AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hi! Moving quickly. A little bit longer before we get back to Avonlea!

So obviously the Three Jolly Bargemen is a reference to another fictional work. As are the two new characters that get introduced in this chapter. Any sort of "in character" moments for the first character belong to the original author. If you know the character then you know what I mean.

I hadn't seen this crossover included before, so I thought, why not have a little cameo appearance.

A fistbump to anyone who knew right away where the inn was from and who these two characters were!

Stay safe,

- Ismann

CHAPTER THE THIRD

Leaving the Three Jolly Bargemen.

The owner of the inn, Belle had found out, was a fellow called Joe Gargery, who also happened to be the town's blacksmith. She had instinctively liked the man. A kind, jovial sort with glowing cheeks, a dirty cap, and a smudged apron, as well as rippling forearms that told a story of his many years at the anvil.

"Excuse me, sir."

"Just Joe will do, miss."

Belle smiled. "My apologies. Joe. Yes, I'm looking for a room for the night. Just for me."

The fellow scratched his head. His face was split by a wide smile.

"Well, ma'am, as I may say, our inn might not do for someone as fine as y'self. But, there's room for everyone here, if'n ya need a place ta rest yer 'ead. There's a room that's been emptied jus' last nigh', courtside. Will tha' do, ma'am?" said the middle-aged gentleman, wiping his hands on his apron.

Belle nodded and smiled, relieved to finally meet someone who was willing to meet her eyes.

"Yes, that would be very kind of you. And please, call me Belle."

"Well, that's a righ' beau'iful name, innit, miss?" Joe grinned. "Can't go wrong with a name like tha'. Though, if I'm hones', Joe's me favorite. You can rec-en-nize straight away when y'sees it in a book, or in the papers - there's a J, an O, Joe!" said the man, acting it out as though he were reading out loud from an invisible page, tracing the unseen words with one smudged and calloused finger. He glanced up at her, looking proud.

Belle smiled. "It suits you, Mr. Gargery."

"Why, thank you, miss. And Joe's just fine f'me. Never been one f'the formali'ies, myself."

After that, Belle found herself guided to a cosy little room upstairs, one of ten rooms. It was clearly one of the nicer rooms - when she mentioned this, Joe waved her off.

"Not many people staying the night this evenin', Miss Belle. You look like one to be for a long sleep, as I may say. This chamber's good as the one next door, though I cor-jial-ee invite ye to make yeself at comfort, here, at your leave, miss."

Belle was entirely charmed by this man, whose manner of speaking seemed entirely at odds with the knowing, wise look in his eyes, and the jolly shape of his face.

"Thank you, Joe."

He had made another waving gesture, as though to say 'It's nothing, Miss,' and had disappeared down the stairs, heavy boots clunking.

Now, Belle was the one descending those steps. She'd had a surprisingly deep sleep. The weather outside promised to be good, with a clear crisp sky and the sound of birds. She was determined.

She entered the part of the inn downstairs which had tables and chairs. She ordered a large breakfast and then sat by the fire. Not long after, a kind and pretty-looking woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties approached her with a large plate and an equally impressive mug.

"Thank you," said Belle to the woman. "I'm Belle, by the way."

"Biddy," said the woman quietly, her eyes crinkling softly at the corners. "I'm a friend of Joe's." Biddy paused. "You're the Princess of Avonlea, aren't you?" she added, a knowing look in her brown eyes.

Belle paused. She had just put the most heavenly mouthful of spiced scrambled eggs in her mouth. After chewing and swallowing, Belle nodded. "I wish I wasn't, but yes."

"Do you really wish that, miss?"

"Yes," said Belle vehemently. "I would rather live a quiet life in the woods. Court life is a nightmare. Who wants to be a gentlewoman or a gentleman, when they can just be themselves?"

Biddy gave a startled laugh, and Belle looked up in surprise.

"What have I said?" Belle asked, giving a rueful quirk of her mouth and lifting her mug at the same time. She took a drink while the other woman spoke.

"Nothing, I simply believe that you're quite right, miss."

"Belle," corrected the brunette.

"Belle," nodded Biddy, sagely. "Yes, I think you're quite right to think that way."

Belle took a long look at this kindly-looking young woman, and a look of understanding passed between them.

"Sit with me, won't you?" said Belle, smiling all of a sudden. She tossed her thick chestnut hair, which was in a braid, over one shoulder. "I can't possibly finish all this myself, and the company would be lovely. Talking to my horse can get boring after a while."

Belle spent another half hour enjoying a chat with Biddy. She found out that the creamy, bitter drink that was in her mug was called 'coffee,' and came from the far-off lands of Agrabah. She found out that the baked beans on the plate were actually a variety of magic beans, which grew perpetually in all seasons and were never affected by frost, which meant they could offer beans at breakfast year-round. And she learned that Biddy was a teacher of many subjects, and tutored the little children of the town up until the age of eighteen. Belle warmed up quickly to Biddy, enjoying how passionate she was about teaching and about the virtues of curiosity.

And when it came time for Belle to go, it seemed entirely natural for her to press the mysterious bag of gold into a protesting Biddy's hands.

"Please," said Belle, looking at her seriously with her clear blue eyes. Clasping her hands over Biddy's, she continued. "I can't remember how or when, but someone gave this to me last night. No one wanted it back when I asked them, and I have no need of it — I know that sounds dreadful, but it's true. I'll be back in Avonlea in a month, and I've enough, I'm sure, to last me until then. I'd rather you keep this — so you can keep making these lovely breakfasts, and collect more books for the children."

Biddy laughed. "Thank you, Belle, that's very kind."

"And honestly, this drink - coffee, you called it? - it's amazing. I'm quite sure I'll never have a cup as good as that again."

After exchanging some more pleasantries, Belle said her goodbyes to both Biddy and Joe and went outside to get Philippe, who seemed pleased to see her.

"Hello, P," said Belle, smiling softly and stroking Philippe's side once again. "It looks like we're going back home. I'm going to face Father, and tell him I won't marry Gaston. Running away was never the answer."

And Philippe, though silent, seemed to agree.