Well this is my first work of art cough cough sneeze sneeze Ok, so its not that good but its a start. I don't own anything having to do with the movie Beauty and the Beast. I just had an idea in my head and the movie fit in a long with the plot. Sort of. I do however own all the ideas and characters that my brain told me to come up with. Isn't that right brain? Yes, thats right. now shut up and let the people read. Ok ok, no need to be pushy. See thats what I mean about my brain telling me what to do. So anyways, have fun reading! Hope you like it.

Prologue:The Beginning

The wind danced over the hills traveling on its way, unaware of what havoc it was bringing in its wake. Not that the wind would care, afterall it was intent on arriving at aparticular place, on time. Eagerly the wind rushed on causing the trees to sway. As soon as the wind passed a place by, its sound would stop and all would be silent. Until the thunder roared and the lightning flashed singing a song of woe and anger to all who would listen. The wind new it brought these new arrival to the lands but it didn't stop. With a delightful sigh the wind arrived at its destination, softly flowing through an open window and swirling down the loose curtains causing the fabric to reach out like hands grasping at an invisible object. With another sigh the wind stopped and the curtain fabric settled once more against the side of the house. It was dark in the room except for the lit candle that stood upon a bedside table, flickering in the darkness. The wind laughed in contentment as it whisked silently closer to the candle, but it was not the candle the wind had come to see. It was the little girl that walked in a world of unicorns, fairies, princesses, prince charmings but with that world also came the lands of dragons, beast, monsters and death. Yes, a sleeping child. So innocent in their youth. With a sigh the wind wished to be young again and with that blew out the candle. In that same instant thunder boomed through the sky followed by two loud cracks of lightning. A scream pierced the cool darkness echoing through the house and over the hills surrounding the small cottage.

The girl's door to her bedroom flew open and an elderly woman entered with a candle held high worry written across her wrinkled brow. Dressed in bedclothes with her gray hair caught into a tight braid the woman didn't exactly portray the role of a knight come to save the day. Yet, something about her caused the scream to cease.

"Jade, dear. What ever is the matter? Are you hurt, did you have another nightmare?" The woman whisked into the room bringing the warmth of the candle and the safety of light with her. As quickly as she could the older woman lit the bedside candle and placed her own beside it. With a sigh she stiffly situated herself beside the young girl offering comfort and protection.

The young girl, now to be known as Jade, cried softly, fear in her light blue eyes. Frightened she spilled her fears to the elderly woman, "Grand-ma-ma, something was in my room. I know it was. It went over there." With this declaration Jade's tiny right hand shot up and pointed in the direction of the window.

The grandmother sighed. Slowly she stood back up after reassuring young Jade that she would be back. Quietly the grandmother walked to the window and made a show of looking for someone. With a soft smile she turned returning to her position beside the girl , "There is not a soul there child. Nothing but the wind and the wind can't hurt you."

Jade whimpered doubting her grandmother's statement. Biting her bottom lip she snuggled closer to her grandmother her gaze filled with fear. The thunder roared again and lightning flashed. Silence surrounded the small cottage. With a dramtic entrance the rain came slamming down pouring its tears into the earth. Wincing at the sound Jade bit her lower lip harder and her tiny hands clenched her bed covers in a death-like grip.

Sighing the grandmother reached over to the bedside table and picked up an old worn book. The cover was torn, the pages stained and the words on the spine could barely be read. The grandmother turned herelf and offered, "Perhaps, I'll read from our story. Its almost over , shall we finish it?"

Jade didn't care about the book or the story. At least not while this fear consumed her. Not answering her grandmother she stayed silent. Listening to the night around her.

The grandmother knew that she would catch the child's attention as soon as Jade started to listen to the story. With a soft smile she turned the pages of the book and she read, " Beauty and the Beast, the final chapter."

The grandmother's voice wove a spell upon the girl, making the child feel like she was part of the story. After an hour the story was finally coming to a close.

"…and they all lived happily ever after." The grandmother stated smiling at her entranced granddaughter.

The grandaughter smiled in glee at the story as she snatched the book out of her grandmother's hands searching for the pictures she knew would be in the book. Her grandmother never let her look at the pictures not until the story was over. She always told Jade that her imagination could fill in the pictures for her. Her imagination that is..and words. Eagerly the child scanned the book looking for the picture of Belle. Finally finding a page the child gasped in wonder.

"Why grand-ma-ma. She looks just like you and Mommy!" the girl pointed out eagerly.The grandmother turned to the girl and glanced at the picture on the page. " I guess she does sweety. Imagine that my pet, you look like a princess." With that the grandmother plucked the book from the child's grasp and stood. "Now go back to sleep, the storm is almost over ."

The girl frowned as the book was wrenched from her grasp. Sighing she plopped herself down on her pillow and pulled the covers up. Deciding she wasn't going to get anywhere with that statement she asked a question. "Grand-ma-ma. I don't understand. How could they live happily-ever-after if Gaston was killed? I mean, he was a meany and everything but he just didn't understand. I wouldn't be happy if I killed someone. I'd feel really bad about it." She grew silent and waited for the answer to her question.

The grandmother was shocked at her grand-daughter's thoughts about the story. How was a five year old to know of such thing and to question such things? "Its never good to kill someone Jade. Only kill as a last resort. I suppose the Prince and Belle didn't live happily ever after. Just like all relationships they had their ups and downs. Downs really, more than ups…" her voice trailed off as if she were remembering her own life. She quietly picked up her candle and made to leave.

"Grand-ma-ma, how do you know all this? Its just a story isn't it?" Jade was curios and excited now. What if this story was true? What if it had to do with her family? What if, What if, WHAT IF!!! As every child imagines so did Jade. Her what ifs nearly overpowered her logical thinking.

The grandmother snapped out of her dream-like-state and turned to her grand-daughter. Sadness in her voice,"The important thing my sweet Jade. Is to remember that they lived."

"But, but..does that mean there is more to the story? I'm confused grand-ma-ma. If they didn't live happily ever after. Then what came after?" Jade asked anxiously, wanting her questions to be answered before her grandmother left to go to her own room

The grandmother turned away from the girl and walked slowly to the door. Placing her wrinkled aged hand upon the doorknob. Sighing the grandmother turned the doorknob. Smiling sadly she turned her head and whispered , "That we will have to be answered later my pet. For now, it is time for bed." With that the grandmother left closing the door behind her.

Aggrivated the girl kicked her feet angrily on the bed. Why did they do such things to her? Why? Not right now, that's what they always told her when she began to ask questions. Folding her arms over her chest in frustration she sat there and thought and thought of all the possibilities. Was her grandmother just pulling her leg? Or was she serious? Did the prince and Belle actually live . Was their story true? Slowly a pout began to form on her face. She wanted answers. When none came she gave up on her fit turned over on her side and stared at the candle's flame.

The wind had been listening the whole time and had moved from its position on the window sill long enough to gaze at the picture the girl had declared resembled her grandmother and mother. Indeed she had been right, but unknown to her, Jade herself ,resembled the fair Belle in the story. The wind had been puzzled over this for the rest of the encounter. Thinking, it sat there and racked its memory. Finally something the grandmother had said swirled into its thought. The important thing is that they lived. Lived. They lived. With a laugh the wind rushed from the room blowing out the candle in its hurry. It had people to look for- things to find. A story to be finished…it would most certainly be back.

The girl however heard something that eerily sounded like a laugh and an instant latter her candle went out. With a tiny shriek she threw the covers over her head and waited. When nothing came she slowly fell asleep while thoughts of her grandmother's story whispered in her dreams…

The important thing is my sweet Jade. It to remember that they lived…
important thing -is to remember that they lived….
remember that they lived….
The lived...they lived...
..lived...

Well, how did you like it? Let me know what you think.