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What's in a name?	By : jinna1979 Category: Fairy Tales, Fables, Folklore, Legends, and Myth > Fairy Tales Views: 16599 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction,I do not own Rumpelstiltskin. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons,living or dead, is purely coincidental

Chapter List
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  When Rumplestiltskin once again awoke, it was evening. Despite his long rest, he felt groggy, and the sense of being intoxicated was more intense than ever. He was using so much magical effort to maintain the illusion of gold, that he did not even dream during his deep sleep. Knowing this only increased Rumplestiltskin's sense of disorientation. He realized that he lacked awareness of what was happening to Millicent, as well as being blind to the latest machinations of the King. The knowledge of his ignorance created a knot of fear in his chest, and in his weakened state, he could not calm himself enough to dispel it.

  The trek from the root cellar to Millicent's chambers on the highest floor of the palace seemed interminable. It took most of Rumplestiltskin's efforts to even walk in a straight line, and at times, he found himself leaning against the walls for support. He was not even entirely sure whether or not he was maintaining his invisibility. Yet despite his discomfort, at no point did Rumpelstiltskin consider letting his magical illusions falter. He would do nothing to endanger Millicent, even if it drained all the life energy from his being. Moreover, with his new knowledge of how he could possibly break the curse that he suffered, he knew he had to keep going onward.

  When Rumplestiltskin finally made his way to the queen's chambers, he was breathing heavily from exertion, and his vision seemed to blur. The carpet that lined the corridor seemed to wave, and the flowering patterns twisted and writhed before his bleary eyes. Despite his exhaustion, he was determined not to show his weakness to Millicent. There was no reason to burden her further, when she was already trapped in a terrible situation.

  As Rumplestiltskin opened the doors to the queen's chambers, his eyes were immediately drawn towards Millicent, sitting primly upon her cot. She was not crying this time, but she was pale, and there was a haunted expression in her eyes. Yet, as she looked up at him, she smiled as though she was glad to see him, although it was a tired smile without the spiritedness that she once used to display, seemingly so long ago. It was a smile that made his heartache, both with pain for her suffering, and also love for her.

  "How are you this night, sweetling?" He asked with concern. "Has the King done harm to you?"

  "Yes....no!... Well, it's just...." Millicent stammered. "He...he... He expects me to be his queen."

  Rumplestiltskin felt as though an abyss were opening up beneath his feet, ready to swallow him whole. It took all his effort to maintain his calm demeanour.

  "Did you accept?" He asked, keeping his voice neutral.

  "What was there to accept?" Millicent exclaimed in distress. "There was no proposal! He just... just.... said it, and it was so. Once this straw is spun into gold, it will be done." She could feel hot tears forming in her eyes, and she feared giving way to despair.

  "Shall I leave then?" Rumplestiltskin asked gently.

  "Leave? No! No, please! If you don't spin this straw into gold, he will kill me. Though maybe that would be a better fate..."

  "Don't say such thing!" Rumplestiltskin exclaimed, his tone of voice harsher than expected. The notion of his Millicent dead was more than he could bear. Millicent looked up at him, through blurred eyes, with a quizzical expression on her face.

  "Does my life mean so much to you then?" She asked wryly. "You are too kind. Truly."

  "It's not kindness, my dear," he replied, but when she looked at him questioningly, he did not elaborate.

  "Well then, what will you give me to spin this straw into gold?" He asked her.

  "I have nothing left. I'm sorry. I suppose this it is for me then..."

   "No, dearest, don't say such things," he replied softly. "I shall spin this straw into gold, and we shall come up with something."

   "Thank you," Millicent said softly. "I promise, anything I can give you, I will give you."

   They lapsed into silence, and Rumplestiltskin focused his efforts on spinning the straw. He was glad that his hands moved of their own accord, for his vision still blurred, and it took a great deal of effort to even sit upright. Though Millicent did not speak, he still found enjoyment in her very presence. A part of him wished that time would stand still, and he could remain by her side forever. It was Millicent who eventually broke the silence.

  "This may be too much to ask of you, but would you be able to spin some extra straw into gold? For my friend, Carine."

  Rumpelstiltskin looked at her inquiringly, as though expecting her to elaborate. In truth, he did not know how to respond, for the gold was fake, even if no one was aware of the deception. It did not trouble him to trick the king, but he did not want to deceive a friend of Millicent.

  "It's just," Millicent continued, "Carine. She's been kind to me. She has this sister, you see? She's young... so young. Too young to be worked so hard. And she's pregnant. The king... Well. It's just terrible. I have to help her, somehow!"

  Through the thick haze of his thoughts, Rumplestiltskin somehow gathered that Millicent was telling him that her friend Carine was pregnant, due to the actions of the King. He thought back to the information he had gleaned earlier: a royal baby's first dream. This could be the answer he was looking for!

  "It is a great burden for a young woman to raise a child alone," Rumplestiltskin murmured. "The poor dear. Fate can be unkind."

  "I'm glad you understand," Millicent replied. "Most people would judge her as.... as wanton, but Carine isn't like that! My heart aches for her. She's but a child herself. She should be...well.... out playing in a meadow, not raising a wee babe! She... well..."

  "What is it? You can trust me, dear one," Rumplestiltskin said, coaxingly. "Mayhap we can find a solution together."

  "It's just... Carine told me... that she does not want to have the child. Were I in her shoes, I surely would feel the same way."

  Rumplestiltskin turned his gaze back to the spinning wheel, and paused before he spoke.

  "I may have a solution. One that can take care of everything."

  "Truly? What is it?" Millicent asked hopefully.

  "Well, I asked you earlier what you would give me in exchange for spinning this straw into gold. Before I return to that, let me tell you something about myself. As you may have noticed, I am quite... ugly."

  "Don't say such things!" Millicent protested. "Your face has... character."

  "You are too kind, sweetling. Your kindness blinds you. Truth is, I am ugly. Ugly enough that none would willingly suffer the fate of being my wife. I have long wished for a child to call my own - one that I could share my wisdom with, and give my love to. If indeed, your friend Carine does not want her babe, then I shall gladly adopt it for myself, and consider that a fair price for spinning this straw into gold."

  "Truly? Why, that is better than I could have imagined! You are so good and kind, I know you would make a wonderful father. But... " Millicent trailed off, and glanced down at her hands.

  "But what, dearest?"

   Millicent furrowed her brow, as she considered his words. It never occurred to her that he would be seeking a wife. Considering his magical abilities, if she were to marry him, he could probably easily spirit her away from the horrible king. However... what of her fey lover? Was she truly ready to give up searching for him? Did she even have a choice? After all, if she were married to the king, there was no way he would let her roam the countryside, seeking out some mysterious being. If anything, he would probably lock her up in a tower. Perhaps even that fate would be optimistic. Moreover, if she were married to another man, would her fae lover even want her back?

  Thinking of giving up her search for her fey lover made her feel sick. It wasn't in her nature to give up on anyone or anything - especially not the man she loved. Yet, as horrible as that prospect was, the idea of being forced to marry the King made her feel sicker. And there was no denying that the cruel chains of fate were wrapping themselves around her, sapping away all hope of joy and goodness. She knew she was at a crossroads, and a choice would have to be made. Whether or not she was ready, she had to decide.

  "You said..." she started hesitantly, "You said that none would willingly be your wife. What if... I... were to be your wife? You could take me away from here, could you not? Away from the King?"

  "Oh darling one," Rumplestiltskin replied sadly, "I am not deserving of you. I could not take advantage of your plight."

   "No, no... you wouldn't be taking advantage. Well.... I mean, it is a dreadful plight but... Well, you have been so good to me. And if you were to help Carine, by spinning her some gold.... and getting me away from here.... that is to say, I think you are a good man. I know I told you that I am in love with another, but as you said.... I....I... have to give up on him. I may not love you as I love him, but I would do my best to make you happy. Truly."

   Rumplestiltskin's heart was racing as Millicent spoke. It took all his effort to maintain a semblance of calm consideration. He hated that Millicent felt trapped enough to be willing to marry him, yet he could not deny that he was in the best position to help her, and free her from the King.

  "If that is the case, then dearest Millicent, will you marry me?" He stood up from the spinning wheel and knelt before her. Tears filled Millicent's eyes, though for once, he was at a loss to interpret what they meant. Were they tears of relief? Of distress?

  "Yes," Millicent whispered, through misty eyes. "I will." Rumplestiltskin had no ring to give her, other than the one she initially gave him to spin straw into gold. Nonetheless, it was better than nothing, and with an effortful push of magic, he was able to change it's form so that it had a different pattern. He took her hand, and placed it upon her finger, wincing at the sight of her delicate hands in his grotesque ones. Yet Millicent did not flinch. She only smiled weakly at him, and then gazed down at the ring. He stood up and went back to the spinning wheel. As Rumplestiltskin resumed his spinning, his mind ran in circles, trying to think of something to say to Millicent. However, he soon realized that she had worn herself out, and was sleeping on her cot. Smiling to himself at the sight of her serene face, he turned the rest of the straw into illusory gold, and stood up with a wobble. He desperately longed to sleep. Not only was his vision blurring, but his head was throbbing with a dull ache. Yet he still had work to do this night. He had to get some gold for Millicent's friend, Carine, and he knew exactly where he would find some.
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