I realize that in this story, Lefou has rather been left aside in the dust and not quite as involved as I had him in Brother Dear. I will try hard to include more of him in here!
Okay, I'm going to be upfront here about one thing. I have decided not to pair Lefou and Lissa together in here, they will remain as adoptive siblings. As adorable as they would be together, I just can't really do it right with them as lovebirds. Sorry for those who were hoping, but I feel it's better this way. But please don't give up hope for this story! I know Gaston is going to be in jail for a while, but no worries, because I have so much more planned to pack into this story for later on, Lord wiling!
"When is supper?" Gaston whined, slouching in his armchair, gazing fondly up at his portrait from across the room.
"It's coming!" Lissa answered from the kitchen. "Just hold on for a few more minutes."
"Don't forget...it's Wednesday." Gaston reminded her, with a cocky edge in his voice.
"How could I forget?" Lissa rolled her eyes as she entered the small dining room, setting the table. Wednesday was always polish-Mr. Bossy's-precious-boots day. "Don't remind me."
Gaston let out an arrogant chuckle. "Aww, come now. You enjoy doing things for me and you know it." He squinted smugly.
"I do?" Lissa arched her eyebrows, very irritated by his boastful attitude.
"Well, why else would you play little homemaker while you're not married?" Gaston teased.
"So that when I get married I'll know what to do." Lissa said dryly. You wouldn't let me get away with slacking off. She thought.
Gaston squared his shoulders in that dumb I'm-cool-and-I-know-it position that made Lissa's skin crawl. And he wore that stupid duck lip face with that aren't-I-beautiful look. He crossed his legs on the ottoman with exaggeration, wiggling his feet. "My patience awaits." He said slowly.
"Not until after supper." Lissa shook her head.
"How can I think of food when the mere thought of Belle finally accepting me warms my heart?" Gaston sighed dramatically.
"Whatever." Lissa glared. "You can either have your supper good and hot or late and cold, but not both!" She exclaimed.
"A proper man such as myself has to look his best." Gaston stated.
"Fine. You'll be eating cold stew tonight then." Lissa muttered. Her big ignoramus brother seemed really bent on pushing her buttons this evening. Today he'd been bragging about his newest angle on how to get Belle to say yes to him, and this time he was sure it would work, hence his happy mood. Lissa grabbed her tools and tried to snatch his big, dirty, smelly boots off, but he deliberately pulled back. "Have it your way." Lissa huffed. She sat on the ottoman with his over-sized foot in her lap and groaned as she started scrubbing away at the caked dirt first. She wouldn't have minded doing this for him, if he wasn't turning it into such a drudge with his self-important, manipulative manner. She felt more like a servant than a sister when he acted like that. "Well, at least this will give me a chance to sit down." She sighed. She'd been on her feet a lot today.
"Harder." Gaston said. "I want to be able to see my face clearly when you're through."
"Yes, your majesty." Lissa grunted without looking up at him, bent over on her task. Gaston did pick up on her tone-for once- and her comment.
"What are you so glum about?" He asked nonchalantly.
"This could've waited till after supper." Lissa said, without giving him a real piece of her mind.
"Whoo, I never had this much trouble on the battlefield." Gaston stated. Lissa stared at him uncomfortably. Something about that tone gave her stomach flip-flops.
"What do you mean?" She asked. For some unexplained reason, she was dreading his answer.
"Oh, you should've seen it." Gaston said in that tone that always meant he was off on another war tale of his glory days. "Back in those days, the girls would do anything for me. They were practically begging me to sit down so they could soothe me."
"Uhh..." Lissa grunted.
"Ah, now Celeste. Celeste was the prettiest and the sweetest." Gaston gazed at the ceiling remembering.
"Who was Celeste?" Lissa asked.
"Oh, just one of the many ladies I knew during the war." Gaston shrugged. "She was the pick of the crop. Big green eyes, the reddest hair you've ever seen, and-whew!-did she have a figure like a..."
Lissa looked at him suspiciously. "Uhhh, pardon me!" She interrupted him. "I thought you had your eyes set on Belle?" She reminded him.
"But of course!" Gaston said quickly, as if he hadn't heard her. "Out of all the others, Celeste was my favorite..."
"Others? Others? What others?" Lissa sputtered, forgetting all about the polishing.
"Widows." Gaston said, as if she was supposed to know that already. "I met lots of them during the war. Poor unfortunate souls, losing their men. They just needed some company and I was starving to see something else besides manly uniforms. I guess I was just the medicine they needed, because they often invited me in right on sight!"
"Huh." Lissa said skeptically.
"I'd do a little errand for them and they'd be so appreciative they'd beg me to stay for supper. It was fun really, getting to know so many different girls. And Belle is still one of the best."
"I thought you said she was THE best." Lissa said coldly.
"Right." Gaston curled his smug lip. "But getting to really know so many different women is how I knew Belle is the one. And not two of them are alike. I dare say I probably still have a few outfits with their sweet perfume scented on it."
Lissa gasped in disgust and instantly rose to her feet. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Back down a bit." She said. "What did you say?"
"I said that I carry them with me whenever I wear..." Gaston rambled on, not the least bit phased.
"Stop!" Lissa hollered. "You WHAT?!" She gasped in horror.
"What's the matter with you?" Gaston shrugged casually.
"Do you realize what you just said?!"
"So? What of it?"
"What kind of man are you?" Lissa gazed at him in disbelief and utter shock. "You...you...you mean to tell me that you planned to marry Belle, when you knew all along that...that you've...you've slept with other women?!"
"What are you getting so hot off of the pan about?" Gaston cocked his head. Lissa's eyes bulged.
"You...you said that you wanted Belle! But you've wooed other women the way you try to do with her? And they fell for it? You got to know them?!" Lissa was deeply shocked to say the least. "Gaston, that's...that's...you've been committing adultery!" She shrieked. "Preying on grieving widows, other men's wives...some of them mothers even?!"
"Now, little sister. Calm down, just calm down." Gaston rolled his eyes. "Oh, adultery is such an unsavory word. You make me sound like a roach."
"What do you call it?"
"Having fun." Gaston smirked. "It wasn't adultery. Their husbands were dead." Lissa was so stunned, disappointed, and ticked off at her brother she almost couldn't see straight.
"YOU weren't married to them!" Lissa blurted out. "So it is adultery. Taking advantage of women in their grief...it's...it's wrong!"
"Who says?"
"Gaston! God does! The Bible says so." Lissa gasped.
"Oh, please." Gaston jeered. "Would you quit your whining and squawking? You sound just like Mother." Lissa furiously stomped her foot and got right down in his face.
"Good! And don't you talk about MY mother." She snarled. "This would break her heart. She'd be ashamed of you. Oh, Gaston, how could you do such a vulgar thing?"
"Lissa," Gaston grinned, "relax. It's not a big deal!"
"I'm ashamed of you. You are despicable!" Lissa hissed. Gaston just slouched in his seat and gave her his famous twisted smile. "I could slap you right now." Lissa said through clenched teeth. "But it probably wouldn't do any good!"
"Now, now..." Gaston tried to schmooze.
"I'm serious!" Lissa cried. "I...I..." She couldn't say another word. She bolted out the door and galloped her horse outside of the village, away from him!
"Whoo!" Gaston whistled as his angered sister slammed the door. He lounged back in his seat. "She is really testy today. I wonder if this is the kind of fun I have to look forward to after Belle and I are married."
"You shall not commit adultery." Exodus 20:14
"Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." Hebrews 13:4
"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28
Lissa rolled over and tumbled onto the floor out of the bed with a thud. "Ahh!" She yelped as she opened her eyes. It was light out. "Wait. Shouldn't it be night?" She asked herself. "Oh, that's right. I fell asleep." After Gaston had returned with the men from the hearing and told her what was going to happen, Belle suggested they both try to get a good rest from the rough night and morning they'd had. So they had both gone to their guest rooms for a nap.
Lissa sighed heavily, feeling dejected. Her raw emotions from her ugly but too real dream she'd just had were still burning in her mind. She could feel the old anger and shock at her brother's former audacity in his corrupt lifestyle. "No!" She moaned. "I thought those feelings were gone! I don't want them to come back!" Lissa told herself. She climbed back on the bed and lay there trying to untangle her mingled thoughts. The dream wasn't really a memory, that moment between them had never actually happened. But it had felt so true, and after all the things Gaston had done in the past and had been proud of, Lissa realized that it almost didn't matter if the issue discussed in her dream was real or not.
"I hate this." Lissa grumbled, turning on her side. "Gaston's not like that anymore! He...he isn't!" She tried to convince her herself, as the same old defensive mental wall felt like it was kicking in again. She still felt furious with him from his mindset in her dream. "I've got to calm down! I don't want him to see me like this. Ohhh...if only he could've at least considered this far ahead, when he acted that way before, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess!" She breathed deeply in and out like Lefou had so often told Gaston to, fighting to get calm. "Lord, please help me! I don't want to be feeling this way when Gaston and I head home. I don't want to be thinking of those things when I look at him."
There was a knock on the door. Not now! Go away, Lissa thought impatiently. She sighed heavily. "Who is it?"
"It's just me, Lissa." Belle replied. "May I come in for a minute?"
"I guess." Lissa rolled her eyes. Belle stepped in and closed the door behind her, especially after she saw the unhappy look on her friend's face.
"Is this a bad time?" Belle asked. Lissa shrugged.
"I just...had an unpleasant dream." She said. "I'm just trying to get rid of it. But I'll be all right."
"I'm sorry." Belle said. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No. No!" Lissa shook her head. "No, I don't." Belle nodded and came to the bed.
"There was something very important I felt I should tell you before you leave." She said.
"What is it?" Lissa looked at her curiously.
"Adam was telling me how things went at the hearing." Belle began. "He tried to keep them away, but some of the people from Villeneuve attended. They were still upset. Anyway, after the whole process was done, the judge met in his private chambers with Lefou, Papa, Dr. Tanner, and Pere Robert. They said that they all understood that Gaston had committed a terrible crime and needed consequences. But each of them put in a good word on Gaston's behalf, informing the judge of his new conduct and character and they all vouched for each other. At first, the judge was going to sentence Gaston to five years in prison, but after hearing their input, he lowered it to only two years. And that's when Adam stepped in and said he could stay here." Belle finished.
Lissa gazed at her thoughtfully. "You all are too kind." She smiled sadly. "I mean, really! You are! But I thank you for it. I hope someday I can repay you somehow."
"A prince and a princess's job is to take care of their people." Belle said, though she was still having a difficult time processing the idea of herself being labeled as a princess!
"Thank you for telling me." Lissa said, feeling a bit better.
Lefou rode back to the village with Gaston and Lissa. Lissa gave small talk about the upcoming wedding in just six days, and Lefou remarked about the servants at the castle and how friendly and funny they were. Gaston just mostly listened, letting them do the talking though the majority of the time he wasn't really listening at all. He was very spaced out, his mind elsewhere, and not making him feel very chipper either. All of them were uncomfortably silent when they reached that dreadful tree, the very one Gaston had tied Maurice to and abandoned him at that awful night. The air was thick with an eerie silence, and just the concept of remembering what had happened here made all three of them feel queasy, so they trotted quickly away, trying to get as far away from the tree as they could, though Gaston lingered back and gazed endlessly at it till it was out of sight behind his back. The memory gnawed mercilessly at him now.
The constables were perched at the Legume's home, by orders of Adam who'd given direct command the two siblings were not to be bothered. It was so weird in a disheartening way, to see the men in uniform guarding their house and having to keep an eye on them for safety reasons. Gaston felt more and more dejected as the guilt slinked around in his guts. None of this ever, ever would've had to be at all...if it hadn't been for him!
It was so awkward and sad as Gaston and Lissa packed up to prepare themselves for the next two years. They were leaving mostly everything at home, because be it all, it was still their home, just being lent to a good friend. Lissa was taking everything she would need plus what was very special to her that she wanted to have on hand. Gaston only packed for himself the barest necessities, not even sure how many of them he'd be allowed to use! But if he was granted permission, he wanted them nearby.
It was the night before they were to return to the castle. Lefou had spent part of the day with them then would return this evening for a while. Lissa slowly came down the stairs, trying not to think about tomorrow. What she saw when she entered the parlor stopped her in her tracks. Gaston was standing in front of the mantle, looking above it as usual. But there were tears in his eyes. Then she saw what he was staring at and she was dumbfounded. It wasn't Gaston's portrait that he was looking up at, it was their mother's! Lissa's heart lept. She didn't come in until he hung his head. He glanced in her direction but kept his eyes on his shoes. Lissa cocked her head. "You all right?" She asked.
"I don't know." Gaston shrugged. Lissa looked up at their mother's gentle face. The lady's soft countenance warmed her heart.
"When did you do this?" She asked again.
"I was thinking about it all day and finally retrieved it." Gaston replied, slightly regaining his composure.
"It's so good to see her in here again." Lissa said wistfully.
"Yes, it is!" Gaston agreed heartily. He rubbed her shoulder as they stood there silently for a few minutes, each soaking in the affection they'd missed from the kind woman.
"Thank you." Lissa said softly. "I really miss her."
"Ohh, so do I." Gaston agreed passionately.
"What...what did you do with...with your..." Lissa referred to his picture that had taken center stage above the mantle since his return from the war.
"Oh, that." Gaston huffed. "It's safe." Lissa arched her eyebrows.
"I don't want to cross paths with it on a stormy night." Lissa teased. "You can look scary sometimes."
"Me? Scary?" Gaston played along, feigning ignorance.
"Oh, yes!" Lissa nodded. "Those eyes...ooo! It's given me shudders before, I can tell you!"
"I know." Gaston smiled. "I'll do my best not to let it happen again."
"At least not to me." Lissa corrected him. "If you're out looking for bad guys? Well, then, yes it might come in handy." Gaston lightly chuckled. "Thank you, for bringing Mother back in here. This is where she belongs."
"Yes." Gaston nodded. "She certainly deserves it. It was the least I could do."
Lissa looked up at him sadly. "I'm sorry...that you didn't get to say goodbye to her." She whispered. Gaston's countenance fell quickly. He hadn't expected her to say that, but it surely made him feel sad and more wretched. She'd almost never expressed sympathy for that long regret of his, and now that she had, it reminded him too much of how he'd looked on her as the bad guy all these years for being able to bid their mother farewell.
"Thank you." Was all he could say. Lissa leaned on his arm.
"Mother would be proud of what you're doing now." She said.
"Do you really think so?" Gaston asked hopefully.
"I know so!" Lissa smiled.
"I pray it's true!" Gaston blurted out in a broken voice.
"Hey," Lissa sighed with concern at his sudden emotional outburst, "It's all right."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to sound so melodramatic. I'm, uh...I'm going to get some fresh air." Gaston said and headed for the back door. It was breezy on this July night and the soft wind through his sleeves actually gave him a bit of a chill. Gaston looked up at the night sky. It was cloudy tonight, which hardly exposed the stars. He was trying to savor this last night of freedom before tomorrow came. He still couldn't believe it: he was going to jail! He really was, for two years. In reality he knew that it wasn't really a very long time, but when it involves a major change in your lifestyle, two years sounds like forever. Gaston didn't pray. He didn't even speak to his mother. He just silently tried to take everything in.
When Gaston came back inside, Lissa was writing in her diary...again:
"Tomorrow things will be so different. It's so sad leaving home like this, but it's not as if we can't ever come back! And Lefou will be taking good care of it till we return home in a couple years. It's still so strange though, and sad. But the best thing to come out of all this is...I know it's still soon since my recovery, and people don't just automatically change overnight...but what makes all of this so worth it is, as far as I can see, I've got my brother back! The real him, but in a new way is here now. I still can't believe it. I pray for him every night, and for myself too, that this new Gaston will stay here forever!
Now that Mother's face lights up the room in here, I feel a peace and comfort in this cozy little parlor that I haven't felt in years. I hope Gaston knows it too, and I hope it will always be here!"
Lissa leaned her head back on the sofa and sighed with a content smile. "Writing again?" Gaston pretended to be annoyed.
"Oh, yes!" Lissa replied dramatically. "Why not?"
"Don't you ever grow tired of it?"
"Never!" Lissa shook her head adamantly.
"Well, if it makes you happy..." Gaston said in resignation.
"Almost always does." Lissa said casually. Gaston sat down beside her.
"Look, I...I'm sorry." He said.
"About what?" Lissa asked curiously. What is it this time? He had been apologizing a lot since she'd been sick.
"For reading your diary...without your permission." Gaston mumbled, not looking her in the eyes.
"Oh!" Lissa exclaimed. "That!"
"Yes, that. I'm sorry."
"At first, I was shocked and not happy about it," Lissa told him, "but now, now I'm actually glad you did."
"What?" Gaston's head shot up. "You're glad I read your innermost thoughts?"
"It's still hard to grasp," Lissa said, "but what happened when you read it?"
"I got sick." Gaston said lowly. "Well, not in the usual sense but it felt the same. It humbled me, very much so! It really hit me then how unkind I'd been to you. And not just you!"
"Well then, yes. I am glad you read it." Lissa mused. "If it was part of what was used to open your eyes and help you become a better man, then it was worth it! This time." She eyed him warningly.
"Naah!" Gaston growled and tugged on her hair. She laughed and gradually shoved his hand away. "Well, I am glad that you're not going to hold it against me."
"Only good came out of it." Lissa told him cheerfully. They were enjoying their sibling moments, but they were also trying to stay composed, both aware of what tomorrow would bring. It wouldn't really be so bad, surrounded by good people at the castle and they could visit with each other. But still the idea of Gaston being guilty and in the dungeon at all for a crime was still so unpleasant to think about, for both him and his sister.
Gaston reached over and placed his hand over hers. "We're going to be all right." He said reassuringly.
"Yes, I know." Lissa nodded, not looking at him. "I'm thankful."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Lefou! Come on in!" Gaston called. Lefou stepped inside and Jesse ran to greet him.
"Hey, boy!" Lefou smiled and pet his head. "Sorry, buddy. No treats for you this time."
"Your eye looks much better." Lissa remarked.
"It does? Oh, thanks." Lefou grinned sheepishly, instantly touching his slightly still purplish eye.
"It was a real beauty...once." Gaston teased.
"Yep. But it hurt. Why does beauty involve so much discomfort?"
"Natural beauty is painless." Lissa corrected him.
"I guess you're right." Lefou said. "This wasn't natural, and it did hurt!"
The three friends spent most of the rest of their visit reminiscing about old times. Gaston tried hard to not bring up his memories full of personal flaws, but they all got some good laughs out of a few of them. Even Gaston could laugh now at how stupid he was back then. "Of course, there was the cow." Lissa teased, glancing at Lefou. Gaston snorted. It was Lefou's turn to become red with embarrassment.
"Oh, please!" He held up his hands. "That was a complete accident!"
"You're an ex-soldier, Lefou." Lissa went on. "You're supposed to look and aim before pulling the trigger."
"You think I don't know that?" Lefou playfully retorted back.
"Well, this oughtta do wonders for your profile as a man, my friend." Gaston smirked.
"Not you too." Lefou pouted like a droopy puppy.
"Imagine, a woman giving you advice on the use of firearms!" Gaston pointed out.
"All right, all right!" Lefou gave up. Then he glanced with narrowed eyes at his pal. "You're a fine one to talk, considering that your constant rambles put you in the shoe leather business for a week!" Gaston froze.
"Oh, no you don't!" He held his hand up. "That was a complete accident!"
"That's what Lefou said too, but it doesn't change the results." Lissa grinned.
"No, no, no. We are not going to talk about that one." Gaston said.
"I remember it perfectly." Lefou flashed him a toothy, triumphant grin to which Gaston returned a glare.
"Oh, yeah. That is one war story I never get tired of hearing about!" Lissa chimed in.
"No, don't." Gaston moaned pitifully, covering his face.
"As I recall, you were on duty," Lefou recounted, "and decided to impress us all with what a magnificent soldier you were. Instead of remaining at your post, you go off on a tangent of doing forty push-ups non-stop, and snapping in two every rope and chain that was handed over to you. I was impressed, but..."
"Wasn't he also bragging about how he could lick any man in the world with both hands tied behind his back, including the colonel?" Lissa added.
"Completely unaware that the colonel was standing right behind him!" Lefou snickered, and Lissa laughed.
"How was I supposed to know he was standing there, watching me?" Gaston blurted out defensively. "He snuck up on me like a cat preying on mice." Lefou and Lissa both snickered skeptically. "Enough already." Gaston begged. "It was really embarrassing."
"It should've been." Lefou said. "But considering that you were one of his best soldiers, instead of thrashing you, he put you on duty to polish everyone's boots for a whole week."
"I would've liked to have seen that." Lissa smiled. "You know?" She eyed her brother. "You never did mention that in your letters."
"It was irrelevant." Gaston pursed his lips, frowning, sending the other two into a fit of giggles. Then he narrowed his eyes at them. "And what about the time that you burnt my special birthday cake to a crisp? Hmm?" He looked at Lissa. Her jaw dropped with embarrassment.
"Oh, no! No, please." She hid her face. "I didn't do it on purpose!"
"Ha." Gaston rolled his eyes skeptically. "You said it was going to be very, very special. And when I come home all I find is a very, very charred black lump of...something sitting on the table for me."
"Was that the special part you had in mind?" Lefou teased Lissa.
"I really could have, at that time!" Lissa pointed out. "But I honestly didn't. I was so busy enjoying my writing that I lost track of time, until the smoke started filling the house. But you came home too soon! I would've whipped up something else nice, but I didn't get a chance to."
"She did it to ruin my birthday." Gaston whispered to Lefou.
"I did not!" Lissa argued.
"Oh, you did so." Gaston crossed his arms in triumph.
"Did not."
"Did."
"I'm not going to waste my breath." Lissa sighed.
They talked and talked on into the night, but it all ended too soon. Gaston wasn't ready for bed, and Lissa had a hard time making herself do it. "Good-night." She said softly, heading to the stairs.
"Goodnight." Gaston whispered back.
They just sadly stared at each other for a couple minutes, then she slowly walked up but not without sneaking a last look at her brother as he sat in his armchair just staring at his mother. Lissa's eyes started to well up. "Thank You, Lord...for bringing him back." She whispered. She slowly climbed into bed, glancing around her packed up items. There was a mixture of sadness but peace in the house, peace that this was the right thing to do, but sadness for how it had to be done.
Gaston gazed endlessly at his mother's face. She wasn't here anymore, yet she was! Her legacy remained. Gaston looked up at her. "I broke my promise, Mother." He wept softly. "You were right about that. But with God as my witness, I will do my best to keep it...this time! I promise you that! I swear on my life that I will NOT become again the monster that I was, and may God strike me down if I do!"
Gaston quietly entered Lissa's room, and as expected, she was not asleep. "Do you mind?" He asked.
"No." She said softly. Gaston came to the bed and sat down. She had been writing again, as the journal was in her lap with her pen shaped piece of charcoal. Jesse was on the bed with her. Gaston rumpled his furry neck. "I'm sorry, Gaston." Lissa said quietly.
"You? Sorry for what?" Gaston furrowed his brows.
"I just realized that...I never thanked you...for saving my life, from the wolves." Lissa said sadly. Gaston smiled.
"You've had a lot on your mind." He told her.
"But, you did come for me and saved me, when I told you to stay away." Lissa explained. "I'm sorry that I said I didn't need you anymore. I feel so bad about that now."
"It's over." Gaston said. "And at the time, you were right. Can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"I...I want to be a better brother to you, Lissa." Gaston said seriously.
"You are." Lissa said encouragingly.
"But you don't understand what it's like, and how hard it is, not to be who I used to." Gaston explained. "It's not easy. Could you...at least pray for me?"
"That I can do." Lissa nodded, smiling. Gaston squeezed her hand.
"Thank you." He said. "I would greatly appreciate that." Lissa leaned forward and hugged him. He returned the embrace. Most of her hugs had been short and sweet or clingy for reassurance, but this one was different. It made him feel reassured that he wasn't alone. He kissed her face. "We need to get some sleep." He muttered. "We have quite a day ahead of us tomorrow."
"Yes." Lissa solemnly agreed. "Goodnight, Gaston."
"Goodnight." Gaston sighed and very slowly departed.
The sun rose too soon, and taking deep breaths the Legume's began their day. Belle was sending a wagon to pick up their things, mostly Lissa's, and Belle herself would arrive with it. Lissa sadly made her way to the kitchen to begin breakfast, their last breakfast together so to speak, for a while. But she found a platter of freshly baked muffins all ready for them! Her eyes widened and she picked up the note. It said:
"Do not worry about your brother. He is different now and it will be all right. And I will help Lefou take care of the house. Your mother was very generous to me when she was alive. I'm just returning the favor.
Agathe"
Lissa was overcome and brought the breakfast to the dining table. Gaston entered. He did not put on his vest and coat as usual, but wore only his white shirt and trousers. "Smells good." He said.
"It sure does. But I didn't make them! They were from a friend." Lissa said. They both sat down to eat but neither were very hungry. Jesse came to Gaston. The dog sensed that something heavy was going on. Gaston pet him affectionately, wondering when he'd have a chance to do it again.
"Would you like some help, bringing down your things?" Gaston offered.
"Would you?" Lissa asked.
"Of course." Gaston nodded eagerly and instantly rose to his feet, already going to her room. Lissa gulped, trying to stay composed for as long as possible. Her eyes fell on the untouched muffins. Snatching up Gaston's red bandana that he often carried with him, she stuffed as many of the muffins in it as she could. Although she knew Gaston would be treated decently at the castle, he was still a prisoner, and she wasn't sure when he would get his next meal. When she looked up, he was already tromping down the steps, hauling her trunk! He set it down near the front door with little complaints.
"How did you do that?" Lissa chuckled.
"Do what?" Gaston looked at her.
"You're not even straightening your back and groaning." Lissa remarked.
"Oh." Gaston grinned. "It's called hardiness." Lissa lightly giggled and joined him. Soon they had what all they needed down in the parlor. Jesse was sniffing the items curiously and looked forlorn.
"Oh, don't worry, Jess." Lissa told him. "You're coming too!" Then she turned to Gaston and handed him the bandana.
"What is this?" He asked curiously.
"Your breakfast. You might need it later." Lissa told him, her lip trembling.
"Thank you." Gaston smiled, tying it around his belt. He touched her shoulder. "Hey, it's all right."
"I...I know." Lissa nodded, fighting the threatening tears.
"It's for the best." Gaston stated.
"I know."
"It'll go fast, you'll see. Two years isn't really so long." Gaston said encouragingly, trying to convince himself more than her. "It'll be over before we know it."
"Mmm-hmm." Lissa bit her lip.
"Oh, come here." Gaston said, and pulled her into a hard brotherly hug.
"So much has happened in the passed two months." Lissa stated. "I'm glad we're getting this over with, and I know it will be better than a lot of people get, but...it's still not enjoyable."
"I know!" Gaston nodded. "It will be okay."
"Yes." They both looked up at their mother, her encouraging smile seeping right into them.
There was a light knock at the door. Lissa answered it. "Hello, Lefou." She tried to smile.
"Hi." Lefou greeted back, removing his hat and stepped inside. "Belle's here. It's just her right now and the footmen. Would you like some help loading the wagon?"
"Sure." Gaston said, grateful for his friend's support.
Lissa walked outside to Belle who hugged her. "I'm sorry it has to be this way." Belle said sympathetically.
"It's all right, really." Lissa said, trying to be brave.
Lefou, the footmen, and Gaston had the small wagon loaded and sealed in no time. Then they entered the house. They quietly stood in the parlor, all just pondering. All too soon, they heard the hoof beats of another wagon, which carried an air of dread with it. Lefou came between his two friends, his family really. "I'll take good care of the house, I promise." He said.
"We know that, Lefou. Thank you for everything." Lissa said.
"You've been a good friend." Gaston added.
"I'll come and see you guys. Okay?" Lefou told them.
"We're looking forward to it." Gaston remarked. Lefou stepped back to give them some space. He saw Adam outside leaning on his crutch. Gaston and Lissa knew the prince was out there. They sadly looked at each other. She gripped his wrist with both hands, like a child.
"You're not alone." She whispered.
"I know. Thank you." Gaston said wistfully. "It won't really be very long."
"Right." Lissa agreed, unable to keep back the tears this time. "You're doing the right thing. But I wish it didn't have to be like this." Gaston clasped her arms.
"Hey, it's going to be okay." He said soothingly. It was almost like saying goodbye again when he left for the army, different but a little the same. "I'll be very close by. We'll see each other a lot."
"Yes." Lissa feebly smiled. She leaned on him, her eyes shifting to her mother's picture.
"Shh. We're going to be fine." Gaston shushed her, while holding her. "When it's all over, we'll both know it was the right thing to do."
"Yes." Lissa nodded.
"It's all right." Gaston said bravely, rubbing her shoulder. Lissa held onto him tightly before slowly pulling back and feebly tried to smile.
"Thank you...for being my new brother." Lissa said. Gaston grimaced and kissed the top of her head.
"We need to go." He whispered. Lissa's face fell even more.
"When we return, Mother will be here waiting for us." Lissa said, tilting her head toward the portrait. Gaston gazed up at it.
"Yes. She will." He said. He gave her one last hard hug then slowly released her. He hung his head and nodded to Lefou. Lefou, disheartened, looked outside and nodded to Adam. Adam slowly hobbled toward the door and the two constables entered. "Ready." Gaston mumbled.
Adam cleared his throat. He had never done this before. "Captain Gaston," he began, "you are under arrest for the attempted murder of Monsieur Maurice. You have been sentenced to a period of two years by order of the court, in which you will remain as my royal prisoner in the dungeon. You will remain as a prisoner in your cell, until your sentence has been carried out. After that, you will be free to live your life again as a citizen, if you go straight and commit no more crimes. Do you understand the conditions I have explained?"
"Yes." Gaston nodded quietly. "Yes, I do." Adam nodded to the constables. They both came to Gaston and each of them grabbed one of his arms, pulling them behind his back. Lissa silently wept and Lefou unhappily touched her shoulder as they watched Gaston's hands be put into shackles behind him. He sighed sadly, but did not resist. He glanced at his small family and nodded subtly.
"Come with us." One of the officers said gruffly. Gaston quickly glanced back at his mother's picture as he was led out of the house, being escorted to the wagon.
I will keep my promise to you this time, He told her in his thoughts, no matter what.
Lissa then Lefou both came out of the house as the back of the dark prison wagon was opened and Gaston was put inside. The door closed and was sealed. Adam sighed and with some assistance, he climbed up to the driver's seat of the prison wagon, sitting next to the driver. Lissa walked toward it but stopped. Adam gave the signal and the horses began to trot away. Through the bars in the window of the wagon, Gaston gave his sister one last, sad but encouraging smile, as he was whisked away. In only a few moments, they were out of sight.
Lissa stood there, the tears slipping down her face. Lefou was also torn up as he stood next to her. He glared at the crowd of onlookers whom he'd just noticed. He knew they were curious, but he felt they should've had this moment alone. Belle came to Lissa and wrapped her arm around her. "I'm sorry." She said.
"It's all right, Belle." Lissa said confidently in a quaky voice. "Really, it is." She sniffled. Then Belle noticed everyone else, staring. She walked forward and spoke up.
"Everyone, please return to your places." She said clearly. "There's nothing to see here." Surprisingly, for once, they all heeded Belle's word. She was going to be the princess, after all. Then she turned back to her friends.
"Thanks, Belle." Lefou smiled gratefully.
"Lefou, would you like to accompany us to the castle?" Belle asked.
"Sure. I'll bring Magnifique along."
"Good." Belle approved.
Lissa was inside, she'd ran in there after seeing the crowd of neighbors. She knew they had done it in ignorance and fear, but after the way they'd so easily turned on Gaston to the point of trying to kill him, she didn't want to see them today of all days! She looked up at her mother. "You'd be proud of him if you were here." Lissa told her. Then, taking one last wistful look around, she went back outside.
Lefou had brought Brisa out to the lawn. She was already saddled and bridled. "Oh, thank you, Lefou." Lissa smiled.
"Sure." He said. "I'm going to come with you for the day."
"Thank you." Lissa smiled gratefully and they briefly shared a friendly hug. "Come on, Jesse!" She called. "Let's go, boy!" The big dog barked and with one flying leap, he hopped right up onto the wagon, sitting on the luggage. "Good boy." They all mounted up and departed.
The drive to the castle inside the incarceration wagon was the longest ride Gaston could ever remember, and the intimidating dark walls encasing him in didn't help to lift his spirits. Granted, he could look outside through the barred windows, for which he was grateful. He groaned and wept in deep shame as they passed the tree. It was a painful reminder of why he was sitting here locked in shackles to begin with. If only he had listened to his calloused conscience at the time! Thank God he was not the man he used to be! But what after he was released? How would he be? What would he do?
When they arrived at the castle, the door opened and Adam had two of his footmen help Gaston down out of the wagon. "Take him to the dungeon." Adam said glumly. Gaston was escorted inside the castle lobby, up the grand staircase, then up a dark and unwelcoming winding stair case that twisted more and more the further it went up into the tower. They passed a few empty cells, but finally stopped at one. Gaston gulped as he heard the heavy door being opened. He was led inside. To his surprise, they unlocked the shackles from around his wrists. He waved and stretched them in delicious freedom.
The two men stepped back and the cell door sealed with a loud CLANG! Gaston hung his head as his temporary fate was sealed and he heard the door being locked. He carefully scrutinized his surroundings: it was quite lonely, isolated, but surprisingly pretty spacious for a dungeon cell! In the corner was a pile of straw formed into a cot, and there was a plain blanket covering the top of it. Gaston raised his eyebrows. Did they have this lenient accommodation in every cell? He hadn't looked inside the others as they'd passed them. Well, at least he'd have a bed to sleep on with a blanket to keep warm, which was more than he could've expected! And though he'd feel like a caged animal before long, he actually had a lot of space to pace around and stretch his legs in. And, there was an unbarred long window that he could look outside from. He sighed heavily. For the time being, this was his home from now on.