XXVI

If You Love Something … Let It Go

She's angry with you.

Rumpelstiltskin stood at the window of the tower library which overlooked the courtyard and the winding mountain road beyond, watching as his beloved girl made her way through the gate and out of his life forever. I think she's more confused than angry, he said in reply to the demon's snide remark.

Nooooo, he sing-songed. She's bloody well pissed at you, spinner. What the hell could have possessed you to be rid of such a precious bit of fluff? The girl was amusing, and quite a delight to the senses. Oh, the things you could have done to her had you manned up and taken what you wanted.

I would never lay a harmful hand on her, Rumpelstiltskin protested as some of the imp's vile imaginings swept through his mind. You wouldn't understand, never having known what it is to love.

The demon snorted. Love is weakness. Pain is strength.

His fingers caressed the watch residing in his waistcoat pocket, a loving reminder of her regard. My Belle believes love is strength.

Not the way you're going about it, spinner! You had the chit in the palm of your hand and you let her go! the imp hissed, spittle littering the bars of his cage. The Dark One isn't in the habit of breaking his deals, dearie.

How long has it been since I acted the Dark One in her presence? Rumpelstiltskin sighed and braced his palms on the sill of the window, wanting that last glimpse of Belle as she disappeared from view. He felt as though his heart were shattering. The only thing more painful than her loss had been watching his son being swept away in a whirling green vortex. Already, he could feel the Dark Castle growing colder without her light and warmth. "I love her," he whispered aloud on a mournful breath. I couldn't continue to hold her prisoner.

Mayhaps she will return to you.

I offered her freedom … a chance to return to her family. She won't return. I am undeserving of her love. Belle will forget me in time.

The hairs prove otherwise, spinner. True Love is not some common occurrence, y'know. The girl might surprise you, the imp chortled gleefully. And then the fun can begin.

Rumpelstiltskin frowned. What is your agenda for the girl? he asked suspiciously.

The imp chortled gleefully, straightening his posture as he pressed one hand to his heart and the other gave a pointed flourish. A happy Dark One is a productive Dark One, spinner. He leaned against the bars, tilting his head to the side. And the girl does indeed make you happy. Think of the power you could achieve if you combined your dark magic with true love's magic?

It doesn't matter. She's gone, and she won't be returning.

The Dark One sighed dramatically. Of course, not. That's why you plan to spend the rest of the afternoon watching the road. Lie to yourself all you want, spinner, but you can't lie to me.

*.*.*

Stupid, stubborn, ignorant man! Belle seethed as she stomped down the mountain pass. Why would he send her away now when they'd been getting along so splendidly? They were happy! It made absolutely NO sense. She brushed angrily at her silent tears, her heart breaking. He could have used this opportunity – sending her to town to fetch straw – to show he trusted her. Not her wily master. He didn't expect her to return at all.

Rumpelstiltskin really believed she'd use this chance to escape him. She sniffled and readjusted the weight of the basket on her arm. Well, she'd show him she had no desire whatsoever to leave him. He was hers, and by the gods, she was going to prove it to him somehow. Her master … oh! He could no longer claim that title since he'd set her free, now could he?

Stop it right now, Belle! she inwardly scolded herself, stiffening her spine. You're going to march yourself to town, fetch his bloody straw and go home. A sly calculating smile curled the corner of her lips. Then things will change. I'm not going to allow him to hide himself away from me any longer.

Her mind made up, it was easy to make the slow trek down the mountain road and enjoy the first taste of spring in bloom. She was a bit over halfway to the village, she estimated, when she heard a carriage approaching. More delays, she groaned as she stepped off the road to allow it to pass. Only it didn't. Instead it stopped beside her as she stared curiously. Surely, whichever high-born nobleperson occupying the conveyance wasn't in the habit of stopping to converse with peasants. It was a struggle to keep the surprise from showing on her face as the door was whipped open and found herself meeting the dark eyes of the evil queen.

There was no mistaking Queen Regina for any other personage. Once or twice, she'd seen the woman disembark from her carriage as she'd paid a call on Rumpelstiltskin, though he wouldn't allow Belle anywhere near her. And she hadn't forgotten how distressed he'd been at the thought of Belle coming in contact with the queen.

Belle dipped into a quick curtsy. This is sure to be interesting.

"Did my carriage splash you?" the queen asked, a pleasant smile etched upon her lips.

Her fingers curled about the dragon pendant resting just below the hollow of her throat, confident Rumpelstiltskin would hurry to her rescue should she need him. "N-No, milady," she stammered, unable to keep her nervousness from creeping into her voice. Even as far as Avonlea, she'd heard tales of the despicable woman and her evil deeds. She could not afford to relax her guard.

"You know, I'm tired of riding. Why don't I stretch my legs and walk with you for a spell," Regina crowed amicably. A little too cheerful in Belle's opinion, which made her leery. "You carry very little," the queen stated as she disembarked and fell into step with Belle.

She pulled the hood of her cloak closer around her face and quickened her pace. If she were to return to the Dark Castle before nightfall, she couldn't dawdle. "I don't want to be slowed down," Belle said simply. She wasn't about to share her plans with the queen.

"Ahh … you're running from someone," Regina chuckled. "The question is … master or lover?" She had her answer when Belle's cheeks suffused with color. "Oh. Master and lover."

Belle could feel the prickle of unease skirt along her spine. "I think I might take a rest. Y-You go on ahead," she offered, stopping and turning to smile at the woman. Yet, the queen obviously had a purpose, and refused, looping an arm around Belle's shoulders.

"So, if I'm right, you love him … but you're leaving him."

A coy smile toyed at the corner of her lips. "Actually … no. I'm just going to town to fetch a basket of straw, and perhaps something to sate my master's sweet tooth.

The queen gaped at her. "You're happy with him?"

Belle chuckled. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"My dear, this road only leads up the mountain to the Dark Castle, or to the fork which will take one to Stratfordshire. Since we didn't encounter you until we turned, I can only assume Rumpelstiltskin is your master. There are a great many reasons why you wouldn't be happy with him."

Apparently, the queen wished to amuse herself by listing them all. Belle indulged her, keeping her face blank so as not to let on how irritated she was becoming.

"He wasn't always like that, however."

Belle snapped back to attention. "I beg your pardon?"

"Cursed. Once upon a time he was an ordinary man. He could be again, my dear," the queen drawled in a cajoling tone. "True Love's Kiss can break any curse."

Belle sucked in a deep breath. He knew! Rumpel knew we were true love! Which is why he wouldn't kiss me. Gods, I'm so stupid not to have seen, she lamented. So many things fell into place for her, she nearly swooned. His refusal to show her how her experiment with their hairs had turned out, the soft way he'd begun to speak to her, moving his workroom into her library so he could be close to her … releasing her from their deal. He loved her. She'd suspected, but this was proof positive.

She turned to Regina, a calculating gleam in her eye. "A kiss? A kiss would be enough? He'd be a man again?" Belle groaned inwardly. She really couldn't see Rumpelstiltskin being at all happy about that.

"An ordinary man," the queen simpered.

Belle smiled at Regina as she climbed back into her carriage and set off once more. She didn't move until the royal conveyance rounded the bend of the road. Damn and blast! she cursed inwardly. Her fondest wish was to kiss Rumpelstiltskin senseless, but now she didn't know how she could make that dream a reality. She stalked onward towards the village, her pocket heavy with coin. The two of them were long overdue for a heart to heart. He might not like it, but she couldn't allow him to avoid it any longer. True love was a gift, and theirs would not be squandered.

A/n: I hope you're not too upset about how I changed this scene. I hated this part of 'Skin Deep' because I never believed Belle to be so gullible as to allow Regina to fill her head with flights of fancy. Bah!

Anyway … tomorrow's drabble is entitled 'Why Did You Come Back?' I'm rather excited about it. Oh, and there may be a rating change coming up just to give you a heads up. Please share the holiday love and review! Hugs and smooches for everyone :D