The Best Tea Cup is Chipped Book 1

Out of the Past

Belle moved through the village market chatting amiably with the people in the stalls. After much back and forth with Rumple she'd finally convinced him to let her go down to the village weekly to gather food for their meals. While normally he had the food delivered she'd really wanted a chance to get out and stretch her legs somewhere other than the castle.

The result of the discussion was that Belle would be able to go down to the market twice a month. Rumple would escort her and she was free to wander the village and market while he checked over matters in the village, as long as she agreed to where the slim golden bracelet around her wrist that Rumple had enchanted to track her movements.

He'd claimed it was so she wouldn't wander off but Belle suspected a different motivation. There was too much concern in his eyes as he spoke and they were well past the point of him suspecting her running. No she figured it was to avoid another disaster like the Queens of Darkness incident. The thought that he cared about her well being touched Belle.

Now she browsed happily sometimes buying sometimes simply talking. While they'd been a bit wary at first given who she worked for, the general respect the town held for Rumplestiltskin, combined with Belle's naturally friendly nature had lead to her gaining a decent report with most vendors and she normally ended her trips by reading to a group of children.

That said it didn't mean there weren't still some whispers as she overheard now while examining potatoes.

"THAT's the Dark One's maid? No way she's far to pretty."

"I imagine she earns her wages in other ways." Belle rolled her eyes at the lewd talk from the men who were clearly strangers.

"And I'd imagine you lot best shut yer traps before the Dark One shows up and takes yer tongues for talking that way," snapped Master Altair Williams who was passing. Belle remembered him as the man whose daughter Rumple had healed. The men paled slightly and swiftly moved away.

"Thank you," she said kindly. Altair snorted

"Idiots the lot of them." Belle was about to answer when something distracted her a cart load of wounded men was being rolled through the village.

"Wounded men from the Ogre wars." elaborated Master Williams.

"But Rumple got rid of them nearly a year ago," said Belle.

"True, but it takes more than a year to recover from a war. These lads must have been in some of the ogre camps."

"I see." Belle watched the parade of wounded men when suddenly a sandy-haired head caught her eye. She rushed forward and to her shock found herself staring down at her childhood friend Samuel.

Belle quickly stepped closer. Samuel looked feverish and there was what looked like a long cut on his leg.

"I wouldn't have too much hope for that one ma'am he was wounded by a magical weapon and I doubt he'll last even long enough to get to the campsite for treatment," said one of the men pushing the carts.

"Oh no!" gasped Belle. Brushing back some hair from the bloodied face of her old friend.

"Belle!" said a familiar voice and she turned to see Rumplestiltskin.

"I thought you were visiting the market not moping over sick strangers."

"He's not a stranger! He's my childhood friend!" exclaimed Belle her tone softened. "I was told he died early on in the ogre wars."

"Evidently they simply got the timing wrong." scoffed Rumple and Belle shot him a glare.

"Can't you do something?" she asked.