Belle sat in front of the crackling fire, watching the golden flames with dull fatigue. Her modest ribbon had let go of stray chestnut strands, which hung in front of the spidery digits spread across her forehead. The others had left, tending to the house as it was needed, and she was alone with the sleeping beast. Slowly, she turned to look at him. They had managed to get him back on the elderly sofa, and now his oversized frame was sprawled heavily across its velvet. He was wrapped, clean, but underweight, for whatever animal he was. Belle watched his eyes, cringed shut in a sort of painful cower. She wondered if every dream of his was a nightmare.
"Belle, dear, a spot of tea?" She turned to see the serving table rolling quietly to a stop. Ms. Potts was already filling Chip. Belle smiled and took him gingerly, nearly too tired to drink.
"He's going to be all right," she said, clearing her throat as the warm herbs rushed down. "I imagine he'll sleep for days, but he's going to be fine when he wakes." A sigh caused steam to billow up from the pot's spout. Chip giggled in Belle's grasp. She smiled, setting him back down.
"We can't thank you enough for what you've done," Ms. Potts sincerely said. "I don't think you could ever understand…well…" The small kettle looked down, motioning for the tray to retreat. "Thank you, dear. 'Tis a greater thing you do now then any of this castle has seen." Belle nodded, almost sadly, and blinked. Her tiredness was slowly conquering her. "Child?" Belle slowly blinked and looked up, her hand falling. "Why don't you follow me to bed? You'll not travel anywhere tonight." Belle agreed, too tired to do any other, and stumbled along the dark castle to her original guest room. There, the wardrobe and other luxuries were more than welcoming.
As Belle's eyes fell closed, the Master's relaxed.
For once, there was peace in the castle.