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"Baelfire! Get that rabbit off Belle's bed. You're going to infest the place with fleas," Rumpelstiltskin admonished lightly, shaking his head. His gaze flitted to his mistress to see she was smiling at the boy and the bunny, and was able to breathe a sigh of relief he hadn't disturbed her meager rest. He hurried to set the heavy tray down, blushing when he noticed her smile had brightened and transferred to him.
"Is it time to feed them, Papa?" Bae asked as he hopped off the large bed and pulled the bunny back into his arms. "Can I do it?"
"Bethany is tidying up in the sitting room. Why don't you have her help you while I have my tea, darling," Belle said behind a huge yawn as she propped herself up on her pillows. "But don't dawdle so you can have your sticky bun, alright?"
"Yes, ma'am!" he called, running off to find the maid.
Belle did some blushing of her own as she accepted her cup from Rumpelstiltskin. "Good morning, Rum," she said lowly, setting her cup aside and biting hesitantly on her lip as she reached for him, her fingers closing over his wrist and urging him to sit beside her.
He glanced over his shoulder to where his son had disappeared before perching on the edge of the mattress. "I shouldn't … Bae –"
"- will be fine. Besides, you're just sitting with me," she replied with a coy grin. She tugged him closer, letting her fingers trail along his cheek. "It's not as though you've kissed me or anything. I-"
His lips closed over hers, giving in to the desire to kiss her teasing mouth. "You're going to get us both in trouble," he whispered fervently as he lingered a moment to press his brow to hers. Before she could call him back, he'd risen and moved to fetch her pitcher. "Don't tarry, m'lady. It seems you've received a summons from your brother."
Belle rolled her eyes as she watched him heat water over the hearth for her morning toilette. "I know; Beth told me," she grumbled, picking apart her sticky bun with a lack of enthusiasm. "Rum, why are you still acting like my servant? The contract –"
"I will remain your servant for as long as necessary," he insisted. "You have no idea what the prince might do if he learned you tore up the contract."
"You're worried, aren't you?" she asked, leaving her bed to stand beside him.
"How can I not be worried, Belle?" he hissed in a furious whisper. "Without your precious contract – which I must have been absolutely mad to have destroyed last night – they can remove me from the palace … never to see you or my son again." He brought his hand up to his chest to cover his heart. "Belle, without you and Bae, I will truly … truly become dust. I can't lose either of you."
Belle wrapped her arms about his shoulders and burrowed against the crook of his neck. "Stop thinking like that, my love," she whispered, kneading gently at his nape. "I won't let my family send you away, Rumpel. I love you. My place is with you."
Rumpelstiltskin strengthened his resolve as she pressed her little body to his, fitting his perfectly in all the right places as if she had been made specifically with him in mind. "I think I need to speak with your father."
Her eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
"If we're going to do this properly, yes. I need to declare my intentions," he said, taking a deep breath to quieten his thunderous heartbeat. "This is for you and Bae. I won't let my fear deny you something you want as badly as I want it for myself."
*.*.*
Belle had Thorrin take Baelfire to the main dining hall to eat with his friends as she and Rumpelstiltskin joined Lucern, Lyssa and the king on the east terrace. It wouldn't do for the child to hear such frightful language as was sure to spew forth from her brother's mouth. She cast a furtive glance up at her dear spinner, her lips curving happily as she took note of the firm set of his jaw. She'd never seen him quite so resolute. His confidence had slowly built over the past month and a half as he became used to life in Avonlea, but it was her declaration of love which had given him the final push. Or at least she hoped.
She pulled him to a stop outside the salon, ignoring the guards stationed to protect the king. "Are you alright? You haven't spoken a word since we left our apartments."
He leaned heavily upon his cane, the light of anguish undiminished in his eyes no matter how hard he tried to banish it. "I h-have …" he sucked in a ragged breath. "I have to do this, Belle … no matter the cost." He lifted her hand, his lips brushing ever so softly over her knuckles. "I do love you, my Belle. I have always coveted you, wanted you … but I knew I loved you when you begged me so sweetly for my friendship that night of the feast. I knew then I'd fight for you with my dying breath." He huffed a bitter laugh. "If I can manage to stop quaking in my boots."
Belle hid her grin from the guards behind her hand. "You're braver than you think, darling."
Rumpelstiltskin just wished it were all over so he could take her riding with Bae and his friend, to escape the castle for fresh air and sunshine. Yet, wanting and wishing weren't helping when he still had to face the king. "Easy for you to say, dearie. You're not off to face the gallows."
Gaston met them – nearly bowling them over – as they entered the room, a devilish smile curling his lips and showing almost all of his pearly white teeth. "Oh, hell!" Belle cursed under her breath so only Rumpelstiltskin could hear her. "Gaz, I'm in no mood for your pranks today."
He fell into step beside her. "What about a little gossip?"
That brought her up short and had her narrow-eyed gaze focusing on him. "What sort of gossip? This better not be about some tart you met over dinner last night, Gaz."
"Actually, no." The knight's footsteps slowed as he cast her a level look. "Lucern saw you kissing your spinner in the garden yesterday. Just thought you'd like to know. Forewarned is forearmed, after all," he grinned.
Belle groaned. "Wonderful. He should just be in a lovely mood," she whispered dryly. "What did he say?"
"Here's a better question for you, m'dear … why don't you look more worried?" the knight asked, losing some of his jovial humor.
A sigh escaped her slightly parted lips as they quirked up into a smile. "I know Lucern better than I think he knows himself, Gaz. I know he would never do anything to harm me or make me unhappy, and because I know this, I am better able to have him deal fairly with me."
He glanced surreptitiously over his shoulder at her servant before he shrugged. "He's not happy about your interest in the spinner, Belle."
"It's not his place to be concerned." At his dubious look, she amended her statement. "Alright, it might be his concern … somewhat."
Gaston huffed a short laugh until her dark scowl settled upon him. "Just remember that he loves you and only has your best interests at heart."
And then there was no more time for their quiet discussion as her father came forward to greet her. "Sweetheart, you look radiant this morning. Going riding after breakfast?" he asked, gathering her close to his barrel chest to embrace her warmly.
Belle kissed her father's ruddy cheek and smiled. "Yes. Bae was invited to go on a jaunt with Lord Myerson's boy. It will do him good to be out in the sunshine." She turned to her brother and greeted him. "Good morning, Luc … er … what's wrong? You look weary. Did you not sleep?" she asked, cupping his cheek in her palm as she studied him carefully. "And where is Lyssa?"
The prince's visage darkened as he ducked his head. A visible tick in his jaw alerted her to his upset. "She begged off … claiming a headache."
Rumpelstiltskin pulled out the princess's chair and seated her before turning to the king. "Sire, I hate t-to intrude, but might I have a word before Mrs. Potts has your breakfast brought i-in?"
Maurice paused next to the chair he'd been about to slip into, casting curious looks between his daughter and her servant, a slow grin forming on his mouth. He could see something had changed between them. The rosy blush and secretive gleam in Belle's eyes were enough to tell him that. "Alright, my lad," he nodded, gesturing over to the stone railing.
"What was all that about?" Lucern asked casually as he waited for a servant to pour tea into cups for himself and his sister.
"Why is Lyssa angry with you?" Belle countered, entering into the game her brother wanted to play with ease.
"Why would you think she was angry at me?" His eyes, so like her own, narrowed over the rim of his cup.
She tapped her nails against the side of the porcelain. "Lucky guess?" A smirk crooked her lips up at one corner of her mouth. "Tell me, brother … shall we be getting to the point soon? I do weary of hedging. Let's up the ante, shall we?"
Lucern slammed the flat of his hand against the table. "This isn't a game, sister dear," he hissed, his eyes flashing hotly.
Belle lifted one perfect auburn brow, her face otherwise betraying no emotion as her poker mein settled into place. He wanted to play, did he? "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Luc."
He sat back in his chair and rubbed the back of his fingers along his chin as he regarded her, letting her stew a moment in silence before he spoke. "I saw you, Belle … kiss your servant."
She pursed her lips in a moue of irritation. "Spying on me now, brother? How uncouth."
"Would you care to explain yourself?"
"There's nothing to explain. I've never had difficulty showing affection to someone I love."
The color leeched from his face, his lips parting in surprise to hear her admit what Gaston had revealed to him yesterday. He glanced to where his friend stood guard near the double doors and groaned. Why'd he have to be right? Was he the only person in the entire palace who hadn't noticed his sister was falling in love with her peasant servant? Guh! "So, it's true? You've fallen in love with the spinner?"
"I have," she said, her eyes warming as her gaze sought out Rumpelstiltskin where he was speaking to her father. "And he loves me, too."
"Of course, he does," the prince growled. "How could he not?"
Belle flushed at the back-handed compliment. She knew her brother loved her and only wanted the best for her. Which was why she was trying so valiantly to hold onto her waning patience.
"But how do you know he doesn't just want you for your wealth and title?" he added.
She took another sip of her tea, the hand in her lap balling tightly into a fist. "What a lovely thing to say about me, Luc. Are you suggesting those things are my only attributes? That no man would want me for myself? Why not go ahead and insult my table manners and diplomacy while you're at it, dear?"
"That's not what I meant, and you know it!"
"Lower your tone. I will not tolerate your beastly shouting this morning," she admonished without raising her own voice.
He settled back into his seat and gnashed his teeth. "Perhaps it's time you marry, Belle," he said, laying his metaphorical cards on the table. "It's past time actually."
"For once, we agree."
Lucern's brows disappeared somewhere near his hairline. "You … er … we do?" he asked in surprise. For some reason, he hadn't thought it would be that easy to get her to agree.
Belle nodded, grinning mischievously down into her cup. "Indeed."
"That's wonderful. I can have a list of prospective suitors compiled and invite them to the palace – "
Her tinkling laughter rang across the terrace. "And why would you want to do that when the only man I will ever accept as a 'prospective suitor' is already here."
Lucern glared at her. "No."
"No? Did you just flat out refuse me?" she demanded, some of her good humor slipping. "Only Papa has the right to deny me, Lucern. Or have you simply decided to disregard our contract?"
His upper lip curled back over his teeth, but he kept his voice calm. "Belle, I don't want to see you marry a peasant! You're a princess for fuck's sake."
"Language, brother." Belle pulled a rolled scroll from the pocket of her midnight blue riding habit and set it on the table between them.
"You brought it with you?!" he groaned.
"Yes, and apparently you already know what it contains, and you could certainly use the reminder. Shall I go over it again, anyway? It has been a while since we've looked at it." She smiled in the face of his rage. "Section two, paragraph one states … I, Belle, High Princess and by right of birth, heir to the throne of Avonlea and its holdings, do hereby renounce the crown so that Lucern, High Prince will rule in direct succession at such time as our father, King Maurice, decides to step down." She pushed the scroll closer to him as she pointed to the passage. "It also states I will be allowed to choose my own husband. It doesn't however state he cannot be a peasant, Luc."
"Belle –"
"That is your signature, is it not?"
"Yes, but –"
"Lucern, dear, you're taking this rather badly, aren't you? Why can't you simply be happy for me?" She waved a servant forward to pour more tea as she watched her brother from beneath her long lashes. "I don't know why you're so upset. Upon my marriage, I inherit Dunsmore castle. Rumpel, Bae and I can settle quite happily there, and you won't have to deal with my spinner."
*.*.*
"So, what can I do to help you, lad?" the king asked, bracing his hands against the balustrade. The kingdom was coming alive below, knights on the training field, merchants at the distant port as ships were loaded for export and the shops in the village opening for business. He knew what his daughter's servant wanted. Actually, it was surprising he'd taken so long to come to him. It was no secret they'd been dancing around one another from the beginning, and he'd never seen Belle so taken with a man.
Maurice thought if Rumpelstiltskin had somehow captured Belle's heart, he couldn't deny them despite the man's humble origins. That could be easily fixed. What mattered most was the princess's happiness … and lots of grandchildren for the king to dote upon.
The spinner leaned heavily upon his cane, a lump the size of a pomegranate lodged in his throat as he met the king's clear blue gaze. "Um … well, s-sire …"
Maurice reached out and clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly manner meant to put him at ease. "Spit it out, son. There's nothing to fear from me, I assure you," he encouraged, smiling gently. He remembered his own experiences with Colette and how difficult it had been to ask permission to court her. It didn't help that the spinner was more than a bit on the timid side.
Rumpelstiltskin swallowed convulsively, cleared his throat and still nothing would leave his mouth. He felt as if he were going to be sick. "I-I … " he stammered.
"Iwouldlikepermissiontocourtyourdaughter!"
Maurice blinked owlishly. "I beg your pardon?" the king asked, not having understood a single word the spinner had said in his rush to get the syllables past his teeth and frozen lips.
He choked back a whimper and squared his shoulders. "I would like permission to court your daughter, sire. I know I'm probably not what you wanted for Belle, but I do love her. My heart is all I really have to give her … and I know that's not really what you want to hear from a suitor for her hand … but I can assure you she would never be without love. She is my whole world … she and Baelfire, and –"
The king chuckled. "Are you trying to convince me, lad, or yourself?"
Rumpelstiltskin stared blankly at Belle's father for a long moment before coming back to himself, his heart picking up speed. "No! No, I'm quite sure I love her! I did try not to, sire … I knew it was impossible for someone like her to … well, I knew it was wrong, but … I couldn't help myself, your majesty."
"And does she love you in return?"
He nodded. "She assures me she does." He dropped his gaze to his feet. "If you will not give me permission to court her … please let me continue to serve her. Don't send me away."
Maurice frowned, wondering what the poor man must have suffered in his lifetime to be able to humble himself before his king so easily. He looked over at his daughter, for once pleased she was quibbling with her brother and didn't have to see her spinner in such a state. "Relax, son. No one is going to send you away from your mistress."
A tremulous smile formed on his mouth as some of the tension eased from his shoulders. "Thank you, sire."
"Very well, Rumpelstiltskin. I will grant you permission to court my daughter."
"You –" the spinner gasped. "Really?"
"Yes, lad. It's Belle's choice, but I am thankful all the same that you respect me enough to ask." He clapped the man on the back and led him back to the table. "Now can we eat? I'm starving. And I think it's about time we join them before Belle stabs her brother with a butter knife."
*.*.*
Belle cast anxious eyes at her father as he and Rumpelstiltskin rejoined them at the table. He was smiling … but when wasn't her father smiling about something or other. He was just an all-around jovial person. But surely that was a good sign, right? Her poor love looked as if he were barely holding himself together as he moved to take his usual position behind her chair. Lucern shot him a dark look out of her line of sight, still suspicious of the man's motives.
The king took his seat at the head of the table, ignoring his children long enough to clap his hands and signal the servants to begin serving the morning meal. "Rumpelstiltskin, join us," the king boomed, garnering surprised looks from Belle and Lucern. "Since your circumstances will be changing, it would behoove you to sit with us so we may discuss the matter."
Belle held out her hand to him, urging him forward to the chair at her right. She beamed at him. "Come, dear, it's alright. You've Papa's invitation."
"Papa, he's a servant," Lucern gritted out between his clenched teeth.
"And you're a snob, Luc," Belle sneered, pouring tea into a cup for Rumpelstiltskin. She leaned close, concerned with the small tremors in his hands which caused the cup to rattle noisily on its saucer. "Are you alright, Rum? Was Papa receptive to what you wished to speak with him about?"
"Yes, daughter, I was," Maurice assured her as he ladled eggs onto his plate. "Rumpelstiltskin has formally requested permission to court you." He chuckled as she cast him a blinding smile. "And I can see you are more than pleased I've given my consent."
"Yes! Thank you, Papa, I -" she gushed enthusiastically, turning to kiss Rumpel on the cheek. "Is this what you were up to this morning?"
He nodded shyly. "I wanted to do right by you, my love."
"Oh, you didn't," Lucern groaned, tipping several plump sausages onto his own plate as he stared incredulously at his father.
"Luc, we'll have none of that. If I was magnanimous enough to allow you to marry that little hellcat who stole your heart, I must do the same for your sister." He paused a moment to chew before pointing his fork at his son. "Birth and privilege do not come into it. I care only about the happiness of my family. I shudder to think of what the two of you would have suffered in a less progressive kingdom."
Belle nodded sagely as she spread butter onto a scone. "He's right, Luc. You would have had to make a political match and I would have been married off at a very tender age to someone I could have never loved. Instead, we were raised as equals and given freedom to make our own choices. Not many women in this realm can say the same."
Lucern sat back in his chair and smirked at his sister. "Probably why you're so bloody spoiled."
"She is not," Rumpelstiltskin protested, setting down his cup as he frowned at the prince. "She's lovely, sweet … the kindest woman I've ever known!"
"Easy, lad, he's just ribbing her," Maurice chuckled, trying to set the spinner's mind at ease.
Belle set her fork down and twined her fingers with his, a soft smile on her lips. "Don't let him rile you, darling. He's only teasing … truly. The more time you spend with my family, the more you will become used to our little quirks."
He nodded, still in the habit of wanting to obey her every command. "As you wish, mis - … Belle," he amended, casting a furtive glance at the prince who was steadily glowering at him.
Lucern tapped his fingers against the table. "So, what should we do about him, Papa? We can't have a peasant paying court to our princess. The court will eat him alive and Belle will be ridiculed. There's a good chance they'll think we're punishing her or think something is wrong with her where we have no choice but to marry her off to someone so lowborn."
Belle tossed her linen napkin atop her plate and sat back to glare at her brother. "Yes, gods forbid I should accept courtly behavior from the man I love," she murmured acidly.
"It would be nothing to bestow a title on him, daughter," Maurice interjected before the argument between his children could worsen. "It's done on occasion for services to Avonlea."
"And what if he doesn't want a title. I don't want him to have to change in order to be with me."
He clasped her fingers lightly as he met her gaze. "Belle, dearie … don't you realize I'd do anything to secure our future together?"
"I know, darling, but this is all a bit much."
"You're not pregnant, are you?" the prince asked, horrified to think they'd have a scandal on their hands.
"Luc!" Belle growled as a small squeak sounded from her spinner.
Rumpelstiltskin's face flamed bright crimson. "I have never touched the princess inappropriately!"
"Wasn't what it looked like to me yesterday."
"Enough!" the king snapped. "You're worse than two cats in heat, spitting and snarling at one another." He tapped his broad chest with a finger. "I will handle this. Rumpelstiltskin, I am assuming you will do what is necessary to clear your path to my daughter so as not to damage her reputation?"
"I don't see how you'd be … er … able to accomplish such a feat, sire, but yes."
"Don't worry about that, lad," Maurice said as he rose from the table. "Just rest assured by this afternoon, you will be well suited to court Belle."
Belle allowed Rumpelstiltskin to assist her to her feet so she could kiss her father's cheek in parting. "Papa, thank you so much … but please don't overwhelm him."
He pressed a kiss to her brow and smiled fondly. "Don't you worry about a thing, sweetheart. Your spinner will be just fine. He has you to show him the way, doesn't he?"
Lucern rose slowly from his seat as his father left the room. "I don't care what Papa says, Belle, you're making a mistake."
Belle whirled on him, her eyes flashing blue fire. "Just as you told Lyssa you'd be making a mistake if you married her? It took you twice as long to secure her hand because of your big fat mouth, Luc. I'll not make the same mistake because of some consequence of birth."
"You don't know anything about him!" he fumed. "He could very well be trying to woo you to advance his position or that of his son."
"Which only proves that yes … you don't know him. You have no idea who he was when I met him, and you don't know him now. Stop being a selfish prat and allow me to be happy! Trust me to know my own heart."
"Belle," Rumpelstiltskin said softly, laying his hand over hers. "He's concerned only because he loves you, because he wishes to protect you. You must give him time if this is truly what you want." He turned to the prince. "Your highness, I would like to assure you my intentions are true. I never knew it was possible to love someone as I do Belle, and all I want is her happiness. I-I hope you will one day see that for yourself."
Lucern rolled his eyes as his sister stared at the spinner as if he'd slayed a dragon and laid it at her feet. She was completely besotted. Gaston made his way across the terrace as Belle and Rumpelstiltskin took their leave.
"Well that could have gone better," the knight remarked dryly, hooking his thumbs over his wide belt and rocking back on his heels. "Y'know, the spinner isn't such a bad sort once you get to know him. He's good for Bluebelle, makes her happy."
The prince sneered at his friend, seeing he'd been just as taken in by the peasant as everyone else. "Oh, yes … indeed. I'm certain she'll be thanking her lucky stars when he has to sit down with her at that first state dinner. He's going to be an embarrassment to her more than anything."
Gaston chuckled. "I'd always heard twins share an extraordinary bond. Now I'm thinking Belle got all the brains and you're just a pompous ass."
"You overstep, friend," Lucern hissed indignantly.
"And you know the only reason I stay is because she needs me. I've provided her protection since I was old enough to hold a sword and that protection will extend to her spinner and his child for as long as necessary," he answered in all seriousness. "That goes for her heart as well, Luc. Don't hurt her."
"I don't want to hurt her. I'm trying to protect her as well."
Gaston shook his head mournfully as he looked down at his friend, his prince and future king. "Then perhaps you'd better try to get to know Rum a little better. He loves her and is completely devoted to her, Luc. Stop thinking of him as someone who is going to take Belle away from you."
"I'm not!" the prince protested petulantly.
The knight arched one raven's wing brow at him skeptically. "Fine, I'm not going to argue with you. I've a lad to take riding this morning."
"Who?"
"Bae, of course … and his little family."
Lucern thought for a long moment on his friend's impassioned speech and squared his shoulders. If he continued to disagree with Belle so heatedly, he'd just push her further away. What would it hurt to get to know her suitor better? "Have someone saddle my horse, Gaz. I think I'll come,5822 too."
*.*.*
"Ignore him, darling. Well, don't necessarily ignore him per se … just don't let him rile you … not that he'd do it intentionally, but –"
"Belle, dearie, I'm fine," he assured her, focusing all his energies on staying in the saddle. "Or at least I'm adept at pretending."
Rumpelstiltskin shivered as her hand traced along the edge of his jacket over his chest. He wondered if she insisted upon his riding lessons as an excuse to put her hands on him … not that he minded in the least. It would just be more fortuitous if the blood would remain in his brain where it belonged instead of venturing south to his groin.
Her dainty fingers slipped inside his jacket to press themselves over his heart, her cheek resting comfortably on his right shoulder. Her other arm was wound tightly about his waist as her body pressed flush against his back. He'd never tell her he didn't enjoy the ride – it would be a lie – but their time together in the saddle only made him want her more.
Baelfire and his friend trotted sedately before them, Thorrin and Merrick trailing after them while Gaston and the prince brought up the rear. The weather was beautiful; a late spring breeze wafted through the forest in which they traveled, and it made Belle happy to be outside. "I think it was lovely … what you said to Lucern earlier." She nuzzled against his ear affectionately, feeling his heart stutter against her hand and gain in speed. "I want you to be happy, too, Rumpel."
He smiled shyly at her over his shoulder, his lips scant inches from hers. "You make me happy, dear one. Never doubt it."
Belle hummed happily, simply content to be with him. "Bae seems to be enjoying himself."
"That scamp enjoys being outside, period. It's always been a struggle to get him to remain indoors. He likes the grass beneath his feet and the sun in his hair," the spinner chuckled.
"I was thinking," she whispered excitedly. "We should take him down to the coast. There is the little cove perhaps a mile past the borders of Avonlea before we reach Dunsmore castle. Lucern and I used to play there with Gaston and Merrick when we were children. I think he would like it."
Rumpelstiltskin wrapped the reins tightly about his left hand and lifted her fingers, brushing his lips to her knuckles. "Shall we make a day of it? One when he's particularly exceled at his maths?
"A reward! Yes! We could see if Abel would like to come, too."
Lucern watched the pair through narrowed eyes, trying for the life of him to discern what the two could possibly have in common. Unable to hide his curiosity any longer, he urged his stallion forward to trot next to Belle's mare. "You don't trust your spinner to ride by himself, sister?"
Belle sighed and turned her attention to her twin. "Of course, I trust him, Luc, but he is still learning, and I want him to be comfortable in the saddle."
"Have you shown the little one the ruins yet?" he asked, pulling to a stop at the fork in the path. Gaston whistled, urging the others to follow suit. "The boys could run off some of that boundless energy and do some exploring. It could be fun and give us a chance to enjoy a break."
Belle frowned. "I don't know … there's much for them to get into there and the path isn't the safest course for wee ones."
"Where's your sense of adventure?"
"How dangerous?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, cautious when it came to his son and Belle being put in harm's way.
The princess shrugged. "Not too bad, but rockier than what you're used to, Rum. The boys would have to double up with Thorrin and Merrick. I wouldn't want them to ride alone."
Rumpelstiltskin could see the desire to go warring with caution on her face, and he found he didn't want to deny her. "His highness wishes to go and if it can be done in relative safety …" He squared his shoulders, mustering the courage to show the prince he wasn't a coward. He would conquer his fear. "I think we should."
"It's not as if we're going alone as we used to do when we were children," Lucern taunted with a devilish smirk. One which Belle returned as she remembered some of their exploits. "Come on, Bluebelle, it'll be fun."
"I'll remember that when insects are crawling about in your trousers," she grinned, but nevertheless agreed. If her spinner were willing to risk the journey, so would she. "This isn't going to interfere with your plans for visiting the weaving room this afternoon, is it? You said Mr. Bartram had agreed to let you use his dyes," she whispered to Rumpelstiltskin.
"If not today, then tomorrow, Belle."
An hour later, he was wishing they'd stayed on the forest path as he looked out over the deep ravine off to their left. The knights had a good lead on them, taking the children expertly through the pass with its wooded incline on one side and the ravine on the other, the gravel crunching beneath their horse's hooves. Belle clutched tightly to his waist, her face pressed between his shoulder blades as they neared the mouth of the glen where the ruins lay.
"I'd forgotten what a harrowing path this was," Lucern huffed a brittle laugh, the lines about his eyes the only evidence of his trepidation.
"It just didn't seem this frightening when we were children," Gaston called from behind the stallion's left flank. "I –"
"Lucern!" Belle screamed as his horse reared on its hind legs, his eyes wide with fright as he let out a startled shriek. He danced into the mare upon which the princess and her servant rode, setting her into frenzied motion. Her arms tightened about Rumpelstiltskin as she fought to keep her seat, but she could feel herself slipping.
Gaston's arm went about her waist as he moved to the right, putting himself between the tree line and the gravel path, pulling her onto his lap atop Storm. She was frantic as her eyes searched the path, her heart freezing in her chest as she watched the snake skitter across the rocks. It was too late. She reached out, her fingers inches away from her spinner as the mare bumped back into her brother's stallion and sent both riders tumbling out of sight into the ravine below.
"Rumpel!"
A/N: Ok, everyone ready to kill me now? Hehehe! There is method to my madness, I assure you. NO ONE died! I promise! Tune in next week for the daring rescue :D Actually since I'm posting this tonight you only have to wait until Friday morning. Yayness!
Hugs and love to all my darling reviewers: Wondermorena, scorpion22, CLKit, Solo13, lovepeacebubble121x, Twyla Mercedes, xXSedationXx, Melstrife, MyraValhallah, Grace5231973, FaerieTales4ever, Erik'sTrueAngel (chapters 8 & 9), Jeananne64, Deb, Guest, iamstephanieb, onlyinyourdreams77, Songbird1986, BloodyTink, and musicbean2