A/N: This takes place BEFORE the last celebration dance, and a good few hours after the transformation. As I imagine this, some palace's servant (perhaps one as assertive as Lumiere) had taken care to modestly cover Gaston's body. Special thanks to TrudiRose for the beta and valuable discussion and suggestion!

[Adam, LeFou, T, Hurt/Comfort/Angst]

FORGIVENESS: PART 4

LeFou couldn't quite believe what was happening.

He saw the ruin of the castle levitate and mend itself, transforming the crumbling chateau into its former glory. The permanent, frigid winter that had encapsulated the site seemed to dissolve into the warm, inviting air of summer. The villagers assembled around the castle courtyard were exclaiming in astonishment and joy as they reunited with their long-lost loved ones, celebrating that the curse had permanently been lifted and their memories restored. Amidst all the confusion, LeFou glimpsed Belle from afar entering the courtyard, wearing a smile which radiated happiness. One of the reason, perhaps, was the unfamiliar gentleman who held her hand and occasionally threw an affectionate glance at her.

Who is he? And where is the Beast? LeFou was utterly confused. And then one of the servants exclaimed "my prince!" as he rushed to embrace the gentleman. LeFou was stunned. But after a few long minutes of contemplation of what he had seen - the restored castle, the reunited villagers, the Beast being gone, and now this man being called the prince - he realized that the only sensible explanation was that mysterious gentleman was, in fact, the previous and true incarnation of the Beast. Deep down, LeFou was relieved that Gaston's hadn't managed to execute his despicable plan of killing that innocent creature, even more so now that he knew that the Beast had really been a prince in disguise.

The thought made him realize that he hadn't seen his friend come out of the castle. Where was he? Lefou was one of the first to climb the curving stairwell to the front door. He rushed inside only to bump into Agathe, the beggar who allegedly had rescued Maurice from turning into the wolves' dinner.

Instinctively, LeFou stepped back.

"Agathe…have you seen…Gaston?" he asked. The name tasted bitter on his mouth (despite the fact that he couldn't even spell it) and an insufferable pain stung his heart). He didn't even know why he still cared about that egotistic scoundrel after what he had done to Belle, to Maurice, to that beast/prince who had done nothing wrong…. and to him, his best friend, who had stood faithfully defending him and his wrong deeds.

But now, it was over. Everyone knew who the true monster was.

Despite Gaston's blatant betrayal of their friendship, LeFou couldn't forsake his pledge of adhering to his childhood friend. They'd known each other since they were in diapers (if such things existed). They'd struggled through school together, gossiping about girls they fancied, marched to war together, and then moved back to Villeneuve at the same time.

"Don't worry, he has been taken care of. He is no longer a threat," Agathe replied vaguely, casting her eyes to the swirling corridor that led to the West Wing. "You'll eventually see him."

"Oh, okay," LeFou stuttered, futilely trying to digest what Agathe was insinuating.

He rushed outside, dismissing a few 'hellos' and 'good to see yous,' and dashed outside at blinding speed. The sound of the laughter and the warm touch of the sun contradicted LeFou's somber mood. He anxiously scanned the throngs of people and asked whether they had seen his friend, but he received no definite answer. Frantically, he tore through the length of the castle grounds, searching for his missing friend.

LeFou didn't keep track of how long had he been searching for a glimpse of his friend through the denseness of the unkempt castle ground. He felt like he had searched every inch of the courtyard and gardens and surrounding lands, but the place was immense, and he was alone. In his blind panic at not finding any trace of Gaston, he ran back into the castle. LeFou briefly asked Cogsworth's permission for access, but the rotund man was too busy dealing with his difficult wife and just replied him with a terse 'Go ahead!'

After checking every room, LeFou resolutely began to climb the tower, checking each accessible turret and loft, shouting his friend's name in desperate attempt to locate him. It must have been the longest marathon in his life. LeFou was positive his belly was two inches smaller after all the rigorous exercise, but despite his best attempts...still no Gaston.

A few hours later, his strength was wearing thin and his hope had run dry. He plopped down by the front staircase, leaning his head dejectedly on a pillar, his shoulders sagging. He was so tired and desolate that he failed to notice the sound of stern footfalls advertising someone's presence.

"Monsieur?" came the voice from above him. With the last vestige of his strength, LeFou lifted his head to meet sharp blue eyes observing him questioningly. LeFou was startled to realize that it was the newly-restored prince.

Prince Adam was casually dressed in a simple plain white shirt, a pair of breeches, and top quality leather shoes, suitable for any respectable man in the village - but for a man of his rank, Adam was scandalously underdressed.

"Your… Your Grace!" stammered LeFou, hastily leaping to his feet and bowing. "I was… I'm sorry, I don't mean to trespass, I was just…looking for someone," he sputtered to explain.

"Someone?" Adam repeated, curiosity piqued.

"Pardon me for not introducing myself. I'm LeFou. I was looking for my friend, Gaston."

Gaston!

Adam's expression darkened. "You are his friend?" Despite his smothering fury, Adam managed to suppress the accusatory edge of his voice just enough not to intimidate Gaston's lackey, who already cowered under his glare.

"Well, yes…" the stocky guy replied with undue hesitation.

The few things that Adam knew about that boorish brute were not very pleasant. Firstly, the man had called him 'Beast' and shot him three times without even knowing who he was. If it weren't for the Enchantress' intervention, Adam would be dead right now at that man's hands. Second, as he had heard from Belle, the brute's vocal and persistent interest in seeking her esteem had brought her nothing but trouble. The local girls had disliked her for stealing his attention and all the young bachelors had mistaken her for being engaged. Despite her blatant rejection, Gaston had kept pestering Belle, insisting that they were made for each other and refusing to leave her alone.

It took Adam a few seconds to return back from his fantastical daze. "That's the man came to kill the Beast, right?" he asked, forcing his expression into an inscrutable mask. But his fists clenched and unclenched conspicuously.

"Y-yes Your Grace," the short man replied, clearly aware that the prince understandably had some negative reservations against his friend, to put it mildly. He inched away, bracing for the impact of his next statement. "Believe me, I am not here to defend him, Your Grace. When he tied Belle's father up and left him in the woods, I know that he-"

Adam no longer tried to hide his anger. "He did what…-?!" he snarled, fury in his raised voice. "Your friend barged into the castle and tried to kill me! Now you tell me he tried to kill Belle's father, too?"

Seeing LeFou shrink away nervously at his outburst, Adam took a deep breath and tried to get control of his emotions. "I'm sorry," he said apologetically, voice returned to emphatic softness. "I just got… a little carried away."

"It's okay. I understand," LeFou assured him. "Gaston used to do that, too."

Adam was startled and more than a little displeased to hear that he was acting like that man in any way at all.

"Your Grace," LeFou went on, nervously twisting the tip of his crimson bow."I know Gaston did wrong. He was blinded by jealousy when Belle rejected his advances and she favored you instead. He went on about wanting to kill the Beast, misleading the villagers into believing that the creature was dangerous and horrible. But-"

"There is no excuse for such a vile action!" Adam spat, but his voice wasn't as vicious as it could have been.

"It's not an excuse, Your Grace, it's an appeal," LeFou explained. The sadness in his voice doused Adam's anger instantaneously.

Sensing the prince was allowing him to speak, LeFou went on. "Gaston was my first friend. We knew each other since we were small. I know Gaston came across as arrogant, selfish, even narcissistic." LeFou chuckled humorlessly as his mind fell into nostalgia. "It's true, and I'm not defending that. He was manipulative and conceited, but normally he never meant any serious harm, and he was a fun guy to be with. Then we went to war together, and he was so brave - a real war hero." LeFou sighed. "But after we returned from the war, I noticed a change in him, as though he was missing something."

"Missing something?" echoed Adam, frowning. But he patiently listened as LeFou spoke.

"Yes. He thought perhaps winning the prettiest girl in the village would fill the emptiness in his heart, a proof that he was still the best at his game. Gaston has always been a persistent man when it comes to the things he wants. He poured his time and energy to woo Belle into his arms - only to realize she is as stubborn as he was." This time LeFou's voice became strained and small.

"But admitting defeat was never his thing. So instead of giving up, Gaston plotted to earn Maurice's favor so he would eventually approve his proposal to marry Belle. Unfortunately, the well-devised plan failed when Gaston lost his temper and ended up leaving Maurice unconscious in the woods to be eaten by...by those...wolves," LeFou stuttered, gulping nervously as he stole a glance towards Adam.

"I tried to persuade him not to do it, suggesting some….less brutal alternative. But…" He sighed. "He wouldn't listen. Thankfully for Maurice, someone rescued him and took him back to the tavern that night. Of course, he told everyone in the village that Gaston had attempted to murder him."

"And then what happened?" Adam became curious on the twist of the story.

"Then, in front of everyone, Gaston asked me to defend him, to say the allegation wasn't true. And I was stupid enough to side with him," finished LeFou, looking down at the floor in shame. He had been loyal to Gaston, but Gaston hadn't done the same, forsaking his old friend in the middle of the battle at the castle. He had cared only about being a hero - even at the cost of their friendship. "When I realized my mistake, it was all… too late."

Witnessing LeFou's lips trembling as he retold the story filled Adam with unexpected sympathy. Perhaps LeFou was too blinded by his fanboyish adoration to be able to discern that his friend had cared for nothing but himself. Gaston only cared for his fame and glory. He had made use of their friendship to emotionally blackmail him, to hold LeFou as an emotional hostage, knowing that he would lie for his sake out of loyalty and naivety.

The thought itself was enough to flare Adam's anger. "He brought all of his misfortune on himself," he hissed.

But to Adam astonishment, instead of agreeing with him or bitterly rebuking his traitorous friend, LeFou requested something completely unexpected. Nonsensical even.

"If I may ask on his behalf… to forgive him. And perhaps, if you can tell me where he is before the authorities take over his custody. I want to…. I want to tell him a few words," LeFou said carefully, gauging Adam's reaction.

LeFou's words felt like a metaphorical punch to Adam's gut. LeFou didn't know that his friend was no longer among the living.

Adam eyed LeFou thoughtfully. Despite the man showing closeness and affection when talking of Gaston, Adam could see that LeFou was nothing like his manipulative friend. He wasn't conceited or selfish, in fact, quite the opposite. He was surprisingly thoughtful, humble, sincere, and forgiving.

Adam considered what LeFou had told him about Gaston. As much as he hated to admit it, truthfully, he and Gaston weren't that different. In fact, their characters and personalities were terrifyingly similar.

Before the curse had transformed his life, Adam had been a proud and heartless man who would spend no time thinking about others, just like Gaston. And he, too, had struggled to fill an emptiness inside, caused by his mother's death. In Adam's case, he tried to fill the void by hosting flamboyant parties and living an extravagant lifestyle, a proper prince in all his glory: powdered wig, embroidered waistcoat and jacket, and a full face of makeup, swamped by courtiers in panniers and lace-cuffed sleeves on their pure excess. He had taxed the village relentlessly to pay for his excesses, not caring what harm he caused to others.

Likewise, Adam's affluence and status had hindered him from appreciating the indisputable devotion and unconditional love he had received from the most unassuming people in his household - his servants - in the same way that Gaston's prime physique, ego, and self-centeredness has prevented him from appreciating the unconditional friendship LeFou had offered him.

If the Enchantress had never taught him the lesson, Adam realized, he could have become another incarnation of Gaston or worse, as hard as that was to face.

LeFou was looking up at him hopefully, waiting for his answer to his request. Adam found himself deeply moved by LeFou's unshakable loyalty to his undeserving friend. He hated to break the news to him, but there was no getting around it.

"He fell," Adam blurted out.

LeFou's eyes widened, and the color left his face. "What...?!"

"Your friend. The bridge collapsed while he was on it. He's…" Adam couldn't bring himself to say the word, but his face said it all. He could only say sympathetically, "I'm sorry, LeFou."

"Thank you." LeFou was silent a moment, then added sadly, "Perhaps it was for the best." He hung his head sorrowfully. Adam extended his hand and patted LeFou's sinking shoulder lightly.

"May... May I see his…" LeFou trailed off.

"Yes, of course," Adam said.

A few minutes later, Adam cut through the palace's courtyard with LeFou trailing haltingly behind him. Prior to their arrival to the site where Gaston had fallen, Adam had thoughtfully requested Lumiere to cover his body, so LeFou wouldn't have to deal with the brutal sight that would likely to haunt him for the rest of his life.

Adam didn't have to announce when they arrived. A plain white cloth lay on a floor with the ominous shape of a human body underneath. It was sufficient evidence to confirm to LeFou the truth of Gaston's unfortunate fate.

"Oh!" was the only word LeFou could say before he fell on his knees and a powerful sob shook his body.

"I'll see you later in the courtyard," Adam said gently, realizing that the man needed some time alone with his late friend.

It all felt very distant and surreal to LeFou. Only a few hours earlier, he had heard Gaston's thundering voice commanding the villagers to follow him and kill the beast. Perhaps other people were fooled, perhaps they failed to notice, but to LeFou, it was clear that his friend's intention wasn't as noble as he had claimed. Gaston was never concerned about the village's safety from the beast who would come stalking in the night and sacrifice the children to his monstrous appetite. Gaston was just seizing the opportunity to reclaim the glory he believed he was entitled to, to be hailed as a hero, to get the entire village to follow him unquestioningly...and in the process, to get revenge on Maurice and Belle for rejecting his offer, and on the Beast for stealing the affection of the girl he desperately coveted. As always, it was all about Gaston.

LeFou could still hear how Gaston's words that night were driven by hatred and jealousy. He could still see the searing fury and spiteful vengeance in his eyes as he threatened LeFou to obey and fetch his horse that night. And LeFou had done as he asked. But when LeFou, in turn, had pleaded for his help, instead of heeding his pitiful appeal, Gaston had heartlessly left him trapped under that harpsichord. At that moment, LeFou had realized that he had made a terrible mistake siding with such a heartless monster. Gaston was no longer the friend he knew and admired. Hatred had possessed him, envy had poisoned his mind, and covetousness had stained his heart.

"Gaston, I forgive you… but I shall never forget what this taught me," he murmured, wiping the last tears from his eyes as he stood up to leave.

LeFou found the prince in the courtyard, sitting alone waiting for him. This time, there was hardly any animosity in the prince's eyes. Instead, they gleamed with sympathy.

"LeFou, I would like to offer a funeral for your friend. If you kindly be willing to accept my proposal, please inform Pere Robert to make the arrangements, with all the supplies and fees to be billed to me."

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Grace." LeFou's words of gratitude sounded so contradictory to his somber tone, but Adam perfectly understood how the man must have felt.

"Don't mention it. It is the smallest token that I can do for your friend."

Adam watched the slumping form of LeFou move away from the castle before fading behind the dense copse. Adam dragged a heavy breath. Indeed, it was easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend. Gaston hadn't known how fortunate he was to have LeFou as his loyal companion.

A month had past since the curse was broken. For most of the occupants of the castle and the villagers alike, their life had settled back to its rhythmical normality. The market was bustling with traders and customers, the mouth-watering scent of freshly baked baguettes filled the air, and pupils were queuing outside the school gate. The castle itself already returned to its former glory. The lawn was well-manicured, the windows were meticulously polished, and the servants were busy round about their business restoring neatness and order inside the castle.

Somehow, Adam was compelled to spend the day strolling in the meadow behind the castle, alone. Armed with a few books in his hand, he marched out, planning to would find an excellent spot to read his sappy romance novel without anyone noticing. But his intention was impeded when he went past the gravestone which was just laid there less than two weeks ago.

Something inside him stirred when he traced the fancy inscription on the stone, thinking about the life of the person behind the name. Above the name was a wonderful epitaph that Pere Robert had chosen:

Even as the sun goes down, to end the light of day.

It's rising on a new horizon, somewhere far away.

Once met, never forgotten….

Adam knelt and began. "I know… you must think I am foolish for speaking to you like this, but if you still have ears to hear, hear me out," the prince uttered."Look, Gaston... I…-" He paused as a sense of remorse overpowered him."I regretted that we met the way we were. You hated me, and I hated you."

"Sometimes when you are jealous, it becomes impossible to look at things, even the most regular ones, with the same pair of eyes… and perhaps that's why you so desperate to…-" Kill me, he wanted to say, but Adam couldn't bring himself to say the word.

"But, honestly, the two of us weren't that different…. When I saw you, I caught a glimpse of selfishness and conceit that used to dwell in me. Even before I was turned into an actual beast, I didn't have any trace of humanity! Not until every single thing that I was proud of, cherished, valued…was taken away from me.

"I am sorry things ended this way for you. I wished you had gotten the chance to learn the lesson the same way I did - no matter how bitter, it's worth it," he admitted, and his chest was encumbered with burden as he said it.

"You know what, Gaston? The villagers, my servants, Belle and her father...they all benevolently forgave me. So I think it's only fair if I extend my forgiveness to you. I hope this will help you to find peace." He turned around to pluck some wildflowers that grew around the meadow and laid them sympathetically on the ground.

"I don't know how close you were to LeFou… but from the way he spoke to me, I know that you meant a great deal to him. Therefore, you can rest assure that I will take care of him and make sure his needs are met," Adam promised. "I know he is grieving, but earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal."

The prince rose, feeling that his burden was lifted. He left the meadow light-spirited and carefree.

Meanwhile, behind the obscurity of the dense shrubbery, LeFou was struggling not to weep.

That afternoon, the wind brushed its gentle hand against the grassy field. The sun peeled its last rays off of the trees, casting a tall silhouette of their skeletal limbs on the field beneath. On the solitary grave among the sea of buttercups and dandelions, laid a modest arrangement of white roses, tied with a silk, crimson ribbon and accompanied with a deeply melancholic message.

Gaston, life is not forever.

But love is.

Notes: in my mind, that bouquet was from LeFou, secured with his silk bow tie. I haven't planned the next chapter yet, perhaps Adam's proposal? Wedding? Suggestion anyone?