Chapter Six~

That morning while Fayetta was out in the forest she heard a strange sound and froze, scanning the area for the sound and threat. When she heard it again louder this time, Aria picked up a large rock and went to throw it only she came face to face with a bow and arrow aimed at her. Behind the arrow was a woman with long black hair wearing a green colored cape who looked surprised upon seeing who it was.

"Uh, hi?" Fayetta said lowering her rock as the woman lowered her bow and arrow asking,

"Who are you?"

"My name's Fayetta, and I'll leave you alone if you don't shoot me." this caused the woman to laugh as she said,

"I won't shoot you, you just startled me that's all. My names Snow—Snow White." hearing this Fayetta smiled saying,

"I've heard about you, got on the Evil Queen's 'hate everyone's' list." rolling her eyes at this, Snow nodded before asking Fayetta,

"What are you doing out here?"

"I live nearby and I was heading to the nearby village to buy food." Snow shook her head sadly telling her,

"Don't bother, raiders attacked the village a few days ago. I stumbled upon the village traveling here in search of food myself." gasping in surprise, Fayetta felt horrible as she saw the hunger in the woman's eyes before saying,

"Come on, I still have some winter rations left." Snow was about to object but Fayetta had already taken her hand and was pulling her along towards her cottage. This made Snow laugh as the two walked along so that upon reaching her cottage Snow told her,

"Thank you." once inside Snow sat down on the chair as Fayetta moved aside two floorboards taking out a few jars and after putting the floorboards back set the jars down on the table.

"We shall have a feast! To new friends!" Fayetta said with a grin so that Snow laughed brightly as she echoed,

"To new friends!" then the two ate what was left of the rations and talked about themselves, sharing laughs and jokes. When it was nearly nightfall Snow stood to leave so that Fayetta walked with her to the door.

"It was nice to meet you Snow White." she said as the two exchanged a hug before Snow told her,

"And it was nice to meet you to Fayetta." before she left the cottage and took off into the night so that Fayetta went to her glen. Finding it empty, she remembered what Rumple had said and exhaled lying on the grass figuring he wasn't about to come. When she heard footsteps she looked up to see the black wolf pup trotting over causing her to smile and say,

"Hello again you." as the pup sat down it was at that moment when she heard a gruff man's voice say,

"What a pretty pelt I'll be getting myself." turning around she found a hunter with a straggly beard, wild eyes and a crossbow pointed at the two of them.

"And what a lovely young thing too." he said licking his lips while eyeing Fayetta up and down so that in that moment the wolf began growling deep in his throat. Laughing madly, the hunter said,

"What a stupid thing growling at me! He'll die first so you can watch lovely!" at that moment Fayetta jumped and ran for it with the wolf pup on her heels—and the hunter too. Sprinting into the trees, she raced through the night trying to escape the crazed man behind her as the wolf howled loud and long while running. Hearing this she went to look at him causing her to trip on her feet, slamming onto the ground before turning to look up at the man looming over her.

"What a catch, what a lovely catch indeed." the man grinned showing yellow rotting teeth with a few missing as he moved towards her only he was thrown back by some strange force so that he hit a tree. With the crossbow now feet from his reach, the hunter was panting as a familiar figure appeared before him lifting him up by his neck so that his feet were dangling in the air.

"If ye ever, ever try and hurt what's mine—I'll set you ablaze. Understand?" Rumple said in a low deep dark growl so that the man nodded before Rumple dropped him. Falling to the ground, the hunter watched as Rumple turned to look at Fayetta who was staring in horror before she screamed. The hunter had somehow grabbed his crossbow and had fired an arrow at Rumple who turned instantly making the arrow vanish before in his hand he summoned a ball of fire. Seeing that Fayetta watched as he threw it at the hunter then covered her eyes as the man exploded. Sobbing out of fright, she was shaking all over as she felt arms lift her up and hold her so that she curled into a chest. It wasn't until she was set down in a familiar location, her cottage, that Fayetta look up at Rumple who had no expression on his face.

"Thank you, for saving me. I thought—" she began before a sob escaped her so that he hushed her softly tucking some of her pale sunshine hair behind her ear before moving to leave. Only she took his hand in hers stopping him as she asked,

"How did you find me?"

"The wolf, I put an enchantment spell that I would know where ye are if he did." Rumple replied simply so that she blinked realizing that when the wolf howled he must have been calling Rumple for help! Still holding his hand, Fayetta intertwined her fingers with his saying,

"You didn't have to come save me."

"I know dearie, but I did." he said simply trying to ignore the feeling of her warmth seeping into his body.

"Why?" Fayetta whispered so that he turned to look at her again bending down before her looking in her eyes as he said,

"Because ye can't get rid of me so easily." smirking at him, Fayetta wrapped an arm around his neck to hug him as she breathed,

"Thank you, so much Rumple." when she pulled back she allowed herself to plant a gentle kiss on his lips before he pressed his forehead on hers. Noses touching, the two stayed in silence for a few moments before Rumple knew he had to leave since it was near morning. Pulling back he placed a kiss on her forehead before standing saying,

"Until next time my little fairy." as he headed for the door he paused to look over his shoulder as he added,

"And don't worry about ye rations." so that when he vanished out the door Fayetta felt her brow furrow before she went to check her stash. When she looked it was completely full including all her shelves, all with fresh jars and pots of food! Smiling brightly and laughing out loud, Fayetta looked over to the door before saying,

"Thank you again Rumple." the rest of the day she spent cleaning her clothes in the stream, cleaning her cottage before strolling through the forest a few hours before sunset. As she walked, Fayetta let her mind wander until she spotted beyond the horizon a large mighty castle where fireworks were lighting up the sky. Smiling at the display, she watched until they ended before starting on towards the glen so that when she reached it there was Rumple waiting for her.

"Thank you—for the food." she told him before he waved a hand dismissively as he said with a flippant voice,

"It was nothing, now I have a question for ye." raising an eyebrow at him, Fayetta watched as he walked around the glen with something on his mind as he asked,

"Have ye ever danced before?"

"What—like at a ball?" when he nodded she shook her head laughing as if it was a joke before suddenly she watched as his clothes changed from his leather outfit, to one you would see at a ball. Gasping, she stared at him as he said,

"Now ye shall." before he waved a hand so that looking down Fayetta watched her outfit of simple peasant clothing turn into a beautiful golden yellow ball gown! Startled, she looked back up at him as he held out his hand asking,

"May I have this dance?" grinning, Fayetta took his hand saying to him,

"Just know I might step on your toes a few times." causing him to wink at her before the two began to dance.