A/N: I do not own OUAT or anything related to it.
Chapter 4: Thirty
It had been hours. At least it had felt like hours. Belle wanted nothing more than to go to her knees and rub her aching feet. She settled for leaning against a large pine tree and huddling into her jacket. The snow continued to fall and her tennis shoes were becoming increasingly soaked as she had to trek through the deepening drifts. The cloth of her jacket was not enough to keep out the chill and she was simply thankful that there was no wind, for she would have froze hours ago. With a deep breath, she pushed against the tree and continued on.
Her head snapped to the right as she heard the soft noise of padded foot falls. Much too fast for the simple stride of a human but at the same time it wasn't a gallop or the sound of something running.
A furry, white wolf poked its head from the trees and hunched its back as it came to a complete stop and eyed Belle silently.
Belle's body remained rigid. "R-ruby?" she said softly as she locked eyes with the wolf and came to the understanding that if it wanted her, she was doomed. Unarmed and alone, she stayed still and waited for the animal to make the first move. The soft amber eye, the other to Belle's surprise was blood-red, and the feral way it watched it her confirmed that there was nothing human behind those eyes. This wasn't her friend, just an animal of the forest. Snow continued to drift towards the ground and the only noise in the woods was the heavy panting of the animal. It growled softly before raising its nose towards her and sniffing greedily, as if checking or looking, its mind set to a purpose that Belle could only guess at. Eventually, it took a step back and let out a whine full of sorrow and heartache.
After a moment of hesitation, the majestic creature turned and padded back through the trees in the snow, deciding that Belle was either not a threat or simply not worth the time. Whatever the reason, she relaxed once more and changed paths, heading in the opposite direction of the wolf.
Everywhere looked the same. Each tree she felt as if she had passed a hundred times and it was a challenge to keep her breath steady as the panic of being lost forever threatened to sink in. She knew of places like the never ending forest; places one could become lost in and never make it out, eventually giving in to starvation or madness. Belle's overactive imagination kept straying to thoughts of other things that could be lurking in these woods. Things left to the devices of nature for the last 30 years while the forest remained empty of human life. There were things that could probably see better in darkness than she ever could and things that waited in the shadow and contemplated eating her whole. Swallowing her fear, she moved a pine branch aside, jumping as it swayed upon her release of it and snow and nettles fell to the ground behind her. About ten feet in front of her was a small clearing, only having a radius of about seven or eight feet, but it was evident that it had once been a small camp. Belle entered with caution and bit her lip, looking for signs of something or someone.
As she drew closer it was painfully evident that no one had been in the small camp for years. Whoever pitched the now collapsed, snow covered tent was lost to the curse nearly three decades ago and was nowhere to be found. Belle stepped over the small pit that had been used for a fire with a crunch of her shoes and used her entire arm to brush away a heavy snow drift and look inside the decrepit tent for anything of use. She unearthed a ratted, frozen cloak and pulled it from where it was stuck to the ground and shook it out. Although it was muddy and covered in holes, it was something and she gratefully wrapped it around her shoulders and tied it under her chin, pulling her hair out from the back and shaking it loose.
Among the broken ruble she found a small knife, which she tied by the leather handle to her belt loop, a small flint rock and a bow. The quiver lay off to the side and had but a single arrow still in it. She placed them on top of a flat sitting rock just in case. The fair person inside of her felt like she was taking that which did not belong to her, but simple logic outweighed her conscience. Whoever the items belonged to was long gone and most likely didn't need them anymore.
She tucked her hands into the sleeves of her jacket and used them to dig the snow out of the already-made fire pit. It was still dark and wondering around for a few more hours wasn't going to do any good. This was as good a place as any to wait out the night and she could start fresh in the morning. She had read plenty of books on the outdoors; though Rumplestiltskin had never expressed the desire to go camping in this world or the other, it hadn't stopped her from reading on the wilderness and simple survival strategies. In no time at all, a small flame was crackling as she blew on it gently and crumbled up a mixture of leaves and small twigs, allowing it to grow before placing a large limb on top.
Her muscles had already begun to relax as the heat from the flame reached through the thin potato sack cloak and the pop's and cracks from the fire itself caused her to not feel quite so alone. She rubbed her hands together and pulled her knees to her chest. Since the curse had broken in Storybrooke, she had often wondered what it would be like to return. To once again be back to her home, be it the dark castle or her father's kingdom, and this was not what she had imagined.
Her stomach rumbled with the beginnings of hunger and she pushed those thoughts aside and simply watched the flames dance, casting shadows in the sparkling snow. She would have given almost anything to be back in the ornate two story house on the edge of Storybrooke. With its stained glass door and cluttered hominess, she wished she was enjoying a meal in front of the television with Rumplestiltskin, knowing the promise of a warm bed and tender kisses awaited her upstairs if she so desired. Her heart ached along with her growling stomach as she imaged the scene in her mind and allowed it to fill her with a hollow sense of realness in the emptiness of the forest.
"Rumplestiltskin." She whispered, closing her eyes and putting her forehead against her knees. She squeezed her arms tightly and said it once more. "Rumplestiltskin." She bit her lip and forced herself not to say it again. What if she did and it did not work? They had just returned to this land and magic was always tricky. She didn't think her heart could take the hope of him appearing if she were to mutter his name once more and the magic failed to deliver. Her mind wondered to his warm embrace. His soft brown eyes and even softer hair. The way he smiled whenever she walked in the room despite his current mood and the way her name fell from his lips always in such relief and comfort at the end of a long day. These thoughts and more crashed upon her like a wave and she couldn't help it as her lips parted and she said it one last time. "Rumplestiltskin."
A crack of a branch off in the distance echoed as soon as the word left her lips and Belle stood straight up, the small hairs on the back of her neck prickling with anticipation. She fought the urge to call out and inquire about what was out there, should she give away her position and lead them straight to her makeshift camp. Quietly, she crouched and picked up the wooden bow and she slid the single arrow from the quiver at her side and strung it the best she could. She had never been proficient in archery in her lessons as a child and vowed that if she ever made it back to civilization she would start practicing again. She pulled the string tight and balanced the edge of her hand by the corner of her mouth, releasing a silent breath and waiting. As the trees blew softly in the breeze and she strained her ears for more signs of movement in the dark, she figured her skills, however dastardly, were better than nothing.
"You going to shoot me dearie?" a gentle voice called from the darkness of the trees and was followed by a very rusty, out of practice but nonetheless very recognizable giggle. Rumplestiltskin stepped out of the edge of the woods and smiled at her like he had a million times before and yet this time Belle felt relief like she had never known.
He was still wearing what was left of his expensive suit, black slacks a little cleaner having been brushed off since the last time she had seen him and he wasn't using his cane but it was held loosely in the crook of his arm. In this world, he no longer needed it and held onto it more out of habit than necessity. Belle looked to his face and was surprised to find his old self staring back at her. His hair was tousled but it was plain to see that it now held a slight curl. His skin was no longer a pale peach but instead was a deep gold, housing a small amount of shine to it that in the dark looked almost green but Belle knew what it looked like in the light. The face of Rumplestiltskin paired with the clothing of Mister Gold caused Belle to stop short, not knowing if she should dissolve into a fit of laughter or if she should embrace it without question as the appearance housed both halves of a whole.
"Rumple," she breathed with a smile and dropped the bow to the ground and ran at him full force. He braced himself and let the cane fall as she gracefully jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist and he caught her effortlessly. For the first time in a long while, she didn't have to take his injury into account. Being the Dark One once more allowed him to hold her close and support her easily as he buried his face in her curls and inhaled deeply, relaxing in the thought of finally knowing she was safe. He held her and whispered meaningless phrases of reassurance to the both of them.
She pulled back and looked him in the eyes, now dark and a little less inviting but they were still his. "You heard me." Belle stated as she put her arms around his neck.
He shook his head to her surprise as he set her down gently. "No. I didn't." He held her at arm's length, inspecting her well being before looking back to her face. "My powers are, shall we say, inhibited for the moment." When she gave him a confused look, he continued. "For some reason, they aren't working. I found you the old fashioned way." He tapped his nose and gestured to their foot prints in the snow.
Her mouth formed a small 'o' and she nodded. Reaching up with eager hands, she threaded her fingers through his hair, lavishing in the feel of the fine strands. She let her index finger wrap around one of his crimped locks and he returned her touches with a sheepish smile. That smile was a very Mister Gold gesture, it was not often she had seen that look across his face while he was the Dark One, in fact, she doubted anyone but her ever had and lived to tell the tale. Her fingertips brushed his cheeks gently, already knowing that even though the gold flecks in his skin looked textured and reptilian, they were smooth and warm. With her right hand she brushed his hair back tenderly before using her left to explore his features; over his temple, down his cheek and finally resting along the curve of his jaw.
"I know, it's awful." He mumbled, the movement in his jaw moving her fingers against his face.
She shook her head saying 'no' gently and knowing it would take more than words to reassure him.
Going up on her tip toes, she offered her lips to him for a kiss and closed her eyes, waiting for him to close the gap. However, the kiss never came and as she felt him take half a step back, she opened her eyes and looked at him worriedly.
"My dear…I don't think we shoul-.." he stopped himself as his shoulders slumped slightly and she rocked back to flat feet once more as her spirit was crushed in realization of what he meant.
"You mean I can't…?" she let the question remain unfinished and her chest felt tight when he shook his head no.
"Not in this world." He mumbled gently as he tucked her hair behind her ear, looking like he was in pain. As selfish as it seemed, Belle found some comfort in the fact that he was as saddened by it as she was. She thought back to the other world and seemed to remember every kiss they had ever shared. Kisses in their home, in the pawnshop, at Granny's, on the docks; hundreds of moments she had taken for granted were now gone in an instant, never to be reclaimed. He held her close once more before releasing her gently and moving them closer to the fire.
"Have you seen anyone else?" he asked, changing the subject to something less painful for the both of them.
She shook her head, "No one till you came." He sat on the rock and shook his head in agreement. There had been no signs of anyone on his search for her either. He stared at the fire in thought as she sat beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder, grateful for the company as well as the knowledge that he was alive and well. For a long while neither of them said a word and she watched as he flicked his hands at the flames willing them to increase but nothing happened.
"Damn," he growled before giving up altogether and putting them back in his lap. She took his hands in hers gently and looked at him before slowly bringing the right one to her lips and brushing them along his knuckles. He made no move to stop her, the action not posing a threat to stripping him of his powers and he gave a full bodied sigh as she repeated the process with his left. She didn't ask for an explanation to his failing abilities, understanding that he didn't have a reason for her inquiring thoughts yet. With a squeeze, she laced their fingers and allowed them both to rest back on his leg.
"Do you have the bag?" He asked.
Belle nodded and produced the small, green rucksack from under her moth-eaten cloak. Rumplestiltskin glared at the less than desirable material and willed it to be something worthy of his blue-eyed beauty but it remained unchanged and his mood continued to sour. Noticing the tension in his body, she didn't say anything and simply handed the bag over. He snatched it from her grasp, dark nails digging into the material as he opened it without muttering any form of thanks. The bag was quickly opened and he grunted his approval at the sight of the dagger, however, it was the other items in the bag that melted his heart and made him smile once again.
"Belle?" he said as he continued to look down into the depths of the bag.
She put her palms out to the flames of the fire before rubbing them together and hummed back to him gently to show she was listening.
"Why are there books in here?"
She turned to him at that and crossed her arms, indignant on not letting him command her now that he was fully back into his power. "You said to bring what was necessary. I did."
Rumplestiltskin opened the mouth of the bag wider and slowly counted before looking back up, "There are thirty in here." He fought back laughter as he imagined her frantically narrowing them down, picking out her very favorites.
"You're lucky there aren't more." She said firmly and continued to look at the fire. With a smile, he tied the bag shut once more and set it down on the ground at his feet. Had he expected anything less from her? The truth was no, if there hadn't been any books inside the bag then he would have been concerned. An entire town coming down around them, unsure of the next moments in their lives and she had grabbed what she deemed important. Whatever frustrations he had with his failing magic and the curse now coursing back in his veins subsided for the moment and he reached for her.
She let out a yelp as he dragged her onto his lap and nuzzled her hair. He didn't have a reason to be upset; the bag was enchanted and could hold a great deal more without ever becoming heavy. With the fire at her side and Rumplestiltskin at her other, she relaxed in the circle of his arms and laid her head on his shoulder, speaking quietly in the darkness of the woods.
"We can't stay here," she stopped shivering as he tucked the cloak around her and held her close. The temperature didn't seem to affect him and somehow that didn't surprise her. "What do we do now?"
"We go home." He said deeply, giving her fingers a small squeeze. "But we are without transportation or magic so," he looked around before letting out a small giggle, "we walk."
Her eyes grew wide and he giggled again, however his voice cracked at the end and he wound up in a coughing fit. Belle was the one to laugh this time as he tried to mold his vocal chords into noises that he had not made in many, many years. He cleared his throat and glared daggers at her but she paid no attention. She patted his chest gently and stifled her laughter so as not to further bruise his ego. After a few more moments of silence, she stood and offered her hand to help him to his feet.
"Do you have any idea where we are?" she asked a smile still in her voice as he straightened his dress shirt and picked his cane up out of the snow.
"I have some idea. Sun will be up shortly, might as well start now. Plus the journey will be much more enjoyable with company, now don't you agree?" he offered her his arm. "My lady."
She slipped her right arm through his and placed her hand on his upper arm as he transferred his cane to his other hand to hold. "Why do you still have that?"
He looked to the cane as if he just realized he had been holding it and shrugged, "Your lover is a sentimental old fool. Besides, it might come in handy."
Though she doubted that, she could not deny the fact that he was sentimental. He held on to the oddest things in both worlds and she supposed she shouldn't be surprised by his actions. He'd probably place it beside the rest of his treasured possessions back in the castle but as he kicked snow over the small fire to put it out and they left the clearing, she couldn't find a reason to complain. They were going home.
A/N: Whew! I know this was a little filler and I apologize but man you guys are smart! I got a few messages and comments asking, "Why didn't Belle call for Rumple?" haha This chapter was already written and I was like you guys are quick! Patience! Much love to you all and thank you for the feedback. I love it and it helps!