Watching Distance

Writer Note: What if Rumpelstiltskin had met Belle as a girl? This fic explores the possibilities of them being acquaints before he took her to Dark Castle. I have several chapters planned, so enjoy!

In which Rumpelstiltskin meets a very peculiar girl

It was that time of year again. Scouring the annual royal ball to end royal balls was a bit of a pleasure to him. There was always some silly individual, whether royalty or not, who was desperate enough to make a deal with the infamous Rumpelstiltskin. Free food and wine, the most expensive in the land, was in abundance, and it also didn't hurt to lurk around hearing the gossip of all the kingdoms in the Eastern Realm.

Rumpelstiltskin had lost count of how many times he had attended this annual ball (uninvited, as usual but that didn't stop him from making an appearance). You lose track after a hundred or so. A certain Duke of Ballard caught his interest this year. The duke was concerned over the peasant uprising in his small track of land he governed. From the bragging of the duke's ridiculous wife, he found they were in possession of a golden harp that by legend was able to call mermaids to shore. He had his eye set on the prize. A few days from now he would solve all the duke's peasant problems.

The night air was crisp and clear, stars twinkled above as he strolled casually into the courtyard. His task here was done; he had all the wine and gossip he could handle for one evening.

He was about to snap his fingers to disappear when a loud clacking of heels coming toward him caught his ear. He spun around, nearly knocked over by someone crashing into him. His hands shot out to catch the teetering fend who had so rudely not paid attention to where they were going. He bared his teeth in anger, but the anger turned into a scowl when the tear-stained face of a young girl peered up at him.

"Watch where you're headed, dearie" he reprimanded firmly, steadying the girl. "You could run into a wall if you're not careful."

The girl sniffled. "I'm so sorry, sir! I didn't mean to! I could have hurt you" she cried, emphasizing the last sentence.

Rumpelstiltskin's scowl fell at the sound of concern in her voice. "I highly doubt you could hurt me." He released her arms finally, satisfied that she wouldn't topple over on her face. The girl tried to curtsey out of respect, but stumbled to the side. Rumpelstiltskin's hand shot out again to stabilize her.

"Drat!" the girl exclaimed, fists tightly balled as she kicked the heeled shoes off. The pair landed one by one as far as she could hurl them. Her hands flew to her mouth, eyes wide as saucers. "I didn't mean to use such language!"

Rumpelstiltskin let out a high-pitched giggle, amused by the girl's antics. "No bother, dearie. You needn't put on a show for me."

The girl looked up at him once more. She was no older than 12 years of age. Her long brown hair hung curled around her shoulders. Her dress was blue silk with antique lace encircling the collar and bell-sleeves. It was not a very fancy dress by any means, though appropriate for a girl her age. She wiped her eyes with the heel of her hands, and the thought of how this child needed more lessons in being a noble crossed his mind.

With a flick of the wrist, a white handkerchief appeared in a puff of purple smoke. The girl's eyes shined at the use of magic. Bowing slightly, he offered her the handkerchief.

"Thank you" she said, taking it then curtseying – thankfully not losing her balance this time. She dabbed the kerchief on her wet cheeks and nose.

"It's yours to keep" he informed her, assuming she might hand it back to him when she was done.

The girl sniffled one last time then smiled at him in delight. "Are you a magician?"

"I'm much more than that" he replied, smugly.

"A wizard? Or-or a sorcerer?"

He smirked, pleased by the excitement in the child's voice. It was a rare occasion to find someone who was happy to meet him. "Rumpelstiltskin, at your service."

"Please to meet you, Mr. Rumpelstiltskin! I'm Belle." She stuck out her hand to shake his. He glanced down, an unsure expression spreading across his face. She wasn't afraid of him. What a most peculiar child.

"Where are you from, dearie?" he asked, accepting her hand.

"From the village of Little Town. It's a quiet village. A little too quiet most of the time."

"Oh yes, I have passed through there once or twice." Not mentioning that it was well over a hundred years ago or more since he had. "It is rather quiet. You must be Lord Maurice's daughter."

"I am!" Belle swished her dress skirt happily. "Papa became lord over that territory of the Eastern Realm just five months ago. His uncle was very sick and had no heirs or close family to take ownership, so Papa had to. We weren't even living in Little Town until my great-uncle called for us on his death bed."

Rumpelstiltskin had heard snippets of the story from elsewhere. Nowhere had he heard yet that Lord Maurice had any children. "I assume this is your first ball?"

Belle's delightful face fell. Her fingers found the skirts of her soft dress, fiddling nervously. "Yes, and I was so excited about coming to a royal ball. I'd only attended country parties before this. That is why I am out here. I cannot remember all the many rules of proper educate. I stepped on the toes of a prince while dancing. I used the wrong spoon during the second course of the meal. I even spoke out of turn in the presence of a duke and duchess! It feels I will never get this right!"

Rumpelstiltskin hmped. Girls were always dramatic, even worse when it came to grown women. But this young girl caught his interest. She seemed untouched by the royals and noblemen's snobbish ways. He could give her the proper educate she needed to fit in.

"Say, dearie" he started, steepling his hands in front of his chest. "How about we make a deal?"

Belle tilted her head to the side, contemplating for a moment. "What kind of deal?" she replied, carefully.

"I can give you the proper manners and educate you need without having to work at remembering any of it. You'd know exactly what to do for any situation dealing with nobility from the smallest detail to the largest. All I want from you is to come to you with a favor in future."

Curious and cautious, she asked, "What kind of favor?"

He shrugged, smirking. "That is for me to decide in the future."

"My mother told me to never offer my services unless I know what it is first."

"Well, there isn't much I can ask from a young girl, now is there?"

Belle's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "I suppose not." She fell silent for a moment. "I'm sorry, Mr. Rumpelstiltskin, but I must decline. I truly want to fit in right away, but I must listen to my mother. She always knew what's best for me. She also told me to work hard at my duties. Maybe that is what I should do instead."

Rumpelstiltskin nodded. She suddenly reminded him of a little boy who he had loved so long ago and missed so deeply still. "Your mother is a wise woman."

"She was, and I miss her so very much."

He couldn't, he wouldn't ask her what happened to her mother. In time, he'd hear of it from elsewhere. The night was growing late. No need to stay if there was no deal to be made. "I must be off now, dearie."

Belle's frowned slightly, but stuck her hand out once more and gave him a pleasant smile. "It was so nice to meet you. I've never met a sorcerer before."

He took her hand again. "One last question" he started and she looked at him curiously. This had been on his mind ever since she smiled at him for the first time. "Aren't you afraid of me?"

"No, why should I?" Belle asked, befuddled. "You're very friendly and was kind enough to offer to help me."

In an almost self-conscious way, something he hadn't felt in no telling how long, he gestured down his stature. "I never get a happy response when people see me."

Belle suddenly laughed, a lovely ring in his ear. "Well, those people are just silly! You're a sorcerer; you're supposed to be wild looking." She wagged a finger at him. "They must never read books."

Rumpelstiltskin couldn't help but giggle at her reply. "No, they mustn't." He bowed, hands extended out on either side. "I must be off."

"Will I see you again?" Her hopeful eyes met his.

He grinned mischievously. "Maybe, dearie." And disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.