A/N: This is dedicated to Jimli whom I found out it was her birthday a while ago. This is my birthday gift for her for she wanted some questions answered and here are the answers! Happy Belated Birthday Jimli and of course, thank you to my readers who are just awesome! Review, PM, etc and of course, ideas are welcomed.

Ch. 5: White Roses

Tristan entered the room; he looked around the round room. It was a hall of paintings that hung on the walls. They were lifeless portraits that all stared at the center of the room, they were his family tree. In the center of the room was a cage that the paintings stared at. He looked down at his hand at the portrait of himself prior to the curse.

He wondered how this portrait came out of the room. The only portraits that could move were the General and Constant's due to the curse. They once walked in the castle and now because of the curse, they were confine to portraits that allowed them to travel all over the castle from painting to painting.

He quietly walked up to the empty spot that sat besides his father's portrait that he covered with a white sheet. He placed it back up before looking up at the ceiling; the Castle had a mind of its own. It was part of the curse as well; it liked to change things up for fun and sometimes with a weird purpose. It usually got along with Tristan as long as he's not mean to it.

"Now why were you here," Tristan quietly asked as he passed the cage.

"I sent it," Tristan quickly turned and his eyes widened to see an old woman. The witch, Tristan's mind instantly remembered. "Six years does a lot to you, Tristan," she pointed out.

"Get out. You are not welcomed here."

"I see you are still…upset?"

"Upset is not close, you hag," Tristan growled.

The old woman smirked slightly and she simply walked around the cage once before she changed to a beautiful blonde woman with golden eyes wearing a black dress. But it was beauty that Tristan caught him off guard. His eyes examined her curiously as he circled her a bit, "Who are you?"

She curtsied, "I'm Zelda, your lordship." She slowly went up to him, gently touching his arm, her breath close to his neck. Tristan swallowed hard and stepped away slowly toward the cage.

This is not good.

B&B

Gabriella was allow to venture around the castle so she grabbed a black cloak that was left for her. She smiled at it as she wrapped it around her body, placing it tight around her as she opened the door. At night, it was hard to tell what Gabriella was passing but in the daylight, she gasped at the beauty of it.

There was a long road forward that lead to a forest, knowing beyond the small forest was the gates for her to leave but knowing the Castle as Tristan described, it would keep her in. She began to walk around, hearing horses neighing close by. Gabriella walked toward the sound to see a stable, entering it.

She was amazed for there was many beautiful horses especially one that caught her eye. It was a white horse, it was very majestic and quiet as Gabriella approached its stall. It looked up at her as she smiled and placed her hand out, "Hi girl." The horse moved closer to Gabriella, gently touching her hand and Gabriella began to pet it slowly. "You are very sweet," she said to the horse.

"She rarely does that," Gabriella looked down to see Luka right by her. He was in a brown shirt and black pants, his cloak wrapped around him as he stepped on a stool and pets the horse. "This is Angel," Luka told Gabriella.

"She's beautiful," she stated.

Luka nodded. "Tristan named her. Her papa is his horse which is Storm," he pointed to the gray horse that was two stalls over. He smiled and looked at Gabriella, who continued to pet Angel. "I think Tristan would let you ride her but as long as she likes you."

"I'll ask him if I see him."

"I can show you around. Tris says I'm an excellent person to show new people."

Gabriella laughed, "Ok, Luka."

"You can call me Luk." He then grabbed Gabriella's hand and began to walk her out of the stables.

Luka was a very adorable guide; he explained everything on the castle grounds. He was very funny and sweet to Gabriella who he affectionately began to call her by her nickname. Over the time that Luka was guiding her, the two became fast friends.

Finally, Luka brought Gabriella to a small gate; he pushed it open and let Gabriella go in first. "What is this place, Luk?"

"This is Tristan's favorite place," he told Gabriella, "he loves being here."

Gabriella looked around and gasped. There was millions of rows of roses; many assortment of colors spread throughout the garden, each one unique. Gabriella approached one and took in the scent, "This is so beautiful."

Luka nodded excitedly, "Tristan planted it after his accident."

"You mean when he became a monster," Luka and Gabriella turned around to see a tall man, a smirk across his face as he leaned against the gateway with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He had dark brown hair and pure gray eyes staring at Gabriella.

Luka went in front of Gabriella, "Go away, Andrew."

"I don't think so," Andrew smirked. Luka gripped on Gabriella's hand and looked up at her as she nodded. Luka then ran passed Andrew with him still staring at Gabriella.

Gabriella swallowed a bit as she stepped back a bit. "Please get here Tristan," she whispered quietly.

B&B

"You look just like your father, Tristan and yet you have your mother's eyes," Zelda hummed a bit as she looked at the young duke. Tristan kept his distance from her, unknown of the purpose for her visit.

"Why are you here," Tristan wondered.

Zelda waved his hand to show a small mirror in front of him, showing his reflection. His wolf pendant reflecting in the mirror as his eyes slightly changed. He shook his head staring at the mirror as his face began to change in front of him. He looked away fast, "Enough."

"Hard to believe that you are getting worse?"

"I know I'm getting worse. It's been six years, why do you come now?"

"You only got so much left before you become the exact thing you hide in that cage permanently."

Tristan opened his mouth before his hearing caught something. "Tristan please hear me," his neck snapped up as he quickly looked back at Zelda who suddenly disappeared. "Tris, hurry. Andrew is causing problems," he heard Luka's voice. Tristan took one more glance at the cage before turning away and running out of the room.

B&B

"You are a very pretty little thing," Andrew smiled as he began to move closer. His eyes focused on her as if she was new prey. Gabriella continued to back away as she reached the end of the garden, "I'll enjoy your company immensely." He was ready to touch her cheek as she closed her eyes, afraid of the touch until she heard a loud howl and growl.

Gabriella opened her eyes slowly to see Tristan looking down at Andrew. Andrew's shirt slightly clawed and bleeding a bit, his eyes narrowed at Tristan as he stood up. "Stay away from her, Andrew," Tristan ordered.

He smirked and stood up as his wounds suddenly healed. Gabriella looked in awe as Andrew suddenly bowed to Tristan, "Of course, My Lord." He then stormed away.

Tristan turned around and looked at Gabriella whose face was still a bit terrified. He gently approached her but kept his distance as he inquired softly, "Are you okay? He didn't touch you right?" She shook her head and unconsciously moved closer to Tristan, resting her head against his shoulder. He stiffened a bit unsure what to do in the situation.

He awkwardly stepped away, gently taking her hand and guiding her to one of the seats in the garden. Gabriella was trembling slightly but took a deep breath as she looked up at him, "You're a lord?"

He shrugged, "My father was Duke. Haven't seen him since my accident and so I'm a Duke I guess…"

"He abandoned you," Tristan nodded and looked at the roses, "Sofia and everyone is all I got. Andrew unfortunately was hired by my father."

"He's always like that?"

"Yes but don't worry, after what just happened."

"What did happen? He had claw marks on his chest and yet, they healed. How is that possible? Is the magic here?"

Tristan nodded, "This place is interesting. I promise you'll be safe."

"I believe you."

His eyes widened slightly as he blushed then he averted his eyes away to the roses. "I see Luka showed you my hiding spot," he mentioned to her.

Gabriella nodded, "It's beautiful here."

Tristan looked at Gabriella, You are beautiful. "I was always fond of roses; they are so simple and yet hold such grace and…beauty," he told her. He stood up and walked to a simple white rose, plucking it and handing it to Gabriella.

Gabriella took it and smiled, "How did you know I like white roses?"

"I don't."

The two spent most of the day in the garden, talking about their interests. Gabriella learned that Tristan was well-educated, loved music, and was able to cook unlike most men in the castle or that she knew. Tristan learned that Gabriella was an artist, loved to sketch anything that catches her sight and loved to read books.

They were walking back to the castle as the sun was slowly setting. It was sign that Tristan knew that Gabriella and him needed to return immediately to the castle. He hoped that everyone went back in while Aaron prepared for his daily night patrol.

Between the three men in castle, Aaron was more willing to patrol unlike Andrew who though seemed like he was tough, was a coward around the dark forests. Tristan only patrolled when necessary but he just protectively escorted Gabriella inside.

Gabriella could sense the uneasiness in Tristan as night was beginning to shadow; she gently pulled him closer, wrapping his arm around her. A jolt ran through Gabriella at the touch, as did Tristan who breathed in. "What's wrong," she whispered to him.

"I need to get you inside that's all, I told that night is dangerous on the grounds. I prefer you inside so you are safe." He opened the doors to the castle then let her go inside while Tristan entered after her.

Suddenly Tristan tripped and began to topple a bit with Gabriella catching him. They both landed on the ground with Tristan on top of her, their eyes locked onto each other. It seemed time stopped for a moment; Tristan could feel his heart pounding hard against his chest while Gabriella could feel another blush to crawl up her face.

Then they heard a loud cough causing Tristan to jump off Gabriella and help her up. They both looked up at the staircase to see Abby and Sofia looking at them. Tristan quickly released Gabriella's hand, clearing his throat. "Yes ladies," he inquired.

Sofia chuckled as she turned to walk away while Abby eyed him, "Well, I see things are going good. Luka is already in bed and Aaron is going to start patrol."

"Andrew," Gabriella whispered.

Tristan looked down at her, "You'll be fine."

Abby smiled at the two's interactions before she walked off also.

B&B

After Gabriella went to bed, Tristan decided to return to his bedroom. He removed his pendant, placing it on his nightstand. The candles he normally never light up due his eyes could see in the darkness but when the candle suddenly turned on, he quickly turned defensively to see Zelda.

He stopped and stood up straight as she smirked, "I see you've become accustomed to your curse." Tristan looked down at his arm to see his arm fully slightly darker, a little fur on it with claws coming from his fingertips. He turned away and slowly his arm returned to human. "Does she know," Zelda inquired.

"What?"

"Does she know," she repeated. She stood up from her spot and walked over to him. "Does she know that you were Shadow? That you are truly a monster?"

"No, but why do you care? You were the one who cursed me."

"For reasons."

"For my father's actions," he growled. "I never deserve this and I've been rotting in hell. These people don't deserve to live with me, creatures roam in the forest at night wishing to hunt anyone who lives in the castle and you leave me like this," he yelled pointing to his face.

"And yet, she sees nothing of it."

Tristan's anger suddenly subsided, "You talk madness. She sees a monster and once the moon is gone and darkness comes fully, you know what happens to me."

"You become the creature that is meant to be in that cage."

"Why torture me now? I was good alone."

Zelda chuckled, "That's like me asking you why you leaved the castle that day and took her in?" Tristan turned around to retort then noticed that she was gone. He sighed and glanced up at the sky on his balcony to see that the moon was a crescent shape, he had about two days left to breathe peacefully.

He sighed and quietly left his room walking down the hallway. He passed by Gabriella's room, he slowed down before turning and slowly opening her door. He walked in quietly seeing her sleeping soundly.

"I see you still don't sleep," Tristan glanced up to see Constant looking at him. He walked over to her and smiled at her.

"How is she," Tristan whispered.

Constant glanced at Gabriella before looking back at Tristan, "She sleeps and I believe she dreams."

"Hmm," Tristan turned away walking toward Gabriella, he went on his knees pulling the blanket over her again before gently touching her cheek. She did not stir but snuggled closer in her bed. He smiled slightly, "Good night Gabriella."

He then stood up and walked away.

She was walking down a hallway, approaching a white door. The very one Tristan told her not to enter and yet, her curiosity got the best of her. She opened the door to see the room dark and the only window shined moonlight to a cage. In the center of the cage was a creature that seemed to pace back and forth.

It looked up at her and then it suddenly growls at her defensively. She steps away but feels arms wrapping around her, whispering softly in her ear, "Do not be afraid. Be strong for it wishes not to be feared but to be accepted."

She looked to see the handsome man that was in her sketch looking down at her. She could see the small smile he gave as he lightly touched her cheek; he presses his forehead against hers. "You are strong," he whispered before pulling back.

She looked up at him, touching his face unable to tell what color his eyes were but she still held him close. "Who are you," she whispered to him, relishing at his touch.

The man smiled again and kissed her forehead, "A forgotten life." He redirected her back to the creature in the cage that stared at them, "It only wants acceptance. Show it fear and it will show aggression."

Gabriella turned back around, unsure what it meant but when she did, he was gone. She began to walk forward to it but she can feel her body tremble suddenly the creature growled again and lunged at her.

Gabriella awoke, lunging forward sweating. She looked around seeing that she was safe in her bed. Early rays of morning light were shinning through her window. She wiped her face gently then looked at her nightstand and smiled gently.

On her nightstand was a small bouquet of white roses in a small vase with a simple note saying, I did not know you liked them but I knew I did.