Dear Belle,

I write this as a log in hopes that, if you are indeed right and we will see each other again, I can give it to you to read. At the present, however, if I can pretend you're here to talk to, then maybe I can pretend to know what you would tell me to do.

I feel more and more useless with each passing minute, and, believe me, that's not something I've felt in a long while. I only acquiesce to that infernal man's insistence I don't touch the helm to avoid any conflict that could keep us from finding Henry sooner. I still have my limp in Neverland, too, so can't steer, can't run—and the rules of magic here operate in such a way I could easily get sucked dry.

I've tried to pass on a few skills to the Swan girl, but she is too hesitant. She doubts both herself and that the magic can do any good. Her parents' ability to wield magic is limited to the vast amount of True Love in both of them, which could come in handy. It has before.

But I'm sure you're dying to read the details of this adventure. In many ways it could rival the Jules Verne stories you like so much. Our first stop on land was this morning.

Neverland is simply the biggest island in this sea world. Smaller ones branch out from it on either side. From above, it might look like a crab with the other islands as its appendages. The small islands are filled with rolling hills, some rocky, so it was in places excruciating to keep up with the others. The native people here resemble the Native Americans I'm sure one of your books covers, if not in your personal collection then at the library. They hunt the beasts that prowl both day and night in the vast forests and jungles. Because each island has a slightly different climate, they trade with each other, pelts and things.

I will say this for Hook—he knew this and came prepared, offering treasures that had probably spent centuries locked away in his ship. Not much, but enough for boots, weapons. Due to my limp, I can't control a sword as steadily as I could before and have to content myself with a bow and arrows to conserve my magic. Pride won't let me shoot worse than Snow White.

I spend the spare moments working on a tracking spell. It is a complicated potion and it can take a while to brew. I must be careful not to err in any step since I would be unable to go back and correct my mistake. I have forced myself to show Regina the process so she might be able to replicate it. She does not have Emma's scope, but she does have the experience. It's a bit like singing, I'd imagine. You might be born with a natural talent and you might not be, but anyone can improve on what they already have with time and training.

I hope my first letter finds you well, that the cloaking spell worked. If you would like, since you are once again my dear Belle, you can hire someone to run the shop in my absence. You would be my first choice, but I will not come between you and reopening the library. However, someone does need to run the shop as far too many trinkets in there are more than what they seem. Maybe you already know that. If you have thought of this, and I'm sure you have, then you have gone in search of the keys. They are on me, but I left a small second spell on the scroll for you, the magical equivalent of picking a lock, only with more guaranteed results.

Rummage around as much as you want and deal with the items in the front as you like, but I hope you keep the items in the back. You may recognize a few of them from the Dark Castle, and so would know they are of high importance. In the wrong hands, they could mean disaster. Yes, that is mentioned on the scroll.

I want you to know I could not have done this without you. That sounds harsh since I had to say goodbye to you to do it, but while it is now for myself I try to be a better man, it started with wanting to be a better one for you. In my mind, I had pictured you meeting Bae and finally coming together. You would have liked him, Belle. He was so eager to be a good father. My work is all that keeps me from constant grieving. For him, and for us. You have my love always.

Rumpelstiltskin

A/N: This is just the first of some letter-chapters in which the story will be told through Rumple's perspective. It's a short chapter, so there are two this week! Yay! Speaking of how Belle is doing, let's pop in on Storybrooke. I do not own OUAT. Please read and review!