Chapter Five
The sunlight turned her eyelids a light brown when Belle opened her eyes and sighed. Her head hurt as she carefully sat up and the room spun around a bit.
"Ouch," she whispered as the door opened and Maurice walked to the bed.
"Belle, you're awake," he said as he sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand.
"Of course I am," she said then saw the look in his eyes. "Father, what's wrong?"
"Don't you remember Gaston assaulting you?"
"Yes, he slapped me," she said then remembered something and gave her father a concerned look. "Is Rumple alright?"
"I guess so," Maurice said and her eyes widened.
"You don't know?"
"He was alright when he went upstairs after you were attacked."
"Did you check on him?" Belle asked when Mrs. Potts, the head of the house, led Chip into the room and Mrs. Potts smiled sweetly at her. Mrs. Potts was a medium size woman with a chubby build, a round face with a small nose, sweet lips and shiny blue eyes and her white hair was tucked under a white cap. She was dressed in a blue dress with a white apron tied around her waist and had black slippers on her feet.
"Oh, thank the gods, you're awake, My Dear," Mrs. Potts said and Belle smiled, nodding her head. "Now, I was bringing Chip to see you, Milaird. He has something to tell you."
"What is the matter, Boy?" Maurice asked while Mrs. Potts gently nudged her son forward and Chip stood at the side of the bed, looking at Belle.
"I told him not to go," Chip said then lowered his head.
"You told who not to go?" Belle asked and Chip sniffed while fat tears rolled down his cheeks. "Oh, don't cry."
Chip looked up as Belle held her arms out and he carefully climbed onto the bed and snuggled next to her. Belle wrapped her arms around him then gently rocked him and he looked at her.
"It was right after you got hurt. I was in the nursery, looking at the stars. I knew I should have been asleep, but I couldn't. I was waiting until Mama came upstairs and told me who you were going to marry. I wanted it to be Master Gold. I know you like him. Anyway, I looked down and that's when I saw him," Chip said and Maurice handed him a handkerchief to wipe his nose.
"You saw who?" Maurice asked.
"I saw Master Gold," Chip said and Belle's eyes went wide. "He was outside near the carts."
"What was he doing?" Belle asked while her heart slammed in her chest and she saw the look in Maurice's eyes.
"That's what I asked him. He said he had to leave," Chip said then started crying again. "I told him not to go. I did. When I went to go with him, he was already on the cart and the cart was leaving."
"Did you see in which direction?" Maurice asked.
"It was to the left," Chip said and Belle kissed the top of his head.
"At first I thought he must have been dreaming, but I went to check," Mrs. Potts said then sighed. "Master Gold's bed hadn't been slept in, but the duvet and one of the pillows are missing. His clothes, money pouch and staff are gone and the clothes and boots you sent for were neatly spread out on the bed. I also checked with the kitchen and Moira said a loaf of stale bread, a water skin and some apples are missing. There were some coins on the table and she found this."
Mrs. Potts handed Maurice a piece of paper when he opened the piece of paper and his heart sank to his feet.
Dear Sir,
I wish to thank you for your hospitality and opening your home to me, but I regret I must take my leave. I have caused you and your daughter enough pain and strife that I cannot, in good conscious, stay. Please give Belle my regards and I hope her injuries heal quickly.
Your friend and servant
Rumplestiltskin Gold
Post scriptum…. I have taken some bedding, some food and water, but have left coins in payment. Unlike my father, I am no thief. Also tell my aunts I will send for them once I have settled.
"Father, what does it say?" Belle asked and Maurice gave her a sad look.
"He's gone," Maurice said, but held up a hand to silence her. "Don't worry. I will send guards to search for him."
"But that will make it look like he's done something."
"Don't you want him found?"
"Yes, but have the guards explain he has done nothing wrong. We just want him brought home safely," Belle said and Maurice nodded his head. "We also need to tell his aunts that he's missing."
"I will do it personally," Maurice said. Crumpling the note in his hand, Maurice left the room as Mrs. Potts followed him and she closed the door behind them,
"Where did he go?" Chip asked while looking at her and Belle looked toward the window, sighing.
The Enchanted Forest
Birdsong woke him as Rumple opened his eyes and wiped his face with his hands. He had the cart leave him off just before they came to town and he had headed into the forest. He had hoped he could find the portal that had brought him to this land, but it was hard to see and he had made camp near some rocks. He had packed some things to make a fire as he looked at the stone fire circle he made and sighed. Getting up, he made a small grunt as he started gathering his things then placing the bundle under his arm and held onto the brown wood staff. He didn't know which way to go as he headed down the path and the sunlight shimmered through the leaves. He was hungry, but didn't want to take time to stop and eat and he looked up at the sky.
Memories of Belle, Maurice, Chip and the others filled his mind when he saw Gaston slapping Belle then the sad look on Chip's face as the cart moved away and his heart clutched tightly in his chest.
"You are a coward," he said softly then shook his head side to side and kept going. He knew he couldn't stay and see the hurt look in Belle's eyes. He was the reason Gaston had assaulted her. He should have stayed upstairs. Why did he agree to dance with her? Why did he even think she would consider him anything more than a servant? That is all he was. That is all he would ever be.
"No one could ever love you, Laddie. You're nothing!"
His father's voice sounded loud in his head as he sighed and headed deeper into the forest. The smell of food made his stomach lurch inside him when he sniffed the air and the smell came from his right. He headed in the direction of the smell as the brown wood staff thudded on the ground and the trees seemed to surround him. The air was cold and the shadows seemed menacing as he moved down the path and he felt his heart thudding in his chest. He kept going when he came into the center of a glade and a shaft of sunlight came from the trees. The glade felt eerie and cold as he looked around when he spotted a fire circle and something was cooking in the black pot suspended over the fire by an iron hook. The smell made his mouth water as he came closer and held the brown wood staff tightly in his hands.
"Are you hungry?" the voice behind him asked when Rumple turned, but lost his footing and landed hard on his bottom. He got to his feet when he saw a tall figure standing just outside the shadows and the shaft of sunlight haloed whoever it was.
"Who are you?" Rumple asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," the figure said as the figure walked closer and Rumple saw it was a middle-aged man with white hair, a chubby build and cold eyes. He was wearing a black robe with a hood and his bare feet were covered in black sandals. What chilled Rumple was the look on the man's face and Rumple backed up a few steps. "There is no need to fear."
"Who are you?" he demanded and the man smiled an impish smile.
"I am a friend," he said then made a small bow. "My name is Zoso."
"I am….,"
"I know who you are," he said and Rumple frowned. He felt uneasy as he looked around with his eyes, but the shadows blocked any means of escape.
"You know who I am?" Rumple asked and Zoso smiled. A cold chill moved through him as Rumple held the brown wood staff tightly in his hands and Zoso moved closer.
"Yes, I do."
"Stay away from me," Rumple said, holding the brown wood staff in both hands.
"There is no need to be defensive. Come and eat," Zoso said as he pointed with his hands toward the fire circle and Rumple pressed his lips together. Every nerve in his body screamed for him to run, but he knew he couldn't get very far and Zoso looked like he was fast besides his weight.
"I am afraid I have to refuse," Rumple said with a bow then turned on his heels and started back into the shadows.
"Leaving so soon?" Zoso asked when he suddenly appeared in front of Rumple and Rumple gasped, looking behind him.
"Please get out of my way."
"I insist," Zoso said with a smile that made Rumple's blood run cold. "Now, come eat."
Fearing for his safety, Rumple nodded his head when he followed Zoso to the fire circle then sat down on the large, flat top stone. He placed the brown wood staff and the bundle with his things against the stone while Zoso reached for the wooden bowl then used an iron ladle to scoop some of the stew that was in the black pot. He walked to Rumple then held the wooden bowl out and Rumple looked at the wooden bowl.
"It's just stew," Zoso said with a grin as Rumple took the wooden bowl in his hands and looked at the bubbling mass in the wooden bowl. Zoso handed him a silver spoon as he took the silver spoon then Zoso walked back to the fire circle and picked up the wooden bowl. Knowing he shouldn't eat anything Zoso offered, Rumple quickly dumped the bubbling mass onto the ground behind the rock then watched Zoso scooped some of the stew into the wooden bowl. "That wasn't very nice."
"What wasn't?" Rumple asked as Zoso turned to look at him and sighed.
"You dumped the stew behind the rock," Zoso said and Rumple's heart lurched in his chest.
"I…."
"Do not lie to me!" Zoso growled and Rumple felt the need to run roar through him.
"I am sorry," Rumple said when Zoso walked to him and took the wooden bowl out of his hands then placed the other wooden bowl in Rumple's lap. Zoso stormed over to the other large, flat top rock, sitting down. He didn't take his eyes off of Rumple as Rumple ate in silence and Rumple admitted the stew was good. Rumple placed the wooden bowl on the ground when he stood up, picked up the bundle and held onto the brown wood staff. "I thank you for your hospitality, but I must go now."
"Are you sure you don't want to stay? I haven't had anyone to talk to in so long," Zoso said as he pointed to the large, flat top rock and Rumple sighed.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Whatever you wish to tell me," Zoso said with that grin that made Rumple want to run and hide and he looked down at his feet.
"There isn't much to tell, really," he said then felt himself sitting down and placed the bundle and brown wood staff against the rock.
"Humor me," Zoso said then placed his hands on his knees. "Let's make a deal. You tell me your story and I'll lead you to where you need to go."
"Deal done," Rumple said and swore Zoso's eyes shimmered in a golden light. Rumple then felt the compulsion to tell him everything as he started talking and Zoso sighed, shaking his head.
"Oh dearie, dearie dear, that is a sad tale," Zoso said then made soft clicking sounds with his tongue against his teeth.
"Yes," Rumple sighed.
"Do you really care for this young lady?"
"I do, but she is young enough to be my daughter."
"Age should never be considered when it comes to True Love," Zoso said as he flipped his hands up and Rumple frowned.
"There is no such thing. If there was then I would have met mine years ago."
"True," Zoso said as he nodded his head then stood up. "Now, I did say I would lead you to where you need to go."
"Finally," Rumple sighed when he got up then jumped when Zoso appeared right in front of him.
"Did I startle you, Dearie?" Zoso asked then giggled and Rumple swallowed the bile in his throat.
"Shall we…Shall we be going?"
"Yes," Zoso said. They headed for the trees then down the path and Rumple felt the ice cold chill in the air. They went on in silence as he tried to see where they were going, but the canopy overhead was so thick that he couldn't see if it was day or night. He wasn't sure how long they were on the path when the trees parted and they looked at the mountains spreading out before them. "Ah, here we are."
"Where are we?" Rumple asked, looking at the mountains.
"This is where you need to go," Zoso said then laughed.
"You expect me to climb mountains? I'm lame."
"This way," Zoso said as he started walking and the need to run increased. "Don't think of running, Dearie. Now come."
Swallowing the bile in his throat, Rumple followed Zoso until they came to a stone bridge and a large dark stone castle was at the other end of the bridge.
"What is this place?" Rumple asked.
"It is your new home," Zoso said, grinning.
"I don't understand."
"Don't you know that all things come with a price?"
"What sort of price?" Rumple asked with a confused look on his face.
"I have fed you. I listened to your tale. Your life is mine," Zoso said when he removed a silver blade dagger out of the folds of his robe and sunlight flared on the silver blade.
"No," Rumple said as he reached for the brown wood staff and held the brown wood staff tightly in his hands.
"So the cripple wants to fight, does he?" Zoso asked with almost a hiss to his voice then smiled. "Good."
With a roar, Zoso charged as Rumple got out of the way and spun the brown wood staff in a circle. He smashed the brown wood staff into Zoso' back as Zoso grunted and staggered a few steps. He turned then charged at him and Rumple jumped onto the large, flat top rock.
"How am I doing this?" Rumple thought as he looked at Zoso and Zoso growled. Rumple swung the brown wood staff with enough force to smash Zoso's jaw, but Zoso dodged and swung the dagger. Rumple jumped into the air then came back down when he kicked Zoso in the face and Zoso growled. Roaring like some inhuman animal, he raised his hands when fire erupted from his hands and hit the brown wood staff.
"By the gods," Rumple shouted when he dropped the brown wood staff and Zoso laughed. Rumple looked for anything to use as a weapon when he picked up a large, sharp edged rock and held the rock in his hand. With a roar, Rumple swung his arm then smacked the dagger out of Zoso's hand and they looked at each other.
"Very good," Zoso panted.
"How am I doing this?"
"That is for me to tell, but not just yet," Zoso said. Rumple glared at him then looked at the dagger and Zoso saw the desperation in Rumple's eyes. "Go on. You know you want to."
Rumple didn't understand what he was talking about and he picked the dagger off the ground. He held the dagger tightly in his right hand as he looked at Zoso, smiled and breathed hard and fast through his nose. Zoso ran toward him then dived into the air like a wild animal and Rumple dived out of the way. He landed on his back, but had knocked the air out of his lungs and held tightly onto the dagger. Roaring, Zoso dived at him as Rumple lifted the dagger off the ground and Zoso landed on top of him. Zoso seemed to go lifeless while Rumple pushed him off and Zoso rolled onto his back.
"Very good," Zoso said again while blood dribbled out of the corner of his mouth and Rumple leaned back on his legs. He looked at the blood rolling down the silver blade then saw ZOSO engraved in the blade and a cold chill moved through his body.
"Seven hells, it has your name on it," Rumple said and Zoso coughed as he laughed.
"Have you ever heard of the Dark One?"
"Yes."
"Good," Zoso said. "Then I got the right man. I wasn't sure until you used your magic so you could fight."
"What do you mean?" Rumple asked, getting confused. "I don't have magic."
"Of course you do," Zoso said with a smile.
"What are you?"
"I am the Dark One," Zoso said then looked at the sky. "I have done what you asked, Mistress. He is yours."
Zoso coughed then went still as Rumple looked at him then at the dagger and his eyes widened. Zoso's name was fading as his name appeared on the silver blade and Rumple dropped the dagger on the ground. He placed his head back as his scream echoed into the shadows and tears rolled down his face. The cold air blew around him as he lowered his head and felt darkness moving through his heart. Looking up, he sighed then picked up the dagger when he headed across the bridge and stood at the steps to the Dark Castle. He walked up the stairs as the large iron doors opened and he went inside. The large iron doors slammed shut while snow started falling and the sound of a female laughing echoed in the wind.