A Prince by any Other Name:
PREFACE:
* As mentioned earlier in my summary, it's common knowledge by now that both Belle and the Beast (aka Prince Adam) did just about everything together to pursue a relationship: Whether it be eating meals together, reading various books, celebrating their first Christmas (thanks to The Enchanted Christmas), feeding the birds or playing in the snow, they did everything.
- But there's ONE vital aspect that Disney left out: What I make reference to is HOW they got to know one another's name. Now granted, I'm sure someone in the castle's staff told the Beast Belle's name, but unfortunately, we as an audience (and Belle) never got to learn the Prince's real name. So, in this one-shot, Beast reveals to Belle his REAL name.
- Noted, this story takes place after the "Something There" song but before the "Human Again" song, if you've watched the animated film or seen the Broadway show. Or, if you wish, it takes place before the "How Does a Moment Last Forever?" reprise, in the live-action remake, it really doesn't matter to me as I have seen and love both versions of those movies and the Broadway musical (though I prefer the animated take of the two better).
* Also noted, this story also serves as a companion piece to my crossover story with Shrek, which I have entitled The Beauty, The Beast and The Ogres, which takes place 10 years after this tale and Shrek Forever After.
With all of that having being said and established, Merci for listening, everyone… And now: Onto the story!
As the servants closed the doors behind them, they went in different directions to do their chores. Meanwhile, all alone by themselves, both the Beast and Belle sat side by side near the fireplace, reading a book together, which turned out to be a version of the famous King Arthur legend.
"And when Guinevere heard that Arthur was slain," Belle read, "she went away to a convent, and no one could make her smile again. THE END!"
The Beast, who had been listening for some time now, swallowed a hard lump in his throat, "What a beautiful, yet heartbreaking story."
He then took out a handkerchief and blew his nose and dried his eyes.
"I never knew stories could do that."
"Do what?" asked Belle.
"Take me away from this place," The Beast replied. "And make me forget for a while."
Belle was still puzzled, "What do you mean, 'forget'? "
"Oh, you know," the Beast admitted with a shrug. "I meant as in the fact that books make me forget who…" He stopped to correct himself, "no, what I am."
Belle pondered this for a moment.
"We have something in common, you and I…" Catching herself she added, "Besides books that is."
"We do?" The Beast asked her, to which Belle replied with a nod. "What is that?
"In the village where I came from," she replied, "the people there believed I was odd. So, I know what it is like to be…" Belle paused to search for the right word, she eventually found it, "Different. So, I know exactly how you feel, how lonely that can be."
The villagers where she used to live thought Belle as an oddball, The Beast asked to himself in surprise.
"You're not that odd," he said aloud with a smirk. "Not to me, anyway."
"Are you sure?" quizzed Belle her companion, who warmly nodded back. "It was the town's belief that a woman shouldn't bother reading, soon she'd start getting ideas, thinking."
"It sounds to me," The Beast went on, "that your town was so thickheaded they didn't know how to appreciate a good thing." He paused to think, "I'll bet that if someone tried to open up their eyes, let alone expand their minds, they'd realize there's more to you than they initially thought."
"No, not especially," replied Belle, shaking her head. "Everywhere you go, they'd find something to gossip about behind your back, especially me and my papa."
Remembering Gaston, who tried and always failed to win her heart, Belle went on with her story.
"But the one person who really who was always part of that crowd, let alone tried to when my heart," she frowned, "was that boorish and brainless hero they all looked up to…" she shuddered in disgust as she mentioned his name. "Monsieur Gaston LeGume. And for some reason or another, he was always interested in me. But I didn't fancy him myself personally."
* PAGE BREAK *
"Well, good for you." praised The Beast, before pausing to think. "Incidentally, was there anyone you were able to talk to in the village?"
"Now that you mention it," Belle paused to think, "the only other one who I could share a talk with was Père Robert."
She then remembered the countless books she would borrow or sometimes buy from him.
"He would also host Sunday services whenever Papa and I attended, he was not only the main bookseller in town, but the town's chaplain as well. So, in sense, he was one of the few who appreciated me for I am."
"At least you had a friend," admitted the Beast. "If you can call him that."
"Oh, he was." said Belle, nodding her head. "So, yes, he was the only other one besides Papa I could talk to."
She then thought back to some of her memories.
"And whenever Papa was away selling his inventions, Père Robert would often look after me like an uncle."
The Beast hesitated for a moment, remembering his faithful meeting with Maurice. It happened so quickly, that instead of being a hospitable host and acting on his best behavior, he locked the old man in the tower.
"I'm sorry I stole you away from your father." he said with remorse. "Had I but known his true intentions, I'd have treated him differently."
"It's okay. I've forgiven you." replied Belle, as she gently petted The Beast's hand. "It's nothing to get upset about anymore. Let's just hope Papa feels the same way when the time comes for him to forgive you."
"If you ask me," The Beast continued after a brief pause, "a woman should not only have the right to read, but they should use the said skill to educate themselves for the better." He held out one paw, "I mean look at Mrs. Potts, she's one of the most sincere women I know. As such, she's been like a second mother to me after my real mother died." He held out his other paw, "And then, there's Madame Garderobe, she learned opera all through books and is one of the best singers I know." He shrugged, "And of course, you've met Plumette, she may be a bit of ditz at times, but at least she's very bright in some areas of knowledge."
Belle took all of that information that into account, "I guess you're right, Beast. It all depends on how you look at things."
There was a long pause, eventually, she spoke again.
"Now if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you something."
"I guess it all depends on the question." wondered Beast, scratching the back of his head nervously.
"When you said books help you forget what you are," Beast nodded, to indicate he was listening, "am I correct in guessing you, along with your staff were once… Human?" Belle also asked, to which Beast nodded again, "Also, that rose in the West Wing, is it the source of your curse?"
"Yes," replied The Beast, giving a nod after a long pause. "I just don't like talking about it."
Belle took this into consideration, "Oh, believe me, I won't tell a soul. Outside of Papa, when the time comes for you to make amends. And Père Robert too, of course."
"Alright," he sighed, "I'll tell you everything."
From there on, as he told his tale, flashbacks rolled in the back of The Beast's mind.
* PAGE BREAK *
"When I was 6 years old, my mother, Queen Chandler died, it was one death I have never really fully recovered from. Then again, I don't suspect I ever will. She was one of the most beautiful women I've known, until you came along." He shuttered as he thought about his vicious and ill-tempered father, "My father, King Vincent, on the other hand, raised me with all of the staff at his side and kept a sharp eye on me." He sighed heavily, "But rather than it being out of love, his treated me with out of pure malice and spite, as he believed I should keep the staff in order, as their needs were insignificant, mine were more important."
"So that is what you meant when…?" Belle began.
"Yes," answered The Beast, "That is exactly what I meant earlier when I said my education was high class and very expensive." He cleared his throat, "Anyway, when my father died just before I turned 10, his will left me all alone to rule the kingdom." Recalling the day of his transformation, The Beast shuddered, "Instead of ruling as any kind, wise and powerful leader should, I was rotten to the core, extremely narcissistic, and very malicious." A flashback of the Enchantress entered his mind, "But that all changed, when a beggar woman tempted me with the rose. And normally, I was told by Mrs. Potts to look beyond appearances and appreciate most people for who they are. But for some reason there of or another… I didn't," he swallowed hard. "And as a result of my temper and crude manners, the beggar woman turned out to be an enchantress and turned me into the very thing I had become both on the inside and outside."
When the flashbacks ended, he returned to the present.
"And here I am, nearly 11 years after my last birthday. So there's not much time left before my next birthday."
"So, essentially, the rose is your hourglass?" guessed Belle.
"Yes," nodded The Beast. "Yes, it is."
He turned to face Belle and put a hand on her shoulder,
"Ever since you've arrived here, there's not a day goes by that I'm grateful you came into not only my life, but everyone else's too," he beamed, "merci, Mademoiselle LaRosa."
"It's Belle," Belle corrected him, as she smiled back. "And your welcome…" She paused as she then soon realized something. "I just suddenly realized, all this time we've been together, I don't think you've ever given me your name."
"Well, that's because you never asked," The Beast laughed warmly. "Then again, it's been a long time since I last thought of using it. As I thought I had no right to ever use it again. The servants of course, have thought otherwise."
"Well, that's… Interesting," said Belle relieved, but now intrigued. "What is it? Your real name, I mean."
"It's Adam," answered Adam, who bowed. "Prince Adam León-Vincit Proulx."
Adam, meaning "first man", Hebrew for "human or person", or in some cultures "man-beast", Belle thought to herself, she smiled at her companion.
"I'm glad to have gotten to know you, Adam," she said aloud.
"And I feel the same way about you, Belle." Adam smiled back at the beautiful woman who he got to know better over the course of what felt like almost a long time.
* PAGE BREAK *
A little while later, despite Gaston tried to break the two apart and kill the monster inside of him, the spell was broken and Adam was back to being human again, he looked at his flesh. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, he had skin instead of fur.
Could it be? Was it possible?
I'm back? he mentally asked himself.
He then looked and felt his body, Mentally laughing warmly , Adam then saw to his relief, the good news was confirmed… He was human again!
I'm back! he cried happily in excitement to himself.
He then turned to face Belle, who had witnessed his death and rebirth.
Whispering softly to herself, a bit unsure if it was still him, she asked only one word.
"Adam?"
"Belle," he kindly nodded, grasping her hand and said in warm voice, "it's me."
Belle looked on curiously as she ran her fingers through his unkempt hair…
It's true that Adam's locks of hair were the same color of auburn he once had for his fur coat, but she had gotten to know Adam better when he was a monster. But remembering what Maurice and her lover as The Beast told her about appearances, she saw began to see he as a human and as The Beast, Adam shared many similarities: For starters, they shared the same baritone voice, as well as the same shape, size and color of his eyes, his love for books, everything.
"Don't be afraid," Adam whispered to Belle, who he could tell she was afraid. "It'll be all right."
Very soon, Belle's memories with the Prince came flooding back to her, especially her getting a good look at his ruined portrait in the West Wing. She was soon convinced that both Prince Adam and the Beast were in fact one and the same person. This was indeed, no doubt whatsoever, the very same man/beast that she had fallen in love with.
"It is you!" she happily acknowledged, as she placed a hand to his cheek.
"Told you," Adam answered and smiled back at Belle with a warm chuckle.
Not another word said, the two leaned in together and shared their very first kiss.
And the scene shifted…
* PAGE BREAK *
Later on, as the two lovers danced in front of the whole castle, and neither one said a word for a while.
The silence was only broken when Cogsworth and Lumière having an argument as to who was right about Belle breaking the spell, Mrs. Potts was also seen assuring Chip that the girl who saved them and their now reformed Prince would live "Happily Ever After", and, of course, Maurice was so proud of his daughter, he even learned the truth all about Adam and come to forgive his son-in-law for all of his wrongdoing and trespass.
As they dance, they heard some new lyrics being added to their dance number from a few nights ago, all which were sung by Mrs. Potts.
"Winter turns to Spring, famine turns to feast. Nature points the way, nothing left to say. Beauty and the Beast."
Soon, their was another pause.
Gradually, Adam broke the silence between him and Belle, who had been absentmindedly ran her fingers through one of his smooth cheeks.
"You sure look like you're deep thought, Belle. What's on your mind?" Adam asked.
His answer came in Belle asking her own question.
"Just one question," Adam nodded. "How would you feel about growing a beard, Adam?"
To say that he didn't see that question coming, was quite the understatement of the year for The Prince, as he playfully growled at her, they then shared a laugh.
"I'd love to," Adam replied.
"I'm glad to hear it." Belle said. "I won't force it upon you, but take your time."
"Time," Adam smiled. "The one thing we now have plenty of."
His face softened to quizzical expression.
"And if it itches like crazy, will you still love me as a cleanshaven man?" he asked.
"Of course, I will," Belle replied.
The two the smiled again and resumed dancing, as the choir resumed singing their theme song that they danced to a few nights ago:
Certain as the sun
Rising in the East
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
It's a tale as old as time
But a song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
Yes indeed, for many years to come, this would be one story to share by many families down the ages. It would be a story told not just in France, but all over the world as well, with various variations and adaptions of the story… including my own story, which you have just got through reading.
For never had there been a tale of both woman and man, then this of the beautiful, humble and smart Belle and her handsome, kind, gentle and newly reformed Prince Adam. A tale that would be told in all corners of the world: North, South, West and East… a tale of Beauty and the Beast.
THE END!
Author's Notes:
1. Well folks, so that's the way it goes. And before you comment in and all feedback, I AM 100% completely aware that there are SOME people at Disney who DON'T consider Adam to be the Beast's canon name, especially because of the main character in the He-Man series has the same exact name.
- But to be fair, I believe that it suits our Beast well, and I understand that there are many fans out there, all of whom (besides me) address Beast/his grace, as such by that namesake or another name.
- Adding to that, I never particularly liked for the He-Man franchise. Plus, let's be honest, I ask you: What human being in the right name would have "Beast" as their birth name? Granted the X-Men's own Hank McCoy goes by Beast as his superhero name, but you know what I mean, people! It just doesn't roll of the tip of the tongue for a human name.
2. And for those of you out there, if you all have to ask regarding the other namesakes, I chose these names, because my reasons are as follows:
- León is one half of Adam's middle name to because it means "Lion" in some languages, so I am keeping part of his middle name related to his Beast form.
- Vincit is the other half of his middle names means "to conquer" in Latin, and it was shown in one of the stained-glass windows in the opening of the animated film with the message "Vincit qui se Vincit", which means "he who conquers, conquers himself", so Adam conquers himself as the Beast and becomes human again.
- And Proulx was chosen by me as his last name because it means "wise".
- For those of you have to ask, I chose LaRosa as Belle's last name to coincide with her families love of roses, while her middle name that I chose is DuPont, which is a common French last name.
- When she gets married, LaRose will become Belle's middle name as Proulx will be her new surname.
3. I am 100% also aware that Père Robert didn't get his name until the 2017 remake, but I thought I'd use it here.
- And likewise, Adam's past was inspired by the 2017 remake as well, as well as his intellect.
- This is because one nitpick that I've always had with the animated take and Broadway show is that he is (seemingly) illiterate.
- The name of Adam's parents, or Vincent and Chandler, are derived from the versions of the main characters from the Beauty and the Beast TV show that ran from 1987–1990, which I have not watched yet, but I WANT to one of these days as I've heard good things about it.
4. Some of the dialogue I wrote was inspired by (and based off) the Broadway show.
- Meanwhile, the talk about growing a beard Adam and Belle show is from both films, it should be noted though the 1991 film never used the beard dialogue, so, I was glad to know they used it in the 2017 remake. I just tweaked the dialogue to make it sound a little better.
5. Lastly, I had two nods to Shakespeare, one being in the title from Juliet's line in Romeo & Juliet, "A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet" and the ending's wording which also comes from the same story.
- I myself personally (like our hero and heroine), am a HUGE Shakespeare fan and admire a great amount of his work, though it CAN be hard at times to make out the old English. But that said, they are still fun stories to read.
And with that said, join me later on in the next story when Adam, Belle, Maurice and the rest of the castle staff return in my Shrek and Beauty and the Beast crossover story: The Beauty, The Beast and The Ogres.
* Belle, The Beast/Prince Adam and the Disney tale of Beauty and the Beast are owned and © by Disney.
* Meanwhile, the original fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast (or La Belle et la Bête), is owned and © by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve.
Until the next story folks, I'm M. R. Parkerson signing off…