" My Name Is Belle "

Chapter 1

This story is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Not quite finished, rough draft. Many revisions to come. My first fic so please be nice. Thanks. Oh. And please Read & Review.

Characters: (more being developed …)

The Beauty

Belle Le Dubois Herrigan (16)
Lady Rosellyn Le Dubois (Mother of Belle, died at 30 when Belle was 7)
Sir Frederick Herrigan (Father of Belle, 45 when Belle's mum died, now 54)

Her Friends:

Jameson Bodeleur(19)
Sir Marcus P. Bodeleur (55) (Father of Jameson)

Nicolette S. Rochester (16)
Lady Mehlena Sangale (40) (Mother of Nicolette)
Sir Glenn Rochester (52) (Father of Nicolette)

The Beast

Lord Delaney Ashcroft (20)

" My Name Is Belle "

Chapter 1

This whole tale starts in a small yet peaceful town of Sandrosia. While, nestled in the countryside, it was near by the busy port city of Chinot, next to the beautiful Thespian Sea. A young girl by the name of Belle Le Dubois Herrigan was leisurely walking down the cobblestone road admiring her beautiful town. She passed the beautiful street homes so rich in decor, she couldn't help admire the brick pathways, white washed walls, and maroon roofs that made her town such a scenic place. Every home had a pleasant garden for passerbys to see, and practically everyone was friendly. On this particular day, Belle's father Sir Frederick Herrigan, who was a highly renowned merchant of the land, sent her a telegram from one of his trips to ask her if she could go into town and check in on his shipments from England. They were supposed to have gotten home by now but it seemed there must have been some delays. He would be arriving a little late today, and would be too tired to pick it up himself. So, there she was, walking briskly by the baker who waved hello, passing by the smiling florist, on towards the Post Office of Sandrosia. Unbeknownst to Belle, in those shipments was a surprise present for Sir Frederick's only daughter. He thought that it was better if she were to find it out herself.

She was walking down the marketplace lane where the smell of fresh bread wafted through air. In her hand, she held the current novel she was reading, and the telegram her father sent her that would help verify the package she was picking up. Along the way, the fishermen waved kindly to her and spice ladies smiled politely back. As she got there, the postmaster Marcus, or formally known as Sir Marcus P. Bodeleur, greeted her with excitement as she passed the threshold.

"Oh! It's a good morning to see the beautiful Miss Belle coming in to visit today! Well now, let's see, what can I do for you, my dear?"

Belle laughed at his charming greet and replied back,

"Well, a good morning to you too Mr. Bodeleur. Hm, my father has sent me here to pick up a package that was to be from England. Has it arrived yet?"

Mr. Bodeleur tilted his head a little and pondered over his arrivals today. After a moment, he finally remembered and smiled knowingly.

"Ah, yes, a package addressed to…"

He turns around to the window leading to the package room, leans over, and yells out for his son James, to come to him.

"Jameson! Come here now. I need you to find the package held for Mr. Herrigan!"

As Belle stood there by front desk, she could hear her friend stumbling around trying to find the package.

Jameson was the postmaster's only son, and as the only son, it was seen that he would look over the future post delivery business. Although, Belle knew that James would rather pursue law and argue cases in Britain. It was his dream. As she thought this, James quickly came out looking at the package pondering over why it was so small. He thought, usually Mr. Herrigan's packages were much larger, and heavier at the most. Since he had his reading glasses on, to read the tiny inscriptions and stamps from all over the world on the package, he didn't notice that it wasn't Mr. Herrigan he was conversing with, but his crush, the daughter of Mr. Herrigan, Belle.

Belle just smiled amusingly and reached out to touch James' hand to stop him from the habit of babbling.

James quickly looked up to find his beautiful Belle right in front of him, smiling humorously at him. All of the sudden embarrassed, his grasp on the package loosened and started to slip. He would have dropped it if Belle hadn't leaned over and quickly caught it.

"OH! Oh my god. I'm so sorry Belle. I was just startled that you were here and all!" Laughing he replies, "I thought you were your father for a moment there. See, if I'd of known it was you I wouldn't have went on and on about that senseless stuff…"

Belle laughed and shook her head.

"Oh James, it's okay. I know Father usually picks up his packages himself but he sent me out today to pick it up because he'd be too tired after he gets back from his trip. But I'm glad I came because I realized this package is the present I've been waiting to open for so long..."

With that, she gingerly put down the package on the counter before James and herself, and with a fingernail, she slid it over the tape around the box and sighed. Taking a deep breath before finally lifting up one of the flaps, she wondered what would be inside such a light package. As she was opening the box, James was standing in front of her, unconsciously staring at her lovely face. He had been in love with her ever since they were children...

She came here from France after her mother had died, when she was the age of seven. Now she was sixteen and slowly becoming a beautiful young woman. But he clearly couldn't say that! If he ever confessed his feelings for her she would scold him and quickly dismiss it. Or, she would hate him forever and nothing would ever be the same.

As James stared on, Marcus, his father, was staring at the two in the distance. He could obviously see the love his son harbored in his heart for lovely Belle. This made his heart sigh and brought on a memory of when he fell in love with James's mother. But she had passed away a long time ago just like Belle's mother, and that was one of the main things Belle and James had related to as kids.

Belle finally lifted out the packaging that kept the contents inside safe. With her hand into the box, she lifted out a gold-framed mirror with diamonds, and intricate rose shaped rubies encrusted on the back and handle.

End of Chapter 1. Next to Ch.2

Okay so far, I've described to you a little bit of what Sandrosia is like. (Picturing somewhere in France hmm?) But yes, a very peaceful, beautiful town nestled alongside the Thespian Sea, (which of course is not real, thespian, being theater! I just thought the name was interesting...) So Belle has just arrived at the post office and almost lost her father's (surprise bday) package after James's bumbling around. (Cute!) Obviously, we can all see James is certainly into Belle. And you're all wondering what was is in the dang package...lol, and thus we continue on with story... Onward to Chapter 2. Enjoy!

Please Review!!!

A Special Thanks to "TrudiRose" & "Hobo" for my first reviews. They were much needed. There were lots of mistakes which I in turn revised billions of times, and thank you all for pointing them out to me.

" Love you gals! "

Sincerly,

Lady V.