A/N: Don't hate me for the end. It had to happen. :( As for Belle and Rumple being the same age. No, they're not, but will be by the time the story ends.

Chapter Four

"What are you doing here?" Andre asked while Rumple gave him a blank look and leaned slightly on the brown wood staff. Though older, Andre still had a muscular, lean build and his black hair was streaked with gray. A scar ran down the right side of his face from the corner of his right eye down to his chin and his nose was crooked. He was dressed in a red waistcoat, a white silk shirt, white trousers and black leather boots that ended at his knees. Medals of service were pinned to the waistcoat while a sword hung in the scabbard on his belt and he held a chrome helmet with a white feather on the side under his left arm.

"Lord D'Leon asked me to serve as his spinner, tailor and weaver after he found me lying on the side of the road. If it was not for him, I would have died," Rumple said and Andre laughed.

"You should have, you worthless coward," Andre said with a smug look on his face.

"That will be enough, Andre," Maurice said while walking closer and Andre turned, sneering at Rumple.

"Maurice, I am shocked you would allow this…filth to live under your roof," Andre said, pointing his index finger at Rumple. "Don't you know his father was a thief, a liar, a coward and a cheat?"

"That may be so, but Rumplestiltskin is nothing like his father," Maurice said and Andre snorted.

"Blood doesn't lie. I suggest you toss him out before he robs you blind."

"May I remind you that you are a guest? I do not allow anyone to besmirch those who live under my roof," Maurice said then looked at Rumple. "Go upstairs and get dressed."

With a nod, Rumple went up the stairs while the brown wood staff clicked on the marble steps and he winced when Andre made snorting noises. Sighing, Rumple kept going until he came to the top of the stairs then went up the next flight of stairs which lead to the servants' wing. The soft clicking sound of the brown wood staff echoed down the hallway when he opened the door and went in the room.

The bedroom was decorated in dark wood furnishing with a dark blue carpet under the bed and the hard wood flooring sparkled in the light from the fireplace and oil lamps on the round wood table at the center of the room and the night tables. The walls were done in soft wood paneling and the window glass was done in blue, green, red and yellow stain glass. Four marble pots sat in the corners with large leaf plants inside and tapestries hung on the walls by gold chains. A beautiful seascape painting in a dark wood frame hung over the bed and a large, dark wood wardrobe was to the left of the door. A dark wood trunk sat at the foot of the bed and small statues, books and small vases sat on the dark wood bookcase between the windows.

Lying on the bed was a dark blue silk waistcoat with gold buttons and a high collar and the waistcoat was trimmed in white lace down the front as well as the collar and the lace outlined the gray cuffs and gray silk covered the pockets. Next to the waistcoat was a white silk shirt with a high collar and was open enough to show some of his chest and collarbones and a silver silk vest etched in gold scrolling. There was also a gold string tie and a pair of dark blue silk breeches lying on the bed and a pair of black leather boots were sitting next to the bed. A black wood cane with a gold handle was sitting against the night table and he ran his fingers over the gold handle of the black wood cane.

"I can't wear this," he said softly as he looked down at the clothing and sighed.

"Why not?" asked a voice from behind him and he turned, seeing the healer standing in the doorway. Rumple watched the old man coming closer when he stood next to Rumple and looked down at the clothing. Something about the healer caused an ice cold chill to move through him and every nerve in his body warned him not to trust him. "They look like they'd fit."

"They may fit, but I'm not worthy of them," Rumple sighed and the old man gave him a puzzled look.

"Maurice thinks you are," he said and Rumple was surprised he could call Maurice anything, but Master or Milaird.

"He shouldn't. I'm nothing more than the son of the cowardly con man."

"Are you a coward?" the healer asked. Something in his eyes made Rumple's heart slam in his chest and he stood a little straighter.

"No."

"Then why are you hiding?"

"I just don't want to cause trouble. Andre D'Monte…"

"So you are going to let someone like that fool treat you like dirt?" the healer asked and Rumple swore he was growling.

"What would you have me do?"

"I want you to get dressed, go downstairs and show that idiot who you really are," the healer said as Rumple sighed and closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes, the healer was gone and Rumple was surprised that he didn't hear him leave. Sighing, Rumple placed the brown wood staff against the side of the bed then removed his tunic and picked up the white silk shirt. He placed the white silk shirt on as the soft material moved fluidly over his skin and he smiled. Buttoning the cuffs, he looked at the breeches then picked them up and sat on the edge of the bed. Looking at the black leather boots, he sighed and went onto his back with a small thud then looked at the canopy.

Two hours later

Belle listened to the music while watching the guests dancing then glanced at the large ivory doors. She had wondered where Rumple was as she sighed and sipped on the wine in the gold trimmed glass goblet.

"You look amazing, Darling," Maurice said as she smiled and lowered her head. She was wearing the gold silk, off the shoulder gown Rumple had designed and made and crystal pins held her auburn hair in tight curls. She was also wearing gold slippers and a gold chain with a clear crystal pendant. "You look just like your mother."

"Thank you, Father," she said when Andre walked closer and a young man walked a few steps behind him. He was tall with a muscular, lean build, black hair and bright blue eyes and she admitted he was rather handsome.

"Ah, there you are," Andre said then turned and looked at his son. "This is my son, Gaston."

"Hello," Belle said and Gaston looked her up and down with her eyes. A cold chill moved through her as he smiled and arched one of his eyebrows. Something about him made her skin crawl. She gave him a blank look and Gaston lightly licked his lips.

"My, aren't you something," Gaston said and Maurice gently moved Belle behind him. "What is the matter? Can't I complement my fiancé?"

"What do you mean?" Belle asked then looked at Maurice.

"And here I heard you were intelligent," Andre said as he snorted a laugh. "He is going to be your husband."

"Father, may I have a word?" Belle asked as she touched Maurice's arm and they walked away. They stopped near one of the marble columns when she turned and looked at Gaston and Andre. "You expect me to marry that…beast?"

"Belle, please, you have to understand," Maurice sighed and Belle placed her hands on her hips.

"I do understand, but have you any idea what he is? He is a brute, is short tempered and will sleep with any whore who puts her legs in the air."

"Those are just rumors," Maurice said and Belle sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Well, I will not agree to this. No one decides my fate, but me."

"Belle….," he sighed when the music stopped suddenly and the guests were looking at someone standing in the doorway. Rumple held onto the gold handle of the black wood cane as he looked at the guests and made a soft cough. He limped in the room as the guests looked at him and most of the women glanced at his bottom,

"Rumple," Belle whispered then smiled and walked to him. He looked at her as his heart slammed in his chest and she stopped, standing in front of him. She admired his clothes, but she noticed he wasn't wearing the black leather boots. Instead, he wore his black slippers and she gave him a pleased look.

"Your servant, Lady," he said as he made a small bow and she smiled. "You look lovely in that dress."

"Thank you," she said as a small blush moved over her cheeks. Maurice softly smiled when Cora Mills and her daughters, Zelena and Regina, walked closer and Cora looked at Rumple.

"Who is that man with Belle?" Cora asked, pointing with her fan toward Rumple.

"That is Rumplestiltskin Gold. He is a friend of the family," Maurice said and Cora gave Rumple an approving look.

"What happened to his leg?" Regina asked while looking at the black wood cane.

"He broke his leg when he took a tumble down a hill."

"Never mind his leg," Zelena said as she looked at Rumple's bottom and smiled.

"Zelena, behave yourself," Cora growled and Zelena glared at her. "Is he the one you picked to marry Belle?"

"No, that is Gaston D'Monte," Maurice said and Zelena's eyes widened. Zelena considered Gaston one of her lovers and balled her hands into fists.

"Why would you consider marrying her into that family? They are nothing more than brutes and drunkards," Cora said and Maurice sighed.

"Andre promised to aide me when the ogres attacked again if I allow his son to marry Belle," Maurice said softly and Cora gave him a sad look.

"Maurice, are you sure this is wise?" she asked, placing her hand on his lower arm. "Do you think Colette would approve of this match?"

Colette was Belle and Marcus' mother and Maurice looked at Belle and Rumple. Maurice knew Colette would never approve of Belle marrying Gaston and he pressed his lips together.

Belle looked at Rumple when he placed his hands on the gold handle of the black cane and felt a warm tingle moving through him.

"I was told you were going to stay up in your room or in your workshop," Belle finally said. Chip had told her, but she had thought Rumple would decide to come down and he gently thumped the tip of the black wood cane against the marble flooring.

"I wanted to, but I knew you would be upset if I didn't come down," Rumple said, half closing his eyes. She loved how cute he looked when he was being shy and she placed her hand on top of his hands.

"Well, just so you know, I would have come and got you."

"What would you have done if I refused?"

"It's quite simple. I would have tickled your feet," she teased while playfully poking him in the chest and he gave her a small smile. She had found out while helping Mrs. Potts bathe him when he was still bedridden that he had very ticklish feet. "You look very handsome."

"If you say so," he sighed then she patted his hand when the music changed to a waltz and she looked at him.

"Will you dance with me?" Belle asked, but he shook his head.

"I can't dance. I mean I can dance. It's just….," he said while looking down at his leg and sighed.

"Please try," Belle said when she placed his hand on her shoulder and he blinked his eyes a few times. She placed her hand on his shoulder then against his hip and he looked deeply into her blue eyes. He nodded his head when they started to slowly move to the music and the tip of the black wood cane made soft clicking sounds on the marble flooring.

Zelena glared at Belle and Rumple dancing when she walked to Gaston, who was talking to one of the maid, and tapped his arm. Gaston turned to look at her when he smiled at her breasts straining against the tight material of her green silk gown and she smacked his shoulder.

"Stop that," she growled then looked at Belle. "Are you going to allow her to make a fool out of you?"

"What are you talking about?" Gaston asked then turned. He saw Belle dancing with Rumple and anger boiled inside him. Storming by Zelena, Gaston headed for Belle and Rumple when Gaston placed his hand on Rumple's shoulder and spun him around to face him.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Gaston demanded and Belle glared at him.

"We're dancing," Belle said and Gaston looked at her with anger in his eyes.

"I was not talking to you," Gaston growled and balled his hand into a fist.

"Watch your tone," Rumple said then winced when Gaston pressed his fingers into his shoulders.

"Keep silent or I will remove your tongue," Gaston said as he pushed Rumple down to his knees and Rumple screamed after his right knee slammed onto the hard marble floor.

"Rumple," Belle shouted when Gaston let go of Rumple and glared at her. Regina ran to Rumple then helped him to his feet and she saw the anger building behind his eyes.

"Are you alright?" Regina asked and he saw the concern shining in her eyes.

"Yes, where is my cane?" he asked and Regina picked the black wood cane off the floor, handing the black wood cane to him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Regina said with a small smile.

"And you say I'm a flirt," Zelena sneered and Cora glared at her. She knew how Zelena felt about Gaston when she looked from Zelena to Gaston then back and her fan made a loud clacking sound when she closed the fan against her hand.

"If I find out you had anything to do with this, you will suffer," Cora said, but Zelena gave her a blank look and walked away.

"Let go of me," Belle shouted while trying to get free of Gaston's grip after he had grabbed her then she stepped hard on his foot and he howled, letting go of her. Before he could grab her again, Belle slapped his face hard and some blood rolled out of his nose. Wiping the blood away, Gaston glared at her and balled his hands into fists.

"How dare you strike your fiancé," Gaston bellowed.

"You are not my fiancé. I would soon die then marry a beast such as you," she shouted when he raised his hand and back handed her in the face. Belle fell unconscious to the marble floor as the guests gasped and Maurice stormed toward him.

"Guards," he shouted as the guards surrounded them and drew their sword from the scabbards on their belts.

"How dare you raise a hand against my son," Andre said as he walked closer and Maurice glared at him.

"He has assaulted my daughter," Maurice said then knelt down next to Belle. "Someone remove this knave then send for the healer!"

"Where shall we take him, Milaird?" one of the guards asked.

"Take him to the dungeon," Maurice said and Andre's eyes widened.

"Are you mad?" he demanded then made a soft cough when he saw the anger in Maurice's eyes. The guards led Gaston out of the room as Maurice looked at Rumple and Regina was holding Rumple in her arms.

"Are you alright?" Maurice asked.

"Yes," Rumple said with a nod of his head. The guard led the healer toward them when the healer knelt down and examined Belle. Regina saw the worry in Rumple's eyes when she led him to one of the couches and help him sit down.

"Stay here while I get you something to drink," Regina said when she walked away and Rumple watched the healer examine Belle.

"Will she be alright?" Maurice asked and the healer made a little grunt as he stood up.

"Yes, with a little rest," the healer said and Maurice nodded his head.

"Take my daughter upstairs," Maurice said when the guard carefully lifted Belle off the floor and the healer followed as they left the room. Maurice looked at the guests then at Rumple when Rumple looked down and Maurice sighed.

Hours later

Chip knew he should be sleeping, but he was so excited. His mother told him Maurice was going to announce Belle's engagement to someone and he had hoped it would be Rumple. He liked Rumple and Rumple had let him help make Belle's gown as well as some other things. He had decided he was going to be a spinner or a weaver or a tailor when he grew up and be just as humble and generous as Rumple. Smiling, he looked out the window while the stars twinkled in the dark sky and thin clouds moved over the moon. Looking down, he could just see the carts sitting outside and leaned his lower arms on the window ledge. Suddenly he saw someone moving toward one of the carts when he realized it was Rumple and carefully climbed onto the window ledge.

"Master Gold?" he called out as Rumple stopped and leaned on the brown wood staff. He was wearing his normal clothing and boots and was carrying something under his left arm.

"What are you doing awake?" Rumple asked, looking up at him.

"I couldn't sleep. What are you doing?"

"I'm….," Rumple said when he looked at the cart then sighed. "I'm leaving."

"Why?"

"I just have to. Now go to bed."

"No, please don't go."

"Chip…" Rumple sighed as he looked down then looked to see Chip was gone. Looking around, Rumple saw one of the cart drivers was heading for a cart and Rumple quickly limped toward him. "Wait."

"Can I help you?" the driver asked.

"Yes, are you leaving?"

"Aye, I am. What's it to you?"

"I need a lift," Rumple said then placed the bundle down and took some coins from the leather pouch on his belt. "I can pay."

The driver didn't care to why he needed a lift as he looked at the coins then at Rumple and smiled.

"Sure," the drive said then helped Rumple onto the back of the cart, handed him the bundle and closed the back of the cart. Once Rumple was settled, the driver got onto the cart and took the reins in his hands. The cart moved away while Rumple looked back at the castle when Chip ran outside and stood in the dim light. Lowering his head, Rumple sighed and fat tears rolled down his cheeks.