hey guys sorry it's taken me so long to upload the next part of the story. I've been having a few problems with my internet connection. Anyway heres chapter 3. I hope you all like it and if you have any suggestions or comments I'd be thrilled to hear them. Thanks again for reading

A boar stood grazing near the foot of Slieve Donard when suddenly an arrow pierced his stomach. Cheers resounded through the wood as three warriors approached the dying animal. Fionn Mac Cumhaill lowered his crossbow and smiled. He was a tall and sturdy man with an amber beard. He had been the leader of the fianna for over twenty years now and his strength and agility saw no sign of declining with age. "Father" called Óisin, his eldest son. "We have more than enough meat for the camp, shall I bring some of it into town for the poor." Fionn laughed. There was nothing strange in this remark, Óisin was widely regarded as the sweetest of the Fianna. Though he possessed the strength of his father, he had the heart of his mother and it was that that guided him. "If you must my boy, but don't delay there too long."

Óisin loaded a few carcasses onto his horse and proceeded to carry the rest on his back.

In the distance, unnoticed, stood Niamh. She had arrived a few hours earlier and couldn't decipher who the sons of Fionn were from the crowd of men. They all seemed so similar in features, except for Óisin. Like Niamh, he had a mane of golden hair. Niamh couldn't take her eyes of him. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. As she watched him depart she longed to follow him but she was frightened that her wretched appearance would frighten him or even worse, would cause him to harm her.

"Apparently, he is adored by many pretty maidens" a voice declared. Niamh turned and saw a little man standing beside her. The man grinned "Well, what happened to you dearie?" he asked. "A curse" she replied. "That's why I'm here. I'm hoping to find my true love and be cured" Her statement made Rumple shudder. It had been six months since Belle had left the castle and in the time that passed he had done little else but spin gold and cradle that chipped cup: the only thing he had left of her. It was only by chance that he had remembered the deal he'd struck with Niamh's father years before and although immortality no longer seemed the ultimate prize, he had earned it. "Well, true love's kiss can break any curse, or so I'm told. Perhaps it's he, go talk to him" Niamh sighed. "I couldn't he's so handsome and I'm so horrible." Rumplestilskin could recognize that feeling "Love is blind dearie. Would you believe I got a beautiful girl to fall in love with me?" "Really?" she gasped "And did you live happily ever after?" "No" he replied, he had never talked about her before. "I'm sorry. What happened?" "She realised my ugliness was skin deep" Niamh flinched. She couldn't think of anything to say. "Well, that's how it goes sometimes. That won't happen to you. Here" he wrestled a scarf from his pocket. "Wear this, he'll never notice." "Thank you, smiled Niamh as she wrapped the scarf around her head. It covered every inch of her face bar her eyes. "No matter, good luck" he said smiling. She hurried along the trail dragging Aonbharr along.

Óisin heard Niamh's steps and haunched to see who was approaching. On seeing the woman wrapped and her horse he rose. "I see you're struggling with those. Would you like some help?" "I'd be very grateful, thank you. My name is Óisin" he said reaching out his hand. "Niamh" she replied taking it and together they continued along the trail. Niamh was surprised at how easy he was to talk to. He was smart and wickedly funny. She felt her heart soaring; she knew she was falling in love.

"Do you mind me asking, why do you wear that scarf?" Niamh had almost forgotten she was wearing it. Looking into his eyes she felt a safer than she had felt in a while. She began and the words flowed out so easily. She told him all about the wicked curse and the druid's premonition about the son of Fionn MacCumhaill. "Well, you're in luck" smiled Óisin "My name is Óisin and Fionn is my father." A wave of embarrassment flew over Niamh. She would never have been so frank had she known the identity of her sensed her sudden unease. "Niamh, may I see your face." He stepped closer and suddenly he was everywhere: his scent, his smile, the dimple on his chin. She basked in it. She knew he would be repulsed by her face, just like everyone else. Yet she couldn't say no. She nodded and he began to unravel the scarf. She squeezed her eyes closed. She couldn't bear to see his reaction. As the scarf slid away, she could feel the cool air against her cheeks. It felt so refreshing. "Niamh" he whispered. She opened her eyes and there he stood smiling as before. "You are beautiful" His voice was soft and melodious. He knelt down and still smiling he asked her to marry him.

They left the town as husband and wife and Niamh left it more beautiful than ever before. They walked hand in hand, both beaming with happiness. "Why did you want to marry me so soon?" she asked. "Because" he gently squeezed her hand as he spoke "Because I couldn't wait for my life with you to begin" It was the happiest moment of Niamh's life. She had found love, pure and humble love. "Where to now?" he asked her. Niamh knew only one place as home. She had no wish to travel or see the world. Óisin was all she needed. "Come home with me to the Land of Tír na nÓg. There you will never know pain or suffering. You will never grow old or die and we will be together forever." Óisin instantly agreed. "Besides," he smirked. "Winter is coming and it gets quite cold here" Niamh smiled and embraced him. "I promise, you shall never be cold again"

Ben lay wrapped in garbage bags. He tried in vain to stop shaking. He kept recalling the scenes of the day. People were starting to really detest him and he just kept making it worse. He sighed. Sometimes at his lowest ebb, he thought about dying. The sense of relieve in it, for him and everyone else. "Mr Yeats" Mr Gold's shadow appeared before him as if from nowhere. "What are you doing out here? It's well below freezing" But Ben didn't reply. All he wanted now was to be left alone. "I'm doing some inventory in the shop. I could use some company. How about it? I think I have a bottle of bourbon in there too." He reached out his hand. Suddenly Ben felt enraged. "I just want to be left alone " he yelled. Mr Gold chose to ignore his tone. "Well, I'll more than likely be in the back anyway." Ben threw the bags off of himself and rose to face Mr Gold. "You know what I don't understand, why the most feared man in town is going out of his way to be nice to the local drunk." Mr Gold was unnerved "Well, I wouldn't call you the local drunk." "Don't patronise me, I know perfectly well who I am, but who exactly are you?" Ben yelled. He was more annoyed than angry at this stage. He was many things but niave wasn't one of them. Mr Gold was hiding something. He could feel it. "If you want to freeze, fine" snapped Mr Gold and he walked away. Ben's anger seemed to have left with him. Now the old man only felt remorse.

Mr Gold shuffled with the keys to his shop. He was enraged. No one dares speak to me like that, he thought. "Sir" said Williams. Mr Gold looked up. It was the private detective he had hired. "Well, well, well. Mr Gold smirked. "if it isn't one of my poorer investments. If this is about the cut I made to your cheque, you can hold you're breath. You're lucky I haven't fired you." "Sir, I think I've think I've found her" Mr Gold's smile faded fast. "What does that mean, you think?" "Well, you didn't give me much to go on. Here have a look." He handed him a photograph. Mr Gold stared intensely at it. Years had passed since he'd seen that face but instantly he recognised it. He'd found her.