Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-28743283-20160704021206/@comment-24674051-20160727003952

How did she confuse you? Is it that Rumple was unable to wake her with TLK?

If that is the case, then the reason is that TLK must have TL on BOTH SIDES. Emma/Henry in Season 1, David/Snow, Regina/Henry in Season 3, Killian/Emma (confirmed in the UW going for the Ambrosia in "Firebird"). At the moment, Belle does not hold TL for Rumple, so TLK will not work. Rumple, i do believe, sincerely does love Belle, and simply makes bad choices when it comes to his magic, allowing his lust for power to override his love for Belle.

I think that, should push come to shove, Rumple would do just about anything to save Belle. And that is, again, his problem. To Rumple, the End justifies the means. He'll choose power over love, just as he has done since the first time he held the DO dagger in his hand.