Chapter 12

"No!" she exclaimed desperately. "Please, papa! Anyone but him!"

Her father sighed heavily. "You said the same thing about the other five suitors, Belle. As a princess, you have certain obligations. Marrying is one of them."

Belle stared at her father in disbelief. How could he force her into a loveless marriage? And of all things, with Gaston, the self-centered, self-appointed glamour boy from the neighboring kingdom. Tears of anger and despair were starting to flow down her cheeks.

"The only person Gaston truly cares about is himself, papa! I spent a solid hour listening to his boring hunting stories. And he talks about himself in third person! 'No one's slick as Gaston, no one's quick as Gaston, no one's handsome as Gaston ….'"

Belle made a contemptuous sound.

"I cannot marry someone like him!"

King Maurice kneaded his temple with one hand. He truly loved his daughter. She was more beautiful than any other girl or woman in the kingdom. Blessing and curse at the same time. As soon as she had turned 14, an unstoppable wave of all kind of suitors kept coming to his castle to ask for her hand. But no matter how handsome, brave or rich they were, the princess always found a reason to reject them. Well, actually there was always only one reason: she wanted love. And apparently, none of the suitors seemed to fit. But the king had become tired of this. Marriage at court had never been about love. It was all about alliances and advantages. Gaston was the perfect match, and this time, his lovely daughter would have to obey.

"I just came to inform you about the decision, not to ask you for your acceptance." he answered sharply.

Belle gasped and her big blue eyes widened even more. She was just staring at him, utterly speechless. The pained look on her face broke his parental heart. But it had already been decided.

"You are 17, Belle." The king continued with a softer voice. "It's about time for you to be engaged to someone. But I won't make you marry until your 23rd birthday as Gaston still has to do some years of military service. That will give you enough time to … accept … the situation. And maybe, when you get to know him better over the upcoming years, you will look at him in a different light."

"No matter how much time I'll spend with this man, I will never love him!" Belle spat, her voice shaking from frustration.

"Enough!" the king shouted out loudly, banging his fist forcefully on the table which startled Belle to the core.

"You will marry Gaston, Belle! I'm tired of your romantic delusion of love! You have embarrassed me and your kingdom long enough! This marriage will be a very lucrative deal. I won't let your stubbornness destroy it!"

Belle looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"Then you're craving for more land and power is more important to you than the happiness of your only daughter?" she said quietly, desperately trying to suppress her bitter sobs.

After a moment of silence, her father responded with a low voice: "I am the king. I don't have to explain myself."

Belle stared at him in shock and took one step backwards.

Then, she curtsied slightly.

"Then I'll do as you wish, Your Majesty." She answered quietly, tears running down her beautiful face. Without another look at her father, she quickly turned away and ran out of the throne room, no longer able to hold back her disappointed and desperate tears.

Belle locked herself up for the rest of the day. No one was able to calm the princess, no one was able to prompt her to open the doors of her chamber. At midnight, Belle was still lying on her bed, but she had stopped crying as she had apparently run out of tears. Her father and her maids had thankfully stopped trying to talk to her and now she was alone, staring passively at the ceiling of her chamber.

Then she heard the music.

It was a strange sound, something she had never heard before. However, she liked it and the inexplicable urge to find the source of the music clouded her mind.

Like being in trance, she somehow managed to leave the castle undetected and followed the sound of the music. It became louder and louder, drawing her into the forest nearby. Every sense told her to stop, to return to the castle, but all that mattered was the music that was luring her closer. When she reached a small meadow that was illuminated by the brightness of the moonlight, Belle finally detected the source of the strange music. In front of her, there was a boy, maybe at her age, dancing around a big fireplace. The upper part of his face, however, was covered by a grey hood. Belle immediately noticed the small, wooden instrument in his hand. It was a Pan-Flute.

Belle shot up, her heart pounding rapidly in her chest.

Since she had arrived in Neverland, she was having this strange dream over and over again. It always began the same way, and it always ended the same way. Before she was able to step onto the meadow or talk to the strange boy who was playing the panpipes, she woke up.

Sometimes, Belle wondered if it was really just a dream or rather a faded memory of her past. It almost felt like her subconsciousness was preventing her from remembering. But remembering what? She didn't even recall having had this unpleasant conversation with her father. When he had told her about her engagement with Gaston, she had not been overly enthusiastic, but she had known that it was the best for the kingdom. Besides, her father would have never talked her into marriage.

But still … something about this dream was strangely familiar.

Belle rubbed her face with her hands.

Neverland was a strange place. Belle had always been able to rely on her senses. But since she had arrived on the island, nothing was like it had been before. What was left was the mere feeling of utter confusion. Neverland was a place where one's imagination ran wild.

Even the music of her dream was still playing in her head.

Wait!

No, the music wasn't in her head, was it?

Belle cocked her ears and listened carefully.

There was no doubt. Belle heard the strange music somewhere in the distance of the forest. But it was not as loud and alluring as in her dream. Yet, no less attracting.

Belle bit her lower lip and turned her head to face Hook. He had lain down next to her but with enough space for at least three more people to fit between them. However, his hookless arm was stretched towards her. But due to the space between the, it was not quite able to reach her body.

The princess watched his face for a few moments. His lips were firmly pressed together and his brow wrinkled. He almost looked like in pain, or at least it didn't look like a peaceful sleep.

Belle's heart sank when she remembered their fight earlier. How could he have said something like that to her? Sure, the second the words had left his mouth, Hook had regretted them. But still. It hurt nonetheless.

But strangely enough, Belle had the inexplicable urge to touch his face and to stroke his cheek. She could see from the expression on his face that he didn't feel well. And Belle wanted to touch him, wanted to soothe him. She wanted to tell him that everything was alright, that they were still friends. That he had been right and she cared for him.

But just when Belle moved her hand to reach out for his face, Hook's words were suddenly back again, throbbing mercilessly in her head.

He is running away from you!

Spoiled, dull little princess!

Belle pulled her hand away.

And then, she heard the strange music again, this time louder than before.

Just like in her dream, Belle suddenly felt the urge to find the source of the playing. Even more: she finally had the chance to detect it, something that was apparently not possible in her sleep.

She took one last look at the pirate.

He would never let her go on her own. He would tell her how dangerous Neverland was and that she needed protection. That she shouldn't follow some strange music from the forest.

And suddenly she felt a hint of anger in her stomach.

What does Hook know?!

He, too, was simply another man in her life who apparently was the opinion that she was not able to make her own decisions.

But the music didn't sound or feel dangerous. It reminded her of secureness, freedom and love … of childhood lullabies and adventure at the same time.

Belle stood up, carefully. She didn't want to wake her travel companion. Soft-footed, the princess made her way towards the forest, feverishly following the sound of the music of her dream.


The sounds of panpipes led her right into the darkness of the forest. Completely concentrating on the music, Belle soon lost track of time. But she didn't care. Just like in her dream, all that mattered was the invisible force that pulled her further towards the source of the music, enveloping her senses completely.

The sound became louder and louder until she finally reached a small forest glade. Like in her dream, the darkness of the night was illuminated by the shine of a small fireplace and the glistering light of the full moon and thousands of stars.

And then she saw him. A young man was sitting on the cool grass with his back to her, playing the panpipes.

Belle stopped under the screen of night and listened, completely trapped by the enchanting sound of the music. She didn't even notice when her legs suddenly started to move forward, finally stepping onto the grass of the forest glade and into the moonlight.

"I hoped that you would come." the all too familiar voice announced.

The young man had stopped playing but his back was still turned towards her.

Belle froze in place. Without seeing the face, she knew exactly that Peter Pan was sitting right in front of her. And this time, Hook was not there to help her.

All senses told her to run, but all she was able to do was to take one small step back, slowly approaching the entrance of the forest.

"No, please!" Pan suddenly whirled around to face her but kept the distance between them.

"Please, Belle. Don't leave."

To her surprise, Pan's voice sounded different from their last encounter. Somehow softer and much more vulnerable. Studying his face, there was no hint of a diabolic smirk or dangerous glistering eyes. Instead, he rather looked like a lonely, lost boy who was glad that someone had found him.

Belle didn't move further backwards. Instead she cocked her head and eyed him suspiciously.

"Pan?" she whispered, still not sure if that was the same boy from the first encounter.

Pan gave her a broad smile, stood up and nodded.

"Although I would feel more comfortable if you called me Peter."

Belle still didn't move. No matter how innocent this boy might look like, she should never trust him. That's what everyone else had said. And she had sensed that, too.

Therefore, she straightened her body and gathered all of her remaining courage.

"What is this all about?" Belle finally asked, putting as much strength into her voice as she could afford.

Pan raised his brow and looked at her in confusion.

"What do you mean?" he asked, sounding utterly irritated.

Belle inhaled deeply before she spoke. This encounter was so confusing, so different from the first one.

"What do you want from me?"

Peter Pan let out a boyish, light laugh.

"To apologize." he responded.

"Why would you do that?" Belle answered, utterly confused. Without noticing, she took one step toward Pan.

There was something familiar about him. Something she couldn't quite allocate. But this time, she felt that he didn't mean her any harm.

Peter Pan's smile faded and was replaced by a sad expression.

"We didn't have a very good start the other day." he said with a low voice, eyes firmly fixed on the ground.

"I didn't want to scare you, Belle." Pan continued. "But I did. And I'm sorry for that. But you have to believe me. I will never want to harm you."

"I want us to be friends." he added, raising his gaze to look at her again.

"You kidnapped Henry!" Belle suddenly exclaimed, looking at Peter Pan furiously. "How could I ever be friends with someone who steals away children from their loving families?!"

No, she wouldn't fall for Peter Pan's lies. She knew too much about him. She wouldn't get deceived by his tricks.

But Peter Pan still held his apologizing expression on his face.

"No, dear. It's different from what you think. I just took him away from his family because they were not lovingly. I've never wanted to keep him in Neverland. His family should come here to rescue him. They would have to work together, for the first time actually. It's just a game and Henry will win in the end. As soon as they have found him, he is free to go."

"Just a game? I don't understand." Belle looked at him with wide, blue eyes. What was Pan talking about? Henry was in great danger. Henry was in Neverland against his own will, wasn't he?

Pan sighed deeply in response.

"Look, Belle. Henry is not happy with his unique familiar situation, don't you agree? He is just another lost boy. His father is dead, his biological mother gave him away when he was a baby, his grandfather is the Dark One who had tried to kill him… Not to mention the …" Pan waved theatrically one hand in the air as if to search for the right word, "… rather complicated relationship between his adoptive mother and his grandparents on his mother's side."

He looked at her expectantly.

"And our little game helps them to rethink their positions, to make them aware of the fact that Henry is more important than anything else. Hopefully."

"Hopefully?" Belle narrowed her eyes. "What if they don't succeed?"

"Then …" Pan responded and shrugged his shoulders. "They don't deserve him and he is free to stay with us. Neverland is a place where lost souls can find refuge and their happily ever after."

Belle exhaled sharply. Did Peter Pan tell her the truth?

Thinking about it, he definitely had a point. The kidnapping had bound Henry's family together. Former enemies were now working together. And maybe the love for the boy could even turn hostility into friendship.

However, Belle still had the feeling that something was wrong about the story. She had sensed Pan's dark side the other day. She couldn't simply ignore that and the warnings of Hook and the tribe members.

"I'm sorry." she finally stated after a long pause, refusing to look into Pan's eyes. "I really want to believe you. That you only want the best for Henry. But I cannot simply trust you. Taking away a boy from his family doesn't seem right to me."

"Even if that means to have a second shot at a new, better family?" his voice was low and sounded almost like a purr.

When Belle raised her eyes again, Peter Pan was standing only some feet in front of her.

"I don't know." Belle whispered. "They do love him."

Peter Pan's face turned into a compassionate smile.

"Love can be a cruel thing, sweetness. Loving is simply not enough. Especially when there are so many things in the world that people are craving for: money, reputation, revenge …" he lifted her chin with one hand and she stared into his brown eyes. "… or power. It makes us weak and lonely."

Belle had heard this sentence before, but she couldn't quite remember where and when. But it sounded familiar.

Was he right? Do people really care more for power and revenge than for true love? Does love mean loneliness in the end?

But then again, Sahakawe's words kept on ringing in her head.

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

"I think you are wrong." Belle finally said with a strong voice but smiled sweetly at the young man in front of her. "Love is the most complicated but most powerful thing in the world. If you give your heart to someone special, you can achieve anything together."

Pan took on step away from Belle, his eyes flickering with a shining gleam.

"I hope you are right, Belle." he murmured.

"I should return to the camp." Belle finally stated after some moments of silence.

"Yes, we don't want the pirate to worry too much, do we?" Pan answered with a blank expression on his face.

"But before you go, I have something for you."

Suddenly alarmed, Belle took one step backwards and she eyed him suspiciously.

But Pan simply ignored her behavior and pulled out a white, crystal hand mirror from a small leather bag that was lying next to the fireplace.

"It's beautiful." Belle said admiringly when Pan showed it to her and reached out to touch the crystalline surface.

"And it's yours, if you'll have it." Pan replied, smiling innocently at her.

"Oh." Belle was finally able to take her eyes off the beautiful mirror. "No. I think… no, I don't like mirrors very much." She took one step away from the present and let her arm drop.

Pan furrowed his brow.

"A beautiful girl who doesn't like mirrors? That's rather hard to believe."

Belle simply shrugged her shoulders.

"But this is not a normal mirror. It's a magical one."

He gently stroked the rim of the precious object.

"Nobody is able to spy on you when you have it in hands. Not even the Evil Queen." he continued, giving her a knowing look.

"Then it's … it's just a normal mirror which blocks the view from magicians?" Belle asked in a tone of uncertainty.

"Oh no!" Pan answered, shaking his head vehemently. "It is so much more!"

He slowly came closer, eying the mirror with an almost loving expression on his face.

"This" he continued "can show you any person you want to see."

"Um … Thank you. But I don't think that I need it." Belle answered reluctantly.

Pan's lips twitched into a small smile and he narrowed his eyes.

"Are you sure? I can feel just how much you miss your True Love, Belle. This mirror could help you find him. You would be able to see him and locate him much easier."

The thought of seeing Rumpelstiltskin again let her heart jump.

Maybe she should take the present. After all, she didn't need to use it, but it could become helpful sometime.

But Belle was still quite suspicious. Peter Pan's whole behavior: it just didn't match her first impression of him, let alone the stories from her friends.

"Why would you possibly want me to have it?" Belle finally stated warily.

Peter Pan's smile didn't leave his face when he answered.

"Well I want you to find your True Love, sweetness. And if the mirror, in addition to that, might help to convince you of Henry's happiness in Neverland, I would be more than happy." the young man answered, winking mischievously at her.

"Thank you." she said with a small voice.

Belle slowly reached out her hand to grab the beautiful hand mirror. It felt smooth and surprisingly warm. Having a closer look at it, she noticed just how beautiful it actually was. It was richly ornamented with faceted glass beads and was gleaming splendidly in the shimmering moonlight. It completely took her breath away.

Pan's voice interrupted her admiration.

"Just think of the person you want to see and it will show it to you."

Before he turned away, another thought crossed her mind.

"Wait!" she suddenly exclaimed.

Pan cocked his head and stared at her, waiting for her question.

Belle pointed at the panpipes in his hand, suddenly remembering the actual reason why she had left the camp.

"The music you were playing … it was the reason why I came here. I …" she hesitated, not sure how much to tell Peter Pan about her dreams and the absurd attraction the music apparently had on her. "… I was wondering if I heard it once before?"

Pan's face turned into a mischievous smile.

"Yes." he answered with a dark voice, eyes gleaming with a hint of self-satisfaction. "Yes you did, Belle. Once upon a time."

Suddenly, Belle was shrouded by a cloud of green smoke. When her vision cleared, she was standing in the middle of her camp. Hook was still deeply asleep.

Belle tightened her grasp around the magical mirror.

The encounter with Peter Pan had confused her even more.

Who was he and why did he want to help her?

Was he really as dark as everyone had told her?

But most importantly: Had she already met him, a long time ago? Why didn't she remember?