AN: What's this? Two chapters in one day!
Chapter 5: Castle in the Woods
"No! Oh please no!"
Ella and Belle both jumped at the sound of the mournful cries as they neared Ella's home. Before the coach had even stopped completely they were both on the ground and running to the door. Inside their neighbor, Mr. Leroy, stood with his hat clutched in his hands and his eyes downcast. Lady Rodmilla was on the floor weeping inconsolably as her daughters tried to get her up and assure her that all would be well.
"Stupid girls! Don't you see! We are ruined," she spat as she swatted their hands away. "What will become of us now?"
Ella inched further into the room. "Mr. Leroy? What happened?" she asked as calmly as she could muster.
Mr. Leroy's sad eyes met hers. "Miss Ella, I'm so sorry. I found a horse roaming my fields and I recognized it as your father's. I wanted to return it, and that's when I found him. Looks like he fell and hit his head."
"He was out in the storm last night," James thought out loud. "It must've spooked his horse."
Ella barely heard him as she reached out and grabbed Belle's hand. "Did you call for a doctor?" she asked frantically. "Is he going to be alright?"
Mr. Leroy didn't have time to answer before Belle interjected. "Ella…"
Ella turned to her friend, but Belle wasn't looking at her, Mr. Leroy, or the sobbing woman on the floor. Her gaze was fixed beyond them all, to the sheet-covered form lying on a settee in the parlor. Ella followed her gaze and then quickly looked away, burying her head in her friend's shoulder. Belle held onto Ella tightly, tears running down both of their faces. After a moment Ella turned back to Mr. Leroy.
"Thank you for bringing him home. Someone should go to the village and fetch the… the…" Ella's voice broke at the thought of her beloved father being buried. Luckily, James understood and agreed to go. He solemnly hugged both girls before he left. Mr. Leroy tipped his hat and began to leave as well.
"Wait," Belle called out to him. "Where is my father? Surely he wouldn't have left Henry out there alone."
Mr. Leroy looked unsure and shrugged. "I don't know Miss. There was no one else out there."
Belle was confused but nodded anyway. Where could Papa have gone? Did he make it back home? Did he know about Henry?
"You should go home Belle," Ella interrupted Belle's thoughts. "Check on Maurice. Make sure he made it home safe."
"I can't leave you alone Ella. Not now."
Ella shook her head and wiped her eyes. "You need to go. Check on Maurice. Besides, I need some time alone with my father."
Belle nodded, still a little unsure but eager to find her father. She hugged her friend tightly once more and assured her that she would be back soon. Moments later Belle was running through the field toward her house. She burst through the front door asking all the household staff about her father, but none had seen them. A couple of the men went out to search the fields and nearby roads for Maurice. By nightfall they returned with no answers. The local sheriff was notified, but no one had any idea where he could be.
The night wore on and both girls were wide awake. Ella was in her room, staring out her window toward the edge of the field where the willow sat. Her and Belle's mother were both there, soon to be joined by her father. Her stepmother was not happy at the idea of Henry being buried beside his late wife, but Ella had insisted when men from the village came to take him away. He was to be buried the next morning and everyone in the village who knew him knew he always intended to rest forever beside Elaina. Ella let the sobs wrack her body as she mourned her dear father.
Belle was also looking out her window, gazing at the moon and wondering where her father could be. A movement caught her eyes and she strained to see and was barely able to make out the shape of a horse. She quickly dressed and wrapped a cloak around her to fend off the chilly air. Once outside she could see it was Phillipe, her father's trusted horse. Phillipe was agitated, stomping and whinnying in displeasure. To calm him Belle led him to the stable and fed him as she stroked his head. Eventually, the horse settled down. Belle looked back to the direction that Phillipe had come from. It didn't look like he came from the roads or from the neighboring farm. She looked at his hooves and found crushed leaves and mud. Twigs were stuck in his mane. Belle realized where he had come from and where her father must be. The woods.
Belle re-saddled Phillipe, murmuring apologies for making him leave the comfort of the stables again so soon. She had to find her father.
Ella was still gazing out the window when a dark figure appeared. She squinted and saw it was Belle on a horse. Just as Belle pulled her arm back, prepared to toss a pebble at Ella's window, Ella threw it open and leaned out.
"Belle, what are you doing here?" Ella whispered just loud enough for Belle to hear her. She didn't want to wake the rest of the house. Belle motioned for her to come down and meet her.
Ella pulled a robe over her nightgown and ran down the stairs to the front door. Belle grabbed her arm and pulled her outside.
"Phillipe came back. He was in the woods. I bet that is where my father is as well. I'm going to find him," Belle said fervently.
Ella stared at her friend for a minute. "….…You're going to do what?"
"I'm going to find him."
"Belle, that is insane. It is pitch dark out, you don't know where he is at, you've never been in the woods before, God only knows what lives in there, …"
"Ok I get it," Belle cut off Ella's long list of reasons to not go. To be fair, they were all really good points. However, none of them held up against the most important reason Belle had to go- her father was out there. "But I have to find him. It's cold outside. He could be hurt and that's why he never made it back."
"Why don't you let the sheriff handle it? Or one of the household staff? Or James?" Ella asked.
"I tried but none of the staff will go with me. They all insist on waiting until morning."
"Which is an excellent idea."
"It's cold outside tonight Ella. He could die from exposure or from a wild animal. If he's hurt, he might need medical attention immediately. I have to get to him as soon as possible. He would do it for me. For both of us."
Ella thought about it for a second. She couldn't deny the potential danger Maurice could be in, but she also saw the potential danger to Belle. It wouldn't be helpful if Belle got lost or hurt too. She could see Belle was determined to go and Ella couldn't stop her, but she could help her.
"Fine," Ella conceded. "But I'm going with you. You need someone there to help you in case something happens. Plus, I'm a better navigator then you are." Ella smiled at her friend, attempting to lighten the mood.
Belle smiled a little but shook her head. "You don't have to do that El. I just wanted you to know where I was going. Besides, your father's funeral is tomorrow."
"My father would want you and Maurice both safe and sound. Besides, I can't lose you too. I'm going."
With that final declaration, Ella ran back inside to dress in warmer clothing. She brought a few blankets, snacks, and a canteen full of water to be packed in Phillipe's saddlebags.
"So," Ella started as she settled behind Belle on the back of Phillipe. "Where are we going?"
"Well, I'm hoping Phillipe can lead us back. At the very least, I know the general direction he came from and we can find a trail he left. Broken branches, hoof prints, crushed plants, that kind of stuff."
Ella sighed and the two trotted off toward the woods. Despite their fear and concern for Maurice, both girls were a bit excited. They had never been in the forest before. Ella held on tightly to Belle as Phillipe picked up the pace. "At least that's a start," she decided.
Maurice was looking out his own little window that night as well. However, unlike Belle's and Ella's, this window had bars across it. Locked in the cell, Maurice wondered what was going through everyone's minds. Henry must be frantically searching for him and poor Belle must be worried sick. Still, he half hoped no one found him. No telling what that beast would do to anyone who came looking for him.
His mind wandered back to the events that landed him in this prison. After picking the rose he had come face to face with a terrifying creature. Towering over him the monster bared his sharp teeth and fangs. He was covered in dark, scruffy fur and his hands and feet were tipped with lethal looking claws. Two horns stuck out on the sides of his head. Yet, he had the facial features of a man. He walked on hind legs and wore a pair of tattered pants. He could also speak, which he did in a deep, gravelly voice.
"How dare you?" the beast had growled. "I welcome you into my home. Give you everything you need. How do you repay me? By stealing!"
Maurice had thrust the rose toward the beast and apologized profusely. He had tried to explain it was for his daughter and he never meant any disrespect. He backed away from the monster, hoping to escape. Unfortunately, his horse had gotten spooked by the roar of the beast and ran away. It didn't matter though. The beast would not hear his apologies and blocked his route of escape. He picked Maurice up and carried him to the basement where he was locked in this cell.
"Enough excuses. If you want to act like a thief, then you shall be punished like one."
"How long will you keep me here?" Maurice asked in desperation.
"Those roses are one of my most prized possessions and you tried to take them. Why should I let you leave?" With that the beast left Maurice in his little prison.
Maurice had not seen the beast since. He laid down on the thin blankets provided to him. The dampness and the cold were getting to him and he could feel the thickness in his chest. He was too old to be out in storms and damp weather. His chest heaved as he began coughing and it took him several moments to stop. He feared he may not be in this prison as long as the beast expected.
"I'm absolutely sure we are completely lost," Belle declared.
"We are not lost. We just don't know where we are," Ella argued, trying to keep the situation in a positive perspective.
"Come on Phillipe," Belle begged. "Take us to Papa. You know the way."
Phillipe huffed and trotted along at his own pace. Both girls sighed in frustration. It was impossible to tell how long they had been traveling since the trees were so tall they blocked out the sun, but it felt like hours. The dark forest seemed to look the same in every direction and they had lost the trail a while ago. Belle closed her eyes thinking of what to do next.
"Um, Belle, was that there before?" Ella asked timidly. Belle opened her eyes and looked in the direction that Ella was pointing. Sure enough, there was a path there that had not been there a minute ago.
"Maybe we just overlooked it?" Belle suggested, not really believing it. They both heard the stories of the enchanted forest. That was why they were forbidden to enter it. Ella said nothing as they turned Phillipe toward the path. Shortly after the path opened up to a giant clearing with a castle at the center.
"Wow! I was not expecting that," Ella said as her wide eyes took in the giant building. Phillipe started huffing and refused to go forward. "Doesn't look like Philippe is too fond of this place."
"That's ok. We can go on foot. Maybe Papa made got lost like us and ended up here, or someone has seen him at least."
The two girls tied Philippe up nearby and slowly approached the front gate. It was unlocked so they made their way through the gardens to the door.
"How beautiful!" Ella exclaimed as they walked through the gardens. "Wait, is that Maurice's?"
Sure enough, his cloak was lying next to the roses. Belle smiled as she picked it up. "He's here! Thank goodness."
The two joyfully ran to the door and knocked. Then they waited, and waited. Then knocked again, and waited some more. Belle glanced at Ella who shrugged, not sure what to do next. Gingerly, Belle pushed on the door and it opened.
"Papa," she called. "Are you here?"
No one answered and the two girls stood silently in the foyer, debating what to do next. The house was dark and quiet, as if no one was home. They didn't really feel comfortable roaming through someone else's home, but what else could they do? They had to find Maurice. Slowly, they began to ascend the main staircase when a gravelly voice interrupted them.
"What are you doing here?" The girls jumped at the sudden sound and looked around, but couldn't see anyone. It seemed like the voice came from the shadowy hallway by the stairs, but they could not see who was speaking.
"I'm here looking for my father. We think he got lost. This is his cloak we found in the garden," Belle said, sounding much more brave than she felt. "Is he here?"
"Your father was caught stealing from me. He is here, as my prisoner," the voice replied.
Belle gasped and Ella could tell she was angry at the accusation. Wanting to prevent the situation from worsening, Ella spoke up. "Sir, I'm sure there must have been a misunderstanding. He wouldn't do such a thing. I'm sure he would be happy to pay to replace anything you feel was lost," Ella reasoned in a calm, soothing voice.
"It's not as simple as that. You should leave. He remains here, with me."
"Please," Belle pleaded. "At least let me see him." Her pleas were met with silence. Belle was trying to figure out what to do next when the voice finally answered.
"Very well. Follow me."
A shadow moved quickly down the hallway and the girls had to move fast to follow it. They walked down the stairs into a basement that was somehow even darker than the rooms above. They could smell the dampness and mildew of the rooms. Ella gasped when she saw that they were standing in a dungeon.
"Papa!" Belle cried out and ran to the bars that separated her from her father. "Papa! It's me. Are you alright?"
"Belle?" Maurice said weakly. "Belle! What on earth are you doing here? Ella, is that you? You girls shouldn't be here."
"We came to find you Papa. I was so worried."
"Belle, you have to leave. Please! You don't understand. There is a…" his words were cut off by his coughing as he wheezed for breath. Belle turned toward the shadowy figure that lingered off to the side, out of the direct light.
"Can't you see he's sick? He needs a doctor. Please let me take him home," Belle pleaded on the verge of tears.
"I said he stays here!" the gravelly voice said getting louder in its anger. "He is a thief and must be punished."
Belle looked at Ella who stared back with hopeless eyes. "Maybe we can bring a doctor here?" Ella suggested.
"No!" Both girls reared back at the roar and moved closer to each other. "No one comes here."
Belle stared at her father whose breathing was becoming labored. He was too old to live like this. He would die. She, on the other hand, was younger and stronger.
"Let my father return home and I'll stay here," Belle said quickly before she lost her courage.
"No!" Maurice cried out. "Belle you can't."
Ella grabbed her friend's hand and squeezed tightly, fear in her eyes.
"You wish to take your father's place?" the voice asked, clearly surprised by the request. "You give me your word that you will stay?"
"Yes, I give you my word," Belle answered in a determined voice.
"If you break our agreement, any of you…" he added with a glance at Maurice, "…I will find you both and I will not be as merciful as prison." With that threat he stepped into the light and Belle's breath caught in her throat and Ella froze in fear. The two girls stared at the beast in front of them.
"I understand," Belle said in a broken voice once she had recovered. The beast nodded and began unlocking the cell.
"Belle, let me stay here with you. You can't be alone," Ella cried, turning toward her friend.
"I need you to take care of Papa. He will be all alone without me. Please, you have to make sure he gets better."
"Then let me stay and you go with him!"
"This was my decision El. You have done so much for me already. It's time for you to go home."
Ella cried as she embraced her friend and the two hugged each other tightly. Who knew when they would see each other again? Their hearts broke when they realized they were saying goodbye to each other for the first time in their lives.
"Remember what I told you my mother said to me before she died?" Ella whispered to her friend. "Have courage and be kind. It will get you through."
"I will miss you El. Stay strong for me. I love you," Belle whispered back.
"I love you too."
Ella stepped back and allowed Belle to say goodbye to her father. He begged and pleaded and even refused to go, but the beast had already decided. With one last hug Maurice was pulled out of the cell and Belle was locked in. Ella spared her one more glance and a brave smile as she helped Maurice walk out of the dungeon. The last she saw was Belle smile back and wave goodbye.
What Belle did not see were the little eyes that observed her and she did not hear the soft voices throughout the castle.
"Who is that?"
"It's a girl!"
"What is she doing here?"
"Oh poor dear!"
"Is she the one?"
"She could be."
"Finally!"
"Just in time too. We don't have much longer left."