Belle peered out of the large, stained glass window overlooking her kingdom, nervously waiting the arrival of the powerful sorcerer, Rumplestiltskin. Avonlea was a small kingdom, surrounded by acres of foreboding forest and rivers and filled with dark magic. Belle admired the petite village on the horizon and whispered "I promise that you will be safe.."
Today would determine the fate of Avonlea and its people. The Ogre's were fast approaching and King Maurice had no option but to call upon Rumplestiltskin to protect the people and the kingdom from harm. Belle twiddled her fingers anxiously as her father approached her "it will be fine, I'm sure that he will assist in defending us" Maurice stated, trying to reassure himself as much as he was her. His warm, deep voice was a comfort to her and she turned to face him then replied softly "I hope so, it's just that..." Her sentence was interrupted by an intense knocking at the door. Belle brushed down the skirt of her yellow silk dress and assumed the position next to her father as the guards gradually opened the majestic, towering doors to reveal the empty corridor of the castle. Belle scanned the room in an attempt to detect the dark one as a high pitched, nasally voice declared "over here dearies" Belles head spun around and she stared at him in disbelief. His reptilian skin glimmered as the sun shone through the top windows, his eyes could also be compared to that of a reptile, larger than most human eyes with pupils as black as the deepest depths of hell. He was slumped over the arm of Maurice's throne, clearly enjoying the luxury of the red velvet seat. The dark one arose from the chair and strutted around the room "Well, that was a bit of a let down, Mh?" He giggled slightly and leaned against the large table in the centre. "Rumplestiltskin i presume?" Maurice announced. "Yes" he sniggered "I've been called here, something about 'Help! Help! Please save us! We're dying" He smirked smugly. Belle found his tone unpleasant and mildly irritating, but he was no doubt very powerful and appeared to have a certain authority in the room. He continued to say "I can help you..For a price, of course" Another giggle escaped him as he glanced around the room and thought of his price. "We have a lot to offer, If it is riches that you desire then we will be more than open to discuss a suitable amount" Maurice replied coldly for he did not enjoy the company of the sorcerer. "My price...Is her" Rumplestiltskin slowly extended his arm and pointed at Belle.
His words echoed around Belle's mind as if she were in a cave with a thousand people shouting abuse at her. "Never!" Maurice boomed "You can take anything else, but i will not allow you to take my daughter away from me" He forcefully pushed Belle behind him, much against her will. She broke free of his grip and before she had considered the consequences of what she was doing she declared "I will go with you.." "No!" Maurice yelled desperately "Belle please, don't go with this beast, we will find another way." Rumplestiltskin rolled his eyes and chirped "this is all very charming but i have places to be so am i taking the girl, or are you all going to die?" He giggled smugly at his ingenious plan. "Its okay papa, i will be fine,we don't have a choice" she glared at rumplestiltskin "deal". Belle cautiously made her way towards the sorcerer, ignoring her fathers shouts of disapproval and pleading. As soon as Belle was stood in front of Rumplestiltskin he poofed out of the castle and they both disappeared into a cloud of dark purple smoke.
Belle found herself stood outside a cell in the dungeon of a castle. "Home sweet home" he sniggered as he abruptly shoved her onto the floor of the cell. He slammed the door shut with an thundering clang then disappeared. The cell had a single window which overlooked the dark one's castle; the windowsill and floor was lathered in a deep green moss. Belle peered around the small space then lowered her head as a tear slid down her cheek. She was still in shock and was slowly beginning to realise the price that she had just paid. "I will never see my father or Avonlea again" she sobbed as she lay down on the bitter, stone floor. As her skin made contact with the stone she felt stings fly up her arms due to the temperature. Belle shivered and curled herself into a tight ball as an attempt to comfort herself. She didn't know when or if Rumplestiltskin would return and lay helplessly on the floor until she eventually fell asleep, the tears still dripping off the end of her nose.