Writer note: This chapter was like squeezing blood out of a turnip! Seriously took forever thanks to writer's block. Hopefully that's over!
Chapter 7: In which Belle's expectation are not met
Belle's stomach still fluttered above her even after the magic had released her. She peered around cautiously at her new surroundings. She was seated on a cushion, soft velvet beneath her palms, and the inside of a luxurious carriage encapsulated her. Across the narrow flooring sat Rumpelstiltskin, legs crossed and hands about his knee, grinning mischievously at her.
Belle swallowed the growing lump in her throat. "Is this how you travel?"
"Not often, dearie. Only when I must make a necessarily proper arrival or-" he nodded, hand flexed out to her, "-if I have a passenger, which I believe you are the first."
"I feel-" she breathed in deep, fidgeting for the words, "honored to be the first to ride in this magnificent carriage." In all her life, even after becoming the daughter of a newly crowned Lord, she had never set foot in such a grand way of transportation. The fixtures gleamed gold, finely carved wood, and the velvety blue carpet all overwhelmed her. But the whole situation had started to take hold and Belle could feel the fear and sadness welling inside her.
She barely said good-bye to her beloved father, and now she regretted the rushed farewell. Would she ever see him again? Rumpelstiltskin had taken her as a companion, not a slave. When they was all settled and she knew what would become of her, she would speak of the matter with him. He had always shown her kindness and respect, and she hoped that would not change now that he kept her as his own.
She chanced a look at him. Rumpelstiltskin's features were dark and gleaming in the flicker of the lamplight that hung above them. He eyed her curiously, fingers tented together. Belle racked her thoughts for several minutes, her mind a jumble of circumstances and wonderings of the unknown. How would life be with the wild sorcerer? Would he teach her some magic if she asked? Did he live in a home or wandered the wide world to stop anywhere that suited his fancy?
"Will we be traveling much?" Belle asked, finally settled on a question.
Rumpelstiltskin considered for a moment. "We shall see."
Belle blinked in dismay. She had hoped for a more specific answer. She frowned, and moved to the next question on her list of many. "How far is your home?"
"Not far" he replied with the wave of his wrist." The magic within the carriage drives it ten times faster than normal."
A small smile crossed Belle's lips. "This is an enchanted carriage?"
"If you wish to call it that." Rumpelstiltskin eyes her curiously. "Full of questions, are we?"
Belle lowered her head to hide the blush rising in her cheeks. She was always an inquisitive child, and the curiosity flowed into adulthood as well. "I'd much like to know how things will be now that I am to live with you. I remember wondering many times after our encounters how you lived, what fanciful flights of adventure you journeyed on."
"You wish to go on these fanciful flights of adventure" he commented, the last few words having a tingly ring, seeming to know all too well that she would say yes.
Belle licked her lips, her nerves calming somewhat now that they were conversing. "I would like to see the world."
A slow grin spread upon Rumpelstiltskin's lips. "We shall see. Until then, we will reside at Dark Castle." Belle stared, bemused, until he leaned close to her and added, "That's the name of my residence."
Understanding dawned in her eyes and Belle smiled, "It suits a sorcerer like you."
A long moment of silence came upon them again. Rumpelstiltskin sat back into the seat, watching her with hooded eyes. Belle gazed into her lap, fiddling with the skirt of her golden dress, deep in thought. The sight of her dress made her realize that all her belongings were left behind. She was so caught up in the moment it completely slipped her mind to bring anything.
"What of my belongings? I packed nothing" she said, concerned over the chance that all her beloved books and trinkets, along with her clothes were lost to her.
"Do not bother, my dear" Rumpelstitlskin replied, easily. "You'll want for nothing."
Belle swallowed the lump that rose in her throat. "But my personal belongings."
Rumpestiltskin cut her off with the swipe of his hand. "You'll want for nothing" he repeated, more mysterious and firm.
Quiet filled the rest of the journey. Belle could converse with him so easily, but between realization sinking in and nerves of her unknown future, she was finding it quite difficult to even glance at her new companion. She hoped this awkwardness would fade soon. It rent at her nerves, letting fear set in.
Thankfully, the carriage halted with a slight jolt soon enough and Rumpelstiltskin stood. "We're here."
"That was only a few hour's time" Belle said, fascinated by how magic made what was possibly a treacherous journey to only a fleeting excursion.
Rumpelstiltskin trilled lowly in response. The carriage door opened on its own accord as he stepped out lightly. Belle smiled shyly at his waiting hand. His grip was firm as she placed her right hand in his, her left raising her skirts as her feet landed softly on the cold ground. She gazed upwards to be welcomed by an extraordinary sight. The tallest heights of the castle loomed over them, mortar twisted like vines around stone walls. There were two wings on either side of the main castle, and Belle had suspicion there was another wing located behind that.
So enthralled by the castle, she hadn't noticed Rumpelstiltskin release her hand and was halfway to the castle before spinning about to beckon her to his side. Belle shivered, wrapping her bare arms around herself, as she walked up the pathway to join him. When they had left her village, the air had been mild and pleasant, but here at Dark Castle, cold and day's old snow enveloped her.
Before she could see it materialize, a woolen shawl covered her shoulders and she finally met Rumpelstiltskin's waiting gaze. "Thank you. I'm not truly dressed for this weather."
"No matter, dearie" he replied, taking hold of her waist as they ascended the stairs to the intricately carved wooden doors at the entrance of the castle. "I often forget of how the weather is."
Questions arose in Belle's mind at that statement, but she pushed them back for another time. She was entering the place she'd call home for the rest of her life. Her curiosity could wait.
She barely caught a glimpse of the spacious foyer as he guided her through. They emerged in a grand room with an enormous table that could seat many men. A roaring fire licked at the hearth where an armchair sat in front of invitingly. Once again, Belle only caught a brief glimpse of the room. It seemed Rumpelstiltskin was in a hurry.
"Where are you taking me?" she finally asked as they turned down a corridor that was lit by lamp stands.
"Your room" was all he gave her, accompanied with a delighted giggle.
Another door opened without physical assistants as they neared it. Rumpelstiltskin pressed Belle ahead of him as they stepped inside. Belle peered around, thankful it was not a dungeon. The strange way he was acting made the idea cross her mind.
"This-" he grabbed her attention, pointing dramatically to a lengthy, flat topped trunk at the end of the bed, "- will produce any object you possessed from your former estate. Think only on that object as you touch the lid and it was will appear when you open the trunk. Understand, dearie?"
Belle breathed in deep, registering the information. "Yes."
"Good." Rumpestitlskin spun on his heel, striding towards the door.
"Wait!" Belle yelped, bewildered. "Where are you going? Won't you show me the castle so I won't get lost?" She felt a twinge of fear creeping into her stomach. She'd never been anywhere alone, especially in a castle that winded with shadowy corridors and unknown ghosts around every corner. "I wish to not be alone, at least until I know the castle."
Rumpelstiltskin stepped up to her, patting her arm with mock encouragement. "You're a brave girl, Belle. I'll be back soon."
And he was gone, leaving Belle stranded in her new bed chambers. She felt tears prick her eyes. This was not how she imagined arriving at her sorcerer's home. She moved to sit gently on the side of her bed, rubbing away the tears that had not quite left the corners of her eyes. He said he would be back soon, and that was the only reassurance she had for now.
