I know. I'm a day late. You all now have permission to slay me with your words. But I beg of you! Please show me mercy!
Yesterday was a very busy day and I just couldn't find the time to dedicate to this chapter, and I most certainly did not want to rush writing it. The reason I was busy—should you wanna know- was because I was preparing queries to send out to literary agents considering my finished book The Stone of Hope. I had sent one out a couple weeks ago and received a letter of rejection. So, now it's time to move on and find another agent who would be happy to stand behind my creation.
Disclaimer: Once again I own nothing. Wish I did. Don't. So please refrain from suing me. I got enough on my plate already.
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Rumpelstiltskin inwardly cursed himself for the slight weakness he had afforded to Belle the night previous. He did not regret giving her his name. If truth be told, her calling him 'master' was becoming just as bad as everyone calling him the Dark One. He longed to hear her call him by his true name. Perhaps then, even to himself, he would seem more human. But why should he feel more human? He was the Dark One, a monster, meant to strike fear in everyone and everything. Wasn't that what he wanted? Not with Belle... And then, he had caught her. Well, of course, he had caught her. She had been right. He could have gotten another caretaker, but he was content with Belle. There was something different about her and he wished to delve between the different layers of what made her Belle. Just as he silently wished she would do to him. And then, he had held her.
"Damn," he muttered under his breath. He had held her rather than release her like he should have. Even for a prisoner, a servant, she had still smelled fresh. She had smelled clean, his nose had detected the faint scent of lavender, and he had allowed himself a split second where he had buried himself in the pure scent of Belle. He closed his eyes and sighed in aggravation. "Damn."
"What was that?" He heard a clear voice behind him and he turned to face the woman clad in blue. She was holding a tray in her hand which she placed on the table.
Rumpelstiltskin quirked his lips in the makings of a smile while he stood up from his spinning wheel. "Nothing I can assure you, dearie."
"Your tea, Master?"
He nodded as he walked up to her. She handed him the teacup and blushed when her fingers accidentally brushed against his. Rumpelstiltskin's face remained stony as he nodded his thanks before adding, "You do know my name. I would prefer you use that instead of that horrid title."
Belle grinned at him, "Of course, Rumpelstiltskin." Perhaps, this is the first step to us becoming friends, Belle mused inwardly, Wait! Why would I even consider a friendship with the Dark One. Perhaps it would make things more bearable around here. She looked up at him to see that he was staring at the teacup she had given him, and was refraining from drinking. "What is it?" She raised an eyebrow.
He looked displeased but shook his head, "It is nothing"
Belle nodded and took the tray in her hands, "Well, if there will be nothing else, Mast—Rumpelstiltskin, I will get on with my other chores." She turned to leave, but Rumpelstiltskin's voice stopped her.
"Would you like to stay and rest for awhile?" Belle was suspicious but his voice was soft and so she turned around.
"Why?"
The Dark One fiddled with his teacup. How was he supposed to tell her that he just wanted to remain in her company, rather than retreating into his darkened and ludicrous thoughts? He giggled and pointed a finger up in the air, "I will make you a deal. You have a cup of tea with me, and the remainder of your chores can be left unfinished. Except for dinner of course. Do we have a deal?" He held out a hand to her and Belle thought for a moment before smiling, and taking his hand. He sat down at the table and Belle took the seat opposite him. Before her eyes, the tea tray vanished and she looked at him in puzzlement.
"Don't worry, dearie." He sneered mischievously. He pointed a finger at her, and with a puff of smoke, a cup filled with piping hot tea was before her. She took it in her hands and realized that it was the one that she had chipped all those weeks before. Why would he choose this one? Surely, he has unbroken china around here somewhere.
Before she could think of an answer, there was another puff of smoke and the teacups had been switched so that the Dark One was now in possession of the chipped cup. "I'll be taking this one."
"Why?" Belle asked in confusion.
Rumpelstiltskin grinned, but the imp in his voice was gone, "We don't want those lips being nicked by a sharp shard of pottery, now do we?" Almost as soon as the words had left his mouth he regretted them and turned his face away to hide the blush that was rising in his cheeks. He had not blushed in centuries. Not even Milah had succeeded in that. He cleared his throat and, with magic, made the red disappear. He looked to Belle and noticed that she too was struggling in a losing battle against the crimson of her cheeks. Before he could dwell on how lovely she looked when blushing, he spoke, "Yes well, the real reason I desired your...company...was to tell you that I have a deal to make this afternoon." He looked at her and she averted her eyes. Probably still out of embarrassment. "And I want you to come with me, dearie."
Belle's head shot up and she looked at him as if he had grown two heads, "You wish for me to come with you?"
He nodded and giggled manically, "I can't be leaving you all alone in this Castle. Wouldn't want to return and see that my caretaker had escaped."
Belle nodded but her lips were already smiling, "I don't care why you want me to come, at least I am going!" She took another sip of her tea but her face was still beaming.
"Why does this mean so much to you?" He asked in amusement at how such a small thing could make her so happy.
"Because, Rumpelstiltskin, I am unable to see the outside world anymore. And, don't take this the wrong way but sometimes in the Castle, as large and spacious as it is, I still feel...trapped."
Rumpelstiltskin's eyebrows rose and his lips quirked up a bit, "Believe me, dearie, I can say that I completely understand what you are saying."
Belle wanted to ask why he should feel trapped in the Dark Castle when he could leave whenever he wished it, but she knew that it was not her place and she kept quiet. Instead she asked, "When do we leave?"
"You run along and take care of these teacups. Grab a cloak and then we shall be off." Belle ran off in a hurry to do her bidding and returned in several minutes.
"You really are in a hurry, eh?" He teased her and cursed himself when he discovered that the only reason he did such a thing was to see her face light up and that endearing smile spread across her lovely lips.
She nodded but then bit her lip nervously. "Master," she wrung her hands a bit, "I—erm-I do not have a cloak to bring."
Rumpelstiltskin only smirked and snapped his fingers. "Never underestimate what magic can do, dearie." Belle looked to her shoulders and noticed that she was wearing a lovely brown silk cloak, clasped around her neck with an emerald pin in the shape of a feathery leaf. "There you are. And now we shall be off."
He led her out through the doors of the Grand Hall, made a right turn, out through another door, and then they were on the cobblestone path in front of the castle. Before Belle, stood a black carriage with gold embellishments. The inside was completely of dark velvet. But what caught Belle's attention the most were the two magnificent, ebony black horses that stood ready to pull the carriage. They shone like the sun. Rumpelstiltskin noticed her happiness and helped her into the carriage.
"But can't you just transport us to where you are going? Like you did when you brought me here?"
Rumpelstiltskin nodded as he took his seat opposite her, "I could, but transporting someone else along can be dangerous. The two could become separated and stranded from one another, and I couldn't have that. Plus," he laced his fingers together, "I thought you might prefer this better."
"I do." Belle smiled her assurance as the horses began to pull the cart, "But there is no driver, how do they know where to go?"
"Magic, dearie. This carriage had been enchanted to bring me wherever I tell them."
Belle reached across the space between them and took his rough hand in hers, "Thank you." Rumpelstiltskin tried to squelch the lump in his throat and grinned back. How many times is this girl going to thank me? I don't deserve it.
Belle released his hand and gazed out of the window and into the forest. Pine trees surrounded them, snow was on the ground. She pulled her cloak tighter around her. Rumpelstiltskin noticed and he asked if she was cold. Belle nodded somewhat sheepishly and the Dark One flourished one of his hands and instantly Belle felt warm.
"There." Rumpelstiltskin said satisfied. The color had returned to her cheeks. Then, the remainder of the ride remained silent as they just enjoyed the silent companionship.
The carriage came to a halt nearly an hour later and Rumpelstiltskin grinned, "Looks like we're here, dearie." He stepped out of the carriage and offered his hand to her. The first thing Belle noticed when she stepped out of the carriage were the hundreds of beady eyes staring nervously at them. They seemed shocked to see such a beautiful lady on Rumpelstiltskin's arm.
"Tell me something," Belle whispered as she teased him, "Did you bring me here just to show me off to these people?"
He smirked, "You catch on quite fast, dearie. Perhaps that was part of my reason." Belle giggled at him and this seemed to confuse the townspeople even more.
Rumpelstiltskin led her through the crowd to a solitary hut that sat adjacent to the local market. "Now listen to me." He instructed her, "You are to remain very silent. One word out of you and you will never come with me on these ventures again. Make very little eye contact. Got it?"
Belle nodded forcefully and crossed her arms as her master led her into the house. There was no one there and Belle huffed.
"What is it, dearie?"
"Really? You didn't even knock! You could at least show some manners." She bit her lips as he gave her a warning glare and then he giggled.
"Yes, I could. But we're not in your castle anymore, princess." He placed a finger to his lips as a signal to be quiet and then Belle saw the strangest thing. As she looked at him, she noticed that his eyes became dark and emotionless. A sneer was on his lips and he flourished his arms about much more than he normally did. The Dark One had taken Rumpelstiltskin over completely.
He let out a shrill whistle and placed a hand to his ear, "I got your call, dearie. Come out, come out before I lose my patience."
It was a few more seconds before there was a slight shuffle of feet and then a short, rather fat man appeared from behind a sack of grain. "I- I was beginning to think you wouldn't come, Dark One."
Rumpelstiltskin giggled impishly, "The Dark One always comes when he is called!" He pointed a finger at the man who was trying desperately to not quake in the monster's presence. "Now what is it you desire?"
"P-p-please, sir. My wife and I are poor and she is with child. This way of life is n-n-no way to raise a child or my wife. We have very little money, and many a nights have gone hungry. We-"
The Dark One raised his hands and squeaked, "I don't want to hear the intricate details of your lifestory." He looked at the man darkly and growled, "What. Is. It. You. Want?"
The man shivered more than ever, "I w-want-t comfort, money, a more comfortable home."
"Then, it shall be done, of course!" The look of relief was quickly snatched from the man when Rumpelstiltskin added, "For a price."
The man licked his lips and nodded, "Name your price. Anything."
Rumpelstiltskin was silent for a moment and Belle watched him curiously, wondering what he would demand if he was to give this man wealth. She clasped her hands and for the first time, the man seemed to notice her dark silhouette, hidden in the shadows.
"Who is that?" He asked suspiciously.
The Dark One waved a hand at him, "That is none of your business, fool. Now onto your price. In a few months, you shall have a precious gift, no? In return for comfort and wealth, my price is quite simple." He patted his stomach, "I want the child your wife is carrying inside of her. Once it's born, of course." Belle nearly gasped at such a high price and her cheeks became flushed with anger. Her eyes held pity for the man whose mouth had dropped open wide.
He sputtered, "B-b-but, please, Dark One, have m-mercy. Take anything, anything else, but not the babe."
Rumpelstiltskin laughed in mock, "From what I understand, you have nothing else. Your child is my price. Take it," he bent low so that he could whisper into the man's ear, "Or leave it."
The man's eyes were brimming with tears but he managed to shake his head. "No. That baby will be the most important thing in our lives. Get out." For the first time, it seemed he had found courage. "Get out now, Dark One!"
"As you wish," the monster bowed and smirked, trying to hide his disappointment, "Wish you would change your mind, dearie."
"Come along," he grabbed Belle's arm and led her out of the hut and through the gossiping crowd. Belle hated the stares the men and women were giving her. She heard several cries of infants and her heart leapt for the people who were living in fear of such a man as the Dark One.
She stepped into the carriage and caught the eyes of a small girl, nearly six years old. She gave the child a small smile, but the mother pulled the girl from Belle's view.
The Dark One sneered at the villagers before the horses took off and left the small town behind. When they were far enough away, he chanced a glance at the woman sitting across from him, and was met with a hard, stony glare. He could tell she was disappointed but he would not let it get to him.
She remained silent for several more minutes before saying, "There really is darkness in your soul."
"Darker, dearie, much darker." Belle's eyes softened a bit as she saw that he admitted it with a menacing grin. She looked at him with something that appeared to be pity. "You think that bargaining for that man's child is the worst that I have done? How about all of those ogres I killed for your father? Hundreds upon hundreds of lives ended with a snap of my finger."
Belle sighed and did not answer. Instead, she turned to look out the window and drain away her thoughts in the beauty of the winter wonderland. "I pity you, Rumpelstiltskin," she muttered under her breath, but he heard her and merely let out a small sigh.
I know you do, dearie. But you really shouldn't. It won't do any good. He fiddled his fingers together and for the first time, he felt bad for the deal he had attempted to secure.
"I have heard rumors that you make deals for children." Belle spoke up and broke his thoughts, "But, if I may ask, why?"
Rumpelstiltskin looked at her and smiled softly. The look nearly made her reel. For a moment, she had seen a small look of what he had been like as a man. She saw the vanishing twinkle in his eye as he replied, "I see parents who mistreat their children and I want nothing more than to free those infants. That man was poor and would have had no means to provide for his babe. I would take the child and try to find him a family that would love and care for him properly."
For a moment, Belle wondered if he was telling the truth. Surely by what she had heard, this monster could care less whether someone lived or died. But then she saw the truth in his eyes, and for the first time it seemed she understood what he had tried to do for the family. In a hidden, somewhat twisted and sinister way, he had been trying to save the child from a life of poverty. And for the first time, it seemed the beauty and the beast finally understood each other.
So extra long chapter just for you guys. Be friendly and R-E-V-I-E-W!