The Light in the Dark Kingdom

Dungeon Walls

She sat against the same wall, chained, day after day went by without another sound from Rumplestiltskin. Suspicion filled her and she called out to him, repeating his name, "Rumplestiltskin!" As loud as she could.

"You're wasting my time, Princess," he said, suddenly appearing beside her.

"How long have I been in here?" She took a seat against the wall, ignoring his complaints.

"Less than a week!" He laughed maniacally as he took a seat on the adjacent wall.

"I'm need your help," she admitted with her face to the ground and he laughed, "He murdered my parents and I'm forced to sit in this cell with my wrists tied!"

"Yes!" his smile darkened his face and he let out a sharp laugh.

"When I am tied down with chains that prevent me from reaching the door, how am I supposed to avenge my parents?" She asked violently, jumping to her feet and lunging towards him.

In the blink of an eye he was near the door, standing out of her reach, "I'm afraid you are asking the wrong questions to the wrong person, dearie," he laughed again and watched anger slowly take over her body, "Don't be eager, child," he smiled and appeared only inches in front of her, cupping her face in his hands and watching closely into her eyes as the voice of her mother spun around her mind, "Anger is a powerful entity. Do yourself a favor, and stop it before it has the power to control you."

He vanished, and she dropped back onto her knees, crying into the palms of her hands. She called out to him again, but he did not return. His words haunted her for the many more days she spent chained to the dungeon wall.

She shut her eyes tightly, focusing on freeing herself from the chains of darkness that trapped her between the walls beneath the castle. Her mother's words echoed through her mind and she felt powerful as freedom filled her body. The chains rattled against the floor as they fell and she rubbed her sore wrists, moving immediately towards the door, "I'd be careful, Princess," her body shook, her head turning quickly to see Rumplestiltskin holding the chains that once held her captive.

"I'm free," she told him, "You can't stop me. I am not your toy!"

"Aren't you?" He asked with a laugh, appearing in front of her as she took a step towards the door, "If I may," he moved out of her path, "offer a bit of advice," her eyes followed him as he moved around her, "You may not want to go skipping out of that door."

"Why?" She asked him forcefully, but he vanished with a devilish smile tugging at his lips.

She ignored his warning, and as soon as her hand touched the door handle a wave of shock sent her flying back. He appeared, his arm wrapped behind her back and both of his hands held onto her firmly, stopping her body from crashing into the stone wall, "I tried to warn you, dearie," he said to her as she caught her breath, "You've got thick skin. Did you really think the horned king would simply lock the door?"

He slowly let her go and she stepped away from him, "How do I get out of here?" She shouted, turning to see that he had vanished, "Rumplestiltskin!"

"What!" He appeared beside her and firmly placed his hand around her neck, "You are wasting my time." He told her through closed teeth.

"Then help me," she said to him and he dropped her onto her feet, "Teach me something to pass the time, to help me think."

"Well, if you insist!"