A Place Called Home.
Disclaimer: Don't own, never will.
Beast handed Belle the mirror.
"I'd like to see my father, please?" she asked the mirror politely. The mirror swirled for a second and the image changed to her father. She saw him sitting in a dark space, but couldn't make out what it was. She frowned at what she saw, where could he be? He was rocking like he was in a wagon of some sort, but what wagon could it be?
Beast noticing her questioning look, "What is it Belle? Is something wrong?"
"I don't know, I can't see where he is. It looks like he's in some sort of wagon, but I don't know any wagons he could be in."
She looked at Beast, "Can the mirror show me the cart?" As she asked the image shifted and she saw the name on the wagon, she paled immediately.
"What is it Belle? Did the mirror show you or..." Beast got interrupted.
"No, no...papa...h-he's in the asylum wagon. They're locking him up, he isn't crazy! Why would they do this?" Tears started to fall down her cheeks.
"They would if he told them about me, he must have wanted to get help to free you."
Beast started pacing the room, what could they do? He looked at Belle, she was desperately looking in the mirror. The mirror! He all but ran to Belle grabbing the mirror out of her hands.
"Beast, no! Give me back the..." Belle cried.
"Show me the way to Belle's father!" he demanded. If he remembered correctly the asylum was in the direction of his castle, just outside the enchanted forest. Maybe the wagon could be intercepted.
Sensing what Beast was thinking, Belle joined Beast and they looked in the mirror together.
The wagon had just left the village and that gave them time to plan something. It would take about an hour to reach the asylum.
"Belle, saddle your horse. We're going to intercept the wagon."
Belle didn't even reply, she ran as fast as she could. As she left the West Wing she could hear Beast calling for his servants to prepare a room.
She had just finished preparing Philippe when she saw Beast running towards her on all fours.
Although he hadn't walked on all fours in a long time, he knew this would be faster. His pride be damned. He nodded his head towards Belle and she urged Phillipe to follow.
Beast was moving fast and Belle had trouble keeping up. No wonder he caught up to her so fast last time she left the castle. They just passed the border of the enchanted forest and Beast stopped.
"Beast! We have to keep going, why did you stop?"
He held up his hand and took out the mirror that he had taken with him. "Show me how to get to the wagon." The mirror shifted. They were close!
"Belle, they will be here in a few minutes. Go stand on the road to stop the wagon. While you distract the driver, I'll free your father," He instructed.
Belle quickly nodded and it didn't take long before she heard the sound of hoof beats. Her heart pounded in her chest, she glanced to where Beast was hidden. Seeing him hidden in the trees ready to go calmed her a bit. But what if her father wouldn't come out seeing Beast, they're last encounter was a horrifying experience for her father. Maybe she should be the one opening the door and get her father? She shook her head, she wasn't strong enough to get the door open. That left only Beast for the task.
Then the moment finally came. The wagon was in plain view and soon the driver saw her standing in the middle of the way. She smiled, her yellow ballgown was very visible and glowed in the moonlight.
The wagon stopped and the driver stared at her. She stepped forward, "Release my father."
"M-mademoiselle, what...how...?" The driver stammered.
In the meanwhile Beast has come out of the forest and moved to the back. He grabbed the lock and gave it a hard pull. He felt something break and pulled again, this time the lock broke. He carefully cracked open the door and through the crack motioned Belle's father to climb out.
Maurice sat in the wagon looking out the bars. Suddenly they stopped and wondered if they had arrived, then he heard a sound at the door. Then he heard that sound again and the door opened and a through the small crack he saw a hand motioning him. He didn't wait to be told twice and quickly climbed out.
Belle saw Beast move away from the back, this must mean her father is out. She quickly darted back into the woods in the direction of her horse. From the corner of her eye she saw her father going into the other side of the woods to hide.
The driver called out for her and jumped off. Then suddenly he was face to face with Beast. He jumped back and quickly took off running leaving the empty wagon behind.
"Belle!" Beast called.
She quickly came bringing Philippe.
"Papa? You can come out now, it's alright, Beast won't hurt you."
Beast to show how true her words were took a few steps back.
Maurice carefully took a few steps out of the woods looking at Beast with fear in his eyes.
Belle ran towards her father, "I was so worried, when I saw you in the mirror..."
"Belle, what is that horrible monster doing here!" Maurice pointed trembling.
"Papa, he won't hurt you. He's changed, he helped getting you out. You have to trust me, but first we have to get back to the castle."
While Belle was talking to her father, Beast stood back and listened. He was ashamed of his past behaviour and knew he needed to apologise to the man. He took a few careful steps in their direction and quietly spoke, "Monsieur, I would like to offer my most sincere apology for my past behaviour. I know I have done nothing to make you trust me, but we have to go back to my castle."
Maurice looked at Beast and saw how uncomfortable Beast was. He probably wasn't very used to apologising, but as much as he distrusted Beast, he did trust his daughter. He quickly moved to stand beside her and for the first time in weeks got a good look at her. She was wearing a beautiful ballgown and fine jewellery. Also she had a glow about her that said she has been happy with Beast.
"Papa, we'll ride together. Philippe can hold us both. The Beast will keep the wolves away for us." Belle told her father.
All he could do was nod, he wasn't comfortable enough yet to talk with Beast nearby.
On the way back they didn't run into the wolves and quickly made their way back.
They had just reached to castle when they were met by Lumiere, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts.
"Sir, welcome back. There is something we have to tell you." Lumiere began.
"Not now, first get Belle's father settled in."
Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth moved to guide Belle and her father in, but Lumiere stayed behind.
"Master, I'm sorry but..."
"Lumiere, what is so important that it can't wait?" Beast growled. He didn't have time for this. His servants had to make their new guest feel welcome, not delay him.
"We just want to tell you that we don't blame you. The last petal is about to fall, but we wanted to tell you that we understand you had to go help Belle first."
"Lumiere, I..." Beast began. He had completely forgotten about the rose.
Belle came running out of the castle in panic. "Beast! Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts they turned inanimate!"
He quickly looked down and saw Lumiere his candles no longer lighted. A tear fell.