Short instalment today. Robin is in need of Belle's research skills and he tells her something about Rumple.
As He Lies Sleeping
Part Three: Robin
Belle is wiping down the counter when the door opens and Robin enters.
'Hello, Belle,' he greets, smiling.
'Hi, Robin,' she returns, a little uneasy. Her angry confrontation with Regina yesterday is still playing on her mind. She couldn't help her anger and she thinks she was more than justified in what she said, but Robin is her friend and she doesn't want to lose that.
'I brought you some books we found at Merlin's house,' he says. 'Henry thought you might be able to translate them, since you're so much more a scholar than we are.' He smiles again.
'I'll do my best,' she says, smiling back.
He hands over the books and she glances through them.
'I think I can manage these,' she says. 'Ancient Altarian and Old Elvish shouldn't prove too tricky. Give me a few days and I'll get back to you if I find anything that might be useful.'
'That would be great: thank you so much, Belle. Regina's been tearing her hair out trying to find a way to help Emma.'
'I'm sure she has,' Belle says, though it would be nice if the queen showed that much consideration to everyone. Still, at least she seems to care about Emma. 'You don't need to thank me, though: what helps Emma might help Rumple too, so this benefits me as much as you.'
'How is he?' Robin asks.
'Stable. I'm just grateful the Apprentice was able to suck out the Darkness from his heart before it consumed him completely. Now all I have to do is figure out how to wake him up, or how to help him wake up.'
'I'm sure you will,' Robin encourages her, 'and maybe there's something in these books that will help.'
'Maybe,' she agrees. She takes the books through to the back room, inviting him to follow.
'He looks comfortable, at least,' he observes, looking down at Rumple.
'Yes. The Apprentice's stasis spell seems to be holding, even though he's no longer with us, poor man.'
'And how are you holding up?' Robin asks.
'I'm trying to be positive,' she says, 'trying to find the good in our situation. He's here: he's alive, and we're together, in a way. I'll be here for him when he wakes up. The best part is that I know now that what I thought wasn't true: he does love me. He always did: it was just the Darkness blinding us both. Now I know for sure that he really is the man I always saw. That's the man he always wanted to be. I know he tried as hard as he could to be that man, but the Darkness was too strong in the end. Still, it's gone now and he's free, and we can start again.'
Robin smiles at her hopefulness.
'You know, I saw a little glimpse of that man you talk about,' he tells her.
'You did?' She wonders when he had opportunity to see Rumple's goodness.
He nods. 'Our paths crossed in New York and he gave me some advice. We were talking about happy endings and he said that he had thrown away every chance at happiness because it was never enough. He said that if I knew where my happy ending lay, I should grasp it and never let go.' He smiles and shakes his head. 'He was trying to tell me to go back to Regina, but I was too blind to see it. He didn't mention your name, but I could see in his eyes that he missed you. Even with the Darkness consuming him, he loved you more than anything.'
She smiles tearfully, grateful for his confidence. 'Thank you. I see that now. I should never have doubted him.' She smiles at Rumple and then looks at Robin again, realising the significance of what he's told her, and that it goes against what Regina believes.
'You should tell Regina what you just told me,' she says. 'She was here yesterday. She believes that Rumple was working with Zelena. I think if she knew he'd advised you to come back to her, she might see that he wasn't. Rumple would never willingly work with Zelena, not after what she put him through.'
'I'll tell her,' he says.
She nods. 'I'll be in touch about those translations.'
He nods and hugs her. 'Take care, Belle.'
'You too, Robin.'
She sees him out and then sets to work.
Next time, Regina returns with a question for Belle, who in turn gives the queen some advice.