Straw into Gold

Summary: You know that old story about Rumpelstiltskin where at the end the poor guy explodes and the miller's daughter lives happily ever after as queen? Well forget that story, because that isn't how this one is going to go. Starring Riven as Rumpelstiltskin, Flora as the Miller's daughter and Helia as the King. Yeah it's Flora Riven, AU, and a bit OOC.

Disclaimer: I don't own Winx Club or any version of Rumpelstiltskin. But I do own the ashes to the mill.


Once upon a time in a small town far way that no one has heard of, long before the days of fire departments and home owner's insurance there lived a miller and his daughter, Flora. They were a small but reasonably happy family and the mill made enough money to keep the bills paid and even allowed them luxuries like strawberry printed skirts and plants. Unfortunately this all ended when the mill burned down.

It was all tragically sudden, one minute they had a home and income- the next minute they were out on the streets with nothing but the clothes on their backs. No money, nor any way of making money. Not even the possibility of ever getting money again unless one of them came up with a plan.

Now, the miller had been a very prosperous miller. He was probably a very good father as well, but his planning skills were more than just slightly lacking. In fact they were terrible.

The miller's plan consisted of him and his daughter sitting by the side of the road and waiting until someone who looked wealthy passed by. When this happened the miller would then announce: "My daughter can spin straw into gold. Is that not amazing?" After catching the person's interest "And who wouldn't be interested?" the miller had argued- he would say- "Give her but three gold pieces and she'll spin a barn full of straw into gold for you."

If the rich person was still interested, the miller would then explain that his daughter's magic only worked by moonlight. "You must leave her alone and she must have no disturbances what so ever all night long. And by dawn all the straw shall be spun into gold."

"I'm afraid I don't understand father." Flora replied respectfully after the miller had told her his idea. "This plan of yours is a bit flawed. I can't even spin wool into thread let alone straw into gold. The last spinning wheel I touched broke. I have no idea…."

"No, no, no." The miller interrupted shaking his head. "You don't get it."

"Yes, father that's what I just said."

"Then listen, Flora." The miller explained carefully. "The plan is that after we receive our payment, we'll run away in the middle of the night to another province."

"That's stealing, which you've always said was wrong." Flora pointed out frowning. "What kind of role model are you? Teaching your child to lie and steal from people? You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Yes, you're right about that Flora. What I'm making you do is wrong." Her father admitted. "But, we shall use that gold to build a new mill. Then once that mill is up and running successfully, we'll save the extra money and repay the person who we stole it from. So technically we're not really stealing, we're just borrowing without telling the person."

Flora still didn't like the idea, but since she had no job experience beyond milling and being a daughter, she agreed.

So Flora and her father sat on the side of the road and waited for a rich person to pass by. As bad luck would have it the first person to pass by was the richest person in the town- okay make that the country- King Helia (1).

"Oh crap." Flora muttered to herself recognizing the royal emblem on the carriage doors. "Father, maybe we should wait for the next one."

But if the miller was bad at making plans, he was even worse at changing his course of action once he'd started. Standing in the middle of the road, waving his arms high above his head the miller called out, "My daughter can spin straw into gold! If you give us three gold pieces, she shall spin a whole barn full of straw into gold for you!"

The king gave the signal for his driver to stop the horses. "You," he called, leaning out of the window. "Both of you…er... people, come closer." The king wore fine robes of rich plum silk embroidered with jewels and gold thread. He had more gold rings on his fingers than he had fingers and his wig, which was heavily perfumed, was made up of thick black ringlets veiling his pale face. Helia drew an embroidered silk handkerchief from his embroidered doublet and placed it under his nose, for Flora and her father still smelled of the smoke from their burned down mill. "What did you say?" He ordered.

The miller wasn't sure if the king's question meant that he should now explain about how his daughter's magic only worked by the light of the moon or if the king was hard of hearing and needed everything repeated to him. Clearing his throat, he began in a loud voice, enunciating each word slowly. "My daughter can spin straw into gold. If you give us but three gold pieces, she shall…."

The king waved his bejeweled hand and cut the miller off abruptly. "Yes, yes. I heard all that. But if your daughter can spin straw into gold then why are you two dressed in rags?"

"That's a very good question." The miller replied slowly. "A very good question indeed. Why are we in rags?"

The miller hadn't anticipated this question. He was all ready to explain about how the moonlight was the only way that the magic could work. And now that he couldn't say that, he didn't know what to say. He hadn't thought about the possibility of someone questioning their appearance. Perhaps thought the miller I could explain that because of the new moon there hasn't been any moonlight?

Helia dabbed at his nose then dropped the silk handkerchief into the muddy street. Since he never used a handkerchief more than once. After the old one fell into the muck he pulled out a new one from his sleeve then turned his attention back to the miller and his daughter. "Well, I'm waiting for an answer." You could almost hear 'you insignificant slug' at the end of that sentence.

"Our mill burned down and so did my spinning wheel." Flora supplied quickly as she gave her father a sharp jab in the side with her elbow.

"Yes," The miller agreed. "And since we have no spinning wheel, we have no way to spin straw into gold."

"Hmm," The king replied. "Very well then. You may follow me to the palace. Upon arrival you shall be provided with six gold pieces and a spinning wheel along with plenty of straw." He then dropped his second handkerchief into the muddy road without even using it.

The miller nudged his daughter as they started following the carriage to the palace. "See, Flora," He said grinning. "I told you that this plan would work. And the king is even paying double what I asked."

"Yes," Flora replied dully, "So you did. And he is paying more than you asked." But she was still worried about the final outcome of this plan.

Well, there's the first part. I hope you like it. I'll be writing the second part out after I load this. So please read and review.

Oh and if you like this story- check out either The Rumpelstiltskin Problem or The Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird by Vivian Vande Velde

1.) Yeah, I know artistic licensing. Trust me, I'm laughing too.

* impatiently taps foot as I wait for the new chapter to post. Come on DK what is taking so long? *looks at watch and starts tapping foot again....

Awesome

Recap: The Miller and his daughter had been doing well for themselves, but then a fire burned down their mill and they have to figure out how to get money. The miller decided to make up a story that his daughter could spin straw into gold and the first person he told was the king.

Disclaimer: I don't own Winx Club or any version of Rumpelstiltskin. Hell, I don't even own a spinning wheel!


Flora had been right to worry, for when they arrived at the palace the miller's already ragged plan began to fall apart at the seams.

Helia insisted that Flora do her spinning inside the palace itself instead of in the stables.

"But," The miller protested, "She must do her magic at night, by the light of the moon."

"Not to worry," Said the king. "The rooms on the fifth floor have windows to let in plenty of moonlight."

The miller struggled to catch his breath since it would be next to impossible to get Flora away from the palace if she was too high up. He tried again. "But if Flora is interrupted at any time the magic will reverse itself and the gold will turn back into straw."

"That won't be a problem. My servants shall lock her in her room and my guards shall be posted outside the door to make sure she is not disturbed in any way."

Flora stomped on her father's foot to warn him not to say anything else that would worsen their already perilous situation.

"And of course, if she fails at her task, she loses her head in the morning." The king added, looking meaniningfuly at the miller. To his guards he said, "Take this man away and lock him up. See to it that he doesn't try any funny stuff, like trying to escape." As two large guards lead the miller away, Helia called out, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give you your six gold pieces…or your daughter's head."

"But…but…" The miller stuttered, but before he could think of anything else to say, he was dragged around a corner.

This left Flora alone for the first time in her life.

The king lead Flora up to a room that was as large as the entire mill had been. Servants brought in a sturdy looking spinning wheel and then load after load of straw until the whole room was filled from floor to ceiling, save for the small area surrounding the spinning wheel.

How in the world and I going to get out of this mess? Flora asked herself. She had hoped to sneak out the door while the servants were busy making the deliveries of that dammed straw, but someone was always watching her every move. Then after the palace guards had locked her in, she tried to pop open the lock with a hairpin like she'd heard about in stories. But all she'd gotten for her efforts was a bent hairpin. Flora couldn't have even climb out the window because even if it hadn't been so narrow, she was too high up. And even if she did manage to escape, what about her father?

Trying to make herself feel better, Flora started to curse and kicked at the spinning wheel knocking it over. The outburst didn't really do much except maybe raise her blood pressure, but she did feel a teensy bit better.

The servants hadn't bothered to feed her when they locked her up and now as the room began to grow steadily darker and the only light filling the room was from the moonlight streaming through the narrow window of her prison Flora hungrily added dinner to the list of meals she'd missed today.

Sitting on the stone floor, the last thing she wanted to start doing was crying, but that's exactly what Flora did- loudly.

After a while- after quite a long while- Flora used the sleeve of her blouse to rub her eyes and nose since she didn't posses a handkerchief, silk or otherwise. From behind her came the sound of someone clearing his throat discreetly. Out of the corner of her eye, Flora saw that whoever was behind her was holding out a handkerchief.

Without turning around, Flora tried to work out her explanation. "Well, you see." She began slowly. "Crying, well, it's necessary for the magic. The tears are… a lubricant for the straw… but as I'm sure you've been informed this only works when I'm completely alone and since you're watching I'm definitely not alone. Also since you've been watching I won't be able to start this spell again until…." At this point Flora did turn around and she stopped talking mid-explanation.

She'd been expecting one of the king's servants or even the king himself. Instead, crouched behind her was a young man who was obviously not even human. In fact he was more like an elf. (1). Tall and slender, with pointy ears, pointy magenta hair and sparkling amethyst eyes, he'd been listening very attentively if somewhat disbelieving.

"Well, that certainly doesn't make much sense." He told her, but then he smiled warmly and Flora thought that he was handsome in a strange otherworldly way. He was quick to add, "But I do admire your quick thinking."

"Who are you?" Flora gasped in surprise, because even in her shocked state, she knew that the question, "what are you" would be rude. "What do you want? How in the world did you get here?"

The young elf paused a moment to consider the questions, then in the order they had been asked: "Rivenstiltskin. I heard you crying in my world and came to see what the matter was. And sideways, in between the particles."

"What did you say?" Flora asked disbelieving.

The elf raised his voice slightly and spoke clearer. "Rivenstiltskin. I heard you crying and…"

"No, no, no. I meant the part about… sideways?"

Rivenstiltskin nodded. "The world of humans and the world of magic exist side by side." He demonstrated by holding his hands out, his long slender fingers spread apart, and then he put his hands together, intertwining the fingers. "So that we're not taking up space that's being used by humans."- He was watching Flora skeptically as if suspecting that she didn't understand his meaning, which she didn't. "And vice versa."

"Oh," Flora said. "And you heard me crying in your world?"

"Well, you were crying rather loudly." the young elf explained gently.

Flora finally took the handkerchief he was offering and wiped her nose. She knew that blowing it would have been more effective, but it also was too noisy and undignified. "I don't usually cry. I know it's rather stupid, and it's not helpful because it doesn't do anything but give you a headache and it is rather unattractive as well… and."

"But I heard it." Rivenstiltskin pointed out. "And I came to see what was the matter. So, you see, sometimes crying does do more than give you a headache it can be helpful." He stood up straight and looked around the room. "Castle." He said as though he hadn't noticed before where he was. "Despite the straw, this is definitely a castle." He took a closer look at Flora. "However, you don't really look like a castle person."

"That's because I'm not a castle person," Flora admitted sullenly, "I'm a mill person. At least I was. But then the mill burned down, then my father told the king that I could spin straw into gold so that we could get a few gold pieces from him so we could rebuild our mill. We would have paid back the gold after we got the new mill up and running except that the king's guards took my father who knows where and locked me here and I have to spin all this straw into gold by dawn or he'll chop off both our heads."

"You can spin straw into gold?" Rivenstiltskin was obviously very impressed.

"No." Flora replied dully.

"Then, I think your plan is a bit flawed." Rivenstiltskin said.

"I know, that's why I was crying." Flora rested her face in her hands.

Rivenstiltskin started to place his hands over his ears. "You're not going to start crying again, are you?" He asked sounding worried.

"No." Flora replied. "You can go back where you came from. I won't bother you again."

But the young elf just stood where he was.

After a while he said, "You weren't bothering me. I just wish I knew how to help you, that's all."

The sad thing was that even without raising her head to look at him, Flora could tell that Rivenstiltskin was truly sincere. Beyond helpless, but really very sincere about wanting to help her out of this predicament her father had gotten her into.

"I think it's really very admirable," He continued, "that you were going to pay back the money, even before the king gave it to you. But I have honestly never heard of anyone being able to spin straw into gold. I wouldn't have any idea where to start."

"That's alright," Flora said, trying to sound convincing. "I suppose that having your head chopped off is a lot more pleasant than starving to death. It's definitely quicker."

After a few minutes Rivenstiltskin spoke up, "I have an idea."

Flora finally looked up.

"We could throw all the straw out the window, then I could replace it with gold from my world. As long as it doesn't have to be spun out."

"I doubt the king would complain no matter what form the gold was in, but would you really be able to do that?"

Rivenstiltskin nodded. "In exchange."

"In exchange for what?" Flora asked curiously.

"What do you have?"

Flora thought for a moment. The mill had burnt down with all her possessions and all she had was her second best chemise and short gown and her earrings. The earrings, which were twenty-four karat gold hoops had been her mother's. "I have these gold earrings which belonged to my mother." Flora said, taking the earrings off and holding them out to Rivenstiltskin.

Rivenstiltskin looked from her to the earrings and back to her again. "You want me to substitute this straw into a room full of gold and you're offering me these earrings in exchange?"

Flora felt her face grow red with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking-"

"No, no." Rivenstiltskin said. "I didn't mean that…." Flora could tell that the young elf was genuinely distressed that he had upset her. "The earrings will be fine."

Flora handed them over, for even if he meant to take them and run away and never come back with the gold that he'd promised to replace the straw she certainly didn't think she'd be any worse off than she was at that moment.

Well, another chapter over and done. Thanks for reading and reviewing- even you Lee. So, is Rivenstiltskin going to help Flora out? Or was he just a common thief? Well, you'll find out soon enough.

1.)Technically the specialists aren't fairies so what are they? Riven is an elf for this story, deal with it.

Love it

wow this is a good fanfic

firebid1030 wrote:

wow this is a good fanfic

Thanks. And finally the 3rd chapter!! Thanks for waiting *throws confetti*

Recap: Thanks to her father's botched plan, Flora is now stuck in a tower. Her loud crying brings the aide of Rivenstiltskin, a young elf who appears sideways through the particles. He offers to help Flora out, but will this plan malfunction just like the other one?

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to anything in this story… yet but as soon as I find the Philosopher's stone (1), me and Signor Straffi are going to have a little talk.

Part Three: Exchanging Straw for Gold

Much to Flora's surprise, Rivenstiltskin didn't run off with her earrings. The elf kept disappearing (sideways, he insisted, through the particles), but he always returned with gold cups, gold saucers even a gold chamber pot at one point assuring her each time that everything would be fine and that the king would allow her to keep her head where it was- firmly attached to her body.

Flora kept throwing straw out the window until the next thing she knew she heard the king's voice on the other side of the door calling out, "It's dawn. Prepare to meet your fate!" Flora threw the last armload of straw out the window and when she turned back, Rivenstiltskin was gone and the king was standing in the doorway blinking his large blue eyes in amazement.

"Well done," The king said taking a bit of snuff. "I must say: very well done."

Before she could finish, the king gestured to one of his attendants who reached into a bag hanging from his belt. The king picked out six gold coins and dropped them, one by one, into Flora's hands.

"Thank you, your eminence." Flora replied curtsying. "Now, if your eminence wouldn't mind…."

"In fact," The king continued as though Flora hadn't spoken, stroking his chin, "this is so well done I think that I shall hire you for another night."

"What?" Flora gasped shocked. "But…"

The king gestured to another attendant. "Clean her up." He ordered. "Feed her. Keep her amused until tonight." He looked around the room appreciatively again. "Most impressive." He sighed happily gazing at the piles of gold objects.

None of this helped to improve Flora's mood.

The servants lead Flora down a hall into a bathing room where a tub of hot water and some scented soap had been placed. One maid helped the befuddled mill girl off with her old scorched clothing and Flora eagerly sunk into the tub and began to scrub off all of the sweat and soot.

After she was done with her bath another maid came in and helped Flora dress in a gown more elegant than anything she'd ever dreamed of wearing. Then a group of servants came in and laid out a feast for her, the most sumptuous food she had ever tasted on dishes of fine china etched in silver and set with sapphires. All day long successions of servants played harps and mandolins for her and sang songs, and brushed her hair until it shone like brown satin and manicured her nails. They were friendly towards her in every way. But when evening came, they locked her in a room even bigger than the first and filled, except for a three foot area around the spinning wheel, with straw.

Flora sank down into one of the numerous pies of straw. Well she told herself, with the exception of the threat of having your head chopped off, you've never had a better day. Then she tried to tell herself that she was lucky to have had such a wonderful day, but she didn't feel very lucky. Instead Flora felt let down. All that gold that Rivenstiltskin had brought and here she was right back where she started from. It was kind of him to have tried to help, but it had all come to nothing. She rested her chin in her hands and growled angrily.

And looked up again when she felt a gentle touch on her arm. "I wasn't crying." She pointed out.

"No," Rivenstiltskin replied, "but this time I was looking for you." He walked around the room, or at least around the spinning wheel- which was the only part of the room with no straw heaped around it. "More straw into gold?" He observed. "Is the king still threatening to chop off your head?"

"Yep." Flora replied casually. She had already decided that one night of playing the victim was more than enough.

"Did he at least pay you for the last batch."

Flora held out the six gold pieces that the king had given her.

"Quite a bargain." Rivenstiltskin sank down next to her in the straw. "Offer them to me and I'll bring more gold."

Flora looked at him incredulously. "Offer you six gold pieces for a room full of gold? At least the earrings had some sentimental value."

Rivenstiltskin just grinned at her. "Offer them to me." He repeated

Flora gently placed the coins into his hand.

Then, just as they had done the previous night, Rivenstiltskin brought armloads of gold objects from between the particles while Flora tossed straw out the window. But this time the young woman knew that the king would be pleased so instead of worrying if her head would still be attached to her body in the morning she and Rivenstiltskin talked and laughed together as if they were old friends.

By the time the king had returned at dawn, all the straw was gone from the room and piles of more gold objects were in its place.

"Thank you very much." Flora whispered as they heard the key turn in the lock.

Rivenstiltskin bowed politely and then disappeared.

The door banged open.

"Well done!" the king exclaimed once again. "Truly amazingly well done!"

"Yes, thank you." Flora replied quickly. "And now I must be leaving or my father will be worri-"

"Nonsense," the king interrupted. "Your father is just fine. And we're having such a good time together I insist that you stay with me."

If this is his idea of a good time I'd hate to be around when he has a bad time. Flora thought to herself. Aloud she managed to squeak out, "Stay?"

"Of course," The king replied confidently. "Someone with your abilities would make an excellent queen."

"Queen?" Flora repeated dumbstruck.

The king gave a gracious nod. "Spin another roomful of straw into gold and we'll consider that your dowry. I'll marry you the following day."

"Oh my." Flora's hands flew to her face.

The king gestured to a nearby servant. "Dress her in the finest silks and jewels." He ordered. "Feed her off my own dishes. Treat her like a queen until tonight."

"But," Flora started. "But"

The king kissed her hands and swept out of the room in a cloud of expensive perfume.

The servants dressed Flora in a gown even richer and more resplendent than the one she was already wearing weighted down with seed pearls and rubies. The stomacher was embroidered with gold thread and decorated with countless precious stones. Diamond studded tortoise shell combs graced her long auburn hair which had been elaborately braided and strung with pearls. There were jewels hanging from her neck and ears; even stitched onto her shoes. And the servants laid out a banquet even more elaborate than the day before. The food was served on dishes of gold with diamonds and emeralds with gold cutlery and crystal goblets. And all day long the servants played music, read poetry and gave her a pedicure and were respectful towards her in every way. But when evening came they locked her in a bigger room than the night before filled to the ceiling beams with straw except around the spinning wheel.

"Rivenstiltskin," Flora said out loud as soon as she was alone, "if there ever was a time I needed you this is it!"

The young elf appeared before her. He bowed just as he had when they had parted this morning as though he had been awaiting her summons all day.

"This time," Flora said cheerfully, "at least I have something to offer you." Taking off her ruby and pearl choker she continued. "And I've thought of a way out of this whole spinning ordeal: I'll tell the king that my magic spinning cannot be done more than three times for any one person. Three is a magical number you know." She removed a garnet and opal bracelet from her wrist, but Rivenstiltskin hadn't even taken the choker yet. "What's the matter?" she asked concerned for her friend.

"Those aren't yours to give." He said simply. "Those are the king's."

"Oh, what about these?" Flora indicated the pearls in her hair and the jewels sewn onto her sleeves.

Rivenstiltskin shook his head. "Didn't the king pay you for the second room of gold?"

"Well, no not exactly." Flora responded. "He told me that he would marry me and make me queen."

"I see." Rivenstiltskin replied. "Well that man certainly has a way with words. First he says, 'Spin this straw into gold by tomorrow or lose your head.' Then he says, 'Spin this straw into gold by tomorrow or lose your head.' Then he says, 'Spin this straw into gold and I'll marry you.' No wonder you want to marry him, this guy is a true romantic."

"Now you wait a minute!" Flora exclaimed. "That's not fair. It's not every day that a miller's daughter gets the chance to marry the king and improve her station in life."

"No," Rivenstiltskin replied softly, "I would imagine not." The young elf stared down at his pointed shoes as he spoke.

Flora shuddered. Having come so far, she had finally allowed herself to believe that she may actually survive her father's plan unscathed. She finally spoke. "Since you won't accept these jewels, then I have nothing to offer you."

Rivenstiltskin gazed at her for a long moment before answering. "Then, I shall do it for you for nothing."

Once again they worked together, Rivenstiltskin bringing gold from his world into the locked room while Flora tossed the straw out the window. But while on the first night they had worked franticly hoping that their plan would succeed and the king would be fooled, and the second night when they had worked enjoying each other's company- this third night they had nothing to say to one another and worked silently.

As Flora threw the last handfuls of straw out the window she turned to the young elf who had helped her out three times and saved her neck; quite literally, and said "Rivenstiltskin, I-"

But he had already returned to his own world without a word of farewell, leaving Flora to wait for the king alone in the breaking dawn.

The king was delighted with his new roomful of gold, but when Flora told him that the laws of magic prevented her from spinning anymore gold for him, he complained bitterly that she had tricked him. Sky was all for chopping off Flora's head, but the king's royal advisor's said that, since the royal marriage had already been announced, that it would be a bad idea to suddenly chop off her head.

And so, the king and the miller's daughter were married.

Well, another chapter down and this one was a bit longer than the others. I have one more to go. And I really do appreciate all the reviews, keep them coming.

1.)For anyone who doesn't watch Full Metal Alchemist, the Philosopher's Stone is this mythical artifact that enables you to do alchemy without drawing a circle or making an equivalent of exchange.

I can't wait to read chapter 4. Keep up the good work

Nice

Thanks.