Okay, I decided to continue this story a bit after all! A huge thanks to everyone who has favorited and followed this story. Thank you so much. I'm glad to hear you liked it, and especially for my first Beauty and the Beast fanfic. God inspired me to write it and once the picture came to me, I couldn't let it go! In the first chapter, I wanted my readers to get a feel of The Lion King-one of my top favorite Disney movies-, the scene when Simba returned to Pride Rock and watched Scar lose his temper and strike Sarabi! I wanted Belle to feel the same rage and step in to put an end to it like Simba did. The words I put in her mouth are what I wished I could say at Gaston after what he did.
Honestly, I wouldn't change the movie...much, so I want to keep this story as close to it as possible, though I am going to change some things around a bit, like in this chapter. I am considering changing some things if it'll make it more interesting, but I liked the movie so much I can't wait to see it again! Some details in the movie I'll just leave out because we know what happened. Thanks for asking me for more!
Belle's whirlpool of emotions were still spinning around in her mind and she could see the castle ahead, still a bit far, but in view. She was back in the frigid, snow-covered landscape and pulled her cloak closer around her shoulders when suddenly something shrill, piercing the air, frightened her so hard that she shivered profusely, and not from the biting air she could see her breath in! Wolves howling! And they were close by, too close! Belle gasped, and glanced around. Behind her, she saw them: a pack of white, menacing looking wolves with savagery in their eyes unlike anything Belle had ever seen. Her heart rate escalated and she kicked Philippe's sides, urging him on. He galloped as fast as he could.
Belle raced her horse as hard as she could, but the hungry hunters were gaining on them! The castle still looked so faraway, but she could see the large courtyard! If only she could reach it before the wolves caught them. Philippe suddenly skidded as they swung around on the ice. Belle tried to hang on, but she was thrown off. Thankfully she landed on the soft snow, but the night predators surrounded her and Philippe! She stood next to her horse, and grabbing a large branch, clutched it and swung at the wolves as they tried to attack. One by one they came at her. She fended them as hard as she could, but the fear rushing inside her body and all of her mental fatigue from what had happened already to her father with Gaston, Belle was starting to feel her strength give out.
She paused for a breath, then her eyes fell on the alpha wolf that was ready to pounce on her any second. Panting, she raised her weapon, preparing to hit him as hard as possible though she wasn't sure how much good it would do. The alpha leaped forward! Belle swung her arms, but was startled by a deafening roar behind her and then a massive, bulky shadow that raced in front of her! Belle was astounded: It was the Beast! His roar echoed through the forest like a tiger's, and with his humongous claws, he beat the wolves to a pulp, but they dug their razor sharp fangs into his body. The searing pain was drilling, and made the Beast even angrier. He whacked the wolves in all directions. Then the alpha jumped toward him. He caught it by the throat in midair then thwacked it hard on the ground. The wolves fled for their lives.
Belle watched wide-eyed, not daring to breathe. The Beast looked at her, and there was pain and pleading in his eyes as their gazes met. His body slumped and he collapsed with a loud thud. Belle was shocked. What should she do?
Mrs. Potts had given Belle a very long, soothing, hot bath to calm her as the others tended to the Beast on his old bed. Then Belle joined them, and tried to tend his wounds. He was so grouchy and snappish that Belle retorted at him. "Well, you should learn to control your temper!" She growled. The Beast opened his mouth to argue again, stared at her for a moment, and then let out a grunt as he turned with his back to her. "Try to get some rest." Belle said in a tired voice.
"We are eternally grateful, Miss." Lumiere bowed.
"Why do you care about him do much?" Belle asked. She couldn't understand why they would be so worried about someone who treated them harshly, just like she couldn't understand why Lefou hung around Gaston all the time after the way Gaston treated him sometimes as inferior when he felt like it. Yes, she had noticed that.
"Oh, he wasn't always like this." Mrs. Potts said sadly. She told Belle that the Beast had once been a sweet, innocent, happy little prince. But then his mother died, and after that, things were never the same because his cruel, selfish father twisted his young mind and character. Belle suddenly felt pity for the wretched creature lying wounded on his pillow. He hadn't always been loud and crotchety. He'd once been a pleasant, happy child. Belle looked back at him with new eyes. She'd never thought of him as a person before, but now...now she saw something more than just a haggard old creature.
Belle was lost in her thoughts when Chip hopped onto her lap. She glanced down at him and smiled, then touched him. His porcelain felt nice and warm after being filled with tea, and was very therapeutic to her hands as well as her mind. "Did you find your father, love?" Mrs. Potts asked. Belle's head shot up and her face felt hot as she vividly remembered what had happened tonight. She clenched her jaw before answering.
"Yes, how did that go?" Lumiere asked cheerfully.
"You nitwits. If she'd found him, she wouldn't have come back here." Cogsworth groaned. Belle gulped as she realized how too close to the truth his statement was. If it hadn't been for what had happened between Maurice and Gaston, Belle surely would've gone home with Maurice to stay. But, now even though she was very worried about him, she was glad she'd returned to the castle.
"I...did find him." Belle corrected the grumpy old mantle clock.
"Were you able to say good-bye?" Chip piped up. Belle's face fell, a mixture of hurt and anger flushing her delicate features.
"Are you all right, dearie?" Mrs. Potts asked. Belle bit back the hot tears threatening to spill out.
"It wasn't the way I wanted to," She finally spoke. "He was hurt."
"What happened?" Lumiere and Plumette asked together with concern.
Belle pursed her lips and breathed heavily through her nose before she answered. The acute memory sent chills through her body and all of the staff noticed her shoulders were shaking. "Someone was trying to kill him!" She blurted out. The servants all gasped.
"Great Scott!" Cogsworth sputtered.
"How dreadful!" Lumiere shuddered and Plumette nestled in close to him for protection.
"Who would do such a horrible thing?" Mrs. Potts gaped, steam spewing out of her funnel.
"Gaston," Belle scowled, as if his very name was filth. "I heard him yell at my father just before I found them, and when I did, he'd tied my father to a tree for the wolves to eat!"
"What did you do?" Chip asked, intrigued.
"My father was unconscious and couldn't protect himself, so I ran to him. I confronted Gaston but he played all innocent and tried to charm me into forgetting about it!" Belle snarled, still shivering.
"So, what happened after that?" Plumette asked.
"I told him to stay away from us," Belle continued. "He acts like what he did was nothing wrong! He tried to make me go back with him, but I told him no! I didn't trust him."
"Certainly not!" Mrs. Potts agreed.
"But how did it end?" Cogsworth spoke up. "I mean, you're still here in one piece."
"He finally relented and left, good riddance." Belle said flatly with her arms folded across her chest.
"Who is this blackguard Gaston?" Lumiere asked with a growl in his voice.
"Yes, and why did he try to murder your father?" Plumette added.
"Because I won't marry him." Belle rolled her eyes.
"That's it!?" The servants all blurted out in astonishment. "That's all?"
"Yes!" Belle huffed. "He's been trying and trying for a long time to go out with me, and just yesterday he tried to convince me to marry him. But I don't want anything to do with him."
"Good for you!" Chip bounced.
"He's rude, and completely selfish." Belle explained. "He always acts like he expects the whole village, especially me, to fall at his feet and shower him with flower petals. He doesn't try to understand me, and thinks he knows everything about me."
"You're a very intelligent girl." Plumette praised.
"And he tried to kill your father just because neither of you would grant him your hand in marriage?" Cogsworth shook his head.
"Apparently so." Belle said, pursing her lips.
"Why that blithering, big old..." Chip fumed.
"Chip..." his mother quickly corrected him off.
"Of all the dirty, horrible, cold-hearted deeds!" Lumiere huffed.
"How I would like to pour hot tea on that high and mighty saddle of his!" Mrs. Potts hissed.
"And give him a good, hard swish across the face!" Plumette chirped, waving her feathered tail wildly.
"All useless, minor efforts." Cogsworth interjected. "How about a good clunk on the head?"
"And perhaps give his boots just a little heat to keep out the cold." Lumiere chuckled evilly, raising his candle hands. "Oh, Mademoiselle," Lumiere said grimly, "We are deeply sorry for what happened. It is horrible to think about. May I just express our deepest apologies."
"Thank you," Belle said, "but you are not the ones who did anything worthy of an apology."
"But you're quite safe here." Plumette said.
"Yes. I know." Belle said, surprised by how easily she was actually able to believe it. "But I'm worried about Papa. A friend, a beggar woman took him. She'll look after him, but I'm afraid for his safety."
"You should've brought him back here." Plumette suggested. Belle stared at her and began to feel the tears spring up again. She should've brought Maurice here! Though the Beast had been unfair to him, still he hadn't mauled him! And she might've been able to sneak her father inside somewhere safe without the Beast knowing. And Mrs. Potts, Chip, Cogsworth, Plumette, and Lumiere surely would've looked after him! Why hadn't she thought of it in the first place? She'd been so upset by everything and Gaston that she'd hadn't thought too clearly about ensuring that her father had shelter for the night. Oh, Agathe would provide for him, but how much protection could she truly give him? The Beast would've been displeased, and probably reluctant to let Maurice back in his domain, but Belle was so full of regret right now that she hadn't at least tried! The question rose in her mind again: who was the true beast she'd had to face in all of this, Gaston or the Beast himself?
"I really should've, shouldn't I?" She whispered, more to herself than them.
"Aw, cheer up, darling." Mrs. Potts murmured softly. "I'm sure your good friend won't let any harm come to him." Belle nodded sadly.
"No indeed." Plumette added, stroking Belle's shoulder with her feathered tail.
"Well, we must set up an alarm system at once, in case this rotten Gaston fellow shows up and tries to sneak into the castle!" Lumiere announced. Chip hopped up and down excitedly. Cogsworth moaned and shook his head.
"Insipid imaginations." He muttered.
"Now, Lumiere may be right." Mrs. Potts spoke up. "If this large rat wouldn't let murder stop him from seeking out his prey, what makes you think he wouldn't commit sneaking in to get what he wants?"
"He can't find me here." Belle said, with more gratitude than she could express.
"Nevertheless," Lumiere growled in a crotchety old voice, "we shall protect the castle from invaders! No worries, Mademoiselle. Have no fear, you are safe as long as we are here!" Belle actually found herself smiling.
"I'll turn down your bed, Dearie." Mrs. Potts said and Plumette agreed as they all shuffled out.
Belle was left alone with the Beast. She turned and walked closely to the bed. The Beast's eyes were shut. Belle gazed at him and cocked her head. This Beast, this...prince, had once been as innocent and sweet as her, and then had been brainwashed into a selfish brand of humanity, like Gaston, only not as bloodthirsty. Now he was paying for his unkind deeds, but Belle thought it was unfair that he was being forced to bear the consequences of his father's sins that he had ground into him. She honestly wished there was something she could do, to help him become the person he used to be.
She looked over his wounds again, and then Mrs. Potts arrived again. "Bedtime, Dearie. You've had a long, terrible day and night and you need plenty of rest. We will look after the master." The teapot said reassuringly.
"Coming...in a moment." Belle said. Then she leaned in toward the sleeping Beast. "Thank you," she whispered, "for not harming my father, other than locking him up. Thank you for not turning him out in the cold to freeze, or be turned to wolf meat! Thank you for letting me say good-bye to him." She wanted to say more, and wished that he had heard her, but her mind was full and she suddenly realized how physically, mentally, and emotionally drained she truly was. She slowly followed the teapot on her trolley to the room Lumiere had issued her.
"Ah, sleep well, Miss." Lumiere smiled widely, waving one of his candles. His warm glow and engaging manner warmed Belle's heart and she smiled gratefully to him.
"Thank you." She said softly.
"Don't worry about any sneaks or burglars tonight!" Chip exclaimed. "We will protect you!" Belle giggled.
She reached the bedroom and after Madame Garderobe helped her dress into a cozy, but elaborate nightgown and gently brushed her hair, Mrs. Potts and Plumette came inside one last time. "Ready for bed, my sweet?" Mrs. Potts asked.
"Yes, I am...very much." Belle sighed as she climbed underneath the comforting blankets. But she still sat up. "Are you sure you can manage the Beast's wounds without me?" She asked.
"We've been looking after him since he was born." Mrs. Potts smiled. "I think we can handle this. And thank you again, for what you did."
"Thank you. You've all been very kind." Belle said. Then she unexpectedly yawned.
"Our greatest pleasure," Plumette said with a curtsy. "If you need anything during the night, give us a ring. We are at your service."
"Thank you. Good-night." Belle smiled.
"Good night, Sweetheart." The teapot shushed and they left the room. Madame Garderobe was already asleep.
Belle sat up in bed for a while, beyond drained but her mind was still so active. Too much had happened to her all in one day. It was still the same day!? It felt like the incident today had happened years ago! She found her father locked in a dungeon, someone had called him a thief-which still made Belle cringe-, the Beast had been loud and rash and very bossy, she'd searched for her father only to find that the man who claimed to love her was trying to take his life, she'd tried to defend Maurice almost to no end, then to top it off, on the way back to the castle, she'd been ambushed by a pack of wolves that had nearly overtaken her...if it hadn't been for the Beast! So many emotional roller-coasters today, so many unanswered and confusing questions, too many hard-headed people to deal with. Needless to say, Belle was overtired. She hoped that Maurice was safe with Agathe, and still alive! Yet, she was grateful for the Beast's kind servants who already had become good friends to Belle and who were more than happy to protect her from Gaston, whose guts she hated. She looked out the window and walked over to it, peeking out to overlook the snow-covered countryside and those intimidating woods. "Be safe, Papa." She whispered. "Please hold on!" Then a large, sudden yawn overtook her face and as she trudged back to the bed and tried to pray for Maurice's well-being, her weary head flopped down on the soft, welcoming pillow and she instantly fell into a hard slumber, completely exhausted.
The Beast lay in his bed, fully awake and staring at the ceiling. Many perplexing questions had wallowed in his mind too. He still couldn't believe he had a girl in his castle. And not just any girl, a brave, stubborn, beautiful, intelligent girl who wouldn't put up with his guff but also had saved him from being left for wolf meat! He lay there, trying to convince himself that she was a fool just like he'd told her earlier, that she was stupid to do what was she was doing because it was pointless. But his negative thoughts felt so hollow and he truly felt sad with guilt for treating her so harshly. He actually shuddered to think of what would've happened if the wolves had killed her before he'd stopped them!
Her words about what happened to Maurice, what happened between Belle and Gaston would not leave his mind. Somehow that situation bothered him more than anything else that had happened. Yes, Maurice had been the real thief on the castle grounds, but he hadn't wanted to leave his only daughter behind in a dreary dungeon, and the Beast had to admit, it was obvious that Maurice cared deeply about Belle and wouldn't give her away to just anybody, especially someone who couldn't make her happy! Surely someone who was willing to go that far to protect a loved one didn't deserve to be killed for it! But then, how would the Beast know that about a father's love? He'd never had that! The Beast thought about what else Belle had said, about how Gaston had still tried to get her to return with him, how disgusted she was with the man, and her description of him. For Belle's sake, the Beast hoped that at least Maurice was alive! And he suddenly felt a strong surge inside that he hadn't before, a surge of protection? It was much stronger than when he'd fought to protect the enchanted rose or his property from thieves. He had never felt anything like this before, but the very thought of someone distasteful (Gaston) trying to force Belle into a life she'd never want and would never be happy in, the thought of this fellow deliberately trying to cause her pain because he couldn't stand to lose, it all made the Beast clench his paws. Even though she was a torment and a nuisance to him, the Beast was determined to keep Belle safe from this Gaston bloke if he ever showed up. He would never hurt Belle again if the Beast could help it!
The Beast pondered deeply on Belle's heated description of Gaston: completely selfish. The Beast glowered at how well he himself fit that description! But now he felt a strange desire to try to change that. Was it possible? Could he ever change? Would it ever be possible...could...could he...could he ever make Belle...happy?
To be continued...thanks to you all!