Once again Jefferson found himself in the hat's hall of doors: the sudden jolt of colour making his head hurt. The past few minutes replayed in Jefferson's head and he turned to catch sight of Elizabeth.
She was no longer a ghostly black and white-the rosy tint to her skin was illuminated in the almost fluorescent glow from the doors around them.
"This...hat...is amazing!" Elizabeth cried excitedly, gazing around as she had done during her last trip.
"There'll be plenty of time to explore, I promise," Jefferson said, taking Elizabeth's hand.
For a moment he could hardly believe it, but the warmth of her skin flooding into him somehow made it true: Elizabeth was his.
"What are you thinking about?" Elizabeth asked jovially, her breath tickling his neck.
"How we don't need to be a secret any longer, nobody to keep us apart..."
'that's not true: there is still one person,' a voice whispered in his head and a grim realisation hit him.
Jefferson looked down into Elizabeth's eyes that were gleaming with excitement and quickly continued:
"There's someone I need you to meet. But afterwards, we can go back to mine and you can change, then how about a tour of my realm?"
"Sounds good," Elizabeth replied, squeezing Jefferson's hand, "which door is to the Enchanted forest?"
Jefferson pointed to the gnarled wooden door across the hall before walking over with Elizabeth. He swung open the door and Elizabeth nimbly climbed through, pulling Jefferson after her. Landing on his feet, Jefferson brushed off the dust that had flown up from the ground beneath him. His thoughts of the quickest route to the castle were broken by a soft moan at his feet. Glancing down, Jefferson realised it had come from a tangle of netting and leaves, before helping Elizabeth up.
"Thanks," Elizabeth sighed, clutching tightly to Jefferson as she gingerly got to her feet.
"You'll get use to landing soon," Jefferson said, noticing Elizabeth's wince as she moved her arm to pull away the twigs that had caught in her hair.
"It's fine, just pulled a muscle," Elizabeth muttered.
"No, let me heal it," Jefferson insisted, moving his hand purposefully across Elizabeth's arm.
A purple glow flitted along her skin. Elizabeth gave a relieved smile as the pain eased, though there was still concern in her eyes.
"Should you really be using magic for simple things?"
"It doesn't matter. This place is pretty much limitless whereas magic was pretty scarce in the land without colour."
"That's not what I meant," Elizabeth replied, giving Jefferson a pointed look, "Victor warned me all magic comes with a price."
"Indeed it does, but it's all sorted," Jefferson said with a dismissive wave of his hand,
"You see, the person that we are to visit is the one who keeps it that way."
Before Elizabeth could ask any more questions, Jefferson slipped his arm around her shoulder and steered her towards the worn path between the trees that wound upwards.
As they walked, the clouds drifted behind them, allowing shafts of golden light to trickle down. The woodland was filled with sunlight, making the leaves a brighter green than ever, clusters of purple peonies and white elderflower protruding from the bushes.
"I can't believe I've spent eighteen years in boring black and white, when there are so many colours!" Elizabeth exclaimed, her fingers cupping the petals of a sunflower.
"You can pick as many flowers as you wish once we have paid our visit."
Jefferson's closeness made her jump, and he placed a kiss on her cheekbone before whispering:
"We're almost there."
Elizabeth's eyes followed his pointed finger and between the trunks were the turrets of a stone castle.
Upon arriving at Rumplestiltskin's castle a few minutes later, Jefferson strode up the steps. He stopped at the colossal oak doors, his hand poised to knock.
'What if Regina told him? What am I supposed to use to cover up my disappearance?'
Jefferson glanced back at Elizabeth, who was oblivious to his deliberation: observing the roses that grew around the castle walls. Swallowing hard, Jefferson pushed open the doors.
To his surprise, Rumplestiltskin was not spinning gold or casting a potion- instead the dark one was sat at the head of his grand dining table, a cup of tea steaming on it's saucer before him. Rumplestiltskin looked up and catching sight of Jefferson, a grin creased his lips.
"Finally decided to grace me with your appearance? That was your final chance and you did not stick to one evening. I want to know what gave you the impression you could break a deal?"
"I didn't break the deal: I took my evening off whilst sorting out Regina : it took longer than expected that's all,"
"Regina informed me you left her castle six hours ago."
Jefferson hesitated at that: no matter how much Regina had told Rumplestiltskin, any chance of an improvised alibi was ruined. All he could do was tell the truth.
"But I still had things to do with my evening, like collect my assistant," Jefferson interrupted, his confidence increasing at his business partner's initial taken back look.
Glaring at him from across the table, Rumplestiltskin quickly regained his composure, his grin resurfacing.
"An assistant?" He snapped, his voice dangerously quiet, "There is nothing in our deal about having an-"
"Her name is Elizabeth," Jefferson continued, ignoring Rumplestiltskin.
Desperate to keep talking, Jefferson looked over his shoulder to the castle gardens, hoping Elizabeth hadn't strayed too far. She was lingering apprehensively by the door, having heard her name. Elizabeth's gaze briefly met Jefferson's before he grabbed her hand and pulled her inside. A sudden gust of wind caught the door and it slammed behind Elizabeth, the loud bang echoing across the silent hall. Elizabeth had frozen by Jefferson's side, having caught sight of Rumplestiltskin. Even from the opposite end of the hall, she could see the green tinge of his scaled skin and sense the cold atmosphere that was electrified with the silent buzz of dark magic.
Snapping out of it, she then gave a hurried curtsy and a courteous nod before mumbling:
"I'm Elizabeth sir, Elizabeth Frankenstein."
"Frankenstein?" Rumplestiltskin asked impassively, though Jefferson could see the glint in his eyes.
"Yes sir."
"Rumplestiltskin is my name."
Elizabeth nodded, her voice growing steadier:
"I've heard Jefferson mention you to my brother- I suppose you are the one who has supplied him with gold each month?"
"Indeed," Rumplestiltskin replied, suddenly giving an exaggerated sigh, "but where are my manners? Come; take a seat- both of you."
Without giving either a chance to accept, the two seats either side of Rumplestiltskin had moved outwards for them. Casting Jefferson a glance, he nodded at Elizabeth and the both took the seats.
'If he wants to play a game, then we may as well play.' Jefferson thought grimly, watching the dark one suspiciously as he began to chat to Elizabeth about her brother and enquiring about his work.
At first she remained guarded, but Jefferson knew Rumplestiltskin could charm as well as he could, and Elizabeth soon relaxed. She occasionally caught his eye, her wary look reminding Jefferson that Elizabeth was perhaps being more vigilant than she appeared.
Unable to push away his doubts any longer, Jefferson spoke,
"So I suppose you'll allow me to keep my assistant?"
Rumplestiltskin turned to face him, taking a deliberate sip from his cup as though considering.
"Mm...Yes. You'll be able to steal more with an assistant. I expect you to both be here at dawn tomorrow. I'm sure Elizabeth would appreciate a day's rest after her travels from the land without colour."
"Excellent, then we'll get going," Jefferson said, pushing his chair back and rising.
Elizabeth followed, politely thanking Rumplestiltskin for the tea. Reaching the door, Jefferson caught her hand, dropping it as Rumplestiltskin called his name.
"Wait for me on the porch please, Elizabeth."
She slipped outside and Jefferson turned to his business partner as the door closed.
"Victor's sister, as your assistant? You better take good care of her- or it'll be on your head if Victor cuts his business ties with me."
"I'm sure Elizabeth is perfectly capable of taking care of herself," Jefferson coolly replied, trying to stay as nonchalant as he could.
"Of course," Rumplestiltskin's gaze hadn't left Jefferson since he'd closed the door behind Elizabeth, studying his expression. Jefferson kept his eyes on Rumplestiltskin, his confidence bolstered by the dark one's uncomfortable stare,
"Now, you do understand that your price of magic may be affected by you having an assistant?"
Jefferson shrugged indifferently: and tried to recall what his price was. He couldn't remember, though whilst in his thoughts he missed Rumplestiltskin knowing grin.
"Has Regina visited the castle today?" Jefferson asked, prompted by his recollections.
"No, she's been at the king's court all day. She sent me a brief message this morning to say that you ought to be on your way."
"I see."
With a tip of his hat, Jefferson strode out into the sunlit porch where Elizabeth was stood waiting.
"Well?"
"Well, how about I give you that tour of the enchanted forest I promised?"
A/N: Apologies for not updating in a while. (Again) I've struggled with writer's block/ procrastination on this chapter but I promise I will update more frequently, definitely at the start of next week. :)