Rumpelstiltskin (2025) Movie Script
1
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 fuck 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 fucking 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 cunt 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 cock 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 whore
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 bastard.
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
executed too, you know.
You're never above me
taking your fucking
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 cunt,
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.
Fuck 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 whore 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 executed.
- No, I...
- Uh-uh-uh-uh.
I believe in you.
Little gold spinner.
Father!
Father!
I don't even know
how to fucking 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 fucking 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 fucking gold.
Fucking 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 cock 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 shit silver
and gets out of my ass.
I am going to sit here...
And I am going to watch you
till the cock 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 cock 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
fuck 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 cock.
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 fucking 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 cunts,
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 fucking
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 killed 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 shoot 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 shoot 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 shit
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 fucking 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
whore 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 killed 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.
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 fuck 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 fucking 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 cunt 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 cock 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 whore
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 bastard.
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
executed too, you know.
You're never above me
taking your fucking
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 cunt,
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.
Fuck 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 whore 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 executed.
- No, I...
- Uh-uh-uh-uh.
I believe in you.
Little gold spinner.
Father!
Father!
I don't even know
how to fucking 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 fucking 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 fucking gold.
Fucking 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 cock 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 shit silver
and gets out of my ass.
I am going to sit here...
And I am going to watch you
till the cock 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 cock 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
fuck 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 cock.
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 fucking 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 cunts,
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 fucking
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 killed 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 shoot 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 shoot 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 shit
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 fucking 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
whore 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 killed 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.