The EnchantedForest , 60 years ago — Nottingham
Heart, Heart pounding, blood rushing to the head, Lungs caught in the throat, It had been a trap. Rumplestiltskin turned, Men, men everywhere. The Man in front of him Stood before him with such a dark and heavy smirk. Bows drawn, The peasant was just speechless for once. There had to be at least 60 men present. However pushing the fear aside after a moment Rumplestiltskin adjusted his stance
“I was under the impression we were making a deal Sheriff. You CALLED Me. As I recall…. May I ask what this … is really about?” Keith Trawlawney, Sheriff of Nottingham, Advanced forward on his horse before Stepping off and dropping to the forest floor. A guard caught the reins of Trawlawney’s horse as he stepped towards the imp. Shaggy brown locks fell adjust from his Chocolate hues as he stopped short just a few feet from the man, before bowing in slight mockery but showed a smudge of respect, “Greetings Dark One. I have heard nothing but your myth and legend. I had summoned you because I am Keith Trawlawney. New Sheriff of Nottingham and I have a reputation I would like to build”
Rumplestiltskin Stared all but cautiously at the scene. Where was the man going with this? Judging by the crowd this was either going to become blackmail or something more. However Rumple put on a sinister sneer. Sixty men? Nothing.
“And how can I help you build your reputation Dearie?”
He laughed as the sheriff adjusted his cloak around his leather armor and raised a brown leather gloved hand, two fingers.
Immediately the guards leapt for Rumplestiltskin. Seizing hold of his arms and pulling his arms back behind him.
As he was viciously grabbed he couldn’t resist laughing
“You really think you can capture me dearie?”
He laughed and with that vanished in the men’s arms. “Up here”
All the men turned as Rumplestiltskin was now on a branch , twelve feet up, gloating down at them. Immediately a guard withdrew his bow and shot at Rumple who simply caught the arrow with his hand. Making it poof into a small cloud of black smoke the Imp Laughed devilishly. This was far to fun now. “Catch me if you can!” He laughed and vanished again “WHERE’D HE GO?”
The sheriff Bellowed, “FIND HIM” The men started to disperse when a voice made the sheriff freeze “Behind you Dearie” the sheriff spun around, as Rumple was now directly behind him. The sheriff smiled and Rumple didn't notice till it was too late as a net dropped atop him. The guards laughed fiendishly “Enchanted net by Merlin himself” Keith explained to Rumple “Tie him fast” he stated to the men as they forced Rumple’s netted form up and pinned his arms behind him again. Pulling his wrists out through a net hole, the men were careful as they wrapped squid ink dipped ropes around his wrists in harsh, figure eight fashion. Weaving the ropes around his skin and tightening the knots on the bare skin of his wrists immediately Engulfing his form in the blue-ish purple glow caused by the entrapping Ink. Lifting the net now, two guards seized his arms and held onto him as Rumplestiltskin now unable to move glared at the sheriff
“WHAT do YOU want from me?!”
He yelled as Trawlawney stepped a foot closer till he was face to face with the Imp.
“No hard Feelings Dark one, this isn't personal… its just business and good form” with that he plunged his hand into the Imp’s chest and pulled out Rumplestiltskin’s Black beating heart. It was dripping black, like it was expunged with black oil.
Rumple gasped in severe pain at his heart being ripped out. He didn't know that could be done to himself. He stared bewildered “You going to try to control me with my heart?” He asked as the sheriff raised it up in the air so the sun could reflect through it. “Amazing…. How evil you are. Such depravity, such a beautiful monster”
He looked at Rumple again, lowering the heart and gently petting Rumple’s face. “I’d keep you as my pet, I would, but My agenda doesn't need a problematic creature at my whim. So….”
With that he crushed Rumple’s heart in his hand and Rumplestiltskin’s form immediately went limp in the men’s arms. The men dropped his unconscious body into the dirt and laughed as the sheriff smirked down at him.
“As I said . Its nothing personal. I just have a reputation to build…. I’d take your head, but no one wants to see your hideous features at dinner, so if you don’t mind…” He kicked Rumplestiltskin’s petite form over onto his back and stooped to a kneel beside him. Unlatching his cloak clasp, and pulling Rumple’s cloak out from underneath the Imp. Careful to make sure the peasant’s hands remained Tied behind him, if in fact, worse case scenario, The dark one might have survived this incident. Doubtful. NO ONE can live without a heart. Surely not, but one can never be too careful. “If you don’t mind “ he repeated, finishing his sentence now “I’m taking your cloak as evidence I killed you, Since I rather not parade your body around” He lightly tapped Rumple’s cheek before closing his eyelids. Standing up, he once again kicked Rumplestiltskin’s form over onto his stomach before nodding at his guards and turning back to his horse “Tie his legs in case I underestimated his power and Dump him somewhere no one find him”
A guard stared at Trawlawney “But sir he’s dead. It’s a waste of rope. You crushed his heart. He’s not coming back”
Trawlawny slung Rumple’s cloak over his horse’s saddle before turning to the guard and without warning he stormed towards the guard and reached into the man’s chest, Plucking his heart out “Did I say I wanted a second opinion if he’s dead or not?”
The guard was gasping for breath. That was shockingly painful. He stared at his beating heart in his boss’s hand, utterly speechless. He didn't want to die “No sir” He stated with frightened eyes. “Then Tie him up properly and dump his ass in a ditch, and pray he stays dead.”
The sheriff seethed through grit teeth as he plunged the man’s heart back into his chest. He turned and walked back to his horse as the guard was still catching his breath, feeling all his nerves reconnect as the sheriff got on his horse “MOVE OUT” he waved his hand and the men left the scene, all but three, who stayed behind to finish restraining Rumple into a tight hogtie with the rest of the squid ink dipped ropes.
Careful to keep their leather gloves on so to not be effected themselves. Tying Rumple’s knees together and ankles before securing his hands to his feet in a very tight and secure Hogtie, before picking up his crumpled form and dragging him over to a ravine hill drop. “Rest in peace you piece of shit” The guards then heaved him down the forest ravine. They watched his body roll and tumble down the hill before it hit a stop against a tree. Covered in leaves his body would be hardly recognizable as the guards walked away.
“No one but flies will ever find him””Hahahaha” The men left the scene and the dark one lie an unmoving dead state, as a heart the shape of a pea, began to form in the crevice of his chest. He’ll be awake in eight days.
