Rumpelstiltskin's Heir

What do I Have to Lose?

Aldara's POV

I took another sip of my now cold tea. Pinocchio just watched me as he processed everything I had told him. I felt strangely...relieved. Pinocchio was the first person I had ever told of my past, of my real past at least. Of course I made sure to leave out the part of who my father was. If he knew, I'm sure he wouldn't show me the same kindness he shows me now. I know your probably thinking that I'm wrong, that he would be kind to me because he is good. And I know he is good, but lets face it, most people judge a book by it's cover...and my fathers name causes a butt load of chaos, even if it isn't my cover.

Pinocchio cleared his throat, "It seems to me like you've gone through a lot...for such a young person."

I gave him a small smile.

"I guess so...", I said slowly, "yet technically if you add the years I was in Never Land and the 28 years I've been here...I'm notthat young."

Pinocchio chuckled lightly.

I smiled, he was so understanding. What could such a person do to be punished this way, to be turned in to wood and separated from his family!?

"So let me get this straight", began Pinocchio, "you were saved by the pirates who found you? Then you became a sort to speak lover to the captain, when you found out he was your father's enemy?"

"Yep", I crossed my legs, "I needed to know why he was my father's enemy, and just how much harm he could do to him."

"Did you ever...?"

I almost choked on my tea.

"No! No, no no. I never slept with him! We made a deal, I told him that I was to young and he said he would wait. The most we ever did was kiss, and hug...like a couple I guess."

Pinocchio nodded, "So you just stayed with him all those years until he brought you back to our world."

"Mhm, I had to convince him into bringing me, but I was able to go to our world with him. On the first night, when he fell asleep I left a note telling him that I was going to look for my family and I left."

"Didn't you feel guilty for leaving him? After living with him for so long, hadn't you developed feelings for him."

This question hurt, it always did.

"I feel bad for using him, but I told him from the start that I was in love with another man, he thought it would just make our relationship more interesting I told him that I wanted to meet my family, that that was my goal. So yeah I feel guilty but he knew what he was getting into as well...", I let the last part hang out, he knew I didn't love him and he didn't love me, so in a way he used me as well. That didn't justify my actions, no, but I needed to find my father and brother, I needed to protect them.

"Why didn't you kill him or tie him up to a tree so that he wouldn't be a danger to your father?", asked Pinocchio

I shrugged, "I needed him, he was my ticket out of Never Land"

"And your father, did you ever find him?"

I shook my head, "No. I was about to, when the curse caught up to me and, I-I ended up in this world."

I was fighting back the tears, why was I such a cry baby? I should be stronger by now. I've gone through bad and worse, yet I still feel like I cry for the smallest things. Sometimes I just want to go outside and scream at the world.

Pinocchio put his hand over mine.

"It´s ok", he said

I smiled his warm touch was and kind eyes, even if wooden, made a world of good.

I turned my head not wanting a stranger to see me cry. I looked out the window and noticed that the outside was pitch black.

"Oh gods, I must have talked all day..."

Pinocchio turned to look at the window as well, "Funny, it didn't seem that long."

"I´m sorry if I annoyed you with all my life story and for taking your time."

"You didn't annoy me, it was fun I haven´t talked to anyone in ages. Maybe I could use one of your adventures in one of my future books. "

I laughed, "Be my guest. Well I should get going, it´s getting dark out side."

Pinocchio glanced outside, "Maybe you should stay the night, you could sleep on this seat. I know it´s not much but I bet it beats a cave floor."

I touched the seat, it was definitely softer than my moss bed in the cave.

"I don't know...I don't want to bother you anymore."

"It won't be a problem, plus it's not safe for you to be out there all alone"

"Alright, but with one condition."

"Yes?"

"You tell me your story. I mean it's only fair, I told you mine, so you tell me yours."

Pinocchio didn't answer he seemed to be thinking about it.

 until he finally said, "Deal"

That night was the best night ever! After sleeping on rocks, dirt, and moss for so long the seat felt like pure heaven.

Pinocchio tucked me in and told me his story before turning off the lights and going to sleep.

I couldn't help but to wonder a few things that night.

One, is that how it feels when a dad tucks you in bed and tells you a fairy tale? Cause if it is, wow....I've missed a lot.

Two, why is Pinocchio in hiding?

And three Why not go and find his father?

The next morning I thanked Pinocchio for letting me sleep in his trailer. I took a shower in his little restroom while he made breakfast. The clean water feeling and full belly was the best I had felt in ages. I felt like an entire weight had been lifted off me, even the sun looked brighter. After breakfast I thanked him once more and left. Before leaving we made a deal, he wouldn't tell anyone that he had seen me and I wouldn't tell anyone that I had seen him. Fair. As I walked away from my new friend, our last conversation replayed in my head.

~part of last conversation with Pinocchio~

"Take care. Alright?"

"You two, and thanks for everything."

"No, problem and treat that leg."

"Hey, um I'll be going to the town soon...are you sure you don't want me to tell your father anything?"

"my papa..."

He shook his head.

"He's looking for you. He asked me if I had seen you, before I had met you."

Pinocchio shook his head again, he looked like he was fighting back tears.

"No. No, I can't let them see me like this...I just need to figure this out first, then..."

"I understand"

~End of conversation~

I walked over to the Toll Bridge. I wouldn't be returning to the cave tonight, and hopefully never again. Pinocchio's story, his problems with his father, somehow inspired me. I shouldn't be afraid to meet my dad, I mean it's what I've been trying to do all this time right? Tomorrow I would go to the town, figure out who my father was and, find him. What do I have to lose? I made a bed out of a pile of leaves near the a small tree. That night I looked up into the dark sky, as the sound from moving water of the river lullabied me to sleep. My eyes felt heavy as I gazed at the beautiful stars. I couldn't help but to notice, that they weren't as beautiful as when Sebastian and I gazed on them together...