Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. Enjoy the chapter anyway!
It was all over.
That was all that was going through King Maurice's head. Avonlea had fallen, actually fallen, and the ogres will soon be upon them. They would all be dead come morning, that is assuming they didn't make a run for it. But even if they did run, his kingdom would be gone. His people slaughtered by those monsters, women and children alike.
And Belle, Maurice thought, what would happen with Belle? If he let her out of her tower than the truth would be revealed and the magical barrier protecting her from sight would be broken. Belle was too headstrong, he knew giving her those damned books would come to haunt him in the end! She would try to leave and Maurice no longer had any power to make her stay. Or horrible yet, her power would fall into the hands of another, namely the Evil Queen or worse the Dark One who was known to collect all types of rare and powerful magic.
And Maurice would rather kill Belle than have her power in the hands of anyone else other than him, especially the demon called The Dark One.
"If only he had come." His son Gaston said, his tone mournful.
King Maurice shuttered at the mere mention of the demon and felt fury come upon him at how low he actually sunk as to call The Dark One for help. The very one he desired away from his kingdom he was forced to called upon out of desperation.
And he didn't even come, the bastard!
"Well he didn't, did he!?" King Maurice snapped, slamming his fist in his war room table in a show of anger. "We must simply find another way to defeat them!"
But there was no other way, King Maurice knew that very well. The Dark One was the only one powerful enough to stop them that wouldn't try to take his kingdom or worse.
But now there was truly no hope. The Ogres weren't like men, they were...unstoppable.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Maurice jumped at the loud noise that echoed throughout his war chamber and turned to his son in shock who quickly had his sword out.
"It has to be him father!" His son Gaston said to him, excitement and fear in his voice as he commanded the guards to open the doors. His men quickly rushed to obey his son's orders. The double doors were opened to reveal-
No one. Not a single soul.
King Maurice and the others stared in confusion at the empty hallway until they heard a giggling voice behind them.
"Well that was a bit of a let down."
King Maurice knew The Dark One's voice oh so well, no man could ever forget it. He turned and there he was, sitting upon his throne as if he were king, just as beastly looking as ever.
"You sent me a message?" The Dark One's voice was high and mocking. "Something about um 'Help! Help! We're dying! Can you save us?'"
King Maurice felt his face turn red with rage and shame but he dared not speak his mind to the demon. Even the Evil Queen feared The Dark One as he was that powerful, there was no one in any kingdom who could match him, not even the fairies. He radiated power and King Maurice was practically choking on the dark magic that filled the air.
The Dark One slid off his throne and walked slowly towards him.
"Well the answer is yes," The demon swatted away Gaston's sword as if it were a mere fly. "I can. Yes I can protect your little town. For a price."
"We sent you a promise of gold!" His son Gaston protested.
"Ah now you see I ah make gold. What I want is something a bit more special."
His demonic amber eyes flickered to where a portrait of his two daughters hung and then narrowed on Maurice's ice blue ones. And suddenly King Maurice knew what he was going to say before The Dark One even said it.
"My price is your eldest daughter as my bride."
As soon as the words were out of the demon's mouth, King Maurice could hardly believe his luck. His daughter Princess Lana was twenty-three and barren, her former husband of seven years having anulled the marriage a few months ago once that fact was realized. He was relieved to be free from such a disgraceful burden even it was to such a demon as the Dark One. After all, it wasn't as if she'd be birthing his monsters anytime soon, no amount of magic could heal her womb he was told.
And even if she did somehow manage to get pregnant, knowing Lana, she'd fling herself from the highest tower of the Dark Castle.
Problem solved.
King Maurice didn't even hesitate in his reply. He quickly agreed.
The demon giggled and snapped his fingers, a contract appearing in his hands which King Maurice quickly briefed over and signed. Though King Maurice need not worry about The Dark One tricking him out of his kingdom, that was the only thing that was good about him. He said his price and that was that.
And the deal was never to be broken. Ever. No one broke a deal with Rumpletilskin, be it King or peasant, and lived to tell the tale.
Once the deal was set King Maurice felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders.
Avonlea was safe. Belle and her secret would be his until the end of his days which, considering what her secret was, would be forever.
"I'll come for my bride tomorrow at midnight, be sure she's ready." The Dark One told him as strode towards the double doors. "Until then the deal has been struck, the Ogres will no longer plague you. But remember go back on your word and death by ogres will be merciful compared to what I'll do to this kingdom."
His voice was low and threatening, his demonic amber eyes full of dark promise as he vanished in a puff of red smoke from his war room. A shudder went through Maurice as he thought of the horrors The Dark One inflicted on those who cheated him.
And now King Maurice was one of those people (Though thankfully the Dark One knew not) because Lana was not his eldest daughter.
Belle was.
Author's Note: Reviews please!