Bernadette Starting Over, Part 2 History and a Missing Star.
Bernadette would never call herself a nosy girl. A girl who likes to listen in on other people's conversations. But sometimes enhanced hearing can be a pain. While she wasn't in attendance for the memorial service choosing to stay behind. She wasn't spared from the news of Helena's appearance at the memorial service. The few servants employed by Ben's family can't help but talk behind their employers back. And they don't seem to consider a child maybe listening on them here and there.
"What exactly did you do to Helena?" Mal asked Belle and Beast.
"It's not important. We had a lot of responsibilities to fulfil and Helena was one of them," Beast answers.
"A powerful witch presumed dead showing up at memorial service for the children of the Isle. I'm guessing Helena was more than just a responsibility Dad," Ben said, he didn't want to come across as disrespectful it was just seeing Helena kind of freaked him out.
"Benjamin, forming Auradon and the Isle wasn't an easy task it took years. Many cases and problems we encountered Helena being a big one. We questioned every decision we made," Belle says.
"Can we please stop tiptoeing around the subject, please! You can't change what you did but you can be honest about it. I have a right to know about Helena especially, if my best friend has decided to take refuge with her," Mal snapped.
"There wasn't a day that went by when our power went unquestioned. Whether we were truly fit to rule. The Isle was originally planned to be a prison for the villains who weren't as dangerous as Maleficent, Grimhilde etc," Belle started to explain.
"What kind of villains?" Mal interrupted.
"Those less dangerous and still alive," Belle said.
"When we first brought up our plans for the Isle, the council suggested alterations," Beast added.
"Suggestions aren't always bad," Ben says.
"I'm guessing their 'suggestions' were more of an order," Mal assumes.
"They felt as if we were to punish one set of villains by imprisoning them on an isle. We had to do it to all villains even those who had perished previously," Belle tells Ben and Mal.
"Resurrection goes against the laws of nature itself. Books describe it as one of the worse ways to defile a person. It is said to corrupt both parties. The resurrect-or and the one resurrected," Ben responds, Mal briefly looked away from Ben and his parents. If Ben knew what she did to bring Bernadette back. He would surely hate her! She couldn't bear that.
"We didn't want to bring the dead villains back at first. We thought those dead were no longer a threat. But to the council death wasn't punishment it was an escape. Eventually, they offered an ultimatum we find the means to bring back those who perished and trap them on the Isle with the other villains. Or we forfeit our chance to reign and finish uniting the kingdoms," Beast explained shocking both Mal and Ben.
"Why would a council who are sworn to protect all want to raise the risk of danger by bringing back more dangerous villains?" Mal asks.
"While they were ahead of their time in somethings. They were very backward in other things. They didn't like our plans to abolish the death sentences but they would settle for that being taken away. If they could get their wish," Belle explains.
"It's twisted," Ben said.
"Helena was always a loose cannon to them as was anyone who possessed magic. Helena's relation with Rumpelstiltskin and later her marriage to Hades sealed their opinion on her. She became a threat in their eyes. Being the only person whose power could hurt Rumpelstiltskin and Hades being her husband didn't sit well with them. She needed to be controlled," Belle explained.
"Did you know, she was with child at a time?" Ben asked.
"No, we created the team and trap to capture Helena, they dealt with the rest, we knew if the council had their way. Our replacements would be their pets and things could have been a lot worse," Beast answers.
"Now, I understand why Hades has refused to help lift the Dark Magic, he hasn't gotten over what you did to his wife," Mal says.
"We're lucky, he hasn't done anything to make things worse," Beast replies.
"If we can patch things between Helena, you and the council. Hades might help us," Ben spoke up. Mal unintentionally scoffed.
"I don't know, how likely that is going to be. They did more than just imprison her. They ruined her reputation and she lost her chance to raise her child in a loving environment. How are we supposed to patch that up," Mal responded.
"Small steps release a statement about how she had no involvement in Rumpelstiltskin's crimes," Ben suggested.
"What do you see madam and sir?" Bernadette asked quietly, while they sit on a wooden bench outside on the ruined ground of the old school playing field.
"Stars," Dr Whale answered looking up briefly.
"Very beautiful stars not as beautiful as you though," Ruby added.
"I'll tell you what I can't see. I can't see my star in the sky," Bernadette said making Ruby and Dr Whale a little confused.
"Your star?" Ruby repeated.
"I know little of this world. But there is a story we were all told one that was passed through Rumpelstiltskin's slaves. When we are born in this world so is a star and we are bound together until death. When we die our star dies with us. Now, I'm back against the law of nature and I'm constantly reminded about it. My star is long gone. The dead don't have stars even the dead walking," Bernadette explained. Neither Ruby or Dr Whale knew how to respond. They never had to deal with something like this before. A resurrected girl who was abused up until death treated like a slave wasn't something they came across in everyday life.
"Not having your star up there isn't necessarily a bad thing," Ruby started making things up as she went along. She needed to say something to bring some comfort to the girl. Bernadette looks at Ruby with a frown.
"How so?" Bernadette asks.
"I don't have a star up there and neither does my husband, it makes us special that way," Ruby answers if she had a genie she knew instantly she would wish to make things easier for Bernadette.
"But you'll have stars in the place you came from. I appreciate it what you're saying. But I wish I never came back, I was forced to leave paradise a place where I was safe, happy and content. All I had to do was wait for Mal to join me there. Instead, I get brought back to this place. You don't rip someone out of a place where they feel at home in for the first time if you love them," Bernadette says.
"Mal didn't do it, sweetie. She had no part to play," Dr Whale replied both Ruby and Dr Whale unaware of Mal's involvement in Bernadette's resurrection. Bernadette looks at them confused but decides not to continue their conversation.
"I'm tired may, I be excused to go to sleep?" Bernadette requests.
"Okay, I can tuck you in if you like perhaps read you a story," Dr Whale offered like he did every night anything to bring Bernadette comfort some form of parental love and affection. She was deprived.
"No, thank you," Bernadette replied.
End of chapter.