Rumple lets a small groan leave his lips as a new wave of pain floats over him, the enchanted chains pulse they hold him up as he knelt in the dirt. Sweat running down his forehead his eyes half closed his human form was suffering, he could smell the infection in the stab womb if he stays this way there is no doubt he will die.

Growling at this thought he looks up from hearing the gates open his heart sinks seeing Belle and Priscilla being lead though the gates with Shenzi and Gaston. Scar noting the worry in the Dark One's eyes, grinning in satisfaction he stand with open arms "welcome back I see you were successful in your hunt but you have two women why?"
Shenzi points with her knife at the different women as she speaks "the Dark One's girl"
Belle's eyes locate Rumples and lock noting his human form tears well up in her eyes seeing his pain.
"and the hatter's wife and baby" Shenzi circles her knife in the air grinning at Scar, Jefferson could only see his shaking wife through his good eye the other was bruised and slightly closed over.

Scar looks at the Dark One who was focused on only Belle, the anger in Gaston's eyes rising to boiling point, tears now spilling down Belle's cheeks Scar brings his hands together in a small clap. "here is the deal Dark One"

Rumple looks up to Scar his expression plain but anger was underneath it all "you are going to make me immortal"
Rumple sneers his voice was grim "your insane"
Scar raises his hand his voice was mocking "Shenzi dear lets make things clear on were everyone stands"
Shenzi's hand grips into Belle's hair making her cry out in shock pushing her to her knees placing the knife to her cheek, Rumple does not move an inch but his eyes widen as Shenzi asks her question "eyes first?"

The dagger traces up her cheek making a whimper leave her open mouth, the chains that hold Rumple strain under the force of him jumping up and running forward. The metal sings holding him in place, his skin now had it's dark glimmer back for real this time, the chains glow with the change of his power returning.

Scar waves his hand to Shenzi who lowers the dagger but holds the back of Belle's neck "do we have a deal Dark One?"

Rumple's head bows in thought then looks to Scar "your asking, even though you could take what you want even without my dagger"
Scar nods pulling out the purple wand "I respect you Dark One from what tales the owner of this wand had about you"
Closing his eyes Rumple lets out a slow breath "I have other conditions"
Scar nods looking over to Belle then back to him "name them"

Rumple stares at the floor his voice level "you will release this village and let them live in peace including Belle"
Rumple looks up to Gaston "he must also stay away"
Scar looks interested by this comment "why? it is clear the girl loves you and would never have him"
Rumple looks to Belle "I fear for her safety and our child"

Belle's mouth drops then she looks down linking all the pieces in an instant, he sent her away because he was afraid of loosing them both.
Scar nods to Shenzi for a lighter touch "I agree to these terms Dark One you have my word"

As Gaston steps forward to most likely protest, Scar flicks the wand in his direction sending magic through him bringing Gaston crumbling to the floor in a heap, his bag plus it contents spill through the dirt revealing a jar of purple light Belle notes Rumple's eyebrow quirk up she dives for it holding it tight as if to break it on a rock nearby.
Scar holds up the wand Belle eyes fierce and her voice strong "I'll destroy it before you even move"
Scar lowers the wand "girl he has bought your freedom don't be stupid now, you don't know what is in your hands"
Rumple could see a tiny hand press again the glass jar Scar steps forward "if you break it then you will never be safe, give it here"

Rumples eyes close to focus Belle feels like arms wrap around her in a soft embrace a voice calls her deep with in her mind her eyes connect to Rumples and she smiles.
"I'm fine with that, as long as I'm with him" She smashes the jar purple smoke envelops Belle knocking back Scar, he searches the ground franticly for the wand shortly after landing in the dirt.

"looking for this?"
The smoke clears to reveal a woman in a long purple dress holding up the wand, Shenzi and her men start to back away.
Scar lets out a nervous laugh "N-ila, my dear"

The woman waves her wand and the chains holding Rumple vanish Belle runs over to him, he holds her close kissing her forehead.
Nila walks towards Scar who backs away on his backside holding up one hand which would be no defence for what comes next, Shenzi and her men high tail it only to be turned into hyenas.
Nila turns her gaze back to Scar sighing "what am I going to do with you"
Grinning with a flicking of her wrist the only thing left was his clothes Belle gasps covering her mouth her voice a whisper to his chest "s-he just, I thought she was a..."
Nila smiles picking up the black kitten from the clothes tucking it under her arm, she flicks her wrist once more releasing Jefferson and the others from their bindings, Priscilla rushes over to Jefferson gently stroking his face whispering sweet nothings.

Nila looks back to Rumple and Belle "It's good to see you again Dark One, great thanks to both of you I'm free, what do you wish?"
Belle looks up to Rumple "I have everything I could have ever hoped for"
Rumple nods tucking some hair behind Belle's ear Nila could see concern in Rumple's eyes hidden by his great love for the young girl.
Nila's voice was cold "you know that your forever is not his, people like he and I we don't die or age"
Belle nods "I can say for certain nothing last forever so we will enjoy what is now because tomorrow it could change"

Sadness creeps to Rumple's features, Nila voice became warm.
"would you wish your immortal life to end, to stop being Dark One instead be Rumplestilskin"
Rumple hand gently squeezes Belles his voice shaken "I didn't think it was possible"
Nila smiles stepping back raising her wand "If you truly wish it, then it will be"
Rumple and Belle share a glance as Belle steps back, with the flick of the wrist Rumple was covered in smoke the others had gathered around to see him as the smoke clears his human flesh was reviled he was looking at his hands then to Belle a little shocked.

"Belle" his voice breaks from surprise, she runs into his arm wrapping hers around his neck kissing his lips gently, Nila bows her head walking away from the pair towards the wood stroking the kitten's head.
"Nila!"
She turns to see Rumple eyes clear for the first time since in three hundred years Belle in one arm the other out stretched to her.
"all magic comes with a price, what is the price?"
Nila smiles at the man who stood a few meters away surprised he still felt there was more to pay, her voice was clear but full great joy
"I am doing what I promised all those years ago, if you could fully understand what it means to sacrifice yourself and your love for another then I would release you that was the deal remember, not only did you do that the offering ended because of you! you stopped a great evil cast over this land which has been since I was born"
A breath catches in the woman's throat making her eyes water.
"your price is to be a human, to keep breathing and enjoy every moment till the end because it will come"
Rumple looks to Belle leaning on his chest nodding kissing her forehead with a gentle squeeze he nods back to Nila who vanishes in a gust of smoke.