I'm a difficult man to love.
A kingdom is under attack. The Ogres War is killing countless men and the army needs help. The general does not know what to do to change this except call on one man who can alter the fate of so many with the snap of his fingers. That's right, Rumplestiltskin. Only, the general's offer for Rumple's services will not satisfy this powerful man.
You see, he makes gold and so all the gold in the world won't be payment enough. No, Rumple needs a companion, not love, just a companion. And who is available but the beautiful Belle. So what if she's engaged to the ghastly Gaston. She agrees to help her father. Besides, Rumple's not a beast. Right?
Except upon arrival at Rumple's palace she receives the royal treatment and it promptly shoved into the nearest dungeon cell, her room. She is later released to serve Rumple tea and go over the terms of her lifelong servitude. Serve the meals, clean the castle, dust his collection and clean his clothes, fetch fresh straw, and....skin the children he brings home. No, no. That last one was just a joke. But the damage is done. Belle dropped the cup she was holding, giving it a small chip on the side. Rumple doesn't care about the cup and Belle laughs in relief. Oh that Rumple, such a funny guy he is...
A kingdom is under attack. The Ogres War is killing countless men and the army needs help. The general does not know what to do to change this except call on one man who can alter the fate of so many with the snap of his fingers. That's right, Rumplestiltskin. Only, the general's offer for Rumple's services will not satisfy this powerful man.
You see, he makes gold and so all the gold in the world won't be payment enough. No, Rumple needs a companion, not love, just a companion. And who is available but the beautiful Belle. So what if she's engaged to the ghastly Gaston. She agrees to help her father. Besides, Rumple's not a beast. Right?
Except upon arrival at Rumple's palace she receives the royal treatment and it promptly shoved into the nearest dungeon cell, her room. She is later released to serve Rumple tea and go over the terms of her lifelong servitude. Serve the meals, clean the castle, dust his collection and clean his clothes, fetch fresh straw, and....skin the children he brings home. No, no. That last one was just a joke. But the damage is done. Belle dropped the cup she was holding, giving it a small chip on the side. Rumple doesn't care about the cup and Belle laughs in relief. Oh that Rumple, such a funny guy he is...
Anyway, several months pass and spring is nearing. Belle and Rumple haven't spoken much and Belle, being curious, decides she ought to know the man she is spending the rest of her days with. Why does he spin the gold wheel so much? Why are the drapes always hung? Why are there covers for all the mirrors? Who are the boy clothes in the attic for? You know, that sort of thing.
Rumple, being a guy, isn't ready to talk about any of his feelings, although he does mention a son. But he's gone, and that is the end of the discussion. Belle wants to know more and Rumple agrees to tell her, except she must leave the castle first and go fetch more straw. That was one part of her duties. The catch, she never leaves the castle. She's not supposed to. What if she runs away and never comes back?
Rumple doesn't care. He doesn't expect her to come back. He's letting her go. But feelings have risen on both their parts, unbeknownst to either of them. So inevitably when Belle leaves the palace she runs into the only other person with such extreme power, the Evil Queen.
The Evil Queen convinces Belle that she can change the beast. True love's kiss will break any spell. (Sure, the queen knows that now, but not when it comes to her own spells and Snow White?) Belle takes only a moment to think it over. She does love Rumple and she feels he is the same with her. So she goes back ready to try out this spell-breaking kiss.
Rumple, being a guy, isn't ready to talk about any of his feelings, although he does mention a son. But he's gone, and that is the end of the discussion. Belle wants to know more and Rumple agrees to tell her, except she must leave the castle first and go fetch more straw. That was one part of her duties. The catch, she never leaves the castle. She's not supposed to. What if she runs away and never comes back?
Rumple doesn't care. He doesn't expect her to come back. He's letting her go. But feelings have risen on both their parts, unbeknownst to either of them. So inevitably when Belle leaves the palace she runs into the only other person with such extreme power, the Evil Queen.
The Evil Queen convinces Belle that she can change the beast. True love's kiss will break any spell. (Sure, the queen knows that now, but not when it comes to her own spells and Snow White?) Belle takes only a moment to think it over. She does love Rumple and she feels he is the same with her. So she goes back ready to try out this spell-breaking kiss.
And she does. The effects are immediate. Rumple's scaly skin begins to soften. His eyes turn kind. He's turning back into a man. But Belle lets the cat out of the bag about her master plan and Rumple becomes furious. Back into the scaly, evil beast he's was. He rips down one of the mirror coverings and yells at his reflection. He knows it was the Evil Queen behind the plan. Outraged, he turns on Belle and casts her into the dungeon.
As Rumple's heart turns harder, he decides to release Belle forever. She doesn't love him. She never did, he thinks. However, Belle knows her feelings and it's Rumple who's afraid to love. He can only see the beauty that's skin deep. But at some point, he's going to have to shed that thick skin and realize he can change and become the man he should be. The man she knows he is.
Belle walks out.
It's weeks later that Rumple receives a visit from the Evil Queen. She's come to find out more on a certain mermaid, but she also bears bad news. Belle, after leaving Rumple, lost her good reputation and her father locked her in a tower. Nuns tried to cast out the evilness Rumple had put in her and one day Belle had had enough. She threw herself out of the tower and died.
Rumple is devastated. He loved Belle. She was the only one who could ever love a beast like him. And one day he'll seek out his revenge on the one responsible for her death...Belle's father.
As Rumple's heart turns harder, he decides to release Belle forever. She doesn't love him. She never did, he thinks. However, Belle knows her feelings and it's Rumple who's afraid to love. He can only see the beauty that's skin deep. But at some point, he's going to have to shed that thick skin and realize he can change and become the man he should be. The man she knows he is.
Belle walks out.
It's weeks later that Rumple receives a visit from the Evil Queen. She's come to find out more on a certain mermaid, but she also bears bad news. Belle, after leaving Rumple, lost her good reputation and her father locked her in a tower. Nuns tried to cast out the evilness Rumple had put in her and one day Belle had had enough. She threw herself out of the tower and died.
Rumple is devastated. He loved Belle. She was the only one who could ever love a beast like him. And one day he'll seek out his revenge on the one responsible for her death...Belle's father.
In Storybrooke, Mr. French (creatively derived from the origin of which this classic tale is from) has run into dept to Mr. Gold for his rose shop. And no matter that it's basically Valentine's Day, Mr. Gold has no heart, only a grudge. Mr. Gold takes away Mr. French's business only to find out that he's been robbed as well. The only suspect is Mr. French. And he's taken something of irreplaceable value to Mr. Gold.
Side story: As mentioned, it's Valentines' Day. And as we all know, the couples in this town are having a hard go of finding and keeping their true loves. Ashley finally got her prince back plus her baby, but Mary Margaret and David Nolan just can't seem to get it together. And this Valentine's Day is no different.
David is in a love struggle between his wife of Storybrooke and his wife of Fairy Tale Land. He wants to do this right without anyone getting hurt, but it seems the longer he keeps this up the more hurt he's dishing out. Especially when it comes to Valentine's Day cards.
Surprising Mary Margaret after a girls' night out, David decides this is the best time to give her a card. Something with a sweet saying that will express his true feelings about her. Something like, "Kathryn, I woof you" seems to do the trick. Oops. Wrong card. He, um, uh.... He meant to give her the other one. Mary Margaret is polite about it, but clearly hurt. She wishes him a Happy Valentine's Day and tells him to go be with Kathryn. She didn't even want to see the card meant for her. Huh?
Nice one David. Major points scored there!
Anyways, back to Mr. Gold's dilemma.
Side story: As mentioned, it's Valentines' Day. And as we all know, the couples in this town are having a hard go of finding and keeping their true loves. Ashley finally got her prince back plus her baby, but Mary Margaret and David Nolan just can't seem to get it together. And this Valentine's Day is no different.
David is in a love struggle between his wife of Storybrooke and his wife of Fairy Tale Land. He wants to do this right without anyone getting hurt, but it seems the longer he keeps this up the more hurt he's dishing out. Especially when it comes to Valentine's Day cards.
Surprising Mary Margaret after a girls' night out, David decides this is the best time to give her a card. Something with a sweet saying that will express his true feelings about her. Something like, "Kathryn, I woof you" seems to do the trick. Oops. Wrong card. He, um, uh.... He meant to give her the other one. Mary Margaret is polite about it, but clearly hurt. She wishes him a Happy Valentine's Day and tells him to go be with Kathryn. She didn't even want to see the card meant for her. Huh?
Nice one David. Major points scored there!
Anyways, back to Mr. Gold's dilemma.
Mr. Gold's possessions are gone. So, he sets up his old tactics of enlisting Emma's help to retrieve his belongings and puts her to tracking down Mr. French and the stolen goods. Emma does, except one item is missing. The item. Mr. Gold is not satisfied and decides to go after Mr. French himself. Only his methods are more shady, which is all too clear when he purchases duct tape and some rope at the local general store.
He kidnaps Mr. French and takes him to an abandoned cabin the woods. He gives Mr. French a one-sided ultimatum. Tell him where it is and who told him to take it? Mr. French doesn't know what Mr. Gold is talking about.
Mr. Gold goes ballistic on Mr. French. He beats him with his cane, angry at the injustices caused by the man. He took her away. He killed her and it's all Mr. French's fault. Mr. Gold gets in some heavy hits before Emma rushes in.
He kidnaps Mr. French and takes him to an abandoned cabin the woods. He gives Mr. French a one-sided ultimatum. Tell him where it is and who told him to take it? Mr. French doesn't know what Mr. Gold is talking about.
Mr. Gold goes ballistic on Mr. French. He beats him with his cane, angry at the injustices caused by the man. He took her away. He killed her and it's all Mr. French's fault. Mr. Gold gets in some heavy hits before Emma rushes in.
Mr. Gold is thrown in jail for nearly killing a man. And it's only a matter of time before Regina finds out. She's been wanting to speak to Mr. Gold, only Mr. Gold has turned down each of her offers nicely with the magic word, please.
Now that he's in jail, Regina decides he can't turn her away. She knows he won't comply easily so she brought a small bargaining chip. The item that was missing from the stolen goods...the cracked teacup.
So what does Regina want? Simple, what is Mr. Gold's name. Mr. Gold mouths off. Easy, it's Mr. Gold, of course. Always has been, always will be.
No, what's his first name?
Well, that would be telling wouldn't it? But Regina won't give him the cup unless he spills the beans.
After a moments hesitation, Mr. Gold replies, "Rumplestiltskin."
Regina's only mildly shocked. She'd suspected, but now it's official. And from here on out, they can get back to being the good ol' chums they were back in Fairy Tale Land, fighting for the upper-hand.
And what does she have that's more priceless than Rumplestiltskin's chipped cup, one that can be used as the ultimate bargaining chip? Well, it's locked away in a psychiatric cell underneath Storybrooke's hospital. She's alive and well except for the common case of amnesia.
Her name is Belle...
Now that he's in jail, Regina decides he can't turn her away. She knows he won't comply easily so she brought a small bargaining chip. The item that was missing from the stolen goods...the cracked teacup.
So what does Regina want? Simple, what is Mr. Gold's name. Mr. Gold mouths off. Easy, it's Mr. Gold, of course. Always has been, always will be.
No, what's his first name?
Well, that would be telling wouldn't it? But Regina won't give him the cup unless he spills the beans.
After a moments hesitation, Mr. Gold replies, "Rumplestiltskin."
Regina's only mildly shocked. She'd suspected, but now it's official. And from here on out, they can get back to being the good ol' chums they were back in Fairy Tale Land, fighting for the upper-hand.
And what does she have that's more priceless than Rumplestiltskin's chipped cup, one that can be used as the ultimate bargaining chip? Well, it's locked away in a psychiatric cell underneath Storybrooke's hospital. She's alive and well except for the common case of amnesia.
Her name is Belle...
Burning Questions:
1) What happened to Rumplestiltskin's son?
2) Can David ever truly return to being Prince Charming?
3) What's going to happen to Belle in the dungeon?
4) What is Emma's favor to Mr. Gold?
5) How did Mr. Gold get around the curse and continue being Rumplestiltskin? Did the curse affect him at all?
6) Who is more powerful, Evil Queen Regina or Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold?
~ Taryn
P.S. Check out the "Trivia" page to see what Mary Margaret's unopened Valentine's Day card said.
1) What happened to Rumplestiltskin's son?
2) Can David ever truly return to being Prince Charming?
3) What's going to happen to Belle in the dungeon?
4) What is Emma's favor to Mr. Gold?
5) How did Mr. Gold get around the curse and continue being Rumplestiltskin? Did the curse affect him at all?
6) Who is more powerful, Evil Queen Regina or Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold?
~ Taryn
P.S. Check out the "Trivia" page to see what Mary Margaret's unopened Valentine's Day card said.