Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26179634-20141219181118/@comment-24674051-20160329170933

That is correct. Zelena sent Lumiere into Rumples castle with the specific mission to trick Belle and Neal into ressurecting Rumple. These are probably the only 2 people in entire EF that would even care about Rumple, as anyone else is either giddy over the demise of the DO, or sad at the sacrifice made by said DO.

It was Lumiere that directed Neal and Belle to the key to the Vault of the DO, under Zelena's orders. And Zelena's trademark "oops" when Rumple confronted Zelena about not revealing the price pretty much confirmed that Zelena was definitely complicit in what happened.

Yes, Neal should have known that there was a price to pay. Yes, Belle did try to stop him after finding out that Lumiere was lying. They were just as complicit in the action. But given time without interference, Belle would have found the key and the price on her own, and known to avoid it. And based on the fact that we know Rumple has been to the UW and back, even going to the UW to gain his release (which is probably the only other option) would require a life for a life.

here's the question I've always had (and I know this is a little off topic). Why in the world did Zelena want Rumple ressurected in the first place?