" Hello there Gothel." Rumplestistkin stood on the barren hills near the valley. Winter was upon them, a time of lifelessness. Anything that once was stopped existing, any goals or desires they had would fade into wherever they went. He couldn't have that. Not yet. So he went to find the woman who had stayed young for centuries. For years now he'd been searching for her, albeit not as vigorously as he'd pursued other goals. After picking up a tip from a desperate sorcerer he'd found her.
Gothel was by no means intimating on her own. Without the knowledge of her rumored immortality, any passerby would take no notice of her.
" What do you want? I'll have you know I don't make a habit of trying for power like a starved dog."
A laugh escaped his throat, rough and quick. "That's clever dearie. I tend to find that anyone who does ends up with a rope around their neck."
" What do you want?" She repeated, this time with even less patience in her voice. He teleported to her side, having gotten used to the mode of transport.
" I believe you know. It doesn't matter how many times you change villages, eventually someone will notice that you never seem to die." While finding her had been hard, getting evidence that she existed was simple. It had become somewhat of a legend, where every generation seemed to have seen the same woman waltzing around town.
" Please, I'm just a humble, yet beautiful, village girl! How would I be immortal?"
" Don't play dumb with me girl!" He took her by the arm and dug his nails into her skin. This was what finally got her to react, as she winced and tried to pull away. Composing himself, he loosened his grip.
" What would the dark one want with immortality? Aren't you already ageless?"
"Sadly not. Immortality is something that must be earned, or stolen if need be. Death is almost impossible to avoid, even with magic. To have a lifelong pass to say no to it is powerful magic indeed. Magic I'm willing to make quite an interesting deal to get."
" I'm listening."
"Actually, you'd best be talking. You see, I've got a special kind of offer for you today. Considering the circumstances."
She leaned in closer, motioning for him to continue.
" Just name your heart's desire, and I'll provide you with whatever that might be."
Gothel smirked, looking up at the sky of stars. For all anybody knew, she could have been around when some of them were created. " I've lived long enough to know that if you don't already have your heart's desire you're doing it wrong. "
Rumplestilstin began to panic. A woman like this probably had any number of protections on her heart and mind. Even if he threatened death on her, there was always the possibility that her secret could die with her. Then her magic would be lost forever. Suddenly, it clicked.
" And what if you lose that Dearie?"
Gothel tried her best to sound disinterested. " Excuse me?"
" Yes, eventually something will happen to your precious gift. All you've worked for your entire existence will be lost to the wind as your killer makes off with whatever's been keeping you alive all these years."
Now she was fuming. Her fingers twitched at her sides and her breath was ragged. She had all the signs of someone who had just been reminded of something they'd tried over and over again to forget.
" There's nothing you or anyone else can do about that." She practically spat out the words.
" Oh? That's where I disagree. You see, if I'm immortal, I can simply take my revenge on your killer once you're three feet under."
Anticipating her inevitable question he summoned The Ale of Seonaidh ( an ale that let you speak to the dead.)
They looked each other in the eye, both aware of the inevitability of their own demise. Yet, perhaps together they could do something to resist the reaper for a few vital moments, or at least have a bit of them prevail beyond life.
" Do you have a contract ready?"
Rumplestiltskin held up a sheet of golden paper, with silver lining. Both of them smiled as their futures were ensured. However, neither were aware of the fates they had just sealed.
