The Enchanted Forest
Merlin arrived at Rumpelstiltskin's castle and walked up the walkway. He opened the front door and looked around the grand hall. The door closed behind him and he turned around, and then there was a voice behind him…
"Well well," came a high, strange sounding voice. Merlin turned to see his brother, but he looked strange; toad like almost. He had slimy greenish skin and his eyes were large and full of dark evil power. "If it isn't my long lost brother!"
"Rump," said Merlin, "by the Gods, what's happened to you?"
"Don't call me that," Rumpelstiltskin snapped.
"Brother…"
"Ah, ah," Rumpelstiltskin said, waving a finger at Merlin. "The brother you knew is gone, deary. I'm not the same man that I was."
"I can see that," Merlin said, wide eyed in horror.
"And you are to be my nemesis," Rumpel said with a wicked grin.
"Rump," Merlin said, horrified of what was to come next.
"I said," The Dark One flicked his wrist and Merlin was thrown to a wall, "don't call me that!"
Merlin got up from the floor and stumbled to the door, but they wouldn't budge.
"Did you really think that getting away from me would be that easy?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.
"Please," Merlin said. "I just came to talk!"
"Yes, you tell me that and then you use your magic to…"
"I have no magic!" Merlin bellowed.
"You have no magic?" Rumpel echoes, confusion evident on his face. "But the last Dark One said…"
"I turned the fairies down, Rumpel," Merlin said. "I don't want magic, I don't want power!"
"Well," Rumpel said, looking very sympathetic. "What's a pity you can't defend yourself!" Rumpelstiltskin made a ball of fire and was ready to throw it at Merlin who, as a last resort, pulled out the golden spindle needle. Rumpelstiltskin stopped dead in his tracks. "Is that," he started, and Merlin nodded.
"The son of a shepherd told me of your deal," Merlin said. "His deal with you is done, and I shall make a deal for my life, I think."
"The spindle for your freedom," Rumpel said, contemplating the possibilities. "Well…" Rumpel walked to his brother and brought his arm up, making Merlin wince, but he brought his arm down to reveal a contract that appeared out of nowhere. "Sign on the dotted line, brother." He spat the last word.
Merlin grabbed the quill and signed the contract, which vanished into thin air and Rumpelstiltskin grabbed the spindle and turned to walk away. Before he could stop himself, Merlin shouted after him.
"I think we'll see each other again, Dark One. Very soon, I think." And the Merlin turned and walked out of the castle. At the end of the walkway, Merlin looked up to the heavens and shouted, "Reul Ghorm! I accept the power of the Light One!" I will save you, brother, Merlin thought. I will…