To everyone who is reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting this story: you guys make my day. :) I could go on about how much I love you for a while, but you're here for the story, not to listen to me getting mushy.
elli.O. is still an epic beta and the song in this chapter is the first verse of her original composition for this song. (I think she's psychic or something-the full song fits perfectly with parts of the story I haven't told her yet...) So thank you to her :)
Prince Charming and Snow White's chambers emptied slowly. There was limited time before their return banquet that evening. A few hours of sleep would make all the difference between a pleasant time and a miserable one. Before Graeme could escape back to Belle's rooms with her, Charming motioned for him to stay.
"Is there something more?" the Huntsman asked.
"No," Charming said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I just thought I'd mention that the King is in a rather good mood right now. We're leaving in the morning, so if you intend to… make your request before then, now would be a good time."
"Why would he be in a good mood?"
Snow laughed darkly. "Because he likes winning."
The soft ding of the bell rang through the library. Late afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, catching on the dust particles that lazily floated through the air. Belle set the books she'd been shelving back on the cart and smoothed down her skirt before heading out to the lobby. She smiled when she found Mary Margaret leaning against the circulation desk.
"What are you doing back here?" she asked, reaching over the books on the desk to unlock the computer. She glanced over the scene she'd been writing and switched it back to the proper library screen before Mary Margaret could see her idea. "Did one of the children leave something here again?" She fished in her dress pocket for the ring of library keys. "I can unlock the story-time room."
"Not this time," Mary Margaret said. "I just wanted you to know that Ruby called me earlier today."
Belle grinned. "And?"
"Apparently she was talking to my brother last night and convinced him to come to that thing at Granny's tonight," she said, shaking her head in exasperation her their friend.
"When did this happen? And what thing at Granny's?" Belle usually tried to stay on top of this sort of thing. Ruby always made sure to tell her about events at the diner that she and Mary Margaret were expected to attend as Ruby's friends. But the last few days had been consumed with her story, not her expected social life.
"They've got live music. Apparently most of the town going to show up and make an event of it," Mary Margaret said. "Graham apparently came in during his break for coffee last night and Ruby told him he needed to come. Then she called me and told me to bring you."
"Is she trying to set me up with him?" Belle asked. She closed up the files on the computer and shut the machine down for the night. "I thought she was into him."
"I think she just wants a partner in crime." Mary Margaret fixed Belle with a piercing look. It was the sort of look she probably gave her students after they started painting on the tables. "And really, what were you planning to do with your Friday night?"
Belle shrugged. "Probably go home and write. Maybe watch something."
"You could use a night out. It will be fun."
"Our sort of fun, or Ruby's sort of fun?" Belle asked. She gathered her jacket and bag from under the desk.
"Ruby's, of course. But that's why we're friends with her, right?"
That was a point there, for certain. Ruby's sort of fun was usually too public and extroverted for Belle's taste and made her wish that she'd stayed at home with her books instead. Even so, some of her best memories were only because Ruby had dragged them out for an evening.
Granny's was full to the brim. There were people at every table and Belle was sure there was some rule against having four on a bench meant for two. Ruby met her and Mary Margaret at the door. "Good, you're here. I was having trouble saving you two a seat."
By 'seat' it turned out that Ruby meant a small table right next to the little stage that had been set up. There were only two seats there and it was close enough that any conversation from that little table was in danger of being picked up by the microphone—probably why no one else had sat there. Belle sat down, looking around for Mary Margaret.
"David's over by the door," Ruby said to explain their friend's sudden disappearance. Belle nodded. Of course. David Nolan was Mary Margaret's fiancé. He worked at the local animal shelter and was an all-around nice guy. He and Mary Margaret were the town's favorite couple, it seemed. Everyone wanted them together, except David's father. Albert Nolan made it no secret that he disapproved of his son's choice in bride although he couldn't do anything to change it.
"Are you going to sit with me?" Belle asked.
"As soon as my shift's over," Ruby said. "I've got just less than an hour left." She straightened. "Can I get you anything?"
Belle smiled despite her disappointment. So much for a fun night with friends. Mary Margaret was love-struck and Ruby was working. And it seemed that Graham hadn't shown after all. Maybe there had been some emergency down at the station. Belle tried to tell herself she wasn't disappointed, but it didn't change her feelings. "I'll have… I don't know. Some soup? It's cold out there."
Ruby nodded and scurried off to place the order and take care of the multitudes of other customers. Belle sighed and pulled a notebook out of her bag. If she was going to spend the evening at a table by herself, she might as well get some writing done. Graeme caught up with Belle just down the hall—
But a moment later—because her name was Belle French and this was just how life happened—someone sat down across from her.
"Get stood up, did we, lass?" a man asked in a distinctive Irish accent.
"Hello Killian," Belle said, looking up from her notebook with a smile. Killian Jones was always a friendly face. He dropped by the library several times a week to say hello or hack the WiFi. He worked down at the fishing docks during the days and tried to get gigs playing guitar around town at night. "And no. Not unless you count abandonment by friends as being stood up."
He laughed. "Not exactly."
"Yeah, well they dragged me here only to go off and do their own thing. Are you playing tonight?"
"Who else would they hire?" he asked. "I'm Killian Jones. I could play guitar one-handed if I wanted to."
"Keep saying that and one day they'll make you," Belle said, rolling her eyes.
"And I'd shock them all with how wonderful it would be. Now, I have to get up and play in a second here. Are you going to be alright on your own?"
"Thanks, but yeah. I've got my notebook. And I'll be watching you."
Killian smirked and raised his eyebrows a bit. "I'm sure you will be, darling." He stood and jumped up onto the stage. The crowd in the diner cheered. Killian was no master at guitar, but he was pleasant to listen to and always managed to learn enough of the most popular songs to keep people interested.
Once everyone had quieted, Killian smiled and spoke into the microphone, "Good evening to you all. As you know, I'm Killian Jones and Granny's threatened me enough to show up tonight"—he broke off to allow for laughter—"so I'm going to play a bit for you. This first song is one of my originals called 'Worlds Away'. Tonight, I'm dedicating it to the lovely Belle French down here in front of me." He winked at Belle, who willed herself not to blush at the attention. "This is for you darling.
"There's a land up in the sky,
It's owned by the stars and the birds passing by.
And I want to go there, but try as I might,
It's too far away."
Belle hid her grin by leaning back down over her notebook, mouthing the words as Killian sang them. She'd heard this particular song often enough to know them all by heart. It was a favorite of the crowd at Granny's. Killian played it whenever he came. Letting the music wash over her, Belle slid back into her story.
The sound of Graeme's fist against the door to King George's study was a hollow one. It was an empty, foreboding sound. The sort of sound that made Belle grasp Graeme's warm hand in hers and want to shrink back into the shadows. But this might be their best chance with the King, so she squared her shoulders and waited for the door to open. Like her mother had told her: do the brave thing and bravery will follow.
"It's going to be alright," Graeme whispered. "Charming said he would be in a good mood."
Belle nodded just as the doors opened. She and Graeme walked in and came to stand in front of King George's desk. Belle had always been rather intimidated by King George. Her father, King Maurice of Avonlea, had been a kind and rather whimsical man. He had been killed in one of the early battles to defend their lands. All of Belle's early memories of his were warm and happy ones, full of laughter. After her father died, she had lived at the court of King Leopold until his death. King Leopold had been a gentle and benevolent ruler. He had managed war skillfully, but not without regret for the lives lost. King George… he was nothing like these other kings. He was ruthless and determined. And frightening, very frightening.
"Princess Belle, Huntsman," the King said. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Your Majesty," Graeme said. He stood tall and confident, holding Belle's hand gently, as something precious. "For years I have served you and your court. I have found a home here that I have… been unable to find elsewhere. Your kindness to my sister and I has been more than I could have hoped for. And now I find myself with one request: to ask for your permission to marry my True Love, Belle of Avonlea."
Belle squeezed Graeme's hand. He was not a man of words and didn't directly address those who were not close friends without significant reason to. She suspected that he had prepared that speech weeks in advance.
Slowly, King George walked around the desk. He took one of Belle's hands in both of his. Her heart swelled. With his blessing, they could be married the day of their return from this mission. It was all she had dreamed of. She had loved Graeme for years. Life without him by her side wasn't something she could even begin to consider.
King George looked from Belle to Graeme. "This request has put me in rather a tight position," he said.
"How so?" Belle asked. Her heart was sinking. Quickly.
"I cannot allow this engagement because, Huntsman, you are already engaged to another woman."
"What?" Belle said, the word slipping through her lips not as a question, but an expression of pure disbelief. Had he known? What was going on here? She and Graeme had been together for nearly a decade, since they were still children really.
"Huntsman, you are one of the finest warriors in the realms. But you have no station or title. Your lack of position makes it difficult for you to wed a princess without the further complications."
"What 'further complications', Your Majesty?" Graeme asked. Belle relaxed in relief. He hadn't known about this. This was all King George's doing, not her sweetheart's.
"Politics," King George said. "Firthana is divided into factions, each of whom want their own warriors to win. The former Avonlea is one of such. To allow our greatest warrior to marry into one of those factions would create an imbalance of power. We cannot cause internal strife if we mean to win this war. And there is the issue of the young lady you are now promised to."
"Who is it?" Graeme demanded. "You can tell me that at least."
"Watch your tongue, boy. No matter how angry you may be, it will serve you well to remember that I am your King."
"Apologies, Your Majesty."
"You will learn her name at the banquet tonight, where the engagement will be made official," King George said, moving back around the desk. "The young lady you are to wed has previously been promised to another young man. It has recently come to my attention that he is guilty of several crimes against the Kingdom of Firthana. He will be banished in a few day's time. The young lady is promised to you, both as a sign of good faith among the people of the realms and a method of keeping her from any rash action on the behalf of her former fiancé."
"And she is not of one of the factions?" Belle asked.
"No. Her family is neutral."
"Is there nothing that can be done?" Graeme asked. Belle knew him well enough to pick up on the hint of desperation in his tone.
"No. Your engagement will be announced tonight and celebrated formally upon your return from your mission." The King sighed. "It is nothing personal. It's politics. I don't do this out of spite or arbitrary desire to cause pain. This is how we're going to win the war."
Belle was pulled out of her story by the sound of Ruby's raised voice. It had been a while she was lost in her imagination, it seemed, as there were significantly less people listening to Killian play now.
"Give us a chance, Granny! We won't know if we don't try!"
"I know now. It won't work. Now stop this silly delusion and get back to work," Granny snapped. Belle had always found the diner's owner rather intimidating. She certainly looked it now with her hand on her hips, glaring at Ruby.
Ruby glared right back. Beside her, Archie Hopper put an arm around her waist. "With all due respect, Mrs. Lucas, I have no untoward intentions about your granddaughter—"
"Be as it may, Dr. Hopper," Granny said, "you're too old for Ruby. Stay away from her."
"I'm a grown woman!" Ruby snapped. "You can't decide who I see and who I don't see."
"If you're so grown up, then why don't you act like it? I've had enough of this. I hope you can respect my wishes, Dr. Hopper." Granny turned and headed back into the kitchens.
Ruby glared hard at Archie. "Lot of help you were."
"I'm sorry, Ruby. But I've been hesitant about this from the start—"
"Stop. I'm done," Ruby said before sighed and stalking away. Archie stood there, looking helplessly after her. Belle felt rather sorry for him. He didn't ask to be pulled into the never-ending fight between Ruby and Granny. Fortunately when Belle looked around, it seemed that most people had decided to politely ignore the argument. Or maybe that was just because Killian had started playing a rather lively rendition of "Spanish Ladies" to drown it out.
Pulling off her apron roughly, Ruby plopped down in the chair across from Belle. She was still fuming and her arms were crossed over her chest. Belle calmly took a bite of her soup and closed her notebook. "Do you want to talk?"
Ruby shook her head. "I thought he would… never mind. Can you just distract me? What are you writing about?"
Belle hesitated. She didn't usually like to tell people about her stories, not even her best friends. So many of them failed before they were properly started. But there was something about this one. She felt like there was a small flame burning within her all the time. It kept her going and believing this could actually happen. It was a reserve of words, just begging to burst forth onto the page. This was the idea. It could happen.
"It's a variation on Snow White," she said.
Ruby's expression darkened as she glanced over Belle's shoulder. Belle turned to see Graham entering the diner, Regina a step behind him. She followed him to a seat at the counter, talking with him the whole way. She was working hard to keep his whole attention—Belle was sure her uniform top was supposed to cover more than that. Still, his eyes roamed around the diner and he only gave her few-word responses.
"There goes two prospective dates in ten minutes," Ruby grumbled. "That harpy's not going to let anyone else within ten feet of the poor man all night. And I was so excited when Archie asked me. Then Granny had to go an shoot that one down."
"I'm sorry," Belle said for lack of anything more meaningful to say.
"Yeah…What were you saying about Snow White?"
"My story's loosely based on it," Belle said. "Instead of the Evil Queen as Snow White's stepmother, she's her stepsister."
"So evil stepsister—like in Cinderella?"
"Yeah." Belle was surprised that Ruby was actually listening. She hadn't thought Ruby would get so cut up over Archie that she'd listen to story ideas. Her writing was usually regarded with something of a slightly amused toleration by her friends and family. Mary Margaret and Ruby were supportive, yes, but not typically enthusiastic.
"Okay. What else?"
"Do you remember that idea I had a few years back about the army of fairy tale characters?" Belle asked.
Ruby nodded. "It didn't really have much else but that if I remember."
"Well now Snow White and her stepsister are part of a scouting company in that setting. They've got Prince Charming, Rose Red—who might also be Little Red Riding Hood, I'm not sure—Captain Hook, the Huntsman from 'Snow White', and the Beauty from 'Beauty and the Beast'."
"Whose Prince Charming is it?" Ruby asked.
"Snow White's, of course," Belle said. "So the Evil Queen is out to kill Snow White, but it's different that the original. She's actually jealous of Rose Red and the Beauty and wants to get revenge on them by hurting their friend."
"Sounds good to me," Ruby said. She looked over her shoulder to see Granny glaring in their direction. "I'd better get back to work. Granny looks ready to skin me alive. Good luck with your writing."
"Thanks," Belle said sadly as Ruby left her. Mary Margaret was still sitting with David, so Belle opened her notebook again. She wasn't sure what to do next. Something belonged between now and the banquet, but what could it be? She started to doodle in the margins of her notebook, listening to Killian sing about a knight who was trying to slay a rather snarky dragon. Her doodle turned into a dragon with a bit of a weight problem, but it had started as a scribble, so Belle thought it was pretty good.
"Belle, isn't it?" a low voice asked. Belle looked up to see Graham standing next to her table. "Sorry to interrupt," he said, "but can I sit here?"
"Yeah," Belle said, a little dazed. Her heart was racing. Here was the mind-blowingly handsome object of her recent affection and he was asking to sit with her. Not even to mention Regina's surprising absence. "How—how do you know my name?" she blurted stupidly.
Graham sat across from her in Ruby's vacant seat. "Believe it or not, but you don't look that unrecognizable from fifteen years ago. And you and Ruby are in every picture Mary sends me." Mary. Belle supposed only he called her that. To everyone else she was strictly "Mary Margaret". It seemed every rule had an exception for one person.
"Of course," Belle said. "What happened to Regina? I thought I saw you together."
"Oh, we're not together," Graham said. "She might think otherwise, but honestly, I'm trying to escape while she's in the restroom. She's… she's…"
"Possessive? Frightening? Overbearing?" Belle suggested. She was surprised she was able to form coherent sentences with him right there. It was unlike her, but his presence seemed to send her head on vacation.
"Yes, that." He ran his fingers over the mug of coffee he'd brought with him.
"I spent thirteen years in school with Regina Mills and then fifteen in the same town. I know all about how scary she can get," Belle said. Regina had always hated her, Mary Margaret, and Ruby. There had never been a discernible reason for it, it just was. Regina's mother, Mayor Cora Mills, had always made sure her daughter wanted for nothing. Every whim was granted. Belle was surprised she had been able to get a job. Regina could have easily gotten her mother to bar that.
"Well I work with her," Graham said.
"You have our sympathy."
At that moment, Regina returned to the main room of the diner. She saw Graham sitting with Belle and an ugly scowl came over her face. Belle nearly flinched. She was in for it now. If Regina thought she was a rival things would get messy. Regina stalked past and out the diner's door. Graham sighed in relief once she was gone.
"Thank goodness she's gone." He stood. "I should go then. Sorry to interrupt your evening."
"It's fine," Belle said. More than fine, absolutely excellent, please sit with me again—shut up brain! she thought. She took a deep breath to get a grip on herself before speaking again. "I wasn't getting much done. I'm on my way out anyway."
"Then allow me to walk you home," Graham said.
"I couldn't—"
"It's a small town. It can't be that far out of my way. Think of it as payment for rescuing me from Regina."
"Alright then," Belle said. She gathered her things as calmly as she could and followed him out the door. Her stomach felt like several intricate knots had been tied in it. She didn't know it could be this nerve-wracking just to walk down the street with someone.
They walked in silence for a time. Belle concentrated on making sure she didn't trip over her feet or do anything else mortifying. Her bag was heavy from all the books and notebooks crammed inside, making her a little less balanced than usual. It was quiet on the streets—the nightlife in Storybrooke was pretty much limited to wherever Killian was playing.
Belle found herself watching Graham out of the corner of her eye. He was still in his uniform. His hair was sticking up a bit in the back like he'd been resting his head against a wall for a time. He walked with an easy gait, but it was slowed to accommodate her heels and much shorter legs. He walked with his hands in his pants pockets, but the thumbs sticking out.
They came to the end of Main Street, passing Mr. Gold's pawn shop. By habit, Belle looked in the window, catching a glimpse of the owner behind the desk. He was looking down, his long hair falling in his eyes, as he bent over the book he was writing in. A small smile twitched at the corners of Belle's lips. His whole-hearted focus in everything he did was endearing. The light inside the pawn shop was a dim, but warm yellow color.
"What are you looking at?" Graham asked. Belle realized she'd stopped to look longer.
"Nothing," she said. She glanced at Mr. Gold again through the window. He was still absorbed in his bookkeeping. "Sometimes I like to look in the windows. There are always interesting things in that shop."
"We could go inside," Graham offered. "Then you'd be able to see properly."
"Oh no," Belle said. "I never go inside. I just like to take a glance." She wasn't sure her nerves could take being near Mr. Gold and Graham at the same time. One was difficult enough. "My apartment isn't much further, just down that way."
"Right," Graham said.
They walked the rest of the way quickly. Belle was glad to have someone with her. She wasn't usually out this late. Walking home alone in the dark would have been disconcerting. She wasn't particularly afraid of the dark, just uneasy in it. Ruby would say she read too many horror novels. They came to the door of her basement and she pulled out her key.
"Well, this is it," she said. "Thank you for walking me home."
"Thank you for rescuing me from my secretary."
"Anytime," Belle said. She unlocked the door and entered, turning back to watch Graham walk back up the path until he was out of sight.
Captain Hook followed Lady Regina out of the prince's chambers. She had worked herself up into some sort of fit and he rather wanted to be around to see it break forth. He didn't particularly like Regina—did anyone?—but Lady Red was the only one besides Regina not with their spouse or soon-to-be spouse. Red had said something about a nap before the banquet so that left Hook with one option for a companion.
Regina didn't acknowledge his presence behind her as she stalked down to the library. Usually the library was Princess Belle's terrain and Regina avoided it at all costs, but Belle was… otherwise occupied at the moment. Hook had to have some respect for the Huntsman for winning her heart. She had the beauty she was named for. Actually, all the women in the prince's company were exceptionally beautiful, each in their own way. Even the raging warhead in front of him had held an elegant, dangerous attraction over him. And Regina fortunately had no vengeful man around to skewer him for enjoying the view.
The library was magnificent. The ceilings towered twenty feet above Hook's head and the bookcases stood just as high. On one side there were tall windows between the shelves. Display cases were full of rare objects and old pieces of art. Tables were spread out between the shelves for the use of the library's few guests, but most of them were covered in the books that didn't yet have a place on the shelves. King George's librarian had died years ago, so the task of cataloging the additions to the collection was put on hold. Princess Belle was the only one who really came in here and would sometimes try to make a dent in the un-filed books, but it barely made a difference. They were gone too often and every time the ogres advanced, someone brought their books to donate before the ogres could burn them. It was a losing battle.
The books on magic were kept in the farthest corner of the library. There were no windows there, only shadows and the quiet whisperings of the spells that weren't entirely stuck down to their pages. Hook had always found that rather disconcerting, but the chance to needle Regina was tempting enough to make him suffer through a few creepy books.
"Something troubling you?" he asked dryly, leaning back against a shelf and picking a random book from it. It was some sort of instructions on potion-making. Gruesome potion-making at that. The infamous Captain Hook wasn't easily repulsed, but the drawings in this book weren't pretty. People turning themselves inside out, a change-by-change diagram of turning a man into a rabbit… Hook snapped the book shut and looked up at Regina.
"I was looking forward to a bit of leave before our next mission, that's all," she said, her voice eerily calm. She stood a bit farther down the shelf from him, running her finger over the titles. "I wanted to work on some of my spell casting. I'm getting rusty out in the wild."
"Surely that can't be all," Hook laughed.
"No." Her face grew dark along with her voice. "That's not all. I want her gone."
"Who? Snow White? I thought you'd been down that road already." He grinned as he strolled toward her. "As I recall, it didn't end well."
"Not Snow, no—though she's as sickening as she ever was—I was speaking of dear Princess Belle."
"Ah," Hook said. He selected another book and used the tip of his hook to gently open it. He had lost the hand years ago in a duel, but thankfully he was just as good a swordsman with his right. "The competition. You never did like having a rival."
"No, I didn't," Regina said. "But trust me. That little slip of a girl won't win this. I will take Prince Charming's place. I will beat her and Red and that sorry little Snow. I'll crush them, if it's the last thing I do."
