An,

And we are back for Chapter 8 of A Dance of Light and Darkness: Hellfire. Well i change the name after my muse talked me in to (a "possible" trilogy). This chapter will answer a few of your burning questions, and there are a bunch of call back to previous chapters, look for them. I'm really happy every one is enjoying my story, please continue to comment, fav and follow. Thank you all.

When Rumpelstiltskin came to, his head was writhing with pain. He held a hand to his head where the blow occurred, checking to see if any blood was there. He cursed Regina for bashing his head in. Rumpelstiltskin rose from the ground and quickly discovered he was in a void. No light penetrated this place. He heard a voice speak from behind him.

"Hello crocodile." A cloaked figure stepped from the darkness and pulled back the hood of his cloak. It was Killian the pirate Dark One known for his trickery. He would trick unfortunate people into making deals they could not up hold to and reaped the benefits. He always cashed in and his price was always ships or women.

"Must you call him that?" Another familiar voice spoke and reveled himself from the darkness dropping his hood down, Zoso the wise. He was knowledgeable man, even spent his years in the world collecting it. And with great knowledgeable came great his power. The Elders convinced Zoso to destroy his self and take his place as one of them while he still had a sound mind. Rumpelstiltskin respected this Dark One and look toward him for guidance. "Rumpelstiltskin you have been called to stand before the Elder Dark Ones to answer why you have breached a contract."

"I don't break deals Dearie." He thought to himself. "To which contact are you referring to."

"The contract you have with King Maurice to aid his kingdom with food to withstand the Ogre's siege in exchange for a princess to be your ward under protection." The Dark One Gorgon said as his hood still shrouded his face. Gorgon was the warrior aspect of the Elders, perhaps the fiercest warrior to ever live. When he roamed the world, there was a great civil war between magical beings and non magical humans. The human were close to victory because they were using dragons to kill off the Dark Ones armies. It's said that Gorgon, having enough of his men dying, changed his form to that of a giant fire breathing boar killing over half the mortal's armies and all the dragons except one, Zorbarex who was only a young dragon. This slaughter branded him as Gorgon the Invincible.

"The Ogre's are gone, Avonlea still stands, and Belle is still alive. She sits in my dungeon under a protection spell. I'm even using the one you told me to use when I sought out your counsel. The Great Lock hangs from her cell door."

"Aye Dark One you did." Killian spoke loftily.

"Then why have I been summoned." He shouted angrily, he wanted his answers.

Another cloaked figure stepped from the shadows to stand before him and removed its hood. Rumpelstiltskin quickly dropped a knee to the ground to bow before her. She signaled for him to rise and he did so with a bowed head.

"My poor young dark soul." She crooned him. "Have you really no idea what you've done wrong?" If she was here it must was a horrible thing. She was Nimue, the first Dark One and the creator of the Dark Curse. Back in the simpler times, a man named Vortigan killed Nimue's husband Merlin, the thing she the love most. In her grief, she stole the Holy Grail from a temple, melting it down to created a sword. She plunged the sword through her heart, but she cursed herself instead, filling her void with darkness. In time, she was able to get her revenge for her husband. Rumpelstiltskin supposed she had nothing else to live for so she destroyed herself so she may be able to help a new Dark One who was unlucky enough to take the curse.

"None, mother Nimue."

"Rumple you deflowered Belle. You breached her father's contract by failing to protect her, from yourself no less."

Rumpelstiltskin's heart clenched in his chest when Nimue said he failed to protect Belle. All he could picture was her that night in her cell, face scrunched in agony, holding him tightly as he broke through her maidenhood. He didn't realize it then that moment would send him to face the Elders. He felt worst then he ever has before.

"Mother Nimue, if I had known it would have broken my contract, I would not have done it."

"You should have known, you are a Dark One. You instead let the fires of your carnal desire consume you and destroy Belle."

"Tell me Dark One if you were entrusted to protect a goat, would you fuck the goat as well?" Killian said laughing. Rumpelstiltskin hated Killian. They were once simultaneously Dark Ones, Killian having taken the curse a century after Rumpelstiltskin did. Killian was a horrible Dark One, using his powers to feed his sick pleasures. He brought shame to the ranks of the Dark Ones and soon Rumpelstiltskin had enough. When he heard Killian made a deal with a woman in exchange for a seven year old girl, Rumpelstiltskin used a small amount of the dragon fire he was able to bottle for a raining day from The Burning Wedding. He doused Killian with it destroying him. Rumpelstiltskin then took the young girl in and trained her in the arts of sword and barrier spells. When she became older and finished her training he made her his dungeon guard.

"Why is the child molester here?" He asked the others.

"I wanted to see the look on your face with I and the Elders tell you."

"Tell me what?" He snarled through his teeth.

"Rumpelstiltskin you have tarnished your reputation as a Dark One. You will be stripped of all titles and holdings in the Enchanted Forest and you will take your seat as an Elder." Gorgon said with conviction.

"That right crocodile, the rest of eternity with me." Rumpelstiltskin knew at one point he would have to join Killian and the rest of them, but he had no idea it would be this soon.

"No you can't do that. The Enchanted Forest needs me. B-Besides there isn't another Dark One yet." He pleaded.

The Elder Dark Ones formed a huddle and conversed in whispers amongst themselves. Rumpelstiltskin could care less about the Enchanted Forest or the world for that matter. He only worried about Belle and what would happen to her if he were to leave her.

"You're right Rumple. The world needs a Dark One to control the power struggle between men and magic. But we all agree the world can wait a few years until a new Dark One is born." Zoso said wearily.

"Mother Nimue I beg for your mercy." He pleaded, clasping his hands together for leniency.

She walked to stand before the Dark Lord and used a soft finger to pushed his hair back from his face. Rumpelstiltskin knew she saw the fear on his face, the fear of losing Belle.

"My child I see you with her through your eyes and I'm moved by your pleas. I'll grant you mercy." Rumpelstiltskin felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Rumpelstiltskin you must kill Belle. Or marry her." Rumpelstiltskin's face dropped. Nimue showed him no mercy; he might as well don his cloak and join them now. "You can marry her and give her the armies she needs to fulfill the rest of the contract or you may nullify the deal by killing her. Do nothing and will you join us. The choice is yours." He knew what his choice was. He just needed to say goodbye to Belle.

Rumpelstiltskin's eyes fluttered opened as Belle showered his face with kisses. He rose up from her lap and without looking at her, told her to leave. Belle couldn't help but feel bad, she didn't like the feeling of being pushed away by him, but she stood to leave anyway. When Rumpelstiltskin felt her presents was gone from behind the close door, He began to tell Regina what the Elders spoke of.

"Then married her Rumple, she's a princess and you are a King. It works out perfectly."

"I will do no such thing, Belle deserve better than to be cursed to me."

"This is true, but she cares for you and I don't think she would mind."

"And how long will it be before she grows to hate me for what I truly am, a Dark One. In time she will blame me for her disenjoyment of life. I can't do that to her."

"Then what are you going to do. You're not considering-"

"Of course not but I have plan."

"Won't the Elders hear?"

"No they can only see into this world, not listen. I'm going to need your help with this Regina."

"Yes, I'm willing to do anything for you My Lord."

"Good. We have to make this look real as possible, so I will tell Belle she is to die tomorrow. What I want from you is to find a young girl and glamour her to look like Belle. I will burn her at the stake convincing the Elders Belle is dead. Meanwhile, you take the real Belle to your sister's Kingdom. I believe they have a son Belle can marry so she would be safe."

"To Oz? Zelena and Hades' son Roland is only a boy of three."

"It does not matter she will be safe there until he comes of age."

"But the Elders, they will find out eventually."

"And I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

"My Lord I won't see you anymore."

"You will continue your training at the Citadel. Once you become a Dark One I'll always be with.

"It won't be the same."

Rumpelstiltskin nodded and Regina flung her arms around him hugging her master who taught her everything she knows about magic. Rumpelstiltskin hugged back tightly, he slowly pulled her arms from around him and wiped the tears that fell from her eyes.

"I need to talk Belle, and say my goodbyes."

She was lying on stomach in her bed with her nose in a book when Rumpelstiltskin waved the door open. The sun from, her dirty cell window, bathed her in sunlight and she looked that of an angel. She greeted him with a smile and rose from her position to sit on the edge of the bed. He shut the door, though it failed to latch. He came to sit with her and sighed knowing how hard this would be.

"Why do you look so sad?"

"Belle I've done something terrible."

"What is it?"

"I failed to protect you by selfishly defiling you." He said without looking at her.

"You didn't defile me. I gave myself you."

"The Elders don't see it that way. I've broken your father's contract and now I'm must nullify the terms by- by killing you."

"What, you're not serious."

"I'm preparing pyre as we speak."

"No, this can't be. I thought you care for me." She grabbed him by the face with both of her hands so he would look at her.

He removed her hands, and looked in her cerulean blue eyes. "Dearie, My power and my reputation mean more to me then you ever could you foolish girl." He stood from her bed to assert himself.

"I don't believe that. I saw something in you, something good. Don't give into the darkness." She said looking up at him taking him by the hand.

He yanked his hand from her. "I am the darkness, gullible child. I should have never been so blinded by my lust for you." He spat while pointing her with the same hand she just held.

"Rumple I don't want to die." Her voice, breaking with every word.

"You should have thought about that before you invited a monster into your bed." She began to weep. Her cries broke his heart but he didn't let her see that it did. "I just came to said goodbye." Through her sobs she grabbed the book she was reading and threw at it him just as he was in the smoke shield of his transportation spell.

A book hit the wall of his study. He walked over to the book; the pages bent over as it laid there sprawled on the ground. Rumpelstiltskin picked the book up at and read its title. HER HANDOME HERO. He couldn't hold his tears any longer as he clutched the book to his chest.

That evening, Regina was packing her things for the Citadel. She'd already done everything Rumpelstiltskin requested of her. She sent a raven to Oz and it came back to with good news. The King and Queen of Oz approved the marriage arrangement of Belle and their son. She was also able to found a young unfortunate soul she glamored as Belle. The fake Belle was lying on the floor in Regina's room bound and gagged struggling to free herself as Regina added the last of her items to a traveling bag. She paid her no attention, it was hard enough she bore Belle's Likeness. All the preparations were made now all she needed to do was go set the real Belle free. Well, not all she needed to do was completed, she need to say goodbye to one more person. She was walked down to the dungeon and was greeted with a bow from Emma.

"My lady I suppose this is goodbye." Emma said.

"Where will you go after Rumple is gone?"

"I do not know. I'm sure there's other castle dungeon in need of a guard perhaps I'll find work there." She said dropping her head, sadden that her mentor was leaving her also. "I'll never forget what he has done for me, he saved my life, I wish there was some way I could save his."

"He saved all our lives Emma; he would want us to be strong. Not just for him but for ourselves."

"I'll miss you too My Lady." Emma said looking into Regina's chestnut eyes. Regina tried to give Emma a convincing smile, but her eyes showed so much sadness. She walked up to Emma and threw her arms around her and mingled their lips together in a kiss.

"Emma please, take me one last time." Emma gathered Regina up into her arms and carried her to an open cell in between Belle's and the fork in hallway that led to the door to exit the dungeon. She laid her down gently and began to ravish her on the small cot. Emma disrobe Regina of all her clothing and petaled her smooth skin with soft kisses. She spread Regina's leg open, taking in all sight of her as to remember every detail of her body before she devour Regina's forbidden fruit.

Belle was next door crying her eyes out, trembling with fear of what's to happen to her. Her sobs were interrupted when she heard soft whimpers through her cell door. She sniffed and dried her tears, making her way to the door. She placed her ear on the oak wood and heard the satisfied moans of a woman. Her curiosity having got the best of her she quietly opened the door and snuck out. She peak around the corner into the next cell and saw Regina eyes close with rapture on her face, her hand on the back of a blond haired woman head in betwixt her legs. Belle had the decency to blush but she couldn't help the fluttering of her stomach. When she noticed it was Emma fulfilling Regina's needs, she found her escape plan. Belle turned back into her room and grabs the white cloak that Rumpelstiltskin gave her for the cold. She snuck out her cell; pass the two women enthralled in their passion and up the stairs that led to the dining hall. She pause and study the grand dining table, it was where the trio got know one another and what started this mess. She walked fast through the hall until she reached the foyer of the castle where the entrance was and she open the large double doors to her freedom. She made it off the castle ground and outside the gates, when she noticed she wasn't far from the village where they went for supplies. She walked in a brisk pace and she made it same to tavern as before. She went in to warm herself and rest her feet at an unoccupied table, she knew she couldn't stay long this would the first place Rumpelstiltskin would have check. Belle was scared out her wits; she couldn't understand what possessed Rumpelstiltskin change so abruptly. She pushed the thoughts into the depths of her mind when a woman with bronze skin and long black hair came to stand near her table. She was dressed in boiled black and red leather armor with a three speared trident on the beast mail.

"My Lady is everything ok, you're trembling."

"Yes I'm fine, just cold is all."

The woman eyed her suspiciously. "That's a fine cloak My Lady does it not shield you from the cold?"

Belle was always a terrible liar, she couldn't take it anymore. Nothing seemed to go right for her. She let the burning tears fall from her eyes, unable to hold in her fear anymore.

She held a hand up. "That enough of that My Lady. Let me help you-," The woman waits for Belle's name.

Belle finds some of her composure.

"Belle." She said through her sobs, wiping her eyes.

"Mulan." She gesture to herself. "Tell me Lady Belle what can I help with?"

"I need to leave the Enchanted Forest."

"I'm from house the Seaworthy. I can take you to my city, there you will be able to secure passage abroad one of the ships in the port."

"Mulan I would be most gratefully. I am a Princess I will see to it that you are rewarded."

"No need. I will sleep well just knowing you're away from your troubles." Mulan held out her hand to Belle. "My horse waits outside for us, are you ready My Lady?"

"Yes. Quite." Belle smiles and places her hand in Mulan's so she may help her from her chair and they exited the tavern together.

If you still wondering as to how Belle was able to escape from her cell, please re-read paragraph 6 and the first paragraph after the first page break, line 4.

-RL