XXI
The Lucas Clan (Part II)
"No fair!" Baelfire cried out in a petulant tone as Red unseated him for the third time. He swiped at the large orange x which had appeared on his armor from Red's lance. "I want a rematch."
Rumpelstiltskin smiled gently at his son and ruffled his dark locks. "She won fair and square, my boy. No reason to pout. You rode well and your aim was true. Red was just a bit quicker. There will be no rematch as it is Morraine's turn to choose our next adventure."
Baelfire scuffed the toe of his boot against the grass covering the parquet floor and hung his head. "Why do the girls get to go first, Papa?"
"Have you no chivalry, my son?" he asked quietly, pulling the boy off to the side so his words of wisdom wouldn't be mocked by his friends. "You are soon to be a man, Bae. You need to realize our ladies are precious. They give us beauty, intelligence, and when you choose the one you wish to share your life with, she will give you untold love and support you in your endeavors. She will give you a family to call your own and she will fight for you with her last breath. They are to be treated with respect and honor. Now do you understand that by letting them go first in your game, you are honoring them and showing them the respect they deserve?"
"Papa," Baelfire snorted, giving him a dubious look. "Just yesterday, 'Raine shoved a salamander down my trousers! Shouldn't she respect me, too?"
The mage bit the inside of his cheek to hold back his laughter. "I said when you choose your future wife, not your sister. They're allowed their pranks, but they still get to go first. It's good practice for later in life."
Baelfire reached out and tugged on his sleeve as he moved to turn away. "Papa?"
"Yes, son?"
"Did you choose well when you married my mother?" he asked, his sable eyes boring into his father's.
Rumpelstiltskin sighed and lowered his gaze, fighting back a wave of anger at the mention of his former wife. "I thought I had at the time. I was mistaken," he admitted ruefully. "My time with her wasn't all bad, though. It got me you."
He grinned back at his father, the one person in his life he knew would never abandon him or turn his back on him. He was the center of his whole world. "And Belle?"
His lips quirked up into a happy smile as his amber gaze sought out his wife who was chatting quietly with Widow Lucas. "Aye, Bae. I think so."
He swung his arm around Baelfire's shoulders as the boy returned his grin and led him back towards his sister and their friends. "Alright, my girl. What adventure will your imagination conjure for us?" he asked, playing the part of the showman for the children. Red bounced up and down on the balls of her feet and clapped her hands while the boys waited impatiently.
Morraine bit her lip uncertainly – a habit she'd recently picked up from her stepmother – as her father plucked the orb from the air and placed it in her hands. "I think …" She glanced over at Belle with a devilish gleam in her eyes. "I think I want to dance under the stars," she breathed wistfully, closing her eyes and focusing on the image in her mind.
Color and light surrounded them, creating a vortex of images swirling by too swiftly to track with the naked eye. The forest melted away, the grass becoming a sleek marble floor, the trees melding into ornate wall sconces which attached to walls draped in silks. There was no ceiling, leaving the sky above dotted with a myriad of stars and a crescent moon to lend its luminance. Light, tinkling music filled the air from instruments which had no musicians and the children gasped as the girls were draped in formal ball gowns and the boys in fine suits.
Baelfire looked down at his elegant purple brocade frock coat with gold trim and winked at his sister. "Nice one, Morraine."
Granny made a sound somewhat reminiscent of a dying chimera as she plucked at the skirt of a heavy ivory damask gown with lilac trim. "When did I become a part of this nonsense?"
Belle twirled about, her own skirts of robin's egg blue swirling around her legs. "When you entered the castle, perhaps?" she quipped. "Rather brave of you, I might add."
The woman snorted and resumed her seat, which had morphed into a cozy chair next to a sofa and settee. She prevailed herself of the tea on an ornate gold tray sitting on the low table, steam curling welcomingly from the teapot's curved spout.
Rumpelstiltskin arched a brow at his daughter who blushed guiltily. She'd adorned him in a heavy brocade frock coat, gold in color with ivory trim, a waistcoat of the same color blue as Belle's gown and white leather pants. He pulled at the snowy white cravat at his throat, the material far too tight. "Daughter, when have you ever seen me wear white?"
"Um … never?" she snarked, taking Peter's proffered hand and allowing him to lead her onto the parquet dance floor. The sorcerer scowled blackly at the boy draped in ebony silk, thinking he looked like a rogue come to steal away his daughter. Baelfire twirled Red past him, her scarlet gown clinging to her newly developing curves.
Belle chuckled softly at the look of panic on her husband's face. "Rum, it's alright, darling. You just have to accept the fact that our children are growing up."
"But … but … they're only fourteen, Belle!" he hissed in an aside. "Look! That boy is holding my daughter entirely too close!"
She placed her hand on his elegant sleeve to prevent him from doing something he'd later come to regret. If he interrupted Morraine's dance with Peter, snarling like a beast, she feared their daughter wouldn't take it too kindly. "Rum, let them be. They aren't alone on a secluded terrace unchaperoned. They're here with us in the safety of our home under our own watchful eyes. Relax," she crooned gently.
Some of the heat leeched out of him beneath her comforting caress, but his narrow-eyed gaze still followed the couple around the room. Morraine laughed at something Peter said and the mage stiffened. When had his daughter become the young adult he saw before them? He groaned, his brow furrowing as he looked down at his wife. "I don't want her to grow up. I've only had her for a year and a half."
"I know, darling, but she has to. In the meantime, all we can do is make sure she is able to enjoy what is left of her childhood."
Rumpelstiltskin sighed and nodded in grudging acceptance. He watched the children twirl and bob about the floor as the music swelled into the familiar strains of a waltz. He brightened considerably as an idea struck him. He turned to his Belle, held out his hand, and dipped into a courtly bow. "Would you honor me with a dance, my lady wife?" he asked, his voice husky and low.
Belle shivered in delight and slipped her hand into the warmth of his, allowing him to draw her into his arms and out onto the dance floor. "My pleasure, milord."
Granny couldn't help but stare in stunned amazement at the Dark One and his lady as they moved about the floor, their movements so in sync with one another, they appeared to be of one mind. Normally, it took decades to be so in tune with one's partner and yet the Lady of the Dark Castle seemed to have accomplished it within a few months. Perhaps she'd been wrong about them, she mused. Belle was genuinely kind, and the mage Granny had detested because he was privy to her secrets … well, she was coming to find he wasn't as repugnant as he'd once appeared to be.
He'd gone out of his way to provide a safe environment for the children to allow their imagination to run wild without any cause for danger. She wasn't too keen on his use of magic, but the delight on Red and Peter's faces, their abject enjoyment shared with their friends, urged her not to be too hasty in her judgements. It was clear the sorcerer loved his wife. It was written plainly on his face for the world to see. It had been reputed the Dark One was incapable of such an emotion. She snorted. Apparently, the one spreading tales of his vile nature needed to shut their maw.
Rumpelstiltskin pulled Belle against his chest, closing the distance between them. It was a breach of etiquette, but he couldn't find it within himself to care over much. She didn't seem to mind either as she rested her cheek against his shoulder and nuzzled against his throat. A lazy smile spread across his face as his fingers caressed her waist. She was so warm and soft in his arms, he just wanted to whisk her upstairs and worship her with his lips. Unfortunately, before he could act on his impulse, the orb of imagination glowed bright blue, signaling the end of Morraine's hour.
The orb drifted slowly into his palm as he dropped a kiss to his wife's brow and turned to the children. "Alright, you scamps, I believe Peter is next."
"Finally!" Baelfire exclaimed. "Now we can have some real fun!"
Belle giggled as Morraine stuck her tongue out at him. "I think I'll sit this one out," she said, returning to sit beside Granny on the sofa next to the woman's chair and pour herself a cup of tea.
"So, what's it to be, young Peter?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, handing the orb to the lad.
The boy shuffled from foot to foot, looking uncertain. "I don't know if it's possible."
Rumpelstiltskin waved a dismissive hand. "If you can imagine it, I assure you it's possible. Now what adventure will you think of for us?"
"Well … several months ago a large wolf began terrorizing the village during wolf's time. I wanted to volunteer to hunt the wolf, but the hunting parties said I was too young," he explained, casting a baleful glare in his grandmother's direction. It was more her stern objections than those of the men set to hunt the beast. "Do you think we could hunt and capture the wolf? Would that be possible?"
Baelfire let out a whoop of excitement, ready to begin, but Rumpelstiltskin was hesitant as he glanced over at the boy's grandmother. "Let me speak with Widow Lucas, lad. Then we will see, alright?" At the boy's nod, he moved away to join the ladies. Red stopped him, however.
"Oooh, can I be the wolf?" she asked.
Rumpelstiltskin bit the inside of his lip to hold back a nervous giggle. Granny really wasn't going to like this. "A word, madam?" he asked as he came to a stop before her.
"Is something wrong?" Granny asked, rising to her feet in alarm.
"Calm yourself," the mage said reassuringly. "I simply wish to seek your permission for your grandson's wish."
"I'm sure whatever it is –"
He cut her off with a shake of his head. "He wants to hunt and capture the wolf," he stated firmly, giving her a meaningful look.
"That sounds like fun, Rum. What's the harm?" Belle asked.
He squeezed her hand as she moved to his side and twined her fingers with his. "It's not quite as simple as you think, pet. Though we are only having sport, this little wish of his may increase his confidence in his hunting skills and give him ideas about joining future hunts against his grandmother's orders."
Granny paled noticeably, but she couldn't in good conscience deny her boy when the girls had both had great fun with their own endeavors with the orb. "No, it wouldn't be fair to him. Perhaps if he is able to go through the motions of capturing the wolf, he will forget his foolhardy desires to go out with the hunting party next month."
"Doubtful," the sorcerer huffed. "However, there is still that slim chance. And Red? It would be a simple illusion. She wouldn't really be transformed into the beast."
The woman stared hard at her granddaughter who was talking excitedly with her friends. She hated to disappoint her. Already their relationship was strained at best. Belle cast a tentative smile her way. "Granny, Rumpel wouldn't allow any harm to come to her. Surely you must see that by now."
Granny lowered her voice so she wouldn't be overheard by the children, Red especially. "It wouldn't trigger certain aspects of her …" she glanced uneasily at Belle, " … lycanthropy?"
Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. "None. She has no memories of her … condition, so there is nothing to trigger."
The woman sighed and resumed her seat, her fingers twisting upon themselves in nervous indecision. Finally, she gave her consent in the form of a nod and the mage returned to the children with a delighted smile. Belle leaned over and rested her hand atop Granny's slightly plumper one. "Is that what Rum helped you with that you're so afraid he'll take advantage of?" she asked gently.
Granny gave her a piercing look, holding it for a long moment as if taking the girl's measure. She didn't trust easily, but their lord's new wife was so open and approachable. She'd already gone out of her way to help Widow Myers and many others in town. It would be so easy to trust her. "I wasn't certain if the gene would be passed down to Red from her mother … my daughter, Anita. Just before her fourteenth birthday, when she first began her cycle, she transformed."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Belle murmured sympathetically.
"Don't be, dear. It's nothing to be ashamed of. After all, I lived with it for years." She chuckled at the stunned surprise on the girl's face. "My father passed it on to me, so I knew there was a chance Anita would pass it to Red. I could hope though, couldn't I?"
Belle fought off a wave of dizziness as the elegant ballroom melded into the forest once more beneath the moonlit sky, her gaze searching out her husband as he cast a quick charm over Red to make her a wolf. The girl was no more once the thick purple smoke cleared, in her place, the largest wolf she'd ever seen. Red ran circles around her friends – who were now all dressed in breeches and boots – nipping playfully at their ankles while she waited for Rumpelstiltskin to tell them to begin.
"She has no clue, does she?" Belle asked softly. It barely registered on her that their comfortable sofa and chair had morphed into a stout log.
"No, she doesn't know. After her first transformation I came to Rumpelstiltskin and pleaded with him to help her, to protect her from the knowledge until she was a bit older," the woman admitted bitterly.
Belle wrapped her arms about herself as a chill wind whipped through the trees. "What did my husband ask for in return?"
"A single tuft of hair from her fur during her next wolf's time. I don't know why he wanted it, and I wasn't about to ask questions. It was enough that he knew my secrets, and everyone knows you don't break a deal with the Dark One." She pulled her shawl more securely about her shoulders. "He made a cloak for her. It stops the transformation during wolf's time as long as she wears it."
"That's wonderful," Belle breathed, a fond smile touching her lips as she gazed at her husband. "Now, Red can enjoy her childhood before faced with the reality of what she is as she matures."
"I was only trying to protect her. Our kind is not well-liked in these parts."
Belle nodded and offered her a weak smile, trying to wrap her head around everything she'd been told. "Peter doesn't –"
"No. He didn't inherit the gene and has no idea his sister possesses it. I doubt he'd be so adamant about hunting the wolf if he knew it was Red."
"Granny, if there's ever anything I can do … if she's ever in trouble, please don't hesitate to come to us. She means so much to Bae and Morraine. We will always help to protect her."
The widow turned away and dabbed surreptitiously at her eyes with a handkerchief she fished from her sleeve. "I think I may have misjudged you, Belle," she said gruffly. "I don't think I'll be so hasty to decline another invitation should you want to have the children stay over at the castle."
Belle's smile was so bright it could have powered the sun. "The children will be so excited. Thank you, Granny."
Red bounded over and affectionately licked Belle with a long swipe of her tongue then did the same to her grandmother, tired of them having their own private conversation when they should be paying attention to her fabulousness. Ever the little diva.
Rumpelstiltskin clapped his hands and whistled for Red to return to the group for final instructions. She listened closely and then bounded off for the woods as he handed out special bows and arrows to the others. These would work just as the jousting lances had. As soon as an arrow touched Red, it would leave a bright orange mark on her fur and the arrow would vanish in a small puff of smoke. There was no way she could be harmed. And that was only if they decided not to trap her instead.
Belle smiled at her husband as he ventured over and sat down beside her, his arm snaking about her waist as he pulled her against his side. "Rumpel, truly this is wonderful. The children are having such a great time."
He shrugged off her praise with an embarrassed flush. "I just wanted them to have a little fun. It's better than them trying to sneak out of the castle to play in the snow. Can't have them getting sick, now can we? I do not relish the thought of sickness running rampant in the castle," he said in an offhand manner which wasn't fooling anyone. His companions could see how much he truly cared.
Belle nestled against his side, reveling in his warmth as the children began to stalk their 'prey'. There was an argument between Peter and Morraine about how best to trap the 'wolf', but Red saw right through it and snatched the 'rabbit' they'd used as bait. It was actually just a stuffed rabbit the orb had conjured for them made to look like the real thing. She taunted them, sometimes coming up behind them and letting out a long howl which sent shivers racing up their spines.
Her barking laughter was rather eerie in the dim light of the forest and only added to the fun. Baelfire succeeded where the others failed, however, climbing a tree and tossing a net over the beast. No matter how much Red rolled about and snapped and chewed at the mesh, she couldn't free herself. Bae felt rather proud of his own cunning and Belle knew he'd crow about his success for days to come. Rumpelstiltskin was proud of his son as well. He'd used his head instead of relying on his brawn, and it was a lesson well-learned.
His mother embraced Baelfire warmly and congratulated him on his success. "You're next, Bae. What will you think up for us?" she asked as she stared at the brightly glowing orb.
"It's going to be amazing, Mama, and I want you and Papa to participate this time. Please? Would you?" he asked, turning his pleading soulful gaze on his parents.
Rumpelstiltskin burst out into gales of laughter as he watched his son turn up the charm on his mother in an effort to get his way. "Yes, Belle, would you?" he teased.
"Oh, stuff," she scoffed. But she was just as helpless as her husband when it came to their children. "I suppose, Bae."
"Whoo-hoo!" he exclaimed jubilantly.
The room began to spin, and she shrieked as the magic wove itself about her with spidery tendrils, transporting her to the top of a moldy keep, staring out the window at the rocky terrain below. "Baelfire! Bae! What have you done?!"
The boy was too far below to hear her, but she could see the shiny golden armor encasing his small frame. Peter, Morraine and Red were dressed in silver armor, each of them clutching tightly to a short sword, excitement written plainly on their faces. They all ducked for cover, Bae leading them to an outcropping of rock as a large golden dragon with glittering amber eyes swooped low over their position and let out a thunderous wail. Belle stared at it, aghast as it landed on the parapet next to her tower room and stuck its head through the large window, smoke billowing from its nostrils.
"Rumpel?" she sputtered, noticing the familiar smirk curling the dragon's mouth. "Seriously?" She braced her hands on her hips and scowled at her husband-turned-dragon. "This is just ridiculous! I suppose our boy wanted to rescue the damsel in distress from the big bad dragon?"
A low rumbling purr emitted from his great chest as he nudged her with his large angular head. She couldn't hold back her giggle, and reached out to pet his snout, planting a small kiss between his nostrils. "Go … terrorize the dragon slayers, my husband. And don't you dare do anything to give them nightmares!"
His large amber eye winked at her as he flew away with a loud screech. Belle leaned out the window and played her part. "Help! Help! Oh, brave knights, please save me from the horrible monster!" Thankfully, none of the children could see her roll her eyes or hear the laughter bubbling from her lips.
Belle watched her husband, seemingly in his element, as he dipped low over them, spouting fire and snarling ominously at them. A long stream of fire was deflected on Baelfire's shield, completely confident he'd come to no harm. He ran out from beneath his shelter and searched for a vantage point to somehow trap the dragon long enough to save his mother from the tower. Morraine panicked as she lost her footing and fell amongst the loose rocks, landing on her back. The gold dragon touched down with a roar at her feet, the ground shaking beneath its weight. The blonde screamed shrilly and promptly fainted. Bae and Peter chortled with laughter until Red cuffed them both about their ears.
The gold dragon nuzzled the fallen girl gently and whined pitifully before he huffed at the children and morphed back into the sorcerer. Belle held her breath as he scooped up their daughter gently in his arms and carried her over to where Granny sat in a small clearing away from the action.
The woman hurried to his side as he laid Morraine on a soft patch of grass and gently patted her cheek. "Is she alright? I thought you said no harm would come to them."
"She's just fainted," he assured her, though it didn't stop him from checking her over for injuries. "Daughter? Sweetheart, waken up now," he crooned softly, stroking her hair as he held her head in his lap.
Morraine groaned softly as her eyes fluttered open.
"Have a nice snooze there, dearie?" her father teased, but was unable to hide the concern so evident on his weathered features. He held her firmly as she tried to rise. "Easy now, love. You just fainted."
"Papa! You scared me half to death! It was just so real, and I guess I got carried away," she offered, cursing herself for a fool. "Ugh! Bae's never going to let me live this down."
The children crowded around Morraine, worry etched on their features. Baelfire took his sister's hand and squeezed. "Are you ok, 'Raine?"
A deep fiery blush spread out over her face and she looked away. "I'm sorry I spoiled your fun, Bae."
He waved a dismissive hand. "I don't care about that. I just want you to be alright."
She beamed up at his caring and heartfelt words, but it was her father she turned to. "Papa, I think you should continue. I can sit out on this one, but Bae deserves to have his turn. I don't want it to come to an end because I got frightened and fainted."
"I don't know, daughter," the mage hedged uncertainly.
"Come on, Papa, please?" Baelfire and Morraine chimed in unison.
"What's going on?" Belle asked as she trudged over to her husband's side to check on their daughter. "What happened? Is she alright?"
"I'm fine, Mama."
Belle smacked Rumpelstiltskin on the shoulder. "You just left me in the tower, and I didn't know what was going on! Were you just going to leave me there indefinitely?"
"Of course not, pet!"
Granny snorted, trying to hide her laughter. The children all climbed to their feet and shuffled away awkwardly.
"Apparently you were! I had to rescue myself so I could see if my daughter was harmed!"
"Belle!" he growled.
"So, are we going to play or what?" their son asked, coming to stand between his bickering parents.
"Can we, milady?" Red asked, not wanting their afternoon to end just yet.
"Well … oh, I suppose, but, Rumpel," she said warningly. "Please try not to be so ferocious, would you?"
Rumpelstiltskin clapped his hands and rubbed them together before ushering the children back up the path. "Alright, places, children. We'll pick up where we left off … er … without Morraine. Can't have a panicky knight on our hands." He turned to Belle and wrapped his arms about her waist, transporting her back to the tower. When he was certain she was steady on her feet, he cupped her face in his warm palms and gazed worriedly into her eyes. "Are you angry with me, pet?"
"No, Rum, of course not. It's just rather difficult to think I'm locked in another tower," she admitted ruefully.
His face fell into a mask of horror. "Oh, Belle! I'm so sorry, love, I forgot in all the excitement. I never meant …" he stammered, the endearment slipping out unnoticed.
She leaned up and captured his mouth in a searing kiss, her tongue begging entrance as it swept along the seam of his lips. When she'd kissed him thoroughly and could feel him hardening against her belly, she released him and nuzzled her face in the crook of his neck. "I know you didn't. Don't worry, husband, I'm alright. I know you'd never purposely lock me away. And this tower has plenty of light and I can see out …"
"Never," he murmured against her hair, his arms squeezing her tightly. "I'd never allow you to come to harm, dearest. Please forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive, Rum. This was Baelfire's wish and he doesn't know what my father did to me." She turned her face up to his and cast him a loving smile. "Come now, we've a game to resume. The children need their dragon so they can rescue the damsel."
He still hesitated. "You're sure?"
"Positive." She met his lips again as he pressed several sipping kisses to her mouth. "At least this tower is easy to escape. Go on, I'll be fine."
"I don't deserve you, y'know."
"You have me anyway and I'll not let you go for anything," she vowed earnestly.
He stole one more kiss before hopping up onto the window ledge and letting his magic transform him once more. The children whooped happily and easily fell back into the game as the golden dragon swooped over them with a loud roar. Morraine sat next to Granny and sipped a warm cup of tea the woman had poured for her, enjoying the show immensely, judging by the smile on her face.
Red and Peter kept the dragon busy, taunting it with their swords and dipping into crevasses too big for the beast to follow. Baelfire ducked and dodged along the path until he was able to steal into the keep and run up the stairs to the tower, crashing through the door with a triumphant grin.
"Milady, I am Sir Baelfire. I'm here to rescue you from the ravaging beast who has taken you prisoner!" he exclaimed proudly.
Belle pressed her lips together tightly to still her laughter. "Oh, thank you, sir knight. You're my hero!" She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek, following him as he led her down the stairwell and out into the sunlight.
The golden dragon roared as the three knights led his prize away. He flew to the highest parapet and settled onto his haunches, tucking his great head beneath his leathery wing and admitting defeat. Belle giggled. Her family had a flair for the dramatic.
*.*.*
Red and Peter bid farewell to their friends with a groan, not looking forward to the trip back to the village. "Are you certain you can't stay for dinner?" Morraine asked as Granny fastened her cloak about her shoulders.
"I'm afraid not, dear," the woman said. "Perhaps next time."
"Granny, I so enjoyed your company today. I hope we'll be able to do this again very soon," Belle said, embracing the woman warmly.
"I hope so, too. This afternoon was full of surprises." She gave Rumpelstiltskin a grudging smile as he stood stiffly at the door. "Not all of them bad. I greatly appreciate your hospitality."
The children followed their grandmother out into the snow-covered courtyard and boarded the carriage, waving to Morraine and Baelfire as they approached the gates.
Morraine hugged her father and burrowed against his chest, humming happily. "Papa, this was the best day ever. Thank you!"
Rumpelstiltskin dropped a kiss to her crown and returned the embrace. "You're most welcome, little daughter." He released her and gave her a gentle nudge towards the stairs. "Why don't you and your brother go wash up for supper, yes?"
Belle watched them trek up the stairs, talking excitedly about their afternoon with their friends. She tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and allowed him to lead her through the hall to the corridor to the kitchens. "What would you like for supper, husband? You must be starved."
He pulled her into a deserted alcove and wrapped his arms about her, crushing her against his chest as he sought her lips with his own. He wanted so badly to tell her of his newfound feelings for her, but they wouldn't pass his lips for fear of her rejection. Instead he reveled in the way she fit so perfectly in his arms. "Whatever you like, pet, as long as I can have you for desert. A reward for my exemplary behavior today."
She blushed prettily and smiled up at him coyly. She nuzzled against the sensitive flesh just below his ear, her smile widening as she felt him shiver. "You can have me for breakfast as well, milord," she whispered hotly.
His lips parted on a gasp of surprise as she slipped out of his arms and disappeared into the kitchen. He stared at the closed door, warmth radiating in his chest where his heart lay. Perhaps if he were very lucky, he'd find a way to win her love. Stranger things had happened. He found he wanted that more than anything in the entire realm.
A/N: I know I'm drowning you all in family fluff. Did you like it? It may be a bit ridiculous, but I enjoyed writing this chapter so much. It may even be one of my favorite chapters in this fic to date :D We still have loads to cover before this story is over, so please continue to bear with me. I'm so glad you all enjoyed the Orb of Imagination. In the next chapter Rum wants to play with the orb a bit … alone … with his Belle :D Thank you all for your continued support. *hugs*