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.
"Honestly, Rum. Which one looks better?"
Rumpelstiltskin looked at the two books Belle held. "You shouldn't judge book by its cover, dearie. If you want both, just get them."
She looked at him hopefully. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." He reached into the pouch at his belt and pulled out a few gold coins. "Here's some extra gold to pay for everything. Now, go on and get your books. I'm going to see what else is for sale."
With that, he left the small book shop. The town below this castle had grown used to Belle coming in to get his straw or to check out the book shop. Every now and then, Rumpel would go with her. The townspeople gave him wide berth at first, but now were a little less wary of him. Today, the market had numerous things for sale. Everything from food to armor were in stalls and shops, and Rumpel decided to see if there were any good boots to buy. The pair he currently wore were old and needed to either be fixed or replaced.
Rumpel turned a corner and entered the cobbler's shop. Three large men, obviously soldiers, stood in front of the terrified cobbler. One had a sword at his throat while the other two searched the shop.
"This town and everyone in it must help supply Duke Edward's army. There's enough in this shop only a small portion of His Majesty's army, and we need the rest within a week."
The cobbler was only a bit taller than Rumpelstiltskin himself and was shaking. "This is all I have to sell. If I don't, my family won't eat for a month."
"That would be your problem, wouldn't it? You had just better-"
"Leave him alone!" Both Rumpel and the soldiers looked up, and saw a boy, no older than ten, at the top of the stairs. He rushed down and stood directly in front of the tallest soldier. "Leave my Papa alone, you bully!"
The three soldiers laughed at him, and cobbler stuttered out an apology and grabbed his son. "You'll have to excuse him. You know how boys are. My wife and I have tried to control him, but he's very spirited."
"Say no more. He will make a fine soldier in a few years."
The cobbler looked up in shock. "What?"
"Sure. He needs to grow a bit first, but I'm sure His Majesty will find some use for him when he's older."
It was at that moment that Rumpelstiltskin saw red. The soldiers finally noticed him just as a purple glow appeared around his hands. Before any of them could speak, he lifted his hands, and all three soldiers were lifted off of the ground. The men pawed at their throats but there was nothing there to grab.
"Ah, ah, ah. I've heard all I needed to hear from you. You three are going to listen to me now. Run home to your Duke like the scalded dogs you are and tell him that this town and everyone in it are under the protection of the Dark One." A wicked smile formed on the imp's face. "Take these as proof."
Out of his pouch floated six strands of gold thread, and each one wrapped themselves tightly around the soldiers' hands before Rumpel left them drop to the floor.
"You'd better hurry. The threads will get tighter every minute. If one of you doesn't tell him by sunset, the threads will cut through your hands."
"But the Duke's castle is a day's ride away," one of them choked out.
Rumpel's evil smile grew. "Then I suggest you hurry off then."
The soldiers looked at each other before scrambling out of the shop. With them gone, Rumpelstiltskin took a seat in one of the chairs and began removing his boots. Both the cobbler and his son stared at he came towards them with his boots in hand.
"Now that they're gone, you can get to work repairing these, and I'll need a pair to walk home in."
The cobbler remained silent before taking the shoes. "T-Thank you for helping us. I'll have these done right away, free of charge. Please pick any pair you like."
The Dark One said nothing and began looking around the shop for new boots. His bare feet made no sound as he padded around the shop looking for the perfect pair of boots. He eventually came across a dark brown pair that he liked and put them on.
"A perfect fit." Rumpel took out a handful of gold coins, more than enough for both the shoes and the repair job, and placed them in the young boy's hands. "Here you go. My caretaker has taken a liking to this little town, and she would hate for an idiotic Duke to move in and destroy this place. Therefore, she managed to convince me to protect this place…unless you have any objections."
The cobbler shook his head fiercely. "N-no sir."
"Excellent!" the imp chirped happily. "Be sure to inform the rest of the town of the new arrangement. I'll be back for my boots in a few days."
With that done, Rumpelstiltskin left the cobbler's shop grinning. He'd rid a town of of some unruly soldiers, gotten some new boots, and Belle had bought a large ham for dinner. He may have even dismembered a few soldiers if they didn't make it home in time. Yes. Today had been very successful indeed.
TBC