Origins: Part Five
A/AN:
It had been two weeks since their nuptials, and Rumplestiltskin had began taking Belle to market with him. She was the perfect vender, doubling his sales overnight. He observed the village's male population seemed to take notice as well. They flocked to his tiny stall to buy thread for their 'wives', and they always seemed to sell out before noon. He knew it was her beauty which really attracted them and as long as they were respectful, he didn't intervene. Belle was kind and did an excellent job of prompting others into buying thread from them.
Rumplestilskin was just about to pack up their supplies when Mr. Bandy, the town locksmith stopped by. He was a large muscular man who was about a foot taller than him. He was married to the miller's daughter, and he was infamous for his wandering eye. It seemed one woman just wouldn't do it for him, and he'd set his sights on Belle.
"Mam...I don't believe we've met. I'm Mr. Bandy, the town locksmith." the other man introduced himself in a grizzly tone.
Belle smiled politely, "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Bandy. What can I do for you today?" the beauty inquired, showing him their wide array of fabrics.
"My wife is looking for some blue thread to sew a dress, and she asked me to stop by the market and fetch her some." he supplied, scratching his scraggly beard.
"Well, Mr. Bandy, You're in luck! We have a wide variety of blue threads. Why don't you take a look at these?" she suggested, pulling out three different shades of blue.
"This one will do I suppose. How much?" he inquired as he plucked a navy bolt of fabric from her hands and pulled out a bag of coppers.
"Ten shillings sir." Belle supplied. He placed the money in her hands, and she counted out the money. She gave him a quizzical glance before replying,"Mr. Bandy, I'm afraid you've given me to much money. You've given me twenty shillings." she pointed out before handing him back the extra change.
"I was wondering what a little extra might cost me." he smirked, winking suggestively at her. Rumplestiltskin stood silently in the background, listening quietly to their exchange, and he'd heard enough. He sauntered towards the front, wrapping his arms around Belle's waist possessively, and peering sternly over her shoulder.
"If you mean extra thread Mr. Bandy, then ten more shillings will buy you another spool." he spoke dangerously low, his brogue bubbling over. Rumplestiltskin had always been a man of few words, and he hadn't been entirely brave during his life, but Belle drew something out of him.
"Aye...I'll take another spool then." the man spoke hurriedly, grabbing another spool and leaving the stall. He kneaded her thighs with his hands, planting a sensual kiss on her collarbone
"I've never seen you act that way around anyone before." Belle stated pointedly as she watched the man scurry away from the square.
"I've never had a reason to until now." he whispered huskily in her ear, nipping it lightly.
"Seeing you being so possessive of me was rather arousing." she muttered, leaning into his touch.
"He needs to know his place because no one's allowed to look at you that way but me." he hissed in her ear, causing heat to pool in her belly.
"Don't worry Rumple...I'm all yours." she assured him, petting his hair lightly.
"Let's load everything up before Aunt Agnes returns home from gathering. I believe I'm going to have to take care of a few things." he rumbled in her ear. She shuddered in delight at what the rest of the afternoon entailed for them.
~X~
Agnes returned home around six. Rumplestitskin spun at the wheel while Belle stirred the pot of potatoes and leaks. The older woman walked into the kitchen, sniffing the air, "It smells wonderful my dear. I believe you're becoming quite the cook." she complimented, taking out some dough to prepare a batch of fresh bread.
"Thank you Agnes" Belle supplied affectionately. She continued stirring the food until it was done. She tasted the stew, adding in a pinch of salt to help flavor it. The aroma of fresh bread wafted through the hovel. Rumplestiltskin stopped spinning, sighing pleasantly as the aroma drifted into his nostrils.
"A long days work makes a man hungry. When will it be ready?" he inquired, his stomach grumbling in protest.
Belle laughed at her husband's impatience, "It's finished Rum." she reported, procuring three clean bowls from the cupboard. He walked into the kitchen and sat at the table. He watched his wife ladle a hearty portion of stew into his bowl, followed by a fresh piece of bread. Agnes settled down at the table with them.
"Who wants to say grace?" Agnes spoke up, breaking her bread up, and placing it in her stew.
"Why don't you say it auntie? You always speak so eloquently." Belle suggested.
She nodded, "I suppose I can. We haven't had three in this house in a very long time, and I feel that we have much to be thankful for." she remarked. They all nodded in agreement before bowing their heads.
"Dear Lord, I would like to thank thee for my family. Please keep your hand of protection on my nephew and his wife. Lead them and guide them in all thine ways. Keep them free from any evil that may befall them and let those who plot against them come to ruin. We thank thee for this food and thine provision. Bless it for our nourishment, in Christ's name we pray, Amen." Agnes prayed. They both looked up, noticing something unsettling behind her expression.
"Aunt Agnes, what's wrong? You seem anxious." Rumplestiltskin said full of concern. He reached across the table, touching the spinster's hand comfortingly.
"Nothing is wrong Rumple. I see nothing wrong in praying for the protection of my children. It makes me feel better about things." she defended, and he nodded, pulling his hand away.
"We appreciate your prayers auntie." Belle reassured her, trying to ease the tension in her gut. The prayer reminded her of the ones her mother would recite to her as a child. She'd memorized most of them and found herself saying one from time to time. They made her feel closer to her mother who'd passed a few short years ago.
They ate in companionable silence. When Agnes finished her meal, she stood up from the table, "I hate to trouble you with the dishes Belle, but I believe I'm going to retire early tonight. I'm simply worn out. I think it's because I haven't been sleeping well these past few weeks." she yawned loudly while stretching, her bones cracking from age.
"Agnes, would you like me to make you a bit of tea to help you sleep?" Belle offered, piling the dishes in the empty trough.
"Aye...It wouldn't do any good if you did lass. You two are the most vocal pair I've ever met." Agnes scowled, her eyes darting between them. Rumplestiltskin who was still eating spat out his food, a look of horror painting his features.
"Yo-You- mean you ca-can hear us?" he stuttered, his face reddening with embarrassment. Belle looked down sheepishly, unable to form a response.
"Well of course I can! These walls aren't made of stone!" she exclaimed, flourishing her hands in the air for the full effect.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of lad. You both should enjoy that part of your marriage. All I'm saying is, keep it down." she muttered with a yawn. "I'm off to bed. I'll see both in the morning." she bid them goodnight, walking towards her bedroom, and shutting the door behind her.
"Oh my..." Belle flushed, still staring at the floor.
"I swear that woman has no filter." he commented, placing his head in his hands. Belle regained her composure and walked over to him. She placed her hands on his back and began massaging his shoulders, easing the tension. He leaned into her touch, sighing contently.
"How about some practice at the wheel tonight?" she respired into his ear, and he sighed while closing his eyes.
"I think a deal of sorts can be arranged since you so kindly rubbed my shoulders. I also have to give you credit for not allowing Agnes's brashness to unsettle you." he remarked, getting up from the stool. Belle blinked, surprised at the mention of a 'deal'. She knew it was a harmless retort, but she noted these subtle things hidden in Rumplestiltskin that the imp had displayed.
"I find her rather charming." she added, settling herself on the bench. He sat behind her, guiding her hands as they spun.
"That she is." he agreed as they both lost themselves in the rhythm of the wheel.
~X~
She snarled angrily as she stared at her wanted poster plastered to a tree. "They can't even get my bloody nose right!" the young woman scoffed, ripping the poster from the tree. She wadded it up and then stomped on it for good measure.
Lacey French was wanted for treason, thievery, and murder. She wasn't a force to be reckoned with, and she would would slit a man's throat if it meant putting a bit of food in her belly. She was once a renowned queen until her kingdom was conquered and overtaken by a stingy monarch. He offered her a marriage proposal as compensation, but she'd refused. She avenged herself by poisoning half of his guard in their sleep.
"My troubles shall end soon and things will be in my favor once I find him." she muttered, turning the opposite direction and heading towards the frontlands where he dwelt. She would procure his dagger and use him to take back her kingdom. They would be unstoppable.
A/AN: I know this was shorter than all the other chapters, but I wanted to add some Rumbelle fluff before all the danger begins. I hope that short installment at the end gave you a good feel of Lacey. She's ruthless and rotten to the core, but she has a reason to be I guess. In the next chapter, Belle and Rumple will be forced to leave the village...You can all probably guess why...I would also like to note that Zozo is going to be the dark one in this fic.