A/n: Y'all are probably going to hate me for the time jump here, but this was planned from the beginning, and I couldn't think of a more perfect ending for our Rumbelle babies and the hope I've tried to bring you all month long.

XXXI

A New Beginning

One Year Later …

Water dripped, the sound startlingly loud as it echoed through the dank cavern which led into the mines. Belle shivered, but with anger not fear. There was nothing to fear for the Lady of the Dark Castle, not from mere mortals. To say things had changed over the months since she and Rumpelstiltskin had professed their love for one another would be a bit of an understatement. Once he had made up his mind to trust her, he gave it fully, sharing his past with her. It had taken him days to tell her of his childhood, his parents, his life with Milah and Baelfire. Taking on the curse to save his child, losing him and the dark deeds he'd done in an effort to find his way back to him. And then there was the curse. Belle hadn't been at all pleased to learn he was willing to sacrifice so many innocents to take him to this land without magic. There must be another way.

"Sweetheart, I've been searching for three hundred years. This is the only way."

"And perhaps when you set your mind on this curse, you just stopped looking for other ways!" she'd protested.

Her wily sorcerer had pulled her into his arms and held her gently as she'd calmed. Neither of them liked to argue, much preferring to spend their time in more amorous pursuits, but he knew she wouldn't let this drop. Not when so many others would be affected as well. "If you can find a way for us to find Bae without the curse, we'll do it."

"You promise?"

"I give you my word, Belle, and you know I do not give it lightly. But if you cannot … we proceed with the Dark Curse."

Rumpelstiltskin had held true to his vow to protect her. He'd also taught her a great deal about protecting herself. They'd married in a small ceremony in Avonlea with only her father in attendance. Maurice hadn't been happy he couldn't give her the wedding his little princess deserved, but he'd given in when she'd insisted she didn't want anyone there but him, albeit grudgingly. The Dark One's enemies didn't need to catch wind that he had a vulnerability.

Her poor Rumpel. He'd been driven to the brink of madness before the wedding trying to create the perfect bonding ritual. She'd been a bit nervous imagining herself with magic, but she trusted her husband. It was freeing in a way, being able to share this new aspect of their relationship. He'd been so patient with her, and he'd been more than pleased with her natural aptitude to wield it so easily. He hadn't even been surprised her magic was light instead of dark. They were two sides to the same coin, balancing one another perfectly.

Not that her magic couldn't run a little dark when she was angry or when she felt her husband was threatened. It was a struggle for her to fight back the darkness when her emotions ran high. Much as they were now as she clung to the shadows of the mine tunnels. She seethed as she thought of her beloved trapped below ground and bound with fairy magic. All because of that peasant girl playing princess. He'd explained to her why he needed to be where he was at the moment, but she didn't have to like it. What was more worrisome was that she was running out of time.

It was easy to put the guards to sleep and then slip into the main tunnel where her husband was being held. She could feel him through the bond long before she saw him, his hands reaching for her as she moved to stand before him.

The mage wasted no time in pulling her as close as the bars would allow, his lips finding hers in a lingering kiss. "You disobeyed me, dearest."

Belle snorted, tugging on the ends of his hair playfully. "It wasn't the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Worry not, husband, I wasn't seen. Are you hurt?"

His fingers smoothed the dark frown marring her brow. "I'm fine. Belle, you can't be here."

"And where else would I be, Rumpelstiltskin," she snapped. "Home … alone … curled up in our bed missing you? I think not. For better or worse, darling."

Rumpelstiltskin smirked as he watched her pace, her midnight blue damask skirts swishing softly beneath her ebony cloak. "We talked about this."

"No, Rumpel. You told me what was going to happen, and I was expected to fall in line with your plans."

He reached for her hand, drawing her back to him, his thumb caressing her palm. "Sweetheart –"

"Did they come? Snow and her shepherd?"

The sorcerer sighed. "They did. Belle, please … I don't want to fight with you. Everything is falling into place as I have foreseen."

Belle pressed her lips together in a firm line of disdain. "Yes, but what of the holes in your visions? Your foresight isn't always reliable. Be honest with me, Rumpel. Tell me the future is set. Tell me there's nothing I can do to change it."

"I can't," he admitted ruefully. "I've never been able to perceive a clear picture of our future together."

"And you can't see it clearly because it hinges upon what I do in the next few days." She pressed a kiss to each of his fingers where their hands were joined between them. "Trust me, my love."

His warm amber eyes softened with the love he held for her. "You know I do, but I cannot bear the thought of you putting yourself in danger."

She arched a brow. "Oh, darling … our bond is strong. I have you with me always. You are my strength, and together we will not fail."

He stiffened as he heard the guards stirring at the end of the tunnel. "Go now, dearest, before you're discovered. And make certain you keep our link open."

"I will," she promised, reluctant to let him go.

Rumpelstiltskin pulled her into one more kiss, unable to deny himself the sweet comfort of her lips. "I love you, my Belle."

"I love you."

*.*.*

You're having entirely too much fun with your charade, dearest, Rumpelstiltskin's voice whispered across her mind.

Pfft! I am not, she scoffed.

Are you really going to tell me you didn't enjoy spilling that tankard of ale in the knight's lap for pinching your rather delectable backside?

Belle rolled her eyes. It had been easy to glamour herself in order to spy on the Charming's council meetings, and handsy knights were nothing new to her, having had to deal with her fair share at her father's court. "It's nothing I can't handle, Rumpel, and you know it. You're just jealous and a bit put out you can't turn him into a snail or some such because he dared to touch me." She shivered as his growl reverberated through her entire body. This couldn't end soon enough for her. She wanted nothing more than to be back in his arms. "Now, stop distracting me!"

"What is Rheul Ghorm doing there?"

"They've called her seeking advice. They're quite worried about the queen's curse," she explained, trying to focus on the proceedings.

"Don't trust her, Belle," he warned.

She snorted. "As if I would be so stupid. There's something shady about that fairy. And it's not just because of what she did to you either."

"What are you going to do?"

"What I must."

*.*.*

The Dark One stared at his wife, for once at a loss for what to say. She'd done it. She'd found a way to a land without magic without the need for his Dark Curse. And she was spitting mad.

"I thought fairies were supposed to be all goodness and light," Belle hissed furiously. "She's planning on lying to the Charmings, Rumpel."

He gnashed his teeth. "She doesn't see her actions as wrong, dearest," he spat, pacing the confines of his cell. "She sees it as protecting the greater good. It doesn't matter who might be hurt in the process. I'm guilty of the same. The woodcarver will do what he must to protect his boy just as I would do anything to find my Baelfire."

"I will strike a deal with Snow. She will not refuse me."

"What do you propose? That she give you the wardrobe in exchange for the curse?" he scoffed, giggling as if she were spouting nonsense.

Belle pursed her lips in displeasure. "Are you mocking me, Rumpelstiltskin?"

"Of course not, no." He sighed. "Belle, dearest, using the wardrobe would be the answer to our dilemma, but there are flaws. Regina will be difficult when she learns her revenge will no longer be attainable."

"Are you saying the Dark One couldn't handle his little protégé?"

He shot her a quelling look. "Hardly."

Her fingers curled into his sleeves as she pulled him to her through the bars, pressing her brow to his. "We've much work to do. And believe me, husband, the first order of business after the deal-making is complete will be to secure your release. I tire of sleeping alone," she pouted.

"My clever wife. I have faith in you. But be on your guard, dearest. That fairy is one nasty piece of work."

*.*.*

"What is the meaning of this?" Charming bellowed as the council doors opened to admit the petite brunette.

Snow laid a comforting hand on her husband's arm and beamed at the newcomer, rising to her feet to greet her old friend. "Belle!" The princess embraced her warmly. "It's so good to see you, but what brings you from Avonlea in such trying times?"

Belle held onto Snow's hands gently as she surveyed the round council table with her cool stare. "Because there is a traitor in your midst, my friend. I felt you should be warned."

The room erupted in chaos, everyone trying to deny the charges.

Charming shook his head. "This room is filled with our most loyal supporters. I hope you have proof to give weight to your claim."

Snow wasn't one to disregard allegations, however; wanting to be as forewarned as possible. It was one of the reasons she'd gone to Rumpelstiltskin for his help. "Clear the room. I wish to speak with Belle."

"Snow –"

She leveled her husband with a look which brooked no objection. She resumed her seat next to him and waited patiently for Belle to explain. "I know you wouldn't have come all this way on a whim. What has happened?"

For once, her beloved chose to remain silent – for the time being – and allow her to handle the deal. "Rheul Ghorm has lied to you about the wardrobe which will save little Emma."

Charming stared at her as if he'd fallen on the point of his own sword. "That's preposterous!"

"How did you know our daughter's name?" Snow asked, the color draining from her face.

"There are a great many things in play you are unaware of, Snow. For instance, how do you think Regina gained access to such a powerful curse? It is well beyond her power."

"Rumpelstiltskin," the princess breathed in horror.

Belle arched a brow as she shot her a humorless smile. "For quite some time, I've been trying find an alternative to the curse. The Dark One needs the queen to cast the curse, to bring us to this land without magic, for one reason … to find his son."

Snow gaped at her friend. "How do you even know him?!"

"Does it matter?"

"It might help me understand."

Belle sighed. "He's my husband." She leveled the princeling with a look of concern as he looked as though he were about to have an apoplectic fit. Poor Snow just raised her brows. "Ogres nearly leveled my kingdom. I made a deal with him. He would save us if I would become his caretaker." She smiled fondly as she felt Rumpelstiltskin brush the back of her mind. "We fell in love."

"How can you expect us to trust you?" Charming growled. "You allied yourself with that imp and then come in here telling us there's a traitor amongst us."

"And yet it hasn't stopped you from running to him with your myriad problems, has it, Shepherd?"

He snapped his mouth closed.

"He has helped you time and again. If it weren't for him, you never would have found Snow to break her sleeping curse. Nor would he have provided the test – which Regina failed – to prevent her from harming you again in this land. Shall I continue?"

"Enough!" Snow commanded, rubbing at her temples. "Tell us why you believe Blue lied to us about the wardrobe."

Tread carefully, dearest.

"Because I followed her. Geppetto was reluctant to build the wardrobe, afraid for his young son. He agreed to craft it only if Pinocchio could be sent through when it was ready. She agreed. She lied to you. The wardrobe has enough magic to transport two to the land without magic. Not one as she's led you to believe." She reached out and enveloped Snow's hand in her own. "Rumpel and I can fix this, Snow. If you're willing to trust us."

"Snow! You can't –"

The princess shook her head at her husband. She drew in a deep breath and turned back to her friend. "What do you propose?"

A familiar giggle drifted across her mind, making Belle smile. "Have Geppetto complete the wardrobe. Rumpelstiltskin and I will use it to journey to this new land. In exchange, Rumpel will retrieve the curse from the queen and destroy it. Would you be willing to make that deal with me, Snow?"

The princeling snorted. "It can't be that easy. Dealing with the Dark One is never that cut and dry."

"But see, Shepherd, you're not dealing with the Dark One. You're dealing with me. I'm a bit more straightforward than my husband." She gave Snow's hand a gentle squeeze. "You'd be able to raise Emma here, Snow, without the threat of the queen. Your happiness is attainable."

"Do you think Rumpelstiltskin would agree?"

Belle smiled. "Rumpel wants to be reunited with his son … he cares not how."

"Assemble the council and inform them of this new plan."

Charming left them alone, still looking doubtful.

Belle, too, rose to leave, anxious to see her husband. "One more thing … I'd like Rumpel released immediately. He can't do anything locked away in a cell."

Snow cringed. "Charming's not going to be happy about that."

"You do realize he's only in that cell because it was part of his plans. He's too powerful to be contained indefinitely."

Snow groaned. "Charming likes to believe he has the upper hand," she said, waving a dismissive hand. "Would you consider staying here with us at the palace until the wardrobe is complete? It might make my husband more amenable to think he's keeping an eye on the Dark One."

Belle chuckled. "I believe that can be arranged."

*.*.*

"Be still … you're getting water all over the floor," Belle chided as she scrubbed her husband's unruly locks. "You were only down there for three days. How'd you get so filthy?"

"Mine dust, dearest," he growled as she dumped another bucket of warm water over his head. Finally, he was able to magic away the murky water in the tub for clean hot water. He sat back, his head resting against the curved lip of the tub. "Are you sure you won't join me? There's more than enough room in here for two."

Belle leaned over and pressed her lips to the sensitive spot beneath his ear. "Why don't you get out and we can find something much more pleasurable to do, hmm?"

More water splashed onto the floor as he hurried to get out of the tub, his lips curling into a devilish smile. "I do like the way you think, my little wife." His hands settled on her waist, pulling her against his wet glistening body. "My clever Belle." She moaned as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing her in. "My sweet girl."

"I still can't believe you banished Regina to Wonderland with her mother. Even she didn't deserve to be trapped with Cora." She turned, giving him her back so he could help with her stays.

He made quick work of her gown and underpinnings, his lips tasting each new inch of her delectable flesh he uncovered before lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bed in the chamber they'd been appointed in Snow's palace.

"Perhaps not, but she's where she can cause this realm no more harm." Belle arched beneath him as he pressed a soft kiss to the valley between her breasts. "The curse is destroyed … "

Her fingers curled into his damp hair, holding him to her. "And in another week or so, we'll be on our way to find your son."

Rumpelstiltskin cradled her face in his hands, losing himself in the deep pools of her eyes. "Because of you, my love. Because you refused to give up on an old monster. Because you dared to give me your heart."

Belle nipped at his lips, unable to contain her joy in the man fate had led her to. She shook her head. "No, darling … because you learned to love. The rest was easy."

A/n: And that's it, dearies! Thank you all so much for reading. This has been such a great project, and if it's restored your hope or given you some joy over this holiday month, please let me know. If you would, drop me a line to let me know which one was your favorite. It would mean so much to me :D Love and big bear hugs to you all and may the New Year bring happiness to our Rumbelle babies!