Okay to all you OUAT Fans..
Curse breaks here in this chapter at least for Rumpelstiltskin and Belle... Enjoy...
"Can you hear me?" Rubella whispers to Belle telepathy in her mind after arriving into the bedroom of the apartment above the library.
Belle looks up sharply at Rubella with a shocked look and shaking her head in disbelief.
Rumbella repeated again, "Can you hear me?"
"Yess..," Belle stuttered back in her mind. Not believing she is hearing the voice of the girl across the room in her head. The room was dark but the moonlight that was shining into the room gave enough light to see the girl had not moved her lips and she could see it was her old bedroom before she moved into Rumpelstiltskin's house when he died saving all of them. She stumbled and sat on the bed to get her bearings.
"Good!" Rubella said with a pleased look on her face.
Rumbella walking to the bed placed the bag onto the bed. Opening she gathered the wand and book placing them onto the bed. Reaching into the bag for the three candle holder then she turned to Rumpelstiltskin who was still frozen in the room showing his evil stare at her.
"Rumpelstiltskin, I won't release you just yet" she said firmly, "Until I have talked to our old friend, Lumeire here." Lifting the candle to his eye view. She cocked her head to look up at him. Lifting her hand up to his right shoulder giving a squeeze.
She turned to leave and saying, "I will return shortly."
"Wait!" Belle said sharply loud in the room, "Let him go!"
Without turning around. Rumbella stopped at the door and using the telepathy to Belle.."He must not follow. Too much is at stake" she said softly, " Know this I am saving his life, yours and everyone else."
Belle had watched the interchange of the girl to Rumpelstiltskin. Knew the girl had good intentions of that simple touch. She knew Rumpelstiltskin temper was already brewing and ready to explode of the looks he was giving to the girl. Using the link forged of the small communication. "Don't worry I will talk to him until you are ready but release him," she said.
Rumbella looked over her shoulder at them. Slowly nodded and then turned going out the door that flew open with magic and slowly closed quietly behind her.
Rumbella walked into the living room of where everyone was located. They were waiting patiently of her return.
Snow looked up from where she sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea in front of her and asked, " I assume they are in the bedroom."
"Yes" nodding her head, " However I must speak to an old friend Lumiere here before we get started." Showing her the three candle holder. Coming towards the table she placed the candle in the center. Turning around going back to the hallway. Using her magic she placed a sound barrier and a wall of power so that the people in the bedroom could not enter or escape on the conversation that was to be done with Lumeire.
"Lumeire, why do we need him?" Regina with a sneer. Never liked that no good candle when she visited the castle. Always getting in the way of not letting her read some of the books in the library.
Hearing the sneer in Regina's voice. Rumbella turned around after completing the spell with a grin.
"I heard the stories" Rumbella laughing, "Thought he was joking. He only did that to you so you wouldn't find any information on the gatekeepers. After all you were too close to many times."
"Damn!" Regina muttered under her breath but smiled of the memories. The candle had moved so many of the books around when she visited and constantly taunted her of her magic.
Walking to the table still laughing. She pulled out a match and lit the candle wicks.
Slowly the flames rose and then a face emerged.
Lumiere looked around at the faces of the people in the room and the surroundings. He knew he was not in the Enchanted Forest or in Belle's possession. Last he knew was the curse was coming and he went back to sleep till called upon again. Yet he felt the power of three gatekeepers in the room and he hasn't felt that in over a thousand years. Which he knew should not be happening at least not yet.
His faced turned to the smiling young girl dressed in leather who had sat down in a chair in front of him and he knew this was his conjurer that lit the candles.
"My name is Lumeire. The library keeper of Rumpelstiltskin's library," he stated, "What can I do for you?"
"Lumiere, you know who I am," Rumbella smiling, "Of course you will not meet me until many years from now. One of the prophecies has been fulfilled. Sadly the other one never came to be."
Lumiere was always cautious in protecting the book and Belle once he had found her. Giving it some thought he decided to test the young one to be sure if she is the one foretold.
"Which prophecy was fulfilled and the one that never came to be?" he questioned with a French accent.
Knowing Lumiere was testing her. He had said he would due to the continuing of time and space to see if she was the foretold child to break the Dark One's curse. Answering him as he had taught her long ago, " The first prophecy of the believer would guide the gatekeepers on their path has been fulfilled but the other prophecy of the Dark One's curse being destroyed was completed but the Gatekeeper never emerged and so Merlin still sleeps."
Lumeire began to smile now in the flames. He now knew who he was speaking to. Only the child of the Dark One and Belle could give an answer to him then he frowned instantly.
"What has happened?" he asked urgently.
"The wicked witch Zelena who had entrapped you killed Rumpelstiltskin when his powers were emerging" she stated sadly, "I am the last gatekeeper to come back to this time of realm to stop what was not meant to be."
"You are the time traveler?" he asked.
"Yes."
He smiled broadly at the answer. Finally she was here to break this cursed entrapment of everyone. She does not know the complete prophecy in the book. Her mother, Belle must have died before telling her. Sighing to himself. He could not interfere on this path.
"What can I do to help you gatekeeper?" he cautiously looking around at the people in the room.
Seeing this Rumbella firmly stated, " I have told them of whom I am and where I came from but one missing piece of information I do not have and need the answer. Can Rumpelstiltskin still be saved?"
"Yes."
"How?" she asked.
"You already know the answer gatekeeper" he said with a final answer, "I don't need to tell you what must be done."
Regina interrupted, "That's not an answer candlestick!"
The flames turned to her and smirked at her, "The ripple effect has begun and since you didn't learn that from your training. I don't expect you to understand."
"Ripple Effect?" Snow questioned while looking at Rumbella.
"Ripple effect is an uncertain future when changing the past and any changes can be dangerous at least for that future," she advised everyone. Knowing this from the beginning was a suicide mission. Changing the past would mean she would have a future unlike the one she grew up in but never be able to go forward to the new one without causing more harm.
"Meaning she can't go back to her time line" Regina confirming looking at Snow, "nor to the new future time line without destroying that new future. Basically she is on a suicide mission." Regina snorted at the candle.
"O Rumbella," Snow said softly coming out of the chair to put her arm around the child's shoulder.
Rumbella turned to look at Snow briefly and to everyone in the room. Stating the simplest words, "It was worth it!" Different thoughts in the room can be seen on their faces. Some sad, grateful and compassionate of her fate.
Lumiere who just smiled like he knew a secret. Rumbella knew her old friend well. Is he hiding something from me? He has never done that before to me. I could ask of what he is thinking but based on his answers. He probably won't tell me.
Regina seeing that smile knew the candle is hiding something from the kid. He's not going to tell her. Hmm, well I guess we will have to play this out and see what happens.
Lumiere knew what will happen if the child does her job well. For now it must be a secret from her.
"Thank you, Lumiere."
"You are welcome gatekeeper" he replied, "Good luck!"
Regina still not liking the candle. Got up and blew his candles out for spite for the answers he provided. Damn candle. Just like Rumpelstiltskin encryption clues to confuse anyone. Why can't they give a straight answer.
"Okay" Charming asked, "I assume we get started then?"
"Yes, it's time" Rumbella confirmed getting out of the chair and using her magic she conjured up two swords and a bow that were laying against the wall. Picking up the swords she turned and handed one Charming and the other to Hook.
"I assume these will be to your liking" she smiled with a grin, " If you lose it in a fight just call upon it to return."
"That's awesome," Henry stated at that remark, " I want a sword like that one day."
Charming started laughing testing the sword, "Not any time soon kid."
Turning to Robin who had the crossbow in his hand and looking ready to leave. She reached for the bow and the satchel of arrows next to it. She handed to him saying, " I believe you know your old friend here, Uncle Robin. "
He looked at her. He asked, "The bow that never misses its mark."
She nodded.
Robin smiled with an evil intent. He missed that bow when he took the wand from Rumpelstiltskin. To get it back is a blessing and he is not giving it back. He put the satchel arrows on his back and the bow as well. Best be prepared for everything.
Bang.. Smash... Bang...
Everyone turned to the hallway looking at the bedroom door and they looked at Rumbella.
She smirked, "I had to lock them up!"
Sobering she's advised, "Besides when me and Robin leave it will be removed. So don't be near the door when that happens."
Walking into the middle of the living room, she could see Roland sleeping on the couch and making sure when she and Robin exited that he wouldn't be bothered. Using her hands in a circular motion a yellow and bluish light started small and getting bigger till an opened doorway was complete.
Turning around to see Regina and Emma who were now standing beside each other. Hook and Charming standing on the side with their swords. Henry and Snow was still at the table looking on.
"When we leave break the curse" she said, "Your memories will return. We will return soon as we can to assist in the fight."
Turning to Robin. She asked, "Shall we?"
He nodded grabbing her hand and both went into the portal. The portal closed behind them.
During the talk with Lumeire, in the bedroom Belle walked to up to Rumpelstiltskin who was still looking at the door like daggers was bulls eye on the girls' back.
Belle sighed. This is not going to be easy. She knew Rumple's anger was not directed at her but to cool him down was never easy. Fight with him she will if it's our lives on the line. She believed the girl. Not knowing why just the girl was sincere in her doing.
"Rumple" she said. He looked passed her shoulder still at the door.
"Rumple" she repeated this time sharply, "Look at me!"
He looked at her and although he couldn't say anything she knew that look on his face. He wasn't going to listen to her. Well he will.
"You will not go after her" she insisted, "Promise me you will not hurt that child."
His eyes were a dark amber of anger of the injustice of being trapped by a mere child. Who does she think she is? Gatekeeper or not. I will not be trapped again. Yes dearie.. I will get you for this.
When Belle stood in front of him and asking him to promise to not hurt the child. He never hurt a child true but this one needed a lesson. Well not kill her anyway just a little punishment.
With that thought he was released from his frozen state and was able to move. He went for the door. Before he could get there, Belle had practically ran and got in front of him and grabbed his arms and stood looking at him with a determination he was not getting passed her.
Rumpelstiltskin stopped and looked down at her. Yes he could move her but he just couldn't do it when she looks like this. Like she is a mother lion protecting her cub. His shoulders drop and Belle could feel the anger leaving him but she knew he hadn't forgotten.
"Belle," he sighs.
"Promise me!" she stated firmly. Determine to get his promise. She knew he never broke his word once spoken.
"I will not hurt her, Belle" he promised, "And will not send anyone after her." Adding that last part was to please her. He couldn't deal with her leaving him again from the last time of a promise when he nearly killed Regina.
Belle smiled and raised her arms around his neck. Reaching up she gave him a kiss.
"Thank you!" she said..
Rumpelstiltskin put his arms around her waist to pull her closer to him. Bending down he put his forehead on her forehead and sighed once again. She rubbed his shoulders to ease the tension in the air and easing the anger away of being trapped.
"You know sweetheart" he stated looking her in her bright blue eyes, " I still want to get my answers from her."
"I know and we will get them together," she confirmed rubbing her fingers in his hair.
Rumpelstiltskin knew she was distracting him and he didn't mind it one bit. However the light magic from Belle's body has not come back when they left the shop. Something about that book caused it all. Another mystery to solve.
"Okay," he sighed and reached for her arms to bring them down to hold her hands and stepping back. He turned to the bed and saw the book laying there.
Belle followed his gaze to the book as well. She asked concerned, "What happened back at the shop? You looked like you was in pain."
He took his gaze off the book to look back at her. He replied, "I am not sure. Once minute we were fine and then a light magic came out of your hands sucking my powers away. Never felt nothing like it before. It was right after you handled the book."
Letting her go and being cautious. He reached and opened the book. Turning page after page. Nothing. No magic. Just a book of old dark magic in which he used most of the spells and knew them by heart. Unless..
Turning to Belle. He handed the book to her. "Show me! When you thought you heard the voices calling you," He said.
Belle was a little cautious as well. She sat down onto the bed and took the book from him. She opened the cover and placed her hand on the tree printed there.
The book started to glow and talking to her in her head yet not clear. The title of the book started to change and words started to emerge under the title reading, "And Light Of the Gatekeepers."
"Rumple," she whispers with a little fear.
Rumpelstiltskin knew objects can be enchanted and never had he has a book that escaped me him of magic. Especially a book been in his possession since he has had the dagger. A mystery now being solved.
"What is the voices saying to you, sweetheart?" he asked with encouragement.
She concentrated on the voices till it became clear to her. She looked up at him with shock. "It's saying, "Welcome Record Keeper! What can I do for you?" she said.
Rumpelstiltskin was amazed to hear this but more so he could see the magic coming out of the book to her touch. Needing answers. Apparently our little gatekeeper left it for them to research.
Taking a leap of faith. Looking at Belle giving a smile encouragement to show everything was okay. "Ask the book, Why am I the record Keeper?" he said, " The simplest question will give you the answer."
"Alright!" she replied to him.
Speaking in her mind to the book.
"Why am I the Record Keeper?"
"You are the descendant of a gatekeeper foretold to hold our records."
"Why was the book in the possession of the Dark One?"
No answer. Okay make it simple. She thoughts.
"Who is the Dark One?"
No answer.
Okay not enough details.
"Who is the current Dark One?"
" Rumpelstiltskin"
"How did the original Dark One come to be?" There that should do the trick..
"Gatekeeper Magu descended in darkness over the loss of his wife and his powers was cursed by Merlin to find redemption of true love."
"How do we find redemption of true love for the dark curse?"
"Prophecy foretold of descendant of dark curse made from true love shall break the curse."
Okay. Not good. Belle thoughts. Looking at her Rumple. Only way to break the curse was a child from her. Wait one minute.
"Could not true love kiss have broken the dark curse?"
"No. it would be death to holder of dark curse."
Horror placed on her face looking at Rumpelstiltskin. Knew the information was not good of what she is hearing.
"Let the book go sweetheart," he demanded.
Belle closed the book and moved it aside shaking. "Tell me?" he urges with a smile bending down to her next to the bed and yet not touching her. Looking at the loving look on his face. She told all the details of what the book stated to her except the prophecy part. No need to worry him over that detail.
Listening to the details. Rumpelstiltskin thoughts. Whoever placed the enchantment knew no one will go near the Dark One. Smart gatekeeper. Which is why the gatekeepers secrets were never found it was already in his possession. How ironic. History that was lost has now been found.
How this young child knew Belle was the record keeper? What was it so important that Belle know? Why now? He needed answers.
Getting up from the floor and standing. He reaches to pull Belle up by her hands to stand next to him. Alright no magic from her hands. Good sign.
"Okay" he stated firmly, " We need to speak to Phoenix now about the book."
"Alright," she said.
Letting her go and turning towards the door. He could feel the wall of power of being caged inside the room. Oh my dearie. You did it again. Pulling his magic out of his hands to a ball of purple and black. He throws it at the door.
Boom.. The sound of the ball hitting the door.
Trying again.
Crash.
A dent finally he says to himself with a smile. Using more of his magic again.
Boom.
Belle standing across the room could feel the dark magic coursing in the room making her sick to her stomach. Rushes to the bathroom. Kneeling down vomiting into the toilet of her lunch.
"Belle?" Rumpelstiltskin called with concern. Rushing into the bathroom to her. She waves her hand away to tell him she was okay. Rumpelstiltskin reaches for a towel and a cup. Turning the sink faucets on wetting the towel in the water and filling the cup. He kneel down and provided the cup to her. She rinsed out her mouth and sits on the floor. Reaching out for the towel she wets her face.
"Sorry" she said, "Lunch didn't settle in right."
"It's okay just rest," he replied.
Before he could say anything else. A wave of magic came into the room. Memories of the lost year came back to them.
Next Stop Enchanted Forest People..