Prologue

A/AN: This is my newest Rumbelle fic. I'm really excited about writing it because it's kind of a twist between Snow White and Cinderella. I'm not sure how much I will update it. That depends completely on you guys so if you want more, then you're going to have to review. I also wanted to point out that this story also shares the title with my Rumbelle oneshot "Beautiful, Brave, and True" but neither of them have any affiliation with each other. There wasn't another title that seemed to fit this story, and you'll soon see why. I don't like to waste my time on anything people aren't going to be interested in. Please review! It only takes a moment!

Belle pushed erratic chestnut curls from her eyes as she scrubbed the castle floors. She should've been attending royal balls and being solicited by various suitors for her hand in marriage, but she didn't get to do any of that. She was the daughter of King Maurice and Queen Lucinda of Avonlea-a princess in all prospects, but she wasn't treated like one.

Belle lived under the iron fist of her step-mother Cora and covetous older step-sister Regina. She had been banished to the servant quarters when she was sixteen years old and had endured hard labor for the past four years. Cora made sure she was given the most back breaking work, alongside the men who had "trouble" keeping their hands to themselves. She was thankful for days like this when she was allowed to work in solitude, but they were far and few between. Cora was in a cheerful mood lately, and Belle knew why. She had traveled to a nearby kingdom in search of a husband for her dearest Regina.

It was rumored a king by the name of Leopold with a strong trading industry was interested in remarrying to procure a mother for his daughter: Snow White. Belle knew Cora couldn't resist the prospect of uniting two of the realms most powerful kingdoms. She was a power hungry tyrant.

Regina loathed her mother, but she tolerated her. Belle knew that Regina was secretly in love with a stable hand named Daniel Foster. She heard many things by living among the peasants. She realized that if Regina were to run away with this boy that things wouldn't end well on her end. Belle was thankful when she wasn't on her "doting" step-mother's radar. When she was, she was usually loaded down with a laundry list of chores she could never finish.

Belle did her work without complaint but things were getting harder to ignore. There were talk of uprisings within Avonlea and that frightened her. She needed a way to drive Cora off the throne but there were many who remained loyal to her. The divided loyalties would surely break out in a war if she did anything to rash. Belle needed strong allies and the help of someone who was clever enough to end her stepmother's cruel reign of terror.

"Haven't you finished cleaning those floors yet? You sure are a lazy servant." a feminine voice taunted behind her. Belle felt her ears perk up and her senses sharpen at the sound of the malice voice behind her. She turned around quickly forgetting the mop and bucket.

"I'm sorry Cora…I was just-" Belle stammered before the older woman cut her off.

"Daydreaming again? You know it's best to keep your head out of the clouds Belle because this is to be your lot in life." Cora snickered smiling menacingly at her.

"Yes mam…" Belle retorted casting her gaze to the floor. She knew it wasn't wise to argue with her stepmother because it would only lead to a harsher punishment, and she had the scars on her back to prove it.

Belle was surprised when she felt the older woman grab her sharply by her chin, forcing her to meet her gaze, "You will address me as your majesty you ungrateful selfish girl!" Cora hissed vehemently pushing her backwards. Belle felt her head hit the concrete hard. Tears sprung to her eyes, but she didn't have time to respond because Cora's heel was now on her chest, stifling her breathing.

"You may have been a princess my dear Belle, but you will never be a queen." she cackled evilly, leaving her there in a heap on the floor. Belle laid there for what felt like hours until her breathing steadied. She was going to have a screaming headache when she woke up in the morning, but she had to push on. She pushed back the tears that threatened to fall from her stepmother's searing words.

"You may have been a princess, but you will never be a queen…"

Belle made her way back to her servant quarters allowing her mind to drift off to a happier time and place in her life when her conniving stepmother didn't exist. She pulled on her nightgown and crawled under the thin sheet and ragged quilt that laid across her straw mattress. She tried her best to ignore the pounding resonating in her skull. She conjured up one of her happiest memories before drifting off into slumber.

~X~

The brunette beauty bounced up and down on her bed eagerly awaiting her mother to spin one of her usual tales about beautiful princesses, brave knights, and fire breathing dragons.

"Well isn't someone excited to hear a story?" a woman with auburn hair and kind blue eyes smiled at the excited child.

"Mamma you tell the best stories!" the little girl squealed ready to begin their nighttime ritual.

"All right settle down now." the woman laughed, settling down beside her daughter. She tucked the covers around them snuggly. The little girl cuddled against her mother's side ready to weave their tale.

"What kind of story would you like to hear tonight my Belle darling?" the woman inquired gently against the shell of the girl's ear.

"I want to hear a story about me…" the little girl said sheepishly hiding her expression against the blankets.

"I've told you all the stories I know about you Belle-of-mine so perhaps we shall make up a new story then hm?" her mother curved a smile down at her curious daughter.

"I would like that." Belle nodded compliantly with piqued interest.

"When your older, you will attend balls. Princes will come from all across the realms just to glimpse upon your beauty. Many will pry for your attention, but you're a clever girl, so you won't allow their chivalrous offers to compel you. You will see their true intentions, and you'll know he's right for you when you meet him because his heart will be true. Great names and powerful alliances don't hold a kingdom together…Love does, and I want you to find true love someday. Don't settle for power and riches my dear. You must always remain beautiful, brave, and true awaiting the heart that's meant to be yours." her mother smiled down to the now snoozing girl.

"You must always be beautiful, brave, and true my dear girl." she whispered, kissing her daughter's brow before she blew out the candle.

~X~

Belle awoke suddenly, her mind in a fog. She heard shouting and a slew of profanities coming from beyond her door. She rubbed her eyes tiredly and pulled on her blue and white servant's clothes. She grabbed her brown deerskin boots and satchel. She would be ready to make a run for it if need be. She opened the door to be met by throngs of people running in all directions.

"What's going on!?" Belle yelled over the crowds, a distinct pounding resonated in her head making her wish she hadn't shouted quite so loud.

"The queen has let her mutants loose, and they haven't eaten in days! It's every man for himself!" she heard someone call over the crowd. Belle realized that now was as good of time as any to make her escape.

She ran hard and fast through the streets, making her way to the forest. Cora had a few "exotic" pets she had procured from other realms who had a salivating appetite for human flesh. She enjoyed allowing her beasts to terrorize the town from time to time and somehow Belle knew it was her fault. She only let the beasts run free when something had enraged her, and she was sure her episode earlier had set her off.

She tried to push the blood curling screams of those behind her out of her mind as she ran. She prayed she made it to safety because she was Avonlea's only hope. She had to find someone who was willing to help her end Cora's evil reign. She was startled when she heard the sound of horses coming her way. She tried to run in the other direction, fearing it was some of Cora's footman, but she had no time to react as two stallions the color of midnight stopped in front of her. The horses weren't to happy about being interrupted, winning in objection and apparently their riders weren't either. There were two men shrouded in cloaks driving the carriages that sent an eerie feeling up Belle's spine but neither rider dismounted their horse.

She hadn't been aware that the horses were pulling a carriage until she heard the door slam furiously. She gulped back the bile in her throat ready for the lashing that was about to ensue. She should've ran but she felt her strength waning, the pounding in her head registering distinctively now.

"I'm sorry…." she wavered feeling the world begin to spin beneath her. She didn't have time to react as she fell forward into someone's awaiting arms. The world went black, the last thing registering within her mind was the alluring fragrance of sage and pine, giving her a sense of peace she'd never known before.

~X~

Belle opened her eyes warily, the unusual feeling of a goose down comforter draped over her. She tried to stand up but found out it wasn't a good idea when spots of color flashed in front of her eyes.

"Take it easy miss…You've got a nasty bump on your head." a feminine voice resounded. Belle eased her head back on the pillow trying to clear her vision.

"Where am I?" she squeaked, her voice sounding like she'd rubbed it with sandpaper and that's when she realized how parched she was.

"You're in Albannach miss-" the woman clucked, her name an incomplete thought left on her tongue.

"Belle…" she managed to say, realizing how painful it was to even speak. She shuddered at the mention of Albannach, a kingdom even Cora kept her affairs out of. The kingdom was rumored to be ruled by a man who was half beast. Many folk even claimed he'd been cursed, but Belle had no time to ponder upon these things. She was exhausted.

"Belle, what a lovely name… I'm Mrs. Potts, and I'll be taking care of you. Have some water." the maid insisted bringing a ladle to Belle's throat. She greedily gulped down the soothing liquid, like a balm to her throat.

"Thank you." Belle strained with a half smile, grateful for the maid's kindness.

"Miss you need to rest…Don't speak just relax." the maid coaxed in a gentle voice. Belle felt herself begin to drift off into a dreamless state, the scent of sage and pine still lingering within her senses.

A/AN: That's all of the prologue! The next chapter will be about Belle meeting Rumplestiltskin for the first time. Cora will also find out about Belle's disappearance…I also wanted to point out that "Albannach" is Celtic for Gold. I got the idea for Cora's mutants from "The Hunger Games" series. I'm already working on the next chapter and it will be up soon IF you review! Here are some questions you can ponder on while you wait.

1. Is Rumplestiltskin as really as dark as people say?

2. What will meeting Rumplestiltskin ensue for Belle?