The sides of his lips twitched upwards in a slight smile.ย โRest assured, Your Highness. I am interested in what you are offering.โ He stated in a gravelly tone before clearing his throat. Unbidden, the image of him placing a hand over hers came to his mind. Rumple had not the foggiest idea in hell why that came to him. But he shook it off.
โI am willing that you might see Mjolnir before we begin. And the moment I have acquired this skill to a level we are mutually pleased with, you may have it.โ Rumplestiltskin turned slightly away from her, summoning the magical trinket into his hands.
Rumplestiltskin felt the weight of it not entirely unpleasantly. It was a heavy trinket, but one with great power. Rumplestiltskin had attempted once to use it to find his son, it hadnโt worked out. At the end of the attempt, it became all too clear that the only way he would see his son again was through the Dark Curse.
And so Rumplestiltskin had allowed Regina to cast it.
It had wounded him severely to find that Belle was no longer living. Heโd found out right before the curse took over, calling upon every magic he knew that could find her. It hadnโt.
Rumplestiltskin hadnโt let himself grieve up until then; it had to have been a trick from the queen. And yet, it appeared to be true. Belle was dead. And it was all his fault. Heโd choked back a sob, just thinking about it.
This was neither the time nor the place for his grief, however.
โDo we have a deal, Your Highness?โ He asked, breaking himself from his thoughts to ask the question on both their minds.
The amount of time that had stretched between their knowledge of the other, had become irrelevant to Sigyn. Moments before, she couldโve counted down to the second of how long they knew each other but now, she felt as though no time was more relevant than watching what she assumed was pain fleet across the manโs eyes. It took everything within her to halt her impulse to comfort him; to stop herself from reaching out and placing her fingers on his face and aiming his eyes back at her. She was painfully curious about him; what had caused that pain? was it something or someone? It seemed, beyond either of their control, something connected them and she could feel it. She could also feel that whatever was playing with them, destiny or fate, it was having a fun time.ย
His question tore her from her own thoughts, drawing her to finally let her eyes fall to the Hammer in their presence. A feeling of both relief and shock crossed her. Was it really the hammer sheโd seen her King wield so many times? Her hand reached out and grazed the star-hearted metal. The energy it exuded was incredible. Yes, this was Mjolnir. Her shock followed after her relief; the price he labeled on it was definitely a challenge. But she was confident. Any price was worth it. Though, part of her wondered if heโd been an awful dealer, would she feel so...at ease, and excited to be obligated to stay for a while? The deal, while time-wise, was frightening and she had a face, was causing an internal smile.
Surely, she sounded a fool; her realm was in grave danger. But fate usually always waited until opportune moments struck. But that was how she felt. What could she do?ย
โW-w-we have a deal, Man of Magic,โ She said, kicking herself for the tripping and stumbling over her words. It took a fight to stop an excited smile from pulling at her lips, but try as she did, a soft smile still found its way.ย โWe, indeed, have a deal. As promised, I will teach you.โ Pausing for a brief moment, she gently detached the page from her book and set it onto his countertop.ย โYou may take this home with you and study it as much as you need to. When and where is appropriate to begin your training, Man of Magic?"