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Here's your Chapter 7 of Hellfire. Thanks again for all your support.

"Patience Regina, won't be much longer now." He took another sip of wine "Have you ladies ever heard of the Night Lord?"

They women shook their heads and both agree they never had.

"I'm sure you haven't, the tales have long since died I'm afraid. Well long ago, before Maleficent's reign, a mortal man traveled north in search of a woman said to be so beautiful gazing upon her would stop a man's heart. He bravely fought through harsh terrain and survived a blizzard to finally reach an ice castle, the very one we're in." The two women watched as he flourished his hands as he spoke. Belle admired how expressive he was, using his hands to add the necessary details to his words.

"When his eyes bestowed upon her he did not faint, his heart did not give out. But he did begin to cry. His tears of joy broke the heart of Elsa and she decided to marry him, giving him lordship of Eternal Snows. The man. not use to being around such cold temperature and darkness all the time, grew very ill. Elsa and her Generals brought in dozens magical healers to warm his body's fire but it was for naught, her never recovered fully. Lady Elsa, in a fit of frustration, used magic to tear open our own skies above to let the stars warm him. The tear in the sky was called the Night's Light. But the warmth from the stars did not reach him in time and he perished one night. Elsa used her magic to close the rip in the sky, but the Gods cursed Elsa for using her powers in the cosmos. On the anniversary of Night Lord's death, the tear would re-open and his warmth could be felt again for one night."

Belle thought that had to be the most beautiful tale she ever heard. An unrequited love only to be disrupted faith, in a grief- stricken moment a mistake was made that in some light was a blessing, but also a curse.

"Look up." He gestured his head to the hole in the dome.

The women did and what they saw amazed them. The night sky had waves of colors rippling across it. Greens, blues and reds flashed and danced for them in the sky. The snow was still falling and it only refracted the light in the room as fell from above, raining lighted frozen flakes down into the room. The ice room changed colors, as the sky did. The room was warm now; the Night's Lights make the room feel cozy like a warm blanket was place on top on them. It all caused Belle to become speechless as a single tear fell from her eye. In her lost for words, Rumpelstiltskin moved her close to him wrapping his arm around her back as he use another hand to cradle her face and kiss her deeply. Regina saw the pair kissing but decided the gesture was too perfect to interrupt and watched the room change colors. It gave her clarity, she only could think of her son and her tears began to surface. After the kiss, Belle thanked him for this moment and wished it would last forever.

"Gods."

Belle saw Regina wipe the tears from her eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm- I'm just thinking about my son."

"Henry was it?"

Regina nodded

"Tell me about him."

"Not much to tell really." She shrugged and poured herself another glass of wine, more than half this time. "When I married the King I was so happy I finally fulfilled my destiny to become Queen. It's wasn't until we needed to consummate our married did I find out his true nature when he drunkenly stole my innocence on our wedding night. It was nothing I like imagined for myself, I was sore for weeks. After a few more years of his reckless trying, my womb quicken, and I boar a son for him. Henry is the only good thing that has come from my marriage to King Leopold." She took another sip of her wine keeping her stares to the bonfire.

"He never loved us though, not truly at least. He was still in love with Snow's dead mother. He grew tired of me I supposed and began to bring brothel wrenches to his chambers. I hated being in a loveless marriage, so I found someone to love me since the King couldn't. His name was Graham; he was beautiful and strong as he was caring. He was the King's trusted guardsman. Snow found out about the affair when she saw me mounted on top of him riding fiercely, like she would her horses, in the stable on a bed of hay." She said with no discomposure in voice, maybe even a little brazen.

"She couldn't keep the secret and the King had Graham executed for treason. Before he could send me to the Faith for atonement, I poisoned his wine and I was made Queen Regent until Henry came of age. Snow White fled the castle and gathered enough rebel support to attack my black knights. She gave me a choice, either I leave to never return or she will kill Henry claiming him to be the King's illegitimate son. So I left for the Enchanted Forest to start my training as a Dark One. It's been almost three years since I've seen him." Regina chuckled to herself, looking in her wine glass swirling its contents. "I'll admit I have done some... bold decision making as Queen," She heard Rumpelstiltskin cleared his throat. Regina turned to him. "but I never threaten the life of a child."

"Dearie you killed the King. I'm sure you can understand why you Snow White hated you."

"I killed the King because I was going to be torture by the Faith with scourges and flaying." She tried to justify knowing fully that Rumpelstiltskin wouldn't understand. The last time they had a similar conversation he reminded her that she could have left, fled the kingdom, but instead selfishly took the option of power and it wrought her many unforeseen consequences.

"What about your sacrifice, to choose between power or your son, the way you speak about him shows you really care about him." Belle asked attentively.

"I don't know. I thought about this for more hours than you could imagine, but what helps through my training is the fact that I believe Henry would want me to take back his ancestral seat in his honor."

"I believe he would too Regina." Rumpelstiltskin said. He was always moved when he heard her story.

They changed the subject of lost loved one to more joyous topic of what other magical places the Enchanted Forest held. After awhile Regina eyes closed and fell asleep, Rumple and Belle were still talking, enjoying the each others company as the sky did its light show.

"Rumple there's still something I don't understand about you."

"There will be a lot you won't understand." He gave her a light smile. "What do you wish to ask me love?" He shifted from around her to prepare for the question.

"I was thinking about Regina's history lesson the other evening at dinner. Why didn't you become the new King instead of splitting the five kingdoms? You were the High Lord of the Enchanted Forest at the time; you had the most claim to the throne."

"I didn't want to be King because I would have needed a Queen." He saw the lost still in Belle's eyes and sighed at the fact that he had to explain this. "I wouldn't be able to bring myself to punish an innocent woman to be married to me."

"What kind punishment would an offer to be Queen be?"

"Well I would need to produce a hire with the Queen, what woman would have the Dark One."

Belle looked down and believed he thought her less than a woman. He took her by the chin and lifted her head to meet her blue beautiful eyes. "I think I found a rare out of the masses." Belle smiled and leaned into his embrace, placing her head on her chest.

"Rumple?" She said listening to his heart's rhythm.

"Yes Belle?"

"Did you ever receive the raven with news of my father?" Her hair, brushing the exposed skin of his chest as she sat up.

"I did, but I thought you didn't want to know."

"I didn't but I do now." She looking down at the deep red liquid that filled her glass.

"Well the Ogres devastated your land, leaving many of your kingdom's towns in ruin. All hope was lost until one for your father's banner man rode in, Gaston LeGume. His forces destroyed the Ogres and your father….. is alive and well. He licks wounds at Avonlea."

Belle eyes lit up at the news. She was very happy to hear that her father was alive. She excitedly wrapped her arms around him and hugged Rumpelstiltskin, he return the hug back and assured her everything was fine. Without thinking Belle's kissed Rumpelstiltskin lovingly on the lips, only this time it was her turn to try it using her tongue. It surprised him, her tongue moved in and out through his lip and he made a low growl in her mouth. He laid her down on her back and just before Rumpelstiltskin could start back devouring Belle, she gesture toward Regina. Who was still sleeping and after the other night they both agreed she deserved it. Rumpelstiltskin waved a hand and Regina disappeared. He returned his attention back to Belle as they continue to make love beneath the open night skies for all the Gods to bear witness.

When they were finished, the lights were gone and the morning sky was still dark. Belle thought to herself, The sun must work differently this far north. And it did, the sun only returned in the summer but even then there was still no sunshine only a hazy gray waste due to the thickness of the frost clouds and the snows would still fall. Rumpelstiltskin told Belle he needed to wish Elsa a farewell and Belle, of course, asked if she could come to say her goodbyes too. Rumpelstiltskin agreed it would be respectful and he summoned the castle guards. It was the same guards as before Belle noticed that escorted them back to the throne room. Elsa was not seated on her throne this time or in the room at all. She walked in a few moments later and approached them wearing a apprehensive smile.

"Belle I'm in awe of your beauty and the warmth of your nature appeases me. It reminds me of my beloved, his was warm too. I would like to present you with this gift." Elsa said handing Belle a necklace with a small glass vile full with glowing snow as it's pendent. "It is the same snow I use to rebirth my warrior with. It's not enough for you to do so on your own, but it very pretty to look at."

Rumpelstiltskin helped Belle put it around her neck. "I agree Elsa it matches her beauty quite nicely."

"Thank you Lady Elsa." Belle said in a curtsy.

They said their farewells and when the smoke clear the pair was back in the Dark Castle. It was still early morning when they made it back. Belle was very tired and Rumpelstiltskin suggested she should go to bed. Belle agreed and he escorted to her room in the dungeon. They kissed and Rumpelstiltskin retired himself to his study as well.

Belle was being escorted from her cell to the dining hall by Emma. Regina was already sitting and drinking a glass of wine. The both greeted each other and talked about how last evening's visit North was a pleasant one. Belle filled her in on what happen after Regina fell asleep, though Regina was happy that she was returned to the Dark Castle beforehand.

"It truly astounds me that someone so, what's the word I'm looking for." She eyed Belle over. "Pure is interested in the Dark One of all people."

"I don't see him as a Dark One."

"Have you seen many Dark Ones?" Regina said vicariously. "What have you learned about Dark Ones in Avonlea?"

"Not much, as I stated before, this land is much forbidden in Avonlea including the inhabitants." Belle tried to think back in her head to a time when her maids and servants mentioned the topic. "I have heard some tales, like, its death if you break a deal with one."

"Not only that. There was this one Dark One that was as evil as they came. He used his powers to trick people and con families into offering their women members to him as payment. The Gods only knew what he was doing to them. He burned cities to the ground when the families try to hide their daughters or wives when it was time to pay him. He was a monster, He died though."

"How did he die? How do you kill a Dark One?" Belle asked almost afraid to know.

"Dragon fire, but the dragons don't exist anymore so they're technically unstoppable."

"I'm happy the dragon are gone, men shouldn't have that much power." Belle said as she thought of the Burning Wedding.

"Or are you happy that there's no way for your lover the Dark One to die?"Regina sneered.

"I told you My Lady, I don't see him as a Dark One."

"Then how do you see him Belle, I'm very curious?"

Belle gave it a thought. "I see a man, but it's much deeper like a soul or a being, shrouded in darkness. He longs for light, but he also frighten by it as he's accustom to only his darkness. I want to show him that I can be his light or at the very least someone to show him he's not alone with his darkness."

"You're very wise Belle. You will make a great Queen some day." She toasted her wine to her. "But he will always have that darkness. The curse is for life." She took a swig from her glass. "When I first started my training and I watched him kill someone I asked him how did it feel to him. I feel nothing he told me which I didn't understand. When I killed for the first time I felt alive. I enjoyed seeing King Leopold fall to the ground convulsing and foaming at the mouth-" Regina saw Belle's uneasy gaze.

"Look at you, shaken over a little story and you almost fainted when he killed that rebel in the cave." Regina sighed "but I guess the flesh wants what it does not know."

"What do you mean?"

"Well he's pure darkness, you're like pure innocence." Regina eyed her suggestively. "Well I guess not anymore." Belle blushed.

Moments more passed and dinner was being served and still no Rumpelstiltskin. The women were beginning to worry.

"This unlike him, Are you sure nothing else happen after you left Eternal Snows?"

"No My Lady."

"Something's wrong." Belle felt it too and it chilled her enough to raise the goose bumps on her skin.

It was then they heard a roar bellowed from above. The women stood from their chairs and charged upstairs and through the door that led to their master's study. He was on the ground, shaking, holding his hands up to his ears as if he were trying to block out sound. He was breathing hard and muttering to himself fast and too low for the girls to understand him.

"Rumple?" Belle screamed as she ran to him placing his head in her lap.

"The voices! I can't quiet the voices!" He cried out with his eyes closed tightly.

"It's the Elder Dark Ones, go talk to them." Regina screamed a command at her master.

"You think if I could, I wouldn't? Their voices, there are too many. I can't concentrate enough to fall in to a trance to speak with them. Something is wrong if they're all calling me at once." He said through his teeth in-between his heavy breathing."

Regina thought to herself, quickly she jumped from the floor and ran to a nearby table. She grabbed a crystal ball from it and ran back to her master on the floor, bashing him across the head with it. He fell back into Belle's lap, passed out. Belle screamed Regina's name angrily, but Regina explained to her that he need to be passed out to be relaxed enough to fall into a trance to speak with the Elders. Belle agreed and commended her on her quick thinking. Regina healed the gash that opened on his forehead and Belle rubbed his head to soothe him of any lingering pain. She worried for Rumple, he said they were all calling him at one time, but what for?

In the next chapter, we will meet the Elders.

-RL