Loving the Demon

Enchanting

We arrive in the Enchanted Forrest a few days later. I instantly want to go out and explore but Hook had other ideas.

"I need you to stay here Las." He says gathering his things.

"Why? Give me a good reason." I retort with crossed arms. He turns to face me with a look that reads 'Don't cross me'.

"Because I'm your father and I said so."

"That's not even a reason!" I raise my voice.

"Fine how about I want to keep you safe and this is the best option." He glares at me and I glare back.

"Fine. I'll stay on the boat." I give in. Until you leave.

"Thank you." He smiles weakly at me and walks over to me. He wraps his arms around me, in a kind of awkward hug. He never hugs me...

"I love you Las." He speaks softly.

"Love you too dad." I whisper in his shoulder. He pulls back quickly and pick up his bag.

With one final glance, he walks off ship, some of the crew tailing behind him. The crew that are left behind are either getting drunk or trying to sleep. I take this as my opportunity to go and change into what is appropriate for the Enchanted Forest. Apparently, it isn't normal for a woman to be in pants.

I change into something I find in my dad's cabin. It's a beautiful forest green dress that I'm able to tie up over my white shirt. I grab the black, hooded cape off the bed and with a final look in the mirror, go upstairs.

Getting off the boat was easy, no one cared. I walked down a trail until I appeared in a village. I grab the wanted paper out of my satchel and walk over to a woman, sitting outside the pub. She is an older women with tired eyes and ragged clothes. I'm guessing she is poor by the way she is asking for money from the people walking past her.

"Pardon me ma'am, do you know where I can find this boy?" I show her the parchment in her old eyes go wide.

"The piper? What use is he to you?" She questions.

"He has information I acquire, do you know where he is?" I ask again. The elderly women the paper and reads over it. I'm not sure was she is looking for. It says how much he is worth, dead or alive, and "The Piper".

"I, myself, know not where he is but I know someone that does." The elderly women motions for me to come closer so she could whisper to me.
"The man you're looking for goes by the name of Rumplestiltskin." She whispers then leans back to the wooden wall.

"Where can I find him?" I ask quietly

"Go into the forest and call out his name... he will appear to you." I nod at her words and move to get up but she stops me by grabbing my arm. "Beware child, he is a dark and powerful man." Her eyes are alert with sincere warning.

"Thank you ma'am for your help." I smile and stand to leave. The elderly woman smiles up to me and then looks off to a trail that leads to the forest. I follow her gaze and start moving in that direction.

I start walking down the dirt trail, walking without direction. Soon the trail disappears and I'm walking on the grass. I turn to look for the village but I don't see it. I don't really see anything but trees at this point. I walk a little further to a small clearing by a river.

I sit down on a rock by the water and collect my thoughts. He is the only one who can help me find out who the "piper" truly is, but he is dangerous. Ugh! I go back and forth like this for a few minuets before I stand abruptly from the rock and pace over to the middle of the clearing. I need to do this...

"Rumplestiltskin." I state. I look around but I see nothing. I state his name again sternly but still nothing. In my irritation, I scream his name into the darkness.

"Rumplestiltskin!" I look around but see nothing. I sigh and gather my satchel from the rock and start back towards the way I came. All the sudden wind brushes over me and my irritation is quickly replaced by fear when a voice speaks behind me.

"Hello dearie..."