Chapter 10

Midnight Snacks

Ella bolted awake, cold sweat beaded on her forehead and her breath coming in rapid bursts. Horrific images still burned their vivid details into her mind, causing her heart rate to pound painfully against her chest. She twisted about, gazing around at her alien surroundings with a mixture of fear and an odd relief. Her senses slowly came back to her and she gradually began to realise that while this place was unfamiliar, it was certainly not the terrifying place of her dreams.

The enchantress warily untangled herself from the blankets and rose to her feet. A restless fear prodded her into movement and she began pacing in circles around the darkened room. As wakefulness slipped into her mind, memories flooded her eyes and she felt a comforting ease envelope her. This room was a sitting room, she recognised, in Prince Adam's castle. The embers in the grate had smouldered into dust and the world beyond the frosty windows was still shrouded in the cloak of nightfall, filling the room with looming shadows. Uneasiness still edging Ella's mind, she gestured at the empty grate and a gentle fire erupted within.

The dancing light greatly helped to relieve the enchantress' fear. She knew now the horrific images were indeed simply nightmares inspired by memories. Every sleep she had taken since she had arrived at the castle had been plagued with memories of her dark encounter with the hunter. Forcing her mind onto other things, Ella realised that her stomach was tight with hunger.

Eager for something to do, Ella set off for the kitchens. Mercifully, she by now knew her way easily through the castle because the oppressing darkness made everything look different. Moving expertly through the shadowed halls, the enchantress was soon pushing open the wooden door leading to the main kitchens.

Inside, Ella lit a candelabrum, fondly remembering the days when a man in the form of a very similar object had befriended her. The enchantress crept into a cupboard and discovered a half loaf of bread left from the evening's dinner. Taking this, Ella seated herself on the counter with the candles at her side and began eating, allowing her thoughts to wander.

Her mind mainly swirled around one central topic: the deal she had made with her father. Already one month of her allotted three had passed and she was further from earning the heart of Gaston than when she had begun.

I know that I must return to Molyneaux and repair things with Gaston, Ella acknowledged, sucking on a bit of hardened bread, but with all my heart I fear to do so.

Her body suddenly shaken by tremors at the thought of returning to Molyneaux, Ella realised what her real fear was. It wasn't returning to town and dealing with the emotions of a lustful man, it was leaving this place. Here was the first place she had felt welcome, the first time she had felt as if someone cared for her. Not even in her own home had she felt so loved. Her father only cared for her betrothal to Alkyl, seeing as it would promote him to a higher position and it gave him a great power over Alkyl's father since Ella was only one of two girls who was eligible to be married to him. Any of the enchanters with the bloodline of the ancient masters had to marry within that line to keep it pure. While there were many male enchanters of the line only a few women remained, most of whom were already wed.

My only use to my father is as a tool for bartering, Ella thought disdainfully.

Then she allowed her mind to wander to her many conversations in this castle. They were all so trustworthy and open, accepting her as their own no matter how different she was. Ella had been among humans long enough to understand that her appearance was an entirely alien thing among them and yet while she had received strange looks from many of the people in Molyneaux among other places, the servants here had treated her no differently than anyone else. It was an unusual feeling, being accepted for the first time in her life and especially among an entirely different race, although they didn't know that.

The door to the kitchens creaked slightly and Ella squeaked in alarm, jumping so badly she fell from the countertop. A startled voice in the doorway responded with a surprised yell and a whispered, "Who's there?"

Nervous at being discovered raiding the kitchens in the dead of night, Ella peered over the edge of the counter, searching for the figure in the dim light of the candelabrum. A silent sigh of relief escaped her as the enchantress recognised the stout profile. Dusting herself, Ella stood and saw the alarm leave Cogsworth's face as he identified her.

"Ah, Ella," he said with a smile, closing the kitchen door behind himself and approaching the counter opposite her. "It's good to see you up and about, although at an unusual hour I might add." Cogsworth set the candle he carried next to her own, providing a little more light.

"I was hungry," Ella admitted with a faint flush that was indiscernible in the dim glow. "I hadn't eaten since near midday so I came here to see if I could find some leftover food to eat." She lifted the half loaf of bread she had been eating and smiled slightly. "Although on the topic of late hours I could also say that this is a strange time for you to be here as well."

Cogsworth returned her faint smile. "I had an unpleasant dream and came to find something to settle my stomach." He leaned closer to the counter, surveying her face closely. "Miss Ella, have you been crying?"

Ella lifted a hand to her eyes and found that her lashes were wet and narrow trails of moisture ran the length of her cheeks. Confused, the enchantress wiped her eyes. "Apparently so, although I remember not why."

This was a lie, although she wouldn't admit the reason aloud to him. She knew she must have started crying at the thought of leaving the castle and returning to the cruel world outside.

"I'm sorry," Cogsworth said and when Ella met his eyes she could see that he genuinely meant it. In that moment Ella felt a burning desire to confess everything to him, to tell him of her deal with her father and the hopelessness of her situation, to feel the luxury of having a comforting soul to trust. Then, as quickly as it had come, it passed, driven away by the logical part of her mind. If she admitted everything to him he would learn that she was the enchantress who had taken away ten years of his life and he would never see her the same way again. The relief of being accepted would be gone.

Besides, her deal with her father wouldn't allow it.

"Would you like some bread?" Ella asked, offering out the loaf to him. He smiled at her in his wearied way and nodded. The enchantress broke the loaf in half and handed it to him.

"If you don't mind my asking," Cogsworth started and then blushing furiously shook his head and stopped. "No, I'm sorry, that would be disrespectful."

"What?" Ella asked curiously. "I promise I won't be offended."

Cogsworth took a deep breath and then spoke in a rapid voice, as if trying to get the question out before he lost his nerve. "I was just curious, the master never did tell us after all, but where did you go and what happened?"

Dark lines crossed Ella's face as she glanced down at the countertop, barring her mind from the volley of vivid images that seized her. Disturbed by the grimace on her face, Cogsworth mumbled quickly, "I'm sorry, it was impolite to ask. Clearly if you wanted people to know you would have told. You needn't answer. I'm sorry," he repeated.

"No, it's all right," Ella said to stop his apologetic rambling. "I knew that everyone would want to know eventually." The enchantress forced her face into a more pleasant semblance and glanced up at the head of house. "After all, my history at this castle is not exactly a trustworthy one. I first arrive as a stow-away hiding in closets, then after being revealed I simply disappear for weeks, only to return in horrible shape and seeking refuge."

"It was curious," Cogsworth agreed. "We all thought that perhaps you had some personal conflicts with the prince, what with how you left when he saw you and his interest in you."

"That's one way to put it," Ella said with an uncomfortable nod. "We certainly have a unique history, although the story behind that I will keep to myself, no disrespect."

"Of course," Cogsworth said, although the enchantress could see the curiosity bubbling behind his tired eyes.

"When I left the castle I walked to the nearest village," Ella began slowly, letting her eyes drift to a cabinet behind Cogsworth. "Once there I sought a room at the only inn. The innkeeper took pity on me and allowed me a room, saying that he would find some way for me to repay him later. Time passed and I grew fond of him, a young girl's infatuation, and one evening I went to his home. He was drunk, mind poisoned with memories of a dark past, and in his desire he…" Ella trailed off, unable to make herself finish, but she didn't need to. Cogsworth gasped in horror.

"Mon dieu," he swore softly, staring at the enchantress in enraged disbelief. "The world is descending into madness. If we continue this way we will soon be no worse than wild animals." Then his expression softened as he gazed at Ella. "I am so sorry, although my pity likely does little for you. I regret having brought up the topic. Is there anything I can do to ease your pain?"

Ella glanced up at him, fighting back the distress behind her eyes at the fresh wave of memories. The intensity of compassion in Cogsworth's face struck something in Ella's core. "You help enough just by being a friend," the enchantress replied and was rewarded with an embarrassed smile from him.

"Miss Ella, there is one more curiosity I long to have sated," Cogsworth admitted, the flush in his face darkening enough to be seen clearly in the dim candlelight. Ella nodded him on. "Babette told me that when she found you outside the castle, before you fainted, you asked for me by name. Is this truth?"

Surprised by this news, the enchantress thought hard but to her disappointment could not remember. "I couldn't say," she replied. "I remember nothing between my encounter in Molyneaux and waking up in the castle. I suppose it is probable however." Cogsworth met her eyes with a confused interest. "In my state of confusion it seems only obvious I would seek the aid of someone I considered a good friend."

Now Cogsworth's blush deepened so fiercely that it provided as much heat as the flickering candles. "You consider me such a good friend?"

Ella nodded. "The greatest. You are one of the people I have come to care for the most and since the first time we met I have always felt that you welcomed me. For an outcast, such a belief can leave lasting impressions. Also you have always treated me like an equal instead of as a nameless lesser. I respect you greatly and I enjoy our conversations."

"You are very perceptive and wise for being of as low a status as you claim," Cogsworth said observantly. "I find it difficult that a woman of such education and personality could find no place in this world."

"I am different," Ella said plainly. "People fear what they do not know."

"I don't fear you," Cogsworth said firmly.

"If you had not known me personally before you saw my true appearance you might not have said the same," the enchantress pointed out.

"Tosh," Cogsworth scoffed. "I befriended Lumière and he is a most peculiar looking man. Thin as a post with an enormous nose." Ella laughed and Cogsworth felt a smile touch his face. "I must admit that you have a point though. Your appearance is quite unlike anything I have yet to see. I think it fitting however, for you are quite unlike most people. Perhaps that is why we have become such close friends."

Ella felt a sense of satisfaction blossom inside her. Somebody considered her a friend! "Perhaps," the enchantress agreed.

Cogsworth smiled and glanced up at the window. The darkness of night had begun to lessen along the eastern horizon, turning the midnight blue into a lighter azure. "My goodness, most of the night has been spent."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry," Ella quickly apologised. "You need your sleep and I have kept you here."

"No, it's quite all right," Cogsworth responded. "I enjoyed talking with you. Besides, you need your sleep as well. You are still recovering." Cogsworth brushed the breadcrumbs from his dressing gown. "Perhaps when you are better I might show you around the castle. I'm sure you've seen enough of its halls but sometimes it is more pleasing to understand their beauty as architecture."

"That sounds delightful," Ella said with a smile.

"Excellent. Well, if you'll excuse me, I think I will head back upstairs and try to gather a few more hours of sleep."

"Sleep well, Cogsworth," Ella said as he left. Then she turned and leaned back against the counter. This night had been filled with so many strange emotions that she had never experienced before her deal with her father. Maybe, even if things went unsuccessfully, this experience would profit her. Learning more about humans and their complex psyche would make her job as an enchantress easier and more effective.

Filled with a sense of new purpose, Ella extinguished her candelabrum and returned through the darkened halls to the sitting room.

LeFou stared up at Gaston in wonder. It was difficult for his mind to grasp the truths his idol had confessed.

"So, she's gone?" LeFou asked for about the third time.

"Yes, she's gone," Gaston repeated impatiently. "How many times must I say it before you understand me, you dolt?"

"I'm sorry," LeFou muttered humbly. "But I thought she liked it here. She seemed to really like you, and you were so nice to her."

"I know that," the hunter replied, baffled as well but trying desperately not to show it to his lackey. "We had just settled our methods of repayment. Then later you arrived to tell me about the quarrel at the inn and I left with you to settle it. When I got back she had vanished."

"Wow," LeFou said with a shake of his head. "Ya think maybe she wasn't, you know, happy with the way you settled stuff?"

"Impossible," Gaston scoffed, shooting an angry glance at the stout man. "What woman would be against such a pleasure? In truth I wasn't having her repay me but granting her yet another favour."

"Oh, yeah, course," LeFou said quickly, although his stomach churned with displeasure. While he knew behaviour like Gaston's was quite typical, LeFou felt uncomfortable at the very thought and he lived a more chaste lifestyle. "Well she was from far away. Maybe they do things different wherever she's from."

"Word of this must not get out, LeFou," Gaston said sharply, ignoring the younger man's rationalisations.

"How we gonna do that? You two were together all the time. People will see she's not here. Everyone was thinking maybe you'd get married. It's only been one day and the guys at the tavern are already talking." LeFou gazed up at the hunter for answers that he could not dream up on his own.

"Tell them that…" Gaston stopped to scratch his chin. "Tell them she was daft in the head. Wait, no!" A cocky grin split his face and his eyes gleamed. "Tell them that she was an assassin sent to get close to me so that she could kill me."

"They gonna believe that?" LeFou asked. "Everyone loves you, who would wanna kill you?"

"A man I beat in a hunting tournament years ago, and he wanted revenge," the hunter supplied, weaving such a complex, full-proof story in his mind that he believed it himself.

"Yeah okay," LeFou said with an eager nod. He was used to Gaston's elaborated stories by now and was impartial to spreading them, whether they bore any truth or not. As Gaston kept telling him, image was the most important thing a man could have and LeFou would never dare contradict anything that would harm his friend's reputation. "So, how did you get away?"

"Well she lured me in, trying to seduce me and lower my defences. But as she began undressing I saw the knife at her hip," Gaston explained. "When she realised I was on to her she drew the knife and came at me. She was a strong little wench but nobody is stronger than Gaston. I fought her off and she begged for my mercy. Being generous as I am, I allowed her to live so long as she left town that very night and never returned, and that she also must give up her dark profession."

LeFou quivered with excitement. Although he knew the tale was fabricated, he still felt a thrill every time he listened to one of his friend's stories. "Amazing," the lackey said adoringly.

Gaston grinned smugly. "I know, I am, aren't I?"