Please consider nominating the following fics for the 2026 Chipped Cup Awards. All of these stories are complete, feature the Rumbelle pairing, and were all written/published in 2025. They are also all rated T unless otherwise denoted. I've listed the standalones, then the series and their installments. Thank you!

❖ White Lyres 1.2K

After the curse breaks, Rumplestiltskin and Belle remember everything—except for the part where they got married. As they navigate the gaps in their memories and try to hold onto the life they've built as Mr. & Mrs. Gold, the past begins to reach back, offering answers—and temptation—in a most unexpected way.

For: Fluff: Reunion, General: Best Short Fic, Events: Best Monthly Rumbelling (Non-Smut) (April 2025)

❖ Love Thy Neighbor 3K

Good fences make good neighbors. Gold would do well to build one, especially when a volatile couple moves in next door just in time for the holidays. She’s not so bad; she’s a delight, actually—until her fiancé snuffs out her smile. As their unlikely friendship takes root amid the frost and the fights, Gold keeps a watchful eye, and something deeper begins to kindle. Belle isn’t his to want, he knows. But her spirit and smile are his to protect.

For: Romance: Best Courtship, General: Best Holiday-Centric, Special: Best AU Once Upon a Time

❖ A Spoonful of Sugar (Helps the Medicine Go Down) 3K

It’s far from delightful, but weathering the woes of illness and injury with the one you love can do wonders for one’s health. A wholesome collection of Storybrooke Rumbelle drabbles for Sicktember 2025.

For: Fluff: Comfort

❖ Maybe If I Tell Myself Enough 31K || M

Two years ago, Belle left Storybrooke to heal—and left her husband adrift. When she returns to care for her ailing father, grief, memories, and longing surface, and the estranged Mr. & Mrs. Gold find themselves resuscitating the love they once abandoned. But second chances demand the courage to open doors long-since shut, and doubts arise amid the new, uncertain circumstances they face. Once upon a time, tragedy derailed their love story. But time and again, there is hope for a happy ending.

For: Angst: Hurts So Good, Romance: Best Date (Overall) (Ch. 11), Romance: Best First Meeting (Ch. 4), General: Best Storybrooke, Special: Best Drama, Special: Best AU Once Upon a Time, Character: Best Mr. Gold

❖ As Long As You Can Find Yourself 13K

As District 12’s escort of twelve years, Belle has slowly grown disillusioned with the Capitol machine—thanks in no small part to Rumplestiltskin, the district’s bitter “Coward Victor.” When his son is reaped for the 73rd Hunger Games, Rumplestiltskin is brought to his knees, and Belle’s loyalties are shaken. Suffering has a way of dividing loyalties. Love has a way of deciding them.

For: Angst: Death, General: Best Crossover, Special: Best AU Other Media

❖ From the Same Star 8.5K

Soulmates are almost unheard of anymore, but the Dark One has no doubt that his soul is bound to Avonlea’s princess. And while Belle is intrigued by the promise of something so rare, she refuses to believe in love without choice. No one decides her fate but her—not even fate itself.

For: Romance: Best First Meeting, Special: Best Drama, Special: Best AU Once Upon A Time, Special: Best Unexpected Twist, Events: Best Rumbelle Secret Santa, Character: Best Belle, Character: Best Dark One Rumple

❖ Happy Golden Days of Yore 13.5K

As wintertime warmth and magic kindle in the Dark Castle, a cozy courtship unfurls in small, surprising moments of tenderness and mischief, reverence and light. And if the fates allow, Belle and Rumplestiltskin will always be together—in the snow, in the stillness, and in love. A collection of sentimental Dark Castle Rumbelle vignettes for Fluffcember 2025.

For: Fluff: Comfort, Romance: Best Courtship, General: Best Holiday Centric, General: Best Dark Castle

Series: Whisked Away 3 stories || Rated T || 1.5K each || Baker Belle AU

For: General: Best Series, General: Best Storybrooke

Stories + Potential Categories:

Whisked Away - General: Best One-Shot, General: Best Short Fic, Special: Best Comedy, Special: Best AU Once Upon a Time, Character: Best Belle, Character: Best BFF/Wingman (Kronk)

Flour Girl – Angst: Misunderstanding, Romance: Best Date (Overall)

Burned Out – Special: Best Drama, Character: Best BFF/Wingman (Jefferson)

Series: More Than I Can Tell 30 stories || Rated G-M || Dark Castle Slow Burn AU

For: General: Best Series, General: Best Dark Castle

Stories + Potential Categories:

The Door That Holds You (G) Fluff: Fix-It

A Princess Must Be Knowledgeable Special: Best Comedy

Liability Special: Best Drama

Focal Point Angst: Hurts So Good

It's Not What It Seems Fluff: Comfort

The Myths of Avonlea Character: Best Dark One Rumple

Damn These Walls Special: Best Trope (Trapped Together)

Maidensweet Angst: Misunderstanding

While You Were Sleeping Fluff: Comfort

If I Lay Here Angst: Hurts So Good

Larkspur Fever Fluff: Comfort

Caught in Your Tangles Special: Best Comedy

Asset Management Special: Best Comedy

Of Careless Caretakers and Cursed Curios Special: Best Trope (Memory Loss)

We Move Lightly Romance: Best Courtship

You Will Be Queen Special: Best Comedy

Mistlefoe General: Best Holiday-Centric

The Curse That Brought Beatrice Angst: Misunderstanding

The Dreams in Which I'm Dying Angst: Death

Saved For Last Special: Best Trope (5+1)

That Famous Happy End General: Best Crossover

Look After You Angst: Hurts So Good

Beauty and the Bee Romance: Best Courtship

A Serious Tale General: Best One-Shot

Fog a Mirror Angst: Hurts So Good

Bring Me A Dream (M) Angst: Misunderstanding

A Pretty Crucial Conjunction Special: Best Comedy

For the Love of a Princess (M) Angst: Hurts So Good

And He Shall Smite the Wicked Character: Best (Worst) Villain (Frollo)

And It Was All Yellow Fluff: Family

A patient's orthopedic treatment is influenced by much more than what happens inside an operating room. Before a complex joint replacement procedure is performed, surgeons need to understand current evidence, implant developments, surgical approaches, rehabilitation principles, and the experiences of other specialists.

This is why continuing medical education remains an important part of orthopedic practice.

Scientific conferences provide an opportunity for surgeons to step away from routine clinical work and spend time discussing difficult cases, reviewing new research, learning about evolving technologies, and exchanging ideas with colleagues from different institutions.

One such academic event was the Current Concepts in Arthroplasty (CCA) AIIMS Conference 2026, held at AIIMS New Delhi. Dr. Anupam Khandelwal, Joint Replacement and Trauma Surgeon from Indore, attended the conference to stay connected with developments in modern hip and knee replacement surgery.

You can read the complete conference update here:

What Makes Arthroplasty Conferences Valuable?

Arthroplasty includes procedures such as hip replacement, knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and revision joint replacement. Although these operations are well established, the techniques surrounding them continue to evolve.

At specialist meetings, surgeons can explore topics such as:

New implant designs

Surgical alignment concepts

Robotic-assisted joint replacement

Revision surgery

Direct anterior hip replacement

Soft-tissue balancing

Enhanced recovery protocols

Evidence-based treatment decisions

The purpose is not simply to adopt every new technique. Instead, surgeons can evaluate the available evidence and understand where a particular approach may be appropriate.

Learning From Other Specialists

Complex joint replacement can involve difficult decisions. A patient may have unusual anatomy, previous surgery, bone loss, implant-related complications, or other factors that make routine treatment unsuitable.

Case discussions and expert panels allow surgeons to hear how experienced specialists approach such situations. These exchanges can broaden clinical thinking and encourage more careful treatment planning.

Technology Is Changing Joint Replacement

Technology has become an increasingly important part of modern arthroplasty. Robotic and computer-assisted systems can support planning and help surgeons assess alignment and implant positioning.

However, technology is only one component of treatment. The patient's anatomy, diagnosis, bone quality, activity level, and overall health still influence the choice of procedure.

The conference also included discussions around kinematic alignment in knee replacement, where the patient's individual anatomy is considered while planning alignment rather than automatically applying exactly the same target to everyone.

The Value of Hands-On Learning

The CCA AIIMS program also included a cadaveric arthroplasty workshop. Such workshops provide surgeons with opportunities to study anatomy and review surgical approaches in a practical educational environment.

Topics included primary and revision knee replacement, hip replacement, direct anterior hip replacement, implant positioning, bone preparation, and soft-tissue balancing.

Hands-on learning can complement lectures and scientific presentations by allowing surgeons to better understand the practical aspects of complex procedures.

About Dr. Anupam Khandelwal

Dr. Anupam Khandelwal is an Orthopedic, Joint Replacement, and Trauma Surgeon based in Indore. His clinical practice includes knee replacement, hip replacement, robotic knee replacement, revision joint replacement, AVN treatment, arthritis management, and complex trauma surgery.

He regularly participates in orthopedic conferences, academic programs, workshops, and continuing medical education activities. His participation in the CCA AIIMS Conference 2026 reflects his commitment to keeping his knowledge updated with developments in arthroplasty and modern orthopedic care.

How Does Continuous Learning Help Patients?

For patients, continuing medical education may have an indirect but meaningful benefit. Surgeons who remain engaged with current research and professional discussions can make treatment decisions with awareness of evolving techniques and evidence.

This can be particularly valuable in complex cases where there may be several possible approaches.

Modern orthopedic care is therefore not simply about having access to advanced technology. It also involves knowing when a particular technology or technique is appropriate—and when a more conventional approach may be preferable.

Final Thoughts

The future of joint replacement is being shaped by research, improved implants, surgical technology, rehabilitation science, and a better understanding of individual patient anatomy.

Conferences such as CCA AIIMS provide an important platform for orthopedic professionals to exchange knowledge and remain connected with these developments.

For patients considering hip or knee replacement, choosing a surgeon who values continuous learning can be one useful factor when evaluating their treatment options.