Duckling to Swan: Prologue

Once Upon a Time: AU

Duckling to Swan: Prologue  

This realization didn't come because the child was the heir to the House of White. Or that she would one day be in control of his Dagger when she became Queen. It wasn't even the fact that she was born with a natural talent for magic.

Oh no.

It was the bright glimmer that shone from her brand new eyes- when they had first met his strange amber golden ones as he entered the birthing room- that caught his attention. Those eyes that matched her mother's light green, and yet held a fire that put the dragons of the south to shame. Those orbs that were shockingly aware and alert despite their tender age.

Yes- the Dark One noted with amused interest, as he beheld the babe for the first time- this little princess with hair of the finest gold, eyes as green as the infinite forest, and a life born from True Love was something to be reckoned with.

Rumpelstiltskin had been bound to the House of White by Snow's father, and had been serving the family faithfully since then. Though it was officially against his will, the Dark One had come to concede that the Masters of his Dagger could have been a lot worse.

As her father before her- Snow and her Prince Charming had treated him fairly, and had given him very few commands he wasn't willing to do. This was a great relief to the imp, seeing as he had vowed to never cow to anyone ever again, and to date he hadn't had to. Rumpelstiltskin was given respect and often treated to his solitude and own devices. Which was very much to his liking, though Snow and Charming did amuse him from time to time.

So it was now, having been summoned, that Rumpelstiltskin- the feared and accursed Dark One- came to see the baby that would someday take over his dagger. And to his surprise, upon coming to stand fully in the room and after formal greetings, Snow White had asked if he wanted to hold the child.

The imp would have refused if he had thought he could have gotten away with it. But upon seeing Snow White's warm and tired smile, and the proud countenance that Charming was emitting, he held out his arms in silent acquiescence to take the bundle of blankets and little limbs.

The baby was fairly small- no more than 6 pounds, by the imp's guess- and it had been quite a while since Rumpelstiltskin had held such a delicate thing. But after a moment it all came back to him; and with expert hands he held the child close to his heart and began to hum a tuneless song. The princess gave him a toothless smile, before she reached her small hand up to gain purchase on his nose. The Dark One indulged her, with a smile of his own in place, and couldn't stop himself before he had placed a kiss to her petite little fingers. He had always loved babies, and this wee one was no exception.

From their place on the bed, Charming and Snow both shared a smile. Though the Dark One put on an air of insanity and whimsical giddiness for most that approached him, both Monarchs had been lucky enough to have seen his tender side, and were pleased to see it resurface now as he held their child.

Rumpelstiltskin was silent for several long moments, gently jouncing the child as she grew fussy, before he broke the silence. Both parents noticed that his strange eyes never left their baby's face, as he patted a soft rhythm on her back to calm her.

"Quite the pretty little thing, isn't she? Though she'll have a lot to live up to with you as her mother."

The Fairest of them All rolled her eyes. "There's no competition, Rumpelstiltskin. She's more beautiful than I have ever been."

The imp gave a noncommittal noise that said he was neutral with his opinion, before he sobered and once more grew silent.

Then after a brief period of calm he asked, "What's her name?"

The inquiry was so quiet that they almost missed it, but Snow moved to answer him with motherly pride.

"Emma," Snow answered lovingly as she took Charming's hand in her own and squeezed it happily. "Her name is Emma."

Rumpelstiltskin's head cocked to the side as the name rang out through his mind. It was familiar . . . That name . . . But why? What significance did it hold in the long run?

"Does the wee mite have another name?" The question garnered him confused looks, but he was used to it after nearly 300 years of scaly skin and animalistic eyes.

"Swan," Charming offered after a moment of silence, which brought forth a giggle from the imp as the name triggered flashes of the child's future. And what a future it was!

"What do you see," Snow asked, which made the Dark One's gaze finally lift from the baby's face. Snow really was a smart one at times, and the imp would have been lying if he hadn't admitted he enjoyed having someone around who could keep up.

"She's got a remarkable destiny about her," he sang, with his usual flair coming to shape his tone. "Magic, the Slaying of Fantastical Beasts, Marriage, and don't forget Twu Wove! She will most certainly live up to your legacy, dearies!"

Snow laughed happily at the news and Charming cuddled his wife; beside themselves with joy at the promise of a meaningful future with their daughter. And they were so caught up in the moment, that neither realized that the Dark One had held back information.

Rumpelstiltskin ignored the two lovers and once more looked down at the princess in his arms. Once more he took in the brilliant beauty and the destiny before her, and shook his head in awe.

Emma Swan: It was a fitting name, all things considered. A strong name, for a strong spirit. Oh yes, the little bird would be a handful, that much was certain. And secretly, Rumpelstiltskin was glad of it. Not that he would ever say so aloud.

"Emma," he repeated in a hushed tone, as a mysterious smile formed unbidden to his thin lips. "What a beautiful name. . ."