A/N: This is the last chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing. :) Also Nimue is not there to cause trouble as much as she's guarding Rumple and his bloodline from the Dark Gods.
Chapter Twenty
Zelena's face turn pale as she looked at Regina while Rumple came closer and Regina smiled at him.
"Greetings, Lady," he said with a small bow.
"Greetings," Regina said and smiled. "I wish to thank you for making me my gown and my husband and son's clothing."
"The honor was mine."
"You look really handsome, Mister Gold," Roland said and Rumple smiled down at him.
"Thank you," he said then carefully knelt down on his knees. "Would you like a ginger cake?"
"Yes," Roland said with a smile and deep dimples dented his cheeks.
"Well," Rumple said with a grunt as he stood up and looked into the room. "If you go to that table there, you can ask Mrs. Potts for one, but remember to say please and thank you."
"Yes, Sir," Roland said as he ran into the room and Robin softly smiled. There were other children in the room near the table where Mrs. Potts was giving out ginger cakes and Roland smiled when she handed him a small plate with a ginger cake topped with fresh cream, a fork and a napkin.
"What are you doing here?" Zelena finally asked through clenched teeth and Regina arched her eyebrows up.
"I was invited, Regina said.
"I see," Zelena said while looking at Maurice. "So not only are you marrying off your whore of a daughter to the son of a thief and a coward, but you're associating with a known murderer."
"Watch your tongue," Robin said and she gave him a wicked grin.
"And you are also associating with known thieves," Zelena said while looking back to Maurice and Maurice's face was turning bright red. "Maybe it is true that you had poor Gaston killed while he was a "guest" of your castle."
"How dare you make such accusations," Belle said.
"Do you deny he is dead?"
"Yes, he is dead, but my father had nothing to do with it."
"You never know," Zelena said as she walked to her and Belle saw the insane look in her eyes. "The right words in the right ears and your father might be convicted of his death and lose his head."
"Get out!" Belle shouted and Zelena laughed as she turned then walked down the hallway, followed by the two young men. Belle led her father in the room while Rumple watched them and Regina placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Do not worry, Friend. She will get what's coming to her," Regina said then walked in the room with Robin and Rumple held tightly onto the handle of the brown wood cane. His old insecurities filled his mind and heart as he looked at the others when he turned, but didn't move when Belle called his name.
"Where are you going?" she asked and he placed his hands on the handle of the brown wood cane.
"I….," he said then sighed. "I'm tired and wish to go up to my room."
"I knew you were working too hard," she said as she stroked his hair and he lowered his head, looking down at his feet. "Or are you blaming yourself again?"
"Well…."
"Do you remember what my father said? He said Zelena would cause a scene. He was right," she said while lifting his chin up and locked eyes with him. "What happened is not your fault."
"I do apologize, Dearie, for acting like a fool."
"Will you also stop apologizing? And you are not a fool," she said with a smile and gently tapped the tip of her finger against the tip of his nose. "Now I want you to come and dance with me."
"If it is all the same to you, I would just like to go to bed," he said and she saw the look in his eyes.
"Let's make a deal," she said and a light flashed in his eyes. "You come and sit for a bit. If you don't feel any better in, say, an hour then you can go to bed."
"Deal done," he said then took her hand and they went into the room. After sitting and watching his guests for an hour or two, Rumple finally got up and went to dance with his fiancé, talked with some of the guests and smiled as his old insecurities finally vanished from his mind and heart.
Two months later – Zelena's Kingdom
The moon was full while the guards walked along the ramparts and the dim glow of fires shimmered in the distance. The fires were from the villages set alight by villagers who were rebelling against Zelena and many of villagers had attacked her whenever Zelena ventured outside the castle. She had tried to contact influential people in order to ruin Maurice's reputation and accused him of Gaston's death, but her rants fell on deaf ears and some had even stopped trading with her kingdom, making food and other materials scarce.
The guards walked back and forth while grappling hooks connected to the stone walls and Robin and his Merry Men climbed up onto the ramparts. One by one, Robin and his men knocked the guards unconscious as they moved along the rampart and Robin walked to the wall, looking down. He could just see Regina as he waved and she softly smiled. Maurice stood next to her as they slowly headed for the front gate and Maurice looked at the man slowly coming up behind him. Belle was furious that Maurice allowed him to come along as Rumple held onto the brown wood staff and stood next to him.
Robin could just see Rumple then ran off and the men followed him inside. They went down the hallway as they knocked the guards unconscious or were surprised when the guards agreed to help them and headed toward the main bedchamber.
Zelena slept on her back while the fire crackled in the stone fireplace and the wind gently moved ripples through the lace curtains. She was awoken by the sound in the hallway when she quickly got up and headed for the tapestry of men and women having sex. She moved back the tapestry when she pressed the stone sticking slightly out of the wall and the wall silently popped open. She slid inside the passageway then moved the wall back as Robin and his men entered the room and Robin frowned.
"Search the room," he said as he crossed his arms over his chest and Zelena smiled wickedly, heading down the passageway. She had used the same passageway to sneak into her mother's room and kill her and she softly giggled, going around the corner.
Regina stood near the front gate when the front gate slowly opened and Will Scarlet stuck his head out and nodded. They went inside while following Regina as Rumple looked around then something told him to head to his left. He moved carefully along the wall when he felt like someone was behind him and jumped when someone placed their hand on his shoulder.
"Where are you going?" Regina asked in a hushed voice and he leaned against the wall, trying to calm down his pounding heart.
"I'm not really sure," he finally said. "For some reason I felt like going this way."
"Tell me next time," Regina said, glaring at him. "I promised Belle you'd be safe."
Nodding, Rumple moved when he stopped and looked at the wall. He could barely see in the torchlight as he tapped the top end of the brown wood staff against the stone and Regina frowned. He moved along then tapped the top end of the brown wood staff against the stone when the wall slid open and they looked at each other.
"Did you know about this?" he asked.
"No," Regina said and they carefully went in the passageway after Regina removed a torch from an iron holder. They carefully headed down the passageway when he went against the wall and Regina stood next to him. Suddenly Rumple heard someone coming when he raised the brown wood cane then swung the brown wood cane and someone grunted as the brown wood cane hit them in the stomach. Regina walked by him as the light of the torch lit the small passageway and they were stunned to see Zelena sitting on the ground, holding her stomach. "Hello, Sister Dear."
Glaring at them, Zelena carefully got to her knees then vomited and Rumple smiled, holding tightly onto the brown wood cane.
Three weeks later
The people crowded the main square while Maurice, Belle and Rumple looked at the executioner and the sunlight shimmered off the double curved blade axe. Regina was surprised when a guard found a servant who had seen Zelena coming out of one of the hidden passageways on the night of Cora's murder, but had kept silent out of fear. Zelena was found guilty of Cora's death and was sentenced to die by the blade of the executioner's axe. News of her execution spread throughout the kingdoms and Rumple grunted when someone accidentally bumped into his back.
"Sorry, Mate," the man behind him said and Rumple nodded. He turned when he heard the sounds of drums and guards led Zelena down the street. People tossed trash and rotten food at her as she glared at them and the chains she wore dragged on the cobblestone. She wore a dirty white gown and her hair was shaved almost to her skull. She snarled at the people as they laughed then grunted as the guards pulled her along and Rumple noticed the crazed look in her eyes.
Regina and Robin were sitting on the raised platform to the left as Rumple looked at Regina and noticed the cold, angry look on her face. She was dressed in a black gown with long sleeves and the top of cut low enough to show the top of her breasts. A gold amulet with sapphires at the center hung on a gold chain around her neck and black leather shoes covered her feet. Her hair floated around her shoulders and she gave him a small nod after looking at him. Robin was dressed in a black linen tunic, black leather gloves, a black leather belt, black linen trousers and black leather boots and he placed his hand on top of Regina's, making her smile.
Zelena was half dragged to the executioner when she looked at the crowd then looked at Maurice, Belle and Rumple and growled. She opened her mouth to say something, but Rumple noticed her tongue had been removed and he winced, looking away. Belle slid her arms around him when the guard pushed Zelena down onto her knees and placed her head down onto the chopping block. She squirmed and moaned as the guard held her down and the executioner lifted the double curved blade axe over his head. Zelena's eyes widened as the double curved blade axe came down and the crowd cheered as her head landed with a small thud into the straw basket sitting near the chopping block. The crowd grew silent when Regina walked down the small stairs to the straw basket then leaned down and lifted Zelena's head out, holding the head up for all to see. The cheers echoed around them as Rumple saw the satisfied look on Regina's face and sighed.
Two months later – Avonlea
The sound of rain tacking against the glass filled the room while Rumple stood in front of the full length mirror and looked at his reflection. His hair was pulled back and tied with a leather strap. He was wearing 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. He was also wearing a white silk shirt with a high collar and was open enough to show some of his chest and collarbones, a silver silk vest etched in gold scrolling, a gold string tie, a pair of dark blue silk breeches and a pair of black leather boots.
"You look very handsome, My Dear," a voice said as he turned around and looked at Mrs. Potts standing in the doorway.
"If you say so," he sighed and Mrs. Potts smiled, walking closer. She noticed the sad look in his eyes when he turned and held the gold handle to the black wood cane tightly in his right hand.
"What is the matter?"
"I…," he said then looked at the window. "It's raining."
"Yes," she said and placed her hand on top of his. "I know you and Lady Belle had planned for a wedding in the woods, but you never know. The sun has to come out sometime."
He gave her a small smile then nodded his head and she patted his hand.
"Now, come along," she said and they headed for the door, leaving the room. They carefully headed down the stairs then went down the hallway and the guards opened the double doors to the chapel. Rumple looked at the guests sitting in two rows as he slowly headed down the aisle then smiled at Robin standing next to Friar Tuck and he made a small nod. Rumple slowly went up the two steps when he stood next to Robin then turned, seeing Regina and Roland sitting three pews from the front.
"You look amazing," Regina mouthed and Rumple lowered his head, giving her a shy smile. The horns sounded while the guests stood, but Rumple didn't raise his head. He looked down at his feet when Robin gently nudged him and Rumple looked up, seeing Belle coming down the aisle on the arm of her father.
"Seven…uh...," Rumple stammered as he looked at her and she shyly smiled at him. She was dressed in a floor length gown of white silk with lace long sleeves etched with small crystals, a high collar and a flowing skirt and a white belt with silver beads was around her waist. A long veil covered the back of her head and was topped with a small cap with pearls stitched into the silk fabric and her hair was floating over her shoulders. White slippers covered her feet and she was holding a bouquet of red and white roses. Rumple felt his heart thumping hard in his chest as she came up the steps to stand next to him and she glanced at him then nodded. He reached out his hand as she wrapped her fingers around his and they turned to look at Friar Tuck.
"Shall we begin?" Tuck asked then looked at Rumple and Belle and smiled. "Friends, we are gathered here in this house of God to join this man and this woman in the holy state of matrimony."
Rumple listened to the service, but his mind drifted back to his past and wondered how he ended up so lucky. When Tuck asked if there was anyone who knew a reason for them not to be married, Rumple's heart clutched in his chest then resumed beating after no one said anything. The service continued as he spoke when prompted and smiled when Belle spoke. The guest cheered when Rumple kissed Belle on the lips and all were surprised as the sunshine suddenly lit up the chapel. He looked up at the stain glass windows then blinked when the sunlight filled his eyes and he softly laughed.
"What is so funny?" Belle asked, but he only shook his head and kissed her lips again.
Five years later
"Ew, Papa, that was mushy," four year old Baelfire said while scrunching up his nose and Rumple smiled, ruffling the top of his son's head. Baelfire had the same eyes and hair color as he did and Rumple silently admitted his son was a mini version of himself…minus the insecurities.
"What was so mushy about it?" he asked.
"They were kissing."
"Well, you didn't seem to find it mushy when Emma kissed your cheek at her birthday celebration," Rumple teased and Baelfire frowned. Emma was the four year old daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming and Emma liked Baelfire.
"That's different," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "She's my girlfriend."
"I see," he said with a smile as he arched up his eyebrows.
"Yep, I'm going to marry her someday."
"Well, you never know," he said then carefully got up and moved the blankets up. Baelfire turned onto his left side as Rumple leaned down and kissed the top of his son's head and Baelfire smiled. "Good night."
"Night, Papa. I love you."
"I love you, too," Rumple said then headed for the other bed and looked down at the three year old boy looking up at him. "What's wrong, Dearie?"
"I can't find Bumple," Marcus said as Rumple looked down then saw a green velvet frog sticking half way under the bed and carefully knelt down, picking the green velvet frog off the floor.
"He was under the bed," Rumple said then tucked the green velvet frog under his son's arm. "I guess he was looking for monsters."
Rumple leaned down at kissed the top of his son's head when he headed for the door then stopped, looking at the woman with long gray hair, green eyes and her pretty face was lined with a few wrinkles. She wore a gray linen dress and black slippers and her hair was pulled back in a tight bun.
"Good night," he said with a small nod of his head then left the room and the nanny leaned her hand on the door as she watched him go into the bedchamber. A golden light shimmered around the nanny when her appearance changed and she smiled.
"Sweet sleep, My Golden Child," Nimue said softly then walked back in the room, closing the door behind her.
Belle watched while Rumple headed for the dressing screen when he went behind the dressing screen and she leaned back against the pillows. Dressed in a white linen nightshirt, he moved from behind the dressing screen as he headed for the dark brown wood cradle and carefully knelt down, looking at his three month old daughter. Colette was lying on her tummy with her head facing the left and her tiny hands were balled into fists. He moved the blankets up then kissed the top of her small head and carefully stood up. He headed for the bed when he moved the bedding back, sat on the edge of the bed and placed the black wood cane against the night table. He slid under the bedding then moved the bedding up and Belle snuggled closer, placing her head against his shoulder.
"What story did they want tonight?" she asked and he looked up at the blue canopy overhead.
"It was the story of the young woman who went to live with a beast," he said.
"Did they live in a castle with enchanted furniture?"
"Yes," he said with a yawn and rubbed his face with his hands.
"You do know why they love your stories, don't you?" she asked, moving her finger along his chest and he shivered. "It's because you change them every now and then."
"I have to keep them interesting," he said with a smile and she placed her head against the center of his chest and he slid his arm around her.
"It is interesting that the story you told them tonight is their favorite."
"It reminds me of you and I," he said and she gave him a confused look. "It is about a man who didn't believe anyone could love him due to how he looked then he finds an amazing woman who sees the man behind the beast and teaches him he is loved."
"You are not a beast," she said as she carefully crawled on top of him and slid her hands under his shoulders. "You don't live in an enchanted castle nor were you ever under a curse."
"Would you love me if I was?"
"Of course!" she said and kissed his lips.
"And you would stay with me forever?"
"Yes."
"Even after the curse was broken and I returned to being the way I was?"
"Forever is forever, Dearie," she teased and he softly laughed. She kissed his lips again while he held the back of her head in his hand and the fire crackled in the large stone fireplace.