A/N: What's up! So, I know I promised a bit of action for this chapter, but I ended up splitting this chapter into two parts because it got ridiculously long. That's in part because Cheshire and Rumpelstiltskin ended up in a place I wasn't expecting them to visit, then someone surprising showed up and I had so many angsts to cover. It just got out of hand. On the plus side though, that means the next chapter is pretty much done and should be posted soon. As always let me know what you think over in the reviews and I'll see you in the next chapter!
Days quickly turned into weeks and likewise weeks into months. Before he knew it, Cheshire had been the Dark One's apprentice for somewhere around two months. Each day presented a new challenge of some nature or another, but Ches found himself thoroughly enjoying himself for the first time in many years. While the Dark One could be down right terrifying, Ches found that he was comforted by Rumpelstiltskin's presence. They'd found an easy companionship in one another and the boy was beginning to view his mentor as something closer to a friend than a master.
A few weeks earlier he'd finally cajoled the imp into teaching him the basics of a few spells. Rumpelstiltskin had promised that before long they would begin actually using magic. Ches knew that he'd been progressing quickly as an apprentice. They'd covered deeper topics each day and had been discussing the finer points of the history of magic prior to today. The boy had actually received praise about his keen mind from the imp a few nights back, which of course led to Ches begging to go with his mentor on a "business trip." After days of badgering, well placed bribes, shameless compliments, and outright begging the child had finally managed to talk Rumpelstiltskin into letting him tag along.
The fifteen-year-old had been beyond excited when the imp finally consented, but now as they walked along a wood lined road towards the tiny village Ches felt a tinge of nervousness creep into his stomach. He looked sidelong at his mentor noting the confidence in each of the man's steps and attempted to emulate that. After so many weeks together, Cheshire had discovered just how peculiar his mentor was. He's nothing like what I expected, Cheshire thought to himself, reflecting to the first time he'd met the sorcerer.
The boy had eavesdropped on many of Silas's conversations about the newest Dark One and his dangerous dealings within the realms. Yet the boy hadn't expected to find said creature at his master's door that evening. Curiosity had gotten the better of Cheshire and he'd let the imp in, despite knowing that such action would undoubtedly incur Silas's wrath later. They boy had gone into the Dining Hall that evening with the simple intention of getting a better look at the fabled demon and had not been disappointed. Though the imp was slender and of slight stature, power seemed to seep out of his every pore making the Dark One seem larger than life itself. The creature's skin seemed to glitter as the fire light had danced off his golden scales and his reptilian eyes had been quite the startling feature. Nevertheless, Cheshire noted a softness in the creature's eyes as it looked upon the boy who'd provided entrance to the castle. Still the creature was a frightening sight and Cheshire had been glad to be sent away after delivering tea.
When the imp appeared in his room that evening he hadn't know what to think. Certainly, Ches felt some amount of fear, but resignation told him that at least this demon couldn't be crueler than Silas. At worse the imp would kill him and even that thought only brought the battered boy relief. But then the Dark One offered him kindness. He'd provided food and comforting words and better yet freedom. For the first time in many years, Ches had felt safe. The past few weeks had been the best he could remember since leaving his family.
In the weeks since he'd met Rumpelstiltskin the apprentice discovered that his master hid much behind the guise of the monster. Ches believed that it helped the Dark One deal with some of the atrocities he committed, but the boy believed it also stemmed from something deeper he'd yet to uncover. The man hid well behind his high collared vests and extravagant dragon skin coats. Allowing the imp to dominate him in view of the public, but around Cheshire he was softer. There was a man hiding behind Dark One and yet, for whatever reason, Rumpelstiltskin felt as though the world should look on him with fear and disgust.
Ches thought back to the moment he stood over the lifeless body of his last master. Reminiscing in the blank stare of eyes that could no longer see and finding joy in the knowledge that Silas would never hurt him again. He'd been grateful to Rumpelstiltskin for killing the hated man. More grateful than he would ever let on. He was indebted to the imp and that, in part, had led him to ask for his current apprenticeship.
Now he was even further beholden to his savior. Rumpelstiltskin had provided him with new rich clothing, an immaculate room in the vast castle (even if he did still sneak into his mentor's room to sleep), and a feeling of security that was still very new to the young man. He owed much to the Dark One and yet his mentor asked for little in return. All he required was a few simple chores as payment. However, Cheshire had begun wondering if perhaps Rumpelstiltskin kept him around simply for the company.
"Don't look so nervous kid," Rumpelstiltskin insisted pulling Cheshire from his thoughts as they neared the village. He cast a sidelong glance at his mentor and noted that the man was watching him carefully.
"Sorry," he replied quickly, his heart hammering in his chest. He hadn't realized that his nerves were on display and he quickly attempted to remedy that faulty reaction.
"There's no reason to be worried Ches," the imp continued giving the boy a rare smile. "It's a small matter. Just a farmer looking for a way to cure his cursed livestock." Rumpelstiltskin must have noticed that his words had not comforted the boy because he added, "though I guess the villagers won't be surprised to see you looking terrified in my presence."
Cheshire found that he was too nervous to even quip in reply, though he felt like he should. Thankfully, he was saved from the conversation as the two travelers reached the village. It was an unimpressive thing in the boy's opinion. Full of dilapidated huts and sickly people. The stench of manure and human waste mixed poorly with the sweet odor of freshly baked bread, making Ches gag slightly. It was clear that this area of the Enchanted Forrest had suffered much during the Ogre Wars of five years previously. As the pair moved further into the village the homes began looking like actual houses and the villagers looked to be in slightly better condition. The whole place screamed of poverty, but this area of the village was an improvement.
"So, where… where are we going?" Cheshire stammered, finally finding the courage to speak.
"Just there," Rumpelstiltskin pointed a clawed finger towards a tavern near the center of the village. "Our friend," he continued with smirk, "claimed that he would wait there all day if I'd come to make a deal. Let's see if he's the honest sort." Cheshire noted the higher than normal octave of his mentor's voice and the arrogant cadence which now graced his steps. The Dark One was obviously present now, Rumpelstiltskin having retreated fully behind the imp.
Ches noticed that most of the villagers averted their gaze as the pair passed, but he also noted that when they were garnering more than a few odd looks. He supposed they did cut quite the figure. With him dressed richly in a white silk shirt and leather breeches, a heavy black cloak draped across his shoulder, and his mentor decked out in a high collared dragon skin coat that was adorned with an impressive neck piece. Their clothes were well cared for and obviously cost more than most of these villager's homes. It was a sad thought, but one that filled Ches with a certain amount of pride. He would never know poverty again as the apprentice of the Dark One.
With a slightly more confident step the boy followed his mentor into the building. A distinct hush fell over the tavern as the Dark One and his apprentice stepped inside and made their way over to a table by the front window. Conversation picked back up as the two moved towards their query, but Ches noted the tension and fear which lingered in the air. A surge of confidence swept through him as he noted the sheer respect and dread that his master's mere presence commanded.
The farmer in question was a round faced man who looked as though he'd seen better days. The little hair that remained on his head was wispy and grey. His dark watering eyes provided him with the distinct appearance of a rat. The farmer might once have been a large man but now retained the sickly look of one who had lost a lot of weight very quickly. Cheshire noted the look of desperation in his eyes right away. In that moment all his nerves vanished. A simple apprentice he may be, but even Ches knew that he could work over this man. This desperate soul would give anything to them at this point, they simply had to decide what to ask. Such thoughts left the boy with a wonderful and heady feeling of power.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet me Rumpelstiltskin," the man said standing as the other two joined the table.
How odd that he actually used the name of the Dark One, Ches thought to himself.
"It's no matter," the Dark One answered having a seat and directing Ches to do the same. "Let's cut right to business then, shall we?"
"Of course," the farmer replied as he took out a handkerchief and wiped his sweaty face, before regaining his own seat. "My farm has been cursed. Crops won't grow, the livestock have withered or died, it's a complete nightmare.
"Do you know who cursed you?" the imp asked as he leaned languidly back into the chair and observed his prey over steepled fingers.
The man shook his head, "I've no idea. It's not like I have any enemies."
Rumpelstiltskin mulled over this information for a moment before conceding, "It matters not. I can cure little plot of land… for a price."
"Name it. I'll give you anything," the man begged.
"Those are dangerous words," the imp warned in an uncharacteristic show of compassion. "Tell you what," he continued with a flourish of his hands, "I'll provide you with a talisman that will make your lands fertile once more and will reinvigorate your livestock. In return you will give me a plot of your land on which to cultivate a certain bean. Do we have a deal?"
"Yes," the man responded without hesitation.
"Wonderful," the imp chuckled. He fished around in his jacket pocket for a moment and pulled out a mangy looking rabbit's foot. "All you must do, is place this above your front door. Give it a couple of days and your farm should be restored."
The man looked less than impressed as he took the object in question. "You're giving me a rabbit's foot to save my livelihood?" he asked incredulously.
"While such things are considered lucky by hedge witches and fools," the Dark One explained in a voice that was both quiet and dangerous at the same time, "this is not a rabbit's foot. This is the foot of a jackelope. It brings good fortune to the homes of those who hold such an item and this one in particular has been enchanted for your specific needs. Now do you want it or not?" The imp cocked his head and fixed the man with a steady glare. Ches knew that refusing this deal was not an option for the farmer. One didn't simply call on the Dark One and then reject the offer, not unless one was unfortunately stupid or had a death wish at least.
Luckily the farmer nodded earnestly completing the exchange. Once the desperate man took hold of his new possession, Rumpelstiltskin motioned for Cheshire to get up and the two left. The whole scene had taken less than five minutes and the boy felt a little underwhelmed. "That's it?" he complained in what he hoped wasn't a whine.
To his surprise Rumpelstiltskin smirked in response, "Not what you were expecting?"
"Not really," Cheshire began but before he could continue a voice from behind them called out to them causing the two to pause.
"Bae?" the voice called clearer this time. Rumpelstiltskin spun around so fast he nearly knocked Cheshire to the ground. Cheshire turned as well looking up to his mentor as he did. Something close to hope was dancing across the older man's features as he watched a girl a few years older than Ches run towards them.
She slowed when she got near them and disappointment settled on her face, "I'm sorry," she said as she observed Ches closely. "I thought you'd found him," the girl whispered glancing up at Rumpelstiltskin fear etched across her face. The man grimaced at the girl as a painful glint took hold of his eyes.
"No Morraine, I haven't." While the Dark One's voice was lower and more human the usual high-pitched lilt Cheshire was familiar with, it held a coldness he'd never heard before. His mentor turned and stalked away before Cheshire even registered that they were leaving. Before they reached the far outskirts of the town, Rumpelstiltskin turned and grabbed the boy's shoulder. Cheshire hoped his mentor didn't notice the way the boy had tensed at the sudden contact, but he had little time to contemplate that fear. In a swirl of dark red smoke, they were suddenly back in the courtyard of the Dark castle.
The entire event was ridiculously strange. Who had the girl been and why did she act as if she knew Rumpelstiltskin? Determined to get the bottom of this new development Cheshire began his now normal habit of questioning a topic to death.
"Who's Bae?" the boy asked as they made their way through the doors of their home wondering what could cause such a sudden change in his companion.
The older man's jaw muscle twitched, a sign Ches was learning meant that his companion was angry. "That's none of your concern," the Dark One returned his voice cold and dangerous.
"I'm- I'm sorry," Che's stammered realizing too late the nerve he'd touched. Rumpelstiltskin rarely denied an answer to one of Cheshire's questions and never with such blatant hostility. "I… I was… I was just curious, I didn't mean to pry."
"And yet you still are," the imp barked dangerously turning on the boy. Ches couldn't help but flinch as his mentor rounded on him.
For the first time since meeting the Dark One, Ches was truly frightened by the creature in front of him. The Darkness was fully in control and that usually spelled danger for the person who'd drawn the imp's ire. Luckily, some of the boy's fear must have shown, because with great effort and a shaky breath Rumpelstiltskin returned to the forefront. "I'm sending you to the village for these supplies," the man dismissed roughly conjuring a list of needed items. "Take the night off and enjoy yourself. You may as well eat while you're there. When you're ready to return call my name and I'll come collect you."
Without any more pretense Dark red smoke surrounded the boy and when he looked up he was in the village at the foot of the mountain. Despite being exhausted from the day's journey, Che's couldn't help but be relieved to be away from the castle at the moment. Rumpelstiltskin was angry, and it didn't bode well to be in the castle while the imp raged. He might as well have a good time while he was here, the boy thought to himself, because he wasn't calling the Dark One anytime soon.
As I was writing this chapter, they announced that season 7 would be the final season of Once. While this saddens me beyond belief, I will always be grateful for this series. I've never been so attached to a television show and I really don't know what I'm going to do with my now non-existent television life. I guess I'll just have to supplement with more fanfiction! It was a great run and I'll be sad to see it go. (sad face and uncontrollable sobbing ensues).
