As Elizabeth rode into the unknown where Phillip had guided her, she became anxious. This was not very far from Longbourn, yet she had never seen or even heard of this road. Suddenly she turned around as she heard the obnoxious noises of foxes. They came up behind her, continuing her on the present course, leading her to a grand estate. She passed a large gate, slamming it into place keeping the foxes out. There was a large handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground. Woods surrounded the house and a stream of natural importance dwelled into a greater lake. She only hoped those who lived there were as kind and understanding as the house was beautiful.

Once she reached the stables, she let Phillip rest and she ventured into the house. Eriness engulfed her. She was uncertain of her location, uncertain of those who may be inside, but for her father's sake she had to muster up courage within her.

Upon entering she found an ornate room and heard distant voices, but with her mind as focused as it was on saving her father she paid them no mind. Then came distant coughing. Believing it to be her father she followed it up a corridor and all the way up a tall tower. As she furthered up the tower, it became increasingly darker, she reached for a nearby candelabra, its light guiding her closer to her father.

What she found was not her strong, courageous, brilliant minded father, this was a tired, weak, aging man. He was locked behind a metal cell door into what appeared a stone cell. He had been taken prisoner. She noticed his cravat was gone from his neck and then realized that it was tied around his palm, there was blood seeping through the fabric. His hair was disheveled and clothes wrinkled. Dirt and grime covered his body and his swollen eyes gave her the illusion that he'd been crying. No doubt the experience of the last day placing a toll on his body. Once he saw her though, his face warmed. But his coughing did not cease.

"Papa! Who has put you in here? Who has done this?" She reached for his hands between the metal bars of the cell. They were as cold as ice. He winced at the touch on his injured hand.

"Elizabeth, I do not want you here. You must go before he finds you!" He coughed again.

"Who?" Her words echoed through the tower. Before he could answer the loud stomps of the master returned. Her question soon answered.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" His deep voice boomed.

"I've come for my father."

"Your father is a thief and a trespasser. Now he is my prisoner." He growled.

"He did not steal anything. My father is a good and honest man!"

"He stole a rose."

"I asked for the rose, please punish me and not him. He is sick and in need of medical attention from our home. I'll do anything. Please."

"There is nothing you can do now." He turned to walk away but her words halted him.

"Wait, take me in his stead. Please." Her words paining her, knowing what this would mean to her future, but it would secure her sister's lives.

"You would take his place?" His voice almost resembling empathy.

"No Elizabeth, I will not allow you to do this."

Aware of the decision which needed to be made, she addressed the master of the estate. "Step into the light." When he didn't, she brought the light closer to him. Revealing the tall monster. She gasped. She guessed that he possessed the beard and head of a buffalo, the mane of a lion, the brow of a gorilla, the tusks of a ferocious wild boar, the body of a bear and the legs and tail of a wolf. She had never seen these animals of course, but she had read about them and had seen detailed diagrams depicting their traits. He was great in stature, quite taller than any other being that she had ever witnessed. The only thing resembling a human in his form were his eyes. They were a soft carribean blue. They were what she expected the sea to appear like, had she ever been fortunate enough to see it. The expression in which his eyes held was stern, but at the same time gentle. The softness which they possessed balanced out the rest of the grotesque ruggedness that the rest of his countenance omitted. The "clothes" which he wore were tattered to shreds. They appeared to have been made for his body, but after years of use they looked no better than some worn down sheets.

"Lizzy, please leave and live your-" He was cut off.

"Do I have your word that you will stay here forever?" The beast's voice remained steady, not to give way to his anticipation.

"Yes." Falling to the ground, she threw her hands into her face. Lost to all despair, she looked to her father whose brows arched upwards as his eyes watered. He took deep breaths in an attempt to hold back his tears.

"Done." The master bellowed and opened the door to the cell. Mr. Bennet pulled his daughter into a warm embrace.

"I'm sorry papa, but you need to be with Mary, Kitty and Lydia. They cannot lose another parent. Tell them I love them all. You can all forget me, but you are needed to prevent Mr. Collins from taking Longbourn. Do not fall victim to your grief as you did after mama. Promise me you will remain attentive to the needs of your daughters." She paused, looked to the ground releasing a breath she had been holding and continued, "Please, please forgive me."

"If only you can forgive me for putting you in this position to begin with my dear daughter. We will never forget you Lizzy, I assure you. I promise to be an attentive father and landowner. And I will do everything in my power to get you out of here." His final promise a whisper in her ear.

"Goodbye papa, I love you. Please be safe."

"And I love you my dear Lizzy." They held onto each other, never wanting to let go. Holding on to that moment, until it abruptly ended. The beast grabbed Mr. Bennet pulling him away leaving Elizabeth in the now closed cell. A single tear escaped from her left eye falling all the way down to her chin. As he was dragged down the stairs, Mr. Bennet found himself in another coughing fit As he cried out through the pain which his body faced whilst being dragged downwards, he heard words from his daughter spoken towards the beast for his own safety.

"Please don't hurt him!" She cried. She watched as he was thrown into a carriage which headed off, as soon as it was out of sight she broke down into uncontrollable sobs. Stripped of her title as a gentlewoman, replaced by that of a prisoner. Stripped of her family and friends, replaced by a life of solitude. No longer would she be the light hearted, confident young woman she grew to become. She was determined to forever be a humble, silent prisoner.

In that moment Mr. Bennet carried the burden of a broken family. The grief which he experienced following his wife's death plagued him once more. He failed his daughters today all of them. Not only did Elizabeth lose her freedom and her family, but her sisters lost a brilliant sister. One who advised and consoled them. Her compassionate heart held no limits, the events of today were further proof of this. She sacrificed the rest of her life so her sisters would not be forced into the hedgerows or forced into a loveless marriage for convenience. That was the simple power of love.

He only hoped he could soon save her so she would not have to bear the weight of this life for eternity. She deserved to love and to be loved. She would be an excellent wife and mother one day.

Mr. Bennet was determined to allow that day to come to pass. She risked her life for him, now it was his turn to repay the favor.

Author's Note: Hey y'all so a lot of positive feedback from the last chapter. Keep it coming! Sorry this chapter is so short, but it just seemed like here was a good place to end the chapter. I just went in and made some changes to chapter 3, nothing huge or really noticeable at all... But they bothered me so they have been changed. Also certain readers noticed very specific details which will be important later. I will not say what those are, but I will say this. Just because you think you know something does not guarantee you know how everything is going to play out.

Next chapter we are going to return once more to some original French roots! Let's see who can guess what it is! Love you guys so much! Have an amazing day! Love yourself.

-Camille