Rumplestiltskin

"All magic comes with a price." Rumplestiltskin is one of the main characters of Once Upon a Time. Rumple was once a normal man turned evil by the Dark One's magic. After losing his son, he became obsessed with making deals, and, more so, collecting on them. In Storybrooke, after the curse, Rumple is Mr. Gold and owns a pawnshop, as well as the town itself. He is one of four people who is initially aware of the pre-curse world (the others being Regina, Henry, and Emma).

Before the Curse
"Now you've made your choice, and you're going to regret it... forever. All you'll have is an empty heart... and a chipped cup."

- Belle Rumplestiltskin was drafted to fight in a war for the king, however, he ran away. His made him the village coward and his wife, Milah, was ashamed of him. Rumple returns home one evening to see his son, Baelfire, without his mother, he decides to take his son out looking for her, Milah is found in a bar, drinking with pirates. Rumple tries to ask her home but she refuses, insulting Rumple as she does so. Bae then emerges and Milah changes her attitude, leaving with her son to protect him. Later that night, Rumple asks his wife if she'd really have liked him to die in the Ogre-Wars, she tells him that she just wishes he would have fought. The next day, Rumple is told that Milah has been kidnapped by pirates and he goes to the ship of Killian Jones to ask for his wife back, however, Jones refuses. He offers Rumple a duel in exchange for his woman but Rumple doesn't rise to the challenge. He is laughed from the ship.

At the age of 14, children are taken away to fight in a war. Rumplestiltskin fears this for his son who will be shortly turn 14. Rumple and Baelfire decide to run away but are faced by soldiers who out Rumple to his son as a coward, before making him kiss his boot. and kicking him. Rumple is saved by an old man who tells him that there is a way his son can escape the war, he tells him to rob the Dark One's dagger and kill the Dark One with it. Rumple ventures off to a palace to steal the dagger, he does so successfully and runs into the Dark One. Rumplestiltskin stabs the Dark One, realizing that he was the old man who led him there, Rumple gains the Dark One's powers. He returns to his home and makes the soldier that humiliated him kiss his boot, he then snaps his neck and kills the other soldiers. Baelfire isn't happy about this and Rumplestilstskin's name appears on the dagger. ("Desperate Souls")

Rumplestiltskin walks onto the battlefield and leads all of the children home. ("The Return")

Rumplestiltskin is now one of the most feared beings in the Fairytale world. Baelfire yearns for the days when his father was not evil. Baelfire asks his father if he found a way to rid him of magic would his father do it. Rumple agrees. Baelfire finds a solution from the Blue Fairy to go to a non-magical world. Baelfire meets his father and opens the portal however, Rumple is too scared to go through it and subjects his son to it, after being called a coward by him. This left Rumple ashamed of himself and only exasperated the anger he had at the world. It was at this point Rumple had no one else to love. ("The Return")

Jiminy doesn't want to be a crook anymore so when he visits Rumplestiltskin to deliver him goods, he gets a magical potion from him. However, the plan backfires and teo innocent people are turned to dolls. Rumple keeps the dolls. ("That Still Small Voice")

Rumplestiltskin is well earning his reputation as the Dark One and feared by many, he is one day approached by a Mr. Smee in a bar who tells him that if he is granted eternal life, he will get him a magic bean, Rumple tells Smee that he will rgeress him to a child, however, should he fail, he'd be turned to dust. Smee obliges. Rumple soon sees Killian Jones and his men enter the bar and decides to have some fun, he pretends to be a weak old man outside and then, he reveals himself, strtling Jones, he offers him a duel to take place at dawn. Killian arrives for the duel and Rumple throws him a sword, wanting to kill him with his own. The two battle and Rumple gains the upper hand, just as he places his hand into Jones' chest to rip out his heart, Milah arrives to stop him, who Rumple believed to be dead. Milah explains that she fell in love with Killian and offers Rumple the magic bean in exchange for their lives, he agrees. When on the ship, Rumple asks Milah how she could leave Baelfire and she tries to defend herself, however, the argument ends up with her admitting that she never loved Rumple, causing him to rip out her heart and reduce it to dust, killing her. Killian wants to avenge his love and attempts to stab Rumple with a hook, Rumple tells him that it'll take more than that to kill him but Killian assures im that he will get his revenge, after Rumple severes his hand by sword. Soon, Rumple gets back to his potions, wanting to find a way to get Bae back, when he realizes he has no magic bean. He becomes enraged that he was tricked.

The parents of James and his brother trade one of their children to Rumplestiltskin in exchange for a farm. Rumple later trades the baby he owns to King George in exchange for an "abidance". ("The Shepherd")

Regina summons Rumplestiltskin in order to escape her wedding day, as her overbearring mother, Cora, is forcing her into a loveless marriage with King Leopold. Rumple offers to teach Regina magic just like, as it's revealed, he taught Cora everything she knows. Regina doesn't want to use any magic and Rumple tries to persuade her otherwise, handing her a book of spells, he also gives her a mysterious looking glass. Later, Cora binds Regina with magic for defying her, and Regina, envisioning Rumple, breaks free with her own magic and sends Cora into the looking glass. Later, Rumple talks to Regina and asks her how it felt, she says she never wants to use magic again because she loved it, Rumple is happy and offers to teach her everything, believing she can be great.

Rumplestiltskin has begun to properly train Queen Regina and asks her to remove and crush a unicorns heart, after imobilizing it, however, she refuses as it's innocent. Later, Regina visits Rumple and he asks her why she really wants magic, knowing that it's not for power, she admits that she wants to be able to bring back the dead so that she may be reuinted with Daniel, her true love, Rumple tells her that she is silly to think such magic exists and terminates himself as her teacher. Regina is taken by Jefferson to see Victor Frankenstein to see if he can restore Daniel's body with a magic heart, however, the procedure fails. Regina returns to Rumple who is now teaching a new student, she takes the students heart from her body and crushes it, killing her, Rumple continues to teach her. It is soon discovered that Rumplestitlskin orchestrated the failure so that Regina would get the delusion out of her head, he gives Frankenstein a magic heart in exchange for his abidance on the matter.

Rumplestiltskin helps King Maurice defeat the ogres in exchange for Belle, the kings daughter. The princess steps up and goes to live with Rumplestiltskin who throws her in the dungeon and makes her his house girl. When cleaning, Belle accidentally drops a cup, chipping it, she apologizes but Rumple tells her that it's just a cup. Belle and Rumple, unexpectedly, begin to bonde and learn of each others' pasts. Rumple decides to let Belle go to the market as a way to offer her an escape out of grattitude, as Belle walks, she is percepted by Regina who tells her to return to Rumple and break his curse with true-love's kiss. Belle retursn to Rumple, much to his surprise, and tells him she loves him, as they kiss, Rumple begins to lose his power and realizes that Regina is behind it. He then, furiously, locks Belle up in the dungeon, refusing to believe that anyone could ever love him. Sfter quite a while, Belle is set free by Rumple andgoes unseen by him for a long time. Regina stops by umple's house and tells a lie about Belle throwing herself from the battlements. Rumple is devastated and always treasures the cup that Belle chipped, as a keepsake. ("Skin Deep")

Snow White goes to Rumplestiltskin to get from him a potion that will help her overcome true love. He has a potion that will make her forget Prince James, she thinks that is a bit extreme but accepts the potion anyway in exchange for a piece of her hair which Rumple takes. ("7:15 A.M.")

Snow White goes back to Rumplestiltskin to get him to undo the potion, he tells her that it cannot be undone, except, perhaps with true love, the one thing he cannot bottle. Snow ventures to kill Regina and James visits Rumple who says Snow's location in order for Charming's cape, Charming obliges. Rumple lifts hair from the cloak and puts it with Snow's - he bottles true love, the most powerful magic of all. ("Heart of Darkness")

Prince James, on his quest for Snow White, runs into Rumplestiltskin in the forest who steals hos mother's ring. He enchants it so that it glows when nearer to Snow, James gets it back in exchange for a favor. Charming puts an egg containing love potion into the dragon maleficent. ("A Land Without Magic")

Rumplestiltskin kills the Fairy Godmother just as she is about to make Cinderella beautiful, he then strikes a deal with Ella and allows her to go to the ball in exchange for a mystery favor. Ella marries Prince Thomas and becomes pregnant, however, Rumple wants her first-born as her side of the deal. Thomas and friends decide to trick Rumplestiltskin to inprisonment. Ella lies and says she's having twins and wants to strike a new deal, however, when Rumple signs on the dotted line, he is frozen and soon arrested to be taken to a sepcial cell. Later, Ella discovers that Thomas is missing and knows Rumplestiltskin is behind it. He is locked up. ("The Price of Gold")

Regina goes to Rumplestiltskin in jail, wanting him to help her enact a curse that will take them all to the real world. He helps her in exchange for a nice life in the new world, Regina obliges. ("The Thing You Love Most")

Snow White visits Rumplestiltskin in prison and he tells her that her daughter is the one who can break the curse. In exchange for this information, Snow must tell Rumple her child's name. She tells him that the little girl is to be called "Emma". Rumple now knows who to find the savior in. ("Pilot")

Season 1
"When two people both want something the other has, a deal can always be struck."

Emma is then seen making her way to a local resting place, Granny's Bed & Breakfast. When she enters, she overhears Granny herself arguing with her granddaughter, Ruby, about how she was out some night and is now going out again. Ruby tells her grandmother that she should had moved to Boston, and Granny ironically apologizes over her heart attack interfering with her plans to sleep her way through the Eastern seaboard. Ruby is the counterpart of Red Riding Hood, and Granny is Red's grandmother. Emma calls out for their attention, and says she'd like a room. Both women are surprised, and Granny asks Emma what view she'd like. Granny then asks what her name is, and she tells her it's Emma Swan. A male voice behind her then repeats the name "Emma"... she turns around to find the man - the counterpart of Rumplestiltskin. He tells her Emma is a lovely name. She thanks him. Granny then hands him a wad of cash, telling him 'it's all here'. He takes it, thanking her, and then says "Enjoy your stay... Emma." He then leaves. Emma asks who that was, and Ruby says, behind her, that it was Mr. Gold, who 'owns this place'. Emma asks if she means the inn, and Granny tells her he owns the town. Emma is surprised, and Granny then asks how long she'll be staying with them. Emma says "A week. Just a week." Granny then hands her a key, and says "Welcome to Storybrooke." Emma takes the key.

Regina is seen tending to her apple tree, which was earlier sawn apart by Emma, when Mr. Gold shows up and comments on the mess. Regina wonders what he wants and he explains he was just passing by. He points out her high spirits and Regina tells him that it's been a good day. She soon mentions that this is because she drove Emma out of town, however, Gold tells her not to bet on that, annoying her. Gold tells her that if Miss Swan is becoming a nuisance that she cannot rid herself of, he will be more than happy to take care of the problem, for a price. Regina assures him that she's no longer in the business of making deals with him. It is revealed that she is referring to Henry, who Gold procured to her. Regina then questions if Gold wanted Emma in town and states that finding her Henry was no accident. Gold plays dumb and Regina goes on to ask him who Emma really is, he tells her that she knows exactly who she is. Regina demands the truth about Henry's biological mother but Gold requests that she leave him alone, "Please," which unsettles Regina. Before the pawnbroker leaves, he comments on what a lovely name Henry is and asks her how she picked it, it is seen to be the name of her deceased father.

Mr. Gold is robbed by a young pregnant woman, Ashley Boyd, who maces him, knocking him out thanks to the fall, and steals his keys. Gold goes to Emma the next day to help absolve him of his problem by helping him find Ashley and what she has stolen from him. Emma asks Gold why he didn't just go to the police and he explains that he wouldn't want to get Ashley in trouble. Emma agrees to help find Ashley and whatever she's stolen to keep her out of trouble. Emma finds out that Ashley is driving out to Boston and hops in her car to find her, she stops on the side of the road when something catches her attention - Ashley is sitting there, in labor. Emma is horrified to discover that what Gold had wanted her to procure for him was Ashley's baby, which she had promised to him in an obscure deal. The maid pleads that she wants her baby and Emma promises that she will not allow Gold to take it from her. Ashley is taken to the hospital and gives birth. Mr. Gold arrives at the hospital and is immediately confronted by Emma, who is disgusted by the deal he made with Ashley. She wnders why he didn't tell her that his "merchandise" was a baby, he said that the information was irrelevant, however, Emma states that he knew she wouldn't take the deal if she were to find out. Emma nagotiates with Gold and comes to the conclusion that Ashley gets to keep her baby, however, in exchange, Emma will have to owe Gold one favor. Emma agrees and the deal is struck.

It is revealed that, thanks to Jiminy, Geppetto's parents were turned into ugly, wooden dolls which Rumplestiltskin had told him he'd collect when Jiminy thought the affliction would be upon his parents. In Storybrooke, over at Mr. Gold Pawnbroker & Antiquities Dealer, we see the pawnbroker walking around his shop in the background. He walks through the shop and past some familiar items - Geppetto's parents (in their doll form). This then shows that Rumplestiltskin collected on his deal and obtained the victims of the potion that he gave to Jiminy.

The moon is shown looking down on David who is following Regina's directions to the Toll Bridge, where he is meant to be meeting Mary Margaret, and comes up to Mr. Gold's pawn shop, he stops, checking for a fork in the road, but sees nothing of the sort. Instead, David decides to walk into the shop and looks out at what's for sale, wondering if anyone else is in there. As he looks around, he is most captivated by a unicorn on a set of wind chimes, as he inspects it, he hears, "Charming," the voice belongs to Mr. Gold who's standing behind the counter. "The mobile. Isn't it charming?", he asks as David approaches him. David asks Mr. Gold if he knows the whereabouts of the Toll Bridge, telling him that the mayor told him to come by the shop but the directions seem to be wrong. "It seems Miss Mills has led you astray," Gold says, David says it's odd that the mayor doesn't know her own town. "Open the door, turn right, two blocks, you'll find a trail," Gold informs David who thanks the pawnbroker before trying to hastily leave his shop, however, something catches his attention: a windmill. Gold asks David if he sees something he likes, David asks him where he got the windmill, "That old thing, that's been gathering dust for... forever," Gold states. David appears captivated by the thing and spins it around with his hand, watching it as it goes around. David says that he thinks it belonged to him, Gold asks him if he's sure, "Yes," David states, staring at the windmill. Gold smiles eerily and David stares at the item in question, he says something, "I remember." This signifies that he has overcome his anmesia.

In Storybrooke's forest, Sheriff Graham is running through it and comes to a sudden stop, seeing a rustling in the bushes, having presumably followed the wolf. The person causing the rustling is soon seen to be none other that Mr. Gold, "Good morning, sheriff. Sorry if I startled you," Gold tells him. "Sorry, I thought you were a wolf," Graham tells him. "Did I forget to shave?" Gold jokes. "What are you doing out here so early?" Graham wonders, Mr. Gold says that he was just doing a spot of gardening and asks Graham the likewise question, "I was looking for a-", "A wolf." Gold nods, "Yeah, I think I'm beginning to catch on. You know, to the best of my knowledge, sheriff, there are no wolves in Storybrooke... not the literall kind, anyway. Why are you looking?" Mr. Gold asks. "You'll think I'm crazy." "Try me," Gold says. "...I saw one in my dreams... and then I saw one for real. Just a couple hours ago. Did you see anything unusual out there?" asks Graham. Gold walks closer to Graham, looking at the shovel in his hand. "I'm afraid not," he tells him, saying that he wishes he could be more helpful. "You know, sheriff... they say that dreams, dreams are memories... memories of another life," Mr. Gold informs him. This deeply confuses Graham and he is wished luck by Mr. Gold, "I do hope you find waht you're looking for," Gold says before leaving. Graham continues to trek through the woods.

Emma visits Gold in his shop, wanting to talk about Sheriff Graham, whose death was a mere two weeks previous. Gold realizes that she's still deputy and tries to convince her that she should become sheriff, however, Emma doesn't feel up for the roll. Gold tries to convince her to take something of Graham's as a keepsake, however, Emma refuses to do so. Mr. Gold goes to see Emma at her apartment later, having heard about Emma being fired by Regina, and convinces the blonde to run for sheriff against Sidney Glass, Regina's candidate, after finding a loophole in the Town Charter that states Emma can do so. Regina soon goes to see Gold in his shop, wondering why he found the loophole in the Town Charter, Gold tells her that legal documents have always been a fascination of his. Regina expresses her belief that Sidney is sure to win the election. Later, when Emma is confronting Regina over something, a fire ensues in the latter's home and Emma rescues the mayor, making her a hero in the public eye, winning many votes. When Emma has to give a speech, she tells the town that it was Mr. Gold who started the fire, after having found this out herself, to make her look good. Emma wins the election, much to her surprise, and Gold explains that it is because she stood up to him and he is feared by the town. Emma realizes that Gold wanted her to expose him in order for her to win.

When Emma discovers two young children, Ava and Nichloas Zimmer, are living on their own without parents, she tries to do her best to keep them out of the foster system, which Regina is trying her best to enforce. Emma decides to find the pair's father, however, it is harder than she first thought. Emma believes she has broken ground when she finds an heirloom left to Ava by her father, a compass. Emma goes to Mr. Gold for help, asking him about the origins of said compass. Mr. Gold obliges to help the blonde and refers to his files to see who he sold the compass to. After a quick check, Gold tells Emma that it belonged to one Michael Tilman, and Emma uses this information to find the father and he is soon reunited with his children. However, when Emma leaves, it is discovered that the file Gold referred to is blank.

Emma and Sidney are driving through the woods when they crash due to breaks that have been tampered with by Regina. Soon, Emma storms through the woods with her torch, determined to get revenge on Regina. Sidney tries to stop her, but she states she's going to find Regina as she tried to have her killed. Sidney warns Emma to be cautious and think clear. Emma stops walking and tells him "to hell with caution", ready to find out what Regina's doing and why she's out in the woods. Suddenly, Mr. Gold, who's holding a briefcase, approaches them from deeper into the woods, and explains Regina was meeting him. Emma asks what he was doing out in the woods with Regina, so he tells her "just a little business transaction". Sidney asks what's in the briefcase, so Gold tells him that everything comes at a price; land being no different. Emma asks if that's why he met Regina, so she could buy land. Gold confirms, so Emma asks what she wants it for. Gold states that in business he finds it best not to ask many questions as it "hurts the bottom line". Gold however then asks Emma why she's in the middle of the woods with Mr. Glass. Sidney growls that Gold doesn't know what Regina did to him or Henry. He says they can't just sit idly by. Gold smiles and tells him "course you can". As Gold walks away, he warns the two to be careful as emotional entanglements can lead people down very dangerous paths. Emma and Sidney are left confused.

Mr. Gold repossesses a florist's van the day before Valentine's Day, ruining business for him, but, Gold is later robbed by the florist. He consults Emma, the sheriff, who retrieves all of the items besides one which is the only thing that Gold deems important. Mr. Gold then kidnaps Moe, the florist and begins to beat him, asking him where the item is and who told him to take it, he then begins to say "she's gone" as he beats him, referring to Belle, Rumplestiltskin's slost love. Emma catches Mr. Gold who suspects Regina is behind the robbery, he is arrested for kidnapping and assault. Regina later visits Mr. Gold in his cell to return the item in exchange for information, Gold's real name, he admits to being Rumplestiltskin and Regina gives him his chipped cup, the one that Belle dropped before she "died" It is revealed later that Regina has Belle's counterpart locked up in the underground psychiatric ward, unbeknownst to Gold. ("Skin Deep")

When Leroy needs money to help pay the nuns' rent, he offers to sell his boat to Mr. Gold for $5000, however, Mr. Gold will only go for about $3000. This is a useless encounter though, as Leroy never manages to sell his boat due to Astrid discovering that he didn't sell the candles like he said. ("Dreamy")

Mr. Gold shows up at the sheriff's office just as Emma suggests to Mary Margaret that she get a lawyer as she has been arrested for Kathryn's murder. Gold offers his services as lawyer, Mary Margaret decides to hire him but cannot pay him, Gold offers to do it for free as he is "ivested in her future". Later, Mary Margaret finds a key in her cell and escapes. ("Heart of Darkness")

Regina walks into the sheriff's office, expecting Mary Margaret to be gone due to the impantation of the key, however, she is annoyed to discover that Mary Margaret is in her cell, after having been found and brought back by Emma. Mr. Gold tells Regina that his client is not to be seeing any visitors at the moment. Outside, Regina furiously asks Gold what she's doing in her cell, he says that Emma is more resourceful than they anticipated. Regina says that she only planted the key upon his suggestion and that she wants results, hence why she made a deal with him. Mr. Gold assures Regina that she will get those results. ("Hat Trick")

It is revealed that Mr. Gold and Regina had been plottinbg to frame Mary Margaret for a while, Gold did it in exchange for dropped charges. They planned how to get rid of Mary Margaret and Regina asked how she can trust Mr. Gold, he told her that he honors his agreements. Emma, Gold and Mary Margaret discuss the upcoming court case and Mr. Gold suggests that the use May Margaret's kind nature as a defence, they could win. During questioning, Mary Margaret doesn't help herself when she is irritated into admitting that she wanted Kathryn gone. When it seems that Mary Margaret is doomed, Mr. Gold reminds Emma that there is still time for him to work a little magic. It is then that Ruby bursts in, saying that she saw someone in the alley, Emma investigates only to find Kathryn has returned. ("The Stable Boy")

Mr. Gold finds August W. Booth in his office and wonders what he was looking for, her later asks Emma if she trusts him and she says that she trusts August more than him. Later, Rumple suspects that August may be his long-lost son, he visits Archie Hopper to talk to him about talking to his son again. Later, in the woods, Mr. Gold confronts August who admits to being his son, Gold is overjoyed and apologizes. The two of them go to dig up the Dark One's dagger, which hold's Rumple's power, however, August tries to control Gold with it, proving to Gold that August lied about being his son. Gold pins August up to a tree, holding the knife to his neck, August admits that he's dying and was sent to make the savior believe but failed. Gold lets him go and tells him to try again. ("The Return")

Emma hires Mr. Gold in order to help her gain custody of Henry, he agrees to help her. August calls Gold and tells him that he wants to meet him concering Emma. Mr. Gold is helping Marco in his shop when August walks in, immediately recognizing Geppetto as his father but not saying anything. After Marco leaves, August tells Gold that Emma is too focused on her custody battle and he needs Gold to push her towards him so that he can get her to believe. Mr. Gold agrees to give Emma a little nudge towards him. Emma goes to see Mr. Gold and he refuses her case, doing what he promised and giving her as nudge towards August. ("The Stranger")

Regina becomes worried that her apple tree is dying and so goes to Mr. Gold. He explains it by telling her that the curse is weakening, this worries Regina, Gold tells her that if Emma were to die, the curse would be broken. Regina later goes back to Mr. Gold to gloat that she retrieved a poisoned apple from the fairytale world, Gold reminds her that all magic comes at a price and she tells him that he can pay it. ("An Apple Red as Blood")

Henry is dying because of the apple turnover baked with the poisned apple by Regina, Emma now believes and her and Regina must now team up to save Henry's life, they start by going to the only other person with magic, Mr. Gold, or, Rumplestiltskin. He reveals to them that he dapped the potion with a drop of true love, made from Snow White and Prince James (Emma's parents, hence why she is the savior) which means it contains some of the strongest magic. Gold tells them that he didn't use the whole potion and hid the rest in a golden egg which can be found with the maleficent dragon. Emma faces the dragon and retrieves the potion in the egg. However, when she is going up the lift, it stops, she climbs out of the top to see mr. Gold, he tells her that Regina tampered with the lift and abandoned her, Emma throws the egg to Gold and climbs up to discover that Gold was lying and has now ran off with the otion, having tied Regina up. Gold gets to his shop and an unexpected visitor shows up: Belle (who was earlier freed by Jefferson). She tells him that she was told to say that Regina locked her up, Mr. Gold promises to protect her, despite her not knowing who he is. The two venture to the well in the woods soon after Emma breaks the curse, they arrive, meaning that Belle remembers Gold/Rumplestiltskin and tells him that she loves him. He pours the love into the well creating a purple mist that spreads over Storybrooke, he says that magic is coming back and Belle asks him why, he tells her that it is because magic is power. ("A Land Without Magic")

Season 2
"Promise me you won’t give into your hate. Promise me you won’t kill her. Promise me... and we can be together."

- Belle

Rumplestiltskin and Belle are still at the well after the purple mist dissipates and Rumple asks his true love what happened to her, she tells him that she was taken away and locked up by Regina, Rumple says that he cannot and will not let that stand but Belle makes him promise her not to kill her, he does. However, when Rumple and Belle return to the shop and he goes to get her some clothes, he retrieves the wraith's medallion from a box. Later, Rumple visits Regina in prison and, keeping his promise to Belle, does not kill her, instead, he gives her a fate worse than death by pressing her hand up to the medallion, marking her for the wraith. Later still, Gold is visited by Emma, Prince Charming and Snow White who come baring questions, he answers questions with questions, twisting Emma's words, when a sudden earth-tremor is felt, they look out the window to see Storybrooke fallen into dispair, they leave to fight it. Belle emerges and learns what Rumple did to Regina, she mentions how he always twists words and angrily leaves, hoping that he had changed. However, Belle returns and forgives him, happy to see that his most cherished item is her chipped cup. He tells her to leave, saying that he's still a monster, despite her wishes, however, Belle refuses, saying that that's exactly why he needs her.

Rumple walks into his shop to find Regina rifling through his books, hoping to find one inparticular. Rumple asks her what she's doing and she says that she wants to get her magic back, she notes that it is only her and him that know at that point that fairytale land still exists. Rumple asks her to leave and uses 'please', however, Regina tells him that his pleases have lost their punch, Rumple conjurs the book and gives it to her, the same book he gave to her when he trained her in the first place. Rumple is later visited by Prince Charming who wants something to help him find someone, he asls for something similar to the ring Rumple gave him to find Snow, however, Charming refuses to show Gold the item or tell him to whom it belongs, Rumplestiltskin gives the prince a potion, that, when poured said object, will allow it to find its owner. Charming and Rumple make a deal that each will stay out of the others' way. Rumple asks what happens when they leave Storybrooke, Charming tells him that people lose their memories of their magical selves and their Storybrooke selves becomes their only identity. When Charming leaves, enraged by the truth, Rumple begins to smash up his shop with his cane. Later, Gold is seen merely standing at the barrier around the town.

After Belle has a bad dream about Rumple still being the same man he always was, she goes to check on him, she sees him spinning straw into gold for magical purposes. The next morning, Belle confronts him but he is refusant to tell her, she accuses him of being a coward and leaves. Rumple goes to Moe French/Sir Maurice with a wanted poster of Belle, he claims to have no idea where she is but makes it clear what a monster he believes Rumple to be. Rumple then goes to Prince Charming, the acting sheriff, and the two of them begin to search Storybrooke for Belle, to little avail. Rumple asks Charming how he makes his relationship with Snow work and he explains that it stems from honesty of the heart, something Rumple rarely gives. They stroke luck with Granny's Diner as Red has seen her, saying that she wanted a job and that she suggested the library. Rec pulls out a sweater that Belle left and asks Gold to return it to her, however, she soon realizes that she can use the thing to sniff Belle out, thanks to her wolf side. Charming, Rumple and Red stop outside of Maurice's florist and Rumple confronts him once more, Maurice tells Rumple that he will make Belle forget she even loved him, at any cost, Rumple realizes that this means he is going to make her cross the wall. Charming wonders how he is planning to do this as trolls are guarding each exit, he soon realizes that Maurice has been down to the mines, so the four of them head there too. Belle is already being crated out of Storybrooke on a mine trail but Rumple uses his magic to pull the cart conatining her back. She is grateful but stil mad at him, and with her father, she tells them that she never wants to see either of them again. Rumple gives Belle the key to the library which he has now bought for her and he gains sympathy by explaining that he was using magic to try and find a way out of Storybrooke so that he may find his son, Baelfire, Belle understands and is sorry. It is soon revealed that Rumple has kidnapped Mr. Smee and tied him up, he demands to know the whereabouts of Captain Hook, however, Smee is nonethewiser.

Dr. Whale visits Mr. Gold with only one arm after it is ripped off of him by Daniel. He asks the pawnbroker if he can restore the arm and Rumple says he can. He asks "Victor" why he wants his arm back and he says that it's so he can use it again, Gold sees this as obvious and pries further, it is then revealed that Victor wants to continue work on his brother. Rumple still refuses to restore the arm, telling Victor that there's a difference between "can" and "will" and that he needs to hear something from him. Victor admits that he needs magic. Taking this as a victory that magic is better than science, Rumple then returns the doctor's arm to his body in less than a second.

Regina goes to check on Henry in his sleep and has to wake him from a bad dream, however, she is shocked to learn that Henry's hand is burned from the fire within his dream, at this odd occurance, Regina calls in Mr. Gold. Gold explains that when people are put under a sleeping curse, one that Regina uses, their souls are taken to another world, one that can be revisited via dream even after this person wakes up, such as in Henry's case. Regina requests that Rumple do something to prevent this from happening, however, he can't, instead he pours some potion into a medalleon that, when worn by Henry, and Henry alone, will allow him to control his dreams. Regina is hesitant about accepting it, saying that Gold always demands a price, however, he says that since it's for Henry, it's on him.

When Snow and Emma learn that they can communicate with Henry through Aurora due to the sleeping curse, Snow figures that Rumple will have a way to stop Cora. Rumple is having lunch with Belle at Granny's Diner when they're approached by Regina who tells Rumple of Cora's threat to Storybrooke. Rumple, Charming and Regina allow Henry to fall asleep after Rumple tells him that to stop Cora, they will need the ink that resides in Rumple's old cell. Henry tries to tell this to Aurora but she's woken up before he can. Henry is now burned but Rumple soon heals him before they decide to put Charming under a sleeping curse instead so that he can communicate with Snow. Charming is put under the curse by pricking his finger on a spinning wheel and all Rumple and the others an do is wish him good luck.

Rumple points out to Regina that they should probably stop a portal from ebing opened as Cora could get through, telling the mayor that if all goes wrong when she was trying to help, it would make her look very appealing in the eyes of Henry. wn into the Storybrooke mines to collect the magic diamonds, Rumple transfers them into magic using the Fairy Godmother's wand. The two of them concoct a spell over the town well where the portal shall open so that if anyone were to come through, they would surely not survive. Henry and Red head them off, enraged that the fairy dust is missing, Rumple sends Red flying with a wave of his hand where as Henry is restrained by Regina. Eventually, Henry asks Regina to have faith in him and so she absorbs the magic from the well and Emma and Snow get through safely. Charming is woken by Snow and Emma talks to Gold, she has realized that she was prophsized by him, however, he tells her that he merely used her to his advantage, he helps her realize herself that she has magic.

Origins
The character of Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin is based upon the titular character and main antagonist of a fairytale originated from Germany, "Rumpelstiltskin", the tale was later collected by the Brothers Grimm in the 1812 edition of Children's and Household Tales and was revised for subsequent editions. In the original tale, a miller, in an attempt to seem more important, lies to a king, telling him that she can spin straw into gold, when in truth, she cannot spin at all. She is then locked in a tower with a spinning wheel and straw and told to present the king with gold by morning or she will lose her head. She has given up all hope when an imp-like creature appears in the room and spins the straw into gold for her in return for her necklace. When the king takes the girl on the next morning to a larger room filled with straw to repeat the feat, the imp spins in return for the girl's ring. On the third day, when the girl has been taken to a still-larger room filled with straw and told by the king that he will marry her if she can fill this room with gold or kill her if she cannot, the girl has nothing left with which to pay the strange creature. He extracts from her a promise that her firstborn child will be given to him, and spins the room full of gold a final time. The king keeps his promise to marry the miller's daughter, but when their first child is born, the imp returns to claim his payment: "Now give me what you promised." The now-queen offers him all the wealth she has if she may keep the child. The imp has no interest in her riches, but finally consents to give up his claim to the child if the queen is able to guess his name within three days. Her many guesses over the first two days fail, but before the final night, her messenger comes across the imp's remote mountain cottage and watches, unseen, as the imp hops about his fire and sings. In his song's lyrics, he reveals his name. When the imp comes to the queen on the third day and she, after first feigning ignorance, then reveals his true name, Rumpelstiltskin loses his temper and his bargain. This tale is never actually presented within Once Upon a Time, however, Rumple's story with Cinderella follows it most closely. In the show, Rumple is given other fairytale identities such as the "beast" from "Beauty and the Beast", a popular French fairytale. He also portrays the crocodile from "Peter Pan", a novel by Scottish playwright, J. M. Barrie, in the sense that he is the character who takes the hand of Captain Hook. In the show, Rumple appears in a number of stories, none of which actually relate to his original tale, besides the fact that he loves to strike a deal.

Gallery
Gallery of photographic stills released to promote the character.