Chapter 3: The Celebration of Winter
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or the characters except the ones that are mine. But if I did the show would not end up getting cancelled. Also I apologize for the late update but life got in the way.
Fathers are supposed to love their sons… Right? That was the question that had gone through Malcolm's mind ever since Fiona had died a year ago protecting Rumple from a great evil. Part of him knew that it wasn't his son's fault, he's only a wee baby, but every time he tried to look like the child he couldn't help but feel anger, hate, and despair. There were even days that Malcolm could just disappear.
Malcolm knew that Fiona would never wanted him to hate Rumple, but how can you move on when the woman you love is gone? Sure, he had Willa to help around the house, despite her resemblance to Fiona. She would never fill the void in his heart.
"Hi Rumpie how are you today?" Tiger Lily cooed while bouncing the baby, showing his toothless smile. He saw Tiger Lily as he entered the cottage.
"Hello Malcom." Tiger Lily turned to Malcolm.
"Tiger Lily." Malcolm being less enthusiastic with her, "How have you been?"
"I've been fine. Protecting the Savior and all."
"I am aware of that."
"I've noticed that you have a caretaker."
He sighed, "Yes well she tolerable, Reul Ghorm sent her. She has her uses."
If Malcolm had to be honest with himself. Ever since Fiona died he had this feeling that Tiger Lily is hiding something from him. Every time she looks at him, she always seems sad. The fairy was more attentive to the baby, no surprised considering she is Rumple's fairy godmother. And also the baby was prophesized to be a hero and all, it would make sense that Tiger Lily to be around more, right?
Then Willa comes back from doing chores to prepare the baby for his first birthday, which was Yuletide. Which was also the day that the fairies came to the cottage one night and declared that the baby was the Savior, leading to Fiona's death. For Rumple's sake Malcolm will try to enjoy the celebrations, just as Fiona would have wanted him to.
Tiger Lily had always been curious about the holidays the humans celebrated. When Tiger Lily was training to be a fairy godmother, she would hear stories from the other fairies about the holidays celebrated in different parts of the Enchanted Forest, but this holiday was different because it was Yuletide. Yuletide was from what the others told her is the time were the village would gather for a feast, exchanged gifts, and dancing. It was also the celebration of the longest night of the year, starting on the twenty-first of Wintermonth and ends at the beginning of the first month of the new year or known in the common tongue December and January. However, on this day the King of Hanau Johann invited everyone to the city of Fyford to celebrate the children who born during winter calling it 'The Celebration of Winter'.
While Tiger Lily was waiting for Willa to come back with Rumple. Malcom came out of the bedroom with his face looking clean and shaved. He was dressed in a light brown shirt with a dark green leather vest with matching leather pants, with embroidered Celtic knots and brown boots.
"You look quite handsome Malcom." Tiger Lily complimented.
"Thank you." Malcom handed her a simple but beautiful beige dress with paisleys embroidery.
Tiger Lily looked confused, "What is it?"
"On Yuletide it's a custom to give one a gift, and I figure you would want to wear something for the festival." Malcolm respond.
"Why would I want a dress, when I am already wearing one?" Tiger Lily looked confused.
Malcom looked at her as if she was naïve, "It just not everyone in this kingdom aren't preferable to foreign folk or fairies."
She felt shocked, asking, "Why? Fairies are good, so why would people hate us?"
Malcom hesitated, "Well… It's more or less have to do with certain groups around here who think fairies are evil."
"Who?!" Tiger Lily feeling enraged, making it personal.
Malcolm felt a bit startled by the fairy. How the hell was Malcolm supposed to explain this to her, or expect her to understand. He placed the dress on the nearby chair.
"Well, the clergy who believe that all fairies are evil."
"What's a clergy?" She asked as Malcolm looked at her blank face.
Malcolm thought to himself, "How can I explain what a clergy is?" Then the thought came to him, "Do fairies even believe in gods?"
Malcom cleared his throat, "Well the clergy are part of a religion called the Trinity. And in Hanau they believe that magic or anything magical is evil."
Tiger Lily looked at him with confusion, "Why would they think that?"
As Malcolm was about to explain, the Blue Fairy suddenly entered the house unannounced.
"Hello Reul." Malcom said, "You look lovely this evening."
"Thank you Malcolm and happy Yuletide by the way." The Blue Fairy overjoyed as well as curious, "Where is the Savior and his caretaker."
"Right here my Lady." Announced Willa coming out of the room holding baby Rumple who was dressed in his white yuletide outfit, representing him as one of the children born during winter. As Rumple started to reach out to Tiger Lily, Willa instead gave him to the Blue Fairy.
"Oh isn't he adorable?!" The Blue Fairy said as she was cooing over the baby.
Unfortunately, Malcolm and Tiger Lily noticed the baby was not happy being held by the Blue Fairy. Tiger Lily thought it was understandable, while Malcolm thought it was cute.
"Now let's get going the carriage awaits for us." The Blue Fairy said as she head outside with Rumple and Willa, followed by a confused father and fairy godmother.
As they were outside, Malcolm and Tiger Lily were shocked to see the red gold carriage with a coach black horses outside of the cottage. It was grand, looking as if it was fit for a king. Malcolm and Tiger Lily thought this was too much, sending everyone the wrong message and yet the Blue Fairy acted like the baby was a royal. Even Willa was practically oblivious.
"What is this?" Malcom asked.
The Blue Fairy chuckled, "Oh you silly man it's a carriage."
Malcolm looked at her dumbfounded, "I know what a carriage is." He huffed, "What I am asking is why it's here?"
"Why Malcolm tonight is the night that the people will know the Savior. In fact I am presenting him to entire Kingdom of Hanau tonight!" The Blue Fairy was filled with excitement.
Tiger Lily felt more worried than ever, "Reul don't you think this could give some people the wrong idea? Possibly making the Savior more vulnerable to danger?"
The Blue Fairy shrugged, "Nonsense Red! The Great Evil is gone, so I don't see why not."
She just wasn't sure if Blue was either completely mad or careless in announcing the Savior to the entire kingdom while he still a baby. She couldn't understand why would Blue be careless where the Savior is concerned? Especially if there is even a possibility that The Great Evil could still be out there.
Better yet, what would the other fairies say if they hear about this?
"With all due respect." She took a deep breath, "As the child's fairy godmother, I feel that this is inappropriate to ride in a royal carriage." Tiger Lily looked stern at the Blue Fairy.
Malcolm agreed, "I agree with the lass, this is hardly appropriate for peasant child, and I for once will not deal with the wraith of King Johann." He then turned to Tiger Lily and winked.
"Thank you Malcom," She turned her attention to the Blue Fairy, "Exactly, especially if there a possibility that another Great Evil could emerge while The Savior's vulnerable…"
"Enough!" The Blue Fairy became enraged aggravating Rumple's fussing, "If I were you two I tread my words very carefully. Otherwise I would have to pick someone else to care for the Savior."
Malcolm looked worried, "Are you threating to take my child?"
The Blue Fairy scoffed, "Oh now you worry about him?" Her face was cold as ice as she glared at Malcolm, "Now you conveniently care about the Savior?! You blame him for your wife's death, and gave him that horrid name because of it."
Malcolm felt like a knife went through his heart, "Have you felt the loss of someone you love?" His green eyes swelled with tears, "Because it's like the worst feeling anyone can feel, trying to move on when one has barely the strength to do so. I know that it wasn't my son's fault and I know Fiona wouldn't want me to hate him so I am trying for his sake." He wiped tears from his eyes, "But, this where I have to put my foot down."
Tiger Lily felt deeply saddened by Malcolm. She had no idea how much this deeply affected him. She hugged Malcolm in comfort, as The Blue Fairy struggled to maintain her coldness, as if she understood Malcolm's loss.
"The loss of a loved one is one no one should ever feel." Willa compassionately said, "But sometimes all we can do is move on." She tuned to Blue, "My lady I know you do mean well for the Savior, but I agree with Malcolm and Tiger Lily that the carriage is a bit extreme. What would our guests from the Council of the Sidhe say?"
A feminine voice said, "Well since you asked I would think it be unwise to be careless with the child, especially if he still vulnerable to potential threats."
The three startled turns their attention to see two beautiful fairy women standing before them. Malcolm as a child heard stories about fairies called Sidhe, but never in his life that they would be standing before him and on his son's first birthday no less.
"Greetings my ladies, and on this special day no less." The Blue Fairy curtsied before them, then she looked curious, "I was under the impression that there would be three of you."
The woman in silver replied, "I apologize that our friend could not come but she sends her regards."
The Blue Fairy being civil towards them, in a diplomatic matter, while Tiger Lily had her expectations defeated.
Tiger Lily heard stories how the Sidhe were different then their fairy kin, but seeing them didn't do them justice. They looked different from others. One had long pointed ears with silver braided hair with a circlet on her head and grey eyes. She wore a beautiful white dress with long scalloped sleeves, silver embroidery of flowers hugging her slender figure with a cape made of chiffon falling from a beaded collar of crystals and pearls. While the other woman had wild curly brown hair with rose and black feathers adorning her hair match her dress giving her a rustic look. Tiger Lily saw that her wings that looked like a cicada, different from the wings of the other fairies she had seen.
The Blue Fairy handed the baby over to Willa and somewhat gently took Tiger Lily in her arms, "Now Red I want to you to meet Liadan Silverstar and Hazel Willowtree, and these are the guests from the Council…"
The silver woman named Liadan interrupted Blue, "Her name is red?"
Tiger Lily regained her composer after Blue released her, "Actually my name is Tiger Lily and I am the Savior's Fairy Godmother. Blue calls me red sometimes."
Liadan seemed confused, but her attention turned to the baby in Willa's arms, "Is that the child I assume?"
Baby Rumple giggled as Willa handed over to Liadan, causing the fairy women to coo over the baby.
Hazel asked, "What the child's name?"
"My son's name is Rumpelstiltskin." Malcolm said causing the Blue Fairy to flinch as if the name had a sickness to her.
"Interesting name." Liadan cooing baby Rumple, "Considering the child's destiny."
"Yes it is." Blue unenthusiastically said, "Shall we go to the festival than?"
Everyone nodded in agreement except Malcolm and Tiger Lily, whom they were still upset with the Blue Fairy over the carriage. With the wave of her right hand, Liadan turned the golden red carriage into a beautiful but simple white one that was appropriate for the occasion with the approval of Malcolm and Tiger Lily much to the Blue Fairy's dismay.
As they left for the festival, Hazel curiously asked Tiger Lily, "So, why Reul calls you Red?"
Interesting fact for the story:
Winter month- Germanic name for December and January which correspond to the names yule and after yule.
Yuletide- is a 12 day Germanic holiday celebrating the winter solstice which was the longest night and the shortest day of the year. The equivalent of Christmas.
Sidhe-Is the Celtic term for fairy.
I am going to do the best I can to establish the type of world the Enchanted Forest is such the clergy are and different types of fairies. Mainly because the writers in show didn't do much world building, so I am going to take some creative approach to this.