The Queen's Servant: Part One

A/AN: This idea randomly popped in my head earlier, and it'll be a few chapters long.

His former pupil had invited him to stay at her castle for a few days as her honored guest. He decided to humor the evil queen and pay her a visit. A few days away from his own residence would do him some good. She'd probably want to show him the new wing she'd added to the castle or boast of the new territories she'd conquered which interested him little. He would soon discover this visit would entail more than he'd been expecting.

He'd arrived late to the palace that evening, opting to take his time which he knew frustrated Regina to no end. This brought him a great deal of satisfaction. By the time he made his appearance, the dinner table had already been cleared, and the queen had readied herself for bed. She'd grumbled about this inconvenience before having one of her royal guards show him to his chambers. He'd been gifted with the finest room which hosted a four poster king sized bed, golden curtains which were drawn, a series of bureaus for his clothing, writing desk, and a lone chamber pot settled in the corner. He needed none of these luxuries. As the Dark One, he relied on his magic for everything. He had packed nothing since he could change his clothing instantaneously with the snap of his fingers.

He hardly slept but it might help pass the time. He was about to slip beneath the covers when he heard a hesitant knock at the door. He wasn't expecting anyone this time of night. He would simply open the door and tell them to leave. He stalked over to the door, flinging it open to find a chestnut haired woman donned in servant's clothes. His breath hitched for a moment as he drank her all in.

"I know it's late, my Lord, but the queen instructed me to attend to any needs you might have. I've been assigned to care for you for the duration of your visit," she replied, catching him off guard. A single lock of hair fluttered into her eyes, and he fought back the urge to tuck it behind her ear.

"I have no need of a servant, dearie. I'm more than capable of tending to my own needs," he retorted.

"How about I assist you with your boots, my Lord? Allow me to unlace them for you and polish them," she insisted. He had a feeling she wasn't going to leave until he gave her something to do.

"Fine. Shine my shoes and then be on your way," he remarked wryly.

"Of course, my Lord. Would you please have a seat on the edge of the bed?" she asked nervously. He sauntered back to the bed, the mattress dipping from the weight he placed on it. The servant shifted onto her knees and began unlacing his right boot. He could have magicked them away with the flick of his wrist, but his maid seemed content with the mundane task, and he wouldn't deny her the privilege of unlacing his boots. He knew the queen could be a conniving task master, and he didn't want the girl to receive lashes for something which could have been avoided by his compliance.

"Aren't you afraid of the Dark One, dearie? There aren't many who are eager to serve me as you are," he stated as she pulled off his right boot.

"In my former kingdom, we were attacked by ogres, and I can assure you, nothing is as terrifying as they are," she answered. Her comment startled him, and he found himself becoming curious about her origins.

"And where would that be?" he probed as she began unlacing the other.

"Avonlea. A small merchant kingdom in the southern province. It isn't very well known. The queen was very gracious and spared us all from their wrath. She gave us the ultimatum to serve her as compensation. Some of the people refused her offer, so she had them executed, but they were given a choice," she revealed, pulling off his remaining boot.

He assumed Avonlea was one of the kingdoms Regina had conquered. "And how did you feel about apprenticing yourself to the queen?" he probed, becoming intrigued by her tale.

"I was reluctant at first, but she spared all of us, so who was I to deny her? I owe her my life. We all do. It was several years ago, and most of my people's contracts have expired. They resettled in the surrounding villages, but I chose to stay. My life has always been at court," she disclosed.

"You'd rather serve the queen than be free?" he questioned further, a bit perplexed by her answer.

She smiled brokenly at him. "When your purpose has been extinguished then you must find a new one. We don't always get to choose what that is. Staying near the queen is safer than going back to being the person I once was," she sighed forlornly. He could detect a tinge of regret in her voice, and he couldn't help but wonder who she'd been before.

"What sorts of things does the queen require of you? Are you called upon to serve all of her guests?" he quizzed, feeling slightly jealous at the thought of her serving another.

"The queen doesn't have guests, mostly just prisoners. You're the first visitor I've ever recalled her having. I'm usually kept out of sight because she says I'm a distraction to the guards. Sometimes I work in the kitchens or in the laundry room. Other times, I'm polishing her armor or cleaning the blood off of her weaponry," she responded. He gazed down at her weathered hands, believing the only thing they deserved was to be adorned with the finest rings and kissed reverently.

"Your boots are shined and polished, my Lord. Is there anything else I can do for you before you retire for the evening?" she queried, rising to her feet.

"I'm quite alright dearie, but before you depart, I'd like to know your name," he spoke softly as not to frighten her.

"It's Belle, my Lord. You've referred to yourself as the Dark One, but I'd like to know your moniker as well, if you see fit to bestow it upon me," she requested boldly.

His insides shivered with delight at the sound of her alluring accent. He'd never been so enthralled by a mortal before. His name was something he wasn't accustomed to giving away freely. Everything came with a price, but he couldn't bring himself to deny her requisition. Hearing her say his name in her entrancing voice would be compensating enough.

"Rumpelstiltskin," he replied, gracing her with a chivalrous bow.

"Rumpshiltzkin," she repeated, stumbling over the syllables.

He giggled impishly at her error. "That's not how you say it, dearie!" he teased.

"Forgive me, my Lord, but your name is quite a mouthful. May I call you Rumple instead?" she appealed. He blinked at her uncanny proposition. He was feared and revered by all, and this servant girl had him eating out of her hand. He would have moved heaven and earth for her if she'd asked him.

"You may call me whatever you wish," he consented.

"Rumple it is then. It suits you," she grinned as if they were old friends and this was a casual joke between them.

"I bid you farewell then. Will I be seeing you again?" he inquired.

"Yes, I'll bring your breakfast to you in the morning," she answered.

"Goodnight to you then, Belle," he returned, speaking her name for the first time. She relished how it reverberated in her ears, and she yearned to hear him say it a thousand times more.

"Goodnight, Rumple," she said before departing. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest from their recent encounter as she made her way to the servant's quarters. It was foolish to believe it was sacred. He was a powerful sorcerer, and she was just a sculley maid. He would be leaving within a few days time, and she would remain here. She quickly reminded herself it was absurd to dream of life outside of the confines of the castle. Nothing was left for her to go back to but a kingdom ransacked by ogres. As she climbed into bed, she attempted to banish thoughts of the imp from her mind but found it impossible. He was permanently branded in her thoughts, and she felt her heart longing for something foreign as he passed through her dreams. If only she knew what it was...

A/AN: Prompts are good and so is your feedback!