"I will leave today," Rumpelstiltskin spoke softly, eyes fixed on her over a tea cup, "to pay a visit to our dear Prince."
"You are going to help them," she tried to contain her smile but couldn't. The man scowled at her.
"Do not mistake it for me being nice, it's just an interesting deal."
Belle knew that he'd never admit it and she didn't try to convince him otherwise. No matter what he said, it was a good thing, choosing to help instead of remaining idle.
"Come here, sweetheart," he beckoned and she blushed at the endearment – would she ever get used to those? - and the warmth in his voice when he spoke it.
Rumpelstiltskin opened his hand, revealing a thin gold band of a ring with a large oval sapphire. The gem was dark in the centre, where the colour seemed to curl and shift within. Belle raised it to her eyes, studying the edges and turning it to the side to marvel at how it reflected the light.
"It's beautiful," she said delightfully.
"May I?" he snatched the ring from her palm without waiting for her reply and carefully pushed it on the index finger of her right hand. It felt heavy on her hand, something she'd need to get accustomed to but it fit her perfectly, tight enough not to slip off but not uncomfortably so.
"Belle," he said seriously, tugging on her hand till she lowered herself on his knee. She used to sit on her father's lap as a baby girl while he rocked her, but she was no longer a child and felt a little silly being perched on Rumpelstiltskin's knee. He seemed to like it when she did, so Belle didn't object, enjoying the closeness. He looked at her, making sure she understood him clearly.
"I will not command you to stay inside the Castle, but the wards will be weaker when I am away. Make sure you do wear the ring if you choose to be outdoors, it will provide protection against anyone who means harm."
She simply nodded; he really didn't have to worry about her so much. Rumpelstiltskin sighed, leaning against her shoulder. He didn't want to leave, he couldn't explain the nagging anxiety deep in his chest. It was a quick deal and he'd be back in no time. It would take him longer to arrange the terms than to cure the Queen.
"Do you want me to bring you anything back?" he asked. "A gown? A piece of jewellery? A book?"
"Your library is large enough to last me through several lifetimes," she laughed. "I do not need anything. Just… return sooner." Belle cupped his face between her palms and pressed a quick dry kiss to his lips.
"Alright then!" he was back on his feet quickly, suddenly full of giddy energy. He lowered her onto the floor and gave her a graceful bow.
"Milady, try not to shatter my laboratory in pieces while I am away."
Belle rolled her eyes at him. Really, did he have to bring that incident up?
"I won't," she promised.
"Rumpelstiltskin?" she called when he was near the door. He stopped but didn't turn to her. "I'll be waiting for you," his shoulders stiffened at those words and he strode away.
Perhaps it was only her imagination, but the air in the Castle changed with his departure. It was almost imperceptible, but the silence of the mansion was now imposing. Being by herself while knowing that Rumpelstiltskin was out there, in his lab or at the spinning wheel never made her feel so… lonely.
Belle checked on her potion, which was simmering and bubbling quietly. She stirred it carefully, three times clockwise and five times in the opposite direction, satisfied as its colour changed to a deeper pink just like the book said. She picked up a book, positioning herself on a window ledge of the library, but the story didn't capture her as it usually would. Belle sighed and snapped the volume shut. He'd been gone for less than two hours and she already longed to see him back. That wouldn't do.
Perhaps she just needed to occupy her hands with some task. It was bright outside and quite warm looking, so she went to her room to change into something more suitable for her gardening work – a pair of plain linen pants and a matching simple cut shirt, its only decoration being a chain of buttons on the side – before heading to the greenhouse. The clothes were light and she was sure they'd be stained by grass and soil after she was done, but Belle preferred dirtying this outfit rather than one of her dresses.
She did follow Rumpelstiltskin's suggestion and planted rose seeds in the pots stored in the greenhouse, making sure to water them properly every day. Either due to her care or to magic – she did try to speed up their growth, alas with no apparent result – the tender green sprouts were peeking from the soil enthusiastically and she thought it was the right time to plant them.
She just finished packing down the soil around the first future rosebush with her hands when she was startled by a deep voice.
"Hello there, little bird," a stranger called and Belle turned abruptly, rising to her feet. It was a man, dressed in a dark leather costume and a cape around his shoulders. There was a sparse thin line of a moustache and a beard around his mouth and he ran a hand through his long greasy hair, slicking it back.
"Good day to you, sir," she replied cautiously, aware that she left the ring on the bedside table when she changed. It made a cold sweat run down her spine. She knew she shouldn't have done it but she didn't intend to go beyond the castle grounds and the ring was new, she didn't want compost to get on it. Maybe she didn't need to worry, perhaps the man was looking for Rumpelstiltskin to make a deal and meant her no harm; she'd tell him the sorcerer was away and the man would leave.
"Are you the Dark One's gardener?" He cocked his head to the side, his deep-set eyes studying her.
"No." Belle didn't want to tell him the truth, it was none of his concern; there was something unpleasant about the man and her mind raced, trying to find a way to free herself from his presence.
"Yes, I suppose the old lizard has nothing to do with a pretty little bird like you," the man eyed her chest pointedly until slipping his gaze down to her legs. She almost gasped at his boldness, how dare he look at her like she was a piece of meat on display or some tavern wench whose body he wanted to appraise before buying her company.
"Does he have a magic leash on you so that you can't escape?"
"What? No!"
"A spell then. That prevents you from leaving." He smiled as if the idea of her being held captive was rather amusing.
"Sir, I am terribly sorry," she began, her voice barely containing her anger and indicating she was, in fact, not a bit sorry, "but I do not think I may be of assistance to you. If you came to see Rumpelstiltskin, I shall go to the Castle to fetch him for you and…" She was lying but once she was indoors, she'd be protected; she just needed an excuse to go there without raising his suspicions.
"Oh, call me Sheriff, pet," he smiled moving closer and Belle took a step back instinctively. "And I know you're lying; the Imp is not in his Castle."
"Then what do you want?" she demanded, trying to sound brave. She turned sideways to him, intending to leave. His hand darted out to grasp her and he bent her arm behind her back to clasp the shackles around her wrists and making her hiss with pain upon the rough treatment.
"I was asked for a specific delivery," he pulled on her hair, tilting her head back uncomfortably. His face almost touched her cheek as he spoke and Belle wrinkled her nose in disgust. He smelled of sweat and his breath reeked of alcohol and pipe smoke. "You, birdie. And that's exactly what I'm going to do."
He stuffed a dirty handkerchief in her mouth, muffling her words. She tried to get out of his grasp, to run to the Castle doors, gods, why didn't she just run when he started talking to her, but he held her tight. The man let go of her hair and raised her restrained arms higher, making her wince at the burning it caused in her shoulder joints.
"Now, now. I was requested to bring you, but I've never promised to bring you unhurt," his voice was amused as if causing pain was something he enjoyed. "Keep on kicking and I'll break your arm." Belle stopped thrashing, knowing that he would do it.
"Good. Since we're clear, would you just follow me?"
The man wrapped her hair back around his fist and led her away from the castle. With a grunt he lifted her and put her face down across his mare, tying her legs before mounting the horse himself.
Belle felt sick from the foul taste of the cloth in her mouth and the steady rocking of the horse beneath her. Her fingers were turning numb, but at least that allowed her not to feel the pain from the metal cuffs digging into her skin. Where was he taking her? The man said he was requested to bring her to someone, but who would ever need her?
She felt tears stinging her eyes and blinked them away quickly. She was not going to cry over the unknown. Whatever lay in front of her, she'd brace herself and face it. Rumpelstiltskin wouldn't just give up. He'd find her, of course he would.