disclaimer: We do not own any of the OUAT characters. Just our added characters.
Extra info: This story has two writers. One of us writes Helena and the other writes Amy. You will notice a difference in how Helena's and Amy's perspectives are portrayed, we wrote them like we ourselves notice/see things. Fair warning: we are insane. Enjoy!
Today was the ball. Amy had woken up from a nightmare and ran to the dining room in a panic to find a note from Rumple giving Amy some of her chores off, so she could get ready. He may be Mother Gothel but, at least he's not Lady Tremaine. Plus, this means he's gone. Breathe. Amy felt her hands and body shake as she gripped the table to allow her to feel the physical object and give her back her sense of reality. A vivid memory of the dagger flashed in front of her. Outside. Need to get outside or take a shower… or a bath.
Amy went outside and took a deep breath of the fresh air. She felt her muscles relax and the shaking slow to a manageable pace. She put herself to work, heading to the well to draw water for her bath. She untied the rope to lower the bucket, although she could have done this by magic, it was her only opportunity to venture outdoors every day. She rubbed her neck, bringing her breathing to a natural rate, waiting patiently for the water to fill the bucket. She looked around the perimeter at all the trees and beautiful roses that were brave enough to bloom so near the dark shadows of the castle.
As Amy lived there, she had begun to take in her surroundings outside of books. The courtyard was filled with eerie but beautiful black stone. A marbled, also black, tiered bird bath laid at the center of the yard surrounded by some of the only grass present, except for the well's mound and patches in the backyard of the castle. She also found that when Rumple was home it was dark and cloudy, but when he was gone it was much sunnier. Right now, it was sunny, because Rumple had gone off to do some business which probably meant terrorizing some poor village or because he had a deal to make or cash in. Amy chose not to think about it, just that he was gone was enough for her. Because she would want to save them, but she could not change what happened in the show. Hook and Emma had proved why in the fourth season. It could destroy other people's lives.
Amy heard a bird chirping in the branches and looked up, "Hello, Robin! I haven't seen you around here, you make much better company than the crows."
The robin flew towards her and rested on the ledge of the well. The robin sang and hopped aggressively. It then flew circles around Amy's head, "What? Is something wrong?" Amy swore she saw the robin nod. She magically, instinctively, brought the bucket back up and tied the rope, before following the bird. The bird chirped loudly before leading her behind the castle to a thicket.
The robin then stopped and looked at Amy. She stood for a moment confused as the robin tried to communicate. It dawned on her, "Wait… is there…" Before she could finish her question, she heard a small whimpering roar. "A lion?" She knelt down and peeked through the thorns and saw a beak, "An eagle?" Amy's eyes widened, "No way! It's a griffin!"
The griffin whimpered at her, "Oh, I'm sorry, baby." Amy's heart melted, "Here, let me get you free." She went through the steps in her head that Rumple taught her. She did the motion and just thought how badly she wanted to see the griffin safe. The thorns made way creating an exit, but the griffin remained in the thicket. "Oh, you really are only a baby." She looked at the small griffin, "Where are your parents?" Wait…they probably couldn't get through the barrier, and neither can I, unless I really want to see what Rumple looks like angry. Dang it. She laughed nervously at the thought. "Can you come out? Are you hungry?" Amy conjured a steak.
The griffin tried to pounce forward and tackled the steak. Amy burst into laughter at the sight. The griffin ate the steak in minutes and came back to Amy giving her puppy eyes, sniffing her, and flying around her looking for food, "You're so funny and adorable. I'll call you Zach." 'Really, my brother?' "Do you want a steak, Zach?" Amy made one appear in her hand again and tossed it before Zach bit her.
The sky darkened. "Crap, he's back… Already? How did he expect me to finish my chores? Maybe I slept too late." Amy shook the thought off, quickly glancing around her, and saw the cellar door ten feet from her. She looked at the griffin, "Come on, Zach." She threw a steak at him, backing toward the cellar door. "Come on, good boy." Amy opened the cellar door and threw a steak in. Zach pounced at it.
"Rosette!" Rumple called.
"Coming, Papa!" Amy shut the door behind Zach. She ran to the well and magically filled the rest of the basin with water, then carried it inside.
Amy twirled in the dress Rumple had laid out for her, "Ahh! It's so beautiful! I'm in an actual gown! Like Belle's!" The dress was a vibrant midnight blue. Her bodice had an off-shoulder neckline and long lace sleeves that started below her shoulder and ended at a point on her hand where there was a clear lace loop that slipped onto her middle finger. The elegantly beaded bodice showed a little more cleavage than Amy was comfortable with but, there were no other options in this world. The skirt of the dress was unique in that the fabric spiraled out creating a two-layered look. To say nothing more, Amy was never so excited in her life.
Amy put on the tiara of her choosing, which was a slightly heavy, taller, silver tiara jeweled with sapphires. She also wore dangling, diamond earrings, a silver, sapphire, teardrop pendant, and a beautiful, lifted sapphire ring. Finally, she wore sparkly silver heels.
Amy spun in the dress and learned how to balance a tiara. Amy heard a knock and Rumple walked in immediately, "I hope your dance card isn't filled tonight, Rosa, because I'll be taking all the dances."
Amy turned around at him, fire burning in her eyes, "WHAT! It's my only chance to dance with a prince! I always see you!" Amy threw her arms up, fully playing up the dramatic teenage daughter role, "You're ruining my chance of ever finding true love! I'll die an old maid."
"Unless you want me to turn your prince into a toad, I suggest you stay away." Rumple replied.
Amy growled as her heart sank to her stomach. It didn't stop Tiana's prince and a chance at love. Whatever, I guess I get to go to a ball at least. But really no princes? Ugh! "Then can you magically transform or whatever into multiple guys or something?"
"No, I'm afraid not, Rosa." Rumple took her hand, "I will however change how we look to everyone else."
"Please, don't make me ugly." Amy begged, clasping her hands and gave him puppy eyes.
"No, why would I do a thing like that?" Rumple nagged, "And no, I will make you a beautiful lady, however, no one in the land will recognize you."
Amy raised her eyebrow at that. How can they? No one knows I exist! "Then if you are going to be the only man I dance with, can you at least compliment me? When else am I going to wear a dress like this?" Ha… if Zach could see me, he'd die. Either I'd terrify him more or he'd finally ask me out.
"You look as beautiful as your mother." Rumple spun her into a closed position, "And like her, you must know how to dance."
Amy's face glowed, "Hopefully, I can learn quickly." I can't wait to see his face in shock. Haha! I have four, technically six, years of dancing under my belt. Take that!
Rumple started with the box step which Amy found boring, so he quickly started turning. He did a few spins with her. Rumple seemed shocked by the speed of which she was "learning" this.
"Can we dance to music, Papa?" Amy said, smiling at the slight reaction she got from him.
Rumple said nothing, flicked his wrist, and 'Tale as Old as Time' started playing on his music box. Amy began humming it as they danced, trying her best not to sing it. Finally, she gave up, "Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpectedly. Just a little change, small to say the least. Both, a little scared. Neither one prepared, Beauty and the Beast."
Rumple stopped suddenly at that, raising an eyebrow, "What dreadful song is that?"
A song about you… "A Tale as Old as Time. Mrs. Potts, the teapot sang it." Amy smiled at him, she quickly talked faster like Anna from Frozen, "She had a son, chip, and there was a clock and a candlestick. They all sang and gave Mom a feast. Then you came out and danced with her and Mrs. Potts sang it."
"Rosa, my flower, are you well?" Rumple asked, concerned. He felt her forehead for a temperature but found nothing. He raised an eyebrow at her. Amy saw Rumple's gears turn, clearly rethinking this plan.
"Yes, perfectly, Papa." Amy replied, interrupting his thoughts by acting semi-normal, "Shall we head to the ball?"
Rumple shook the odd moment with his daughter off, "Yes, Dearie, our carriage awaits." He then magicked their appearances and transported them to the courtyard where a lovely golden carriage awaited them with white horses.
"You really are the fairy godmother." Amy sighed at the sight, resisting the urge to give a girly squeal, "It's beautiful, Papa!"
Rumple ignored the comment and opened the door, "Your Highness." He bowed slightly as she entered, she picked up the skirt to her dress.
"Your Royal Darkness." Amy said, immediately cringing. Really that's what you came up with? The cringe didn't last long as she was finally leaving the Dark Castle and en route to Snow and Charming's Castle.
Hope y'all like it! Leave a comment!