As night settled into the dark, magical garden before the grand castle, a series of soft lights began to line the terraces above the grand gate. Beneath the tall candle stalks were eyes, narrowed and watching, for any sign of disturbance to alert the Master. Very slowly, each of the candle holders leaned forward as a dark shadow approached the iron front. The entry slowly opened and a cloaked figure stepped into the moonlight of the clearing. "It's a girl," the first candelabra whispered, and the word passed down through the night watch. "It's a girl! It's a girl!"
It was frigidly cold. Bambi frowned under her hood as she continued down the center path to the great castle door. As soon as she reached the frail rose bushes before the grand door, she threw the heavy cover back to reveal the thick black curls bouncing about her face, Belle's ribbon tied in them. She cleared her throat and turned upon her heel. "Hello!" she sang into the air, lifting her arms. "Hello! Beast? Beast, are you there?"
From inside the castle, Belle slimmed her eyes in confusion. What was she doing? Did they now know she had made it to the castle? The light flickered in the foyer, and she gasped. The Beast had seen her. "What's going on?" his dark voice commanded.
"Don't open the door!" Belle pleaded.
"That poor girl—what if the village is after her as well?" Ms. Potts sighed.
"It's a trap!" the maiden cried.
"Let them come," The Beast ordered, stepping towards the light. "Whether they come for me or her, I shall defend both."
"Beast!" Bambi's faint voice called from outside. "It's me! Your Belle!"
The door flew open as the cold rushed into the foyer. The servants fled from the moonlight as the Master retreated to the stairs. Belle furiously stormed to the imposter. "What do you want?" she screamed, thrashing at her wildly. "Why are you here!" Bambi turned and faced her, smiling softly yet with a malicious sneer.
"Sorry, Belle," she cooed, shrugging and stepping back towards the gates which had now opened with a flood of torch-bearing villagers. "We knew we'd get one of you." Before Belle's reaction could follow her horrified expression, two of Gaston's followers had her arms. She struggled to pull herself free, screaming wild warnings to the manor behind her. Suddenly, a quick hand slapped across her pale cheek, drawing blood from her sniffling nose. She whimpered, falling limp in their grasp.
"Shut up, you stupid whore!" A clearing had formed around her of those who wished to spit upon the traitor before raiding the castle. Gaston cracked his knuckles, jeering in disgust at her bruised face. "What kind of sick lunatic loves a monster like that?"
"He's…not a monster…" They dragged her to the cart they had brought with shackles and chains waiting, the rest rushing inside to meet the raging Beast.