Bae sat at a small circular table inside Bruckstone Castle – the royal palace located in Gorasitz – to eat his fill. King Artem might have ruled an entire kingdom, but he'd been nothing but kind and caring toward Bae which was something the boy wasn't quite used to. Artem had listened to everything he'd told him of how he'd ended up in yet another new realm and shown genuine concern for his fellow king and a princess named Belle, that was what had ked Bae to conclude Artem to be a decent human being he was probably safe with. Neither knew why precisely the Dark One had been forcibly summoned to Dreymyr, but both adult and child were smart enough to know it couldn't have been anything good. So, since he had nowhere better to run off to and food wasn't always readily available in Neverland, Bae filled his belly quietly.

A man entered then, tall with a beard, long moustache and wild ginger hair; those eyes though, they could probably stare even a dragon down. He stopped dead upon seeing Bae and cocked his head to the side curiously.

"And where did you come from, boy?"

Bae sighed, he'd truly grown tired of that question. "People keep asking me that."

"These are the King's chambers, you shouldn't be in here."

King Artem entered then with a maid in tow, he scooted around the ginger and slowly approached the table Bae ate at.

"Indeed they are, Gottfried, which is why he is perfectly welcome." The old man gestured between Bae and the ginger. "Gottfried, this is my guest Baelfire. Baelfire, this is my son and heir, Prince Gottfried."

Prince? Bae had thought him a some sort of guard since he wasn't dressed all that elaborately. In an instant he'd dropped the piece of fruit halfway to his mouth and shuffled off his chair to bow his head respectfully; King Artem might have been kind and understanding, but that didn't mean his son would be as well.

"No need for that, Bae." Artem patted his back and ushered Bae to stand straight. "As I said, you're my guest. Please go with the maid. Lana will get you a bath and some proper clothes. I promise your meal will be waiting for you when you return."

A bath and fresh clothing did sound wonderful, and he could sense the two men wanted to speak about him without Bae there, so he obeyed and followed Lana out of the room to give them their privacy. Father and son watched him go and, once the door was closed, Artem lowered his old body into a comfy chair and awaited his only son's inevitable opinion. A side effect of having a son as wise as himself was that Artem had to accept his son to be as opinionated as himself too.

"Father, I know you have always been fond of children, but where did you even find such an urchin? All you did was travel to St. Claes. Remarkably quickly, I might add."

Artem sighed, he longed to just be able to sit beside his beloved Lilianne as the fire crackled and read his books in peace.

"You remember the lack of contact I was having with Maurice?"

Gottfried nodded. "Of course I remember, Father, you have been most concerned. My daughter is becoming increasingly worried as well."

"Yes, Demelza is right to." Artem rubbed at his temples before he continued. "As you know, I went to Avonlea to speak with Maurice directly but … he isn't himself. Gaston LeGume is acting as though he's king, excuses are being made as to Belle's whereabouts and Maurice seems positively bespelled."

"Then where is Princess Belle and is Prince Lorrimer okay?" Gottfried's expression grew serious and deepened the lines in his face. "If this is the state of Avonlea, do you think Lord Gaston has done something to them? How could he have bespelled King Maurice?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, my boy. Lorrimer is ill in bed as usual and, though Belle is elsewhere, I have confirmed she is safe. Mostly anyway."

"Accusing a duke's son of staging a coup is a serious thing, Father, and it will need to be investigated. I suggest doing so quietly in order to avoid causing a scandal opportunists will surely flock toward. Although, I'm failing to see where that child fits into all of this."

"My boy, have I ever been the sort to sit on my hands? I started investigating the moment I departed St. Claes. I have come to understand that LeGume and Avonlea's Court Mage, Haldor Tvon, are at the centre of all this and have no care for the danger they're putting the realm in." Artem looked Gottfried dead in the eyes. "They have summoned the Dark One."

"No." Gottfried laughed it off, the very idea was ridiculous. "You expect me to believe that kid is the Dark One?"

Artem shook his head. "No, not him. Baelfire was summoned accidentally because LeGume and Tvon have lost track of the Dark One and are likely scrambling to lure him back. I've been gone all morning because I was meeting with Chief Commander Aalto of the Adventurers Guild. She informed me that the Dark One has been aiding her and serving as a law-abiding adventurer for several months now. In fact, she seems rather fond of him." Gottfried opened his mouth to protest such an insane story, but Artem simply continued to speak. "Belle is with him but does not seem to be under duress in the Chief Commander's opinion."

"So, not only has the Dark One, a scary story told to children, returned to Dreymyr, he's also stolen Princess Belle from her home and is … nice?" He slumped down into a chair opposite the King. "Father, what madness is this?"

"Nice does not strike me as the correct word, Gottfried, and, though it may sound mad, this appears to be the truth. We only have vague legends written by scared people to go off of and claims made by Church priests – Drazvan wasn't even a religion the last time the Dark One was here. The Chief Commander is a good judge of character and spoke of something good inside him, that Princess Belle had no fear of him. So, until I can form my own judgement, I shall heed the Chief Commander's view. Hastily formed opinions are surely faulted."

Gottfried let out a long breath and twirled his moustache absent-mindedly. "And that is why you are such a wise king, Father."

"You know I detest flattery, Gottfried. To answer your earlier question though, Baelfire was mistakenly summoned because he shares the Dark One's blood. Baelfire is his son."

"A demon lord with a child? How strange."

"Unlike the Chief Commander, Baelfire is less keen on his father, though he admits it has been many years since they last saw one another – I decided not to ask why. Regardless, keeping Baelfire here with us rather than leaving him in Avonlea's dungeons means LeGume, Tvon and whomever else is helping them, can't use him against the Dark One. While I am determined to get to the bottom of this situation, I am smart enough to realize that the First Demon Lord is powerful and probably capable of deceiving just about anybody, so I would rather him be grateful to us for protecting his son than angry we did nothing."

"You're showing Dorovoth to be useful and able to provide assistance while keeping us officially neutral should any of this reach the public. A logical course of action, Father, but should the Dark One prove himself just another beastly demon lord, how do you intend to defend the kingdom from his spite?"

Artem worried a frail hand through his white beard. "I honestly don't know, Gottfried, I'm not sure there would be a way. For now I am hoping Chief Commander Aalto's assessment of this Rumpelstiltskin is correct. While I am devoting my attention to this, I will need you to continue carrying out my duties for me. Consider it more practice for when your reign comes."

"If that is what you wish, Father." Gottfried nodded, he had little other choice anyway. "… Are you certain Princess Belle is all right? Demelza counts her as one of her closest friends and I'm not sure I could bear seeing the sadness in her eyes were something to happen to Princess Belle."

"I shan't lie to you and say she is out of harms way, but I have it on good authority that the Dark One is disinclined to hurt her. From what the Chief Commander tells me, he went so far as to buy her weapons and allow her to make a taming contract with a wolf."

A ginger eyebrow lifted. "This demon lord is strange."

"If strangeness is all we have to contend with, I shall be grateful." Artem gestured to the door. "Excuse me, Gottfried, I need to pen a letter to the Arcane University. I apologize for dumping my duties on you."

"Not a problem, Father."

With that, Gottfried stood and left the room so Artem could write his letter. When he'd entered his father's chambers, the Dark One being real and on the loose was the last thing he'd expected to be told. Resilience and mental fortitude were two things Prince Gottfried had always prided himself on but, stood in the hallway with nobody else around, he felt his hands shake. Halinox had been a puppeteer who'd used people as playthings, Ivosanch had wanted to take over all the kingdoms and subjugate the mortal races, while Ravavena had just caused chaos on an unimaginable scale. The Dark One, the original demon lord more powerful than the other three combined – Gottfried didn't want to think of the wasteland he could turn Dreymyr into.

~X~

Four days had passed since Rumple and the others had arrived in Bichelberger, four days of thumbing through every book they could find, four days of eye strain and an exceedingly disinterested Azzy with very little to show for their efforts. That occasional whiff of dark magic kept popping up but Rumple had long since ended his acknowledgement of it; just dark magical artefacts down in the vaults calling to a familiar power.

Despite having access to a library few could ever dream of, Belle had seized her chance to learn more about the Enchanted Forest, the Land Without Color and even Wonderland. Jefferson had been happy to answer her questions for the most part, he'd been equally curious about the unusual princess and little elf girl who called Rumple her papa. It was during that conversation that Belle finally made her apology for her part in yanking Jefferson into her realm and he realized why she'd looked so familiar to him. Part of Jefferson had wanted to blame Belle for separating him from Grace, wanted to shove all of it onto her shoulders since Gaston and Tvon were on the other side of Dreymyr, but ultimately Jefferson knew she'd been as forced into the situation as he was. Blaming Belle might have been easier but it wouldn't have been right, so, with a charming smile and after a moment to calm his thoughts, Jefferson had assured Belle he felt no ill-will toward her. Rumple had expected nothing less since none of it had been Belle's fault, but it had meant the world to Belle; had put her soul at ease.

With the tension out of the way, Jefferson and Belle had soon begun to joke with one another and Jefferson had even assisted in teaching Amicia to read. The dark-haired man had always liked children, they were the only true innocents in his mind and Amicia's glowing smile reminded him of Grace. Thank the gods Rumple had found him because until then, Jefferson had honestly thought he'd never see his little girl again.

Suddenly the silence was broken when Demeer stormed into the library vault so quickly that Azzy had snarled for a moment. There were bags underneath his eyes and his goatee wasn't quite as neat as normal, his brow was furrowed deeply and he grumbled to himself as he approached.

"… total moron. The Jade would be ashamed."

Leotomas flashed a concerned expression to the older man. "Is everything all right, Grand Mage?"

Demeer finally came to a stop at the head of the long table then leaned on it with his fists.

"I have spoken to twelve staff members and three slavers regarding the enslavement collar with no success. I've also read through a plethora of tomes on the topic to no avail." He straightened up. "Yet, as I sipped my tea, an idea occurred to me that the enslavement ritual can enslave a person or creature to more than one person." Demeer gestured loosely to the chestnut-haired beauty. "Princess Belle was meant to be the master but, since Rumpelstiltskin's power reflected it, I started to wonder if one can enslave themselves."

"Why would anyone bother?"

"Exactly, Leotomas, it is pointless and ridiculous so I doubt it has ever been tested." The Grand Mage turned his eyes to the Dark One. "Rumpelstiltskin, I assume you've attempted the usual method for releasing her?"

"Literally the first thing I tried, dearie, but it didn't take."

"Good." Demeer abruptly snapped his fingers as a smile spread across his face; he was onto something. "Would you release her again but, while you do, Princess Belle needs to release herself. It has to be at the same time."

The idea seemed rather unnatural, borderline risible really, but it was worth a shot so, after sparing a glance at one another, Rumple and Belle did as told and instantly the collar vanished without an ounce of fuss. Belle's hands shot up to her throat while Rumple and the others just stared at her in amazement. Months Rumple and Belle had been attempting to decipher how to get that damn collar off and then Demeer had solved it so simply?

"It was that easy the whole time?!" Belle exclaimed while Amicia stared at her neck with something akin to awe.

Demeer nodded. "So simple we all overlooked such a thing. I promised to find a way to free you and now you are."

"Thank you so much, truly."

"Didn't like being my slave, sweetheart?" Teased Rumple as he turned a page in his latest dusty book, Belle just smiled back at him.

"There are worse people to be enslaved to but I'd always rather be free."

Nobody could fault her for that; being enslaved by a merciful, relaxed master was still enslavement. That was why Rumple had hid his dagger so securely, he'd never let himself be another's slave.

Naked, a peculiar feeling of nakedness invaded Belle's mind now the collar was gone, like she'd been stripped of something precious. Part of Belle's mind insisted that was fatuous but another part quietly mourned the loss of a stout connection to a man she'd come to love. The collar hadn't brought them together – sure, it had forced them into constant close physical proximity, but their bond had come about by a friendship and understanding of one another. Being freed from the collar wouldn't change how she felt about Rumple and it certainly wouldn't change how he felt about her.

Still, one problem had been solved so attention could be returned to their remaining checklist of issues. Rumple's eyes flicked to Amicia who had clearly grown rather bored of the endless reading, she'd been very well behaved throughout but the poor girl deserved some excitement and Rumple had found the perfect opportunity.

"Belle," began the Dark One while still watching his adopted daughter. "why don't you test your new found freedom and take Amicia to get some lunch? She's a little restless."

Belle would have rather stayed to help, but she understood his reasoning and knew Rumple wanted to prove to himself that the spell had been broken. One little trip wouldn't hurt.

"That sounds like a great idea." She smiled and petted Amicia's hair before she rose to her feet so she could kiss Rumple's cheek; an act that made Jefferson smirk. "We can get some fresh air."

Without much encouragement, Amicia followed Belle out of the library vault and off toward the market for an afternoon away from the Arcane University with Azzy as their protector. The men watched them leave before attention turned to Demeer when he clapped his hands together.

"Please excuse me as well, I have other matters to attend to."

With that the Grand Mage departed as well leaving only Rumple, Jefferson and Leotomas inside the dimly lit library vault. While Rumple and Leotomas were content to return to their reading, Jefferson simply smirked at the Dark One until its constant grating grew distractingly irritating.

"What?!" Rumple demanded. "You've been staring at me so long that you're beginning to burn a hole in my face."

The dark-haired man simply breathed out a laugh as he leaned back in his chair and Leotomas did his best to pretend he wasn't listening to the conversation. Then again, as a werewolf, he could have stood on the other side of the vault and still been privy to every word.

"I never thought I'd see it."

Rumple squinted. "See what?"

"You love somebody. Or, more importantly, somebody love you." He gestured loosely off in the direction Belle had left in. "Belle is wonderful, you keep her happy and with you."

"I have no intentions of throwing her away now Belle is no longer bound to me."

Jefferson nodded, clearly pleased with that statement. "Good."

Since meeting in Demeer's office, Jefferson had slowly started to act more like his usual self rather than the desperate man he'd been slowly becoming. Back were his sarcastic comments, smirks and bright eyes. Of course he still urged to return to his sweet Grace, his beloved only child, but Jefferson had shifted back to his usual level of madness rather than the distressing display Rumple had seen in Demeer's office. Hope, with Rumple had come hope and Jefferson had gripped on tight. Grace just had to hold on a little longer and her daddy would come back to her. Jefferson promised, he vowed it to her.

Their search continued until Ognyan, or the White Inferno as most called him, surged into the library vault with a small slip of paper upon which was written a request for Rumple's presence in the Valkyrie training room from Captain Federlord. While he'd got no real desire to continue training the Valkyries, a deal was a deal so, after a sigh and a nod to the white hamster, Rumple left Leotomas and the Hatter to continue the search for a way back to the Enchanted Forest on their own.

~X~

Outside the Arcane University there was a powerful smell of petrichor thanks to the rain that morning, the streets had mostly dried off and people went about their days unhindered, but the earthy scent refused to budge. Amicia couldn't have cared less, she was just pleased to be out in the fresh air, but Belle had a lingering unease at being so far from Rumple. He could always find her, Belle knew that, one call of his name and he'd appear to protect her.

Despite the peculiarity of being away from Rumple, Belle was determined to give Amicia the carefree afternoon she deserved. Slowly they'd made their way to the market where people of all species sold and bought while chatting happily outside small shops and enjoying the sunny weather the post-rain had brought. The girls' noses had quickly drawn them to to a stall in the far east corner that sold wonderfully fragrant hammer boar skewers, the second Amicia had spotted them her eyes had gone wide and, with that, Belle knew they'd found their lunch. As the pair ate – Azzy had devoured his the second it had been presented to him – they wandered through the market place in a slow meander, around them sellers called out prices and beckoning customers in encouragingly. Scents of various meats from stalls intermingled to the point Belle honestly regretted only buying one hammer boar skewer for each of them.

Energetic was probably the best word to describe Bichelberger's bustling Borobello market and a smile settled on Belle's soft lips as she watched Amicia happily inspect each stall's wares. The child had certainly found more happiness than in the library. Yes, Amicia enjoyed learning to read and write, but even a little girl of her maturity needed times to just be a kid – especially after what she'd gone through. Had they been back in Avonlea, she and Belle would have had the best of the Rose Guard to watch over them while out in public. Sure, nobody knew the position of Belle's birth in Bichelberger, but eventually people would find out the Dark One had returned to the realm and, when they did, Amicia would surely need a guard for afternoons like this. While Azzy would never let harm come to either of the girls, he was a companion rather than a guard dog. Belle shook all those thoughts from her head, she didn't wish to think about when the public learned of who Rumple really was or the fact he'd one day depart Dreymyr.

The blonde child hurried ahead of Belle then as she still chewed the last bite of her lunch, Belle hastened after Amicia only to see her stop before a smaller stall selling cheep but pretty jewelry; obviously the objects had been too much for Amicia because she'd already started excitingly looking the pieces over by the time Belle and Azzy caught up. Nothing was all that expensive, each piece crafted from bronze, iron, glass and shells. The bold colors on certain items more than made up for their lack of precious metals or gems and were sure to draw the attention of little girls. Back in Avonlea all of Belle's jewelry had been crafted from gold or silver with intricate stones, but Belle thought the pieces before her far more beautiful because one could tell they'd been made with love and attention rather than simply to display wealth.

"Would you like something?" Belle offered after a moment and Amicia's bright blue eyes lit up at the prospect. "Go on, pick something pretty."

Markets weren't something Belle had experienced until she'd become enslaved to Rumple, but she'd grown to enjoy the way such a simple trinket could bring such happiness. Markets were a hive of activity where everything could be purchased from a hearty meal to new clothes, they really were the perfect representation of a city's heart.

"Can I really?" Asked the young elf girl as her eyes scanned the items in awe.

"Of course." Belle insisted as Azzy peeked over the stall's counter to see what all the fuss was about. "I'm sure Papa would like to see what you choose."

That was all the encouragement Amicia needed because she soon began to peruse happily. After a few moments Belle flashed the vendor a grateful smile for her patience, but the demon only felt a light-hearted amusement at Amicia's concentration. Eventually she settled on a very small – no bigger than the length of Belle's thumbnail – set of bronze earrings with two interlocking loops. At first Belle had been surprised Amicia had chosen such a simple pair, had expected her to choose something with more color, but, when she stopped to think about it, they did resemble gold thread and likely reminded Amicia of the stories Rumple had told her of spinning straw into gold. Belle made no objections, just paid the vendor and helped Amicia to put her new earrings on; they actually looked rather fetching on her.

"You look beautiful, Amicia."

With their bellies full and a major purchase under their belts, Belle decided it was probably time for them to return to the Arcane University, so she offered Amicia her hand. They walked with Azzy at their side for several moments until Belle noticed the little girl's sudden change in demeanor; where only a few seconds earlier there had been a bright, happy girl, now stood a mournful one. Belle stopped and crouched down before the child with a concerned expression.

"Is everything okay?"

Amicia's head remained downcast. "… Belle?"

"Yes, sweetheart?" Belle's brow furrowed deeper as her concern grew.

"… I- I know you're a princess but … could- could I maybe – could I call you mama?"

Belle was stunned as she stared at Amicia, a little girl primed for rejection. It was the same expression she'd worn when she'd called Rumple papa. Belle cared for Amicia deeply but she'd assumed her more connected to Rumple than herself. Belle's delicate hands went to rest on Amicia's slender shoulders which finally forced Amicia to look up at the elder woman.

"Amicia," Belle began slowly. "I would love that! I wanted you to back when you started calling Rumple your papa, but I didn't want you to feel pressured."

The elf's eyes widened in shock as tears bubbled forth, she'd been so certain the answer would be a resound no.

"But you're a princess."

"Oh, darling girl, that doesn't stop be being your mama."

Eighteen, Belle was only eighteen – well, closer to nineteen after all her time with Rumple – but she adored Amicia and hated the thought of losing her. She and Rumple had been raising Amicia together and, though it had only been a short time, Belle already loved the child more than life itself. Back when Lorrimer had been but a babe she'd helped her mother care for him and Colette had been convinced her daughter would one day make an excellent mother. Where many noble women were content to delegate the raising and care of their child to wet nurses and governesses, Colette had insisted on being a mother to her children and Belle would be no different even if she'd not birthed Amicia.

Belle hugged the crying child tightly and ignored the stray glances of people who passed them. They simply let their emotional moment play out until Amicia's tears had run their course; Azzy had even rested his head against the girl's back comfortingly at one point. She didn't know what would become of Amicia when the time came for Rumple to leave Dreymyr with Jefferson, but, no matter what, Amicia wouldn't be alone; it didn't matter where she'd come from, Amicia was the daughter of the Dark One and the Princess of Avonlea now.

Eventually, after the tears and the wiping of noses, Belle rose to her feet and again took Amicia's hand in hers. Their eyes would be puffy for a while, but it didn't hurt.

"How about we go find something much too sweet that will make even Papa cringe, and eat all of it before going back?"

"Okay … Mama."

Mama, how one simple would could have so much power inside it Belle didn't know, but she knew she'd never grow tired of hearing it.