A rose by any other name... [King Adam]

[twistedlittleimp]

In a forest surrounding a small village, rumored to be the birthplace of a Queen so beautiful, Rumplestiltskin could feel the magic in the air surrounding him. The 5th Kingdom naturally housed some very powerful magic, though the source of it, he did not know. The forest was filled with various flowers, herbs, and plants with magical properties.

He smiled a bit as he picked up a sprig of Aconite, thinking to himself how useful it might be to a certain Queen who recently visited him. He did a slight dance as he added the rare flower to his collection. He continued deeper into the woods, singing happily to himself until he sensed someone approaching. The woods being dark, he conjured a ball of light into his hand and slowly turned around. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" the imp cackled.

[King Adam]

I am the shadow on the moonlit night
Filling your dreams to the brim of fright!

The King of the Fifth Kingdom had decided to take a walk in the forest near his castle. He hadn’t done this for a while, what with all the advisory meetings and the secret meetings with the other royals and nobles of the Nine Kingdoms. Adam wore a plain white shirt with black trousers and a purple travelling cloak. He needed to do get out of his castle more. He didn’t like being cooped up for long periods of time – he had been cooped up for so long when he had been Beast. Belle had helped him get out of the castle. The former Beast sighed as e thought about his beloved. He still loved Belle with all his heart. He had been so shocked when Charming had committed adultery. He had thought that Snow and Charming would be happy, like he and Belle were.

When Adam came their way, animals made way for him. They had learned a long time ago to both respect and fear the King, which allowed Adam to pass without harm. Taking out the rose that had once been tied to his life, Adam thought back to his time as the Beast. He had been such a lonesome, angry person back then; the curse making him think that no one would love him and then Belle came and lifted him out of the darkness. He sometimes wished he was the Beast, again. He missed the warmth of his fur, the full capacities of his senses and speed. He still retained his senses, though. Adam suddenly froze – someone was in his forests; he could smell it and it wasn’t a pleasant smell. His pace changed to a brisker one. The smell became stronger. Before too long, the King of the Fifth King was where the smell was coming from. It was radiating from a person, who people steered clear from unless they were wanting to strike a deal: Rumplestiltskin.

“What are you doing here, in my forests?” asked Adam. The imp had ways of travelling around that Adam wasn’t overly fond of; being able to just appear and disappear at will. It made him sort of nervous.

[twistedlittleimp]

"Good afternoon, your majesty," Rumplestiltskin said, giving an awkward, half-enthused bow. "I'm just out collecting some herbs and flowers. The forests of your kingdom tend to be the most full of them, you know..." His voice held an eerie calm, not a tone one would expect a trespasser to have when faced with the King on whose land he was trespassing.. The Imp kept moving around, but the light he conjured stayed stationary. Generally, Rumplestiltskin merely tolerated the existence of royalty. He despised the lot of them. That said, of all the monarchs of all the kingdoms, Rumplestiltskin had the healthiest respect for King Adam, the only person with a temper bad enough to rival his own. To be honest, Rumplestiltskin wasn't quite sure how tame the Beast had become in recent years, so he even avoided his usual trick of magicking himself around.

"I have most of what I need already, if you want me to leave, I can... unless you'd like to discuss something? Very few people happen across me who aren't looking for me," the Imp spoke quickly, but kept an obviously feigned perkiness to his voice. He might have respected King Adam, but he wasn't going to lick his boots. "You wouldn't want to let this opportunity go to waste, now would you, sir?"

[King Adam]

I am the shadow on the moonlit night
Filling your dreams to the brim of fright!

Adam narrowed his eyes when the Imp said his first comment. The Imp shouldn’t be here – Adam didn’t want him dealing with the servants, or Belle. Adam had tried to contain his bestial temper in the past, and while he had managed to contain it most of the time, there had been times when he had exploded. He had heard of Rumplestiltskin’s temper and apparently it rivalled his own. Adam held his anger in check; there was no point in getting angry now. The King would stay, to see the little Imp off. He wrapped the travelling cloak a bit tighter. It somehow managed to get colder.

Adam showed the slightest bit of annoyance at the second comment. How dare this….this little creature suggest he had been looking for him. The Imp was in his forests, technically trespassing; however Adam had been thinking about being the Beast once again just moments ago. His anger subsided and he looked down to the rose. He shouldn’t deal with this Imp – it was an extremely bad idea, yet the idea intrigued him. Belle wouldn’t like it either – she’d most likely reprimand him. Perhaps if he just asked if it could be done…

“Rumplestiltskin, say if someone had been transformed into something else then transformed back, but they wanted to be able to transform at will, how would that work?”

[twistedlittleimp]

Rumplestiltskin acted like a kid who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and as such feigned his best behavior. "Your Majesty," the imp giggled, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "I think you already know the answer to that." He paused for dramatic effect, then, his voice barely above a whisper, as if the word itself was forbidden in some way, said, "Magic."

Now, Rumplestiltskin was sure that King Adam had minimal knowledge of how that worked, but he knew that the King would know how the deals worked so he decided to explain it in that framework. "The magic you require is complex. It would require you to be able to unleash your inner beast, while remaining in full control... and then at will, returning to your normal form. The magic you request is difficult. But it is not impossible. All I would request in return is a single rose... the rose. A small price to pay, don't you think?"

[King Adam]

I am the shadow on the moonlit night
Filling your dreams to the brim of fright!

Adam narrowed his eyes; why did Rumplestiltskin need his rose? The King of the Fifth Kingdom may wish to become Beast again but he was not about trade away one of Belle’s favourite things. There was also the matter of how his personality would be if he did change. Adam knew that the Imp was more tolerant of him than he was of the other Kings, Queens and nobles; perhaps he’d be willing to barter something else. He had some of his parents’ stuff that he no longer used and cared for; maybe those.

“Not the rose – Belle likes the rose. I have something I can exchange – my mother’s old necklace. It can create an invisible barrier when tapped. I will trade you that, Rumplestiltskin. What say you?” Adam hoped the Imp would agree to the necklace instead. Belle would be furious if she discovered the rose was missing. Adam put the rose in his trouser pocket and undid the necklace clasp and held it to to Rumplestiltskin, hoping he would take it. The King thought it might be reckless to regain his Beast form but if it meant being able to protect his beloved then he’d do it.

“One more thing – my clothes – what will happen to them when I change?”

Tag: Rumplestiltskin

Words: 212

[twistedlittleimp]

Rumplestiltskin's eyes narrowed slightly when the King refused the price of the rose, but widened greatly when the better prize of the necklace was offered. "Your majesty," cackled the imp. "You have a deal."

The imp waved his hands in the air. A cloud of smoke enveloped them, but when the smoke disappeared, a scroll of parchment was visible. It detailed the term of the agreement.

Another wave of his hand, and Rumplestiltskin conjured a black feather quill. It wasn't like normal quills. It was much, much sharper. Both the quill and the parchment floated in midair as he took the necklace from the king and placed it around his neck. "I trust you know how that works? As for the clothing... well, I'd hire an extra tailor if I were you, your majesty. The terms of the magic don't protect them, sorry."

[King Adam]

I am the shadow on the moonlit night
Filling your dreams to the brim of fright!

Adam felt a mixture of both relief and apprehension when the Imp agreed to take the rose instead of the rose. He knew that some of the Imp’s deals didn’t go so well for the other party involved. He hoped Rumplestiltskin respected him enough to not dupe him or anything like that. Before Adam could comprehend what was happening smoke enveloped the two of them and then a black quill, which looked lethal to the touch appeared, along with a piece of parchment. Adam had heard of such quills; they were designed to draw blood and sign in the signer’s blood. Adam had never used it personally; he didn’t really approve of them. when Rumplestiltskin cackled Adam refrained from showing any disgust or anger – he knew how to be polite and courteous around certain people.

“Rumplestiltskin, you must promise not to harm others with the necklace I just gave you. I won’t have it, is that understood?”

Adam wanted the Imp’s word that he would not make mischief out harming others with the necklace. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he knew that the Imp was doing that. The King of the Fifth Kingdom then had an idea, regarding the clothes issue. It wouldn’t do for him to keep being nude when he transformed back into a human every time. He just hoped Rumplestiltskin would say it was possible.

“Is it possible to have a light-material garment that will stay when I do transform back, that way I’m not completely naked?”

Tag: Rumplestiltskin

Words: 254

[twistedlittleimp]

"I won't use the necklace to harm others," Rumplestiltskin said, drawing an X over his heart. Once the King's signature was on the parchment, it and the quill vanished into more smoke.

He then laughed at King Adam's insistence about the clothing. It legitimately amused the imp that King Adam was so worried about that. "Have no fear, your majesty. I doubt that anyone would be truly upset by the site of you au naturale. Worry not." He grinned mischeviously. Either way, the deal had been signed. There was no way to modify the magic of the spell. Not without more knowledge of magic in general.

[King Adam]

I am the shadow on the moonlit night
Filling your dreams to the brim of fright!

Adam chuckled when Rumplestiltskin stated that no one would particularly mind if he was naked when he transformed. Indeed he knew of some of the female citizens who fancied him and flirt with him. He pricked his finger and signed the parchment. Once the deal was agreed upon, the parchment and the quill disappeared in a puff of smoke. The King of the Fifth Kingdom the Imp kept his agreement not to harm anyone with the necklace; he’d know if he had. His little birds told him what was happening throughout the Kingdoms. Adam briefly wondered if he should get more spies – spies could change their allegiance quickly at any moment.

Adam realised that the Imp would probably go now – he wanted him to stay a little while longer but he wasn’t sure why. The wind picked up a little, causing Adam to envelope himself tighter in his travelling cloak. He then had a question to ask the power-hungry Imp, which he hoped wasn’t too intrusive,

“What made you want to make deals, if I may ask?” Adam shifted his weight.

Tag: Rumplestiltskin

Words: 181

[twistedlittleimp]

Rumplestiltskin was actually amused. No one ever seemed interested in why he ever did what he did. He never had to articulate that before and he thought for a moment. "People have problems that sometimes only magic can solve. Not everyone has the benefit of a Fairy Godmother granting their every wish. Magic can't come free. There has to be a price, or what else is it for?" he said.

"Royals aren't exempt from this. They see a problem that they don't think they can overcome, even though they can. They feel that magic is the only way to fix it. I just help them see the true cost of the quick fix," The way he explained it would have, perhaps, seemed quite odd coming from the Imp, who was thought among the Kingdoms to be slightly mad... which was completely true. This explanation was eloquent and business-like, not the insane ramblings and cacklings one usually got from him.

[King Adam]

I am the shadow on the moonlit night
Filling your dreams to the brim of fright!

Adam listened to what the Imp said. He noticed the Imp explained it with such eloquence that he didn’t normally possess. Maybe when talking about magic, Rumplestiltskin was able to be more serious and less…creepy. The King of the Fifth Kingdom pondered over what the Imp said. It was true only Cinderella a few others had Fairy Godmother for help while others were left to find less than desirable means to fulfil their wishes; i.e. Rumplestiltskin.

Adam wondered when the Imp had made his first deal. He knew they were all Legends so they were technically immortal so for Adam knew it could have been several decades, or even millennia. Imagine all those people he’d made deals with – the King of the Fifth Kingdom didn’t want to think about it. The burly, handsome King wondered what side the Imp would choose when the Second War broke out. Would he even choose a side, or would he be loyal only to himself and make deals with the side that paid him the most? Adam pondered over whether he get the Imp to align with him; though that may come with another deal. He’d already done one deal with Rumplestiltskin already and he didn’t totally trust the Imp would keep his word.

“When the war breaks out, whose side will you be on, Rumplestiltskin? And don’t lie, I have acute hearing and smell, remember.” It’d be interesting to find out, since it’d mean that he and others would have one less evil Legend to deal with.

Tag: Rumplestiltskin

Words: 254

[twistedlittleimp]

Rumplestiltskin didn't answer right away. He thought carefully. How would he side in a war? Would he even side at all? Given his goal of eliminating the institution of the Royals in the Lands, it benefited him to allow a war to be fought, for people to die. War always brought enough chaos to tickle his more mischievous side. But what if the war ended up being about magic? He would need to protect his claim.

After taking a little longer than he anticipated to choose an answer, he began to speak, approaching the topic with the same sane, business-like, diplomatic tone. "Despite what people think, your highness... I am an honorable Imp. I am bound by magic to keep my end of any bargain I make. Rarely ever do I speak lies, and when I do, there are reasons for it. I can't answer you at the moment as to what side I'd choose, or whether I'd even pick one until I know what the war is fought about."

[King Adam]

I am the shadow on the moonlit night
Filling your dreams to the brim of fright!

Adam understood what the Imp meant. The Imp couldn’t decide until he knew if his magic was at stake, though Adam would’ve thought that the Imp would know what the war was about; he lived in the Third Kingdom, after all. Surely he heard the goings on within his own Kingdom though he had no care for anything or anyone save himself. The handsome King then had a thought. He wouldn’t make a deal – he just wanted to know if it could be done. His son, Amaranthus was still a deer and he, Belle and Iris wanted him to be a boy, again; so they could hold him, hug him, play with him, like a human boy.

He studied the Imp and wondered if he should ask him. He’d already made a deal. He wanted a son who he could teach certain things to; things that only Adam, as his father, could teach him. He wanted his son to find a good woman and have children with her. The King of the Fifth Kingdom was still debating a few seconds later. Finally, he decided to ask.

“My adopted son is a deer; a witch cursed all the springs where they came from, and when he could no longer heed his sister’s advice to steer clear of the springs, he drank from one, which made him become a deer. Is there a way of turning him back?”

Tag: Rumplestiltskin

Words: 236

[twistedlittleimp]

The imp smiled understandingly when the King asked his question. "Of course there's a way to turn him back, but first I would need to know the exact curse. A sample of the water would do fine. But I wouldn't be able to quote a price until I know how hard it would be to undo. I don't have the luxury of a magic wand to wave, you know." The imp said.

He eyed the King suspiciously. "But you have unappreciated access to one who does. Why not just ask the Fairy to do it? Her magic never has a price, and you're always so eager to protect Queen Belle that it seems most unwise to further indebt yourself to me. Especially when you've already paid such high a price for the ability to change at will." The Imp squinted one eye, allowing the other to sort of bulge. He had a sinking feeling that the King might be trying to trick him, which bothered him. It would set a very bad precedent for King Adam, of them all, to trick the Trickster himself. Royals, more often than the peasants acted in their own self interests. Rumplestiltskin knew that the Royals were well aware of his vow to bring them down. He hopped up on a nearby stump, making himself appear slightly taller.