She jumps down, landing somewhat clumsily and pushes at the gates. They open without a creek, making her smile. He didn't ward the Castle to refuse her entry. Glancing back and gesturing for the steed to follow, they walk the broad path to the main doors.
"I don't know if there're any stables," she confesses apologetically. "Would you mind waiting here a bit?"
Whether he does or not, there is little choice. The doors fling open before she can touch them and the owner of the Castle greets her in the hallway.
"Well, well," he drawls in his high impish voice, the one he so often used to intimidate her when she wasn't aware of the man behind the mask. Belle smiles widely and hurries closer to him. "I do believe I have an intruder."
The girl frowns at his cool welcome. Was it too foolish to expect he'd be happy to see her?
"Rumpelstiltskin?"
"Indeed I am," he says but remains in his place.
"What is the matter? It's me. I remember."
"I do believe we have never met before. Have you come for a deal or do you wish to slay the beast? In case it's the latter, I would advise you to have some weapon."
Nothing he's saying makes sense.
"I don't need any weapon. What have you done with yourself?"
"Ah! I see. You're a witch!"
"Why would you call me that? Rumpelstiltskin, you have to remember…"
The sorcerer walks around her lightly, taking in the soaked clothes sticking to her skin and the wet hair plastered to her face. His eyes are piercing, judging and hold no recognition. He looks amused, though, not having many visitors makes him curious as to her purpose.
"Firstly," he continues, bending a finger, "you were able to pass my wards. Secondly," another finger, "you came in stinking of fairy dust and riding a kelpie."
"A what? Listen, he just saved me and I…"
"Kelpies do not save humans from anything, they do quite the opposite. You might have been a siren to own one but from your pitiful looks I can tell you are not. You are not that kind of pretty, dearie, besides, you're wet," he interrupts her and crooks his third finger. "And thirdly, this."
Rumpelstiltskin makes a stabbing motion with his left hand, sending a cloud of purple smoke in her direction. For a moment, Belle is wrapped in it. The smell of this magic tickles her nose and she sneezes, but otherwise she is not affected by it. The man's eyes go wide and he swears, trying again.
This time the smoke is thicker and it engulfs her from head to toe. The pendant - his gift - gets heated against her skin but no other visible changes occur.
"What is this magic?" He looks so lost and almost becomes smaller, all the pride and confidence leaking out of him. Belle hooks her fingers under the gold chain and pulls the sapphire from under her clothes. His large eyes follow her movements and narrow at the sight of the gem, comically shifting from side to side at the swaying pendant.
Belle tries to think hard, but the only thing she can come up with is True Love's kiss. She knows it didn't always work in the past, but it has to now; she needs to find a way to get closer to the man to kiss him.
"How about a deal, Rumpelstiltskin?" she asks airily. "I give you this - a charm, powerful enough to withstand the magic of the Dark One. And in return, I get to kiss you."
The bewilderment on his face is precious and she nearly laughs at how confused he is. But he wants the gem and the man can hardly refuse a deal. He cocks his head and studies her, before giving the girl a wide smirk.
"I get it in exchange for one kiss?"
"No. As many as I require. Are you going to negotiate the use of tongue as well?"
"You are insane."
"So what of it? It's no harm to you. Don't tell me you're nervous about kissing a girl, Rumpelstiltskin."
"I'm not!" he snaps. "What if you are a succubus?"
"Are you dreaming? Besides, would I look like this if I were trying to seduce you?"
His fingers dance in the air as he hesitates.
"Fine then," he sighs. "But I want the pendant before we do it."
"Nuh-huh. Ladies first, don't you know?"
"You're hardly a lady," he grumbles as Belle presses herself against him. "You're cold!"
"Oh, be quiet," she orders and tiptoes to reach him.
Unlike the lake creature, this Rumpelstiltskin is warm. She wants to start slow, but it's been too long since she kissed him. The last memory or the one she thinks of as real was their kiss in the library, when she thought he was dying and she was powerless to help.
Belle crushes her lips against his, hearing the gem hit the floor as she lets go of the chain to bury her fingers in his curly hair. He is frozen in place, put she's desperate for touch, for more contact and she doesn't care what he might think of her.
Belle kisses him hungrily, insistently, putting her heart and soul into it. She doesn't know if it worked or not but then there is a rush of warm magic, bursting in-between them and it makes him gasp and pull away. His eyes are closed and his mouth still ajar and Belle is afraid she has done something wrong.
"Rumpelstiltskin? Are you alright?" she strokes his face gently and smiles at him when he looks down at her.
But his eyes still hold no recognition of her. Rumpelstiltskin's face acquires a peculiar shade of dusty rose and his breathing has quickened slightly. The sorcerer's arms still hang in the air awkwardly but he doesn't pull her into an embrace or do as much as hold her in place. He licks his lips, uncertain what to say next.
Belle's heart aches, because she knows the man loves her, whether he remembers it or not. She wonders if that ball of yarn from the Blue Fairy held some kind of repelling charm to prevent her from reuniting with her love. Just when she thinks she needs to try again, Rumpelstiltskin stretches his hand towards her. She holds her breath, hoping that he'll say...
"I believe it's mine now."
That isn't what she hoped to hear; he needs the pendant. Belle must come up with another idea, quick.
"Do you... um... need an apprentice?" she asks matter-of-factly, crouching down to pick up the pendant and passing the chain to him. Their hands touch briefly but Rumpelstiltskin jerks his away as if her touch was poisonous.
"What?" he scowls, his hand swiping in the air in huge arc. "I do not let anyone in my turret nor do I teach snotty girls."
Little does he know.
"Uh..." her brain refuses to produce any coherent thought and she desperately blurts out the most ridiculous thing ever.
"Would you need a maid?"
Rumpelstiltskin humphs.
"What on earth gave you that idea?"
"The place needs dusting," she offers but she knows that would not be enough to convince him.
"Does not," he cuts off the girl flatly. "Get out and stop wasting my time."
Think, Belle, think! What else could he want?
She takes a deep breath, knowing it's her last chance.
"Do you want my kelpie?"
He cocks his head and remains silent for several moments.
"Why are you so insistent on staying here? Are you homeless or something?"
As a matter of fact, she is, but Belle is not about to admit that.
"My reasons are my own," she replies boldly and the girl can tell he didn't expect her to be brash like that. He probably is equally surprised and annoyed but also intrigued.
"So, let's be clear. I let you stay here..."
"In a room," Belle presses, in case he would be tempted to throw her in a dungeon or some secluded tower. The man makes a face as if he did plan something similar.
"In a room. Do I have to feed you as well?"
"No, but it would be nice of you."
"The Dark One doesn't do nice," he mutters and Belle has a peculiar deja vu feeling but she shakes it off. As always, Rumple doesn't want anyone to see his best part, to let anyone know he's not as much of a monster as he wants to be. "Fine; I hate dealing with silly wenches who have starved themselves to death. Is that all you want?"
"No," she sighs, suddenly feeling the events of last night catch up with her and make her feel tired and drowsy. That's not everything, not near. She needs so much more, but how could she put it in words?
"What else is there?" Rumpelstiltskin demands and she finds no powers to feel intimidated.
"Just one condition. We've already dealt for it, but I want to be clear. I stay here, clean if I find it necessary and not touch anything without your permission. But each morning and nightfall I give you a kiss. Do you want to sign the contract or is my word enough?"
Rumpelstiltskin looks uncertain and in doubt. Perhaps for the first time ever the deal is forced on him and he cannot understand what the girl is getting out of it. She gets a home, that much is clear, but why would she choose his?
It does get lonely in the Dark Castle, of course. He is both used to and tired of it to the point of being sick of the solitude, but he has never imagined finding a willing companion. He gives the girl a critical look. For a change, she is not afraid of him, sobbing to spare her life or running away screaming that she was touched by a demon. That is definitely refreshing. She seems smart enough and her company could be pleasant. And he gets one of the most capricious magical creatures to experiment with. He's powerless to refuse a deal. He doesn't know if it has anything to do with being the Dark One or his constant search for benefits, but as soon as one mentions a deal, she's in for it. All he has to do is negotiate a suitable price.
A sinister grin spreads on his face when he finds the loophole. The girl wants to stay in the Castle but she never mentioned for how long she'd like to remain. He can kick her out whenever he grows tired of her.
"Oh no, dearie, no contract is needed. Come, I will show you to your room."
Belle follows him but the man doesn't take her upstairs. Instead, they turn left at the large stairs and pass the kitchen. Another turn and they stop at the second doors - mousy-coloured and so small she could easily pass them without even noticing. The room is tiny, just a bed and a chair but she still utters her thanks, not giving him the pleasure of showing her disappointment at the lack of comfort.
"I... will see you later, Rumple. Thank you again." All she wants now is sleep, but his hand stops the door from being shut.
"What is your name, girl?" he asks and for the first time his voice drops the high pitch he uses with those who do not know him.
"Belle. My name is Belle," she responds with anguish and closes the door before he catches a glimpse of tears in her eyes.
Later, the girl finds him sitting at the head of the table in the large room. Rumpelstiltskin is staring off into space, his hands are steepled in front of his face, the tips of his fingers at the bridge of his nose. While a moment ago he was perfectly still, the man is full of go when Belle puts a tea-tray in front of him.
"Enjoyed your accommodations, dearie?" he asks with a jeer.
"Not really." She figures it's best to be truthful. The bed was hard and the room was rather chilly despite the summer heat; the air in the chambers was stale, indicating the premises have been long-ago abandoned. But it wasn't so much the inconvenience of her lodging that upset her. After her sleep and spending some time to appear more or less presentable, Belle sneaked upstairs to her old room. She couldn't quite explain the urge to see her previous chambers, but now she wishes she hadn't.
The girl wasn't sure what to expect, but they were just empty. All her clothes and things were gone. The bed was made, the curtains were shut tight and it hurt more than she thought. Like she has never been there. As if he tried to erase all the evidence of her stay.
"Why the hell did you bring two cups?" Rumpelstiltskin gestures to the tray.
Really, it's a superfluous question but she tries to explain patiently.
"So that we could have tea together."
"And what, pray tell, gave you the ridiculous notion that I want to do anything in your company?" he sneers cruelly, taking pleasure in seeing her face contort. He doesn't know why she'd be upset about it, but he likes seeing that (finally) the girl is affected by it.
"Your bloody kelpie is being difficult. Go feed him and put him in the stables." Rumpelstiltskin throws a small pouch in her face and the girl gives him a scornful glare when she catches it. Really, it's hardly the kelpie who is the ill-behaved one.
"Fine." Belle has few stronger words for him but she doesn't want to provoke a fight.
She can feel his eyes following her out of the room but she doesn't look back.
The kelpie is wandering along the side of the castle, hiding in shadows so that only the white mane gives him away. The creature gives her a positively vicious look when she approaches.
"Oh not you too. I'm sorry I said you were mine but I had to be allowed to stay," Belle sighs. "Currently, you're the only friend I have so please do not give me a cold shoulder." His ears twitch but he looks less cautious.
"I've brought you treats." The girl shakes the bag of... whatever it is and steps closer to the stallion.
She pulls the cord loose and takes a peek inside. It looks like some kind of purple nuts but Isabelle isn't sure. She grabs a few and stretches her arm out, offering them to the kelpie.
"Do you like them? What do kelpies eat, anyways?"
"Human flesh." Rumpelstiltskin materializes out of nowhere, making her jump. "And it's no joke, dearie. This beast nearly bit my fingers off. Don't even think of feeding him off your hand."
"He did it probably because you've been rude to him," the girl shrugs but doesn't lower her hand.
"I won't replace your fingers if he does," the man warns her but Belle brushes it off.
The kelpie's lips are soft and his fangs surprisingly delicate as he picks the nuts off Belle's hand. Rumpelstiltskin watches them, eyes wide but quickly gains his composure.
"Lucky coincidence," he notes and turns away.
"What was it anyways?"
"Seeds from the magic tree," he replies simply as if it was obvious.
"Wait, don't you have more?" few nuts will hardly fill an animal this size.
"It will last him for several days," he throws over his shoulder.
Why does he have to be so... Isabelle cannot quite find a word for him and sighs, trying to summon as much patience as possible.
The sunset comes before she knows it. She tries leading the kelpie into the barn (apparently freshly-built as she doesn't recall seeing it before) but he absolutely refuses; the idea of tying him to a tree is preposterous, so the girl just leaves him on his own.
Rumpelstiltskin is at his wheel, doing his best to ignore her.
"Do you want me to bring you some straw?"
He makes a non-committal noise, indicating he's in no mood for conversation or any need for straw. "I... I need to leave."
"Well, that didn't take a long time," he murmurs, eyes fixed on the thin gold thread between his long fingers.
"No, I'll be back, I just need to pick up my belongings."
"Of course you do," the man agrees sardonically. "Right in the middle of the night."
"I left Phillipe at the inn. I need to take care of him."
"Who's Phillipe?"
"My horse."
"Quite a herd you've got, dearie. Well, I'm not exactly holding you a prisoner, am I?' he sneers.
"No, you're not. But I thought I'd let you know I'd be gone."
"You need not have bothered," Rumpelstiltskin sneers. "What the heck are you doing?" He snaps, voice akin to panic as her hands come to rest upon his shoulders. "What do you want?"
"Nothing. I'm just fulfilling our deal," Belle replies as her hands gently stroke the silk covering his shoulders. He's tense and unyielding and positively shivers when he feels the air she exhales move the hair on top of his head.
"Get it over with quick, will you?" Instead of harsh and impertinent he sounds pleading. The girl's fingers tighten on him as she bends down and presses her soft dry lips to his cheek bone. His eyes involuntarily flutter close at the touch, it's been ages since anyone approached him willingly, since anyone could see him as... well, a man.
They remain like that longer than is decent but still break apart too fast. He hears Isabelle sigh but he is lost as to what it may mean.
"I'll be back, Rumpelstiltskin. Trust me," she whispers and then the warmth of her hands is gone and he almost grabs her wrist to make her stay.
It's silly; he should feel relieved - and of course he is - the girl is just a stranger, she doesn't matter, he cannot grow attached to someone over a day, such nonsense and why is he even thinking that? He clenches his teeth and sets the wheel in motion furiously. He hears her last words in the soft creek it makes. Trust me, the wheel sings, I'll be back, trust me.
And secretly, he does.