Sorry it's taken me so long to update. Just like with my other story, I was so busy with school and finals that it was tough finding time to write. Now that summer is here, I'll have more time on my hands and no excuses not to update sooner.
Thanks to CharlotteAshmore for betaing this chapter. Also, thank you to everyone for reviewing and favorite/following this story. It keeps me motivated.
Now onto Dark Ones and the maids that hold their hearts...
"Now, you hold out your hand like this," Nova instructed Belle, showing her the correct position to defend herself with light magic.
Belle flung out her hand, holding it in place.
The two women were standing within the great hall, Belle wondering -and slightly hoping- no one would walk in. She was thinking of Zelena.
The redhead had been mysteriously absent all day. After breakfast when Zelena and Belle had that awkward conversation about Rumpelstiltskin, Zelena confronting Belle about her feelings for the Dark One, Zelena had been nowhere to be found.
"Now recite this incantation," Nova continued. As Belle snapped back into reality, Nova began to recite a poem of words. "Use this magic for good, use it for light, as dusk approaches, don't give in to night."
As Nova looked at Belle expectantly, waiting for the brunette to say the words, Belle tried very hard not to laugh. She did want to learn light magic. She just hadn't realized she would have to say cheesy incantations in the process.
"What will saying these words do?" Belle asked, adjusting her hand in the correct position.
"The words reinstate that you're using magic for good. Once you have recited the poem, using light magic should come easier to you." Nova waved her wand at Belle. "Now go on."
Belle felt slightly doubtful, but she wasn't one to doubt the power of words. She repeated the incantation, feeling a little silly. Though miraculously, Belle did feel a certain...power come over her after she finished.
A white glow began to form over her hand, Belle gasping in excitement, Nova squealing with joy.
"You're a natural," Nova beamed at Belle. "It must be because you already have such good in your heart."
Belle smiled, pleased. She thought of her mother in that moment, wondering if her mother's love and influence helped her to have an innate power. She didn't know why else this power would come to her so quickly.
The two women continued practicing throughout the day, Belle feeling stronger with every passing moment.
Zelena rushed outside to read the note she had received that morning after breakfast. A circle of dust had appeared in her fireplace, conjuring up into a piece of paper.
The minute Zelena had seen the parchment, she knew who it was from.
Now, outside, ignoring Belle and her 'fairy godmother,' -she had been eavesdropping - Zelena unfolded the note.
Dear daughter, it read. I'm writing this to you because I need your help. Help with Rumpelstiltskin. I can't get inside the castle, as Rumpelstiltskin has put up wards preventing me from entering. I've provided a few spells I need you to enact at the bottom of this letter. I want you to help me defeat Rumpelstiltskin. Don't be stupid enough to tell anyone about this note, Zelena. Keep it to yourself.
I love you,
Cora
Zelena sucked in a breath, staring at the paper. She couldn't believe her mother would entrust her with this sort of power and knowledge. Her mother never did that.
Zelena was so happy, she could cry.
She then glanced up at the window, seeing Belle and a woman with wings standing in the great hall. Normally Zelena's curiosity would get the better of her, and she'd be storming into the room, demanding answers, but with her mother's note, Zelena, for the first time, had her own situations to deal with, instead of getting into other's business.
It was a little strange and completely out of character for her, but... she'd do anything for her mother.
Rumpelstiltskin stared in shock at the dagger that held his name written on it. He glanced over at the dead body of Zoso, the bastard that tricked him into becoming the Dark One.
Rumpelstiltskin pushed himself off the ground, sneering at the prone body of the dead sorcerer. Even though the man was dead, Rumpelstiltskin wanted to kill him all over again for turning him into...this thing.
He looked down at his hand, multicolored skin embracing it. He wrapped his hand around the dagger and left the room, determined to find Milah. His son was gone, but he would have his wife.
He quietly passed the war room, where the King was discussing selling some of the women that he didn't need. Rumpelstiltskin wanted to kill the man.
He stopped walking for a moment, surprised at how much hate was in his heart. Yes, his son was dead, his wife taken, but he had never felt so much hatred, except when he'd killed Zoso.
Rumpelstiltskin flinched, realizing his hatred must have been a part of his curse. This hatred was burning a hole in his heart already, a darkness expanding over his body.
He shook himself, focused on finding Milah. He searched the grand hallway until he found a staircase leading underground. He heard cries for help coming from below. He marched determinedly down the stairs and found at least fifty women caged behind thick iron bars with no chance of escape on their own.
One woman closest to him, gasped in disgust and fear. Another woman screamed. Rumpelstiltskin flinched, roving his eyes over the women until he spotted Milah. She was shivering in one of the filthy cells, her knees clasped tightly to her chest.
Rumpelstiltskin quickly rushed over, calling out to his wife. Milah glanced up as Rumpelstiltskin knelt down to her.
Her eyes widened and she pulled away in fear.
"Milah," he rasped out. "I'm getting you out of here."
"How do you know my name?" she stuttered, shivering.
Rumpelstiltskin drew back, hurt on his face. "It's me, Milah. Rumpelstiltskin."
Milah's eyes widened even more, staring in shock more than fear. "H-how?"
"No time right now. I need to free you." He looked around for a key, suddenly feeling a jolt rasp through his fingers. An idea occurred to him, and he reached out a hand towards the locked cage. The women within backed away.
He waved a hand over the cage, unlocking the door. He looked down at his hands, not yet understanding the full scope of power he possessed.
He reached down to where Milah was still sitting and helped her stand, but she jerked away from him.
"You are not my husband! Who are you?" She bumped into some of the women escaping the cage.
"Milah, please." He held out a hand, begging her to come. "We'll go home. I'm taking you home. It's all right. I'll explain everything later. For now, I need you to trust me. Please."
She stared at him a moment, finally, hesitantly, taking his outstretched hand.
Rumpelstiltskin finally made it to the docks the next morning, in his search for Milah.
As expected, many gasps and shrieks were emitted at the sight of him as he entered a tavern he hoped Milah would be in. He got lucky, as he saw his wife, sitting on the lap of someone other than himself.
Milah did not notice the quiet hush which the filled the tavern right away. She and Killian were too busy laughing over Smee, who kept getting rejected by the tavern owner's daughter. He was sitting at their table, following the girl with eyes, adoringly.
"Smee, when are you going to learn that a pirate doesn't pine after a women," Killian laughed. "He just takes whatever he wants."
"Like me?" Milah asked, stroking her hand down his chest. Despite the fact that the two of them had only met the day before, they already seemed to be in love. It had been a long time since Milah had felt a rush of joy of this magnitude. Killian seemed to bring it out in her. So much so, that she let him have his wicked ways with her the night before.
"No love, you came more than willingly."
Milah released a little mocking gasp. "How dare you-," she said, a seductive smile curling her full lips.
A high pitched giggle cut her off. She turned in Killian's lap, to see her husband standing behind her. And he did not look pleased, as he moved his cold, unnerving gaze to Killian. He looked the pirate up and down. Killian flinched, but drew himself up taller.
"Really, dearie?" he sneered. "A pirate?" He looked back at the brigand, as Killian stood up to stand in front of her. "And not a very bright one it seems. But then again, what do you expect from a lowborn piece of scum?"
Milah had finally noticed the quiet that filled the tavern.
"What are you doing here Rumpelstiltskin?" Milah asked, resigned, knowing full well why he was here.
"Well looking for you, of course. I wanted to see where you had run off to. I had to make sure you weren't spending your time in filthy, disgusting taverns, or somewhere teeming with more of his ilk where you would be easy prey for his type of debauchery." He turned in a circle, taking in the tavern. "But I guess I was too late." He laughed at his own joke.
"I left you," Milah said.
"Yes and I found you," Rumpelstiltskin felt the need to point out.
"But why? You don't love me."
"Ah," he paused. "That's true." Milah fought the urge to roll her eyes. "But, you see wife, we're still bound by that pesky contract, legally stating that you and I are married."
"Well then, I want an annulment," Milah stated, bravely.
"And I still don't break deals." He paused in his mockery of looking at the tavern. "You know it's not that simple, Milah." He eyed Killian up and down, and lifted out his hand. "I'm Rumpelstiltskin."
Milah frowned in confusion. Rumpelstiltskin was not one to shake hands, but more likely to bow in blatant flamboyancy. She didn't know what he was doing.
Killian eyed Rumpelstiltskin's outstretched hand, before hesitantly reaching out and grabbing it.
Milah didn't have time to yell out to stop him.
Killian's face crumpled in pain, as he fell to the floor, gasping. Milah gasped as well when she saw that his hand was missing. More like, Rumpelstiltskin was holding it.
"Why did you do that?" Milah demanded, kneeling next to Killian.
Rumpelstiltskin shrugged, way too casually for the situation. "Because I felt like it, dearie."
Milah glared at her husband. "Why won't you just let me go? Why do you have to hurt others to get what you want?"
The entire tavern, at this point, was scrambling to get out of Rumpelstiltskin's way, lest they face his wrath. The establishment was empty except for the Dark One, his wife, and the crumpled pirate on the floor.
"Like I said, dearie. I don't break deals. You're coming back with me. Now get up."
Milah shook her head, wrapping a piece of cloth around Killian's stump. "I'm not going with you."
Rumpelstiltskin glared. "You are, Milah." Before his wife could do anything, he snapped his fingers and they were standing in front of the Dark Castle.
Milah gasped in surprise and outrage. "You didn't let me help him!"
"Who? The pirate?" Rumpelstiltskin snorted. "He'll be fine."
"Really?" Milah asked, hopefully.
"No. I just said that to make you feel better. I tore off his hand, dearie. I don't think he'll be fine." With those words, Rumpelstiltskin headed towards his home.
He couldn't believe how much Milah cared for a man she had just met. It made Rumpelstiltskin feel like even more of a monster, with the way Milah glared at him. He was used to it, but now it felt different somehow. He almost felt...pain from her anger. It made him question himself. What woman could love him, if not his wife?
He shrugged off the nauseating emotions running through his mind, turning around to see that Milah was still standing at the gate, not having moved.
"Are you just going to stand there all day, dearie?"
Milah nodded. "As long as it takes to make you realize how much I want to be away from you."
Rumpelstiltskin sneered. "Fine. Stay out here all you like. But you're not leaving." His entrapment spell surrounding the castle still stood. No one could leave without his permission.
"I'm going inside," he called out, turning away from his wife. "I have a maid to see."
"Now recite this spell," Nova began to say.
Belle was preparing to speak when the grand hall doors flew open.
Both women turned around to see Rumpelstiltskin walking into the room. Belle felt her heart flutter at the sight of him. She still hadn't answered the question to whether she loved the man or not, but she couldn't deny that she missed him.
Well, she didn't exactly miss him when he was glaring. And he was most certainly glaring now.
"Rumpelstiltskin, you're back," Belle said, happily, stepping up to him. She resisted the urge to hug him, especially when he wasn't even looking at her.
"Who's this?" he asked, staring at Nova. The fairy backed away, gulping in fear.
"Rumpelstiltskin, this is Nova. My Fairy Godmother."
Nova gave a half-hearted wave, clearly nervous. Rumpelstiltskin's eyebrows went up. "Fairy Godmother? More like pesky sprites who can't seem to stop getting into everyone else's business when they're clearly not wanted. Fairies are extremely judgmental, you know."
"Only because you have no morals," Nova bravely snapped back.
Belle just stood there awkwardly. Finally, she cleared her throat. "Nova is teaching me...light magic. Isn't that wonderful, Rumpel?"
Now, finally, he looked down at her. Belle couldn't help the small smile when she saw his eyes soften at the sight of her. Then her words finally registered. "You're learning magic?"
Belle nodded. "Yes. Light magic."
Rumpelstiltskin didn't know what to say. "Light magic?" he asked, incredulously. "In my castle? The castle in which I call the Dark Castle? In which the Dark One lives? Dearie, I leave you alone for a day, and you're already doing unspeakable things within my home."
Belle laughed slightly. It came more like a gasp for air. "So, Nova can stay? I'm really enjoying learning, Rumpel. I figured I could learn to protect myself, against people who would do me harm. This way you won't always have to do it."
Rumpel stared at her, feeling his anger dissipate. He was becoming way too soft around Belle. He sighed, looking back at Nova. "You can teach Belle," he snapped so suddenly that Nova jerked back in surprise. "But don't touch anything that belongs to me, and don't leave the Great Hall. I don't want you out of my sight." After he said that, Nova scowled at him. "And no staring at me with those judgy, little eyes."
Belle squealed in delight, not having expected Rumpel to actually agree to her learning. She couldn't hold herself back any longer. She reached over and hugged him.
Rumpelstiltskin didn't exactly hug her back. He wanted to, but he didn't like the way Nova looked at him, as if just by touching Belle, he was going to corrupt her.
That was why he had agreed to allow Belle to learn...light magic, despite the shudder those two words brought to him. He loved the light about her, the happiness, the innocence. She was everything he wasn't. He didn't want her to lose that. If practicing light magic kept his darkness away from her, he would put up with that judgmental fairy.
When Belle pulled back, she smiled so brightly, he had to almost catch his breath. Seeing her smile like that at him, made him feel way too happy for his own good. It also made him feel unexpectedly guilty.
Regina was quickly packing away more of her belongings.
"I don't want you to leave, not right after I found you again," Daniel said.
Regina had stayed the night at Daniel's house, his parents very kindly letting her sleep in the guest room. She was so tired after her confrontation with her mother, that she fell asleep instantly, not having time to tell Daniel what she needed to do.
"I have to go back," Regina said, stuffing the dress she wore the day before back into her bag.
"To the Dark One?" Daniel asked. "I thought you were running away from him."
Regina barked out a laugh. "No, ironically. I was running from my mother, not Rumpelstiltskin. Now my mother wants revenge on him, and I have to warn him."
"But why? He's the Dark One. I'm sure he warrants some revenge enacted against him." He sat down on the guest bed, while Regina continued to pace the room.
Regina snorted. "I'm sure you're right, but not when it comes to my mother. Also, I have a friend who lives at that castle. I don't want my mother hurting her. I need Rumpelstiltskin to stop Cora."
"Will I see you again?" Daniel asked hopefully, accepting what Regina felt she had to do, knowing that she was stubborn and wouldn't change her mind.
Regina paused in her pacing and packing. She stared helplessly at Daniel. "I want to see you again. Once this mess with Cora blows over, I'll come find you."
She leaned down to touch his face, quickly brushing her lips against his. She couldn't have more, not yet. It would be too painful to walk away if she had more of Daniel.
She picked up her bag, knowing she had a hike back to the castle. Hopefully she could warn Rumpelstiltskin before her mother ruined everything.
After Rumpelstiltskin, Milah, and the other women he freed, ran from the castle, Milah had time to reflect on her...husband. At first she hadn't recognized him, but now, in the moonlight where they were walking through dense forest, she could see the resemblance to the man she had loved.
"How did this happen?" she asked, once they had time to speak.
"When I came to rescue you. I met a man who said he could help me find the Dark One's dagger. If I could control the monster, I could save you. In the process, I became...this." Rumpelstiltskin sneered down at his body. "I hate it, Milah."
Milah couldn't deny that she found her husband to be ugly. He was frightening to look at.
"Is someone watching Baelfire?" In all the commotion, Milah hadn't thought to ask before.
Rumpel grimaced, his face tightening up in pain. "Milah, Baelfire is..." He trailed off. "Dead," he finally managed to say.
Milah did a double take. "What?" She asked in horror, holding a hand over her mouth. "How?" Before he could answer, Milah said something she could never take back. "Did you hurt him?"
Rumpelstiltskin stared at his wife, aghast. "How could you say that? Because I'm the Dark One now? I never hurt our son."
Milah instantly regretted her words. She hadn't meant them. "Then how did my little boy die?"
Rumpelstiltskin pushed away a branch from hitting Milah in the face. He hadn't learned the full extent to his magic yet. He didn't yet know he could magically transport himself anywhere. Though, the conversation he was having with his wife, made the idea of magical transportation very appealing.
"One of the soldiers pushed him to the ground. He- he," Rumpelstiltskin took a breath. "He hit his head. There was nothing I could do."
Milah glared at her husband. "Nothing you could do? You could have saved his life."
Rumpelstiltskin couldn't believe the words coming from Milah's mouth. He knew she was hurting and had a lot on her mind, but he never thought she would turn on him. "There was nothing I could do, Milah. I'm not a physician. He...bled out so quickly."
Milah still stared in disgust at Rumpelstiltskin. "I can't believe this. My son is dead. I was taken. My husband's a monster."
"Why are you saying that, Milah?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, pain in his voice. His pain though, was starting to morph to anger. "Just because I have power now? Because I'm ugly?"
Milah didn't know what to say. She shook her head, walking away.
"Don't turn your back on me, wife," Rumpelstiltskin growled out. He had been feeling anger and hatred for the men that had ruined his life. Now he turned that anger upon his wife.
Milah stopped at the threat in her husband's voice. She slowly turned around. "Why not? You're not my husband anymore."
Rumpelstiltskin scoffed. "I'm not? Why?"
"Our son is dead!" She cried out, "and you're standing there...looking like you're enjoying yourself."
He shook his head. "How am I enjoying myself? My own wife hates the sight of me. My son is also dead. He was my son too, Milah. Not just yours."
Milah looked at him with anger, pain, and most shockingly of all, sympathy. "You are a terrible father, for letting our son die."
"I don't know how you could turn on me like this, but I do know that I'm really fucking hating you right now." Rumpelstiltskin felt that heat of anger, that flash of hatred turning his heart dark even more.
Milah spat at him, disgust marring her features. "I'm leaving you. I'm done."
He barked out a laugh. "Where will you go? I'm your husband. Your entire dowry is mine. All your lands are mine. You own nothing. You can't get away from me, Milah. I won't let you."
"Try and stop me," she threatened. As she turned and began to make her way through the brush of trees, Rumpelstiltskin ran up and grabbed her by the shoulders, preventing her from moving.
He was shocked by the way he was handling his wife, but that boiling, hot rage was taking center stage. "I said, dearie, I won't let you leave. I mean it. When we vowed to each other to stay by the other one's side, I took those vows seriously. You can't break our contract, Milah. It's binding."
Milah struggled out of his grip, spinning around to stare at him. "It's only a piece of a paper, Rumpel. It's not binding."
But, oh, how Milah was wrong.
Rumpelstiltskin felt a power surge through his body, instinctively knowing what it meant. The image of their marriage contract flashed through his mind. The piece of paper seemed to glow, reinforcing their names written on it. Rumpelstiltskin knew in that moment, their marriage really was binding.
He still didn't understand the full extent of his magic, how it worked, how it created contracts, but he knew that the deal he and his wife made, when they made their vows, could never be broken without his consent.
"You can never get away from me again. If you try to leave, I'll only hunt you down and bring you back," he threatened.
Milah's eyes widened at the hatred burning behind her husband's eyes. Rumpelstiltskin wasn't the only one to know something instinctively. Milah knew in that moment, she could never love her husband again.
Rumpelstiltskin sneered at Belle's 'Fairy Godmother,' keeping a wide berth from the woman. He did get some amusement out of seeing Belle practice magic. She did have a natural ability for learning it. Must have been from all those books she read.
He was sitting at the dining table in the Great Hall, Belle and Nova practicing in the corner. He was eating dinner, taking a sip of wine when he saw movement outside one of the windows. It was Milah, still standing by the front gate.
He snorted, shaking his head. He couldn't believe she was being that stubborn and impossible. He only did what he had to do. Their marriage contract was bound by magic. He couldn't just break it. Well, he could, but he didn't want to. He liked having possessions, and it was clear she was nothing more to him now. He wasn't the type of man who gave away his things lightly.
Belle came rushing over, preventing Rumpel from taking a bite of meat. "Rumpel, want to see what I've been learning?"
"Not really," he muttered into his wine glass. When he saw Belle start to frown, he pushed back his plate. "All right, dearie. For a moment. I don't need any of your light magic rubbing off on me."
Belle smiled, taking his hand, pulling him over towards Nova. He glanced down in surprise at the easy way she touched him. No woman, not even Cora, had ever touched him with such ease since he'd become the Dark One.
Nova looked worried as Rumpel got closer, the mage putting on a devilish smirk to frighten the fairy.
Belle saw the look and hit him on the chest. "Stop it. I'm really learning." He raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "I am," Belle reinforced. "Nova is teaching me how to use a defensive spell. Do you know how to do anything like that?" she asked him.
"No. Only offensive. So much easier to attack first, ask questions later."
Belle shook her head, smiling. "I don't know why I asked. I know you know how." Her smile dimmed a little. "I saw you use one on Cora, after she attacked you."
Rumpel just looked at her, not saying a word. Finally, he spoke. "I was using dark magic, Belle. You're better off using light." He never thought he would be encouraging anyone to use light magic, but with Belle, everything was different.
As Belle got into position to do the spell, Rumpel spoke. "It's much easier if you stand like this." He demonstrated, holding his hands up in front of him, instead of pushed out like Belle's.
"I'm teaching her," Nova snapped.
"Fairy has bite," Rumpel twittered in a sing song lilt. "Never would have guessed that."
Nova rolled her eyes and shuddered at the same time.
Belle shot him a look. "Rumpel, shush. Nova is a great teacher. Now watch."
Again though, before she could accomplish the spell, Belle saw movement outside one of the windows as well. She squinted. "Is that Milah?"
Rumpelstiltskin nodded, as Belle walked closer to the window.
"What is she doing outside?" Belle asked, turning back to the Dark One.
Rumpel shrugged. "She didn't want to come in?"
"Rumpel," Belle sighed, shaking her head. "I know you went to find her. I was hoping you would let her go."
"Why would I do that?"
Belle flushed at his words. They made her feel silly for asking. "Because she doesn't want to be here. Why won't you let her leave, Rumpel?"
"I was already interrogated by Milah. I don't need to be interrogated by you as well."
Belle flushed even more, though concern marred her features. "What's the matter?'
Rumpel paused at her concern. Despite snapping at her, she still felt concern for him. He really didn't understand this girl. It was at this time he looked over at Nova, who was pretending not to listen. "Get out," he snapped at the fairy.
She jumped, wings fluttering. Belle spoke, "She doesn't need to leave."
"Yes, she does. It's my castle, little maid. I make the rules. I want her gone."
Belle looked over helplessly at Nova. The fairy shrugged. "It's all right. I can come back."
"All right," Belle said, squeezing the fairy's hand.
Rumpelstiltskin rolled his eyes at their antics.
Nova shrunk to her small size and flew away, Rumpelstiltskin breathing a sigh of relief once she was gone.
"What's going on?" Belle asked, looking at him with so much concern that it caused him pain.
"Leave it alone, dearie." He walked away from the window, going back to his meal.
But Belle couldn't leave well enough alone.
She squared her shoulders, left the grand hall, grabbed a cloak, and marched outside to see Milah.
"Belle," the older woman breathed out in surprise and happiness.
"Milah, what are you doing here? Rumpelstiltskin won't tell me."
Milah grimaced, wrapping her arms around herself from the cold. "He brought me back." She shook her head sadly. "I knew I couldn't leave. It was a fool's fantasy."
"Milah, you're shivering." Belle lifted off her cloak. "Have it," she said, handing the piece of fabric over.
"I couldn't-"
"Nonsense, Milah. Take it. I'll be fine."
Milah reluctantly took the cloak, breathing a sigh of relief when it was around her shoulders.
"Now tell me," Belle said, "what happened between you and Rumpelstiltskin?"
Milah sighed, then froze when she saw the topic of conversation approaching.
"Belle!" snapped Rumpelstiltskin. "Get back inside."
"No. I want to know what's happening." Belle turned to face Rumpel, squaring her shoulders. "You keep so much from me. I ... understand why. I'm only your maid after all, but after all the sacrifices I have made to keep my family safe, I deserve answers. Now, tell me why you won't let Milah go. Can't you see how badly she wants her freedom?"
Rumpelstiltskin glared at Belle for a moment, but the young woman didn't shrink back. He didn't want her to know the kind of man he was ... is. He didn't want to admit to binding his and Milah's marriage contract with magic, after she found out their son was dead. He had acted rashly and angrily, but his pride was too much. He didn't want to voice his past mistakes to the woman who was the only good thing in his life.
Belle lifted her chin obstinately when Rumpelstiltskin continued to glare.
"Husband," Milah said, softly. That word broke him.
He didn't know why, as he had no love lost for Milah. Maybe it was the remembrance of the past, all the time they had loved each other. Whatever the reason, he felt a little bit of his walls tumble down. He hated the feeling, but couldn't seem to stop it.
These women were making him way too soft, he thought to himself. He shook his head, glancing from his wife to his maid.
"I have made mistakes, Belle," he murmured. "Mistakes that are difficult to recount."
Milah drew in a breath. "You admit what you did to us was a mistake?"
Belle frowned, not understanding. "What happened?"
Rumpelstiltskin looked away from Milah, focusing on Belle instead. It was easier instead of confronting the woman whom he'd broken. "I told you my son died."
When Belle nodded in remembrance, he continued. "Milah had been taken by a neighboring king and, in the process of getting her back, I became ... this." He looked down at himself.
"You became the Dark One? How?"
Rumpel chuckled at her curiosity. "Story for another time, dearie. After I found Milah, she was angry and hurt. In the argument which ensued, I used magic to bind our marriage contract, so she couldn't leave me."
"Then how was able to leave the castle?" Belle's lips turned down in confusion.
Milah glanced up, wondering the same thing.
"It's not like she's bound to my side, little maid. She could leave the castle, but she couldn't get away from me. She was about to board a ship. If I hadn't come, my wife would have found out on her own that she couldn't leave. Our contract binds her to the lands that I live on. I just prevented her from finding out herself."
Milah hung her head. "So, my leaving did no good? I really can never get away from you?"
"That's correct, dear wife. Don't be so sad. You did love me once."
Milah snorted. "Not anymore. That's what matters."
Rumpelstiltskin rolled his eyes. "And now she's being melodramatic," he muttered to Belle.
Belle's eyes widened at his words. "She's hurt, Rumpelstiltskin. Your wife. Let her go."
"You think you can make demands of me, little maid? Need I remind you, you're my maid?"
Belle rolled her eyes. "Stop glaring at me, Rumpelstiltskin. You don't scare me. If you ever cared for Milah, you would set her free. Stop being a monster, and start being the man that she fell in love with."
Those words drew the Dark One up short. Stop being a monster.
You are a monster, he thought to himself. And now, even Belle thought so.
He grimaced, trying not to snap at the girl. He was filled with self-loathing, and didn't need to ruin the one good thing in his life with barbed words.
Rumpelstiltskin looked at Milah, her head still hanging low from pain and sorrow. He glanced at Belle, seeing concern for Milah and himself written on her face.
She nodded a little at him, encouraging him to make the right choice.
He knew what the right choice was.
"Belle, go back inside," he said, sternly.
Her mouth dropped open. "But-"
"Now," he demanded. "I have to speak to Milah. I don't want you here."
Belle looked between the husband and wife, finally nodding.
"Here," Milah handed over Belle's cloak. She gave Milah a sympathetic smile, took the cloak, and walked away.
Milah shook her head. "You don't want her to see you as a monster, do you?"
"What do you mean, wife?"
Milah looked at her husband with pity. "I know you, Rumpelstiltskin. I've seen the man and the monster. I've known them both, very well. You hate that you can't be what she needs."
Rumpelstiltskin sneered. "Be careful, dearie. You don't want to say something you'll regret."
Milah barked out a laugh. "What can I say? You're not going to kill me. The contract prevents you from doing that. I already have your hate. I'm not going to lose anything. You love her, Rumpelstiltskin, and you feel guilty about it."
He grimaced. "I don't love her." He could feel a swarm of emotion, good and bad, light and dark, invade his body. He was coming to a standstill.
"You're lying," she snapped back. "You remember what it's like to love, when you loved me. How you would have sacrificed your entire self for me once. You love her, and you know you can't keep her here. You're just too afraid to make that sacrifice. You are a coward."
"I am not, dearie," he growled. "I'll prove it to you. I'll set you free."
Milah's eyes widened. "What? Now you're the one lying."
He shook his head. "If I'll have to prove it to you, that I'm not a monster, I'll let you go."
Milah shook her head. "It can't be that easy."
"Why are you fighting this, dearie? I'm giving you your freedom."
"With a price, am I correct?'
He paused, drawn up short again. He drew himself up close to Milah, invading her personal space to look her directly in the eye.
The tangle of emotion was too much. He couldn't deny Milah's words. He knew the truth, and it terrified him. He couldn't help his love for Belle, but his love for Belle was something he wanted to keep hidden. He needed to prove to Milah that she was wrong about him, about him demanding a price to be paid. He couldn't be confronted any longer about his emotion. Those fucking emotions that were causing him to feel unhinged.
In that moment, he thought of their marriage contract, the piece of paper glowing with magic. He needed to prove to her that he wasn't a coward too afraid to make sacrifices.
He also knew if he kept Milah any longer, Belle would start to see him as a monster. A beast.
"No price, Milah," he whispered, looking at her steadily. "You're free."
He could see in his mind, the marriage contract, slowly going back to normal. It lost the magic attached to it. It was just a piece of paper now.
Milah gasped, beginning to cry, as if she could feel the weight of magic lift. "Thank you."
He backed away, rolling his eyes. "No need to be sentimental, dearie. Go find that pirate of yours, if he isn't dead already. Here." He tossed her something. She caught it.
Milah gasped again, and dropped the hand to the ground. "Killian's hand?"
Rumpelstiltskin shrugged. "He might as well have it back. I have no need for it."
Milah hesitantly picked it up, wrapping it up in the cloak. She looked back at her now ex-husband and nodded. "Goodbye, Rumpelstiltskin. Be careful with that girl. If you truly are not a coward, than you'll set her free eventually."
With those words Milah walked away, not once looking back.
After the intense encounter with Milah, Rumpelstiltskin went to work in his laboratory. He had plucked two hairs, one from Charming's cloak, the other from Snow's necklace. He was making a potion, one of true love. He felt it would come in handy one day.
He thought of Charming and Snow, how they rescued one another and didn't hesitate. How Snow White said love meant making sacrifices.
He wasn't a coward, he thought bitterly to himself. He let Milah go, but he knew the one person that would really determine if he was a coward or not.
And he didn't want to lose her.
He sighed, rolling his eyes. Life had been so much easier before all these women came along and started creating havoc for him.
The sound of running feet could be heard, coming up the stairs. Rumpelstiltskin looked up, surprised.
Regina and Belle came bursting into the room, Regina's eyes frantic.
"You just couldn't stay away, could you?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, putting down the potion.
"I don't have time for that right now, Rumpelstiltskin. I need to warn you," Regina panted, trying to catch her breath. "My mother is planning something. I don't know what, but she wants revenge on you." Regina glanced uneasily at Belle. "And I would imagine Belle as well."
Rumpelstiltskin just stared at her, disbelief on his face. Finally, he shrugged off Regina's claims. "Cora can't come here. I put up a protection spell, preventing her from entering. And Belle has the amulet I made for her. You saw that Cora couldn't hurt her," he smirked, "and she can't hurt me."
Regina shook her head, running up to him, and smacking her hands on the table. "You don't understand. My mother once told me about a certain type of magic she had been practicing. It's different from yours, Dark One. Cora came to me, trying to get me to help her take you down. If my mother wants revenge, she'll get it. Before, when she attacked you, she was upset, but now, she's angry."
Rumpelstiltskin eyed her, trying to determine the seriousness of Regina's claims. "Why would you come to warn me?"
Regina frowned. "Because I hate my mother more. I don't want her to win."
"So, say Cora is planning revenge-"
"She is," Regina cut in.
Rumpel pointed a finger at her. "Right. So Cora is planning revenge," he rolled his eyes, "there is nothing I can do about it."
Regina shook her head. "What do you mean? You're just going to sit back and do nothing!?"
Rumpelstiltskin shrugged. "Yes, dearie. I am. Until I know what Cora's supposedly 'different type of magic' is, I won't be able to stop her."
Regina ground her teeth at his use of air quotes. "I can't believe this. You're the Dark One. Do something!"
He smiled, devilishly. Regina stepped back at the expression on his face. "It's easier, young Regina, to let the fight come to you. I have the home advantage, dearie. If your mother comes, I'll be ready, no doubt."
Regina sighed, shaking her head. "I can't believe this," she muttered again. "All right. You win. You'll do nothing. In the meantime, I'm going to do something."
"Regina, what do you mean?" Belle asked.
"If Rumpelstiltskin won't stop my mother, I will."
The Dark One held up a finger. "I wouldn't advise that, dearie. You're acting rashly."
"No, I'm acting productively." Regina turned to Belle. "It's good to see you again. I'll make sure my mother doesn't hurt you."
Belle nodded her thanks. "Be careful." She gave her friend a hug. "Listen to Rumpelstiltskin, though," she murmured into Regina's ear. "Don't act too rashly, all right?" They pulled back from the hug.
Regina nodded. "I'll try." She glared at Rumpelstiltskin, still not believing his passive behavior, and left, leaving behind Belle and the Dark One.
The following day, neither Belle nor Rumpel had seen Zelena. Belle wondered if the girl was sick. Rumpel just assumed she was having a pity party for whatever reason and refused to leave her room.
Neither one was too concerned though, as they each had other thoughts on their minds.
Rumpelstiltskin was sitting at the dining table, watching Belle dust down a cabinet.
He couldn't stop thinking about Milah's words. He didn't want to be a coward. He also couldn't stop thinking about Cora hurting her. He couldn't bear the thought of Belle being hurt.
He glanced at his spinning wheel, an idea forming in his mind.
He wasn't a coward.
"Belle," he called her over. She set down the feather duster, wiping her hands on her dress, and walked over to the table.
"Yes?"
He took a breath, pointing at the empty basket lying next to his spinning wheel. "I need you to go into town and get me more straw."
Belle paused, not expecting those words. "You want me to leave?" she asked, haltingly.
"No, I want you to get me more straw."
Belle's head was filled with too many thoughts. "Aren't you afraid I won't return?"
Rumpel eyed her, leaning back in his chair. He spoke softly, "Oh, I expect I'll never see you again."
Belle, in that moment, felt like crying. She didn't know why, she just did. She wanted her freedom, so badly. She missed the outside world, her papa, but when she looked at Rumpelstiltskin, knowing how much she missed him when he was away, she knew in her heart that she loved him. Maybe it wasn't rational, but she did. She wanted to leave the castle, but she didn't want to leave him.
"Do you want me to go?" Belle asked, quietly.
He furrowed his brow. "No, I don't." It was one of the most truthful things he had ever said to her.
"Rumpelstiltskin, I-," she cut off. He raised an eyebrow. I love you, she wanted to say, but she didn't.
Instead, she began to feel frustrated.
"What is it, Belle?"
She shook her head. "Why do you want me to go? Tell me the truth."
But, of course, he didn't. "I told you, little maid. I need straw."
"That's not the reason, is it?" She asked, clenching her fists. She felt like pushing him, seeing something akin to pain on his face. She needed to know more of his emotions, for her own sanity. She needed to know him.
He stood up, clenching his jaw. "I need you to get more straw," he repeated.
Belle continued to shake her head. "That's not it, Rumpel. If it was, then why do you look so pained?"
"Stop pushing, little maid."
"Tell me," Belle demanded. She didn't know where this frustration was coming from, but if he wanted her to leave, she needed answers.
"I said stop, dearie," he growled. He was trying to do the right thing, and she was making it too difficult. He couldn't voice the truth. It would become too real then.
"No. I won't stop. Tell me why you want me to go."
The ugly emotion he had kept back, finally exploded.
"Because I don't want you here!" he snapped.
"What?" Belle asked, quietly, her face going white.
He laughed, bitterly. "What, did you think I cared for, dearie? I'm tired of your presence here. Go home to your father, for all I care." He hated those words. Hated them passing his lips. But he still couldn't admit to the truth.
"Rumpel, why are you doing this? After how many times you saved me...I thought you at least cared."
He snorted. "You were acting delusional. Are acting delusional. I want you gone. Just leave." He was filled with self-loathing again. He hated himself, and his words.
Belle shook her head. "Fine. I'll go." She drew in a breath. "But just so you know, I was in love with you." She finally had the strength to say it.
He glanced up sharply at her words.
"I am in love with you. So you can just be alone now, with your hurtful words, the pain on your face," she nodded toward the tea set on the table, "and the little chipped cup that you never threw away. An empty heart and a chipped cup." She shook her head again at her words. "How poetic and tragic."
Belle went and grabbed her cloak, the only thing she'd brought with her to the castle, and left, trying not to let the tears spill over her lashes, lest he see.
Rumpelstiltskin sat down at the head of the table, his head in his hands.
He had tried to be a hero, letting Belle go, but instead became even more of a coward.
An empty heart and a chipped cup, she said.
It really was tragic.
Zelena had been in her room the entire time. She had been practicing the spells her mother provided at the end of the note. The spells were for Zelena to get better with the elemental magic her mother used. She was to join Cora whenever she sent another letter.
Zelena had been hesitant to help her mother get revenge on Rumpelstiltskin, since she still loved him, not that he noticed, she thought bitterly.
But her mother's approval meant more than Rumpelstiltskin's love, which he still denied her.
Zelena was going to be ready when her mother called. She'd have to be, otherwise her mother would probably hurt her.
She picked up the letter, scanning over the spells again. Zelena smiled when she had accomplished memorizing them.
She really would be ready, and her mother would get her revenge.
Whew! That was intense. Sorry about all the Rumbelle angst. They'll be reunited...eventually. Somehow. Someway. Mostly, if Rumpel can get off his ass and stop denying his feelings for her.
Upcoming: Regina confronts, Rumpel regrets, and Belle reflects.