For a time, there was nothing to keep Rumple and Milah from being content in their life together. No baby had come yet, but they were both young and healthy. There was no reason to think a baby wouldn't come when the time was right, and there were plenty of reasons to be happy in the mean time. Dale and Edme had married, as Rumple had hoped, and there was no doubt they were in love. Imp and Rumple still cared for the sheep. Somehow, Imp had not aged since the day Rumple had healed him from Hordor's blow. Rumple wondered if in his desperation to heal him at a time when he had not been in full control of his magic, he had gone as far as even healing any effects aging would have. If so, it was hardly a problem as far as anyone was concerned.
The special yarns and threads Rumple spun and the cloth he wove brought in a comfortable enough living, even without his magic. Word had started to spread of Rumple's gift with magic, and people began to come from more distant cities and villages to ask him for help. Most often it was someone who was sick, but there seemed to be no limit to the things people asked of him.
It didn't take long for the only other magical healer around to move. Rumple always asked for something in return, but compared to the hundreds of gold pieces the other healer asked, it was nothing. In fact he often confused people when the price was something like a piece of hair or some other thing most would think was worthless. Rumple, however, knew how valuable the right things could be as magical ingredients.
Eventually, Rumple had to be more cautious about who he helped. Talk spread of a group known as the Clerics. They believed magic was something unnatural and evil. Forget that it had always existed, that places and objects held magic whether people used them or not. Never mind that Rumple had been born with magic and had never used it to harm anyone. They would see him as a threat. These Clerics were known to "cleanse" the souls of those who had anything to do with magic users with scourges and flame. Those Rumple loved could easily become prime targets. He was careful to keep protective wards around their homes.
So far, the Duke had not come asking for Rumple's help, which Rumple was glad of. He didn't ever want to be reduced to being a tool of someone like that. For now, the Duke seemed preoccupied with expanding his territory. At least that kept him from making life too difficult for anyone. For a time, everyone in the village breathed a bit easier with the Duke gone.
Then the day came when the Duke decided to try to take over a large piece of ogre territory. No one cared much about what the ogres lost, thinking they were little better than animals. The problem was, the ogres were fighting back. When ogres fought, it was more of a massacre.
"Why don't you volunteer?" Milah asked. "With your powers, think of what you could do! You'd be a hero."
"A hero, or a tool?" Rumple asked. "The Duke doesn't need a mage." There had been rumors for some time that the Duke controlled the Dark One. Those rumors had been proven true when he'd started using the Dark One to force men into fighting for him. "Why have men fight when the Duke could easily order the Dark One to end the war? The Duke doesn't want people to fight for him. He wants people to die. I won't serve someone like that, and even if I would, there's nothing I could do that the Dark One couldn't."
But the Duke would not be satisfied with controlling the Dark One. Rumple's skills were too well known, and he wanted the mage in his service too. The best way to strike at him was through those he loved. The day came when soldiers rode through town. Hordor's dream of being a soldier had been shattered by his thievery, but his friend Beowulf had achieved high rank in the army. No one was surprised. Someone like him was happy to serve the Duke, and he grinned when he stopped in front of Dale and Edme's home. Beowulf dismounted and approached Dale. Everyone knew what that meant.
Rumple and Milah had been visiting them, and Rumple immediately stood and put a hand on his friend's shoulder. His expression was close to a wolf like snarl. To be taken to war was a death sentence. Soldiers were sometimes successful at killing ogres, but the ogres were almost always successful in killing humans. The few humans lucky enough to survive were sent home crippled for life. The population of other villages was falling fast. So far the Duke hadn't taken men from Rumple's village yet. None had expected him to so soon, but there was no doubt why soldiers were there.
Imp snarled as well, growling that threatening growl he reserved for Hordor and Beowulf. Rumple held him back and commanded him to lay down. Imp obeyed, but it was clear if any move was made to hurt Rumple, whoever tried would have his teeth buried in them. The soldier came closer, looking amused. All the humans knew what would happen to Imp if he bit a soldier. He turned his attention from the dog to Dale.
"You've been summoned to the front lines," Beowulf confirmed, handing Dale the official notice. The soldier looked positively gleeful. Rumple catching Hordor in the act of stealing had destroyed his reputation. Beowulf was thrilled to see Rumple's closest friend destroyed as well.
"You're not taking him!" Rumple told Beowulf.
"And what do you plan to do to stop it?" Beowulf asked. "You might be able to do a few parlor tricks, but you know who we have on our side. Either your friend comes , or else-" The hooded figure with Beowulf raised his hand, clearly about to cast a spell.
"W- wait! I'll g- go," Dale told him. He looked around him to be sure no one was hurt.
"Thought you would," Beowulf told him. "Lucky for you talking isn't a skill a soldier needs. Who knows? You might just get out of this alive."
"He will, because I volunteer. I'll make sure he comes back alive," Rumple vowed. He didn't honestly know if magically he would be any sort of match for the Dark One, but he could at least protect Dale on the battlefield.
"I'll enjoy seeing if you can live up to the reputation you've earned," Beowulf told him. "Let's see those supposed powers of yours put to good use."
"First at least let us say goodbye. The Duke can wait that long," Rumple insisted. Edme was in tears, and Dale held her to him.
"I'll b- be fine," he told her. "I'll be h-home soon. Don't worry." His stutter was always worst when he was nervous, so he tried his hardest to steady it now.
"I'm holding you to that," she told him. "Stay as safe as you can. I don't care what else happens. Just come back alive. I need you here."
"I'll bring him home safe Edme, no matter what. I promise," Rumple told her. "I won't let anything happen to him."
Edme forced a smile at that. It was a true comfort knowing Rumple would be there to protect Dale. Her husband went to kiss her, but she stopped him.
"You don't get to kiss me goodbye, because this isn't goodbye. You're coming back."
Dale stroked her face.
"Of c- course I am." He embraced her once more as Rumple kissed Milah.
"I know I'll be proud of you, and you'll help so many," she told him.
"As many as I can," he said quietly. He just wished he didn't have to help the Duke to do it. He looked at the others not knowing when he would see them again. Jefferson was hugging his son close, and then looked at Rumple.
"You protected my son from the day you met, Rumple. I know you'll keep him safe. And I want you to know I look on you as my son too." He gave Rumple a hug the same as if he were Dale or Devon. Thankfully the teenage boy was with their mother just then, and wouldn't see his brother taken.
"Take care of everyone while I'm gone," Rumple requested.
"You know I will, Rumple, the same as I know I don't have to be afraid for Dale with you with him."
There was no more time left for farewells. Dale and Rumple were lead away, but Rumple was determined to keep his word. At any cost, Dale would make it through the war alive.