With the Ogres retreated, Rumple focused on repairing the damage to the castle. He hoped that wasn't only a temporary fix. Lady Colette had not been opposed to the most obvious solution. Perhaps Rumple could have kept subduing the Ogres, but there was no doubt they were the wronged ones. To hurt them for defending one of their young the way he would have protected anyone in his family would be wrong. Having Gaston pay for what he had done was the best way, and Gaston soon made that all the easier.
"A lot of good having you here did," Gaston taunted. "If my army had been here-"
"The Ogres would be cleaning their squashed remains from between their toes," Rumple told him.
"It was Rumple who stopped the Ogre attacking Mother and I," Belle pointed out. "We might have been killed if he hadn't been there. Now there's a chance that this can be ended without any more death, on either side."
"Who cares how many Ogres are killed?" Gaston laughed. "They're only monsters."
"They aren't the monsters, Gaston," Belle said in disgust. "That young Ogre you tortured is no monster. You are!"
She'd seen the evil in his eyes, the bright red reflected in that mirror. She'd seen no evil in the young Ogre. She knew what the choice had to be. Her standing against him only made Gaston hate Rumple worse. He didn't even know Belle well enough as a person to know she'd never been attracted to him. Instead, he reasoned Rumple must have done something, perhaps even put her under a spell.
"You! Ever since you came here, you've come between Belle and me!" he bellowed.
"Belle was never in love with you, Dearie. If you ever loved her you would think about what she wants instead of having her as an ornament on your arm."
Gaston came closer in what he thought was a threatening way. Rumple merely crossed his arms and glared at him in annoyance.
"Strong man hiding behind his magic," Gaston taunted. "You don't have the courage to face a real man in an actual duel."
Real man? More like a peacock, Rumple thought in amusement.
"Ever even been in a duel with a sword before?" Gaston challenged.
"I must admit, I've never had much use for a sword," he answered. "I prefer small weapons, you see. The needle. The pen. The fine point of a deal."
"So, you've never dueled before?" Gaston asked. "It's simple, really. The pointy end goes into the other guy."
Rumple bit back a laugh. Oh, there was so much more to a duel than that. Taliesin had taught him well. Just because he had little need for a sword did not mean he had no idea how to use one. There was no reason to let Gaston know that though.
"Glad to know you understand weapons are for something besides torturing innocents and starting wars," Rumple said. "I've heard you have a reputation as a hunter. Tell me, since you view Ogres as animals, would you ever shoot a baby bear?"
"Only a fool would ever do that," Gaston answered. "Anyone who's ever hunted bear knows if you hurt their young, you have to fight the mother bear." Then what Rumple was telling him seemed to work its way into his brain. Rumple could see the moment he understood.
"That's right. Once upon a time, a foolish hunter made an innocent young Ogre suffer. Now Mama Ogre and Papa Ogre are just slightly upset," Rumple said as if talking to a small child.
"There's no reason to speak to me as if I were two," Gaston countered, coming closer.
"Oh, I apologize, Dearie. I should have realized that was above your intelligence level."
Now Gaston looked ready to kill. He made a grab for Rumple, but Rumple magically blocked his hand.
"So I was right," Gaston taunted. "You are a coward, too afraid to face me without magic. Too afraid to meet me in a duel."
Normally, Rumple wouldn't have bothered to accept. He didn't have to live up to some standard of manhood Gaston held. Yet Rumple realized this offered an opportunity. If he could use the duel to lure Gaston somewhere the Ogres could take him unseen, so no blame could be attached to anyone in Avonlea...
"You want me to face you in a duel? No magic? If you will meet me in the woods, alone, we can have that duel."
Gaston took a step back. Rumple guessed he hadn't expected him to accept. If Rumple agreed, that meant he must not be as afraid as Gaston thought. Maybe he did know something about swords. That would have been a concern for Gaston- if he was the kind to fight fair.
"How do I know you won't use magic?" Gaston asked.
"I give my word," Rumple told him. "Anyone who knows me knows I have never broken my word. Ever." He wondered if Gaston could say the same.
"Fine," Gaston said slowly. Rumple didn't miss the hesitation. "The clearing in the woods a mile from the castle. Meet me there at sunset tonight."
"I'll be there," Rumple told him. Gaston was starting to look like he knew he'd made a mistake, but his sneer showed he would have some tricks ready. He stormed out, and Belle went to Rumple's side.
"Have- have you ever handled a sword before?" she asked.
"That's for Gaston to find out," he answered.
"He won't fight fair," Belle warned him. "He's famous for hunting, but do you know how he hunts? He always shoots the animals from behind. He's the type to stab you in the back."
"I'll be careful," he told her.
Those blue eyes held fear for him. She looked at him a moment, then hugged him. He put his arms around her too.
"You saved our lives," she said quietly. "I don't want to see anything happen to you."
"Nothing will," he reassured her. He told himself not to forget her advice though. He wouldn't break his word, but he would be ready for anything Gaston might have planned.