A/N: I do not own any of the stories that are related to Beauty and the Beast or Beauty and the Beast itself. Please read and review.
"When Prince Luc climbed out of the shrubbery and saw the enchantress settled among the trees with all the animals gathered around her, his heart skipped a beat. She was beautiful beyond his wildest imaginings.
Silky brown hair cascaded over her shoulders. Large brown eyes danced happily as she read. Even though she rested in the dirt, her rich blue gown appeared perfectly clean. Despite the silk she wore, she lacked the harsh feeling of nobility that the prince remembered about the ladies in court. She took his breath away.
As the prince stepped forward, a twig broke under his foot, startling Adéle from her story. Looking up, she knew not what to think of the intruder standing before her. Her father had kept her from everyone but the few servants who kept their grand home clean.
One of the books Adéle read from her father's library spoke of proper etiquette. Since what she learned from the enchanter's text was her only knowledge of the outside world, she knew no reason to fear this stranger. She always had wanted to meet someone new, and this was her chance. Overcoming her initial shock, the enchantress stood slowly and curtsied.
Prince Luc was certain he was in love. He did not know where this maiden came from, but he did not care. Not bothering to return her greeting with a bow, the prince stepped forward eagerly and said "Please do not stop. I was enjoying the story so." All he really wanted was to hear her speak again.
Grinning shyly at what she took to be interest in the story, Adéle daintily sat down again and continued reading allowed. Finishing her novel, she looked up to see the prince sitting and gazing steadily at her.
Snapping out of his revery, Prince Luc introduced himself and explained how he had been drawn by the sound of her heavenly voice. He was so polite and charming that had any of his staff or the people in court seen his display, they would not have believed it to be him.
When Adéle introduced herself as Enchanter Pascal's daughter, Prince Luc became slightly nervous. He had heard of the enchanter's power and quick temper. Adéle was also worried what her father's reaction would be when he learned she entertained a guest in their garden. But the prince professed a desire to visit her again and she so enjoyed the company. The animals were her only other friends, and they could not respond to her queries as a human could.
Adéle resolved to not tell her father of the visit. Prince Luc resolved to return the next day."
The number of children listening spellbound to Pascal's story had multiplied. There were now four young faces staring at him wide eyed.
Looking up, the old man noticed a woman leaning against the wall of the closest building watching the scene. It was the same woman who called Adéle in to chores the night before. There was a smile on her face.
Nodding to the old vagabond who kept her children bewitched with his tale, the woman called for dinner.
The brown eyed girl and her brother replied together "Oui mama!" but rose from their seats slowly. Adéle curtsied and addressed Pascal politely as always. "Merçi Monsieur Pascal for the story, and for allowing my friends to listen as well. I told them the first part of it this morning and they asked when they could hear the rest."
"Stories are made for mouths to tell and ears to hear. I am glad this tale has found another good home. If I kept it to myself forever it would become very lonely."
A little girl of about 8 years who had joined the group asked timidly "Tomorrow Monsieur?" Pascal nodded and his audience scampered away to their homes and warm meals calling "au revoir" over their shoulders.
After seeing her two children inside and yelling at them to wash their hands before setting the table, Adéle and Claude's mother walked over to the old man. He was leaning on his gnarled walking stick trying to decide whether to sit a while longer or find lodging for the night. Her approach was friendly.
"Thank you for telling your story to my daughter Monsieur. And the others. Adéle can never get enough fables. I believe she has read every book in the village, and retold them to all of the other children. It is good for her to hear something new."
Pascal was surprised to be thanked for once instead of scolded for keeping children from their chores. "My pleasure Madame."
The woman seemed to size up his tattered clothes and weathered appearance. "My name is Élise. Élise Laroche." She curtsied slightly as she spoke. It was obvious where Adéle acquired her charming manners.
Bowing his head respectfully, the old man responded "Very pleased to meet you Madame Laroche. Madameoiselle Adéle is charming. As is her brother."
After standing in silence for a moment, Élise came to a decision. "Have you a place to stay in town Monsieur Pascal?"
Receiving a slow shake of the head as a response, she immediately offered him lodging. They had a fair sized tack room that could easily accommodate a person. All of the tack could use a good cleaning and the chickens needed feeding every morning. Work could be done in the morning hours while the village children were occupied with chores of their own, then the late afternoon could be spent continuing his story.
The old man was amazed at such luck. Here was the prospect of a place to sleep and a steady meal. The work was to his liking. He could sit comfortably and clean leather all day without putting a strain on his old knees and weak ankle. Several years had passed since he was so readily welcomed and he accepted immediately.
"Good." Élise nodded happily. "Dinner is being set on the table. Wash your hands and come join us." She then turned and walked resolutely to her home. As her husband carried the food to the table she set another place.
"The storyteller will be staying with us Lucas. In the tack room."
She said it so conversationally he could not help but chuckle. Monsieur Laroche was not surprised at the decision, or that it was made without him. His headstrong wife never could resist a new fable. Their little Adéle was so much like her in that way. He could never let them down. Especially when they looked at him with their big brown eyes.
"I expected nothing less my love."
A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. I'm sorry I stopped writing this story for so long, but I do have every intention of seeing it through to the end. I hope you enjoy!