Belle's father had long since gone to bed, but Belle sat miserably at the table long into the night, staring at the candle as it burned down.
Finally, she decided to pray. She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and whispered, "Please, give me guidance. I don't know what to do."
A sudden flash of light made her eyes fly open. She stared in amazement. There was a magical shimmer in the air, and a beautiful, glowing woman appeared.
"Who - who are you?" Belle gasped.
"I am an enchantress," the vision replied. "I heard your prayer, child."
An enchantress! thought Belle excitedly. Just like in my fairy tales! "Can you help me?"
"Perhaps," said the Enchantress. "Tell me your woe."
Belle quickly told the story. "...and now Gaston says he'll kill the Beast unless I marry him," she finished.
The Enchantress looked thoughtful. "Well, hunters usually do kill beasts."
"But this Beast is different," said Belle. "He's so human. He thinks, he talks. In fact," she mused, "the longer I knew him, the more human he became. He started wearing nice clothes, using silverware, reading books...We even danced together." She smiled at the memory. "After a while, I didn't even notice what he looked like. He was my friend."
Then she frowned. "But there was such a sadness about him," she said, looking troubled. "Sometimes when we were together, he seemed to forget, and to have peace for a few moments. But then the sadness would return, like a cloud. I wish I could have helped him. I want to help him now."
"I see," said the Enchantress.
"He's more than worthy of your help," added Belle quickly. "He's so good, so kind, in spite of his appearance. He risked his life to save me from a pack of wolves. And now..." A tremor crept into her voice. "He's willing to be tortured and die, just so I don't have to marry Gaston. I can't let him do that."
"Hmmm," said the Enchantress. "So your problem is, you don't want this Beast to die, but you don't want to marry Gaston either?" She had a slight frown on her face.
"No, that's not it," said Belle. "You don't understand. As much as I hate Gaston, I'd marry him in a heartbeat if he'd set the Beast free. But he won't. Even if I marry him, the Beast will still be his prisoner." Her eyes filled with tears. "He's already suffered so much. I can't bear the thought of him spending his life in a cage. Isn't there any way you can help him? I'd do anything."
"Ah," said the Enchantress, her face clearing. She told Belle the same thing she had told the Beast. "There must be balance. If you go free, he must stay a prisoner. If I set him free, then you must marry Gaston. Your freedom in exchange for his."
"You can do that?" asked Belle eagerly.
The Enchantress thought about it. "I can put you back in time, to the night Monsieur D'Arque knocked on your door to get your father. This time, you must agree to marry Gaston. If you do, he will free your father, and no one will ever know that the Beast is real. He'll be safe. But you must keep your word to marry Gaston, or the magic will be undone."
"All right," said Belle gratefully. "I can survive being Gaston's wife, as long as I know the Beast is safe. Thank you."
"Think carefully before you choose," cautioned the Enchantress. "It won't be easy spending your life with a man you hate. And you would never be able to see the Beast again, because it would put him in danger."
Belle looked sad. The thought of never seeing the Beast again was worse than the thought of marrying Gaston.
As though reading her thoughts, the Enchantress added, "If I don't do the spell, you could just marry Gaston and still see the Beast every day."
Belle sighed. "It's tempting, but I can't," she said sadly. "I just can't let him be a prisoner because of me. I have to make sure he's safe. If that means giving up all my hopes and dreams, and being the wife of a creep like Gaston, and never seeing the Beast again...Well, it's what I'll have to do." She squared her shoulders. "Do the spell."
"All right. I see what needs to be done," said the Enchantress. She rose. "I will return tomorrow night, at Gaston's house, when you go to give him your answer."