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Chapter 62 - Days 66 tot 68: Last Chance

Belle, Rumpelstiltskin and King Maurice gathered under a small marquee, especially built for the sovereign. Comfortable chairs, a divan, a couch and colorful pillows had been found and brought from the castle to flourish the place and give some sense of luxury. There was a small pretty table in the middle, a tea set on it, ready to be used. The king sat by the table and gestured for Belle and his future son-in-law to sit too. He had acquired one of the girls who came as volunteer to the war for a servant, but she failed to be present, which annoyed him. He was about to order a soldier to fetch the girl, when Rumpelstiltskin stood up, picked up the tea pot and placed it on the small fire. Belle didn't miss the look of shock and repugnance in her father's face, when he saw Rumpelstiltskin act like the low classer he was. The beauty wasn't sure to what point Rumpelstiltskin had done it in purpose, to what extent it was a rebellious gesture to defy the king. She could feel the tension in the air and bit her under lip nervously. She just knew her father was going to make a comment, so she decided to start a conversation, to avoid any awkwardness.

"Father, did you know Rumpelstiltskin comes from the Highlands?" She spoke with all the sweetness and enthusiasm that was natural to her. She saw her true love smile while he poured hot water into three teacups.

"That inhospitable land in the middle of the mountains? I've heard people there are quite rough because of the harsh country!" King Maurice blurted without thinking, for Belle's distress.

"Rough, but hard working and honest folk." Rumpelstiltskin simply stated, his voice denouncing nothing reprimand, by the contrary, it sounded kind. "But I was still a child when we moved to the Eastern villages." He placed the teapot on the middle of the table and took a sip of his tea without any ceremonies. Belle quickly followed his example and the king, feeling slightly confused by the lack of formality, too tasted some of the tea.

"Why did you move?" The King asked out of curiosity.

"Better trade."He dryly said. Belle looked from one man to the other, feeling apprehensive. She knew both were doing their best to be kind to each other, but the tension in the air was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. She couldn't stop intertwining her fingers, hidden under the table, on her lap. "And I guess, for the better weather too."

"Well, I guess all that rain would put anybody off." The king chuckled causing a faint smile on the spinner's lips. The beauty sighed from relieve. The ice was broken.

They had talked longer than planned. Rumpelstilskin felt he was being interrogated by the king, who seemed to be very interested in the spinner's life. He wanted to know everything about his family background, about his friendships. About the all places he visited so long ago and the many trades he worked in. He wanted to know more details about Milah and her death. He was searching for flaws, past sins and crimes to fall over. Things he could criticize and use against the spinner whenever needed. Belle was terrified with her father's excessively questioning, knowing he was judging every detail of her future husband's past. On the other side, she was surprised with Rumpelstiltskin's extreme patience and disposition in answering every single question with great care. He too, was aware of the sovereign's severe evaluation. She breathed of gratitude when Snow White and Charming appeared and joined them for tea. Her friend had been informed by a very irritated Charleston about his son's meeting with the king (one he was not allowed to attend) and knew the atmosphere wouldn't be a pleasant one. So, she and her true love, took as mission to lighten up the things for their friends' sake. The king loved both Snow and Prince James (he would die if he knew he was actually a simple shepherd) and so welcomed the couple cordially.

Snow and Charming managed to guide the conservation cautiously, to subjects that would put Rumpelstiltskin under a good light, without the king suspecting their intentions. They boasted about Rumpelstiltskin's challenging probations in confronting a ferocious wolf, a deadly Ogre, a fire spitting Maleficent, much for the spinner embarrassment. The king, as much as he hated it, had to admit the man had the guts, especially for somebody that didn't have the years of practice that a knight had. Furthermore, Lord Whitmore had informed him the spinner was like a father for the soldiers. He seemed to have an eye to say and do the right things in the right moment, without ever learning anything about politics, public oration and eloquence in speech. The minister had told him the spinner acted by instinct; his behavior being spontaneous and authentic. According to Lord Whitmore, his natural ways were more efficient than pompous words, dramatic speeches or complicated formalities to impress others. And it all confused the king. The king was lost in his musings when he heard the horns announcing lunch.

"Is it that late already?" He asked truly surprised.

"Time flies when we are enjoying ourselves, right, My Lord?" Charming said, patting the king's back while he winked at Belle and Rumpelstiltskin. Everybody excused themselves to leave, including Belle.

"Now it's my turn to spend some productive time with my future father-in-law." She said, while she planted a kiss on her father's check. "You must invite him the next time. Oh, Baelfire and Humbert too." She said, feeling more optimistic about the future relationship between her father and Rumpelstiltskin's family.

The king nodded with a faint smile, a bit overwhelmed by the idea of having tea with four peasants. As short goodbyes were switched, the king and the spinner switched polite looks. They both knew now, for certain, they would never like each other. They came from too opposite worlds to ever understand each other. But they were ready to tolerate and respect each other. Because, despite their differences, they had quite some common ground. Both cared, each in his own way, about the kingdom, about its people and mostly, about Belle. It was an unspoken agreement they had achieved. And so, the king returned to his world of sophistication, etiquette and luxury, while the spinner returned to his world of simplicity, easygoingness and modesty.

"Gods! I'm so happy you came!" Belle confessed relieved when they were far away from the king.

"Yeah, her father was being murderous with his questioning!" Rumpelstiltskin complained. Belle giggled, able to see now the amusement in the situation.

"But you answered so well. I'm so proud of you." She lovely said and planted a kiss on his lips, knowing if her father would see, he would fall dead on his tracks. Snow and Charming switched contented smiles; glad they had rescued their friends from such a tight situation. After all, dealing with King Maurice was no easy thing. But soon, the dark haired princess's smile faded. She was reminded of her own great challenge. Of her own complicated family member.

"Charming." She turned to her true love and he immediately read the concern in her eyes and knew what was going on in her mind.

"Belle, Rumpel. We would love to stay a while longer with you guys, but...We still have our own battle to fight." The former-shepherd said. Belle and Rumpelstitlskin nodded; although they were reluctant to leave their friends lead such a dangerous enterprise.

"Are you sure you don't want us to come too? We can help." Belle suggested, afraid for her best friend's future.

"You already helped us enough by giving part of your army." Snow gently said as she held the beauty's hands in hers. "You have a kingdom to restore. It's a task for you two. I'm sorry I have to say this, but your father…"

"I know. He's not capable of such a thing." Belle spoke regrettably. "But hey, I have Rumpel and his rough family from the Highlands to help me out." She joked, causing laughter in the small group.

"You'll be fine." Rumpelstitlskin said after a while to the other couple.

"We know. And we'll make sure we'll come back in time for the wedding." Charming said with a knowing look. Belle and Rumpelstitlskin switched happy smiles. They remained a while there, holding hands and watching the two friends distance. They both prayed fate would be kind to Snow and Charming and, that they would indeed, see them soon again.

After two days ridding through the dark woods, Snow recognized a familiar howl. She smiled and halted her horse, dismounted it and waited. Soon, an oversized dark brown wolf came running between the trees. Snow didn't budge or reveal any sign of fear. By the contrary, she was smiling. Just before the colossal wolf reached her, it transfigured into a beautiful young woman. The two woman hugged warmly laughing happily, being too long departed from each other.

"I'm so happy to see you, Red!" Snow said and Red smiled affectively. The two women had become great friends and were practically sisters. They had supported each other during difficult moments. Red had helped Snow during her exile, protecting her from the Queen's soldiers; while Snow accepted the wolf in Red, acting as if there was absolutely nothing wrong with the girl.

"It has been too long." Red said. A rustling was heard close behind her. Snow looked to the trees behind Red with curiosity. A very tough looking old woman came out of the woods holding a bow.

"Granny!" Snow exclaimed happily.

"You really didn't believe I would stay at home knitting socks while you have all the fun fighting the Queen?" She said with a sly grin.

"Great, because we'll need all the help we can have." All women turned to see Charming approach, mounted on his white stallion. "Are you sure she'll bite the bait?"

"Yes." Snow said determinately but with a hint of sadness in her voice. "Is Blue all set?"

"Yes. Everything is ready." Blue said, appearing out of nothing. "I sense the end of this war is approaching." Snow nodded and sighed.

She longed so badly for the end of this war. She was tired of a life of running and hiding. She desired her life back, peace and some rest. She wanted her people to feel safe and happy again. But a part of her heart always hurt at the thought Regina refused to redeem herself. She refused to be that good person she once was, long ago. That person Snow believed still resided somewhere in the depths of the Queen's dark heart. And it was same this belief that made her give Regina every time one last chance.

The Evil Queen was mounted on her best stallion, on a hill, overlooking King George's defeated kingdom. She cursed internally. She couldn't understand this chain of unfortunate events. Not when everything had been so carefully planned, till the smallest detail. But she had had enough with the dwelling of these bitter thoughts. It appeared fate was finally smiling back at her again. Just some hours ago, the foolish princess, who had followed her from Avonlea, had tried to ambush her with a ridiculous army of peasants and dwarves. But Snow had failed. Regina had fled into safety, but not before bringing destruction to Snow's and Charming's camp with fire. King George may have fallen, but she was far from being defeated. Regina smirked, sensing the tides were turning. She turned around when she heard the sound of several horses approaching and waited expectantly.

"My Queen. We've received word. Snow White is alone, on her way back to meet the Prince." One of the guards spoke.

"Excellent." The Evil Queen smirked maliciously. Apparently, in the mist of the battle, Snow had been separated from her prince Charming and her seven dwarves. How convenient. "I don't care how many men you lose. Keep them apart long enough for me to find her. I will not let them defeat me." She commanded, while a new fire of hope burned in her chest. This was the chance she had been waiting for all this time. This was the moment she would destroy Snow White from once and for all.

Snow White ran disoriented through the dark woods, the light emanating from the moon barely being enough to envision the path she was trying to follow. She tripped over a rock on the ground with a gasp. She figured out it was a question of time for it to happen. It was then that she heard the faint sound of hoofs approaching. She had barely got up, when Queen Regina herself caught up to her.

"Leaving the battle so soon?" Regina said with a triumphant and mocking voice. Snow was wiping some dirk of her white dress.

"The battle's over, Regina. Our army is too great. You can't win." Snow White said defeated, sounding too tired to explain the obvious reality to the other woman.

"Well, that all depends on your definition of victory." Regina said with a sneer. Oh yes, Snow was alone, vulnerable, like a deer under the sight of a hunter.

"I offer you parley. To negotiate the terms of your surrender." Snow offered her stepmother that one last chance again.

"My surrender? Fair enough." For a moment Snow believed Regina would redeem herself, do the right thing. How she kept fooling herself. "My terms are quite simple… Your death." Snow's heart shrunk in pain and grew cold. Why she kept believing there was good in this woman she could not understand.

"Now!"

Just when the Evil Queen was preparing to attack, just when her hand rose on the air, ready to strike fatal magic, she stopped. Suddenly, out of nothing, the Blue Fairy and Prince Charming appeared from the shadows of the dark woods. Regina was caught off guard and failed to react quickly enough when Blue shot a blast of magic at her. The Queen was instantly immobilized, her muscles frozen and numb.

"It was all a trap!" She bitterly spat, her eyes shooting daggers at Snow.

"You should've surrendered when I gave you the chance." Snow said, looking truly compassionate and somewhat regretful.

"We knew you couldn't resist going after Snow. And now, because of your bloodlust, the kingdom is ours." Charming said eloquently. "Your reign of evil is over"

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