Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Rumpelstiltskin had finally adjusted to the presence of Draco. The dragon had grown a lot in a month but was always following Belle. He'd become a guardian of sorts for her, to which Rumpel was grateful. At least when he wasn't there, Belle would be looked after. However, Rumpel knew Draco wouldn't be small enough to fit inside the castle forever. In about three or four months, he'd be bigger than the castle. Rumpelstiltskin continued to think about what to do with Draco until Belle came in.

"Have you seen, Draco?"she asked."I can't find him anywhere."

He stopped spinning and looked up at her with a small smile."Lost him already, dearie? I haven't seen him, but I'm sure he's around here somewhere. Try the library. He likes to light the fireplace himself and curl up in front of it.

"Alright. Thanks."

She left, and he closed his eyes. Little did Belle know, he had the ability to sense living things. As long as they were within his range, he'd be able to find them. With his eyes closed, he could feel Belle roaming the castle, the birds flying over the castle, and even the rats in the dungeon. He ignored those and kept looking. When he finally found Draco, Rumpelstiltskin nearly fell from his stool. The little demon was in his room.

By the time he reached his room, Belle was already there. Draco had managed to crawl underneath his bed and refused to come out. Belle was currently pulling his tail trying to get him out. With a sharp tug, she finally dislodged the dragon and caught him in her arms.

"Got you now. What's this you've got in your mouth?"

Rumpel's heart dropped when he saw at Draco's chew toy. It was his dagger. Belle took it from Draco and finally noticed him standing in the doorway.

"Hello, Rumpel. I finally found Draco. He didn't destroy anything, but I have no idea where he got this from. I'll go put it with the other daggers upstairs."

He blocked her exit and smiled to hide his nervousness. She had no idea what the dagger really was or what it did. That was good. If he could get it back before she said a command, he could hide it again with stronger charms this time.

"Actually, dearie, that is my personal dagger,"he said pointing at it.

"Yes. I can see that by how your name is engraved on it. Honestly, Rum. What do you need a dagger for?"

"Sentimental reasons. I've had it for a very long time."

"You hardly seem like the sentimental type, and it doesn't look that old."She held the blade up and looked at it."The blade looks brand new."

"Yes. Well, I keep it in very good shape. It's very valuable."He reached for it, but she moved before his hand could grab it.

"Looks like an ordinary dagger to me. There's something else, isn't there?"He had to freeze to keep from visibly sweating, but the look on his face betrayed him."Tell me what's so special about this dagger of yours."

Curses from dozens of languages flew through his mind at once. He could feel the dagger's magic pulling him, forcing him to obey, but she didn't say tell her everything that made it special."It's magic."

She rolled her eyes at him."Obviously, or you wouldn't hide. Tell me, what does it do, and explain this time."

Again, the blade's magic pulled at him. Rumpelstiltskin had to still himself to keep from visibly shaking from struggling against the blade. Soon, he couldn't hold on any longer."It controls me. Whomever holds it can make me do anything and can kill me to gain my powers."

Belle's eyes widened, and he closed his. Here it comes. She was going to to run back to her father, and he could do nothing to stop her now. Numerous possibilities ran through his head, all of them bad.

What if she gave it to the Queen?

What if she killed him and became the new Dark-One?

What if she made him her slave?(Then again, that one wouldn't be completely horrible.)

What if...

"Rumpelstiltskin, look at me!"

His eyes snapped open, and his body snapped to attention like a trained knight before a princess."Yes?"

To his surprise, she pushed to blade flat against his chest."Here. You can have it back. Hide it, and don't tell me where if you need to. I never want to see it again."

"Why?"He was so shocked that the word came out barely above as whisper.

"I don't want to control you, Rumpel. I refuse to make you my puppet or my pet. You're to wild to be caged, and I like you just the way you are. Unique and one of a kind. You can't be that if I tell you what to do. Now, take it."

He took it and ran his fingers along the flat side of the blade over his name."I've got a better idea."He summoned the magic scabbard he'd acquired years ago and stuck the dagger in it. The old leather scabbard changed to fit the blade, and Rumpel held it out to Belle."Take it."

"Rum. I can't."

"Yes, you can. This scabbard makes it so that the blade can only be removed by the person who owns it. I'm giving it and my dagger to you. I trust you to guard it with your life so that I don't have to worry anymore. I know you won't use it against me, and if you are ever in trouble, just call my name and I'll come. May I?"

She nodded mutely, and he knelt before her. He lifted her dress a bit and fixed the strap around her thigh before smoothing her dress back down. She did not flinch once even when his fingers touched her skin for a moment. Her body stayed still as he rose to full height again."There. Now the two most valuable things I have are safe."

Belle blushed."Thank you for trusting me. I promise to look after it for you."

"I know you will, dearie. If you can keep a dragon, you're special enough to wield that dagger. Just don't let me catch you slacking off with your duties. I'll let today slide since you had to find Draco, but I like my lunch on time."

She knew he was joking and laughed."Yes, sir. Lunch will be ready in a minute."

Watching her go, Rumpelstiltskin knew he'd made the right decision in trusting her.

TBC