Disclaimer: "Okay, here goes. I do not own any of the Grimm Fairy Tales. I do not own any of the new and reworked versions of these fairy tales that Disney has turned into movies. I do not own any of the characters here in. The only thing I claim are the twists and turns I included in the story that were obviously not part of the original tales told by the Brothers Grimm or Disney. And also, my description of the main character."

I also feel I should point a few things out. This story/idea, was written before I ever even heard about Once Upon A Time. So in that respect, the idea to kind of make Rumpel hold the role of more than just one character, it was still mine for the purposes of this story. And I only have him as being two characters of note, not three like he is in OUAT.

Also, there is a moment in this chapter where a character is tied up and being beaten. I kept it short and I don't think it's too graphic or anything. But if you'd rather not read it or think that it would bother you, I suggest you skip this chapter, or at least that little bit.

Okay, I think that's all I've got for now. Sorry for interrupting. Enjoy. :)

The Beauty and the Beast

Henry tilts his head in confusion, and says, "I always thought it was Robyn Hood who gave you those shoes darling."

Cinderella quickly back-steps in her story and says, "Robyn Hood merely helped me get them back. He was passing through when he found me after I'd just returned home that night."

Henry nods, and then everyone turns as Rumpel asks, "Why do you ask if this woman was wearing a necklace Snow?"

She turns to Rumpelstiltskin and says, "No reason Rumpel. It's just that I know of someone, long ago, who wore a special necklace, and I know she never would've gotten rid of it. I thought maybe Ariel and Cinderella might have known her. But she wasn't wearing a necklace, so it couldn't have been her."

Rumpel nods after a moment, though truthfully he wonders if this girl really cared so much about the necklace or more for the pendant that had been on the chain. And if the latter was the case, then this could be the beginning of finding the explanation for the reason he had started becoming good in the first place.

A reason that left a gold chain sitting in his breast pocket, a gold chain that he had tricked a young girl into giving him once. Only she had tricked him too, and it had cost him. But it had cost him in the best way possible. Belle, is the evidence of that.

"Who's there?" Rumpelstiltskin asks softly, but with a harsh laugh in his tone. People only ever came to him looking to make some sort of deals. And he was always willing to make deals, for a price. And he was always certain to be on the upper hand in those deals as well, least things go quite wrong. "Answer me child. It's pointless to try and hide now that you have come this close."

But as he rounds the corner of the wall leading to the hallway, he realizes that she isn't hiding. This young girl, with a cap on her head, didn't appear to have that intention either. No, she was standing in the doorway, appearing to be waiting to see him, just standing there. Tilting his head, he says, "Well? Are you going to come in?"

She hesitates, and then says, "I was waiting to be invited." Well, that would be a first. Most people just barged right in, didn't care if he was even home or not. Though it was rare that he ever wasn't at home. Still, the rarity of the courtesy seemed to touch something inside him.

Pushing that aside, he motions into his home and the girl steps inside and follows him into a living room with plush couches, artifacts of all kinds, trinkets that he'd collected over the years from his various customers. Sitting down, he expects to find her gazing around the room in awe, or in wonder, or something like that.

Instead, he finds her eyes downcast, her hands not reaching for his fine things, but holding onto the trinket she's wearing around her neck. "What is that you're holding onto so tightly my dear?" She looks up, and then unfolds her hands to show him the pendant on the chain she's wearing. The red ruby is quite beautiful set against the gold casing. Quite beautiful.

"Well, I assume you're here to make a deal dear. And you look like a girl on a mission, so let's not waste any time. What is it you want?"

She hesitates, and then says, "I would first like to ask what it is that you will want from me if that's alright."

Rumpel looks at her carefully, and then asks, "Why?"

But instead of trickery, he sees only sadness in her eyes. "I would hate to ask you my favor, and feel that hope, and then have it crushed by you asking for something I cannot give."

He studies her again, and then smiles and says, "Very well dear. I'll have the chain around your neck. You may ask of me whatever you want, as long as you give me that chain around your neck."

"The chain around my neck?" She clutches the pendant tighter, and Rumpel smiles again. To some it may just be a trinket, but to her, this was her most valued possession. It's things like that in which he particularly enjoys having from other people, the things they hold most dear. It always strikes him as fascinating when people always give them up too in order to make a deal with him, deals that generally never work out quite like they want it to.

With a sigh she says, "Fine."

And she wasn't going to be any better than all the others who had come before. Rumpel stands up and says, "Very well dear. Let's have it." But she was far more clever than he'd realized. She unclasps the chain from behind her neck, and then deftly slides the pendant off of the chain. Tucking it into her own pocket, she clasps it back, and hands the chain over to him. Rumpel's smile faded into a frown as he took it from her. She had listened to his words carefully. He'd asked for the chain around her neck, nothing more and nothing less. And it wasn't the chain she held most dear, just the pendant that had hung from it.

"I'm sorry Rumpelstiltskin if you feel tricked or swindled. The pendant itself is not something I can give up. It's too important to me. But you asked for the chain, and so here it is." And even as she was tricking him, he could sense in her tone that she was truly sorry for deceiving him. It made it near impossible for him to be mad at her. But he was still a little peeved.

"Very well dear, I made you a deal. What is it you want?"

"I want your help."

Rolling his eyes he asks, "With what dear? Be more specific."

"That wasn't the deal."

He tilts his head and says, "I'm not following, so you will at least have to elaborate more on what it is you want dear."

She thinks for a moment, and then says, "I want you to help me, whenever I should need it. If I come to you for help, if I ask you for a favor, if I need you to do something for me, you have to promise that you will help."

The deal had been struck, and this girl, this young girl before him, had somehow managed to gain the upper hand. She'd seemed harmless, but she was clearly much wiser than she appeared. Scowling, Rumpel says, "Fine. We have struck a deal. Now leave."

But instead she says, "I need your help."

Glaring, he says, "And what is it you want dear? You want world peace? Sorry, can't help you there. Even I can't do that. You want a cushy house like this? You want riches beyond your wildest dreams? Go on, ask for whatever it is you want, now that I am your servant."

But the girl's eyes grow confused and she shakes her head. "I never asked you to be my servant. I said if I came to you and asked that you have to help me. I didn't say you had to follow me around and tend to my every want." And Rumpel's glare, against his better judgment, softens even further when she continues. "And why would I ask for any of that? None of those material things truly matter."

"Then pray-tell, what is it you need help with dear?"

She takes a deep breath, and for the first time Rumpel can tell that she's fighting back tears. Has she been doing that the whole time? "I need your assurance of someone's protection and safety."

He stares at her for a moment, and then asks, "Not your own?"

"No. I can take care of myself, I'm quite certain."

"And who am I protecting?"

The girl reaches into a bag she's carrying behind her, and then pulls out a photo of a beautiful young child with hair black as night, lips red like a rose, and skin that looks as soft and white as snow. "This is Snow White."

Rumpel looks up at her, and then says, "And she needs protection?"

"At this point in time, no. She's alright for now. But in the future, if something should happen, I won't be able to be there for her to help her. I want you to assure me that you will."

Rumpel watches her carefully, and then says, "I will need something of hers, something that she's once held or touched before."

The girl reaches into her bag again, and pulls out a red rose that she'd put into a glass container carefully. "She once pricked her finger on this rose while trying to pick it for her mother. If kept well, I feel certain that I will last for a very long time."

"Indeed." He takes the rose from her and sits the glass covering on an empty table nearby. With a wave of his hand, the rose begins to float inside the vase, glowing slightly before settling back to its original look. Turning, he says, "Now, whenever she is in danger, I will know, and I will help her."

"Thank you Rumpelstiltskin." The girl smiles up at him with true gratefulness, as though she is certain that if he didn't want to he wouldn't actually have to keep his deal. She is so young. Yet he can see the wisdom in her eyes. She had put a great deal of thought into her trip here before actually coming. No one desperate enough had ever truly thought over what they were going to do or say before they came here. Yet this young girl had not only had a plan, but when the opportunity came to make a deal in her favor, she quickly took advantage of it.

But not of him, just of the deal itself. She wasn't interested in trying to force him to do everything in life for her that she didn't feel like trying. No, she wanted to protect someone. She wanted to protect this young Snow White. Looking back to her, he asks, "What is she to you?"

The girl hesitates, and then says softly, "Let's just say that she is important to me. I hope this request doesn't cause you too much trouble. It may not cause you any. But I wanted to be sure."

Rumple nods, so confused by her actions, and yet enthralled with her as well. "My dear, what is your name?"

Again, she hesitates, but after a moment of thought, she looks up and says, "Robyn."

It was not a name he was familiar with, at least not of anyone he knew yet. "Is that all?"

"Yes."

To that she answers quickly, and he knows she's lying, but for some reason he can't bring himself to be angry with her for that. Everything she has done seems to be bent on protecting someone other than herself. Not revealing her full name is probably in the same interest.

Would his son have been like that by this age? Would he be as smart and wise as this young girl standing before him? He'd like to think so.

Robyn's eyes soften even more than they already have been, and she tilts her head at him before reaching forward. This time, there is no hesitation in her. She reaches forward and presses her hand delicately over where his heart is. And in her soft voice, she asks, "Why are you in such pain? Have I done something to hurt you?"

And against his better judgment, Rumpel shakes his head and says, "No. It's just, I wonder if Peter, would've been like you. He would be about your age now."

"Is he your son?" Rumpel nods again, and Robyn finally lets a tear fall from her eye. "What happened?"

"He… uh… he ran away. He felt that I was becoming obsessed with magic. And I suppose I am. He ran away when I wouldn't stop."

Robyn nods softly, and then says, "If he could see you the way that I have, he would stay."

Rumpel stares at her for a moment, and then smiles, a genuine smile this time, and says, "Thank you for that."

She nods, and then says, "If I should ever meet this son of yours, this Peter, I will be certain to try and send him back to you."

"How do you know he will listen to you?"

She smiles and says, "I have a certain way with words as well Rumpelstiltskin. People tend to listen and truly hear what I say." Her eyes sadden again, and she removes her hand before saying, "I must go now. Thank you for your promise to help Snow."

And as she turns to leave, Rumpel says, "Dear, I know our deal is not set like this…" Robyn turns to look at him, and he smiles lightly before continuing. "But if you should ever need my help for anything else, please don't hesitate to call."

"How would I call you?"

Grinning, he says, "Just say my name dear. I always hear when my name is called."

"You'll see Belle, one day you will be mine. Someday you'll be my wife. Get back here!"

Belle runs through the woods, trying her hardest to think of a way to outsmart Gaston. But he's a hunter, and he is the best at what he does. Even if she continues to run until the forest runs out, he will find her.

Tripping, she falls on her face, scraping her hands. She scrambles back to her feet, and cringes when Gaston says, "I know you're close Belle. I will find you."

She's honestly about to give up running when a caped figure jumps from a tree and falls in front of her. "Ah!" She starts to scream again, but the figure jumps closer and puts a hand over her mouth.

"Be quiet or he'll find us."

Belle stops and stares for a moment, and then asks, "Who are you?"

"I'm a friend, and that's all you need to know right now. Come on. Follow me."

Robyn takes Belle by the hand and pulls her through the woods and towards Midnight who is waiting patiently by a tree. "I know I'm your favorite girl, but you're going to have to carry two right now. Okay?" Midnight huffs with a nod of her head, and Robyn hops up and reaches down for Belle.

When she hesitates, Robyn says, "Look, if you want him to catch you then stay. If not, then hurry up. I can get you out of here, but we have to go now." And she reaches up and takes the hand offered to her. Robyn pulls her up behind her and says, "Hold on tight. Midnight's fast."

And even though Belle had been about to say that she knew fast horses, when Midnight took off, she squeezed tighter around her new friend and decided to keep quiet. Midnight is by far faster than any horse she'd ever ridden before in her life.

Gaston's shouts and taunts finally grow dimmer, and eventually Belle can't hear them at all. She can't hear anything except the wind that blows by as they ride together through the forest. When they do finally stop, it's near a river so Midnight can rest and drink. Robyn hops down first, and then offers her hand to Belle to help her down. Bringing her to a large boulder, she makes Belle sit while she pulls a wooden cup from her bag and moves to the river.

When she comes back, she hands the cup to Belle and says, "Here, drink this."

Belle takes it, though she cringes at the slight pain that comes from the cuts on her hands, but she still smiles and says, "Thank you. Who are you?"

"My name is Robyn. I assume you're Belle."

"Yes, I am."

"Mind if I ask why you were running away from that man?"

Belle sighs and says, "His name is Gaston, and he insists that I become his bride."

"And you don't want to be?"

Shaking her head, Belle says, "I don't love him. The only reason he even wants me is because I'm the only girl in the kingdom that doesn't want to be his. He can have anyone else, but because I don't want him back he insists on having me."

Robyn nods, and then looks down at Belle's hands. Reaching into her bag again, she pulls out some herbs that she'd collected while traveling. Pulling one of her daggers out, she places them on the rock beside her and uses the hilt to grind them down. Taking the cup back from Belle, she scrapes the herbs into what's left of the water and mixes it together into a pasty type substance. She then pulls out two rags and coats them in the paste.

Turning back to Belle, she says, "Here, give me your hands." Belle holds them out, and at first it stings as Robyn wraps her hands in them. But after a moment or so, she can feel the soothing effect of the herbs start to act on her cuts. Robyn takes another rag and dips it in the paste and then tips Belle's head up gently. "These might take a little bit longer to heal since I can't wrap them, but this should help with the pain at least."

"Thank you Robyn."

"Sure." Sitting back on the grass, Robyn sighs and looks at the woods around her.

Belle watches her mysterious savior for a moment, and then asks, "Can I ask what you're doing in the woods at this hour?"

Robyn looks up at her, and then tugs on her hood so it's even further down. "I'm not entirely sure myself anymore."

Finally, Belle's eyes widen and she says, "Wait, you're Robyn Hood aren't you?"

Sighing, Robyn looks up and lets her hands wave out in front of her in gesture. "You got me."

Belle smiles and then asks, "But I thought maybe you had returned to your kingdom. Richard is back on the thrown. Why must you live in the woods?"

"Richard's kingdom and my old home are not one in the same. I came from a different kingdom my lady."

"Well, then why do you not return there?"

Robyn pauses for a moment, and then turns her head away. "An outlaw is an outlaw my lady, no matter where he happens to wind up."

"But I thought Richard pardoned you."

Robyn sighs again and says, "Nottingham isn't the first kingdom to deem me an outlaw. It was the second in fact. And given my luck, I'm sure there will be more to come."

Belle presses on though and says, "But surely you could join Richard's kingdom, after everything you did for him."

"Indeed, if I were exactly as I appeared to be." Robyn stands up and bows graciously to Belle before saying, "But looks can be deceiving my lady. Some more deceiving than others. Some just enough to allow one the freedom they need to do what is necessary. In my case, my hood provides me with that."

"It makes you look mysterious."

Belle can see the smile beneath the hood, and Robyn says, "Indeed, it does do that. But it does a tad bit more as well."

"Like what?"

"Well, if I told you that, then the mystery would be gone now wouldn't it."

Belle finally smiles again and says, "I suppose so. But you are good."

"I am as good as I can be Miss Belle. Now, what shall we do about your Gaston problem?"

Belle sighs and says, "I don't know. I can't go back home. There's nowhere to hide. Not even my father can think of a place to keep me away from him. And my father is a very smart man."

Robyn nods and says, "I'm sure he is. Is there nowhere you can go, no one you can call on to help you?"

Belle shakes her head and then says, "Truthfully, I believe you are the first true friend I've ever had."

Robyn tilts her head at that, and then asks, "And why would that be?"

"Oh, the people in my kingdom think I'm odd. While most girls go off to look at dresses or buy jewelry, I prefer to go to the book shop and look at what new books Francis has brought in that week."

"You like books?"

Smiling, Belle says, "Oh, I love books. Especially the ones about adventures. Those are my favorites."

Robyn smiles, and then sighs and says, "So, because you read books, no one in your town likes you."

"None except Gaston, and I'd rather he didn't."

Belle watches as Robyn thinks, and then Robyn looks back to her and says, "Well, that's a dumb reason for people not to like you. You don't need them Belle. You're too smart for them anyway." Belle smiles and then Robyn picks up her bow from the ground and says, "Wait here. I'll be back shortly."

She walks a ways into the woods, where she can still see Belle but not be overheard, and then removes the hood from her head. "Rumpelstiltskin."

She waits a moment, and then smiles when she hears from behind her, "You know, I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to call me again."

Turning to look at him, she says, "Sorry, I've been busy."

"So I see Robyn Hood."

"How'd you know?"

Rumpel grins and says, "You may have removed the hood dear, but with the cloak on you still look very much like the woodsman you are known to be."

Robyn looks down at herself, and then nods and says, "Yeah, I guess so."

He chuckles and then says, "Well, since you called me here I assume there is something you want help with. Have you finally run into some trouble you can't handle?"

"Not me."

Rumpel tilts his head and says, "So, you managed to find yet another damsel in distress, like the young girl you have me protecting still?"

"Yes."

"Very well. Where is this one?" Robyn points and Rumpel looks to see Belle sitting on a rock by the river. "And who is she?"

"Her name is Belle. There's some guy in her town that's obsessed with her and won't leave her alone."

"And what'd she do? Throw her skirt up at him or something." Robyn tilts her head and narrows her eyes. Rumpel shrugs and asks, "What?"

"She's the only girl in her town that doesn't want to be with him. This Gaston apparently thinks he is a very fine specimen of a man. She was running from him through the woods when I found her."

Rumpel looks back to Belle again and then asks, "So, you need me to protect her as well?"

Robyn nods, but then says, "With her it will be slightly more difficult. I can't send her back to her kingdom. No one there will protect her from Gaston."

"Not even her father?"

"Her father doesn't have the capability to protect her from him."

Rumpel nods. "I see. So what is it you want me to do?"

"Do you know of anywhere that she can stay? Maybe you know someone who will keep her until Gaston has either moved on or given up?"

He turns to look at Belle one last time, and then straightens up and says, "She can stay with me. My house is rather large. I have a spare room she could stay in. Is there anything I need to know first?"

"Like what?"

"Food allergies, aversions to particular colors, animal fears, things like that."

Robyn shrugs and says, "Your guess is as good as mine. All I know at the moment is that she loves books."

Looking back to Robyn, Rumpel tilts his head as he studies her face. "When you say you found her, do you mean that you just found her?"

"Well, yeah… she was running through the woods and I found her maybe an hour or two ago."

"And even though you know hardly anything about her, you are using your deal with me to ensure her safety."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Robyn looks at him for a moment as though the answer should be obvious. Then she says, "Because she's a good person. I can see that. And she deserves to have someone watch over her. Her entire village thinks she's odd because instead of dress shopping she'd rather sit by the fire and read a book."

Rumpel watches her for a moment more, and then says, "Very well. Besides, it's none of my business why you want to help her. We have a deal." Robyn nods and then pulls her hood back up. "Belle doesn't know who you are?"

"Nope. Like I said. I just met her."

"And I suppose I'm to keep this a secret as well."

"If she asks you can tell her the truth. I won't have you lie to her for me. But if she doesn't, I don't see why you should bring it up."

Rumpel nods and says, "I see. Very well then. Carry on."

Belle looks up when they come back into the clearing. Standing, she looks from Robyn to Rumpel in question. "Robyn?"

"Belle, this is a friend of mine. His name is Rumpelstiltskin."

Belle looks at him warily and Rumpel grins and says, "I see my reputation precedes me."

She nods and says, "You're a wizard with a knack for tricking others into deals."

"I never trick my dear. I simply tell them what I want from them, and they get what they ask for from me. It's really quite simple."

Robyn rolls her eyes and then looks back at Belle. "Listen, he's a friend, and I've asked him to take you away for a while. You'll be safe from Gaston."

She still looks at him warily and asks, "But will I be safe with him?"

"Yes." Even Rumpel looks to her, confused at how she can be so sure of her answer. "He has promised me that he will look after you, and I believe him. Go on my word Belle."

She ponders for a moment longer, and then nods and steps forward. Curtseying before him, she says, "I'm Belle."

"Rumpelstiltskin at your service darling. Now, take my hand."

Turning slightly, she says, "Thank you Robyn."

"Of course Miss Belle."

And she puts her hand in Rumpel's, and then they're gone.

Belle is dusting the room clean when Rumpel steps inside from his morning walk. She's found that he does that every morning, waking at almost the crack of dawn to take a walk down to the lake below his castle home, and then returning when it comes time to begin preparing breakfast. She's usually finished dusting this room before he returns, but today she's still working on the living room when he comes back.

"Ah, so that's why everything has been looking cleaner than usual. I was beginning to grow worried that thieves might be attempting to steal my things." Belle rolls her eyes, though a smile comes to her face. Rumpel knows full well that as soon as he leaves the house in the morning Belle starts working on cleaning this room. It's the room he stays in the most, and she prefers to be done cleaning before he returns so she doesn't kick up dust and make him sneeze.

"Tell me something Belle, why do you feel the need to clean my home?"

She shrugs and says, "It's not so much a need as it is a courtesy that I owe you. You've been letting me stay here for the past six months. The least I can do is to help keep it tidy."

"I see."

She turns to see him watching her for a moment, and then he turns to the fireplace and snaps his fingers so the logs inside start to burn again. When he moves back to the rose that sits on the table, Belle bites her lip before finally deciding to ask. "Rumpel?"

"Yes dear."

"Why is that the only thing in this room that I never have to clean? I mean, it's always spotless."

He turns to look at her again, and then back to the rose. "Perhaps because it is the only possession of mine that I truly find valuable anymore."

"Why is that?"

Rumpel pauses, and then turns and extends a hand towards her. "Come here. I want to show you something." Belle takes his hand when she gets close enough, and he pulls her up to the table. "Not long after this was given to me, I put another enchantment on it, adding to the first one." He waves his hand over the glass cover, and after a moment an image begins to appear. Belle looks at the girl through the glass, and it were as though she were literally playing in the field below, only a few feet from them.

"Who is she? Your daughter?"

Rumpel laughs and says, "No, she's no relation of mine." Waving his hand back over it, he lets the image disappear and says, "The Robyn who sent you to live with me called on me the night you were found. But Robyn has been here before. She…" Belle tilts her head when he says 'She' and he sighs for a moment before continuing. "When she came to me she wasn't Robyn Hood, and there was no cloak. She was just a young girl, afraid that what she was about to do might not work, but determined to try anyway."

Thinking on it more, he decides to try and explain to Belle that he never goes looking for deals. "Everyone who ever comes to see me comes to make a deal. I don't seek them out Belle. They come and find me." She nods and he continues. "Robyn came to me some years back, and told me she wanted to make a deal. But before she would tell me what she wanted, she said she had to know what I would want from her. She said that the hope of maybe getting a deal would be too much to lose if she found that what I wanted was something she couldn't give me."

He grins a little and says, "She was smarter than I realized, especially for someone so young. I told her I wanted the chain around her neck. The necklace she was wearing had a beautiful pendant on the end, and she kept holding it like it was precious to her. And back then, I admit, when people came asking for deals, I always asked for something they felt was sacred to them, something that otherwise they wouldn't part with. I asked for these things because it would always surprise me when they would actually let them go."

Belle can't help but smile with him as he can't help but chuckle at the amusement he seems to get from the memory of this particular deal. "And when Robyn said yes, I assumed she was in fact just like the others. But then, then she took the necklace off, and slid the pendant off of the chain. She tucked it away, and then handed me the chain that the pendant had been on. And I realized my mistake. I had asked for the chain, but not the pendant on the chain. Regardless of my discrepancy though, we now had a deal. And what baffled me further was her request. I was used to granting riches, to granting whatever people think their heart desires. Robyn wanted none of that. She wanted my help. Her request was that if ever she should ask for it, if ever she should need it, that if she came for me in need of help; that I would give it to her. And a deal is a deal, so I could not refuse."

Sighing, Rumpel continues on, saying, "And at first I thought that she would begin asking me for things she wanted, that maybe she would stay forever and ensure that she would never want for anything again. But she did none of that. Her one request of me, for the longest time, has been that I watch over and protect the young girl you just saw in the glass. If she is ever in danger, if she is ever in pain, I go to her and do what I can to fix it, to help her."

Rumpel looks at the glass and says, "I told Robyn that in order to do that, I would need something personal of the child's, and she pulled out this rose. She had been expecting me to need something. She handed it to me, explaining that the girl had pricked her fingers on the thorns of the rose whilst picking it for her mother long ago. And in this spot the flower has been ever since."

Belle nods and says, "And the enchantment you added? Wait, what was the first one?"

"The first one was merely a spell that connected me, in a way, to the child. I would know when immense sorrow or trouble came near her and I would help her if I could. The second enchantment I added only a few months after that. The enchantment that allows me to look in on her through the glass of protection around the flower."

Belle looks up at him and asks, "And you check on her often?"

"Yes, I do." He sighs and says, "She is a very good girl. She stays out of trouble. Her compassion is rivaled only by Robyn's that I have seen." Pausing for a moment, he looks at Belle, and then turns again and says, "Anyways, it is the first possession that anyone ever gave me that held any real value. She gave it up to protect the little girl back then. Most people ask for selfish things, things they want for themselves, never considering the consequences of those requests. Robyn thought hers through, and she knew that the only damage that might come of this would be that maybe she would lose something of hers if she didn't get her words out right."

Belle follows him as he walks from the room. "And Robyn has never asked you to protect anyone else?"

"Not until you dear. You are the second request she has made of me."

"Why me?"

"I asked her that myself."

Belle hurries to catch up to him and stops in front of him so he can't keep walking. "And what did she say?"

Rumpel looks on at her for a moment, and then takes a step closer so they are mere inches from each other. "She told me that she knew you were a good person, and that you deserved to have someone look after you and care for you. I know your father would love to be protecting you, but he can't. And so Robyn sent for me."

"But how? I thought you said she had to come here."

"Well, if I were to take it literally, then yes, her words would make it that way. But I chose not to take her words literally. I go to her if she calls."

"And does she call often?"

He shakes his head and says, "The day I came to get you is the first time I've heard her speak my name outside of these walls."

Belle tilts her head and asks, "But why? Surely she's had some hard luck. She told me that even with King Richard's return she's still an outlaw. She said there's nothing that can change it."

Rumpel frowns at that, and then asks, "She told you this?"

"Yes, while we were at the river. I asked why she still lived in the woods, and then I asked why she felt she couldn't return to her original home or make herself a new one."

"And what was her answer to that dear?"

"She said that she could better do what she does as a mystery. I guess she means as a man, because until you told me I thought she was one."

Rumpel nods, and then says, "Listen Belle, I must be off for a little while."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to see our Robyn, and see for myself why she doesn't ask for my help in this matter."

"May I go with you?"

He ponders that, letting his eyes run over her face before saying, "Alright. Besides, I can protect you better that way I suppose."

Belle nods and then hurries to get their coats. Rumpel returns to the living room and pulls the chain Robyn had given him from the drawer under the table of the rose.

When Belle returns, she asks, "Is that the necklace?"

"Indeed it is." Reaching out, he puts an arm around her and pulls her close. "Stay close now my dear. You may feel a bit dizzy after this."

She puts her hands on his shoulders as she turns to face him. Looking down at her, he leans a tad bit closer for a moment, and when Belle's eyes start to close he takes a deep breath in and lets it out slowly before saying quietly, "Let's be going then." She opens her eyes slowly to his soft spoken voice, and then nods and holds on tight.

Rumpel clutches the chain in his hand and closes his eyes as they disappear from his castle and reappear in the woods. The grunt of pain that follows a swift punch turns their attention to the right, and Belle has to put both hands over her mouth to keep from screaming. Robyn is tied-up, hanging by her hands, in between two trees. Her mouth is bleeding, her head is bleeding, her cloak is gone, and Gaston is standing in front of her, a club in his hands, preparing to swing at her again.

"Gaston…"

Rumpel turns to Belle as she whispers his name in horror. "This is the man that wants you?" She nods and then gasps when he swings at Robyn again, hitting her in the stomach for what must be the hundredth time.

"Where is she?" Gaston growls the question up at Robyn's face, but to Rumpel's shock, she simply smiles down at him before laughing out her reply.

"She is safe, and you will never find her."

Gaston glares at her and yells, "I will!" And as he starts to swing again, Rumpel snaps his fingers and the club disappears. Gaston looks to his hands in shock, and then turns to see Rumpel and Belle standing behind him in the clearing. "There you are Belle. It's about time you came back. Now, I will kindly put all of your nonsense aside and take you back without any fuss at all, if you just come to me now. Come Belle!"

And because Robyn is hurting, Belle starts to step forward. But Robyn shakes her head and says, "Belle, don't. Run. Get away."

Gaston turns back to her swiftly and shouts, "Shut up you stupid girl!" The ball of fire that appears in front of his fist as he prepares to punch Robyn in the gut burns his hand and he crumples to the ground in agony. "What the hell!"

Robyn looks up as Rumpel flashes to be right in front of her. "And you don't think this merits calling my name dear?"

She looks on at him defiantly and says, "I can take care of myself. I chose this life. I have to learn to live with it and its consequences."

He stares at her briefly, and then waves his hands and releases her from the ropes. Lowering them both down gently, he carries her in his arms back to where Belle is waiting. "I'm sending you two back home. Get her some water and make sure she stays in the bed. I'll be there shortly." And with a puff of smoke they disappear.

Gaston rises to his feet and says, "She will be mine! You can't keep her forever!"

"Oh, but that's the thing dear. I most certainly can if that is my wish. But you see, I'd much rather have Belle make her own choices. So here's what I'm going to do instead."

Gaston howls in pain as he feels his body suddenly changing. And when he finally realizes that Rumpel is much taller than he used to be, he walks over to the water's edge and looks down at himself. Only he doesn't see what he was expecting. He sees bright yellow eyes, the eyes of a wolf. Looking further down, he sees his paws, sees the fur that now covers his body. "What have you done to me?" But that's not what comes out. All that comes from his lips are growls and snarls.

But Rumpel seems to understand. Laughing harshly, he says, "I have turned you into the beast that you truly are. Oh don't worry. It's not permanent. As in, you won't always have to look this way if you don't want too. But every time there is a full moon, this will most certainly happen." Bending down so he's eye level with wolf Gaston, Rumpel says, "Now everyone will eventually see just how beastly you truly are."

And with that, he stands back up, turns on his heel, and walks away in a cloud of smoke until there is nothing remaining.

At home, Belle is patting Robyn's face down with a wet cloth.

Rumpel stares down at both of them for a moment silently, and then asks softly, "How is she?"

Turning to see him, Belle smiles and says, "She'll be fine. She's pissed that you won't let her up, but other than that she's okay. I gave her some water."

Rumpel nods and says, "Let me sit with her a moment dear."

Belle stands up and Rumpel takes a seat on the edge of the bed. Robyn looks up at him, still stubborn as ever, and grumbles, "I can take care of myself."

"Obviously dear. That must be why you were tied to a tree not moments earlier."

Robyn rolls her eyes defiantly, and then coughs and blood comes out to stain her lips again. Rumpel takes his hand and places it over her head. Starting there, he holds it steady as he trails down over her entire body. Belle watches as all of the bruises that Gaston created vanish from Robyn's skin. And once they're all gone, Robyn's eyes soften and close as she slips off into sleep.

Standing up, he gently ushers Belle from the room and closes the door behind them. "She'll sleep it off and then feel fine in the morning."

Belle nods, but then stops and says, "Wait, Rumpel, her horse. We can't leave Midnight out there."

"Have you seen the horse?"

"Once."

He nods and then places one hand on the side of her head. "Think about her. Think about what she looks like, how she rides, how she feels." Belle closes her eyes and concentrates, and then opens them when Rumpel says, "She's in the stables. She's perfectly fine."

Belle nods, and then sighs in relief and puts her arms around Rumpel's neck and holds him close. "That is a wonderful thing you did."

He tries to think of a comeback, something witty to counteract the good character she's crediting him. But he can't, not with her arms around him like this. So instead he wraps his arms around her waist and says, "She will be alright Belle. I will see to it."

"I know you will." When she pulls back, she asks, "What happened with Gaston?"

"I cursed him so to speak."

He says it so simply, but Belle's eyes still widen in shock, "You cursed him?"

"Every full moon he will be forced to wear on the outside the cruelty and beastliness that lives in his heart."

Belle tilts her head and asks, "And, what does that make him?"

"Well, it turned him into a rather ugly wolf."

"Rumpel…"

Before she can finish her protest, he lifts his hands in a defensive gesture and implores her to understand. "I didn't control what the spell turned him into dear. I merely made certain that the world will all now be aware of his true nature."

Sighing, he steps back from her and says, "Robyn, she gives people second chances. And I am one of those people. And I am grateful that she chose me to trust and to talk to. I am forever changed because of her. But Gaston, dear, I saw his heart. And there is nothing but blackness there. The light cannot get back in because he enjoys the way he is." Belle watches his face as he runs his hands through his shaggy brown hair. "He's lucky I didn't kill him. Instead I showed him for what he truly is. A beast."

When Belle's hands land on his shoulders, he stops pacing. And when her arms wrap around him from behind, her head pressing against his back, he breathes out in relief before turning around in her arms. "I'm sorry my dear."

She just shakes her head and says, "It's alright Rumpel. It's alright."

He holds her close, and then kisses the top of her head and says, "Come on dear. We should fix a late breakfast. When Robyn wakes, I suspect she will be rather hungry."

"Thanks for taking care of Midnight."

Belle smiles happily as Robyn pets the neck of her beautiful black beauty. Sighing, she answers, "Of course. She's really a very nice creature."

Robyn smiles as she pets Midnight's nose. "Only to certain people. You should've seen her with Gaston before he got to me. If you'd seen his back, I would bet all the money I have that there were at least two hoof prints planted firmly there."

Belle laughs a little at that, and then asks, "Robyn, have you talked to Rumpel any?"

"If by that you mean have I answered his question about why I am a permanent outlaw, then no I haven't. If you mean have I spoken to him at all, then yes I have. Quite a few times actually."

"Robyn…"

She turns to look at Belle and says, "I know you two want to help, but the fact is that you can't. I made my choice, and I have to live with it."

"I just can't look at you, see you the way I know you are, and believe that you've ever actually done something so wrong as to be outlawed for all your life."

Robyn pauses at that, and then sighs and jumps up on the wooden fence beside Belle. They stay quiet for a moment, and then she says softly, "I didn't do anything wrong."

Belle looks over at her, and then turns to see Rumpel standing behind them listening. "What do you mean?"

Robyn sighs again and says, "What I am outlawed for isn't something that I did or said Belle. I am this way because I made a decision, a decision that protected the people in my kingdom from tearing themselves apart."

Belle watches as Robyn looks down at her hands, and she speaks so softly that Belle almost can't hear her. "They needed someone to blame. It had to be just unbelievable enough that people would actually wonder why it hadn't occurred to them sooner." Lifting her head, she says with finality, "I gave them someone to blame."

Robyn turns her head when the gate beside her opens and Rumpel steps out so he's standing in front of her. Looking up at her, he says, "So you're an outlaw because you chose to be."

"Yes."

"And you don't want me to fix that?"

"You can't undo what has already been done in the past Rumpel. And even if you could somehow cause an entire kingdom to forget why they hate me; that would be like taking a piece of themselves away for all time. I can't ask you to do that. I would never ask anyone to do that." Sighing, she says, "I made my choice, and while it was hard and is hard, I do not regret what I did for my people. And while they have grown to hate and fear my old name, I know in my own heart that what I did for them saved them."

Belle reaches out to touch her hand lightly, and says softly, "Such bravery should not go unrewarded or unnoticed Robyn."

She offers Belle a wry smile as she says, "Perhaps that is why we never hear of such heroic deeds though. Perhaps those that are so important are the ones that we can never know and never hope to understand."

Looking up at Rumpel, Robyn says, "Thank you for saving me. You are a true friend, both of you are." Rumpel smiles at Robyn, and then offers her a hand to help her down. "I'll be going now."

"And where will you go dear?"

"I don't really know yet. But I'm sure I'll think of something. I might head back to your land Belle, just to see if Gaston has shown his face again. Would you like to come?"

Belle bites her lip for a moment, and then looks to Rumpel questioningly. He grins at her, and then turns back to Robyn and says, "It would appear that Miss Belle and I have grown rather attached in your absence Robyn."

Robyn looks between them as Belle moves forward and takes Rumpel's arm in hers. Smiling, she says, "I see. In that case, I bid you goodbye."

Belle rushes forward quickly though and says, "Before you go, take these. They are the least that I can give you."

"What are they?"

Belle folds the little pouch into Robyn's hands and says, "These are three special stones. They are the stones of fairies. If ever you are in need of more help again, and you for some reason still don't feel like calling Rumpel, drop these on the ground. They will come to you."

"How do you know that?"

"My father told me, and my father is a very smart man."

Robyn nods, and out of habit bows graciously. "I wish you all the happiness you could possibly hope for and more. Thank you my friends." And with a swift kick she sets Midnight off at a run back into the woods, swinging her hood on as she goes.

Rumpel places his hand over Belle's on his arm and asks, "Well, now what shall we do dear?"

"I could read you a book by the fire."

Smiling, he pulls her gently along with him inside and says, "That sounds divine. First though, I have a surprise that I wish to show you on the west side of the castle."

"What is it?"

Rumpel grins again as he leads the way to the library that he had fashioned only a couple of weeks ago for her as a present. "You'll just have to wait and see my dear. Just wait and see."

"Brother, what has happened to you?"

Gaston growls at Timothy, his younger brother, and says, "That bitch went off and found another man. And that asshole cursed me when I tried to take her back from him."

Timothy knows that that's probably not all that happened, but he doesn't press it. "I'm sorry brother."

Gaston looks over at Timothy, and then glares harshly and says, "You're always sorry, but you never do anything about it. Why wouldn't you help me go after her?"

"Because someone had to be here to help mom finish up all the chores before supper. I told you this. She can't do these things on her own anymore."

"That old woman is going to be the death of us."

"She loves us. Always has and always will. And all she's ever asked is that we help her with the chores every now and then since she can't get around as well anymore." Timothy turns to look at him again as Gaston growls, and now his eyes are glowing bright yellow. "Gaston, you need to calm down."

"I don't want to calm down. You are such an asshole. You're always defending her."

"Because you always try to drag her down when you know she's never done anything but care for us and love us. She's an old woman now. What do you expect for me to do, just up and abandon her?"

Gaston huffs and looks out the window, the full moon shining brightly. "I'm gonna change."

Timothy nods and says, "Then you should go. Take to the woods, that way you'll have plenty of animals to kill instead of possibly killing a person."

"I can still think when I'm like that you know."

"Yeah, but you still almost killed the baker last night in the street. You let your anger have too much control while you're like that. Until you can get a grip on it, you shouldn't stay in town with the full moon."

Gaston glares again, but then smirks behind his brother's back and says, "Fine, but you're coming with me."

Timothy's yell is cut off when Gaston's hand clamps down over his mouth. Gaston opens his mouth wide and bites into Timothy's arm hard, and he squirms in his grasp until Gaston finally let's go. Gasping for air, Timothy can already feel the change happening inside of him. He can feel his sight enhancing, the bones in his body trying to shift as the moon rises higher. "What did you do to me Gaston?"

He laughs harshly and says, "Now you and I are one in the same. Now we're stuck together."

But Timothy knows that if he stays with Gaston he'll be in even bigger danger of becoming like him. And he won't hurt other people. "No, I'm not stuck with you. And I'm not going with you." He runs from the room and up the stairs to where his mother is resting. "Mom."

"Yes dear."

Kneeling down by her bed, tears running down his face, he says, "I'm sorry mom. I know I said I'd be able to always come back and help you if you needed it, but I can't anymore. Gaston, he's done something awful, and he's made me a part of it."

His mother looks on at him for a moment, and then puts her hands on his head and pulls him forward. Kissing his forehead lightly, she says, "You have always been a good boy Timothy. And no matter what your brother has done, I know you'll continue to do what you think is best. You have good judgment, and I know you'll use it. Go on honey, go wherever you need to in order to get away from this."

"I love you mom."

"And I love you my darling boy. Now go."

Timothy's eyes turn gold as he races back down the stairs where Gaston is waiting. Glaring at his younger brother, Gaston starts to threaten, "You think you can…"

Yes, Timothy does think he can outrun him. If nothing else, he can outsmart him. Gaston always went hunting, and everyone knew about all the game he killed. But Timothy was just as good, if not better than Gaston. His body shifts just as he hits the edge of the woods, and with his newfound speed and agility, he takes off into the night, the moon above him serving as enough light to guide his way.

He doesn't know where he's going. He's not even sure there's anywhere for him to go. But he runs, and runs, and runs until his brother's snarls and howls are nothing but an echo in the back of his mind.

This small village is far away from any true kingdom, but it's also large enough that if one person happens to go missing it won't be blamed on him right away. Timothy doesn't think he'll kill anyone. After nine months in the woods, he prays that he can handle himself among these villagers. He just has to accept that the wolf inside him is and always will be a part of him now.

"Hey." He turns quickly to see a young woman about his age standing behind him. She carries a basket of bread and treats in her hands, and the red cloak she wears nearly hides her dark brown hair. But her brown eyes are beautiful enough to make up for that.

Smiling shyly at her, he says back, "Hi."

"You're new in town right?"

"Indeed I am."

The young woman smiles and extends her hand out to him. "I'm Rose, but most people call me Red. What's your name?"

"Timothy."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Timothy. Let me show you around."

And this is Chapter 7! Yay! Hope you're enjoying it.