XVI
Belle smiled in her sleep, snuggling further into the warmth her spinner provided, his arms wrapped around her shoulders and waist, and his leg thrown over both of hers like the giant squid of lore. Everything was right with her world now that they'd talked, more issues settled between them making her feel much more confident in their relationship. She'd almost dozed off again when she felt a slight tug on her long chestnut hair which was spread out across the pillows.
"Mama!" came an urgent whisper, a hint of amusement in the small voice. "Mama," followed by a giggle.
She cracked one eye open and grinned at her son. "Bae," she breathed, always happy to see him, even when he was intruding on her rest. She lifted the edge of the coverlet, silently inviting him onto the bed to snuggle with her. Of course, he had no intention of going back to sleep.
"Mama, why is Papa sleeping in your bed? When the snows come, can I sleep with you, too?" he asked with his innocent charm, melting her heart. "Papa used to sleep with me instead of my other mama when it got too cold."
Belle kissed the tip of his nose and tickled his belly, causing him to give a delightful squeal. "Well, my love, there's no reason to sleep with anyone for warmth here in the palace. We have plenty of wood for our hearth to keep us warm, don't we? But you're always more than welcome to come abed with us."
"Uh-huh," he nodded, burrowing against her. "You're not mad at Papa anymore?"
"Oh, Bae, I wasn't angry with your father. He just said something which hurt my feelings, but we've talked about it and we're fine," she explained. She could just imagine how many bad memories their argument must have dredged up for him.
"So, you're still going to marry him and be my mama? I don't want you to leave us."
Tears smarted at the back of her lids and she could feel Rumpelstiltskin tense in wakefulness, hearing his son's worried voice. Belle cuddled him close, clutching Bae tightly as Rumpel's arm covered hers, holding them both. "Belle's not going to leave us, son," he murmured reassuringly.
"I love you, sweetheart," she said, dropping a kiss to his brow. "And I love being your mother. I'd never leave you."
His little fingers toyed with the ribbon at the front of her gown, his lip wobbling. She could see tears pooling in his big sable eyes. "My other mama said she loved me, too … but she left, she didn't want us anymore," he said, the last barely more than a whisper.
Belle seethed with suppressed rage at the other woman, not understanding how anyone could treat her family as Milah had treated hers. She pulled out of Rumpelstiltskin's embrace and helped Baelfire scoot between them. He sighed happily, sandwiched between his parents.
"Bae, never think for a moment that you aren't loved," Rumpel said, rubbing soothing circles over the boy's back. "You're surrounded by love every day. Your mother does love you in her own way … she just had a hard time expressing her emotions."
He caught Belle's eye to find tears coursing over her cheeks and he reached out to pull her deeper into their cocoon, tugging the coverlet over their heads. Bae giggled. "See, darling," the princess chimed. "We're warm and safe and happy in our own little nest where nothing and no one can steal away your happiness. And soon, your Papa and I will be married, and we'll move to Dunsmore castle."
"Can Thorrin come, too?" he asked, grinning at her over his shoulder. He really didn't care where they lived as long as they were all together. "And the bunnies and goats?"
Belle hugged him. "Yes, my little love. They can come, too."
*.*.*
Belle yawned hugely as she left the bed an hour later and tied her dressing robe about her. Rumpelstiltskin kept the grumbling to a minimum as he made his way over to the sitting area by the hearth and added a pinch of the medicinal powder Cassel had given him to a glass of water. She nodded to Bethany setting out their breakfast before poking her head out onto the terrace to check on Baelfire where he was playing and talking gently with his rabbits. The sky was already bright, not a cloud in the sky. It was a perfect day for feasting.
She sighed as she rejoined her love, taking a seat on the settee and reaching for the tea pot. Her smile fell as she raised her gaze to her spinner and noticed the tight lines of stress at the corners of his mouth. "What is it, love?" she asked, handing him the cup she'd prepared. "Are you in pain?"
"N-No," he was quick to wave her off before she could fiddle with his tightly wrapped bandages. "I'm fine, sweetheart, really."
"Mmhm," she hummed dubiously. "And this … nothing? Is it the reason your cup is about to rattle right off its saucer?"
The spinner looked down at his noisy cup and laid his hand over the top of it, grinding his teeth in vexation.
She set her cup down and adopted a casual demeanor as she lifted the covers and peered inside to see what Mrs. Potts has sent to break their fast. "You know that entire misunderstanding could have been avoided yesterday if I had talked to you about my worries with Baelfire. Are we going to have a repeat of that episode because you won't talk to me?" He peeked up at her soulfully from beneath a dark fringe of lashes and she felt her heart pick up speed. Gods, if only he knew what he could do to her with just a simple look, she thought, surreptitiously tucking her hand beneath her so she wouldn't be tempted to fan herself.
"I-I was thinking, my Belle … um … would Lucern really be so disappointed if we d-didn't go to the feast tonight?" he asked, hope largely evident in his tone.
"Rum, darling, Luc has been looking forward to introducing you to the court for almost three weeks now. And you know he wants to formally announce our engagement. We really can't disappoint him." She set a sticky bun and some sausage links before him on the table as Bethany went to call Baelfire in to eat. "It's only natural for you to be cast into the spotlight, love, what with your having saved his life, but it's not like you haven't been to a feast before."
"As a servant, Belle," he groaned.
She grimaced involuntarily before she could hide it behind a confident smile. "Is that what you're worried about, my darling? That someone will say something derogatory about your former position as my servant?"
He grumbled under his breath as he slumped back and sipped at his tea, ignoring the food she'd prepared for him. If he tried to eat, as nervous as he was, it was likely to come right back up.
"I'm sorry," she retorted cheekily. "I didn't catch that."
"They're going to make fun of me, Belle."
Belle's eyes narrowed dangerously. "They wouldn't dare."
"They will! You've seen how they are amongst each other," he spat in disgust. "They're a nest of vipers, and the only ones they treat worse than one another are strangers to their midst. Well, I'm worse. I'm a peasant aspiring to a lofty title. They will chew me up and spit me back out." His shoulders drooped dejectedly, more than certain of the outcome should he show his face in the dining room that evening.
Belle rose to her feet and circled around the ottoman to kneel at his feet. She took the cup from him and set it aside, clasping his hands in hers. "Rumpelstiltskin, I will not let anyone be cruel to you. Do you understand me?"
"But, dearest … what if I say the wrong thing? Or use the wrong fork? Or address someone by the wrong title? Some of those courtiers have cuffed one of the maids simply for bringing her the wrong pastry!"
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as her thumbs rubbed nonsensical patterns along the tender flesh of his inner wrists. It was followed by several more. "I'm sorry … I'm sorry I'm panicking. I promised myself I wasn't going to let my fears get in the way of our happiness any longer."
She leaned up on her knees and caught his lips in a sweet kiss, his arms not hesitating to coil around her waist and pull her against his chest. She could feel the tension draining from him, replaced by surprised delight. "There's my Rumpel," she laughed softly as he nipped at her lower lip. "Feeling better?" It filled her with joy that she was able to so easily bring him comfort with her touch.
He pressed his brow to hers, savoring the moment of quiet tranquility between them. "For the time being at least."
"You need a dose of confidence."
"I need a good leg and a fast horse."
"Rum!" she chuckled. "I think I have just the thing to set your mind at ease." She kissed him once more and abandoned her breakfast to disappear behind her dressing screen.
"Hi, Papa," Bae called as he came into the room with Bethany in tow. "Oooooh, my favorite … cinnamon buns," he gushed, dropping onto his pillow next to the coffee table. He hurriedly stuffed a large piece into his mouth, moaning rapturously. "Ifs 'onna bfe so amfazing 'onight at the feast!"
"Bae, don't talk with your mouth full, son," his father scolded.
He washed the bite down with a bit of milk and wiped his mouth with the napkin as he'd been taught. "The feast is going to be so amazing tonight, Papa. Aren't you excited?"
"Thrilled," Rumpelstiltskin muttered in a dry tone.
Belle hastened from behind the screen, already combing her fingers through her hair. She tamed the mass of curls with a ribbon at her nape and dove into her wardrobe for a pair of shoes. "Don't worry, Rum. By the time I return, all should be in readiness to set your mind at ease, so you'll be able to enjoy the feast."
"Can I come with you, Mama?" Bae asked hopefully, his eyes bright with anticipation.
"When I come back for Papa, ok? Right now, I need to see Lucern." She turned to kiss her betrothed on his cheek before hurrying to the door. "Get dressed, Rumpel. I'll be back soon."
"What do you suppose she needs to talk with her brother about?" Bae asked his father.
"There's no telling with your mother, son," he said, finishing off the last dregs of his tea and pulling himself to stand on his crutches. "But you can bet it won't be boring."
*.*.*
"Rum, I could have gotten a litter, and –"
"I can bloody well walk the distance to the dining room, sweetheart," he gnashed out through teeth clenched so tightly she could hear the enamel splintering. He watched her purse her rosebud mouth into a moue of displeasure, but she held her tongue.
"Are you sure?"
Perhaps he'd been hasty with that observation, he thought ruefully. He was also of the mind that if he injured himself further, he wouldn't have to go to Lucern's infernal feast.
Belle clasped her hands tightly before her as they came to a halt before the ornate double doors with their intricate carvings and gilt hinges, to stop herself from reaching out to steady him.
"Now will you tell me why we're here? Or did you just want to make me face the site of my impending doom before the bell tolls my demise?"
She giggled. "Oh, Rumpel, no ….no, don't be angry," she amended when he turned awkwardly to go back to their apartments. "Please, darling."
Rumpelstiltskin rested heavily on his crutches and sighed. "I'm not angry at you, Belle."
"But you're not happy with me either," she argued, her fingers gliding effortlessly through the soft hair at his temples.
"I'm not unhappy." His lips quirked up into a half moon grin as he leaned into her touch. His fingers twined themselves about the kirtle at her waist, reeling her in so he could feast on her lips. "So sweet, my love," he cooed to her, reveling in her swift intake of breath as she yielded to him. "I do believe I'm getting happier. Would you care to test that theory?" he asked, nipping at her lower lip.
Belle heaved a breathy little laugh as her arms wound about his neck. "I do believe you're right, darling … and it's infectious." She indulged him a little longer before pulling him towards the door. "We can't really keep them waiting any longer."
"Who?" her spinner asked querulously.
His princess merely shot him a gamine-like grin and knocked on the door.
Rumpelstiltskin's smile fell from his thin lips as he gaped in wonder at the splendor of the formal dining room. The tables were covered in pristine white table cloths, the grand table upon the dais reserved for the royal family, the tables for the court on either side forming one large 'u'. Pink and white roses formed centerpieces for the tables interspersed along its lengths and there were more on pedestals along the walls. There was no sign of the mess his son had made in the room only yesterday.
The finest china sat upon the oak structure, each place setting with a full accompaniment of flatware, the silver buffed to a high shine. Before each setting was a fine crystal goblet and next to it a small finger bowl which would be filled with water for washing. To the spinner, it looked just as splendid as it had when he'd served as the princess's servant, and there in lay the difference. He was no longer a servant, but a lord and expected to dine at that fancily laid table.
He straightened himself to his full height despite the hindrance of the crutches, as Thorrin strode forward and took up the position of majordomo. The lad winked at the spinner and tapped his staff against the polished marble, his voice ringing loud and clear through the cavernous room. "Lord Rumpelstiltskin, First Earl of Dunsmore and Her highness, Princess Belle of Avonlea."
The spinner started slightly as he heard his name attached to the new title. It sounded foreign to his ears, and he wondered if he'd ever get used to it. Belle slipped her hand into his where he stood motionless staring up at the table where Bae, Lucern, Lyssa and the king awaited them. Gaston, and several of his knights were there as well. "Your family and friends, Rumpelstiltskin," she murmured softly, nodding to those gathered. "We're all here to support you, my love."
He cast her a look, unable to disguise his wonder. "What is all this? We're too early for the feast."
Belle's nose wrinkled with amusement as she grinned up at him. "Consider this a practice run for tonight."
He cradled her face in his hand, his thumb brushing lightly over her lips. "I do love you with the whole of my heart, my princess," he whispered solemnly. "Sometimes I feel as if I hadn't truly begun to live until I met you."
Tears brightened the blue of her eyes, making them sparkle. "I love you too, my spinner." She reached up on her toes and pressed her lips to his, losing herself in his touch. At least until Lucern had deemed their display quite enough and hobbled over on his own crutches to break it up.
"Enough of that, you two," he admonished lightly. "How are you feeling, my friend?"
Rumpelstiltskin shrugged. "About as well as can be expected?"
"Quaking in our boots, are we?" the prince chortled. "I told you not to worry, Spinner. No one is expecting you to be perfect … just be yourself."
"But what if that's not enough to appease the court," he mumbled. "What if I embarrass Belle?"
Lucern chucked his sister affectionately beneath her chin. "It takes a bit to embarrass our princess. We once had this delegation visit from the Southern Isles … a smarmy bloke and twelve of his brothers," he said, turning awkwardly on his crutches and making slow progress around the room. "What was his name, Belle, it escapes me at present."
Belle rolled her eyes. "Hans."
The prince leaned in close to whisper conspiratorially. "She took exception to his manners at dinner and boxed his ears. Papa was hoping she'd take a fancy to at least one of them, but it wasn't meant to be."
Rumpelstiltskin could feel jealousy clawing at his innards. "What did he do to put her off so badly?" he couldn't help but ask, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"The slimy toad assured me if I were to marry him, I would only have to share his bed," she fairly snarled. "A brash uncouth lot of barbarians if I've ever seen one."
"There was enough fodder for the gossip mill to last a good month," Lucern chuckled.
"I can't say as I blame her," Rumpelstiltskin said, affronted on her behalf.
Belle smiled to herself as she watched her love relax and enjoy the conversation with her brother. He seemed to be at ease for the first time in days and she could only hope he would remain so when they did this for real that night. Her smile slipped, however, when three of the kitchen maids flounced into the room and curtsied to her betrothed.
He smiled politely and nodded respectfully. "Ladies, don't you look lovely." Belle gritted her teeth as they erupted into a fit of giggles, simpering before him.
"Lucern …"
Her brother leaned behind Rumpelstiltskin, a rakish grin curving his mouth. "I was trying to find someone for him to practice on, Bluebelle. Don't get your knickers in a twist."
She scowled blackly at him. He knew all too well of the trouble she had with the maids and their flirting. "I may have to tell Lyssa you purposely haven't invited her brother to the wedding," she threatened.
"You wouldn't," he breathed, his eyes narrowing on her.
"Wouldn't I?" She glared hotly down her nose at Mildred, a diminutive blonde nearly spilling over her bodice. "Whose idea was it to dress the maids up in Lyssa's clothes?" she hissed.
"I believe it was Gaz."
"Lackwit!"
"What?" Lucern caviled. "They look enough the part, don't they?"
"A bit too much, if you ask me."
Belle shook her head and clasped her hands tightly, trying in vain to rein in her temper … and her jealousy. Her lips parted on a silent gasp of outrage, however, when she heard what the maids were saying.
"We were so worried when we heard about your accident, Rumpelstiltskin, and Mrs. Potts forbade us from attending you," Leticia simpered, a come hither look in her dark eyes.
"Oh, yes. We would have made sure you weren't bored stuck up in that stuffy old room of yours," Mildred added.
To her spinner's credit, he seemed to be oblivious to their charms. "I assure you ladies, I was quite well tended by the princess," he said affably.
Simone's sloe black eyes lidded seductively as she reached out and trailed her fingers over his silk covered sleeve. "Surely the princess couldn't see to all of your needs," she purred.
Rumpelstiltskin felt his tongue freeze to the roof of his mouth, at a loss as to how to answer the woman. Belle sounded as if she were choking on a peach pit, her face suffusing with color. "Belle, dearest, are you alright?" he asked with marked concern.
"Ok!" Lucern interjected. "Ladies, thank you for your help. If you would be so kind as to take your places at table?"
Rumpelstiltskin brushed a curl behind her ear, his brows drawn low over his eyes in a frown. "Belle, what is it?"
"You don't have to flirt so openly with them," she pouted, unable to meet his gaze. "Shameless hussies … all of them."
"What?!" he asked, stunned by her jealousy. "They … you think they're attracted to me? Belle, don't be silly."
"Never call a woman silly, Spinner. It never ends well," Lucern advised from his left.
"Could you give us a minute please?" Rumpelstiltskin winced at the grating whistle the prince adopted as he moved off a few paces to give them a bit of privacy. "Sweetheart," he murmured softly, tipping her chin up to meet his warm gaze. "I love you … only you, Belle." He dipped his head lower to brush his lips to hers. "No other woman holds my heart as you do. Do you think it was easy for me to give it into your keeping?"
"No," she shook her head slightly. "No, it wasn't; I know after what you'd suffered in your first marriage. It's just …"
"What, my love," he coaxed gently.
"I was raised at my father's knee. I was a peculiar bookish girl, heir to a crown. That's all anyone ever saw. They never saw me. I never let anyone come close to seeing what was truly in my heart. Not until you, Rum. All anyone ever saw was the crown and the title. You see me."
He stared down at her incredulously. "And you … what? Think I'll catch a fancy to one of them?"
"I really am being silly, aren't I?"
His lips crooked up into an endearing smile. "Maybe just a little. I love you so much, my Belle. I don't even see them in that light. They're just pretty little girls who are kind to an old man –"
"You're not old," she said in his defense.
"It's you I want, you I love. I always will." Her arms slipped about his waist as she tucked her head beneath his chin and nestled into his embrace. He reveled in the solid comfort of her in his arms, offering her reassurances of her own. It wasn't often his strong, brave little dearie felt insecure, and he would make sure she never felt inferior to another.
"I love you, too, Rum. I'm so proud you're going to be my husband."
Gaz banged his goblet down on the table to get their attention. "While the two of you are entertaining in the extreme … we're starving! Can we move this along sometime before the solstice?"
"Put a lid on it, pup," Maurice barked, looking up from the book on springer spaniels he was perusing with Baelfire while they waited.
Belle gave an imperious sniff … right before she stuck her tongue out at her childhood companion. He roared with laughter. She and Rumpelstiltskin rejoined Lucern and they made their slow progress towards their seats. "I think you did rather well with the maids. It's really not that much different than conversing with the court ladies. If you get stuck, simply nod politely and compliment them on their new slippers."
"Lucern!" Lyssa scolded as he took his place beside her.
"What, love? It's what I do. I can't tell you how many times Papa and Bluebelle have bailed me out of a sticky spot."
A bit of his nerves returned as Rumpelstiltskin sat down next to Belle and he took in the full complement of flatware at his disposal. "Rum," she whispered, patting his hand gently. "Relax, darling. Just watch me and you can't go wrong."
Gaston rubbed his hands together in anticipation as the servants began bringing in their luncheon, his stomach more important than which fork his used. He felt a moment of sympathy for the spinner who had been thrust so unwillingly into their lives, but who had come to be a part of their family. Rumpelstiltskin might not realize it, but any of them would jump to his defense and Belle would ride the hounds into hell if it would keep him safe.
*.*.*
"I look like an idiot!" he fumed, pulling at the cravat at his neck. "A peacock … a bloody peacock!"
"You look handsome, Papa," Bae sighed, his nose firmly planted in a book his grandfather had loaned him. He'd only said the same thing to his father a dozen times since he'd sat down on the settee to wait to go down to dinner with his parents.
Thorrin adjusted his sword more to the side and crossed the room to help Rumpelstiltskin with his cravat. He arched a brow at the three lying mangled and wrinkled at his feet. "You don't look like a peacock, Rum," he assured him, eyeing the black silk jacket and green velvet waistcoat he wore. "You look just as fine in your formal attire as you did in your livery."
He grimaced at his reflection in the mirror, his breathing labored as panic began to set in. "I'm going to make a complete fool out of myself and Belle's no longer going to want to marry me."
"Papa, you're not going to make a fool of yourself," Bae said with a roll of his eyes.
"He's right. You're going to be fine," Belle interrupted from the doorway between their rooms. "My, don't you look splendid, my love."
Rumpelstiltskin ignored the last tug Thorrin gave to his cravat as he whirled to face her, catching himself from stumbling at the last moment. "Oh, dearie, you look breathtaking," he murmured appreciatively, finally remembering to breathe.
Belle stepped into the room and did a slow turn, the forest green velvet swishing invitingly about her legs. The sleeves were long and fitted where they dipped off her ivory shoulders, and the waist was form fitting, a silver kirtle about her slender hips. It was simple but elegant; perfect for the feast.
"Mama, your dress matches Papa's waistcoat," Baelfire giggled.
"It does!" she chuckled. "And you've been such a good boy while you've been waiting for us to get dressed. I think that will require an extra serving of Mrs. Pott's treacle fudge you love so much."
"Whoo-hoo!"
"Thorrin, wait for us outside a moment. We won't be long and then we can all go down together," she ordered, nodding regally as her knight bowed respectfully. "Now, darling, how are you feeling?" she asked, pulling the leather tie from Rumpelstiltskin's hair and fluffing it out with her fingers.
"Better now that you're here," he admitted. "Was something wrong with my hair?"
"I like it better unfettered, love." Her fingers kneaded gently at his nape, soothing away the knots of tension beneath his skin. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his rapidly beating pulse point just beneath his jaw. "Relax, Rum."
"M-Maybe I should use my cane tonight?" he suggested in a low tone, his eyes slamming closed at the first brush of her lips.
Her hands trailed over his arms to caress the sensitive flesh of his wrists, her lips switching to the other side to pay it equal fervor. "No, you're not to put any weight on that ankle just yet."
"W-What if I accidentally trip someone?" he moaned, his own hands coming to rest on the curve of her hips.
Her thumbs brushed over his palms, back and forth in a steady motion as her lips mapped a sweet path to the corner of his mouth. "I will be there … by your side … for the duration," she vowed, her speech interspersed with kisses along his lower lip. "You are going to be calm and genteel, confident and relaxed. You are going to enjoy this first feast of many and look forward to the next."
He gazed at her through heavily-lidded ocher eyes, love and desire burning in their depths. "You make it sound so easy."
"It is, my love. You just have to believe it."
Rumpelstiltskin breathed out the first easy sigh he'd been able to manage all day and pressed his brow to hers. "I just don't want to disappoint you."
"You won't." She looked up at him and smiled lovingly. "Now let's go to dinner so I can show off my handsome fiancé."
A/N: Thank you to my friend Twyla Mercedes for the lovely idea of giving Rum a practice run-through before the actual feast. Poor darling is still a wreck, but at least now he can see it not just him and Bae and Belle against the world. He has others who care for him and support him. Next week is the feast for real :D I really can't tell you what it means to hear from you all each week, loving and supporting this story. You guys rock!
Fic rec of the week is 'Friendships & Fandoms' by worringlyinnocent. Please, if you haven't read it, give it a chance. I just adore it. So well written. A truly entertaining read. You can find it on AO3 and Tumblr.
Love and warm snuggles for my darling reviewers: minterwint, Witch Nova, Wondermorena, Melstrife, FaerieTales4ever, Twyla Mercedes, lovepeacebubble121x, Erik'sTrueAngel, Grace5231973, CLKit, jeananne64, ninewood and MyraValhallah.