Happy Holidays! My flag ship has a hole in it, though. The writers of Once Upon a Time need to patch that up ASAP! Special gift in the bottom comments. (I have not updated in so long because I wanted to see what is going on in Season 4. Apologizes if I frightened anyone. No way am I abandoning this fic, so do not fear.)
Fairytale Land of the Past
A great commotion was heard from downstairs as he sat cross legged on his bed, attempting to read his book. It was getting to be bloody difficult to do so when he heard his guardian return with the sound of...heels clanking against the floor? Since when was Rumplestiltskin a man of heels? He had to investigate, so he set down the book he had been reading and grabbed his cloak of invisibility, opening his tower door to curiosity.
He was sure to be as silent as a field mouse as he eased himself down the stone steps, peeking out of his tower door and being overly shocked at the sight he saw. Rumple was leading the girl in the golden dress throughout his castle, bypassing past his tower door as she seemed to look around curiously. "Where...where are you taking me?" she wondered and Todd couldn't help, but to ask the same question. "Let's just call it...your room," he insisted. Oh no. Todd removed himself from his own stone staircase and followed Belle and Rumple down her newly acquired one. This cannot end well, and Todd knew that for sure.
Down the spiral steps, heading towards the dungeons Todd knew for sure, but Belle was just as lost as ever, wondering why they were walking down so deep into the ground. Suddenly, Rumple stopped and whisked his fingers to open a door, one Todd knew well from the many previous occupants. Belle looked to it in horror as she breathed deeply. "My- my room?" she asked in fear and the smile on Rumple's face answered her question before he even began to speak. "Well, it sounds a lot nicer than dungeon," he explained and shoved her inside, closing and locking the door behind him as he turned, gave a little chuckle and walked away.
Todd could hear the sound of Belle pounding on the heavy wooden door, begging for release. "You can't just leave me in hear!" she called from the other side. "Hello? Hello?" But never did Rumple turn around, only wandered up the stairs and Todd chased after him. Once he was sure they were out of her ear shot, he began to rip his master and guardian.
"You know she is right," he said as he pulled back his hood so he was no longer invisible. "You can't just leave her locked up in the dungeon." Rumple showed no regard as he took a seat at his wheel, preparing to spin. "Aren't you suppose to be in your room reading that spell book I gave you?" Rumple questioned as he began to turn his wheel, not even looking up to meet Todd's gaze. "It means nothing to me. I already know all of those spells," Todd explained. "No, you don't. You don't even know how to perform a simple cleaning spell." Todd rolled his eyes and titled his head back. "I have issues lifting a blanket. That doesn't mean I suck at everything. There has to be one spell that stumps you."
Rumple ceased in his spinning to look up at Todd for just an instant, giving him a are-you-kidding-me type gaze, allowing Todd to know that that was a stupid statement to have made and he knew it. "Besides the point," the young one brushed it off and Rumple resumed his task. "Look, you took her, I'm assuming, as part of your deal. She is not some pet for you to keep chained up. She is a human being and either not cared for or extremely brave depending on the circumstances. How did you gain her, anyway?" Todd asked and Rumple lolled his head. "A deal, of course. Her kingdom would be protected in exchange for her services."
"Her services in what?" Todd asked, a bit on edge.
"Oh, you do have a filthy little mind," Rumple snickered as he spun and Todd shook his head. "That's not what I was-"
"Cleaning, Todd, since you can't handle spells that involve that," Rumple cleared before Todd could say much more. "That was your only chore in this entire castle. Your only task besides staying hidden. Don't be seen and clean using magic. It was not like you had to take a cloth to a table and polish it. She will take over your task and you will start doing more runs for me than you used to." Todd rolled his eyes, giving a slight sigh before brushing off his own disappointment in not being as talented in magic as he would have hoped.
"Still, Rumple, you can't just leave her rotting away in a dungeon. You should at least give her a room. I know you have many," Todd explained and Rumple shrugged. "She will just be spending a few nights in there until she gets used to the place. Then she shall surface and begin in her tasks." Todd slumped to the floor and sat cross legged, watching his guardian work and to hopefully squeeze in some eye contact. "She is a hero, you know? She saved her people by giving up her own life. You have to give her credit for that, Rumple. You know she deserves it."
"She got it," he brushed off. "She gets to keep her life." Todd shook his head. "You and I both know that living and life are two completely different things." His guardian did not speak after that, instead he kept spinning and Todd searched for the proper words he could use to possibly get through to him. To get past the darkness, though he knew that that was next to impossible.
"Did you ever think that, maybe...just maybe you might meet someone..." Rumple stopped, but continued to look down at his wheel, "...who would be able to see past the darkness...who would be able to...gaze beyond what was just...skin deep?" Silence fell upon the two as Todd awaited for an answer, but never seemed to come. Never seemed to emerge as Rumple remained hush for what seemed like hours. "No, Todd," he finally spoke. "It is impossible. Not even Bae could see it. I don't believe there is anyone out there who could possibly do so. I don't believe it because it is true. No one could ever love me. Now go up to your room and finish reading that book."
Todd sighed, but stood up, regaining his composure as Rumple resumed his spinning. "Just think about your prisoner," he suggested as he turned to leave, but was stopped by something his guardian said. He looked over his shoulder, over at Rumple and questioned what it was he had just said. "What?"
Rumple was sure to speak up so Todd could hear, but only enough for that. "Belle," he muttered. "Her name is Belle."
Fairytale Land of the Present
Lucinda was hoping that if she just laid in bed all day that her birthday would come and past, leaving her new age unnoticed. She didn't want to celebrate this damn day, she would much rather just sleep or even go through princess lessons again. Maybe she could find a spell to turn back the clock, to switch back time so that she would not be seen, not noticed. Whined it back to make her younger and give her more time to think of how she could possibly get out of this. Maybe if she just stayed asleep and didn't wake up. Maybe if she just stayed here. Maybe.
However, her mother entered the room as silent as she could possibly manage, not wanting to wake her daughter any sooner than she had to. She wanted to give Lucinda as much time to sleep as possible, still, she had to rise. The celebration was starting soon and Lucinda needed time to prepare even though Belle was sure she was going to embarrass herself before the day was done. She sat on her daughter's bed and looked to the gown the maids had set up in the far corner. A golden dress, much like the one she wore when it was her sixteenth birthday. She admired the dress's beauty, but just wished the thing would burn, erupt into flames. She did not agree with this law just as Lucinda didn't, but representing this kingdom means staying firm to its rules and regulations, its traditions until it changes. She sighed before placing a gentle hand on her daughter's head.
"Lucinda," she mumbled. Her daughter refused to move. "Lucinda, dear, you need to start getting ready." Still, the child refused to move. She was awake, fully aware of what was happening. She knew what her mother was saying, yet she tried her best to ignore it. "Lucinda, please wake up. I know you don't want to, but you have to." She pulled the covers up over her head, having read everything she possibly could in the Storybook last night, as much as she could. Up to the part where Belle left, up to the part where Regina imprisoned her...to the part her father cried believing that Belle was dead. She buried her face into the pillow, hiding her emotions as she thought about it all. Her mother did not only fall in love with her father, but her father fell in love with her as well. To be honest, she got a little hazy about the subject when he threw her into the dungeon. Any normal person would. Still, after she saw the illustration of her father crying,
cherishing the teacup that she had chipped, Lucinda found herself sobbing as well. Small tears stroking her cheeks, her pulse slowing down into almost still beats and her blood running cold. When her father cried, she cried. It was torture.
"Lucinda," Belle spoke, still trying to be calm and soulful. "I know you don't want to, but I am begging you to please get up. If not for me for your father. The council is not happy with him. Words of rebellion is going around. Please, Lucinda."
Words of rebellion? Against her father? But he was a wonderful ruler. Why would anyone want to go against him?
Perhaps it was her rebellious actions that got everyone on their toes and the fact that her father was fighting everyone tooth and nail to give Lucinda what she wanted. Ruin her life, fine, but no one was going to ruin her father's, not on her account. He had been through enough hell. So, slowly she stood up and forced herself to be emotionless, a zombie on this new earth, lifting up in flames as she strolled across the floor towards that horrid dress that she looked at with hateful eyes, stone cold daggers.
'For daddy,' she had to keep telling herself. 'For daddy.' She lifted the dress off of the manikin it rested on and snapped her fingers. In one instant, she was ready.
Her mother often found it horrid whenever Lucinda used magic, seeing as what it has done to her father. As much as she wanted to believe it, Lucinda was at risk for dark magic eating away at her, too. Her daughter was not born with light magic, rather cursed with her father's dark one. Who knows what will happen to Lucinda in the future. How she will meet her end. It was undetermined by everyone. Even her father did not know. Was Lucinda immune like he was, or did she simply only possess his magic, still mortal and frail? It was unknown and no one was willing to discover how it was Lucinda could be injured. They knew she had feelings, but her father did too. So, at least the magic did not affect the heart, only the lust for power. However, Rumple was able to destroy that lust once before, willing to sacrifice his powers for Bae when he was on the verge of death, passing his dagger to Zelena in the snow. Would Lucinda ever be tempted or would she ever be able to throw away her attachments to her magic one day? No one knew for sure, not even Lucinda.
Despite her desires to see Lucinda adapt to life as any other normal teenage girl, she knew it was impossible and decided not to get flustered by her daughter's simple trick of snapping her fingers and getting dressed. After all, it does make life easier. "You look beautiful," Belle commented as Lucinda began to walk to her jewelry box. She barely made any notice, if she gave any at all, to the fact that her mother gave her a compliment. Lucinda pulled out a pair of earrings and began to place them in her ears, slipping them through the small holes in the lobes that were made some years ago. "Did you know that your birthday actually falls on a holiday back in the world of Storybrooke?" Belle spoke up. Lucinda made no sound as she moved on to the next ear. "It was a day were everyone dressed up in costumes, scary creatures or beautiful beings, they would walk around and beg for candy. They got it for free. They would dress like this to scare away all the evil spirits that walked that realm and dress in beauty to welcome all of those good spirits that wished to rejoin their loved ones in the land of the living if only for one night. A night where the land of the living and the dead are truly intertwined. A night when the souls can march freely. All the souls of all the dead." Lucinda pulled out a necklace, a simple gold chain with a pearl dangling at the end. "It is probably one of the best times of the year." Lucinda sighed before gripping her dresser and leaning forward, feeling a bit light headed and sick.
"Mom," she finally spoke up. "I know you are trying to make me feel better, and I know you are trying to keep me calm, but today is a day I will never forget. Not because it is my sixteenth birthday, not because it is a day were the souls of the dead are able to cross through worlds, where kids can dress up and beg for candy. No, I'll remember this day because it is the day my future will be decided for me. When I will find my future husband and be forced to surrender my hand to him willingly because that is the tradition that this kingdom follows. I will remember it because it will be the worst day of my life."
Belle did not disagree and did not bother with arguing with her daughter because she could not imagine what her daughter was going through. She praised the gods above that she was able to, in a way, escape her arranged marriage and find true love where she least expected it. Lucinda had no chance, she thought. She would be forced to endure this never ending torture, always seated second hand, never to be above anyone, but her own self. People would ruin her, her husband would ruin her and she would forever be marked by this horrid stance of hand in marriage and that alone. Never again will she be seen as her own person. Only a puppet to her husband from this day until her last.
She slammed her jewelry box shut and made her way towards the door, not wanting to be in the same room as her mother anymore. She adored her mother, loved her very much and would put her life on the line if it should come to it. It was just that her and her mother did not always see eye to eye and it bother her greatly. It seemed like no understood her. Not even her father because he was...well...a guy. She turned back to Belle, though. She turned back and sighed as she look at her mother. "I don't blame you, mom. I love you." With that, she left, leaving Belle to sob silently on the bed.
Fairytale Land of the Past
He wasn't through with trying to get to Rumple and figuring out his reasoning behind everything he does. He was still unsure of why it was the Dark One had taken some little boy into his possession, even if he did truly intend to give him away. So, after the sun had set in the west and the stars filled the sky, Todd knew where Rumple would be and knew very well that that was always the best time to speak to him. It was when he was the most relaxed. Spinning. Belle had been sobbing for hours, and a bit of her whimpers could be heard, but Todd tried his best to ignore them. He was going to help her, he vowed to himself that he would. He wrapped himself in his cloak again and decided to venture downstairs, just to have a look at this brave warrior.
He wasted no time walking down the steps and risk making any sounds, so he just flashed himself to her room where she wept. Crying deeply in the solid and hard mattress she was given as a bed. Someone this beautiful should not ever have a reason to cry unless they were tears of joy and Todd felt that in that moment, gazing at her as she sobbed. He took pity on her far too quickly, but did it really matter. How could Rumple not see it? The sensitivity? The courage and at the same time, the fragile soul? That's when it made sense to Todd. It did make sense. He knew exactly how, as well. He put one and one together, resulting in his solution and he even smirked at the very thought of it. How cute, in a way. He flashed himself out of the dungeon and into the room his guardian sat.
Rumple was busy spinning at his wheel, making that old, hard straw into pure and true gold. Dazzling sights of it as it gently flowed into the basket seemed to not make the spinner happy, but rather monotone. Nothing seemed to matter, not even gold or jewels. His concentration was soon broken.
"Why did you bring her here?" he asked the spinner. Rumple did not put his task on pause, but rather kept spinning, not even turning to face the one who asked him the question. "Wearing the Invisibility Cloak doesn't really help your case," he replied to which Todd removed the hood of the cloak, revealing himself sitting cross legged on the table, facing his guardian. "You know what I think," Todd began as he spotted the tray holding the tea set on the table beside him. "I think you brought her here because you simply miss having someone around the place." Todd began to help himself, pouring tea from the kettle into one of the cups as Rumple continued his work. "Your reasoning does not tend to make sense, Todd. I have someone roaming around the palace. One pest that I already saved." His voice dropped to a whisper. "One I'm still trying to figure out how to get rid of."
Todd chuckled and rolled his eyes, dropping a sugar cube into his cup. "Well, that point holds value to some extent, but I am afraid not all," Todd went on, mixing his tea with a spoon. "You see, I am to be kept in a tower so no one knows of my existence and the only time I am to really wander out is when you need me to go somewhere or get something. That and the fact that some parts of me and some parts of her are extremely different. For starters, she is a female and I am not." He took a sip as he examined Rumple's response.
"I find it rather funny that you believe I took her in just because I miss having a woman around the place," he said, still spinning and paying barely any mind to Todd. "Now, you see, that is exactly why I think you brought her in. I think that you are not as much of a sour stone about love as you claim you are. You miss being married, you miss having a woman in your life. You miss having your son around." That caused the spinning to stop. "Now, I'm not saying that you are trying to replace Milah or Baelfire, but I am suggesting that it is possible you may want to hold onto that feeling while you look for at least one of them."
"Milah is dead," he simply hissed. Todd lolled his head. "Yeah, well, that I know. However, that doesn't mean you don't miss being married, being committed to someone." Todd's grin turned into a full on smile as he thought about just how sweet the whole thing was. "You, unlike so many others, just loved being a husband, loved being there for someone, loved being sworn to one person and one person alone. You loved it."
It was silent for a brief moment, allowing Rumple sometime to truly examine Todd's words, examine just how intelligent that little boy who spilled milk all over the table for three years was. He turned on his stool to face Todd, to look him in the eyes as he responded to those words. "I do," he confessed. "I miss it very much. I really do, but I did not bring her here to relive a fantasy. I brought her here simply because I needed the help. The place is filthy and you are part owner of this place so you should not be forced to clean it either and, as I said before, you failed in the task to begin with. I brought her in here simply to be the help. That is all."
Todd sighed, sliding off the table, placing the teacup in the spot where he sat. He approached his guardian, placing a hand on his shoulder as he spoke calmly. "Just like you lost your family, she has lost hers. She came here to keep them safe. The least you could is give her room, proper food. I could also imagine how uncomfortable a dress like that must be. Perhaps something a bit more suitable for the job you have given to her?" Todd smiled shyly as he made his way back to the tower steps, never turning his head. Only leaving Rumple to wonder when it was the boy had gotten so wise.
Fairytale Land of the Present
She knew too many people, danced with too many people, endured too many people stepping on her toes. Lucinda grew flustered at all that was happening, just waiting for the torture to end, having endured dancing with ten different boys, all between the ages of sixteen and twenty, resulting in her toes being numb and blistered and her confidence being shattered. If this was all she had left to choose from, she had no idea what she would do. And, as usual, her father was nowhere to be seen. She understand that. Who would want to marry her knowing the Dark One was her father? Hearing it made it true- saying it, seeing it made all too true. Rumple was probably hiding in his chambers or spinning on his spinning wheel. It was only Belle down in the ballroom with Lucinda and her guests. Only Belle and the rest of her family.
Emma and the Charmings speaking of tales of the past. Henry speaking with Regina and Belle talking to other Lords and Ladies of far off lands, all here just for Lucinda; just to get their hands on her kingdom. She scowled them for that, giving them cold glances as she made eye contact with them and danced with their sons. She denied people on purpose, even those who were not that bad looking and did not speak in arrogance. She could see past the whole mister-nice-guy act, look deep into their souls and see the need for greed. Usually the first few words out of her mouth, no matter what they boys said to her after the started dancing or simply just introducing themselves, was, "My father is Rumplestiltskin, better known as the Dark One." The dance would usually come to a halt right there, or the boy ran screaming for the hills. No kingdom seemed to be worth facing such a man as he. Lucinda needed to remember to thank her father for his curse one day. As far as she was concerned, it was saving her from a life time of misery.
Her feet ached from the pressure of her them bending in an improper way. She was sure her bone would soon be in the shape of an arch. She hurried over to her throne and plopped down into the seat, not wanting to dance with any more fellows or boys. She had had enough of this birthday madness to last her a lifetime.
She shut her eyes, allowing her to ease her pain even if it was only for just a moment. The sharp tug of her hair being pulled back made her wish she could just untangle the proposed style and let her locks run free. It was pure torture; everything. From the hair to the makeup, onto the heels an the corset she was wearing tightly around her torso. It wasn't like she ate that much to cause her belly to flop all over the place. She was fairly thin. The agony of it all was that she did not want a single person that was here to even be here. She was ready to force everyone out, through the doors or the windows if she must. What would it take for her to be free?
"Your Majesty," spoke some timid voice that she recognized as one of the palace servants. "Prince Timothy of Baruche would like to dance with you." She did not even open her eyes to respond. "If he wishes to do so, he can come up to me and ask himself," she snapped.
"I did come to ask myself, however, your palace staff insisted that I be introduced first." Her eyes open slightly to look at this boy, who couldn't be older than her, staring down at her with a smile. My oh my, he actually wasn't that bad looking. Nice, flowing blond hair that was parted perfectly at the top of his head, a crown resting slightly on top of it. He was dressed to the nines in a navy blue button down jerkin, styled with a sash going across his chest, flashing the colors of his homeland; that same navy blue with a violet trimming. Black breeches extended down his legs while he fancied his feet with a pair of shinny, black, leather shoes that would simply cost too much for any peasant to get their hands on. His eyes were a shimmering green and his smile showed some warmth. He was, by far, the best looking prince in the room, best looking guy for all she cared.
She found herself speechless, struggling for words. She has never had a crush on someone before. Never spoken to anyone this attractive. She found it hard to grasp what she wanted to say, simply because she did not know. There were so many words she could use to describe him, to strike up a conversation, but those words refused to flow into the part of the brain that deals with tactics, but rather the part that throws away unneeded or unwanted information. It was as though all of her senses had drained from her, leaving her with drool spiraling out of the side of her mouth, but lucky her, she managed to prevent that. She only swallowed her tongue.
"Prince Timothy," she forced herself not to stutter as she continued to struggle for words to say. "That's right," he said as she went on being silent. He chuckled slightly at her nerves, knowing very well what they were, and extended his hand out to her. "Perhaps we will have more to say on the dance floor?" he offered, to which she blushed at his charm and her own stupidity. "Of course," she managed to squeak, grabbing ahold of his gloved hand, being pulled to her feet gently, and whisked away to the center of the dance floor.
He placed a gentle hand on her waist, another in her own, moving his feet and gliding to the rhythm of the music. He was so light, so at ease, and here she was freaking out. She used to be such a good dancer, up until now that is, her father having taught her well. Now she seemed to just let him carry her, too stunned to move her feet. She knew he should have been annoyed, however, Timothy did not seem to mind her shakiness at all, but rather kept smiling at her as she went. The awkward silence, to her, was getting way to awkward. However, for him, he did not seem to mind at all, but he could sense her discomfort.
"It is alright to be nervous, Princess Lucinda. I would be nervous, too." She listened to his words carefully, seeing where she could take them. At last, her wits returned to her. "You have no idea." He smiled, shaking his head. "Oh no, trust me, I do. Your sixteenth birthday, dancing with all these people are required, you having to pick one at the end of the day. They have the same law back in my land, only it is as young as fifteen there." She gasped in horror, her smile fading. "That's horrible." He shrugged. "It only applies to the girls, so I can not really share in your sorrows. I'm afraid I have all the time in the world to decide who I want to be with, yet it is always nice to come to a beautiful princess's birthday. I'm very pleased my parent's dragged me to this one. I do not agree with the law either. I'm assuming you don't." It was more of a question that she was happy to answer.
"Not really. I mean, my father, the king has been trying to get it revoked for years, like, since I was born. He didn't want me to go through with it, but some councilmen are harder than others to convince. He is doing all he can, I know he is. My mother doesn't agree with it either. Had it not have been for that curse that took place some years ago, she would have never married my father." It felt good to get it all out.
"Ah, yes. Your mother and father's love story has reached my kingdom and many beyond it. It is rather inspirational," Timothy commented. "Yeah, Stockholm Syndrome is very inspirational," Lucinda commented. Timothy chuckled at those words. "Stockholm Syndrome? Don't you think there is a little bit more to it?" She looked away, not wanting to have to admit what she thought, but before she could stop it, it spilled. "No, I don't. Prisoners learn to love their chains." He said nothing in return, just dancing with her until the music died. However, as soon as it did, she found herself growing dizzy and warn, shaky on her feet. She suddenly did not feel so good.
"Will you excuse me a moment, Timothy, I feel a little ill," she said, looking to the floor and the light headed feeling growing more and more intense. "Of course, Princess. Will you be alright?" He sounded truly concerned. "Yes, I just need a moment." He bowed to her slightly, letting her wander out of the ballroom and to the nearest washroom, having to hide away from prying eyes and total discomfort. She examined herself in the mirror and saw that she has changed.
Her skin was scaly and brown again, her eyes great and wide, her nails sharpened to a pint and black. Her hair was still in a bun, but untamed. Was she no longer able to control this mess? Was she now out of her own will? She bent forward, needing more air to the head, needing more space. This was too much to process. She breathed harshly, found herself sweating and began to feel as if she was overheating. She couldn't take it anymore.
She tugged on the pins and clips keeping her hair in place, removing them with great pulls and tugs, untangling the made up hair that was now as wild as a wolf's coat. She then began to claw at her dress, tearing at the gold material she despised so greatly, ripping it off of her, listening to the sound of its tears. She didn't care. She hated that dress. She pulled until she was in nothing, but her white under layer and corset, but that was next to go. She used her enhanced strength to rip the corset right off of her torso,making the strings give out, no longer pinning her body into the impossible hourglass figure. She tossed it onto the floor next to her shredded dress and kicked the heels off of her feet, settling for just the stockings she wore.
She slumped to the floor, leaning against the cold wall as she began to sob lightly, hating what has become of her and her life. She wiggled her fingers, summoning the Storybook to her hands, flipping it open to the part where her mother was being captured by Regina, thrown into the cell of a carriage. She reread the same sentence over and over again, trying to convince herself that it wasn't just the mind playing tricks on her, that is was more than that like Timothy said it possibly could be.
Once thrown in, Belle gripped ahold of the carriage bars, looking out to the Evil Queen in rage and sorrow. "You can't keep us apart forever!" she cried to the evil being. "I'll fight for him!" she continued to shout. "I'll never stop fighting for him!"
Lucinda kept skimming over that part, over and over and over again. She brought the book close to her chest and rocked herself gently back and forth as the tears kept coming out of her eyes. "It wasn't Stockholm Syndrome," she muttered to herself. "It wasn't Stockholm Syndrome." No matter how many times she repeated that, no matter how many times she reread that small section, she was unable to convince herself that what she was saying was true. She cried heavily in that washroom, wondering if her very existence was a blessing or a curse for her mother.
Fairytale Land of the Past
Todd was sitting at the table, enjoying a book with his feet propped up on the solid wood as he skimmed over the words of the page. He was up to another round of potions, yet he was so sure that he was more than a master at potions at this point. Still, Rumplestiltskin was more than displeased with his recent performances on magic and has ordered Todd to reevaluate his talents for the craft, and that meant rereading every chapter and every book he has ever read on the topics of magic.
"Feet down," Rumple muttered from the end of the table, and Todd obeyed slowly and quite in an annoyed fashion. Still, he followed his orders and continued to read until Rumple spoke up again. "Our little friend will be entering the room soon. Hood up, Todd." Again, he listened, just lifting the hood above his head, once seen, now even invisible to the Dark One. Sure enough, Belle entered with a tea set on the tray she carried, but Todd continued to skim over the words in his book.
"You will serve me my meals and clean the Dark Castle," Rumple explained as she began setting up the tea set.
"I- I understand," she stammered.
"You will dust my collection and launder my clothing," he continued as Todd kept reading his book and Belle poured his tea.
"Yes," she nodded.
"You will fetch me fresh straw when I am spinning at the wheel," Rumple added.
"Got it," she replied as she lifted the teacup she had poured from the pot.
"Oh," Rumple perked up as if he just remembered something. "And you will skin the children I hunt for their pelts," he concluded and even Todd looked up as he knew Rumple was referring to him and his smart mouth earlier.
Belle dropped the teacup in fear, letting it clatter to the floor as Rumple slowly smirked and Todd rolled his eyes as he went back to silently reading.
"That one was a quip," Rumple said. "Not serious."
"Right," Belle sighed with relief as she looked to the teacup she had dropped, and the fear came rushing back to her. She knelt down to the floor and picked up the damaged object. "Oh my, I am so sorry," she began and even Todd looked up from his book to see what was happening and defend her if need be done. "But it is...um...it is a little chipped." Rumple looked over as did Todd, sitting up slightly in his seat to peek over the edge of the table to see how badly the cup was damaged. "I mean...you...you...you could hardly see it." She lifted the cup just a bit more for him to get a better view of it and he seemed a bit confused as he examined it and the fear on her face. She appeared to be as frightened as a child who had lost their parents and was wandering the forest alone. Like they saw their end coming.
Rumple threw his arms to the side and shrugged. "Well, it's just a cup," he waved it off. Todd smiled and went back to reading as Belle went to prepare another teacup.
She placed it before Rumple before wandering off to complete her other chores. Todd removed his hood, waving his hand and making a cup for himself. "You should do something for her," he said as the teacup floated into his hand and he took a sip, still reading his book.
"Like?" Rumple asked as he also sipped his tea.
"Well, I don't know. She is going to be spending the rest of her life here. Give her something to comfort her."
"She has cleaning to do and the castle is fairly large. She will have plenty to do and have no time for herself," Rumple explained.
"Well, then give her something to do as she works. A room she is in so frequently that she has no reason to clean it. Do something special for her." Rumple knew Todd was simply trying to play Cupid and actually found it quite funny that he was trying so hard to be indiscreet about it.
"Very well," Rumple caved.
Todd peeked up. "You have an idea of what you will present to her?" the young one asked and Rumple smirked before taking another sip.
"Indeed I do," he responded after swallowing the contents in his mouth. "I sense she is very fond of books."
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! For a limited time only, until 11 pm EST on New Year's Eve, I will be having a Q&A on any questions you may have for this story, Trickster, and/or Mischief. You can ask me any question you like and does not have to be relevant to any of the stories in particular. I will also be willing to give away a few spoilers and let you in on a few secrets. Any suggestions or requests and other news of upcoming stories or chapters will also be accepted. Basically, any questions you may have I will gladly answer. I look forward to your questions and you may submit them by review or PM messages. You do not have to be a registered follower or have favorited the story for your question to be accepted. This is open to everyone. You are more than welcomed to submit more than one question together or separately. I look forward to getting your questions and I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year! Thank you for all the support and I love you all very much.