Almost executed, but somehow not quite

Some months later, long after Rumple had figured out what Belle had done to banish her darkness, and long after he'd gotten over the insult of not being invited to the secret, unofficial wedding of the century, things with Regina were finally coming to a head. The witch had finally joined the war against Snow and Charming, having her troops attack in unison with King George's, but even with all her magic they were losing. King George's men were not particularly loyal, many choosing to follow their once-General and the kind-hearted Prince than the cruel King who would behead his own (supposed) son. A great many of them had switched sides during actual battles, and on one particular day the entirety of George's cavalry and legion of archers had turned on the infantry, and then joined Prince 'James' to take back the surrounding villages. Regina herself was too hasty in her orders, and it seemed no one had ever bothered to teach her how to play five steps ahead. She sent men into situations that were often desperate, and fought not to win but to kill Snow White. Her tactics were miserably unsuccessful, and she was losing an impressive number of men to one soldier alone; granted that 'one soldier' was a werewolf fiercely loyal to her Queen, but still.

On a particularly dark night late in the summer, when guards fell asleep in the overwhelming heat, Belle was more than happy to wake him up to inform him that King George had fallen (but wasn't dead; they wouldn't do that), and the kingdom now belonged to Snow White and Prince Charming. She sat with him for a while, somehow not noticing how inappropriate it was for her to be in his bed chambers at this time of the night, waiting for any other news her magic would provide. She stared at a blank piece of wall, her gaze not shifting, until she spoke words that were surely not her own. "And now because of your blood-lust, the kingdom is ours". It seemed his little Belle had been invading the minds of the True Love couple again. He smirked at her when she snapped out of it and said "It seems Regina had been captured." She blinked at him, still a little dazed from her excursions, and he shooed her out of his room. "Excellent dearie. Now scat so I can get some beauty sleep."

The next morning, the sun high in the sky and the council back at their table, Belle sat, concealed, at the back of the War Room as Snow and her allies discussed Regina's fate. Many, it seemed, were in favor of her death, but wary of her magic. A decision had to be made soon, as her magic could not be restrained for long. Belle, managing to keep a lid on her own darkness, had to agree with the council and their decision. Regina was far too dangerous to be set loose on the world. She would have to die. She wondered what repercussions this would have on Rumple's curse, but surely he had foreseen a scenario in which the Evil Queen did not live long enough to cast his curse?

She remained behind to see the aftermath of such a decision, the Rheul Ghorm lingering just in front of Belle's face before she shook herself of the bad feeling and left the room, and was surprised to discover Snow White did not want to see her stepmother die. Even her Charming was doubtful, but she had to be stopped now.

Later in the day, the arrows prepared, Regina was taken to her execution, gasps filtering through the crowd. Rumple stood, hood concealing his face, behind a large collection of angry peasants. His hand was wrapped tightly around Belle's, and she stood unseen a hair's breath away from an irate werewolf. The tall brunette would turn her head every time Belle shifted, suspicious of the noise. Her focus was soon caught, as was everyone's, when Regina began to voice her regrets. Rumplestiltskin was surprised to say the least, and shifting his head so he could see the Princess leaning forwards eagerly in her seat. It was all going so well until Regina claimed to regret not killing more. But it seemed even then the fair Princess couldn't watch her die.

The execution was halted, much to both his delight and irritation. His curse would almost definitely be cast now, but it certainly would be nice for the witch to have died on this glorious day. The defeated Queen was taken back to her tower, the Princess leaving and the crowds dispersing with angry mutters. Hours later, when darkness had collected in the sky, Snow White was outside once more. He sat with Belle on the two thrones in the courtyard, concealed by magic and unseen by the distressed young woman, discussing their next move. They watched her drift across the stonework, disturbed from their conversation, and fiddle with with the padlock Regina had been chained to.

Belle watched as Rumple shifted in his seat to face Snow, startling her from her musings. She revealed him with her magic, and was surprised by how quickly he came up with a plan, experiencing an odd warmth when he trilled his 'R's. He offered Snow a way to test Regina's potential for change, and immediately she began to formulate a way to make this happen. How exactly it happened would depend on what Rumple said next, but she could work around his words. The thing was Snow had an opportunity, and Rumplestiltskin's deals were hard to resist. And so not minutes later Snow was climbing the stairs of a winding tower to reach Regina's cell, Belle following right behind to see what was done. The key dagger was concealed in Snow's sleeve as she spoke to her stepmother, bating her and luring her out, to ultimately set her free.

The older woman was, noticeably and understandably, confused. She stood, warily, walking with a guarded expression to Snow. Unfortunately she did not leave her evil in her cell, and gripped Snow by the throat. In a moment of panic she drew the knife and Belle considered helping until she recalled the plan. Regina took the knife, Snow struggling for breath, and then plunged it into the petite, raven-haired girl's side. It went in with no trouble, and came out with no blood, and Snow's expression was pitying and sad. No longer would Regina be able to harm them in this land, for she had failed their test, and now she was banished. Belle watched with barely concealed glee (except by her magic, so no one but Rumple could see her so it didn't matter) as the guards transported her away.

Weeks later, Regina once more in some disgustingly dark dress with her hair slicked back (at least her cleavage wasn't on show), Rumplestiltskin bounced into her tower. Or rather, Belle did. It was far too dangerous for him to go into the dragon's lair, particularly when the dragon was angry, so Belle went in his stead, wearing his face. He watched through an enchanted mirror as she interacted with this, the woman that terrified her so much, informing her of the way to get her revenge. It seemed today was Snow and Charming's wedding, and neither of them had been invited. (Of course, Belle had; Ruth had written a note to 'the woman who saved my life' and placed on the parchment a single drop from Lake Nostos. But she wouldn't be going.) Now they were seemingly moping together, considering ways to destroy the sickening couple 'in another land'. And so when the idea was planted into Regina's head, Rum-Belle vanished in the signature crimson smoke, leaving the Evil Queen to dress for the party.

Rumplestiltskin was immensely proud of his Belle's performance, and shut off the mirror so he could wait for Belle's return. No doubt she would drift in from the shadows to see if she could scare him, put out since she had missed the royal wedding (which she had really already attended), now much more lavish, and couldn't see Regina's no doubt dramatic announcement. He smiled to himself. Perhaps one day a wedding they would attend together would be their own. Belle had been embracing him a lot lately, and surely that was a good sign? He already had a ring; if he could just keep her in one place for long enough they could have a civilized conversation about it, and the fact that their True Love might yet remain.