by D.K. Archer
Based off the Fairy Tale
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Chapter 3
The bird was staring at her. It's eyes, wide spheres of a startling color, marked with a deep covered abyss, looking out from among the dripping candles and twisted metal that rose from the center of the table. This bird, whatever it was, had led her into the house and to this room. More food was laid out than any one person could possibly eat. Beauty was to frightened to even try to do so, but this trained bird perched in the candelabra gave her the distinct impression she didn't have a choice. When she stood to move from the room the bird squawked and put it's wings out in a most threatening manner. Beauty feared the thing would set itself on fire among all those candles when it spread it's wings, and so was obliged to stay. She sipped nervously at a goblet of cold white wine but couldn't force herself to touch the meal.
After what felt like an impossible amount of time had passed she found herself quite bored. Her fear had dimmed when she realized nothing was going to happen immediately, and slowly disappeared with such passage of time. She acknowledged that she was hungry, having not eaten before stealing away from her cottage, and gingerly picked up some bread that was, oddly enough, still warm. Beauty pulled a small piece off and set it on her tongue. It was not, as she had expected, heavy and thick as what she made was. It was light, well milled, and delicious. She saw what looked oddly like approval on the face of the bird, though it gave no expression, only looked calmly back at her from among the candle flames.
Only when she had eaten her fill did the door to the room swing open behind her. It was not the door she had entered by. The girl cautiously crept out into the passage, the wax drooling gargoyles staring at her with rounded stone eyes as she passed. In nervous habit she raised her hand to her collar, fingers brushing over the greyish material she'd sewn only two months ago into this dress. Her light footsteps echoed loudly against the stones. For a moment, she froze, listening hard. Despite the hard sound the footsteps stopped also, reassuring her they were hers. She gave a quick nervous sigh and hurried along the passage.
What would happen now? She wasn't even quite sure where she was going, much less what would happen once she got there. A dry caw jolted her and she spun to stare at another bird....no, it was the same one. How had she not seen it follow? It perched on the broad nostrils of a growling stone creature that stood upon a door frame. The door itself had many hard scratches and dents in it. It unlatched of it's own will and Beauty placed a nervous hand on it, pushing lightly, and it swung open for her. Her other hand flew to her mouth in a silent gasp.
This room, though obviously once intended for human occupation, had been turned into the very essence of an animal den. The oaken wardrobe was toppled and ripped open at the back, displaying a tangled mess of animal remains. All cloth in the room had been knotted up on the bed, even wall hangings and curtains, to form a great nest, in the middle of which was a softly snoring animal who's matted tail twitched ever so slightly in a dream.
Beauty stepped back from the door, horror evident on her face. The bird swooped past her into the room and suddenly faltered in flight, barely landing on the edge of the bed. It's jaw dropped in a mimicry of horror and it proceeded to jump onto the beast's shoulders and pound sharply on it's forehead, heavy beak drawing flecks of blood. The animal snorted and jumped, paws swinging to it's head, barely missing the bird. No, not paws. They sported two opposable thumbs, making them quite decidedly hands. It's black eyes opened among the tangle of it's mane and it's lips pulled back in a menacing growl. Beauty gave a strangled gasp of fear.
The beast startled again at the sound, and she realized the growl had not been directed at her. It's black eyes fell upon her, staring in positive horror from the doorway, pale hand about her throat. The growl died in it's throat and it's eyes widened, jaw slowly dropping, revealing more then plentiful sharp pointed fangs. The bird flapped it's wings angrily but the beast payed no heed. In frustration the bird hopped into his mane and began to bite quite violently at the half hidden ears.
Beauty forced herself to turn and run, the sounds of flapping wings, struggle, and shouting that sounded disturbingly human echoing behind her. She ran thru the dining room, down the outer hallway, and out thru the heavy doors to the bright and blessedly clear garden. The horse stared at her with it's liquid brown eyes and she stumbled towards it, aware of the pounding lunges now echoing in the passage behind the door. The scarred wood burst open and the beast was instantly in front of her, paws skittering on the stone path and mouth drawn. Before she could scream the bird had flown from the closing doors and landed between them, hissing menacingly and spreading it's wings at the beast. The animal wavered, harrumphed, and sat down hard on the stone.
"Why did you run?" It grumbled, looking up at her.
Beauty shook harder at hearing the animal speak. Her father had been right. This wasn't a man in the form of a monster, it was purely animal, a beast! It would surely kill her!
"I said, why did you run?"
It leaned forward a bit, and the girl noticed two small trickles of blood, one running over his brow from the peck the bird had given him, the other dripping from a nipped ear. She took a deep breath and tried to appear calmer, though it did little good.
"You frightened me." she said, voice shaking.
"Are you the merchant's daughter?"
"Yes."
It growled softly under it's breath, and raised one hand to brush away the blood droplet gathering on his eyebrow, gaze never leaving her.
"Is the merchant here?" he asked, though it didn't seem as if he were talking to her. She answered anyway, and he stared with fascination at her open lips. A sharp snip from the bird's beak brought him back to attention, blinking hard.
"Are you here of your own free will, or did he force you to come?" he asked in an odd tone.
"My father didn't force me. I wanted to take his place."
He grunted asset, and turned away as if losing interest. "Follow the bird to your room. The bird will show you what to do."
"Your not going to kill me?" she said, sounding hopeful.
"Not unless you want me to."
He promptly wandered off, sauntering like a lion and tail twitching.
The doors to the house swung open and the bird hopped inside, obliging
Beauty to follow.
The girl has not been here three hours, and he has already confirmed all that her father must have told her. After leading the girl to the room I shut the door firmly and flew back out to the garden. The beast was pacing the stones, tail swinging furiously. I lighted on the back of a granite puma and watched.
_So are you quite happy with yourself? She's terrified of you._
He only snarled, and paced harder.
_I told you what to do, you know. I told you last night before I went about preparing her room. I said to right your chambers and take a bath, stand upright and be a gentleman. You didn't listen to a word of it!_
"I was tired." he grumbled.
_Lazy oaf! I knew I should have checked on you before she arrived._
"Oh, shut up! Do you really think attacking me while she was standing right there in the doorway helped any?"
_I needed to wake you up! Besides, with your thick skull I doubt it made a dent!_
He snarled, but said nothing.
_If your going to demand the girl come here, you could at least be a decent host to her. She'll probably be cowering in her room all day now. As her host it is your responsibility make sure she is comfortable and happy._
"Will you JUST SHUT UP!?" he growled, hopping up onto the stone platform of the next garden tier. "This was a mistake, all of it. I should never have given the merchant a choice. I should have killed him there!"
_No! Of all the terrible things you are I will not let you be a murderer. Now you either treat the girl kindly and with respect or I'll vanish away and you won't see me ever again!"
The beast froze, and his face took on an entirely child-like expression. In a swift movement he jumped from the tier and crouched at the foot of the granite puma, nearly prostrating himself, looking every bit like a kicked pup. I regretted my words instantly. He looked like a little child who's found out he's to be abandoned, and I realized in a moment that was what he was. Despite his age and fearsome appearance he had never received the tempering that made some boys into men.
"I'll be good! Don't leave me, please?"
_You'll do everything I say?_ I asked, taking advantage of what was already done.
He put his hands on the forelegs of the puma, bringing his horrible face up that much closer to me. "Everything!"
_All right then. Follow me, we have a lot of work to do._
Taken from the Golden Journal, first entry.
This is a terrible, terrible place! The walls watch you as you move, the house reroutes itself at will, and the gargoyles move about like living animals! Never when your watching, though. Some of them are chained to their bases, and I know why now. But worst of all is the beast! When papa told me about this horrible monster I should have listened, I should have believed him! I wanted to save him....and that I don't regret. But I'm still frightened. Even though he speaks like a man this thing is hardly a man at all. He walks like a beast on all four limbs, he has a long tail that is impeded by it's own tangles, and such a manner! I saw him sleeping, when the trained bird led me to his room. It was like a rat in it's burrow. He even had the scraps of carrion I'm sure he must feed from laid out in his destroyed wardrobe! Horrible monster!
But I think he is not alone here.
The bird led me to my room, which is furnished even more fantastically than the one I had in our old home, before papa lost his money. Everything is made of dark wood and red cloth, with roses carved and embroidered into everything. The bed is large with a scene from a rose garden carved in the headboard of two ladies talking on the edge of a small fountain. The work is more detailed than anything I have ever seen. I wonder if the beast had kidnapped some poor artisan to do this work for me? The canopy is of red silk with small red roses on the curtain. There is a bookshelf quite nearly full, a chair by the window with a guitar in it, and here a writing desk, where I now sit. At the desk is a ream of paper, a pen and inkwell, and this journal with a golden cover. But what leads me to believe the beast is not alone is what is written on the first page. A poem, written in an elegant hand.
Come, young lady, dry your tears,
there is no need for sighs or fears.
Command as freely as you may,
for you command, and I obey.
With this is a single black feather. I think the beast could not have written it, so it must surely be someone else in this house!
I'll wait till the monster sleeps again, and search them out.
Beauty ate dinner alone that evening, lacking even the bird for company. She didn't like this room alone. It seemed that the stonework watched her quite intently, round stone bodies moving freely out the corner of her eye but instantly back in place when she turned to look at them. Only when she was finished eating, and took a last sip of the cold white wine, the door behind her swung open and the oil black body of the bird swooped in to alight gracefully on the candelabra. The candle flames flickered, and a new shape rose in the doorway. Beauty's hand flew to her throat immediately.
The beast hardly looked like the same creature, and if it wasn't for the two black eyes watching her she would never have recognized him as such. Washed and combed the color of his fur was lighter and more even, and laid neatly against his body. The long tail was elegant and made like the tails of the unicorns in the tapestries she'd seen as a little girl. Perhaps the best change was clothing. The beast, upright now instead of hunched over as an animal, wore brown long-trousers and a white linen shirt with a neck ruff and a red vest. His mane was held neatly back by a black ribbon at the base of his neck.
He glanced nervously at the bird and stepped towards Beauty rather timidly. He was so greatly changed from the creature that had chased her in the garden the girl wasn't quite sure what to think.
"Good evening, mademoiselle." he grumbled, looking as though he felt the perfect fool. "May I..err......." he looked at the bird as if for help, then blurted "May I have the pleasure of your company this evening?"
"A-allright."
He held out one massive clawed paw, and the girl stared at it a moment,
unsure. Swallowing hard, she slid her own small hand into his, and
let him lead her from the room.
Taken from the Golden Journal
A day has passed, and I have no more understanding of this place than when I first arrived. The beast seems to be a perfect gentleman, now! I get the distinct impression he would rather not be. The bird seems to keep him in check. Every time his temper loosened, whenever he was wordless, the bird snapped it's beak against something to get his attention, they shared a moment of silent communion, and he was allright again.
The magic he can work is truly extrodinary. A disused harp put forth beautiful music at a gesture of his hand this evening, and before bed, one of the gargoyle's moved in plain sight. It held a rose tight in it's jaw and leapt from it's stone base to lay it gently at my feet. When I looked up the beast was gone. The bird, however, looks to have decided to stay with me. It has been perched on the curtain rail for some time now, watching me write. I do hope it stays! I've always liked animals, and having a pet would make me feel much more at home.
It's getting late. Sometime soon the beast will be asleep. Then, I will search out any others in this place. Though I am sincerely beginning to doubt if any exist. If the beast can make stone move, a harp play, and a horse swifter than the wind, perhaps he could summon a poem from the air?
_The girl is in bed now._ the bird reported, hopping to the stone skull of a gargoyle protruding from the wall. The beast grunted and sat down on the edge of the bed. _Well?_
"Well what?" he grumbled, pulling at the black hair ribbon.
_Well what do you think? You've spent the entire evening in the presence of a beautiful lady. Surely you must have something running thru your mind._
"Yes. And that something is, 'I'm tired'. Go away, I want to sleep."
Her mood faltered, and the bird puffed indignantly. _Go away? Your telling me to go away? Why? What right have you?_
"I did what you said! Don't you think that entitles me to a little...privacy...when I want it?"
_No._
The beast growled, baring his pointed fangs, but the bird was unmoved.
_I want to know what your thinking. I want to know your plans for the girl._
"Nothing you need to worry about. Now goodnight."
He curled into the nest of fabric and pretended to be asleep.
_Would you at least have the decency to take off your clothes? You'll get them all filthy and wrinkled._
He kicked the sheets, but made no other reply.
_Oh fine. I'll just have to make new ones in the morning, you brat. And good luck sleeping on an empty stomach. I know you haven't eaten today._
The bird swooped down thru the open door and it snapped shut behind her. The beast opened his eyes to the darkness, to the thin starlight bleeding in thru the window. Something about that last comment wasn't right. The bird usually had no concern for those matters whatsoever, so why would she comment on them now? Her tone led him to think something a bit more cryptic was meant. But then, she knew he wasn't one for puzzles.
Either way, she was right. He hadn't eaten that day, and her acknowledgment of it brought it acutely into his consciousness. He fingered the filthy cloth beneath him and wondered what creatures were out this late at night. Owls? Could he catch an owl? Rats? That was appalling, even for him. Perhaps he could search out a sleeping deer and kill it before it made too much noise. With a sigh he uncurled himself and climbed from the bed on all fours. The linen shirt pulled uncomfortably at his throat while he was down in this manner. He quickly shed the shirt and vest and crept out the door, thru the halls and the garden, and out to the forest beyond the house.
Meanwhile, Beauty put her head from the carved door to her bedroom. The hallway was empty, save rows of grinning gargoyles staring with blank eyes directly at her. She let the door close quietly. Absently she noted that the color of the candles held in their mouths had changed. Now, instead of thick white wax dripping from their jaws the candles were red, like they all dripped blood. The heads seemed to follow as she passed, though no matter how quickly she turned, they were all in their original positions when her eyes met them.
The girl pulled doors randomly. A disturbing pattern began to
appear, as she began down a third hallway. The first two rooms on
the right were always identical unused bedrooms. The first two on
the left were studies with shelves of crumbling books. At the end
were storage and an empty room. This time, as she left the hall,
she left one door ajar, wondering if her terrible suspicion might be true.
As she turned the next corner the same door stood partially open in the
next hall! She swallowed, and tried another test. She pulled
a ribbon from her hair and dangled it on extended arm around the next corner.
At the same time, she looked back behind her at the turn she had just come
thru. There, down the hall, was her own arm waving the hair ribbon!
She craned her neck around the corner, and was met with the vision of her
own body at the next turn, looking around the corner. She shrieked and
scampered back down the hallway, which kindly deposited her at the door
of her own room. She swung it open, flung herself onto the bed, and
buried her head in a pillow, trembling terribly.
Three hours later, the beast came sauntering back, the partial limb of a deer held tightly in his jaw. Blood had dried and caked onto his hands, his mouth, and dripped down onto his chest and abdomen. His mane was smeared red and he swung his tail proudly, ignoring the twigs caught in the longer fur of it. His black eyes were half closed with contentment. Having fed, his mind was sluggish and comfortable, his body demanding persistently a nap or at the least a long doze. Who was he to deny it?
As he passed the open door to Beauty's room, he froze. There, beyond the frame, the girl lie sleeping, still in her full clothing and on top of the covers. He let the limb drop from his jaw, ignoring the wet slap it made against the stone, and put his head into the room cautiously. What was this thing, really? What was this 'girl'? He hadn't seen one before she came, at least, not that he remembered well. But half remembered scenes and the persistent bird had given him enough knowledge to know women were somehow different than men. How, he wasn't sure. At first, he had thought it must be that they wore dresses instead of trousers, but he also remembered they were smaller, and shaped differently. This girl certainly was. Had he been thinking clearly he might have turned and gone right to bed, but the kill had clouded his thoughts and base curiosity pulled him into the room.
At first, he merely paced circles about her bed, watching her calmed in sleep. Was she dreaming? Could humans dream? Dark strands of hair had fallen into her eyes and he felt an odd urge to brush them out. She seemed attractive somehow. More so than any other human he had met. When the merchant had stayed the night he had felt absolutely no desire to be anywhere near him, and yet his daughter held some greater appeal, some odd pulling. As she lay silent and asleep he suddenly wondered what would happen if he touched her. Would she wake up and start shouting? The bird always made a horrible racket when he woke her, and a human girl might be the same way. Or would she wake up at all? He pushed his face close to hers and his blood crusted nostrils flared as he stood crouched there. The scent of her was even attractive, not entirely unlike that of prey animals.
Her eyes squinted in sleep and he jerked back, startled. Her eyebrows furled together and her mouth opened a bit as she rolled over.
"Nnn...annabella...i already did the ...laundry....."
The beast turned tail and ran from the room, barely remembering to snatch
up the deer leg as he went.
-end chapter 3-