Rumpelstiltskin (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Halt!

We need to turn back.

We should not be here.

Whoever heard of a wood

cutter scared of the woods?

Did you not read the sigils?

Women are not permitted to read.

Surely you know that.

Unless they're... witches.

Or nuns, and I'm

neither one of those.

It will be nearly nightfall.

We should return to the village.

Back to prying eyes

and wagging tongues,

and disapproving fathers?

Even my own father would

not venture out here,

in the hours of darkness

without his axe,

and a means to make fire.

Well maybe I should have

invited him and his big,

heavy axe instead of you.

Do not jest, miller's daughter.

There are wolves out here.

And worse.

Much worse.

I've heard tales that

would make the skin crawl

from off your bones.

Well,

you better f*ck me quickly then.

Had you not... woodcutter's boy.

What was that?

Nothing.

No one.

There's something out there.

This is it, Jacob.

This is the last time you

get your soft hands on...

Stay behind me.

It's probably just some rats.

Or some birds or...

There's something in there.

For the Gods sake,

will someone stop

that infernal mewling?

You,

girl.

Go find out what's happening.

It's the queen, my lord.

She's birthing, you know

I know that, you dumb sow.

I want to know why she's being

so f*cking loud about it.

I-I shall relay your concerns.

Yes, you do that.

But first...

Well, what are you waiting for?

Bring me news of my son!

You promised me

something for the pain.

This holy water will

ease your spirit.

My spirit is fine.

It is my c**t that has

been rendered in two.

You, fetch me wine, and herbs.

No! Wait!

Don't leave. My baby!

Fetch me that knife, girl.

Is it?

You have birthed a healthy baby.

That is not what I asked.

The gods have seen fit to

gift you a beautiful baby girl.

Your highness.

Noooo!

Oh, bollocks!

The c*ck crowed four hours ago.

And what of it?

You're half a day behind

on your chores, that's what.

Aah!

And what have I told you

about the forest after dark?

Ugh!

I do not know what you mean.

Father, you worry too much.

And you give me

much to worry about.

The whole village knows

you're carrying on

with the woodcutter's boy.

Huh! And before him,

there was the blacksmith's son.

And then the blacksmith

for that matter.

Father, you shouldn't

believe the gossip.

And there was talk of the

blacksmith's daughter too.

You know I care not for

your youthful dalliances.

But when the whole bleeding

village knows of them,

what chance have I got

of marrying you off?

You're sullied goods.

I am not goods to

be bought or sold.

Wish you were.

You don't even qualify

as the town's wh*re

because you lack the

wit to charge for it.

Yeah. Well, maybe I

don't want to be sold off

to some half-wit goat herder

just so you only have

one mouth to feed.

Oh, should I be

awaiting your engagement

to some noble lord

any minute now?

We're down to our

last two sovereigns,

so it can't come soon enough.

I said I'm not gonna...

Can't you hear? We're busy!

Wha-...

What a welcome surprise

to see you, Sir Lothar.

Is it the first of

the month already?

Spare me your horseshit, miller.

I come with grave news.

You normally bring

such joyful tidings.

Or increase to his tariffs.

Hold your tongue,

lest I cut it out.

Add it to the king's coffers.

Of course, Sir Lothar.

The queen, beloved wife

of our beloved king is dead.

Oh.

Two week period of

mourning has been decreed.

That means no drinking,

no feasting, no...

Whatever it as you

people like to get up to.

Such tragic news indeed.

Indeed.

I, however remain charged with

collecting your contribution

to the royal wedding.

Wedding?

The king will remarry

once the mourning

period is over.

What's this now, the fifth

sixth such celebration?

The late Queen Aritrea was

his majesty's fourth wife.

Alas, poor man,

his life has been beset

by tragedy after tragedy.

For he is an unlucky b*stard.

Oh.

I could offer a bag

of my best flour.

And with it you

could make the finest

wedding cake the kingdom...

Whoa!

I'm not interested

in your filthy,

louse-infested flour, miller.

The tax is one sovereign,

one per subject.

Sovereign?

May as well slit my throat.

One gold sovereign it is.

Oh.

It's just you, is it, miller?

You wouldn't be living

here with your daughter

by chance.

No, my daughter's long gone.

Married a goat herder.

They live across

the valley and...

Dad!

Shut the door, will you?

I'm freezing my teats off!

Heh.

Daughter dearest,

would you please fetch

two gold sovereigns

from my purse?

Hm.

Good fellow.

Well, good.

Good.

A fraction of what we need

if the southern armies

choose to attack.

Let them come.

Don't even say it, Lothar.

I'm still the king.

I'm gonna have you

ex*cuted too, you know.

You're never above me

taking your f*cking

head off your shoulders.

I will arrange for

the local noblemen

to present their daughters

for your majesty's

deliberations... again.

You do that, Lothar.

Father, remember

that time you put rocks

in your sacks of flour to

make them seem heavier?

I do.

Tell me how that worked out.

Left for dead in a ditch

outside Iron Town, wasn't it?

Aye, I remember.

Or how about the time

you tried to sell

two dozen donkeys as

thoroughbred foals?

Donkeys?

You are Lady Cilicia,

and I am Lord Marchand.

Her father.

Who?

Their estate is the other

side of the Haunted Forest.

But he's bedridden with gout

and she was kicked in the head

by a horse as a child.

Oh, and I look like I was

kicked in the head, do I?

But it means they

won't be in attendance

so we can use their titles.

Father, even if this works,

what makes you think

the king will pick me?

Well seeing the

aristocrats up close,

they like to marry

their cousins,

more than folk round here.

You have happily been

the fairest there

by a country mile.

Well, that's almost

a compliment, Father.

Blessed with your

mother's looks.

Unfortunately,

none of her brains.

But we work with what

the gods have given us.

And tell me,

is this what the aristocrats

are wearing these days?

Well after this

we're seeing Milly.

The-the seamstress,

but she's all thumbs.

Yes, but her sister,

the ex-queen's chambermaid

is all fingers.

We'll be donkeys dressed

as thoroughbreds.

Do not worry your

pretty little head.

Yes.

Heh!

I can't believe this

is actually working.

Just keep your mouth shut up

and body's tight.

Well, how old are you, my lady?

I am 22, sire.

22?

Well, I'm to believe

you're still intact.

Unsullied.

Your majesty, I

can assure you...

Oh, you can assure me.

Can you?

Checked her c**t,

have you, recently?

Your Majesty.

Lord Tragar,

if you could outline

the size of your estate,

the tithes you receive

from your subjects...

Lothar, she's not got many

birthing years left in her.

f*ck the tithes.

The king thanks

you for your time.

Any more barren

old, crawls for me

to pointlessly plant my seed in?

Next is Lady Cicilia and

her father Lord Marchand.

Send them in.

Come forward, girl.

Let me look at you.

I think golden locks

would suit my heir.

You may approach

too, Lord Marchand.

And please, furnish us with

the details of your estate,

tithes, head of cattle,

dowry on marriage and so on.

Come on, man, don't be shy.

Well... heh.

We have some 200 horses.

Thorough breds, of course.

Miller!

Guards!

That man is no lord.

Throw him in the dungeons.

You can't do this to a lord.

No!

No, don't!

Cease her too.

Don't touch me!

I have seen some

boldness in my time.

Never this brazen.

Lothar, what in the

god's name is happening?

They are impostors, sire.

He is the local miller,

and she is his wh*re daughter.

Are you telling me, my beauty,

that you are not of noble birth?

How come you were adorned

in these fineries?

They are clearly stolen.

And from the crown's

estate, I would wager.

Gold!

We've bought them.

With what, miller?

Is your watermill grinding gold

instead of flour these days?

No, but...

But-but my daughter is.

Your daughter is grinding gold?

Don't be ridiculous.

She's spinning it.

Spinning straw into gold.

It's remarkable almost

unbelievable, I know.

But it's true.

That's how we could

afford these clothes.

These-these jewels

I've heard enough of this, sire.

And that's why we're here.

I believe my daughter

with her wondrous gift

would be a perfect

match for your majesty.

Guards, take this

man to the cells.

We have no need

of a court jester.

No, Father!

Tell me.

Is his story true?

Can you spin straw into gold?

Of course she can't.

It is an impossibility.

There are alchemists to the east

who can turn liquid

lead into gold.

And she is no alchemist.

We need gold, Lothar.

You said so yourself.

Even more than I need an heir.

Yes, sire.

Yeah, so it is settled.

Fetch this girl

a spinning wheel.

If by daybreak she has

not completed her task,

they shall both be ex*cuted.

- No, I...

- Uh-uh-uh-uh.

I believe in you.

Little gold spinner.

Father!

Father!

I don't even know

how to f*cking spin.

Evelina.

Who's there?

Evelina...

Evelina...

How'd you know my name?

Show yourself.

Guards! Guards, there's

something in here with me!

Guards!

Oh, they can't

hear you down here.

These walls are thick.

Are you, are you part

of the punishment?

Oh, no.

All I want to do is help.

Well,

you can start by opening

this f*cking door then.

Oh no. No, young Evelina.

Look at me.

I'm only small and weak.

How do you know my name?

Mm...

We creatures of the forest hear

and see a multitude of things.

So this is my fate.

I am to spend my last night on

Earth locked up with some

riddling imp who smells like

pond water and fish heads.

Oh no, no, no, no.

Don't cry, my pretty one.

Do not touch me!

But all I wish to do is help.

Unless you can spin

straw into gold,

there's nothing you can do.

Crawl back into whatever

swamp you came from and

leave me be.

Oh. Well, if it was

something that easy,

why didn't you say so

in the first place?

You are a jester after all.

Sent to compound my misery.

Ah!

I never jest.

Us forest creatures

know not how.

But straw into gold.

Would you?

Any fool knows how to do that.

Do not mock me, creature.

I would never mock a friend!

Very well then.

Whatever your name is, prove it!

Spin me some straw into gold!

Yes, I could toll away.

All night spinning golden

thread after golden thread,

until my hands were bleeding

and raw to the bone,

but for what purpose?

For what purpose?

You'd save my life.

And-and my father's.

I would be very upset

to see your pretty head

removed from off

of your shoulders.

But, I'd still get to see

it upon a spike outside

the castle wall so it wouldn't

be all that bad, would it?

Let me remove your

head and stick it

on this spindle and

see how you like it.

No need for threats, Evelina.

I'm your friend, remember?

So...

Instead, let's do a

deal like friends do.

Now we get down to the

parsnips and pears of it.

What do you want

from me, creature?

Mm...

Yes. Yes, that's it. A kiss!

A kiss! A kiss! A kiss!

A kiss?

Just a small token of your

gratitude and appreciation,

and then I can start the task.

And quickly, for

daybreak fast approaches.

Truly that is all

you want, a kiss?

You say all, like it is a

small and worthless thing.

But it would mean the world

to such a creature as I,

if someone so beautiful as you

would show me even the

smallest of affections...

If this is a trick,

this kiss will be your last.

As well as likely your first.

Very well then.

You'll need to remove this

ridiculous mask of yours.

Oh no, Evelina.

There is no handsome prince

under this face of straw.

I must ask that

you close your eyes

so they are not to be offended.

Very well.

Just know I will bite

your tongue clean off

should I feel it.

Oh. You taste like

pond water too.

My lady does flatter me.

Now, to work!

You must not watch.

I get nervous.

Sleep instead, young Evelina.

Imp, we had a deal.

I'm gonna watch you like a hawk

watches a field mouse and...

Shhh!

It's gold.

It's f*cking gold.

f*cking gold!

It appears so.

And enough to make more than

a thousand gold

sovereigns, I would say.

We've done it.

We found a goose who

lays the golden eggs.

Except I'd like to stick the

royal c*ck into this goose.

Sire, I urge caution.

Do you really think an

ignorant young peasant girl

could acquire the skills

to perform such miracles?

One of these days, Lothar,

you will piss on one

too many of my parades.

Sire, I...

I suspect...

Witchcraft.

Tis the only answer.

So she's a witch.

I've married worse.

In which case she

will not bear you a son.

She will birth a rabbit with

the hind legs of a toad.

The kingdom will be cursed

for a thousand years.

Tch!

I would not have taken you as

one to fall for such

superstitious nonsense.

I say, we ask her to

perform the task again.

And this time, I will watch her.

See what happens.

Make sure there is no

dark magic at work.

And if there is?

Oh, then we burn her, of course.

I did what you asked.

And now I am asking

you to do it again.

It should not be so hard.

My-My hands are s-sore

from all the spinning.

I can't.

Then that would be

unfortunate for you

and your father.

You promised.

And you promised there

would be no parlor games.

No witchcraft.

I no more believe you

can spin straw into gold

than I can sh*t silver

and gets out of my a*s.

I am going to sit here...

And I am going to watch you

till the c*ck crows.

Evelina!

Not now.

We're being watched.

Oh, don't worry about that fool.

How did you do that?

Mmm, us forest folk,

we know a little of the old way.

You mean magic?

Mmm. That's what you

human creatures call it,

for you have forgotten

the ways of old.

You cut down the trees.

You drain the swamp.

Forgotten the gods that matter.

You seem to be in

quite the pickle again.

These royal arseholes

went back on their deal.

You cannot trust a

human's forked tongue.

But, to us fey creatures,

an oath is a kind of magic.

One thing happens and

then another must follow.

Nature's law, you see?

Well, I am grateful I can at

least trust someone around here.

So, imp, same deal as before?

Kissy-kissy for

some spinny-spinny?

Ugh!

No!

For me to perform that task...

With my hands so

swollen for.

What is your price

now, Hobgoblin?

Just-just another

simple request.

That, whilst I spin,

I may look at you.

Well, I'm not going anywhere.

Feast your eyes.

No.

No.

I need to look fully

upon your beauty.

What do you mean fully?

You have those horrible,

hideous human garments

shielding so much of

your... lustrous self.

Goblin, it's cold in here.

These human garments stay on.

These binaries, they

are stolen, are they not?

You really shouldn't be wearing

them in the first place.

You are a curious

devil in many ways.

And in other ways,

much like the human

devils I've dealt with.

You fear that I may ravage you

once you are unclothed?

You can make people fall asleep

with the snap of a finger.

So, yes, I do fear that.

You have my word.

And my word is bond

that I shall look,

but never touch.

Besides,

I don't believe

our nether regions

to be compatible for

fornication, do you?

There, you see?

There really is nothing

to trouble yourself about.

Touch me whilst I sleep,

and I'll snap your

fingers like kindling.

Enjoying the show, are you?

If I'm to remove everything,

the least you could do

is show me your face.

Not many have seen

my true face, but.

I suppose you are

a friend after all.

Does my appearance

offend you, fair maiden?

No!

Not at all.

You're a very handsome

whatever manner of

creature you are.

My lady does flatter me.

But quick, hurry up!

For the dawn does not wait.

Oh.

Mm-hmm.

Cold.

Start spinning, imp.

As you wish.

You don't look much

like a future queen.

I am not.

I am just the miller's daughter.

And all I want is for me

and my father to go home

and you will never see

us again, I promise.

Oh.

Well, that isn't an option.

You see, you are currently

making the crown exceedingly

rich.

Your majesty, you are

a wise and just king,

and I throw myself

at your mercy.

Oh, miller's daughter.

I don't think you are a very

good judge of character.

But I am wise enough not to

want to slaughter

the magical goose.

This spinning of yours,

I need to see it, here and now.

Fetch a spinning wheel.

My-my liege.

I cannot.

I'm

I must be alone to

perform the task,

and it must be at night.

Truly?

Yes.

Let me spin for

you again tonight,

and you will see, I am no liar.

It is decided then.

You shall spin once more.

But this time,

I want three bales worth

of straw spun into gold.

If you fail, you and your father

can have a giant pike

for your severed heads.

And if I spin your gold?

Then you both shall live.

Beyond that

we shall see.

My-my-my lord...

There are whispers

from the crows

that you have been

spending your nights

with an adult human.

You know this is forbidden.

I am bewitching the creature.

I'm beguiling her.

I care not for your amusement,

or your trickery.

I am the worm in the fruit.

The flies on the corpse.

Tis all for your glory, sire.

I care not for glory.

I require sacrifice.

An innocent given willingly.

I understand.

Do you, trickster?

The old magic comes with a cost.

This is the old ways.

All debts shall be paid.

All debts shall be paid.

Come on.

Come on.

Show yourself, demon.

Do you require a friendly

face again Evelina?

Ew.

Thank the gods you're here.

I need three bales

spun, tonight.

Three bales?

Before the c*ck crows?

Now you are asking

the impossible.

I am but one lonely creature

with only two hands.

Cut the games, imp,

tell me your price.

I'm beginning to think

that we're not friends.

That you only want me for

my gold-spinning skills.

We can do this dance

all night, swamp creature.

But in the morning,

I lose my head.

And you lose a friend.

A tragedy, I'm sure.

But I do like the dance!

Please!

Anything you want!

This'll be the last

time, I promise.

Whatever you want!

I cannot tell you my price!

Why not? What is it?

You-you would think me vile.

What I think will not

matter if you do not help me.

It is my... master.

He'll require something

that I cannot take.

It must be willingly given.

Will I willingly give

it whatever it is?

Just tell me.

A child.

A human child.

A what?

My master, the demon

king of the Shadow Forest.

He requires a human child.

I do not have a child to give.

I'm without child.

I always take the thistle

tea to make sure of that.

Well, what am I to do?

For if I do not return

with a human child,

I will face a

punishment far worse

than you're going to know.

Worse than being beheaded?

A beheading would be a mercy

compared to the

punishment I would receive

with the hands of

the Demon King.

So now what?

You will not help me because

I have no child to give?

There is

one way.

What is it? Tell me.

If you were to promise me

your firstborn.

An unbreakable oath between us,

then I can return

to my Demon King.

Tell him that what he

requires is promised.

Your dark lord can

f*ck you sideways

with a red hot poker.

I'm not giving you or

anyone else a child.

Shhh...

Even a child that

doesn't exist and,

and might never?

You will spin the gold?

All three bales before sunrise?

It would be a tough task, but

I believe I would succeed.

You really are a

monster, you know that.

I've been called

many things before.

I pay them no heed.

Okay.

Do it.

My firstborn child

shall be yours.

An oath has been made.

An oath that cannot be broken.

I shall start my work.

The dawn of the sun god,

and the setting of

the moon goddess,

represent the union

of male and female.

May the king's tower be as

strong as the iron lands.

And the queen's valley

be as fertile as

the river lands.

Just getting my two

sovereign's worth.

The king does not

wish the world to know

he has married a

miller's daughter.

Your daughter is a princess

from the Albus Isles.

If you say different,

I will nail your

tongue to a fence post

and let the crows

have their fill.

Do you understand me, miller?

I am watching you...

and your witch daughter.

Enjoy the king's hospitality.

Your face is longer

than a donkey's c*ck.

We did it.

A daughter of mine is queen.

Oh, if only your mother

could see you now.

You do not know what

I have had to do.

Whatever it is, it's worth it.

I mean, look at this food.

These jewels.

All yours.

One day, you'll

rear, my grandchild,

will rule as king

and every

There, there, Eva.

There, there.

Hm.

You're not pining for the

woodcutter's boy, are you?

No, I am not.

I just need you and everyone

else to leave me alone.

Milady.

The king demands your presence.

He can wait.

I...

It is your wedding night.

You have... duties to perform.

And what would you

know of these duties?

Sister of the Stones?

I know that his majesty's

third wife denied her duty,

and that later that night,

she fell from the window

of the east tower.

About f*cking time.

Come on then, miller's daughter.

It's time for the deflowering.

You can spin straw into gold.

You can surely turn

my seed into an heir.

There will be plenty

of time for that,

husband dearest, but...

In the meantime,

let's have some fun.

I have servant girls

with tight little c**ts,

and the occasional kitchen boy

who see it to that.

Wives are for breeding,

not for pleasure.

Sister.

Sister, I need you to prepare

me a thistle tea immediately.

I'm afraid I cannot.

But I am your f*cking

queen, I command it.

My loyalty is to the sun

god and the moon goddess.

And they celebrate the

union of men and women.

They do not desecrate it.

You don't understand.

I can't be with child.

Not now, not ever.

Provide the king with an

heir, and you shall live.

Live longer than him, no doubt.

Then your son will become king.

Isn't that what you want, dear?

No. Please, you have to help me.

You need to do your duty.

And I need to do mine.

No.

No!

Sister!

Sister!

Praise the gods.

We are all truly blessed.

He's beautiful.

Here, his majesty

will surely wish to...

No!

Do not touch him.

He does not leave my

side, do you hear?

Not ever.

Jakob, get in here now!

But this is a sacred

birthing space.

You have done your duty.

Now, do not darken

my door again,

Sister of the Stones.

Milady.

What is it, Eva?

I need you to keep watch.

Do not let anyone in or

out without my consent.

Do you understand?

Uh...

Of course.

But do not fear for your safety.

The-the castle walls

are 10 feet thick.

A garrison of soldiers resides

in the gatehouse and I...

It is not an invading

army I fear, Jakob.

Just promise me

you'll keep watch

all night.

And whatever you do

do not fall asleep.

Of...

Of course.

Good.

Jakob, are you...

Show yourself, demon.

I am no demon.

Just a friend.

Come to offer my...

Congratulations.

Touch him, and I

will scream so loud

that a hundred soldiers will

be in here within seconds

and they'll string you

up outside the castle

by your own insides.

You made a promise.

You swore an oath.

Do you know what happens

to those who break

the ties that bind?

I do not care what

happens to me.

But you can't touch

a hair on his head.

Does the sweet

child have a name?

No, he does not.

Oh, I know some good ones.

Why don't you let

me?

No!

You know I can make you fall

into slumber in an instant

and just take him from you.

But... I want to give

you the opportunity

to honor the deal that you made.

To give him willingly.

That will never happen.

You know you can

have another child.

A second

third, your fourth,

fifth, even your sixth,

seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth...

And all yours to keep.

My queen.

Yes.

Very nice.

You have come up in the world

since our nights together

in the castle

dungeons, haven't you?

All these jewels

these riches

these fineries.

All this power.

You can take it all back.

And I'll go back to being

the miller's daughter

and sleeping in the dirt.

Just let me keep my baby.

Please.

Just name your price.

Take me into the forest.

You have no value

to me beyond that

which you hold in your arms.

Please.

Please, I... I thought

you were my friend.

You say you're my friend,

but you don't even know my name.

Well, you never told me.

And you couldn't even

be bothered to ask

either, could you?

I-I was in fear for my life.

I wasn't thinking clearly.

We could start again...

as real friends.

Real friend?

Uh... Okay, here.

As you are my friend, Evelina.

I shall give you three guesses

as to what my name could be.

Three? There's no way.

Fine.

You can have three now,

three tomorrow eve, and three

on the last and final night.

And if I guess right?

You can keep the baby.

That's all I must do?

You have my word, my queen.

And if I fail?

I shall take him from you.

And if I have to rip him

from your cold dead hands,

then so be it.

So, your first guess.

Come on, hurry up.

What would a handsome creature

like myself be called,

I wonder?

Um...

Jack!

Jack!

I am no Jack O'Lantern.

I am no spring-heeled

Jack, the lad, no.

Of course, something more...

More mystical.

Yeah...

M... Melchior!

Y-Your name is Melchior.

I've never been so

insulted in all my life.

Milady, doth think I

look like a Melchior.

Urgh!

Someone so uncommon as me

wouldn't have a

common name like that.

Then you are.

Balthazar.

An uncommon name for

an uncommon fellow.

Balthazar.

Yes...

That is a good name.

Then I am right?

A good name for a

no-eyed swamp guzzler,

but not for someone like me!

This is jolly good

fun, isn't it?

Well...

No, no, no.

Three guesses, remember?

I shall see thee, the

same time tomorrow.

Until then.

I bid you,

and the child,

sweet dreams.

Get up!

Get up at once

or you'll be cleaning

the king's latrine

for the rest of your life.

M-Milady, what...

What happened?

You did the one thing

I asked you not to.

I-I

I am sorry, I.

Do not trouble your thick head.

I need you to do

something for me,

but you cannot tell anyone.

Do I have your word?

O-of course.

As always.

My lips are sealed

for you, my queen.

What news?

I asked everybody

in the village but

no one has heard of the

creature which you speak of.

They thought me

mad or... simple.

This is not news.

So, I ventured into the forest

to speak with the woman

they say is a witch.

She is a witch.

I've heard she can

transform into a toad.

Well I did not see

this so I cannot comment.

But she did give me this

list of three names.

She said these are common

for the kind of goblin

you've encountered.

Well, read them to me then.

Are not noble women

permitted to read either?

On Sundays, I'm permitted

to read the holy text

in the presence of the

Sisters of the Stones.

So no, I cannot read.

So read me the names.

As you wish.

- R...

- Roast Ribs.

That's it.

Roast Ribs is your

name. Roast Ribs.

No.

That is the name of my cousin.

So I am close?

Mayhaps you are.

Sheepshanks.

That is the name of my brother.

Haven't spoken to

him in a millennia.

Oh, how I do miss

poor Sheepshanks.

In that case, your

name must be...

Spindleshanks.

You've been talking to the

witch of Ashgrove, haven't you?

Never you mind.

Is that your name,

creature? Tell me.

That foul old woman

always telling tales on me.

I knew it.

You are Spindleshanks.

I am no Spindleshanks.

That is my other brother.

That crazy old witch must

have gotten us mixed up again.

You are not Spindleshank.

I look nothing like him.

Besides, I k*lled him long ago.

In that case, you

must be... Jakob!

Ah! Three guesses, remember?

Die, foul creature!

Alright!

I thought your majesty

to be an honest woman.

I... I...

You shall be alone tomorrow,

and we shall play one last time.

Anymore boneheaded antics

and the deal is done.

Until then

I'll bid you... good night!

Come out.

Show yourself.

Coward!

It's no use, Jakob.

He's gone.

Gone where?

Back to the haunted forest.

To hell!

I don't know.

Who is he?

What does he want?

That's a long story.

But we have all the night.

Thank you.

I still say this

is a fool's move.

You are the queen.

You have an army of

soldiers to protect you.

Scholars who can

study the ancient text

and find out who this

damned creature is.

If the king found out it

was not me who spun the gold,

I will be beheaded

before nightfall.

You are the only

one I can trust.

Where will you go?

If I told you,

you'd be in danger.

That creature has a way

of finding things out.

Now this will keep me safe.

And this will buy me

safe passage on a ship.

Hand him to me.

We need to be through

the forest by nightfall.

I believe the creature

sleeps by day,

only emerging in darkness,

so we should be safe.

Have you named him yet?

I've had too many names in

my head these past few days.

None suitable for a prince.

You should consider Jakob.

I shall consider it.

Thank you, Sir Jakob.

Fare thee well.

Soon, we will be out

of this cursed place.

Away from cruel kings

and wretched goblins.

Just you and me,

my little prince.

Not long now.

The path leads this way.

We'll be at the river fort soon.

Sweet Prince.

I do not want to

wait for sun's here.

Tonight, the queen's

baby comes in.

And oh, how thankful

I am that nobody knew,

that my name

I am called is...

Rumpelstiltskin.

Is that you, Evelina?

And your

delicious child?

Ah, I would recognize

your smell anywhere.

It's gonna be fine.

For tonight

he's mine.

What-what about

our game, creature?

All games must come to an end

with the victor

taking their spoils.

He will never be yours.

Rumpelstiltskin.

Ahhhh!

Heard my little song

and dance, did you?

Believed it, did you?

As if I'd be so stupid to

sing my own name aloud.

It was but a trick!

And you swallowed it up

like a snake swallows its young.

Give me the child!

No!

Give me the child!

Give it to me!

It's mine!

It's all mine!

No, it must be your name!

It must be!

No, Rumpelstiltskin

must be your name!

As if I'd be

called by such a

ridiculous name!

I knew it.

Give me back my baby.

Rumpelstiltskin.

Rumpelstiltskin, I command you.

Rumpelstiltskin!

- Rumpelstiltskin!

- No!

She cheated.

Begone, Rumpelstiltskin!

No, master!

No!

No one to seize me!

I will return!

I'll take what is mine.

I have you.

You're safe.

I'll never let you go again.

Bella.

Good.

Remain the at

in pain.

Very good.

Forgive me, your majesty.

What disaster

affects the kingdom

that you disobey

your queen's orders?

If it would please you,

I would have but two

minutes of your time,

without disturbing the

young prince, of course.

Continue.

Spit it out, Sir Lothar.

You want to raise

the goat tax again?

No, your majesty,

I was merely...

Merely what?

The young prince.

Now, his studies are

important, of course,

but he should also

learn to hunt,

to ride, to sh**t a bow.

All the things a

man needs to know.

He is going to be a

king, not a mere man.

He will have others to fight

and hunt and sh**t for him.

I am teaching him how to think,

so that when others

whisper poison in his ear,

he is smart enough to ignore it.

A king who knows only books

does not know the real world.

And since when has any king

ever known the real world?

I was hardly plagued

by visiting monarchs

when I lived in my hovel.

In time, you will heed

my wisdom, my queen.

And until that fateful time,

when fish live in trees,

I bid you good day.

Send for my father

whilst you're at it.

Yes, my queen.

Ah!

I could get used to this.

Technically, what you're

doing is considered treason.

Punishable by beheading.

Oh. What's a little

treason between family?

Father, do you think I

mollycoddled the boy too much?

He's a boy.

He needs to be

out there playing.

Getting into scrapes.

Not stuck with his

head in a book.

Even if it could save his life?

That creature's name

was in there, you know.

In the library,

buried 70 pages deep

in a three-volume

bestiary of the fey folk.

And if I could

have only read it,

I might not nearly

have lost him.

Knowledge is power,

right, daughter.

But so is power.

And as king, he'll

have that in spades,

whether he can

read a jot or not.

I need to keep him

on a longer leash.

But I worry so.

I was the same with you

back when you was a child.

Scared to let you

out of my sight

in case you fell in the river.

Never got any work done.

Well, what changed?

Taught you to swim, didn't I?

Then I didn't give a sh*t

if you fell in the river.

That creature,

whatever it was, it's

gone back to hell.

Never to return.

And you sent it there.

Book worm or not.

You are right, of course.

I always am.

My master, I have

served my punishment.

Just give me one more

chance to honor you.

For seven years, I

have heard your pleas.

How is it possible?

You are more

accursed on mine ears

buried beneath the dirt

than you were above it.

But all I want is the

chance to serve my master.

Do not fail me again, imp!

Or I shall cleave you in

two like a rotten crab apple.

I shall not fail

this time, my lord.

All debts must be paid.

How long must I

sulk in the shadows and

creep through the corridors

like some ghost

in clanging armor?

Is f*cking the queen

not enough for you?

That you need some honorary

title to go with it?

Lord of the queen's bedchambers.

Knight of the Holy Cup.

No.

But

you are the queen.

You can do what you want.

We could...

When I was the

miller's daughter,

I did as I pleased.

Now, duty binds me every

minute of the damn day.

I do not understand.

And neither do I.

I was not born into this world.

Lothar has his spies watching

for every mistake I make.

Any excuse to remove

me from the throne

and likely my head from my body.

And for Aloric's sake,

I must remain queen.

When he is of age,

he will be king,

and he can banish

Lothar and the sisters

and all the tattle

tales are caught.

And then

we can do as we please.

I... I have waited

near eight years already.

I cannot do another five.

My heart is already near broken.

Jakob.

No!

Jakob, please.

Bid you good night.

Your majesty.

Help!

Help me!

Let me out!

Come forward, show yourself.

Come to rescue

me, O fair knight.

Why are you in this cell?

What crime did you commit?

None.

It was mistaken identity.

I do not have the

authority to let you out.

But allow me to speak with Sir

Lothar in the morning. I...

A handsome knight

such as yourself

does not have the authority to

rescue a damsel in distress.

I

I would owe you my life.

At least keep me company.

I would be ever so grateful.

As you wish, milady.

I'm no lady.

You said you would be grateful.

What... how a...

This had better be important.

What is it?

Sister.

It is the witching

hour, don't you know?

Has the young prince

taken of a fever?

Oh, no, my lord.

The young prince

is plump and well.

I bring you news of

the boy's grandfather.

The miller.

What of him now?

I have discovered that he has

been conspiring with an imp.

And now, he is drunk and asleep

on our dearly

departed king's throne

an affront to all we hold dear.

An imp, you say?

Come, Lord.

You know what dwells

in the forest?

You've heard the Dark Lord

whisper on the wind

through the branches.

How else do you think the

miller and his daughter

spawned straw into gold?

It was not the girl.

It was the imp, Spindleshanks.

I knew it.

I knew witchery was involved.

I shall deal with this myself.

Clever Sir Lothar!

Clever Sir Lothar!

Thought I was a nun!

Now he shall be undone.

Time to let the games begin.

For my name is Rampelstiltskin!

My queen, wake up!

Oh, sister, what is it?

You must come quickly.

Something has happened

to your father.

Consorting with devils...

Acquiring the throne from your

wh*re daughter by deception.

Your punishment my friend

is death.

Why?

Why?

You should be glad I

spared the young prince

the sight of his

grandfather's execution.

Too bad he'll have to

witness his mother's.

I will be devouring

you personally for this!

Guards! Just in time!

Queen has gone quite mad!

Cease her!

No!

It is Sir Lothar!

He's lost his mind.

He's k*lled my father!

Loyal soldiers of the realm.

Don't listen to

this imposter queen.

She has gained her position

by witchcraft and trickery.

I am your queen, I command you.

The second Sir Lothar's head

is removed from his body,

I will remove the

taxes on beer and mead.

Pay her no heed!

She is right with

the devil teeth!

Planted there by a creature

known as Spindleshanks!

S-Spindleshanks?

Where did you get that name?

See? Condemned by her own words!

Fetch the Sister of the Stones!

It is she who told

me this wicked truth.

It can't be true.

It can't be true.

Take his head!

Hello.

Want to come and play with me?

Who are you?

A friend.

No, no.

Don't be scared, friend.

I'm not here to harm you.

I'm here to play.

It is the middle of the night.

That's the best time

to play with friends.

When the moon is big and fat

and all the grownups

are fast asleep.

No one telling you what to eat.

No one telling you what to do.

No one telling you to read

all those dusty old books.

A-choo!

Instead,

you can be in the

forest with me,

climbing all the trees,

eating all those

delicious fruits.

Yum, yum, yum, yum.

All you have to

do is take my hand

and we can play all night long.

My... My mother,

she would worry.

Don't worry about your mother.

She won't even know you're gone.

We'll be back before she wakes.

Are you sure?

You can trust your new

friend, can't you, Aloric?

Aloric!

This is it, Aloric.

Let's play a game.

It's quite a nice

night, isn't it?

Yes, it's quite nice.

Not far now.

Did you know

that a human's flesh turns

tough and bitter with age?

I want to go home.

I don't like it here.

Home?

But you are home,

my young prince.

For you were promised

to me many years ago

before you were born.

I am... your destiny!

I don't understand.

Ask your mother.

She was the one that

promised me to you.

She was the one that

didn't want you.

She wouldn't do that.

Oh, she wouldn't, wouldn't she?

I've got a few truths to

tell you about your mother.

She used you to get

what she wanted from me.

Used me to become queen.

Gambled your life away

over a silly little game.

But not me.

I've wanted you from the

beginning, little boy.

Believe it or not.

My mother didn't want me either.

Or... was it my father?

I can't really remember.

It doesn't matter because

I ate them anyway!

Now, don't be afraid.

Ah.

Wohoo.

Stay here!

You can't leave now, human.

The game's only just begun.

I told you before.

You do not get to touch my son!

Look who decided to turn up.

Finally get to witness the game

she was supposed to

lose seven years ago.

You do not scare me, Rumpelst...

Stop!

Seven years underground,

with only worms and

beetles for friends.

You learn a few new

tricks, you see?

Now, which part of the young

prince shall I nibble on first?

I wonder if royalty

has a different taste.

To all the peasant pauper

scum that I'm used to.

I know who you are.

How do you know?

You're...

You're...

Rudy, no.

Rumpies, Rumpies.

Woah! What was that?

Rumpal-bibbily-bob?

Rumpel-thingamajig?

No, that's not my name!

Shush, little child!

Nobody likes their food

to talk back to them.

Come here.

Ah! It burns!

It burns!

What is this dark magic?

I've been tricked!

I had it written upon him

so he would never

forget the name.

Rumpelstiltskin!

No!

Rumpelstiltskin!

No!

Rumpelstiltskin!

No! No! No!

Be quiet!

Be quiet!

Dark Lord of the Forest!

Rumpelstiltskin is here.

And once again, he has failed.

Your debt shall be repaid, imp.

He is not yours, demon.

The creature who promised

him to you is no more.

If he does not come willingly,

you cannot take him!

Know of the old ways.

Only from what I read.

Until the next

chapter is written.

Queen Evelina.

You're safe.

You're safe.

He cannot hurt us anymore.