FULL SUMMARY!: When a maid brings up a painful part of some of our favorite servants history, Lumiere and Babette must tell the story of their beloved friend. After the story is done, what will Belle and the other servants discover about Cogsworth's mysterious past? Cogsworth listens in, and discovers a part of himself he never knew. Rating is for later chapters, and the title may be changed later on. :)

Hi everyone! This is part one of the extremely long prologue to another story that's in the works. There will be a part of the prologue for at least 3 other animated Disney movies. But for now, just sit back and enjoy, and take it as just a story. :)

Oh yes, I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT MY OC. AND THE PLOT I GUESS. :P

"Ah, Christmas time," said Belle, smiling, as she hung a delicate string of popcorn along the long winding mahogany stair railing. "Remember last year?" she giggled, remembering the makeshift Christmas tree and the storybook she had given to the Beast.

"Hopefully, I will not be stuck on the top of the tree this year, will I?" added Angelique, who gracefully glided across the marble floor, checking that all of the decorations were in order.

Lumiere laughed. "Of course not Cherie," he said from the top of the stairs. He was helping some of the maids clean up for the big day. Christmas Eve was tomorrow, after all.

"Lumiere, I'm tired," complained one of the maids. Most others nodded in agreement.

"This is such tiring work! Can't we have a break?" another added.

"Please?" they pleaded.

"You just had one!" he chuckled. At this, most of the maids rolled their eyes and went back to work.

Babette and Fife carried a tree holder to the spot where the tree would be. "Are you nervous, Fife?" Babette asked after they had set it down. She was, of course, asking about the song Belle told Fife he should play on Christmas Eve. The Master had agreed. Fife nodded his head rapidly. "Only one day more to practice!"

"You'll do fine, dear." Ms. Potts encouraged, parting the curtains on the windows. Light flooded into the room. "Ah, here they come!" Ms. Potts exclaimed excitedly. Everyone ran to the window. There were many excited remarks.

"It's so big!"

"Now THAT"S a Christmas tree!"

"I hope they don't drop it!"

"Wow!"

"Where did they find it?"

The Master burst through the door, carrying a huge Christmas tree. Chip peeked out from behind his leg and hopped over to Ms. Potts. "I helped pick it out." He whispered loudly to no one in particular. Ms. Potts gently nuzzled him and smiled. The Prince and Eli, formerly an axe, hauled the tree inside. Slowly they put it in the tree holder, tightened it, and backed away. The tree was perfect. The branches were thick. The tree was the perfect shape- large at the bottom and pointed at the top. And it was huge- Not even the Prince could touch the top.

"Is it good?" the Master asked, turning. Everyone nodded happily. Belle ran up and hugged him. "It's perfect."

"Hey, I helped pick it!" Chip piped in. Belle bent down and put chip in her hand. She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for helping chip." She set him down again, and he smiled wide.

Belle brought out a checklist. "Tree? Check. Lets see. Decorations?" She looked around. "No check yet. Food? Well, it's not Christmas Eve yet, so we don't have to worry about that. Presents? Still not Christmas Eve. Firewood?" She looked at the fireplace. Where there would normally been a huge pile of firewood ready, there was an empty corner. Belle looked up at the Prince and Eli, giving them a pleading look.

"FINE," snarled the Prince. He hadn't been too happy about getting the tree, either. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood today," he spat, and stalked off out the door to go gather firewood.

"Oy vey, why must I always be dragged into this?" Eli complained, trudging out the door after the Prince.

"Oh dear. I don't think he's in a good mood anymore," Ms. Potts said, breaking the long silence that followed their exit.

"Chop chop!" Cogsworth called, clapping his hands as he walked into the room. Several of the maids rolled their eyes. Why must he be such a perfectionist? They walked slowly back and began to clean, miserable.

"But Cogsworth! We have been working for hours! Can we not have a short break?" One maid whined. It was Cogsworth's turn to roll his eyes.

"You just had a break. A long one, at that! If we want tomorrow and Christmas to go smoothly, everything must be just right. Now hurry up," he retorted. He turned around to walk out, mumbling to himself.

"You never would have treated her like this." One of the maids added, sounding almost evil.

Cogsworth froze. His fists clenched, his back straightened, his head shot up, and his eyes shut tight. There was a long silence. Many of the maids nodded to one another in agreement. Others looked on in confusion. Lumiere, Babette, Angelique, Ms. Potts and Fife looked depressed, while Belles' and Chips' eyes darted around the room, trying to find out what was going on.

"Get back to work." Cogsworth said in a hoarse whisper, and sped off, hands still clenched, head down.

The room was silent. Belle slowly walked over to where Cogsworth had been standing and knelt down. There were two small teardrops on the floor. She wiped them up with her pointer finger and held them up to her face.

Lumiere glanced at Belle, who was looking at the tears in confusion. "I thought he had forgotten how to cry." Lumiere sighed sadly. He then eyed several maids who were snickering and complaining. Fury in his eyes, he strode over to them. He loomed over them, casting a long, dark shadow. "If I were you," Lumiere snarled, "I would go find another room to clean." The maids cowered in fear. They'd never seen Lumiere so angry. There was a fire in his eyes that made him look like he wanted to kill them. "Go on, OUT!" he shouted furiously. The small group of maids shuffled off in fear.

"Lumiere…" Ms. Potts began.

"What?" he snapped spinning around to face her. "I will not allow them to think of her if they are going to behave so terribly! And you saw Cogsworth! I refuse to let them get away with mentioning her in front of him like that!" Lumiere screamed. Ms. Potts had hurt in her eyes. He sighed and slumped down against the wall. "I'm sorry. It's just… it's just not fair," he mumbled, head in hands. Ms. Potts sighed weakly. "I know dear," she whispered.

Chip walked over to Belle, who had been watching the scene play out in amazement. He looked at her finger, where the teardrop still hung.

Belle knelt there, silent. She wasn't exactly sure what to do. She didn't want to pry- everyone seemed so saddened just at the word 'her', that she was sure it was a very touchy subject. And yet, at the same time, she had to know. What could possibly make everyone so sad? Curiosity got the best of her, and she decided to ask.

"Who is 'her'?"

Lumiere sighed. "Its such a long story… what am I saying, you love stories." He chuckled lightly. "Ms. Potts, why don't you tell the story?" he said.

Ms Potts shook her head. "I think this is a story for you two to tell," she said, looking at Babette and Lumiere. They looked at each other for a moment, and then back to Ms. Potts. "Are you sure?" He asked, and for the first time, Belle caught a hint of insecurity in his voice.

Ms. Potts nodded. "If you think you're up to it." The two looked at each other again.

"I'd say have Cogsworth tell the story, but I'm not sure he'd be able to, especially now." Babette said sadly.

"Well, I suppose we have no choice now, do we?" He laughed. He hopped over to the Christmas tree, and sat down below it, Babette close behind. Chip curled up to Ms. Potts, Belle sat close to the tree, as did all the other maids and servants, eager for the story.

"Her name," began Lumiere, "was Maggie. And she was one of the best friends we've ever had."

Yay! So, how do all of you like it? I hope I did a good job. :)

Comments, constructive criticism, etc. are loved like puppies. :D