Xxx
She listened quietly as her father and his knights argued over their predicament. It was only a matter of time before the ogres were at their doorstep, and there was nothing they could do. If only he were here. If he had come sooner, so many lives would have been spared. But there was still hope. They weren't gone yet. As long as they were alive, there was still hope.
Her father, however, didn't seem to see this. He slouched in his chair, defeat in his voice and on his face. She really should go over to him, comfort him.
But that would mean passing near Gaston.
The thought sent a wave of nausea through her. She couldn't even bear to look at him. How could she? Besides, it wasn't like she actually wanted to go comfort her father. The only reason she even considered it was because it was what she was supposed to do as his daughter.
As if he still had the right to call her his daughter.
There was a loud banging on the doors.
"What is that?"
"It's him," Belle whispered.
"What?" Gaston snapped, causing Belle to flinch. "Speak up, girl!"
"It's him," Belle said louder, her voice shaking. "It has to be him."
"How could he get pass the castle walls?" the King grumbled. "Open the doors!"
The guards obeyed immediately. To all of their surprise, no one was there. They stood there, confused.
"Well, that was a bit of a let down!"
Belle gasped and spun around. He stared at the man on her father's chair, one thought crossing her mind.
I thought he'd be taller.
Gaston approached the man, his sword down.
"You sent me a letter," the man said. "Something like 'Help Help, we're dying. Can you save us?' And the answer is..."
Rumplestiltskin stood and swatted Gaston's blade away.
"Yes, I can. I can save your little Kingdom... for a price."
"We sent you a promise of gold," the King said.
"Yes, well I um... make gold," as Belle had pointed out. "What I want is something a little more... precious. My price..." Rumplestiltskin pointed and smiled at Belle. "... is her."
"No!" Gaston snarled and pulled Belle behind him. Belle fought back the fearful sobs that threatened to escape at his touch. "The lady is engaged... to me."
"I wasn't asking if she was engaged!" Rumplestiltskin scoffed. "I'm not looking for... love. I'm looking for a caretaker, for my rather large estate. It's her, or no deal."
"Go," the King growled. "LEAVE!"
"As you wish."
Belle, however, had other ideas. This was her chance, a way to escape. And she wasn't going to pass it up.
"Wait!" she called after him.
The man stopped and turned towards her, a knowing smile on his face.
"I will go with you."
"No!"
"I forbid it."
Belle turned, ignoring her fears, to glare at the two men.
"No one decides my fate but me," she said firmly. She turned back to Rumplestiltskin, standing straighter. "I will go with you."
"It's forever deary," Rumplestiltskin warned.
"My friends will all live?" Belle inquired.
"You have my word," he assured her.
"Than you have mine," Belle said. "I will go with you. Forever."
"Deal!" the Dark One giggled triumphantly.
She really hoped she hadn't made a mistake.
