Rumplestiltskin leaned against the rail of the ship. It was night. They had arrived in Neverland and Hook was planning to sail around the far side of the island. Rumple had every intention of leaving with Belle to search on his own for Henry but the less distance he had to travel the better. And with all the magic on the island it would be easier to get a fix with it in closer range.
Footsteps came up behind him and he looked to see Emma.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked. Rumple inclined his head.
"Can't sleep Miss Swan?"
"Between Henry being in danger and the fact that any time I close my eyes I see Neal disappearing into that damned portal...not a wink." Her face became solemn. "I tried to save him Gold. I really did. I begged him not to let go but..."
Rumple shot her an apologetic look and shook his head.
"I believe you Miss Swan. I know you cared a great deal about my son. In fact, I think besides Belle you may be the only other person who understands how I feel. Anyway, you weren't responsible for his death. If anything, I was."
"What?" asked Emma.
"I brought magic to Storybrooke to find Bae perhaps losing him was the price I had to pay." Emma shook her head.
"No. I can't believe that. The only person responsible is Tamara. Mind you she better hope I don't get my hands on her."
"Never get between a parent and their child," said Rumple wryly.
"Too true," said Emma. "Thank you for coming. I'm not surprised but I'm grateful."
"Don't worry Miss Swan. I'm not one for grand speeches about hope but I'll make sure that we get Henry back safe. That is a promise," said Rumple. Emma looked up at him.
"Is it strange that's more reassuring than the speeches coming from my parents?"
"Perhaps a bit. But you and I are more alike than you may want to admit. We're realists. Your parent's built their belief on pure hope and the idea that good will out. You and I however, aren't the sort to take those kinds of chances and leave things to fate if we can help it," said Rumple and for the first time since losing Bae he actually smiled slightly.
"I suppose you might not be completely wrong. You have any advice about what's coming?" asked Emma. Rumple was thoughtful for a moment he didn't want to leave the woman Bae had loved with nothing to go on.
"Neverland is a ruthless place that thrives on belief and imagination run wild. So you'll need to believe, and I mean really believe. This isn't a world based in the reality you are so fond of. You're going to need to let go of that need for proof you tend to have, to think outside the box, and be willing to go as far as it takes if you want to save Henry."
"Right. Well that last bit won't be a problem. The other two I'll certainly keep in mind," said Emma.
"I'm sure you will. Well, I'm going to go find Belle. I still don't trust her alone with that pirate around." Emma chuckled.
"Goodnight Gold. And for the record. You might have had your problems with Neal. But you've made one hell of grandfather so far to Henry." Rumple felt his blackened heart warm.
"Thank you, Miss Swan. That means a great deal."
OUAT
Belle sighed as she sat below decks going through the satchel of potions. It had been a gift for her from Rumple back in the old world. The bag was magically extended and able to carry a variety of potions, without the bottle's smashing into each other and breaking. After the Cora incident she'd remembered to once more keep the bag well stocked including some basic ingredients. She also noted that Jefferson had added a dagger. Belle smiled at the protective gesture.
Her heart still ached at the loss of Bae though she tried her hardest to maintain some tiny shred of hope that he would survive and get back to them.
The familiar sound of steps accompanied by the thud of a cane were heard and she stood turning to see her husband.
"How are you?" she asked. Sure, he'd started this mission to find Henry and she knew he would go through with it. But now they knew they'd be going up against the very father who had abandoned Rumple all those years ago. Who had traded his son for eternal youth.
"As well as can be imagined," said Rumple. "I can't say I'm thrilled about the prospect of facing my psychotic father or worse of you facing him."
"I can handle a jumped-up teenager," said Belle. Of course, she knew Rumple's father was more than that but the sentiment remained.
"It's not your capabilities I doubt. Just stick close to me when we get to the island alright?" asked Rumple. Belle nodded.
"Always." Rumple waved a hand and in a swirl of crimson smoke he was dressed in his old leather outfit from the Enchanted Forest. Belle smiled playing with the collar of the coat.
"I really ought to get you to wear that more often. I forgot how good you look in leather." Rumple chuckled though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"I'll keep it in mind. Now for you." he waved his hand and Belle was surrounded in his familiar magic. When it disappeared her cute lacey dress and high heels were replaced with the outfit she'd worn when travelling when she left the Dark Castle along with a sword, she stuck the dagger in her belt and slung the bag across her body.
"So how long till we get there?" Rumple's face became somewhat shifty and Belle resisted the urge to groan. That was his I-have-an-idea-you-probably-won't-completely-approve-of face.
"Yes, about that...I have a plan."
"Oh dear," muttered Belle.
OUAT
Rumplestiltskin and Belle came back above deck to find Emma arguing with her family.
"How can you two be so infuriatingly optimistic?!" exclaimed Emma.
"It's who we are." said Charming.
"Why? Ever since you got your memories back, ever since you remembered that you're Snow White and Prince Charming, your lives have... they've... well, they've sucked."
"No. No, we found you." argued Snow. Typical glass half full person that she was.
"And lost Henry and Neal, and countless other people!" argued Emma who Rumple was truly starting to feel a sense of sympathy for. Emma at least had well and truly been brought into his sphere of protection. She was family.
"Emma, the minute I let go of the belief that things will get better is the minute that I know they won't. We'll find Henry," said Snow.
"No, you won't." said Rumple announcing his presence everyone looked up at him and Belle.
"Oh, that's a great use of our time—a wardrobe change." scoffed Hook.
"You think I was going to run around Neverland in Louis Vuitton's?" asked Belle humorously.
"What do you mean Gold?" inquired Emma.
"What I said. I'm gonna get Henry. Well Belle and I."
"We agreed to do this together," said Regina and Rumple shrugged.
"Actually, we made no such agreement."
"Why are you doing this?" Emma asked. He looked at her honestly.
"Because I want to succeed."
"What makes you think I'm gonna fail?" the blond argued.
"I don't think you are ready quite yet. Though I'll admit it's less you and more not wanting to be dragged down by your..."charming" family. I don't have time for handholding or arguing. This foe is far too fearsome. When we've got Henry, we'll find you. Until then. Remember my advice." He spun his cane and then caused himself and Belle to disappear in a swirl of smoke.
OUAT
They arrived on the shore of a beach in front of them was a rather intimidating looking jungle. Belle sighed.
"You know I understand leaving them behind. But I also feel slightly bad about it." Rumple offered her his hand as they entered the forest.
"You and I both know half the time would be spent arguing over my choice in methods regarding how to find Henry. Not to mention that this isn't a situation where we can afford a great deal of a lack of trust."
"True. Between the Charming's mistrust of you and your mistrust of everyone bar myself and maybe Emma it would be a fight," admitted Belle.
"I brought you because I know I can trust you. And I feel better having my eyes on you," stated Rumple. Belle gave a slight smile.
"If it helps I feel far safer with you than I would with those supposed heroes, not to mention Hook and Regina. Emma's about the only one I feel I could count on."
"Agreed, though I do wonder how long dear Regina will be able to put up with the Charming's and their pet pirate."
"I'm not taking that bet," replied Belle. Rumple paused.
"Belle...You do realize that to find Henry I won't be able to play nice. I will have to..."
"Lean into the Dark One so to speak?" asked Belle tilting her head. "I know. You are a good man and you are the Dark One. I accept that there are times that require that darker side of you. That's another reason I came along. To make sure that while you indulge it you don't lose yourself to it. Just as it took the Dark One and not only the spinner to save your son from the ogre war. So it may to save Henry."
Rumple looked at her in awe.
"You truly are the most amazing woman in the world my darling Belle," Belle shrugged.
"So I've been told. I love the man and the beast. Never forget that."
OUAT
They walked through the forest for several hours discussing various possibilities on how to find Henry. Unfortunately, a tracking potion was out as they lacked anything of Henry's and Rumple feared it also might be a bit obvious. So they were going to have to work out a different plan to find where Henry was being kept.
Suddenly they heard a gasping sound. Rumple held up his hand as both he and Belle paused. Belle drew her sword and Rumple summoned a ball of fire then they stepped into the clearing.
There they found a campfire, the dead body of one Greg Mendell and Tamara with an arrow in her gasping and desperately trying to crawl away. The pair walked until they were in front of her.
"So where is he? Henry?" demanded Rumple. Tamara gasped unable to answer through the pain Belle despite normally being a sympathetic individual could not bring herself to feel empathy for the woman who'd killed her son and kidnapped her grandson, potentially leading to harm to the latter.
"There, there. I can help you speak," whispered Rumple waving a hand and causing the arrow to disappear. Tamara gasped in relief.
"Thank you."
"It wasn't for your sake," replied Belle coldly. "Now. Where. Is. Henry?" When Tamara didn't answer her stomach dropped.
"They killed him?" asked Rumple. Tamara sat up.
"I...I don't think so. I told him to run."
"That would make you look a lot better if you hadn't been the ones to kidnap him in the first place," snapped Belle.
"Where did you tell him to run?" asked Rumple.
"The jungle. Pan wants him. He's behind all of this. Look, Mr. Gold, I didn't know who I was working for. I'm sorry about Neal. I'm so sorry." Rumple knelt.
"I know. You were merely a pawn." Tamara looked relieved but Belle sensed the look on her husband's face was not one of true mercy.
"Can... can you forgive me?" asked Tamara. Rumple gazed at her for a moment. Then he reached into her chest and pulled out her heart.
"No." as he began squeezing it Tamara cried out looking at Belle for help or mercy but Belle simply watched on with a neutral expression. She tried to see the good in people. Tried to believe they had the best intentions. But Tamara had gone beyond redemption in her eyes.
The heart crumbled to dust and Tamara fell limp.
"I'm surprised you let me do that."
"I didn't revel in it but I don't regret it," replied Belle. "Tamara went a step too far. Even for me. Besides. I'm hardly in a position to tell you to spare your son's killer."
"Our son you mean," said Rumple. "At least we know a little. We know Henry was here and ran off being chased by Pan and his gang."
"And that Pan wants him alive for one reason or another. Though that's only a moderately good thing," pointed out Belle.
"If the boy's smart he'll be able to use that fact to his advantage," said Rumple. Belle nodded.
"Like I used Regina's need for me as a bargaining chip to my advantage. I suppose it's a good thing he inherited your brains."
"Indeed. It's getting late. I'd say this is a convenient place to make camp."
"Sounds good. Don't suppose you could get rid of the bodies though?" Belle didn't love the idea of sleeping around a couple of corpses.
"Already done," replied Rumple with a flick of his risk and the two bodies disappeared in a swirl of smoke.
OUAT
They ate a decent dinner made from some leaves Rumple had transformed into food. While he couldn't create it from thin air. He could summon food or turn something else into something edible. Granted it had a taste that was...well slightly off from normal food but one couldn't really complain.
Truthfully, he did feel some satisfaction after having killed Tamara. His son's murderer was dead and while it didn't bring back Bae, it made him feel a little better to know she didn't go unpunished.
He couldn't deny being slightly surprised at Belle's lack of reaction. He recalled the day that she had begged him to spare Robin Hood. Yet here she'd simply stood by. He hoped that being with him wasn't destroying her good nature. Then again she had been nearly as hurt as he was by the loss of Bae.
Suddenly he sensed someone was watching. By the way Belle stiffened had reaching towards her knife, she felt it too.
"Come on out dearie," he called as he and turned to see a tall boy of likely sixteen or so walking towards them wearing a cloak and holding a stick over his shoulder with a bundle attached.
"Hello, Rumplestiltskin" Rumple did an unenthusiastic imitation of the flamboyant twist of his hand he'd done in the Enchanted Forest. The boy turned his head toward Belle. "And you are?" he seemed to be waiting for Belle to give her name but before Rumple could intervene Belle simply replied.
"His wife. Henry's grandmother. What message do you have for us?" Rumple resisted a genuine smile. That was his Belle. Names have power.
"Pan welcomes you to the island. He wanted me to tell you he is excited to see you again."
"Oh, yeah. I'm sure he is," he scoffed.
"He wanted me to let you know you're welcome in Neverland, for as long as you wish to stay... with one caveat."
"What a shock," deadpanned Belle.
"There's always something with him," agreed Rumple.
"If you're here for the boy... well... that makes you Pan's enemy."
"And here I thought we were here on holiday," said Belle sarcastically gaining a chuckle from Rumple before he replied to the boy.
"Then nothing's changed."
"If you go against him, you will not survive. Nor will your pretty companion," Rumple's eyes flashed and he stood.
"Well, the question isn't will I survive. No, no. The real question is..." he grabbed the boy roughly by the front of his shirt. "How many of you I take with me?"
Belle stepped up beside him and hissed.
"We're going to save Henry or die trying and if you get in the way...so be it."
"So, is that your answer?" asked the boy.
"That's our answer," confirmed Rumple. He hated the idea of Belle dying as well and if it came down to it he'd do all he could to save her life before his own. But they were in this together and stronger together as she'd once remarked.
"Well then, I suppose that means I'll see you again, in less friendly circumstances." Rumple released the boy and he began to walk away. Belle and Rumple also stepped back as Rumple replied.
"Count on it."
"One last thing." said the boy pausing. "There's something he wanted you to have." The boy tossed a small straw doll at their feet. Rumple, recognizing it slowly knelt to pick it up feeling as if he'd been punched in the gut. His grief must have shown on his face for the boy laughed. "Isn't it funny the things we haven't thought about in years still have the ability to make us cry? See you around, Dark One." the boy left and Belle knelt next to Rumple.
"What is it?" she asked softly.
"My old doll. This belonged to me. It seems my father kept it."
"I don't even want to ponder what is going through that sick man's brain," said Belle harshly.
Rumple took several deep breaths before pocketing the doll.
"That's one word for it." His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You were different just now."
"What do you mean?" asked Belle.
"I've never seen you so...cold. First Tamara now the boy." Belle looked away.
"I've already lost our son. I don't relish the thought and if I can avoid causing harm to Pan's followers. Well, at least the ones that follow out of fear, I will. But I don't intend to lose our grandson in favor of keeping the moral high ground."
There was both conflict and determination in Belle's gaze as she spoke and at last looked back at him. This wasn't an easy choice for her.
"Perhaps then we shall balance each other," said Rumple.
"Perhaps," said Belle.
"Now you really should get some rest. I need to think and I'll keep an eye out for any other irritating teenagers."
Author's Note: Chapter one of book 3! So I wanted Rumple and Emma to have a little moment since they share the same grief before he hurried off with Belle. This book is certainly going to be a bit more challenging for her our girl's ready to do whatever it takes to get back her grandson. Not to mention we get to see a much more unforgiving side of her. I know show Belle had a thing about how Rumple didn't need to be the Dark One to get Henry back but I think that's far to black and white an outlook for this Belle. Let me know what you think of the story in the comments it really makes a difference. Until next time!