After the loss of the Hatter, Pip and Grace moved into the Dark Castle. It was the natural next step with the safety of their home violated and neither Rumple or Belle would have heard any objections had Pip made any, not that she was foolish enough to.
Rumplestiltskin reenforced the wards around his castle still kicking himself over having not considered warding the Hatter's house against fairy magic. But for goodness' sake! The sorts of enemies Pip and the Hatter worried about were the kind that were generally enemies to fairies too.
It was infuriating to see once again how vindictive Reul Ghorm was. If he ever did get a good opportunity to destroy the little bug well...she'd just better hope that chance never came.
However, it seemed the blue bug wasn't finished with them. Barely a month after the pair had moved into the castle the sanctimonious fairy made one last move.
Rumplestiltskin was up in his tower working on a potion when he suddenly heard his name being called in an urgent tone. This time by Grace. Pinpointing exactly where it was, he teleported straight to the back lawn where he found Grace who was still smartly standing a good ten feet away from the wards.
The nine year old stood, looking a little disheveled, facing none other than the blasted Blue Fairy who was hovering just outside the wards. Rumple also noted a scorch mark on a tree just to the right of the Blue Fairy. Immediately Rumple took a protective stance in front of Grace.
"What's going on?"
"She's trying to convince me to leave with her," said Grace sounding worried.
"Oh and they accuse ME of stealing children," he sneered glaring at the woman who stared back haughtily.
"I was merely attempting to save this poor child from her unfortunate situation. The home of the Dark One is not a fit place for a child and any parent that thinks so is unfit to call themselves one.
"Oh really? Because as I recall they were entirely safe and not living in the home of the Dark One until a little bug interfered with the protection on their house and let the Evil Queen in." Snapped Rumple. He saw something like surprise flash across the bug's face before she returned to her usual sanctimonious mask.
"I don't know what you are implying but it's ridiculous."
"I do wonder what your heroic allies would say if they knew the real you," scoffed Rumple. "Now you listen here. This child and her parents are under MY protection you are not to come anywhere near ANY of them again, you are not to try and harm any of them or as you might put it help them. You are to stay away unless you want to deal with me."
"You think you can threaten me?" said the fairy.
"Oh yes, because we both know the devastation that could come from a fight between the two of us. Your interference already took one child from my family. I will not let you take another. And stay away from my wife while you're at it. Now LEAVE." He hissed stepping up to the boundary line. one hand crackling with purple energy.
The Blue fairy glared then said to Grace.
"You've made a terrible choice child. You should have come with me when you could."
"No thank you," said Grace and the pair watched the head fairy fly off. As soon as she was out of sight Rumple turned back to face Grace only to have her practically tackle him in a hug.
"I was so scared!"
"It's alright your Ladyship. I won't let anyone take you away. Although I am curious about that burn mark on the tree." The girl shuffled her feet.
"Oh, well...when she started getting more insistent I got scared I was about to call for you but I shouted for her to get away and then this white light shot out of my hands! It almost hit her but missed and hit the tree."
"A pity," muttered Rumple.
"Was that...was that magic?" asked Grace.
"Yes, it was I think we need to talk to your mother." Grace grabbed his hand in her smaller one and together they walked back to the house.
OUAT
Belle had been shocked upon hearing about Blue's attempt to get Grace. She thanked whatever entity was out there the girl was safe. The fact that Grace had displayed magic was also interesting. However the topic of Grace's magic was saved for after the child had been put to bed. Belle and Rumple were in the library when Alice came in to join them sitting down in an armchair her legs swung over the side.
"My daughter is scared of fairies," she said looking immensely angry.
"I can't believe she'd strike so soon after what happened to Jefferson. You'd think that would be enough of a revenge on you two," said Belle who hadn't thought her dislike of the fairy could increase. Rumple scoffed.
"On the contrary it would be the ultimate revenge. Make Pip look like a bad mother, take away her child on top of her husband and get leverage over me. All while looking the picture of goodness and light."
"You think she'd try and use Grace to get the dagger?" asked Belle hand coming to rest on where it lay around her neck.
"I wouldn't put it past her. Fortunately, Grace isn't dumb enough to believe fairies are all sweetness and light." said Rumple and Belle had to agree.
"I swear if she lays a hand on Grace diplomacy be damned, I'll rip her bloody wings off." snarled Alice and Belle honestly didn't blame her. She was a mother protecting her child.
"And I'll provide the board you can pin them to." said Rumple dryly.
"Is it wrong I've become used to you two talking like that? Or that I'm not entirely in disagreement?" said Belle thoughtfully who might not have been envisioning painful ways of murdering the head fairy but would certainly have been happy for her to get some form of comeuppance. Alice snorted.
"You might not be as blood thirsty as us but you can at least acknowledge what a hag Blue is. So, no."
"What did you tell Grace to comfort her?" asked Rumple curiously.
"The truth that myself and her Uncle Rumple would both destroy anyone that tried to take her from us. She actually seemed quite comforted." Answered Alice with a shrug and Belle couldn't help but smile slightly for she knew that was true. Rumple would do anything for his family. She also couldn't help but notice that the Blue Fairy seemed to be attempting to isolate Rumple first by trying to take away Belle and then the Hatters. And that wasn't counting her interference regarding Bae.
"So, what about this magic?" asked Belle.
"Well, it seems she displayed some form of light magic by her description. What remains to be decided is what to do with it," said Rumple.
"Could you train her?" asked Alice.
"You know I don't exactly have a great track record with apprentices?" said Rumple.
"Yes, but those were ones you taught with dark intent. I have a hard time imagining you corrupting Grace. Surely you could teach her even if he magic is light?" said Belle.
Rumple nodded slowly.
"The basis for most magic and it's control is the same much the dark vs light is based on intent bar some exceptions like my own."
"Wonderful, so if Gracie agrees you'll teach her to control her magic the last thing we need is her running around having magical accidents." said Alice dryly.
"Yes, that would be unfortunate. We already have one sorcerer occasionally, setting this castle on fire," quipped Belle and Rumple chuckled.
OUAT
Belle sighed blinking sleep from her eyes and refocusing on the book she was reading. It was late and Rumple was out on a deal. She had just been about to begin the next chapter when she heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up to see Rumple entering the library.
"Belle, you're up late. You didn't have to wait for me."
"I know," she said smiling up at him and moving on the setee so he could join her. "But I wanted to."
"The thought is appreciated," said Rumple pulling her against his chest as they sat together in front of the dying fire.
"So, what desperate soul did you have to attend to this time?" asked Belle.
"A girl by the name of Cinderella, her horrid step family refused to let her attend the King's ball. A ball where she is to meet and gain the love of the prince, though neither of them know it yet. So, I agreed to help her."
"For a price," said Belle a small smirk on her lips. Rumple kissed the top of her head.
"Always for a price my darling that's how magic works."
"I know that. So what was your price for sending her to the ball?"
"Her first-born child," said Rumple simply.
"Her first born...wait," Belle turned to look at him, "Why that child? You only make deals for children in bad situations what's special about this one that you want a deal for it before it's conceived?" Rumple smirked.
"Clever as always. I don't know all the details but I know that baby is a key part of getting to Baelfire."
"I see," said Belle raising an eyebrow. "And you will still consult me before making any drastic moves?"
"Of course. I did make a promise."
"What sort of woman agrees to give up her first born for a ball!?" said Belle willing to let the matter of the child itself drop for now.
"Well in truth she doesn't know that's what she's due to give," said Rumple.
"What do you mean?" asked Belle skeptically Rumple was always TECHNICALLY upfront about the cost of things. It was just that there were certain...loopholes he exploited.
"Well the dear said she'd give anything and when I provided her with a contract detailing exactly what my price was she signed without reading it." said Rumple with a giggle and Belle clapped a hand to her face.
"She signed...hmmm..." Belle felt she could only have so much sympathy for people that got themselves into their own mess just because they were foolish enough not to bother with the fine print when dealing with THE DARK ONE.
"What can I say. Intelligent royalty or in this case future royalty is a rare commodity," chuckled Rumple. Belle laughed.
"Fair enough."
They were silent for a while and Belle glanced up to see Rumple looking pensive.
"What is it?" she asked quietly.
"Is everyone associated with me to be harmed or lost?" he asked quietly.
"What do you mean?" she asked and Rumple sighed.
"Look at it Belle. Because of your association with me you were kidnapped by Regina and tortured. Because Pip and the Hatter chose to stand by me the Hatter has been condemned to a mad land and Grace was nearly kidnapped. Bad things seem to happen to anyone that associates with me. Perhaps the Blue Hag isn't entirely wrong about me being a bad influence for the people nearest me."
"Rumplestitlskin don't you dare think like that!" said Belle earnestly. "All of us made the choice to stand by you because we care about you. And all of us knew the risk when we did. You've never forced any of us to choose you. And yes, bad things have happened. But that's simply because unfortunately there are some very bad people out there who want to hurt you and those dearest to you. I can assure you that Jefferson most certainly doesn't blame you for what happened to him. Loving people can provide others with leverage or a chance to hurt you but at the end of the day it's worth far more than an armored life of loneliness. Don't blame yourself for our choices or the fact that you have people who care about you and vice versa." Belle was breathless by the time she finished her impassioned speech.
Rumple gave her a slight smile that told Belle he was only half convinced by her words.
"Who am I to argue with you?" he asked wryly and Belle sighed.
"A very good question. Because in case you haven't noticed I'm always right." Rumple smirked before leaning down to kiss her.
"That you are sweetheart."
Author's Note (PLEASE READ THIS ONE): If you can't tell I hate Blue. Plus I like the irony of her trying to steal a kid. I do think we're nearing when the curse shall hit maybe about 5 more chapters or so and I have to ask do you guys want me to add the first curse stuff from season 1 into this book or make it a separate one? My original idea was to do three books since I'm ending with season 3 but this fic has already become longer than expected and I'm not sure how long the first curse events will take to write since we will be deviating from canon (ie spoiler alert we won't be skipping straight to the two reuniting right before the curse breaks). So in short is everyone ok with book one getting SIGNIFICANTLY longer? Or do you want me to make the first curse a separate part (I should note it isn't really going to change my updating just how I split the story). Please let me know your thoughts in the comments! Until next week!
