Hi everyone! This is the only request on my list. Please, please send me more! :)
Belle's Advice
Quill Sparkle asked for a one-shot in the Camelot arc where Hanna asks advice from Belle about how she coped with Rumplestiltskin being the Dark One.
Hanna wandered the halls of King Arthur's castle just like she did most nights since she's been here. Her bedroom was cold, the bed was lumpy, and she'd never admit this, but her blanket being back in Storybrooke played a major roll in her inability to fall asleep. The biggest reason she had barely been sleeping was because of Emma though. Hanna couldn't stop worrying about her. If they could only get Merlin out of that tree, then he could help them free Emma from the darkness. It had been days though, and they haven't even come close to finding anything. Hanna decided to go to the library and scour the books some more, hoping to find something. When she walked in, she noticed she wasn't alone.
"Hi, Belle," Hanna said as she pulled up a chair and sat down next to her.
Belle jumped, startled by the sudden noise. "Oh Hanna, it's just you."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
Belle shook her head. "It's fine. What are you doing up so late anyway?"
"I can't really sleep anymore," Hanna shrugged. "Have you found anything useful yet?"
"Not yet." Belle closed the book she had been reading and reached for another one. She noticed the worried look on the young girl's face. "Hanna I know how scared you are for Emma. We're going to find a way to help her."
"We have to do it fast," Hanna sighed. "I think it's talking to her, and she's been secluding herself from everyone."
Belle understood exactly what Hanna was going through. "That's what the darkness does. It finds a way deep into their minds and turns them away from everyone, even the ones who love them the most."
"Mr. Gold did that to you too?" Hanna asked.
Belle nodded. "He did. I won't lie to you. The darkness…it's very strong."
"Well then what are we…"
"But…" Belle continued as she reached out for Hanna's hand. "It's not stronger than love. That's what you can do for her, Hanna. Be there for her. Just continue to show her how much you love her and never let her forget that."
"Thanks Belle," Hanna said with a small smile.
Belle returned the smile and held out a book for Hanna. "Would you like to help me look?"
Hanna was glad she decided to come here tonight. Belle's advice made her feel a little bit better. She took the book and hoped inside would be the answer to rid Emma of the darkness once and for all.