Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite story. Ever since I was a little girl I would imagine myself in Belle's place; experiencing what she is living. And as a writer, I find new ways to bring this story to life. I am so excited for this new story. I hope you enjoy the first chapter of this tale as old as time! See you at the bottom of the page! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own beauty and the beast or any of its characters.

The wind whistled through the evergreens as the sun rose over the valley. The newly formed clouds were lined with various hues of pink and orange. I had not quite realized how long I had stayed out that evening. Surely Papa would not mind my late arrival back to our humble cottage. He had spent most of the day working on his newest contraption, anyway. He might not have even noticed that I did not return last night. I stretched my stiff limbs as my eyes continued to adjust to the lighting. After slowly raising myself, I noticed my dearest friend still in deep slumber next to me.

"Gardenia. You must wake now! The sun has risen." I said as I gently shook her arm. Her arms flailed in the air as she jerked herself awake. It took her several moments to obtain her bearings, and then realize that we had stayed out all night.

"Belle, you must remember to wake me more softly! I fear I shall one day strike you across the cheek!" She exclaimed as she brushed away several pieces of her auburn hair. I smiled as I got up and brushed the grass off of my skirts. "My parents are going to be simply furious when they see my appearance."

Gardenia was not a snob like most villagers believed her to be. She descended from a very well-to-do sort of family, but she knew how to let her decorum slide when she wanted to have some fun. She had a twin brother, as well as one older brother close to our age. They were rambunctious boys, but none the less they were my friends. Gardenia's father was like another parent to me. Although he was of high class, and I was not, he appreciated my friendship with his daughter and welcomed me into his home with open arms. Her mother, on the opposite spectrum, was a rather disagreeable woman. She cared for nothing but proper manners and etiquette. She bore children for the prospects of wealthy marriages rather than for companionship. She did not quite take to me much. She felt that I greatly reduced Gardenia''s worth.

"I was focused more on that lovely sunrise before us rather than your grass stained skirts." I replied as I pointed to the horizon. She paused and took a deep breath, savoring the beautiful art nature had created.

"It is quite wonderful. We should do this again very soon." She said.

"Yes we should. I would not at all mind to wake up to this beautiful view." I replied.

"For now, I regrettably must return home before my mother has a fit over my whereabouts. Would you like me to accompany you back to the village first?" Gardenia asked with a more relaxed tone of voice.

"Thank you my dear, but I believe I can manage. You must get back to your family. And I would rather enjoy a morning walk to myself. I shall still join you for tea later this afternoon if that is alright." I replied. She nodded and waved goodbye as we parted.

I lived in the center of the hustle and bustle of our village. It was a small, quaint cottage. Much too small for more than three people, but it was most definitely home to me. I took off down the hills and hummed the sweet songs of the birds flying above. I dreamed that one day I would be able to live among nature and its beauty. I imagined my life just like this very hour: free. I paused to rest as I came upon a large log by the river. I decided this was the perfect moment to document my outing for the day. I sketched the flowing water in front of me and the creatures that chose to name this place their home.

"Papa will be very happy to see that I visited his favorite spot today. What do you think? Should I add some more shading?" I said to a cat who plopped down on the log beside me. The cat meowed and sniffed my parchment as I revealed my work. I stroked the cat's soft orange fur and grinned as it started to purr at my touch. "I suppose you are free to do whatever you like." I said to the animal. He stared at me, and I wondered if he even realized that I was talking to him. "Maybe one day I can build a small house along this river and you can come stay with me. How would that be my little orange friend?" He meowed once more. "Well, as much as I have enjoyed this lively conversation, I must get back to the village." I said. I clasped my journal back together and tucked it away in my skirt's pocket. The nestled village soon came into sight as I continued to walk. Just another day in this poor provincial town. Most of the people I encountered seemed to be in a cheerful mood as I moved about the crowds. Although, there was one smile that I did not wish to see that morning.

"Ahhh good morning, Belle!"

Gaston LaCroix was deemed the most handsome man in the county by many young females...I was not one of them. Gaston's family owned the local tavern, and with so much business from locals and visitors, thus was able to afford to construct a large house just outside the village. Gaston had it all: land, wealth, and youth. After his poor father passed away from influenza a few years ago, he was left to inherit everything to support him and his elderly mother. He hired men to run the tavern for him, at a cost of course. The only work I had ever seen him involved him getting up from his deer-skinned chair, walk to the bar, and get another beer. Any girl would be considered lucky to obtain the affection of such a man, but I was not interested in a provincial lifestyle such as that. I wanted adventures.

"Good morning, Gaston." I replied as I continued to walk passed him.

"It's such a beautiful day! Why don't we take a walk down to my tavern and take a tour of some of my beloved hunting victories." He said as he caught up to me and grabbed my arm. I pulled away, completely disinterested and tired of his games to win my affections. Nothing I ever said or did made him stop his advances. I endured it for the time being, because I knew one day I would never have to see his face again.

"Maybe another day. I must make my way home, now. My father will be needing some help." I said as I ran off. "Finally." I whispered to myself as I ran up the stone steps of my home. "Papa?" I called as I entered the through the front door. There was not the slightest movement or voice. I wandered into the kitchen and found plates still sitting on the table. I smiled as I picked up the plates and placed them in the sink. I knew exactly where he was.

"Papa? There you are!" I exclaimed as I found him in the cellar of our home. "Have you been working down here all night?" I asked him. When he did not answer my questions, I realized that he was asleep under his contraption! "Papa!" I said as I leaned down and tickled the bottom of his foot.

"Belle!" He said as he laughed and slid out from under his machine. "I am so glad you made it home. Did you enjoy the sunset last night?" He asked.

"I can very much say I did, although my time extended into the sunrise this morning, as well. I'm afraid I cannot stay too long. I promised Gardenia I would join her for tea this afternoon. If that is alright with you of course." I said.

"My dear it is perfectly fine with me, but I think it is about time you start making some new acquaintances! There are plenty of people in the village who would love to be friends with you." He said.

"I do believe they find me quite strange though, Papa. Gaston is the only other person that pays mind to me, and I see no admirable qualities in that man whatsoever." I replied. He smiled and stroked my cheek.

"You will have your adventure one day, my daughter. You must simply be patient." He said. Little did I know that this life-changing adventure was closer to my grasp than I had ever realized.