Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26116863-20150512000952/@comment-26088930-20150513184729

ChocolatEyes613 wrote: Hmcooper4 wrote:

I think Belle was lying to herself, and to Rumple, when she said she knew what she was getting herself into with their relationship. However, now that the Dark One is removed from Rumple, I can see Belle giving him another chance. That is just who Belle is, and it is not necessarily a bad thing. There is still the problem of Rumplestiltskin being a coward, who thinks himself unworthy of being loved. Belle might be willing, to give him yet another chance.... but will he be open to that? Belle also needs to understand that it was actually Rumple, and not the Dark One, who hurt her. The Darkness did not force Rumple to make bad choices, or lie to his wife. He had free-will, and chose to do that. Remember, he became the Dark One out of cowardice and desperation. Whereas, Emma sacrificed herself to preserve her friend's happiness.

Actually he became the dark one to save Baelfire from an almost certain death. It was the best way he could think of to get serious power fast.