The songs for this chapter are I See Dead People in Boats and Davy Jones from the Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and 2 soundtracks, respectively.

-

Chapter 8

I know for me the subject of how to be in a relationship is precious and complicated and challenging. It wouldn't be right to make it look easy – Helen Hunt

That was how the next few weeks passed. Much to my surprise, the Beast and I grew to be good friends, spending almost every day together. During the few days that he didn't spend time with me, I missed him more than I had ever thought possible.

Emily, Molly and I were growing to be good friends as well, talking whenever I was "alone" in my room. I never wanted for company in the Beast's castle, and I grew to love my life there.

-

One morning, about two months after I came to live in the castle, I fell ill. I stayed in my room for three days, sick, alone, and miserable. Emily and Molly did what they could, but we had to wait for the bad health to pass.

On the fourth day into my illness, I awoke to a scuffle.

"She's ill. You cannot come in." Molly's voice said.

"I want to see her!"

"Master," Emily's voice was angry. "She would not want you to be here. She's weak, and she hasn't exactly been pleasant in the last few days."

"Emily!" Molly snapped.

"Well, it's true." Emily muttered. "She practically ripped my head off when I tried to give her medicine."

"I don't care." I heard a loud banging on the door. "I demand to see her!"

"Master, you must understand-" There was a sound of the Beast throwing himself into the door, and I heard one of the girls fall to the floor. The door creaked open.

"I told you to let me in," the Beast growled. Then he grew silent as he strode to my bedside.

"Master, please. She's ill."

"I can see that." He whispered.

"You'll catch it."

"I don't care." He paused for a moment, and then said, "Adara?"

I pried my eyes open and looked into his worried face. "Hello." I murmured.

He sighed in relief. "Hello."

"They wouldn't… let you in?"

"No. They're a pair of stubborn mules." He muttered.

"I know."

"I resent that." Emily muttered. "We'll see if either of you get a decent cup of coffee in the next week."

I laughed, but my voice broke into a hoarse cough instead.

The Beast hesitated for a moment, and then put his hand over mine. "Is there anything I can do?"

"No, no." I yawned, "The 'stubborn mules' are taking great care of me."

He was silent for a few moments. After a short time, he whispered, "I've missed you. I… I hope you get well soon."

I smiled. "Thank you, Beast."

"Are you sure there's nothing that you need?"

"Only rest." I murmured.

He was silent for a long while. He studied my face, his gaze lingering on my eyes. "When you get well, we'll go into the garden."

"I thought you didn't want to go outside." I murmured.

"I've changed my mind."

"Master," Molly broke in, "She's tired. She needs her rest."

"Yes." Emily agreed. "She'll be well soon."

I began to drift into sleep.

The Beast stood for another moment, murmuring, "Good night, Adara."

I was amazed by how tired I was just after exchanging a few words with him. I began to float into a blissful oblivion, murmuring, "Good night" before completely falling onto darkness.

-

Torin watched as Adara's face fell into the smoothness of sleep, a small smile playing on his lips. After being kept from her for so long, it was a blessing just to see her again.

He didn't quite understand why he felt so strongly for her. After all, he'd only known her for about a month, and at the beginning of that time she'd served only to remind him of the impossibility of breaking the spell. But now…

This must be what love is, he thought. It would at least explain his inability to put her from his mind and he quickening of his pulse whenever he was able to interact with her.

He left Adara's room so she could sleep, quickly commending Emily and Molly on their looking after her. The spark of hope began to grow in his heart, for this could very well be the beginning of the curse's undoing.

-

I awoke two days later and lay in bed, checking over my symptoms. My throat was no longer sore. My temperature was normal. I sat up and was relieved to find that the small action didn't exhaust me.

"Well, well." Emily chattered, "Look who's up and about."

"And good morning to you, too." I replied.

"Well, it's good to see that you're up." Molly said. "We were worried."

"We weren't the only ones." Emily added. "Torin was-"

"Hush!" Molly hissed.

I smiled, comforted by their bickering. I got up and went to the wardrobe before Emily could intervene, murmuring, "Well, I'm better now."

"Perhaps you should take it easy today." Molly warned.

"I will." I promised. I pulled out a plain brown dress and held it against myself, pleased by its simplicity. "Is the Beast awake yet? I'd like to see him now that I'm feeling better."

"I'll tell him you're better and he'll come running." Emily said. She left with the faint sound of shoes clicking against the floor.

I quickly dressed myself and combed my hair strait. After a few moments I put on the rose necklace that the Beast had given me, running a finger over the pendent before finding some brown slippers to match my dress.

-

Torin stood in his study, carefully holding a delicate ring between two massive fingers. It was a simple thing, just a plain silver band with a single diamond, but he knew that it would please the girl it was meant for.

He almost dropped the ring when he heard a knock at the door. Cursing his clumsiness, he placed the ring in his pocket and called, "Come in."

The door opened and Emily's voice muttered, "She's better."

His heart leapt. "She is?"

"Yes." After a pause, she added, "And she wants to see you for some reason-"

Her sarcasm was unheeded as Torin all but flew out the door.

-

I was sitting on my bed after getting ready and letting Molly do my hair. Unlike Emily, she was gentle and did a simpler style, taking my hair and pulling it back into a loose bun. She let a few strands fall to frame my face before meticulously knotting the hair at the nape of my neck.

"There you are." She murmured, "You look lovely."

"Thank you." I replied.

She'd finished just in time. A knock at the door made me jump to my feet and run to open it, putting a hand to my necklace.

Beast stood at the door as though he'd never seen me before. He stared for a long moment at my face and hair as though he was memorizing everything about me before breathing, "Adara… you look beautiful."

"Beast," I didn't bother with a thank you, instead murmuring a heartfelt, "I missed you."

"I missed you, too." Beast replied, offering his arm and leading me down the hall. "I never realized how lonely this castle was."

-

Instead of chattering like mad to make up for lost time, the Beast and I simply enjoyed one another's company. I thought that the silence would have bothered me, but the way Beast kept glancing my way made me feel more comfortable than I'd ever been. We had a light breakfast before taking a long stroll around the castle. I thought that we were stopping by the library, but Beast lead me past it and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Ready…?" I replied, glancing up at him, "For what?"

"To go for a walk in the garden."

I nodded, murmuring, "Oh… I'd love to." I put my hand on his elbow and he led me to the door. I wondered at the sunlight's effect on the flowers. It was as though they were each illuminated from within.

Beast stood uncertainly at the door and I recalled his quite explanation for avoiding the outdoors. It only reminds me of the freedom that I've lost.

"Beast, are you alright?" I asked. "Would you rather stay in?"

"No, Adara…" he took a deep breath, "I promised you that we would go outside."

"But Beast, I don't want for you to be-"

"Nonsense." He stepped outside. "I'll be fine."

I followed close behind, gazing intently at the flowers. They seemed to sparkle as I passed them. I looked into the Beast's eyes, a question in my own. He nodded.

"Pick as many as you wish."

I knelt closer to the roses, gently stretching my hand towards the delicate petals. Velvet softness caressed my hand, and I pulled the bloom away. The Beast watched me intently as I got back to my feet, putting his hands in his pockets.

"The roses are beautiful." I murmured.

"I'm glad that they please you." He offered his arm.

I took it, noticing that one of his paws was balled into a fist as he pulled it from his pocket. He led me to a bench off to the side of the path, surrounded by the darkest blooms. I gasped in delight at their colours and Beast smiled at me, watching as I ran a finger over the petals of the rose I had picked. He sat next to me on the bench, murmuring, "Adara, I must ask you something."

I turned to face him, replying, "What is it, Beast?"

He looked down at me, his eyes pleading. Something in his gaze made my heart break for him. He opened his hand, which had still been balled into a fist until that point, and in it there was a ring.

I put a hand to my necklace, wondering what I'd done to warrant another gift. Though the ring was much less intricate than my rose necklace, I thought it was beautiful. I tried to read the expression in his eyes, murmuring, "Is that… for me?"

He nodded, gently slipping the ring onto my finger. "It is."

"Beast… I can't accept another gift from you…" I tried to argue, but I was already admiring the trinket on my finger.

"I love you." Beast whispered.

I faltered in my gazing at the ring, staring at him. "What?"

"I love you," he repeated with a hopeful voice. "I've never felt like this about anyone before, but… I love you."

"Oh, Beast…" I murmured,

My words seemed to give him courage. He took my hands in his, whispering, "Adara, will you marry me?"

I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that, no matter how much I cared for him, I was not in love with Beast. I closed my eyes for a moment, fighting back tears. I couldn't bear to lie to him, but I didn't want to break his heart.

"Beast, I… I don't know what to say."

"Say yes or no." he whispered.

"Beast… I… I care for you… but I don't… love you." I looked away as his eyes hardened. "I'm sorry, but-"

"It's fine." He spoke sharply, dropping my hand and getting to his feet. "I understand. I don't want your pity."

"But, Beast, I-"

"I know. I'm hideous. No woman would ever want to spend their life with a creature like me." He turned away from me.

I stood as well. "Beast, you don't understand."

"I do understand."

"Beast, don't."

He turned back and looked into my eyes for a moment. For a short instant I could see past the fierce exterior he was holding against me and into his soul. I could see the pain that I had caused him. Then the exterior closed in once more and he growled, "You're not here by your own choice; you came to save your father from me. You only suffer my company so that your loved one might live."

"But, Beast." I put a hand on his arm. "I really do care for you. I enjoy your company, and-"

"You only enjoy my company because there's no one else for you to talk to, besides those idiotic servants." He pulled away from me.

"Beast, that's not true." I murmured. "I enjoy your company because you're a good person."

"You're only saying that to comfort me." He spat. "You may care for me, but it's only out of pity."

"But I-"

"Leave me." He hissed.

"Beast, I-"

"I said LEAVE!" His voice rose in a terrifying growl and he bared his teeth. I gasped and stumbled away, watching as he turned away from me. "I don't want you here. You've been dismissed. Now go."

I stared hard at the back of his head. He doesn't mean what he's saying. I told myself. Still, tears ran down my face. After a final glance at his hulking form, I ran to my room. Sobs tore through my body as I threw myself on the bed. Molly and Emily swarmed around me in an effort to be comforting, calling my name.

I buried my head in my pillow and sobbed until my head ached, and then I fell asleep.

-

Torin knelt where Adara had just been standing. The rose that she had picked lay there, abandoned in the dirt.

Torin picked up the rose, closing his eyes as he replayed the scene in his mind. He held the rose close to him as ragged sobs tore through his massive body. One thought seared through his mind, burning through all the hope he'd had for this day.

What have I done?

-

I awoke the next day, sad and dejected. Instead of getting ready to eat with the Beast, I went and sat quietly at the window.

Around noon Molly and Emily ventured to speak to me.

"Adara," Molly murmured, "Torin didn't mean what he said."

I stared out the windowpane without responding.

"Adara, be reasonable." Emily pleaded. "The master was disappointed. That's the only reason he lost his temper. He loves you, he really does…"

"You can't stay here forever. It would break the poor man's heart."

Tear crept once again to my eyes. I turned away from the window. "He's not a man." I hissed, "He's a beast. A monster."

I was being cruel, and I knew it. Both of them were silent for once.

"Adara, he loves you very much." Emily replied. "He's loved you since the day he met you."

"But… I don't love him." I whispered helplessly.

"He knows that." Molly admitted. "He just hoped that he was mistaken."

I shook my head sorrowfully. "He'll never forgive me…"

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Don't be so hard on him." Emily whispered. "He's regretful of what he's done."

"It's true." Molly agreed. "He wishes to see you, dear."

"I don't know if I can face him." I admitted.

"Well… you must do what you think is right." Emily sighed. "If you think you must wait… wait."

I nodded and turned back to the window. After a few seconds, though, I could hear Emily and Molly whispering. "He will be heartbroken about this." Molly murmured.

"There is nothing we can do." Emily said. "If she doesn't want to see him-"

"But he loves her." Molly argued, her voice hopeless.

"Molly," Emily's voice hardened. "There is nothing we can do. We cannot force her to love him- this is how it must be."

"I'm going to speak to him, then." Molly muttered angrily. "We should at least console him."

"I'll come with you. She needs to be alone, anyway."

I strained to hear any sound of their presence, but there was nothing. I sighed miserably and put my hand to the glass of the window, watching as the sky outside darkened to match my mood. Maybe I was never meant to be happy.

-

Molly and Emily found Torin in his room, staring out the window. He turned when he heard them enter.

"Is she coming?" he asked.

Molly hesitated for a moment, and then said, "No, Master."

His face fell. "Oh."

"She'll come out eventually." Emily promised. "She's just a little… confused."

"No." Torin murmured. "Don't try to comfort me. It's my own fault… I deserve this."

"Master, don't say such things. You were sad… what you did is understandable." Emily murmured, uncharacteristically compassionate towards her master.

"You love her." Molly added. "People do strange things when they're in love."

He only shook his head. "Perhaps it's not meant to be…"

"Don't say that!" Emily exclaimed. "She's the one, Torin. I can feel it… she only needs more time."

"She's human, Emily." He whispered. "I'm lucky that she's kind enough to call me her friend. But let's not fool ourselves. You were right. I'm hideous and unlovable… no one could ever fall for me."

Emily sighed.

"Do not loose hope." Molly murmured. "She'll be able to see past your outer appearance."

"How could she?" Torin sighed. "I'm a monster, and nothing more. After what I've done… she'll never see me as anything but a hideous creature."

"Master," Emily murmured, "Do not loose confidence in Adara. She's the one. What other girl would be willing to come here?"

He sighed sadly. "I hope you're right…"

-

I spent that whole day in my room. By the next morning, I was miserable. Who would have though that the Beast meant so much to me? I began to dress in a gold-coloured dress. Though it wasn't heavily decorated, it shimmered in the light and it seemed to give my face a lovely glow.

Before Molly and Emily could come into my room and talk to me, I snuck out of my room and began walking down the hall.

I knew what I had to do.

-

All right, let me begin by admitting how cliché the whole illness scene is… but I was 14 and I couldn't bear to edit it out now. It's too darn cute!

You may or may not have noticed that Adara now thinks of Torin as "Beast", not "the Beast". As subtle a change as that is, Adara is beginning to understand that Beast is more than a monster. She doesn't care about him the way he cares about her, but she still cares.

And yes, I'm all emo about Adara rejecting Torin, but the sad fact of the matter is that she doesn't love him and she can't very well just say yes.

So we just have to give him lots of love to make up for it.

WanderingTeen: (Hugs Torin) YOU'RE SO DARN CUTE!

Torin: (Mauls WanderingTeen)

Yes, my life is a sad, sad thing and I'm quite aware of it.

And, to my dear friend WanderingChild2007: ... I don't think it's the dress from the movie... I actually haven't seen the movie for over a year...

... runs to watch movie