Another

By RosexKnight

When a familiar face shows up once more, plans are made of Belle's marriage. But Colette has other plans for her daughter, and she can only hope that they end in happiness as she summons the only one who can truly make her daughter happy.

Chapter Two ~ Suitors

Belle and her mother never spoke of what had happened between them that night, and she was quite grateful. The last thing she needed was her father finding out about her feelings of The Dark One. There was no telling how he would react.

Adjusting to life back in her parent's castle was…odd. She often had to stop her impulses to dust and clean or cook breakfast. She felt restless, not remembering the last day where she had an entire day to do nothing, let alone the lifetime that seemed to be before her. Usually she passed the time re-familiarizing herself with the library until her mother called her to dinner or her maids retrieved her. Still, she felt..off. Out of place.

Luckily, the topic of Rumpelstiltskin never came up.

"Belle…" Her father began one night at diner. "Now that you're back, I-"

Her father was interrupted by a soldier barging into the room, quite out of breath.

"What is it?!" Maurice demanded.

The guard took a moment to catch his breath. "Sir Gaston…" He huffed, "Sir Gaston has returned!"

Her father was on his feet in an instant, following the guard out. Colette and her daughter were on his heels only after exchanging nervous glances.

The guard led them into the courtyard, where Gaston was leaning on another soldier for support. The knight was pale, as if he hadn't eaten or seen sun in weeks. But he did not otherwise look physically impared. His muscles and weight were in tact. At the sight of Belle his eyes widened.

"Belle…?"

"Gaston, you need your rest." Colette urged. "Get him a hot meal and a bath. Then to bed."

Gaston took a step forward, shrugging off the guard and remaining transfixed on the brunette. Goosebumps rose on Belle's flesh and she fought the urge to take a step backwards. He stopped before her, looking her over as if she would vanish if he blinked.

"Stop." She croaked as Gaston moved too close. He did so, and she was almost surprised.

"You escaped." The knight breathed.

"He let me go." Belle corrected.

"I tried to save you…" Gaston said, seeming to get a hold of himself. "I don't remember what happened. One minute I was at the gates facing him with my sword. The next I was here…Belle I don't feel well."

"You look as if you've only had water in weeks." She said. "Do as my mother said."

"Yes…" He reached out, taking her had and bringing it to his lips to kiss, "Yes my beauty I will."

It felt too odd. Too…dirty. As the guards escorted Gaston off she felt as if she should wash her hand. Wipe away the kiss. But why? It wasn't as if there was anyone to care who kissed her hand. It was obvious Rumpelstiltskin had done something to Gaston, but her father made no move to get revenge. Perhaps he knew how lucky it was that Gaston was alive. In fact, her father seemed happier than ever to have him back, even if he was in no condition to patrol regularly.

"He never came to the castle." Belle told her parents as the physician examined Gaston on the other side of a heavy door. "Not that I remember. I didn't know every visitor. And got to see even less. But never Gaston…"

"It doesn't matter." Maurice said quickly. "Now that he's back, things can return to normal. You do realize what that means, Belle."

Belle blinked, and Colette stepped forward. "Moe, she just returned. Perhaps in a few more weeks. When things have settled."

"Nonsense!" Maurice said. "Nothing's changed. Belle, my darling, you and Gaston are still betrothed. Now that he's back I can turn away your line of suitors."

"Suitors?!" Belle echoed, an edge of horror in her voice for reasons she didn't know. Suitors were nothing new. She'd had them since she became a woman. But the thought of them now… "But Papa-"

"Belle, be reasonable. You're of age. Gaston has returned a few days after you. I see it as a sign." Maurice said, making it obvious he was not budging on the issue. "The kingdom is in need of a proper celebration of your return. What better way to celebrate than a wedding?"

"A wedding?" Belle choked, and only her mother's hand on her shoulder held her together.

"Moe you're shocking her. She's only just adjusting to being home."

And she loved another. Another who she was not getting over anytime soon. She had no intention of seeing her daughter shed more tears.

Maurice frowned. "Three days time, my darling." He said to Colette. "Do you not recall how excited the kingdom was for the marriage? It will do them good. It will be a union to bring in a new age of prosperity and peace. In three days time the wedding will commence. We cannot go against the betrothal we agreed with Gaston's family now that he is back."

Trying to swallow the lump in her throat, Belle nodded. "Yes sir…"

"Good. Let's give the news to your lucky Gaston! Colette?"

"I'll…I have a few things to take care of. Now that we're planning a wedding. I'll be along tonight, dear."

Her father and mother exchanged kisses and Belle was guided into Gaston's room, her emotions warring with her logic. The Dark One had sent her away. The Dark One did not want her. There was no reason not to marry Gaston. But oh how it hurt…knowing that she'd be with another.

Colette had no intention of being along for dinner. She wasted no time in going out to the stables, a secluded area where no one was around. This was not happening. She was not going to condemn her daughter to half a marriage. To a life devoid of love. The woman took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and did the first thing she could think of.

"Rumpelstiltskin. Rumpelstiltskin. Rumpelstiltskin…"