First of all, I have to admit that I am not a native speaker, so there might be a few mistakes, but if you write me a message to tell me of them, I will correct them as soon as possible.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, and I don't earn my money with these stories.
This story was written during the National Novel Writing Month 2022.
So she needs a home
Rumpelstiltskin was devastated.
"She threw herself off the tower," Regina had said. "She died."
The living room was in a sorrowful state. Again, Rumple had smashed his cabinet, but this time along his dining table and chairs. He had cut himself on the glass shards and blood was still running down his arms, but it didn't matter. Nothing did. Belle, his wonderful, lovely Belle, was gone. Because of him.
"After she got home, her fiancé had gone missing. And after her stay here, her association with you, no one would want her of course." Regina's voice had been full of glee. "Her father shunned her."
"So," Rumple had started carefully, not believing the hope that had started to grow in his chest, "she needs a home?"
Regina's grin had widened. "He was cruel to her. He locked her in a tower and sent in clerics to cleanse her soul with scourges and flames."
And then Belle hadn't been able to handle it anymore and had committed suicide.
Rumple closed his eyes, then quickly opened them again, but the image stayed: his Belle sprawled in the dirt, her limbs in strange angles, blood oozing into her auburn hair, a look of hurt on her face.
It was his fault, all his fault. He should have never forced her to leave. Of course, the other people would see her as dirty after the months she had stayed in his castle. But he had been so angry with her, so afraid that she wasn't lying, or afraid that she was, he hadn't been able to think straight.
And then he never visited her or at least made sure she was okay. She was constantly on his mind, but he didn't have the courage to see her. What if she was happy, now that she was free of him? Maybe had a new fiancé? He hadn't been able to face it.
But now, knowing she would never smile again, he wished she had found a husband and was happily surrounded by many children.
Rumpelstiltskin sobbed though there were no tears left in his eyes. In that moment he wished he was able to die and only the thought of Bae kept him sane.
Then he suddenly realised something, and a searing rage shifted through his body. He could feel his blood starting to boil and clenched his fists.
This "tragedy" as Regina had called it wasn't all his fault. It had been Belle's father who had sent in the clerics. He was to blame, too.
The Dark One stood up, new purpose giving him strength, and magicked himself to Avonlea.
The castle looked peaceful, and he almost felt bad for smashing the wooden door to the throne room. Almost.
"You!" he seethed as he stomped towards the King who stared at him wide-eyed. "You are the monster!"
"Rumpelstiltskin," the King stammered. "It is an honour to have you at-"
"Oh, shut up!" He stood now in front of the King and pondered where to hurt him first. Maybe he should peel his eyes out. Or bite his nose.
"I hope Belle is alright."
Rumpelstiltskin hissed, then grabbed the King's throat. "How dare you speak her name!" he shouted and squeezed. "She is dead because of you!"
Maurice tried to say something so Rumpelstiltskin released him a bit. He was sure to hear the gravelling of a fool or hateful words towards him, so the next words stunned him.
"What are you talking about?" His eyes grew suspicious. "What have you done with Belle?"
"Whathave I done?" Rumpelstiltskin spat and quickly continued because he didn't dare to think about it. "You killed her!"
"What?! The last time I saw my girl was when you took her from me!"
Rumpelstiltskin stared at him. He knew King Maurice to be a spineless coward, he would never be able to lie to him like that. Which meant…
Rumple stumbled back. "She hasn't come home?"
"No. Why would she if she's imprisoned in your castle?"
"I set her free," Rumple whispered.
Maurice's forehead wrinkled, then his eyes widened. "But if she's not here and she's not with you... Where is she?"
Maybe something had happened to her on the way from his castle, Rumple thought. The woods were known for notorious wolves. Or a bandit had raped and killed her. Rumple was on the brink of destroying the whole village near his castle when he realised something.
If Belle had never come home, how could the Queen tell such a story?
"Regina," the Dark One hissed, then he was gone from Avonlea, leaving an utterly confused Maurice behind.
Belle lay on the thin mattress in the Queen's tower and stared at the ceiling. She willed herself not to cry so she started counting the spiders. She had been here for over a month and still she missed Rumpelstiltskin with all her heart. Right when she had left his castle, she had wanted to turn around and knock some sense into him. It was obvious to her that at least a part of him loved her back (the kiss was proof of that) and that he was simply afraid to face his feelings. Probably scared that she was truly only playing with him, which broke her heart. She wanted to give him all her love and comfort and make him see how truly wonderful he was. But she never got the chance when the Queen found her on the road and imprisoned her…
Suddenly she heard shouts in front of her door and then thumps. She stood up and faced the door. Whatever the Queen would try, Belle was ready to face it. She would never spill Rumple's secrets. The door burst open, but it was not the Queen that entered.
It was him.
"Belle," he gasped when he saw her.
They stared at each other in shock for a moment and then she was by his side, her arms around his neck, sobbing into his chest. "I hoped you would come. Every day. I missed you so much."
"Oh Belle," he sighed and caressed her soft hair. Tears streamed from his eyes, but he didn't seem to care. "I thought you were dead. But now you are here and safe and unharmed." Suddenly he took her at arm's length. "Belle, are you alright? Did she hurt you?"
Belle shook her head. "I'm fine. The Queen tried to get information about you, but I didn't say a word."
"Regina," he seethed and looked as if he wanted to rip the Queen's heart out. "She will pay for what she has done to you!"
Belle hated this look on his face. "No, Rumple, please don't." She took his shoulders and looked at him with as much compassion as she could. "I don't want you to become something you are not."
New tears welled in his eyes. "But she took you from me," he tried again but there was no rage left.
"It doesn't matter, as long as we are together again. I'm allowed to come back, am I not?"
"Oh Belle, please forgive me. I was such a..."
"Coward," she said but smiled. "I know. But I have courage for both of us." She squeezed his hand. "Let's just go home, okay?"
"Home," he smiled and in an instant, he brought them back to his – their - castle.
THE END.