It wasn't long before Fairy Mary came with a message from Queen Clarion. The queen had heard Rumple was a father, and she wanted to meet Bae and give him a special blessing along with holding a welcoming ceremony. Though mostly human, the baby still had Fae blood, and it was good to know Queen Clarion would accept him, even welcome him. Rumple let Fairy Mary know they would come. Bae was old enough to travel now, and Rumple was always proud to show off his son. Besides, Queen Clarion was a good friend. It was always a pleasure to visit her.
Bae was a highly alert baby. He looked curiously at everyone who wanted a look at him. When he'd first visited Pixie Hollow, Rumple had been something of a curiosity. Bae was even more so. Of course it was the job of fairy godmothers to protect babies, but no baby had ever been to Pixie Hollow before. He was also the closest thing to a human who had ever come to the world of fairies. Vidia gave a disdainful look, but the other fairies were eager to meet the baby and all said how adorable he was.
When they reached the pixie dust tree, Queen Clarion was waiting and all the Fae were gathered around. They were gathered in groups of fairies with the same talents, watching as Queen Clarion held out her arms for the baby. She took him carefully, holding him as if he were her own son. Bae seemed to wonder who she was and what all the fuss was about, but he watched her calmly.
"Baelfire Stiltskin," she spoke. "Like every living thing, you are unique. You are a combination of human and Fae. Like your father, you have traits of both, and you will have talents all your own. May you grow in understanding of how to use your gifts, always guided and protected by those who love you. Fae are born of laughter and happiness. May you always have those blessings in your life little one." With that, she kissed his forehead. He looked up at her and laughed happily. Queen Clarion laughed too.
While she held him, toadstools popped up in a spiral shape. On each was a symbol of a talent, waiting to be approached. Bae was already intrigued, and wanted to touch. Rumple kept magical barriers up at home so Bae wouldn't touch anything dangerous, but now he carried him to each symbol and let him reach out. Symbol after symbol disappeared as Bae touched them. Finally, he touched the paw print, symbol for the animal talent fairies- and it glowed.
The other animal talents were excited at seeing that, and Queen Clarion allowed them to come and get a closer look at Bae. Fawn was especially eager about someone new sharing her gift. Even though Bae was too young to understand, he enjoyed it as he spent the rest of the day with his papa, Tiger Lily, and Fawn as they saw the different animals who made Pixie Hollow their home. Whether or not Bae was mostly human, the animals already trusted him. The baby took a special liking to Cheese the mouse, and seemed to know not to pull his whiskers or ears the way some babies might have.
As years passed and Bae grew, the signs that there was something special about him became more obvious. Rumple would often plays the same games with him he used to play as a child, and they loved to chase dragonflies together. They never hurt them, but Bae loved taking a closer look at them. He was forever bringing home some cat or frog or bird that needed healing. It was a wonder to others that even wild animals seemed unafraid of him. Then the day came when Rumple found himself explaining Bae was the one who should be afraid of some animals.
Spring had arrived. It was cold enough to still need an extra supply of firewood, but warm enough for animals to come out of hibernation. Rumple and Bae were gathering firewood, Bae playing happily while Rumple kept an eye out for fallen trees. Rumple had finished tying a bundle of wood when he realized how quiet it was. He turned to see Bae holding out his hand, playing with a snake.
Rumple recognized what the snake was, even though they were rare in this area. It was an Atlantian rat snake, and it's bite was fatal in twenty four hours without a magical remedy. Rumple could have brewed it, but it was still heart stopping to see Bae so close to such a deadly animal. The little boy and the snake seemed to have somehow connected, and Rumple knew Bae was gifted with animals, but it was a balance that couldn't last. Rumple immediately put up a shield between Bae and the snake.
"Baelfire!" That got Bae's full attention. Rumple rarely called him anything except Bae. When he used his full name, it was something serious. "Come here." Bae had never heard his father use that tone before, and he knew he had to listen. It frightened Bae to see his father afraid. He couldn't remember ever seeing him like that. He was afraid too, but listened quickly. Rumple kept the shield up long enough for the snake to slither away. Then he turned to his son.
"Bae I know you love animals, but some animals are dangerous."
"But animals like me!"
Rumple sighed. "I know son, but even animal talent fairies don't make friends with dangerous animals like hawks unless they make themselves human sized."
"Fawn does."
That brought a groan from Rumple. The Fae had often visited, especially Fawn since she and Bae shared a gift with animals. Rumple knew Fawn had one of the kindest hearts in any realm, but she often disregarded her own safety. It didn't seem to occur to her that some animals could hurt her.
"I know Fawn is a good friend, and she has a gentle heart. Still though, be careful around animals you don't know."
"All right, Papa."
They walked home together, and Rumple was surprised at how quiet Bae was. Normally the little boy was talkative and cheerful. Now, he was thinking about something.
"Papa? When animals let me pick them up or come close to them, they don't let other boys do that. Am I- different somehow? Like you?"
Rumple set down the wood and picked his son up.
"You'll always be special Bae, magic or not. But you're right. Other children, even other grown ups, couldn't have kept the snake from striking that way. You have a gift."
"Like Fawn does?"
Rumple nodded.
"Yes, like Fawn does. And I'm sure other gifts too. But it's going to take time for you to learn how to use your gifts. That's why you need to be careful."
"How long before I know how to use them?" Bae asked.
Rumple smiled.
"Even I'm still learning how to use my magic, son. I will be no matter how long I live. But don't worry. You'll be surprised at how soon you can do things you never thought you would."
Bae seemed to accept that, but he had something else on his mind as well.
"Papa?"
"Yes, son?"
"When you yelled before, I've never heard you sound like that."
Rumple hugged him. "That's because I was so afraid."
Bae was shocked at that.
"But papas don't get scared."
"Everyone gets scared sometimes, Bae," Rumple told him. "When I saw that snake, I was terrified of you being bitten. I don't know how I'd ever get through it if anything ever happened to you."
"Oh," Bae said. Then he added "I get scared too."
"Of what?" Rumple asked gently. Bae seemed fearless, but if the little boy was afraid of something, he wanted to know what he could do to ease that fear.
"Mama went away when I was born. I get scared you'll go away like she did."
At that, Rumple hugged Bae close.
"I'm not going anywhere, Bae. I'm right here."
"Promise?" Bae asked.
"I promise."
That was all Bae needed to know, and their talk turned happier as they kept a look out for any wildlife on the way home.
