Chapter Eleven.

Notes: A bit longer chapter for your weekend.

She'd told him to wait elsewhere, and when he'd given her that cheeky little smirk of his and asked where, she'd told him anywhere but there. Dealing with stuffy royals that had been handed everything and wanted for nothing was bad enough on a normal day, but doing so with an obnoxious man-child hovering over your shoulder - quite literally - was more than she was willing to deal with. The fact that he'd gone away when asked made her more than a little uneasy. It meant he knew far more about the meeting than he was letting on.

Zelena stood in the main hall of her sister's castle, shoulders back and chin tilted up as the aging man entered. A frown tugged at her lips as he stared and she forced down the wish to snarl at him. That would do no good at all and would promptly do away with any usefulness that he might provide. She didn't have to like him to use him, just like Pan.

"You are the witch from Oz?" the dethroned king asked and a smirk tilted her painted lips.

"Indeed I am. I understand that you have information for me."

"And I understand that you take care of those that offer you something in return."

"If what's offered is valuable."

"I assure you it is." The man - George, if she remembered correctly, but it really didn't matter - pulled something from the folds of his clothing and began to unwrap it. "This came into my possession not long before the Dark Curse pulled us from this land. It was one of the few things that I managed to salvage before that imposter stole my castle."

Imposter by his own choosing, if she had understood correctly. She knew the rumours and likely the truth behind Prince James and his charming twin brother that now went by David. "He served his purpose well enough for you," Zelena answered as her blue eyes latched onto the stone that was just becoming visible beneath the wrappings. It had been many years since she'd laid eyes on the sister stones to the one she wore as a broach. They were paler in colour, closer to the one Glinda still wore versus the green tint that spoiled hers, just as everything was spoiled. Not forever though. Not for long.

"Everyone has a purpose to serve, just as everyone has a price." George looked at her, his gaze calculating and cold. "I don't throw in with those that lose, you see."

"Funny. You lost."

"But I won't again."

She watched him carefully and thought that she had a handle on his ambitions. This was a man that sat on top of the world and wished to do so again. This was the kind of man Rumple would have told her was desperate under his layers of confidence. "There's another one. If you know where it is, we might have reason to talk."

"I do."

"Then bring it to me and you shall have all my protection," Zelena purred, and he didn't need any sort of Sight to know she had him.

"I kissed her."

Rumplestiltskin startled from his place at the spinning wheel where he'd hidden himself away. It had been storming the better part of the day before and all through the night to the point that the courtyard was half-flooded outside and people had been looking to him like he could control the damn stormclouds. The only thing that had saved the precious little princess that had asked was the fact that his grandson had been chatting with him before she'd popped off with that absurd request and he'd settled for telling her that controlling the weather was just outside his purview with the exception of dark clouds that tended to accompany truly nasty curses. He'd taken himself up to his tower after that, Henry on his heels for a few minutes until he decided that the creaking of the wheel didn't fill the space quite as well for him as it had for his father when Bae had been young. Rumple couldn't say how many hours ago that had been, but his son stood at the top of the stairs now, gripping the railing and he looked somewhat uncomfortable with the proclamation.

"Say what?"

"I kissed Emma."

The spinner-turned-sorcerer tilted his head to the side, his hands moving back to the wheel and the sound began again. It seemed to ease Bae's nerves on the subject and he took the last step, pulling a stool up next to his father and they sat there in silence for several long moments, the sound of the wheel the only thing between them. If Rumple didn't know better, his son was waiting on him to voice his own thoughts on the matter, though that had never gone particularly well in the past. He hadn't known exactly what he sensed on Tamara, just that she wouldn't last long. At the time he'd assumed it was because she would eventually become overwhelmed and leave and that Bae's own son would keep him there when she did, but he'd obviously underestimated the extremity of how poorly matched she had been for his son. Not that Bae would have listened to that and not that Rumple was ever able to put those thoughts into something that resembled a healthy conversation.

So instead of offer his opinions - and he did have opinions on the match between the Charmings' daughter and his son - he merely continued spinning, his voice low as he prompted. "And?"

"And what?"

"Was this meant to be more of a newsflash or-"

"Nevermind," Bae snapped, standing abruptly and Rumple's hands immediately stilled.

"Bae," he called and watched his only child's shoulders go taught, "I'm sorry, son. I didn't mean it negatively."

"I know," came the equally tight response and he was back, the stool scraping across the stones as he retook his seat. Rumple hadn't realized how fidgety he'd been, but it was obvious now as he ran one hand through his hair, gripped at the seat of the stool with the other and he looked everywhere but his father's eyes. "Sorry. Emma's just being Emma."

"What did she say?"

"Nothing. That's the problem. I mean, nothing happened-" if the conversation hadn't been awkward before it was growing increasingly so now - "except that we kissed and she went in right after that and… Damn it."

"Well, from what I hear she's been quite busy this past week."

"Yeah, Regina's teaching her magic." Rumpelstiltskin snorted and that brought a small smile from his son. "What?"

"Oh, I'm just hoping the integrity of my castle survives those lessons is all. Not much to be done for it now. I'd wager Regina won't be much of a teacher."

"So much faith in your former student, Pop."

"Oh, Regina is talented, but she was a terrible student as well. She just doesn't have the patience for it. I wouldn't put too much worry into your Miss Swan's… distance. If there's something that I've learned about her it's that she will overthink herself into a hole given half the chance. The real reason that I left them all on the boat in Neverland, by the way."

Bae chuckled. "Yeah, she does do that."

"And I'd wager she put quite a bit of thought into meeting with you as well."

"Wait. How'd you know-?"

"It's my castle, Bae. Do you really think I don't know what happens in it?"

"I can't even begin to describe how disconcerting that is, Papa."

Rumplestiltskin shrugged. "It's not like I watched the whole event. I simply knew you were meeting with her is all. Henry might have mentioned it as well."

"That little sneak."

"Mm. His father's son. I also get the distinct impression that he's attempting to bring Regina a bit closer with Robin Hood."

"Must be your grandson then. As I understand it, you've helped a few couples that have lasted."

"And the real reason comes out for your confession about our dear Miss Swan," Rumple chuckled.

Baelfire smiled and his papa reveled in the peace between them. Tempers had flared, certainly, since their conversation in which he'd promised to tell his son why he was so very afraid for him, but nothing like that night. Bae was choosing to be patient with him, Rumple know, and for that he would be grateful. He could be nothing less, even if he hadn't quite scraped up the courage to have that conversation with him yet.

"So," Bae drawled as he turned dark eyes on his papa, "Thomas just made it back."

"Lovely. I knew I felt the air grow a bit stuffier."

"And the Blue Fairy came in with him."

Rumplestiltskin had been so caught up with his spinning that he'd shut out any warnings that his wards were feeding him unless they were necessary. The fact that he hadn't known the Blue Fairy was in his castle was unnerving at the very best place. He stood, brows drawn together in irritation and Bae followed. "Thank you, son."

"Well, I was kind of surprised when you didn't show up. I know you two don't exactly see eye to eye."

"That's putting it nicely, yes." Rumple stood. "Looks like David finally found a way to get me into one of his damn, useless meetings."

Bae couldn't seem to find it in himself to argue that point as they started towards it together, speaking lowly about the issue at hand, the likelihood of Pan being able to retain the amount of power that he'd shown a few weeks before, and what Zelena might be after beyond killing her sister. Rumple was convinced that she had more lofty goals than any of the others could conceive of. "She's arrogant," he explained to his son as they turned down the hall. "Arrogant and powerful."

"Not unlike her teacher."

Rumplestiltskin turned, a frown tugging at his lips. He'd held a deep loathing for Reul Ghorm since the night that Bae had slipped through that portal. He'd hated himself for it, certainly, but it never would have come to that if Blue had been straight with the boy. Portals were dangerous things and they often led to equally dangerous places. Like Neverland.

"Powerful, yes. Arrogance would imply that I don't have the skillset I need to back up what I know that I can do," Rumple answered with a dangerous smile. Bae didn't stray from his side and he was grateful for it. He had to play nice with the little blue bug, but he wasn't sure he had it in him to do so without someone whose opinion he actually valued being right there with him. "Thought you weren't coming back, Blue. Always a pleasure."

"Toning down the sarcasm isn't outside of your skillset, is it?" the lead fairy asked rather snappishly. Good. That meant she knew who had the upper hand here.

Rumple opened his mouth to snap back, but his son beat him to it. "On a more useful note, Blue," he prompted and the fairy sighed.

"Of course. I suppose you're knee deep in this anyway," she grumbled, glaring at Rumplestiltskin as if it were he that were intruding on her home. When she spoke again, though, it was directed at Bae. "My fairies and I have not been idle. We've been searching the forest for information on what Zelena and Peter Pan have planned. Zelena has been searching for a stone of great power. There are said to have been two of them that were lost to their owners and came through near to the time that Glinda the Good Witch of Oz was banished to the Enchanted Forest, though four have been known to be in existence. As far as I am aware, Glinda still holds one, and after delivering this news I intend to travel to the far north where she has been banished to."

Rumple tilted his head to the side thoughtfully. "The four witches of Oz were said to have worn powerful stones fashioned as pendants. If two of those are floating around without witches attached to them, it's a safe bet that their previous owners have met an unpleasant fate."

"I'm starting to get the impression that nothing with Zelena is overly pleasant," Bae agreed.

"Did your fairies happen to hear any rumours as to who might have gotten their hands on these stones once they came through? I would have been rather busy during that point just before the curse was enacted."

Blue tilted her head up, nose in the air just a bit more than it had been, even if she was her usual fairy-sized self that could be swatted without any pull on dark magic. "You were rather behind bars," she corrected Rumplestiltskin. "Where you belong, if I had my say."

Bae's hand touched his arm and Rumple hadn't even noticed that he'd taken a step forward. He froze there as surely as if he'd still been the Dark One and someone had sent a command through his dagger.

"Do you have any leads as to their whereabouts?" Baelfire asked, his voice tight and irritated.

"We have a couple of leads, yes. I will be sure to bring that up to Prince David." With that she fluttered off, leaving father and son to watch her.

"I'm beginning to see why you don't like her."

"Oh, it's a bit stronger than dislike," Rumple assured him through a forced calm. "Quite a bit stronger."

The rains had been falling for only a couple of days, but they'd flooded parts of the courtyard. The repairs done to the castle's structure were holding and the rain remained outside for the most part, but Henry was stuck inside. Everyone seemed to be busy with something besides him. His dad and Gramps had promised to make time for his sword fighting lessons even if it was raining, but then Prince Thomas had come through the outer gates bringing news that they'd been waiting for. So they along with Grandma Snow, Regina, Robin, Emma, and even Grandpa Gold had disappeared behind closed doors - though the latter he was certain was only to keep the Blue Fairy in check - and Henry was left to himself. Even Roland was off with one of his father's men.

He'd hidden himself behind the thick curtains, sat up on the windowsill with his forehead pressed against the cool glass and watched Mulan teaching Belle how to defend herself. Both women had to be soaked through and they were covered in mud, and that was probably the only thing that had kept Belle from being dragged into the impromptu meeting. Back and forth he watched them and it looked like a dance. Block, push forward, block, attack. Belle had improved with each session and while her footwork was a little sloppy that evening due to the rain, Henry was beginning to rethink his choice in teachers. Mulan was good.

"Hiding out?"

Henry jumped. He hadn't even heard Emma walk up, but she pulled the curtain back as she spoke. She looked like she wanted to hide away too and he scooted over to give her room. She hopped up on the windowsill with him, the ledge deep enough for her to mirror his posture and lean up against the window with her knees pulled up towards her chest. She followed his gaze down, wincing as Belle slipped in the mud and landed flat on her back. "Ouch."

"She's been doing really good up until that."

"Lucky girl didn't just have to sit through all of that," Emma grumbled, indicating in the direction that she'd come from.

Henry grinned. "Maybe you should start taking sword lessons too."

"Regina's taking up any free time I have with her magic lessons."

"You've had what? One lesson?" Henry laughed.

"You're hilarious. They've been going all week."

"So what'd they say in there anyway?" Henry pressed. They'd been waiting for Thomas to return with his father's answer since he'd left out just after their last major meeting the week before. The kingdom wasn't too far away and he'd come and gone with only a few close companions, so the ride was quick. Well, as quick as it could be without a car.

Emma sighed. "I'm about halfway sure that no one says what they really mean in those meetings. They're all smiles and niceness - well, except for Gold and Regina -, but something's up. Thomas' dad says he'll only talk to David if David goes to him. Sounds like a powerplay to me."

Henry's eyes lit. "Are we going?"

"I don't know who is. I have to stick around for those stupid lessons."

While he loved the Dark Castle, Henry wanted to see more of the land his family came from. They'd rushed to a safe holding place so fast and he'd been shuffled around since then. He was well aware that he was no great sword fighter and that he was still mostly a kid, but how did they expect him to learn anything if they kept him cooped up? "Is Dad going?"

Emma quirked an eyebrow at that and her son knew he hadn't been nearly as subtle as he'd meant to be. He was losing his touch. "Maybe. He was talking to David when I left. Why?"

"No reason," he answered quickly. Emma would say no. Regina would say no. His dad, though, might just say yes. If either of his moms were going he'd be much more likely to get the chance to tag along, but he wasn't worried even without them. As long as both Gramps and Dad along, it wasn't like he would be in any danger. They hadn't heard anything out of Pan or Zelena since the attack on the castle weeks ago, and while they could only speculate on what that would mean Henry refused to be trapped inside of his grandfather's castle forever. Even though it was a sound enough reason in a twelve year old's mind, he could see Emma start to catch on and he added, "He'd just promised to hang out with me today and I wanted to see him before he left." It wasn't a lie. Not really.

Emma seemed to relax a bit with that. "They were all talking about it when I left. He's probably still there."

Henry was halfway off his perch when his mom called his name. Dread set in that he'd be caught, but loosened with her words. "If Regina asks, you haven't seen me, got it kid?"

He grinned. "I've got your back, Mom," he promised.

"Not that she won't just track me down with one of her damn locator spells," Emma grumbled even as Henry started off towards the room where they all met for the meetings that his mom hated so much.

The Land Without Magic had done a great deal of good for many in the Enchanted Forest. Notoriously a land that depended greatly on class structure, people of all walks of life had managed to live within the walls of the Dark Castle for nearly two months now without any real incidences. David and Snow had always been of the opinion that people should be judged based on their ability, not the place of their birth, but there were still many others not as inclined to agree, and that was how David found himself continuing to argue with a young man that he did - most days - think very highly of.

Thomas' father calling David to him rather than allowing Thomas the authority to do what needed to be done was an obvious reach for power that was a slight at both young princes when it came down to it, but the younger blond's reaction to the small traveling party that his elder peer had set up was born out of being raised in a place that could not see past a pedigree and it irked the former sheepherder greatly. "Obviously Father knows how Princess Snow feels about the dwarfs, so they are most welcome, but your friend Neal… Well no one really knows anything about him, do they?"

David bit his tongue. He and Neal had discussed that there was no reason to hide the fact that he was the son of Rumplestiltskin, but there was no need to flaunt it either. While most people knew it at this point, Thomas had been away more than he'd actually been there, and the same prejudices that were now rearing their heads over his lack of public identity could potentially get worse with that knowledge. Thomas seemed to be backing him into a corner over it though. Something in the way he'd been brought up demanded to know the family line of the man that was quickly proving himself to be a keen tactician - not unlike his father in that regard, though David thought he trusted Neal a bit more to be open as to his reasons - and had a great deal of knowledge that would prove useful against Pan. He'd said this, of course, but but in the end he knew exactly what would make sense to the young man with generations of royal blood flowing through his veins. "He's my grandson's father. That's good enough for me."

That stopped Thomas in his tracks. His eyes grew wide as he looked at his friend - probably hoping for some sign that he wasn't being serious - and then back over to Neal who was discussing something with Rumplestiltskin. The elder man looked frustrated, as if his son had just told him a truth that he didn't want to hear. That was another thing Neal was good at, even if he didn't always admit it. Neal was exceptionally good at corralling his father. Almost as good as Belle was, and Blue's information that she'd brought to them had made David determined to have the former Dark One along as well, and he was almost certain that Rumplestiltskin wouldn't argue that one. Blue had made it clear that she believed at least one of the stones to be hidden away in Thomas' own family treasury, tucked away there by whatever magic the witch that had previously owned it had cast in her final moments to keep the powers away from Zelena. Without Regina along to track it, they needed Rumplestiltskin, and Neal was their best bet to get him to work with them, not around them.

"He's Henry's father?" Thomas sputtered. "But… doesn't that mean… The rumours are…"

"You okay there?"

"He's his son." The befuddled prince nodded towards Rumplestiltskin, still wary of saying his name after everything that had happened.

"One in the same," David answered cheerfully. "They'll both be coming along with us."

If Thomas had had any colour left in his face it drained at that, but David wouldn't give. Instead he stood tall and offered his most charming smile to help ease the situation. "Don't worry. We need him on this and he'll be willing to help."

"At what price? This is the same man you said we were doing the world a favour by locking up, remember?"

"Well," David began, but didn't get a chance to finish as his grandson came bursting into the room, making a beeline for Neal and his questions running together like he could barely contain himself.

"Dad! Are you going? Are you going to Thomas' castle? Can I go too?"

He was all energy and after the lengthy conversation that no one had been particularly fond of the kid was the only one that had any. Henry was bouncing, nearly taking Neal off his feet, but a grin spread easily and Neal pulled his son into a hug. "You want to go where?" he teased, one arm around his shoulders so that he couldn't get away.

Henry laughed. "You totally skipped out of sword practice for like… days now. Please take me with you!"

David barely caught himself before the laugh escaped and Rumplestiltskin looked more than a little amused by the reasoning. Neal's grin evened out a little though as he realized what was happening. "Hey there, buddy, we're not going on a vacation."

"I know," the twelve-year-old answered with all the enthusiasm of a child that was trying to convince his father to let him go on a quest. David knew the tone. He'd been that kid once too, and by the look that Rumplestiltskin was wearing, he thought Neal probably hadn't been much different either. "I won't be in the way. I can listen to everything and learn all about how this stuff works and you and Gramps can keep teaching me how to use a sword and I can practice my riding and-"

"I think he wants to go," David offered unhelpfully.

Neal shot him a look. "Henry, Pan's still out there and Pop says this Zelena lady is pretty bad news…"

"But you and Grandpa Gold and Gramps will all be there. I won't get hurt, I promise!"

"Well that's setting it up for disaster," Rumplestiltskin murmured.

"Seriously, kid, haven't you ever watched a movie?" Leroy called from where he'd been discussing something with Robin.

Henry didn't seem bothered in the slightest. His grin only grew and he turned it on his father. "Please, Dad?"

And Neal gave. David couldn't blame him. There was something about being away from your child for so long and then having them readily call you dad that helped to do away with any resolve you might have had. Henry saw it too and he cheered, wrapping his arms around his father in a tight hug. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," David answered for him. "First light."

"Awesome. I'm going to go pack. This is going to be the best!"

Henry's father and two grandfathers watched him all but fly out of the room and Neal loosed a long breath in the form of a sigh. "His mom's going to kill me."

"Which one?" Rumplestiltskin asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"Both."

Belle had never been particularly fond of Lacey or felt that she held too awful much in common with her outside of her physical body. She was reckless in all the wrong ways, indulging in her own darkest behaviors and encouraging them in those that she kept around her. In the moments when Rumple had needed Belle the most, he'd gotten Lacey, and while she might have had no real control over that, she couldn't help but feel a bit of anger towards the woman that didn't really exist.

There were a few things though, deep back in the memories of the Land Without Magic that the curse had provided her with, that she did like about Lacy. One of those things was that as a little girl she'd wanted nothing more than to live in a castle with tall towers that reached to the sky and to marry a prince. That little girl that had never really existed dreamed of ballrooms and gowns and she would dance around her room stopping only to curtsy to a stuffed bear or doll. In those days of innocents she wistfully pretended to be everything that Belle had been raised to be. Thinking about it made Belle smile.

She wasn't sure what had prompted her to deviate from the long, hot bath she had planned for that evening. The mud that was quickly drying to every inch of her, caked into her hair and under her nails and drying her clothes to her skin. It was disgusting, when she got right down to it, but something had pulled her to the side and off her intended path. The castle had a way of doing that.

Thunder shook the whole castle and Belle looked around the room that had sparked the small thought about her brief Storybrooke persona. Rumple hated the ballroom and she'd asked him again and again when she'd lived there as his maid why he bothered with it. He'd shrugged, as if to say that this was a castle and castles had ballrooms. She hadn't known a lot about his past then, but now she knew that he'd probably knew little of what a castle should or shouldn't have when he'd built it or the fact that it really should have only had what he truly wanted in it. What he'd wanted, though, hadn't been attainable then, so it was simply filled with should-be's and that's-the-way-it-is'.

Little Lacey would have enjoyed dancing around on the marble floors in a gold and white gown, but Belle was hardly in any of her finer clothes today. She almost giggled to herself as she moved slowly into the room - no one was there, she'd made sure to look - and could almost hear a quiet tune in her mind that she hummed.

The tune silenced immediately at the sound of a door flying open. Belle thought she might have squeaked a little as Henry came stumbling through it, wide-eyed like the castle had delivered him some place different too. He recovered quickly enough and grinned. "Hey Belle!"

"Hey there, Henry. What are you doing in here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," the clever little boy returned and she couldn't help but smile at him even as he grinned widely, looking around the room. "I've never been here before. Do you and Grandpa Gold ever dance here?"

"I'm afraid your Grandpa Gold isn't a fan of dancing."

"But he'd do it for you."

Another laugh escaped. "And what makes you say that?"

"He'd do anything for you."

Belle felt a blush creep to her cheeks and she hoped there was still enough mud to hide it. Henry truly was a clever child.

"You could dance here for you wedding, maybe," he said thoughtfully, turning dark eyes that reminded her of his grandfather's up towards the chandelier that had only ever gathered dust.

"There'd have to be a wedding first," Belle murmured softly before she could catch herself.

Henry blinked at her. "I guess I just kind of figured that when he gave up his curse for you that it was a given… Has he never asked?"

Belle shot him an incredulous look, but the innocence of the question was obvious as he looked at her and she found herself speaking again. "He did, in a way."

"I don't think that's one of those things you can sort of do," the boy answered with a shrug.

"Can you keep a secret, Henry?"

"Sure!"

"Rum- Your grandfather proposed the first night we were back, but he was too tired to remember."

"So he wants to marry you. I'm sure he'll ask when we get back."

The words hit hard. "Get back?"

"Well, I guess you haven't seen him. Grandpa Gold, Gramps, Dad, and I are going with Thomas to his dad's castle. It's going to be awesome. I'm sure Grandpa Gold will ask as soon as we get back. He'll miss you too much not to."

Belle couldn't help but smile, the heavy feeling that had taken hold during the conversation lifting a bit. "I hope so, Henry."

"He will. You just have to have faith in him."

"I do. All the faith in the worlds."

"Then everything will be okay." And as if that were all he'd come to say, Henry waved goodbye and was gone, out another door to see if it would lead him to the correct hall this time. Perhaps, Belle thought as she watched him go, he'd taken the door he meant to afterall. There was something about that child that brought light into any room that he entered, and she'd needed those words, just as she needed at that moment to find Rumple.

She started for the door, intent on going straight up to their room, but there was a change in the air that stopped her. It was subtle, but she was learning to recognize it. A smile touched her lips and she turned, finding Rumplestiltskin standing there and looking at least slightly put out that he hadn't been able to surprise her. His warm brown eyes looked her up and down, taking in her mud-covered clothing and the dirt caked in her hair. The smile that only barely touched his mouth was shining from those eyes and he stepped forward and leaned in to press his lips to hers without saying a word.

He didn't complain when she wrapped her arms around his neck, but instead pulled her close. His hands were in her hair and even when they broke she rested her forehead against his shoulder, feeling him hold onto her as if it had been weeks instead of hours since they'd last seen each other. "What was that for?" she half murmured, half giggled into the leather of his vest.

Rumple sighed and the mirth washed out of her. "I have to go away for a few days, Belle."

"Does this have to do with Thomas or Blue?" she asked softly.

"Bit of both. We think Zelena may be after a magical stone or two that could help her. We need to get to them first and it's likely that at least one is being held in the brat's castle."

"Be nice."

"That was me being nice."

Belle smiled, tightening her hold on him. "I could go with you."

He pulled away only enough to press a kiss against her brow. "I truly wish you could," he whispered.

"I'm tired of feeling useless, Rumple. I need to do something and now something is finally being done and-"

"That's just it, Belle. Things are in motion and I need your help."

She tried to shoot him a look that said she knew he was playing her, but she couldn't quite find it in herself to believe that it was the case. "What do you need, Rumple?"

"You are one of the strongest people I've ever met. You can do anything you put your mind to, and right now I need you to be my peacemaker, Belle."

"Your peacemaker?" she echoed.

"Regina was particularly nasty to a friend of hers while we were in Storybrooke, but the woman is a powerful sorceress. I need you and Regina to approach her. She doesn't need to side with us, per se, just not against us."

"You want me to go with Regina?" Belle asked incredulously and he winced at her words.

"I'm afraid that's the only way I can think of that it will work. Believe me, I'd much rather have you by my side. You're better at handling arrogant royals then I shall ever be."

"Somehow I feel like I should be insulted," she laughed at him and he smiled.

"It's not your fault you were raised with them. Despite that, you're quite grounded."

"That is not what you would have said when we first met," she tease and took hold of his hands, pulling him into the middle of the ballroom. He gave her a questioning look and she smiled. "Henry and I were talking about dancing before you came in."

"Oh no, Belle, you know I don't dance," he started in, but she squeezed his hands and pulled him to the center of the floor anyway.

"I think, if you're going to ask me to take on a sorceress and corral Regina's tendencies to make people angry at her, then you owe me, Rumplestiltskin. You don't get anything for free."

She watched his eyes grow wide and a low, amused chuckle left him. "As the lady wishes," he murmured lowly and she knew after a moment it wasn't that he couldn't dance, but that he chose not to. There wasn't any music, not really, but she thought his magic might have allowed a distance sort of tune that only they could hear and it didn't matter that she was entirely covered in mud or that two of the most deadly enemies they'd ever met were waiting just around a hidden turn. She laid her head against his chest and felt the steady beating of his heart and he sighed, kissing the top of her head. "I love you," he whispered and she could hear all the honesty he usually hid behind his walls in those words.

"I love you too," she promised him. "Rumple, do you really remember nothing from our first night back here?"

"Not a great deal. Why?"

"We talked. Do you remember that?"

She didn't miss the way he stiffened ever so slightly. "I dreamt that we talked."

"What did you dream, Rumple?"

He didn't say anything for several long moments, but they continued to sway together and she could hear his heart speed up in his chest. Finally, his grip on her loosened and he pulled away, the fear that she knew came not from a lack of courage, but of years and years of self loathing. "I thought it was a dream," he whispered. "I'd convinced myself…"

She didn't mean to laugh at him, not really, but she quickly covered it with by tipping up on her toes and kissing him. "I've been waiting to finish that conversation, Rumple. A girl can only wait so long without bringing it back up."

The magical music had stopped completely now and Rumplestiltskin had gone red in the face. "I… well… I shouldn't want to-"

"Do you want to marry me, Rumple?"

"Of course I do," he answered in a rush and in that moment it was as if three hundred years of life had never happened and he was a young man fumbling his way through it all. She wondered, at times, what the meek spinner that her love had once been would look like if she could meet him. She loved Rumple the way he was and the only change she'd ask of him was the one he wished to make for himself, but in that moment she thought she might be looking at him as he continued to stutter about. "I shouldn't want to tether you to me, Belle. I don't know what I can offer you now. I'm just-"

"Yes," she whispered and he stopped, staring at her.

"What?"

"Yes, I'll marry you. I want to marry you only slightly less than I want to spend the rest of my days with you, but it's all very close."

"You're teasing me."

"A bit, but not really."

Rumple chuckled at this and with a flick of his hand a locket was held between his fingers. "I was already planning to give you this," he murmured and motioned for her to turn.

"Oh, Rumple, it's beautiful and I'm filthy right now. I don't want to soil it."

"You won't," he promised as she moved her hair out of the way and he put it into place. She felt a warmth rush over her as the clasp in back fit together and he gave her a smile. "Did you think I'd send you off to a powerful sorceress' castle without protection? Perhaps if I hadn't been such a fool it would be a ring for you, not a neckless."

"I just need you. You'll come home safe to me, won't you?"

"Of course. And you'll come home safe to me."

Belle smiled and wrapped an arm around him. "Of course," she promised in return. "I would fight to my last breath to come home to you."

TBC

Notes: So that last scene was going to open up chapter twelve, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It belonged in this chapter, even if it did push it over 6.5K. Hopefully no one will complain, right? :P Let me know what you think!

Next time - Rumple and the others travel to Thomas' kingdom and receive an unexpected surprise while Belle convinces Regina to take a trip with her to the Forbidden Fortress.