Chapter 1 My Gift to You
Author's Note: I can't believe season five is almost over. I'm hating what the writers are doing to Rumbelle. Belle under the sleeping curse. Rumple not being able to wake her up with TLK. What the hell is that about?! I don't care what anyone says Rumple and Belle belong together!
It was a beautiful summer day in the kingdom of Avonlea. At the royal palace everyone was getting ready the arrival of Sir Gaston. Gaston was engaged to the beautiful Princess Belle. Maurice has been planning for this since Belle was born. He wanted everything to be perfect. He had all the servants clean the palace from floor to ceiling, making it spotless. The cooks were preparing a feast that would be the envy of all the realms. Yes, Maurice spared no expense.
Although, not everyone was excited about today.
Princess Belle was in her bedroom with her servant, Claudia, who was helping her with her hair and picking out with jewelry to wear. Belle couldn't have been more miserable. Everyone saw Gaston as this handsome and brave knight, that he was a perfect match for their princess, but she couldn't stand the oaf. He was rude, self-centered, arrogant, and complete imbecile. Gaston believed that a woman's place was at home, where they cook and clean and take care of the children. She remembered begging her father to reconsider the arrange marriage but Maurice reminded her that she was a princess and it was her duty. But she didn't want to marry out of obligation.
She wanted to marry for love.
"You look beautiful, my lady," Claudia told her mistress.
"Thank you," Belle forced a smile.
"You must be so excited to see your betrothed after so long. Gaston is so gallant. You are truly the luckiest princess in all the land," Claudia said with glee.
If she only knew the truth, she thought.
Claudia was 16-years-old with long dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. She was a sweet girl but she had no idea what it was really like to be a princess. It's not all about going to fancy balls and wearing pretty dresses. Belle envied Claudia. She didn't have a father that forced her to attend party after party hopping to attract a potential suitor. Belle would rather to be locked away in the library with her books for company.
"All done!" Claudia said excitedly.
Belle looked at herself in the full length mirror. She was wearing a beautiful golden ball gown. The sleeves of the dress fell to her shoulders and it was outlined in beaded jewels. Claudia did a wonderful a job with her, which was fixed halfway up in a bun. She chose a pair of earrings that matched the jewels on her dress.
Suddenly there came a knock at the door.
"Come in!" Belle replied.
The door opened and her father, Sir Maurice entered. Claudia quickly curtsey.
"Papa!" Belle smiled.
"My dear Belle." he greeted.
He turned to Claudia, who still had her head down.
"Please excuse us, my dear," he said.
Claudia nodded and left the room.
"What is it, Papa," Belle asked him.
"I just wanted you to know that Sir Gaston has finally arrive," he said.
Belle was afraid of this.
Maurice noticed the frown on her face and tried his best to comfort her.
"Belle, I understand your feelings about this arranged marriage, but the union is what's best for the kingdom. Please, Belle. Give Gaston a chance. For me," he pleaded.
She looked into her father's eyes and it broke her heart. Ever since her mother, Colette, died during the first Ogre Wars Maurice has done everything he could to defend the kingdom from the ogres. Loosing her mother was hard for the both of them. She knew if her mother was here she would have told her to follow her heart, but she wasn't.
So with no other choice Belle answered, "All right, Papa. I'll give him a chance. For you."
Maurice embraced her.
"Thank you, sweetheart. I know once you meet him, you will grow to love him," he assured her.
But he was wrong.
Belle and her father both went down to the main hall of the Castle, where Sir Gaston was waiting for them. He was tall with short black hair and looking every bit a knight should be. Handsome and courageous.
"Sir Gaston, it is so good to see you," Maurice greeted the young man.
"Sir Maurice. It is good to see you as well. My father sends his regards," he nodded.
Gaston's eyes turned to Belle and smiled.
"And you must be the lovely Belle. You truly live up to your name," he said.
"Hello Sir Gaston. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," she said politely.
"The pleasure is all mine," he said.
He reached for her hand and kisses her knuckles.
Belle didn't like the way this man was looking at. It was like she was a deer and he was the hunter, waiting to chase her down and make her one of his trophies.
"I have a gift for you, my lady," Gaston said.
He pulled out something from the leather satchel he was carrying and showed it to Belle and Maurice. It was a strange looking dagger with a curvy blade and had some kind of writing on it.
"Is that what I think it is," Maurice asked shocked.
"Yes, sir. It is. Allow me to demonstrate," Gaston said proudly.
Before they could say anything Gaston held the dagger over his head.
"Dark One, I summon thee!" Gaston shouted.
Suddenly a mysterious figure appeared in the hall in a puff of smoke. Maurice tried to push Belle behind him in order to protect her.
"Belle, get behind!" Maurice cried out.
"Papa!" she protested.
"My lord, it's all right. As long as I have the dagger I have complete control of the Dark One. Dark One! Come forward and meet my future wife," he commanded.
Maurice tried to keep a distance between Belle and the Dark One, but Belle was having none of it. She pulled away from her father to get a better look at the Dark One. She heard stories about him. That he was the darkest of souls and that made deals with unfortunate souls. He had shoulder length curly hair and his skin was greenish kind of gray, like lizard skin. What she saw didn't frighten her. She found him oddly appealing.
Wait! What was wrong with her, she thought.
"Hello," she greeted him warmly.
At first the Dark One looked at her confused, but than gave her playful smirk.
"Greetings dearie!" he giggled.
He reached forward and kissed the same hand that Gaston kissed. Instead of being offered, she felt herself begin to blush.
"Back beast! I didn't give you permission to touch her!" Gaston yelled.
The Dark One quickly backed away from her. As long as Gaston had the dagger he had no choice but to obey.
"Take that beast to the dungeons. I won't have that thing running around the castle," Maurice ordered.
"As you wish, my lord," Gaston bowed.
A couple of Maurice's knight appears to drag the Dark One. Belle couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
Why is it that I'm more interested in the Dark One, than Gaston, she thought to herself.