Tangled Love: Part Two

Rumplestiltskin was relieved once they made it down the mountainside without any intrusions. He noticed that Belle would look back every so often to make sure they weren't being followed. He dearly hoped the enchantment the witch had placed on her braid had been broken when he cut it. Sometimes he would catch her absentmindedly running her fingers through her cropped hair, but he thought she was just as lovely without her flowing tresses. He found himself fantasizing about those chestnut locks, his eyes straying to them often as the moonlight shone against them. To be blessed enough to have the right to run his fingers through them, to bury his face in their fragrant bounty and breathe her in was his fondest wish. And then he would stumble as they traversed the forest and he'd be brought back to his painful reality. A reality where she would never play a role in his sad and lonely existence.

As the sun rose steadily over the horizon, a lake appeared in the distance, and he sighed when he realized they would have to cross it. He scanned the shore hoping there was a makeshift boat for them to row across.

"I hope we can make it across," she verbalized what he'd been thinking.

"There has to be some way ..." he replied, his gaze searching their surroundings. He saw an old man pushing a tattered vessel into the water, and he smiled, feeling there was hope for them yet. He grabbed her hand and ran towards him shouting, "Sir! Sir! Do you care to give us a lift across the lake." One day was already gone. The Dark One had been adamant he return with the princess within the allotted two. If they had to go around the lake, they'd never make it.

The old man turned to look at him, and the spinner noticed that he was wearing an eye patch. He had a scraggly beard and long unkempt hair, and his clothes were ragged and ill-fitting. He felt his stomach begin to somersault, and he prayed this man wasn't what he thought. Belle didn't seem to pick up on his suspicions because she had recklessly run ahead of him, "Good sir! Would you please give us a ride across?" she inquired in her alluring accent which seemed to captivate his attention.

"I charge a fee," he barked gruffly, and she frowned.

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid we don't have any money. Is there another way we can pay you?" she pressed, swinging her gaze to Rumplestiltskin, hoping he had a solution.

"Sorry ... no payment; no ride," he retorted, returning to his boat, but Belle was persistent.

She chased after him, pulling on his tattered cloak, "Please sir! Perhaps, I can sing you a melody in exchange for a ride across the lake?" she proposed, and Rumplestiltskin smacked a palm to his brow in humiliation. There was no way the ferryman was going to agree to that.

"A song? I've never had anyone offer to pay me with music before. That's by far the most bizarre request I've ever heard," he guffawed. "Go on if you think that I'm going to give you a ride in my boat for something as absurd as that," he mocked.

"Come on, princess," the spinner ground out angrily through clenched teeth as he glared at the ferryman. "We'll find another way."

Belle shook her head, lowering her voice so only her new protector could hear. "No, Rumpel. It will take us half a day to make our way around, and you are on a deadline, are you not? What about Baelfire?"

He sighed in exasperation. "We have no choice. He's already rejected your offer." Rumplestiltskin was about to grab her hand and move her along but then she opened her mouth ... and the world stopped. She began to serenade them with the loveliest tune he'd ever heard, her voice surely as magical as her streaming locks. He watched in awe as the beauty vocalized every emotion in her voice in the most breathtaking cadence.

"All those days watching from the windows,

All those years outside looking in,

All that time never even knowing,

Just how blind I've been,

Now I'm here blinking in the starlight,

Now I'm here suddenly I see,

Standing here it's all so clear,

I'm where I'm meant to be,

And at last I see the light,

And it's like the fog has lifted,

And at last I see the light,

And it's like the sky is new,

And it's warm and real and bright,

And the world has somehow shifted,

And all at once everything looks different,

Now that I see you..." She locked her gaze with his as she sang, and he felt as if his heart would burst from his chest. She sauntered slowly to his side, and interlaced their fingers. She pulled him closer until they were nearly touching, her lips mere inches from his, completely unaware of the old sailor with tears streaming down his cheeks behind them. The birds and the frogs paused to listen to her chorus, and not a sound could be heard but her enthralling voice.

When she sang the final verse, he found it impossible to speak, still spellbound by her serenade. The seafarer called to them. "Get in the boat before I change my mind!" he shouted. Rumplestiltskin didn't have time to react for Belle had already grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the rowboat.

"Thank you, kind sir!" Belle told the old man as he began to row them across the lake. She sat close to her spinner, her friend and rescuer, while the sailor sat on the opposite side paddling the boat.

"Just don't tell anyone I did this or everyone will be trying to get free rides," he admonished giving her a warning glance.

"Aye! Aye! Captain!" she saluted him, and Rumplestiltskin stifled back a laugh at her childish display. What was he to make of this peculiar woman? Oh, how I'd love to make her my wife. The thought came unbidden to his mind, and left him breathless when he realized just how much he truly wanted that.

After rowing them across the lake, the sailor thrust a small bag of coins into her hands, "What's this for?" she asked, marveling at the gift he'd given her.

"It's for that bloody song you sang! I've never heard anyone sing so beautifully in my entire life, but I want you to have this in case you need anything on your way back home," he supplied, and she flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek gratefully,

"Thank you so much for your kindness, good sir!"

"Thank you kindly, sir." Rumplestiltskin added, astonished by the whole display as he helped Belle out of the boat.

The spinner was flummoxed when the older man pulled him by the collar to keep him from leaving. He got right next to his ear and whispered a strong command. "Make sure you take good care of your lass. She's very special, and you'll never find another like her in all the world."

"I will!" Rumplestiltskin stated obediently, deciding not to disclose the entirety of their situation, and admit the sad truth … that she wasn't his. It felt good to pretend she was for a moment as he got out of the boat to join her on the shore. They bid the old seaman farewell before continuing their journey, the time saved and the small respite for their aching feet, lifting their flagging spirits.

They continued their trek through the woods, and he began to recognize his surroundings. They were a decent six hours from his village on foot, and he began to feel excited by the prospect of nearly being home. He knew that Bae must be worried sick about him. "Belle! We'll be to my village in just a few hours!" he said exuberantly, and he felt a little guilty when she yawned.

"I hate to ask but is there anywhere I can rest for a few hours? My feet are aching, and I don't think I can walk another step." she said, grimacing at the whine in her voice. They'd made excellent headway, and he knew they would make it back to his village before the Dark One's deadline. There was a tiny village just over the hill in which he sometimes ventured to sell his wares when the market in his own proved fruitless.

"There's a small village over the hill with an inn, dearie," he suggest gently. "We can stay there if you want and rest up for a bit, but we probably shouldn't stay more than a couple of hours. We can use some of the money the old man gave us to procure a room." She nodded drowsily. He wrapped a protective arm about her waist, his brow knitting with concern over her fatigue. "I'm sure there will even be time for a bite to eat after you've rested."

"Two hours is an ample amount of time for a rest," she agreed, allowing herself to take comfort from his embrace. Tired but encouraged by the prospect of rest and a hot meal, they headed for the village, unaware they were being followed.

~X~

The inn was quiet with only a few residents. It wasn't often they received visitors, mostly during the greatest market seasons which only occurred once a season, but sometimes they got the odd straggler or two. A busty older women came to greet them when they entered. She examined Belle's garb suspiciously, wondering where she'd came from, "What brings you here?" she asked the pair. She noted they carried no goods or wares. "You carry very little to be vendors for the market, and that isn't for another week or so."

"My wife and I have been traveling all night, and we require a room to rest in for just a few hours. Her sister is ill, and we're trying to reach her home in the frontlands with all haste," he fibbed hoping not to raise any suspicions.

"Of course," she replied, tutting softly in false sympathy as she took a large ring of keys from her apron. She pulled off a silver skeleton key which looked identical to the others. "Here you are sir." she replied, her eyes raking uncomfortably over Belle.

Rumplestiltskin plucked the key from the inn keeper's hand. "Thank you," he mumbled nervously before guiding his princess towards the stairs.

Belle felt her stomach churn at the old woman's judgmental glances, and butterflies danced in her abdomen when he called her his wife. She blushed brightly, following after him as they ascended a creaky wooden staircase. The room was on the far end of the hall.

Rumplestiltskin plunged the key into the lock, and pushed it open. There was a single straw mattress, a small table with a lantern, a dirty glass mirror on the wall, and a covered chamber pot sitting beside the window.

"Rumple, there's only one bed … I can sleep in the floor if you want to take the mattress ... if you're tired too," she stammered, unwilling to offend her savior by taking the bed for herself.

"There's no need for that Belle. You take the bed. I need to keep watch, and make sure you don't oversleep," he said softly.

"Thank you … I really appreciate it," she beamed a smile so brilliant it put the sun to shame. And just as quickly as it came, it was gone, replaced with worry for him. "But, Rumpel, you've had no rest either. I don't feel right - "

A shy grin curled one corner of his thin lips as he glanced at her from beneath his lashes. "Don't worry about me, dearie. I promise you, I'll be fine. Get some rest," he insisted, sitting in the old wicker chair which stood beside the solitary window.

She sunk down into the straw, sleep overtaking her immediately. He smiled softly as he watched her fall into a peaceful sleep. He raked his fingers through his hair agitatedly, trying to evade the foreign sensations the princess was eliciting from him. What would they do once he arrived back home, and he settled his deal with the Dark One? He was tempted to ask her to stay with him, but that would never be a reality. She was a beautiful princess and he a poor spinner. She may have treated him kindly but that didn't mean she held any affection for him. He was certain once she found out he was the village coward, she would want nothing more to do with him. No one was that kind.

~X~

Belle awoke after a restful slumber, her eyes immediately seeking out her protector. It didn't take long to find him in the sparse room, her Rumplestiltskin staring forlornly out the window. She blinked hazily, wondering why he looked so melancholy. She ran her fingers through her shortened tresses, still unaccustomed to her new hairstyle. She felt her insecurities rear their ugly head when she realized she must look hideous, for a woman's hair was her glory. If a woman sported shortened hair, then she was considered unappealing in societies' eyes. Did he find her unattractive since all of her hair was gone? Back when she lived in Avonlea, men fawned over her beauty, but she never appreciated their advances. She wanted a man who appreciated her for her mind, but was there such a person? She presumed the only reason why he even considered rescuing her was for her beauty. She knew he was far below her station, but she'd never been intrigued by any of the royal suitors her father paraded past her. Rumplestiltskin, however, was different. He seemed kind and caring and that was worth far more than a handsome face and an ugly heart. She decided to break the silence, her heart bursting with a newfound promise of love for him.

"Rumple, I'm awake," she called out to him, gaining his attention as he tore his gaze away from the window. He half smiled at her, but she observed that the light didn't reach his eyes. Something was weighing heavily upon his mind, and she longed to unravel his mysterious musings.

"We'd better get a move on then," he said, injecting a lighter note to his voice as he reached for her hand. She felt electricity travel through her veins from the slightest brush of his fingertips. Did he feel the same spark? She didn't have time to ponder on this concept because after they made their way out of the inn, and a little stretch down the road, the tides changed. The stale bread and questionable cheese Rumpel had managed to procure for her churned viciously in her belly, and now she wished she hadn't been so hasty in eating it while they walked.

The wind roared around them, blowing violently through her skirts. Rumplestiltskin shielded the beauty with his thin frame from the blustering gust. A woman with long flowing ebony locks appeared in the middle of the path. Age lines creased her face, an aura of rage surrounding her.

"Finally! I've been looking everywhere for you, Belle! It did you no good to escape, you brainless girl! Now come along, and I'll spare your beau's life," she cackled, the threat evident in her tone..

"NO! YOU'RE NOT TAKING HER!" Rumplestiltskin bellowed authoritatively, surprising both Belle and himself. The beauty's heart beat with trepidation and fear as she gazed upon her liberator in awe.

"What did you say, knight? Do you not know who I am? Do you not realize I can reduce you to a snail in a matter of seconds, and squish you under my boot?" She forewarned, etching closer to them. Rumplestiltskin held out his hands, shielding Belle from the blow of any attacks.

The spinner could feel his love's fear where she cowered, pressed tightly against his back. Yet, surprisingly, her fear brought him courage, her touch fortified him with strength, and her warm breath at the back of his neck instilled in him a hope for their future.

"Very well then! If that's the game you're going to choose to play, then I'll make sure it's your last!" she retorted, conjuring a fireball in her hand and aiming it at him.

"Please! Mother Gothel, don't hurt him!" Belle pleaded, sidestepping around him, "I'll go with you if you promise to leave him alone," she bargained. She couldn't allow harm to come to him, not after everything he'd done for her … not after giving her heart to him. The witch smiled wickedly.

"That's a good girl," she praised, but before she could reach the other woman, Mother Gothel screamed in agony. Belle leaped backwards where Rumpelstiltskin pulled her securely into his embrace. They watched in horror as the evil enchantress was stabbed in the back with a large blade. She fell to the ground, aspirating on the blood which spilled from her mouth. The Dark One pulled the blade from her torso, and smirked sinisterly.

"I see you kept your word, spinner. Now let's settle this deal," he whispered darkly, drawing closer to the pair.

"Please don't hurt her!" the spinner implored as he pulled the beauty closer to his lean frame. Belle buried her head in the pauper's chest unable to look at the hideous nightmare standing before them.

"I just want a lock of her hair, and then you can both be on your way," he scoffed impatiently before producing a clean knife. Belle squeaked with fright when she felt the creature snip a thin piece of hair from her scalp. The beast placed it in a thin vial, giggling impishly.

"Well that settles our deal, and congratulations on sparing your son's life. He's at home waiting for you," he informed the spinner in his enigmatic inflection.

"Th-Th-ank you, but how did you find us?" the spinner probed anxiously.

"The Dark One sees and knows many things. I've watched your little escapade from the moment you appeared in front of the tower. Did you really think I would allow a loathsome witch obstruct my plans?" he tutted, seeming to stare into Rumpelstiltskin's very soul.

"No..." he stammered, and the demon shrugged with a roll of his eyes. In a flash of crimson smoke, the Dark One vanished, leaving them alone again.

"So … I guess we should be going," Belle suggested, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.

"Yes, my son is probably worried sick about my absence." The spinner sighed, averting their gazes away from the deceased witch lying in the road. Belle sighed, disappointed from the loss of contact as they made their way further down the path.

"Um … Rumple … Can I ask you something?" she broached, her heart hammering heavily in her chest from what she was about to inquire.

He turned to her, his soft sable eyes piercing the very depths of her soul. "What is it Belle?" he asked, in his soothing brogue.

She swallowed back the lump forming in her throat, "Do you think I could cook something for you and your son once we arrive back at the village? A token of my gr-gratitude?" she offered, mentally scolding herself for not being courageous enough to reveal the true intentions of her heart.

"I'm sure Bae would like that very much, but you don't need to bother yourself with it. Giving your lock of hair to the Dark One is thanks enough," he assured her.

Belle huffed impatiently, realizing it was now or never. She revealed with her actions what she had trouble expressing with her words as she cupped his face in her hands, and placed a chaste kiss against his lips. She pulled away, gazing amorously into his sable depths which reflected back a desire she'd never seen before. He pulled her in for another kiss. It showed her a hunger she couldn't mistake as her lips met his eagerly. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his slipped to her waist, pulling her firmly against him.

After several moments, they pulled apart breathlessly. "I'm sorry if I overstepped my boundaries," she apologized.

He chuckled at her naivety. "I've been wanting to kiss you since the moment I first laid my eyes on you, but the thought of you wanting to kiss me is preposterous!" he scoffed, pulling away slightly, the color high in his cheeks.

A mischievous grin spread across her face, and a wicked gleam danced in her pupils as she pulled him closer to her. Her hot breath fanned against his neck, only fueling his desire for her when she made a confession of her own … one which made him weak in the knees.

"I want you to do more than kiss me, Rumplestiltskin … I long for you to ravish every inch of my skin," she revealed, and he could hardly believe it because no one had ever expressed such a desire for him, including his ex-wife who could barely stand to look at him.

He held up his hands in disbelief. "Belle … The people in my village view me as nothing more than a worthless coward. If you chain yourself to me, then I can promise you … you'll be viewed as an outcast too," he warned, unable to hold her gaze.

"Rumple, you're no coward! You proved that when you rescued me." she countered, moving closer to him, "And again when you stood up to Mother Gothel," she claimed as her lips found the rapid beat of his pulse beneath his stubbled jaw. "And once more when you protected me from the Dark One." Her petal soft lips teased at the corner of his mouth. "Get those loathsome thoughts of no one ever being able to love you out of your head," she commanded, backing him against a tree.

"Belle I-" he protested as she placed her index finger to his lips.

"Not another word from you." She smiled softly, caressing his face with the back of her hand. He felt his heart flutter in his chest from her innocent advances. No one had ever treated him so delicately before. He'd become so used to everyone's indifference towards him, he didn't know how to respond.

"Belle, it's hard for me to fathom someone would actually want me that way," he confessed, his cheeks turning a rosy color.

"Well, get used to it, because I'm not going anywhere," she respired, threading her fingers through his soft mane while placing a warm kiss against his lips. She pulled away flustered, and he couldn't help but wonder if this was nothing more than a wonderful dream he was about to awaken from. "If you'll have me … Rumple, this is real … I promise I have no intention of ever leaving, so why not see where it takes us?" she inquired, and he thought she must have read his mind.

"Belle, I'm a weak and cowardly spinner who barely makes ends meet. I'll never be able to give you the life you deserve," he berated, his insecurities bubbling up inside him.

"Rumple, I've lived a life full of lavish riches, and look where it got me, I was kidnapped after my parents gave me the tonic of a rare flower which was supposed to cure my malignancy[d]. It just so happens the flower was the exact same one Mother Gothel used to keep her young. The plant gave me the same abilities, so she selfishly stole me away from them so that she could live forever, but they all died at the barbaric hands of the ogres. I have nowhere left to go except into exile, so why can't I spend the rest of my days with you? You're the most genuine person I've ever met, and I'm afraid I'll never be able to part from you without breaking my own heart in the process," she confided.

"Belle, I-" he was about to retort until she cut him off. "Just believe I can love you," she vowed, and he sighed, cradling her face in his hands, "I'll try, but I'm sure it's going to seem impossible," he chuckled dryly.

"Then I'll show you until you believe it," she chuckled, a determined look in her azure irises. He kissed her forehead softly before clasping her hand in his.

"It's getting late, and I need to get home to my son. I want you to meet Bae."

She nodded, squeezing his hand tightly in her own. "I would love that." she responded. He couldn't help but feel excited for what the future held for them.

They journeyed over the brow of the hill, the hovel appearing in the distance. "Is that where you live?" she inquired, full of intrigue.

"It is … It isn't a palace by any means, but it's all I've got I'm afraid," he replied sheepishly, scratching the back of his head nervously, afraid she would leave once she realized he was completely penniless.

"I think it's very charming," she affirmed, squeezing his hand tightly, relief coursing through him.

"I'm sorry, but I have nothing to offer you," he sighed, pulling away slightly, but she only pulled him closer.

"All I want is you. I can assure you ... that's enough." His heart fluttered from her confession, believing it was to good to be true.

As they approached the hovel, the flimsy wooden door flew open, revealing Baelfire bounding towards them. The teenage boy with dark velvet curls stopped halfway, breathless.

"Bae!" Rumplestiltskin bellowed, sprinting towards his son, and pulling him into his arms. Belle watched with appreciation as the pair embraced.

"Papa! Where have you been!?" Bae gasped, pulling away slightly to gaze at him, searching for answers.

"It's quite a long story, son … Why don't we go back inside, and I'll tell you all about it," he paused before turning to Belle. "I would also like you to meet someone very special." He smiled, gesturing for her to come. She stepped forward shyly, her hands clasped behind her back.

"Who is she?" Bae inquired, gazing between the two with piqued interest.

"Her name is Belle, and she's someone very special," he supplied, stepping aside so they could greet each other.

"Hello, Baelfire … Your papa has told me quite a bit about you." She beamed, and he couldn't help but believe she was reminiscent of sunshine.

"Hello, Belle … How did you and my papa meet, and how are you walking without your staff?" he interrogated, while staring between them.

Rumplestiltskin put his arms around them and chuckled. "There will be a time to explain everything, my boy, but why don't we head inside first? Belle has promised to cook us a fine meal," he remarked, Bae's eyes lighting up at the mention of food.

"I'm all ears then," he laughed before dashing ahead of them into the hovel.

"Do you think he'll accept me?" she inquired nervously, holding him back momentarily.

"Baelfire is the most accepting … loving person I know. He'll come to love you just as I have," he reassured her, causing tears to well in her eyes. She threw her arms around him before placing a gentle kiss against his lips.

"I know I'll never grow tired of that," he smiled, tucking an errant curl behind her ear.

"How about the supper?" she grinned, the light reaching her eyes, reflecting that of a woman in love.

"How about it then..." he smiled, taking her hand in his and walking into the hovel. The creaky wooden door shut behind them, a symbol of the closing of a lonely chapter in their lives and the beginning of one full of love.

He'd gotten more out of this deal then he could have imagined, and he wasn't about to let go of her. Their future was just over the horizon and the possibilities for them were endless, for the pauper - not the stalwart prince - had won the princess's heart. Their story was just unfolding, and it was a new beginning for both of them … one that would ultimately end with happily ever after.

A/AN: Well there's the end of my second installment in this series of fairy tales. I left it with an open ending because I want you to imagine what happened with them by creating your own ending in your mind. The great thing about fairy tales is that we can know they lived happily ever after because they usually always end on that note without going into great detail. I hope you've all enjoyed this tale. Sleeping Beauty is the upcoming one in this installment. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you Charlotte Ashmore for being such an amazing beta!