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And megumisakura for starting reading this story

I do not own Once Upon a Time

Chapter 56 – 51 to 58: Restless

The High Council was assembled. The participation of Princess Snow and Prince James was greatly rejoiced. Militaries and noblemen saw in them a promising turning in events to Armithil's favor. And so, during the long dark hours of the night, the various possible war strategies to defeat the enemy were discussed. But not all news were good.

"We have reports telling Queen Regina and King George have made alliance." One military said.

"And they have magic on their side, which makes this war much more dangerous." A member of the Council said.

"Our men are not afraid! Besides, we have our own share of magic too or have you already forgotten?" Lord Frederic contested. "Also, Mida's armies are bond now with Armithil's and we have proven to work resolute as a team."

"That's true, but it's still risky."

"All wars are risky, gentlemen. But even more risky is to stand by and do nothing! Queen Regina will not stop at the death of Snow White. She wants the world!" Prince James argued.

"I am sure we can win soldiers from Snowland and Leostille." Princess Snow added, referring to the well-known division among people between the loyalty to the sovereigns and the love for the throne heirs of both kingdoms.

"Although that would be ideal for us, to weaken our enemy while we would strengthen, Armithil cannot afford such an enterprise right now!" Commander Byront argued "I'm afraid you are alone in this one for the moment…."

"They are not alone!" Grumpy, the ill-tempered dwarf spoke, cutting the old soldier's words. "We will call the rest of the dwarves and fight with Snow side by side!" Another six dwarves cheered loudly backing up their brother.

"As the fairies will too." A soft female voice was heard and everybody watched marveled as a bright blue light travelled downwards until the little form of a woman was discerned. Everybody, with the exception of Snow, who knew her well, stared with great admiration at the Blue fairy and soft whispers of awe filled the marquee.

"I thought fairies didn't interfere in human matters." One of the members of the Council said surprised.

"I'm afraid this war not limited to human matters anymore. It concerns all living beings. If Queen Regina wins, the world will become a horrible place to live, filled with sadness, despair and death." A heavy silence followed her words.

"The Blue fairy is right!" Prince James said. "Don't you see? For the first time in history, all kingdoms of the Enchanted Forest will be affected by this war. We cannot deny it anymore. Queen Regina's wrath will turn this war into a universal battle. We want it or not! And it will change the world as we know it. So, if we stand still, nothing will ever be the same again." Belle and Rumpelstilskin switched worried looks and held their hands tight.

"So, what shall we do then?" The Princess of Armithil finally uttered the very same question that taunted everybody's heads.

The gathering with the Council only ended when the moon was high and the night in the peak of darkness. It was agreed Prince James and Snow White would join the march and help with the conquering of Avonlea. The members of the Council were confident the battle would not be too fierce, with Maleficent being gone and the ogres completely at lost. Queen Regina and King George would not offer any threat either, since they were in their own kingdoms plotting against their throne heirs, Belle's small kingdom not being of interest to them. But once Avonlea would be restored, than they could join forces against Snowland and Leostille. Meanwhile, word would be spread throughout the kingdoms that Princess Snow White and Prince James live and are fighting against the tyrants, in hope soldiers will end up trading Regina and George's army for theirs.

After two exhausting weeks, the long march finally reached its end. Cheers of joy were shouted, when the silhouette of Avonlea's castle could be seen behind the curtain of the evening mist. Camps were built so soldiers could rest and gain forces before the final battle. A group of scouts was sent to the perimeters of the capital to evaluate the point of the situation.

Belle's heart raced by the minute, fear and anxiety flowing in her veins like poison. The same fears she had from day one for her father's well-being haunted her thoughts, only now they were more intensified. Only the gods knew how he was, if he still even lived. And the closeness to the castle only made her feel more desperate and impatient.

This evening, the hospital missed her presence. There was no task in the camp that could distract her mind from her worries. Belle would stand by the edge of the woods at all times, searching for a movement between the trees, waiting incessantly for the return of the scouts.

When night had long fallen and the young soldiers surrendered to the sweet lullaby of slumber, Rumpelstiltskin went searching for the troubled princess. He found her standing with her arms wrapped around herself, to protect against the cold and the worries. She paced restlessly from one side to the other, her eyes never leaving the trees. Rumpelstiltskin looked compassionate and equally worried when he realized she had been hours in this place. He took a step closer and a twig broke under his foot. Belle turned around startled from the sound, but breathed out of relieve when she saw it was her love.

"Sweetheart, you need to rest." He gently whispered, while he put a cloak around her. Belle wrapped her hands around his and guided them to her waist, so he could hold her close, with his chest against her back.

"How can I rest? Knowing my father is there…so close." Belle whispered, while she rested her head on his shoulder. "Not knowing if he lives, if he's hurt…" She chocked at her own words, not being able to keep her nerves to herself anymore. Rumpelstiltskin softly shushed her and placed a kiss on her head.

"I know you are worried. And you have all reason to be. But beating yourself up like this won't do any good. It won't change anything."

"I know, but I can't help it!"

"At least lay down a while. Rest a bit. If you want, I' wait here for the scouts and call you when they arrive."

"No. I don't want to be alone." Belle said, pressuring her grip around his fingers. "Stay with me."

"They'll never let me enter your tent." Rumpelstiltskin said as a matter of fact and Belle chuckled bitterly.

"Gods, how I hate these stupid rules and formalities!" The beauty complained frustrated. Rumpelstiltskin couldn't resist the urge to grin and kissed her on her head and then on her cheek.

"Or we can just sit here and you lay a while. Nobody will see us. Please, you really need to rest." The princess, too tired and numb to argue, nodded silently and gave in her true love pleas.

Rumpelstiltskin sat against a tree and Belle lay against him, so both were wrapped in the warmth of their bodies under the cloaks. The princess was surprised of how tired she actually felt. The warmth emanating from her companion, his earthly scent, his soft caresses on her back made her feel safe and before she knew it, her thoughts drifted away into the world of dreams. Rumpelstiltskin smiled realizing she had fallen asleep quite quickly, enjoying the sound of her deep and even breathing. Soon, his eyes too became heavy and he lost his fight against sleep.

Rumpelstiltskin woke up with a stir, sensing something. He opened his eyes and saw the lovely face of his wife-to-be. He smiled lazily, the sleep still in his eyes.

"Sorry, I woke you up." Belle whispered, while she moved a lock of brown hair from his face. "You slept well?"

"Yes…You?" Belle nodded smiling. "Are you already awake for long?"

"No, just woke up now. I'm guessing they didn't return yet." The beauty said, the fears and worries from hours earlier returning.

"Well, it's still early... It's still dark." He said, realizing they had barely slept. "Go back to sleep."

"I can't!" She moaned afflicted, tears already threatening to spring from her eyes.

Rumpelstiltskin held her closer to him and hushed her gently. They remained a while in the same position, enjoying the warmth and comfort of the embrace. He kissed her a few times on her hair. Belle lifted her watery eyes to face him and smiled sadly, glad she had him by her side during these difficult hours. He kissed her tears away and then searched for her lips. Belle kissed him back, allowing him in her mouth and felt herself slowly melt under his touch. They never kissed this long before. Caresses and touches slowly intensified. Rumpelstiltskin's hands travelled on her body, in away nobody ever touched her. Belle welcomed these sensations, wondering if this was what people called love making. For it only could be that, the feelings being so natural, so intense and so loving. They continued in their exploration for a long time, both feeling their minds slowly drift away, their touches taking control over their thoughts. It was when Belle felt Rumpelstiltskin's body react against hers, that her eyes flipped open and she realized where this would lead if they wouldn't stop now.

"Rumpel?" She called between her breath intakes.

"Hum?" He planted kisses her under her chin, already completely wrapped up by the sensations

"Rumpel, we have to stop." She said urgently.

"Why?" He asked, between his kisses around her collarbone.

"This is not the time or the place." She finally managed to say. Rumpelstiltskin suddenly froze. He looked at her in a mixture of confusion and hurt, but then seemed to remember where they were.

"You're right." He gasped, embarrassed. He realized if Belle was truly a maiden, this was definitely not the right way of doing things, although, right now, he didn't really care. But the anxiety in Belle's eyes brought him back to reality and he quickly got up, so that they were detached from each other.

"I'm sorry." Belle said, blushing terribly, feeling embarrassed for her refusal.

"No, it's okay. You are right…I just got caught up in the moment." Rumpelstiltskin dismissed, feeling quite awkward about the situation. "You know what? You go back to the camp and rest a bit more. I'll stay here and wait for the scouts, alright?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I seriously need to cool off." He said almost painfully and Belle's blush deepened furiously, realizing how far they had let things go. She nodded and excused herself awkwardly and quickly headed back to her tent, her mind finally distracted from her father but instead filled of Rumpelstiltskin. She missed him already, his voice, his eyes, his touch.

"When will I ever have some rest?" She complained to herself, while she lay on her back, inside her own private tent, feeling restless. But soon, exhaustion caught up with her again and, as she closed her eyes, she slowly surrendered to slumber. Belle had no idea how long she was out. All she knew was suddenly Snow was calling her name and shaking her shoulders.

"Belle, wake up. Belle…They are here!"

So...

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