CH2
The next morning Prince Adam made a point to be up and out of the castle before either of his children awoke to ensure that he could keep his promise to Denise without any unwanted tag-alongs. It was just past sunrise, as he made his way alone, on foot to the cavern where they had placed Forte, at first as his quasi burial plot. But soon after the transformation took place, Adam's heart was filled with so much love and compassion for everyone, he could not rest until he felt he had done all he could to honor this peculiar musician and friend. He remembered how roughly, even cruelly he spoke to Forte time and time again, both before and doing their time under the enchantment. 'Mrs. Potts is right. Forte was driven to madness and I'm mostly to blame.'
Adam lit the lantern he carried with him as he entered the cave. The cavern's original use was to store wine barrels, to later be bottled, which was still its primary function, something its permanent resident didn't seem to mind, though he occasionally complained about the noise the workers made which would break his concentration. He walked past the winery side of the cave, and walked down a small set of steps which led to a large isolated cavity, separate from the rest of the cave. As he proceeded down the steps, Adam could see an eerie green glow coming from the furthest wall of the cavern. Small green music notes illuminated the air as they floated then burst like tiny bubbles. This was the maestro's dream state.
The prince raised his lantern to see above his head. "Maestro Forte?"
In the shadows, far above Adam's head, a metallic face appeared with its eyes half closed, as it awoke from a deep sleep. The dancing music notes immediately disappeared as the face batted its eyes, then it smiled and spoke up in a tender, soft voice. "Ah, Master, bonjour."
"Bonjour Forte," Adam replied soft and kindly, as he sat the lantern down on one of the empty wine barrels scattered about the space.
The metal face's eyes were now fully wide open. "I can only guess the time of day by the amount of activity going on about in the other parts of this catacomb. It seems the only time it is quiet in here is when its after dark or before sunrise. I can't imagine you would venture in here for a midnight serenade, so I'm guessing it's quiet early. Please sire, may I ask, what brings you here so early in the morning?"
"I brought you the paper you asked for, Forte." Adam mentioned softly as he raised a handful of paper which Forte intended to write his music on. "How is your opera coming along?"
"Oh, quite nicely," the oddity boasted arrogantly. "Although, coming up with inspiration can be difficult when all I have to look at is the empty space of earth and wood."
The same green light as before emanated from the pipe organ's vessels streaming into a single line of pure energy which then opened the top of a steam trunk near by. Another green stream, picked up the stack of paper and carried it to the trunk, putting it inside, then closing it.
"Forte don't forget," Adam reminded his friend in a tone that seemed to beg. "If you ever change you mind, just say so, and we'll finish putting the pieces back in place. Belle and I are convinced that would make you human again."
The face laughed deeply and boasted even more arrogantly than before. "And return to a life of obscurity? I think not! Oh, I may be isolated and confined, but I have what no one else in this castle has."
"What is that?" Adam wondered cautiously.
The metal face leered down at his Prince with glee. "Immorality!"
It then shot back up into the air, looking smugly to the heavens. "You see, your majesty, as you and your lovely bride, Belle age, I will stay here unchanged. Everyone, your loyal subjects, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, even Chip, everyone in this castle will die and eventually turn to dust someday, but not I. I will be making music forever and ever!"
Adam had never felt so sorry for anyone more than he felt pity for his servant Forte at this very moment. "But Forte, you will be stuck in here alone forever and ever. Is that what you really want?"
The face's conceit fell away as it was reminded of the consequences that came with his choice but, he seemed to brush them all aside. "At least I won't be dead."
Adam sighed, there was obviously no getting through to his friend. "Well, I hope you much happiness, Forte. I truly do."
There was an awkward yet touching moment or so of silence between the two before Forte could not stand the intimacy any longer. "Is that why you came here, sire? To try and change my mind, or is there something else I could help you with, your majesty?"
Adam shook his head. "Do you recall me telling you about my children?"
"Ah yes; you and Belle had two children if I recall. A girl and a boy; am I correct?" Forte seemed pleased with himself for remembering such minor details.
"Yes," Adam smiled, also pleased that Forte remembered such details that he would have no doubt considered "minor."
"Now let me see if I can remember their names." Forte began turning it into a game. "The first child was a… girl. Her name is-s-s don't tell me, ah, Denise; and the second child was a boy that you named after yourself, marvelous choice. See I do remember."
Adam chuckled very much the same way he chuckled when either Denise or Adam would show off their abilities. "Well, Maestro, they wish to meet you."
Forte pulled back a bit, obviously surprised by Adam's words. "Really? So you told them about me, then?"
Adam nodded. "Yes, I didn't think you would mind."
The metal face shook slightly, "No, of course not, your majesty. I don't mind, but what exactly did you tell them?"
"The truth," Adam flatly explained.
"Oh," Forte's aura of self conceit all but vanished along with his magical green glow. "I… see. Why do you suppose they want to meet me?"
"Well, it's mostly Denise who is interested in meeting you. She has a very kind heart, like her mother." Adam began to explain, as Forte rolled his eyes, hoping his master did not see.
"She is very concerned about your well being, Forte. She's also very intelligent and inquisitive; highly inquisitive." Adam's tone was both proud and annoyed.
"'Inquisitive,' you say? Well, its good to know marrying a book worm at least improved your vocabulary." Forte taunted sarcastically, regaining his snobbery.
"For-te," lowering his voice, the Prince cautioned his servant.
"Oh master, you know how I joke," the face reassured the prince with a wink. "I would love to meet your off spring sire."
Forte quickly put on his 'happiest face' and chirped with delight. "When can I expect to meet them? This afternoon perhaps?"
Adam chortled somewhat. "You're just as impatient as Denise."
"Well, I want to get this ov-v-er-mmm" Forte stammered, desperately trying to pull back the word he let slip from his tongue. "I mean to say, yes; yes I am eager to meet your children, sire."
"Well then," Adam took hold of his lantern as he prepared to leave. "I will make arrangements for Denise and Adam to be here this afternoon; and Forte…?"
"Um, yes sire?" the face knew that tone in the prince's voice meant business.
"I expect you to treat them with respect. No belittling them, is that clear?" Adam stated in a no nonsense tone of voice.
"Yes sire; um of course." Forte assured him with utter humility. For one thing Forte understood was that at any time the prince wished, he could have Forte's 'living quarters' sealed up permanently, thus essentially burying him alive. It was what he knew in his heart he deserved, and was sincerely grateful that Prince Adam had spared him such a fate. For if one thing terrified the Maestro more than to return to a life of mediocrity then die as an unknown and unimportant performer, was to be forever alive but alone and forgotten inside a lonely dark grave.