Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-25926288-20161115221120

Do you see a path of redemption for Rumple? Can they feasibly have a happy ending that doesn't involve his untimely demise? Are they doomed to fail?

Tidbit: Rumple and Belle may have actually spent more time apart than they have together. If we go by a rough timeline it looks like this:

- Rumple and Belle spend several months in the Dark Castle, with a budding romance. Rumple pushes Belle away for his power. (3 to 6 mos)

- Belle is kidnapped after a small adventure and held by Regina. Belle decides to fight for Rumple. ( 2 to 3 years)

28 years of a Dark Curse.

- Rumple toys with his words, trying to get revenge. Belle has enough. Belle returns (all within a month or so)

- Belle is shot and has amnesia. Belle's memory is eventually resotred before Rumple heads to Neverland (all within a month or so)

- Belle lives without Rumple for a week (3A) and Rumple returns and shortly Rumple sacrifices himself. Rumple returns, but is enslaved by Zelena before the Dark Curse. (9 mos)

- Rumple is freed. They get married based on a lie. Belle eventually discovers the lie (About a few weeks, or a couple of months)

- Rumple is banished and returns (about two months)

- Rumple is in town, Belle had moved on, but due to circumstances, Belle gets Rumple some help for his darkened heart (a few weeks)

- Rumple's in a coma, Belle is in Camelot on adventures. Dark Swan has him (6-8 weeks)

- Hero Rumple tries again with Belle and lasts for a few weeks.

- Rumple is DO and Belle finds out and they've been standoffish since. 