Chapter 29: Blue and Green

Baelfire returned home in time for supper. Things still seemed tense between his parents, as they hardly met each other's eyes nor spoke a word. But Bae couldn't bring himself to mind. He had a way to save his father. As he ate, he thought about what his friends had said, grateful that something good had come from their brief time away at war. He toyed with the idea of inviting them along, but thought better of it. It would be best to do it as quickly as possible, so he could restore his life to the way it had once been: simple and peaceful.

He scarfed down his food, then leapt up and grabbed his shawl. His parents watched him curiously, before finally Belle spoke up. "What are you doing, Bae?" She looked concerned, so Bae flashed her a smile to assuage her fears.

"I'm going out….to get firewood," Bae said, the well-worn excuse not fooling anyone.

"We're not going to argue, Bae," Belle said softly, tossing a sharp look at her husband, "You don't have to leave if you don't want to."

Bae shook his head and headed toward the door. "I have something important I need to do."

"Such as?" Rumple asked suspiciously. Bae shrugged, not feeling an explanation was owed just yet.

"It's a secret," he declared, "And I have to go. I'll be back soon." He gave his parents no time to protest, and ran out the door.

"Be back in an hour!" Belle called out, rolling her eyes as he son vanished. She suspected he was either avoiding them, or sneaking out to see Morainne. Despite the hope that it would be the latter, she knew it was the former. Rumplestiltskin's magic was tearing their family apart. Once they'd been so close, so happy. Now her son snuck out at night, even knowing his father would probably tear the town apart in a panic if he were even a minute late.

Rumple glanced at Belle with obvious distaste, "You shouldn't let him go out after dark."

"And you shouldn't smother him," Belle snapped immediately. Rumplestiltskin winced at her words and Belle sighed heavily, "I'm not fighting with you over this," she said as she stood to clear the dishes. "Until you can understand that you killed a man for no reason, I don't see how we'll ever agree."

"I was protecting our son."

"We've already had this discussion," Belle sighed wearily, "And it's clear that neither of us are willing to change our minds. But know this," she warned, "If you aren't careful, you're going to lose him."

"What are you saying?" His voice was low, dangerous. Now he had magic, he didn't take well to threats. Belle just wished she could show him she wasn't threatening him. She was trying to make him see the reason that he had so clearly sacrificed for power.

"I'm saying, "Belle stressed, calmly, "That if you keep this up, he's going to resent you for it. Gods know he won't find a way to end the curse, but while he has hope, you need to try to loosen your grip. Because once he realizes this," she said, gesturing to Rumple, "Isn't going away, he's going to be disappointed. And if you can't control yourself and stop killing people every time he gets a scraped knee, he's going to come to hate you. And I can't see that happen."

Turning away, Belle began to clean the dishes, leaving Rumple to stare after her, her words stinging him to the core.

"I'm doing the best I can," he said forlornly, "Why can you not see that?"

She didn't turn to face him, but she stopped cleaning and gripped the edge of the counter. "Doing your best is providing him with books and clothing," she said softly, "He has that. You've provided for him. He has a good home, loving parents. What he doesn't need is the entire village to be afraid of him because they don't know if his father is going to appear and attack them."

"Nothing I do will ever be good enough, will it," Rumple snapped. "I've never been good enough."

"That's your own fears talking," Belle said, finally turning to look at Rumple, "Not once have I ever said that. I've never thought it. I've never believed it. But until you believe it," she sighed, "Then there's nothing left for us to discuss. Because the only thing more powerful than your magic, is your stubbornness."

With that, she slipped by him and grabbed a book. She curled up near the hearth and began to read, the gesture plainly stating that she was done with the conversation and would allow no interruptions. Eyes narrowing, Rumple turned and threw himself on the bed, arms crossed as he stared menacingly at the ceiling.

~000~

Bae ran to the woods, hope bubbling in his chest. If what Morainne and Anna said was true, his father would be back to normal in no time. He couldn't wait to return home and share his success with his parents. He knew his mother would be pleased; he couldn't say the same for his father. But they'd made a deal, and Bae knew his father would keep it.

Thoughts of the life before filled Bae's mind. He remembered his Papa, meek, lame, and vulnerable. But that man had been so caring, so full of love and laughter. Bae smiled as he ran, hoping hard that life would go back to the way it had been before magic had tainted their lives. He slowed, then. How could it? He'd witnessed his father kill. His grandfather was dead because of magic gold. Their lives had been tainted, and nothing would ever wipe away the stains that covered them. For a moment, Bae felt doubt. Until then he'd been so certain of his actions, but at this point, did it matter? His father was the Dark One. The damage had been done.

Balling his fists, Bae shook his head and banished away his doubt. He could prevent further incidents. The past was done, and though it hurt, they could learn from it. He wasn't going to stand by and let this curse consume his father. It would surely tear them apart. He recalled his mother's words, to love his father no matter what, and he did. But he was afraid. His mother was a fearless woman, but even he could see the worry cloud the blue of her eyes. She was afraid. Not for herself, no. His mother was far too brave for that, but he still recognized fear. She feared for his Papa. She feared for him.

He would do this for his mother, if nothing else. Bae believed that, above all things, his mother deserved much more than this. And if it were in his power to give his mother what she wanted – her husband – he would do it, no matter the cost.

Realizing he was standing in a small clearing, near where he'd first learned of the Reul Ghorm, he decided it was as good a place as any to summon the magical being. Using magic to get rid of magic, Bae thought to himself, Mama will find it terribly ironic. Taking a deep breath, he puffed out his chest, summoned the courage his mother always spoke of, and cried out, "Reul Ghrom! Are you there? Please make yourself known to me."

For a moment there was nothing, and Bae contemplated trying again quickly, before he lost his nerve. Then a bright blue light appeared, blinding him momentarily. When it dimmed, Bae looked up to see a small, strange creature floating before him. She was pale with dark hair that was curled and piled messily on her head. Her wings fluttered furiously, and the blue tendrils of her skirt floated around her in elegant waves. She watched him curiously for a moment, as he did her, then finally, Bae spoke.

"Can you help me?"

The Reul Ghorm dipped her head in acquiescence. "I can help."

Bae hesitated for a moment. "And I can trust you?"

Again, the small creature nodded. "There is good magic and dark magic. I happen to be on the right side."

"Are you a fairy?" Bae had heard of fairies. They featured prominently in one of the books his father had given him. The reality and the fiction were drastically different.

"I am." Then she frowned. "And you're not untouched by magic, are you, child? There's something dark in your life."

Bae nodded, amazed at her perception. "My father is the Dark One."

The fairy gasped, clearly familiar with the name. She looked aghast and frowned sympathetically at Bae. "You poor thing."

"I want to save him. Can you help me?"

The fairy shook her head sadly, "Alas, I cannot make him as he was before. I can however, send him someplace where he will not be able to use his powers."

Bae shook his head frantically, "I don't want that! I want my family to stay together. He loves my Mama and I, I know it! The magic and power have blinded him to what's really important, that's all."

"The Dark One cannot love, child," The fairy said grimly, "He must be rid of his Curse in order to love."

"I can't believe that," Bae declared, but continued, "How do we get rid of the Curse? You said there was no way."

The fairy paused a moment, then floated closer to Bae. "What ails your father is specific to our realm. His powers do not belong here. You must go where you can escape this wretched curse."

"We would have to leave the village?"

"You would have to leave this realm. There are other worlds; ones without magic. If I give your family a way to go, will you take it? Will you leave this world behind?"

"Yes!" Bae cried instantly, "If it means my father will be as he was, then yes!"

Smiling with satisfaction, the fairy retrieved her wand, "Hold out your hand." Bae obeyed and with a small swish of her wand, a bean appeared in Bae's hand. He looked at it curiously, then up to the fairy, waiting for an explanation.

"This is a magic bean," she said when she noticed his confusion. "The last of its kind. Use it wisely, and follow wherever it leads you. It will save your family."

Bae nodded firmly, "I will, I promise. Thank you!"

The fairy said nothing, instead offering a small curtsy. Afterward, she waved her wand once more and vanished in a flicker of bright blue light. Bae stared down at his hand, looking at the bean with increasing excitement. He found a way. He was going to have his father back. But it was with a great cost. He absently thought of Morainne and Anna, but he couldn't falter now. He needed his father. His Mama need him. The thought of leaving his dearest friends behind was a painful reality, he thought as he ran back toward his home, hand clutched tightly around the bean, but surely they would understand.

He could hardly contain his excitement over his success; he'd hoped to find a way to keep his family together - without magic - but he'd been afraid that he would fail. Now he had the solution; a magic bean. Something so small and fragile, but it would save them. It would save his father. He knew it would be an adjustment. His father had gotten used to not needing the walking stick, and Bae felt a pang of guilt at knowing that the pain his father endured for so long would once again be back but he pushed that thought aside. It would be better for everyone if the Dark One no longer existed.

He burst through the door of his home, calling for his father as he did so. Rumple appeared, concern written on his strange features, but the tension in his shoulders eased when he saw Baelfire in good spirits.

"I found it, Papa!" He proclaimed proudly, thrusting out his hand to show his father the bean. Rumple stepped forward and stared, expression blank. Belle appeared a moment later, looking concerned. She held a book in her hands, and Bae noticed her knuckles were white from the tight grip she had on it.

"You found what, Bae?" She asked curiously, moving to stand beside Rumple, who remained motionless. She glanced down, frowning as she saw the bean in her son's hand.

"It's a bean," she said plainly.

Baelfire nodded. "I summoned the Reul Ghorm," Baelfire explained excitedly. "If we use the bean we can go through a portal and we'll go to a land without magic! You won't be the Dark One anymore! There's no magic and things will be as they were before! We can start over, just like we agreed, Papa!"

Rumple said nothing. He could not speak for the fear that gripped him. He looked down at the bean in horror and disgust. Rumplestiltskin was no stranger to magic beans. He recalled his first encounter with one far too vividly, the pain and devastation it had wrought him still a fresh wound after all these years. It was not something he spoke of; not even Belle knew the story. It was a secret he kept guarded. It was a bitter childhood, days filled with loneliness and nights full of nightmares. There had been no comfort when he awoke. There hadn't been comfort until Belle. She accepted him, as had his son. But now the tides had turned and suddenly he was his father, staring down into his own pitiful and hopeful eyes, being begged by his son to leave his home and his magic behind.

He'd only made the deal with his son because he believed it would be a fruitless endeavor. But now there was a way. Of course his son had found it, and now he was expected to follow through. But he couldn't. If it had been any other way, he would have done it without a second thought, he knew. If it meant that much to his son, he would have done it. But seeing his son holding a magic bean with the expectancy that things would be better on the other side was too painful and horrific. He couldn't lose his family to another portal. His son would just have to find another way. There had to be something else they could do.

He glanced up to see his son staring at him with expectant eyes, the boy's smile spreading as he thought of a life with his father as a normal man. Sighing, Rumple reached out and he could see the hope grow in Bae's eyes. He wrapped his hand around his son's and gently closed their fingers around the bean. "Bae," he whispered, his eyes brimming with tears. Baelfire recoiled.

"You're not going to do it."

He wasn't asking, Rumple knew, but he answered anyway, "I-I can't."

"You promised, Papa!" Bae shouted and Belle moved quickly between them.

"Rumple," Belle, whispered, glancing at her husband with concern. She hadn't seen him so pained in so long. She reached out and touched his arm.

"You can't ask this of me," he said as his fear turned him into a sniveling mess, "Please, anything but this."

Bae looked on without sympathy. "You were never going to go through with it," he said, his voice low and angry. "You were never going to honor this deal because you thought I'd never find a way. Well you're wrong. I did! I can't believe you would do this. You're a liar and a coward, Papa."

With that he turned and ran out of the house. Rumple moved to follow him but Belle reached out and grabbed him, "Rumple," she begged. He jerked his arm away and ran out, calling Baelfire's name. Belle immediately followed, a nagging feeling pushing her faster.

-000-

Baelfire came to the clearing in the woods and stopped. He burned with anger, wiped at the tears on his face roughly. Sighing he looked at the bean in his hands, berating himself for believing his father would give up magic. It was too valuable to him. Bae wondered idly if his father loved him or magic more. It had to be magic. He'd chosen as much a moment ago. But, that wasn't entirely true, he thought bitterly. His father did love him. He'd proven that when he ran from the Ogres War, hadn't he? He'd proven in it when he took on the Dark One's curse to save the children.

Bae sighed. Despite the killing, despite the magic, Rumplestiltskin was still his father. But he'd broken their deal and Bae couldn't help but feel betrayed by that knowledge. Not knowing what to do, Bae looked at the bean once more and sighed. "I knew it was too good to be true," he whispered as he threw the bean onto the ground.

Turning, he decided to go find Morainne. She was smart, like his mother, and maybe she could shed some light onto what to do. If she knew about the Reul Ghorm, maybe she knew another way to get rid of his father's magic. Surely if stories such as the Reul Ghorm were told, there had to be others. Maybe a witch, or a sorceress, he thought. He took a step, stopping when he felt the ground beneath him begin to shake. He looked down, eyes widening as he saw a strange green light emerging from the ground, and when the ground shook again, he lost his balance and fell.

The ground began to crack, and Bae, confused from the fall, struggled to scramble away from the opening that was forming at his feet. The magic was faster though, and the portal quickly opened beneath him. Bae cried out in fear as he shut his eyes and waited for the worst. He felt himself start to fall, but then a sharp pain struck his wrist and he looked up to see his father, leaning over the portal, looking on in absolute terror. In all his years, despite all the tales, Baelfire had never seen such genuine terror in his father's eyes. This wasn't about magic, he thought absently, as he felt himself being pulled down.

Crying out again, Bae said, "Papa, please!" But Rumple seemed frozen. Bae could feel his hand, sweaty and slippery, sliding between his father's fingers. "Don't let go, Papa!" He cried, but his words seemed to fall on deaf hears. He heard his father whisper something, though he couldn't tell what. He tried to pull himself up, but the vortex below him was too strong. He looked up at his father again, their eyes locking for a long moment, then Bae felt his hand slip, and with one last desperate cry, he vanished.

The portal closed up under Rumplestiltskin's feet, even as he moved frantically, digging through the dirt, calling out Baelfire's name in frantic, shrill cries. The more he dug, the more it became clear that the portal was sealed and that any second chance he had was gone. He pounded his fists into the earth, crying and screaming his son's name in between desperate proclamations of regret and sorrow. Finally he turned, his heart wrenching as he saw Belle on her knees, staring blankly at the spot where their son had been only moments before. She looked like a statue, her despair etched deep within her features as if they'd been slowly and carefully carved there over a long length of time. She did not move, did not speak, the only proof that she had not in fact turned to stone were the tears that slid down her cheeks, falling unnoticed onto the ground.

Rumplestiltskin moved then, his wife's despair pulling him out of his own shock and he crawled over to where she knelt and laid a hesitant hand on her shoulder. She did not register him for several long moments. He waited, whispering her name once, hoping to bring her comfort and seek it as well. She blinked and the stone coldness of her eyes lit aflame and turned their burning heat to him. She wrenched away, standing to her feet to tower above him as he knelt before her like a sinner seeking redemption.

"You," she said, her voice lacking the passion and fire in her eyes. "You did this," she said, her voice low and sharp. He could not deny her words and he remained silent. "You," she said again, raising her slim finger to point at him as if she were wielding a dagger. She wielded much worse, and he waited for her to throw her words at him, sharp, painful, and deadly.

"You let him go."

He blinked, his many emotions preventing him from reacting accordingly. He could not deny her accusation; he wanted to desperately but the words would not form.

"You let our son go."

Tears trickled down his face and the fear that he'd lost his wife as well gripped him. He nodded, though his mind reeled in protest. He hadn't let him go. Not on purpose. Never on purpose. He couldn't speak, except to plead forgiveness, "I'm so sorry-"

"Sorry isn't going to bring him back, Rumple," she cried, her voice loud and hysterical. "You could have just agreed! We could have left!" She wiped furiously at her eyes and hiccuped. "When did magic become more important to you than your family?"

He was in front of her instantly, grasping her face in his hands. He could feel her try to pull away but he did not loosen his grip, afraid that if he let go she would disappear leaving him truly be alone. "I didn't," he cried, "But I'll find him," he declared suddenly. "I will not stop searching until I find him. We'll go to him or bring him to us. I don't care. I don't care what it takes; I will bring him back, Belle, I promise."

She managed to rip herself away from him then. "As far as I'm concerned, your promises mean nothing," she spat, "You made a promise to Bae and now he's gone." She took a moment to let her sobs take her. She calmed herself after a moment and glanced at him. "Get him back. You let him go. You will bring my son back." She turned and walked away then, her arms wrapped around herself as she left her husband standing alone.

~000~

My son. Not our son. She no longer considered their child as his. And why should she? He hadn't been able to save him. Rumple sat on a log near the place where the portal had been, staring helplessly at it, willing it to open up. He didn't know what to do and his mind was racing through a century of thoughts, looking for a possible way to reach this other world. He didn't even know what world it was. He dropped his head to his knees and cried, cursing himself and the magic he'd used to destroy his family.

After he exhausted himself, he stood and glanced up at the sky, wondering where his son was. He felt hollow; the thing he'd once given up everything for was now gone. He could not shake himself of the cruel irony and he crossed his arms, digging his long nails into the skin, pressing until he felt the warm, wet droplets of blood trickle down. He mindlessly healed it with a thought, not even looking at the marks. He dug into his skin again, the pain a small comfort compared to the emptiness he felt everywhere else, and when he felt the blood again, he did not bother to heal himself.

He remembered, vaguely, Bae had said it had been the Reul Ghorm who gave him the bean. He knew, from thoughts of lives past, that the fairies were benevolent creatures, but the dark magic within him cringed and writhed at the thought of asking a fairy for help. He ignored the tingling throughout him that came with the apparently unpleasant thought of working with a fairy and spoke her name aloud, then again and again, each time more frantic than the last. Where was she? Weren't fairies to come when summoned? Where was this Reul Ghorm when she was most direly and urgently needed!

He turned and jumped, surprised at the tiny flicker of light floating before him. It shimmered, then swirled, and a lovely woman dressed in blue floated before him. He could sense the magic on her and said, "How do I follow him?"

She frowned. "You had the way," she said, knowing exactly of whom he spoke, "But you didn't take it. And there are no more magic beans."

Rumplestiltskin scowled at her. "That's a lie," he hissed.

Her frown deepened and her dislike of him was clear. "We don't do that."

"You're lying," he said again, his desperation a frantic one. Every second that passed was a second he was away from his son. He didn't have time for games.

"You will never make it to that world," she said, her voice tight and matter-of-fact. She spoke as if she knew, but fairies weren't the only magical creatures. Rumplestiltskin understood magic too. And magic could do almost anything; and if it could do that, it would take him to his son.

"Oh, I'll find a way," he declared. "There must be other paths. Perhaps...a realm jumper?"

"No."

He thought for a moment. "A time turner? A mage?"

She shook her head, "There is no-"

He looked up, an idea forming in his ever-calculating mind. "A curse?"

She blinked and when she did not immediately deny it, Rumplestiltskin smirked. "So it's a curse, then." It wasn't a question.

The Blue Fairy stammered, "Of course you would think of a curse instead of a blessing. Your magic is limited by its own rotten core, Rumpelstiltskin. Anyway, it can't be done. Not without a great price."

The laugh that erupted from Rumplestiltskin was harsh and terrifying. "Oh, I've already paid a great price."

"You can't afford this one," she declared. "It's too far beyond your abilities. And I'll take comfort in that."

Rumplestiltskin stepped closer to the fairy, "Then comfort yourself all you want, fairy," he hissed, "I'll do whatever it takes to get him back. I will destroy this world if I have to! I will get my son back; it's only a matter of time! You cost me my son but I will find him!"

The Blue Fairy sniffed in indignation. "I didn't cost you your son," she stated calmly. "You did that all on your own."

"It was your fault!" He shouted. "But I'll find him. I'll restore what's been stolen from me; with no thanks to you!" He unsheathed his dagger and swung at her in a violent fit, but the fairy floated out of his reach and with one final disapproving glare, she vanished, leaving Rumplestiltskin in the darkness.

"I WILL FIND HIM!" He cried, half mad with purpose and despair. "I will never stop until I find him!"

Author's Notes:

And there it is.

It's somewhat fitting that this happened on Friday the 13th. I'm quite pleased that it worked out this way. It certainly wasn't planned!

Only one beta had a chance to look this over, so apologies if there are any mistakes.

Chapter 30 will be up Friday, June 20.

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. The scenes and dialogue in this chapter you recognize were taken from the episode "The Return".