This is so beautiful, your fanfiction weave the heart strings of your audience into a giant tapestry. I can't get enough of the emotions your fanfiction creates! :)

I have no words for this fanfction, it makes rumplestiltskin feel so realistic and fleshed out as a character. I can't put this story down not for a second.

I hate Estrilda with a burning fashion.

Thank you for this story. I really love it. Cried and laughed along with the characters. Such an inspiration for me. :)

Well, that was a nice fluffy homecoming to Bae. And his in-laws want him to stay. It's probably kinder to Bae to lose his mother as a babe than when he was older and had memories of her, like on the show. But I fear for the future...

How could you rip Rumpel away from Bae just as soon as he was born? *cries* I can't really see the soldiers drafting a cripple, though. YOU SIMPLY WANTED TO BE MEAN AND MAKE RUMPEL SUFFER. THIS WAS A VERY SAD AND TERRIBLE CHAPTER AND I NEED FLUFF NOW. *GLARES*

Now I've got 'Bring Us In Good Ale' stuck in my head. I'll have to go dig out which of my Steeleye Span albums had it on it... :)

Well then. Loved the story. I'll admit, I never get claustrophobic, but either just him being in his prison for 4 years or being on 'display' made me get cabin fever myself. yikes.

Quite the sad tale, I'll admit. Cried more than anything else. Very powerful words. I'm pretty speechless to say the least. this story made me... content.

I doubt Rumple would go this path based on where he's at now but its interesting to see such a unique path for him.

keep up the writing. its amazing.

A friend recommended this story and I am stunned. It was a beautiful story! I loved everything about it! Well done!

Oh I'm a sucker for a good redemption story and this certainly was a doozy! I liked so much about this that I hardly know where to start!

I guess I'll start by saying that I liked your interpretation of Lucifer. When you paint him as the Deceiver, you make him just that... one who deceives. I've recently become annoyed with those "sell one's soul to the devil" plots for their depictions of the bad guy. The devil can't directly lie, just change the subject or say the truth in a way that leads to false implications. And when he promises something, he's bound to that promise. And I think... what kind of ultimate evil is that, if he can be easily tricked if a person is clever enough. I sometimes sit in the orchestra for stage musicals. We just recently finished a production of that Yankees play. I found myself almost feeling sorry for the devil. Not that I thought he should win, or anything... just that he must have to work awful hard, considering he's not clever enough to write an iron-clad agreement that can't be escaped on a technicality, forced to keep his side of the bargain, and (even if he DOES follow his own rules and 'win' the soul) he is so powerless that a guy just has go "yeah, but I miss my wife and hell doesn't sound good" to make him run off empty handed.

What kind of Devil is bound by a moral code and can be easily defeated by an average guy who is good at contracts?! He might as well be a bumbling goon from a children's story.

But I rather like your depiction. The embodiment of corruption, a being with no honor, no qualms telling blatant lies and breaking promises. A powerhouse capable of doing real, substantial harm. And, most importantly, so strong that a mere human cannot break his hold with their own power.

And I love love LOVE that he is bound by the Master. Not moral bonds like a conscience, but physical ones that give limits to his ability. Truly, I picture a rabid dog on a short chain.

Speaking of the Master... fantastic job, there. The idea that there is something beyond the magic of the Dark One and the Blue Fairy (I'd always figured her to be Rumple's equal, not the counterpart of some other being, though I liked this theory too) is fabulous. The comment that the Deceivers ability to read minds is very powerful magic by our standards but He gives it to His 'guardians' so freely that it's almost like some trivial 'bonus-gift' pretty much explains it. The Deceiver might be powerful, but he's less than a party-magician in the shadow of the One who created all magic in the first place.

If you haven't noticed, I really think your mirroring of bonds and freedom is very impressive and spot on. The Master imposes rules and boundaries upon Lucifer, yet He Himself is in no way inhibited by such laws, as the one who created them.

And yet... all it takes for Him to unleash all that boundless power is the muttered "please" from the lowliest of people in the weakest point of their existence. I liked her wordage there. Regina was forced to respond to the word "please" because Rumple made her. Nobody COULD make the Master do ANYTHING, yet he responded to the same word willingly through True Love.

"Just ask and we'll raid Hell for you". Beautiful description of the lengths the Master would go to to rescue one soul.

That battle was definitely Narnia-worthy, for sure ;) I could totally picture it.

The fact that Rumple and Regina went to prison in order to find freedom was wonderful. And that, though they both relished the power they had over others, they discovered that there was more power in submission to Another.

I'd originally been confused when even Beretrude gave a guilty verdict, since she saw the WHOLE picture. But later it made sense that THAT'S why she voted that way.

I was not a big fan of Charming. He seemed entirely too smug considering his attitude when Gold said he'd defend Regina even though she'd hurt him and his surprise when Gold announced he planned to turn himself in. All his prancing around on his high-horse made him a hard character to like. Not to mention his total lack of compassion when presented with Regina's history. Compassion is probably the wrong word... but you know how there's a difference between understanding someone's actions and sympathizing with them? The fact that he flat out refused to even UNDERSTAND when presented with the scientific facts of this world and the magical facts of their own... the fact that he heard from the Blue Fairy and the Deceiver himself - experts on the subject! - and said "Nuh-uh, that's stupid" is intentional blindness on his part.

And, on a little tangent: he was no saint either. He willingly cheated on his wife, Kathryn, and turned his back on Snow when she was framed for her murder. (The fact that Kathryn wasn't truly his wife is irrelevant; as far as he REMEMBERED, he'd vowed to be faithful to her) But he could easily say "That doesn't count cuz magic made me do it" and yet adamantly say "magic made me do it" is a ridiculous and unfounded excuse for Regina is the definition of hypocrisy. Sure, he'd say "Well, at least I wasn't as bad as HER"... but really, if the only way you can show yourself as blameless is to compare yourself to the worst person you know... you're not that great a person. It's like all those people who are like "yeah I lie and steal... but at least I'm not Hitler"

Anyway... definitely not a fan of Charming. I mean... even when he sought Gold's help, he was like "You're brilliant so I'll use you but I'm still better than you and you'll always be scum and you should never forget it". It says a lot about Gold's maturity that he didn't just say "screw you!" every time the arrogant guy stepped into the room. I know I probably would have!

Then again... this IS written from Rumple's POV. Maybe I'd sympathize with Charming more if this was HIS story.

I'm also not sure I 'understood' the Blue Fairy. I get that she was created with the False Morning Star, bound in the same way by the same Source, as a balance. But instead of being an agent of good... she seems kind of "gray". Like she does good things but isn't particularly happy about it. She's got zero compassion and seems annoyed with humanity in general. And it's only when the Master Himself steps in and gives a direct command does she begrudgingly give in to whatever He has planned. Rumple seems to understand what she's all about but I guess I thought if she was the direct balance of Lucifer, she'd be a little more loving... or at least a little more in tune with the Source.

I REALLY liked Adela though. I can tell you this: my father was not a kind man, not at all. But one day my mom sat me down and told me some of her own history and then said "I may not have married the man God wanted me to marry, but He still gave me the kids He wanted me to have". And I tell you what... that is absolutely the BEST thing you can say to an angsty teenager who is flat sick of hearing people shake their heads and say "well, he's awful... but if it wasn't for him, you wouldn't be here" as if that's supposed to help.

And I thought their wedding was perfect. His solution to the fact that no church would marry them... excellent. What a statement! Where Man has failed, He will step in. I really do wish we'd gotten to see the Blue Fairy's reaction to THAT!

Well, I guess this ends the longest review I've ever written. I've read many many fictional stories and NEVER, EVER would I consider it to he a happy, optimistic ending when the main character dies... but this has surely proved me wrong. I think it's the only exception I've ever run across. This was amazing. Outstanding. I wish I could "double favorite" it somehow. Everyone should read this story.

Bravo. Well done.

Wow. Just... wow. That was the kind of story that I absolutely love to read. The story unfolded in its own time and was so wonderfully written that I eagerly continued reading long into the night.
Well done!

I just recently discovered this. I like it! It's much darker than OUAT, which I think is good. On to chapter 17!

I haven't been moved to tears by a fanfiction/novel/written work in a long time. I kept trying to retrain tears (because I stupidly decided to read the epilogue during school hours).
This whole journey was phenomenal. I really don't know how else to say how I feel towards this fanfiction. You really just did a phenomenal job.
Thank you.

Dear darcyfarrow,
I begin this way because I don't really know how to begin. I don't know how to set down in words everything I have felt while reading this story without establishing some sort of telepathic link between us.
As for finding the ending sad, not at all. It was exactly what this story needed. It was beautiful and not sad at all. Because when there's hope and faith death is not the end, but only a short separation from loved ones. I don't know your personal faith, and I don't know if this story reflects it, even though I think it must. Because it feels real, this faith. Like Narnia, when you read it, you can feel that it is a pale reflection of the truth to some extent. This story has really helped me in many ways. I mentioned a few lines that I loved particularly, like the wedding vows and the "lay your burdens at My feet". And I needed that reminder right now. So, I thank you.
I have enumerated in my previous reviews what I have enjoyed from this story and I've talked about your writing and how I love it. I won't repeat it all again. I will say, however, that I do not "favorite" a story lightly, it is a true mark of love for it that I would list it so. It's not just a story I loved, but one that I would read again and again.
I have two verses that I would like to set down for Rumpel and Belle. I thought that you might use them as wedding vows, but I like the ones you chose better actually. But still, they fit: "Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised." Song of Songs 8:6-7
One last time, thank you. Thank you so much.
esin of sardis

I love that reunion. As always, you wrote it perfectly. Thank you.
I love Belle's cooking. It's just one constant in this story. Belle, experimenting with some new food. Love it.
I love that she's named Adela. It did seem that you were going to name her Jason for a sec... :/
"She is most content when the Dragons come in the afternoons and she holds court, babbling at them from her father's lap as he tells his stories, until the vibrations of his voice in his chest lull her to sleep." That. Is. Adorable. :)
Love it.
esin