AN: So those who are still reading Thank You! I'm so sorry it took me a year to update. I always hate it when my favorite stories never update. Hopefully I can do better this time around. Enjoy chapter 3!

Chapter 3: The Storm

3 weeks later….

"Nothing?" Belle asked. "They haven't said anything to you at all?" She glanced over at her friend who was walking beside her. They were on their way to town to check if the bookshop had anything new. She had reread every book in her house at least twice and was desperate for a new story. Also it helped Ella get a break from her home. Apparently, it was not going very well for Ella and her new family.

"Not if they can help it," sighed Ella. "They ask if I know where this or that is at. And if I try to talk to them they do answer… with one or two words. I think they may have spoken 10 words to me in three weeks! I don't understand. At first, I thought they were nervous. It is a new home in a new village. But even now my stepmother barely even looks at me or says a word."

"How strange," Belle mused. "Did you accidentally say or do something? Something that could have upset them? And what about Anastasia and Drizella?"

"They think I can't hear them but I know they laugh at me. They think how I dress and act is 'uncivilized' compared to the town they lived in before here. I really don't know Belle. I haven't interacted with them long enough to even do anything to offend them. They just don't like me."

Belle frowned as she saw how troubled Ella was. She knew Ella had hoped adding a mother and sisters into the home would make it feel less lonely and sad. Now to have her hopes dashed and be rejected for no reason was difficult. "Cheer up El, maybe they just need more time. Our fathers will be home within the week and maybe Henry can improve the situation."

"Yes maybe…" Ella started but was cut off by the sound of a gunshot. "What was that!?"

Ahead of them three young men sauntered out of the trees and onto the path holding what appeared to be dead birds. The tallest one had a gun hoisted up on his shoulder. He was very handsome with dark hair and large muscles that made all the village girls watch him as he walked by. A fact he was very aware of. Next to him was a short and stout young man who always seemed to have a slightly vacant look in his eye. The one on the left was older with the same dark eyes as Belle but lighter hair. He was handsome enough but anyone could tell by his demeanor that he thought much more highly of himself than anyone else thought of him. The girls immediately recognized them and cringed at the thought of having to talk to them, but it would be rude not to and the girls knew they had been raised to at least be polite.

"Hello Sebastian," Belle called. "I was not expecting to see you. Gaston, Lefous, it's nice to see you again."

"Yes what a pleasant surprise," Ella said with a weak smile.

Belle's brother returned Ella's smile with an even bigger one. It did not escape him how pretty his sister's friend had grown to be. "Just doing a little hunting before the weather gets too cold. Of course, we could be persuaded to stop and walk with you ladies to town."

"It would probably be best," Gaston agreed with a smirk. His friend Lefous nodded his head, eager to agree with whatever Gaston said. He turned to Belle and moved slightly closer. "Pretty girls should not walk alone."

"Oh thank you Gaston but I don't think that would be fair to you. You know how women are, who knows how long we will be shopping in town. Men like you shouldn't have to wait on us when you could be hunting. Come on Ella let's leave the men to it." Belle grabbed Ella's arm and quickly started walking past the men. Luckily Gaston was not as bright as he was handsome so he did not realize Belle had been mocking him.

Ella gave the boys a brief smile and a wave goodbye and quickly walked away with her friend. "Gaston likes you Belle. Maybe you should have stayed." She laughed at her friend's glare.

"There are many women happy to have Gaston and this woman is happy to let them have him," she laughed pointing at herself. "Come on let's hurry. I want to get there before lunch."

The girls hurried away. Hopefully Belle could find a book to keep her entertained until her father returned. Without doubt both girls were more than ready for their fathers to be home again.

2 years later….

Maurice was unhappy as he rode along the path home with his horse Phillipe. Although business had done well on this trip, he felt like he failed doing what mattered most. In the wagon behind him there were all sorts of gifts for his three eldest children. As they always did whenever he went away on business they requested he bring them back the finest clothes in the latest styles, jewelry, exotic foods, and whatever else their frivolous minds could think of. Little Belle on the other hand, always asked for something so simple. One time she wanted a seashell from the beach. Another time she has asked for the prettiest stone he could find along the road. Of course he always brought her back the same clothes and jewels he did for her sisters but she always seemed to like the little gifts he found for her the most. Well, those and the books. She could never have too many books. This time she had asked for a rose. A simple, single rose. Unfortunately the cold weather had moved in sooner than Maurice expected. He should have left for their trip sooner so they could have been home well before the winter set in. They usually did not like to travel so late in the year. And cold weather meant he hadn't found the rose Belle wanted. He knew she wouldn't blame him but he hated to think he would disappoint her.

"What are you think of old man?" Henry asked as he rode up behind him. "You should be happy. Look, there is the wood right now. We will be home by nightfall."

"As long as this storm doesn't hit," Maurice replied to his best friend, looking at the dark sky doubtfully. "You know how bad the storms can get around here. We shouldn't be outside when it starts."

"Don't worry so much, we are so close to home. You know Maurice, we are getting too old to be taking these long trips. Maybe we should consider letting James take over for us. He's been with us long enough that he can handle it. Plus it would give us more time at home and less out in this dreadful weather."

Maurice looked back at their right hand man James who was riding a bit behind the carriages full of merchandise they would drop off at town. He had been with them since the beginning and was well prepared to take over the business. Maybe it was time. His Belle spent too much time worrying over him and taking care of their home and he felt guilty about it. He wasn't stupid, he knew she longed for someplace new. Their small town was nothing compared to the exotic places she read about in her books. He feared her worry for him was keeping her from living her life. She was 17 now. She should be planning a life of her own, maybe looking for a nice man to settle down with. Not worrying about her old father.

To be honest, he had considered passing the business to someone else for a while now, but he had been hesitant to bring it up with Henry. He worried Henry would want to give the business to his son Sebastian. Unfortunately, Sebastian lacked the ambition and work ethic his father possessed. Luckily Henry saw this too and had no intention of letting Sebastian ruin all his hard work.

"Maybe you're right," Maurice replied.

After a few more hours their fears were realized. The storm that was brewing came with a vengeance. Later, people would claim it was one of the worst storms they had ever experienced. Everyone bolted their doors and shuttered their windows against the howling winds. No one would dare be outside in this weather. No one, except Maurice and Henry.

They had made it to town well before the storm started and left James and their other employees with the merchandise to sell to the local markets. They had already sold most of it in other, wealthier markets on their journey home so there was not much left to deal with. Eager to get home Henry had persuaded Maurice to finish out their journey and make the ride home that same day. Despite warnings and pleadings to wait until morning from the townspeople, and even from Maurice, Henry was determined to make it home to his family. He had a feeling Ella and her stepsisters did not get along well when he was gone and wasn't willing to leave her for one minute longer than necessary. Not wanting Henry to go by himself, Maurice rode out with him.

It wasn't long before they regretted their decisions. The road was muddy and the rain so heavy they couldn't even be sure they were still on the right path. The wind blew them sideways as their horses struggled to move forward. Too far from town to turn back but not quite at home yet, Henry and Maurice had no choice but to push on.

Suddenly lightning struck nearby and the resounding crack in the air spooked the horses. Maurice felt the horse below him bolt in fear and start running wildly. By the time he got the horse under control he found himself deep in the wood. And Henry was nowhere to be seen.

With no clear path around him and the storm still raging, fear began to seep into Maurice's heart. He was lost and there was no shelter to be found. He could very well die from the elements before he ever found his way out. Not to mention, Henry could be hurt or lost as well. He needed to find help. Hoping that the horse had not taken them too deep into the woods, Maurice turned the horse around and started riding the way they came. But true to the legends of the town, the woods twisted and turned as the paths changed and after what seemed like an eternity of riding, Maurice was no closer to getting out than when he started.

Always the practical man, Maurice wasn't worried about the myths and legends that locals told about the wood. He considered them to be silly ramblings of bored people anyway. No, he did not believe in magic paths and scary beasts. So when he saw a distant light in the woods he was foolish enough to believe his luck had changed at last.