A page turned, A chapter begun (rumple)

[Belle/Lacey Gold]

Winter had come and was now on its way out. The air was warming up and the plants and trees were starting to bud. It was a fun time for Belle. She loved the fresh scents in the air.

It was early morning. The sun was just rising. She had been outside collecting wildflowers and then headed into the spinning room. Belle took a metal vase from the cabinet and was about to turn away to get some water when her eyes fell on the mirror on the shelf. A hand held mirror in a silver carved frame.

Belle picked it up slowly. The mirror was a gift from Rumpelstiltskin. It showed her desires. What she wanted to see. Instantly it showed her home, her castle, and then her father. But it was not her father the way she had expected.

He will pale and weak looking. Obviously sick and laying in bed. Belle began to panic. He was sick. He needed her.

The flowers slowly fell from her hand and as she stared into the glass, the vase fell as well hitting the floor with a loud sound.

[Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold]

Rumple had not missed the change in the season, something that was always changing & always would no matter how long one lived. One saw the snow & cold melt away to be replaced by the lush green of the grass, the smell of it along with the trees, the sound of the birds as that sang there songs. Yet, he heard it every year it still always made him take a moment to enjoy it even if it was only at the start of the season.

Of course even with the change in the air & season, Rumple still was one for spinning though he had found more time to enjoy Belles company, there where times he did it more to give her space & allow her to do as she wanted.

Though at times he was one to rise with the sun, today had not been one or at least he was not the first one up, he could sense Belle was up & about, though he of course got ready for the day donning his scaled leather vest, pants & boots, he wore a blood red silk shirt under the vest before he headed down to the spinning room.

Of course Rumple was surprised to hear the sound of the shatter of the vase, he moved quicker to the spinning room to see Belle, of course he would not of though much of it other then she broke something else of his, but the air about her was different there was a restless way about her & he could of cut it with a knife though he did not know the reason for what ever caused her to feel this, he did not miss that she had the mirror he had given her & she had not moved form looking at it to clean up the glass on the floor, he flicked his hand to have it vanish as he approached though with more a causation side to him, as he spoke

"Belle,.. what is wrong?" In many ways he did not want to know, he did not want to know the answer, for he could already feel what he was sure it was, he had felt it before, though now it was much worse & he feared not only on her answer, but on what it would mean he would have to besides between, to give her freedom enough to leave or not turn his back, to play the beast & insure that he was hated by those he took Belle from.

[Belle/Lacey Gold]

Belle had not noticed him enter the room or step up close to her. She had been too focused on the mirror. But when he spoke to her, Belle looked into his eyes. Her own eyes were damp with yet to be shed tears and her cheeks were blotchy. She turned the mirror towards him now so that he could see. "My father..." Belle replied in a breathless sort of tone.

"He's ill... He needs me. Please... I need to go to him." Belle had been good. She had done as this man had asked of her. At least in every way she could. He had to let her go. He just had to. Belle would find a way to be with her father either way. There was simply nothing else that seemed to be an option.

Gone was the happy thoughts of the morning or the change of the weather. She was only focused on the situation at hand.

"He could be dying." Belle continued. Belle pushed the mirror into Rumple's hands now and then moved to start across the room. No matter what he said, she would not be able to stay here. Not right now. Not with her papa being so sick. She was needed back home.

[Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold]

Rumple saw her look up at him when he spoke, he heard her words & listened? He did not fight as she put the mirror in his hand, she only confirmed in two ways what he felt was true though it had gotten much worse since he felt it last, at her request the darker side of him told him to tell her know to make his point that she made a deal with him, there was no changing that, she was to keep her deal with him or trouble would happen more then it already was.

The flicker of what was light in him, the part that had only been for his son for so long, felt something perhaps it was the knowing that she should have the change to say goodbye, if this was to be the end. Though he had to question Belle, if she did not think that people died, not matter how close it still happened, it was part of being human.

Though even as the idea came to say it he could not & he signed knowing what he had to do, though not liking it in some ways no matter how right it was, since he was not one that did such acts, it was against his nature against who he was who he was made out to be.

He had looked away from Belle as he though on the matter, before he looked at her & gave his answer "Go to him Belle" He looked away a moment before he spoke on "Pack what you need & I will see you get there safely, I will leave you there & come for you later"

He knew his one side was laughing at him, to be so bent to this persons will to her wishes even if she did not know it, he could not say it was love, but there was something & it made him act different he could not say he did not, though perhaps the time way form her would help he regain what he lost.

[Belle/Lacey Gold]

His words shocked her. Belle unconsciously had not expected him to agree. She had expected him to put up a fight. To argue that she must stay here. And so, when he to go and even said that he would go with her, Belle paused stunned.

She turned back and then walked back to the man. "Thank you." Belle told him softly. One hand went to the back of his neck and the other went to his jaw as she kissed him softly. A spontaneous action. "So much."

Then she hurried off to pack. Belle did no know how long she would be needed so she pack enough clothes for a week. There were still her clothes at her fathers castle as well.

Before long, she was ready. Belle brought her things downstairs and then moved to take her shawl and put i up around her shoulders. She did not now how they we going to the castle but she was ready to go.

(occ- sorry not as long as yours. a bit rusty)

[Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold]

(It is alright)

Of course Rumple could not say that part of his mind was not laughing at him, for his actions of showing such weakness he was the dark one, he should not care if others felt anything, for the most part he did not, unless it dealt with children for that was a weakness he had, though he did not show it, how ever Belle some how was able to gain what few could, perhaps it was that she gave up so much to come her, though he could not say that it was the full reason it was more that, he felt that it was only right she got to see her father, he though this act would also help to fix when he had acted a jerk to her.

Of course his mind, laughed at him again as if to tell him he did not know what he was doing or the danger that could come, of course he knew much on things that would or could happen, but he took odds that with Belle it would not be, that her nature would not allow her to be an different then she was now.

Though with her kiss, the voice where silents & part of he responded to it even if it did not last long, the other part of him said it did not last long enough, another questioned, if she did this to go see her father, he should do it more often, as she headed off his smirk grew before he could mask it more to his normal self, but thankful he always appeared a bit mad, so it helped, though he did not answer to her words as he saw her retreating form.

When Belle was ready, he moved closer to her as he spoke "I will take you there by magic" It was faster & besides to take a ride would add a few days, that at the moment he could not say her Father had & if something happened he was sure that Belle would blame him knowing he could of done more & had not.

He waited to see that she was ready before, he used his magic with a flick of his hand to take them to her home, he would have them appear just out side her home, thinking it would be better then appearing in some room like when he made the deal, for this way people knew she was there.

[Belle/Lacey Gold]

"I will take you there by magic" He told her now and Belle nodded. It would be the quickest way. Moments later, they stood outside of her fathers castle. As Belle looked up at the tall walls, Belle felt her heart swell. She was home. She started forward now towards the door as she carried here bags in her arms. When Belle stepped inside, she could sense the difference in the home.

The servants hurried about trying to do everything they were assigned with. Though many did smile at Belle when they noticed her. Belle smiled back when she could but she made her way to her fathers chambers. She knew from the mirror that this was where he was. As expected, Belle found the man in his bed. She moved to the bedside and then sat slowly.

"Papa?" Belle said softly. Her father had seemed to be asleep but his eyes opened now. "Belle?" He said softly. "How are are you back?" He looked so ill that Belle felt a clench in her stomach. "He let me go Papa." She replied taking his hand. "Just till you are better." Her father nodded. "The kingdom is coming to ruins. Belle I need you to take over. I would have Gaston help you but he never returned."

Belle found the words on Gaston did not bother her as much as she would have expected them to. "Of course Papa. She replied now. "I can handle everything." Her father closed his eyes and nodded slightly before he fell back asleep. Belle stood and then moved to head to her room to change and get started making things right.

[Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold]

Rumple had only tormented a few people, though he did not harm them other then scaring them his nature needed it, how ever he did not fallow Belle, to her fathers room. He had watched her long enough to see she got into the castle safely before he turned to leave, though it had not stayed as he took the change to do the tormenting, though after that he did turn to leave he knew that he would not be welcome here & as much fun as it would be to pester people because of it more, this was Belles time & he was giving her time, so for now he would keep his distance, though should she need him she knew how to call him for help or what ever it would be.

He had to question even with everything, if after this she would be willing to leave, even with there deal. Though he was not so quick to over look it, he would see how things went before thinking to greatly on the out come.

[Belle/Lacey Gold]

A few days had gone by and Belle had fallen comfortably into the position of a ruler. Or so she thought. The servants however saw a difference between this woman and the Belle they had once known. Belle had become demanding and cold and even a bit rude. The power was going to her head. However, things were getting done quicker than people had expected. Just not as nicely.

Belle's father did not see to be getting better. Though Belle did still visit him everyday, the visits grew shorter. She had forgotten about her deal with Rumpelstiltskin as well. Well, not so much forgot about it, she did remember, but she no longer worried about it.

She said in the greeting hall right now advising the people of the Kingdom when sudden Mary, a friend and confidant approached her side. In her hand she held a dagger and Belle recognized it at once. Mary took Belle from her throne and into a privet room. She handed Belle the dagger.

"You need to hide this." Mary told Belle. Belle took the dagger slowly and ran her finger over the name carved into the blade. "How did you get this?" Belle asked now. "Why did you bring it to me?" Mary frowned. "Don't you know what it is?" She asked. Belle shook her head. Mary continued. "This dagger controls the dark one. Whomever is in possession of the dagger...controls him. No more do you need to keep your deal. You are the boss now."

Belle was silent for a long moment but she understood. Belle lifted the hem of her dress and then slipped the dagger between her skin and the guarder belt around her thigh. "Thank you, Mary." She said now and then returned to the peasants and her throne.

[Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold]

Of course days had passed & around the time Rumple thought about going to get Belle he had his own issues, to deal with such as people trying to best him or what ever they where he from of course they did not win & Rumple had scene to it they did not try such an act again, though that was only the start it came later he was taken off guard some how when he was hit with some dust that knocked him out, when he can to he was in the same place he feel of course he knew what the dust had been though it was rare, so where the person got it he was not sure.

He was not sure what they had come for & he moved to cheek to see what it was, he soon learned all to well, it was his dagger he did not know how they found it, but he would kill them for it. He could feel it his dagger was gone he could feel the power of it & it was not with him he instantly howled in anger as he stormed down to the spinning room, he turn over the table with a flick of his wrist smashing it against the wall before he disappeared to caught the person that took it.

Oh ever he ran into a few people not that it mattered, for he dealt with them though he soon learned that one had gotten away & even as he appeared to stop the person he feel the change in the hands, the change in the power to who would wield it & he was beside himself with feeling who it was it could not be true & yet the want for what was his drew him straight to the throne room, his eyes instantly took in things around him, but more so that Belle was on the throne & mostly she had his dagger.

He spoke form surprise at seeing her indeed with his dagger "Belle?" Insanely he moved to use his magic to try to take back what was rightfully his, he was not happen. He did not know why Belle had his dagger or how she could repay him in such a way, his darker side laughed at him saying he was a fool to think she cared that, she would keep her deal with him, that she would not use him the moment she got the chance.

(If you did not want Rumple to show up so fast let me know, I just figuered he would be after who ever once he knw what they had)

[Belle/Lacey Gold]

"Belle?" She heard and the conversation she was currently having came to an instant end. She looked up as there were gasps around the room. The others recognized the man of course and they backed away from him, some even leaving the room. As he stepped closer Belle stood and she moved behind the chair. Belle knew he was angry and that he would try and take the dagger.

She remembered the way he had been last time she had come upon it though Belle had not known what the dagger was back then. "Stop." Belle told him now. She hoped that she might not need to be holding the dagger for it to work. She felt her heart beat quicken and her hands grasped the back of the throne. "You... you will not use magic against me."

[Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold]

Rumple watched Belle, his anger flickered like one that waved red in front of a blue or blood to a shark, thought at her words he was forced to obey & he froze in place, as if rooted to the ground & her next made short work of his attempted to take back what was his.

Even with her orders it did not control his temper or his full actions, when his eyes narrowed more at her feeling more the fool, Ethan ever before & felt his dark side flicker more to life it what had once been between them, he did not bother asking how she got the dagger in the end she was likely to say as if to brag about it, but he did want to know why, what had he done that made her turn on him so, had he not treated her well, given her a good, warm room.

Time off to do as she wished, the only word that left his lips was simple "Why?" And he was not ever sure she would answer that, something had changed Belle had change he was not fully sure how, but she had it was a feeling he picked up, she was not the same & now he was left to deal with it.

[Belle/Lacey Gold]

Belle knew he was angry and she was trying to hold her ground but her arms and legs trembled. Her hands tightened to the throne till her knuckles were white. "Why?" He asked her now and Belle felt a twang of regret at the hurt in his voice. She did not answer at first. "I didn't" Belle finally told him. "I didn't take it. It was brought to me. I did not even ask for it."

She was careful not to look at Mary and give her away. She did not know if Rumpelstiltskin knew who had taken the dagger. "Why shouldn't I have it. You have had control over me all of this time, It's time for me to have some control now." Belle did not understand his anger. Well she kind of did. She supposed some people could really take advantage of such a situation. But Belle would not really hurt him. Yet she did like being in control. That was something she was finding out very quickly. "I'm not just going to hand it over this time."

[Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold]

Rumple watched her for a moment he though she would find reason to not hold onto the dagger, she could not know the dagger it truly held & more so that over time even should she keep him under so called control it only would be come more tempting, he only was changed because he wanted not only better for his son, but he had been in many ways tricked & angered to attack with the only thing he hand, the dagger that mistake cost him in the end much & he would never be able to fix it until he found his son again.

"Ask for for it or not you still have it" His eyes darkened, as he felt a light growl rise form his throat, with her next words "Why should you not, you have no idea what it will do to you. As for my so said control, you made a deal with me that gave me the control, did I treat you so badly?"

He waited only a moment before he went on "Now it appears I was mealy a fool, to think you would be any different than anyone else. On top of it, I am sure you think you can break your deal with me & that dearie is a mistake something many learned all to well & something should you do it, I have not control over what will happen"

Of course he still could not move do to her words, so he was left mearly to wait, to listen, perhaps answer & more so to wait to be told what to do, something he was finding less & less comforting, all he could see was, he was like before he had his power & he was forced to the wars that, ended with him not only wounded, but an out cast & everything else that came with it.

[Belle/Lacey Gold]

"Ask for for it or not you still have it" He told her and Belle looked away for a moment. "Why should you not, you have no idea what it will do to you. As for my so said control, you made a deal with me that gave me the control, did I treat you so badly?" She could hear the anger and the hurt in his tone. "No..." She replied softly. She was not even sure if he would hear her. No he had not treated her badly but what was so wrong with he having a bit of control. She had not asked for it. It had just fallen into her lap.

"Now it appears I was mealy a fool, to think you would be any different than anyone else. On top of it, I am sure you think you can break your deal with me & that dearie is a mistake something many learned all to well & something should you do it, I have no control over what will happen" He continued and the threat was clear. Belle did not feel like having this battle here. The people who had remained in the room were watching silently but intently. Belle's normally gentle face set angerly.

She now moved around from behind the chair and walked towards him. Belle took him but the upper arm and then turned him around. "Come with me." Belle ordered. She led him into an empty side chamber and closed the door behind her before turning to face him again. "I know what the dagger does now. You were too much of a coward to tell me before but now I know. The only way you are going to get it back is by stealing it and that is not going to happen because I am not taking it off my body." She glared at him now trying to remain strong.