Innocence of a Child Chapter 10
"Don't worry, Cosette. I won't let that monster hurt you," promised Belle, murmuring into her baby sister's soft hair.
Cosette desperately wanted to believe her.
How could she though when everything considering their situation looks so bleak and hopeless?
"I want to go home. I want, Papa," said Cosette, sadly, sniffling as she pouted.
Hugging her, Belle said "I know. I do, too."
The window was still open from before. Belle hadn't yet shut it being occupied with tending to Cosette's needs. A small breeze came in causing Cosette to shiver in spite of the warm and cozy blankets wrapped around her. Also, Cosette's stomach unleashed a telltale growl.
It had been a long while since she had sampled that large dinner and her body had worked through it. Now it required further nourishment.
Hard to get when Belle and Cosette couldn't even leave the room or receive any food.
Cosette pressed against her sisters body staring out the window at the moon gleaming up in the night sky.
Here I sit so cold and hungry
Feeling lost and far away
Happiness is just a memory
A patch of sun from yesterday
Where is the hope that I once knew
My dreams have vanished it is true
When will the sun come shining through
Where is the hope that I once knew
.
Belle gazed sadly down at her little sister. No child should have to go through an experience like this. Better would it have been for her to be the only one strapped her instead of both. Instead it's the two of them there with Belle the only one to figure out a way to get them out and back home.
Belle kissed Cosette's forehead. She picked her up, still in the blankets, and went over to the open window.
Here she took over.
.
From the darkness of the night sky
To the light of the full moon
Angels of heaven start to cry
When all hope was gone too soon
Where is the hope that we once knew
I'm praying you out of the blue
When will the sun come shining through
Where is the hope that I once knew
.
Belle then hefted Cosette so that their faces are level with each other.
.
Friends could call you the bravest lion
I once had that kind of roar
If we can reach inside for courage
Perhaps we can be strong once more
I'll find the hope that we once knew
And I will make our dreams come true
We'll see the sun come shining through
Full of the hope that we once knew
.
Belle and Cosette snuggled their heads together and sung as one.
.
We'll find the hope that we once knew
And we will make our dreams come true
We'll see the sun come shining through
Full of the hope
That we once knew
.
Cosette stopped her trembling. She's now smiling her face and eyes a lot brighter.
Returning the smile, stroking Cosette's hair, Belle said "Now let's get out of here."
Belle placed Cosette back on the bed as she finished preparation for the tide rope of fabric hanging out of the window as their way down.
Just as it appeared like they'd be fully in the clear a knock on the door put a stop to that.
Immediately assuming that the Beast had come back for round 2, Belle shouted "I told you to go away!"
To the contrary of what they believed, turns out it isn't the Beast standing on the other side outside their door.
The tone of voice gentle, kind, and polished compared to the Beasts deep and grumbling one, a woman said "Don't worry, Dears. It's only Mrs. Potts."
Mrs. Potts? They haven't met her yet.
Belle moved with haste to cover the work she's done and stood in front of it close to Cosette.
A couple of seconds after this happened the bedroom doors opened. A serving trolley rolled inside with the speaker sitting on top. Placed on top were a beautifully painted teapot and a teacup with the same design on its side. Cosette and Belle had to assume the teapot is Mrs. Potts.
This assumption would be proven correct.
"Oh! Oh, aren't to a vision! How lovely to make your acquaintance," said Mrs. Potts, pleasantly, bowing to them.
In doing so Mrs. Potts saw the rope that Belle had been trying to block. Instead of raising the alarm and calling the whole castle down upon them Mrs. Potts did something completely unexpected.
"It's a very long journey. Let me fix you two up before you go. I have found that most troubles seem less troubling after a bracing cup of tea," offered Mrs. Potts, sweetly, pouring tea into the cup beside her.
Once it was full, the cup, also, alive, hopped off the trolley, onto the floor and over to Belle.
"Slowly now, Chip," cautioned Mrs. Potts.
Chip's saucer slip to a stop at Belle's feet.
Belle picked it up delicately, brought it to her lips and sipped the warm and refreshing beverage.
"Pleased to meet you," said Chip, smiling.
After she had her share Belle then handed it to Cosette.
Cosette drank and then peered into chips face.
"Hi, I'm Chip! It's really nice to have another kid my age here," said Chip, grinning at her. Want to see me do a trick?"
Chip took a deep breath. He then started to blow bubbles. The tea splashed and the bubbles popped spackling Cosette in the face and making her laugh.
"Chip," berated Mrs. Potts, the smile on her face showing she wasn't putting too much into it.
Chip and Cosette giggled in amusement as at response.
"That was a very brave thing you did for your father, Dearie," admired Mrs. Potts.
"Yes, we all think so," said Madame Garderobe in agreement, softly.
"I'm worried about him. He's never been on his own," said Belle, placing Chip back onto the trolley beside his mother.
"Cheer up, My Poppet. Things will turn out in the end. You'll feel a lot better after dinner," assured Mrs. Potts.
Cocking her head in a gesture of puzzlement, Belle said "But he said 'If she doesn't eat with me, then she doesn't eat at all.'"
Shaking her head, with much wisdom, Mrs. Potts sighed "People say a lot of things in anger. It is our choice whether or nor to listen." Mrs. Potts turned the serving trolley towards the door and began to leave. "Coming, poppets?"
Belle and Cosette exchanged a glance of uncertainty and then at Madame Garderobe.
"Go," coaxed Madame Garderobe, gently.
What have they got to lose?
Authors Note:
Happy New Year! Hope this is a good start to a brand new year for us all! ;D
The song you see here is a favorite of mine from a movie franchise that I loved watching when I was a kid. It was suggested from a reviewer not actually using their Fanfiction name.
Those who figure out the song name and movie it's from get one question, as usual, that they want answered. Remember choose wisely for you only get one until the next time something similar to this is brought around again.