Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues
Chapter 49 - The Enchanted Christmas, Part 1
Author's Note: Disney owns the rights to this franchise. Also, don't forget to leave a review!
And I apologize if I am not very descriptive in my stories... it's just the way that my writing style is.
It wasn't long until winter had made its return to the castle grounds.
But, for some reason, Belle could not understand why Adam had such a strong dislike towards the holiday known as Christmas.
After all, what possible reason could there be for Adam not to love Christmas, especially since he would be celebrating it with her this year?
Deck the halls
with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
So, now, sometime after the "thankful" dinner celebration, Belle had decided to start decorating the castle with Christmas decorations, and the first place to be decorated was going to be her library.
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
Don, we now our gay apparel
"Belle? What are you doing?" asked the young prince, who was now entering the room.
"Just some holiday decorating, is all," replied Belle, as she went over to the box of decorations that was on the table. "This box was really dusty when I found it... almost like it hadn't been touched in years."
However, Adam had a slight frown on his face as he replied, "That's because it wasn't... and we aren't going to celebrate Christmas, Belle."
The young woman froze in place after hearing her husband say those words, and looked at him with surprise. "What do you mean we're not?"
"Because we just aren't, Belle," replied Adam, who was now starting to show signs of irritation. "If decorating your library makes you happy, then I'm fine with that... but we are not going to celebrate Christmas."
He then walked away before Belle could say anything else, and she was now feeling confused.
As she continued to decorate the library, she asked herself, "How can he not be happy about Christmas?"
"Because he doesn't want to be reminded of the past, madame."
Belle turned around, and saw Cogsworth make his way into the room, along with Lumiere and Mrs. Potts
"So you've never once celebrated Christmas in this castle?"
To her relief, Mrs. Potts started to laugh, and the housekeeper said, "Oh, deary, of course we've celebrated Christmas in the castle... in fact, when the master was a child, he couldn't wait to open up presents on Christmas Day."
"Well, judging from the way he's been acting, something must have happened to change his views on it," pointed out Belle, but before Mrs. Potts could explain more, Cogsworth began to shake his head and arms.
"No, no, no, no... the Master ordered us to not speak about this, and unless he tells us otherwise, his rule of forbidding Christmas still stands."
Belle chuckled, and she shook her head, in disbelief. "That's ridiculous... no one can forbid Christmas."
"Well, the master does... and since this is his castle, after all, then his rules apply," said Cogsworth, while Lumiere rolled his eyes.
"Oh, mon ami, I am surprised at you," exclaimed the former candelabra. "This is just as much Belle's castle as it is the master's, and if she wants to celebrate Christmas, who are we to deny her of that opportunity?"
"But the master said-"
Mrs. Potts shook her head, and replied, "Oh, pish paush, he isn't that sort of person anymore... besides, I think it's a wonderful idea."
"Thank you," said a pleased Belle. "And I know just the person to talk to when it comes to this sort of thing."
As she walked out of the library, with Mrs. Potts and Lumiere walking after her, Cogsworth groaned, and shook his head. "Even as a human, I can't get them to listen to me... oh, well, perhaps she does have a point."
[The Gardens]
After saying good-bye to Raphael, Angelique continued her daily work on taking care of the beautiful white roses that Belle loved so much.
"No, no, no, this is too much snow," said the female servant, carefully removing some of the frosty substance while making sure to not damage the roses themselves. "Ah, that is much better!"
"Bonjour, Angelique!"
She turned around, and saw Lumiere making his way towards her, along with Belle, who smiled instantly once she saw her beloved roses.
"You're doing wonderful, as always, Angelique," said Belle, giving her a compliment. "But there's also another task that I have in mind for you."
"But, of course, madame," replied Angelique, nodding her head in a polite way. "What would you like me to do?"
Making a gesture towards the castle, Belle said, "I want you to help decorate it for Christmas."
"Which also means that you get to put the star on the top of the tree," added Lumiere, who was trying to be helpful. "It will be just like before when-"
Suddenly, Angelique's smile began to disappear, and to Belle's surprise, she shook her head. "No, no, no, no... you will not have me go through the disappointment again, Lumiere."
"But, it will be different this time," assured the former candelabra. "We have Belle with us, the master is a changed man, and-"
However, Angeligue was staying firm with her decision. "I will not let you get my hopes up again, Lumiere... and I apologize, madame, but why do you think my decorating will change anything?"
"Because I believe it will," replied Belle, who was being completely honest with her. "And you know this castle better than I do... so, please, will you help me get the castle ready for Christmas?"
Angelique continued to hesitate, but as she looked at the hope that was on Belle's face, the blonde-haired servant sighed, and muttered, "Oh... fine... I will help you, madame... but before we start any more decorating, we must first get the Christmas tree.'
[Adam's study]
As he continued to look over important letters and rolls of parchmant that his father had instructed him to look over, Adam couldn't help but think of Belle's expression after he had told her that they would not be having Christmas.
Part of him wanted to find her and apologize for what he said, but the other half was refusing to change his decision on the matter.
"Besides, that holiday has brought me nothing but pain and tragedy since my mother died... and like always, Father isn't around to even celebrate it.. not to mention that it just so happened to be Christmas Eve when I was cursed all those years ago."
Turning his head to look at the currently non-lit fireplace, a frowning Adam shook his head, and said, "I'm not changing my mind about this... Christmas is out of the question."
Meanwhile, Belle was helping out a few of the servants with bringing in the Christmas tree that they had gotten from the forest.
There is more to this time of year
Than sleigh bells and holly
Mistletoe and snow
Those things come and go
Much deeper than snow
Stronger than the strongest love we'll know
We'll ever know
"I still do not think this is a good idea, madame," said a concerned Angelique. "But if you believe it will work, then... I suppose there is no harm in trying."
Belle gave her a warm smile, and replied, "That's the spirit..."
As long as there's Christmas I truly believe
That hope is the greatest of the gifts we'll receive
As long as there's Christmas we'll all be just fine
A star shines above us
Lighting your
Way and mine
Soon, everyone else in the castle had decided to play their part in the Christmas decorating, except for Adam, of course, who had no idea what his wife was doing.
[Cogsworth]
Just as long as there's Christmas
There'll be Christmas pud
Tons of turkey...
[Mrs. Potts]
And cranberry sauce
And mince pies if we're good
[Lumiere]
Loads of logs on the fire
[The servants]
Lots of gifts on the tree
All wrapped up in red ribbons...
[Chip]
Wonder if there's one for me
[Cogsworth]
We're due for a party
Where on earth do we start?
[Fifi]
I may wear my tiara
You bought me in Monmartre
[Cogsworth]
All the silver will sparkle
[Mrs. Potts]
And the china will gleam
[Lumiere]
And we'll all be as shiny
As a brand-new centime
[Chip]
After dinner we'll play games
[Mrs. Potts]
Till the morning, right through
[Lumiere]
Then we'll meet in the garden
This is what we shall do
[Chip]
We will build us a snowman
That will reach to the sky
The tree had been taken to the ballroom, and Cadenza had happily agreed to help play his part in the holiday decorating.
[Belle]
It will stay up until July
[Belle/Chorus]
As long as there's Christmas I truly believe
That hope is the greatest of the gifts we'll receive
[Chorus]
As long as our guiding star shines above
[Belle]
As long as there's Christmas
We'll all be just fine
[Belle/Chorus]
There'll always be Christmas
[Belle]
So there always will be a time
When the world is filled with peace and warmth
"Ah, it looks beautiful, Angelique," said Lumiere. "And now, I think it is time for you to put the angel on top, no?"
The blonde-haired woman nodded her head, and she went over to the ornament box that contained the treetop decoration, but just as she found it, the ballroom doors were pushed open, and a familiar voice growled, "What... is going on here?"
"Oh, Adam, we were just-" Belle started to say, but then, she found herself unable to speak after seeing how upset he looked.
"I told you, Belle, that we are not celebrating Christmas!"
Putting the tree decoration back in the box, Angelique sighed, in sadness, and muttered, "I knew it would not change anything."