Defeating Darkness (Rumbelle's Daughter)

Hero or Villain

All magic comes with a price. And no matter what the magic, the price is always steep. Sometimes, it demands everything from you.

Dark magic costs you your heart's purity. It festers inside of you and becomes a cancer and an addiction that slowly swallows you alive. It stimulates your senses and gives you a high, all while you secretly die.

Light magic, or at least my light magic, costs myself energy; thus, the more I do magic, the less I am able to do anything else. In this way, I sacrifice my life in my magic and it brings forth life. Further, due to this, I am unable to heal myself using my own magic.

With this knowledge, I used the last bit of energy I had to freeze Henry and Cornelius - preventing them from destroying each other.

Henry was frozen with his sword in his hand and looked like a statue that'd spring into battle without hesitation. In his eyes I saw determination, and in his lips a grimace that was preparing for the worst. His stance spoke that he wanted to protect and would sacrifice himself in an instant.

Cornelius was frozen with his hand withdrawing the sword from his side and he looked like a wolf ready to kill its prey. He had murder in his eyes and the devil in his smile. His stance spoke that he was ready to destroy anything that got in his way.

My eyes filled with tears both from Henry's love and Cornelius' hate. One of which I didn't deserve and the other that I did. I hated myself for making Cornelius into a monster. How he was alive or how the monster took form in him - I was unsure.

But, now I was unsure of anything concerning him. Did he plan on killing everyone I loved? Was that his idea of justice? I laid my head on the soft forest floor and managed to keep my eyes flickering open.

Not too long after, Emma came running. She was followed by Hook, then Belle, then... Papa. I wasn't expecting him to come looking for me.

Emma was trying to break my spell, but her magic couldn't make a dent into what I'd done. I would have to unfreeze Henry after either a nap or eating something - essentially, after doing anything that would give me energy.

As soon as Belle saw me, she ran to me and began to wipe the blood from my face. Her face was filled with concern and tinged with disgust; supposedly, at my bruised and beaten appearance. After cleaning me the best she could, she scooped my mostly lifeless body into her arms.

I looked over towards the others and saw them in a hot debate over what had just transpired. It was evident that none of them knew who Cornelius was, but they all assumed Henry was preparing to cut him down for beating me. They also couldn't agree on what my role was in all of this.

"We need to get help," Belle pleaded motioning towards me. "We need either the fairies or the hospital or even something else I can't think of - I'm sure once Rumbella has the strength to talk, she'll explain everything."

I felt comforted by my Mum's trust in me. I don't know how she could see the best in me, even after all the damage I'd caused that day. I looked up at her, and saw her clear blue eyes shining down on me. I wondered what'd she'd seen and known to make her so kind.

The others agreed with her, but refused to leave until Henry could be taken somewhere safe. So, they called Regina and she magicked Henry back to her house and Cornelius into the cell of the town's prison - both remained frozen. Once that was done, she took the rest of us to the fairies.

They began to heal me immediately, and it only took a couple of minutes before I could start speaking and moving again. At that time, it was only my Papa (Rumplestiltskin) and Mum (Belle) that were with me. Emma and Regina had gone to check on Henry and Hook had went to keep an eye on the prisoner - Cornelius.

My Papa and Mum sat at the edge of the bed I was laying in, and I had two fairies on each side of me that were doing their best to heal me in haste. Once I regained my voice, I thanked them for their help. The fairies were very kind and said it was the least they could do for the hero that reunited so many families.

I felt like a failure, a disappointment, a mistake, and much worse. I had no feelings of being a hero. I hung my head low and stared at my hands in shame of all I'd done that day.

I heard a loud sigh come from the end of the bed, and I braced for the worst.

"You are our hero."

I looked up to see my Papa and Mum smiling at me. Grateful tears flowed down my face and they pulled me into a tight hug. I returned the embrace and melted in the warmth of their love.

My Papa brushed his hand through my hair - probably getting rid of some leaves or other debris from the forest. He gave a sigh and looked to me. "Dearie, no matter what comes our way, we'll get through it together because we are family."

And - even if for just a moment - I believed him.