Chapter 33: The Thief
Belle and Rumple rushed down the hallway. There was another small crash, and Belle heard Rumple growl under his breath. Whoever had dared enter their castle was in trouble, she realized with a start. This would not end well.
When they reached the Great Hall, Belle noticed a man in a green cloak holding the wand she had been contemplating before. Belle didn't know much about magic, but she knew fairy wands were powerful, and she suddenly felt fear at what this man might do. He didn't seem alarmed, or even upset that he'd been caught, and Belle wondered if he had some sort of trick up his sleeve. Surely everyone knew who her husband was? Or was he just a poor, unfortunate soul who stumbled into something he didn't quite understand?
The man smirked, and beside her, Rumplestiltskin sneered.
"Are you sure you want to do this, dearie?" He asked menacingly. Belle winced. He'd called her that when they'd fought that first night in the castle. It sounded just as cruel now as it did then, and Belle hoped to never be referred to as 'dearie' ever again. The man smirked again, and Rumple growled once more. It sent a shiver down Belle's spine. She looked between the two men, wondering who would strike first: Rumple or the stranger.
Wanting there to be no attack at all, Belle stepped closer and placed her hand on Rumple's arm. He tensed a moment, then relaxed slightly. Belle let out a small sigh of relief. Maybe she could keep them both calm, and they could talk out the issue. Belle didn't want to witness a fight, especially if it could lead to murder. She had no doubt of her husband's abilities, and as much as they frightened her at times, she feared the unknown more. That wand had the potential to do dangerous things, she figured. And considering the man viewed them as the foe, he would most likely use it. Belle shuddered to think of what could happen.
The man pushed back his hood, to reveal a young, handsome face. "Yeah, I think I do want to," he said cockily, as if he were unaware that he were speaking to the Dark One. Perhaps he was.
Rumplestiltskin stared, unimpressed. "You know who I am, right?" He asked, voicing what Belle desperately wanted to know as well. The stranger nodded then tucked the wand into the quiver at his back.
"You're the Dark One," the man said, "Deal-Maker. Magic man," he said, wiggling his fingers as if to demonstrate, "You take items and give people what they want in return. And I need this."
"That's not how my deals work, dearie," Rumple said icily, "Both parties have to be interested in order to make a deal, so I'll offer you this: give me that wand, and I'll let you live."
Belle's hand tightened on Rumple's arm, but Rumple paid her no mind. His focus was entirely on the man before him, and Belle's fear began to grow. If the stranger didn't take the deal, Rumple would kill him. Belle swallowed thickly, and began to pray the man would see reason and give up his fool's errand, whatever it was.
"Nah," The man said at last, "The wand'll do."
"If you don't know how to use it, nasty things could happen," Rumplestiltskin warned, and Belle reflected back to the magic bean. It had been more than 'nasty'. It had been downright devastating. Was that Rumple's motivation, she wondered? In some twisted way, was he trying to protect this man from making the same mistake he had made?
The man moved, drawing Belle out of her contemplation. He pulled out an arrow from his quiver, set, and aimed it directly at Rumplestiltskin. "Then I'll stick to what I know works."
Rumplestiltskin laughed. "Has to hit me first." He paid a small glance to Belle, pushing her back with his arm and disappeared. Belle gasped, glancing cautiously at the man with the arrow who was looking around in confusion. Rumplestiltskin appeared again, this time on the other end of the room, behind the stranger. The man readied his arrow again. "Shouldn't be a problem. An arrow fired from this bow always finds its target." He smirked. "Don't you just lovemagic? I know I do."
He fired the arrow and Belle cried out, her worst fears coming true. Her eyes widened in horror as the arrow struck Rumplestiltskin in the chest. He stumbled backwards, and Belle rushed toward him, needing to assess the damage before she sought help. Would he survive? Would the man show mercy and leave them be?
Rumplestiltskin stumbled backwards, glancing down in surprise to see the end of the arrow sticking out of his chest. It hurt, tremendously so, but he couldn't let it show. Instead he laughed, painful though it was, and jerked the arrow out. Belle staggered to a stop near him, and he healed himself, throwing the arrow down. He glanced at Belle and nodded slightly, letting her know he was alright. She stopped her approach, and it put Rumple at ease. If she were close, she might become a target, and the last thing Rumplestiltskin wanted was for Belle to be injured in a fight that was not hers.
Rumple returned his attention to the stranger, who stood staring aghast. "Indeed I do," Rumple said, stepped forward, his boots echoing throughout the hall. "But what I don't think you know, dearie," Rumple sneered as he stalked toward the man, "Is that all magic comes with a price. And in your case," he said, reaching out and binding the man with a tendril of purple smoke, "That's me."
Rumplestiltskin began to drag the man out of the room, unfazed by his kicking and struggling. In his efforts to free himself, the bow slipped out of his hands and Rumple kicked it out of the way. "And I'll take the bow to compensate you wasting my time," He said, giggling menacingly.
"What are you going to do with him?" Belle asked, rushing forward to meet Rumple at the doorway. She glanced at the man who was still struggling, and he met her eyes for a brief moment. She felt something for him, this stranger who had invaded her home and tried to steal from her husband. Even as cruel as he'd been, she refused to believe he had come with only cruel intentions.
"I'm taking him to the dungeon, of course," he said, "He's a thief; thieves must be punished."
Before she could protest, the shock of the revelation that they had a dungeon stalled her, and Rumplestiltskin vanished with the man. A moment later she heard a pop and turned to see the magic wand had been restored to its rightful place. Biting her lip, she stood at the threshold, debating on what she needed to do.
~000~
Knowing she would confront Rumplestiltskin when he returned from the dungeon, Belle wandered to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. She returned to the great hall and sat, taking small sips as she waited for her husband. She lifted her cup to take another sip, startling when she heard a tortured scream echo throughout the halls. She dropped the cup in her surprise, and rushed to the doorway. She peered in, wincing again when she heard another scream. Her hands flew to her mouth as her gag reflexes kicked in, and she feared for a moment that she might vomit. She managed to control herself, and stepped away from the door, appalled over what she knew her husband was doing.
She knew she needed to act, but nothing could be done while Rumplestiltskin was with the man. Belle would have to wait, as much as it pained her to do so, before she did anything. She would assess the man's wounds and do her best to help him escape if she could. It was the right thing to do, she thought as she grabbed her broom to occupy herself until her husband had satisfied his bloodlust. She swept angrily, thinking of how to get the man out of the castle when she barely knew the way herself. But she could give him a chance, if he survived this encounter. But Belle would have to be quick if she were going to save this man, which she was determined to do. He may have shot her husband, which she admitted made her not quite fond of the stranger, but she still firmly believed that his intentions, no matter how misguided, had been good. She couldn't explain it, but something in her gut told her there was more to the man's cockiness and foolish bravado than he let on.
She managed to get the entire room swept before Rumplestiltskin appeared. He wore an apron that was covered in blood, and Belle felt herself feel sick again. Rumplestiltskin untied the strings and threw it in frustration on the table. He noticed Belle standing there, looking horrified and holding a broom. He gestured to it.
"What are you doing?"
She gripped the broom in her hands and stepped forward, "I'm sweeping," she explained dryly, "What are you doing?"
He glanced at the tea set and picked up a cup, frowning as he glanced at the cup she had dropped earlier. It had a small chip in the rim, Belle noticed, but Rumple seemed unbothered by the fact. He poured some tea into the cup and said nonchalantly, "Taking a break."
Belle's lip curled. "Rumplestiltskin, this isn't you!" She declared hotly, "You're not the sort of man who tortures people!"
"Stop assuming you know what kind of man I am," he spat, standing up sharply, "You wanted nothing to do with me, remember? How would you know who I am now when you hardly even speak to me?"
He turned and began to walk away. Belle swallowed thickly before calling out, "Where are you going?"
"Why do you care?" He asked sharply, turning around to face her.
"Because you just tortured a man who merely wanted a wand!" She cried.
"He tried to steal from me! No one takes what's mine and gets away with it!"
Belle stared hard, her knuckles turning white against the broom handle. Rumple's face softened as he noticed the tears that filled his wife's eyes, but he knew she would not let him try to comfort her. It seemed with every step they took toward each other, something always pushed them two steps back.
"I'll be back," he said resigned, "Finish doing," he glanced again at the broom, "Whatever it is you're doing."
He disappeared out the door, and Belle stood for a long time staring at the space he'd occupied. Then her brow furrowed in determination, and she threw the broom to the floor. "No one steals from the Dark One, hmm?" Belle asked aloud as she glanced at the doorway leading to the dungeon. Biting her lip, she set aside the broom and steeled her nerves. "Just watch me."
~000~
Belle fetched a cup of water from the kitchen, then ran to the door Rumple had dragged the man through. It led to a narrow hallway that turned into a winding staircase, and Belle murmured a desire for light. The candles that lined the halls flickered to life, and she sighed in relief. At the bottom of the seemingly endless staircase was another hallway. The door on the other end looked menacing, but Belle pushed onward and stepped through. On the other side of the door were two rows of doors, no doubt cells for prisoners. "Why do we have a dungeon?" Belle asked herself curiously, "And how many more people could possibly be down here?"
She called out a hesitant, "Hello?" And was relieved when she only heard one person call out in reply. He sounded weak, but alive, and Belle was grateful for that fact alone. She rushed to the door and pushed it open, gasping when she saw the thief strung up on chains, his clothing torn and blood covering his entire body.
Belle rushed forward, and the man glanced at her with a pained yet humored look. "The Dark One send his pretty maid to finish the job?" He asked.
Belle ignored him and put the cup up to his lips. "Hush and drink," she told him, and the man did so gratefully.
Once he was satisfied, Belle put the cup down and began working at the ropes and chains that held the man up.
"Why are you doing this?" The man asked as Belle managed to get the last rope unknotted. The weight gave way and he fell hard onto the floor, groaning in pain.
"Sorry," she said sincerely, then knelt down at his side to remove the chains from him. "I can't let this go on. It's inhumane."
"I couldn't agree more," the man said weakly. Belle helped him sit up and checked his wounds. It was nothing that wouldn't heal in time, but the blood made it look far worse. She hesitated a moment, then said aloud, "I need water and a clean cloth."
A moment later the items appeared in front of her, and the stranger tried to move away from her. "Are you a witch?"
She shook her head, amused at the thought, and motioned for him to turn around so she could clean the cuts. He did so, and Belle set to work. It was a sloppy job, but she felt pressed for time and wanted the man to have a chance at escape.
When she finished his back, she turned him around and wiped at the blood that stained his face. "I fear he'll turn his wrath on you," he whispered, hissing in pain when she pressed a little too hard.
Belle apologized, then added as an afterthought, "He won't hurt me."
"How can you be so sure-ow!" He said as Belle wiped at a particularly nasty cut on his cheek.
"Sorry," she said again. "And I know because he's my husband. He won't hurt me."
The man stared at her in shock. "You're married to that beast?"
She nodded, then pulled on the man's hand to help him stand. "He wasn't always this way."
"Perhaps you should come with me," he said gently, "I could protect you."
Belle shook her head. "I don't need protection," she said, "I need you to get out of here. Can you walk?"
The man nodded. "I'll be slow, but I can manage."
"Good," Belle said, then pushed at him, "Go. Now. I can't promise you anything other than a chance. So you'd best take it now."
"Thank you," he said, "I'm in your debt."
"You won't be if you're caught. I won't be able to save you a second time. Now go!"
The man nodded once and took off in a fast-paced limp toward the stairs. Belle waited a moment, then shut the door to the dungeon. She ran out as quickly as she could, hoping she would never have cause to set foot in such a place ever again.
She reached the great hall and stood anxiously, not knowing what to do now that she'd let the Dark One's prisoner go free. He was nowhere to be found, and Belle wished him well in his endeavors. She hoped, if she ever met the man again, it would be under much better circumstances. She decided to have another cup of tea and moved over to the table, stopping when she saw the bloodied apron lying there. Grimacing, Belle changed her mind, and picked up the edge of the apron with the very tips of her fingers, deciding it might be best to wash away any evidence they'd had a prisoner here.
If Belle could forget, she would happily do so.
~000~
Dirty, wet, and cold, Belle knelt on the floor, scrubbing the apron. It was disgusting, scrubbing away the blood of another man. Belle felt her stomach turn, and she shut her eyes and tried to think happier, less bloody thoughts. When she finished, she debated on going to change, but thought better of it. She wanted to be present the moment Rumplestiltskin returned, and she knew if she went to her room to change, she would come up with a reason to stay there. And Belle wanted to be brave. She'd made her choice, and even if she hadn't been certain of her decision, it was too late now.
Rumplestiltskin returned a few minutes later, looking angry, but at least a bit calmer. He stopped when he noticed Belle's appearance, but he made no comment, instead shaking his head and making his way to the dungeon.
Belle sat, sipping her tea, and began to count. "Ten, nine, eight…"
She reached three, then winced as she heard Rumplestiltskin call out, "Belle!"
She took a long breath and reminded herself to be brave. She'd done the right thing, she told herself. A moment later, Rumplestiltskin appeared in the doorway, his eyes flashing angrily.
"Where is he?"
"I let him go," she said aloud, grateful her voice didn't waver.
Rumplestiltskin blinked. "You….let him….go?"
"Yes."
Rumplestiltskin stared at her in disbelief. "Why?"
"Because I believe he's innocent."
"Oh! Is that so, dearie?" Rumplestiltskin laughed heartily and moved over to where the wand previously sat. He pointed to it dramatically, and Belle gasped as she realized it was gone. "Because I don't!"
"W-why does it matter that he stole that wand?" She asked hesitantly.
"I need it! It could help me reach Bae!"
"You probably say that about every magical item you bring back," she recanted dryly, realizing too late how hateful the words had sounded.
"Even still," Rumple said, his voice lowering into that broken, more human-like tone, "I thought my wife might be on my side."
Belle felt shame. She hadn't intended for things to be this way. She knew he would be angry, but there was something else in his eyes. He looked as if she had betrayed him. And in some small way, hadn't she? Because of her, the wand was now gone.
Whatever had caused Rumple's solemnness vanished then, and he glanced at her with a look of distaste. "Well," he said with a lilting tone, that signaled the return of the Dark One, "I suppose there's only one thing for it."
"What?"
"We're going to go retrieve it." Before Belle could respond, Rumple used magic to clothe himself in his cloak. Another puff of smoke appeared, and the bow and quiver that had belonged to the man appeared in his hands. "And if he doesn't cooperate, I'll find out just how useful this bow is," he said eerily. Then he glanced pointedly at Belle. "And because this is your fault, you're going to come and watch."
"What? No I'm not-"
She felt herself surrounded with Rumple's magic and frowned when she saw the gold dress from her wardrobe draped across her. Over that was a warm, woolen green cloak. She looked elegant, she thought absently, but the thought was banished as Rumple grabbed her arm and pushed her toward the door.
"Come, wife," he sneered, "Let's go see what becomes of your little thief."
Author's Notes:
I hope you're enjoying everything so far! Chapter 34 will be up July 18 (gosh, this year is going by so fast!)
Thank you to my betas, as usual, and thank you everyone who had reviewed, favorited, and followed. I appreciate it so much!
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. Any characters, scenes, or dialogue you recognize are property of ABC and Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis.