A/N: Thanks to everyone for all the lovely comments on my last chapter! I must sound like a broken record, but it really does mean a lot! Hopefully things should start to pick up in the next few chapters, but I hope you all enjoy this one, and please let me know your thoughts!

Talulla froze, her blood running cold.

Thinking frantically on her feet, she announced: "Delivery for the prisoner." Her voice shaking only slightly as she showed the guard the books.

But the guard didn't look at the books. Instead, he studied her closely.

"Talulla?"

The girl's heart jumped into her throat at that word, and she slowly started to back away, ready to flee at the first sign of movement.

He knew who she was. She was going to be in so much trouble.

Then, the guard moved.

Talulla flinched, but he didn't go to grab her. Instead, he carefully removed his helmet, revealing a rough beard and shaggy blond locks. Familiar grey eyes looked at her.

"Huntsman," Talulla breathed.

Part of her wanted to run forward and hug him, but the other part was still wary and so she held back. She knew that her mother had held onto his heart.

"What are you doing sneaking around here?" the man asked. "This isn't the place for young princesses."

Talulla hesitated only for a moment, but the Huntsman clearly still had his sharp senses.

"I take it from your face that your mother is not aware of this visit," he said, his eyes crinkling and the corner of his mouth tugging up into a half smile. "I assure you that I will not be the one to tell her."

Talulla knew that she shouldn't trust him, but on this occasion, her heart overruled her head.

"My mother locked up a woman I know and it's my fault," she explained. "I was hoping to see if she was okay… and sneak her a book."

Those grey eyes softened, and the man placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Talulla, you have such a pure heart. Please promise me that you'll never lose that."

The girl gave him a quick smile. "I promise."

"Then go quickly, before my post here ends." He pressed a small key into her hand. "It's the door down the end of the corridor. You have about twenty minutes."

Smiling when she realised what it was, Talulla thanked the Huntsman and turned to start up the stairs.

"Oh, and Talulla?"

She turned back.

"Good to see you," the Huntsman smiled.

The girl grinned in response.

Luckily there was only one more flight of stairs before Talulla reached the cells. It was cold here, and dark. Instantly, Talulla felt guilty. She had caused this. She had made this worse for Belle.

With no time to dwell, the girl hurried down the corridor, heading for the door on the end. She glimpsed through the small window, and on seeing a small figure huddled on the bed, hurriedly jammed the key into the lock.

When she entered, Belle barely acknowledged her. Nervously, Talulla cleared her throat, making Belle look up.

"Talulla?" she whispered.

Talulla nodded shyly.

Belle sat up. "What are you doing here? You could get into so much trouble. What about the guards?"

"My mother has gone out and I know the guard downstairs." Talulla moved forward, holding out the top book. "Here, I thought you'd want something to do. I don't know if you've read it or–".

Belle reached forward eagerly, turning the book over in her hands. "Oh, Talulla, I love this one! Thank you."

But Talulla wasn't listening. Instead, she began pacing, biting her lip. "Belle, I… I'm sorry," she said. "It's all my fault. I tried to help, but I wasn't quick enough. If I hadn't hesitated then you could have got away, but instead I only got you into more trouble… both of us into more trouble."

"No," Belle said gently. "It is not your fault. Your mother would have found another way. When your mother wants something, she stops at nothing to get it, you know that."

Talulla sighed, sitting down heavily next to Belle. "I think I've told you this before, but she wasn't always like that. There was a time, when I was little… she was kind and caring. The king, he treated her horribly. He may have been a good king, but he did not care for my mother and she deserved better than that."

"The king? Was he not your father?"

"No, he wasn't. My father was my mother's true love. He's… he's not with us anymore."

Belle paused. "Oh… I guess there really is more to her than meets the eye."

"But that doesn't excuse what she's done to people, what she's done to you. My maid keeps trying to tell me that she's still in there, the woman I know as my mother, but she's gone, I know she has. She disappeared a long time ago." She looked at Belle sadly.

"Talulla, if I've learnt anything from my books, it's that there is always hope. If someone turned your mother into who she is today, then maybe there is someone, or something, that can turn her back. If you give up on her, then I fear all is lost."

Talulla wasn't convinced, and Belle could see that.

"Talulla, what has she done to you?" Belle asked softly.

The young girl fought the tears that were threatening to fall, a hard lump forming in her throat. "I… I'm so lonely," she admitted, her voice cracking slightly. "I'm not allowed out of my room, I have no visitors other than my maid and Grandfather. I don't know what to do anymore, I don't know how to get out." She paused, taking a breath. "I'm sorry, you have it worse than I do. I shouldn't be complaining."

"No, you can't compare what we're going through. Just because I have it tough, doesn't mean you also don't have it tough."

Talulla looked down, unsure what to say, before glancing at the door. She knew her time was nearly up.

"I have to go soon, before the guards change."

Belle shifted. "Then please don't get caught on my account. You have already risked so much, and I'm grateful." She gestured to the book beside her. "But Talulla, promise me that you won't give in. Whatever she does, stay true to yourself and only do what you believe is right. You have a good heart, don't let her corrupt it."

Talulla leaned forward and gave the woman a hug. "Thank you, I'll try my best to get you out of here."

Belle only smiled. "Go," she urged.

Part of Talulla didn't want to leave as she stood up and headed for the door, pausing to smile one more time at what felt like her only true friend in the world. But she knew if she was going to help Belle, she needed to stay on her mother's good side and endure her punishment.

Then, when she was allowed a little more freedom, she could work on an escape plan.

With these new thoughts in mind, she ensured that the door was locked behind her and slipped back down the staircase. She passed the Huntsman the key and was about to continue down the stairs when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Wait." It was the Huntsman. He paused for a moment, and Talulla heard the footsteps slowly ascending the stairs below her.

The new guard was coming to take over his shift, she realised with a panic. She looked at the Huntsman with wide eyes.

"I'll escort you back," he said quickly. "Keep your head down, and no one will ask any questions."

Talulla knew that she didn't really have a choice, and so did as he asked, tucking her book under her arm and looking at the floor as together they made their way down the stairs.

Her stomach ached with nerves as the guard reached them, but she resisted the urge to look up.

There was a quick muttering of a greeting between the two men, and Talulla felt the Huntsman's grip on her shoulder tighten temporarily. He was worried too, she realised.

However, a few seconds later and the guard had passed without so much of a question.

Talulla let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding. That was too close, she thought to herself as the Huntsman led her through the maze of corridors. Belle had been right. She could not afford to take this risk again.

She couldn't even begin to think how her mother would react if she was caught. Most likely she'd be sent halfway across the land to marry some pompous prince that she'd never heard of, never to be seen in the Enchanted Forest again. She shivered at the thought. Surely her mother would never go that far.

The Huntsman didn't leave her side until they reached the corridor leading to her room. The pair paused just around the corner, aware of the guard posted at her door.

"I'm going to have to wait until the guards change again," Talulla explained "Thank you though, you didn't have to do this."

The Huntsman smiled. "You know that it's not a problem, but please try to stay out of trouble. At least until the Queen calms down. I won't be there to bail you out all of the time."

"I know, don't worry, I'll be staying put for now."

"Good, well I will leave you now. I need to get to my next post, or I'll be missed."

The two said their goodbyes and Talulla watched the Huntsman walk away before turning back to face her next challenge.

Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long. The moment she heard movement from the guard posted at her door, she peeked around the corner, and when the black feathers of his helmet had moved out of sight, darted as quietly and as quickly as she could to her door.

After slipping silently through the door, she let it click shut behind her gently before turning and leaning on it heavily, breathing a sigh of relief. She allowed herself to let out a small smile, hugging her book to her chest. Her little bit of freedom.

She went to move towards the bed, but a small movement by the window stopped her.

Turning, she let out a gasp. The book tumbled from her fingers, crashing to the floor.

For there, shrouded by the sun streaming in through the glass, sat a figure waiting for her.