Origins: Part Seven
A/AN: This chapter will focus on Belle and Rumple's escape along with what's happened to our dear friend Lacey.
"We've been walking for hours. Can't we take a little rest?" Belle pleaded with her overzealous husband who had no intention of stopping. They'd barely spoken a word since their journey began, and she could feel the tension stoking between them.
Rumplestiltskin stopped suddenly, turning around to face her, "I'm sorry, but I thought getting us to safety was my main priority. It isn't even midday yet, and I believe we should continue on before it gets dark again." he snapped. She stammered back unused to being addressed so callously. She would've expected no less from the Dark One but this version of him was no Dark One yet.
He saw the hurt in her eyes and his gaze softened, "I'm sorry Belle...I just feel so frustrated about having to leave our home. I'm worried for Agnes and there's nothing I can do to help her." he sighed dejectedly while leaning against an oak.
"If you left and went back home, I wouldn't blame you." Belle respired, throwing her hands up in the air agitatedly.
"What did you not understand about forever? I'm not leaving you. You're my wife, and I love you. Don't mistake my anger for hate." he corrected, walking over to her, and cupping her face in his weathered hands. He stared into her brilliant azure orbs, caressing her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.
"I know...The circumstances just haven't been favorable for us." she sighed, leaning into him. He wrapped his arms around her, placing a kiss upon her brow.
"We'll be fine." he assured her, rubbing her back consolingly. He peered over her shoulder, something nailed to a nearby tree sparked his attention. He pulled away from her, walking towards it. She trailed close behind. He plucked the poster from the tree to study its contents.
"What is it?" Belle inquired curiously. He silently handed her the paper. She studied it, realizing it was a wanted poster with her face on it. The name on it read "Lacey", and there was a generous reward for her arrest.
"Rumple this isn't me, I have no idea who this is!" Belle defended, thrusting the poster back into his hands.
"I know that she isn't you. Your nose is smaller than hers and her face is more rounded. I can understand how someone might not be able to tell the difference, but I can because I gaze at you all the time. I pay attention to every facet and detail. A lookalike she may be, but she isn't my Belle." he remarked causing her heart to beat faster.
They hadn't noticed the sky growing darker until large droplets began to pelt them furiously. "This way!" he yelled, leading them into the hollow of a nearby tree. The hollow was small but big enough for them to both sit down comfortably. He wrapped her in his arms and placed his back to the opening so she wouldn't get soaked.
"I wasn't expecting this." Belle mumbled, snuggling closer to him.
"Well, it will give us an excuse to rest. Get some sleep sweetheart." He rumbled in her ear. The thrumming of the rain and the sweet smell of the earth lulled her to sleep. He soon found himself drifting off as the heavy drumming turned into a light patter.
~X~
He took a deep breath walking down the hall. He could smell fresh bread wafting through the hovel as he approached the kitchen. He smiled when he seen his aunt taking the bread out of the oven.
"Did you make that for me auntie?" he smiled, watching her place the tray of bread on the table.
"Aye, I did Rumple, I figured it would be good if I gave you a parting gift." she smiled, twisting her lips into a frown.
"Parting gift? I don't understand?" he questioned her. He reached for her, but she held her hand up in response.
"The soldiers came, and they took everything. They burned the house down. I'm afraid you're not really here lad. Our home is gone, but I wanted to tell you how much I loved you before I go. Gladice is waiting for me." she explained handing him a fresh baked roll. He took it reluctantly.
"But you can't be dead...You're right here with me." he reasoned, but she shook her head, a sad smile playing upon her lips.
"No Rumple, I'm afraid you're dreaming and it's time to wake up." she said before he opened his eyes. The hollow was dark and it took a minute for his eyes to adjust.
~X~
He noticed his wife was still sleeping soundlessly beside him, and he didn't dare wake her. He knew the dream was an omen.. He opened his pack, fishing out one of his aunt's fresh rolls. The bread was nearly a day old but it was still soft on the inside. He felt tears stream down his face as he bit into it.
"Farewell Auntie..." he spoke somberly, relishing the taste of bread. It reminded him of days spent chasing her around the hovel when he was just a lad, begging for a bite. She would slap his hand away, warning him it was hot. Sometimes he wouldn't listen, and he would burn his fingers which resulted in wrapping them in tea leaves for several hours. The kind old spinster was like the mother he never had. She'd been strict with him, but he knew she only had his best interests at heart. He pulled the woman beside him into his arms, cradling her against his chest. He buried his face in her thick tresses to help muffle the sobs. He would tell her later but for now he would keep it to himself. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to fall back asleep, and he dreamed. He dreamed of her boisterous laughter, home cooked meals, dye stained hands, and her motherly charm. He dreamed of her until sunlight leaked into the hollow, bringing him back to reality.
~X~
Lacey watched as the duke's castle burned to the ground. She held out her prize under the gleaming moonlight, admiring the name that rested on the blade. She grinned wickedly before calling on him.
"Dark One, I summon thee!" she recited, holding out the dagger. A cloaked figure appeared before her. She approached the figure, "Remove your hood Dark One!" she commanded. The beast did, causing her to stammer back. He displayed a lizard like appearance and his peculiar amber eyes watched her intently.
"I must say, I've never had a master who was quite so beautiful. It's nice to finally be in the presence of someone with such appeal." he remarked, circling her dangerously.
Lacey swallowed back her fear. What good did it do to be afraid? She wielded control over him. She smirked, holding up the blade threateningly.
"Aye, you may look all you want Dark One, but you won't be getting any of this." she returned, running her hands over her curves for the full effect. Lacey was no stranger to men. She'd bedded a few in her travels, stealing their purses and slitting their throats before morning light.
The Dark One stared at her, mesmerized by her beauty but then he bared his rotten teeth at her, causing her stomach to wrench. "I didn't know I was getting a whore either." he snarled.
"Show some respect for your new master! Now bow!" Lacey commanded, causing the Dark One to fall to his knees.
"What is my master's first request?" he snarled through ruined teeth.
"Take us to the North Kingdom. It was once my home until a monarch stole it from me, and I want it back. I want you to paint the streets with his blood until not one drop remains. I want to show my subjects I mean business and their queen is back but this time it will be different. We will be unstoppable with the Dark One by our side." she grinned maliciously, taking his face in her hands, and making him meet her gaze.
"Its been awhile since I've been to a good brothel. Perhaps, you'll do quite nicely master." he giggled impishly before whisking them away. Many miles away shrieks of death could be heard from the king and entire castle guard as the Dark One disemboweled each one.
~X~
Belle noticed her husband's unease as they trekked through the forest. They had a quick breakfast of cabbage and leaks and were now heading in the direction of Astyn, a kingdom that would take three days to reach. Rumplestiltskin had distant relatives in the province, and he hoped someone would kindly offer them assisstance.
"Rumple we've been walking for hours, and you've hardly said a word to me." Belle observed, stopping just a few paces away. He stopped, his shoulders stiffening at her remark.
She heard him grunt loudly before turning around, "Aye, Well maybe it's because I don't have anything to say. What is it with you and conversation? Sometimes I'd rather not speak!" he huffed before walking faster.
Belle quickened her pace, catching up to him. She grabbed him by the shoulder, forcing him to turn around, "Don't shut me out Rumplestiltskin! I'm your wife, and I love you!" she proclaimed frustratingly.
When he turned around, she could tell he'd been crying. His eyes were puffy, and he was doing his best to hold back another onslaught of tears. "I'm not trying to shut you out, but I don't want you to think of me as weak. Men aren't supposed to cry, especially in front of their wives." he suppressed a whimper. Belle said nothing, gathering him into her arms. He sobbed heavily against her shoulder, baptizing her cloak with his tears.
She rubbed soothing circles along his back. He breathed heavily into her shoulder, moving his lips to rest on her neck. He kissed her desperately, and she pulled away, sensing the need in his eyes. She longed to comfort him and if lying with her would soothe his pain, then she would do it. She gave him an affirming nod. He took her hand, leading them into a thick grove of trees. She laid down on a soft pile of leaves, his lips trailing kisses down her jawline. He fumbled with the ties of her bodice as they undressed each other slowly. Her clothing splayed behind her and as he kissed her, she could taste the saltiness of his tears minced in their kiss.
Belle rubbed his back soothingly as he kissed her. A thought bloomed in her mind as he pressed against her. She opened her eyes, grasping his shoulders, "Rumple I want you to lie down." she commanded. He gave her a sideways glance, unsure of what she was thinking, but compliantly switched positions with her.
"What are you doing Belle?" he inquired breathlessly when she climbed on top of him. She watched his chest heave in and out as she adjusted her position.
"Just trust me..." she whispered in his ear. She gently guided him to her entrance, and He gasped when she took him inside of her. He grasped at her tresses as she moved against him. It took a minute for him to catch on, but he eventually began to move with her. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of becoming one with her beloved.
"Oh sweetheart..." he moaned as she continued to move painfully slow. She brought her lips down to meet his, running her fingers over his sun kissed cheeks. He threaded his fingers through her hair as they continued to move together. White light flashed behind his eyes as he spilled his seed inside of her. She braced him as he shuddered, the after affects of his orgasm wearing off. She ran her fingers over his face, kissing his eyelids, cheeks, and nose lovingly.
"Are you feeling better my dearest Rumple?" she cooed in his ear, and he nodded, gathering her into his arms.
"I love you so much Belle..." he respired, kissing her crown of hair. She held onto him, realizing he needed this contact. He needed to know how truly loved and cherished he was in that moment just like he'd done for her so many times before.
"I love you too Rumple...so much." she assured him, leaning into him. He held her close, petting her hair until his stomach gave a loud grumble. She giggled, "How about some lunch?" she suggested, staring up at him sheepishly.
"It couldn't hurt." he blushed, allowing her to redress herself. He did the same before unfolding the pack. He pulled out some leftover cabbage and a loaf of bread. They made sandwiches out of the cabbage, both sharing water from the canteen.
Belle noticed how slowly Rumple ate his bread like he was teething on a memory he didn't want to vanish, "I'm not trying to pry but talking about it might make you feel better." she encouraged, swallowing the last bite of her sandwich.
He stayed silent for a long time until he decided to speak, "I think Aunt Agnes is dead." he almost whispered.
Belle grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly, "Why would you think that Rumple?" she quizzed, wanting to delve more into this matter.
"I dreamed of her last night in the hollow. She was baking bread, and she told me soldiers had burned down the hovel. She said she was going to meet Gladice." he supplied, swallowing back the bile in his throat, "It was like she was saying goodbye." he finished, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Oh Rumple! This is all my fault!" she sobbed, pulling away from him. He grabbed her, pulling her swiftly into his arms. She didn't try to fight him, collapsing into a fit of sobs. He held onto her for dear life because she was all he had left.
"It's not your fault Belle, Its Milah's. She's the one who caused all of this heartache." he reassured her.
"If I hadn't gone into the cave then none of this would have happened." she croaked into his chest. He figured she must be mumbling nonsense and decided to ignore it. What could she mean by a cave anyway? He decided to forget about it, opting to bring it up another time. He felt like his wife had a shroud of mystery about her, but he wasn't sure why. All he knew at the moment was she was the only thing anchoring him to the world, and he clung to her desperately.
~X~
"It's so good to be back!" Lacey exclaimed, leaning back against her throne.
The Dark Ont sat at her feet like an obedient dog, staring at the blood stained walls, "Are you sure you don't want me to clean up mistress?" he questioned her, giggling impishly.
"No! It's an excellent reminder of the victory we've won." she remarked, taking a goblet of ale and throwing it back.
"Have some ale Dark One." Lacey said, offering the evil sorcerer her chalice. He took it, taking a swig of the burning liquid.
"What would you have me do next mistress?" he inquired, handing her back the goblet. She set it aside, placing her fingers under her chin contemplatively.
"There's a kingdom called Astyn that borders my land. I'm thinking of expanding my territory Dark One, and I would like for you to get it for me." she commanded, curling her feet under herself.
"Would you like me to kill the royals?" he requested.
She shrugged, "I just want the kingdom. Dispose of the royals however you'd like pet." she cooed, shrugging her shoulders. The Dark One giggled impishly, rubbing his hands together nefariously. It had been a long time since he'd had a decent stew, and royals tasted the best.
"I'll get right on it!" he shouted before disappearing in a crimson haze. Lacey yawned, thankful to be home and alive. She had big plans for her tiny kingdom and that meant expanding her territories. She would be queen of the entire realm before it was over.
A/AN: Man Lacey is dark! I wasn't expecting to write her so darkly but it just fit. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. I keep trying to think of a play list for this story. If you have a suggestions, then leave a comment in the reviews!