Poor Unfortunate Souls (4/6)
Poor Unfortunate Souls
Note: I do not own “Once Upon A Time” and I do not make a profit from writing this story. I’m just amusing myself.
Authors Note: Please read the warnings carefully and the timeline I’m following goes as follows. Jiminy was nearly 30 when he became “The Cricket”. His parents had been working for Rumpelstiltskin all his life. This takes place about 5 years after Pinocchio became a real boy, given Geppetto’s age which is about 55; this makes Jiminy about 85 at this point.
Setting: Enchanted Forest
Rating: PG13
Warnings: language, violence, sensuality, adult concepts and interaction
Genre: Angst/Drama/Bittersweet Romance
Word Count: 2,774
Cast: (in order of appearance/mention) Rumpelstiltskin, Red Riding Hood, Sea Witch, Blind Witch, Wolves, Prince James, Grumpy
Summary: Jiminy Cricket felt the term "poor unfortunate soul" was a name created for him, all he wanted to do was love, but fate had other plans.
PART FOUR
When Red awoke, she was nose to nose with Rumpelstiltskin. She immediately tried to plunge her dagger into his side but he vanished. From the giggles, he was standing right behind her, the dagger flung but from the sounds that followed, he vanished once more and her dagger plunged into a nearby jar.
He seemed too amused for her taste, “Now now dearie, that’s not very hospitable of you,” he teased.
“What do you want?” she groaned, then immediately sat up, as she realized she was alone. She couldn’t sense Jiminy within her home or even outside. Then she realized she was now baring her body to Rumpelstiltskin and immediately seized the covers and held them to her collar.
“Well I was enjoying the show,” he said with a wink, making her flush, “but I’ve come to see how you were. Seems Jiminy got what he wanted from you and left. Didn’t think he’d do that,” his voice was full of admiration and amusement.
She felt her stomach roll, “He would not leave me,” she insisted, wrapping her blanket around her, she scurried out of bed.
“Don’t be too sure dear, you did break his heart after all,” Rumpelstiltskin said, his gold eyes shining at her.
She winced at his words, “I know but he still would not leave with any note or warning.”
“No? He’s a bit distraught dear, I can only hope he went off to die alone,” the Imp said idly, studying his fingernails.
She immediately charged him, her hand capturing his throat before he could vanish out of reach. “What did you do?”
“Me?” he asked, holding up his hands, “I’ve done nothing…besides grant him his wish. But he’s always been such a sentimental fool; your refusal could have broken him.”
She wanted to fight against his accusation but she could not. She had such issues with trust and relationships that she never thought twice of how cold and cruel she sounded. And she never realized how empty she would feel without him around. She didn’t know how to feel, except lost. She released her grip on Rumpelstiltskin and sank to the floor, feeling overwhelmed. She never spoke to anyone about her own thoughts and feelings, and now she couldn’t stop the breakdown that consumed her.
Rumpelstiltskin squatted beside her, his hand gently stroking her hair. “Adelina, my poor girl,” he said, “How long have I known you?”
“Too long.”
He shot her a look, “Don’t be mean,” he said with a sniff, “I have known you all your life, but you’ve become so cold. Not even witnessing what true love can do could make you think twice about commitment. When did you stop believing in love?” his hand continued to stroke her hair, trying to ease her.
“Why do you care?” she asked.
He heaved a sigh, sitting down, back against the wall. He pulled her over, moving her so that she could rest her cheek on his thighs. “Because if I could have any woman in the land, it would be you, my dear, I’ve always made that very clear.”
She couldn’t figure out why she was even lying there, listening to him but she couldn’t bring herself to move just yet. She had held in her emotions for far too long. “There is a difference between lust and love.”
“I know that, child, and I know the difference. What I feel is love, sure, lust is there but it is not the driving force. I want to see you smile again; I want you to be happy. Is that so hard to believe?”
“For you? Yes.”
He sighed again, he wove his hand into her hair, lifting her head to meet her eyes, “Adelina, I’m trying to be helpful. You do not want to try my patience or make me your enemy.”
“I’m sorry, Rumpelstiltskin.” She swallowed hard, “I just feel so lost. These last few days have not been so easy on me. I did not realize that I could have a true love and what it would feel like to lose that so quickly. I did not think that having a male in my life would affect me so much. Now I understand why Snow did what she did. But I don’t like it,”
He released his strong grip of her hair and cradled her face, “I don’t like it either. Especially because it’s that damn Cricket.”
“Why do you hate him so?” she asked, she was surprised at how serious and humbled he had become. She was not used to having such a strong impact on the lives of others. She mostly kept to herself, so she couldn’t be hurt again.
“It’s not so much hate as it is jealousy, because though you’re afraid to admit it to yourself, you do love him. Love does not make you weak; it’s just as powerful as rage and magic. He’s a good man, I’ve known him since he was a boy, as much as it pains me to admit, he reminds me of someone I lost long ago…” then he stood abruptly, causing her to bang her head on the floor and in retaliation she sank and dagger through his foot. “You bitch.” She frowned at the fact he had no malice in his voice, just boredom.
“Had enough talking?” she asked dryly, climbing to her feet, he reached out for her and she arched her brows. “What are yo-“ He grabbed the blanket and ripped it away, she shrieked but then looked down to see that she was dressed. “Oh.”
He shrugged, “I’ve come back to my senses.”
“What senses? You do realize you’re mad,” she informed him with a small smile, which he returned.
“That is true but unfortunately if I do not help you, the outcome of the future shifts,” he said begrudgingly, “So come dear, we’re off to find the Cricket.”
Red immediately spied his footprints and followed each one as they headed into the woods, then up to the path. That’s where her heart stopped as his footsteps stopped; she walked up and down the path to see that they did not continue anywhere else.
“There’s another set of footprints here,” Rumpelstiltskin said, pointing right off the path, “Delicate and light. Female.”
She crossed to him, sure enough he was right, “Do you think a woman would be strong enough to abduct a man his stature alone?” she asked.
Rumpelstiltskin bobbed his head back, “Depending on whom, dear. There are plenty of women that cross these woods who have that strength. Besides you, the Blind Witch has ventured out here, then we have those prattling fairies and even the evil Queen has been seen in these parts.”
“I am aware, that Blind Bitch tried to take a bite out of me,” Red growled at the memory.
The Imp laughed, “That’s because though you were not a child, you were still pure. She likes that. Don’t worry she won’t bother you anymore,” he said with a wink, causing her to blush.
“You’re horrible,” she insisted, which caused more laughter to fall from his lips.
“No, no, dear, I’m just honest. But the trail does end, it could be anywhere in the woods, I’m good but I’m not that good,” he said.
She heaved a sigh and fought the urge to smack him, “You can’t sense if there’s magic?”
He shook his head, “Sorry love, the trail would be too far gone at this point. Guess little Cricket won’t be found today,” he informed her.
She growled and he arched his brow at the animalistic nature of the sound, “He WILL be found,” she snarled. He watched, mesmerized as she threw her head back and howled. Despite everything he was, the sound made him shiver.
“What are you doing dear?” he asked, as soon rustling filled the woods around them.
She smiled at him, her eyes flashing between human and wolf, “Getting help.” He groaned at he saw her teeth slide into fangs.
“Look at you,” he breathed, “A gift from the wolf I take it,” she nodded as they began to gather around her.
“Yes, I don’t like to use it but I’m desperate. Since you are little help, I know they will,” she informed him, she saw in slow motion as he threw himself at her, pinning her to a large tree.
His breath caressed her neck, “That’s because right now all I can focus on is trying not to bend you over…”
She gripped his throat, hard, “Keep yourself in control, as I said, your feelings for me are based in lust. Something you will never sate,”
“Don’t be too sure, dear. I said I would help you, as I am, but I do have a price. You know better than anyone…” his lips went to hers before she could protest. When he finally tore his lips from hers, she was gasping for air. “We will do that again…soon…I want to see what your dear Cricket does when he sees us in an embrace.”
She blinked at him, “Why? Are you testing him?” He grinned.
“Yes. I want to see how he reacts; it will tell me if he deserves you.” He cupped her face, “Now let’s go find the poor bastard.”
She looked at him as he pulled away, “You are a very strange and complicated man.”
He looked at her with a sad look, “I am, dear. I want you happy, he will make you happy, but he needs to understand my affections for you. That one moment, any moment I can have of you I will take,” his whisper made her shiver, but finding her strength she shoved him away and turned her attention to the animals that gathered.
She bent down to the large black wolf that she had been feeding; it was looking up at her wearily. “Please, the man…the one who was once The Cricket, I was with the night before, catch his scent and lead me to him,” she begged, she watched as it looked to the other wolves that had gathered. They all began to snuffle the ground and one further into the woods let out a noise, and then the pack followed it as it began to race away. She beamed at Rumpelstiltskin then raced off after them.
By the time they finally stopped, she understood why they stopped. It was a vast body of water, as Rumpelstiltskin curse, Red’s heart dropped. The wolves looked to her, and then took off, retreating back into the woods. When the Imp swore loudly, the woman looked at him.
“What?” she demanded, he just gestured to the lake.
“Sorry, lovely, we’re a bit in over our heads now,” he told her, gazing out across the water in seeming indifference.
She ground her teeth in frustration at his lack of interest, “Why?” she demanded.
“Look where we’re standing, a large body of water. The Sea Witch had to have taken him,” he said, she blinked at him.
“First of all, didn’t she reside in the sea on the other side of the kingdom? What does she have to do with any of this?” she demanded.
He just giggled, “She used to live there, she lost her battle for the sea and has come here in exile. She’s never short of victims,” His giggling stopped as she dropped her cloak; he swallowed hard as he watched the lovely crimson cape pool at her feet, “What are you doing?”
“I’m going in,” she stated simply, beginning to unlacing her gown, which seemed a project on its own.
“As much as I don’t want to ask you to stop, since I am enjoying this sight, you should,” he advised.
She didn’t look up or pause, “Why?”
“Dear, it’s truly simple-“
Suddenly there was immense crashing from nearby as Prince James made his way towards them, Grumpy right behind him.
“Why are you disrobing in front of Rumpelstiltskin?” he demanded as Red look confused.
She pointed to the lake, “I’m not undressing for him, I’m going in. The Sea Witch took something of mine and I want it back,” she said, her voice was low.
“Stop that!” James snapped as she continued to try to get out of her gown, “I order you?” he trailed off as she dropped one layer of her dress.
Rumpelstiltskin just whistled as Grumpy spoke up, “How many layers are you wearing lady?” the dwarf asked.
“Too many apparently,” she said, she looked back from them to the lake, then back again, “Then what am I going to do?”
Rumpelstiltskin shrugged, “Give up. There’s nothing more I can do.”
“For free, you mean, you always have a price,” she said, her face fell as he shook his head.
“Not this time, my dear. I cannot-“
“You could drain the lake, you could transform me-“
Rumpelstiltskin glared, “Into what? A mermaid? Trust me dear, you do not want that. Besides last time I tried to transform someone…things got beastly…” he said, examining his hands. “Even if I could change you into a mermaid, you’ll crave the sea forever. Have you not observed our former mermaid?”
“Who? No one in these parts.” Grumpy interjected.
“No, she is in a castle by the sea. She watches the sea for hours, body hungry for the waves. She dreams of it, she is consumed by the urge to sink into the deep. But she cannot, sometimes she cries, yearning for what she once was. It is not that she does not love her human life, but she was part of the sea,” he explained, he crossed to Red, gathering her face in his hands. “You do not have anything now or in years that would make me do this to you.”
The Prince was frowning at his actions, “Imp, who is she after?”
“The sea witch.”
“Not that, I figured that much.”
Rumpelstiltskin released Red and turned to the Prince, “My my, brains and beauty, aren’t you lucky.”
“Red, who do you seek? Who does she have?” James asked, as their gaze me, he knew that expression well. She was breaking, and he knew what it had to be. “Is it someone you love?”
“Yes,” she then charged into the water, taking a deep breath, she dove before any of them could stop her.
From the shore, Rumpelstiltskin sighed, “Foolish girl.”
“Who is he?” James asked, glaring at the creature before him.
“You won’t recognize his human form, but his annoying self-righteous would give it away. Excuse me, I have to go stop my dear Riding Hood from killing herself,” he said, wading into the water.
Grumpy and James exchanged looks as a few moments passed before Rumpelstiltskin resurfaced. He and Red were struggling and fighting. The amount of cursing that followed even left Grumpy impressed as they continued to fight as they hit the shore. James hurried over, looping his arm between them, prying Red off of Rumpelstiltskin. The Prince was glad to have quick reflexes as Red’s fist came directly at his face. James was dismayed at how strong she was, he could barely hold on.
“Red! Red! Stop this! It won’t help!” he said, finally able to pin her arms behind her back.
“But it will make me feel better!” she insisted, still struggling to break his grip.
The Dwarf chuckled from behind them, “Let her go, it was pretty fun to watch.”
“Grumpy, not now,” James said, once Red stopped struggling, he let her go.
She was glaring at Rumpelstiltskin who had taken out his flask and was taking a nice long drink, “You said you’d help me!”
“I know dear, I know. If he were dead, I’d know by now, it’s giving me time to think,” he said, throwing her his flask. Under normal circumstances she would not imbibe but the current events were not normal and she drained the rest of his flask. She threw it back at him, narrowly missing his head.
“You have 10 minutes before I go back in,” she warned, causing Rumpelstiltskin to roll his eyes.
He sighed, a heavy, defeated sound, “You’re impossible,” he told her.
She shrugged, shooting him haughty look, “No, just determined,” she informed him with a sniff.
“Very well, we’ll find a way, just don’t do that again,” he said, eyeing the lake.
She looked back at the water, “I’m not going to make any promises.”
“What did we just stumble into?” Grumpy asked James, who was staring at the lake and the pair, who were silently watching the lake.
“I don’t think I want to know,” was all he could say.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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