Finally, our first Red Beauty story! I've loved this pairing from the day Ruby and Belle met and this is something I came up with a long time ago. But, my buddy and I just got to writing it. Please, read and let us know what you think!
Belle's mother had died during childbirth, and while Maurice had been heartbroken by the news, it had only taken one look at the young princess for the man to know she would be the center of his world. He loved his daughter more than anything. She was his pride and joy, and he wanted to give her the world.
But, he also wanted to keep her safe. So, the young girl hardly ever got to play outside and was constantly surrounded by guardsman. She didn't have any friends.
As the girl neared her 5th birthday, Maurice realized how unhappy Belle had become. The young girl needed someone to play with, to love. And so, he had one of his soldiers capture a wolf pup. So that Belle could have a companion.
Once he'd ensured the pup was friendly enough to allow near his daughter, Maurice headed into the dining hall where Belle was playing and kneeled before her. "I've got a surprise for you, Sweetheart."
The princess looked up at him, her blue eyes bright, and smiled. "What is it, Papa?"
Maurice led his daughter into her playroom and there sat a black wolf pup in the middle of the floor. Belle squealed and immediately began to run for the animal when her father stopped her, tugging on the back of her dress gently. "Slowly, Belle. Approach her slowly and hold out your palm so she can sniff you, get familiar with your scent. You don't want to scare her."
"Sorry, Papa. I will." He let her go and the young girl held out her hand as she approached the wolf slowly. "Hi, puppy. I won't hurt you."
The wolf was scared. She'd been taken from her family and didn't understand the world that was around her now. The animals were so big and always stomping around. However, at the first sight of the young Belle, the pup, with paws too big for her body, headed for the girl slowly as she sniffed the air.
She'd run back, though, when the girl bounded at her. But, seeing the man stop her and afterward hearing that her voice was softer as was her pace, the pup started walking toward Belle once more, until she sat right in front of her, panting happily and wagging her tail.
Belle smiled and, after allowing the wolf to sniff her hand, reached out to pet the creature's head, her fingers running through dark fur gently. She looked up at her father and spoke softly. "So she's all mine?" When he nodded, she smiled brightly and looked back to the wolf. "She's beautiful."
The young wolf licked her hand and barked before jumping up, placing her paws on Belle's shoulders and starting to lick her face.
Belle giggled as the wolf licked her, falling backwards with the pup and hugging her tightly. For days they were inseparable, Belle treating the pup like royalty and toting her everywhere she went. She'd named her Liza, not knowing the wolf already had a name, and came to love the beast quickly. They became friends immediately.
The pup was cuddled up beside Belle on the bed one night after a long day of play. Her pack had taught her well and she could control her wolfstime. However, tonight she was in such a deep sleep from a full day of playing hard that she lost control and transformed into her child form.
When Belle opened her eyes, she was curled around another small girl, not a wolf. And the princess immediately jumped out of bed, running off toward her father's room. "Papa, Papa, the wolf! She's a girl!"
Maurice looked over at his daughter with furrowed brows. "A girl?" He jumped out of bed and ran quickly to Belle's room. He lit a lantern in the room and didn't see the girl in the bed. She'd gone into the corner of the room, hugging her knees to her chest.
She knew what people did to wolves like her.
Belle's eyes fell on the other girl, and although she'd been freaked out at first, not understanding why her wolf had turned into a person, she now felt bad for running off and yelling. The girl looked frightened and Belle wanted to comfort her. So, she slowly walked over to her and knelt down in front of her, setting her hands on the girl's knees. "I'm sorry I ran off. I was a little scared. I'm not going to hurt you."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." She whispered then looked up at Maurice. "You-You're not gonna hurt me are you? I-I know what humans do to creatures like me."
Maurice sighed, not having expected this at all. The man was a fair king who understood magical creatures were just as much a part of his kingdom as humans. He respected them, but knew they could prove to be dangerous. Werewolves were known for attacking villages. Especially when they were juveniles and had very little control of the wolf with raging hormones. When they were little, they were harmless because their parents fended for them. But once they got old enough to hunt on their own, they were creatures to be cautious of.
But one look in his daughter's direction, at her puppy dog eyes, and he already knew what he was going to do. "No, I won't harm you. Nor will anyone else. I imagine you'd like to go back to your family."
"But, Papa! I want her to stay." The princess then looked back to the girl, her eyes pleading. "You're not going to leave, are you? You're my best friend." She said sadly.
The girl looked at Belle and smiled softly. She had heard stories about the princess and how she was never seen out and about in the kingdom, how she was rumored not to have any friends. And thinking about how lonely she must have been until the wolf came, she made up her mind quickly. "No, I'm not going to leave but..." She looked up at Belle's father. "Sir, can... can my family visit me?"
Maurice laughed and took a seat on the cedar chest at the end of Belle's bed. "How about we take you back to your family and you can come visit us? Visit Belle." He looked to his daughter. "It wouldn't be fair to keep her from her parents, Sweetie. She could stop in any time she'd like."
"Okay." The wolf nodded then looked at her friend. "I'll visit you everyday, but I don't wanna leave yet." She sat up on her knees and wrapped her arms around Belle's neck. "You're my best friend, too."
"I am?" Belle smiled brightly and hugged the girl back tightly. "Okay. Now that I know you're a girl too and not just a wolf, we can play a lot more games." She leaned back but kept her hands on the other girl's arms. "What's your name? Your real name?"
She smiled. "My name is Ruby."
