A/N: Some of you asked about the two older women in Rumple's life and if they were still alive. Well, you're about to find out. :)

Chapter Three

"You have to eat," Belle said while Rumple folded his arms over his chest and pressed his lips together. A wooden tray sat over his lap and he looked at the china bowl with an oatmeal mush swirled with honey, a china plate with slices of dry wheat toast, a china bowl with clear broth and a china cup with some honey tea. She knew he was angry, but she also knew he had to eat and she placed the spoon on the wooden tray. "Why are you so angry?"

"Why am I….?" he stammered with wide eyes then looked at the canopy. "Get out."

"But…"

"I said get out!" he shouted when she got up and headed for the door. He didn't see the tears in her eyes as she left the room and he wiped away his own tears. She stopped short when he screamed and she looked back at the door before heading down the hallway.

Two months later

Rumple leaned back against the pillows while he looked at his right leg sitting on the pillows and blinked his eyes a few times. His leg was covered with white cloth. He could just see the top of his toes and winced in pain when he tried to move his leg. He moved the bedding and duvet back when he breathed softly through his nose then sat up and carefully moved his legs to the side of the bed. His heart slammed in his chest as he held onto the mattress and looked down at his feet. Breathing deeply through his nose, he gently rocked back and forth when he slowly pushed himself onto his feet and balanced most of his weight on his left leg with his right leg bent at the knee.

"What are you doing?" Belle asked after she came into the room and he looked at her coming toward the bed.

"I'm getting up," he said as he let go of the mattress and tried to balance himself. Pain roared through his leg as his mouth fell open in a silent scream and he closed his eyes tightly.

"Hold on," she said as she helped him sit on the mattress and he made a soft whimpering sound. Carefully helping him lay down, she placed his leg back onto the pillows then covered him with the bedding and duvet and he leaned back on the pillows.

"Thank you," he sighed and she took his hand, wrapping their fingers together.

"Why did you want to get up?" she asked, looking at the light of the candles dancing in his eyes. His eyes almost seemed an amber color as he blinked and notice the blush moving across her cheeks.

"I was bored just lying here," he said with a small smile and gently squeezed her fingers.

"The healer said it is too soon for you to get up," she said and he sighed, half closing his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he sighed and she softly smiled.

"It's a good thing I came in when I did. You could have fallen."

"I know," he said with a small nod when he looked over at the fireplace and noticed the portrait in the dark wood flame over the mantel. The portrait was of a young boy with auburn hair and blue eyes and he was sitting on a brown pony with a black mane and tail. The boy was wearing a white linen shirt, gray breeches and black leather boots and was smiling. "Is that Marcus?"

"Yes," Belle said, looking at the portrait.

"I never asked, but was he your younger brother?" Rumple asked and she sighed, lowering her head.

"No, he was my older brother," she said and he nodded his head. He knew Marcus was in his mid-twenties and he tilted his head to one side. He saw the sadness in her eyes when she lowered her head and fresh tears dribbled down her cheeks. "I was only ten years old when he was called into service."

"You were…?" he asked when his heart started to speed up and blood pounded in his ears. His mind raced as he tried to make sense of what she said, but nothing did. His head hurt as his heart raced and he started shaking.

"Rumple?" she asked as he breathed quickly through his nose while his head started aching then his eyes rolled into his head and he started fitting. "No, please, calm yourself!"

She moved the pillows out from under him then laid him on his back as he twitched and bucked on the bed and she called out for help. She felt the tears rolling down her cheeks as the guards ran into the room and she told them to fetch a healer.

Four hours later

The inside of his eyelids turned a light brown while Rumple came out of the darkness and slowly opened his eyes. He knew he was lying flat on his back with a small pillow under his head, but he didn't understand why he felt so tired or why his head hurt. He blinked his eyes a few times when he looked to his right and saw Belle sitting on a chair by the window. She was reading a book, but she looked so tired and had been crying.

"Belle," he said in a weak voice when she looked at him, placed a ribbon marker in the book, closed the book and got up, placing the book on the chair.

"You're awake," she said with a small smile while she walked to the bed when she sat on the edge of the bed and took his right hand, wrapping their fingers together.

"Belle," he said again, but she hushed him while placing her finger against his lips.

"No, don't talk," she said then got up and walked to the door. He watched her leave the room then tried to remember what happened and he looked at his right leg. It was still wrapped in white cloth, but didn't hurt as much as his head and he blinked his eyes a few times. Suddenly he remembered what she had told him as his heart thumped hard against his sternum and he closed his eyes.

"Who is Belle?" he had asked, watching over Marcus' shoulder while Marcus was writing in his journal.

"She's my sister," Marcus said with a small smile. "She's ten years old."

"You're lucky. I never had any siblings."

"Would you like mine?" Marcus teased and they laughed. "I'm only joking. She is a sweet girl. Though Father says she's more like my mother than him."

"It sounds like you two are very close."

"She wanted to come with me. I told her a battlefield is no place for a girl. After I told her that, she, uh, she punched me in the stomach," Marcus said and Rumple made a soft, high pitched giggle.

"Sorry, I don't mean to laugh."

"That's alright," Marcus said with a smile. "Tell you what. When this is all over, I'll take you to my father's castle and introduce you. Then you can see just how much of a brat she is."

"I can't wait to meet her," Rumple said and smiled.

Sighing, Rumple opened his eyes when the door opened and Maurice, Belle and the healer came in the room. The healer was a medium size man with a long face, a long nose, thin lips, a bald head and chocolate brown eyes. He had long fingers that were knobby from age and he held onto a black wood staff. He was wearing a brown wool robe tied by a rope and a leather pouch was tied to the rope.

"Finally decided to wake up, did you?" Maurice teased with a small smile as they stood next to the bed and Rumple looked up at him. He didn't know what to ask first as he sighed and pressed his lips together. "How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts," Rumple sighed and the healer sat down on the edge of the bed, giving him a blank look.

"Well, considering you have been fitting on and off for the last four hours, I'm not surprised," the healer said and Rumple's eyes widened.

"I've been fitting?" Rumple asked as the healer hushed him and started his examination. Rumple looked at Belle as she lowered her head and he frowned. "Belle, what's wrong?"

"I should have never told you the truth," she sighed and Maurice placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I was going to tell you when you were stronger," Maurice said when the healer stood up and looked at him. "How is he?"

"His leg is healing nicely, but he still needs some rest," the healer said and handed Maurice a small packet of herbs. "Give him this in some honey tea. It will help with his headache."

"Thank you," Maurice said as the healer nodded his head then left the room. Belle sat on the edge of the bed when she took Rumple's hand and wrapped their fingers together. Maurice noticed the looks they were giving each other as he slightly smiled and Rumple gently rubbed his thumb over Belle's knuckles.

"I know this is rude, but how old are you?" Rumple asked.

"I'm twenty-two," Belle asked and his heart started racing again. He was very good at math as he closed his eyes and squeezed her fingers. "Oh, no, I'm sorry. I did it again."

"No," he said as he opened his eyes and sighed.

"It's been twelve years since anyone has seen you or heard from you," Maurice said and Belle glared at her father.

"Father," she said and Rumple squeezed her fingers then shook his head.

"This explains why Major Cole looked older," Rumple said softly and Belle brushed the hair out of his eyes. "Did they…? Have I been branded a deserter or a coward?"

"I am afraid you have been," Maurice said and Rumple sighed.

"But we know that isn't true," Belle said.

"How will I explain what happened? I can't just tell people I fell into a blue light and ended up miles, let alone years, from the battlefield," Rumple said, letting go of her hand. He thought it was a dream, but now he understood what he saw before waking up and pressed his lips together.

"Is that what happened?" Maurice asked.

"Yes."

"Then we could tell people you had been injured and awoke with no memory of who you were until recently."

"But that would be a lie," Belle said.

"Sometimes lies are better than the truth. Unless you want the taint of a coward to be passed down to your children," Maurice said as he looked at Rumple.

"I never married nor have children," Rumple sighed and Maurice nodded his head.

"I saw in my son's journals you were a spinner before going into service."

"Yes, I was. I am also a good weaver and tailor and I do know how to knit and cook."

"Well, I do have need of a new spinner and tailor. The job is yours if you wish," Maurice said with a small smile.

"I would be honored. Thank you," Rumple said then yawned and Belle got up. She moved the bedding and duvet up then folded his arms over his stomach and Rumple closed his eyes. Maurice didn't mind when she leaned down to kiss the top of Rumple's head and Rumple smiled. She walked to her father when they left the room and Rumple sighed as the darkness filled his mind and he drifted back to sleep.

Two weeks later

The doors opened while Maurice led two women in the room and they looked at Rumple sleeping peacefully on his back.

"Oh," Jenna said as she placed her hand against her mouth.

"By the gods," Freya said, holding her hand against her chest.

Belle was sitting on the high back chair near the fireplace and she stood up, walking to them.

"Ladies, I would like to introduce my daughter, Belle," Maurice said with a small bow. "Belle, these are Rumplestiltskin's aunts, Jenna and Freya."

Belle watched while Jenna and Freya held onto each other and slowly walked to the bed. Freya carefully sat on the edge of the bed when Rumplestiltskin's eyes fluttered open and he blinked his eyes clear.

"Rumple, is it really you?" Jenna asked and he looked at them. Though older and looking frail, he recognized them and he reached out his hand. Freya took his hand as they wrapped their fingers together and he sadly smiled at her.

"Yes, it's me," he finally said and Jenna slowly walked around the bed and looked at the white cloth wrapped around his leg then carefully sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Lord Maurice told us what happened to your leg, but the rest of it," Freya said.

"Yes, even I'm still confused," Rumplestiltskin said then sighed. "I do apologize for the scandal I have brought."

"There is no need for sorry, My Boy," Freya said with a stern look on her face. "I didn't believe word of it."

"Neither did I nor did anyone else who knew you," Jenna said and he nodded.

"But this," Freya said as she looked at his leg and smiled, shaking her head. "Didn't I tell you to be careful in the woods?"

Rumplestiltskin laughed as he nodded his head and Belle wrapped her arms around her father's waist.

"Now," Freya said as she held his hand in her hands and kissed his fingers. "Tell us what you've been up to."

Rumplestiltskin told stories of battle and about Marcus while Freya and Jenna listened and Maurice surprised them when he offered them a small house so they could come and visit Rumplestiltskin whenever they wished. They accepted then left after Rumple had closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep with a content smile on his face.

Six months later

"Rumple, are you here?" Belle asked as she came into the room and heard a soft squeaking sound. Rumple's leg healed, but, like the healer thought, the damage left Rumple lame and he used a brown wood staff to help him walk. She had helped him relearn how to walk, but there were times he didn't feel like walking. She encouraged him not to give up and was proud the day he limped to her. He blushed after she had kissed him and she admitted silently he wasn't a bad kisser. Maurice had a special spinning wheel made for him and Rumple had designed then sewn clothing for Maurice, Belle and the staff of the castle. He has also made clothing for the children, toddlers and infants whose parents worked in the castle, but what bothered her was he never made any new clothes for himself. He was content wearing a simple tan linen tunic, brown linen trousers and soft deerskin slippers.

"Is there something you wanted, Belle?" he asked as she walked closer and stood next to him. He moved the wheel with his left hand while holding the thread between the fingers of his right hand and used his left foot to move the pedal.

"Well, as you know, I haven't married yet," she said and he softly smiled.

"Your father says it's because you tend to scare off any suitor he picks for you," he teased and she gently ruffled his hair.

"I can't help it if his choices do not like a woman who is smart," she teased with a smug look on her face.

"I wouldn't mind," he thought and moved the wheel with his hand.

"No, they don't," he said, nodding. "They either want a dim witted wife or one who doesn't mind tossing her legs into the air whenever their husbands feel like having sex…or his friends."

"Well, he's found another suitor for me and guarantees this one will make a good husband," she said and his heart sank to his feet.

"But you don't think so?" he asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"No, I don't."

"I see," he said and his heart felt lighter.

"Father is going to have a ball to announce the engagement two month from Friday and…," she said and Rumple held up his hand.

"He wants me to make you a dress?" he asked with a cold tone to his voice and she looked at him.

"Yes," she said with a nod of her head.

"Alright," he said while looking at the wheel spinning around and around and she sighed, patted his shoulder then left the room. He halted the wheel when he sat straighter and blinked the tears out of his eyes then wiped his eyes on the back of his hand. He looked at the door when he picked the brown wood staff off the floor, got up then limped to the window and watched the clouds moving across the bright blue sky.

Two months later

Rumple watched while the servants decorated the ballroom and he held tightly onto the brown wood staff. Food was placed on the long, dark wood tables covered in white linen cloth along with large crystal pitchers of wine and the string quartet tuned their instruments in the far right corner. White roses were in white marble stands with gold handles and white ribbons were tied to the handles. White china dining plates, serving plates and bowls, tea and coffee pots, cups and saucer with a red rose trim were on the long, dark wood tables and gold candlesticks with white wax candles sat at either end of the long, dark wood tables.

"Rumple?" a voice asked when he turned and saw Maurice standing behind him. Maurice was wearing a black velvet waistcoat over a white silk shirt and a gold sash crossed his chest. The gray trousers were held up by a black leather belt and black leather boots ended at his knees. Rumple had made the new clothes for him, the servants and Belle, but he was still dressed in his usual clothing. "Why haven't you changed? The guests will be here soon."

"If it is all the same with you, I will not be attending," Rumple said when he started to move by him, but Maurice placed his hand on Rumple's left shoulder and sighed.

"Belle wishes you to be here," he said and Rumple arched an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"You are her best friend and she thought you would like to have some fun instead of staying in your room or spinning in your workroom."

"How can I have fun? She's…," he said then sighed, lowering his head. Maurice felt sympathy for him as he patted Rumple's shoulder and Rumple looked at their feet.

"You like her, don't you?" Maurice asked with a small smile on his face.

"Yes, but she is old enough to be my daughter," he said, looking at him.

"I will have you know I was twelve years older than her mother when we got married and no one minded."

"But she is… I'm just a spinner and a crippled one at that."

"That doesn't matter to her or to me."

"Then why are you marrying her off to someone else?" he asked and Maurice sighed. Rumple saw the sadness in his eyes and Maurice rubbed his face with his hands.

"I'm afraid I have no choice," Maurice sighed.

"I see," Rumple said, not wanting to push him for more information.

"Go get changed," he said and Rumple frowned.

"I don't have anything to wear."

"Yes, you do. I had a suit made for you. Go see if it fits," he said and Rumple nodded his head, heading for the door. The soft clicking sound of the brown wood staff on the marble flooring filled his ears as Rumple headed down the hallway and nodded to some of the servants. They all had a look of pity in their eyes, but he ignored the looks and headed for the marble stairs. He stopped when a little boy with wild blonde hair ran to him and gently wrapped his arms around Rumple's legs. The boy was five years of age with a round face, a small button of a nose, bright green eyes and a chipped front tooth. He had chipped his tooth when he had tripped going up the stairs and he was the son of the head of the house.

"Hello, Chip," Rumple said, smiling while ruffling Chip's hair.

"Are you going up to get dressed, Master Gold?" Chip asked. Chip was wearing the dark blue velvet waistcoat he had made for him as well as gray breeches, black shoes, a black belt, white knee socks and a white shirt.

"Yes, Lord Maurice told me to, but I think I'll just go to my workshop."

"But Momma is making some really good ginger cakes and sweet tea. Those are your favorites." Chip moaned as he grinded the toe of his shoe against the floor and Rumple felt the guilt rumbling in his chest.

"You're right," Rumple said as he carefully knelt down and held onto the brown wood staff. "Could you go ask her to bring some up to my workshop?"

"Ok," Chip sighed then walked away and Rumple made a soft grunt as he stood up. He watched Chip going down the hallway then placed his hand on the stair railing and frowned.

"By the gods, if it isn't the coward," Andre D'Monte said as Rumple turned around and held the brown wood staff tightly in his hands.