Baelfire is the only son of the Dark One, cherished and beloved by his father. It is for Baelfire that Rumple makes all his decisions, and it is for him that the curse and all of Rumplestiltskin's deals were made. Only he could keep light in his father's heart and chase away the darkness that reigned. He was born to Rumplestiltskin and Milah in the heat of the Ogres' War. His born was foretold to his father by a seer, who told him that his actions on the battlefield would leave his son without a father. But Rumple was desperate to spare his son from the same terrible fate he had suffered: growing up without a father. He injured himself - the only way to avoid treason and fighting- and hobbled home to Milah. Ashamed of her husband, Milah left Rumple and Bae and ran away with Captain Hook. Rumple was tasked with raising his son alone, and the two became very close. The war raged on, and a few days before his fourteenth birthday, the army threatened to take Baelfire to fight after his birthday. Rumple tried to run away with Bae, but was caught by the army's guard. Having almost given up hope, he was told by a peasant (the Dark One is disguise) about the Dark One's magical dagger. As instructed, he stole it and stabbed the Dark One, but became the new Dark One in a deal he hadn't understood. Darkness overtook him inside and out, and although he was able to stop the war and save his son, Rumplestiltskin became evil and vengeful.
Frightened of the change in his gentle father, Baelfire sought a way to return Rumple back into the man he was. The Blue Fairy gave him a magic bean to go to a land without magic, where his father would be powerless. Because of the tragic history with his father Peter Pan and a dread of becoming weak as he had been before, Rumplestiltskin broke the only deal of his life and let go on his son's hand, sending him through the portal alone. He instantly regretted his decision and frantically tried to follow, but it was too late. From then on, he concentrated on nothing else but getting back to his only son.
Baelfire landed in 19th century London, and was forced to make his way as a beggar. He broke into a house to get some bread, but was caught and taken in by the Darlings, and loving family who offered him a loving home. One night Peter Pan's shadow came for one of the boys, but Bae went instead, refusing to let the Darling family be broken apart. He freed himself from the shadow and plummeted to Neverland's waters where he was rescued by none other than his mother's lover, Captain Hook. The Captain grew fond of him and offered to let him stay aboard the Jolly Roger, but Baelfire refused to stay with the man who had divided his family. He was taken by the Lost Boys and lived in Neverland for many years. But he managed to escape, and came back to our world.
It was then that he met Emma Swan, an orphan who had just left the foster system. The two found an instant connection, having been forced to find their way in the world without any family. They fell in love and planned to move to Tallahassee with the money from a collection of watches that Neal had stolen, but a grown up Pinocchio, August Booth, convinced Neal that Emma had to break the curse. Neal left Emma to serve his prison sentence, never knowing that she was pregnant with their son, Henry.
Eleven years later, Emma, Henry, and Rumplestiltskin came to New York to find him. Despite many mishaps and even an engagement to Pan's minion Tamara, Neal was reunited with his son and his love, Emma. He and Rumple forgave each other, putting the past behind them. He died a hero's death, saving his family and the town from the Wicked Witch.
Frightened of the change in his gentle father, Baelfire sought a way to return Rumple back into the man he was. The Blue Fairy gave him a magic bean to go to a land without magic, where his father would be powerless. Because of the tragic history with his father Peter Pan and a dread of becoming weak as he had been before, Rumplestiltskin broke the only deal of his life and let go on his son's hand, sending him through the portal alone. He instantly regretted his decision and frantically tried to follow, but it was too late. From then on, he concentrated on nothing else but getting back to his only son.
Baelfire landed in 19th century London, and was forced to make his way as a beggar. He broke into a house to get some bread, but was caught and taken in by the Darlings, and loving family who offered him a loving home. One night Peter Pan's shadow came for one of the boys, but Bae went instead, refusing to let the Darling family be broken apart. He freed himself from the shadow and plummeted to Neverland's waters where he was rescued by none other than his mother's lover, Captain Hook. The Captain grew fond of him and offered to let him stay aboard the Jolly Roger, but Baelfire refused to stay with the man who had divided his family. He was taken by the Lost Boys and lived in Neverland for many years. But he managed to escape, and came back to our world.
It was then that he met Emma Swan, an orphan who had just left the foster system. The two found an instant connection, having been forced to find their way in the world without any family. They fell in love and planned to move to Tallahassee with the money from a collection of watches that Neal had stolen, but a grown up Pinocchio, August Booth, convinced Neal that Emma had to break the curse. Neal left Emma to serve his prison sentence, never knowing that she was pregnant with their son, Henry.
Eleven years later, Emma, Henry, and Rumplestiltskin came to New York to find him. Despite many mishaps and even an engagement to Pan's minion Tamara, Neal was reunited with his son and his love, Emma. He and Rumple forgave each other, putting the past behind them. He died a hero's death, saving his family and the town from the Wicked Witch.