Chapter Thirteen
"Ah, there you are," Rumple said when he walked in the den and saw Belle sitting on the black wood couch with emerald green cushions. Three weeks had passed since their encounter with Merlin, but neither gave him a second thought and returned to their normal routines. Belle was reading a letter from her father and he noticed the look on her face. "Is there something wrong, Darling?"
"This is from my father," she said as she held up the letter and he sat down next to her. She folded her legs onto the cushions as she snuggled next to him and he took the letter out of her hand. She placed her head against his right shoulder as he looked at the letter and frowned. "He says the crops are failing on all of his farms and people are becoming ill. He doesn't know what's causing this and Merlin appears to have gone missing."
"Of course he has," Rumple growled and scrunched the letter in his hand. She hated the fact he was getting angry when she removed the crumpled letter from his hand and wrapped their fingers together. He gently smiled at her as he turned to face her and squeezed her fingers.
"Will you help my father?" she asked and he saw the sadness in her eyes. He gently kissed her forehead when he got up and held his hand out. She took his hand as he helped her off the black wood couch and wrapped his arms around her waist. The crumpled letter drifted to the floor after they vanished in a puff of purple smoke and the crumpled letter slowly landed on the marble tile.
Avonlea
Maurice stood by the window as he held the scroll with a recent report in his right hand when the purple smoke appeared in the center of the room and he turned, seeing Belle and Rumple. Even though he hated Merlin for what he had done, Maurice could never hate Rumple and he walked to them with a smile on his face.
"Greetings," he said as he hugged Belle and Rumple looked at the scroll.
"May I see that?" he asked and Maurice handed him the scroll. Opening the scroll, Rumple read the news then pressed his lips together and Belle head a soft growling coming from him.
"Do you think you can help us?"
"Of course I can. What makes me angry is this was done intentionally."
"Who do you think did this?" Belle asked and he looked at her.
"I believe it was Mab."
"Why did she do this?" Maurice asked.
"She is either trying to draw me out or Merlin," Rumple said and crushed the report in his hand.
"Blast that Merlin. I rue the day I met him."
"Are you going to face her?" Belle asked.
"It looks like I may not have a choice," Rumple said when the door opened and Mrs. Potts walked in the room, pushing the teacart in front of her.
"Sorry, Milaird, but I thought you and Lady Belle would like…," she said when she looked at Rumple and he placed the hood up to cover his face. "Oh, please, I will have none of that."
She walked to him when she reached up and moved the hood down. She gently placed her hands on his shoulders as he lowered his head and she lifted his chin up, looking deeply into his eyes
"It's good to see you again, My Dear," she said then hugged him and rubbed his back.
"It's good to see you as well, Dear Lady," he whispered and she moved back, wiping the tears from her eyes with the edge of her apron.
"Now I'll leave you to the tea and will go get your room and workshop ready for when you come home for good. And you better come home soon or I will tan your bottom," she said, smiling while wagging a finger at him then left the room and Belle walked closer as she slid her arms around his waist. Maurice smiled as Belle quickly kissed Rumple and Rumple lowered his head while giving her a shy look. They looked deeply into each other's eyes until Maurice made a small cough and they looked at him.
"I need to go to one of the farms," Rumple said while looking at Maurice and Maurice nodded. He walked to the large, dark wood table with the map of his lands on top when he looked at the map and frowned.
"This one is nearby." Maurice said while Rumple and Belle walked closer and Rumple looked at the map. "I will get a carriage ready."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Belle asked as she looked at Rumple.
"No, it's too dangerous," Maurice said as Rumple arched an eyebrow and frowned.
"I assure you, Sir, that I will take care of her," he said and Maurice saw the anger in his eyes.
"I know that, Sir, but I am beginning to understand just how dangerous Mab is."
"And she is going to learn it is not a good idea to anger the Dark One," Rumple said through clenched teeth when the air turned cold and they looked toward the fireplace. Merlin stood in front of the fire when Rumple let go of Belle and stood in front of her. Fireballs encircled his hands as he looked at his grandfather and Merlin folded his arms over his chest. "Be gone, Demon. You are not welcome here."
"I'm a demon, am I? Well, it's not the first time someone called me that," Merlin said with a bow then walked closer, stopping in front of Rumple.
"Why are you here?" Rumple growled.
"I am here to make sure you don't go after Mab."
"That is my choice to make."
"No, it's mine," Merlin said when he waved his hand and Rumple screamed while a black smoke enveloped him and Belle ran to Maurice.
"What have you done?" Maurice demanded as the black smoke faded and his eyes widened. Rumple stood with an anguished look on his face and he was encased in stone. "You've killed him!"
"No, he's alive," Merlin said as he looked at the map of the farms and villages which were suffering and sighed. "He will return to normal in a few minutes. By then, I will be gone."
"You are a monster!" Belle shouted and Merlin frowned.
"First I am a demon and now I am a monster. What I am is the only one who can stop Mab," he said then vanished in a puff of black smoke and had taken the map with him. Walking closer, Belle looked at Rumple when a white light shimmered over him and the stone faded. Rumple gasped while falling forward and Belle caught him as they slid to the floor.
"Easy," she whispered, holding him. He breathed hard and fast through his nose while she stroked his hair and his eyes were glowing in a red light.
"I am going to kill him," Rumple growled and she hushed him.
"He isn't worth your anger," Maurice said as Belle helped Rumple to his feet and held him against her.
"Father is right. He isn't worth it," Belle said while her hand rested against Rumple's chest and she could just feel his heart slamming against the palm of her hand. Rumple growled as the purple smoked enveloped him and he was gone. Maurice came to Belle as he held her and Belle placed her face against his chest.
The Enchanted Forest
The purple smoke rose from the ground then faded when Rumple looked around and sighed. He never felt comfortable in the forest since the day he stepped through the portal and he raised the hood. He started walking down the path while the sunlight lit the way and he balled his hands into fists. He calmed his mind and heart while walking then stopped at the sight of the campfire. He felt a cold chill move through him as he slowly walked closer then noticed no one was in the camp. Tents were scattered about the clearing and horses were tied by the reins to the tree branches and some rabbits were roasting over the spit. He stood near the fire circle as he reached out with his magic then smiled, placing his hands behind his back.
"Come out and say hello, Dearies," he said, rocking back and forth on his heels.
"What are you doing here, Dark One?" a familiar female voice asked and he smiled.
"I mean no harm. I am just here to talk," he said as he looked around with his eyes and tapped his fingers on his forearm.
"Talk then."
"Only if you come out," he said then giggled. He then heard a rustling sound as he looked at the bushes and a small boy walked out. He had brown shaggy hair, dark eyes and a round face and was wearing a tan buckskin tunic, tan buckskin trousers held up by a rope belt and brown leather boots. His heart hurt with the idea of using the boy as bait as he lifted his right hand and wiggled his index finger at the boy. "Come here, Boy."
"No, leave my son alone!" the female voice said and Rumple wiggled his fingers, making the boy come toward him. Frightened, the boy looked at him as Rumple held the boy by the shoulders and looked toward the bushes.
"What is your name?" Rumple asked softly and the boy looked up at him with tears in his eyes. His heart was aching as he sighed then knelt down and wiped the tears away with the pads of his thumbs. "It's alright. I am not going to hurt you."
"My name is Roland," Roland said and Rumple smiled.
"Pleased to meet you," he said, making a small bow while flaring his arms out and Roland smiled, deep dimples denting his cheeks.
"I said leave him alone," the female voice said as Rumple stood up and saw Regina standing at the edge of the bushes with a bow and arrow pointed at him. She wore a cream color, long sleeve tunic under a brown leather jerkin with fur trim, tan buckskin trousers held up with a rope belt and brown buckskin boots. Her hair floated around her shoulders and the strap of a quiver of arrows was across her body.
"Hello, Regina," Rumple said and Regina frowned.
"How did you know my name?"
"I am in the business of knowing names. But if you wish to know how I know yours….," he said then let go of Roland's shoulders and slowly raised his hands to the hood. Regina tensed as he lowered the hood and she could just see his face. Lowering the bow, she slowly walked closer when he smiled and tilted his head to one side.
"It can't be," she whispered then slowly placed her hand against his cheek and he sadly smiled. "Is it really you?"
"Yes, it is, Dear Lady," he said with a small bow and she dropped the bow onto the ground. He made a little grunt when she hugged him and he felt the tears rolling down his neck. Even though they barely knew each other, he had talked to her before going upstairs and found she was a kind and gentle lady. When she was forced into exile, he had, unknown to her, lead Regina to where she needed to go.
"What are you doing here?" Regina asked after moving back and he smiled at her. She wiped the tears away with the back of her hand and Rumple handed her a handkerchief to blow her nose.
"I have need of your help," Rumple said when he heard a rustling sound and moved her toward him. He watched as men came out of the bushes when she smiled and slid his hand into hers.
"There's no need to be afraid. It's just my husband and his men," she said when Robin Hood walked toward them with a bow and arrow pointed at them and Rumple locked eyes with him.
Mab's Castle
The large black marble doors slammed open while Merlin came in and the sounds of his boot heels clicking on the black marble flooring echoed down the dark hallway. He had gone to the villages and farms Maurice had marked on the map and had cured the villagers as well as restored the farms to their original glory.
"Mab!" he shouted as his voice echoed down the dark hallway and he stood at the center of the great hall. Large arched windows were to his left as the shadows of the wood that divided the windows into sections arched along the floor and the moon shone from behind the glass. The white walls had several paintings and tapestries and long black wood end tables and suits of armor lined the walls. "Mab, I order you to show yourself!"
"Do you really believe me to be that big a fool, Merlin?" Mab's voice asked as her laughter echoed around him and Merlin growled.
"No, I know you are."
"Oh, brave words, My Love," she said then laughed and Merlin balled his hands into fists. "Do you think your grandson will be as bold?"
"Leave him out of this! You…," Merlin said then paused and sighed. "You and I have done enough."
"I haven't even got started. He will be mine."
"No, I will never allow it!"
"He was so close to coming into the darkness."
"If you dare touch…"
"Oh, I don't have to touch him. He already has doubts about those who say they care about him. All I have to do is take away the one person that means everything to him. Once I do…."
"No, leave Belle alone!" Merlin said and the laughter echoed around him.
"It is too late. I have sent my Winter Knight for her. I wonder what she'll think when she sees him again."
Merlin felt his heart cracking as the laughter echoed around him then black smoke appeared and he was gone.
Avonlea
Belle stood near the large stone fireplace while the fire crackled and she looked at the fire. She wondered where Rumple was as she sighed and blinked her eyes a few times.
"Rumple," she whispered. Suddenly the air turned ice cold as she frowned and turned around. No one was in the room as she wrapped her arms around her body and slowly walked toward the door. Her breath curled out from her nose when she heard a low creaking sound and saw one of the French doors was open. Every nerve told her to run, but she couldn't move. She watched the thick fog moving across the floor when someone walked in the doorway and her heart slammed in her chest. "No."
"Hello, Belle," the Winter Knight said and his dead eyes looked straight ahead. In the dim light, she could see his face as her heart shivered in her chest and she held her hand to her mouth.
"Gaston," she whispered. The Winter Knight moved slowly, almost mechanically, across the floor when he stood in front of her and slowly smiled. Before she could move, a black puff of smoke enveloped them then faded while the fire crackled in the large stone fireplace.
The Enchanted Forest
The fire crackled while Rumple sat on the log and watched Regina chatting with Robin. He wondered if he and Belle would look as much in love as they do and he half closed his eyes.
"Do you want some stew?" Roland asked. Rumple opened his eyes when he looked at the wooden bowl and his mind jumped back to the stew Zoso had given him. His heart raced as he felt a cold chill move through him and he got up, walking away. Regina noticed the look on her friend's face when she got up and walked to him. Rumple stood near the tree line when she gently placed her hand on his shoulder and he quickly spun around, looking at her. His eyes flared red for a second as she moved back and he sighed, rubbing his face with his hands.
"I am sorry, Dear Lady," he said, lowering his head.
"What is the matter?" Regina asked, lifting his chin and looked deeply into his eyes. Sighing, he told her of his meeting with Zoso and how he ended up being cursed and tears gently rolled down her cheeks. Moving closer, she hugged him as he rubbed her back and softly hushed her.
"No need for tears, Dearie."
"I swear," she said moving back, wiping her eyes on the back of her hand. "I swear that I will find a way to free you."
"Ah, there is only one way for me to be free of this curse. Someone has to kill me," he said and her eyes widened.
"There has to be another way."
"I have heard of True Love's Kiss, but who could ever love me?"
"I think you know who," she teased and he smiled. "Now, you said you needed my help?"
"Yes, I need your help finding someone."
"Who do you need to find?"
"I need to find Mab," he said and her eyes widened.
"You want to find the Queen of the Dark Fey?"
"Yes."
"Why, in the name of the gods, do you want to find her?"
"It is personal," he said and saw the anger in his eyes. She placed her hand on top of his as he lowered his head and looked at her hand.
"Was she the one who wanted you cursed?" she finally asked.
"No, she wanted to curse someone else," he said as he looked at her. "I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Who was this person?"
"It was Merlin."
"How could someone mistake you for that old wizard?"
"No one really knows what he looks like. When I arrived in the glade…"
"Zoso mistook you for him."
"Yes, that is why I need to find her. I wish her to remove my curse and leave Merlin be."
"Why do you care if she is bothering him?"
'You wouldn't believe me," he sighed and looked at the dark sky.
"Tell me," Regina said and he looked at her.
"It has come to my attention that he is my grandfather," he said and told her what Merlin had told him.
"And you believe him?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore," he sighed, walking to a log. He sat down when she walked closer then sat down and softly rubbed his back.
"Mama?" Roland asked when he walked closer and had a wooden bowl of stew in his hands.
"It's alright, Dearie. You can come closer," Rumple said while Roland walked closer and Rumple took the wooden bowl out of his hands. Roland sat on Regina's lap as Rumple smiled at them then picked the wooden spoon out of the bowl and started eating.
Avonlea
The purple smoke appeared while Maurice stood near the round table and swigged down the whiskey. He watched Rumple move the hood down as he walked toward Maurice and saw the look in his eyes.
"What has happened?" Rumple asked.
"She's gone," Maurice sighed as he sat down hard in the chair and Rumple frowned. He thought for a few seconds when his heart slammed hard in his chest and he growled.
"Belle is missing?" he asked with a cold tone to his voice.
"Several guards were found dead in the garden and the French doors to the library were found open. One of the maids had seen her in there a few hours ago, but now she is missing."
"Did anyone hear or see anything?" he asked, walking to the French doors. He waved his hand as the French doors opened and he walked out into the garden. Maurice followed him while they watched the guards searching the ground and anger roared through him. Raising his right hand, Rumple closed his eyes and felt the magic flowing through him. He saw the world in a purple light as he scanned the grounds with his eyes then saw black light moving in the purple light and saw the black light heading for the French doors leading to the library. Maurice followed while he headed for the French doors then saw the golden light against the purple light and sighed.
"Belle," he said softly. He noticed the black light as he concentrated and the scene appeared before him. He saw the shocked look on Belle's face while something moved toward her and he concentrated harder. His heart thumped harder when he saw a large figure in white armor, boots and helmet lumbering toward her then grabbed hold of Belle and they vanished in black smoke. Suddenly Mab's face appeared as he growled and she smiled at him.
"Mab," he whispered.
"Very good, Dark One," she said with a nod.
"Where is she?"
"Do you mean the girl? She is my guest."
"Give her back!"
"If you want her, come get her," she said then laughed.
"Do you think me a fool?"
"Like grandsire like grandson," she teased and he glared at her. "Oh, don't be that way."
"Where is she?" he demanded. Directions to her castle filled his mind as he closed his eyes and dizziness moved through him.
"Easy now," Maurice said as Rumple nearly collapsed to the ground and Rumple felt the tears rolling down his face.
"Seven hells," he said as he looked at Maurice and blinked the tears out of his eyes. "Mab took her."
"Where did she take her?" Maurice asked. Rumple gently moved his arms away when he stood up then the purple smoke enveloped him and Rumple vanished. Sighing, Maurice stood in the French doors doorway as he looked up at the dark sky and started praying.