New Friends
Ten years have past since the castle incident occurred, and Adam dreaded the fact that he hurt his brother. He moved out of the castle and lived in the deeper part of the woods. He's trying to break the spell on his own without any help, despite Alex's protest against it. But before Adam left he said goodbye to everyone and made sure to contact them when he's gone. He writes to them and occasionally will visit but he doesn't stay for long. Whilst Alex stays at the castle, watching over it. For he worries if he leaves the castle, people will see his wolf form and be frightened of him. The only time he leaves the castle is every Sunday at 7 AM, for church service at 9 AM. And today he leaves for the schedule church mass.
On the far side of the woods that lays the castle, is a village. In the middle of the village lies the small but effective church. And on every Sunday at 10 AM sharp, the church bells rang, indicating that service is over. Generally Alex leaves right when service is over but on this particular day Alex decides to stay after for confession. Whilst families and friends gather outside to socialize while church members stay inside to clean up. One of those members is Belle Cartier, a petite optimistic brunette woman who searches for the good in life. Belle is the organist of the church, she stays behind every Sunday with the priest and fellow members to clean up.
Her father Maurice gives Belle a kiss on the cheek before he leaves. "I'll see you at home Belle."
Belle nodded her head yes, waving bye to her father as he left. She closed the door and begins to sweep in between the rows. As she continues to sweep, Belle looks out the window, seeing Gaston talking to Lefou.
Belle rolls her eyes just thinking about Gaston. All that man thinks about is looks. I don't understand why people in this town idolized him.
As she continues to sweep, Belle somehow loses her balance. She makes a soft squeal as she begins to fall back. Alex heard her squeal and before her body can make contact with the floor, his strong hand catches her by the waist. He pulls her up by using his left arm to catch her right arm. Belle looks up to see a tall man with sparkling blue eyes hold her in place.
Oh my, I don't think I've seen such soft blue eyes. She has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. For a while Belle and Alex just stared into each other's eyes. That is until a cough interrupted their precious moment, they both looked at the source.
"Am I interrupting anything?" The local book keeper asked, the two of them immediately let go of each other. "Of course not, sir. I was just on my way to confession." Alex answered him, with that said he left to where the confessional was at. Belle couldn't help but look at his retrieving form. "Belle do you mind cleaning the outside windows?" Belle snapped out of her gaze and said yes to the fellow church member.
As Belle was outside, she thinking about the mysterious man who had caught her. I've never seen him before now. But I must thank him before he leaves. Just as Belle finishes that thought, her "hero" came outside. Before Alex manages to get on his horse, Belle hurries to him.
She calls out "Sir?" Alex turns his head to her, "Yes madam?" Once again, Belle is captured by his eyes. "I...wanted to thank you...for stopping my fall." She manages to spit out. "Well we can't afford our beautiful organist to be injured. No one can replace you." Alex said honestly, but his eyes had widened slightly once he realized what he said. Whilst Belle is slightly shocked at the un-expectancy of his compliment.
Alex now mounted himself on his horse, getting ready to leave. "I should get going. Have a good day ma'am." Belle shook her head, causing her to get out of her gaze. Impulsively Belle said "Would you like to have lunch with me? As a thank you gift for catching me." Alex looked to the woods, I should get going. They'll start to worry if I don't get there soon.
He looked at her, parting his lips to politely decline her offer. But then he saw her face, I can't say no to her with the way she's looking at me. Alex smiles, "I'll love to have lunch." Belle returns his smile, "Great follow me." She turned her heel to walk, but Alex pulled her arm slightly. She turned her attention back to him.
Not understanding why he did that she asked "Is there something wrong?" "There's no need to walk when there is room on my horse. You can ride with me." Belle shook her head no, "Oh no I'm perfectly fine walking sir." Alex chuckled, "I insist ma'am."
Belle shrugged her shoulders, minus well. Alex extended his arm, allowing Belle to have easier access to his horse. Once Belle sat behind Alex, she laid her hands on his pecs. As they began to move, Alex asked "So where to ma'am?" Lifting her hand to point to the other side of the town, she said "Do you see the marketplace?" Alex shook his head yes, "Once you pass it, there lies a stone bridge. Cross it and my house is straight across from it sir." Alex chuckled once again, "I don't believe I meet a woman quite as polite as you my dear." Belle smiled at the comment, but shortly after she was grinning, mostly to her herself.
"What else do you expect me to say? You have yet to tell me your name." "You haven't told me yours either." Alex quipped back, now grinning at her. Belle couldn't help but raise her eyebrow and smirk at him. "My name's Walker. Alexander Walker, but most people call me Alex." "I'm Belle Cartier, it's a pleasure to meet you Alex." "Likewise Ms. Cartier." Belle giggled at his response, but she didn't take into account of Gaston watching her intensely. As they moved toward the marketplace, Gaston was ogling Belle as he always did. That is until jealousy clouded his eyes when he realized that she was contentedly holding on to the man in front of her while on a horse.
Gaston roughly pulled Lefou by his collar, gritting his teeth as he said "Who is he?" Lefou, as the clueless man he is said "The horse? Oh wow it's a beauty, I think it's a-" Gaston interrupted him as he forced his face upwards, showing Lefou the man who is "wooing his girl." "Him, who is he? Who does he think he is? Doesn't he know she's mine?" Lefou followed his gaze on Belle and Alex as they moved through the marketplace. "Well technically she isn't yours." Gaston growled at his sidekick "In a bit she will be, after I teach that guy a lesson. Show him who's boss in this town." He then threw Lefou to the ground, grabbed his gun and walked to Belle and Alex.
As they were caught up in their conversation, Belle and Alex both failed to notice that they were being followed. They were nearly at her house, just about to cross the stone bridge. But Gaston leapt in front of them, causing Alex's horse to neigh loudly. Alex's grip on him tighten as he tried to calm him down. "Whoa hey easy boy." His soothing words failed, he then kicked his two front legs out of shock and neigh even louder. In an instant, Belle's grip on Alex tighten as well. Not wanting to fall, Belle's arms were now completely wrapped around Alex's chest, causing her body to moved as closely as it can to the back of Alex. His legs caused to kick Gaston's gun out of his hands.
He screeched "My gun!" as he tried to reach for it, but it fell into the water with a big splash. Completely enraged of what occurred, Gaston said "Do you know what your horse just did? That gun cost me a fortune!" Alex's brows furrowed, "Do you know what you just did? Don't you know better than to sneak up on a horse? They're very dangerous when frightened." Gaston scoffed, Alex then turned to Belle, he asked softly "Are you alright Belle?" While shaking her head yes she said "Yes I'm alright Alex, how's your horse?" "Fine for now." Gaston then stepped next to Belle "Hello Belle." Gaston said with blooming confidence.
"Uh...ahem. Bonjour Gaston." She cleared her throat as she answered him as politely as possible, despite her utter dislike towards him. "Belle what are you doing with this man? He could hurt you." Belle scoffed, "You nearly hurt me. I could have fallen off this horse and broke my back. Let's go Alex." They side stepped him but being the persistent man he is, Gaston stepped in front of them again. Alex huffed, "Do you mind moving out of the way boy?" Gaston eyes widened while Belle tried to cover her smile, "How dare you! Do you know who I am? I am the man of this town! Who do you think you are?!" As if he were talking to anyone else, Alex said "I don't see a man. No I see a vain little boy with a cocky attitude who thinks he can always get what he wants, when he wants."
Belle tried to cover her laugh with her hand, but it slipped out through her fingers. Gaston was offended by her laugh, alright I had enough of this. It's time to show him who's boss.
Gaston roughly pulled Alex by his arm, causing Alex to land hard on the ground. He had mud all over him, Belle gasped when he fell. Gaston was about to lounged at him again, but Belle quickly hopped off the horse and grabbed him by the arm. Forcing him to stop and look at her, "Stop! Leave us alone, can't you take a hint?!" With a shocked look on his face, Gaston said "Belle-"
Alex groaned, which interrupted Gaston. He laid on the ground, trying to control his angry. Just as the hair on his arms were about to morph into fur, Belle came from behind. Using her arms she lifted him up, securing her arm around his shoulder.
"Are you alright Alex?" He looked down to see that he was human. That had never happened before. I can't believe it, she calmed me down. At this Alex turned to her, he smiled as he softly rested his forehead against hers. "I am now." Belle smiled at the a awareness of his safety.
As angry as Gaston was, he couldn't help but admire Belle's kindness. Despite helping a man to his disliking, "You sure are a strange one Belle. Like your father." At this comment, Belle became even more furious. "Don't you dare speak of my father that way!" Gaston lifted his hands defensively, "Hey I didn't mean it like that. I meant it'll keep things... interesting." Belle let out a snort, "With you, things will never be interesting." She muttered to herself.
Both Alex and Belle then crossed the bridge with Alex's horse following from behind. While Gaston stared after her, his gaze intense, and brows furrowed. I don't know who you think you are Alex, but come near Belle or insult me again, it'll be the end of you.
Once inside her house, Belle placed Alex on the couch, "Did he hurt you?" Alex scoffed, "He couldn't hurt a butterfly even if it were right in front of him." Belle went to the kitchen to retrieve a small towel, she wet it and returned back to Alex. She drew her hand to his face, attempting to clean the dirt off his face. But Alex stopped her, "Let me help you." "Belle I'm not a little kid, I can do it hey-!"
She didn't let him finish the sentence as her hand came in contact with his face. She was nearly done with him, "See, that wasn't too hard now was it?" He grinned, "No my dear it wasn't." She didn't hear his sentence as her attention was drawn to the right side of his neck.
She raised her eyebrows as she noticed a long scar on the back of his neck. Instinctively, Belle moved the collar of his black button up shirt to get a better view of his scar. He stiffened as he felt her hand on his scar, she traced his scar. Wanting to see more, Belle moved closer to him. Before she could see more of it, a loud explosion shook the ground.
Smoke came out from the basement door. Belle jumped in shock and slapped her forehead, "Oh no not again!" She ran to the basement with Alex right behind her. "Are you alright Papa? That was the third explosion this week!" Belle said into the thick smoke as she went down the basement stairs, trying to clear the air by swaying her right hand from side to side.
Maurice looked up at his daughter, sitting down next to his latest invention. "It's nothing Belle. It's just a stupid bloody piece of junk!" He sighs as he stood up, "I'm afraid I'm not going to win this one."
Maurice wanted to build a machine that made the task of chopping firewood easier. But it isn't coming together as he thought. "If I had a gold coin for each time your said that." Belle couldn't help but smile as she spoke. Just as Maurice was going to retort back, he saw that they weren't alone in the room. Alex saw Maurice look at him and he decided to properly introduced himself. He descended down the last steps "Oh I'm sorry sir I should have introduced myself earlier, I'm Alex Walker. It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Cartier."
Alex extended his right hand and Maurice gladly excepted his handshake. "Pleasure to meet you to son."
As soon as they let go of each other's hand, Maurice noticed how different this man was compared to the rest of the men in this town. In Maurice's eyes he saw a modern knight in shiny armor. He was tall, dark hair, well fit and good looking, especially for his daughter. Deciding to tease her as she did to him, he smiled as he said "Alex do you know you're the first boyfriend that Belle has ever brought to this house?" Alex slightly widened his eyes, as a soft blush rose to his face. He sheepishly smiled at Maurice, whilst Belle's face was flushed.
"Papa!" Maurice merely chuckled at her, returning their attention to the invention, Alex then asked "What seems to be the problem, if you don't mind me asking?" Maurice scratched his head, "Well, it's... ummmm, well I'm not going to lie I have no clue." Alex was now moving toward the machine as he spoke "Mind if I take a look at it?" Maurice gestured to the machine "Of course not son, be my guest." As Alex was sliding underneath the contraption Maurice couldn't help but ponder him with questions. "So how did you two meet my boy?" Knowing Belle couldn't hurt him underneath the contraption, he answered "Thanks to your daughter's clumsiness, we managed to meet after church while she was sweeping." He then grabbed a nearby tool.
"I'll have you know that I was distracted from something I saw." Belle pouted prettily, in Alex's opinion. "Are you sure it wasn't someone who distracted you?" Belle looked away from her father, Alex merely grinned to himself. After a few minutes Alex slid back out from underneath the invention. "Well it should be working now." Alex informed as he stood up. "Give it a shot." "Err, OK." In a quick motion he yank the starter lever downward. The machine made an noisily sound.
He backed away, expecting another explosion. Alex however stood on the spot, arms folded in a confident manner, Belle stood next to Alex. Then the invention began to work properly. At once the axe moved, up and down it chopped. Splitting the logs of wood that lay in front of the machine it seconds. "It works!" Belle exclaimed joyfully to her father. She softly whispered to Alex "Good job." Maurice was so happy he jumped up and down in excitement. "Alex help me move this contraption please, and Belle do you mind hitching up Phillipe? I want to get this show on the road as soon as possible. Please."
Stun by what her father said, she placed her hand on her father's shoulder. "Papa are you sure you want to leave now? A journey through the woods can be dangerous." "I'm already a little behind schedule sweetie."
Now outside the invention was safely tied down in a wooden cart behind Phillipe. Again Belle pleaded with her father to wait while he was already astride the huge horse, adjusting himself as necessary. "Are you sure you don't want to leave tomorrow morning?" Maurice shook his head no, "I'll be fine sweetie. I'll make it to the fair before nightfall." Maurice flicked the reins, signaling for Phillipe to begin their journey.
Before they crossed the bridge, Maurice called over his shoulder "Alex take care of my daughter please." "Will do Mr. Cartier." Alex replied, Belle playfully nudged his shoulder and waved bye to her father. "The blue ribbon is all yours Papa!"
They waited until her father had disappeared from their sight before returning back inside the cottage. As they sat back down on the couch, a slightly awkward silence fell upon the two. That is until Alex's stomach growled, making Belle giggled and Alex slightly blush. "Well I did promise you lunch, by the way I make the most delicious pasta. Give me twenty minutes and your stomach will be very pleased."
Alex smiled, "I look forward to it." They both stood up, walking to the kitchen, Alex then sat on a chair. After roughly twenty minutes, the aroma of pasta invaded the air. Causing Alex to rub his hands in delight, "Wow Belle this looks and smells great." He took a bite, "And it is!" Belle smiled, "I'm glad you liked it, I made some bread that goes just as great with it." She handed him the bread, they talked about their favorite authors, starting at William Shakespeare and ending with H. G. Wells.
"You know Alex, before today I have never seen you at the church. Is this your first time coming here?" Belle questioned as she retrieve their dirty plates to the sink, beginning to wash them. Alex stood next to her, resting his back against the counter.
"No, I have been at the church for the past few years. I sit in the back and keep to myself." Belle raised her brow, "Really? A few years?" Alex shook his head yes, "As I said I generally keep to myself. Believe it or not I don't get along with many people." If only she knew who I really was, then she'll understand.
Belle raised her brow once more, "Really? But you're so much kinder and polite than half of the men in this town!" Alex laughed at her, "I may look like that in your eyes but not everyone can see that. But I'm sure everyone in this town see you like that." Belle shakes her head no, this time making Alex raise his brow. "You'll be surprised to know that many people don't see me like that. They tend to think of me as an outcast."
Alex widened his eyes, "You? An outcast? Why?" Belle shook her head once more, she spoke softly as a sad look took upon her face. "For some reason they find it odd that I spend most of my time reading, studying or playing instruments. As if that is strange." Alex rested his hand on her own hand, causing Belle to stop washing the dishes and look at him.
"Don't listen to them, they don't know what they're taking about. If they got to know you, they would know what a great person you are." Alex spoke with kindness, Belle suddenly had the urge to pull him closer and give him a big hug. She hadn't remember the last time someone said such things to her, except for her father. Alex took her silence as a sign for him to stop talking and move on. He left the counter, much to Belle's dislike.
Alex then spotted a chess game in the living room, "Belle why didn't you tell me you have chess? I love chess, I'm the best at this game!" Belle laughed at him, "You haven't played against me, for I am the best." Alex laughed at her, "We'll see."
From then on their day got even better, but she didn't expect Alex to be so good. At one point Alex had her, within two moves he would have won. But in the end he called it a draw because he could see the look on Belle's face and it was priceless. He couldn't beat her, yet.
The time went by so fast that Alex didn't know that the sunset would come within minutes. The two of them were now outside enjoying the outdoors. They sat down on a blanket provided by Belle. "Do you think my father has made it to the fair already?" Belle asked Alex, "I'm sure he has, it's been quite some time since he had left."
Belle looked over the horizon, "You're right, sunset has just came." Alex's eyes widened, "Sunset?!" Alex stood up fast, pacing over to this horse. "Oh no!" Belle stood up, following him to his horse, "What's wrong?" Alex turned to her, "It's getting late and I must be heading back home. My house is quite far from here." Alex mounted himself on his horse, adjusting himself as necessary. "I understand, but it is late. Are you sure you don't want to wait till tomorrow morning? You're welcome to stay." Alex looked at Belle, "You've done quite enough already Belle, and I wouldn't want to impose." Belle opened her mouth to protest. "I'll be fine."
As he started to move away, he waved bye to her. "I promise I'll be back again." Belle waved back to, slightly disappointed that he left. She didn't return back inside until he was no longer in her sight.
Just as Alex had gotten out of the woods, dusk has descended upon the castle. When he enters the castle, he is immediately greeted by Mrs. Potts, Lumiere and Cogsworth. "You are far past you're curfew. Where were you? We have been worried sick about you!" Cogsworth said disappointingly, Alex took off his coat and put it on the coat rack.
"I'm sorry Cogsworth, truly I am but someone came up and I couldn't say no. And I didn't intend to stay as long as I did, but it just, it happened." As Alex walked down the hallway, his friends continued to pester him about his day.
"Who was this person master?" Lumiere questioned him, "It was a woman from the church, now can I just relax, I had a long day." Mrs. Potts then pour some tea for him, Alex gladly drank it. "Who was this woman master?" Alex gave her a skeptical look, nonetheless he told Mrs. Potts about Belle.
"She was very pretty, a petite brunette who speaks her mind. She isn't afraid of the townspeople, despite their wrong opinions about her. She is also the local church organist." Lumiere quietly slid next to Alex, "Her name?" Alex eyes roam to the distance, imagining her, "Belle Cartier." "She sounds great Master, why don't you invite her over?" Alex eyes widened, he turns to Lumiere, "No, too early, I wouldn't want to put this burden on her." Cogsworth then jumped on the coffee table, right in front of Alex. Nearly making his master drop his tea cup. "Good choice, for who knows what would happen if Master Adam finds out that we are playing house to that woman."
Alex frowns at Cogsworth remark, he puts the tea cup on the coffee table. He growls out "First off, Adam no longer lives here, so he has no voice on what happens at this mansion. Secondly, if I were to invite her over, I would expect all of you to respect her and treat her right. Talking bad about her before getting to know her is very rude. We should all know that feeling. And third of all, that woman is unlike any woman I've seen. Something's different about her, and if I hear anything that comes out of your mouth regarding something wrong about her..."
Alex stands up, hovering over Cogsworth. His eyes were glowing green, making Cogsworth, Lumiere and Mrs. Potts scared, "I'll give you a reason to fear a wolf more than a beast." With that said Alex left the living room, leaving the three of them stunned. He left to the balcony, taking in long and deep breaths as he was trying to control himself.
"Master?" Alex closes his eyes, "I'm sorry Master Alex, I spoke out of line." He lets a sigh, "No I'm sorry, I need to learn how to control myself better. Yelling and threatening at you guys is not going to make things better. But I understand your concerns."
Alex turns around, "Why don't we play a game of chess? The loser has to clean with Lumiere." Alex leaves the balcony, with Cogsworth right on his tail. "Master Alex I will not be going easy on you, because cleaning with Lumiere is a pain." "I feel insulated Cogsworth, truly I do. I can't believe you would go easy on me. From what I've seen and heard, I'm pretty good at chess." Cogsworth lets out a snort, "Have you forgotten how great I am in chess?" "Apparently I have, so please remind me." Cogsworth laughs and Alex joins in with him. I hope I do win, cause I'm really not looking forward to cleaning with Lumiere.