a/n that episode made me crazy so I wrote another ch to calm down lol

Snow had told Belle she was staying with seven dwarfs to the west where the fairy dust mines lay. However, it had been months since Snow had secretly visited Belle in the castle, when she informed her of this. Rumplestiltskin told Belle that Snow probably had moved on. Regina had recently discovered the heart the huntsman gave her was actually a pig's heart, so Regina now knew Snow White was still alive. This was good for Rum and Belle because he knew how much Regina hated Snow. Some of the spotlight would be taken off of them, as Regina would conduct a massive search for the woman.

"It would be foolish for Snow White to stay in one place," Rumplestiltskin reasoned.

Belle held her ground, "Even so, if she's not there, I'm sure we will be able to find information on her whereabouts."

Rumplestiltskin's attempts to convince Belle otherwise were futile. He agreed to go, but on the condition they were to stay away from the mines where the fairies dwelt.

It was a few days journey on foot to the dwarf mines. Rumplestiltskin did not want to magic them there for fear the fairies would learn of his arrival, and he was sure they would do something to thwart him such as capturing Belle and returning her to King Maurice. He would not be going anywhere near there if finding Snow White didn't mean so much to Belle.

"Why do you hate fairies so much?" Belle asked as they were strolling down the pathway.

"Dearest, that is a tale for another day. How 'bout we take a break and eat?" Rumplestiltskin tried to change the subject.

Belle stopped and grasped his arm with both hands, "Rum, please tell me. I'm going to be your wife, I love you, can't I at least know you?" She looked at him hopefully.

He kept his eyes on the ground for several seconds, "The fairies, the Blue Fairy in particular, you may know her as the Reul Ghorm. She's the reason my son is gone."

They started walking again, "What did she do?"

Belle could see the anger slowly rising in Rumplestiltskin's face, "She took him from me. Gave him a magic bean that sent him to another world."

Belle thought for a moment, "So we have to travel to another world to find him."

"That is correct, and believe me, it's not a easy thing to do. I've spent my whole life trying to find a way."

Belle looked at him puzzled, "Why can't we just get another magic bean?"

"They don't exist anymore. The fairy told me the one she gave Bae was the last one. I've searched everywhere for them, and found nothing, but there is a way to get to him, I've just yet to find it."

"It's hard to believe the Reul Ghorm would do something like that. I've always read that fairy magic is good, and that they are trustworthy."

Rumplestiltskin halted, clearly a bit agitated at the notion, "No, Belle, don't ever trust a fairy. They lie, and although they try to disguise their magic as good magic, it's magic nonetheless and a price has to be paid."

"So does that mean you have to pay a price every time you use magic?"

"Yes it does."

"And what does that price usually entail?"

"Oh it can be a variety of things, it's never consistent, but it's never good either. Losing my son was the greatest price I've ever had to pay."

"Well don't worry, we will find him."

"I hope you're right my Belle, I really hope you're right."

Once night fell, the two settled down in the woods and built a small campfire. Belle was exhausted from the walk so she fell asleep quickly. Rumplestiltskin wasn't too far behind her.

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"Well guys, another great day at work. Recovered a lot of diamonds, but it's time to get home to a good cooked meal," said Sleepy to his six companions.

The seven dwarfs gathered there things and set off to go home for the night. As the dwarfs trekked down the path to their home they sang and whistled in unison:

HEIGH-HO, HEIGH-HO

HEIGH-HO, HEIGH-HO, HEIGH-HO

IT'S HOME FROM WORK WE GO

Their singing was interrupted, when Doc, who was at the front of the line, stopped short causing all of the dwarfs to slam into one another, knocking a couple of them to the ground.

"Why did you stop Doc?" Happy asked while rubbing his elbow, which he had scraped when he hit the ground.

"Look!" Doc pointed off the pathway where a faint light could be seen in the woods, "There's something over there!"

"That's a bad sign," Bashful stated.

Grumpy scowled, "Mark my words, there's trouble a brewing."

A few of the dwarfs asked the next question at the same time, "What'll we do?"

"Let's sneak up on it!" Dopey exclaimed.

"Yes," Docs voice trembled, "Squeak…I mean sneak up on it." He motioned with his hand, "C'mon men, follow me." All of the dwarfs held their axes at the ready.

As they tiptoed toward the light, an eruption of sneezes were about to radiate from Sneezy, "Ah….ah….ah…." Bashful and Grumpy grabbed him by the mouth to muffle the noise.

"Quiet you fool, do you wanna get us all killed?" Grumpy scolded. Sneezy shook his head no.

Once they got as close to the light without being seen, they hid behind a tree to keep from being spotted. Grumpy peeked around the tree to observe what was there.

The other six dwarfs began barraging him with questions, "What is it Grumpy? Is it a dragon? Does it have horns? Is it breathing fire? Is it drooling?"

"It's sleeping whatever it is, but I'm not sure…I can't…" Grumpy's sentence was cut off when he saw one of the sleeping forms stirring and groaning, "Shh Shh!"

Grumpy watched as what he thought to be a monster sit up and stretch. His eyes widened.

"Well what is it?" Happy asked.

"Why it's a girl." All of the dwarfs relaxed.

The girl glanced over at the tree. Grumpy tried to duck back behind it, but he was sure she saw him.

"Hello?" they heard the girl call out, but they didn't answer her.

"Whata we do?" Bashful questioned.

"Stay still maybe she won't come over here," Grumpy hoped, but he was wrong.

Belle was sure she saw something behind the tree, but she was slightly afraid to check it out. She glanced over at Rumplestiltskin. He was sleeping so peacefully she felt bad waking him for something so silly. 'It's probably nothing, but just in case…' she picked up a stick. She gathered her bravery and approached the tree.

She held the stick up in the air, ready to cause damage if she had to as she circled the tree. When she saw what awaited her she took a swing and took a deep breathe to scream for Rumplestiltskin.

"No wait! We won't hurt you!" screamed Grumpy.

Belle stopped the stick mid-swing, "Wh-why are you spying on us?"

"We weren't spying. These are our woods. We saw a strange light and followed it."

"Oh, I'm sorry we didn't mean to intrude," it was then Belle realized she forgot to put her cloak back on, but the dwarfs didn't seem to know she was wanted. If they did they didn't let on.

"You're mighty pretty," observed Sneezy.

"Yes, beautiful like an angel," Bashful said as his cheeks turned red.

"Yeah, but she's a woman. And I know better than any of ya'll woman can be trouble," Grumpy huffed.

"Please, I'm not trying to cause any trouble," Belle said.

"What's your name?" Grumpy questioned.

"Belle." Belle internally cursed herself for using her real name, but she had a good feeling about these dwarfs.

"Belle, it's nice to meet you. I'm Doc," Doc proceeded to point at each dwarf as he stated their names, "This is Grumpy, Sleepy, Bashful, Happy, Dopey, and Sneezy."

Belle smiled, "Why it's a pleasure to meet all of you."

"Now tell me Belle, what are you doing in our woods?" Grumpy demanded.

"Well, we are on our way to…" but Belle never got to finish her explanation. Someone approached her from behind, and she could tell by the look on Grumpy's face that he knew who it was.

Grumpy immediately recognized the other person who approached them, "Rumplestiltskin!" Instantly he thought Rumplestiltskin was holding Belle against her will. He held his axe to Rum's throat, "I don't know what you're doing in our woods, but you will not harm this girl!"

Rumplestiltskin opened his mouth to speak, but Belle gasped and wedged herself between the axe and Rum before he had a chance to do anything drastic, "Oh no, no, I'm not his captive. Don't worry. He would never hurt me."

Grumpy tried to push past Belle, "Yeah, well he's not exactly on my good side. He gave Snow a potion to forget her true love. In the end it took away her love away altogether."

Rumplestiltskin finally spoke for the first time, "She asked me for the potion, I did not force her to drink it."

Grumpy grew angrier, "You mean she made a deal with you…tell me what did you want in return?"

Rumplestiltskin closed the distance between him and Grumpy, obviously unfazed by the axe at his throat. He bore his teeth as he spoke, "Now that's really none of your concern now is it?" He grabbed the axe and ripped it from Grumpy's hands.

"STOP!" Belle intervened, "That's not what's important right now. What's important is I find Snow, and from what you just said, you know her. Can you take us to Snow White?"

"I'm not taking that monster anywhere near her."

Belle placed her hands on Grumpy's shoulders and smiled at him, "Grumpy, it's alright. I'm Snow's best friend, Princess Belle of Avonlea. Surly she's told you about me."

Rumplestiltskin bent down to whisper in Belle's ear, "Dearest I don't think it's such a good idea to be telling who you really are."

Belle glared at him, "This is between me and Grumpy, so stay out of it," she turned back to Grumpy, "You can trust me, I won't let any harm come to Snow."

"I'll take you to her, but he stays," Grumpy pointed to Rum.

Belle glanced at Rumplestiltskin and she knew the by the look on his face that there was no way he was going to let her separate from him, even for a minute. She turned back to Grumpy, and bit her bottom lip, "Rum's not going to let me go off alone. Why don't you bring her back here? Tell her about me, and that I'm with Rumplestiltskin. She won't object."

Grumpy pondered her suggestion before replying, "Very well, but if he puts on finger out of line…"

"Don't worry, I'll handle it."

Grumpy nodded, and Belle watched as the dwarfs retreated, "We'll stay right here!" she called out to them.

Once they were out of sight, she whirled around to face Rumplestiltskin who was clearly unhappy, "I don't usually let a woman boss me around like that."

Belle clenched her fists, "Well if you didn't make so many enemies maybe I wouldn't have to!"

"Oh dearest, I told you who I was, and now you are just starting to see it for yourself. I warned you."

"Rum, you're not the monster you think you are. Stop trying to prove me wrong and just be yourself." Belle plopped down in front of the fire and pulled her knees to her chest.

Rumplestiltskin cautiously took a seat next to her. She refused to look at him. She kept her eyes on the dancing flames. Finally he spoke in a soft voice, "I'll do my best."

Belle sniffled then tilted her head to lie on his shoulder. They remained that way while waiting for Snow and the dwarfs to return.