The Best Tea Cup is Chipped Book 1

Mischief and Magic

After the loss of the Hatter, Pip and Grace moved into the Dark Castle. It was the natural next step with the safety of their home violated and neither Rumple or Belle would have heard any objections had Pip made any, not that she was foolish enough to.

Rumplestiltskin reenforced the wards around his castle still kicking himself over having not considered warding the Hatter's house against fairy magic. But for goodness' sake! The sorts of enemies Pip and the Hatter worried about were the kind that were generally enemies to fairies too.

It was infuriating to see once again how vindictive Reul Ghorm was. If he ever did get a good opportunity to destroy the little bug well...she'd just better hope that chance never came.

However, it seemed the blue bug wasn't finished with them. Barely a month after the pair had moved into the castle the sanctimonious fairy made one last move.

Rumplestiltskin was up in his tower working on a potion when he suddenly heard his name being called in an urgent tone. This time by Grace. Pinpointing exactly where it was, he teleported straight to the back lawn where he found Grace who was still smartly standing a good ten feet away from the wards.

The child stood, looking a little disheveled, facing none other than the blasted Blue Fairy who was hovering just outside the wards. Rumple also noted a scorch mark on a tree just to the right of the Blue Fairy. Immediately Rumple took a protective stance in front of Grace.

"What's going on?"

"She's trying to convince me to leave with her," said Grace sounding worried.

"Oh and they accuse ME of stealing children," he sneered glaring at the woman who stared back haughtily.

"I was merely attempting to save this poor child from her unfortunate situation. The home of the Dark One is not a fit place for a child and any parent that thinks so is unfit to call themselves one.

"Oh really? Because as I recall they were entirely safe and not living in the home of the Dark One until a little bug interfered with the protection on their house and let the Evil Queen in." Snapped Rumple. He saw something like surprise flash across the bug's face before she returned to her usual sanctimonious mask.

"I don't know what you are implying but it's ridiculous."

"I do wonder what your heroic allies would say if they knew the real you," scoffed Rumple. "Now you listen here. This child and her parents are under MY protection you are not to come anywhere near ANY of them again, you are not to try and harm any of them or as you might put it help them. You are to stay away unless you want to deal with me."

"You think you can threaten me?" said the fairy.

"Oh yes, because we both know the devastation that could come from a fight between the two of us. Your interference already took one child from my family. I will not let you take another. And stay away from my wife while you're at it. Now LEAVE." He hissed stepping up to the boundary line. one hand crackling with purple energy.

The Blue fairy glared then said to Grace.

"You've made a terrible choice child. You should have come with me when you could."

"No thank you," said Grace and the pair watched the head fairy fly off. As soon as she was out of sight Rumple turned back to face Grace only to have her practically tackle him in a hug.

"I was so scared!"

"It's alright your Ladyship. I won't let anyone take you away. Although I am curious about that burn mark on the tree." The girl shuffled her feet.

"Oh, well...when she started getting more insistent I got scared I was about to call for you but I shouted for her to get away and then this white light shot out of my hands! It almost hit her but missed and hit the tree."