~*~*~*~ Forget the Past ~*~*~*~
Disclaimer: Isabelle's mine!! *disheartedly* Yea… ;) I feel so bad for her!! *tear*
A/N: *dodges rotten tomatoes and empty cans thrown at her* There's really no excuse for it being this late! It's sad, I know but….oh well. ;) I dunno if this will make it more confusing, but when Daine is talking in her mind to an animal, the dialogue will be in bold. I was getting confused with all the italics! Lolz. Enjoy the chappie!
Chapter Nine: In Which Demon MAY Have Said Too Much…
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(ALANNA'S POV)
As soon as the two women were standing outside the door, out of the view of the other people inside the room, Alanna let Daine go.
"Alanna!" gasped an exasperated Daine, "What are you doing?? I should be in there, comforting her! I know how she feels right now; I can help!"
Looking at the ruffled young woman in front of her, Alanna replied, "I know that's what you think should be done, but think for a moment. Now that Belle's father has disowned her, she has no warden. Under Tortallan law, children must have a guardian until they are eighteen." (A/N: I have no idea if that is true, and that law would be kinda hard to enforce, but come on, run with it.)
Alanna didn't have to say anything more. Daine's pretty face had just lit up like the new dawn, understanding shining in her smoky-blue eyes.
"By the Goddess, that's right! One of us can become her guardian, and then she can travel with us back to the palace! And I can teach her how to use her Wild Magic-"
Alanna was almost sorry to interrupt the joyous torrent of exclamations, but there was something else Daine didn't seem to understand.
"Wait a moment, Daine, don't you remember how Belle reacted when she was told that she might have Wild Magic?" The question caused the younger woman's brow to furrow, and a frown darkened her face.
"She didn't seem to like the idea, did she?" Daine murmured, almost to herself. Alanna heard, but she didn't answer the question. Daine needed to come to her own conclusion.
"We never did figure out why she was so alarmed, did we?" Again, Alanna did not say anything.
"But her horse was somewhat helpful when we were bringing her back to the castle…" Daine's voice trailed off into silence. After a moment, the look of concentration on her face faded into determination.
"I'll be back later-I need to go the stables." And with that, she strode purposefully down the corridor. Alanna watched her go, and then steeled herself to go back in Belle's room. She hated watching someone cry, especially when she felt that she had just made it worse for the time being.
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(BELLE'S POV)
Belle didn't notice any of the hushed conferences taking place in her room. She didn't notice the flock of birds twittering anxiously at the two open windows. All she knew of was her father's harsh words playing over and over in her head.
"You little wench, this is the last time I will have this happen! I refuse to let you live under my roof anymore! As soon as you are able to get out of this bed, you will leave Ravensloft never to come back!"
Soon, though, Belle realized that wallowing in those words were not helping her any. Mentally, she told herself to calm down.
It's not as bad as it seems-now I can go wherever I want. My father can't tell me what to do anymore. I can go to court now, find a husband, start over.
But that wasn't what Belle wanted-she had never wanted it. As far as she knew, a husband and children were not part of her dream life.
As soon as I get out of this bed, I'm going to leave. Then I'll be in charge of my life, and no one will be able to tell me what to do.
The thoughts weren't as comforting as they were intended to be. But Belle didn't remember the one little detail that had the Wildmage so excited and that could so easily control her life for another two years-if she let it.
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(DAINE'S POV)
Shoving the door to the stables open, a stable boy jumped up from his early morning nap, startled by what seemed to be a raging Wildmage. But when the boy saw her face, he could tell that there was no temper.
"Can I saddle ye a horse, milady?"
The timid voice dragged Daine from her thoughts. She had been so lost in deciding what questions to ask a certain stallion that she hadn't noticed the little scrap of a boy she had frightened. She forced a sweet smile on her face.
"No, that's all right; I just need to go see one of the horses." She replied soothingly.
The boy nodded, bowed, and hurried back to his haystack.
It was then Daine remembered that she had no clue where Demon was bedded down-and she was too flustered to recall there were easier ways of finding it than just looking. But as she glanced down the first aisle a familiar black head appeared and neighed impatiently, as if following Daine's line of thought.
Are you coming, hoof-sister?
The question was just as exasperated as the horse who stated it. Could it be Demon knew why she was here? At the moment, the Wildmage didn't want to comprehend it…it would probably just give her a headache.
Instead of wasting time with an excuse, Daine rushed down the walkway. Before she had a chance to speak, the stallion retorted, It's about time. I've heard what happened and Belle needs to get out of here as quickly as possible.
Again, Daine didn't waste time with comprehension or questioning, but replied simply, I know that, but right now Belle would be more than a little pensive to leave this place… At least with us… she added as an afterthought. Pulling her thoughts back to the present, she asked, Do you know why she is so afraid of Wild Magic?
For the first, and probably last time, Daine could almost see the hesitation, the contemplation in Demon.
If he cares that much about his mistress, he'll tell me. She thought to herself by way of comfort.
At last, an answer came. It was her mother.
Her mother? Lorelei? What did she do? Now Daine was confused, and she needed clarification.
You know how she died, correct?
Daine nodded.
Did you hear it from the gossips, or from her father himself?
Wondering what this question had to do with Belle, Daine answered shortly, Just court gossips, as everyone did.
Well…
If it wasn't for the seriousness of the situation, Daine would have giggled at the expression the stallion's voice revealed. She had never and would probably never again see Demon this way! (A/N: Hehehe…)
If it will make you feel any better about this, I have no intention of sharing this information with anybody except my closest friends who want nothing but to help Belle. After a moment's indecision, she continued, It's for Belle's good.
Silence, then, She wasn't always this timid, you know.
The sudden change of topic startled Daine, but intrigued her at the same time. She didn't think Demon would try to lure her away from the information she needed. She nodded and the horse continued.
I didn't know her before she was sent away, but my dam did. She would tell me about the bright, happy child that would run grinning and giggling to the stables each day, of the big house that positively radiated tranquillity and contentment. I can remember her telling me about the golden-haired women and child that would come and ride her, laughing together, acting as mother and daughter should.
At the pause, Daine prompted, Go on. She leaned in over the half door to stroke the sober stallion's nose and neck, hoping to ease some of his troubles.
Belle's mother was wonderful with the People. I can remember after my dam birthed me, she was falling sick, and Lorelei healed her. Belle would always tag along, and all the People began feeling the same aurora around her as they did her mother.
The time flew by, and before we knew it, it was the eve of Belle's fifth birthday, also the eve of the Summer Solstice. Since the two-leggers were having some sort of big gathering, Lorelei was quite tired of organizing it, so she came in and saddled one of the horses to ride out that night as she had been doing often because of, as I'm sure you know, the drought.
Daine nodded.
To make a very long story short, once which I am sure you also know, Lorelei was found dead the next morning, the same day as Belle's birthday.
Great Mother Goddess, that must have been awful! Finding out that your mother died on the morn of your birthday… Daine was beginning to understand Belle's attitude, at least a little bit.
Belle was told by her father that her mother's Wild Magic turned against her, making her the victim of the People of the forest. Of course that wasn't really true, but he slanted the story to give him something to blame. Being only five and having no other sources of information, Belle believed him.
The story's understandable enough so far, mused Daine.
I don't know if anyone told you, but after his mate's death was the time when Belle's father began abusing her.
I knew he abused her-we all do now-but not that it started when she was only five! exclaimed Daine I had no idea Lord Jared is that cruel!
Yes, well, needless to say, Belle's anger was not directed at Wild Magic insomuch as Lord Jared's was. She was enraged, very much so, at the People who were supposedly responsible for the death of her mother. Demon relied this to Daine with a touch of anguish in his tone. Before Daine could say anything, the stallion went on. One day, in a fit of rage, she ran away from her nurse and stormed into the forest. The story that she told me was that the first People she came upon were young rabbits, hopping about their burrow.
Again, more hesitation, and then, Belle took her anger out on those young rabbits and-
Daine gasped, interrupting him, You mean she k-!
No, no, nothing like that. I do not remember exactly what she did, but that is not is important. All I know is that she hurt them in some way, and then ran off crying.
Daine's hand dropped from Demon's neck, where it had been absentmindedly stroking him. She had no idea what to say. This was certainly not what she had expected. Oh dear…
Demon nudged her hand affectionately, and then said, The People of the forest, particularly those rabbits, long ago forgave her mistake, but Belle still feels responsible for it. I think it is one of the reasons why she would do nothing about her father beating her-she still felt as thought she were at fault.
That sort of makes sense…, replied Daine slowly. But that still doesn't explain why she can talk to Demon, and denies that she and Wild Magic at the same time.
As if following Daine's thoughts, Demon went on, Even though Belle can talk to me, she still keeps on dodging the topic of Wild Magic. Every time I would bring it up, she would change the subject.
Daine was silent for a long moment, not really sure where to start. Does she ever go into the forest anymore…talk to the People there?
Not very often. As I said before, I think she still feels guilt for what she did. But I also think she is worried that something like it will happen again-her hurting the People again, I mean.
Is that why she is so jumpy all the time? It seems as though she doesn't trust anybody. When we first arrived, she looked at me as though I was a rattlesnake about to bite her-
That is just the way Belle is.
What happened to her to make her so scrupulous?
Ah, the stallion said with uncharacteristic sagacity, That is something entirely different. You will have to ask her that. I have a feeling she would not be very pleased if I told you.
Daine was sorely tempted to pursue the matter, but suddenly remembered a more pressing matter now that she had found out about Belle and Wild Magic. Who was going to be Belle's guardian?
Could she? Daine wasn't actually sure if she would make a good guardian, but she really wanted to…
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A/N: Hmmm, who should the lucky person be?? Let me know who you want!! All of my reviewers, thank you so much!! And even to you people who read but never review thanx for reading…but if you reviewed it would make me so much happier!! ^_^ Plz, plz, plz review! I promise not to take so long with a new chapter next time. XD
Thanx to:
Lady Arabian Knight: I'm sooo sowwie about the veeeeeeery long wait!! I feel so bad for Belle, too…especially since I'm the one writing it! Lolz. Thanx for reading!
Black Rose: My goodness, I hope that all you guyz don't decide not to read anymore cuz I haven't written in so long!! I can't apoligize enough for the delay. Like I said before, there really wasn't any good excuse… ^.^
"Gwen": Yeah, when I was planning the fic, I felt kinda sorry for making Belle's home life so crappy, so I wanted to give her a pretty name. And Beauty and the Beast is like one of the coolest animated movies ever…I know that sounds so stupid, but hey, I do have 3 younger siblings!
Bblond07: You shouldn't be apoligizing when I'm the one who hasn't updated in…what…a month?? Goddess, that's really sad!! I think I've said it so many times before, but Lord Jared is such a good way to vent your anger, isn't he?! ^_^
Lady Arianna: To tell you the truth, I really have no clue who she's going to end up with-I have ideas *grin* but no solid story yet. And yes, Demon is modeled after Faithful to Alanna and Cloud to Daine. I think they are just too cool!! =D
Hoppuschick182: Yes, that is what Belle wants…she just doesn't know it yet. ;) *grin* Thanx for reading!
Anita Blake: Hiya! Thanx for reading!! Yes, Belle is an only child. And that's a good point-about the inheritance-I never really thought about that until when I rewrote chapter two. Knowing Lord Jared, the evil beeep, *ahem, grin, ahem* he's so stupid he didn't even think about that. But I did!! Yea!! Ok, anywayz, yes, since he has been aware that there's no one to inherit and no way to get one such perosn since Lorelei died, I'll just have him train someone, like Coram did for Trebond in THOTG. Keep reading!! ^.^ Come to think of it now, I can't even remember why I slapped somebody… Lolz.
Larzdinn: Hi again!!! I can't apologize enough for the loooooong wait…thanx so much for being such a loyal reviewer!! ^_^ Yeah, when I first read your review, I reread the chappie, and I realized that's what it did look like…that's why I kinda reformatted on this chapter to keep the confusion to minimum…I hope. *wink, wink* XD And I am really kind of out of it-especially concerning my fic-cuz I haven't been keeping up with it (Bad me, bad me!!! Ahem, ok, I'm all right now. Really, I am!! Lolz.) so I feel like I'm kinda going in different directions with it. But oh well. The gods-cursed CAT tests are finally over with!! Thank the lord!! We just got a new French teacher, and he's really nice, but along with that we got a new English teacher, too, and his name is Mr. Herrit. When he told us, I kinda wasn't paying attention, (Again, bad me!!) and I was like, "Mr. Fruity??". Don't ask me how I got fruity out of Herrit, but I did. ;) Thanx sooooo much reading and I hoped you liked the chappie!! Good luck on your fic and getting an account! (I know it took me forever!) Cya lata!
M'cha Araem: I know, I know! I was reading it over and liked squeaked and kinda fell off the chair…lolz. ^.^ I was (And sill am!! XD) so proud of myself! Exactly-whenever I go to the library and get a book I really want, or sumthin like that, I never have time to read it! It is so frustrating! Grrrrr. Thanx for reading!!!
BraveSirRobin ran away: Hehehe I loooove your penname!!! *giggle* Thanx for reading!! Cya lata!
Keita: Don't worry, I can totally relate…I'm too lazy to do the math, but I'm sure I'm not very far behind you! I haven't done much but revieweing in last….what?… month and a half?! Now that is sad!! Keep reading!!! ^.^
Keziah: Muwahahaha!! *evil grin* Ahem-ok. Cliffhangers….ah…music to my ears…or eyes…whatever. I'm confusing myself. But anywayz-except when I read them myself on a story. Then it's frustrating. I stare at the monitor and see if I can kill the author…*wistfully* somehow. ^_^ Lolz. Thanx for reading!!
Chibi-Chingo: Bitch slapping people is soooo much fun!! Such a good way to vent anger! ^_^ Lolz. =D What's it like going to an all-girl's school??? I don't think I would able to survive it. I thought it was bad enough going to a private, Catholic school for 7 years!! Keep reading!
P.S. REEEEEEEVIEEEEEEW!!!! PLZ?!?!
Hopes her reviewers aren't toooo ticked at her for being so lazy,
~Starlet~