A/N: Inspired by an another writers attempt and my love for the movie I have decided to write my own Rumbelle Fanfiction inspired by The Sound of Music.
Chapter One: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Belle?
With her arms opened wide, Belle felt the soft grass beneath her feet as she spun in circles letting the wind caress her long auburn curls. Music burst through her as she sang a song from her childhood, "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music", that her mother used to sing to her to lull her to sleep.
The song expressed a passion she and her mother shared, a passion for music, but as a priestess she couldn't share her music the way she wanted to. It had to be contained, but it lifted her soul so high she didn't think she would ever be able to contain it. This was the only place she felt free and wasn't controlled by the sisterhood, up on these mountainous hills.
The bong of a distant bell brought her back down to the world below. Belle gasped, smacking her head, as she recalled that she was late for morning prays again. Turning on her heel, Belle ran down the hill, stumbling, her palms landing on the ground, forcing her to pick up chunks of dirt within the crevices of her hands. Recovering, she brushed her palms on grey peasant dress she donned, leaving spots of dirt that she would have to scrub out late. Belle suddenly recalled that she had left her robes on the ground, so she ran back and snatched them up.
~Page Break~
The priestess' stood before the altar of the Goddess of magic offering silent, but also melodious prays. Some approached the altar to offer gifts, hoping for guidance and enlightenment. The head of the sisterhood of the Temple of the Goddess was Mother Flora and she ran the order with great strength of conviction. The sisterhood consisted of Faeries and those humans that possessed Fae blood. Belle held Fae blood on her mother's side, but like the other priestess Sister Tinker Bell, she was spirited and that wasn't the best nature for the sisterhood; either she had to rein it in or she wasn't meant for this life as she believed.
Belle had naively believed that giving herself spiritually to the Goddess of magic was her calling. It wasn't that there was anything wrong with that belief, it was a beautiful belief, and they were always looking for those who wanted to share and spread the word of the Goddess, but Flora didn't want Belle to sacrifice her passion for life like Tinker Bell had done.
After finishing their morning prays, which Belle still had not come to do, Flora, followed by the priestess of her order, walked into the courtyard. The day was cool and crisp, so their robes weren't as uncomfortable, as Flora had to admit they sometimes could be, when they walked into the courtyard.
Sister Nova came hurrying up to the group with a harried expression. "Mother Flora, I cannot seem to find."
"Belle?" Flora asked already knowing the answer was yes.
"Perhaps we should tie a cow bell around her neck," Sister Blue suggested.
"Have you tried the barn? You know how she loves spending time with the animals," Tink suggested.
"I have looked all over, all the usual places she may be," Nova said, as she ran her fingers through her soft brown locks nervously.
"Since this is Belle, I suggest you check in some place unusual," Flora pointed out, "Don't concern yourself now though, Sister Nova. She already missed the morning prayers, and I'm sure she'll be here soon."
"Of course Mother Flora," Nova said, bowing.
"Well, I hope this new infraction ends whatever doubts you still have about Belle's future here," Blue said.
"I always try to keep faith in my doubts Sister Blue," Flora replied, as crossed the courtyard.
"After all the wool of a black sheep is just as warm," Tink said, trying to offer a more optimistic view of the situation.
Blue snapped, "Were not talking about sheep: black or white! Of all the candidates for the sisterhood I would say Belle is the least likely candidate…"
The three came upon a group of their fellow sister's. "Sisters, it seems we have differing opinions on one of our daughters," Flora spoke loudly as they came upon the group. Tell me what do you think our daughter Belle, Sister Fauna?" Flora inquired.
"She's a wonderful girl," Fauna responded enthusiastically, but added, "some of the time."
"Sister Jewel," Flora asked the gold fairy.
"It's very easy to like Belle, except when it's difficult," Sister Jewel said, offering her perspective.
"And you Sister Merriweather?" Flora asked.
"I love Belle very dearly, but she always seems to attract trouble, doesn't she?" Sister Merriweather noted looking at the other sisters.
Looking at Merriweather, Blue's expression held a smug triumphant gaze that someone said exactly what she was thinking. "Exactly with what I was thinking! She climbs a tree and scrapes her knees, and her dress is always torn."
"She's waltzes on her way to the temple of the Goddess and whistles on the stairs," Jewel pointed out.
"She lets her curls hang down from underneath her headdress," Blue exclaimed.
"She's always late for prayers, but her penitence is real," Fauna said, trying to also show that Belle still honored the Goddess despite her lack of participation in the rituals.
But Blue interrupted, "She's always late for everything!"
"Except for meals," Merriweather added and Blue rolled her eyes.
It didn't stop Blue's tirade however. "I hate to have to say it, but I firmly feel Belle isn't an asset to the sisterhood."
"I would like to say a word on Belle's behalf," Tink said.
"Go on, say it Sister Tinker Bell," Flora said gesturing for the young woman to speak in defense of Belle.
"Belle always makes me laugh," Tink said giggling along with the other girls, except Blue.
Flora shook her head but smiled to herself. "How do you solve a problem like Belle? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?"
"How do you find a word that means Belle?" Tink offered.
"A flibbertjibbert," Jewel said.
"A Will-O-Wisp," Fauna suggested.
"A clown," Blue said.
"There are many things you would like to tell her, there are many things she ought to understand," Flora said.
Shaking her head, Blue asked, "But how do you make her stay and listen to everything you say?"
Flora studied her, considering her question.
Sister Tinker Bell offered another question, "How do you keep a wave upon the sand?"
Merriweather admitted, "When we talk, I do find myself confused at times and I have trouble focusing. I find myself lost in the reality of her mind and I never know exactly where I am."
"She's as unpredictable as the weather," Fauna said, something she understood, more than most, as her gift was often effected by the weather.
"She's as flighty as a feather," Nova said, putting in her own thoughts. She partially agreed, but she still wasn't sure if Belle deserved a chance to join them or not.
"She's a darling," Tink said smiling.
"She's a demon," Blue snapped.
"She's a lamb," Tink snapped back.
Jewel said, "She'd pester any pest, drive a hornet from its nest."
Fauna said, "She can throw a whirling dervish out of whirl."
"She is gentle, but wild," Nova said, "She's a riddle and a child,"
"She's a headache," Blue said sound exasperated.
"She's an angel," Tink replied.
Before any of the women could argue more, Flora reminded them, "Belle is only a girl and does seem to have trouble fitting in here. It may be good for her if she given an opportunity to see what else is out there. Then she can make her own decision about fitting in here."
"How do you mean Mother Flora?" Fauna questioned, gazing at the older priestess inquisitively.
"I've received a message recently from a family that needs a governess, and I think it would be the perfect opportunity for Belle to see what else is out there, beyond these walls," Flora explained to the others.
"Oh she would love that. She would be able to work with children," Tink said excitedly.
"And give us some peace," Blue muttered.
Flora had heard, but chose not to reprimand Sister Blue for her words, because Flora had grown used to Blue's frustrations with Belle.
At that moment a very frantic Belle burst through the courtyard in the direction of the temple, but her foot got caught on cobblestone. Stretching out her arms, she regained her balance, but paused mid stride her eyes wide as she turned to see Mother Flora, Sister Blue, Sister Merriweather, Sister Tink, Sister Fauna, Sister Jewel, and Sister Nova staring at her. She cringed at sight of Mother Flora's disapproving frown and Sister Blue's raised brow and crossed arms. She shrugged trying to pretend that she didn't know that she was in trouble for being late again.
~Page Break~
Belle paced outside Mother Flora's office chamber pretending to be fascinated by the satin slippers they were asked to wear indoors. The moment she was summoned Belle couldn't deny that she was in trouble for being late again. She was also outside, up in the mountains, not for pray and reflection, but singing for her own pleasure without permission from the Sisterhood and the Goddess.
"Belle you won't be dismissed from the temple, I can promise you that," Sister Tink told as she came from around the corner to observe Belle's frantic pacing.
"How can you be sure Sister Tink?" Belle asked.
"Because Mother Flora assured us you wouldn't be," Sister Tink said.
"But I broke the rules again," Belle reminded her.
"Yes, but nothing that would threaten our way of life," Tink replied, "You just have to learn patience's."
"But I can't be," Belle insisted.
"I know it's difficult, for I remember when I was a young Fae priestess. I had the patience's of a troll, or that's what Sister Blue told me," Tink said and both girls were giggling when Nova came out.
"What is so funny?" she asked.
"Oh nothing, just trying to cheer Belle up," Tink answered.
"Ah," Sister Nova replied a small smirk on lips, but her expression turn serious again. "You may go in now Belle." She received reassuring smiles, but it was not enough to calm the sprites that tickled her stomach as Belle entered Mother Flora's office Chamber.
Belle swallowed the bile that rose in throat as she placed herself across from Mother Flora, who was scribbling a message on a piece of parchment. A young page boy stood stoically behind the High Priestess' chair, waiting for her to give him the parchment to deliver.
"This needs to be delivered immediately. Thank you," Mother Flora said handing the young man the rolled up parchment. He transformed into a dove and flew out the window with the rolled up parchment clutched in his claws.
Once the messenger was gone Belle spoke desperate for forgiveness, "Please forgive me Mother Flora, the gates were open and hills were beckoning me."
Mother Flora lifted her hand to stop Belle from continuing. "Belle I didn't summon you here for an apology."
"Oh, but please Mother Flora, let me ask for forgiveness," Belle begged as the guilt continued to weigh on her.
"It will make you feel better?" Mother Flora asked.
"Yes, you see the sky was so blue and everything was green and fragrant, I couldn't resist being part of it. Before I knew it the Sky spirits were summoning me higher and higher as if I were flying high up into the clouds," she spoke passionately, desperate to justify her desires.
Mother Flora blinked owlishly. "Belle, dear, what if you had gotten lost up there? It could be dangerous!"
"I could never be lost up there. It's my mountain; I was born on that mountain and spent my childhood up there. That was where I first heard you and the rest of the sister's singing to the Goddess, which brings me to another transgression Mother Flora. I was singing up there, but it wasn't intended for prays to the Goddess," Belle continued.
"Belle, the Goddess will not be angry with you if you sing outside of your prayers. Singing is a gift given to you by the Goddess and she would want you to express it. It is only in the temple that your singing must be only for prays," Mother Flora reassured the young woman.
"But I can't seem to control myself. I feel like if I can't sing I will burst, and I feel like I have to speak everything that's on mind. All that I think and feel," Belle said.
Mother Flora said, "Some would call that honesty."
"But some of my honest thoughts are hurtful and rude. When Sister Blue asks me to leave a blessing for the Goddess for saying things I shouldn't, I leave a blessing when I see her coming, just to save time," Belle admitted.
"Belle, it is alright and you won't be punished for that," Mother Flora said with a kind smile.
"But it is wrong. Blessings are supposed to be pure and honorable. I should also respect Sister Blue and the Goddess," Belle said.
"Tell me child when saw us over the temple wall you know that didn't mean you were ready to give yourself to Goddess completely?" Mother Flora asked wanting to know that Belle understood.
"True, but I'm still willing to learn and honor the Goddess," Belle replied.
"It is good that you're willing, but it takes more than willing to become a priestess of the sisterhood. You have a spirit inside of you that I'm not will prepare you for this life. Maybe if you go beyond these walls, beyond the temple, you will learn if you can give yourself to the Goddess." Mother Flora stood up and gazed out beautiful azure sky watching as the birds danced across the sky fluttering about the trees.
Belle frowned. "Mother Flora, are suggesting I leave the sisterhood?! Please let me stay, this is my home, my family, my faith in the Goddess is my life!"
"Belle, you must calm yourself. I think this experience will help you find yourself again and finding out if you are ready for this life," Mother Flora said turning to Belle.
"But I know I am ready and I can give myself to the Goddess," Belle said.
"Belle," Mother Flora said warningly.
Belle sighed in resignation knowing Mother Flora spoke the truth. "You're right Mother Flora, It is the Goddess will and I will do as you ask."
Mother Flora returned to sitting down at her desk. "There is a family in a castle in the Northern Mountains, who need a governess until September."
"September?" Belle asked, surprised at how long she would be needed. She never had any experience in such a profession.
"Yes, to take care of seven children," Mother Flora informed.
"Seven children," Belle exclaimed.
"I thought you liked children?" Mother Flora questioned.
"I do, but seven of them," Belle protested.
"Yes, it is quite a lot, but I have faith in you my child," Mother Flora said. "Unfortunately, the Captain Rumplestiltskin has had difficulty with keeping a governess who is willing to stay," Mother Flora continued explaining what she Belle should know to prepare herself.
"Difficult? Why has it been difficult Mother Flora?" Belle inquired. The Captain's name sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it. Maybe when she met him she would know.
"The Goddess will reveal why soon enough," Mother Flora said.
"A captain you say?" Belle also asked, having only seen sea captains in her books and wanted to know why the name sounded so familiar.
"Yes, he is a Sea Mage Captain," she said, "A brave and heroic figure from what I've heard."
"He's not just a captain, but a mage. I am assuming that the children have magic as well," Belle said guessing what might have scared some of the governess' away. Magic of mages tended frightened others as they didn't trust those who possessed it.
"It should be an interesting experience for you," was all Mother Flora spoke.