The Bitter Cold

"You are a fool Belle!"

She scolded to herself, knowing that this was just…madness. Did the Queen expect her to make it through the forest in this weather? The snow was becoming heavier and Belle knew that the winds would surely pick up, causing it even harder to press on. Darkness would also be thrown into this nasty mix and Belle had almost forgotten about the stories of the creatures that dwelled in this forest.

She really had hoped they were stories and not facts.

Perhaps, she can just turn back and return to the castle without him ever knowing! Yes! That would surely work! Belle, acting upon the thought, turned around, but did not recognize the path…

"It changed."

She uttered, a great chill consuming her body from this horrible realization; the forest was changing on her. She had only been walking for minutes, how could this happen? There was a clear path just moments ago, but now, in its stead, there were trees and various bushes.

Were they trying to trap her in?

Belle's breath caught in her throat and her eyes widened; panic was beginning to set in.

"No. Stay calm Belle. Stay calm." She cooed to herself, hoping to calm her shaky nerves for a few moments to think of possible ways out of this.

On that thought, the pouch given to her from the Queen began to glow and Belle could not help but gasp from the sight. The bag illuminated a golden color that began to blend with her hand, causing her hand to glow as well.

Her fingers curled even tighter to the bag, for it was providing a grand warmth that began to soothe her. She closed her eyes as she allowed this magical warmth to travel throughout her body, reaching every inch of her paling body.

Belle opened her eyes, expecting all of the snow around her to melt, but it did not. Her body, however, continued this warmth, which must have been the "impossible" the Queen was speaking about.

Perhaps, the Queen's intentions were true.

"Papa. I am coming."

Belle had returned to a somewhat stable state, but something continued to nag at her, pulling at her…

Papa was all that mattered, but what about Rumpelstiltskin? Surely he would find out this little scheme and come after her…wouldn't he?

No.

She would be long gone by then once he returned. He wouldn't miss her. If anything, he would be grateful! All she did was butt heads with him and get on his nerves. He would always retaliate though, which made it even more amusing. Belle had noticed that she was smiling more often and just felt more at ease (which was quite odd to say, especially given her circumstances of coming into his company).

Belle had stopped once again, for a flurry of memories was beginning to take hold of her and Papa was retreating to the back of her mind.

This was just so odd and foreign to her. This strange emotion that was stirring inside of her when she thought of Rumpelstiltskin and she was sure it was not fear or anger…

What on earth was it?

Suddenly, the warmth stopped.

Belle was very startled by this and looked down at the magic bag, which began to vanish from her very hand!

"What? Wait!"

She pled to the bag, which was foolish, but Belle was desperate. The temperature was now at a very dangerous level and her cloak would do little to no good for her. Without the magical warmth, she would most likely catch her death out here.

"That witch!"

She cursed out loud, but she could not even hear her own voice, for the wind began to pick up at a very violent rate, even the trees moaned under the pressure that the wind was providing.

Belle's arms quickly wrapped around her, hoping to contain the little warmth she had left and to withhold the panic that was threatening to gnaw at her again.

She had to find shelter and quickly, for she knew her body would grow numb to the point where she could not even move. If this happened, she would never reach her dear Papa…or see him again.

If only she had not run away, none of this would happen! She desperately wanted to see her Papa though and her stubborn mind could not accept anything else. It was all his fault! If he hadn't taken her, none of this would have happened!

It was much too late for any of these thoughts now, for survival was the utmost important thing now and that needed to be the only thing on her mind.

The snow felt like it was growing with every step she took. It was already up to her ankle, which was making it even harder for her to travel quickly and efficiently. The simple snow fall was now becoming a blizzard and Belle's vision was proving to be useless.

"Damn!"

She muttered in a shaky breath, her teeth slightly chattering, which was not a very good sign. Belle desperately pressed on, hoping to find a large tree or something to shield her.

"Papa!"

Maybe, just maybe, she was close by to her home! If she continued to yell out Papa might come for her.

"Papa!"

She attempted to yell even louder, but all her voice could provide was just something above a whisper.

Look at her.

She was shivering to death, calling out for her Papa that would never call back…

Belle had felt defeated.

The woman slumped to the ground, her knees burying deep in the snow. Each breath took so much out of her…

"Someone…please…"

She begged again, hoping the last few words she could muster up would be enough to save her life. However, all seemed lost now and Belle knew death would claim her. If only she had magical qualities…

"Rumpelstiltskin…"

She had finally uttered, for now even his aid would be welcomed. She could hear his giggle inside of her head, mocking her for being so weak and vulnerable for something as simple as the weather. Strangely, this thought placed a slight smile on her face.

Belle's breath now became shallow and her body was shutting down, for the cold was becoming too much. Her muscles tightened in a painful fashion, but she did not jerk from it, for she could not feel it.

With the smile on her face, Belle's eyes closed as she now fell towards the ground, the snow encasing her as she now became one with it.

The wind howled from the woman's fall, as if it was cackling at her defeat.

The Queen looked at her glorious mirror at this triumph scene, for this woman was surely a dead one. A smirk etched across her flawless face, for she knew she had won. Being quite content with it all, the Queen stepped away from her mirror and began to laugh in a manic way.

She had done it. She had finally conquered Rumpelstiltskin.

[Hello again! Thank you for the support everyone! Forgive me for this little chapter…not really the best, but, it needed to be done to move the story along! More drama shall ensue, I promise!]