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Chapter 53 – days 46 to 48: Old traditions, new times.
It was still night, just before dawn, when Belle felt somebody shaking her shoulder gently. She opened her eyes, blinking several times, her body begging to go back to sleep. But then she saw it was Rumpelstiltskin, gesturing her to remain silent with an excited glint in his eyes. The beauty instantly became curious and all the sleepiness from earlier was immediately brushed away. She got up and silently followed him. They walked a while like shadows in the camp, without any soldier noticing them. Belle was becoming more mystified by the minute, as Rumpelstiltskin moved further away to the perimeters of the camp, never uttering a word. He finally stopped, looked around and seemed satisfied. They were quite isolated and distanced from the fires of the camps, but there was still enough light to perceive each other properly.
"What is going on?" Belle finally asked. Rumpelstiltskin was behaving strangely, looking excited but hesitant at the same time.
"I couldn't stop thinking, this evening, what happened, the way it happened…It's was really…uhm, bad." He said, this thoughts coming out in bits and pieces, Belle not quite understanding him.
"What do you mean? Are you having second thoughts?" She spoke while the thought came like a wave of panic.
"No, no, never my dear." He whispered, holding her hands in his tenderly. "What I meant was…It was not done properly." Belle smiled relieved and couldn't take her eyes from his, dying to know what was going on in his head. "And since they are making the announcement this morning, I took the liberty of taking the matters into my own hands and decided to do it the right way." He spoke with a bit more confidence. "You see, from where I come from, we have an old tradition. When a man loves a woman and wishes to share his life with her, he offers her a gift." Belle watched him take something out of his pocket, but it was small enough to remain hidden inside his hand, so her curiosity was building up by the minute. "Belle, do you want to marry me?"
"Yes, of course I do." Belle said half giggling, her heart busting in happiness by his request.
"Are you really sure? You are young enough to be my daughter." He said playfully, but Belle could sense the insecurity hidden behind the words.
"Of course I want. I don't care how old you are. I want to be with you." She said lovingly and wished to mesmerize the beautiful look in his eyes. He planted a soft kiss on her lips and lifted his hand holding the hidden object.
"The tradition is the following." He opened his hand and held two rings hanging on a white ribbon. "When the lady says yes, which you have…" His words causing a smile on Belle's lips. "…he offers her a tin ring. This humble ring holds the promise of their engagement and is placed on the ring finger on the right hand." He presented her the ring and she could see something engraved on its surface on the inner part. She read it and a smile spread across her face.
"Always." Belle read.
"Always." He whispered. He took the ring out of the ribbon and placed it on her finger. It fit perfectly and he smiled happily. He then gave her his own tin ring with the same word engraved inside of it. He raised his right hand, so she placed it around his finger. "On the wedding day, these tin rings are removed and golden ones will replace them, this time on the ring finger of the left hand." He explained her in a soft whisper, while Belle was holding back tears of joy. "The white ribbon is for the lady." He carefully put it around her wrist. "White for a maiden, black for a widow and…red if the girl is obviously pregnant." Belle laughed softly, the tears already running down her face and he kissed them away. "I love you." He whispered in her ear and put his arms around her, holding her close to him. Belle repeated his words happily and they kissed, closing their official but intimate engagement. The kiss was long, gentle and sweet and both relished finally being able to be alone. When their lips departed she rested her head on his shoulder. The beauty smiled while she felt his heart beating against her chest and sighed happily. "Uhm, the world is wakening." Rumpelstiltskin said annoyed, listening to the sounds of a camp coming back to live. "We better get moving before somebody accuses me of dishonoring you." He said with a groan, causing a small giggle from Belle. "Do you think we can speed up the marriage or skip to the wedding night?" He asked with a grin of mischief, resulting in an amused protest from Belle. They walked back as silently and unnoticed as when they left and were glad the boys and the old man were still sleeping.
"How did you know the size of my finger?" Belle finally asked, while she admired her simple but precious engagement ring.
"Let's say, I borrowed another woman's hand." Belle stared at him mystified, while he grinned satisfied. "I was right when I thought Mulan's fingers are slightly thinner than yours." He proudly stated. "
"You're sweet." She confessed. Rumpelstiltskin smiled a bit shyly, but very happy.
"Well, you deserve it."
"We both deserve it." She said, while she held his hand on hers. They locked their gazes and none had ever felt as happy and alive as in this moment. They remained seated, Belle against Rumpelstiltskin's chest, ignoring the cold and senseless words of the commander about the public display of affection.
The commanders and noble members of the High Council of Armithil had clearly not expected the great ovation coming from the soldiers and volunteers from Armithil, Snowland and the Country of Gold when they announced the official engagement of Princess Belle, Lady of Armithil to Rumplestiltskin, the Dragon Slayer. They feared times were changing and saw this marriage as the first sign of the gradual loss of domination from the noble and aristocratic breed. In normal circumstances, the marriage would never be allowed and the threat coming from the princess would be easily disregarded. They would force her to silence or, should she become rebellious and troublesome, they would seek an alternative heir. But the current circumstances did not allow any of these options and the princess's demands had to, ultimately, be accepted.
Armithil was living unstable times. Armithil was living new times. For the first time in Armithil's history, these wars were being fought by a minority of noblemen and a great majority of plebeians. And for the first time in Armithil's history, plebeians and women were starting to realize the importance of their role in the developments of this war and therefore, the future of their kingdom. Women and plebeians, the supposed weakest links, were gaining a stronger voice and were emerging as winners. The death of the dragon had been a blessing, if only it had been a knight instead of an ordinary peasant. Rumpelstiltskin had become for many an inspiration. He was the living proof that even somebody from a lower condition can achieve great accomplishments. He made the poor and weak believe anything was possible.
For the nobleman, the bold and unexpected act coming from the princess, was ending one of the most basic and solid laws that had separated two worlds for centuries. By demanding this marriage and engaging with a plebeian, Princess Belle was originating the disintegration of the old law. The members of the High Council of Armithil announced the marriage with reluctance, because they were behaving against their conservative principles. They obeyed the princess with unwillingness, but were aware times were changing and there was nothing they could do to stop the new developments. The strong wall, built up during centuries, that divided rich from poor, intellectual from illiterate, men from women, noble and plebeian would quickly crumble down and a new world of equality would be created. The conservative and old fashioned members of the High Council had no choice but to stand powerless as spectators, watching the old ways give way to new ones.
Two days passed quickly by, without great incidents. Ogres were easily ambushed by the experienced soldiers from the City of Gold and the march progressed nicely. News informed them that the beasts were heading and concentrating by the castle, probably attempting one last and final effort in defeating the human armies. But the military forces were prepared and, as last resource, they were ready to use the fire trapped in Baelfire's magical phial.
Rumpelstitlskin marched more silent than usual. They were very close to Bram's home and his desire to go to the wooden house was increasing by the second. He had already had asked for permission to seek for his friend, after two unsuccessful attempts in leaving the military column. The members of the council had remained true to their intentions in being informed about the plebeian's movements, so there was always somebody watching him closely. This made the spinner feel both trapped and frustrated. Even Commander Byront, who was the kindest and most accessible member of the group, said it was useless to go looking for somebody in the woods, when chances where big he wasn't there anymore and the peaceful forest had become a place of dangers. Rumpelstitlskin had no choice but to swallow the old soldier's wise and factual statement, while his heart feared for the safety of his trustful comrade and the twins.
Little did he know, Bram, Hansel and Gretel had fallen into the clutches of the Evil Queen and were living their own adventure right now. The day Rumpelstiltskin had woken up knowing he had broken the curse in Kriemont, was the day Queen Regina kidnapped and imprisoned the woodcutter. She had watched from her magical mirror the man talking to his children and knew instantly their bond was strong. Once the father was gone, the children would do anything to find him back. Putting on the mask of the sweet and concerned lady, Queen Regina led the children to a dangerous quest with the promise of helping in finding the missing father. To her surprise but delight, the children not only managed to bring her the sachet with the poisoned apple, but they also trapped the Blind Witch in her oven, which Regina, ever so promptly, lighted the hot flames up. Impressed with their courage and assertiveness, Queen Regina wished to reward the children and invited them to live with her in the castle. In was in truth her desperate way of trying to fill the cold gap in her heart and end the loneliness that haunted daily. But the children refused, remaining loyal to their father. They chose him above a live of comfort and luxury and Regina failed to understand why. It were the woodcutter's words from later on that pierced her heart hurtfully.
"Because we're a family. And family always finds one another." He had said fearless.
Queen Regina in her anger sent the man to the Infinite Forest so he would dwell lost in the woods for all eternity, just like she had sent his children just hours before. From that moment she gave no more thought about this family (although the woodcutter's words taunted her mind until she managed to rescue her father from Wonderland).
Her mind was more occupied with Snow's approaching doom and needed to be sure Prince James would not stand in the way. For two long days, Queen Regina searched frustrated for the former shepherd in her mirrors, but they remained blurry and unfocused. Only after trying out several enchantments and charms did she finally get a picture from Snow's true love and casted him into the Infinite Forest. Satisfied with her accomplishment, she concentrated on the last details to curse Snow White, trusting the Prince was trapped in the cursed woods forever. Her ambitious planning and news coming from Armithil made her soon forget the prince and missed an encounter that would ruin her hard work and compromise her future.
Bram had been wandering lost for already three days in this strange forest when he heard a stumping not too far from him. He halted and soon he could make out it was somebody running fast in a relative closeness from where he stood. Bram swiftly followed the sound. He hoped it were the children and ran shouting out their names.
Prince James was growing worried by the second. First he was running in the main royal path that would lead to Ruby's home, and then he suddenly was in a shady forest. Since then, he had the feeling he had been running in circles, and two precious days had already passed by. He had a really bad feeling. Queen Regina had promised him the death of Snow White and he had to stop her before it was too late. He had to find Snow and save her from whatever evil plan Regina had in store. He suddenly halted as his ears caught a voice. He looked around, not seeing anybody, but the voice kept repeating itself and calling out the same names, over and over again.
"Hansel! Gretel!"
Prince James soon identified the direction the voice came from and ran in hope of finding someone who could tell him how to get out of the forest. Both men ran a while, listening to the other man's feet crashing leaves and twigs. Suddenly both halted. They stood breathless opposite each other. Bram looked truly disappointed and startled at the other man. Prince James, on the other hand, smiled relieved to find another soul in the cursed woods. Both remained staring at each other for a while, recovering their breaths.
"Who are you?" Bram was the first to break the silence. He was disappointed it weren't his children he encountered, but perhaps this man knew where they were or could tell him how to get out of the forest.
"I am Prince James, of Leostille. Queen Regina seemed to have cast me into this dreadful forest. Man, I'm glad I found you. Do you know a way out of here?"
"No! The Queen sent you here too? And I was hoping you knew a way out of here." Bram said dejectedly.
The two men stared at one and other, realizing with bitterness, both found themselves trapped in the same situation. And none knew the way out of it.
You didn't really think I'll forget Charming, Bram, Hansel and Gretel, did ya? Next chapters will be more focused in them. And guess why?... Patience, the answer will come within time
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