The name sent a shiver down Belle's spine as she leaned against the outer wall of the ruined cottage, her breath coming out in gentle wisps of smoke. Again Maurice whispered the name: Rumpelstiltskin as if in prayer to one of the Gods. Fervently he said it over and over, every so often looking around the place almost expecting something to happen. Belles view was obstructed by a tree that had started to grow from within the cottage, but she could still see the flutter of her father's cloak as he paced the area, hands wringing, face ashen and full of sweat.
The night became still as Maurice paced the yard, unaware of the change in the atmosphere, still pacing back and forth saying that name over and over and over again.
What was he doing? Belle's curiosity made her immobile, unable to speak to her father to call out to him, though she wanted to. As Belle finally built up the courage to break her father's fervency another voice was heard just by the wall to which Belle was hiding, a second voice was heard, one with a higher pitch and very distinct from her Fathers. Belle quickly ducked back further behind the wall where she was hiding so as to not be noticed. Her right arm stretched out, her hand flat holding the wall and she pressed her back against the cold grey stone, as if trying to disappear within the cracks. Craning her neck, she placed a cheek to the stone, trying to hear.
"You called?" The voice was playful, but something in the tone made the hair on the back of Belles neck stand on end. When did the other person get here? Belle was so focused on her father that she must have not seen the stranger enter the rubble of the cottage. Not being able to see what was going on was driving Belle mad, but she was too afraid to move from her spot with one half of her not wanting to know, the other half screaming for her to satiate her curiosity. No, she would not move, her ears would have to do.
"I- uh… I-" Maurice faltered, trying to remember what he had planned to say. He looked at the creature before him, no, the man before him. The moon was hidden by clouds and Maurice's light had blown out the minute the man entered the clearing. Where did he come from? When Maurice had heard whispers about the person they called The Dark One, the Deal Maker who could make all your dreams come true at a price, he had eagerly searched out more information and came back with a single name.
The man raised an eyebrow at Maurice, his golden eyes seemed to glow in the dark. Maurice scanned the man before him, taking in every detail - the black leathers on his legs, the jacket which appeared to be dragon hide, a dark silk shirt under a jagged vest. His skin was grey and mottled like a lizard but Maurice couldn't be sure in the dark. It was the eyes that he felt the most, the eyes that made him swallow heavily, the eyes that now sneered at Maurice.
"You said my name over and over again," The creature continued with a twirl of his long claw like fingers, "I may have to find a NEW one."
The creature slowly started moving around the place and Maurice moved with him, as far away as he possibly could, not letting his back face the creature before him in fear of what may happen. The creature suddenly jumped up onto a low part of the wall, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, ankle resting on his knee.
"What do you want." The Dark One sang, slapping his leather knees with his hands ardently; it was more of a demand than a question.
Maurice's eyes went wide, his breath caught in his mouth. His fear only made the creature smile, his blackened teeth showing and the edges of his thin mouth turning upwards like smile of a crocodile.
"I… I need… need your help." Finally Maurice found his voice.
The creature rolled his eyes and sat back "Well obviously you want my help. That's what people always want, for me to come and give them help." The staccato of the creature's voice emphasizing the last words of his sentence in boredom as if he had said it over and over.
"My wealth," Maurice straightened himself up finally, gaining in courage. "It's gone, I want it back – I tried getting it back, but nothing worked. Please I-I need it."
The creature narrowed his eyes and scoffed at the old man, "that is all? Money problems?"
Jumping off the ledge, Rumpelstiltskin suddenly bounded toward Maurice, black claws wrapping his hand around Maurice's cloak pulling him closer so as to be able to feel the creature's breath on his face. He was not a big man, this Rumpelstiltskin, but at that instance size was no matter for he towered over the large Maurice.
Maurice paled and shook his head. "No. its-its not all that. I have a family, I need them to be helped, protected. I made a mistake a terrible mistake. I'm in debt, they are coming for me. I need my wealth back so I can pay them off, keep my family safe. P-Please sir." Maurice's eyes were wild with fear, the creature so close he could almost taste the breath of the Dark One. After what felt for Maurice a lifetime, a small smile broke out onto the creatures face. Letting Maurice go He swivelled around clapping his hands with glee and walking back toward the tree that had been growing within the ruins.
"Ah, I see I see. You need me to save you from the money lenders. Offering to break your legs are they?" Rumpelstiltskin sang, spinning to face Maurice who was now on his knees, weak in fear and desperation.
"Well, lucky for you, I am in a generous mood!" the creature trilled his r as he waved his hand in a dramatic flourish. Maurice couldn't believe his ears, the creature would help him? His face must have lit up for the Dark One sneered at him and raised a finger,
"uh uh uh." He wagged, silencing anything Maurice may have begun to say.
"I can help you, For a price." The creatures face owered, his long waves brushing the edges of his high collar, his eyes fixed upon Maurice's face. A wicked gleam escaped onto the face of The Dark One as Maurice fidgeted nervously, not even able stand in his presence. Rumpelstiltskin could smell the fear radiating off the old man as he trembled in his boots. This is one of his favorite parts about making deals, the fear and respect from everyone and anyone.
"Anything you want" Was Maurice's fervent reply.
One side of Rumpelstiltskin's mouth turned up in a wicked smile,
"I love it when they say anything." He laughed, and then placed a black finger to the side of his mouth in mock contemplation, walking back and forth, brow furrowed but his eyes all a gleam. As if coming to a dramatic conclusion the Dark One spun to face the old man with his hand raised in the air.
"How about your life." Rumpelstiltskin pointed his claw at Maurice, the staccato of the request reverberating off the walls of the old cottage.
Belle had not moved from her spot and heard every word uttered between the two, and her breath caught in her throat.
Inside the circle of the broken down cottage, Maurice began to sweat while the Dark One narrowed his eyes in anticipation.
"You want my life? To kill me?" Maurice all but whispered for clarification, not daring to look Rumpelstiltskin in the eye.
The Dark One again waved his hand impatiently, "No No No, not kill you, not right away anyway. No first I want you to grovel at my feet, be a slave and maybe my foot rest for a while, My throne is rather high and I do hate when my legs dangle." Rumpelstiltskin's eyes danced with glee as he took another step closer to the trembling man, and leaned down slightly as if about to impart some great secret.
"Then, I will cut off your head, shrink it and add it to my collection of Nobles." The Dark One laughed in glee clapping his hands as Maurice clutched his neck in response, his face ashen.
"If I agree to the deal, you will save my family?" he said quietly, hands still trembling at his throat.
Rumpelstiltskin was almost impressed with the old Man's determination but licked his lips and looked down at him through a nonchalant gaze, "I will make sure your lovely girls will want for nothing."
He responded and with a flick of the wrist, Rumpelstiltskin summoned a long scroll from a puff of smoke along with a quill with purple feather.
"A contract, Lord Maurice, riches and family protection in exchange for your life." His eyes beamed with satisfaction as Maurice slowly stood and moved closer to the Dark One, examining the contract before him. Maurice's shaking hand took the quill from Rumpelstiltskin and still dared not look the Dark One in the eye. A snap of a twig made Maurice start and stare behind the Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin tilting his head toward the lone tree within the clearing.
"Come on out, Dearie, we know your there. Not so stealthy are you?" Rumpelstiltskin called out mockingly.
Belle winced from her spot behind the wall. Taking a few deep breaths in Belle slid from her spot and ducked out from behind the tree. The man who stood with her father was was taller than she was, but not as tall as her father, which surprised her as his voice had suggested something much more menacing. His back was to her so she could not see his face but she could see the scales of his jacket in the moonlight and his mess of hair waving to his shoulders. He was not physically imposing, but there was an aura about him that made Belle shiver, magic sizzled around him and she could sense it and was struck with how it all felt eerily familiar.
Slowly Belle came into the view of the moonlight, her eyes never straying from the dark one as she circled around him to move toward her father who had jolted back when he saw her.
"What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here!" Fear crossed Maurice's face as Belle grabbed a hold of his arm, removing the quill from his hands. She was facing the Dark One now, seeing him in the moonlight as the clouds pulled back. His grey skin gleamed in the newfound light, yellow and black teeth showing as he smiled at the beauty, his golden eyes dancing up and down her form before resting back to her face. She met his stare with her own stare, her blue eyes dark and unwavering in the night, making him tilt his head in curiosity.
"Well my lovely, glad you could grace us with your presence, I wasn't sure you would have the courage to come out from your hiding place, you must have been quite cramped Dearie."
Belle swallowed but didn't dare look away and addressed her Father who was trembling at her side.
"What are you doing Papa?"
Maurice stared at Belle, his mouth suddenly dry, "you can't be here child, leave now!" Maurice pleaded with her fervently, grabbing at her cloak. Finally Belle stole her eyes away from the man in front of her to look at her Father tugging at her cloak.
"I heard everything Papa, you don't need to do this. We can find a way out;" Belle furrowed her brow feeling a tinge of betrayal from her father. "You should have come to me, confided in me."
Maurice only shook his head. "I've tried every option, everything. To no avail." He grasped her small hand in his clammy one. "This is our last option. I'm dead either way."
Belle searched her father's face and tried to think of something on the spot that would help their situation. The Dark One stood patiently by, carefully watching the two with a sly smile on his face.
Belle's breath became quickened as realisation dawned on her face, there was only one way. She didn't let her eyes go from Maurice's face as she spoke,
"Take me." She said in one breath
Maurice sputtered and grasped her hand tighter as Rumpelstiltskin sneered and laughed.
"I was waiting for you to say that. I do enjoy being right about people."
Belle glared at the Dark One ignoring his comment and taking a bold step forward, removing herself from her Father's grip.
"You will change the contract. You protect my family, save my father and my life is yours."
Maurice began to protest, but Belle silenced him with one look of determination.
"This is my choice Papa. Let me save you."
Rumpelstiltskin glowered then with a puff of purple smoke he produced a new contract and Stepped delicately toward the girl and her father.
"New and improved Dearie, all I need is your name." He smiled wickedly.
Belle looked from the contract to the Dark One, her breath evening out as she looked the Dark One over.
"Belle," she said straightening her shoulders. "My name is Belle."
"Belle." Rumpelstiltskin emphasized every letter of her name, as if tasting it, his eyes narrowing into almost dreamy slits.
"Beautiful. That's what it means, eh Dearie. Such a…delight of a name." The Dark One bared his teeth getting very close to Belle, daring her to look away.
She wouldn't be afraid, she would not stand down. Looking her over once more and gave an appreciative hum at her bravery. Bravery or stupidity, he couldn't decide, not that it mattered to him.
"Well, Belle, a deal is a deal. I will save your family from the evil money lenders and you will come with me to follow my every request and desire." His eyes narrowed as he thrust the contract toward her. Quick as she could, Belle scanned the contents of the contract and scribbled her signature on the dotted line, ignoring the nasty gleam that crossed the Dark Ones face and her Fathers cries.
"No Belle!" but it was too late.
With a flourish, the contract was gone along with the quill in Belles hand.
"Excellent! Well, looks like we came up with a deal. Your wealth shall be restored, best head home to your remaining daughter. You no longer have anything more to offer me." The Dark One snaked an arm around Belles shoulders bringing her close.
"But, Dark One, please…" Maurice pleaded.
With a wave of his hand, Belle and the Dark One disappeared into a haze of purple smoke. Maurice ran forward to where the two were standing, just an empty space at the centre of the ruins. Belle was gone.