Exhausted beyond belief, Adam slowly tried to pull himself to his feet. Beside him were Mrs. Potts, Lumiere and Cogsworth. Chip's little face poked in between
them, trying to see what was going on.
"Momma, what happened?"
"Don't worry, Chip. Everything will be all right." Mrs. Potts reassured him.
They helped Adam to his feet, but their attempts to get him to rest fell on deaf ears.
"No, I can't rest and I won't rest until I found her!" Adam declared. "I must!"
"But Adam, you're weak! Think of your health. And your safety! Gaston will kill you if he sees you!"
"There's no chance of that, Cogsworth."
The former clock raised his eyebrows "How can you be so sure?"
"He's dead. I can feel it." Adam said. "I'm sorry, but I have to go!"
"Please, just… wait! At least until this storm is over!" Lumiere pleaded. Seconds later there was a loud crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning jolted the castle.
"No! I have to find her!" Adam shouted. "I almost lost her once and I won't do it again!"
The three friends looked at one another helplessly and shook their heads. "His mind's made up." said Mrs. Potts. "He won't budge. And… I'm proud of you,
Adam. But let me make you some food for your journey."
Adam smiled. "I'd like that. Thanks, Mrs. Potts."
In the kitchen, Mrs. Potts worked diligently to create a special package for Adam to carry on his journey. She was so worried about Belle. The poor dear was
heartbroken and understandably frightened. She loved Adam and they all loved her so. Mrs. Potts said a silent prayer for Adam, Belle and even Maurice. He was
such a nice man and the love that he showed for his daughter touched them all.
"God bless them." She prayed as she put the finishing touches on Adam's care package.
With a kiss to Mrs. Potts and hugs of reassurance for Chip, Cogsworth and Lumiere, Adam set off into the woods, letting his horse carry him into the distance. He
rode until he was spent, having no idea where he was headed. But he wouldn't stop; not until he found her.
The sky turned dark and he was forced to stop rest under a large tree. He was tired and hungry and extremely grateful for the food that Mrs. Potts had given
him, but he couldn't rest long. Finding Belle was first and foremost on his mind.
The next day he awoke early and set off again in search of the woman he loved. This time as he rode, he called her name.
"Belle! Belle!"
He rode through forests and towns until he came to a quaint village where the townspeople milled about. They looked at him strangely as he rode through main
street on his gallant white horse. He rode past the "Plantes and Fleurs" florist, the bakery and the library.
The library! That was it!
He pulled hard on Horatio's reins, causing the horse to neigh. "Whoa!" Quickly he dismounted and ran into the bookstore. A short, stocky elderly man with white
hair and glasses greeted him.
"Good afternoon! What can I help you with? A novel, perhaps? Mystery? Adventure fiction?"
"Actually I'm looking for a girl."
The old man's eyes lit up. "A girl, eh? Well I have just the thing!" He climbed a nearby ladder and slid it across the large wall of shelves filled with books,
removing a book with a green cover. Carefully he climbed down the ladder and handed the book to Adam. "This one is perfect! You see, it's about a girl who-."
"Um, actually I'm looking for a real girl." Adam explained.
The old man's eyes lit up like diamonds. "Oh, well in that case, the town is full of girls in every shape and size! You're bound to find one that's perfect for you!"
"I'm looking for a very specific girl." Adam said. "Her name is Belle."
"B-B-did you say Belle?"
"Yes, do you know her?"
"Know her? Why I know her better than my own daughter! You are talking about Maurice's Belle; the one who loves books so much?"
Adam was so happy he felt like flying. "Yes! That's the one!"
"Ah, Belle! She's come in here every day since I can remember-except for the past few weeks. Apparently she went through quite an ordeal, the poor thing."
Adam bowed his head. He certainly couldn't tell the man that he'd once been the horrible beast that terrified Belle and Maurice. But that didn't stop him from
feeling guilty. "I-I'm sorry to hear that. Do you know...? I mean, is she okay?"
"Well…"
Without thinking, Adam grabbed the man's shirt collar and then quickly let go.
" Please! I have to find her right away! I'm begging you! Tell me where to find her!"
The old man's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
"I'm Prince Adam."
"And you won't hurt her? You swear it?"
Adam fell to one knee and bowed his head. "On my honor and my life. I love her."
"Well, all right, then. She lives in the woods in a small cottage. Go down the road and make a right at the first turn. The cottage will be on your left."
Adam rose to his feet and his heart raced like mad as he shook the man's hand vigorously. The thought of seeing Belle… "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, sir!
Thank you so much! I-I'll never forget this! Is there anything I can do for you?"
The man's smile told Adam all he needed to know. Adam watched as the man searched through the many books on the wall, finally removing one with a pink
cover. "Give this to Belle with my love. She'll love it."
"Thank you, sir. I'll make sure that she gets it. If you're ever at the castle, you're welcome any time!"
"Castle? What castle? Wait!"
But Adam was already running toward the door. Seconds later he was riding down the street, anxious to see the woman he loved.
