When I start a story, I tend to write the first several chapters all at once. So, here is chapter 2!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 2:
It was midday, but the woods were dark. Strange noises startled Belle at every turn, and she was terrified at the thought of what might leap out at her from the shadows of the trees. However, this terror was nothing compared to the fear of what awaited her when she emerged from the woods.
Papa had come home rich, to be sure, but this good fortune paled in comparison to the tragedy he had related to his children. The first words he had uttered upon his return were simply: "Belle, I'm afraid you must leave us."
"Where is she going?" Adele had immediately asked. "Are you sending her away to school? That's not fair, Papa. I've always wanted to be educated at a real school."
"Hush, Adele. Let Papa speak!" Marie had interrupted.
"Belle," Papa continued, "you are going to live in an enormous palace."
"Don't tell us you've found her a rich husband!" Louis exclaimed. "Good work, Papa! Is he a duke? Or merely a count?"
"I'm older, so I should marry first," Marie had muttered mutinously.
Utterly confused, Belle looked around at her father and siblings in the greatest consternation. "I-I don't understand," she stuttered. "Why am I leaving? What palace will I live in? Papa, I don't really want to leave home."
"I made a terrible mistake as I was coming home," Papa replied, burying his face in his hands. "Children, let's all sit down. I'll tell you what has happened.
"As I was journeying home, I became lost in the woods that lie to the east of our home. I had wandered off the main road in search of a shortcut, because I wanted to arrive home sooner. Night fell, and it began to snow heavily. I would have frozen had I not stumbled upon a palace in the middle of the woods."
"So the rumors are true? There actually is a palace in that forest? Everyone knows there's deep enchantment in those woods, but I hadn't believed the stories about the palace. It's really there?" Laurent had interrupted.
"Yes, it is," Papa wearily replied. "I knew I would probably freeze if I remained outside that night, so I managed to climb over the gate into the palace grounds. The palace seemed to be deserted, so I simply entered. I made a fire, found a bedroom, and spent a very comfortable night. In the morning, I packed my bags and prepared to leave.
"Out in the grounds, a large rosebush was growing. I suppose it must have been enchanted, otherwise it would not have had flowers in the wintertime. I remembered my promise to bring back a rose for Belle, so I plucked one of the roses.
"Suddenly, I heard a huge roar, and a gigantic Beast rushed out of the palace, with large horns and thick fur, huge, vicious teeth, murderous talons and bloodshot eyes! It bellowed that I was repaying it for its hospitality with thievery, and that it would kill me on the spot. I begged it to spare my life. I told it that I had six children who were waiting for me, three sons and three daughters. When I said this, it stopped threatening me and began to ask questions about my family. I described all of you, and when I had finished, it offered me a deal.
"It said that it would release me and would even give me a chest of gold and jewels if I would send my youngest daughter to live in its palace. If I left with the treasure but failed to send my daughter within a week, it said it would come and slaughter my entire family. Belle, this is why you must go live in its palace. I chose to leave, so if you do not go, we all will die. Please forgive me."
Having related his tale, Papa had broken down into sobs. None of his children could comfort him in any way. After all, they themselves were far too shaken to do any good.
"David, Louis and I will go slay the Beast!" Laurent had confidently declared. "Belle doesn't need to go. We'll take care of everything."
Papa had swiftly vetoed this suggestion, saying that the three young men would be slaughtered in seconds. Belle was not disappointed by this, for she had immediately seen that there was no escape from her fate. She had to go live with the Beast.
This was the reason why she was struggling through the forest now, terrified to go forward but even more terrified of turning back.
"What if the Beast eats me?" she wondered, trembling. "Will it torture me first? I suppose it might simply make me its servant. That won't be so bad. But I'm useless. Everyone says so. The Beast will see how useless I am, and then it will eat me without a second thought." Tears welled up in her eyes and quickly spilled over. They froze on her cheeks before they could trickle very far.
"I really don't want to die yet," she murmured as she pushed her way through a snowdrift. A harsh wind blew through the forest, and her teeth began to chatter violently. "Perhaps I'll die before I even reach the palace. It's so cold."
Nearly frozen, she pressed onwards, determined to cling to life. After what seemed like hours of pointless wandering, she unexpectedly emerged from the woods. Her mouth dropped open as she gazed upon the palace before her.
It was surrounded by a massive wall, and the high gate was of the strongest iron. Belle could scarcely believe that her father had managed to climb over it. His desperation must have given him strength. The palace was built out of grey stone, and its many towers and terraces looked positively menacing. There were numerous gargoyles with leering faces that protruded from the corners of the immense structure. Any architect would have marveled at the palace, but Belle was merely a girl, and she marveled only at the fact that she had not yet passed out from fear and despair.
She stood stiffly before the palace gate, wondering what was going to happen to her. "Hello?" she timidly called out. "I've come."
There was no reply. The only sounds were Belle's labored breathing and the creaking of trees as they were battered by the wind.
"Please let me in," Belle called out. "I'm really…quite cold! Please, open the gate!"
Once again, there was no response from the soulless palace. Hopeless, Belle crouched down beside the gate and began rubbing her legs in an attempt to warm them. After a few minutes, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching the gate. Leaping to her feet, she eagerly pressed her face between the gate's iron bars. However, when she saw the expressionless face of the ancient lady who was unlocking the gate, she quickly stepped back. Neither Belle nor the old woman spoke until Belle had entered the grounds of the palace and the gate had been locked securely behind her.
"Hello," the woman finally said. She spoke as though she had not used her voice for quite some time.
"Hello," Belle said, her voice shaking with new terror. Now that she was inside the palace grounds and was reasonably sure that she would not freeze to death, she remembered her father's description of the monster which had summoned her.
"I am surprised you found the palace," the old woman remarked.
"Papa gave me directions," Belle meekly replied.
They entered the palace through a side door that was almost hidden by a thick growth of ivy. Just before she went inside, Belle caught a glimpse of the rose bush that had brought this misfortune upon her. Her misery deepened.
"What is your name?" asked the old woman as she led Belle up a flight of spiral stairs.
Belle did not reply at first. She was overawed by the massive staircase and could not find her voice.
"Girl, what is your name?" the woman asked, a little more sharply.
"Oh! I'm sorry. My name is Belle," the girl replied, still gaping at the never-ending staircase.
Belle cringed at the scornful look the old woman gave her. "I'm not simple-minded," Belle murmured.
Laughing, the old woman replied, "I never called you simple-minded."
"But you thought it," Belle pointed out. "I can tell when people think I'm simple-minded."
"As you wish," the old woman evasively replied. "For my part, I am called Francoise."
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Francoise," Belle said politely, not meaning a single word she said.
They reached a landing at the top of the staircase. Beckoning for Belle to follow, Francoise turned left down a long, barren hallway. At the very end, she opened a sturdy wooden door and gestured for Belle to enter.
"You will live in this room," she said.
Belle peered about her new living quarters. The room was spacious yet practically empty. It contained a bed, which looked comfortable enough, and a large wardrobe. There was a bowl of coals on a stool next to the bed, and that was all.
At the time, however, Belle was not interested in the room. Puzzled, she turned to Francoise and asked, "What exactly am I going to do here?"
"Don't be ridiculous. You're going to sleep here. That's your bed."
"No, that's not what I mean," Belle hastily interrupted. "What am I going to do in this palace?"
"We will see," Francoise cryptically replied. "I'm sure you will make yourself useful." With those words, she nodded her head to the girl and swiftly exited the room.
No less fearful than when she had first arrived, Belle huddled next to her bowl of coals and attempted to warm her chilled bones.
So that's chapter 2. Please leave a review with your comments!