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Chapter 1 – Day 0: The invasion

"You must run!"

Deep azure eyes stared in pure bewilderment, not willing to believe in the words coming from the man who raised her up. Her protector, her confidant, her father.

"I cannot! Not without you!" The beautiful princess passionately countered, despair and determination impossibly combined in her voice. Tension was spread all through her body; from her clenched hands to her tighten lips. What was her father thinking? He could not possibly expect her to run like a coward and leave him behind to die. No. She wanted to stay. She would stay. Together. Until the bitter end.

A loud bang was heard below them. The floors trembled just for seconds. Then the noise repeated again and again, making the strong walls vibrate. The frightening sound continued persistently and only stopped at a deafening crash. All heads turned to the window. King Maurice run to it and looked down. He saw, to his horror, the ogres break into the castle's strong gates, blood, bodies and wood spread all around the courtyard. He could already hear the sound of metal clasping, feral groans accompanied by screams looming death. Lord Maurice looked at the tall and robust doors. The only remaining barrier separating his daughter from the nearing death. Soon, the doors would be broken down and the place would be flooding with savage ogres, breaking and slaying everything on their path. He had to save her. She was all that mattered now.

"You must go, Belle! I am the King and therefore it's my task to stay and stand my ground. But you, my lovely daughter, you are the princess. The heiress to the throne! You must escape. You must live, for your survival will become the hope of many. Please, Belle, promise me you will go and will be safe."

The king looked into his daughter's deep blue eyes, painfully pleading, his hands gently holding hers. It was excruciating; wanting to hold his dear daughter in his arms but having to let her go. Belle's gaze remained locked on her father's eyes. She understood the core of his words. She knew her place, her role in these events was different from her father's. It was unfair. The whole thought was inconceivable. But it was the reality. One too difficult to accept. And so, Belle summoned all her courage and nodded, accepting her destiny.

Another loud thump was heard. All heads turned to the tall and strong doors that separated them from the blood thirsty beasts. The ogres were already working in breaking them open. It was a matter of time and they would invade the room. There was no second to lose.

"Take her, you know what to do." King Maurice ordered.

Belle felt the weight of a strong hand on her left shoulder. She looked up and her gaze met the strongest and bravest knight of the kingdom, Gaston. Her betrothed and now her protector. The chosen man to guide her out of this hell and keep her safe.

"We must leave now." His words were short but clear as always. The words of a commandant, never to be argued. Belle nodded in consent and looked back one last time at her father. He smiled at her sadly. His eyes speaking of farewell. Of lost love. The doors pounded madly. Thick wood threatening to give into the overwhelming power at any moment now. Fighting back her tears, Belle let herself be guided by Gaston, who led her into a secret passage, hidden from sight in a corner of the room.

"Belle!" Lord Maurice yelled, just before she entered the passage. She turned to face him and met a look of willpower. "Trust nobody."

With these words, the doors flew open. Belle gasped and was pushed by Gaston into the passage, which was closed before the ogres would see it. They run in the dark tunnel and Belle heard her father's last brave shout at the distance.

"I shall prevail!"

The escape through the secret passageway was a confused blur for the beauty. Gaston, by the contrary, lead her confidently through the dark and cold maze's world. The only source of light was his torch, creating a spooky realm of shadows. Belle had heard of these tunnels before. A secret network of underground passages built in ancient times. She had heard stories about kings and princes that fled for their lives through these secretive roads, in times of war, like she was doing right now. The tunnels were strategically excavated in a manner only those who knew the path would be able to find the way out. Anyone who was foolish enough to venture them alone would often lose their way in the labyrinth and the tunnels would become their tomb. An efficient way of leading off the enemy.

Belle and Gaston walked hastily in the subterranean torturous galleries for what felt hours. The princess soon noticed Gaston never hesitated by a bend or bifurcation. He knew the path. He knew it all too well. She was sure he could find his way blindfolded. This meant he had already walked it repeatedly, over and over again. Belle realized her father and Gaston had planned this escape for some time. Her memory took her back months ago, when the first news of ogres' attacks emerged. She had overheard the king and his best knight. Her father had spoken about a "last resource". She never expected it to be her.

They walked tirelessly for miles. Belle's feet and legs ached, for her pretty high-heeled shoes were unsuitable for this kind of wanderings. Her lungs missed oxygen as the air became increasingly thicker and heavier. Her beautiful long dress was clearly in the way, making her stumble while it stuck in iron and stones sticking out the walls. The worst of all was Gaston. He walked in a steady military pace, oblivious of the princess' struggling. One step taken by him corresponded to three paces made by Belle.

Suddenly the beauty noticed a change in the air. It became clear and she even felt a soft breeze. At a certain moment, she saw a faint light at the end of the tunnel. Her hopes grew higher and she welcomed the conclusion of this claustrophobic route. Belle could already make out the soft tones of blue turning into shades of pink and orange. The sun was setting. They had walked for about two hours, she calculated. Gaston gestured her to stop and wait. Belle obeyed and watched him walk to the edge of the tunnel. He whistled three times, imitating a bird. Short after a woman entered the passage. Belle recognized her in the dim light as the head of the housekeeping. The middle aged woman greeted her with a courteous bow.

"Thank the gods, you are safe, m'lady." She whispered, sincerity all over her face.

"Be quick." Gaston's authoritative tone echoed the tunnel. "We must haste." The middle aged woman nodded, while Belle looked perplexed. The knight exited the tunnel and the moment he stepped outside, the middle aged woman started undressing herself.

"Quick m'lady. We must switch clothes." She instructed.

"W-What?"

"Your dress will stand out, m'lady. You will travel more safely and unnoticed with my clothing."

Belle looked down at her oversized golden dress and felt stupid for not having considered the matter earlier. She quickly undressed, switched clothes and soon the women stood before each other. The princess turned into a maid, the maid into a princess. They had exactly the same size, so it was a perfect match. Her father and Gaston had truly thought it through. Belle looked down at her new outfit. A light blue cotton dress with embroidered short sleeves simply cut but still pretty. It felt comfortable and Belle realized she could move freely in it. Her feet thanked for stepping out of the torturous shoes into soft light colored leader ones.

"You look lovely, m'lady." Belle smiled at the compliment, but the smile faded right away. The housekeeper looked like true a princess now.

"What will happen to you?" Belle worriedly asked, already fearing the answer.

"I will fill your place as long as I can, m'lady. Win you time, so you can have a head start." Belle opened her mouth to protest but the woman held the princess's hands and looked straight at her eyes, breaking all courtesy rules.

"Do not worry, my princess. My life is less important than yours. You are the future of our kingdom. You are our hope. So you must live. Do you understand, m'lady?"

Belle could feel the tears spring at the corners of her eyes. How could she accept this? How could she allow an innocent woman take her place? To be a sacrifice. A life for a life. But she understood the rules of this awful game. She knew she had to live so she could protect her people. Belle had to honor her duty as princess of this threatened kingdom, independent of its costs. This woman was doing this willingly. She admired her bravery and took the other woman's courage in her heart, as inspiration to her own bravery. And so, both women walked out of the tunnel unwavering.

As soon they reached outside, Belle was overwhelmed by the smell of ablaze wood mingled with the nauseous stank of burned flesh. A chill run down her spine as she wondered if the red colors in the sky were the sun-set or blood of many reflected on it. Belle heard Gaston's voice in a distance, instructing the housekeeper. The beauty walked to the horse that awaited them. She gently stroked the majestic animal. Yes, father and Gaston had planned all details. They had done it in secret, to spare her. She wished they had consulted her first. She wished she could have had a word in these decisions. But she was only a princess. A woman had little to say in this kingdom, especially in matters of war and politics. Her duty was to follow orders of men in court.

And so she obeyed.

First Once Upon a Time fic. Love the series! Am totally addicted to them and can't wait for Season 2. My favorite pair? Rumpelstiltskin and Belle. Who else?

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