The ball was grander than anything Belle has ever seen back home and it was everything she imagined it to be. The whole courtyard was decorated to the tens and many people, nobles, lords and ladies, gather for this one night. To honor the marriage of the long lost princess and her new husband. She only hoped her friend was happy tonight.

She had made her way down to the crowd waiting for the announcement of the royals when she found herself looking around for someone, not really knowing who.

That was a lie.

She knew exactly who she was looking for her. Rumplestiltskin. He had told her that he left for business, possibly with the former ogre, but he had not told her if he would be arriving on time or if he would even join her. She hoped he would, after all, she knew him well enough to know that he did not bring her along with him simply to avoid her messing the castle up. She knew-

"You fit your name in every way."

Belle spun around in her gold dress to see her master standing behind her, dressed for a ball. She wasn't sure when he had changed but she guessed that was one of the benefits of having magic.

"Rumplestiltskin." She smiled. "I didn't think you would come."

He walked up to her and held out his hand, smiling as she took it in return.

"Now, if I had left you at the ball alone, you would have complained on the ride home. Than where would I be? After all, I had to come and make sure that others did not try and steal you away from me."

She laughed. She knew that by others, he had meant men. She wasn't blind to the stares on her and noticed how many more landed on them when he had showed up. She almost enjoyed the shocked look on many faces, even back home, to see a woman as herself on the arm of a green-scaled powerful wizard. When they first arrived, it was the first look she had seen on the king's face.

"Yes. I've been told good help is so hard to find these day." Belle giggled.

"Indeed it is."

Suddenly, trumpets were blown and a page announced the appearance of the king and queen. They were shortly followed by the princess and Shrek. She recognized Fiona's white dress she had shown her for the ball and when she saw what Shrek was dressed in, she glanced at Rumple who simply looked the other way. She knew Rumple couldn't simply be a guest without getting involved with something.

Applauds swept through the courtyard at their arrival and soon, everyone began to dance. Except her and Rumple. Instead, she had noticed he was looking at the king and she saw King Harold motion for them. Stepping through the crowds, Rumple with Belle around his arm walked up to the king and queen as they sat in their thrones.

"Your majesties." Rumple said, slightly bowing.

"Are you enjoying the ball?" The queen asked, seeing the gleam in the maid's eyes.

"Yes, very much." Belle widely smiled. "It's wonderful."

"How wonderful. I was hoping I could speak to you alone, Mr. Rumplestiltskin." Harold said.

"Of course."

The wizard and king walked off to talk leaving Belle and the Queen to enjoy whatever conversation they had started. Once they found a private place, the two men began discussing the certain situation.

"A fairy visited me a few hours ago-"

"Was this fairy perhaps blue and annoying?" The imp asked.

"Well I would say she was blue but no so certain annoying. However, she did seem rather...shady?"

"Yes. She does that." Rumple gave an impish giggle. "No need to worry your majesty, I know how to take care of her. And whatever she had told you, I assure you, she is lying."

"Well how do I know that you are not."

"Tell me your highness. Did you want the 'ogre' rid of?" Rumple asked, putting air quotes around the word ogre.

"Yes."

"Why exactly did you call upon me?" Rumple asked, wanting to know more of that choice before he continued.

"I have heard how you are a very powerful wizard that is adapt in deal making-"

"Yes, and as so," Rumple said, his voice shifting tones, "you should have known as well that when making a deal with me, you should be very careful with your words."

"I don't understand." Harold said. He was starting to think that perhaps he should have just gone back to the Fairy Godmother that helped them put their daughter in the tower. He than remembered how that ended. She had come back as an ogre.

"You said get rid of the ogre. You never said anything about the actual man, or person if you will."

Rumple watched the king as his mouth slightly fell. He loved the expression on people's faces when he pointed out what was so clearly there, wondering when people got so simple minded.

"I have done just that. The ogre is gone and in his place is a rather handsome man. Also, although you never asked for it, your daughter is now as well a human. I think I've done my work here." Before Rumple could walk away, the king spoke up again.

"The fairy had told me you wanted to kill the man, or the ogre...I mean Shrek."

"And as I told you, she lies for only her own good. No one else's." Rumple snarled.

"And she told me the same about you. Who do I believe?" The king asked. Rumple gave a low chuckle.

"We'll just have to see what happens now, won't we?"

Harold sighed. "Yes. I suppose so."

Belle was enjoying a few bites of food when Rumple walked up behind her, placing his hand on her back.

"What did you talk about with the king?"

"Just business." He said. "Did you and the queen talk about anything important?"

Belle smiled at him. She wasn't sure if she wanted to tell him. She wasn't sure what to take of it herself.

"Nope." She said.

"Well than my dear lady, would you like a dance?" Rumple dance held out his hand to his maid and felt his heart grow lighter as she smiled and took it.

Before Rumple could take Belle out onto the dance floor, he saw a flash of blue light in the corner of his eye.

"I'm afraid I will have to give you your dance later." Rumple said, hating the fallen expression on his beauty's face.

"Business?" She asked.

"Yes."

Rumple walked off and disappeared into the crowd, leaving his maid to enjoy the ball on her own, not aware of the danger lurking around.

Okay, from here on, I should warn you. It will most likely, possibly, drift away from the movie (if it hasn't already lol). Although I have said a certain character will not be appearing on the show, I will have to change that. One reviewer gave a pretty good idea and I felt like running with it. Until the next chapter, please review :)

New story to check out: Ever After