I Will Find You

Chapter 3: A Visitor

Belle's POV

//1 hour before Charming arrived on Hook's ship (chapter two)//

Rumple had awoken from his coma only yesterday after being unconscious for over a week. He sat in a chair behind me as I monitored the desk at the library.

"You feeling alright?" I asked, "You know you don't have to be here, you can go rest at home. I'll be done with my shift in a bit." I tried to keep my voice soft as he had been having severe headaches lately. Despite the things he had done these past few weeks, I didn't want to be too harsh on him yet. He was still recovering from his coma and needed my support, but I wasn't going to let all the things he had done slide. For now, I hadn't mentioned anything. I wouldn't say anything until he was well and ready to talk.

"I- I'm fine. Just a bit lightheaded." He replied with his noticeable Scottish accent. I gave him a slight smile, trying to clear up the tension. He hadn't said anything about it yet, but I knew the reason he wasn't talking much lately wasn't because he was sick or lightheaded, it was because he was guilty. There had been tension between us for the past few hours and I could tell he was extremely shielded every time we had a conversation. He tried to avoid saying much.

"Okay, well if you start feeling worse just tell me." With that I turned away from him, as our conversation was obviously getting nowhere, just in time to see a girl enter the library. She looked to be in her teen years, maybe 15 or 16 years old. She was wearing a teal sundress that hit just above her knees and brown booties that complemented the dress well. Her bright red hair was tied up in a bun.

"Can I help you?" I offered. She looked a bit lost and I had a feeling she wasn't here to check out any books. She suddenly lifted her head and her piercing blue eyes met mine. She looked relieved. As she came closer I realized that the dress she was wearing wasn't a sundress at all. In fact, it didn't look like anything anyone would wear around here. It was made of thick fabric and had a gold trim along the bottom of the dress. The trim also lined the top of the dress around her chest, and created a belt-like pattern just above her hips.

"I just arrived in town and wasn't exactly sure where to go. I'm looking for someone, do you have a directory or something of the sort?" She definitely wasn't from here. The way she talked was more formal, and she had a slight accent that I couldn't quite recognize.

"We don't have a directory, but I'm sure I could help. Storybrooke is a fairly tight-knit community. But before we go any further, may I get a name?" I asked, not trying to be too pushy. I was a bit suspicious, however, as I'd never seen this girl around before.

"Oh, um, yeah. My name's... Merida." She said hesitantly. I suddenly heard something fall, and turned around quickly to find rumple's chair on its side. Merida immediately stopped in her tracks just before she reached the desk, surprised by his sudden movements. He was standing up straight and leaning against the table, suddenly very awake, aware, and part of the conversation.

"Merida? I haven't heard that name in quite a while. Where'r you from?" He asked quickly. I could tell he knew something I didn't.

"I'm, uh, from a land called Camelot-"

"Aha! And I'm assuming your father is the almighty King Arthur?" He declared. Now I was sure he knew something I didn't. This is how he had acted back in the enchanted forest- powerful, knowledgeable, and downright egotistical.

"Who are you and how do you know my father?" Her eyes had turned to slits now, obviously she was not expecting this. "My father didn't tell me he knew anyone from here."

"Ah, he probably didn't want to mention it. I'm known in your land as Rumplestiltskin." He let the 'r' roll off his tongue as he introduced himself. Merida had obviously heard of him as she took a small step backwards. "Ah, I see my name proceeds me. Your father and I have made a few deals before- minor things really- but I met you when you were a small child. I was most certainly not expecting to ever come across anyone from Camelot again." At that she rolled her eyes.

"And we were not expecting to see you again, either," She paused for a second, "After you destroyed our kingdom I'm sure nobody wanted to see you again."

"Ah, I didn't destroy your kingdom, I just refused to aid your father in the war. He wouldn't agree to one of my deals. It was perfectly fair-" In interrupted him, not interested to hear another story of one of his many enemies.

"I'm sure you two have a lot of, uh, catching up to do, but I'm sure that can wait. Merida, you said you were searching for someone?" I quickly changed the subject, interested in why Merida was here in Storybrooke. It's not exactly easy to jump realms, so whatever the reason, it must've been very important if she had to come here.

"Oh, yes, my father sent me to find someone. I believe they are known as the Charmings? Do you know who they are?" She was obviously very serious about this, but for some reason Rumple started laughing.

"Oh, we know who they are." He exclaimed in between chuckles, "Why in the world would you be looking for them?" Merida didn't look amused. She took a deep breath.

"It's about their daughter. She's the one who sent me."

~

Author's Note: I'm sure you guys have already figured this out, but the chapter 'title' is whose point of view that chapter will be from. For example, this one is Belle's. Just wanted to make sure you guys knew this so things didn't get confusing. Sorry for the wait! I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to do next for a while and my writer's block has finally cleared up and I've come up with a plot that I'm really excited about. I had this chapter finished a few days ago but we just moved into a new house so I didn't get wifi until today. Hope you enjoy and please comment your feedback. :)