AN: So here is chapter 2! Just so you know I am trying to stay really close to the original stories. Some parts will be from the movie and some from the original fairy tales. Some I will just have to make up to blend the two together. Grammar might not be perfect so sorry…

Chapter 2: Beginnings and Endings

When Ella and Belle were ten years old there was an uncommonly severe winter. The sun didn't shine for months and everything was dark and damp. Even when there was no snow the sky was cloudy and gray and sprinkled the land with a fine mist. The doctors of Aminelle were very busy with the locals who were quickly succumbing to various ailments due to the harsh weather. One of those victims was Elaina.

Elaina had started with a simple cough which had quickly spread. Before long the brutal cold had settled into her chest and restricted her breaths. With her husband constantly beside her Elaina fought every day to overcome the sickness but every day it was harder and harder to breathe. Little Ella would sit outside her mother's room while the doctor administered different potions and remedies, but nothing seemed to work. All Ella could do was spend a few moments each day with her mother and try to lift her spirits. Ella would lay with her mother and speak of her day or sing to her. Ella's favorite song was "Lavender's Blue", a lullaby that her mother had often sang to her.

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green

When I am king, dilly dilly, you'll be my queen

Lavender's green, dilly dilly, lavender's blue

If you love me, dilly dilly, I will love you

When Elaina was too tired and Ella had to leave her to her rest, she would take comfort in her dear friend Belle. Belle knew what it was like to be without a mother and prayed that her friend would not suffer the same fate. She did not want to lose the last kind woman in her life.

After weeks of illness, Elaina died with her loving husband and darling daughter at her bedside. For days Ella stayed in her room crying and mourning her mother. Belle could do nothing to soothe her, so she lay next to her friend day and night and mourned with her. On the day of the funeral Belle held Ella's right hand as Henry held his daughter's left. They put the beloved Elaina to rest under a willow tree at the far end of the meadow, right next to where Belle's mother Amelia rested.

Years past and Ella's pain lessened little by little. Henry, on the other hand, was haunted by the loss of his wife who he loved so much. He became engrossed in his work. He planned even more trading expeditions and took his partner Maurice with him, leaving the children with the nannies and servants. Sebastian, Emmeline, and Georgiana were not much bothered by the departure of their father. They used this time to get away with all their mischief with no one to control them. The youngest two however were quite lonely and missed the two fathers terribly. They took solace in each other and spent countless days playing and daydreaming in the meadow or with their mice friends in the attic. Often they would visit their mothers' graves and sit under the willow as they spoke with them. There was no part of their land that they hadn't explored, except the forest.

They had been expressly forbidden to enter it. Even if they hadn't, they would not dare attempt it. Too many people got lost in the woods and never returned. Those who had, claimed that the paths turned and changed so that they couldn't be trusted. Even more frightening, there began to be reports of a terrible creature in the woods. A huge monster was said to live in an elegant manor at the center of the woods. It was talked about in hushed whispers through the town. The few that had successfully maneuvered the forest reported hearing his roar and seeing glimpses of him on the grounds but no one had ever been brave enough to approach the foreboding manor. The townspeople were convinced that those who never returned from the woods were victims of the beast. Needless to say, despite their curiosity about what the mysterious darkness held, the girls were smart enough to stay within the borders of their fathers' land.

By the time the girls were fifteen, they were quite well known in town. They did not go often because their homes were so secluded but occasionally they needed something to amuse them. Their childlike prettiness grew into the beauty of young women. Thanks to Elaina's education and their dedication to continue their studies after her passing, they were intelligent, refined young girls. They were overall lovely and pure girls both inside and out. They were charming and well-liked by everyone, even if they were seen as a tad odd. But what can you expect from two girls raised isolated from the rest of society? Though they were always polite and friendly, they seemed content to spend time only with each other instead of other girls their age in town.

In all fairness though, Ella and Belle found it difficult to relate to the teenage girls of the town who were worried about dresses, dances, and gossiping about the local boys. These things were silly to Belle and Ella, especially the boys. Belle had no interest for most of the young men of the town, especially her brother's best friend Gaston. He was handsome enough but vain and arrogant. Belle never understood why the girls fawned over him and repeatedly tried to avoid him and any attempts at conversation he made with her. Ella on the other hand was so sweet and naïve that she was ignorant of the notice she and Belle garnered from the local boys. None of them had caught her interest for none were as charming, kind or sincere as her dear father.

Once fall morning her father returned from a long business journey with surprising news. After an enthusiastic welcome from his daughter he sat with her in the parlor.

"Ella, I know it has been hard for you with me being gone on business so much. It leaves you quite alone."

"Yes but I know it's necessary," she replied trying to reassure him. "And I have Belle so I'm never truly alone."

Henry frowned and continued on. "Belle has been a good friend to you and that is good, but you need something more. You are a young woman now. You need…. a mother."

Ella was shocked and unable to respond at first. Henry paused hoping she would say something but when he saw her expression he kept going, speaking faster and faster as he became more nervous. "I just mean that I think it is time for us to bring someone new in our lives. You're young and I'm not that old. I think this could bring a lot of happiness into our home. And it will be good for us. And I understand if you're hesitant but you should at least think about it. And I know it's sudden. And I know you don't know her. And…"

"Her?" Ella interrupted her father's nervous rambling. "You already have met a woman you mean to marry?"

Henry cleared his throat and Ella could swear she saw him blush. "Well, it's not official but I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of the widow Lady Rodmilla on a trip several months ago. She has two daughters, Anastasia and Drizella who are only a little older than you. We have met several times but on this last trip I was quite convinced she would be a good woman to bring into our home. She is very affectionate toward her own daughters and I believe will be so with you as well."

Ella was finally able to process what her father was saying. "Oh father, I only want you to be happy. If you are sure this woman will do that then I trust you. I will happily welcome her and her daughters into our lives and home."

Henry was so relieved to hear of his daughter's approval. He felt he was lacking when it came to giving Ella what she needed. A girl needs a woman's touch in her life. Most of all he was hoping the Lady Rodmilla would be the person who could give them a new start and put the pain of loss in the past.

A date was set only a few weeks away. It would be a quiet ceremony with only family and the reverend in attendance. They would marry in town when the ladies arrived and then Henry would bring them to his home. Belle was as shocked as Ella when she first heard the news.

"A stepmother!? And two stepsisters!? All within the month! How sudden."

"I know," Ella laughed. "He never mentions any woman at all and now suddenly he is to be married. I can hardly believe it myself. But I'm sure it will be a good thing. I don't want my father spending the rest of his life alone. He has changed so much since mother's death."

"Maybe seeing him so happy will push my father to do the same," Belle sighed. "Now that my older siblings are gone I fear leaving him in that big house by himself." Belle's older sisters had married in the past couple years, both very young. But they had been eager to leave the secluded house and claimed they would much rather have their own homes in town where there was society and entertainment. Belle didn't hear from them much. Her brother Sebastian had become a trader like their father although not as successful. Maurice had tried to teach his son but Sebastian wanted all the profit and none of the work. He also had a place of his own a few towns over where he claimed there was more money to be made.

"Now I will be the one living with siblings. How strange it will be to have sisters who are strangers to me," Ella exclaimed. "I'm sure we can get along though, right? And you will be there won't you? Surely the four of us will be good friends being so close in age."

"Hopefully," Belle replied. "Do you think you are excited or nervous?"

"Both I guess," Ella said. "It will be a change but nice to have more people around, especially when father is away. I bet Lady Rodmilla is beautiful and accomplished. Who knows what she can teach us! I just hope they are satisfied with the life we lead out here. We are well off and very comfortable but simple. Father has never been one for excessive luxury. What if they aren't happy with us?"

Belle hugged her friend. "No sense in fretting over it," she consoled. "I'm sure your father chose wisely and they will love both of you and your house. No matter what I will be there. I think this will be a good thing. We must agree to be excited from here on out. No nervousness."

"Agreed," Ella nodded.

The day of the wedding came and Ella finally met her new stepmother and stepsisters. Just as she expected the Lady Rodmilla was stunning. She had an air of elegance about her and Ella could see why her father chose her. Rodmilla was polite but not terribly friendly. Ella was sure it was just the newness of it all and they would become better acquainted over time. Her stepsisters on the other hand seemed like they would be more difficult to get along with. Anastasia and Drizella were both pretty girls but it was hidden behind their excessive makeup and jewelry. Their clothes were extensively elaborate with bows and frills everywhere. They looked almost ridiculous to Ella but she knew little of the latest fashions. She mostly wore simple dresses and the one she wore today was her best. It was her mothers and a beautiful light green with lace at the neck and wrist. She thought it was lovely but very simple compared to the extravagance of her stepsisters. But anyone with eyes could see that Ella far surpassed her stepsisters, despite what fashion says.

That night there was a party that Ella's stepmother had arranged to celebrate the marriage. Ella spent the night talking to the people from the town and watching her stepsisters soak up the attention they were getting by being the new people around. She was glad her new family was enjoying themselves and hoped they wouldn't feel too isolated so far away from these people. Her stepmother was playing the perfect and sophisticated hostess. Ella greatly admired how she arranged everything and mingled with everyone in such a graceful way. Soon Ella noticed someone was missing from the party. She went off in search of her father and found him in his study.

"You know, this party is for you. It makes sense that you should actually be in attendance," she teased.

"I've never been one for large gatherings," he smiled. "I'll rejoin in a minute. But first come here." Ella went to him and seated herself on his lap. "I will have to leave this week. I have spent a lot of time here trying to prepare everything for the mistress's arrival. I have lost valuable time and Maurice and I need to get one more trip in before the winter weather sets in and makes travel impossible for a while. I won't be gone too long. Already the air is turning colder."

"Please be careful," Ella pleaded. "Return as quickly as possible. I miss you so when you are gone. And now you have a wife and two other daughters who need your attention."

"Yes I suppose I do," Henry laughed. "I will be back in a couple weeks. Do you like them? Do you think you will be alright with them by yourself?"

"I like them well enough," Ella answered. "Surely this time will bring us closer together. I just…"

"I know Ella. I miss her too," Henry whispered. "I wish she was here but we must try to move on. It is what your mother would want. I will always love her, as will you, but we must do what we can to make a new family with Rodmilla, Anastasia, and Drizella."

Ella kissed her father's cheek. "Of course. I'm sure we will get along splendidly while you are away."

Neither of them knew that Rodmilla had heard every word and was angered at the thought of constantly being third place in her new husband's heart behind his dead wife and precious daughter. Resentment and jealousy filled her heart and she returned to the party dreading the time she would have to spend with Ella during her father's absence. Already she was scheming how to make Ella useful to her in some way.

At dawn Henry kissed his new wife and daughters goodbye. As he set off with Maurice, Belle and Ella ran with them down the road a bit, trying to keep them in sight as long as possible. Already the girls were ready for their fathers to return to them.

AN: Lavender's Blue is an English folk song from the 17th century that is used in the new Cinderella movie. If you haven't heard it yet then you should. It's a beautiful song. I only put a small part of the lyrics in this chapter.

Next chapter Belle really begins her story…