Title: Bright Blue Rose
Pairing: Macelle (Father Joseph x Belle)
Rating: M, for torture
Summary: He knew the Lady Belle was not possessed, but no one else believed. Can Father Joseph save her before it's too late?
Writer's note: This idea jumped out at me last night in my (literally) feverish drifting off to sleep. Joseph really wanted a chance to save Belle, so this is what happened.
They claimed this was the only way to save her. The daughter of Sir Maurice of the Marchlands was after all tainted by the demon who spirited her away in exchange for peace from the ogre invasion. They didn't heed the fact that she saved them all, that she seemed unchanged by the months she'd spent in the monster's lair. No, all they cared about was ridding her of evil contamination they were convinced was inside her.
Father Joseph couldn't see any evil lurking inside the young woman. He'd accustomed himself with Lady Belle since she was a child, and truly the sweet little girl that always had a bright smile for him was the same young woman who stood before him and the other clerics defending the monster. She'd always had a passion for protecting others, and it was no surprise that she would have sympathy for a demon.
His fellow clerics did not see it that way. They didn't even take into account her telling of what happened in the monster's lair. To them it was all a lie or a possession spell he had cast upon her. Her fate was set before she even stepped through the castle doors.
He heard her screams and pleas as she was dragged down the corridor and up the swirling stairs to the cleansing chamber. Father Joseph knew what would come next. Her screams would not end, not until the clerics confirmed her fit again or she die from her wounds. A pit in his stomach sank and his mind reeled with the images that were all too soon about to come to life.
The cleansing – though in Father Joseph's mind it had a different name, a darker name – began with nine cat tails to the back. The screams echoed through the corridors of the top floor. Others barely paused at the horrifying sound, seeming to be convinced as well that it was for the best. Lady Belle needed to be saved. Father Joseph knew otherwise. He saw what was being done, and truly he wanted no part in it. To torture a brave young woman who sacrificed herself for her people was unjust.
The cries of agony halted that evening as the clerics descended from the cleansing tower discussing what procedure to use the next morning. Father Joseph waited until they were out of sight and hurried up the stairs, fumbling with the key in the dim lamplight. His stomach retched as he held up the lamp at the sight of blood splattered on the stone floor. No one could have survived this. He feared all he'd find was a dead body, but as he held the lamp higher, he found Lady Belle lying in the straw beside the wall – alive.
"Lady Belle" he called to her in a hushed tone, bending immediately to access the injuries. She whimpered, trying to push herself up on weak limbs. She had not the energy and fell back to the floor, hissing in pain. "Don't move."
Father Joseph set the lamp down, plunging a hand in his pocket to fish out a small bottle of red liquid. He gently turned her face to him. "This will sting going down, but it will help with the pain." He uncorked it and pressed the bottle to her lips. Lady Belle coughed, threatening to spit it out, and Father Joseph clamped her mouth shut to save the contents.
When he was assured the liquid had been swallowed, he released his grip on her chin. "I apologize for being forceful, Lady Belle. You need that medicine or you will die of your wounds."
Lady Belle grabbed for his shoulder, trying desperately to sit up. Father Joseph knew it wasn't a good idea, but helped her up, a hand firm on her forearm to keep her steady. "Why are they doing this?" she rasped out, sounding as if her throat had been burned with fire.
"They do not believe you, Lady Belle" he replied in an apologizing tone. "They think the monster has possessed you."
"Do you believe me?" Even through the coarseness of her voice, he could hear hope.
Father Joseph tried to smile, but it was nearly impossible with the nightmare before him. "I do. I've known you since a child, Lady Belle. Your compassion is awe-inspiring. I know it is truly you who I am speaking to right now."
Tears glimmered in her eyes that were irritated and red from crying heavily. "Thank you, Father."
Father Joseph nodded vigorously. "I must clean your wounds, Lady." He helped her turn her back to him, and he set to the task of peeling the white dress from her wounds. Her back heaved as she hissed and sobbed as he cleaned the long, ugly red wounds with ointment and soothing clothes from his pocket.
This young woman did not deserve this gruesome treatment, this torture of a kind soul. He left her lying on her side in the straw, her breathing calming as the medicine he gave her began to set in. He descended the tower, vowing silently that he would find a way to rescue her before it was too late.