Rumpelstiltskin's Reign-An FTRS and RAR AU

Part 3-The Prisoners

Jocelyn groaned in pain. The two boys herding her along were dressed in black with gold bandannas tied around their foreheads. She figured the bands must signify some sort of higher rank than the other foot soldiers, but she couldn't focus enough to care. After she'd tried to curse them with a few nasty chants, they'd caught on and used a spell to keep her mouth shut.

The boy who had grabbed her first was levitating her in front of them, occasionally letting her head bump into walls as they turned. From the second boy's conversation, she'd deduced that his name was Earl. 

The other boy walked beside him, conversing in light tones about the rewards they'd get for apprehending her.  Occasionally, he punctured his words with a quick jab of his wand, making her twitch underneath her bonds. His real name was a mystery;  Earl only referred to him as 'buddy'.

Her headache had started to fade somewhat, but the acid-like pain had not. Her magical resources had somehow frozen, as if whatever they'd bound her with had damaged her powers. It was possible, of course; Rumpelstiltskin was a tricky sort, always experimenting, poking his nose into magical affairs. 

Eventually, they reached some sort of door. It was still too dark for Jocelyn to make anything out, but the darkness didn't seem to affect Earl and Buddy.

"Let her down!" one of them said. Buddy, it sounded like.

With a crash, Jocelyn dropped to the floor, teeth gritted. "Master is busy with the beast, but I think he'll want to see her right away." Earl announced

"Are you sure?" Buddy squeaked. "We don't want to bother him! You saw what he did to Thomas-"

"He'll be pleased, I promise. You hold the girl; I'll do the talking."

Buddy gulped. "Ok." Suddenly Jocelyn was pulled to her feet, Buddy's wand digging into her back. 

Five loud knocks rang out in the darkness of the corridor. Jocelyn heard the squeaking of hinges, and then an irritable, "Who is it?". 

She hissed. Rumpelstiltskin. 

"Earl, and Buddy, Master." Earl spoke softly, carefully. "We've captured a witch lurking around in the corridors."

This time, the voice held a hint of interest. "A witch?"

"Yes, sir."

A door opening. "Very well, bring her in."

Footsteps from Earl and Rumpelstiltskin. Buddy herded her through what must have been a door, but it was no lighter in the room. Still pitch-black. Jocelyn fought down an impending sense of unease. 

"Turn on the lights, Earl."

Instantly the room blazed with light. Jocelyn blinked sparks out of her eyes, trying to adjust her eyes. Buddy stepped in front of her and removed the charm sealing her lips. She could see him now; he was a short, thin boy with dark hair and a cut-up face. His eyes were filled with a mix of fear and greed. 

Earl stood behind him. He was a bit taller and stockier, with a more at-ease expression. The room they'd placed her in was a garish baby pink, with a pale white floor. In the center of the room stood a girl in a tattered blue dress, tied to a thick wooden pole.

"AG!" Jocelyn yelled, her throat constricted.

AG looked up at her, her tired face filling with hope. "Jocelyn! You shouldn't-"

"Silence, beast." Rumpelstiltskin said, sealing her lips with a muttered spell. AG's face was murderous, but Jocelyn could sense her fear. Rumpelstiltskin turned his ugly face to Jocelyn, smiling sweetly. "I've been dealing with her for hours, sorry to say. Very hard to control her transformations."