Artem's servants woke them early from their beds, the dawn had hardly begun and yet they'd all gathered in the King's study around his desk with various degrees of consciousness. Rumple, Artem and Phria all appeared wide awake, Artem alarmingly so, but Gottfried and Ser Crysaor had remains of slumber clung to them that refused to be banished; cockerels hadn't even been convinced to crow just yet. Belle had been among the number of the sleepy but, the moment she's spotted her mother's beloved feathered companion, her eyes had gone wide and she'd rushed into the study with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Albedo? What are you doing here?"

Suddenly Rumple was pleased they'd left Azzy asleep in the girls' room because that waheela had a habit of getting jealous when it came to Belle's attention.

Albedo squawked but nobody understood beyond the sound seemed to urge them to do something. Artem cleared his throat and placed the letter the white raven had delivered on the desk before him with the bird to its right; Gottfried snatched it up.

"It is from Maurice," began Artem. "It speaks of the spell he is under weakening for some reason and the machinations going on at Kalecaster Castle, the abuse his servants are being subjected to. I have no idea how much strength and resolve it must have taken to pen this. He confirms that Gaston LeGume and Haldor Tvon are behind all of this, and he has asked me to send both aid and military reinforcements to eliminate them." Aged eyes turned to Belle then. "Your father has also begged me to find you. He didn't mention the Dark One but he knows you are gone."

"Father, King Maurice talks about the 'Ring of Halinox', a ruby ring according to his description, thinks it is what is keeping him bespelled."

Artem nodded at his son. "Yes, I've never heard of it before but Demon Lord Halinox was a puppetmaster so a ring to control somebody sounds like his sort of evil."

Ser Chrysaor leaned on the desk with his fists then; his short beard was a little unkempt due to having not had time to shave that morning, and his auburn locks were less like those of the handsome men he spoke about in his favored lines of poetry, and more like a bird's nest after a storm. Ser Chrysaor preferred to present himself as a lover more than a fighter or a heroic knight from a romantic play the maidens were fond of; in reality he was a thirty-something Lothario most dismissed as an idiot until he set aside childish things and turned his mind to strategy. Outsiders almost certainly would question why King Artem had bothered to put his faith in Ser Chrysaor Horsefeather, but the wise king had seen passed the man's nonsense and to the military mind he possessed.

"Sire, this letter is clear indication that King Maurice can be rescued from this wicked spell, but we must act now. Enough time has already been spent dawdling, we have to mobilize our men and put a stop to this once and for all."

Artem nodded. "I see your point, Chrysaor, I do and I thank you for being so determined to rescue a king who is not your own. Although, Maurice has delivered us a wealth of new information and it would be irresponsible for us to not investigate this first."

Ser Chrysaor straightened up and didn't argue. "Yes, Sire, of course."

Belle appreciated that everyone in the room was determined to free Avonlea and her family from the evil that had befallen them, but she couldn't have agreed with the old king more; her papa had fought to get them that information and it was much more than Artem and his men had managed to scrounge up on their own, paying heed to it was only logical.

Artem's attention turned to Rumple. "You've been rather quiet, Rumpelstiltskin, surely you have something to say on the topic."

"Hmm, indeed I do. For a great long while I've been trying to figure out what Haldor Tvon has to gain by aiding the greedy simpleton, but now I think I understand." The expression on his golden-green face told everybody that it wasn't good, but it was Phria who eventually asked for further explanation. "Tvon wants to be the fifth demon lord."

"Please not another one," Prince Gottfried sighed.

Rumple simply continued. "That's the real reason I'm here. Tvon convinced Gaston that summoning me would help him take over all the kingdoms, in reality Tvon wanted me here as a tool to further his plans to become a demon lord. Who better to speed things along than the First Demon Lord himself? Belle has already told me a dozen times how evil Tvon is, how he enjoys hurting others and seems driven by nothing but power – that is what dark magic does, it corrupts a soul at its very core. Gaston is a smokescreen, that is why he's made no real moves to take over Avonlea or the other nine kingdoms, because Tvon is the one driving this."

Ser Chrysaor asked: "So what do you suggest, my Lord?"

"Simple," Rumple shrugged. "Give him what he wants."

"No! Rumple, you can't just hand yourself over."

"I wasn't suggesting that, Phria, I was suggesting I act as bait. Let Tvon think he has me in a corner and then snap his pathetic neck."

"But what if he's already become a demon lord and has access to the power of dark magic?" Belle worried.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm the True Demon Lord and immortal, he doesn't stand a chance. Regina and her mother on their worst days don't stand a chance against me, and Tvon couldn't hold a candle to either of them."

While everybody appreciated Rumple's confidence, they couldn't shake the feeling Tvon had more up his sleeve. Belle petted Albedo's feathers to sooth her nerves; she'd spent months hoping beyond hope that Rumple would finally fulfil his end of their deal but, now that it had finally arrived, she worried for his safety.

"Worry not." Said Gottfried as he twisted his ginger moustache. "He is not attempting this alone, Ser Chrysaor's men shall be there."

The Princes' kindness comforted her some.

"Before all that, I'll return to the Arcane University and question Demeer on this ring Belle's father mentioned. I can see if Jefferson has returned at the same time." He turned to Belle. "Sweetheart, you know this bird, yes?"

Belle's blue eyes followed Rumple's gesture to Albedo. "Yes. Albedo was a dear companion to my mother until her death. He's practically adored by all at the castle – at least he was until this all began."

"Good, form a contract with the raven and send him back to spy."

Belle's mouth fell open. Taming contracts couldn't just be tossed out at the drop of a hat, they were deeply emotional things forged by respect and friendship. Yes, some could be made quickly depending on an animal's intelligence, but they were a pact consented to willingly; tamers didn't enslave. Albedo had been her mother's loyal friend, she had no right to form a taming contract with him just to use him as a spy. Although, before Belle could protest on Albedo's behalf, the white raven nudged her hand with his head once, twice then adjusted his wings as though he wished for his feathers to look their best. Colette had always said Albedo was smarter than other ravens, and he proved it with his agreement.

"If you're sure it is all right, Albedo."

Rumple had seen her form a contract with Azzy but found that hadn't eased any of the amazement and wonder of seeing the procedure. Just like with Azzy, Belle removed her dagger to prick her finger, the blood oozed forth to become the ink for her magic circle which was drawn on Artem's mahogany desk; she'd apologize for the mess later. Once the concentric circles and detailed geometric shapes and been drawn, Belle held back her hair to blow on the magic circle causing it to glow a ruby color just like a newborn campfire.

"I am Princess Belle du Marchand, heir apparent to the throne of Avonlea." A second glowing circle formed beneath Albedo's talons. "I ask you stand by my side."

Even if he saw his beautiful fiancée tame a thousand creatures, Rumple doubted he'd ever fully understand just how she could fill a spell with her whole soul, her very being. Out the corner of his eyes, Rumple spotted the amazed expressions of the Van Winchells, Phria and Ser Chrysaor, and doubted they'd seen the immense magnificence of a tamer's magic before. There seemed to be a misconception they were weak, but Rumple saw just how powerful Belle's soul really was.

To her bleeding finger, Albedo pressed his beak. "With my breath, I invite you. With my heart, I welcome you. With my soul, I cherish you."

Most shielded their eyes from the sudden light which enveloped Belle and Albedo but not Rumple, he watched everything in utter amazement. The magic tasted sweet and smelt faintly of roses, but it all dissipated as abruptly as it had begun leaving the desk clear of blood and the white raven connected to Belle just as Azzy was.

She smiled at the raven. "Thank you, Albedo. I know I'm not Mother, but thank you for trusting me." Albedo cawed, apparently a sound of comfort. "Please do as Rumple asks and return to Kalecaster Castle to keep watch."

The raven didn't need asking again, just took flight and flew out the open study window. As a group they silently watched the white raven disappear from sight before Rumple drew their collective attention.

"I shouldn't be long at the University. Leotomas will likely have an idea of where to find the appropriate book."

Frankly, Belle and Rumple had suspected that the Arcane University would have ceased to function had the werewolf not been there to keep everything in working order; practically spit-shined was the place thanks to Leotomas' efforts.

~X~

Maximilian Demeer had been going through some documents at his desk when Rumple had abruptly appeared in a cloud of smoke as if determined to give the goateed man a heart attack. The conversation between them had been short-lived and lacking so much as a proper greeting as ha become their way. Instead, the pair had passed details and specifics back and forth for a few sentences before Leotomas had been summoned and given orders to locate any mention of Halinox possessing a ruby ring capable of forcing someone under the control of another. Demeer had been disturbed just how similar it had sounded to the effects of an enslavement collar but without the distance limitations; if such a thing were to become public knowledge then slavers and wicked man throughout the ten kingdoms would surely cash in on it. Rumple hadn't thought about the ring possibly replacing the enslavement ritual and frankly had no desire to do so, not when they'd freed Belle from her own collar.

"Best place for it is the vault." Grumbled Demeer after a few moments with his fingers rested in a pyramid and his chin atop them. "Safest place."

"Hmm, I'm inclined to agree."

"And your certain that Haldor Tvon is attempting to become a demon lord?" Rumple nodded as he dropped into one of the guest chairs with his back to the office door. "His brother is going to be so ashamed when he learns of this. Danyel is a noble man, how did I simply assume Haldor was one as well?"

Demeer truly did regret ever sending Tvon to Avonlea as a court mage; the mistakes of youth it seemed.

Rumple shrugged a single shoulder. "It's done, dearie. Regardless, Avonlea will need a new court mage soon enough, maybe just put more thought into his replacement."

"Yes, that sounds like the only option." He leaned back in his seat. "I'll admit, I don't remember ever learning anything about a ring used by Halinox, but that doesn't mean he didn't have one. They were his speciality, you see, magical tools were his passion before he became a demon lord and it was what he used to exert control over others. One of his devices was akin to a portable magic circle and about the size of a coin. He'd throw it at a target and the circle would trigger beneath them activating the spell from a far and without him having to cast. Halinox also used them as traps, he'd hide them and as soon as a person happened to walk over one, he had control of them. You have no idea how many people he used as cannon fodder that way."

"Did this magic tool work on monsters and wild animals as well?"

"Much to everybody's lament, yes. Each Grand Mage keeps a record of their tenure, a memoir if you will. The first job when I took office was to read them; a laborious task which doesn't treat the eyes well. Point is, I've read Félicien Judd's record and I am so grateful I'm not him. The Arcane University was almost wiped out by Halinox, he slaughtered thousands of innocents and had an almost endless supply of mana stones for his horrific puppet traps. Most said only by the grace of a god did we and the Knightly Order finally slay him."

"Did this Judd make any mention of confiscating any of Halinox's tools or equipment?"

"Not specifically in his record, but the University did take in numerous items; mostly the magic circle traps I told you about. I'd remember if there was a ring, especially with a magically charged ruby in it."

Rumple raised an eyebrow. "You thought Valdis was a paperweight."

That had the human chuckle to him. A paperweight wasn't quite what Demeer had thought, but he'd certainly never expected Msiddi's and Isra's egg to hatch.

"And how is young Valdis? Vice-Captain Ravenscroft has asked about her once or twice. Now Lady Stonecrop has left, the Valkyries seem much more organized and tolerant."

"Valdis is fine, she's with her brother and sister."

Demeer's eyes widened. "Brother? How many children do you intend to raise?"

"Currently, just the three, but I suspect Belle and Phria will likely talk me into another if they deem the situation worthy enough."

"Oh, it's comical. The feared Dark One bullied by a tiny princess and a shy pantherian."

Rumple chose not to make further comment on that one, instead he turned his attention to the second reason for his visit: the Hatter.

"Has Jefferson returned yet? I was hoping to get my horse back."

"No," Demeer sighed with a shake of his head. "I received a letter a few days ago to inform me that, while Jefferson is making progress, it is slow. I believe his phrase was 'at a snail's pace'. He didn't seem pleased. Then again, I have no children, but I suspect that if Grace were my daughter basically alone in another realm, I wouldn't be pleased either." A pause, small and hardly there. "Sometimes I find myself wondering if I am fortunate to not have such consuming worries or very unfortunate that fatherhood nor marriage have not been bestowed upon me."

Before Rumple could respond, Leotomas returned with a frown on his usually stoic face. In his hands was a large book bound in black leather while a second and third had been tucked under a muscled arm.

"This is the log of items the University has seized from both demon lord worshippers and demon lords directly. There is no mention of a ring, ruby or otherwise, being taken from Halinox, Ivosanch or Ravavena." He placed the book down then fished one of the other books from underneath his arm and set that down as well. "This one is the last attempted inventory of the vault. Many items of jewelry are listed, but none which seem to fit the description."

Honestly, Rumple was surprised Leotomas had been so quick about collecting the information they needed; though Leotomas Shadowhyve hadn't been made Demeer's adjutant for nothing.

"As I suspected," Demeer sighed. "We've never been in possession of this so-called Ring of Halinox."

The last book was placed down and flipped open to roughly two thirds of the way through. "I did find something though. I read through this tome when we were attempting to find a way of opening the portal to your realm, my Lord, and I remembered mention of a ring which allowed another to control a person's actions. It is described as being an ornate ruby ring."

Rumple shot to his feet and pulled the book to him so he could read the passage Leotomas indicated. Leotomas explained while he read about the cruel ring. According to the book, the ring established a connection between the wearer and the ring's owner allowing them to instruct the wearer to say or do anything they ordered. However, the ring demanded sacrifices to function. Most magical tools used mana stones to power them but the Ring of Halinox demanded lives; apparently the younger and healthier the better. Everything clicked then for Rumple; Belle had told him time and time again about Tvon's sadistic streak, the dark enjoyment he took in hurting people and King Maurice's letter had spoken of the spell weakening over time.

"He's torturing the victims first."

Both Leotomas and Demeer lifted eyebrows at the demon lord they'd chosen to side with.

"Care to explain, Rumpelstiltskin?"

"This says that the sacrifices to power the ring should be young and as healthy as possible, but Belle knows Tvon enjoys hurting people. I suspect he's sacrificing ill, malnourished and abused lives to the ring and it is slowly rejecting them, that is why Belle's father is beginning to break free of the spell."

"It would seem that, disturbingly, we must be grateful for his arrogance and cruelty."

"Disturbing indeed, Leotomas, disturbing indeed." Demeer pulled the book to him so he could read the section for himself. "I would assume removing the ring will be the easiest way of freeing King Maurice. I understand that freeing Avonlea must be done quietly for so many reasons, but I would ask; is there something I can do to provide assistance?"

"No, dearie." Rumple said with a shake of his head. "The less people involved, the better. That and Artem has a small group of knights already prepared. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some people to kill and a kingdom to save."

With that, Rumple vanished as swiftly as he'd arrived, travelling from Yanhil to Dorovoth in the blink of an eye.

Leotomas gathered up the books. "He's never going to learn manners, is he?"

"I doubt it." Demeer smiled.

~X~

Upon Rumple's return to Bruckstone Castle, he'd found Ser Chrysaor's unit almost saddled and ready to depart while Artem and Gottfried lamented that they couldn't be seen personally assisting should something go wrong. After he'd informed the Van Winchell's of what he'd discovered while at the Arcane University, Rumple had made his way with Phria and Belle to the rooms their children had been provided. While the three of them knew something very important was about to happen and that it involved Belle's homeland, only Bae had been made privy to any detailed information on the subject. Belle and Phria had said their goodbyes to the girls and instructed them to be good for Renner, to listen to him, Rumple had taken Bae aside for a private conversation.

"I hope we shan't be gone long, Bae. I don't suspect Gaston's men will be able to put up much of a fight, but desperate men will do desperate things." Oh, Bae was fully aware of that. "Promise me you'll luck after your sisters?"

"Of course I will." Bae nodded though his head remained lowered prompting Rumple to question why. "… Are you going to kill everybody?"

Ah, yes, Rumple should have expected Bae to assume Rumple would just slaughter all in his path, and frankly that had been his plan for the majority of his time in Dreymyr. However, Belle had made her deal very specifically. She'd made him agree to 'save' Avonlea rather than simply to avenge or remove the threats to the kingdom. He couldn't really save Avonlea if he carried out a systematic slaughter of all inside the royal castle. Then there was his disconnect from the Darkness which had spent three centuries whispering to him; that was what had made him seek bloodshed, with the Darkness quiet, Rumple didn't wish to kill simply because he could.

"Not everybody. Gaston LeGume and Haldor Tvon have to be stopped and death is almost certainly the only way they will stop."

"You said things would be different here."

"And they are, Bae. They are." Rumple wiped a hand down his face. "How about I make you a deal? From now on, I will only intentionally kill someone if I have to. If they are a genuine threat to our family, to innocent people or, if allowing them to live will cause some greater harm. I'll only kill to protect. I won't kill because it is easier or for amusement. I'm the Dark One, Bae, there isn't any getting away from it, but in this realm I think I might be able to use that fact to maybe do a little good finally."

Bae thought it over for almost a full ten seconds but Rumple waited patiently through the silence because he desperately didn't wish to further widen the gap in their relationship.

"What do you want in return? It's a deal, right?"

A small but breathy laugh escaped Rumple and he peered down at his boy who would surely soon be taller than him. "Just that you understand that sometimes I will have to kill."

Bae had seen much since he'd fallen through that portal and, while he still appeared to be a teenager, his mind had grown to adulthood for the most part. Some people needed to die, Bae knew that and he agreed with his papa that Gaston and Tvon were among their number, it was the gleeful killings and the waste of life Bae had truly objected to. 'Only kill to protect' his papa had said, after the things he'd seen and what he'd come to understand of the way the Curse of the Dark One worked, Bae supposed he could live with that.

"Okay, I guess that deal is fair."

Rumple stared at his shaggy-haired boy a moment in utter amazement before he cupped his cheek; a tear threatened to fall from his eye.

"You never cease to amaze me, Bae. So wise, so brave, so noble. Where did you get that from, because it wasn't from me."

Bae didn't know what to say. He could said it came from his mother, but from what he remembered of Milah, she'd not been any of those things. He could have shrugged off the question, but he felt a weight would have lingered between them if he chose that option and it didn't seem right to refuse his papa's praise. He could have made a joke about it, but that would have just made things more awkward. So Bae opted to answer honestly.

"You raised me well."

Rumple was taken aback; everything he'd made his son suffer through and yet Bae still thought that?

"Did I?"

"You always taught me everything you could, and I knew you loved me. Before – before … you know, you were a good papa."

"Do you think I could be again?"

The brunet boy glanced to the partially open door beyond which were his new sisters and nodded.

"Yeah."

At that the tear in Rumple's eye did actually fall and he yanked his boy to him for a hug. They'd been taking things slowly since Bae was wary and Rumple hadn't wanted to risk pushing his son too fast. In that moment though, Rumple clung to is boy and thanked every deity there was, even that damn Drazva, for his boy's overwhelmingly good heart. The moment was powerful and consuming, but it wasn't a long moment as Belle called them into the room so Rumple could say goodbye to Amicia and Valdis. Their girls hadn't wanted to let their papa go but Bae and Renner had soon managed to distract them long enough for Rumple and his fiancées to exit the room.

The beauties who'd chosen to love him made to return to Ser Chrysaor, but Rumple caught Phria by the elbow leaving Belle to go alone. For a moment she peered at him with those polished emeralds of hers quizzically, but soon smiled at him when he kissed her forehead.

"I have something for you." With a wave of his hand a set of folded leather armor blacker than night dropped into her hands and Phria brushed her fingers over it.

"Rumple, this is beautiful craftsmanship, but why are you giving me this?"

It was indeed beautiful craftsmanship, deadman's silk made up the cowl while the leather was so astoundingly light yet remained sturdy. Whichever armorer had crafted it deserved every coin of their fee.

"If we are to do all of this in an incognito fashion, then wearing the easily recognizable cobalt armor of a Valkyrie might not be the wisest of choices, darling."

He did make a good point, one so good that Phria almost kicked herself for not having thought about it herself.

"But this is such detailed work, surely you can't have just bought this ready made?"

"I didn't. I ordered it from a shop in Bichelberger before we left. I collected it once I was done with Demeer and that werewolf of his."

Phria beamed. Since her normal armor was a uniform, she'd never had to think about changing it. She wasn't like Belle, didn't have numerous pretty dresses – even if she had, they surely wouldn't have suited her. Rumple had gotten the black armor made especially for her though; he'd probably paid a pretty penny for it too, not that money meant much to a man who could make gold.

"Thank you, Rumple." She pulled the folded leather armor to her chest. "There are mana stone spells on this, aren't there?"

"But of course, only the best for you." He teased. "I know you're a Valkyrie but – well, it never hurts to have something a little darker."

A monster, a vicious beast, many would call the Dark One but, Phria new him and the amount of care and love he could show those close to him.

Rumple encouraged her to go don her new armor which Phria did with haste. This was it. Rumple had a fifth demon lord to slay, a wanna-be king to put in his place and a kingdom to save. All in all, it didn't sound too difficult with a surprisingly loyal team around him. For so very long, even before he'd become the Dark One, he'd forced himself to believe he didn't need friends, hadn't even let Jefferson be classed as a friend, but now he saw the truth. Friends would be a liability sometimes, but they were also strength and Rumple did need them.