muttered, then began to argue with himself, but before the apparent argument could escalate, the metal door to the storm cellar above him squeaked as it opened slowly and much to the villain's surprise, Belle slowly walked down the rickety steps and walked to stand before him, the bars of the cage keeping the two lovers separated.
He was the first to speak up as he asked worryingly, "Belle, what are you doing here? As thrilled as I am to see you, you shouldn't have come. The witch…"
Belle interrupted him saying, "She isn't here. I checked the house carefully before I came down here. I wanted to see you, to see for myself that you really are alive as everyone's saying you are. Oh Rumple, I missed you so much!"
"And I you, Belle," the beast replied as he gave her a sad smile. "You have no idea just how much I truly missed you. But I've now returned."
"Yes, but now you're in the hands of a witch, a very powerful witch according to Emma and Regina," the young beauty responded with fear in her voice as tears slowly spilled down her cheeks. "Tell us who she is. We can help you get away from her. If there's a weakness we can exploit, then we can get your dagger back, so that she'll no longer be able to control you."
Gold lowered his head as if ashamed of himself as he answered, "I can't do that. That was one of the first orders she gave me when she took control of me, not to say anything about her to any of you. I have no choice, but to comply."
Belle nodded with understanding as she moved closer to the prison and continued, "And what about Hook? Emma's parents told me that the Wicked Witch, and you, hurt him badly. He could be dying. I know you hate him, and I don't blame you, but surely you wouldn't willingly hurt him after I begged you to be the man I know you really are. He doesn't deserve to die. Is there anything you can tell us to help him?"
"I wish I could say that I am ashamed of letting you down again by getting immense pleasure in hurting the Captain," Gold replied coldly and then suddenly reached through the bars and grabbed the woman's throat tightly with a frightening speed as his face came directly in front of hers. "But then again, I'm not letting you down, am I? You're not really Belle. Let me guess, Regina?"
"How did you guess?" she responded smugly as Belle's face and body transformed into those belonging to the Queen, then Gold finally released his hold on her. "Let me guess, it was the slight concern I showed for your enemy, or did you always know it was me?"
Rumpelstiltskin glared at Regina as he answered, "You showed more than slight concern for that pirate, but no… it was when you suggested we exploit a possible weakness in order to take her down. Belle would never do so. She does not have a cruel heart as you have, Your Majesty."
Regina shrugged and then replied, "It was worth a shot. But if you want to be freed from the witch's control, then we are your only hope. Surely you would side with us, side with Belle, in order to make it so that only you are once again the most powerful of us all?"
"Oh, I will side with all of you heroes, seeing as that's what you're calling yourself now, when the time is right, but right now, Captain Hook is dying and I am currently enjoying being a part of his demise," the villain responded cruelly. "And if staying under the witch's power a little longer makes it so that I cannot give you any information that can help you save him, which I can't, then I am happy to remain as I am."
"Well, I'm not," the real Belle answered curtly as she walked down into the cellar, followed closely by Emma and David. "Happy that you're choosing not to help yourself, or a man actually trying to become a good man. Hello, Rumple. I really did miss you."
Gold looked at her with real concern as he replied sadly, "Oh Belle. I'm so sorry. I never meant… I know that you think me cruel for not caring about helping my enemy, but I am telling you the truth. I truly cannot help you save him. The Wicked Witch demanded it."
Emma stepped forward as she responded angrily, "You've said it yourself, there is always a loophole, no matter how powerful the magic. Help us save Hook. If not for him or for me, do it for Belle. Or do it for your son."
"I can't," Gold answered tensely, not liking the Savior's attempt to use his love for Belle and Neal to weaken his resolve. "But if I think of something, I will see what I can do. Now get out of here before the witch returns, or she will kill you."
"Enjoy your madness," Regina said smugly. "It may be all you know if we fail."