Chapter Sixteen
"Ack," Rumplestiltskin said after Duer had splashed water into his eyes and Belle softly giggled. Duer sat in a china bowl filled with warm water and seemed to enjoy being bathed. He looked up at his papa then frowned and Rumplestiltskin wiped his face with a towel. "You're the one getting a bath, Dearie. Not me."
Duer cooed as Rumplestiltskin ticked his little tummy and smiled. Gently lifting him out of the water, Rumplestiltskin wrapped his son in a thick, fluffy towel and handed him to Belle. He watched Belle drying him off when Rumplestiltskin picked up the blue fleece sleeper that covered Duer's feet in booties and handed it to Belle. She had placed the cloth diaper on the baby then she dressed him in the sleeper and Duer wiggled on the table.
"You're a wiggle bug," Belle said as she picked the baby up and held him in her arms.
"I have a feeling he's going to be an early walker," Rumplestiltskin said with a grin. A knock made them look at the door when Baelfire opened the door and stood in the doorway.
"Morning, Bae," Belle said.
"Good morning," he said then looked at Rumplestiltskin. "Papa, there's someone here to see you."
"I'll be right down," Rumplestiltskin said as Baelfire nodded his head and walked away. Rumplestiltskin kissed the top of Duer's head then Belle's cheek when he picked up the black wood cane and limped out of the room.
The large doors opened while Rumplestiltskin limped into the room then stopped short, looking at the man standing near the dining table. Rumplestiltskin was wearing a cream color shirt opened at the front, a brown leather vest with a high collar, brown leather trousers and brown leather boots that ended at his knees and laced up the front.
"You," he growled as Sir Maurice looked at him with a cold look on his face and he balled his hands into fists. "What are you doing here?"
"I came here to see if it is true," Sir Maurice said as he walked closer and stood toe to toe with him. "Have you married my daughter?"
"Yes, I have," he said with a cold look on his face.
"How is that possible? I made sure no priest would dare marry her to a foul creature like you."
"Well, I guess you missed one," he said then giggled.
"I guess I didn't count on some sort of unholy ceremony. How many souls were sacrificed so you could marry her?"
"The only reason you are not squirming on the floor like the slug you are is because you are Belle's father."
"I have no daughter."
"Then get out of my castle," he shouted when Sir Maurice stormed by him and headed into the hallway. He stopped when he saw Belle standing at the bottom of the stairs and she held Duer in her arms.
"Father?" she asked as she walked closer and Sir Maurice frowned.
"What is that?" he asked, pointing at the baby.
"This is…," she said when Rumplestiltskin appeared behind Sir Maurice and tapped him on the back.
"I told you to leave, Dearie," he said and Sir Maurice turned, glaring at him.
"Is that…? Have you procreated with her?!" he demanded and Rumplestiltskin smiled.
"Of course," he said and Sir Maurice's face turned a bright purple. With a loud roar, Sir Maurice swung his fist when he punched Rumplestiltskin in the mouth as Rumplestiltskin fell to his bottom and Belle screamed. She backed up the stairs while holding the baby to her chest and the baby screeched. Sir Maurice stormed toward the stairs as Rumplestiltskin got off the floor and fire burned in his eyes.
"Foul temptress, give me that…that thing!" Sir Maurice shouted as he headed up the stairs when Baelfire, Emma and Henry appeared at the top of the stairs and he looked at them. "Who are you?"
"I'm Baelfire," Bae said then saw Rumplestiltskin storming toward Sir Maurice and Baelfire crossed his arms over his chest. "And you have made a big mistake."
"What are you…?" he asked when Rumplestiltskin wiped the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth and waved his hand. Sir Maurice screamed when he was turned into a slug and Rumplestiltskin lifted his left foot.
"No," Belle said softly as he was about to step on the slug and she held the baby to her chest. Sighing, Rumplestiltskin picked up the slug then headed down the hallway and Baelfire and Henry followed him. They went into Rumplestiltskin's work shop when he placed the slug in a glass dish then walked to the cabinet where he kept his potions. Belle, Duer and Emma came in the room when Belle walked to table and watched Rumplestiltskin looking through his potions.
"What are you going to do, Grandpa?" Henry asked.
'"I'm going to make sure he never bothers us again," Rumplestiltskin growled then limped to the table and looked at the slug.
"You're going to use salt on him?" Emma asked.
"Rumple, please, don't hurt him," Belle said.
"I'm not, Darling," he said then opened the glass bottle and looked at the yellow liquid. They watched as he poured the yellow liquid on the slug and it wiggled side to side. A green smoke floated off the slug when Rumplestiltskin smiled and lifted the glass dish off the table.
"What did you do?" Emma asked as he walked to Belle and hope she would forgive him for what he's done.
"I told him I would turn him into a slug because he was being rude," he said and Belle's eyes widened.
"So you made him one permanently?" Belle asked.
"Yes," he said then sighed. "Belle…"
"No, I understand," she said then looked at Duer. "He was going to hurt our son."
"What are you going to do with him?" Henry asked.
"I'm going to keep him in here," Rumplestiltskin said when he waved his hands and a shatter proof glass tank appeared on the table. It was decorated with what a slug needed to survive as he placed the glass dish in the glass tank, tapped the glass dish and the slug slid onto the mud. He removed the glass dish when he waved his hand and a shatter proof glass seal with tiny holes in it appeared on the top of the tank.
"Are you sure he can't get out?" Emma asked as she walked closer and looked at the slug.
"Yes," Rumplestiltskin said and waved his hand, making a plastic dish of slug food appear near the slug.
"Aren't you worried that some of his guards will come to find out what happened to him?" Baelfire asked.
"No," he said when he walked to the stain glass window then opened the stain glass window and a hawk appeared on his left wrist. He flicked his wrist when a piece of paper appeared between his fingers and he slid the piece of paper in the little holder connected to the hawk's right leg. The hawk flew into the air as he closed the stain glass window and looked at them.
"Where's it going?" Henry asked.
"I sent it to his kingdom. The note says that he has been turned into a slug after insulting me. If they don't want to join him, they are to leave me and my family alone," Rumplestiltskin said as he walked to Belle and took their son out of her arms. They left the room while the slug moved slowly across the mud and a soft scream came from behind the glass.
Belle moved her fingers over Rumplestiltskin's lower leg as he wiggled his toes and sighed. He had made a balm that reduced the pain and prevented spasms or cramps and Belle loved the sweet scent of honey and roses coming off his skin. His eyes were half closed when she moved the nightshirt down and slid his leg under the bedding. Wiping her fingers off with a clean cloth, she climbed on the bed then sat on his stomach and he smiled up at her. She had the china bowl with the balm in her hands when she placed the china bowl next to him and opened the top of the nightshirt.
"What are you doing, Dearie?" he asked as she scooped some of the balm onto her fingers and started moving her fingers along his skin. He locked eyes with her as he breathed in the honey and roses scent when she moved closer and kissed his lips. Licking his lips, he smiled at her as she moved her fingers along his collarbones and he giggled. "This reminds me of when I had a cold and you had to rub that disgusting smelling goop on my chest."
"Oh, you liked it," she said and he grinned, blushing.
"I liked you touching me," he said and she kissed his lips.
"I was surprised when I saw how much of your chest was covered with scales," she said then cleaned her fingers with the clean cloth and placed the clean cloth and the china bowl on the night table. She buttoned the nightshirt when she got under the bedding and snuggled next to him. She placed her head on the center of his chest as she breathed in the honey and roses scent and his heart thumped soft and steady in her ear.
"You know, it's funny. I turned a man into a snail once."
"Did you step on him?" she asked and he slid his arms around her.
"Yes, he was being mean to Bae," he said then sighed. "I hate bullies."
"And no one threatens your family," she said and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"No, they don't," he said and his voice growled in her ear.
"But you didn't step on my father because I asked you not to."
"Yes," he said and she sighed. "You didn't want me to, did you?"
"I don't know," she said then looked at the wall.
"If I had, I would have been a monster in your eyes," he said and she heard the sadness in his voice.
"If you really were a beast or some heartless monster, you would have done it even if I had asked you not to."
"Maybe Emma is right. I've turned into a good guy," he said and she looked at him.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No," he said with a grin and she snuggled closer. She closed her eyes as she drifted off to sleep to the sounds of his breathing and heartbeat and a small smile spread across her face. He looked at the canopy while listening to the room and blinked his eyes a few times.
"Yes, you to turn into a good guy is a bad thing. It means being weak and a coward. You're a villain and always will be," his father's voice said inside his head as Rumplestiltskin sighed, closed his eyes and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
"Mister Rumple," Roland said as he ran to Rumplestiltskn then stopped, looking at the black wood cane. Regina had told him about Rumplestiltskin's leg as he frowned and Rumplestiltskin smiled, picking him up. A week ago Roland celebrated his fourth birthday and Rumplestiltskin had made him a child size quiver. The quiver with some small arrows inside was on Roland's back and he had the small hat on his head. "Is your leg any better?"
"No, but thank you for asking," he said and Roland frowned as Regina and Robin Hood walked closer. "Hello."
"Hello," Robin said with a smile.
"Congratulations," Regina said.
"Thank you," Rumplestiltskin said and gently lowered Roland to his feet.
"Where is the baby?" Roland asked, taking his hand. Smiling, Rumplestiltskin led the way as they went in the dining hall and Bunfin hopped off the back of the high back chair and ran to Rumplestiltskin. He watched as the small monkey climbed up the black wooden cane then up his arm to his shoulder and leaned against the side of his head.
Belle was sitting at the dining table with Duer in her arms as Regina walked closer and sat on the high back chair next to her.
"May I?" she asked as she held her arms out and Belle handed her the baby. Regina held the baby in her arms as Duer looked at her and blinked his eyes a few times. "Hello."
"Can I see, Mama?" Roland asked as she turned to he could see the baby and smiled.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Regina asked.
"A boy," Rumplestiltskin said as he sat on the high back chair at the head of the table and Roland smiled.
"He's tiny," Roland said.
"Yes, he is," Belle said.
"What is his name?" Robin asked while standing next to the high back chair.
"His name is "Duer". It means "heroic"."
"What a strong name," Robin said as Regina handed him the baby and he held the baby in his arms.
"Roland is a good name, too. Right, Mama?" Roland asked as he climbed onto her lap and Regina placed her arms around him.
"Yes, it's a wonderful name," she said and hugged him. Rumplestiltskin was amazed how much Regina had changed since marrying Robin and taking over the role of Roland's mother, but she still wrote letters to Henry. Baelfire and Emma had let him travel with Robin and Regina for a few weeks three ago and Rumplestiltskin knew that Emma was worried Regina wouldn't let him come back. When Henry came home, he told them how he used a bow that Robin had made him to kill a stag and had brought home some venison which Belle had made into a tasty stew.
"So, what have you been up to, Dearie?" Rumplestiltskin asked, folding his fingers together.
"Oh, the usual," Robin said as he walked to Belle and handed her the baby then sat on the high back chair next to Regina.
"Papa taught me how to use a bow," Roland said with pride.
"Are you a good shot?" Belle asked.
"Um…," he said then looked at Regina.
"He accidentally shot Little John," Regina and Roland placed his face against her shoulder.
"Is Little John alright?" Belle asked, wide eyed.
"He just hurt John's pride," Robin said.
"And his butt," Roland said and Rumplestiltskin made a little cough instead of giggling.
"Have you heard about the missing children?" Regina asked.
"No," Rumplestiltskin shook his head.
"Several villages have reported their children have gone missing," Regina said and Roland snuggled against her.
"Have you told Charming?" Belle asked.
"Yes, he's sent some men to check," Robin said as Rumplestiltskin pressed his lips together and sighed. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," Rumplestiltskin said with a nod of his head then got up and left the room. The black wood cane clicked on the stone when he heard the sound of a knock on the front door and limped to it. Opening the door, he didn't see anyone then looked down and his heart froze in his chest.
Lying on the ground was the doll his father had given him.