This story features Belle and the Huntsman. It begins after a heartbroken Belle leaves the Dark Castle after Rumpelle's rejection. I'm a big fan oof QUAT and I'm really enjoying all the Rumbelle fanfiction. I decided to take the plunge and start writing some stuff myself. This is my first story and I hope whoever reads it enjoys it.
The wind howled as Belle fled the dark castle. Heartbroken and utterly alone she decided to return home. As she walked, she couldn't help but remember her previous promenade through this forest. Who was that Queen Rumpelle despised so much? Upon thinking of him, her feet gave way and there in the middle of the woods she let out all tears she'd tried to hide that day and all the days before. The day her mother died, the day she bid farewell to her family and the day she lost her true love.
She lay there for hours, remembering, praying to forget. Suddenly, she heard a noise! Fearfully, she rose quickly and hid behind a large oak tree. Suddenly a huntsman appeared. Belle peered out beyond the tree's bark. He was handsome but she noticed a strange sadness in his eyes. She heard a growl behind her and felt the coolness of a shadow from behind. She turned anxiously and there stood a wolf. He growled and bore his teeth.
"Easy Friend" the huntsman said "She is not your dinner" Belle looked up and smiled. "Where are you walking to mi-lady?" She looked away as she answered "I don't know" "What do you mean?" "I thought I was going home but I don't know where that is anymore" The huntsman knelt down beside her "Well, I don't know much about homes but I think they are anyplace where you're happy"
He rose and reached out his hand. "I know you have no reason to trust me but I promise I will do you no harm. I'm going to Ranelagh, it's the next town over. Winter is coming and food becomes scarce for a hunter. Would you like to come with me?" Belle looked into his eyes. She believed his words; that she could trust him. "I should return home but thank you anyway. Would you like to visit my town, it's a long walk but there's plenty of food there too. Ranelagh isn't the only place has it you know" she said smirking. Since she was very young her father had chastised for her sarcastic comments but she was acutely aware that he was fighting back laughter. She loved her father dearly. Her mother had died in childbirth and he had never loved another. Often he would tell stories of how they met. She was the daughter of a blacksmith but as he often boasted she was the smartest women he had ever known. She had taught herself to read and write and was considered by many to be the fairest maiden in town. Belle had her eyes; emerald green with small flecks of copper. He loved to tell Belle how they first met. He was out hunting when he spied her silhouette reading by the river. He had never seen anything else as beautiful until the day his beautiful Belle was born. In that moment, he recalled he had never felt such peace. His soul was elated. He loved her from that moment and for every moment since.
The huntsman smiled at her remark and agreed to accompany her. She sensed a protective nature in him. They walked for hours making small take. Neither discussing their pasts nor pains. The conversations were mostly concerned with the weather and other trivialities.
The sun rose and they still walked. A rustling from the bushes stirred growls from the huntsman's friend. "Stand back" he ordered Belle. He approached the grassy marsh and there lay an old woman. She was small and frail and her eyes were full of tears. "Please don't hurt me, please. I have nothing of value." The huntsman knelt beside her. "I will not hurt you" Belle approached them. "What has happened? Your eyes look worn as if you've been crying for awhile." The woman tried to rise but could not. "My daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby almost one moon ago but an evil lord arrived as I was tending to the child. He killed my daughter and then grabbed the boy from me. I have been trying to find him." "You've been searching for this child alone. You must realise how foolish that is. You are but an old woman" the huntsman said. "I may be weak of body but I am strong of mind "The old woman replied "I would rather die trying to save my grandson then live out the rest of my days alone" . Belle moved closer to the old woman. At that moment she remembered what she had said to Rumpelle about bravery. "I want to help you"
The old woman smiled. "Thank you but I would never ask you to make such a sacrifice. Your friend is right, my quest is foolish but it is my quest." "Justice is everyone's quest. I am coming with you" she answered. The huntsman grinned "I'm sure there's food at this lord's house too"