Rumplestiltskin lept off the table and ran to the window. He looked out, but saw nothing. There was still time. Belle, still on the table, a shocked look on her face, sat up abruptly.
"What? Who's coming?" she asked, alarmed. There was a definite sense of urgency spreading throughout the room. She slid off the table and moved toward him quickly, reaching out to grab his arm. He whipped around, his eyes flashing.
"Get to your room. Now." He ordered, his eyes scanning the room.
"What's happened?" she said, becoming very scared at the way he looked about. His eyes were blacker than deep space, a color she had never seen before; they were downright savage.
"I said go to your room." he snarled. His voice had changed, becoming rougher than she had ever heard. It was without its usual air of swagger and confidence. His voice was the sound of danger. Belle backed away from him. She was frightened, worried, and curious all at once. Who was here? Why had he become so…beastly so quickly? She normally would argue and question his motives, but it did not seem to be the time. She turned and bolted from the room, nearly tripping as she sprinted up the stairs. She threw open the door to her bedroom and shut it quickly behind her. Her back to the door, she slid to the floor, her chest heaving. Belle tried to catch her breath as she pulled herself up.
Suddenly, the sound of marching and heavy footsteps seemed to surround the Dark Castle. She ran to the window and opened it, sticking her head outside in hopes of laying eyes on the source of the sound. There it was. Thundering up the path was an army, an enormous army, flying the flags of her village and her father's coat of arms.
"No." she whispered breathlessly. She watched as they came closer, some on horseback, most on foot, wielding swords and heavy shields. They had come for her. It had been a little over a month since she had been home and had seen her father. He must have been using that time to plan and plot his "rescue" of her from Rumplestiltskin. Well, she needed no rescuing, that was for sure. She could protect herself from anybody she wanted, and she didn't exactly need protection from Rumplestiltskin.
Rumplestiltskin, where was he right now? If she was holed up in her room, what was he doing right now? "Go to your room." His words echoed in Belle's head. Well, she was there now…he didn't say to stay there. She moved quickly to the door, twisting the knob to open it, but was met with only frustration when her attempts to open the door proved futile. He locked her in. Damn sorcerer, she thought to herself. Her only source of information at this point was what was happening outside. She dashed to the window, peering down at the army of her village as they drew nearer.
Belle could see Rumplestiltskin at the entrance to the Dark Castle, walking toward the army in large strides. He stopped walking when they were within a hundred feet of him, holding his ground like a stone.
"RUMPLESTILTSKIN!" Belle screamed, wishing she could be there next to him. Whatever he was doing, she wished she could be at his side to help. She watched as he crouched and placed his palms on the ground. He bowed his head near to the ground, as if in prayer, and remained in this position for a good twenty seconds. What was he doing? The soldiers were getting closer and closer; they would not hesitate to behead him right then and there if he remained in such a stance.
Suddenly, he straightened up. Still on his knees, he stretched his arms wide like wings and Belle watched as great silver lights similar to the rays of the sun poured forth from his long fingers and extended thousands of feet lateral to his body. The light rose up, shooting past Belle's face and blowing her backward onto her bedroom floor. She quickly crawled back to the window and watched as the silver light enveloped all of the Dark Castle like an enormous bubble. She looked back to Rumplestiltskin, who had risen to his feet and was still holding his arms out next to him. He turned to the castle, to Belle. She could see the strain that this magic was putting on him; it was written all over his face. His teeth were clenched, his brows were furrowed in deep concentration, but what caught Belle's attention were his eyes. Their usual dark tint had completely changed; instead of black, his eyes were white, as if his irises had been swallowed.
The army had reached the edge of the force field and stopped.
"I thought you said it was here." A soldier at the front said, looking right through the silver cloud.
"It is! Or…was?" the soldier next to him snapped, removing his helmet. He was standing about a foot from Rumplestiltskin, who stood as still as a statue. Belle's father rode up to the front to assess the situation for himself. Belle saw the look of enraged confusion cross his face.
"What the hell is this? Where is the Dark Castle?" He bellowed. He grabbed the chest plate of the first soldier who had spoken and shook him violently. "WHERE IS BELLE?" He threw the soldier to the ground.
"I-I-I don't know sir, I rode here days ago and I saw the castle…and now it's….gone." the soldier stuttered, crawling away from Maurice, who advanced on him like a hungry wolf.
"You WILL find the Dark Castle, you WILL find Belle, and you WILL KILL RUMPLESTILTSKIN," he turned back to the rest of the army, "DO YOU ALL UNDERSTAND ME?" He yelled. The soldiers cried back in response.
"You're safe for now, Rumplestiltskin! But make no mistake, we will return!" Maurice shouted, "Men, home!" He cried, turning and riding back through the crowd of soldiers, leading them back to the village. It took a good five minutes until they disappeared from view. After the last soldier was no longer in sight, Rumplestiltskin collapsed to his knees, his hands on the ground, breathing heavily. Belle heard the click of the door behind her. Within seconds, she had sprinted down the stairs and out to the main pathway leading into the castle. She fell to his side, her arms embracing him fully in attempts to shield him. From what, she did not know; she just wanted him to feel safe in her arms.
"That was extraordinary, Rumplestiltskin. Truly." She said, putting her hand under his chin and lifting it gingerly. His skin was glistening like diamonds from sweat and he was panting like a mad dog in the summer heat.
"Th-thank you, I…I just was…was…" he said, his voice and energy fading. Belle took his arm and put it over her shoulder, pulling him up with all of her strength.
"I understand. Don't tire yourself further…let's get you inside." She said softly. His eyes were nearly shut and he looked exhausted. Belle pressed her lips to his cheek.
The corners of his mouth turned up as she carried him back into the Dark Castle.