Chapter 19: The Beggar's Tale

Once Bae had cried himself to exhaustion, he collapsed on his parent's pallet and slept deeply. Rumple stayed by his side, waiting anxiously for Belle to return. She'd taken Morainne's mother to Agda to see that she was all right and had been gone at least an hour. With Bae asleep and no one to quiet his fears, Rumple let the worst of his thoughts take hold of him.

His son would be next.

They would take away his boy; the person he'd sacrificed everything for. Rumple looked down at Bae and ran a hand gently through the boy's messy hair. He didn't move, for which Rumple was grateful.

"What are we going to do?"

Belle arrived a few minutes later, looking weary. She glanced at her husband and son with a frown that covered her features. Rumple placed a finger to his lips and she nodded, motioning with her head for him to follow her. Rumple stood, careful not to disturb his son, and he followed Belle over to the table.

"How is she?" Rumple asked softly. Belle sighed.

"Physically, she's fine. But that's about it."

Rumple looked away, "They didn't even wait," he sighed, trying to speak softly so as not to wake his son. "The moment she was of age, they took her."

"It's getting worse," Belle quietly agreed, "And Bae's going to face the same fate."

"No, he's not," Rumple replied, "We're not letting them take our son."

"I'd love to hear your idea," Belle said, lowing her head into her hands. She felt a headache coming on and wished she'd thought to ask Agda for some medicine.

"We have to leave."

Belle sat up. "Leave?" She asked incredulously. "You mean run away?"

"We have no choice," Rumplestiltskin said firmly. "I'm not letting our son fall to the same fate as Morainne."

"Rumple," Belle sighed. "You know I agree with you; I do. But we can't run."

"What other choice do we have?" He demanded, wincing when Bae shifted in his sleep. Lowering his voice, he returned his gaze to his wife. "We either leave, or we lose our only son."

"And what of our home?" She said suddenly. And what of Papa? He's getting older and needs my help. I can't just leave him with no warning."

Rumplestiltskin sighed. "Perhaps we can hide the boy. Take him somewhere and keep him safe."

Belle sighed, "Rumple, I love you, but we can't just run away every time danger comes to our door."

"Belle," he said in exasperation, "I know I'm a coward, and the last thing I want is for my son to be branded the same. But I sacrificed so much to be here with him, and I'm willing to do it again to make sure he stays with us."

Belle sighed and looked down at her hands. She knew running was wrong, but she had no desire to have her son ripped from her arms. She glanced back at the boy, sleeping deeply on the pallet with a blanket clutched tightly in his hand. His cheeks were tear stained, and Belle felt her heart swelled at the sight of her son. It was selfish, she knew. But she knew well from Rumple's stories how things would go if her son were dragged to the front. It wasn't fair to anyone, but she wasn't anyone. She was Belle, and she would not let her son go without a fight.

"Take him."

Rumplestiltskin blinked. "What?"

Belle shook her head. "It'll be too suspicious if we all go," she said. "Take him somewhere safe for a few days. Then come back. We can keep him hidden until all this passes. Maybe we can claim he ran away after Morainne was taken and you went to search for him. But if we're going to do this, then you have to take him now."

Rumplestiltskin reached forward and gripped her arms in his hands. "You're sure about this?"

She gave him a displeased look. "Of course I'm not," she said. "But I don't want my son to die. It's not fair to the others who have lost their children, but I'm not going to stand by and watch my son be dragged to his death. We've already lost Morainne. We've lost countless children to this madness. Take him and go."

Nodding once, Rumple stood and moved over to where Baelfire was sleeping. Shaking him he said, "Wake it up, son. Come on."

Bae groaned and opened his eyes, looking up at his father in confusion. "What's going on?"

"Grab your cloak, my boy," Rumple instructed. "We're leaving."

Bae glanced around curiously before looking back at his father. "Why?"

Rumple glanced back at Belle who shrugged, leaving it up to him to tell the boy the truth.

"We just have to go away for a couple days," he said hurriedly. "Grab your cloak; come on. I'll explain everything on the way."

Bae looked from his father to his mother. "Are you coming?" He asked, worried. Belle shook her head.

"No, sweetheart. But it's all right," she said, standing to hug him. "You and your father will be back soon. He'll explain everything, just like he said." She glanced up at Rumplestiltskin then, and her eyes bored hard into his. She was not pleased, but they understood they were only doing what they thought was best for their son. He knew Belle did not value the thought of her child running, neither did he, but Rumplestiltskin knew he would never forgive himself if something happened to Baelfire. He doubted even Belle could forgive him that.

Belle hugged Bae to her chest, gripping him tightly for a long moment before letting him go. "Be safe," she said. "I'll see you both soon." Rumple grabbed Belle and kissed her firmly. She moved away after a moment, but grabbed him by the arm. "Be careful."

He nodded and turned, limping out into the night with Baelfire following uncertainly behind him. Belle sank down onto the bed, leaning over so that her head rested on her knees. She prayed she wouldn't regret this.

~000~

They walked as quickly as they could, and Baelfire continued asking why they left and where they were going. Rumplestiltskin sighed and stopped, turning to his son. "We're protecting you," he said finally. "That's what we're doing. We're going to protect you."

"From what?" Bae asked aghast. "Papa this isn't like you, keeping secrets. What's going on."

It was exactly like him, Rumple thought bitterly. His son had no idea just how much of a coward his father really was. He supposed he'd have to come clean about it all tonight. But only after they were safe.

"Just come on, Bae," He said desperately. "Please. Once we're safe I'll explain everything."

They walked on, stopping briefly when they met a beggar on the road, who begged them for money. Rumple did not have much, but felt pity for the old man and gave him a few of his shillings, much to the old man's delight. They walked on and Bae did his best to stay quiet, though his mind was plagued with questions and worry. If they were in danger, why had Mama stayed behind? Bae had the feeling they were trying to keep him from facing the same fate as Morainne. It filled him with frustration to know he was running from war when she'd not had the choice, but he knew better than to argue with his father. In this, he knew his Papa would not waver. So he followed, glancing at his father every so often to judge his demeanor. His father was nothing but a bundle of nerves. He'd always been a nervous man, and Bae wondered if there was more to this than he realized.

He was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of horses approaching. Rumplestiltskin panicked, and began to push his son to the forest on the side of the road. "Get off the road, son," he begged. "Get off the road and hide!"

"No, Papa." Bae argued. "I'm not going to leave you here. What if it's someone who means harm?"

Rumplestiltskin did not have time to answer for the group was quickly upon them, and it filled Rumplestiltskin with fear to see it was the man who'd taken Morainne. He had a few men at his back, and they all laughed mockingly.

"What are you doing on the king's road?" He asked. Rumplestiltskin could swear he smelled the foul stench of ale.

"We're on...our way to Longbourne," he managed, stammering as he lied. "To the fair. To sell wool."

Hodor hopped off his horse, taking a swaggering step forward. Squinting slightly, he grinned. "Don't see any wool on you," he sneered. "Be hard to sell wool if you haven't got any."

He stepped closer to them, shining his torch in their faces. "I know you," he squinted. "You're quite a legend in the army. What was your name again?" He stopped in thought for a moment before trying, "Spindleshanks?"

The men behind him laughed. He continued. "Or maybe Threadwhistle." Rumplestiltskin winced but said nothing, gripping his walking stick tightly as he tried to brush off the verbal blows.

"Oh! Hobblefoot!" He tried again, earning a cheer from his men. "Hobblefoot: The Man Who Ran." He said with a mocking grin. He glanced over at Baelfire and chuckled. "Looks like Ol' Hobblefoot's teaching you to run too."

"His name is Rumplestiltskin."

"The man leered at Bae. "And what's your name boy?"

"What's yours?"

He laughed. "You hear that, fellows? The boy's got a mouth!" The men behind him jeered and he turned to face him. "I'll play. Name's Hodor. Now, what's yours?"

"Baelfire."

Hodor chuckled. "And how old are you, Baelfire?"

Rumplestiltskin reached out and gripped his son's arm. "Don't say anything," he whispered.

Hodor growled. "I asked you a question," he barked.

"I'm thirteen!" He cried out.

Hodor smiled. "And when will become fourteen?"

"Don't answer him, son."

"Hey!" Hodor shouted. "I'm talking to him." He regarded Baelfire again. "When is your birthday?"

"In five days' time."

Bae could hear Rumplestiltskin whimper in despair next to him. Hodor heard it as well and fixed his gaze on him. "You're still a coward, aren't you?" He questioned, and Rumplestiltskin lowered his eyes, wishing he could disappear. Hodor glanced at Baelfire. "I bet you don't even know how your father became a cripple," he said. Baelfire remained silent for a moment, then spoke.

"He was hurt in the war."

Hodor and his friends howled with laughter.

"Oh! That ain't the way I heard the story. And it's a right good tale, ain't it boys!" Hodor exclaimed as he looked back at his men who cheered him on. "Your father ran," he said as he turned back to regard Bae. "On the night the battle turned. He got scared and fled. Everyone else that night died."

Images of men, those he'd known well and those he hadn't flashed through Rumplestiltskin's head. Even after fourteen years, he could not forget the faces of the men who'd succumbed to the wrath of the ogres that night. He thought of Adi, his dearest and only true friend. He felt his legs weaken, and he felt sick. The pain and regret of what he'd done welled up in him, and not even the boy at his side could quell the anguish and shame he felt for being the only survivor. He did not deserve his life, yet he'd taken it and left countless other children without fathers and wives without husbands. Now he was stealing his son away in the name of the same love that had caused him to abandon his brothers.

"I'm sure you'll make a better soldier than your father," Hodor said, taking a dangerous step closer.

Rumple reacted instinctively, coming to life for the first time since the men appeared and pushed Bae behind him. "Don't take my boy," he begged. "Leave him be."

Hodor crossed his arms and looked down his nose at Rumplestiltskin. "All right, then. What's your price?"

Rumplestiltskin blinked. "What?"

"The way I see it," Hodor responded, "You'll owe me something for me not taking your brat to the front tonight. But, you're just a lowly peasant. You couldn't possibly have anything to convince me to let him stay."

"P-please," he begged.

Hodor thought for a moment. "The way I see it, you have nothing. No money, no land. Nothing of any real value...Except fealty."

"I don't understand," Rumplestiltskin stammered.

Hodor chuckled darkly. "I'd like a little fealty," he said, stretching out his foot in front of him. "Kiss my boot."

Rumplestiltskin stood, wide eyed at the man before him. It was the ultimate humiliation; something he would never be allowed to forget. He glanced back at his son who stood frozen in horror at the scene being played out before him. Rumplestiltskin remained still, too afraid to do anything.

Hodor began to grow impatient and snarled again, "Kiss. My. Boot. Or the boy goes with me." He snapped his fingers, and a couple men began to dismount their horses. Rumplestiltskin fell to his knees, his legs giving out from the weight of his despair, and he crawled forward and pressed his lips to the man's outstretched boot. Baelfire looked away, the sight of his father prostrate too much to bear. Hodor lifted his foot to kick Rumplestiltskin in the stomach, laughing as the poor man clutched himself in agony. He groaned. The pain indicated that at least one of his ribs was cracked, and he tried to keep his sobs quiet as Baelfire fell to his knees to tend to his father. Hodor mounted his horse and waved tauntingly. "See you around, coward," he mocked before locking eyes with Bae. "And I'll see you soon as well." He laughed as he rode off, and his men following behind.

Bae watched them go, anger boiling in his veins. Those men had no right to treat others like that! They were cruel and heartless, and Bae felt hatred toward the man who hurt his father and humiliated him, and who had taken Morainne. He wanted to chase after them, stand up to the man and tell him his horrid ways would not be tolerated, but his father groaned again and he pushed all thoughts of anger and hurt aside. He helped his father sit up, allowing his to pause so he could catch his breath.

He tried to help his father to his feet, but the task proved difficult. They collapsed to the ground in a tangle of limbs; Rumple's leg was not able to withstand any weight at all. He cried out in pain, and Baelfire stood again to try to help his father. Suddenly, a second pair of hands gripped Rumple and helped hoist him to his feet. Baelfire looked over to see the old beggar from earlier that evening and gave him a grateful nod. "Thank you, old man," he said.

Rumple took a shaking breath and regarded the man as well. "I have nothing else to give you for your help," he whispered sorrowfully. The old man shook his head dismissively.

"I'll help you back home," he said. "Just spare me what little food you can, and I'll be forever grateful."

Rumplestiltskin nodded weakly. "Aye, I can do that."

The old man glanced at Baelfire, "Lead the way, son."

~000~

Belle looked up in confusion when the door to her home opened and Baelfire, Rumple, and a stranger entered. She was on her feet in an instant, catching Rumple as he collapsed against her in exhaustion. She glanced at Bae. "What happened?"

Bae pointed to the old man. "He helped us," Baelfire explained. "We ran into the men who took Mor-" he stopped for a moment to compose himself, then continued, "Morainne. They hurt Papa."

Belle made a noise of despair then helped her husband sit on the bed. "Are you all right?" She asked, brushing his damp hair out of his eyes. He looked at her, his eyes swollen and pained and nodded slightly. "Feed him," he whispered. "I promised him food for his help."

Belle nodded. "Of course. Bae, help your father." Once Bae was with Rumple, Belle turned to acknowledge the man before her. "Thank you so much for your help-" She paused, waiting.

"Oh, it's Cary, miss."

She nodded. "Thank you, Cary."

She put an extra log in the fire and began to reheat the stew from earlier. Belle looked over, watching as Rumple stood on unsteady legs. Bae protested, but Rumple insisted he was fine. Resigned that his father would not stay still, Bae moved over to his own bed and pulled his shoes off with a sigh. Belle walked over to him and rested her hands on his shoulders tenderly. Pressing a kiss to his forehead, she murmured, "Why don't you get some rest, dear? It's been a long, awful day."

Bae nodded and was asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.

Belle returned to the fire and ladled out a bowl of stew, holding it out to Cary. "Here you go," she said with a smile. The man took it gratefully and began to eat, shoving a large spoonful into his mouth.

Belle and Rumple sat at the table across from him, glancing at each other awkwardly.

"So you were trying to run?" He asked in between bites. Rumple lowered his head in shame.

"I just want to protect my boy," he said, taking in a pained breath. His ribs were definitely cracked. "We've lost so many children to this war. I can't bear to lose my son." He sighed. "I suppose there's no getting him away now."

Cary shook his head. "Of course there's a way. You just need to think of another path."

"What choice do we have?" Rumplestiltskin asked harshly. "I'm lame, and my wife is latched to the village coward. We have no friends because of what I've done. I've subjected my boy to a life as the son of a coward. The only choice I have is which corner to hide in." He turned and looked at Belle sorrowfully. "I'm so sorry I've failed you yet again."

Belle's eyes brimmed with tears, and she stretched an arm around his shoulders to offer comfort. "You haven't failed us," she said softly.

Rumplestiltskin sighed and looked at Cary who was watching them with interest. "All I have are my wife and son," he said. "I have nothing else in this world. I would be dust without them."

Cary smiled. "If you had power, you would have nothing to fear."

Rumplestiltskin scoffed. "You may as well say 'diamonds'."

"Get a hold of yourself!" Cary chided, slapping his hand on the table. "Think. Why do you think that someone as powerful as the Dark One would work for a useless fool like the Duke of the Frontlands?"

Rumplestiltskin shrugged. "I don't know."

Carry explained. "The Duke has the Dark One in thrall. He's enslaved him with the power of a mystical dagger and on the blade is written a name – the true name of the Dark One. If you steal the dagger, then you would control the Dark One yourself."

"And if you stab the Dark One, you take his powers. That's why there's only ever one Dark One at a time."

Rumple and Cary gave her puzzled glances and Belle shrugged. "I've read about it. It gave me nightmares as a child. The Dark One is a dangerous creature, if his dagger is in the wrong hands." She shuddered, "It's such a horrible thought; having someone control another like that."

Cary watched her curiously for a moment then glanced back at Rumplestiltskin. "But imagine that power, if you had it yourself," he exclaimed. "You would have the ability to protect your family."

Rumple thought about it for a moment. He glanced at Belle again, and an idea began to form. He could use the dagger, he thought, to stop the war. Make the Dark One rid the land of Ogres and put a stop to it all. He could be known as a hero, and his family would no longer be known as the wife and son of the village coward. He could use the Dark One's powers for good, and help the village become prosperous and bountiful. There would be no struggles, no poverty. They could all be at peace.

It was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Belle seemed to sense what was going through her husband's head. "Rumple," she cautioned but he glanced at her with hopeful eyes. "I'm going to take the dagger," he said triumphantly. Belle opened her mouth to argue, but Cary interrupted joyfully.

"Excellent!" He exclaimed, "And it just so happens, I know where it is."

Author's Notes:

Uh oh...

(I am aware the beggar has a different name here. There is a reason for that.)

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Chapter 20 will be up Friday, March 28!

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, liked, and favorited!

Special thanks to my husband and Sirensong24 for looking this over!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. None of the characters, dialogue, or plot belong to me. I do own Agda.