Chapter Four: Preparations
Princess Belle took a deep breath as she looked at her reflection. She was standing in front of a tall standing mirror. Her hair was pinned up. Her shoulders were bare. The ill-fitting fabric that would be her wedding dress hung loosely from her body. The white silk was being pinned into shape by the seamstress and her two assistants.
"Relax, Princess," Madame Dumont, the seamstress said.
"You're going to look lovely," sighed Yvette, the blonde assistant said.
"No, Vette," said the red-haired assistant, Marigold. "She's going to beautiful."
Belle wished she could see what they were seeing. All she saw was a scared girl. What had she gotten herself into? She wasn't ready for marriage. She wanted to see the world. She wanted to further her study in all things. She wanted a life beyond the castle walls.
She had the feeling that she would be trapped behind other walls as soon as she married the Dark One. She didn't think that someone called the Dark One would want to go visit far-off lands just for fun. She doubted she would be seeing much sunlight wherever her new home would be.
"Do not look so sad, Princess," Madame Dumont said. "A wedding is a happy occasion."
"Only if you weren't marrying the most feared man in the world," said Marigold.
"Hush," said Yvette. "I'm sure everything will be fine."
"I hear when he makes a deal the price is always high," Marigold said, ignoring Yvette. "Princess, you are a perfect example of such a deal. Your life for the kingdom. Ouch."
Madame Dumont had pricked Marigold's hand with a straight pen.
"Be thankful, girl," she said. "This sacrifice is a noble one. You owe your life to the king and the queen, and the Dark One."
The assistants quieted and focused on their work.
Rumpelstiltskin paced his chambers. They were actually his chambers as Weaver. He hadn't been to his home, the Dark Castle since before he became Weaver. He didn't want to leave Princess Belle for too long. He feared for her life. He couldn't have known when Cora would have made her next move.
He knew he had some preparations to do in the Dark Castle before he brought home his new bride. He had to make sure she had her own rooms. He had to go through his collection to send the most dangerous items were in his vault. He had to lock up his alchemy and potion lab. But all he could worry about at the moment was his upcoming wedding.
The wedding. He never had a real wedding before. When he married Milah so many, many years ago, they married under a tree near the river. Her father and the village's priest were the only witnesses. They said the simple vows that meant more to him than they ever meant for her.
He scowled at the memory of his first wife.
Milah was a headstrong woman, friendly, and sociable. She held the favor of most of the men in the village. He never thought he would stand a chance of making her his bride. Then, the rumors began. Milah was considered soiled after her engagement to the village's butcher ended. More than one of her previous suitors had said they had laid with her as well. She was ruined. Rumpelstiltskin was the only one who didn't shun her. He ignored the whispers. Milah's attention turned to him. She was kind to him, friendly. They had only courted for a couple of a weeks before they were married.
He learned on their wedding night that the rumors were not true. Milah was a virgin when they married. She told him that the butcher had tried on more than one occasion to lay with her without marrying her. She had always told him no. She was the one who ended the engagement. With his pride hurt, the butcher started the nasty rumors.
A week after his marriage to Milah, Milah's father had dragged the butcher to the middle of the village. There, he beat the man until he spoke the truth. Milah's name was cleared and people acting as if the rumors never happened. Her father died a few years later.
For many years, Rumpelstiltskin and Milah had a happy marriage. They worked together, spinning, tailoring, and taking care of their sheep. Then the ogres came. Men were called to war.
When Rumpelstiltskin was drafted, he was happy. He was always considered the coward of the village, held down by who his father was. Going to fight was going to be a way to prove his worth to everyone. He would return to the village a hero. With a soldier's commission, he would be able to take care of Milah the way she deserved. He never made many coins selling his goods. He and Milah wanted to start a family but knew they would not be able to keep their child feed, so they waited. Going to war was a way to fix that.
Proudly, Rumpelstiltskin went to training. He was a fast learner and found he was very good with a sword. He could ride a horse better than most shoulders. While training, his education was expanded. One of the men he was bunking with was a scholar. He talked Rumpelstiltskin how to read. Before, all he could do was spell his own name. He enjoyed reading.
He was well on his way to becoming a sufficient soldier when he met the Seer. She changed everything. The Seer told him he was to become a father. He was not going to be able to raise his son. Fear gripped him then. He was in a panic when he made the choice to injure himself.
He didn't want to die. He wanted to see his son. So, he took a heavy hammer to his right ankle and broke it. As he sat in the medical tent, barely being tended to, he felt the pain was worth it. He would be able to return home to Milah and help raise their son. He had no clue that the other soldiers would ridicule him. They insulted him, spit at him, and purposely put pressure on his injury. One even came in with the hammer to crush the bones that had been mending. The soldier was punished severely by the healer. The healer was the only one who cared about him. The soldier was sent home and Rumpelstiltskin had to remain a bit longer. His ankle never healed properly. He was crippled for life.
When he was healed enough to walk, Rumpelstiltskin was dishonorably discharged from the army and sent home. He walked for miles on his crushed ankle. When he saw the little hut he shared with his wife he was happy. He was home. He entered his hut, happy to see Milah and the bundle she was holding.
Milah was not happy to see him. She was angry and cold. He did not know at the time but he was losing his wife. They tried to make it work for Baelfire but Milah became more distant as the years passed. She was away most of the time. When she came home, she was drunk. She was cruel to him. Her words cut him more times than he could count. He loved her. He wanted to do right by her.
Then came the day Baelfire was bitten by a venomous snake. They couldn't afford the medicine to heal their boy, so Milah came up with the idea of stealing the medicine. Rumpelstiltskin went to the healer intent on going through with Milah's plan, but he didn't have it in him to kill. So, he made a deal instead. His second born child, for the medicine to save his firstborn. He thought it a good deal at the time. Milah did not. He lost her completely that day.
She met a pirate and ran off with him, leaving Baelfire. He did not see Milah again for many years. It was only half a year after he lost his son. He was the Dark One. He was trying to make a deal for a magic bean that would take him to Baelfire. He ran into Milah's pirate. They fought and in the end, the pirate lost his left hand while Milah lost her life.
Rumpelstiltskin felt a brief moment of sorrow after he had angrily crushed Milah's heart. He had loved her, even when she never loved him. He left her for the pirate to bury.
Now, he was going to take a second wife. Younger and kinder than Milah or Cora. Princess Belle would be the wife they could never be. He knew this. Belle would never turn her back on him or betray him. She would be the mother Milah nor Cora could never be.
The Dark One sighed thinking about having future children with Belle made him think about his deal with the healer once more. The deal had been completed years ago. A woman, Amira who wanted to save her mother called for his help. He offered her the medicine in exchange for her child. Amira gave her consent. Rumpelstiltskin never learned why she never compromised or argued. Amira just willing accepted her fate.
When it came time to make the baby, Amira did not flinch away from him. She was kind and honored the deal without complaint. Rumpelstiltskin came to care for her as time passed. They became friends. Amira fell pregnant quickly. Rumpelstiltskin told her about the deal. Though she was angry, Amira understood that the deal could not be broken. When the child, a boy, was born, they did not get the chance to be joyful. They could only mourn. The child was a stillbirth. Amira held the boy briefly before she handed him to his father. Rumpelstiltskin took the child to the healer.
"This child is dead," the healer said.
"He died before he left his mother's womb," Rumpelstiltskin said. His voice was cold but there was a tell-tale lump of sadness in his throat. "The deal was for my second born child. He was born. You never said the child had to be living."
The healer cried out in outrage as he banged the table the tiny, still, body lay.
Rumpelstiltskin left. He knew he had won. The deal was done.
He returned to Amira with the news. Amira asked him for a favor. He told her he would do anything for her. She asked him to help her find her true love. Rumpelstiltskin was shocked at the request but agreed. A year later, Amira married a nobleman.
A week passed Belle was still getting fitted for her wedding gown. The dress looked more like a dress now. Her shoulders were still bare. The off the shoulder sleeves hung perfectly on her biceps. The hem was decorated in shiny golden beads that went all the way to the ribbon that laced the back of the dress. The waist was pinched, hugging her middle. The long skirt would touch the floor once the hem was complete. Belle suspected there would be golden beads there too.
"You're going to be the prettiest bride in the whole realm," Victorie sighed dreamily while she sat on their mother's lap. "Right, Mama?"
"Yes, my darling," Queen Collette said.
"We must discuss her hair," said Madame Chamberlin. She was their stylist.
"I was thinking up," Collette said.
"Yes, yes that would be lovely," Madame Chamberlin agreed. "With golden pearls throughout."
Belle frowned imagining the work that would have to go into the look. She wasn't looking forward to all of the pins. They were always painful. They poked her whenever she wore them.
"No," she said. "I want the top placed in a bun. A little hair out of the bun. The rest I want to fall loosely."
She smiled as she imagined the look.
"A ribbon with golden beads on the top and bottom hems," she said. "To match my gown."
"Princess, that is so simple," Madame Chamberlin said as if it was the worse hairstyle she ever heard of.
"It's what I want."
"Then you shall have it," Collette said.
"Very well," Madame Chamberlin said.
"The menu for the reception is settled on," Belle said. "The colors are to be gold and white. The centerpieces on the tables red roses. Am I missing anything?"
"Your bridesmaids," Collette said.
"Right, I have chosen, Princesses Snow White, Aurora, and Abigail," Belle said. "And my maid of honor is to be Princess Anna."
Princess Zelena and Princess Regina were not coming. They were too busy searching for their mother. No one knew where Queen Cora had taken Prince Malcolm after she killed her husband King George. The former Prince James was trying to rule their kingdom. He didn't seem to care what his stepsisters were doing. Prince David was helping the girls.
"I believe we have everything covered," Queen Collette said. "You are to marry in the throne room. The reception shall be held in the ballroom."
Belle nodded. The wedding was almost here. All that was left was her dress. Once, the dress was finished, she was going to marry the Dark One and leave the only home she's ever known. The thought scared her. She wasn't going to be Princess Belle anymore but the Dark One's wife. She wasn't sure what that all meant but she knew that her life was going to be changed forever.
Rumpelstiltskin looked around the bedchamber. He had just finished decorating the room. Cream, light blue, and white were everywhere. He tried his best to make the room look as bright as possible. He even made sure the room would get a lot of sunlight when the curtains were drawn open. He even forwent using magic, for the most part. There was a large canopy bed near the large windows. The coverings were blue. The pillows cream. The curtains blue. The wood white. The wardrobe was white with blue trim and gold roses decorated the doors.
He stepped out in the sitting room. The colors matched the bedchambers. He looked around to make sure he didn't miss a thing. A vanity with a mirror that was enchanted not to be a window to a magic user. A cream colored settee with blue rope trimming was near two large bookcases. A matching sofa for entertaining was by the fireplace. Blue and gold carpet was under every piece of furniture and there was one in front of the fireplace.
Everything was ready for Princess Belle. He wanted the rooms to look inviting. He wanted his bride to be comfortable. He even went as far as making sure she had a bathing room with a tub that was enchanted to fill with any temperature water the princess desired.
He had made sure a smaller room down the hall was livable as well. He figured Belle would like a lady's maid to help her dress and if the woman didn't want to live in the castle, he would make other arrangements.
Rumpelstiltskin had returned to his castle two days prior. He had used magic to get rid the dust that heavily coated everything and took care of any dangerous trinkets. He made sure only he could open the door to his laboratory. Not with blood magic, just in case he found Baelfire or if he and Belle had their own children. He didn't want them finding anything that would harm them.
Everything was perfect. He hoped Belle would appreciate his hard work. He didn't want her to think that she would be sleeping in the dungeons or anything. He wanted her to feel at home. He wanted her to feel safe. He wanted her to not see him for the monster he was.
The dress was complete and it was stunning. Belle stood in front of her mirror. She couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. Her hair was done just the way she wanted it. The gown was embroidered just as she thought it would be. She even wore a pair of matching gloves. The only thing that was missing was makeup.
"It's perfect," Victorie cooed as she circled around her sister.
"She is," Collette said. Unfallen tears were in her eyes. "Oh, Belle, you are so beautiful."
Belle blushed.
"I can't wait two days," Victorie said. "I wish your wedding was today."
Belle did not say it, but she wished her wedding was that day too. She wanted it over with. She never liked being the center of attention.
"I hope he likes it," she said.
"He would be a fool not to," her mother said. "Belle, you make a beautiful bride. Even his dark heart won't deny that."
Belle gulped. In two days she was going to marry the Dark One. She was going to be the wife of a man that was the embodiment of evil.
"Mother how can I be his wife? He's a villain," she said.
Collette stepped to her daughter. She took a hold of Belle's shoulders as she stood behind her. She looked into her eyes through the mirror.
"Everything will be fine," she said.
"How do you know?" Belle asked.
"I have a feeling," Collette answered. "He has protected you all your life. He has never been cruel to you. I believe he cares for you."
"Do you think we could love each other?" Belle asked.
"I believe anything is possible," the queen said.
"I'm scared."
"Do the brave thing and bravery will follow," Victorie said as she went to take her sister's hand. It was a saying Collette had taught them.
Belle took a deep breath. She could do this. She could do the brave thing and marry Rumpelstiltskin.
Rumpelstiltskin sat in his chair in his Grand Hall. His elbows were on the table and his fingers were steeple, his index fingers were touching his lips. He was thinking.
In two days, he would return to Avonlea. He would take Princess Belle for his bride. He knew she would someday lead him to his son.
He had a strange caller that day. Merlin's Apprentice had called him. Curious, Rumpelstiltskin went to the man.
"Why would a being of light magic call upon me, the embodiment of dark magic?" he said with an old flare he hadn't used in years. He even waved his hands like he did before becoming Weaver.
"A strange plot has come to light," the Apprentice said.
"And let me guess, it has something to do with me?" Rumpelstiltskin asked pointing his thumb at himself.
"Yes, it's about the Dark Curse."
The Dark Curse was how the Dark One planned to get to his son.
"Go on."
"It will not be cast," the Apprentice said. "There is another way to get what you want. A way that won't doom us all."
Rumpelstiltskin gave a smile that looked more like a scowl.
"Out with it, dearie," he snarled.
"The Princess Belle of Avonlea will be the key to finding your son," the man finished.
"Do you know how exactly?" the Dark One asked coldly.
When the Apprentice answered, his voice quivered. He was afraid of something or someone.
"I was unable to find out the details," he said.
"How did you find out anything in the first place?"
"I came across a group of fairies," the Apprentice answered and Rumpelstiltskin growled. "They were speaking in secret about Princess Belle. They said she was needed to find your son. They said they cannot allow you to marry the girl."
"Did they say why?"
"The Blue Fairy said that it was to ensure the birth of the Savior and her offspring. That is all I heard before they noticed me and vanished."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"The fairies are good, most of them are, but the extremes they take into making sure the good for all is tainted. They will go through any means necessary to accomplish what they feel is righteous."
"Of that, I know," the Dark One said remembering how he lost his son in the first place.
"I figured that is why the Blue Fairy sent your son away to a land without magic," the Apprentice continued. "She wanted to make sure that you would be desperate to want him back, go through any means. They want the curse cast."
Rumpelstiltskin took a moment to think. He knew the Apprentice wasn't lying. The fairies had something up their sleeves. He wondered why it was so important to have the Savior be born and why her child was so important to them.
"I will handle the fairies after I marry Princess Belle," he said.
"But the fairies plan on stopping the wedding," the Apprentice said.
"I doubt they could. The whole of Avonlea depends on my protection. All the fairies can do is grant a wish. They hold no power."
"For all of the realm's sake, I hope you are right," the Apprentice said.
Now, Rumpelstiltskin wondered if he was too confident. The fairies were a clever bunch. They would not dare approach Princess Belle unless they had a plan.
He could still see the future. He saw the Savior's birth. He knew the child was going to be born with little interference from him. That wasn't part of the story that bothered him. No, he was worried about the Savior's child. He could not see the child. He wondered why. So far the only futures he could not see was his own and Belle's because future was intertwined with his. He wondered if the Savior's child was either too much of a wild card or did the child have something to do with him.
A thought came to him. What if the Savior's child was meant to be his undoing? The Seer had told him that a boy would come and cause his end. He would have to do everything in his power to make sure the child was never born.
END OF CH. 4