Next chapter! This one was kinda difficult to write because I had to add the flashback in the middle that was not in the original script for the episode this is being converted from, so I hope that it makes sense. Enjoy everyone!
Eugene stood frozen as Rumplestiltskin appeared mere feet from him. He immediately turned back, in the direction of the campfire and Rapunzel, but both were hidden from view by a thicket of trees.
"I know you have her, Dearie. Your poker face is…lacking," Rumplestiltskin said with a sneer that was made more terrifying by the darkness. Eugene sidestepped, placing himself more directly in the way of the path that would lead to Rapunzel.
"You said that you needed me to intercept her. Why?"
"Asking questions was not part of our deal. You were to return her to me. That's it," Rumplestiltskin answered with a gesture of his hand as if to cut Eugene off.
Suddenly, a realization came over Eugene that he couldn't believe he hadn't seen before. Throughout all of the time that he had worked for the imp…this villainous man who appeared to him in the forest one night, introduced himself as a dealmaker who would make it worth his while if he would procure rare items throughout the kingdoms, and seemed to know more about him than he had ever revealed to anyone…he felt as if he never had a choice in the matter.
"No one steals from the citizens of Corona! We'll find you, sooner or later!" the head of a battalion of palace guards yelled into the darkness of the forest as the group turned their horses and retreated back towards the castle.
"Ha, it worked," Eugene whispered to himself as he hopped down from a nearby tree. He reached into his old, worn satchel and pulled out several slices of bread, apples, and a block of cheese. "My first successful plunder." He stuffed most of the food back into his satchel and started walking, burying his teeth into the apple and savoring every bite, the first thing he'd eaten in days.
The day that he turned 18, he was released from the orphanage…free to roam the countryside and pursue whatever course he wished. But without a connection, with no one to turn to, Eugene had decided long ago that the only future he had would be spent the only way he'd ever known…alone. His only dream…if you could call it that…was to acquire as much money as he could, find a deserted island, and make a relaxing life for himself. That's what Flynnigan Rider, the hero from his book – the book that sat at the bottom of his satchel, knocking against his leg as he walked – would do. And so that's what he would do. Eugene Fitzherbert was gone, and Flynn Rider had left the pages of his book and come to life.
"You'd need magic to bring the fictional to life, Dearie," a voice interrupted his thoughts as he stopped, spinning around to find the source until his eyes fell on a man…or rather what seemed to be a man, if he wasn't covered head to toe in shining scales.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Eugene asked, realizing too late that he had no weapon.
"The name's Rumplestiltskin," the stranger announced with a flourish of his hand. "And I'm here because you need my help." He smiled, though there was nothing joyous about the expression as Eugene fought the urge to shiver with fear.
"I don't need anyone's help," he snapped defiantly.
"And I suppose you know exactly how you're going to earn all of the riches you so desire?"
"And you can offer me that?" Eugene asked.
"Of course. If you do something for me in return," he said with a soft giggle. Eugene didn't reply, so he continued. "I'm a collector of rare and valuable items, and if you can acquire them and bring them to me, I'll see to it that you receive adequate payment."
"What's the catch?" Eugene asked, sensing something hidden behind his words.
"No catch. Unless you'd prefer to remain poor orphan Eugene Fitzherbert for the rest of your life, trapped in the shadow of a family you never knew," he said, his cackle growing louder and higher in pitch.
"How do you know my name?" Eugene asked defensively. "How do you know about me?"
"Names are power, Dearie. Now…do we have a deal?" he asked, holding out his hand, his claw-like fingers outstretched. Knowing that this was the only way that he could escape his past and start his future, Eugene reached out and shook Rumplestiltskin's hand.
"You were keeping her from leaving. She never had a choice," Eugene said, remembering that night 8 years ago as clearly as if it were happening over again before his eyes.
Rumplestiltskin's dark grin transformed into a scowl as he took a step forward, his eyes drifting from the thicket of trees back to Eugene.
"She had a choice…a choice to stay with me. And she made the wrong choice. Just like her—"
"She chose her dreams," Eugene interrupted. "I don't want whatever payment you're planning on offering. Her freedom is worth more than this job." He stood as tall as he could, his expression hard and unwavering despite the fear twisting his stomach into knots. Rumplestiltskin's smile returned, wider and darker, as if he expected Eugene's defiance.
"You have feelings for her," he stated, uttering a high-pitched giggle before hardening his expression and seizing hold of Eugene's shirt. He forced him against a nearby tree. "Unfortunately for you, Dearie, you made a deal to work for me. And no one breaks my deals. Unless you'd rather she spend the rest of her life in chains. Now go. Play along with her little adventure. I'll be in contact with you again soon." He released him, and Eugene, fearful not for himself but for Rapunzel and her safety, turned to go without another word. "Just one more thing," Rumplestiltskin added, forcing Eugene to turn back around. "Eventually, she'll learn the truth about you and your…association…with me. And she'll hate you for it."
Rumplestiltskin's eyes reflected a deep sadness buried within him, but Eugene, lost in his own thoughts, merely sighed and leaned down to pick up the firewood. He nodded at Rumplestiltskin and walked back through the trees. When he reached the campfire, he laid the firewood down next to the fire and sat on the log with another deep sigh, running his fingers back through his hair. Rapunzel cast a worried glance at him.
"Hey, you all right?" she asked as Eugene fought the urge to grimace, leaving his thoughts and returning to reality, a feigned smile twisting across his face.
"Oh! Sorry, yes. Just, um, lost in thought, I guess," he said without looking at her.
Rapunzel considered his words for a moment, unconvinced, before shaking her head and scooting closer to him on the log. Nearby, Rumplestiltskin lingered in the shadows, watching with a smile on his face.