Although Rumple had been asked to help keep Avonlea safe from the Ogres, people were talking as little as possible about the threat of an attack. No one wanted to think about what an Ogre attack would mean, about how many people even one Ogre could kill. But whether they wanted to think of it or not, it was only a question of time. It wouldn't take the Ogres long to make it from the northern border to the castle. Rumple knew he didn't have long to think of a way to avoid a conflict, if there was a way.

Time ran out sooner than he'd expected. Two guards came running into the castle, shouting the Ogres had broken through the wall. They may as well have saved themselves the trouble. It wasn't as if the Ogres were quiet when attacking. Rumple was able to subdue several of them and use magical shields to keep almost all the rest of them out. It was, thankfully, not as hard as the war had been. There were fewer of them, and they couldn't move as easily in the rooms of a castle as in the woods.

Still, it was hard to focus. He didn't know where Belle was. He couldn't imagine if she'd been hurt, or worse. He heard two women screaming, and as he transported himself, he said a silent prayer to Dana that he wasn't too late. The Ogre held a table in his hand, and from the way Belle and Colette were crouched together, they must have been hiding under it. Rumple kept the Ogre from attacking, casting a shielding spell. He would have knocked the Ogre out if he'd had to, but then he noticed the way the Ogre was looking at Belle.

There was thought behind that look. It wasn't quite recognition, but it was as if he was pondering if Belle was who he thought she was. Belle had told him how Gaston had tortured that young Ogre. If Belle had been there, if she'd defended that Ogre, and if this Ogre wondered if this was the same woman...

"Belle," Rumple said, keeping his voice quiet and calm. "I need you to trust me on this. Stand up slowly and walk up to me. I won't give the Ogre a chance to hurt you, but I don't think it will come to that. I think this Ogre is related to the one Gaston tortured. His father, if my guess is right."

Belle stared ahead at the Ogre, trembling slightly. Yet she got to her feet and took a few steps ahead. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Rumple touching the Ogre's hand. He nodded at the Ogre and turned to Belle.

"I was right. He knows who you are."

"You can communicate with him?" Belle asked in amazement.

"Not exactly the same as speaking their language," Rumple tried to explain. "I can receive images of what they're thinking and send some images back sometimes. I've sent him images to let him know I'm a father too, that I understand what it is to love a child. It seems his son told him you aren't like Gaston."

Belle came closer yet. There was a sharp intake of breath from Colette as Rumple guided Belle's hand, but it was clear Rumple was in control of the situation and the Ogre would not hurt her. Belle gasped herself when she touched the Ogre's hand. She didn't receive any images the way Rumple did, but the Ogre moved his hand, so his palm was facing her. She touched her palm to his, and guessed it was some sort of peace gesture.

"I'm sorry," she said slowly. "I know I can't speak your language, but I wish I could tell you how sorry I am for what Gaston did. I don't believe in hurting any child, Ogre or human."

The Ogre couldn't understand her language, but he understood the intent. He gave a slow growl, but somehow it didn't sound threatening. Belle almost had the feeling he was grateful she had defended his son.

"Is there any way to avoid war?" Belle asked.

The Ogre suddenly roared, and Rumple received a strong mental image of Gaston, chained and delivered to the Ogres.

"They won't accept anything less than justice for the young Ogre's torment," Rumple understood. "If he's handed over, they leave in peace. They know they could tear this castle to the ground, but all they want is justice."

Belle understood this was mercy as far as the Ogres were concerned. And if the Ogres had hurt an innocent human child, all of Avonlea would have fought against them. She couldn't blame them for wanting the same right. Even hating Gaston, it was hard to hand anyone over. He'd either be killed or made a slave. Yet the choice was simple. Either he paid for what he'd done, or his army would suffer, along with Avonlea. No human army could defeat Ogres. With his magic, Rumple could defend Avonlea, but she wondered if he'd have to kill the Ogres to do it.

One cruel man in exchange for no other lives lost. It wasn't a hard decision in that light.

"There's one problem with giving Gaston to them," she told Rumple. "The Legumes. They won't willingly give him up. They whole reason we allied with them is because of their army. If that army is turned against Avonlea-."

Rumple thought on that, knowing she was right. This would have to be carefully handled. If not, Avonlea would avoid one war only to face another.

"I'll find a way around it," he promised. He sent a mental image to the Ogre. He showed how he had ended the last Ogre war peacefully, hoping the Ogre understood he wanted to do the same again. He tried to convey a need for time. The Ogre looked at him suspiciously but called to the other Ogres and left.

"I don't know exactly when they'll be back," Rumple told Belle. "But they're giving us a window to turn Gaston over to them."

He just hoped he could come up with a way to avoid trouble with the Legumes in whatever time there was.