"What exactly did she do to cause your wrath?" Regina finally could ask after almost an hour of planning. She had been too excited about hurting that damn fairy she didn't even bother to wonder what Rheul did to him. Besides, convincing his son to join a war she knew he would die in. "I know she is the main reason Bae is dead, but what else?" Regina only knew about Bae by an accident. She was roaming the Dark Castle when she stumbled into the room, she asked him and over the years, more and more of the story came together.
"She had the nerve to steal something from me, dearie and you know how much I hate thieves." He wouldn't bother to tell Regina about his Belle, she didn't need to know. Not that he feared she would go after her. Regina was much too concerned with making Snow White pay for her crimes, and she knew Rumpel was a key to destroying her. Regina was mixing a sleeping draught, one she learned from Maleficent. She was also going to find somewhere they could put Rheul while they had their fun with her. They had discussed all the details and in him, he felt Belle waking. He knew soon Lucy would call for him as he had asked her to do.
"I must be going now, dearie. Finish your part of the plan and do not fail. I would hate for you to lose your chance to enact vengeance on the reason Daniel is dead." He giggled and watched her growl, knowing he touched a soft spot, but that only motivated her. Rheul had convinced little Snow to tell Cora about Daniel, which then resulted in Cora crushing his heart in front of Regina. Of course, Regina blamed both parties, but was more interested in destroying Snow's happiness. He transported himself back into his room, opening the door that connected his room to Belles just as Lucy was starting to call his name. Belle was sitting up, reading a book and nibbling at a piece of bread. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. He walked over, sitting upon the bed, near her. He took her hand and placed a light kiss on it; it was evening time he realized as he looked over to her window.
"Where did you run off too?" She asked, placing down her book and piece of bread.
"I was making plans to retrieve your Farrah. Have you any luck of searching the bond for her?" To that she shook her head, and he moved to stand up. "Get dressed, dear. I have an idea." He simply said before walking out of the room to give her some privacy. He watched the animals roam around before sensing Belle walking to his room. He looked over at her, and she looked so much better. The bags were gone from her eyes, and she had much more color on her face. He held out his arm for her to take before willing his magic to take them outside. Suddenly, they appeared a few feet away from the animals, and she shivered from the magic.
"Why are we out here? Not that I am complaining." She laughed softly as she watched some of the baby animals rush to meet her.
"I think, because you are scared what you might find through the bond, and Farrah must be frightened, if you are calm, she will be too." He knew when she was with her animals, she could let go of any worries. She nodded and sat down on the grass while animals began to surround her, some needed her comfort while the others felt her nerves and loss for her Farrah. It seemed they all wanted to help; they all wanted Belle happy again as he did. It was weird to him how much he could relate to these animals and their feelings for Belle. She sat there for a while, talking, playing and laughing with the animals when suddenly she froze, her eyes glazed over and the animals came closer, frightened by the sudden lack of life she held. Before he could react, she was back. Her eyes immediately found Rumple's.
"She is in some black cave; I could hear the sound of an ocean. I also heard Rheul's voice; she was speaking with someone. Rumpel she is so frightened; we have to help her." Belle was trying to be strong for Farrah and all the animals that surrounded her.
"I need more, Belle. Tell me even the smallest of details you saw." She nodded at his request and began speaking.
"There were marks upon the cave walls, words, but in a language I didn't know even existed. Nothing echoed, even with Rheul yelling how someone was doing everything all wrong. That's all." She began caressing her animals, seeking comfort in them as they did her. He processed this information, but how no idea where Rheul could be hiding Farrah. Just then he heard guards yelling as something was trying to get in the castle. Both Belle and Rumpel walked over to see the guards holding a girl in a tight grip.
"Let me go! I have to warn them!" The young girl said, she was wearing a green leaf outfit while her curly blonde hair had been pinned up. Rumpel growled and felt Belle stiffen slightly. They both realized she was a fairy, as she was practically covered in fairy dust.
"Silence." Belle spoke as the guards had been arguing with the fairy. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" She didn't like the fact that she was here, especially since she was one of the fairies that were in the room when Rheul was shouting at Belle.
"I am Tinkerbelle, call me Tink. I have come to warn you about Rheul and tell you how you can find your dragon." Tink was still trying to get out of the vice like grip the guards had her in.
"Bring her in the study, we will discuss there." The guards nodded and walked inside the castle when Belle began to follow. Rumpel gently held her arm, stopping her from walking any further.
"I do not think this is a good idea; she could be tricking us." To that, Belle smiled and put her hand on his cheek.
"Darling, she will not hurt us; I know you are worried but do not be." He tried to resist relaxing in her touch, but he failed.
"How can you be so sure?" He asked.
"She does not have her wings anymore." Belle said with a smile, before they began walking back into the castle to meet with the wingless creature. If Belle trusted her, he would have to tolerate her. He would be watching her very closely as to make sure she didn't do anything to his lovely Belle. Finally, they reached the study to see three guards, tying Tink to a chair.
"That will not be necessary, boys. Please leave us and go back to your stations." They seemed hesitant but as they saw the Dark One entering, they knew their mistress would be safe. They took off the ropes, and Belle sat down behind the desk, Rumpel stood behind her. "Tell us why you are here."
"Rheul, she is acting different. I knew sometimes she did bad things, but it had begun getting out of hand. After she stole your dragon and placed her in this cave, she had us chain her down. She then told me to break her wings, and I just couldn't. The dragon looked scared. She yelled at me, saying I couldn't do anything. Then some man came; he was tall, brown hair and dressed in fine clothing, but he was a buffoon; saying how Lady Belle was making a very big mistake, then something about you bedding the Dark One. Afterwards King George came; the three started making plans, and... they plan on killing Lady Belle." By the time Tink had finished her story, Rumpel had nearly broken the back of Belle's chair with how tight he was holding it. How dare they! He couldn't wait to get his hands on them.
"Where is she keeping Farrah? Belle's dragon." Rumpel asked, needing to know as soon as possible. If Belle could not tell by her bond, the dragon must not know either.
"Hollow Cave. It is where the fairies are put if they break a rule. It is torture, no one can hear you, its a place where your nightmares come to life." Tink shuddered and he felt saw Belle stiffen, he knew she would be in tears, but she was going to be strong.
"How did you lose your wings?" Belle asked, but that was the last thing, he wanted to know.
"Blue caught me trying to free the dragon." Tink said, unashamed, which only made Belle smile.
"I want to thank you for what you tried to do and what you have done. I would like to invite you to stay in my castle tonight or for as long as you need. I do have one more question, was the man who visited Rheul, was his name Gaston?" Belle had leaned for slightly as she asked.
"Thank you, I would appreciate that and yes, it was." Belle nodded, and both stood up.
"I shall show you to your room." They began walking and making small talk. Rumpel behind them, but too deep in thought to listen to what they were saying. It seems as if he was going to have to ask Regina, for two more spaces. Regina was an ally of George, but she hated the man. Always trying to push his son on her and himself. She would gladly get rid of him.
"Oh and there was one more thing, Rheul talked about how they were trying to find a dagger, a dagger that belonged to the Dark One." Tink said before slipping into her room to clean up for supper. Rumpel stopped, eyes wide and the beast in him growled. Belle turned to look at him; a brow arched as if for him to explain. He pulled her down the hall and up to the stairs into his room, before beginning to pace. He waved his hand, and a box appeared on his bed; he opened it to see the dagger that bore his name staring back at him; he sighed. He would've known if someone had found it but it helped to see it.
"Explain." Was all she said, needing to know.
"This dagger, controls me. If Rheul got it, she could command me to kill you and all your creatures." The words seemed to roll from his tongue, as if he had no control over himself. She nodded and walked closer.
"So, it does exist?" She didn't seem surprised, there had been a legend long ago that the dagger existed, but he thought it died among the people who started it.
"Yes, and it seems our dear friend Rheul is trying to find it." Belle moved and opened the box, picking up the dagger to examine it. He could see her curiosity in her eyes, and he suddenly felt himself relaxed, as if nothing mattered as of right now. She saw the effect it had on him and placed the dagger back down.
"Take it." Is all he said and she did as he asked, she let the dagger rest in her palms. He reached out and made her fingers curl around it; he felt at ease. Even the beast in him felt calm; he would usually be whispering dark things or howling inside him. The beast hated even thinking about someone getting his dagger, but its as if it had been tamed. "Hide it." She immediately shook her head and attempted to give it back; he stopped her. She could sense something had changed, something deep within him. He was giving her control of the dagger; he didn't understand why. Soon, she was leaning in and her lips pressed into his. He pulled her close, not wasting a second. There stood there, embracing each other for a moment before she pulled away.
"I will keep it safe." Was all she said before she left with a wide smile on her lips.
A/N: I want to apologize for how late this chapter is. As the story progresses, it becomes more complex therefore taking a bit longer to write. I may not be able to post a new chapter every day, but I will do my best to at least post three chapters a week, or a chapter every other day. Thank you for being patient and I do hope you enjoyed this chapter.