Chapter 3: The Curse

I ran down the corridor, past the great hall which was brimming with people, and out into the stables. I was late. As usual, only problem, no one was going with Regina so I couldn't count on someone else making the same mistake I did.

I like spying on Regina; she's the only interesting person in the castle. But sometimes it just gets tiring.

Hopping on the back of the carriage just as she left I aloud myself to breath deeply. I hoped this wouldn't be a long journey, she had taken the carriage that had no room at the end for me to sit down, so I was left to stand and grip tightly to the railing at the top.

We arrived at the much prettier castle in what I want to say was an hour, but felt like an eternity. I jumped off a little down the road, pulling on a cloak and covering my face as I went. Following close enough behind that carriage that I would be able to get through the gates, but not so much that I would look as though I was part of the queen's party.

Regina got out and strode onto the castle as though she owned the place. But instead of heading up the grand marble staircase, she headed down a set of grungy, dirt incrusted stone steps.

I followed, thankful that my boots had leather soles that made no noise. She turned right, strutting down another long corridor, and then making a left, coming face to face with a rather large cell.

It looked empty at first, but after a clearing of her throat a man swung down from what seemed to be the ceiling.

"The curse is working." I heard the queen say. Though I was behind her I could see in my mind's eye her smug look.

"Ah but of course it is, dearie!" The man tittered. "I created it."

"In part, yes."

"In part? But without the magic I gave you, your curse is nothing." He pointed a finger in the air, giving a little giggle as he finished.

"Have your way." She smirked.

"Why exactly are you here?" He stepped closer. I could just make out a mass of wavy hair sticking out in every which way and the tall collar of what I presumed to be a rather nice shirt.

"To let you out."

"And what good would that do? Your curse is almost upon us, why let me out now?" He was pressed up against the bars now.

"That is for you to figure out." She unlocked the cell door and turned on her heel. I stepped back into an alcove just seconds before she passed me. The man stood stock still, gazing at the queen.

"I know you're there dearie." He wasn't looking at me, but as the queen had just left our presence who else was he talking to?

I stepped out of the shadows, "How did you know I was there?" My accent matched his, though my voice lacked his eccentric tone.

"Your skirt, just as you stepped out of her majesties way, I saw the hem." He gave a little giggle.

"Why didn't you tell?"

"No point." He shrugged.

"Who are you?"

He gave a little bow, "Rumplestilskin, at your service."

I backed away. Rumors told about him, well they tended to be bad. Unless you talked about his power and wealth.

"What's your name dearie?" He pointed at me, stepping closer.

"Kathleen."

"Last name? Or middle?"

"No, just Kathleen."

"How old are you lass?" He took another step forward.

"I don't have to tell you."

"We are about to be consumed by a curse that will take all we hold dear and rip it from us. Why not tell me."

"Why don't we make a deal?" It was not only my tactic, but his.

"Now you're talking." Another annoying giggle!

"OK, I tell you my age, and then you tell me if you have children."

"It's a deal."

"I'm fourteen."

"I have one son, and a daughter I've never met. The daughter, strangely, would be the same age as you."

"New deal, you ask me a question, that I have to answer, and then I ask you a question that you have to answer."

"Why not? Why were you following the queen?"

"She is interesting. Does the name Baeltiasi mean anything to you?"

He stopped jumping around. In fact he froze. "Aye that it does lass."

"Your question?" I asked him.

"Were did you hear that name?"

"In a dream."

"Dreams are memories. What's your question?"

"Who has that name?"

"My daughter. My wife named her and gave her away while I was fighting in the ogre wars." I knew he didn't have to tell me that. So why?

"Gave her away to who?"

"It's my turn dearie. How old were you when you had that dream."

"I have always had it, every other night normally. Now gave her away to whom?"

"The Queen." He gave a giggle.

"Wait so-"

"Makes sense doesn't it." He pointed to himself then me. I looked at my appearance, there were familiarities. For instance the hair and my eyes.

He looked up from me, his eyes growing wide he grabbed onto my shoulders.

"Wherever we're going you will remember everything about this life, as long as you hold onto me." I looked behind me and saw a dark cloud coming toward me.

"What is that?"

"Your worst nightmare." He giggled?

"All magic comes with a price." We spoke at the same time. A fast wind swooped around me. I clung to him, simply because there was nothing else to hold onto. The dark cloud swallowed us and everything went black. The last thing I can remember is Rumplestilskin's, my father's loud laughing.

A/N: So that's how she found out about her dear old dad. Thank you to every one who has reviewed! Keep it up!