The forest was ethereal just like any other day. A rainbow shined majestically as the dew drops from the rain still lingered on the trees and the meadow grass. Belle sat by the village well just a few miles out and sought solace in nature. The smell of earth in her lungs always elevated her spirits.
It was a day just like any other. She smiled at the bunnies hopping around through the flowers in the meadow. She loved seeing their little bodies rise up above the grass and then fall back down burrowing in between the long strands of overgrown grass.
The sun was barely making its debut as the village seemed to stand still. Soft noises could be heard here and there as the villagers were slowly waking up and beginning their days work. In the distance she could see the bakers chimney beginning to release smoke of the morning loafs. A lute being tuned by the town musician could be heard in the distance.
As her eyes peered into the rays of sun barely blending with the sky the bell tower below in the village chimed. It was 6 AM, officially time for everyone to start their day and get moving. She figured it was an excellent time to head back to the village and mingle with everyone making their way through the beginning of the day.
Doors were being opened wide along with windows as everyone waved down to greet the beauty frolicking through town. Now the village was truly filled with noise. She waved and greeted everyone who met her eyes.
"Bonjour Mrs. Gold." A group of children beginning their journey to the schoolhouse chimed as they passed by her.
"Bonjour!" She waved with glee.
Every morning was just the same.
The town baker passed by her setting up his usual shop like clockwork. She could smell the delicious rolls from a mile away. Her nose led her straight to his cart as she examined the freshly baked goods.
"Morning!" She said with a smile.
"Good Morning Belle." He waved absent mindedly as he appeared to be taking inventory.
As the baker passed by carrying trays, she flipped a coin in his direction and grabbed the best-looking roll she saw and tucked it away in her dress front pocket. With a head nod he thanked her and watched her walk away.
She stopped and embraced the horses parked at the local stable. "How are you today." She cooed at the horses and caressed their manes. They neighed in response as from her purse she grabbed some carrots she always carried for the horses she encountered. Animals always put her in bright spirits.
"Good Morning Monsieur Jean" Belle waved walking away from the stables and now eyeing the gentlemen in front of her.
"Good Morning Belle" The gentlemen removed his hat giving her a gentle curtsey in respect.
"Have you lost something again?" She eyed him scurrying around strangely. Her face was wound up in a tight smile as she tried to help herself from laughter. Monsieur Jean lost something every single morning, and every single morning she tried not to giggle.
"Well, I believe I have" His eyes remained on the ground. "Problem is, I've—I can't remember what"
Belle simply nodded along.
"Oh well, I'm sure it'll come to me. Where are you off to?" Monsieur Jean shrugged.
"To return this book to the book shop," Belle held up her favorite book softly embracing it towards her chest, "It's about two lovers in fair Verona" She began with a dreamy look in her eye quickly forgetting who she was talking to.
"Sounds boring" He muttered dismissing her.
With a mocking head nod and a laugh, she was off skipping through the town heading towards the book shop she frequented.
"Mrs. Gold." A familiar voice peaked her attention.
"Regina." Belle turned and faced the woman.
Regina wore a humble loose-fitting blouse with equestrian pants and her black hair was swept up in a braided up do. Although she was a princess, she never failed to remain humble. She appeared as if she had just gotten back from riding. The two eyed each other for a minute or two in a stare down.
"Oh, come here you." Regina broke the stare down first and opened up her arms to embrace the petite brunette.
"Where have you been off to now" Belle hugged her best friend tightly.
"Oh, you know, a little here and there." The apples of her cheeks glowed as Regina's lips swept up into a wide smile.
The two had been best friends for as long as Belle could remember. Her memory was always foggy, and details didn't always appear so clear to her but the two had known each other since they were schoolgirls. They both came from nobility and married proper charming gentlemen. They were there for each other through it all.
"And David?" Belle asked scrunching her nose.
She knew she was poking a hornet's nest when she asked about Regina's husband, but she did it anyway. It was no secret her husband had a wondering eye and for that reason Regina often found solace in the woods riding horses until the day was practically over.
"Who cares, probably still throwing rocks at Snow White's castle trying to woo her." Regina rolled her eyes and waved her hand," I suppose we all can't be as in love with our husbands as you."
Belle felt gitty with glee anytime anyone mentioned her husband. She was in love and everyone knew it. If she could she would've shouted it from the rooftops, but she knew not everyone was so fortunate and it would not be fair and ladylike to brag. Especially not in the presence of such a near and dear friend.
"I suppose not," Belle said bringing her palm against her friends' arm in comfort. Regina placed her hand over Belle's and smiled. "Will you be staying in the cottage tonight, again?" Belle didn't intend for the again portion to sound judgmental, she would never judge her friend. Yet, by analyzing Regina's facial expression, she didn't love the use of that word.
"Yes again." Regina rolled her eyes.
"That's not how I meant it; I worry for you is all. It's not healthy to isolate yourself from the village, you're going to be their queen someday you know." Belle shook her head as a matter of fact.
"Oh, I know, but that big ol' palace isn't me. I prefer the woods and my horses."
"Well- be good. I'll stop by with some supper later." Belle pulled away from her dear friend.
"You're too good to me Belle." Regina said with a laugh as she waved towards the direction her friend walked away into.
Belle wanted to be sure she arrived at the bookshop at the perfect time and that it was freshly opened. She preferred being their first customer, it gave her time to talk to the librarian and get recommendations.
As the bell dinged alerting the librarian that there was a customer Belle already had a smile plastered on her face ready to great them.
"Hello beauty." Isaac greeted her with a strange grin of familiarity on his face.
Although Belle couldn't currently remember the face to the bookshop owner, she couldn't help but feel a sense as if the man she spoke to was not the one and the same one she knew. She shuddered the strange thought out of her system and silenced her thoughts.
"Monsieur." Belle's words trailed on as she searched for his name in her mind.
"Belle. It's me Isaac." His voice sounded familiar and she would've done anything to remember where she knew him from, but she truly couldn't. She shrugged and figured it must be her memory playing tricks on her once again.
"Sorry. I didn't recognize you at first." Belle shrugged and instantly remembered why she was even there in the first place.
"Where did you run off to this time?"
"Two cities in northern Italy, I had the most glorious time, I didn't want to come back. Have you got any new places to go?"
Isaac chuckled watching the brunette surveying around the library. "Not since yesterday." There was a sense of familiarity as he watched her. She felt a connection with him as she mumbled book titles and he stated a simple yes or no if she had already read the book.
"I'll take this one…" She pulled a book without even giving it much thought and instantly a chill ran up her spine. She turned the book over to read the cover.
"Moby Dick." Isaac's words turned into an even brighter smile. "Why you've read that twice now."
"I have?" Belle asked absent mindedly. "Oh yes, you're right I have. No matter this is the book that called to me." She admitted as she stared at the illustration on the sleeve. It was a beautiful wooden ship in the distance sailing on the ocean in the shape of a whale. It gave her nostalgia for something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
"If you like it all that much, it's yours." Isaac outstretched his hand watching her look at the book with wide eyes as if caught up in a dream.
Belle stayed silent for a minute still lost but instantly as if waking up falling, her eyes opened wide and looked at Isaac with an alert expression. "Sorry I don't know where I went there." She shuttered and let out a sweet laugh.
"What plans do you have for your day?" Isaac asked.
Belle raised a brow, "Nothing. Same as always. You know me." Her hands shifted as she stored the book in her knapsack around her waist. "Unless Rumple gets back from helping a nearby village with their little ogre problem." She added the latter with a roll of her eyes as it felt she had been saying that on repeat for the past few weeks.
"Oh well." Isaac dragged the conversation. "There's a new tavern that's just opened up in the center of the town square. I recommend it."
"Oh no- I don't indulge in such behavior. I'm simple that way."
"Oh Belle, you are far from simple" Isaac released a soft tsk concerned by her statement. He didn't like the way she spoke about herself and all he wanted was for her to remember just exactly who she was. "It's called the Rabbit Hole. Take a gal pal, it'll be fun." He seemed to really egg her on and she nodded unsure where he was getting this illusion of her from.
"I'll consider it." Belle stated as she stood and lingered by the door ready for goodbyes. "See you until the next time"
"Bon voyage Belle." He waved from his cashier stand as he began to prepare the store for the day.
Belle left with a strange sensation. She wanted to shrug it off, but she couldn't shake the sensation. It was eerie to her that she felt so connected with Isaac and he with her however she can't for the life of her remember his face. He didn't look familiar to her.
It was 5 hours later when Belle returned back to her and Rumple's humble cottage. It was a few miles away from any of the major markets, but she didn't mind the walk, plus it gave Rumple privacy when he was actually home. She had bought a variety of produce from the market that she figured she could use for that night's supper.
As she settled her bags down, she heard a faint knock on her door and the first thing she did was peak out the window. The moment her eyes focused in on a white horse with a beautifully groomed white mane her heart dropped. She knew exactly who it was.
"Rumple!" The brunette's blue eye's radiated love as she stared at the man at the door.
"My dear." His strong arms reached forward for her and brought her in for a loving embrace. She smelled of roses downright to her lovely brunette locks bundled in a messy braid.
"Let me make you supper my love." Belle said in a sing songy voice. She pulled Rumple up a chair and she quickly got busy in the kitchen.
Belle hummed as she chopped vegetables and tossed them into a pot over a simmering flame. Every now and then her husband tried to peak at what she was cooking, and she simply giggled and pushed him away. She poured him a glass of wine she had bought at the market a few months back and she insisted they each have a glass as they were celebrating.
"You spoil me rotten Belle." Rumple chuckled as she wouldn't even let him get up off his chair to help.
"It's all I can do since my husband works so hard fighting off ogres."
"It's nothing. I do that from the kindness of my heart." Rumple shrugged humble as ever.
"Your warrior supper is almost ready." Belle used a wooden ladle to dip into the stew and give it a taste. "Probably about another hour." She added as she eyed the sliced meats still looking slightly raw.
She always made a "warrior supper", when he returned from the latest village that he was helping. It fed them for days and Rumple always joked that they made him feel so strong to he could kill more ogres.
"There is no hurry." He stretched his arms and placed them behind his head.
As Belle began to drop some spices into the pot, a knock at the door startled her.
"Let me get that dearie." Rumple said standing up from his chair. His words gave her the same bone rattling chill from earlier. She felt as if he had never called her that before, yet it struck a familiar tune. Strange, she shook the sensation once again betraying her intuition.
"Thanks." She grinned with a closed smile. Her lips pressed together as she watched her husband tuck in his chair and head for the tiny green cottage door towards the entrance of their home.
She could hear from the distance some shouting and a cry of sorrow from the distance, but she didn't want to be nosy, so she continued stirring their supper. It wasn't strange that people from the village confided in Rumple and found solace and advise from him. Afterall, he was the Light One. Everyone knew that he had this good nature about him and an intuition for what was right. During those moments she did her best not to overhear and allowed people their privacy while serving them lunch or dinner.
"I've got bad news Belle." The words spoken were not a surprise as they were ones she was growing used to. She listened as he continued but she easily could've shut him out and known exactly what he said. "There's another village under attack and some of the villagers have been injured I must go heal them and fight for them."
"Oh Rumple, can you just stay for supper please. You haven't eaten anything all day."
"I'll pick up something at the inn before crossing the bridge exiting the villages threshold." He swatted his hand around as if he refused to hear her worrying about him in the slightest.
"It's just." Belle paused looking at him with worried and tired eyes. "You've only just gotten home from your last trip. It's been months since I've seen you, since I've felt you." Her hand reached out to him in a moment that she wished to be comforted but she was met with hesitation on his part.
"Now Belle that's quite selfish of you- a hero's work is never done" Rumple said in a bragging tone.
"You're right," she signed as he brought her close to him and pressed his lips to her forehead. With a simple wave and short goodbye, Rumple grabbed his knapsack and he was gone out the door. "You're always right." Belle mumbled and stared at the door in silence.
From the distance she could hear the horses trotting fading into silence. Belle sat down and for a second or two let herself feel sorry for herself. Then after wiping her tears away she stood and nodded, she wouldn't have any of it. After all she was being selfish. he was a hero and if he spent any more time with her then people's lives could be in jeopardy, she knew what she got into when she married him – none of it was Rumple's fault. She knew being married to the Light One meant she had to share her husband with all of the realms, but she never knew how lonely it would get.
Once Belle was done putting away the enormous feast in their cellar after prepping it for storage, she eyed her nightgown and considering slipping it on. The day was still young, and it was far too early for bedtime, but Belle felt an aching sadness within her that begged her to lay in bed until sleep took her away.
"Regina!" Belle said covering her mouth with a shock, she had completely forgotten to take her best friend some food like she always had. Within seconds she shook off the sadness that lingered her body and packed up some food to take to her friend who often forgot to feed herself.
Belle walked swiftly and only stopping every now and then to chat out of politeness. Regina's cottage was extremely isolated from the rest of the village and this was of Regina's own volition. Regina always stated it was for her horses, but Belle knew that the raven-haired princess preferred the silence and solitude.
From a distance Belle could see Regina combing through her horse's mane. In a moment she thought no one was looking Regina was laughing and talking to her horses as if they would respond back. It always brought a light to Belle's heart to see her that way. Regina's life had always been difficult, as far as Belle could remember, and truly the only happiness she had was in the company of her horses and her best friend.
"Hello stranger!" Regina called out as soon as she spotted the beauty standing by her front door.
"You hungry?" Belle called holding up the packed lunch.
"Aren't I always." Regina grinned and tied up her horse before heading over to greet Belle and let her in her cottage.
Regina's cottage was far more luxurious and modern than Belle's. She put a lot of work into it, as Regina was sharp with her hands. It was another one of her many hobbies.
"Wine?" Regina offered holding up her bottle. "I made it myself." She walked towards the table as Belle finished setting up their plates.
"Maybe just a glass." Belle chimed as she watching Regina pour the red liquid into a golden goblet. Regina's brows raised in shock, but she decided not to question anything.
"Rumple came home today." Belle stated generated a soft ah from Regina. "Briefly. He got pulled away to help in the ogre war again." Belle picked around her plate and put some food in her mouth.
"War? As far as I know the war is over, there are just a few remnants of them walking through the villages trying to go home."
"I know. My thoughts exactly." Belle shrugged. "I feel so guilty for having these thoughts, but I miss him you know."
"I can't say I understand how you feel, as I feel the opposite towards my husband." Regina's comment stirred a laugh in Belle that she didn't think she was capable of. "But it makes sense Belle, you married him to be together not separate." Regina's hand cupped into Belle's as she smiled giving the brunette some reassurance of how she was feeling.
"Oh- I'm just being selfish now." Belle plastered a fake smile on her face that Regina could easily spot.
"No. We're not doing this." Regina said in a scold. "Let's go out. Have some fun." Regina looked like her mind was already made up as Belle began to nod.
"Oh, I don't know, I'm not dressed appropriately. Besides where would we even go?" Belle looked down at her soft blue gown.
"Pish posh you look great." Regina waved her hand in the air eyeing her best friend. She wasn't taking no for an answer. "We'll go to a tavern, any tavern."
"Now that you mention it, the bookshop clerk today recommended a tavern to me. He said it was called the Rabbit Hole."
The two girls bickered back and forth until finally Regina put some ruby red lip paint on her and told Belle she looked lovely. Belle was very much hesitant, but she could tell Regina was quite eager to have a night out that she simply gave up refusing and coming up with excuses.
Belle thought back to what Isaac said and how he said take a gal pal, it was strange how his words seemed to convert into a reality. But once again like many times throughout the day, she shook away any strange feelings her intuition was sensing.
The bar looked sharp. It was definitely more modern than any of the other taverns in town. Beautifully set up candle lanterns hung from nails all over the space, giving the tavern a majestic appeal. A music duo consisting of a piano player, and a violist sat in a dimply lit corner with their instrument case open for people to toss spare change in. It almost felt like they were stepping foot into a whole new realm.
Belle could feel her eyes widen as she saw a man step on the stage and began to hum a slow tune. The man had raven hair almost as black and sinister looking as Regina's. His eyes were as green as the lagoons in Fortunate Isles. They were low and the lanterns didn't illuminate him properly but even from a distance Belle could tell his eyes were beautiful. As she continued to study the man, he began to snap his fingers and not long after the crowd immediately responded and began to snap in unison.
"I am good, I am grounded." The raven-haired singer began as the violin softened to allow his melodic voice to take center stage. "Davy says that I look taller." A cheer from a man assumed to be Davy shouted in the distance with laughter muttering an incoherent drunken comment.
The crowd was glued to him as if they were in a trance. There were ladies she recognized from the village eying him up and down as if he was up on the market for sale. People swayed back and forth to the rhythm and Belle couldn't help but fall into the same trance. She smiled watching so many people enjoying music and each other's company so well.
"I can't get my head around it. I keep feeling smaller and smaller." There was a strong sense of emotion behind the singer's voice that everyone in the room felt entranced. It was like a lullaby.
"I need my girl." The singer breathed and looked up and scanned the crowd as he took a heavy breath. "I need my girl." The singer's eyes shifted again towards the floor of the stage as he exposed so much raw emotion with his words.
"Belle." Regina squeezed her arm and tugged her backwards slipping her out of her trance. "I've been trying to get your attention, I ordered us some ale." She spoke in a whisper.
"Sorry, it's just…the singer he's so good. I've never heard anyone sing like that." Belle said as Regina neared them closer to the bar.
"Ah that's Killian for you." A man behind the wooden bar spoke as he placed two cups of ale in front of them. Regina smiled at the man as if they knew each other. "He's a charmer."
"Oh- Belle this is Robin. We just met, apparently him and Killian own this bar together." Regina's eyes locked in with Robin's. He was clearly very attractive, but very different than any man Regina had ever set her eyes on. He had light golden-brown hair and deep blue eyes although his skin was fair it was paired with a working man's tan.
"Hi Robin. Nice to meet you." Belle smiled shaking his hand. As the two briefly touched a shock ran through Belle and she quickly recoiled. Strange, she thought.
"Belle. I've heard so much about you." Robin began.
"You have?" Belle quickly interrupted confused.
"Yes. Your friend here Regina has told me so much about you. You two are quite a chummy pair of friends, aren't you'?" Belle one eyed Regina and was suddenly curious about what she had confided to this stranger.
"She's more like a sister to me." Regina squeezed Belle's hand as she held her ale in another. Belle realized she was being quite uptight and decided to give in to Regina's wild whims and relax.
"To sisterhood." Belle grabbed her cup and brought her ale cup to touch with Regina in cheers. They both drank their cups down and made twisted expressions when they finished it.
"That was disgusting Robin do you have any wine." Regina practically gagged holding down the taste of ale in her mouth as Belle giggled. How could she ever forget how high maintenance her friend was, it always made her giggle.
"Why you're quite the queen aren't you." Robin teased but from a distance Belle could see the blood rush to Regina's head. She wasn't too fond of the Q and P word and she preferred no one called her them. Every now and then Belle teased her with them but other than that she hated the formalities. "I'm only joking, I'll get you some wine from our cellar. I'll be back shortly, don't go anywhere." Robin laughed and pointed at the two of them as he disappeared to a space under the wooden planks via a ladder.
"Well that was frightful." Regina admitted as they watched him fully fade away.
"I'll never understand why you don't tell anyone. They all find out eventually." Belle shrugged looking at Regina giving her a death stare.
"Because then they look at me different and don't judge me for me. I didn't ask for this life." Regina groaned pleading for Belle to understand.
"I know you didn't." Belle stared into the distance and caught the last few lines of the song. Her eyes continued studying the singers at a distance and just as he was getting ready to bow for a crowd that was desperately cheering for an encore, their eyes met. Out of fear of being caught Belle's eyes immediately darted back to her best friends. She didn't dare look back in case he was still staring at her and now in turn studying her.
Regina's eyes lingered towards the stairs the bartender disappeared through.
"He's cute." Belle nudges Regina with her shoulder and smiles.
"Who the singer or the bartender." Regina stiffened a laugh knowing fully well what Belle meant.
"Regina!" Belle's eyes widened. "I obviously meant for you. The bartender." Belle's cheeks felt hot and red as even the thought of calling someone attractive aloud other than her husband made her head spin.
Before Regina could tease Belle, footsteps coming from the stairs were heard indicating Robin's return. "Ok I'm back, I made this bottle myself actually." Robin looked at the green glass bottle in admiration. Clearly, he was proud of his own creation.
"Oh really? I make my own wine as well." Regina smiled.
"Ah then I must try it someday." Robin said uncorking the bottle in his hands. The two never took their eyes off one another.
"Are we celebrating something?" A man behind Belle spoke. She could feel him close enough that if she even took one step back, they'd clash into one another. "Pour me one too Locksley."
"Are you done singing mate? If ya' are I could use your help back here in the bar." Robin laughed eying his friend all clad in leather.
"Nah, I think you're doing just fine." Killian nodded reaching for the cup of wine. Robin shrugged and handed him one anyways. By their body language and humor with one another, Belle inferred the two were quite close friends.
"So, you're the lovely dame that kept eyeballing me." Killian finally addressed Belle directly as he leaned closer to the bar and placed himself in front of her. Robin simply looked at his friend and laughed as if he was used to his behavior.
"Yes, lovely but married." Regina stated bluntly as she gave Killian deadly eyes.
"She's right… but thank you." Belle smiled holding her cup with wine. Regina rolled her eyes and as she took a sip of the red wine, she released a soft mmmm sound to vocalize her appreciation for the elixir.
Robin instantly felt relieved that she enjoyed the wine and the two proceeded to converse about the joys of wine making as Belle simply listened in.
"Ah wait I know you! You're that Light One's wife." Killian once again inserted himself in her general direction. He eyed her up and down as if he had just discovered the missing piece of a puzzle.
She nodded unsure of how else to reply.
"My that bloke sure is a lucky fella"
"Lucky? He works hard for everything he has. it's not luck. He deserves his happiness" Belle rebutted eying the drunkard with displeasure. His mouth slightly dropped at the sight of her clearly upset, it was to say the least not his intention.
"I meant to be married as someone as beautiful as you." His voice was almost in a soothing purr attempting to calm her.
"Oh" Belle blushed fiddling with her fingers after settling her cup of wine.
"How young are you?" Killian asked without an iota of shame.
"22." Belle for whatever reason felt compelled to respond. "But that's none of your business." She quipped back the second the words left her mouth.
"That's awfully young if you ask me." Killian said.
"Yeah, well no one asked you." Belle sneered turning her back to the rugged man.
He scoffed and the interaction left a trace of a grin on his face.
Amidst the conversation between Belle, Regina and Robin, time seemed to escape all of them. Even Robin who owned the bar that should've been closed hours ago. He kicked himself for not paying better attention as the sheriff would give him a ticket for just about anything these days. The man hated Robin with a passion.
"We should get going now." Belle linked her hand with Regina's. "It was so grand meeting you Robin; I hope our paths cross again sometime."
Regina awkwardly nudged Belle as if attempting to speak through telepathy.
"Oh" Belle said suddenly upon realization. Regina wanted to be alone with Robin. "Then it is just I who should be excusing myself then. Very well."
Robin and Regina said farewell to Belle with an equally sly grin on each of their faces. It was as if both of them were in on a secret that Belle was not privy to.
Belle wanted to roll her eyes and scold Regina, but she knew she would have better luck speaking to a stone wall. Regina always did what Regina wanted; it was her very nature. But she couldn't blame her, one bit.
As she passed the threshold of the bar and stepped on the dirt road ready to voyage home, she studied all the drunkards laughing and taking turns to see who could piss the furthest. It was a crude sight that almost made Belle shutter. Growing up in privilege never exposed to her the crudeness of everyday mundane men.
How lucky was she that the first eligible bachelor she met was Rumple? He was the first and only man she ever would need.
"Did no one ever tell you a lady should never walk home alone at these hours?" Killian called out to her as he quickened his pace to reach her.
"No." Belle admitted exposing her innocence. "I have never been out this late."
"Let me walk you."
"No. I'd rather take my chances." Belle sped up her walking as she began to worry what her neighbors would say about her. Getting home so late, escorted by a man they had never seen before. A regular patron of a bar at that. A drunkard.
"I much rather you didn't."
"Well I don't give a damn what you'd rather." Belle scoffed as Killian continued to walk behind her trying to keep up with her pace.
"So, the lady does have a bite to her after all."
Regina would hear an earful tomorrow about leaving her alone to walk home. Belle already knew that Regina would giggle and say Belle worried to much what people thought, but how could she not? She was the Light One's wife, he stood for everything that was good and pure. She had to be his perfect match.
"My home is only a few blocks down." Belle stopped in her tracks remembering she had a duty to be kind even to the vilest of people. "I'm being honest, I much rather you not know where I live. I don't know you well enough and frankly I don't want to." Her words sounded like a plead.
Killian got the hint. He was genuinely worried about her but judging by her behavior she would know how to act if a random drunkard ever approached her trying to get handsy. She had spunk and a spark that was rare, it fascinated Killian.
"I hope our paths meet again one day."
"I hope not." Belle turned her back to Killian and only as she walked away from his sight, she released a soft smile. She had to admit he was handsome and persistent and frankly quite charming, but he was…. just an average man.
Her home was icy cold as she had let the sparks from the fire burn out before she left her home that night. She rushed to set some logs on the pit as she ignited the flames. Belle sat watching the fire and listening to it crack the wood. It was a relaxing noise. Not long after she found herself drifting off into sleep on the very wooden chair that she watched the fire on.