Mr. Gold

“It’s a nice room.” She said. “But I think it is a little risky to put a hallway between us. Just in case something happens.”

He blinked rapidly several as he tried to get what she implied. He couldn’t seem to think of an anwer though his mind raced aimlessly.

“Err”

He released a wheezy sound, She was asking to sleep in his bedroom, probably his bed, to be exact. 

Of course he wanted to but in the same time... Being laid down by Belle’s side.. but what if she wanted something else ? Maybe he could move her mattress in his bedroom ? He could sleep there... What if she felt hurt ?

Fiona chuckled. “Of course she has a pony.” She smiled. “She’s lucky to have you, Rumple.”

Rumple smiled, obviously pleased.

“She’s beautiful.” She said. “And just as unique a name as yours! You two are a good match.”

She scratched Tadeu’s head again, and he groaned and pressed closer to her. “Do you keep any other animals at the castle?”

"We have Persephone, Belle's mare."

Rumple smiled when he saw Moonball's ears flicker backward to listen. Of course she'd recognize her darling's name.

She smiled. “You were always a better man than he was.” She said proudly. Of course he hadn’t let Malcolm’s attempt to make his life hard define him. “I grew to like Rumple. Nobody else had that name, so it was just yours.”

“Indeed, it is very unique,” he replied. Rumple changed the subject. “This is Moonball, my companion. She’s been my sister in arms for many years now, decades even. She’s as magical as I am.”

Her jaw hardened. “That wasn’t my idea. It was all Malcolm.” She said. “I hoped letting him have that would make him more kind to you. I only ever called you Rumple, though. I’m sorry if your name bothers you. You can always change it.

“No,” he replied. “I’m Rumple to everyone. Very few people call me by my full name.”

Belle seemed to like it and it seemed such a needless fuss to change his name. 

“We wove tartan fabrics.” She explained. “It’s used to make traditional clothes. Some of the best makers were in our area, so over the year’s, that’s what they named it. I’m sure there was a different name on the maps, but that’s all I and everyone around me ever called it.”

Rumple realised he had wrongly worded his question.

“We used to live in a little town by the seaside. Tartan’s Bay they called it. It had a good fabric industry, most of the wool was imported from the mountains and processed near the bay. I never really left it except to go into the mountains with my father as a child to get wool. And then when she took you I went anywhere to find something to get you back.”

She smiled when Tadeus lay down with a grunt, resting his head on her lap. “We only had a little house. It always smelled of lanolin and vinegar, for the dye. I spun, wove and dyed the wool myself. I remember this one time you accidentally knocked over a vat of purple dye, I’d just taught you to walk, half your face and hair were purple for a week.”

She chuckled to herself. He’d been an adorable baby.

Rumple nodded.

Fiona sat on the cart with Tadeus. The dog sat by her side dutifully, and she scratched his ears as she watched the scenery go by.

“It’s beautiful here.” She said. “The mountains are different than in the Frontlands.”

“Thank you. I’ll need to make some things first I’m afraid.” She said. “What’s the best place to eat in town?”

“Thank you. I’ll need to make some things first I’m afraid.” She said. “What’s the best place to eat in town?”

She nodded, taking another sip. “Thank you for bringing him to me. It’ll be good to have some company.”

Rumple nodded. 

“He can come.” She said. “It’s good to socialise them early.”

“Yes, let’s go to town.” She said. The prospect of going into town with her baby made her incredibly happy.

Rumple nodded. 

“What about your puppy ?” he asked. 

“You’re staying?” She asked, her eyes lighting up. She hadn’t expected him to come back, much less to spend the day with her.