A Chance To Mend

Chapter 14: The Dark Castle

The trip to the dark castle was a long one to say the least. Snow refused to stop at all cost. Which was not a good thing for Regina's now aching feet. Regina held to the back for most of the journey, Snow was busy talking to Belle, and as for David and Robin, well they didn't say much.

Once reaching Rumplestiltskin's formal castle they came to a stop upon two large oak wood doors. Regina walked past the group and to the front.

David watched as Regina came close to the door but something caught his eye. It shimmered across the tall doors. Almost like a protection spell. It was to late for words as he saw her reach for the handle.

As she reached for the door handle a rush of wind whipped across her face and a sword struck the wood. When it did a spark lit and the hold door lit up in a fiery yellow flam before burning out. Regina eyed the sword that lay a mere couple of inches from her face before it fell to the ground as the doors disappeared.

Whipping her head around Regina spoke looking at David, the owner of the sword. "That sword almost took off my head!"

David walked over to where her majesty stood. "Well that door almost took off your arm." He said bending down to retrieve his sword.

Regina rolled her eyes.

Stepping back, David held out his arm to the room that lay in front of them. "After you." He said.

Regina sighed but soon went inside the room, everyone else following in her footsteps. The room was massive, almost making it feel empty. The ceilings were higher then the trees that stood just outside the tall windows to the side of the room. It had a dark eerie feeling about it, so given the name:

The Dark Castle.

Even though it gave an empty appearance it was filled with many strange things. Things Regina had never come across in this land, which made her wonder how many adventures he must of gone on.

The place wasn't very well kept. There was a sheet of dust upon all of the furniture and a mountain of piled up books just beyond the windows where the light shone in. His once most prized possessions now thrown around and dismantled. You could see shattered glass on the ground and tears in the wall paper from where mill due must of taken over.

It was all very lonely. He was lonely. Rumple lived a long portion of his life in this dark place. Confined to himself.

But amongst the battered old things you could see something shine. There sat upon a small side table was a cup. It was chipped but you could tell it was the only thing he truly valued. It was wiped clean and dusted and held a certain glow about it, like a preservation spell.

Belle was one of the only good things he had found in his life, and that's the voice that spoke up now.

"Rumple?" She called but the room was silent until a voice called from the back corner of the room and everyone's eyes were drawn there.

"Belle," the voice sounded ruff and forced but behind its gruff you could hear, it was Rumplestiltskin.

In the far corner of the room was a cage, and inside was a spinning wheel where sat Rumple. His shirt was buttoned in the wrong holes and his face held a certain sorriness about it. He looked like he had let himself go.

"What did that witch do to you?" Regina asked looking the imp up and down. The only response in return was a tilt of his head and a connection of his eyes to hers. Regina need not ask further questions upon seeing the look of pain in his eyes and she kept quiet.

"Rumple," Belle said approaching the cage. "We need your help to stop Zelena. What can defeat her?" She asked gripping the medal bars that separated them from each other.