𝑶𝑪𝑬𝑨𝑵 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺 - Rumplestiltskin [1]

FIFTEEN

15|MISSING

Celeste twisted the ring on her forth finger, admiring the crystal surrounded by two golden half moons. She smiled to herself as she remembered his proposal and how they got married only a day after.

"Love?" He wandered into the bedroom, spotting his wife sat curled up on the small sofa in front of the roaring fire.

"Sorry?" She jumped in fright and stared at him with a dopey smile. "I was off in a world of my own."

"I noticed." Rumpel chuckled, lifting her legs so he could sit beside her. She shuffled closer and cuddled into his side, sighing contently.

"Who knew we could get our happy endings." She joked, resting her head on his shoulder as he kissed her hair lovingly. "I was thinking about heading to the markets today."

"Be safe, dearie." He cupped her cheek and kissed her lips delicately as if she was made of glass.

Celeste kissed his cheek good bye before draping the cape over her head, hiding her identity from any curious souls. Rumpelstiltskin had let her leave for the day to visit the market in the nearby town.

Her basket swung on her arm as she embraced the birds singing, the breeze brushing through the leaves and distant animals crawling through the terrain.

The town was bustling with people and life causing her to smile to herself. After buying fruit and vegetables, Celeste decided to head back to the castle but was shocked when she was greeted by the sight of Regina.

"Your majesty." She jumped in fright and bowed her head to the woman. "It's lovely to see you again."

"Is that a wedding ring I see?" Regina grinned, an evil glint in her eyes. "I'm shocked Rumpel let you go." Celeste bit her lip as she avoided the Queen's eyes. "You're Rumpels wife? I never expected that from him."

"It was sudden and unexpected." The Princess smiled to herself before looking back up at her. "Thank you for helping me find true love."

"All I did was push you in the right direction." The Queens voice was sickly sweet as her eyes darkened. "But we all know the Dark One doesn't deserve a happy ending."

"Everyone deserves a happy ending, your majesty. Even yourself." Celeste started to worry when Regina's face dropped. She waved her hand in front of the Princess's face. The world started to fade, darkness floating her mind as she fell to the ground.

~•~

It was cold when she woke up on a hard stone ground, her head thumping in pain. Her ocean blue eyes slowly fluttered open as she sat up, her back against the rough wall.

"Where am I?" Celeste mumbled to herself, looking around the dimly lit cell.

"You're in my dungeon, dear." A cheerful voice greeted her causing her to snap her head up to look at the woman on the other side of the bars. "And you're going to remain her for the rest of your life."

"Rumpel will find me." She rose to her feet and glared at the Queen. "True love always finds a way."

"Not if he thinks you're dead." Regina chuckled darkly, showing off the ring between her fingers. "I just have to show him this and he'll believe me."

"No! You can't get away with this!" Celeste screamed, launching herself at the bars. "I'll have your head mounted on my fireplace."

"I'd love to see you try." The Queen left her alone, her screams echoing around the dark dungeon.

She fell to the ground, her dress ripping as her tears cascaded down her pale cheeks. Her head rested on her knees as she wished to be anywhere else.

Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months. Eventually a year passed then another. Celeste became the silent Princess, barely eating and rarely moving. She ran out of tears and after a second year she ran out of words.

Every day was the same until a guard opened her cage and left it unlocked, turning away and leaving. She stumbled to her feet and ran out the cell, avoiding the guards stealthily until she made her way out into the open. Her eyes squinted as she was greeted with sunlight while she ran deep into the woods. She had to get home, she had to find Rumpel.

An arrow flew past her head, lodging itself into the tree beside her. Celeste stopped in her tracks and looked around the to find the shooter.

"Who are you? Show yourself." A female voice yelled at her, startling her as her shaking hands reached up and removed the hood off her head.

"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to escape." Celeste cried, her head lowered as she waited for a second arrow to be fired. Instead, the female ran down the hill to face her. "Snow?"

"Celeste?" Snow White grabbed the scared woman's shoulders and pulled her close, embracing her as she broke down on her shoulder. "Shh, it's okay. You're safe now."