Chapter Text
Rumplestiltskin had seen the future, and he knew that as it stood, Baelfire would not forgive him, if he ever found him. The vision was murky and uncertain, constantly shifting between him finding his son and him not, but one thing remained the same. His son shunning him after centuries of work. He couldn't have that, not when he had dedicated so many lifetimes to bringing his precious boy back.
Luckily, there was a solution, a sort of key to forgiveness. His visions showed a young girl, princess Belle of Avonlea. The reasons she was of use were currently unknown, but focusing on a future with her showed his son back with him. Strangely enough, he could see nothing of his own future with Belle. Perhaps he had to kill her in order to get to Bae, so she had very little future with him. It suited him just fine. He so loathed dealing with spoiled princesses.
Really, he was doing this girl a favor by taking her away from her life. Her future was bleak. Her home was under attack by hoards of ogres, and though he saw her escape, it didn't lead to a pleasant life. She was betrothed to some oaf, and their marriage wouldn't be a happy one. She was destined to push out child after child, something she would disdain, so really, taking her to the Dark Castle would be a gift.
He knew he couldn't just take the girl. She had to come willingly. From what he had heard of her, she was stubborn and strong, so she would put up quite the fight. Luckily, he was quite adept at deals, so surely there was some way he could acquire the girl. He knew despite the ease of making a deal, he needed to meet her in person first. If she was insufferable and unrefined, he would have to find another path to forgiveness.
“Show me Belle of Avonlea.” He said into a mirror, watching as it swirled to reveal an at first distorted picture. When it cleared, he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he had seen thousands. She wore a lightly colored green gown, and she sat in a high backed chair. He was surprised to see a book open in her lap, her eyes glued to the page. As far as he knew, most princesses weren't avid readers. She glanced up from her reading, and he met a pair of beautiful blue eyes, and though he knew she couldn't see him, he shifted shyly.
He hadn't accounted for the girl being so beautiful. He was never impressed by beauty, not anymore, so he hadn't expected to find her attractive. His visions weren't particularly clear, so he had never seen her face, not before this day. It shouldn't have mattered. He was the Dark One, and a pretty face shouldn't have changed anything. Things had ended quite badly last time he succumbed to a pretty face, so it was senseless to admire this girl. She was just his pawn. It certainly didn't hurt that she was so beautiful. It would be pleasant to have some beauty in his life, even if he had to kill her someday. He would focus on the present now that he knew the future.
She appeared to be speaking to someone, and then she stood from her chair, a small pout on her face. He realized with a start that a small smile had come onto his face, so he quickly shook his head, glaring at the mirror once more. He watched the girl make her way through winding halls, a cloak being brought to her. She was clearly leaving the castle, so this very well could be his chance to meet her, even briefly. She was brought over to an obnoxiously tall young man, and he could see disdain flash in those pretty eyes before she smiled politely. He assumed this was her fiancé, and she took his arm, being led out.
She was given a basket, and he realized with glee she was heading to the small town. He summoned his own cloak and magicked it on, pulling the hood over his head to hide his face. It wouldn't do him any good to frighten the girl with his features, and he didn't want any desperate souls bothering him, not when he was acting to save his own. He waited until they were in the town before transporting himself to the outskirts. He startled an old woman with his sudden appearance, making her gasp and back away. He giggled, making his way into the town.
He was utterly indifferent to her fiancé's presence. He could surely distract him with a shining object if it became needed, so he didn't pay him much mind. He made his way to the opposite gate, where young Belle was making her way through. She wore a beaming smile, and she spared no one the gift of it. She was even more glorious in person, and he was suddenly thrilled she of all women was the one he needed. He'd had people staying in his castle before, but never anyone beautiful. As an ugly man, it had become an unfamiliar notion.
She examined the stalls with bright eyes and gently touching hands, but the stall of books changed her. Her eyes grew fond, almost longing, and she made her way over to it, pulling the oaf with her. He caught sight of where she was going just as Rumplestiltskin found himself in range of hearing, and he could hear the man scoff.
“Books? Really? Isn't there a library at the castle?” He asked in annoyance, and he watched Belle's face fall.
“Yes, but one can never have too many books, Gaston.” She said, and Gaston sighed, shaking his head.
“I wish to look at swords. You waste your time with frivolous things such as books.” He said, bowing his head before heading a few stalls over. How amusing that he was indeed distracted by something that had a shine. Rumplestiltskin saw this as his chance, walking forward. He bumped Belle as he passed, letting out a theatrical gasp as he turned to her.
“I'm sorry, dearie. I wasn't watching where I walk.” He said, changing his accent. He didn't want her recognizing him when he came to claim her. Perhaps someday she would be aware of her apparent importance, but for the beginning she was to be kept in the dark.
“That's quite alright, sir! No need to apologize!” She said with a polite smile, looking up at him warmly.
“I was distracted by all the books.” He said apologetically, making a sweeping gesture to the table. Her smile widened, and she nodded in understanding.
“It's very easy to be distracted by books. Have you any favorites?” She asked, stepping closer to him, looking excited. Though frivolous, he couldn't deny it was pleasant to see such happiness in her.
“Anything on history fascinates me.” He said, and he wasn't lying to her. He just didn't mention that it was because he was there for much of it, and he liked to see what the books lied about.
“I agree with you. I like to read about important figures, but sometimes I stumble across something that displeases my father.” She said sheepishly, and he truly didn't care about her father, but he still nodded. He vaguely wondered what she knew of him. Depending on what stories she'd heard or books she had read, she could be either very frightened or very unaware. He hoped for the former.
“Books are meant to be read.” He said simply, and he had clearly said the correct thing, because she beamed at him, nodding quickly. She was very enthusiastic about reading, it seemed. But that was good. Should he need a more willing accomplice, books would be good bribery.
“You are so right, sir. Might I ask your name?” She asked, and though the urge to sweep into a low bow came up, he ignored it.
“Rufus, m'lady.” He said, bowing far less extravagantly than usual as she dipped into a curtsy.
“It's nice to meet you. I'm Belle.” She said, and he was astounded that she didn't use her title. The quality of her dress and her pristine appearance gave it away. Most princesses flaunted their station, so why not her? Perhaps she didn't want that life, for whatever reason.
“My lady, you were supposed to follow me.” Said the stern voice of Gaston, and he sighed, turning to face him. Gaston gave him a snide look, and he wanted nothing more than to reveal himself and show him who was the powerful one. Belle seemed just as annoyed about his return, and perhaps Belle's favorite thing about his castle would be the lack of pompous oaf.
“I was speaking with my new friend.” She said, clearly not afraid of her fiancé. Such bravery could get her into a great deal of trouble. She would be safe in his castle. He wouldn't hurt her for that sharp tongue of her's, but there was no evidence to prove young Gaston wouldn't.
“I must be going anyways, m'lady. Thank you for discussing literature with me.” He said, bowing once more, leaving before she could say a word on the matter. He glanced back to see her watching him a bit wistfully, and he couldn't help but smirk. If only she knew whose company she wanted. He made it to the outskirts of the village, vanishing in smoke once he knew she couldn't see the display.
He shed his cloak once he was in his turret, standing before the mirror. He brought her image up once more, snarling as he saw the foolish boy had her arm in a tight grip. She was his as far as he was concerned, and he deserved punishment for touching her in such a way.
He decided he didn't want to wait for the ogres to advance on their own. He focused his magic, adding more aggression to the beasts. He watched his work unfold, watching as the beasts began to work more quickly, making their way through troops with greater ease. A high price, but it would have happened regardless of his interference. Ogre wars were messy, and took a high amount of lives. The only positive thing was that this one had yet to take children, something he wouldn't stand for.
They would become a threat to Maurice, and more importantly Belle, more quickly, and he would reap the benefits of demanding his price quicker. Soon her father would be so desperate that his only choice was to contact the Dark One. Hopefully he would be desperate enough to trade his own daughter. If he wasn't, he would make a deal with the lady herself. Soon, she would be where she belonged; with him.