Okay I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Just a heads up Marian will make her first appearance in this chapter and she will not be nice. One thing I am going to ask is that you forgive Marian for her cruel words. I want you to remember that she is under a lot of stress and that makes people irrational. Okay enjoy!
When Regina arrived at the Merry Men's camp everyone was in a panic. No one even noticed her pull up in her Mercedes. She looked over the camp in the confusion. All the men were running around shouting one word.
"Roland!"
"Roland!"
"Roland!"
Her chest filled with panic when she realized who they were searching for. In all the hysteria she managed to spot Robin. He was frantically asking anyone he came in contact with if they'd seen his son. She didn't have to imagine what he was feeling. She had felt it four years ago when she went pick Henry up from school and found out that he hadn't even shown up.
"Robin what happened?!"
"I sent Roland out to do some chores and he's been missing for an hour now! We can't find him anywhere!"
She felt a heavy fear settle in her heart. Over the missing year she had come to love Roland. When she was still torturing herself over losing Henry he had been the only one who could make her smile. Her affection for him only grew when she and Robin began dating. She knew that with Marian coming back things had become more complicated but she couldn't help feeling like the little boy was already her son. She would be devastated if anything happened to him. She took a deep breath before speaking.
"Okay I can help just try to stay calm. I'm going to pop into my vault and get something that can help," she said as calmly as possible. "We will find him."
She swirled herself to her vault and less than ten seconds. When she came back she had a bottle filled with a purple liquid.
"What is that?" asked Robin.
"It's a locator spell," she answered. "Ever since Emma went missing when she had her magic problems I thought it best to just have them on hand if I ever needed them. Now I need something of his to pour it on."
"Here," he said shoving her Roland's stuffed monkey. "He never goes anywhere without this."
If Regina wasn't so worried she would be touched. Instead she just quickly poured the spell over the toy animal and waited for it to take effect.
"What happens now?" asked Robin.
"Once it takes effect it should start floating and lead us right to him," she said. Seconds later the monkey began to rise and Robin yelled for everyone to follow it. They'd been following it for less than ten minutes when they started to hear Roland's voice.
"Papa!"
"I can hear him!" cried Robin running toward the voice. "Roland!"
They followed the voice to a small clearing where they found nothing but Roland's jacket and a compact mirror.
"What is this? Where's Roland?" asked Robin.
"I don't understand. The spell should have led us right to him!" said Regina with frustration.
"Where is the voice coming from?" asked Little John. They could all still hear Roland calling out for his father.
"It's gotta be coming from the mirror," said Regina going for the small compact. The minute she opened it a small hologram of Roland appeared. The little boy was crying out for his father with tears in his eyes. It broke her heart.
"Roland!" she cried.
"Roland my boy! Where are you?" asked Robin looking at the small mirror.
"Well that's enough of that don't you think," said Rumple as he replaced Roland in the hologram. "Your cries of anguish are quite grating."
"Rumpelstiltskin," growled Regina. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"Isn't obvious dearie," he replied. "I'm kidnapping your lover's child."
Robin shivered with anger. "If you lay one hand on my son-"
"Keep your threats to yourself thief. They hardly matter to me," said Rumple. "This is between me and the queen."
"Listen here you vindictive little imp!" snarled Regina. "If Roland is not returned with every hair in place I swear I will rip out your heart and FEED IT TO THE DOGS!"
"I am so glad you feel that way," said Rumpelstiltskin with a smile, "because I am willing to give him back for a price."
"What do you want?"
"Simple. I want my wife back." Answered Rumpelstiltskin.
"What?" said Regina.
"You heard me. I want Belle," said the malicious imp. "I've left her under your influence for far too long. So tonight when the sun goes down you, and only you, will come here and deliver her to me. No back up, no magic, just you and Belle. Then and only then will I give you back the boy. If you refuse he'll simply stay in my hands and I promise you, dearie, you will never see him again."
Regina trembled with anger at Rumpelstiltskin's demands. She had never hated him more than she did at this moment.
"You have 'til sun down to think it over," he tittered. "Be sure to make the right choice."
And with that the hologram shut down. Regina shrieked out her frustration.
The Charming loft was filled with noise upon the news of Roland's abduction. Everyone was yelling out questions and strategies and yet no one knew what to do. The only silent person in the room was Belle herself. She sat quietly on the stairs with her arms wrapped around herself. She couldn't believe this was actually happening. Just last night she had been ice skating. Now it was like she was in hell.
"Going alone is a terrible idea. It leaves you completely vulnerable." Said Charming.
"What if you glamour me and I take Belle's place? I can fight him off with my light magic," suggested Emma.
"He would be able to feel the magic besides he'd definitely be able to tell if it wasn't her. He has been in love with Belle for years." Said Regina shooting down the blonde's idea.
"Well then why don't you offer up a solution your majesty? I mean this is your fault." said Marian venomously. She had never liked that Robin wanted to include the Evil Queen in her son's life. She knew it could come to no good. And now Roland had been abducted by the Dark One because of her.
"Hey, the only person to blame here is Rumpelstiltskin." Said Snow trying to play peacekeeper.
"I understand your anger Marian but your snide comments will not save our son." Seethed Robin.
"No what would have saved our son is if you had done the smart thing and kept this monster out of his life!" she yelled Marian gesturing toward Regina.
"How dare you question my decisions as a parent?!" he yelled. He had been very supportive and respectful of his former wife's parenting role with Roland but at this moment he had enough of her challenging Regina's bond with Roland. He had raised Roland for years before she returned to his life. She had no right to dictate who he allowed in his child's life. Regina was their only hope of getting Roland back.
Soon everyone was shouting at everyone. This is useless, thought Belle. She stalked over to the kitchen, picked up the least attractive mug and slammed it on the ground. Everyone jumped at the sound of the porcelain shattering on the floor. They all turned to look at the woman who had smashed the offending mug.
"I'm sorry about that mug Snow. I hope it wasn't important to you but it seemed like the best way to get everyone's attention," she said calmly. She wasn't wrong. Everyone's eyes were focused on the eerily calm librarian as she continued to speak.
"Now everyone listen to me. There will be no rescue plan. There will be no tricks, no strategies or backup. There will only be the deal. Regina tonight you will follow Rumple's instructions and trade me to get Roland back."
"Belle, please think about this," said Regina walking over to her. "You have no idea what that man has planned for you."
"Like you said he's in love with me," said Belle taking Regina hands. "He might be delusional but he's not going to harm me. I'm a part of his fantasy. He needs me."
"Belle you can't trust that."
"I have to," she said with tears in her eyes. "Do you remember when talked in the library when I first came to stay with you? You told me I needed to figure out who I am. Well this is who I am. I am Belle French. I don't put my own safety over a child's life. I face the monsters to keep them safe. I've done it before and I'll do it again. "
"Belle please just give me some time," begged Regina. "I can come up with a way to save both of you. I know I can."
"Really?" said Belle. "Are you willing to bet Roland's life on that?"
Regina looked at the brave young brunette with tears in her eyes. The bookworm had gotten so far under her skin and she hadn't even realized it. She didn't the deserve this but she couldn't lie. She shook her head sadly. "No."
Belle smiled as her sadly. "Then it's settled. Tonight you're taking me to the forest."
So Belle is being traded for Roland. What does this mean for her future? Will Rumple keep his word and give back Roland? Stay tuned to find out!
Remember to follow and review please!