Before the sun fully entered her cottage, Belle could tell it was 5AM. She was becoming increasingly better at reading the time according to the sun. She knew in a few minutes the bells on the church would chime and the world would awaken. It pleased Belle to be one of the few inhabitants awake in the Enchanted Forest. It was as if she had her own little alone time with the forest, just her and the trees.

"Good morning house." Belle chirped stretching out of bed to the wooden beams that held up her cottage. At times they truly were her only compony for weeks. Rumple would always poke fun of her when she forgot he was there, and the words ended up leaving her mouth before she realized he was.

It was day 3 since Rumple had left her to attend to his duties and she couldn't help but wake up feeling lonelier than usual.

Belle wondered what to do with her day as she opened up the window and let the morning air in. It smelled of honeydew and oak trees.

The shops wouldn't be open for another few hours, but Belle decided to draw a bath and wash up to start her day anyways. After her bath she tied her long brunette hair up with a yellow ribbon and then began to lace up her corset and fasten her petticoat.

Once Belle was fully dressed, she picked up a broom and was considering sweeping the creaky wooden floorboards when she heard a knock at her door. Confusion flooded her thoughts as she had not a single inkling who it could be. It was still early in the morning and besides her, she didn't know many people who awoke before the sun.

It only took her a few moments to gather herself and open the cottage door. Yet, as the door creaked open there was nothing but a note. The note wasn't even pinned to the door, this indicated the urgency and secretive nature that the note was left.

My dearest Belle, my wife. If you are reading this then it means my life is in grave peril.

Belle pulled her eyes out of the letter for a moment and immediately her hand reached for her heart as if it would fall out of her chest. Her knees buckled and she found herself falling to the ground in front of her cottage door.

I have been taken by a powerful warlock who promises me harm if I do not. I am at his mercy as he has sworn to inflict pain on those that I treasure the most. That is you my dearest Belle and any future offspring we may one day have. I humbly request your assistance. I need you wife. It is your turn to be courageous and brave and embark on a quest for my safety.

Belle wanted to hurl. She felt quite literally sick to her stomach. The letter trembled in her hands as she forced herself to keep composure over herself. She forced herself to continue reading the letter that made her feel sick.

On the back of this letter you will find a map to me. It won't be easy, but alas nothing in this life is my dear. It is only through a pedestrian's kindness that I was able to deliver this message to you.

A low groan escaped Belle's throat. There was a sob in the back of her chest that she wanted to release but simply couldn't. This was her worst nightmare. Rumple being hurt. Rumple being in trouble. She wanted to lay in her bed and sob. She wanted to wail until he came to her rescue as always, but alas that rescue was not coming. She was helpless. Yet, she must make herself helpful. She had to.

Belle wanted to run and wake Regina to tell her what had happened. But she knew Regina was probably busy entertaining Robin, or at least recovering from. Regina's flings traditionally flamed on for about seven days' time. She felt alone. Besides Regina and Rumple, Belle truly had no one. She was lonely. She had no idea who to consult.

Belle stood up and brushed off the dirt from her petticoat. She slammed the door to her cottage shut. She had to be the Light One's wife. That was her title. That was her only responsibility as a wife. To care for her husband. This was her duty.

"Toughen up Belle." She murmured to herself as she fastened the lock on her home. She was on a mission. She had to brave. She had to put on a strong face. She looked in her mirror and wiped the tears falling down her face. Toughen up. Her conscious demanded.

Be brave.

Be smart.

Be who he needs you to be.

Belle packed a knapsack that included the original letter from Rumple, a few maps of the Enchanted Forest, a potion of good health that he had made her in case of an emergency, a canteen full of fresh spring water and a few apples she had bought the day prior from the market. It was time for her to go, to venture onto her first journey ever alone.

By the time she reached the first town, Belle was dying of thirst already having finished her first canteen. Why did she initially have such faith in herself that she would succeed? She was dehydrated and in dire need to sit down. Her feet felt like they were blistering up due to the harsh rocky ground. Her body ached.

Therefore, when she saw the first tavern in sight, she practically jumped in. She needed water and a minute or two to relax.

"Two waters please." Belle said to the bar keep sliding into the booth nearest the entrance.

"Waters no good, I'll bring you a cupper of wine." The bartender announced retreating to grab another bottle from the back room.

Belle wanted to argue with the bar keep but instead she accepted the wine as it was possibly the only form of hydration for the next few towns. The tavern was fairly empty but then again it was still morning and the only people present in the tavern where probably there since nightfall and had simply not yet left.

Belle chugged her wine down as if she were a stray dog. She was quite literarily parched. Her throat felt bliss as the red liquid traveled down her.

"Another please." Belle announced waving down the bar keep.

He simply eyed her in surprise and obliged by her orders. She did not look like a lady who drank wine alone in a tavern. In fact, ladies rarely visited taverns alone.

Belle could feel the beady eyes on her as the other patrons of the tavern began to talk about the lady dressed in the finest linens sitting at the end of the tavern gulping down glasses of wine. She could've cared less. Or so she thought…but by the 3rd cup of wine she began to feel ashamed.

What would Rumple say if he knew she was slurping down cups of wine alone at a tavern.

"Do you really not have any water?" Belle asked the bar keep as he trailed on over to her ready to fill her the 4th glass of wine.

"We do, but I can't guarantee it's clean." He responded.

"Orlo, we both know the waters clean. Get the lady some water." A man's voice was heard approaching their booth behind the bar keep. Belle shifted her attention to whoever spoke and before she could say anything, she rolled her eyes and scolded herself silently.

"I told you our paths would meet someday; I just had no clue someday would be so soon."

"What are you doing here." Belle retorted harshly.

"Luv, I practically live here." Killian answered her looking over to what she presumed was his friends who were drunk and awfully lively in spirits.

"Are you in every tavern in the Enchanted Forest."

"Not every. But the good ones…yes." He smiled a toothy grin and it irked her to her core.

"I don't have times for scoundrels like you today. I'm quite busy." She said the latter portion of the sentence not wanting to admit any more information to him.

"So busy you decided to slosh down 3 cuppers of wine?"

"Yes." Belle admitted her situation looked badly. But she was so dehydrated, she simply had no other option.

"Your water madam." The bar keep brought her a cup of water along with a large canteen. "Free of charge, it's on the house." The bar keep now avoided her eyes and walked away from her looking stricken with terror.

"What on gods earth was that all about?" Belle questioned to herself and then brought the cup to her lips and drank the water.

"My guess is…he found out you were the Light One's wife and suddenly was filled with regret for offering you only wine to try to swindle you out of your money."

"I have money if that's what he was after." Belle admitted.

"Yes…he's bloody well aware of that. I'm guessing he just doesn't want trouble with your husband."

"He's not a thug you know," Belle stated angrily. She wasn't sure if she was angry because Killian assumed that he was feared or if because she feared for his safety while she sat in a bar drinking cups of wine.

"I never said he was." Killian said defending himself.

"I should go." Belle shoved the canteen in her knapsack and dropped a few coins on the table to thank the bar keep for his troubles.

She stood up and pushed through the threshold of the tavern attempting to leave.

"The sight of you chugging down cuppers of wine distracted me from asking you what you're even doing in this town." Killian said as he followed her through the tavern doors.

"None of your business is what it is." Belle replied walking away from him at a faster pace.

"I suspect something is troubling you?" Killian followed matching her same pace.

"It is YOU." Belle shouted about to completely lose it all. She was shaking from anger and at the same time filled with fear.

"All I wanted was to help, but I can clearly see where I'm not needed." With that said Killian turned his back to Belle and was ready to return to the bar.

"Wait." Belle sighed realizing she had been cruel for no good reason.

"I'm sorry." She declared as she saw him stop in his tracks.

He turned to face her with a blank expression.

"I'm not alright." Belle caved. She watched him fill with curiosity and pity.

"What is the matter." He asked returning to face her.

"My husbands been taken." She stated. "I don't know what to do other than use the map he sent me to find him. I'm nothing but a simple girl who can barely pack for a month's long journey. And now I'm the Light One's last hope." Belle was defeated. She finally spilled her inner sentiments to a complete stranger. She wanted to cry but the tears simply did not come.

"I'm in." Killian announced.

"What?" Belle replied dumbfounded.

"I meant I'll help you."

"I don't need help from someone of the likes of you." Belle practically hissed eying him with suspicion. "How could a drunkard that frequents a tavern ever help me?"

"Because I once in the Royal Navy. A lieutenant actually."

Belle stopped in her tracks unaware that Killian even had a past. She had barely even acknowledged him as a person and now she was learning he was once a high-ranking respected officer of the Navy. Perhaps he was more than met the eye. Guilt plagued her.

"Many people don't know that." He admitted studied her look of surprise.

"Then why tell me."

"I couldn't help but feel drawn to you, I think my purpose was to help you."

Once again Belle felt stuck. She had no answers. A book would never tell her how to react at such a time. She had to act out of instinct and oddly enough, her instinct trusted him. It always had in a way, but now it was crystal clear to her.

"It'll be dangerous." Belle decided in that moment to grant him admission into her quest. "He's been kidnapped by a powerful warlock and as his wife it is my duty to get him out of this."

"What's your strategy?" He asked as she handed him the map Rumple left her and eyed the short personal note. Killian couldn't explain why but something about the note was suspicious to him.

"My er-what?"

"Your strategy…please tell me you have one."

A hopeless smile infiltrated Belle's face. "Gods I really am useless aren't I." She balled her fists and for once in her life felt like screaming at the top of her lugs. She felt anger and rage and at the same time she hated herself for it. Why should she be going through any of these emotions when she's not the one in trouble. She's not the one who's life is in great peril. It is the man she vowed to care for the rest of her life. "I guess I really do need you help." Belle sighed silently passing the reigns of her quest over to Killian.

He didn't look upset as she had predicted instead, he seemed to understand her.

"First things first, let's get us some horses. Do you know how to ride?"

Belle nodded. Regina herself had taught Belle how to ride back when they were children. The two rode for hours until Belle's wedding day. After that Rumple felt she had much more womanly things to do. And so, she abided his wishes, as she would any of his wishes. She was sure he would understand that she was riding to save his life.

"How much money do you have?"

"Uh- money is of no issue. Even if what I'm carrying runs out, my husband has credit and free board in almost every inn." The facts that she was explaining to Killian brought her no joy. She felt awkward and inappropriate discussing her vast wealth to someone who possibly did not have similar resources.

"Ah splendid, as do I," Killian stated with a wink catching her once again by surprise. "Musicians never have to pay for a thing, it's a blessing and a curse." He elaborated satisfying her curiosity.

"Do you have any form of weapon?"

"No." She replied furrowing her brows. Would they really resort to violence? A battle hadn't even crossed her mind and now she was cursing herself for not learning how to wield a sword or a cross bow like Regina had.

"Ok, well good news is I am an excellent with a sword. Bad news is…I don't know if I could fight someone alone. I'll have to teach you whenever we rest. Is that alright with you?"

It wasn't alright with her. Belle was a pacifist. The thought of hurting someone made her cringe. She was a lover of all things living, how could she bring herself to ever wound someone.

You must. Belle thought to herself. She swallowed hard and nodded. Now was not the time to be squeamish.

"Alright well then, shall we get going?" Killian reached out to shake her hand and Belle hesitated but then reached her hand out to shake on his deal. Belle exhaled any fear she felt in that moment and suppressed it deep down within her.

Be brave.

Be smart.

Be who he needs you to be.