Rose Red

"Your Highness," a guard stated as he entered the library of the extravagant castle.

"Yes?" the King asked worriedly.

"The Dark One has arrived," the guard announced.

The King looked lovingly at his daughter, Snow White.

"Please," the King started, clearing his throat. "Take Snow to her mother and invite the Dark One in here. I need his advice."

Snow held her father's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. The guard nodded and escorted the young princess out of the room.

The king waited for a few moments before a voice called out from the other side of the room.

"I'm here, dearie!"

"Rumplestiltskin," the king stated, turning to find the owner of the voice.

"That's right," the Dark One whispered, appearing in front of the king. "You called?"

"Yes, you see, my wife-"

"I know why I'm here!" He interrupted. "The question is, what do you want me to do?"

The Queen had fallen ill at a very inconvenient time. Another member of the royal family was to be born, and their chances of life were looking very slim. The king had called upon the Dark One for help.

"Is there anything that can save my wife and our new child?" The king asked after a moment of contemplation.

"Good answer," Rumplestiltskin complemented. "Yes, there are treatments available for the queen and soon to be princess-"

"So it's a girl?" The king asked, joy apparent in his expression.

"Don't interrupt! The next question is how much you are willing to pay?"

The king's joy disappeared with the question. He hadn't thought of the price.

"The price will depend on your reliability," the king answered.

"Good," the Dark One replied giddily. "But I don't want to have to do everything myself, so I'll give you a do it yourself."

The king nodded in understanding.

"Legend has it that there are magic flowers scattered throughout the Enchanted Forest," the Dark One began. "These flowers have been nourished with water from a spring in Neverland. This water was said to possess the quality of healing any illness. Whosoever drank this water would be cured, but they were bound to Neverland forever. Luckily for you though, this is not so. The person who rules over Neverland was the one who used this water to make these flowers grow, in attempts to lure young children into his trap, but they are perfectly safe for your wife.

"However, these flowers are extremely rare, and I cannot give you anything to find them. If you happen to find one, know for a fact that it will cure the queen's illness and bring your child through as perfect as child can be!"

"If we find one of these flowers, how will we know that it is the right one?" The king asked.

"I can tell you that without a shadow of a doubt," Rumplestiltskin said as he closed his eyes, "that it will be a rose."

"A rose?" The king asked for confirmation.

"The reddest rose that will ever have grown in this realm."

The king stood, amazed and relieved at the Dark One's information.

"Is that all, dearie?" Rumplestiltskin asked in his mocking voice.