Chapter 3

A Bargain Broken

The two sat uncomfortably opposite two beautiful girls for a few awkward moments. One was fairly tall and pale skinned, with hair that looked coal-black in the indoor lighting. The other was colossal in beauty. She had light brown hair and elegant facial features. Alice felt slightly uncomfortable in her presence. She watched her as her tinted lips started moving.

"I hear you're looking for Rumple?" Her voice chimed. Alice was breath taken at her accent. It was striking and immense.

"That is correct." Cyrus began and Alice snapped out of her dreary daze. "I'm aware we may look slightly foreign to you." He continued referencing their clothes. "We're from Wonderland, looking for a man that goes by the name of Rumplestiltskin in hopes of him breaking my curse."

"You're a genie." The other girl said. Cyrus withdrew a little and she smiled. "Call me red."

"I'm Cyrus and this is Alice." Alice nodded towards them as Cyrus spoke.

"Belle," She said and shook their hands. "I'm afraid Rumple isn't here right now." Alice and Cyrus exchanged a disappointed look. "However, there may be a way you can reach him. If you travelled here, surely you must be able to travel out? He's gone to Neverland." She shuddered slightly. The word sounding foreign as is rolled off her tongue.

"Another realm, how many are there?" Alice asked in astonishment.

"You see, we were only granted one journey. One portal to bring us here and the same portal to take us back to Wonderland."

"Then I'm sorry, you've had a wasted journey." Belle finished and began to stand and as she did so Cyrus did too. Alice still sitting watched him as he watched Belle begin to walk away. The frustration was radiating on his visage.

"We can't be of any further help to you." Red added. "However, you know his name but do you know what you're looking for?"

"No I can't say we do. All we were given was a name." Cyrus gestured with his hands.

"The name of the man you seek is Rumplestiltskin. In other worlds he is known as the dark one. He is a man never to be trifled with. It is very hard to bring a bargain to the table with him. He can be very impatient and hardly ever makes bargains with strangers. He has long brown hair, brown eyes and a gentle face." Belle laid the speech out like cards on a table.

"A little heavy on description… is he really that bad?" Alice enquired.

"My Rumple? No. A dark Rumple… I scarce imagine." Belle said cocking her head slightly to the right hand side and Alice gulped. The chime from the door opening echoed around the room. Belle glanced and moved a few steps back. Trying to comprehend what she was seeing.

"I don't understand. Why would the white rabbit send us after such a man?" Alice turned to Cyrus, but he wasn't paying attention either.

"I don't know, but I think it's time we asked him." He nodded to the doorway and to Alice's surprise there the White Rabbit stood, watch in hand, in the doorway.

Belle and Red were taken slightly aback at the sight of a walking and talking rabbit. Red was more shocked at the fact he was walking on his back legs as if he were a human. Belle admired the brightness of his fur and the twitching of his ears. The two sat quietly and let the events play out before them.

"What is this rabbit? Why did you send us on this never ending journey?" Alice enquired her tone annoyed.

"You see, the red queen has eyes and ears everywhere. In this realm she has no power. In this realm I am free to speak back in Wonderland I was contracted and bound by my word."

"I don't understand." Cyrus said, his eyebrows knitted together neatly. The creases on his forehead formed slight rolls.

"The Red Queen is the one who sent me to you with that bargain. She instructed me to tell you of such a man. However, she voiced the terms not me. She promised you a journey here and a journey back. I," He added emphasis on the 'I', "am willing to bargain more."

"Go on." Alice ushered.

"If you can get me my freedom as well as your own, I will promise you a portal of your wishing."

"You want us to take you with us?" She asked surprised.

"No, I'll take you where you want to go. However, the condition is that on your journey you gain me my freedom as well as your own."

"And how do you propose we do that?" Cyrus asked.

"The same way you're getting your freedom." The Rabbit continued and Cyrus nodded.

"It sounds fair to me." Cyrus shrugged.

"You speak of portals and magic like it's free. With all magic comes a price." Belle interrupted.

"With most yes, but with me… I can open up portals whenever I will."

"Then I have a deal for you." Belle began. "You give them their portal anyway… and when you get to Neverland and find Rumple, offer him, as well as yourselves, a portal back. In return, Rumple will give you all your freedom from the Red Queen and your curse."

"You can guarantee this?" Cyrus asked. Belle glanced from Cyrus to the White Rabbit.

"Actually, I can give you my promise and my word as my bond. Rumple will do almost anything for me." Belle gestured. "Whereas, you two can attempt to find a release for rabbit, I can promise him one, you too." She looked at Cyrus. "Just bring my Rumple back with you."

"It's a deal then. Rabbit, you take us to Neverland and we'll find and bring this Rumplestiltskin back with us. Then we will get our freedom." Cyrus said and Alice nodded, slightly pursing her lips.

"As of this moment I can't step foot back in Wonderland. I have broken my contract with the Red Queen. The consequences I face are punishable by death." The Rabbit said. Alice heard the fear in his voice.

"Well then… are we all agreed?" Belle asked and the five of them nodded.

"That's in then," Alice said almost eager to get out. She picked up her bag and heaved it onto her shoulder. "Rabbit open your portal."