The Light in the Dark Kingdom

A Threat

Anger filled his body, all of the old feelings taking over as his first love walked out of his shop. He loved her more than anything, more than his dark powers. Letting out a sharp yell, he swung his cane like a golf club, slamming it into the glass cabinet, the glass shattering onto the floor. He did this again to the top of the shelf and looked down to see the small chipped cup sitting peacefully in its place, calming him.

As he caught his breath and lifted it into his shaking hands, the bells on the door rang, "Having fun, I see," she smirked as she strolled into the shop.

He placed the tea cup back in its place and slowly turned to face her, his hair messily tossed out of place from the commotion, "You did this!" He shouted, pointing at her, "You locked her up!" He growled.

Ignoring his accusations, she asked, "How did Snow White get back to the back to the enchanted forest all those years ago?"

He watched her with angry eyes, "You're going to pay for this!"

"You made your own choice, Rumple," she lightly chuckled and looked at her black nails before meeting his eyes once more, "Love makes you weak."

"I made a choice because you told me she was dead! You stole her from me!" He shouted angrily and she calmly leaned against the counter, "And you're wrong!" He told her, approaching her slowly and standing almost completely over her, "Love gives you everything that darkness can't provide."

The bells to the store rang and he turned his head to see Eilonwy and Taran walk into the building, "Madame mayor?" Eilonwy glanced between her and Rumple as he stepped away from her, quickly running his hands down his coat.

"Your highness," Rumple corrected Eilonwy gently, "Regina, or the Evil Queen, if you will."

"What happened here?" Taran asked as he noticed the glass scattered across the floor. Eilonwy watched the dark woman as she stared at Rumple with narrowed eyes.

"Nothin important," Rumple said quickly and glanced to Regina, "I'll see you out."

"One more thing," she said happily and stepped towards Eilonwy, "Be sure to thank the man you love for creating the curse that sent you here," the evil woman glanced at Rumple, letting out a soft laugh, and his eyes darted to look down at his hands.

Eilonwy watched him for a moment in disbelief, then glanced back at the queen to see her watching Taran, "Being stuck in the honeymoon phase is barely a curse," she glanced between Rumple and Eilonwy for a moment before meeting Taran's eyes, "It can almost be considered a blessing, right Thomas?"

Rumple's head popped up and his eyes glared at the evil woman, "We were cursed!" Eilonwy told her forcefully and quickly glanced up to see Rumple's tired eyes.

"We were engaged," Thomas said almost instantly in a calmer tone, breaking her heart.

"Taran, no," she pleaded, "That wasn't us, we weren't-"

"But we were," he told her with sorrow in his eyes, "for twenty-eight years, you were mine."

"How does it feel, Rumple?" Regina stepped toward him with a devilish smile, "To have Belle back from the dead, but to choose another, and to know that another man has touched the woman you love before she's even had the chance to step foot into your home?"

His eyes stared straight ahead and he took a deep breath, fighting to control his anger as the woman moved towards Taran and Eilonwy, "I hope you two enjoy your engagement gift," she said to them with a smile, "The cauldron will be a lovely decoration for your nursery." Taran, Eilonwy, and Mr. Gold glanced down at her stomach for a moment before exchanging a confused glance.

The evil queen reached the door, and didn't turn back, saying, "Oh, Gold, about Snow White," she chuckled, "If you don't tell me, then I will find out on my own and kill anyone who was involved."