An,
Andddd we're back for the 5th chapter of HellFire. OK I'm taking a poll, who do you think Henry's father is? Let me know in the comment section who you think. This chapter will have a lot to do with the history of the kingdoms. Again thank you to all the people who are following and commenting, I love your support. Enjoy your chapter.
"Regina?"
"I did it." She said to herself, raising her fists in the air for victory.
"How did you do that?" Belle said as she stood from her bed.
"Rumple just taught me."
Belle was happy to know that Regina and Rumpelstiltskin were back speaking. Rumpelstiltskin was not the man she thought he was. He was kind and showed Regina patience. It only excelled his teaching ability.
"Forgive us for using your room for practice." He said standing in the open door way of Belle's room.
She gave him a smile. "No, it's fine. I'm happy your training is going well." She said turning to Regina.
Rumpelstiltskin eyes never left Belle while in her present. Everything about her was beautiful. She was ever the lady, always minding curtsies and quick to blush when smiled upon.
"More than well. And soon I will be more powerful, unstoppable Belle." Regina's eyes turned menacing. Belle's expression was doubtful but her words spoke of hope.
"Snow White would be wise to leave without a fight."
"Now, now, Belle I plan to fully return the favor to her and the rebels. War." She said with corruption in her voice and an evil grin.
"I'm very proud of her Belle. Come Regina let us continue. I seem to remember you need a lesson on reversal spells." Rumpelstiltskin walked out with Regina on his heels. "See you this evening for dinner." He said turning back to his ward he kept in his dungeon.
Dinner was on time and being brought by the nameless serving girls whom never spoke. Rumpelstiltskin always thanked them before leaving; they bowed and receded back to the kitchen never speaking or making eye contact. Rumpelstiltskin always broke the silent when it filled the room after their food reached the table.
"Excellent lesson today, Regina. We will complete the lesson on a later date." Rumpelstiltskin said cutting into the tender meat that was on his plate. Regina smiled taking her utensils in hand.
"Whenever you think I'm ready Rumple. Patience is hard, but time is all we have." She said scooping food on to her spoon.
"Belle I almost forgot. A raven will be here soon with news of your father and land."
Belle's delighted chewing turned to a look of dread. She swallowed and picked up her napkin from her lap, dabbing the corners on her mouth politely.
"My Lord I would not like to hear the news. I have mourned my father in the likelihood that is already dead." She said sadly. Rumpelstiltskin only nodded that he understood, fearing he made their dinner very awkward.
"Belle please don't be sadden, my father die too in battle." Regina said in condolence.
Regina's words were kind; however, it only discouraged her more. It was left up to Belle to try and save dinner so it may not be ruin with talks of death and dying.
"Regina during my time in Avonlea I've read great things of your kingdom from the books in my library. Mist Haven and the Mills' are a very strong house and have been that way for hundreds of years."
"We are and I'll continue the tradition once my training is complete."
"Belle, are there many books in your library of the Enchanted Forest?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.
"None my Lord." She said after picking up her goblet for a sip of water. "This land is a much forbidden subject in Avonlea."
"Why? The Enchanted Forest is very important to our world's history." Regina said putting her utensil down to explain. "Mist Haven History lesson's has always included the Enchanted Forest and Rumpelstiltskin. The kingdoms would be nothing without him and war would still ravage the world."
"Ok Regina that's enough. She has already had one lesson today. No need for another." Rumpelstiltskin said with pride on his face.
"No I would like to hear more, may she continue?" Belle politely asked.
Rumpelstiltskin smiled at Belle, her curiosity and her thirst for knowledge astounded him. "She may," He chuckled. "but Regina you must be accurate." He said before taking a gulp from his wine.
"I will." She thought out loud. "Where should I start?"
"The beginning would do nicely." Rumpelstiltskin quipped and he heard the soft whisper of a laugh come from Belle's lips. He turned to her to notice the whimsical smile he was given. He gave her one back as she involuntary bit her bottom lip like she did when her nerves got the better of her. He didn't mind the lip biting; it only added to her special qualities that made her stand out in his mind far more.
Regina took a long sip of her wine, clearing her throat as set the goblet back on the table. "Well in the beginning, when the five kingdoms were one, there was a cynical Queen that ruled the land. Maleficent. She had a dragon named, Zorbarex, that she use to put an end to the fighting that rummaged the world. At one time she was a very caring and grateful ruler, only bringing justice to only those who caused trouble for her people. But it was an attempted poisoning that left her distrusting. She feared that the High Lords, whom she entrusted to watch each corner of the world, were behind the attack to take her power and throne. She would lock herself in the Dark Fortress numbing her mind with small doses of a sleeping potion, sea water, and toad's stool. A mixture called Dream Shade, she said it quiet the voices in her head of the High Lords' talks of betrayals and plotting. When all the Lords and citizens alike heard the news of she how became, they branded her with the title The Paranoid Queen."
"She was unwilling to accept my counsel that her daughter, Lily, was behind the poisoning. She did so she may become the new Queen." Rumpelstiltskin said. "You won't find that in the history books Belle."
"Wait so you were alive during Maleficent's reigns? You must be at least 300 years old." She said with shock in her gaze as she looked him over.
"Young one, I am 326 year old and still sprite for my age I assure you."
"May I continue please?" Regina said.
Rumpelstitskin nodded.
"As her paranoia intensified, she knew something must be done. She would not give up her power and the love of her subjects. Little did she know her people already rallied behind the princess, Lily. To get back in good graces with the High Lords, she threw a party in honor of her daughter newly betrothal and invited all the High Lords. Avonlea, Mist Haven, Arrendale, Oz, and the Enchanted Forest Lords' and their families were all in attendance. It was said she came to the engagement numb to the bone with Dream Shade, slurring her words and unable to walk straight."
Rumpelstiltskin finished. "I was there My Lady, at the gathering. The Queen was the only one at the party not having a joyous time. Before I knew it she ordered her men to lock the doors of the palace. I'll never in my life forget what happened next."
Regina continued. "She telepathically told Zobarex to rain down dragon fire, the hottest of all fire, onto the unsuspecting party goers. Thusly, killing all the High Lords, Lily the Princess, herself, and many of her subjects. Zobarex flew away never to be seen again. The event is known as of today as, The Burning Wedding."
"How did you escape Rumple?" Belle said.
"My magic protected me from the flames. I didn't have long to leave, dragon fire is a powerful substance and without my quick thinking I would have perished too."
"Without a ruler and no one to hand out justice, the lower Lords who were not in attendance to the wedding began to fight for dominance of the land that lasted more than a decade. It wasn't until Rumpelstiltskin broke the lands into five kingdoms did the fighting stop. He proclaim the Arren's to rule Arrendale, the Gale's to OZ, French's to Avaonlea, and the Mills' to Mist Haven. The five kingdoms each had its own King to rule and the world has been peaceful since.
"So that makes you the King of the Enchanted Forest I suppose."
"I suppose it does but we do things differently here. I do not proclaim myself as the King of my land. Only a wise knowledgeable being to insure the strengths of the Enchanted Forest and it has worked fine for centuries."
"What are the Enchanted Forest's strengths?"
"A great many of things. Magic, of course being the number one strength of this land. I have four smaller lordship houses that all coincide with one another to make our kingdom strong." He looked to Regina to answer; this was part of her lesson. He was testing to see if she remembered. "Regina?"
"Hmm? Oh. In the southern lands of the Enchanted Forest, where the lush greengage ends and the sands begins. Jafar of the house Sultan, is the guardians of the attacks by land. The common people are farmers, supplying this land with food and also magical ingredients such as Toad's stool, Poppy seeds, and Nightsbane.
"Their sigil?"
"A tall bronze staff with a snake's head."
"Excellent." He nodded his approval.
"Poseidon, of the house Seaworthy, is to the west along the coast. Its sigil is a golden three speared trident; they are the protector of attacks from the seas. The common people are merchants and fishermen, supplying fresh catches and trading goods with the other realms. Some items they trade are magical, however, some are not. Durza, of the house Spine, is in the mountains to the east. They are the sky watchers and protect the valley in the east. Their sigil is a ruby sword with a silver hilt and everyone in their house, including the common people, have magical ability. The teacher's are called Shades and are able to teach their magical knowledge to others if the person proves worthy. This also is where the citadel is and if one ever hopes to become a Dark One you must consult with a Shade."
"Is that what you did Regina?"
"I did. Lucky for me Rumpelstiltskin was in attendance at my recruitment."
"She told me her story and I saw something in her so I took her under my wing as my apprentice."
"And what about the fourth house?"
"Oh yes." Regina made her voice sound sinister. "In the North, The house of Eternal Snows is seated by Elsa the Frozen and her generals. Their sigil is a single white snowflake on a black field, no common people live there. Their only job is to supply the Enchanted Forest's armies with proven soldiers. Many of this land's subjects who are sick, ill, or dying go North to be reborn again in the snows as mighty warriors who never fear death, called White Walkers.
"Fear not Belle, as fierce as Elsa and her soldiers are they only attack under my orders."
"I suppose that good to know, but I wonder, if anyone can become a Dark One. Why are there so few, about one every lifetime or so?
"It's that way because the curse comes with a steep price." Rumpelstiltskin warned.
"After you completed your training as an apprentice, you must kill the thing you love most. You must be left with a void within yourself, and after your sacrifice, the curse can fill the void with darkness. And you become a Dark One. Most people stop their training at Shade's level to not have to endure such suffering."
Belle wanted to ask Rumpelstiltskin, who was his sacrifice? Who was the person he love the most? But Belle didn't have the courage to open that old wound. When she looked to him for any hint as to whom it was, she found none, only a look of discontentment.
"My sacrifice will be my son Henry, name for my father. Who fought and died bravely when he did his best to hold off Snow White's rebel supporters."
"I think Belle has tried of these stories as have I Regina. If you are finish with you dinner Belle may I take you to your room?"
Belle laid her napkin on the table, before standing to leaving with Rumpelstiltskin, she bid Regina a restful night and walked arm in arm to her room with her master.
"Here we are, safe and sound."
"Thank you." She said rising herself on to her toes to give the man a hug. In his shock he didn't hug back only stood there with a dumbfounded look upon his face. "Sorry." She tried to giggle off the awkwardness.
"It's no matter. Sleep peacefully." He said leaving her room.
When she turned around to face her bed, she soon realized it wasn't her small cot but lavish bed with a spread and pillows fit for a Queen's chamber. She screamed and ran to the bed, jumping on it with glee. She jumped back out the bed opting to bathe before resting between her new clean sheets.
Walking from the dungeon he heard the delighted shrills of Belle as she discovered her new gift. When he made it to his study, he was consumed in a vision. He was in the dankness of a void when he saw Belle standing in front a pyre; the flames sprouting from it were blue. Rumpelstiltskin came to stand beside her and stared at the flames also.
"Beautiful isn't it?" She said with her eyes still fixed on the fire.
"Not as much as you." The flames danced and flicker in Belle's eyes as she watched it. She smiled and met his gaze.
"Belle, can you tell me what's going on? Why do I have these waking visions of you?"
"I don't know. I was going to ask you the same thing." She took his hand in hers. She turned her gaze back to the fire and reach out a hand for it.
"Belle No!" He pulled her hand away from the flames.
"It calling for us Rumple, can't you hear?"
"No I don't hear anything."
Belle raised her hand to fire again. "We should."
"I'm afraid." He admitted.
"So am I. Let's do it together."
They both slowly reached out for the strange blue flames. It swirled around their hands not burning them, but only lightly caressed their hand, he felt an amazing realization. He felt whole again like the void that once was filled with the Dark One's curse was lifted and made him a man again. He soon realized what he was feeling when he turned to Belle.
"I feel it too Rumple, what is it?"
"Our love." They stared in each other eyes before kissing, letting the blue flames from the pyre engulf them yet again.
How did you like the history of the five kingdoms? Now i know someone will say i copied GOT, but i didn't. I use actual history reference and tweaked it in my own way. The same as GRRM did with GOT. Chapter 6 will have a M rating, but just like chapter 4, it isn't as bad as you think it will be. We are closing in on the angst chapters of my story, try to enjoy the cutesy stuff while you can. See you Friday.
-RL