HAPPY SEASON FOUR GUYS! Love you all and enjoy!
Fairytale Land of the Past
"Up," he orders the blanket that is crumbled up on his bed. It barely moves. "Up," he commands again, lifting his hands even more. This one spell, this simple trick is so easy, and yet it is the hardest for him to master. He has created potions most wizards and warlocks could never master, enforced enchanting spells unlike anything anyone has ever seen, and even learned how to control that magic carpet, but a spell that requires barely any work for his teacher has him stumped. "Come on," he orders, getting frustrated. He doesn't want to be stuck making his bed every single morning when it would be so much easier to just 'magic' it made. "Up, damn it!" he yells, raising his arms angrily and sending the blanket spiraling towards him, engulfing him in a hug and making him lose his balance. Ah, damn.
He scrambles under it, trying to find a way out and see the light again. This was embarrassing beyond all levels. He still struggled when suddenly, the blanket, seemingly lifted itself off of him and landed neatly on his bed, perfectly made. "You have mastered the transportation spell without ending up in limbo, just the lake outside, made Kerko's Brew, and even mastered that wardrobe spell on your first try, yet you can't master a simple cleaning spell?" Rumple asked him as he stood in Todd's doorway.
The fourteen year old brushed himself off and stood up straight, trying not to make himself seem as un-magic savvy as possible. "Yeah, well, you make it sound like magic is easy." Rumple raised a brow as Todd sighed. "I'll get it right. I promise. Now, what is the deal? You never come up here unless it is important. Too many stairs." Rumple smiled and began to leave. "I have something for you. Come." Todd, a bit confused, followed his guardian down the stone stairs into the main hall. He has never really been treated to gifts, come to think of it, he never was treated to gifts. Not even on his birthday. Matter of fact, Rumple did not like to bother with Todd all that much on his birthday; he always locked himself up in his room, never speaking a word to anyone. Never leaving the castle. Not even spinning.
Curiosity strung his mind like a line of bells, ringing all the possibilities of what Rumple could possibly have for him and for what reason. He could never think like him, no matter how hard Todd tried. It was impossible to get inside his head or even have the slightest of what he was thinking. So, he thought it best to just roll with it, allowing whatever happens to happen.
"I was waiting until you were older and more responsible to handle this properly before I gave it to you," Rumple said. From off the table, he pulled a box, showing it to Todd. It was wrapped up tightly in brown paper, his name written in gold letters on top. "What is it?" Todd asked as Rumple handed him the box. "Well, I suppose you'll just have to open it and find out," Rumple responded. Todd felt dumb for just a moment before ripping the paper off of the box. "May I ask what is the occasion?" Todd questioned as he threw the paper to the floor and proceeding to pull off the lid. "Do you remember what happened ten years ago on this very day?" Rumple asked as he leaned into Todd's space. The boy shook his head, throwing the lid on the floor on top of the ripped up paper. "You came to make a home in my castle, the first time anyone ever wanted to stay here willingly. I never forgot that," Rumple explained and Todd's eyes widened in awe at the gift that rested within the box for him to take.
He pulled it out slowly, examining the fine stitching, but not finding it overly beautiful. "Wow," he mumbled, trying to hold back his disappointment. The stitching was lovely, the way it was made was such a rare design, but the cloak itself was horrid. A deep red color, equivalent to dried up blood, with a black floral pattern sewed in. The sleeves, hood and the other edges of the cloak were trimmed with black lace. "Stunning, Rumple, but I am afraid it just isn't my type. I am overly happy that you actually remembered this day because it jogged my own memory." Rumple laughed and took the box from Todd's hands, placing it on the table. He then took the cloak and held it open. "Just try it on. Trust me. It is your type."
Todd rolled his eyes before giving in, turning and slipping his arms through the sleeves. After he shrugged his shoulders to make sure it was suited well on him, he then turned to face Rumple, holding out his arms as if saying this-makes-no-difference with his body language. "Put up the hood," Rumple ordered and Todd obeyed, lifting the hood. He still held out his arms and then plopped them down. "Why don't you look at yourself in the mirror?" Rumple suggested, forming a mirror in his hands and holding it out for Todd to examine himself. There was a problem with that, however. Todd's reflection didn't appear in it at all.
He touched the mirror's glass with a gentle hand, trying to feel for any signs of cracks or enchantments. Nothing stood out to him, or it was under a rather good spell. "Rumple, I think your mirror is enchanted or sucks because I can't see a thing except the background," Todd explained, wondering if something was obstructing his own vision, waving his hand in his face. He could see it just fine. "Nothing wrong with the mirror, Todd," Rumple began, "but the cloak is enchanted. You're invisible."
His excitement grew as he tried to comprehend what it was that was happening to him. He was invisible? How so? "I am invisible?" he asked Rumple who nodded in response. "You can't see me?" Todd went on to ask and received the same exact answer. "This is a cloak of invisibility, isn't it?" Rumple's smile said it all as Todd spun around, having a new admiration for the cloak. "I am actually invisible! Oh, this is defiantly my type. Thank you, Rumple. Thank you!" He embraced his guardian, hugging him tightly. Rumple pulled the hood off of Todd's head so that he may see him and return the gesture. "Well, I am glad you like it. However, the cloak comes at a cost. You can't get something for nothing, you know?" Todd released Rumple from his tight embrace and folded his arms across his chest. "It is always deals with you. What do I need to do?"
"Simple, really. All I need you to do is go on a little field trip. I need you to kingdom hop for me. See which ones are in the most amount of danger with the ogres progressing, and report back to me," his guardian said. Todd tilted his head to one side, looking at Rumple strangely. "Why don't you just stop the Ogre Wars like you did the first time?" he questioned and Rumple smirked. "I will, just not yet. I have deals to make and the ogres are helping me to make them. Use the cloak and be careful wherever you go. Should you ever be in any kind of trouble, use the transportation spell and come back to me or call out my name. Try your best to stay hidden. That is why I am giving you the cloak. No one can know about you," Rumple explained and Todd grew even more curious.
"Please explain to me why it is I am to stay hidden. Why no one can ever know I am alive. Why you are keeping me a secret." He desired to know all those things and he had a right to know. He has been locked up in that tower for ten years, he wanted to know the reasoning behind it.
Rumple looked away for a moment, debating if he should explain himself or not. He took a deep breath before turning his attention back to Todd, grabbing his shoulders gently and looking into his eyes. "I know what a broken family does to people. I know what dark magic does to people. I make every detail and every deal with very good reason." Todd still wasn't catching on, unable to understand what Rumple was trying to explain. So he chose different words, making it clear, his intentions, to Todd. "I already lost one son, Todd...I don't want to lose another."
Tears pricked at Todd's eyes as he thought about the words Rumple had just said. 'I already lost one son, Todd...I don't want to lose another.' One son. Lose another. Son. "Y- you...you consider me...your son?" Rumple smiled and nodded, the look in his eyes saying it all. He was telling the truth. "I do, Todd." He lost it, tears streaming out of his eyes, letting them fall down his face. His father died in the Ogre Wars, his mother abandoning him, and now the Dark One considering him his child. It was not the father he always dreamed of, but at least he finally had one. A home.
He hugged Rumple tightly, crying into his chest, silently, just letting the tears fall and his eyes turn red. Rumple held him back, just as tightly, remembering back to the days of Baelfire, remembering what it was like to be a father. He missed the job, given to him by a blessing. It was the greatest job anyone could have ever asked for and he had no idea why he had waited so long to become one the first time and this time. He did miss Baelfire, overly, and he would not rest until he had him back, but while he was childless and while Todd was fatherless, he was overjoyed that he made the wise decision of becoming a father again.
"You promise to be careful?" he asked Todd, who chuckled and nodded. "You taught me well, Rumple. I think I can handle it. I'll set out tomorrow morning. I want to practice using the cloak today," Todd responded, pulling away from Rumple. The Dark One looked down upon the boy he has taken care of for ten years, reminiscing about when Todd first arrived; just a four year old boy making babbling noises and spilling milk every time he was given a glass. It was all worth it. Every second of every day. Every fever. Every fit. Every nightmare. Everything. It was all worth it. "You do that, Todd, and let me know how it goes. You sure you can handle this task? It is a rather big one." Todd swallowed hard, gulping down the tears of joy before nodding and speaking his plan. "Yes, I'm sure. Trust me, I can do this. I even know where I will stop first."
"Where?" Rumple asked, curious on what kingdom Todd had in mind.
"Avonlea," Todd said.
Fairytale Land of the Present
Lucinda was holding her breath as her father examined the page she was on, reading the contents and deciphering for himself if it was accurate or not. He chuckled to himself for a moment before shifting his eyes to Lucinda. "Maid Mary-Lu told me you were swearing, very angry with someone. Very angry. I ask you, dear Lucinda, was it this woman that you are so very angry with?" Rumple asked his daughter as he pointed to Cora's name in the book. She had been found out, so she gave a gentle sigh and set the book down on her lap.
"Yes, daddy. I called Cora a bitch," she admitted and he chuckled, not blaming her for doing so considering the past they shared and what Lucinda probably read already. "I remember telling your mother how Cora and I were...affiliated with each other. She didn't call her such a name, but I could see it in her eyes that she desperately wanted to." She got nervous, very nervous, but she just had to ask. Curiosity was a bitch. "Do you still have feelings for her, daddy?" He removed his eyes from the book and went back to his daughter before placing a gentle hand on her hair, stroking it lightly.
"What I had with Cora was complicated. Extremely complicated that even part of myself did not understand it. But if you are asking me, even before she tried to kill me, before she ripped out her own heart, if I was still on the terms I was with her as I was before then, but I met your mother, and fell as in love with her as I am now, who I would choose...it would always be your mother, Lucinda. I have never loved someone as much as I love your mother because no one has ever loved me as much as your mother does. If I had the choice, I would do it all over again."
That soothed some fear she held, making it not as known as it was before. "But you still have feeling for her, don't you?" she pressed on. Her father sighed and lolled his head. "The problem with me, sweetheart, is when I love someone I love them too much for my own good. Cora will always have a tender spot in me, but she tried to kill me. Your mother never did that, no matter how angry she was with me."
"I don't know, daddy, she came pretty close when you were discussing giving me my sword for my birthday," Lucinda pointed out. He chuckled and nodded, but rolled his eyes. "Please, that was nothing compared to me telling her that my dagger that I gave her originally was a fake." Lucinda flinched as if she had been slapped. "Oh, low blow, daddy. You should have just given her the real one." He shrugged and even started to really laugh about it. "I had a great amount of trust and magic issues back then. Plus, I held a lot of grudges. I also lied to her about not taking care of someone," he said, trying to hide the fact that he actually killed a few people back in his day. Lucinda rolled her eyes and turned back a few pages, back to where her father first got his powers and butchered the Duke's men. "Daddy," she said, showing him the page. "I kind of figured you killed a few people back in your day." He was shocked to see she was so open about it, but at least she was hiding no secretes. "People in this book are very hard to cover up. Seems like everyone is in here." Lucinda shrugged and began to flip back to her page. "But I am sure they left one or two characters out," she commented as she looked for her page. "Thank goodness for that," Rumple mumbled under his breath.
"Where did you get it anyway?" he asked as Lucinda bookmarked her page by bending the corner and closing it in her lap. "I don't want to tell you. That person does not deserve to feel your wrath. I'm sorry I went behind your back, I really am, but you and mom never told me anything. I had to figure everything out for myself. I got sick of it. I thought I deserved to know." Rumple nodded, breathing in deeply before accepting his own wrong doing. "Yes, I know, Cinda. You did deserve to know everything and we should have told you everything. Your mother and I were just trying to protect you, but now we see that we are the only ones you needed protecting from."
"That's not true, daddy. Your best interest was always in mind, never anything else. I know why you kept the past hidden from me, I do, but I had to know."
"I know, Lucinda. I know. Which is why I am going to let you continue to read the book, and if you have any questions, you can come to me or your mother and ask away."
She looked up to him in shock, expecting him to be a lot more furiated with her than what he appeared to be, but then again, she guessed that was for the better. She didn't want her father to be mad at her for simply trying to find out more about herself and her family. He had accepted that, allowing her to explore her history and discover for herself what it was like for everything to become the way it is. He settled for her honesty and curiosity. "Really?" she had to make sure.
"Really, Lucinda. So long as we no longer keep secrets from each other," he said. She nodded and stuck out her hand, offering her father a shake.
"You have to make a deal," she said and he smiled at her dearly.
"We seal it our own way," he replied, leaning forward and placing a kiss on her forehead. "Deal," he said to her.
"Deal," she replied.
He leaned back on her bed, making himself comfortable, remembering he was still wearing the crown. He took it off and dropped it to the floor, letting it clatter against the tile as he finally had a moment to spare. A moment to relax. It seemed as though he had been working for the past three hundred years or so and now he finally got a break to spend some time with his daughter.
"So, what part in my story are you up to?" he asked and she pulled open to the page she was at with glee. "You are convincing Regina to use magic, willing to teach her. She is rather rel- wait a second...you said mom didn't try to kill you, but Cora did. Cora tried to kill you?" He shrugged his shoulders and opened the book wide enough for both of them to see. "Long story. We'll talk about it later," he said as he nudged Lucinda to start reading. She cleared her throat and began.
"Rumplestiltskin met Regina on the road she had been traveling..."
Fairytale Land of the Past
He snuck silently, trying not to make a peep as he went, sure to not step on any twigs that should be beneath his feet. He wanted to be silent. Disposing of yourself from other's vision was not enough. You needed to be as silent as a shadow for the full affect and that is what Todd was as he tip toed around the area in which Avonlea's castle stood.
He stood at the castle's large stone wall, about a hundred feet tall, unable to be climbed over. He glanced to its edge, the tip that would lead to the bridge, bringing him to the castle that was well guarded, obviously. They were in the middle of a war. He took a deep breath before flashing himself from one side to the other, landing still on the bridge and walking across the mote with ease. This was a breeze and he barely made any sound. No guard even so much as turned their head to catch a glimpse of him. He was in the safe zone with his tactics and spells. Once at the large wooden doors that were guarded by more men dressed in silver armor, Todd used the same spell, landing himself inside the castle, still hidden from view.
It was huge. That is an understatement. He walked further into the lobby, his footsteps making a slight echo so he was sure to just lightly walk on the balls of his feet, making no sound at all save for his light breathing. "I would get lost just looking for the bathroom," he muttered to himself as he walked on, examining all the pieces of art and all the stone structures that made up the place. Artifacts, but none as impressive as the ones his guardians had. They were far more valuable than these flimsy and replaceable specks they had decorating their walls. No matter.
Todd listened for voices and voices he heard. Frustration and anger lingered on in the voices he heard; wars were often difficult to deal with and Todd understood why one would sound as derailed as this man did. He listened closely, following it down the halls of the place, letting it echo, bounce off the walls and land in his ears. He walked slowly and smoothly, being sure no sound was made, looking over his shoulder constantly, having to be positive that no one was following him. That no one knew of his presence. Further on and on down the halls, paying close attention to the words that were being say, but it was hard to make out until he was right in front of the slightly opened door for him to hear.
The men stood around a table with different bits and pieces of small castles, toy knights and miniature ogres that were progressing towards the small castles rather quickly. How many more days would it take? Todd could guess less than a week. Rumple had taught him a lot about estimation and times of war. It was easy to see the losing and winning sides in everything, even if they themselves can't see it. Avonlea was going to fall, soon, surely, and Todd only knew of one solution to their problem, but dared not to suggest it now. Instead, he just listened.
"They are advancing, Your Majesty. They are getting closer by the moment," one man spoke to the only one wearing a crown on his head. He seemed older, stressed, losing youth. Todd paid closer attention, really absorbing all the information. "I know they are, the question is what is being done at the front lines. How many men have we lost?"
"At least two hundred, Your Majesty, but the numbers keep climbing. Soon, our entire army will perish."
"I will not have that happen."
Another man spoke up, but Todd could not see his face. "It only makes sense for us to surrender, Your Majesty, or at least ask one of our allies for aid and support."
"I already did. They are preparing themselves for this war shall the ogres progress and take over my kingdom. I can not let my people die because of me. Something must be done."
"Unless the ogres just die, Your Majesty, nothing we do will work. You can send as many men to the front lines as you want, but it will do no good. The kingdom will still fall."
"You don't think I know that? You don't think I am well aware that all of my people may die because these monsters decided to terrorize my kingdom-"
"Papa," a calm and peaceful voice soothed the growing ill tempered man. Even Todd found himself at ease. "Please," she begged. Todd looked further into the room, catching sight of a stunning young woman in a very fetching golden gown, book close to her chest and her brown hair done in splendid curls. "I know these are hard times. I know that you are angry, but right now we need a miracle. We need help."
Todd smiled before standing up and exiting the castle. "I can bring you your help," he whispered as he went to return home.
Fairytale Land of the Present
"She has the storybook?" Belle panicked as Rumple tried to sooth his wife. "Darling, please, try to understand. I don't think we should be upset that she has it, rather relieved. Now, at least, she can read everything, every detail so we don't leave stuff out." Belle paced the floor, wondering how she could accept this. She would discover every secret they ever kept from her, and for once Rumple was actually okay with that. It made no sense to her and she wasn't so sure she wanted her daughter to find out exactly how everything between her father and her mother went down. It was just too complex to explain.
"Rumple, what if she reads something out of context? What if she gets the wrong idea about something? I just don't want her getting hurt," Belle explained, taking a seat on the edge of their bed, white nightgown on and hair loose around her shoulders. I has been a stressful day and her exhaustion was clear on her face, but Belle fought every once of sleep to stay awake, too concerned about her daughter to go to sleep at such an hour. Rumple, on the other hand, found beauty in the way his wife looked even if she wasn't all dolled up and ready for the day.
"Sweetheart, I told her she could come to us with any questions she may have. Whether it would be past relationships, confrontations, choices, anything. No matter what it is, I told her that she can talk to us about it. Just today we spoke of Cora and your mother." She peeked up from her hands, looking to her husband with those big, beautiful, blue eyes of hers. "What part is she up to?" she asked and Rumple smiled sweetly at his wife, taking a seat on the bed next to her, grabbing her hand and squeezing it tightly. "Your last chance of making it through the Ogre Wars has just arrived at your castle," he whispered, placing a kiss on her cheek, drawing out of her a giggle. "My knight in shinning armor," she cooed, "come to rescue me from the beastly ogres." His kisses trailed to her jawline, making her cheeks turn as red as apples. "I wouldn't say-" he placed a kiss on her neck, "shinning armor," and another, "more like-" and another, "thick leather," and another, "but to save you..." and another, "no, sweetheart-" one more before he brought his lips to her's, mumbling against them. "You saved me." She breathed harshly, taking his face in her hands and pulling it to her's, kissing him passionately. "I love you," she whispered against his lips. He smiled as tears began to prick at his eyes. "I love you more," he replied before moving her to the center of the bed.
Fairytale Land of the Past
Todd came rushing back into the Dark Castle, racing towards the place he knew Rumple would be. He skidded into the room, stopping short, finding Rumple at his spinning wheel with gold come out and landing gracefully into the basket. "Avonlea," Todd shouted as he removed the hood from his cloak, removing his sword from his hip as well and placing it on the table. It was rather heavy and he was not used to carrying one around just yet. Rumple taught him how to use one, but never has Todd been given a reason to use it.
"Avonlea is in great danger. The ogres are progressing and fast. I say they have about a week before their kingdom falls completely. They are looking for someone to save them," Todd explained. His story caught Rumple's attention. He stopped spinning, thinking about what Todd just said. "Who is the King of Avonlea?" Rumple asked as he stood up from his stool, making his way towards the table, laying out a map of all the Enchanted Forest upon it. "Sir Maurice. Lady Colette died some years ago." They both surrounded the map like the men did inside Maurice's castle, except Rumple was looking for something more important than Ogre War strategies. "Did you see where the ogres were on the map?" he asked Todd, who nodded and pointed to a river that ran right through the center of the map, separating Avonlea from the outskirts, where the ogres came from. "They made it up to the river in three days," Todd said with disappoint. "Weak army," Rumple muttered. "I can push them, seal off Avonlea, make sure they are not attacked. Afterwards, set up a wall from this point of the river," he showed Todd, "to this one, blocking the ogres off."
"Rumple," Todd butted in. "They don't have a lot to offer. I saw the inside of the castle, saw how they dressed. Based on other royals I have seen and the books I have read, they don't have much. It is a rather small kingdom."
"That still deserves to be saved," Rumple argued. "I don't need much from them. I already have something in mind. Do tell, did you see any servants in there? Any maids?" Todd shook his head, remembering back to what he saw. "No. No one." No maids. No servants. Only chefs he saw when he found himself in the kitchen rather than the exit, but they were all males as well as everyone in that room, except... "Oh, wait! There was this one girl. She looked wealthy. Possibly the Princess. Yeah, she called Sir Maurice 'papa'."
"Harlot?" Rumple asked and Todd gave him that Really? look. "No, Rumple. I don't believe she was. The dress she wore did not say 'harlot' to me, rather 'royal.' She had to have been the Princess. Curly brown hair, blue eyes, an accent you won't soon forget. Very pretty, I must say." He sighed. "If only I was older."
The idea slowly crept into Rumple's head after hearing the words Todd had just told him. Another deal about to be struck and he knew exactly what he wanted. "Remember you told me we should get a maid?" Rumple edged onto Todd who looked back to him, trying to see what it was he was planning in that twisted, overly powerful brain of his. "Yeah, why?' Todd asked. "I think I found one.
"You are going to go back to Avonlea tomorrow, tell Sir Maurice that you know of someone who can help and convince him to let me help them," Rumple explained, rolling up the map and sending it away. "What makes you think they won't contact you to begin with?" Todd asked. "Since Zoso died, the Dark One has been free of his services to the Duke and so no one knows where to find him. You are going to fix that little problem, but do not tell them your name or how you know where I am located. Avoid that part of conversation if you can, but see if you can convince them that I can help. Once you have an answer, report back to me. Don't let anyone see you enter, don't let anyone see you leave. Understood?"
Todd nodded firmly.
"Understood."
Fairytale Land of the Present
"It is so strange to see you so grown up, Henry. Last I remember, you were a twelve year old boy doing inventory in my shop," Rumple said as he had poured his grandson a chalice of wine. Henry knew what this sudden call of a family meeting was all about. It wasn't to catch up on things, or to even just see each other. It was the whole storybook situation, but Henry knew the moment he gave it to Lucinda that if anyone was going to find out she had it in her possession, it was her father. It wasn't even a question of if he would ever find it, it was rather the matter of when.
"I remember that, too. Unfortunately, we all have to grow up sometime. How are you, grandpa?" He has gotten used to that, calling Rumple grandpa. It became an everyday thing and it no longer felt strange to him. Rumple took a seat across from him, lifting his own chalice, swirling the liquid around before answering the question. "Here's to never growing up," he settled for, gaining a laugh from Henry. "I'll drink to that. How old are you now? Three hundred?" he asked before taking in some wine and Rumple swallowing the amount he had in his mouth. "About. You never ask anyone their age, Henry. It is just rude." Henry chuckled and smiled slyly. "Learned all of my manners from you, grandpa," he said. "So, I suppose you want to talk about the storybook I gave her. Once Upon a Time."
"All in good time, Henry. I am not mad that you gave it to her. I am actually pleased that you did. Saved me a great amount of trouble and a lot of uncomfortable conversations."
"Glad you are pleased. If you don't mind, I have questions of my own."
"Go on then."
"When are you going to come out from the shadows? You have no reason to hide, no reason to feel unloved. I mean, just look at all you have. You have a whole other family just a carriage ride away, a beautiful wife, and a stunning young woman as a daughter."
"About that...there is something about Lucinda I want you to know. Just because the two of you are so close."
Henry sat on the edge of his seat, taking in more wine, feeling he would need it. "Is something wrong with her? Is she alright?" He loved Lucinda very much, and cared about her an awful lot. Even though he was her nephew and she his aunt, he still felt some responsibility for her considering how much younger than him she was.
"She is fine, however, not all the time. You see, the Dark One Curse makes me appear as I do."
"Right, and?"
"Well, when Lucinda was conceived, I was still under the curse. My dark magic is a part of her, so that dark magic makes her appearance shift as it does mine. Yesterday, she changed. Her appearance changed. She looked like...well...me."
He could only imagine Lucinda in such a state. She seemed too pretty to be able to transform, well, into that. "Really? She can do that?" Henry asked, still not able to believe such a statement. "Well, I wouldn't consider that a power, rather a curse, but yes, Lucinda can transform between the Dark One state and her normal state," Rumple explained. "And you saw it?" Henry questioned. "It happened a few times. Mostly when she was younger and ill tempered, but never did it fully take control. Belle was able to sooth her before it get noticeable. However, yesterday, Belle was not there when she changed, she saw herself in the mirror. She did not take it lightly." Henry shrugged. "I could imagine, but why are you telling me this?"
"She confides in you. She trusts you. I trust you. I know things have been difficult since we returned from Storybrooke, I know I do not see you as often as I should, but it was to protect Lucinda from her own curse; me being her father. I knew from the very beginning that if I was to ever have a child with Belle that they would be forced to live in darkness like your father was. Unable to ever leave the castle, not have any friends, be shunned by everyone and everything. That is, of course, unless I was the one to be locked away. That way, she could at least have a chance at a normal life."
Henry gave a slight throat laugh and shook his head. He leaned over the table as if plotting some attack with his grandfather, or was about to tell him some huge secret. But what he stated was the obvious and that obvious was clear. "No one in our family has a chance at a normal life. That's what makes it interesting, grandpa." Rumple chuckled, agreeing with that whole heartedly, but Henry's smile slowly faded as he thought of what to say next, knowing it had to be said. "I don't remember much about my father, but I wish I did." Rumple looked up to Henry, looked to his grandson closely, seeing his Baelfire within Henry's spirit. "I know my father had a troubled childhood. I read that storybook at least a hundred and one times. I know how difficult his life was...but I also know that you have changed greatly from what you were to who you are now. And I also know that Lucinda will have an amazing life because you learned your lesson and you value your new knowledge. You won't make the same mistakes you did. I don't care what anyone says, you were a good father the first time around, and I know for a fact you will be an even better one this time around. I know it, grandpa."
Rumple smiled sadly at his grandson, truly able to see that same twelve year old boy still within, he never leaving. He reached across the table and grabbed Henry's hand, having missed him. He barely saw this boy and he was just about the last connection he had to his son. He wouldn't let this relationship slip. Never. "You always had a pure heart, Henry. That's why I question how it is we can possibly be related, but I am glad we are." Henry grinned and nodded in agreement. "Me too," he said.
"What about the storybook, grandpa? Do you want me to take it back?" Rumple shook his head. "No, let her read. It will tell her everything she needs to know and more. It makes her happy to learn about her family, and why ruin it when she only has a day left?"
Fairytale Land of the Past
Same thing as before, magically transporting himself from one side of the wall to the other, and then flipping into the castle with ease. He wore the cloak all the way up to the hall that lead to that same room he had spied on yesterday, and sure enough the voices were still there. Still chattering about strategies and what not. How to stop the ogres, push them back, protect the town and whatever. Todd didn't want to go into detail about it. It bored him.
Hiding behind a wall at the beginning of the hall that lead to that room, Todd removed the hood of his cloak from his head, revealing himself to all eyes. He took a deep breath, examining the scene before stepping out into the lit up corridors, the burning smell of candles filling up his nose as he walked, not caring if his feet echoed or not. He may have even strutted, he wasn't sure, but he was confident in the words he had to say, sure about them. He had been taught by the master of tongue twisting, he was sure he could convince this dying kingdom to resort to the Dark One for help. He reached the wooden doors, made a tight fist and knocked.
Slowly, and silently for the voices had stopped speaking, the doors creaked open, allowing the young one entrance and a better view of the room. Pretty large, a single throne in one corner, and the table still covered in maps and stone figures. Poor souls, desperate for help. "It's just a boy," one man said, turning his head to Sir Maurice. "How did he get past the wall?" Maurice asked and Todd smiled calmly at them all. "Low defenses I guess," he spoke for the guards who were asked the question. "He's obviously not a threat," someone else said. A rather tall fellow dressed in blue. Handsome, standing rather close to that stunning woman dressed in gold again. Damn, she was beautiful and Todd could keep his eyes on her all day, even though he knew he was just too young for her. "Let him in." The guards stood aside, letting Todd enter. "Thank you," he smiled at them as he strolled over to the table.
"You guys are in a bit of a jam, aren't you?" Todd asked as he examined the war table. A lot worse than he thought it was. Good luck with this one, Rumple,he said to himself. "Who are you?" Sir Maurice asked, making Todd look over his shoulder and smile. "Not important. What is, is the information I have to offer you."
"What kind of information?"
"On how to win your war."
All stood shell shocked at the words Todd said, while the man dressed in blue began to chuckle. "What could a little boy know about winning a war? How old are you, anyway? Thirteen?" Todd frowned, folding his arms and leaning against the war table, now facing the others. "Fourteen, dumb ass," Todd said. The man was silenced from his laughter as Todd went on to explain himself.
"Look, I can't tell you how to win your war, I can only make a suggestion. I know this can work because he has done it before. Single handedly brought about an end to the first Ogres War. Perhaps you know of him? He is referred to as the Dark One. Most powerful being in all the worlds. People cower at his feet...even ogres." Maurice and the others stood on their toes, holding their breathes, not so sure of the idea.
"Do you even know where he is?" the woman in gold asked, that same shinning bell in his ears when she spoke. That voice was fetching. "I can deliver him a message from you if you like, asking for protection. I warn you now, however, that if you do ask for his help you must give him something in return."
The man in blue shook his head, not agreeing with the plan at all. "I don't like it, Sir Maurice. It is the Dark One-"
"Who ended the first Ogres War without spilling a single drop of blood," Maurice argued. It wasn't his favorite idea, but it was one worth considering. How long? How long did this offer stand? "When must we have our answer?" Maurice asked Todd, who still folded his arms, still leaned against the table. "Today," he answered. "That offer leaves with me. I am not coming back. Many other kingdoms in trouble."
"If he ended the first Ogres War so easily," the man in blue spoke up again, "why doesn't he do the same this time around?"
"If you are good at something, never do it for free," Todd answered.
"How much does he desire?" Sir Maurice questioned, all eyes shifting to him.
"Whatever you have to give," Todd responded.
This was too big of decision to make at the moment, Maurice really desired more time to think this through, but the offer left with the boy and it seemed to be the miracle they had been praying for. Maurice brought his fingers to his temples, easing the stress and pain in his head. He walked over to his throne and sat, thinking it through. Thinking everything through. The Dark One. Can he be trusted? He seemed to have a heart. He even lead the children home once he brought that end to the first war. Maurice sighed and processed all of this too quickly. "I don't agree with this idea," he muttered, leaving Todd to stand up straight and walk towards the door.
"Suit yourself. Lots more kingdoms to suggest the offer to. Maybe they will be saved while your kingdom falls," he spoke as he headed towards the door, but a sudden sweet voice stopped him. The girl in gold. "Wait, please," she begged. Todd stopped and turned around, facing the woman in gold who turned towards her father.
"Papa, ask him for help," she said. "What?" Maurice looked up to her, surprised that Belle would even suggest such a thing, agree to it. Inviting the Dark One to come and help them, but she had faith and that was something a lot of people lacked when your kingdom is about to fall. "What other choice do we have? Let more of our people die? Papa, it is the best chance you got. Please, use it." Seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned to wasted breaths of Todd's time.
He turned on his heels and resumed heading towards the door until Maurice called to him. "Alright, I'll send the Dark One a message, asking for his help. You can deliver it, can't you?" Maurice asked and Todd bowed to him. "I would be honored to do you such a favor, Your Majesty." Maurice grabbed a piece of parchment and quill, dipping the tip in ink and beginning his message.
"How should I address him?" Maurice asked, and before Todd could respond, Belle spoke up. "Rumplestiltskin." Todd and Maurice, as well as everyone else, shifted their gaze towards her who saw it as no big deal that she knew this man's name. "His name is Rumplestiltskin, papa." Maurice, not asking questions now, turned his head back to the parchment and wrote out the name before continuing the letter, trying to sound as friendly and desperate, as possible. Once finished, he rolled up the parchment and handed it to Todd, allowing the young man to bow once more before turning on his heels and leaving for real this time. "Pleasure doing business with you Sir Maurice, and um..." he trailed off, looking to the woman in gold.
"Belle," she smiled. "Princess Belle."
What a beautiful name, meaning beauty itself. Todd smiled and bowed to her.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Princess Belle."
That's it for now. New chapter will be up soon and WOW! Season four is starting off good!