That night, Rumpel couldn't sleep, not with knowing that Rheul was planning something. He knew she was; she wasn't one to stop. Not until she has gotten what she wants, and he knew one thing, she wants the power that his Belle has. His? She wasn't his but he would protect her. He began pacing back and forth in his room while Belle tossed and turned. Something was deeply wrong; he could sense it. He willed himself to stop and think. If Rheul wanted Belle to give up her powers, she would have to put her in a situation that she who have no other options, but to do as Rheul says. She had her animals, but Rumpel put a protection spell over the whole area of her creatures after Belle had told him what she did to all those mother animals. He heard Belle whimper as if she was in pain, and he immediately went inside her room. She was pale, beads of sweat from her forehead; Rumpel felt her cheeks, and they were as hot as flames coming from her fireplace. He didn't understand how could she have gotten so sick? He began yelling for maids to come into her room; he had woken the whole castle up. There was strange magic here, he could sense it, but how it had gotten in her system was a mystery to him. The animals knew something was wrong as he could hear many of them outside her balcony doors, trying to get in and those who could not climb or fly were making loud noises, almost like a stampede. Belle was mouthing something; he couldn't understand her.
"Belle, sweetheart? What is it? Tell me what is wrong?" Just then her hand maids came in and as soon as Lucy saw what was going on she demanded someone to fill her tub with cold water, after that asked for her medicine stock and some wet towels. People immediately went to work. Rumpel was still trying to figure out what magic was doing this to her and what she was saying. The animals outside got louder and Lucy had one of the servants tell the guards to get them controlled and in their safe shelter. Belle was thrashing around, and they had to get help to hold her down.
"Mistress, speak to us, please." Lucy said softly while girls had rushed in to fill her bathing tub. Belle was still unable to tell us what she wanted.
"There is magic in her, it's taking away her strength. If we don't figure out what is doing this, she will go unconscious." Rumpel said, which only made Lucy's hands shake before she got control over herself. The girls finished with the tub, and Rumpel immediately lifted her and set her in it, her shift now exposing her. If she had not been sick, certain things would be entering his mind, but all he could think about was saving her. He was trying to figure out the source on the problem and quickly realized the main source of the power was coming from her stomach.
"It was in her food! Who cooked her food? Answer me now!" He turned to looking at one of the maids who often brought Belle her food. It was not in all the food, or he would have digested it too and he felt fine, except for the large pit in his stomach.
"Samuel! He did!" The young girl squeaked out just as Fredrick came bursting into the room. Rumpel remembered him from earlier when he was telling him and Belle the fairies were here.
"The animals, they all are on the ground. They can't move." He quickly said, his hands wringing together. The animals were bonded with Belle and now that she was sick, so were they. Whoever did this, did it knowing that it would affect them too.
"Someone, bring me this Samuel now!" He yelled, ready to lash out at anyone who didn't do as he said. Lucy was trying to drop Belle's fever, soaking her in the cold water.
"We have to get her to puke. Go grab me something long and thin." Rumpel said to Lucy, not bothering to take his eyes off of Belle.
"Why?" Lucy asked, but did as he asked. She came back with one of her roses that sat on Belle's side table. He tilted Belle's head forward, opening her mouth before sliding the rose steam carefully into her mouth, trying to reach back down her throat.
"We have to get the magic out of her system as fast as we can. If we can get most of it out, the remaining bits, I will remove myself. It was in her food, so if she vomits it all up, it will be out of her body." Just as he said that, Belle began gagging, and he quickly removed the rose, throwing it to the side. All the contents of her stomach came out but thankfully Lucy put her washing bowl in front of her mistress, so she would not get it all over herself. Rumpel picked her up again and laid her on the bed. He moved his hands over her body, willing the rest of the magic to leave. Guards came in, pulling a young man by his arms into the room.
"Set him in my room, I will see to him in a minute." Rumpel growled, and they nodded. Belle's fever began to drop. Her breathing had begun to turn to normal, but her lips had not stopped moving. Her words were getting louder and louder, but she wasn't saying a sentence. She was saying a name. Suddenly, her eyes opened and she was sat up straight screaming one name.
"Farrah!" That took all the strength she had, she fell back against the bed, now unconscious. Thankfully, it was simply just that she was exhausted and the magic was gone. He immediately went in search of her beloved dragon. Even going as far as whistling the tune, she did not appear. He was growing frantic; he continued yelling her name. The mother Minotaur came up to him, cautiously. He held up his hands, to show her he meant no harm.
"Where is Farrah?" He had no affinity for animals, but he knew they were smart. He was looking for a sign; the animal simply walked, and he followed. She led him to the outskirts of the gate where fairy dust was sprinkled over unconscious guards. The demon in him howled, and he was going to destroy that bitch. He appeared at his room where the man called Samuel was sitting on a chair.
"What the hell did you do?" He yelled, scaring everyone who was in the room. The man began stuttering, and he didn't stop. He could not make out a single word.
"I am going to give you exactly thirty seconds to tell me what you did before I tear you limb from limb!" That only made the boy shake before he swallowed the lump down his throat.
"S-She came, s-said to put vile in m-mistresses bowl. Said i-it would m-make her better. S-she said m-mistress was sick." Samuel finally could stutter out.
"Who?!" Rumpel knew who, but he needed to be sure, so that when he tortured Rheul Ghorm he could have absolute satisfaction.
"B-blue f-fairy." That's all he needed, he had the guards take him to the dungeon, leave him chained in there until Rumpel could decide what to do. Rheul had tricked the stupid boy into thinking Belle was sick; he only thought he was helping. Now Belle's most beloved creature was missing; Rheul must have had her taken when the animals were feeling sick as Belle was. He could feel his blood boiling at the thought of Rheul Ghorm hurting his Belle even more. He would've gone for her straight away had her not heard Belle whispering his name. He immediately went to her, kneeling at her bed and taking her hand. Lucy changed Belle out of her wet clothes and put a cold cloth on her forehead. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, and her face was a bit flushed from the heat. She still looked absolutely beautiful.
"Rumpel..." She whispered softly as he came to her. Her lips made an effort to form a faint smile upon her face.
"Lucy, get her something to eat. She won't gain her energy on an empty stomach. Check the food first, I want nothing getting into her system again." He didn't take his eyes off her Belle, but he heard Lucy give him a yes before leaving.
"Rumpel... Farrah, she is gone and scared. I can feel her. I need her, Rumpel..." Tears were starting to flow from her eyes, and he wiped them away. There was a pain inside him at seeing her so hurt and weak.
"I know, dearest. Rheul took her; I will get her back for you, but you must rest." He knew he could tear this whole world apart, but if he wanted to find her dragon, he would need Belle to be able to seek her out through the bond they shared. Belle nodded and did not release his hand; she fell asleep once again as Lucy brought some bread and cheese. He would let her rest, before trying to have her eat. He never left her side, keeping her hand in his. He sat with her through the rest of the night and morning. Belle did not finally wake until the afternoon, and she looked much better. Her body temperature was normal, and he knew that she would be fine, but that did not mean he was letting her out of bed. Her eyes opened and when she saw him, she smiled.
"You stayed with me." Was all she said and he nodded, giving her a small smile. She stretched, but did not let go of his hand. She sat up and moved to get out of bed, but he stopped her.
"No, you have to rest some more. You need your full strength if we are to find Farrah." Rumpel pulled her back so she was sitting against the headboard.
"I cannot. I have meetings today and people to tend to." She started to protest but he stopped her.
"Please, Belle. I will attend your meetings, but please stay in bed. Rheul took Farrah, and I need you to seek her through your bond, but if you are weak, so is she." She seemed to take his word to heart and just then Lucy walked in with a set of tea and some food. She made her mistress' tea then Rumpels before leaving Belle with the food. Belle began eating and drinking, knowing if she wanted to save her beloved Farrah, she would have to have her energy. Rumpel was thankful she did not argue. After she had eaten all she could, she sipped her tea, looking outside her window to see her creatures roaming around.
"She won't give her back, not until I give her control over the animals." She said, moving her gaze to Rumpel who was simply watching her.
"That is why we will use your bond to her, find her and make her give her back." Belle nodded, but there was still worry carved on her features. Fredrick, knocked against the door and Rumpel moved to open it.
"Sorry to disturb, sir. But we have visitors."
"Who?" He snapped.
"King George."
Oh! Bloody Hell! Could this day get any worse?
"Tell him I will see to him in a moment, say nothing of your mistress being sick, only that she is unable to come." He said quietly, waiting until the boy nodded before he closed the door. Belle had set her tea cup down, and her eyes were wanting to close; it seemed she was fighting sleep.
"Sleep, Belle. I promise to return when you wake and in the meantime, I will take care of your meetings." She nodded and laid back against the sheets.
"Simply reschedule them, darling." She said around a yawn before she fell asleep. He immediately changed, putting on his leather pants and dragon hide coat. He made deliberate steps until he heard King George's voice in the throne room. He strolled right in with an impish grin upon his face, and George stopped mid sentence.
"Well, well, well, dearie. What can I do for you?" He said with a little giggle.
"Where is Queen Belle?" He demanded, still shocked to see the Dark One standing before him.
"She is... busy. What can I do for you?" His lips held a wicked grin, knowing whatever George wanted; he was not going to get.
"Queen Belle refused my alliance; I have come back to make a new deal with her. One that will benefit us both." George had barely even finished his sentence before Rumpel cut him off.
"Not interested, dearie. Now run along." He waved off George; he knew no matter what Belle would not accept any deals with him. She wanted no part with the way he worked and dealt. He could see the king getting furious with him, and his hands were in a fist by his side. Rumpel did not have time for this. He needed to be planning Rheuls death right now.
"BRING ME QUEEN BELLE NOW!" He yelled only for Rumpel to shake his head and click his tongue, making a 'tsk' noise.
"I am afraid I cannot, not that she would want to see you. Guards, please escort this ass out of the castle." Rumpel giggled again, and two of Belle's men took King George by the arms, pulling him out. George was yelling, but Rumpel wasn't listening. Rumpel told the guards that if anyone else came, tell them they would have to come back at a later time. He needed to leave; he would return within an hour or two, so he made his way to Belle's room. She was sound asleep and Lucy was by her bed, reading.
"Lucy, I have to leave, let no one into the castle. If Belle wakes before I return to, simply call my name three times, dearie." Lucy had looked up when he began speaking, she nodded and promised to have the guards close the castle gates and stand guard. He kissed Belle's forehead before willing his magic to make him appear in another place. It was a castle, like Belles but darker, much darker. It was also very cold. In the room, he appeared in sat a woman. She adorned a red, tight dress. Her long, black hair was straightened and pulled all to one side; her lips were blood red, and she was drinking some sort of wine.
"Rumpel, too what do I own the pleasure?" She asked, once she felt his magic fill the air around her.
"Regina, still hate those blasted fairies?" Rumpel giggled with a dark look upon his face. Once Regina saw it, she smirked and stood up.
"What do you have planned?" That made the Dark One grin, it was a happy grin, but a devious one. Saying whatever he did have planned, was going to hurt, for Rheul at least.