Today was Gaston's funeral. I still can't believe that he's dead. Some of
the village woodcutters found him, broken and bloody at the bottom of the
ravine below the castle. Could it really have only been three nights ago
when the men set out, led by a very alive, very vibrant Gaston, to kill the
beast?
We'd all been frightened when the men had returned early the next morning with a story about enchanted objects coming to life and running them out of the beast's lair. If we had had time to dwell on their tale we might have been skeptical, but we had no time to really think about what they'd told us. The storm that had been raging all evening ended abruptly, and a strange unnatural light shone blindingly from the woods. Suddenly a beautiful castle loomed up above the trees, shining as bright as the morning sun that had yet to rise above the foothills. All else was momentarily forgotten as everyone turned to gape at this mammoth structure that had not been there a moment before. Later that morning the woodcutters went out to investigate, their knowledge of the woods making them the obvious choice.
They returned yesterday, bearing Gaston's body on a crude cot dragged along behind them. They told of finding a beautiful castle were the beasts dark and monstrous lair had been only the night before, and being greeted with kindness and civility by a very human staff of servants. There was no sign of the Beast or any enchanted objects; in fact Belle herself emerged to welcome them escorted by a handsome prince! He has invited the whole town to their wedding that will take place soon.
But that is not the point of this narrative. From what we were told Gaston's body was found soon after they were welcomed to the castle, and no one could explain what had happened to him. In fact, no one at the castle or in the village could explain anything about what had happened not even a day before! Was it all a dream? If not for the very real body that was just buried in the churchyard it would be easy to think so.
Oh Gaston! I loved you so. Why did you HAVE to have the one thing you were unable to obtain? I dreamed of becoming Madame Gaston one day, giving you the home and family you deserved, why couldn't you have set your sights on me instead of her? She would never have made you happy, from the rumors flying around town it appears she didn't even want to! I was in the crowd that night, the night they came to take the crazy old inventor away. I saw the look in your eyes, you didn't care about the beast, you only wanted to convince Belle to marry you. The idea that she could care for a BEAST and not for you, you just couldn't handle that could you? You just had to go and kill your rival, you were so sure you would come away victorious that you didn't even think about the danger. What happened at his lair that night? Did you kill him and die in the process? Did he escape into the woods, killing you on the way out the door? How do we explain the castle, and the prince? The whole town is in mourning for you now, we gave you a true hero's send-off, I know you would have liked that.
I'll never forget you, and no matter who I marry eventually - I will have to marry someone someday, it's out of my hands - I'll always love you. If only you have loved me in return!
We'd all been frightened when the men had returned early the next morning with a story about enchanted objects coming to life and running them out of the beast's lair. If we had had time to dwell on their tale we might have been skeptical, but we had no time to really think about what they'd told us. The storm that had been raging all evening ended abruptly, and a strange unnatural light shone blindingly from the woods. Suddenly a beautiful castle loomed up above the trees, shining as bright as the morning sun that had yet to rise above the foothills. All else was momentarily forgotten as everyone turned to gape at this mammoth structure that had not been there a moment before. Later that morning the woodcutters went out to investigate, their knowledge of the woods making them the obvious choice.
They returned yesterday, bearing Gaston's body on a crude cot dragged along behind them. They told of finding a beautiful castle were the beasts dark and monstrous lair had been only the night before, and being greeted with kindness and civility by a very human staff of servants. There was no sign of the Beast or any enchanted objects; in fact Belle herself emerged to welcome them escorted by a handsome prince! He has invited the whole town to their wedding that will take place soon.
But that is not the point of this narrative. From what we were told Gaston's body was found soon after they were welcomed to the castle, and no one could explain what had happened to him. In fact, no one at the castle or in the village could explain anything about what had happened not even a day before! Was it all a dream? If not for the very real body that was just buried in the churchyard it would be easy to think so.
Oh Gaston! I loved you so. Why did you HAVE to have the one thing you were unable to obtain? I dreamed of becoming Madame Gaston one day, giving you the home and family you deserved, why couldn't you have set your sights on me instead of her? She would never have made you happy, from the rumors flying around town it appears she didn't even want to! I was in the crowd that night, the night they came to take the crazy old inventor away. I saw the look in your eyes, you didn't care about the beast, you only wanted to convince Belle to marry you. The idea that she could care for a BEAST and not for you, you just couldn't handle that could you? You just had to go and kill your rival, you were so sure you would come away victorious that you didn't even think about the danger. What happened at his lair that night? Did you kill him and die in the process? Did he escape into the woods, killing you on the way out the door? How do we explain the castle, and the prince? The whole town is in mourning for you now, we gave you a true hero's send-off, I know you would have liked that.
I'll never forget you, and no matter who I marry eventually - I will have to marry someone someday, it's out of my hands - I'll always love you. If only you have loved me in return!