XIV
Belle crept back into Rumpelstiltskin's room, her eyes searching through the muted light to where her spinner lay upon his bed in a restless sleep. The medication Dr. Cassel had left for him helped him to sleep, but he could only find limited peace from the pain. She set the items she carried aside and went into her own room to check on her son where he awaited her in the company of Thorrin and Gerta.
Dinner had arrived and was being served on the Terrace under the light of the harvest moon. "Mama! I was beginning to wonder if you were coming," the boy said as he reached for the buttered roll Gerta set on his plate.
"Of course, my darling. I see you've already gone off for your bath," she acknowledged, sitting down at the small table.
"Yes, ma'am, and Thor read me a story. Will you read one for me, too?" he asked hopefully around a mouthful of peas.
"Don't speak with your mouth full, Bae," she scolded gently. "But yes, I suppose we could read before bed. Now eat your dinner before it gets cold. It won't be long before we won't be able to have meals outdoors."
He took a swallow of his milk and regarded her with sad eyes. "I don't like it that Papa has to stay inside all the time."
"I know, darling, but it won't be for long. He only has to stay indoors for a week or so until he can get about on his crutches better."
Baelfire seemed to be happy with her answer and quickly finished his dinner. Since Thorrin was taking him riding again with Abel the next day – sans a trip to the ruins – he didn't give her a bit of trouble over an early bedtime. He was fast asleep before Jack had even begun to climb the beanstalk the second time. Belle set the book of fairy tales on his shelf and assured herself Rumpel was still fast asleep before moving back to her own room to slip into her bath.
She moaned long and low in her throat as the hot water enveloped her. She was tempted to go down to the bathing chamber and have one of the many attendants massage the ache from her weary muscles, but she didn't want to leave Rumpel for so long. The idea of him waking without her there was rather unsettling.
Who could have known how strenuous it would be to care for her spinner? Bearing his weight, fetching and carrying to make certain he had everything he needed. It was her own fault, insisting she be the one to care for him. She was to be his wife, after all. It was more of a pleasure than a duty because she loved him so dearly. A little ache wasn't going to deter her. Lyssa did the same for Lucern and she was no better than her sister-in-law.
Gerta washed the princess's hair with a rich rose and lilac scented soap, the floral fragrance a soothing balm to Belle's frazzled nerves. The maid helped her into a soft flannel nightgown in a dark shade of midnight blue with silver stars embroidered along the hem and the cuffs at her wrists and set her before the fire in Rumpelstiltskin's chamber to brush out her long chestnut curls until they gleamed in the firelight.
"Would you like me to stay and help you to bed, highness?" Gerta murmured as she set the brush aside.
"No, dear, thank you. I believe I can manage," Belle smiled, covering a rather large yawn with her hand. "Oh, and please lay out my green day dress for tomorrow, the one with the longer sleeves. I want to visit with Papa tomorrow morning when Rum is resting, and I always find his apartments a bit drafty."
Gerta curtsied to her mistress and disappeared into Belle's chambers, leaving the door ajar should she be needed in the night. Belle climbed onto the mattress next to her love, cursing herself as his eyes sprang open, their sable depths filled with apprehension. "It's alright, my love, it's just me," she soothed, carding her fingers through the graying hair at his temple with gentle strokes.
"Ugh!" he groaned, reaching down to rub at his knee. His entire leg felt as if it were on fire. "How long have I been asleep?"
Belle hummed thoughtfully. "I'm not certain. Three or four hours perhaps. Has your medication worn off? Are you in pain?"
"It's … bearable."
"Rum, I don't want you to suffer," she said, her eyes glinting with worry.
He scrubbed his hands over his face to restore some sense of clear-headedness to his mind. "Bae?"
"Asleep."
"He didn't say goodnight," he frowned, staring through the gauzy curtain to watch the rise and fall of his son's little chest.
"Of course, he did, darling. He skipped over here and kissed your cheek before coming to bed for his bedtime story. He wouldn't go to bed without telling you goodnight."
Rumpelstiltskin relaxed, still feeling the effects of the drugs in his system. He didn't like the dizziness or the lassitude which settled into his muscles. It made the pain much more bearable, but he wondered if it were worth it. "Belle, please … help me up," he groaned, struggling into a sitting position.
"What is it? Do you need the –"
"No," he said with a shake of his head. "I just can't abide lying on my back another moment. I've lost feeling in my arse!"
Belle bit her lip to stifle a giggle, hiding her face behind her long curtain of hair as she climbed off the bed and moved to his side to help lift him up. His face was twisted with pain, one arm wrapped about his ribs, the other rubbing briskly at his knee. She slipped back onto the bed to kneel behind him and eased her fingers along the knotted muscles in his shoulders – careful of the bruises on his left – drawing a blissful moan from his parted lips.
"Gods, woman, you have magic in your hands," he breathed out on a blissful sigh as he leaned into her touch.
"Hardly," she chuckled, pressing a light kiss to his nape. "I just have a bit of experience with soothing aches out of weary muscles. I used to do this for Papa and Lucern when they'd return from the training field or some border skirmish. Most times it was the only way I could get any pertinent information out of them."
"Has there been much need for the army here in Avonlea?" he asked curiously.
"Not really, no," she shook her head, concentrating on her task. "There was some trouble with the ogres a few years ago, but Lucern and Gaston took our forces into the mountains to the south and blocked the only pass which would allow them access to the kingdom. We haven't been troubled since."
The spinner was silent for a moment, reveling in the pleasure her fingers were eliciting in his body, her soothing touch easing away some of his pain. "Your father is a good king. Otherwise, Avonlea wouldn't have prospered as it has." He glanced at her over his shoulder. "What is Dunsmore like?"
A winsome smile lit her face as she met his gaze. "Oh, Rum, you'll love it. The castle is much smaller than this one, and it's surrounded by forest on one side and the sea on the other. It's so peaceful and open. Baelfire will have all the space he needs to run free outdoors. It will be a wonderful place for him to grow up." She leaned in and wrapped her arms about his neck from behind, pulling him back to rest against her body. "And there is plenty of room to raise your goats and rabbits. If you wish it, we could even get some sheep. Luc may have made you an earl, but I know you'll always be a spinner at heart."
"Does that trouble you, my Belle?"
"No, darling. It's one of the things I love about you," she assured him. "Are you hungry? I can run down to the kitchen for some pastries."
He shook his head, scowling down at his pillow. "No, as sore as I am from lying down, I think my head might clear a bit if I did."
Belle slipped off the bed to stand before him, not liking the way he scratched at his nightshirt. "What's wrong? Are you too warm? I have the windows open. Dr. Cassel said it might be a side effect of the pain medication."
"Well, it's not like I can strip it off with you spending so much time at my side," he smirked. "If not for my modesty, then for your delicate sensibilities."
She snorted and reached for the hem of his cotton nightshirt, easing it up over his head. "You can put it back on in the morning. I'm to be your wife. I promise not to swoon away into a dead faint by seeing a bit of your body," she teased. "Not like I haven't seen it already."
Rumpelstiltskin scratched at the bindings over his ribs once she'd tossed the shirt aside. "Can we take these off too, then?"
"You know we can't. They're the only thing holding you together right now. A month, the doctor said. Surely you can hold out that long."
He pulled her to stand between his parted knees and wrapped his good arm about her waist before burying his face against her chest. "I don't mean to be a bad patient, dear heart. I just can't abide idleness."
"Then it's a good thing I've brought a cure for that." At his expectant look, she grinned mischievously. "And no, I'm not telling you what it is until after breakfast. But I think you'll like it," she said, wrapping her arms about his shoulders as he hugged her warmly, burying her fingers in his soft hair.
His fingers caressed the small of her back as he pressed gentle kisses along the edge of her bodice, wanting nothing more than to pull at the fabric with his teeth and worship her breasts with his mouth. He moaned softly, his arm tightening about her waist as her nails scraped across his scalp, his skin erupting in gooseflesh. He tensed, his muscles seizing as a fresh wave of pain traveled up his leg, and he cursed.
"Shh, it's ok, darling," she crooned, reaching out to rub at his knee. "Let's make you more comfortable. We'll have time later for fun when you're better."
A little whimper of a laugh escaped his throat as she pulled away and helped him lie back down. All amusement fled as he settled onto his back. "I can't do this, Belle, I –"
"Just for a moment!" she called softly over her shoulder as she hurried into her room and gathered up several pillows from her bed. She ignored his questioning look, knowing her plan would help alleviate some of his pain, put him in a more comfortable position and hopefully give him peace enough to rest. "Trust me, love. When I'm done you won't have to lie on your back anymore tonight and can give it some needed respite."
She arranged the pillows along his left side and had him roll over, then moving another between his legs to support his injured ankle and give him a buffer. He moaned contentedly and burrowed his face into the pillow beneath his head. "That feels so much better." Belle crawled back into the bed and spooned against his back, her lips planting several sweet kisses along his nape and shoulder. "And that feels even better."
Her hand ghosted over his back and very lightly over his bandaged ribs to his hip. "There …" she cooed as he melted into her soft curves. "Doesn't that feel good?"
He jerked as her hand moved down over his cotton covered arse and gently kneaded away the soreness. "Belle!" he gasped, his cock twitching as her nails dug into the fabric, scratching lightly.
She giggled. "You did say you could no longer feel it."
"I take it back," he hissed, his body tightening and quickening as another surge of lust shot straight to his groin. "I feel it … I feel it." He arched back into her as her hand moved over his flank to the top of his thigh.
Her deft little fingers went to work on the sore muscle, and she could literally feel the tension leaving him. She pressed her lips to the crook of his neck, her tongue darting out to swipe over the salt of his skin. "I love you, Rum." She nuzzled behind his ear, reveling in the little whimpers fighting their way from his throat. "Show me … show me how to touch you."
Rumpelstiltskin made a strangled cry in his throat as her hand inched closer to his groin. His fingers closed over her wrist in a firm grip. "No … you shouldn't. Belle, I wouldn't last two seconds if you put your hands on me right now," he panted. "I rather fear I'll disappoint you on our wedding night."
"Rubbish!" she scoffed. "You could never disappoint me, Rumpelstiltskin." She rested her head on the pillow beside his and buried her face against his hair, sighing blissfully. "I do want to know what you like, my darling. I want to know how to please you."
"You already do, dearest. We have plenty of time to learn what the other likes."
"Am I being selfish because I'm impatient," she asked, wrapping her arm about his waist as she pressed her body flush with his back and pulled the duvet over them.
"Of course not, no," he assured her. "I've never had …"
"What?"
He sighed, but he could hold back his words no more than he could the coming winter. "I've never had anyone want me the way you do, Belle."
She chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I've never wanted anyone the way I want you, Rumpel. I want all of you … your body, your wisdom, your heart." His deep sigh reverberated through her, pressed as tightly as they were. "I'm so happy you're to be my husband. So thankful I won your love."
The spinner shook his head as he raised her hand to his lips, a silent tear splashing against her soft skin. "I don't deserve you," he whispered brokenly.
"Yes, you do, Rum."
"No … you don't understand," he choked out, the breath catching in his throat. "Everything comes with a price, Belle. I've never been allowed to find happiness. Something always comes to take it from me. When I found Milah and made her my wife, I lost my aunts. When I went off to war, I find I'm going to be a father, but I become a coward in order to be with Bae. I gain a son and lose a wife -"
Belle met his panicked gaze for one brief moment before her lips slanted over his, her teeth scoring his lower lip before she sucked gently. Her hand slipped beneath his nape to support him. He was in enough pain without adding to it. "Shh, love," she breathed against his mouth as she continued to offer comfort and love through her touch. "No one is going to take me from you."
"But –"
She tugged gently on the ends of his hair, cutting him off and gaining his full attention. "I won't argue with you about this, Rumpelstiltskin. Instead, let us look at what we know. Since I've come into your life, what has been taken from you in exchange for your good fortune?"
"Nothing … Yet!" he insisted. "But it will, Belle. It always does." He turned back on his side, his shoulders slumping dejectedly. "It's like I'm cursed."
"You're not cursed," she scoffed.
"It would explain a lot," he murmured dryly.
She giggled, trying to hide her laughter as she buried her face once again in his nape.
"Belle, it's not funny!"
"Of course not; I'm sorry, darling. I just think it's ridiculous that you would think yourself cursed." Her fingers traced soothing patterns over his chest, the motion soothing him. "You're a good man, Rum. Sometimes bad things just happen, but I assure you … nothing will tear me from your side. Fate has a funny way of challenging us. If you hadn't had to suffer through life's trials, would you be the man you are today? The man I love? You're not cursed, my darling; you're blessed. It's not every day you can find a love like we share."
He closed his eyes and relished the feel of her body so close to his, thankful for her warmth and love which seemed to wrap around him to chase away his dark thoughts. He only prayed she was right.
*.*.*
"Bae, darling, do you have your things together? Don't keep Thorrin waiting too long," Belle called to her son with an indulgent smile. "And make sure you put Prissy and Edgar back in their pens!"
The boy smiled brightly at his mother. "I will, Mama!" he replied, tucking a bunny under each arm and trotting off towards their pens in a corner of Belle's terrace garden.
"Thor, what are his plans today, dear?" she asked, sipping gingerly at her tea.
Thorrin stood beside the wicker settee beneath her favorite peach tree and rocked back on his heels. "Riding with young master Abel, lunch with the Meyerson's, lessons with Mr. Lawson from one to three, fencing at four, and then back here at six to prepare for dinner," he said, ticking off their activities on his fingers.
"He's going to be gone all day?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, a furrow appearing between his brows. He rested his knitting on his lap – a gift from his Belle to keep his hands occupied – as his gaze swung back and forth between the pair.
Belle reached over and covered his hand with hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Only for this week, love, while you're recuperating. Next week he will be with us more when you're able to get around better on your crutches."
"I can bring him back to have lunch with you, if you wish?"
Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. "No, I'm sure he'd rather dine with his friend," he sighed. "He's so happy now … he can spend time with me later."
Baelfire bounded over to his father and crawled onto his lap, settling himself on his good knee. "What's wrong, Papa? Why are you sad?" he asked, resting his head against his father's shoulder.
"I'm not, son, really. I'll just miss you, is all," the spinner said, dropping a tender kiss to Bae's crown of unruly curls.
"I'll miss you, too, but I'll be back soon," he smiled. "At least you got to come outside today."
Four days in bed was more than he'd been able to stand. It had taken some pleading with his fiancée to get her to bend to his demands, but finally she'd given in. His favorite chair had been carted out onto the terrace, along with an ottoman to prop his leg on.
It felt wonderful to be outside in the shade of the peach trees, the warm sun shining down on him through the branches and the cool autumn breeze teasing against his face. Of course, it was even better to have Belle at his side. She'd brought him yarn from the spinning room to use with the needles he had stored away at the bottom of his wardrobe – gifts from his aunts long ago. She'd given up on her embroidery to learn the new craft, despite her clumsiness with the unwieldy needles.
"Yes, so see … I will be perfectly fine until your return," he murmured, mustering up a smile for him.
Belle leaned in to kiss his cheek after Thorrin had led Bae from the terrace to begin their day. "It's still hard for you, isn't it, darling? Not to spend every moment with him?"
His gaze was full of love and happy memories of time spent with his son. "He's always been with me, Belle. At my side while I would spin, off to market when I'd go to sell my wares, trailing after me as I tended our few sheep. Even when he was a wee thing, I had a harness for him to pack him on my back." He shook his head, grinning sheepishly. "Bae's always been the one constant in my life, the one person who has never let me down or … hurt me."
"Oh, Rum …" she breathed, careful of his ankle as he pulled her over to sit on his lap, balancing her weight on his left leg as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Until you, my princess." He trailed his fingertips over her cheek, reveling in the softness of her skin and the love evident in her eyes. "I thank the gods every day for you."
Belle leaned into his touch, bringing her lips to his. "I love you, Rumpelstiltskin. Never doubt it."
"Ah, true love … how absolutely nauseating," came a drawling voice from the archway which led onto the terrace from Belle's chamber. Gaston pressed a hand to his chest over his heart and sighed dramatically before he winked at her. "Don't you two ever give it a rest? At the rate you're going we'll be holding a wedding before your spinner can properly stand at the altar."
Belle rose from Rumpelstiltskin's lap and made her way to her friend, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Enough of your teasing, Gaz. Behave!" she warned, turning to the man who'd accompanied him. "Dr. Cassel, how lovely to see you. I wasn't expecting you until next week."
Cassel bowed deeply and shook the object in his hand. "I hadn't planned to come so soon, highness, but I was rather excited about this."
She gestured them to follow her back to the makeshift sitting area in the shade of the peach tree where she could offer them a seat. "What is it?" she asked curiously as she studied the contraption in his hands.
"Lord Dunsmore, how are you? Managing?" the doctor asked.
"Better than I'd expected," Rumpelstiltskin replied, blushing. He was still coming to terms with having a title attached to his person.
Belle cocked her head to the side and frowned. "I have to say that's the oddest-looking boot I've ever seen. Is it for Rumpel?"
"It is, highness." He set the boot sole down on the small table and pointed to the thin rods on either side. There was a sturdy piece of leather running from toe to top which straps were affixed to and would buckle in the back, no less than five to be exact. "The rods will act as a splint to hold the bone in place here and here, and the straps will give added support to affix it to his leg." He fixed the spinner with his steady gaze. "The cobbler worked with me on this project to make it as comfortable for you as possible as your recovery is going to be long and difficult. The bone may take anywhere from six to ten weeks to heal, but there's no telling how long it might take for the tendons to recover. I worry that your previous injury will slow the process."
Belle took the boot and examined it briefly before handing it to Rumpel for his own inspection. "You really think this will help? When should he begin wearing it?"
Cassel knelt down next to the ottoman where the spinner's foot rested and examined it, frowning at the amount of swelling in the joint. "I'm not happy with the swelling, though it is to be expected. Highness, I really think you should have him soak it twice a day – with the bandages on as we don't want the bone to shift – to see if that might help." He looked up at Rumpelstiltskin in askance. "You're keeping pressure off of it, I presume?"
The spinner nodded. "Belle is concerned for my shoulder when I have to use the crutches. I'm lucky if I'm allowed out of the bed to use the chamber pot," he grumbled sourly.
"Oh posh!" she scoffed defensively. "I'm only thinking of your well-being, darling,"
Cassel chuckled, thinking they already sounded like an old married couple. "Well, I can see you're not wearing the sling, and knitting to boot," he remarked, arching a brow at the yarn and crafting needles in Rumpelstiltskin's lap. "I'd say if you're able to indulge in your hobby, you're well enough to get about on your crutches." He lifted the hem of Rum's tunic and prodded gingerly at his ribs. "How's the pain here? Manageable? Still a bit tender, eh?" he asked as he noticed the wince upon the spinner's face.
"Aye, still tender," he growled, frowning at the doctor.
Gaston sat down next to Belle on the wicker settee and poured himself a cup of tea before shoving a biscuit into his mouth. "Grufmpy af efer," he noted amidst the crumbs falling onto his doublet.
"Gaz, please. Manners!" Belle reprimanded, trying to hide her amusement behind her hand. "So, doctor, he should be able to have better mobility? He shouldn't be so confined to his rooms?"
"Well, highness, I'm not saying he's ready for tourney or one of Princess Lyssa's grand galas, but he should be able to join the family in the hall for dinner to start."
The doctor gave them both a few more instructions on care, left another pouch of the powder Rumpelstiltskin was to continue as needed for pain, and left the gathering to return to his practice as he had a few more patients to see that afternoon.
Rumpelstiltskin eyed the boot with trepidation, never having seen anything like it. "You really think this thing will help?" he asked, doubt clouding his expression.
Gaston shrugged. "He's a good doctor. Been serving the royal family since before Belle and Lucern were born."
"It's really quite clever, Rum. It might help you heal to the point where you won't have a limp at all anymore," Belle cooed happily, linking her fingers with his and giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
Rumpelstiltskin smiled hesitantly, not wanting to chase away her smile. "I can't remember what it's like to walk without it, Belle. I don't even know if I could."
"Then it's something we can work on together."
The thought of being able to run after Baelfire, to stand tall next to his princess as he spoke his vows, to have both hands to support a child Belle would later give him – should the gods be so willing to bless them – instead of having to use one to balance upon his cane … it was too much to even contemplate. Yet, he would do anything for his family. "Aye, my love, together."
Gaston clapped his hands as he set his cup down and rose to his feet. "Wonderful! Now that everything's settled, I get to tell Lucern the good news."
"About Rum's progress?" Belle asked, wondering why her friend would be so excited about that.
"Course not, love … I get to tell him it's time."
"Time for what?" the spinner asked, more than a little puzzled.
The knight grinned, a twinkle of mischief in his dark eyes. "Time for another feast, of course. It's time to celebrate."
Belle gaped, having forgotten about her brother's desire to celebrate Rumpelstiltskin's bravery and elevation in status. Not to mention their betrothal. Her poor love, she thought sympathetically as he rested his head back against his chair and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. He was shy … something he'd have to let go of if he were to take his place at her side. She'd do her best to soothe his fears and ease his way. And the gods have mercy on anyone who thought to ridicule or scorn him … because she would not.
A/N: Well, it seems things are moving along for our lovely princess and her spinner. I can't wait to see how the proper treatment will benefit his recovery :D Next week Rum is introduced to the court as the Earl of Dunsmore. I wonder if someone will make the mistake of shunning him in Belle's presence. That should prove interesting.
Have any of you read my story "Her Little Secret"? Well, my dear friend – Kindleheartzyou – has written an inspired by fic in this verse called "Unexpected News". I highly recommend it, my darlings! Show her some love and give it a read :D
All the love this week goes to my reviewers: Witch Nova, lovepeacebubble121x, CLKit, Wondermorena, Twyla Mercedes, MyraValhallah, Erik'sTrueAngel, scorpion22, minterwint, Deb, jeananne64, Songbird1986, Grace5231973, raiyana, and musicbean2.