Chapter 28: Enchantress

She felt his approach. The Hunter's presence radiated a unique heat in the frosted night. Though he was silent in his steps, the Enchantress awaited his arrival with tranquil anticipation.

Gaston's large figure rounded the thick rooted trees. His steady feet maneuvered through the brush easily. He slowed his pace when she came into view but he did not pause in surprise. Gaston had sensed her as well.

The Enchantress stood in the clearing by the water. Her golden light glowed in the blackened forest and the Hunter stared at her as he advanced. He was deceptively silent. His powerful body strained against his clothes as though his muscles had swelled beyond their capacity to hold him. He looked almost feral as he stalked forward in the darkness.

"An honor, Hunter." The lovely woman whispered. Her smooth voice drifted through the silver branches and echoed slightly.

She felt his anger. She saw it move off his fur and leather-clad body in hazy waves. The Enchantress smiled and inclined her head in a gentle bow.

Gaston's eyes tightened at the gesture. When he was close enough for his voice to reach her, he spoke in a tone laced with controlled venom. It stabbed at the air like velvet steel.

"I don't doubt that."

The Enchantress ignored his words and looked out over the moon-tipped lake and the snow-topped peaks beyond it.

"A beautiful night for a walk. Are you enjoying the mountains, Hunter?"

As though to demonstrate her words, the sterling water began to ripple with half frozen waves and a soft shower of dew drizzled down from the trees. The wind blew cold mist into the clearing and it softly kissed their skin and hair.

The great man had finally come to a stop, not an arm's length away from the magical creature. If he wanted to, he could reach out a hand and brush her with his fingertips. He did not. Instead, the hunter simply stared at the golden woman in silence. His large dark eyes bore into hers and the forest grew quiet behind him.

"They have lost their appeal." Gaston sneered. The Enchantress watched him drop his heavy bag to the ground. His bow beat against the side of his hip and he straightened it with a shrug of the shoulder.

"That is unfortunate. Perhaps with time…" She waved dismissively.

His aura was turning orange and she marveled at his irritation. And he was irritated. And determined. The Hunter was practically pulsating with impatience. She let out a gentle sigh and turned her back on the obnoxious human. Then he touched her.

When he reached for her turning shoulder Mon Ange felt a slight shock. The action was surprising and unpleasant. Without a second thought, the Enchantress raised a hand and knocked the mighty brute back. She almost sent him to the icy ground.

She watched as he locked his body and absorbed the hit, not allowing himself to fall. His piercing eyes searched hers in unmasked fury. Then the Hunter dropped his head. His long dark hair twisted in the wind and he raised his gaze to hers. She was surprised to see contrition in his eyes.

"I shouldn't have done that." Gaston admitted through clenched teeth and in a voice that was strangely breathless.

The Enchantress did not respond. Her chin lifted slightly and she raised an indignant brow.

"Obviously." He finished with a self-mocking scoff, shaking his head and rubbing at his chest with a closed fist.

The Enchantress examined him. The hit had wounded his body slightly, but he would recover soon. The Hunter was resilient, strong, and not easily injured.

The perfect soldier.

That was the reason his image had come to her to all those nights ago, as she appealed to the essence of her people for help. His face, along with the Beast, the Savior, the Inventor, and the Smith, had all been revealed to her by the grace of The Enchanted.

His name was whispered in her ears on the wind. Gaston, the Hunter. She had been so sure.

And it was he that she dreamt about on her journey so often. His dreams filled her nights. His thoughts crept into her mind. His heartbreak into her heart. Gaston the Hunter, the wind breathed. Gaston the Hunter, it urged her.

After her first meeting with the boorish human, she had doubted her own visions. She doubted her power. But mostly she doubted the enormous, mulish man that stood before her. Could such a creature, so consumed with his own conceit, ever truly give of himself for the welfare of others? She did not believe it could be so. Her very spirit, her divinity, revolted at the thought.

But she trusted. She watched. She still watched.

"I would suggest, Hunter, that you do not attempt such a thing again." She advised, twisting her body away from him and running a slow palm down the length of her staff. She eyed him suspiciously for a moment.

Gaston gave a short nod and knelt to the ground to dig through his bag. The Enchantress watched as he pulled out a lambskin pouch and took a deep gulp of water. His eyes followed her. After he finished his drink, he swiped a hand across his mouth, dropped the empty container, and stood.

"We need to talk." He spoke after a moment. His voice had regained its strength. The Enchantress pulled together her lips in a tight bow and waited for him to continue.

The man swore under his breath and went on. "I know you cursed these woods. The men here were trapped by your magic." He practically spat. "What I don't know is why?"

The Enchantress said nothing but her eyes grew brighter.

Gaston ran an impatient hand through his hair and shook his head. "It doesn't make sense. Some of these people are weak. An old man. A child. Why? What damned reason do you have for locking them in this frozen hell for years?"

His anger was rising and his aura changed from orange to red. The Enchantress felt his heat grow and reach out to her. The grip on her metal staff tightened and she gave a small shake of her head. Her magnificent blonde curls swayed softly, reflecting the light in their shiny strands.

"Am I to believe that you care for such people?" She asked in obvious disbelief.

Gaston did not answer. His hands tightened on his arms and he rocked back on his weathered boots in silence.

"Why do you question me, Hunter?"

The man released his hands and gazed at her with an intense stare.

"I want you to end this." He answered slowly and moved toward her glorious light. A curious smile spread across his handsome face.

"And I'm willing to make you a deal."

A.N. All rights to Walt Disney

Hello, readers! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter from a new point of view! What are your thoughts on the interaction between Gaston and the Enchantress? Let me know and maybe we can go on a moonlit stroll.

I am so excited to welcome so many new readers to this story. Hello all, I can't wait to hear from you! I want to thank those of you who have written me, especially squishmich, VictoriaJameson, Amegwee, pinkdynamite, PeachMuffin, PastOneonta,Child of Dreams and my lovely guest reviewers! You are all everything that makes the world good and beautiful! As always, thank you for reading, reviewing, following and favoriting! -S.

P.S. I have had some Private Messagers that have wondered where the Gaston/Belle/Beast story is headed, and I can't say-that would be telling! But I will tell you that I have a definite plan! So never fear! They are in good hands. If you have any questions, please feel free to review or PM me. I love to hear your thoughts and critiques!