Fool's Errand

By: RosexKnight

Belle gets kidnapped and sees the dark side of her spinner.

(( Filling a ton of Anon prompts here! Spinner!verse: A cruel fool tries to kidnap Belle when she goes to the village without Rumple. - Spinner verse "Am I more than you bargained for yet?" - Spinner!verse: Rumple says Belle is the Lady of the Dark Castle. ))

"You really have no idea what you're doing, do you?"

"I assure you, Lady Belle I know exactly what I'm doing."

Belle had to admit that when she was approached by a strange man in town she'd been frightened. He was larger than her and she had no fighting skills. It was really no wonder he's grabbed hold of her and knocked her out. Now she was awake and found herself on a ship of some sort. Much too small to belong to a pirate. Perhaps a tradesman. Either way, even with her wrists bound and a sword pointed at her she couldn't muster any sort of fear.

"I'm no longer a lady." She said simply, not a trace of fear in her voice.

"I'm sure your father and husband would beg to differ." The man said simply. "What would they think now, I wonder, knowing what you've done with the beast…"

"Ex husband. There was an annulment…"

"Tell me, Lady Belle do you enjoy it? Being another trophy in his collection?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I can only imagine what The Dark One does to one as pretty as you." The sword was on her cheek now, and she could feel the cold steel of the tip. "Does he have the decency o wait till nightfall or does he ravish you whenever the need strikes him?"

Oh. OH!

The very thought of Rumpelstiltskin, who scurried off like a rabbit if he was caught staring at her for too long, taking her whenever the need struck him had her laughing so hard she very nearly fell over. This only seemed to anger the man, and he swiped his sword, making a shallow cut along her cheek. Just enough to sting. And bleed, and it was then that something different bubbled up inside Belle. Anger. This fool had kidnapped her. Taken her from her home she had no idea how long she's been gone, and now her spinner was probably tearing the town apart - HER town! - because she hadn't been back in time to read with Baelfire.

"Oh you are a fool." She said, "I suppose you intend to take be back to Avonlea? Expect some reward from my father or Gaston?"

"He will pay me handsomely." The man agreed. "And then I'll return to Nottingham richer than ever and get revenge on the man who ruined me and stole my love!"

"And do you know how you summon The Dark One?"

"You say his name three times."

"And you didn't restrain my mouth."

Realization flashed behind Nottingham's eyes, then anger fueled by fear as he raised his sword. "Insolent wench!"

"RumpelstiltskinRunpelstiltskinRumpelstiltskin!"

The sword that Nottingham was holding clattered to the floor and the next thing Belle knew Rumpelstiltskin was there, holding her kidnapper up off the ground with one hand by his throat.

"You really have no idea what you're doing do you, dearie?"

The man could only respond with a frightened choking noise and for the first time since their meeting three years ago Belle felt fear coil in her gut from the spinner.

"Do you have any idea the mistake you made, dearie?" Rumpelstiltskin was practically snarling. "Do you know what happens when you steal from The Dark One?! When you hurt what's precious to me?!"

Belle was fairly certain she'd heard a "Please." come from the choking man. Oh lord he was killing him!

"Rumple!" Belle protested, trying to stand and step to him. But her legs were asleep, and she only managed to hit the floor with a thud.

The spinner waved his hand at her, and suddenly her restraints were gone.

"Rumple!" She tried again when the man's face began to change colors. This time she did manage to go forward, tugging on his silk sleeve "Stop! You'll kill him!"

His head snapped around to her, unfocused and frenzied for a moment before they zoned on on her cheek and he snarled. The man made a desperate choked yelp as The Dark One's grip on his neck tightened and he tried desperately to loosen his hand. Finally furious eyes met hers and Belle's blood ran cold.

"That's the point, milady." He said with a giggle.

Belle stepped back from him desire herself and he winced as she pulled her hand away as if he were contagious.

"This is what happens, dearie. When people hurt what I care about." He said, but Belle didn't move. "Am I more than you bargained for yet?"

Something broke through her fear. Maybe it was the way he winced, or the way his eyes almost looked hurt for a moment that she was frightened of him or the way his voice dropped and he sounded more like himself with the last words. Whatever it was, it was enough to remind her of who he was, and she was able to righten herself.

"Rumpelstiltskin." She said firmly, with the princess tone shed used many times before, though perhaps not so harshly towards him. He turned to her, looking surprised. "He's not worth it."

For a moment Belle thought he wouldn't. He was glaring at her. But then, slowly, Rumpelstiltskin's mask came off and he tossed Nottingham to the ground like a sack of flour, leaving him to gasp for air as he approached her, fingers running over her wrists, where the ropes had made stinging indents.

"I'm fine." She assured him when he didn't speak.

"Woman!" Nottingham coughed in the corner. "Just who the hell are you?!"

Rumpelstiltskin was talking before her, pulling her close to him by the waist. "She's the Lady of the Dark Castle. And I suggest you tell anyone else foolish enough to try and take her that next time they'll not be as lucky as you."

He didn't give Nottingham the chance to answer before they were enveloped in a familiar purple smoke and soon they were back in the great hall of the castle. Home.

"Let me…" He said softly as she half collapsed in her chair by the fire.

His hands began to flow with a faint blue light and as he ran them over her wrists the stinging was gone, and her wrists were as good as new.

The cut on her cheek was next. "I'm sorry, Belle. I should have gone to market with you."

"It's alright." Belle replied, leaning into his touch on her cheek. He was so soft and unsure. So different than what he became with Nottingham. But even then he had winced. Had listened to her. Had still been her spinner. "I'm not hurt. Just a bit shaken."

"I'm sorry, milady."

Ah. So they were back to "miladies" then. Belle had no idea what he was apologizing for but at the moment she didn't care. A small grin appeared on her lips.

"Lady of the Dark Castle, huh?"

Rumpelstiltskin's face flushed red under his odd green skin, leaving Belle to giggle at him. Yes, he was a bit more than she had bargained for. But he was also exactly what she wanted.