Rumplestiltskin sat on a stump watching the other children in the village play. None of them wanted to associate with the son of the town coward. Suddenly a voice spoke up behind him.
"Hello," he turned to see a girl around his age, so likely 9 or 10, with blond hair and grey eyes staring at him.
"Hello," he said shyly.
"What are you doing here on your own?" she asked.
"Nobody else wants me to join, and I'd rather not get beat up or laughed at trying to do so," said Rumple. Maybe it was cowardly but he'd learned his lesson about trying to include himself with the others.
"That's stupid of them," said the blond.
"You do know who I am right?" he asked.
"No, my parents just moved here," replied the girl.
"Oh well, my name is Rumplestiltskin, I live with the spinners."
"I'm Rowena the baker's daughter," replied the girl holding out her hand. "Golly Rumplestiltskin, that's a mouthful."
"I didn't choose it," grumped Rumple.
"I don't imagine you did. But I'd rather not have to say that every time we speak. So why don't I just call you Rum and you can call me Row?"
"Why would we talk again? I'm the son of the village coward. Nobody want's to be around me."
"Because I want to be friends, and I don't care what anyone else says," said Row firmly.
"Well, it doesn't seem I have a choice in the matter," Rumple said with a slight smile. The girl was a bit forward but he wasn't going to pass up the chance at a friend.
"No, you don't," she replied cheekily returning the smile and for the first time since his Papa had abandoned him, he didn't feel so lonely.
3 years later
Rumplestiltkin and Rowena, as usual were playing by themselves. In the time since their meeting the blond had become like a sister to him. They told each other everything and spent any free time together.
Today they were using some spare wool that Rumple had spun to play cat's cradle and simply chat. At least they were until some of the other, bigger boys from the village came up to bother them.
"Hello coward," sneered Robert. Being significantly scrawnier than Robert and his friends Rumple felt rather justified in being intimidated by the boy but forced himself to say.
"My...father was the coward NOT me."
"So? You've got coward's blood," said Alexander one of Robert's friends.
"And you've got halfwit's blood in that case," sniped Rowena.
"Need a girl to defend you boy?" asked Robert.
"Well, he does specialize in a girl's profession," chuckled a third crony Richard.
"And he's better at it than anything you ever do," snapped Rowena hands on hips.
"Yes, at least I have something that amounts to talent." He added emboldened by his friend's bravery.
"I'll show you what I've got a talent for. Showing little runts like you two your place," snarled Robert. The three boys began to advance and he shared a look with Row. Standing up to them was all well and good but this was NOT a fight that they were going to be winning. Seeing a stack of crates nearby he shoved them over creating a temporary barrier then together the pair ran hand in hand.
They didn't stop until they were in a glade in the forest far away from the boys.
"Nice trick with the crates there, Rum," said Row with a smile leaning over to catch her breath. Rumple shook his head.
"If I were braver, I would have fought them to protect you." Rowena waved him off.
"There's no point trying to fight a losing battle. All due respect but they would have beaten you to a pulp."
"At least they couldn't have call me a coward," he said with a sigh. Row shook her head.
"Cowardice is running away from your responsibilities for no good reason. Running away so you don't get the welly beaten out of you is just smart. Anyone that can't understand that isn't worth your time."
"Oh, so most of the town isn't worth our time?" scoffed Rumple.
"Yes," replied Row. Rumple smiled.
"Well, thank you for standing up for me." Row took his hand.
"I'll always have your back Rum. No matter what."
Several years later
The village was having a great bonfire to celebrate the Summer solstice. Rumplestiltskin stood on the outskirts watching everyone else dancing though one woman in particular caught his eye. Milah a pretty brunette.
She was beautiful but gods he didn't have the confidence to speak to the woman. Why would she want him? He was drawn out of his pitying thoughts as his sister in all but blood came bounding up to him her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Row herself had grown into quite the beauty with her flaxen blond hair and rare grey eyes. In fact, now in her mid-twenties she'd just gotten married to the weaver Bartholomew a few years prior.
"Really Rum, how do you expect to have any sort of fun if you spend the entire night brooding on the side?" she asked.
"Considering I doubt anybody but you wants, me here Row I don't think it matters that much," he said wryly. His friend groaned and followed his gaze.
"Look why don't you just go talk to the woman. You've got good prospects as the best spinner in the entire village! What's the worst that can happen?"
"She utterly rejects me?" he offered.
"So you won't be any worse off than you are now," said Row grabbing his arm and pushing him towards Milah before he could object further.
OUAT
The night of the bonfire ended up turning out far better for Rumplestiltskin than expected. Milah, it seemed did appear interested in him. She laughed at his jokes and seemed nice enough. Their betrothal lasted a few years as her father wanted to be certain of his prospects before letting him marry his daughter so by the age of thirty for Rumple, a few years younger for Milah, he was at last married.
Things were pleasant enough for a time. There were rumors of a war with the ogres but it seemed far away enough it shouldn't be a bother. Row lived next door to him now so he still saw her regularly.
One day as he sat at the table in his friend's house after delivering wool to market he noticed she seemed down.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I'm just wondering if I'm ever going to be able to have a child," she said with a sigh. "Bartholomew and I try and try but it seems never to happen. Maybe it's a sign I'm not meant to be a mother?"
"Nonsense," scoffed Rumple. "You would be a wonderful mother. These things can take time. Milah and I still haven't had one yet. You'll get your chance I'm sure of it," he squeezed her hand and she smiled.
"Thank you Rum. You always know how to cheer me out of my darkest moods."
"Considering you do the same for me I think we're even," he replied with a shrug.
"You know we're lucky our spouses aren't the jealous sort," chuckled Row and Rumple made a face.
"All due respect Row but I could never. That would just be wrong." Row laughed.
"I quite agree."
Ironically not long after that conversation he was all but tackled by his best friend on the way to market.
"Gods Row what is it?" he asked the beaming woman.
"Oh Rum it's wonderful! I'm pregnant!" A smile spread across his face.
"Congratulations Row," he said.
"Thank you, I couldn't wait to share it with you! Don't think you'll get out of being god father."
"I wouldn't dream of it," he answered touched by her offer.
Happiness didn't last long though for a mere week later men were called for to go fight in the ogre wars.
Rumplestiltskin himself enlisted to the concern of Milah. Before he left, he went to talk with Row a final time.
"I still don't think you should go," the blond said with a sigh. "For god's sake Bartholomew already went and now you have to go too?"
"I need to prove that I'm not the coward my father was! This is my chance Row."
"Why must you prove anything?" she asked. "I've always said you should just ignore the halfwits that look down on you."
"It's not that easy Row," he said with a sigh. "Besides why did Bartholomew say he was going?"
"He said he wanted to go before they started dragging people off. Better to go with some dignity." She replied still downcast.
"Look we'll defeat the ogres and both be home to you and Milah with great honors to boot," he said trying to sound hopeful.
"They're ogres Rumple what if you both die? I'll lose my best friend and my husband."
"That won't happen. We'll make sure of it." He said firmly as they shared an embrace. It was a bit odd being the "brave one" that was usually Row.
"Come back Rum," she said. "Whatever you need to do. Come back."
OUAT
Unfortunately, Bartholomew didn't make it very long he died saving some of his comrades. Or so Rumple heard. Still, he tried to push forward and was willing to fight until he spoke with the seer and got news he would be a father. Then he crippled himself and returned home a coward.
Milah scorned him and when he saw Rowena the next day Rumple half expected to see hatred in Rowena's eyes. After all she'd lost her husband who had fought bravely while he'd survived by being a coward. Instead she ran to him and pulled him into a tight hug crying.
"Oh god you're back," she whispered.
"Yes, I'm back," he replied in surprise.
"Want to bring your son over and you can see my little Morraine this evening?" she offered. He agreed god knows Milah didn't want to be anywhere near him. So he took supper at Row's house.
"She's a pretty little girl," he said taking the tiny hand of Morraine who smiled up at him.
"And your Baelfire is quite sweet as well," agreed Row. "He's lucky to have both parents."
"Milah doesn't see it that way," he said. "Which given my cowardice is a fair assessment."
"Is it?" asked Row. "Why did you cripple yourself it can't have been easy?"
"I got the news that Milah had given birth to Baelfire and I knew I couldn't let him go through what I did. I grew up without a loving father. I want him to know he's always loved. I couldn't abandon him for a fight I knew I'd lose thanks to the seer." Row nodded looking thoughtful.
"Do you remember that day that Roger, Robert, and Alexander tried to beat us up?"
"Which time?" he quipped and Row giggled.
"The time we were thirteen and playing cat's cradle. We ran into the forest. Afterwards you apologized for not being brave enough to try and take them on in a fight. Do you recall what I said?" Rumple wracked his brains for a moment.
"There's no point trying to fight a losing battle."
"Exactly. You knew there was NO chance of you getting out of there alive. And your participation certainly wouldn't have changed the tide of the battle. So why should you have sacrificed your life and your child's parent for a fruitless fight? Not to mention you didn't leave because you were scared of dying. You left because you didn't want to leave your son fatherless which is noble in itself. I wish Bartholomew had been given that kind of a warning. Then maybe he might have chosen to run too."
"Nobody else is going to see that, and my son is going to forever be tainted by my cowardice just like I was by my father's," he pointed out. Rowena shrugged.
"You managed just fine with me as a friend. One good friend is really all you need in this world. More is nice but as long as you have one it will be alright and little Baelfire will have Morraine." He smiled slightly.
"Thank you, Row. I only hope Milah comes around to see things that way."
"If she doesn't, she's a fool," replied his friend sternly.
OUAT
Milah didn't come around. Years passed and the woman spent most of her time berating him or drinking at the tavern. One evening as he came back from retrieving her from the tavern where she'd left four-year-old Bae outside waiting Rowena stepped outside.
"A word Milah," he heard his friend say and Rumple felt a sinking feeling. He hurried Bae inside the house before turning.
"Row you don't need to..."
"Yes I think I do Rum. Because god knows you are too kind to say it," the blond turned her grey gaze back on Milah and Rumple stood by helplessly. "You must be the most ungrateful woman in the world Milah. Your husband SURVIVED those damn wars yet all you do is moan and complain and waste his hard-earned money while ignoring your child!"
"You can talk you don't have to live with the reputation of being the wife of the village coward," snarled Milah.
"No you're just becoming the village drunk. You have the kindest husband in the world and even ignoring that a child for whom you are responsible yet you refuse to acknowledge any of those things and wallow in self-pity while constantly berating the poor man."
"He's a worthless coward who will never amount to anything and who shamed me!" snapped Milah and while the words stung they weren't anything new for Rumple. What was new was what followed.
SLAP!
Rowena had slapped Milah across the face and looked furious. Rumple quickly hurried to grab Rowena and hold her back in case she tried for a second hit she fought a bit against him but continued her verbal assault.
"Don't you dare insult him like that when he's been nothing but good to you. You should be thanking the gods every night that he came back. Stop the whining, get on with your responsibilities as a mother, and cease treating Rum like a piece of dirt on your shoe he gets enough of that from everyone else."
"If you like him so much you should have married him," sneered Milah. "Would have saved me the trouble."
"Milah go home. Row please that's enough," he said trying to play peace maker. Milah stalked off Rowena glaring after her.
"You shouldn't have done that," he said softly.
"She deserved it Rum," grumbled his friend.
"Maybe. But she wasn't wholly wrong. I understand why she's miserable," said Rumple.
"So what?" said Rowena. "You don't beat her, you don't force yourself on her, you've given her a sweet child. Even if she no longer bears you any affection there's no excuse for her ignoring her obligations to her son." Rumple supposed he had to agree there.
"This isn't the life she wanted."
"Too bad. I wanted a life with a living husband that I'd grow old with but you don't see me whining about it day and night."
"I appreciate you standing up for me," he said.
"I've told you before, I'll always have your back Rum," replied Rowena with a slight smile. "And that includes giving your shrew of a wife what for. Really I blame myself for pushing you to speak with her in the first place."
"I suppose I must have really messed up to have lost her love," sighed Rumple.
"You never had it," replied Row. "She saw you as a good prospect. That was all. Now that things aren't sunshine and rainbows she's showing her true colors." Rumple didn't know if this thought made him feel better or worse.
"At least I have you and Bae," he said.
"Yes, that will never change," she answered squeezing his shoulder before turning to head back inside.
OUAT
Milah truthfully hadn't been much use but it didn't mean that when the pirates in town stole her away it wasn't difficult. Mostly because he'd had to explain to Bae that his mother wasn't coming back. Row's reaction was rather conflicted.
"Well, I wouldn't have quite wished that on her as awful as she was. Especially since it will hurt poor Bae but...at least you won't have her eating up your money at the tavern anymore. It was brave of you to try and get her back in the first place. Foolish but brave."
"I didn't even try to fight for her," he said after confessing what happened on the ship.
"Yes because you aren't suicidal. Even with both legs a peasant wasn't winning against a pirate," said Row. "Baelfire needs you more than Milah. Don't feel guilty about making the choice that was best for your son. It's a credit to your character you bothered to go after her in the first place."
"What did I ever do to always have you on my side?" he asked. Rowena looked thoughtful.
"I can't say. But we're friends and friend's support each other. I know you'd do the same for me were the situations reversed."
"I'd do anything for you Row. I just don't know how Bae is going to do without his mother."
"The same way Morraine does without her father," replied Rowena. "Their other parent plays both parts. It's not easy but it's possible. And we have each other to pick up the slack on either side. Morraine had her Uncle Rumple and Bae has his Auntie Row.
Rumple chuckled.
"That they do."
OUAT
Rowena was right it wasn't easy but he did manage. His boy was his pride and joy and the loss of Milah was soon eclipsed by all that came with raising his son. Quite frankly Row wasn't completely wrong. Things were slightly easier without Milah draining their finances at the local tavern. Bae was confused but after a time seemed quite content with Rumple as his sole parent and if it ever came to something maternal Auntie Row was always available.
Row was a godsend in that way. With the whole town shunning them he wasn't sure what sort of an up bringing his son would have had. Morraine was a built-in best friend for the boy the girl getting along with Bae in much the same way Rumple had with Row.
As the years went on word that the ogres had returned came through and they once more called for recruits to fight them. Rumple and Row did their best to shield their children from the horrors they heard from the wars but Morraine and Bae still knew there was something bad going on and it only got worse when the Duke began to enlist children to fight in his war. It had started at eighteen but was beginning to drop.
"Sixteen Rum!" exclaimed Row looking at the sign that had been posted. "What on earth is a sixteen-year-old supposed to do against an ogre?"
"Act as canon fodder presumably," replied Rumple dully feeling sympathy for the children who were being taken away. Hopefully the war would end soon though. He'd consider running except they didn't have the gold for it.
Then the age was lowered again to 15 and his fear increased.
"Maybe we should try and leave," said Row thoughtfully one day. Their children were only one year away from drafting age after all.
"I agree it's far too close. Together we could probably manage it if we save enough," said Rumple.
It was a reasonable plan and probably would have worked...except the Duke was even more impatient to get bodies for his war and the day before they were supposed to leave something awful happened.
Bae came running into their hut in a panic.
"Papa! Papa! They're taking Morraine!" He stood and hobbled as fast as he could out the front door where sure enough Morraine was being dragged out of their neighbor's hut by a guard. Followed by a sobbing Row who was desperately fighting to get back to her daughter.
"No. Don't take her! No. You can't take her. She's my baby. Don't take my baby."
"Nonsense. She is a fine, strong girl. She'll make a fine soldier." scoffed one with a smirk.
"It's a mistake. She's turning fourteen. ONLY FOURTEEN." cried Row still fighting Rumple wracked his brain for anything he could do to help but a cripple and a woman weren't any good against armed guards. They might take Bae too.
"AT THE ORDERS OF THE DUKE! The wars have taken their toll this season. More troops will turn the tide." Internally Rumple scoffed more troops of older children hadn't turned the tide younger ones wouldn't do anything.
"They lowered the age again, Papa." Whispered Bae holding him close.
"I know." He replied.
"Take her. She'll ride with me," leered the largest guard putting Morraine up on the horse and dread filled Rumple as he watched his surrogate niece being taken away.
"No!" screeched Row and in an act of desperation he watched as she pulled a knife and made to attack the guards. "No, you can't have her." However she was stopped by a magical force that began to strangle her. They looked to see a man on a horse in a black robe far off casting a spell
"The Dark One seems to think I can." sneered the biggest guard.
"Please let her go," said Rumple. "She can't hurt you. She's just desperate." It took all his courage. But he couldn't let them kill his friend even if he couldn't save Morraine. The guard barely paid him attention but waved his hand causing the Dark One to stop his spell and Rowena dropped to the ground gasping for air. Rumple and Bae hurried to her side
"Fine. No point in wasting time the Dark One's power killing peasants like you," then he and his men trotted off.
"Come on Auntie Row let's get you inside," said Bae and together he and Rumple helped half carry the distraught woman inside her house.
"No..." Whimpered Row. He wrapped an arm about her and let her cry into his shoulder Bae got her a glass of water and then left seeming to realize this was probably a conversation best left between adults. When she seemed to have cried out all her tears Rumple said softly.
"I'm sorry Row. I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault." she whispered.
"I wish I could have helped."
"They'd have taken Bae then too," she replied then she looked up at him.
"You have to go today. Leave." She stood and pulled a bag of money from a hidden spot in a corner. "Take this and GO with Bae. We couldn't save Morraine but you can save Bae."
"You should come too," he said but she shook her head.
"The gold will just run out quicker and there's no point in me running," sighed Row. He'd never seen his friend so broken. Normally she was the one lifting him up.
"She might survive Row. Morraine's a clever girl. Maybe she'll hide or find a way to run away." Row gave him a sad smile.
"That would be nice wouldn't it? And all the more reason for me to stay. If she ever comes back. I'll be waiting. Now GO please." A part of Rumple wanted to try and force her to come with them but he knew it was no good so instead he embraced her.
"Thank you Row. For EVERYTHING."
OUAT
Unfortunately things didn't go as planned and he ended up right where he'd started well nearly. The beggar's story had given him hope and he shared it with Row.
"I don't know are you sure about this?" she asked. "It sounds too good to be true."
"It's my only hope Row." She sighed.
"In that case how can I help?" Rumple paused at first he'd planned to have Bae help him with setting the castle on fire but Row was honestly a better bet.
"You can help me and then I need you to go back and look after Bae."
"Alright. But help with what?"
"You know how you always said that castle of the Duke's was an eyesore?" he asked wryly.
"Yes."
"How do you feel about setting it on fire?"
"Stone doesn't burn Rum," she said though he noted she wasn't objecting.
"True but what are the floors and rafters made of?" a look of understanding crossed his friend's face.
"Wood." He nodded.
"And wood burns."
OUAT
His plan worked. He got the dagger though in a fit of anger was tricked into killing the Dark One and becoming it himself. But it didn't matter. Because he could save his son. He arrived just as the guards were coming for him and Row looked ready to fight to buy time. But she wouldn't have to.
He killed the first few guards then made the last and largest one who had leered at Morraine and made Rumple kiss his boot kiss Rumple's boot before snapping the man's neck. Oddly though instead of being reassured Bae looked frightened. He looked at Row who seemed simply to be shock. It was the first time he'd seen his friend truly speechless.
OUAT
Everything was going both well and poorly Rumple had gone and stopped the ogre war, saving the children including Morraine, much to Row's joy and relief. He and Bae also now had better clothes and a better home. The same went for Row though to a lesser extent as she refused to let him buy everything for her despite how much he felt he owed her for her support over the years.
Yet at the same time Bae seemed to be pulling away day by day. And the voices in Rumple's head the ones that he knew now were of his predecessors, that screamed of hatred, violence and paranoia those drove him to distraction, and violence at times.
The incident with the maid was just one of them. He wouldn't say he hadn't been the one to actually do the woman in but he didn't think without those voices he'd have been nearly as violent or paranoid. Still at least it kept the violence from ending up hurting Bae. Rumple sighed heavily sitting down in the glade where Bae had left him in anger.
A few moments later a figure sat down next to him.
"Didn't you hear dearie? Most people shouldn't go near the Dark One."
"Don't you dearie me Rum," scoffed Row. "What happened? Another argument with Bae?"
"What else?" he sighed. "We never used to argue like this. Why can't he see this change is for the best? I can protect all of us better and provide better."
"Yes that straw into gold trick certainly is impressive," said Row wryly. "Bae doesn't care about any of those things Rum. He sees his Papa has changed WHO he is and he's scared. He doesn't want to lose the old you that he loved."
"The old me was a coward," said Rumple and Row shook her head.
"No he wasn't. Everyone else just said it so often you believed it." A pale hand slipped into his now slightly scaly one.
"Do you hate me too then?" he asked. Row shook her head.
"I could never hate you Rum. You have been and always will be my dearest friend in the world. Dark One or no. Not to mention that you brought home Morraine. That's a gift I can never repay."
"You don't have to. You'd have done the same if the positions were reversed," he replied. The voices in his head were screaming for her blood. She was too close. He couldn't trust her surely? Yet he tried with all his might to force the fiends back.
"I know you're fighting something Rum. It's obvious there's more to this curse than some flashy powers and darker tendencies. At least to me. And I want to help if I can." Rumple shook his head.
"There's nothing you can do Row. But what do I do about Bae?"
"I'll try and talk to him. See if Auntie Row can't get him to give you a break."
"You can't tell him what I'm going through. He doesn't need that burden," said Rumple sharply. Row sighed.
"I think he could handle more than you think. But I'll respect your wishes."
"You know you're the only person in the world who could ask anything of the Dark One without worry of the price and yet you never have."
"I have all I want Rum. From you all I need is your friendship. And that requires no magic," replied Row. Then she glanced around.
"We've been coming here for a long time haven't we?"
"All our lives," he replied softly.
"It's nice to know with everything in our lives that changes, some things stay the same," Row said as they stood up and he offered her his arm so they could walk back together.
Whatever happened at least he still had Bae and Row.
OUAT
Rumplestiltskin knocked sharply on Rowena's door desperation and grief filling him. The damn blue bug had turned him down and he'd messed things up on his own and lost Bae. Right now he needed to speak to the last person in this world that mattered. The door opened to show a groggy looking Row.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Can we speak?" he asked. She nodded and grabbing a shawl went over to his house leaving Morraine presumably sleeping.
Rumple held it together until they were inside and she asked the inevitable question.
"Where's Baelfire?" Tears began to stream down his face.
"I lost him," he choked out.
"What?" asked Row coming to wrap and arm about him.
"I lost him. He wanted to go away to a different realm. One without magic where I could be my old self. I said I'd give up the power if he found a way around the dagger. But when he threw down the magic bean..."
"Like the one you and your father used?" asked Row. She was the sole person outside the Spinner's that raised him who knew that tale. He nodded.
"I couldn't do it I couldn't let go. And he slipped through the portal. I wanted to join him the second it closed but...it was too late." He began to cry again the pain at losing his son. His pride and joy was almost unbearable. He also imagined this was where Row left in disgust.
She'd claimed he wasn't a coward but this was undeniably cowardly what he had done. To his surprise the arm around his shoulders simply tightened.
"I'm sorry Rum. I'm SO sorry. I promise we'll do all we can to find him again. If anyone can it's you."
"I failed him. I swore I'd never abandon or fail him the way my father did but I followed the same path."
"No you didn't," argued Row. "Your father doesn't appear to have shown any regret. You love Bae. I won't deny you've made just about the worst choice possible in the worst MOMENT possible. But there must be hope."
"How can you be so sure?" he asked.
"Because the last time I thought there was no hope I was proven wrong." Rumple had to believe her. Had to latch onto the shred of hope she offered. Yet it didn't lessen the pain or guilt.
"I just miss him already Ro."
"So do I Rum. So do I."
OUAT
After the loss of Bae Rumple had nothing much to hold him in the tiny village. At least as far as living there. He eventually set himself up in a castle and went about trying to arrange plans for a curse that would bring him to his son, while also exploring other avenues and making deals with desperate souls.
In between it all though he never forgot Row. He popped back to visit her and Morraine every few years. Morraine remained kind and unafraid of him even if she wasn't quite as affectionate towards her Uncle Rumple as she had been before the curse, and Row never batted an eye whenever he came back always welcoming him in with a bright smile and a warm embrace.
He'd share stories of his travels and deals and she'd listen before giving her commentary on them. It was nice.
Unfortunately while his curse had given him the benefit of immortality the same was not true for Row and as the years passed he watched her age her skin beginning to wrinkle and her hair whiten. He knew of no spell that could extend her natural lifespan nor did he think she'd accept it if he did. The best he could do was make sure that she and her family were never touched by many of the horrors that often beset peasants such as plague or famine.
Still even that only guaranteed she'd live out her natural life span and one day he heard his name called for the worst reason imaginable.
Rumple appeared in a puff of smoke outside Row's cottage where he found Morraine waiting.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's mother. She's dying. The doctor said it's just old age. But I figured you'd want to say goodbye." She gestured for him to go in and Rumple nodded before swiftly entering where he found Row reclining on the bed. Her grey eyes opened as he closed the door and she gave him a weak smile.
"You came," she said softly.
"Of course, nothing would ever stop me," he replied firmly taking her hand.
"Good. That determination should serve you well on your quest to find Bae. How is it going?"
"Not much farther than the last time," he said shortly.
"Ah well, give it time. The seer said you'd find him so you shall," said Row.
"I'll still never understand how you can forgive me for what I did. Not that he ever will."
"I honestly think there's very little I couldn't forgive Rum. And as for Bae. I've no doubt there will be anger but with time he may come around to forgiveness."
"If we're being optimistic," muttered Rumple. "Maybe there's something I can do. To make you well..." Rowena held up a hand.
"I don't need you to do anything. I'm content as I am. I've lived a long life. No doubt in part thanks to you. There would likely be a nasty price to pay for trying to cheat my way to a longer one."
"I'd pay it to keep you around. Who else will I have?" he asked. "I'll be alone."
"Maybe. For a time," said Row. "But you've always underestimated yourself Rum. There's nothing to say that someday you may gain people that love you. People besides Bae I mean."
"I think we've passed from optimistic to delusional," scoffed Rumple who could care for him?
"I'm no seer Rumple but I can feel it," Row squeezed his hand. "One day you won't be alone again." Rumple seriously doubted it but decided against arguing with a dying woman.
"You've no idea how grateful I've been for your friendship Row," he said and his best friend smiled.
"Oh I think I do. I'm equally grateful. And just because I'm gone from this life Rum doesn't mean I'm lost to you. While you're waiting for those people and Bae to come along, when you get lonely. Think of me." Row let out a last breath and then she was gone. Rumple felt tears run down his cheeks. His only friend in the world was no more.
OUAT
Rumple was there for Row's burial at the end of which only himself and Morraine remained.
"So I suppose you won't be coming back anymore," said Morraine.
"It's unlikely I'll do so as much," he replied. "But I'll keep an eye on things," she smiled slightly.
"You always did look out for me Uncle Rumple." Then she sighed looking guilty. "It was me you know. I'm the one that told Bae about the Blue Fairy." Rumple paused taking in this knowledge yet he couldn't bring himself to be angry at his surrogate niece. He could never hurt Row's daughter.
"It doesn't matter. Bae was set on finding a way to rid me of my power and I wasn't willing to take it. Who told him in the first place doesn't make a difference."
"Doesn't mean I'm not sorry. Thank you for coming and visiting all these years. I know how much it meant to Mother."
"Your mother meant more to me than I can ever possibly express," replied Rumplestiltskin. Then he paused before taking off a ring engraved with an R. "If anyone in your family ever needs help, and I don't just mean now, but decades on, simply show this ring as proof of the connection." Morraine smiled
"Understood," then she hugged him much to his surprise. Rumple returned the embrace briefly before disappearing, leaving his old town and Row behind.
Author's Note: And so we get the official backstory to Rowena and Rumple hinted at in the Best Tea Cup figured it would go well here before our dangerous duo officially meet. Sorry to have been MIA was on vacation then a cold decided to kick my but for a week! If you like the story PLEASE PLEASE leave a note below! Until next time!