VI

"Rumpelstiltskin! Up with you now. We have duties to attend."

The spinner came awake with a little whimper of alarm, sitting bolt upright in bed to stare wide-eyed at the no nonsense maid hovering beside his bed. It took him a moment to remember where he was before it all came back to him. His gaze swung to the left, his eyes searching through the dim light of dawn barely peeking in through the windows to find his son undisturbed by the woman's intrusion. Hurriedly, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and reached for his staff, biting back a groan as his ankle protested.

"I am Bethany, by the way. I serve the princess from dawn until just before the evening meal when Gerta assumes her duties. I will be helping you get your bearings this morning, but you'd best catch on quick. Her highness will not appreciate you getting lost in the palace."

Rumpelstiltskin reached for some of the clothes he'd unpacked the night before and disappeared behind the screen to change, thankful the woman kept her voice down so as not to wake his son. He knew Baelfire would probably sleep for several hours yet, and by then he'd be back to tend him. He draped his borrowed sleeping attire over the screen and pulled on his own worn clothing, grimacing at the wrinkles in his homespun tunic. He dragged a comb through his shaggy hair, wincing as the teeth snagged in more than one tangle. Finally, he was ready to begin his duties.

The woman clucked her tongue when she got a good look at him. "Where in all the realms did she find you, I wonder. Poorest waif I've seen in ages," she tutted reproachfully as she led him from the room towards the kitchens. "Not to worry, dear. I'm sure we'll get you fattened up in no time."

Rumpelstiltskin kept his head lowered in a subservient manner, refusing to make eye contact with the other servants they met along the way, concentrating more on his surroundings and mapping a path to their destination. It might take a few trips for him to learn his way, but he was determined to memorize the route so he could do the task without help from others.

Mrs. Potts seized his arm the moment he stepped into the kitchen and sat him down at the trestle table. "And where is that fine boy of yours this morning, Rumpelstiltskin? Still abed?"

"Y-Yes, ma'am," he answered, his stomach rumbling loudly as she set a plate of eggs, sausage, smothered potatoes with onions and herbs and hot raspberry scones before him.

"Eat up, lad," she commanded before moving off to serve the other servants who'd ambled in.

Bethany tucked into her own food. "Don't worry, we have time," she assured him when he glanced between his plate and the door. "Princess Belle usually requires tea and scones upon waking. Your first duty of the day is to fetch her tray. While it's being prepared, you shall break your own fast. Her schedule changes somewhat day to day, so she will have to list your other duties. She's a lovely mistress though."

He wasted no time inhaling his breakfast, and though he rushed – nearly scalding his tongue on the flavorful cup of tea laced with honey and lemon – Mrs. Potts still had his ladyship's tea tray ready when he'd finished. As he balanced the tray on his left arm, the kindly cook slipped several scones – wrapped in a piece of cloth – into his pocket. "For your boy," she said with a warm smile.

Rumpelstiltskin beamed at her shyly, his cheeks flushed with pleasure. He wasn't used to others caring for his young son and the sentiment warmed his heart. He followed Bethany back to the princess's chamber, his eyes widening as she led him into the room. It was done in a multitude of creams and blues, more than fitting for his mistress. It had a calming effect on him. Bethany moved about the dim room, lighting the lamps and stoking the fire as he set the tray down carefully on the coffee table for want of a better place to put it.

He stood for a moment in awe, taking in the comfortable furniture spread around the hearth, the thick plush rugs covering the marble floors, and the deep cherry wood of her dresser, vanity and wardrobe. A screen was off to one corner which concealed a claw-foot tub as well as a washbasin on a stand. He blinked in astonishment at the sheer number of books which seemed to be bursting from the shelves covering an entire wall. And to think she'd mentioned there was a library somewhere in the palace. He wondered if maybe this was it and she had simply moved into it. An archway, with ornate glass doors led out onto a small terrace. He could see the plant life and a little padded bench, and he could easily envision her sitting there with the sunlight shining on her lovely hair as she read.

"You might want to look in on master Baelfire while I try to rouse her highness," Bethany whispered, shooing him towards the door which led to his own chamber. "Sometimes, it takes quite a bit to get her out of bed."

He didn't ask questions, seizing the opportunity to check in on the lad. Baelfire was sitting up in the middle of his bed, his arms clasped around his upraised knees, his eyes watery and his lower lip trembling. "Oh, Bae, what is it son?" the spinner asked, hurrying to the lad's side.

Baelfire held his arms up to his father, who quickly gathered him into his embrace. "Where w-were you, P-Papa? I w-woke up and I couldn't f-find you," he sniffed, burrowing against Rumpelstiltskin's chest.

"I had to see to the princess's morning tea, son. I'm so sorry," he crooned softly, stroking his long fingers through Bae's mass of unruly dark curls. "My brave boy," he cooed. "You did the right thing and stayed here in our chamber instead of losing yourself in the corridors … such a smart lad."

His son beamed at him for the praise and puffed out his little chest. "I knew you would come back. You always take care of me."

"Always, my boy, always." He reached into his pocket for the nibbles hidden within, setting them in Bae's little hands. "Mrs. Potts sent you a treat in case you're hungry. Why don't you take them over by the hearth while I peek in on our mistress, yeah?"

He could hear Belle grumbling at her maid as he approached the door. "No, I don't want breakfast … sleep."

"Highness, there's a feast to prepare for tonight … a gown to be selected … and for the love of the gods, we really must outfit your new servant and get him out of those rags!" Bethany said as she began brushing the wrinkles from the day gown she'd selected for her lady to wear.

Belle rolled over with a groan and pulled the pillow over her head. "I don't know why it is my father thinks we must feast every time one of us returns from a trip. It's tedious," she complained. She scowled blackly at her maid as the pillow was pulled off her head.

"Because he loves you, dear," she said simply. "It doesn't hurt you to leave the library and play nice before the court."

She opted to change the subject. "Where's Bae? Is he awake yet?" she asked, sitting up and rubbing at her eyes.

"He is, m'lady," Rumpelstiltskin said softly as he came to stand beside the bed with her dressing robe, holding it out to her so she could slip into it. He averted his eyes as she threw back her covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. He made sure not to allow his fingers to linger overlong as the silk wrapped about her petite frame.

Belle yawned and went to sit in her chair by the fire. "Good morning, Rumpel. Come," she beckoned to him, "sit and have a cup of tea with me."

Bethany arched a brow in their direction, but otherwise held her tongue. She nodded in approval, however, when the man refused to sit on the sofa and instead dropped to his knees next to the coffee table, busying himself with preparing Belle's cup and then buttering a scone for her.

"Beth, please ask Bae to come in and join us, would you?" she asked, taking a sip of the heavenly brew with a sigh of contentment. Her eyes sparkled as she addressed her servant next. "I trust you slept well?"

Rumpelstiltskin nodded, pouring tea into a second cup for himself and another for Baelfire as the boy bounded into the room and climbed up onto the sofa. All hint of tears had vanished from his eyes now that he knew his papa was close by. "I did," he muttered shyly.

"Wonderful," she chirped, wiping a bit of butter off her fingers as she smiled at him. "There is much for us to do today, and I'm glad you're rested."

"Papa, may I have some honey in my tea?" Bae asked, glancing at the princess to see if it was all right.

"I like honey in my tea, too, darling." She set her cup down on its fine china saucer and looked at them both. "Now … we will not be going down to breakfast this morning in the formal dining room as I usually do. We'll be leaving shortly for the village."

Bae's eyes lit with excitement. "Really? What will we do there, m'lady?"

"We're going shopping!" she exclaimed. Now that she was awake, she was anxious to get under way. She reached over and fingered the sleeve of his sleeping shirt. "We're going to visit the tailor and see about outfitting you and your father with a new wardrobe. Would you like that?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am!"

Rumpelstiltskin frowned. "Belle," he whispered anxiously, "you've already done so much for us … you don't … I mean …"

Belle reached out and laid her hand upon his shoulder in an effort to calm him. "I do, Rumpel. There is nothing wrong with the clothes you brought with you, but I can't have you and Baelfire dressing like peasants if you're to accompany me about the palace … especially in front of the court." She cursed her tactless tongue as he flushed bright crimson and lowered his gaze. "What I'm trying to say is that the two of you must dress befitting your new stations. I won't have the courtiers and nobles looking down upon you. Do you understand?"

Bethany humphed as she flitted about the room tidying up. She didn't care for the members of the court any more than her mistress did. "That lot is naught but a bunch of vipers if you ask me."

"Beth, I will need to assign Bae a permanent guard. Do you think Gaston would mind if I stole Thorrin away from him?" she asked, a mischievous gleam in her eye. It would serve him right if she reassigned the squire in retaliation for Gaston's big fat mouth the previous evening.

"What did the lummox do to spark your ire this time?"

"Oh, the usual," Belle said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "He thought it would be funny to tattle on me before I was able to tell Lucern the whole story of how I acquired Rumpel. He's such a child sometimes."

Bae's large brown eyes came to rest on her worriedly. "Did you get in trouble with your papa and brother?"

Belle ruffled his curls and smiled gently. "Of course not, darling. I rarely do."

"They weren't angry?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, his chest tightening at the thought of being sent away from her. The longer he was with her, the more he dreaded the thought of having to return to his former life.

"No, Luc was a bit irritated, but no more than usual. Thankfully, the men in my family know I don't do things like this often or without thinking it through. After they read through the contract, they were more than satisfied with our arrangement."

The spinner released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and nodded. "I'll try not to disappoint you … or them."

Her gaze softened as it came to settle on him. "Oh, Rum, I doubt seriously that you could ever disappoint me."

*.*.*

"But … but …" Gaston looked at Belle, his face screwed up in a mixture of disgruntlement and the desire to say no. "Why must it be my squire?" he whined.

Belle smiled sweetly and batted her lashes – a most uncharacteristic move on her part, as she usually didn't stoop to such tactics – as she patted his cheek. "Because Bae is already accustomed to Thorrin and I wish it," she answered simply.

"Belle … the lad has nearly finished his training, and –"

"Then I shall simply ask Lucern to move up his appointment to knighthood. That suits even better," she said gleefully as she watched the boy run the gauntlet on the training field. "I like the idea of Bae having his own knight to watch over him. Oh, Gaz, you were going to lose him eventually when he was knighted … what's a few months, give or take."

He cast his long-suffering gaze down at her as he wiped his forearm over his sweat-soaked brow, his long sword clasped tightly in his other hand. "You're doing this to spite me, aren't you? Belle I was just teasing last night. I knew Lucern wouldn't punish you."

"This is not about last night, darling." She slipped her gloved hand into the crook of his arm and allowed him to lead her over to a shaded area to sit down on a bench. "Seriously, I don't want to hire a nanny for Baelfire." Her eyes sought out her servant and his son where they stood on the sidelines watching the training field with several of her knights. "I want to raise him myself."

"You're getting too attached, Belle," he warned, dropping down on his haunches at her feet and following her gaze.

"How can I not, Gaz? He needs me …" Her voice lowered so only her friend could hear. "They both do. And I'll thank you to keep that bit of information to yourself." She sighed. "You don't have to worry about Rumpel, though; he doesn't see me in that way."

Gaston snorted. "Is he blind as well as lame?" He ducked as she reached out to swat the back of his head. "Alright! There's no need for violence, Bluebelle!"

"Then mind your tongue, rogue!" she hissed back. "Now, will you allow me to assign Thorrin to Baelfire or not?"

He arched a brow as she moved back to their previous subject. "Fine. I suppose he should be rewarded for services rendered. I'll talk to Luc about it."

She leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek in gratitude. "Thank you, Gaz." She rose from her seat and beckoned for Rumpelstiltskin to join her, Bae tagging along behind him. "Oh, and I'll need Merrick, I think, to accompany us to town."

"Why? You just got home."

"I have some shopping to do. I can't have my boys show up to dinner looking less than their best."

Gaston rolled his eyes as he regained his feet and set about to see to her wishes with only one small difference. "Merrick's busy. I'll accompany you and your little 'family' into town. I'm due for some entertainment."

*.*.*

Gaston groaned as he chased after his young charge. He was supposed to be watching over them all, but every time he took his eyes off the spinner's son, the lad seemed to disappear as if by magic. Rumpelstiltskin remained at Belle's side, never far from her elbow as she moved along the cobbled sidewalks greeting the townsfolk stopping her to say how glad they were she'd returned to Avonlea. It didn't hurt that she had a sack full of coins which she'd press into their hands with a gentle smile. They'd had to abandon the carriage several blocks over when the press of the crowd had hindered their progress. Belle had a true love for her people, and she didn't care if they delayed her business. She always had time for them.

The knight reached out and grabbed the lad by the scruff of his neck and pulled him to a halt. "Young master, you've got to slow down! We must wait for the princess."

"But I'm hungry," Bae whined dolefully as he turned his soulful brown eyes up at Gaston.

The man gaped at him. "You just had two lamb kabobs and some of those sweet potato sticks you favor. How could you possibly be hungry?"

"Dunno," he shrugged. "Just am. Can we get some custard?"

He scooped the boy up and settled him on his shoulder before he could run off again. "How about we get custard if you behave yourself at the tailor shop."

"No, I want some now. Please?"

"After," the knight insisted.

"But Princess Belle says I'm too thin and I need to eat as often as possible to grow big and strong and …"

"Lad, you're trying my patience," he growled, arching a brow at the boy.

"I promise to be extra good when I try on my new clothes at the tailor's … please?" Bae promised, his lower lip trembling.

Gaston groaned again, glancing between the princess, the boy and the custard stand only a few yards away. He had a soft spot for children and his young charge was no exception. "Fine," he sighed in defeat. "Let's get you a custard."

Belle felt as if she hadn't smiled this much in years. Her happiness was like a warm ball of sunshine centered in her chest around her heart. She found she enjoyed having Rumpelstiltskin at her side as she walked the streets of the town. She hoped he would outgrow his nervousness soon and allow himself to relax a bit. Several times since they'd left the carriage, she'd had to reach out and rest a comforting hand on his arm to calm him. He was so jittery, it made her worry for him. He was trying so hard to be attentive to her and watch over Baelfire at the same time.

"Gaz," she called to her friend, smiling when she noticed the spoon sticking out of his mouth and a trace of chocolate custard at his lips. "We're going in, dear. Don't be too long."

"Shouldn't we wait?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, leaning heavily on his staff.

"No, Gaston will be along shortly. Let them enjoy their treat, hm?" she replied softly, ushering him into the shop. She couldn't help but notice the small wince of pain which tightened the lines around his mouth as he put too much weight on his bad ankle. "Are you alright? Do you need to rest a moment?"

"I'm fine," he bit out, his cheeks turning a brilliant pink as he avoided her gaze. He wouldn't let the discomfort in his leg stop him from his duties. He didn't get a chance to say more as the shopkeeper clapped his hands in excitement and rushed out to greet the princess.

"Your highness!" he exclaimed. "You honor me. I was so relieved to hear you'd returned safely from your journey."

Belle fought to keep from rolling her eyes at his melodramatic air and held out her hand in greeting which he promptly fawned over. "How are you today, Mr. Rousseau? I trust your family is well?"

"Oui, oui, highness, they are indeed," he beamed, his gaze flickering down to Rumpelstiltskin from his great height. "Er … and how may I assist you today?"

Belle's eyes sparkled as she leaned in conspiratorially. "Actually, I have a rather large order to place for my new servant and my young ward. Would you be able to accommodate me on such short notice? I know how busy you are."

"Bien sûr," he said, an avaricious gleam lighting his pale gray eyes. His nose wrinkled a bit as he stared down at the state of Rumpelstiltskin's homespun pants and tunic. "What do you think he will require?"

Belle followed after the proprietor, glancing quickly over her shoulder to make sure her servant followed. "He will definitely need formal livery, preferably with all haste as there is a feast tonight which we are required to attend. He will also need several pairs of trousers, tunics, hosiery, small clothes, cravats, waistcoats, frock coats, a warm winter jacket, coat … the usual."

"It is most fortunate I keep the palace livery in stock for the royal house of Avonlea, non?"

"You are a treasure, Mr. Rousseau." She smiled coyly at him before his assistants came forward to begin with measurements.

"Mistress … er, Belle, are you sure this is necessary? I-I-" the spinner protested weakly as he was led away to one of the back rooms where he'd be stripped to his small clothes and measured for his new garments.

She followed Mr. Rousseau, pausing to run her hand over the myriad bolts of fabrics stacked haphazardly on tables and along the wall. "Highness, shall we go with the usual fabrics, or would you care to make a different selection?"

Belle's eyes twinkled merrily as she removed her gloves to better feel the materials. She could well imagine how handsome he would look in linen and wool, but he'd look so much finer in silks, leather and brocade. She suppressed an involuntary shiver. "Oh, I think I'd like different fabrics for Rumpel. Servant though he may be, he will be an extension of my title. I don't want him going about in rags."

"I would never –"

"Calm yourself, my good man. I meant no offense, but you see what he was before. I can't have him going about in homespun, now can I?"

"I see your point," the man agreed.

Belle waved to Gaston as he came in, Baelfire at his side. "I will need the same for little Bae, Mr. Rousseau."

"Of course, Highness." He called to two more of his assistants and had them lead the boy to another chamber. Gaston followed reluctantly, fatigued after chasing the boy so much. "Would you care to see what I have on hand in the meantime? Perhaps you'll find something ready made to take with you today and then I can have the rest of your order delivered as it's made available."

As she made her selections, Rumpelstiltskin was left standing on a platform in his small clothes and a blush as he was measured from top to toe by two of Mr. Rousseau's seamstresses and an apprentice. Even his boots and staff had been taken from him. He just prayed he'd get them back. When the measurements were done, another bevy of assistants carried in pile after pile of material and fabrics finer than he'd ever seen. He would have been fine with that, biting his tongue to quell his discomfort, if the princess hadn't followed them in to approve the selections.

He lowered his gaze as he raised his arms to cover his chest, missing the appreciative look in her azure eyes as they swept over his wiry frame. She sucked in a sharp breath as she moved closer, but Mr. Rousseau interrupted whatever she'd been about to say as he draped a swath of crimson silk over Rumpelstiltskin's shoulder and waited for her opinion.

"Yes … yes, I do like that color. Buttons, I think, Mr. Rousseau instead of laces," she added. She also chose a lovely emerald, navy, cyan, black, royal blue and sorrel brown. That would give him a different color for every day of the week to start. The proprietor had several pairs of soft leather pants in his size and her mouth went dry as he was laced into them and stood before her for inspection. "Um …"

"Princess?" the man asked, also giving his own inspection as he looked for any loose stitchery.

It took an amazing amount of will to stop herself from grabbing for her fan as her blood caught fire. "Oh, yes, those will do nicely. And I want them lined so he doesn't chafe. I want him to be comfortable."

"Of course, highness."

Rumpelstiltskin watched her covertly from beneath his lashes as he was asked to change over and over again, wondering over her odd reaction. He'd never seen Milah look at him with such a soft expression on her face, never seen his ex-wife's eyes darken with anything remotely resembling desire, and therefore didn't recognize the signs of his mistress's obvious pleasure as she gazed upon him. He knew he was a small man, thin and wiry, but put together adequately. He was most uncomfortable with her seeing his scars, however; where they criss-crossed in a jagged formation from mid-calf to the top of his foot. Yet, his princess didn't flinch as her gaze flicked over his mangled flesh.

Belle's hands clenched in the skirts of her silver day gown as she bit down on her lip. Gods, he was a fine-looking man, she thought appreciatively as her eyes drifted lower to rest on his firm backside encased in the fine tooled leather. Oh, yes, fine indeed. The proprietor left them alone for a moment to look in on Baelfire's progress and she moved to the spinner's side to help him into a white lawn shirt with laces at his throat.

"T-This is too good for me, Belle. I'm just a servant, I –"

"You look wonderful," she whispered, holding a black brocade waistcoat out to him. "You're so handsome. It's amazing what all that homespun was hiding." She fastened the clasps and then let her hands wander idly up and down the length of his arms before gripping his callused hands loosely in her own.

He huffed a breath of disbelief and turned his head away, but she was having none of that. She helped him down from the platform and over to the full-length mirror in the corner, stepping around him and resting her chin on his shoulder. "Look at yourself, Rumpel. Look how handsome you are." He slowly lifted his head, shaking it slightly as he gazed at his reflection. He hardly recognized himself. "You have no idea how happy I am that you belong to me, my sweet spinner."

Rumpelstiltskin met her gaze in the mirror, looking for any sign of mockery in her eyes, but found none. That realization shook him to his core. He'd never had anyone look at him with such blatant pride on their face … never for him. "Princess …" he murmured with the barest trace of sound to his deep voice, turning his head to the side until his face was mere inches from her own.

"Do I really have to wear this tonight? It's itchy and I don't like this thing around my neck!"

Belle sprang away from her servant and whirled about to find her young ward standing in the doorway pulling at the little cravat about his throat. "Oh, darling, you look so adorable."

Baelfire screwed his face up into a look of disgust. "I don't want to look adorable," he pouted. "I want my other clothes back and that mean man won't give them to me."

Belle giggled and took his hand in hers. "Well, let's see if we can't find you something less itchy, hm? And tonight, for the feast, I'll tie your cravat personally so it doesn't choke you. I promise."

Gaston came in and dropped wearily into a chair, raising his brows at Rumpelstiltskin. "Wow, spinner, you clean up nicely."

"Thanks," he mumbled, still staring at the spot where the princess had disappeared with his son. "I tried to tell her it wasn't necessary, but –"

"Belle doesn't listen when she knows she's right. If you're going to serve her, she won't have you gallivanting about dressed in rags."

"I don't deserve –"

"It's for her to decide what you deserve, spinner. Just go with it … enjoy it." Gaston cast him a rakish grin. "Belle is the kindest lady I've ever known. Take my advice and do everyone a favor … let her in. She won't disappoint you."

"What does she want from me?" he asked in a pained whisper, still so afraid to trust his good fortune.

"She wants your friendship," the knight answered simply as Mr. Rousseau came back into the room to fit the spinner for his livery. "She doesn't have many, despite her wealth and title. If she has chosen you, it is a rare gift not to be squandered." His dark eyes narrowed on him. "Don't break her heart."

"I won't."

A/N: Have I mentioned lately how much I simply adore this prompt? Thank you Quill *hugs*. So, who's ready for the feast in next chapter? And Thorrin's ceremony to become a knight? The feast is sure to be fun, too, with all of Belle's family in attendance. Also, if I didn't respond personally to your review or comment, PLEASE forgive me as I've been really swamped :D Thank you all so much for reading!

Hugs and love to last week's reviewers: MyraValhallah, Wondermorena, EarthGurdian, SolBreaker, jeananne64, scorpion22, Erik'sTrueAngel, FaerieTales4ever, Melstrife, iamstephanieb, Grace5231973, kristen0901, Twyla Mercedes, onlyinyourdreams77, christianqueenofegypt, potosw, and CLKit.