Chapter 2

They re-materialized in the dining room at the Dark Castle in a plume of purple smoke. Belle stumbled, disoriented from the trip and Rumpelstiltskin gently wrapped his arms around her form, steadying her. She let out a hiss of pain when he touched her back and he immediately pulled away. His dark eyes were filled with concern as he observed her distress. "Belle, dearest, are you alright?" His hands moved to grasp her shoulders instead and he frowned feeling the tremors coursing through her body.

She gave him a tight smile. "I'm exhausted and a little banged up, but I'll be fine." His frown deepened seeing through the brave front she was putting up well aware that she was most definitely not fine. She looked about ready to collapse and it was obvious she was in pain and it tore into his soul that he was the cause of her pain.

Her eyes were a half-lidded and he was practically the only thing holding her upright. He decided then and there that his questions could wait until after she had her wounds treated and a nice long sleep. "Come, you need rest and I want to see what's wrong with your back." He cautiously placed one hand on the side of her waist being extra careful to avoid pressing down on her back and the other hand grasped her arm. He began to slowly lead her out of the room keeping a close eye on her to make sure she didn't stumble or fall. She followed his lead listlessly as they made their way through the shadowy corridors of his castle. Every so often she would lose her balance and he always paused and gave her a few moments to regain her bearings. The further they went, the paler she became and Rumpelstiltskin was just about to whisk her away with magic when she suddenly collapsed, her body dropping towards the ground.

Rumeplstiltskin barely managed to let out a gasp as he caught her right before she hit the ground. His heart was racing in his chest as he lowered her to the floor. He brushed her sweat-soaked bangs away from her face and flinched when he felt the intense heat emanating from her skin. Her breathing was labored and coming in short raspy gasps.

Now he was even more concerned. He lifted her unresponsive form into his arms and transported them to his own bedchamber. With a thought, the fireplace was ablaze, warming the chamber and casting shadows throughout the dark recesses of the room. He hastened to the large, four-poster bed and laid her on top of the goose-down comforter. Once she was in place he disappeared to his lab and gathered potions, salves, bandages, clean rags, and a basin of cool water as quickly as he could before returning to Belle's side.

He tipped a fever-reducer into her mouth before focusing on his other concerns. He needed to examine her back but paused as he reached for her tattered gown. It felt wrong to be undressing her without her consent but he shook the thought away. Now was not the time to be worrying about modesty. He rolled her onto her chest and snapped his fingers, making the poor excuse for a gown vanish revealing her back to his gaze.

Rage boiled through him when he saw angry red welts upon what should have been flawless skin. Long gouges marred the expanse of her back, some were healed into raised scars, and some were only half-healed and still weeping. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails bit deep into his palm drawing blood but he didn't even register the pain. How dare they do this to her! he thought back to what Regina had told him about scourges and flaying. She had been lying about her death but part of what she had said was true. He swore that he would hunt down the bastards who had done this to his Belle and skin them alive.

Rumpelstiltskin glanced at her arms and let out a choked sob upon seeing the many cuts and burns that covered them. He couldn't believe the amount of pain his love had endured. "Oh Belle, I'm so sorry..." He murmured and he went back to focusing his attention on treating her copious wounds.

He could have used magic to heal them but he wasn't going to allow Belle to pay the price. Instead, he wet one of the clean cloths and cleaned all of the injuries that he could see, including the ones on her legs and arms. Once they were clean, he coated them in healing salves and wrapped them in bandages. He snapped his fingers once more and Belle was clothed in soft undergarments giving her a modicum of modesty that allowed the wounds to breathe a little. He tenderly rolled her onto her back to examine her front.

Rumpelstiltskin was happy to see that there was much less damage to her front and quickly set about treating these wounds just as he had for the ones on her back. Soon enough, all of her wounds had been treated and he magicked a light blue nightgown to cover her form. He tucked her under the covers and touched her forehead and he was pleased to find that her fever had gone down a bit and she was breathing easier. He leaned back and slumped down into the chair next to the bed with a heavy sigh. He kept vigil at her side watching her sleep and thinking.

He wanted to know exactly what had happened to her. He wanted to know how long she had endured such torture. If she had been alive since before the curse had been enacted, then where had she been during the time in Storybrooke? He had so many questions to ask her but his curiosity was drowned out by his feelings of guilt. She had been subjected to torture and she had suffered greatly and all because of him. It was all his fault that she was here in this condition. If he hadn't pushed her away, if he hadn't been such a coward and doubted her feelings for him...Belle wouldn't even be in this situation.

The knowledge that he was the cause of his True Love's suffering sent paroxysms of pain through his heart and brought tears to his eyes. How could she possibly still love him after all that he had done to her? He was a monster...a beast...not something that anyone would have affection for. Belle was...

"Rum?"

Awake.

Rumpelstiltskin was at her side in an instant. "Belle, how are you feeling?" He asked softly. Belle's face was still pale, her cheeks ruddy with the leftover heat from her fever and her normally clear blue eyes were hazy.

Belle gazed at him warily. "Are you real?"

He released a choked laugh. "Yes, dearest, I'm real and you're safe at the Dark Castle." He assured her reaching forward and cupping her cheek in his gold flecked palm. She sighed at his touch and she smiled weakly the sheets rustling as she lifted her hand to cover his.

"And you're not going to leave me?" She whispered.

The fear and apprehension that laced her voice made his heart clench and he wrapped his hands around hers, bringing it to his lips and kissing her fingers. "Never again."

"I'm glad you're not a dream. I always had them after they left but you would always leave." She finished in a saddened tone and the haze of anger quickly resurfaced in Rumpelstiltskin.

"I saw the wounds Belle," her eyes widened and she paled further. "What happened? Who did this to you?" He rasped still reeling from the shock of seeing the horrendous marks on her body. "Please, I need to know."

Belle remained silent for a few moments before she finally spoke. "After I...left, I traveled around for a while. I met a dwarf in love and I even defeated a Yaoquai who was actually a cursed prince." She smiled at the memory.

Rumpelstiltskin smiled with her. It didn't surprise him in the least that Belle had been able to prevail against a fearsome beast. His Belle was a brave, courageous woman.

"Then, I decided that I was going to go back to you, even if you tried to throw me out, I wasn't going to leave you again," she paused. "But just as I was about to set off, the woman I met on the road found me."

He snarled. "Regina."

Belle nodded. "Yes, she found me and locked me away in a tower. She said that my father had been looking for me but because I had been with you for so long, he wanted me to be 'cleansed' of your influence. Regina said that my father had asked for her help to 'save' his daughter." She didn't sound angry, only sad for how her father had been manipulated.

His dark eyes were flinty embers of burning anger and his whole body was tense with power wanting desperately to lash out but he restrained himself. The queen was very lucky that Emma had been the one to take her down for if he had gotten his hands on her, death would be a mercy.

"So, she sent the clerics in and they are ones who did this to you." It wasn't a question, merely a statement.

Belle's eyes were on their still clasped hands but they were distant and clouded. "...Yes."

"How...for how long?"

"I lost track of time when they came but one day I woke up and I wasn't in the tower anymore. I was in a white cell and I was wearing odd clothes. I honestly don't know how long I was there but the next thing I knew, I was back in the tower and the door was unlocked and I escaped." Her gaze met his. "I do remember her telling me that you were never going to come for me because you thought I was dead."

Rumpelstiltskin lowered his eyes. "Yes, and she lied to me. I swear to you Belle, I would have torn this world apart if I had known that you were alive." He pulled his hands away from hers and she lamented the loss of his warmth. He ran his hands through his hair. "This is all my fault, Belle, you're hurt like this because of me. If I hadn't doubted you, none of this would have happened." His eyes watered and he closed them tightly waiting for her to scream and yell at him. What he had done was unforgivable.

"Rumpelstiltskin, look at me." She ordered, her voice raspy but strong and he lifted his eyes to meet hers. "You listen to me Rum, what happened to me wasn't your fault. We both hold equal blame. I never should have kissed you without telling you how I felt first. I caught you off-guard and you were overwhelmed. However, you wouldn't let me explain myself and then you cast me out. We both made mistakes so there is nothing to forgive and we're here now." Her last few words were hoarse and Rumpelstiltskin summoned a cup of water, more specifically, their cup and helped her sit up to drink.

"But Belle, I-"

"Don't you dare, Rum. I don't blame you so you shouldn't blame yourself." She interjected with a fierce gleam shining in her beautiful blue eyes.

"I'll try, for you, Belle." He acquiesced after a few moments. There was nothing that he wouldn't do for Belle if she asked it of him.

Belle smiled. "Wonderful, now I'm still tired and I'm cold. Warm me up?" She looked up at him imploringly biting her lip.

His jaw dropped open and he gaped at her. "What?"

"I missed you for a long time Rum, I want to be able to wake up and know that I'm not dreaming." She continued to chew nervously on her lip and he folded, knowing he couldn't fight against her.

Rumpelstiltskin sighed. "Ugh, the things I do for you, my dear." He feigned exasperation and she beamed, content with her victory and settled back into the bed watching him expectantly.

He moved to the other side of the bed and just as he was lifting the covers she spoke again. "Are you really going to wear all that leather to bed?"

"Well, no?" He fidgeted uncomfortable with her scrutiny. He wasn't comfortable revealing his scaly skin to her gaze. He didn't think it was appealing and he didn't want her to be repulsed by the sight of him. He sighed inwardly, easily giving in under her innocent blue eyes. 'Do the brave thing and bravery will follow.' He thought, remembering Belle's own words. He waved his hand over himself and when the purple haze dissipated he was wearing a simple white tunic top and soft brown breeches.

"That better, my dear?" He asked with a flourish and a manic giggle.

Belle chuckled at his antics. "Much." He bowed theatrically and crawled into the bed and she reached out for him when he didn't move any closer. He followed her touch and, mindful of her injuries, gathered her up into his embrace.

They both let out sighs of contentment and the only sounds in the room was the intermittent cracks from the fire and their soft breathing. Rumpelstiltskin savored her warmth and the feeling of completion. Belle had tucked her head right under his chin and her breath tickled his neck. "I love you, Rum." she mumbled, her voice saturated with drowsiness.

Rumpelstiltskin pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. "And I love you, my dearest Belle." She hummed in acknowledgment and he felt her breathing even out as she fell asleep once more. Unable to resist the temptation of sleep any longer, he soon followed her into a peaceful slumber, knowing that at last, things were going in the right direction.