Lady Colette, at least, was grateful war with the Ogres had been avoided. Maurice was less grateful. He listened to the story, that Rumple and Gaston had been dueling when the Ogres showed up. Gaston had been killed by the Ogres, and Rumple had used his magic to kill the Ogres immediately after. Maurice's first question was why Rumple couldn't have killed the Ogres before Gaston had been killed.

"Killing Ogres isn't exactly easy, Dearie," Rumple told him. "And I was a bit preoccupied before they came." Not even a thank you for making sure the Ogres wouldn't destroy Avonlea. Rumple hadn't expected one, but he would have hoped Avonlea not being destroyed was worth one man being lost. Gaston wasn't even dead, or at least he wouldn't be unless he tried something stupid. Of course he couldn't let anyone else know that though.

Lord Legume had to be told, and Rumple kept an eye on LeFou when Gaston's father came to Avonlea. LeFou had served the Legumes for his whole life, and had been loyal to them, especially Gaston. Lord Legume stared at LeFou when Maurice had relayed the story he'd been told.

"Is this true?" Lord Legume asked. "My son went to duel this- person," he said it in a way that implied he didn't even think of Rumple as a man. "But it was the Ogres who killed him?"

LeFou hesitated just a moment. He was only a servant. Lying to his master could have him punished severely.

"Yes," he finally said. "They were dueling when the Ogres came. Now the Ogres are gone." It wasn't exactly a lie, but LeFou had recognized the whole thing had been planned. He also knew Gaston would have cheated, killing Rumple in cold blood. He also knew what Rumple had done had saved many lives.

Lord Legume could search forever for the Ogres if he chose and not find them. Rumple, after contacting Bae for a bit of help with the Destiny, had seen to it that the Ogres would be hidden in a world of their own. There would be no chance of another war being started. Lord Legume turned on Maurice.

"You're lucky I don't hold Avonlea responsible for-"

"No one in Avonlea is to blame," Rumple told him. "The Ogres who took him are gone. There's nothing more to be done about it."

"And you're part of the reason I don't hold him responsible!" Lord Legume roared. "It was while dueling you that the Ogres took him!"

"He was the one who challenged me to that duel," Rumple reminded him. "That was his idea, and he knew as well as anyone there's no guarantee of coming back from a duel. I didn't kill him though, and had he used his army to face the Ogres, the results would have been the same, except of course many more would be dead."

So Lord Legume stormed away. Had Rumple not been a mage, he might have caused more trouble. As he turned to go he looked at LeFou.

"With my son gone, I see no further need for your services. Never did have the brains to be worth your keep. You couldn't even do what you were supposed to do as his second."

He didn't look back at LeFou, who looked both worried and relieved.

"I cared about Gaston, but the way he and all the Legumes treated me-," LeFou groaned, both at the memories and at what the future held. "I don't know what I'm going to do now though. Knowing him, he'll tell every noble family in the area that I failed to keep Gaston safe."

"There wasn't anything you could have done," Rumple told him. "Whole armies don't stand a chance against Ogres."

"I was supposed to make sure Gaston won that duel though," he reminded him. "Lord Legume knew that."

"He knew his son would cheat, murder?" Rumple asked. Of course he did.

"Gaston was always taught to cheat if he couldn't get what he wanted. He never even hunted fairly."

Rumple remembered Belle had told him Gaston's preferred method of hunting was to shoot from behind.

"I owe you," Rumple told him. "I can heal myself from just about anything that wouldn't kill me immediately, but if I'd been paralyzed with that ink, I wouldn't have had a chance. So if you need a job or somewhere to go, I'll be more than happy to help you find something."

"Thank you," LeFou said. "I might take you up on that offer. I don't think I'll be staying in Avonlea, anyway."

Rumple shook his hand, which Maurice looked slightly surprised at. Not everyone would treat a servant as an equal. He knew Belle and Colette had started to become fond of Rumple, but he still hoped when the mage was gone Belle would forget she'd ever known him.

"It would seem your work in Avonlea is done as well," Maurice told him.

It was true, there was no more reason to stay. No reason except one. He looked at Belle, and he could tell she didn't want him to leave either. He'd spent so long seeing visions of her, for centuries before she was even born. Was it only for her to be one more person he helped? He thought of dancing with her, of the snowball fight, of discussing the Fae language and poetry. He'd known her such a short time. Was it really supposed to be over now?

"Of course, you'll be welcome in Avonlea at any time," Belle told him, ignoring the look Maurice gave her.

"Thank you, Lady Belle."

He realized as soon as he said that he hadn't used her title since they day they'd met. He wondered if he was subconsciously distancing himself from her. No, he would see her again he was sure. He took her hand and kissed it before going to collect what he'd brought with him to Avonlea. The last thing he packed was the cup he'd startled her into dropping and chipping. It would serve as a reminder of her, even though he knew he wouldn't be able to get her out of his mind until he saw her again. He just wished he knew when those other visions would happen, or if they would happen at all.