Belle's form was wrapped in a cloth and sitting on an altar in the castle's chapel. Beast sat against the wall, still wearing his bloody clothing. His eyes were swollen, but held no more tears to shed. The mirror was in his lap. Lazily, he lifted it and mumbled, "Show me the enchantress."

Cold smooth glass only showed his new reflection.

"Show me the enchantress." He repeated.

Again, nothing happened. He stood, walking over to the body and laying a hand on it once again. Angry, he hurled the mirror into a wall it shattered.

"WHAT WAS THE POINT?!" He screamed.

Silence and sadness echoed through the walls of the castle. No one rejoiced. No one cheered. Instead they found themselves longing to turn back the clock. They'd live happily as they'd been just a week ago if they could.

"I told you," a voice said gently. "Living without the one you love... is the worst pain you can ever know."

Beast turned, wildly. The enchantress stood at Belle's head. The cloth was gone from her face, and she smoother her hair gently.

"Why?" He demanded. "I DID EVERYTHING YOU ASKED OF ME!"

She didn't move. It was a grief and anger she knew well. A tear silently fell for the young girl.

"I didn't do this, Prince. If I were to let someone die it would have been you, long ago. I'm not cruel."

"Then do it!" he shouted.

She looked up, "Kill you? Why? After all you've lived through. All you've learned."

He shook his head, "This isn't living."

Gently, she walked forward and touched his hand. He jerked away, "Please! Please, I'm tired. I'm so tired."

"Death is easy, prince." She shook her head. "What about those that stood by you? You're workers? Your kingdom?"

"Who could have led it better than her?" He ran his fingers through his hair, "She made people believe in a BEAST!"

"She made people believe in you. More importantly, she made you believed in yourself. Do you truly believe that was not worth it all?"

He shook his head, "It wasn't worth her life."

"A life like Belles comes along more often than we think; beautiful, impossible people that touch our lives. They do more in their short time than many do in 100 years."

"You've seen someone like Belle before?" He laughed gently for the first time. It seemed impossible.

"I've lived longer than your little mind can fathom, Prince. People are only so different. I can say that Belle was unique. In all my time I've only seen a handful like her."

"Do they all meet the same fate?"
Her eyes were sad. "Most do. Not always."

He sighed, "I can't do this without her. I've got a castle full of people wanting answers, wanting, comfort. I've got a kingdom desperately needing leadership, and I can't even leave this room."

"What would she tell you?"
He sighed. Deep down he knew exactly what she'd say.

"There's nothing to fear…"

"She'd want me to keep going." He choked.

"And you must."

Taking a deep breath, he kissed her forehead one last time before he left. The enchantress stayed behind. In all her wildest dreams, she never imagined the boy she'd changed so long ago would become this man. She'd seen so many in her time. Surprise was not an emotion she was accustomed to. She decided there needed to be more of it in the world. Less sadness.

"So many like you blink out without a chance." She whispered.

Slowly, she leaned down and kissed the beautiful girls cheek.

"Perhaps it's time one of you was given another."

Slowly color began to bloom back into Belle's cheeks and lips, and finally she sat forward with a gasp.