Chap 2

The guard opened the door. Bell entered her confinement. This place was familiar to her. She played here as a girl and looked out the window as she pretended to be a princess. Now she had to be here, and she didn't feel like a princess after all. If only she didn't anger her dark prince, she wouldn't be here…

" I will make sure you get food. You have to be starving…" Belle turned around.

"Why are you so caring," she asked him."

"Iv'e had my heart broken before…except, she wasn't evil." He let out a small joking laugh.

"She was accidently killed by her own horse. She was deaf to. It's amazing how love can be shown without speaking. We were set to marry. I had high hopes. I can understand where your coming from. I am only here to help a hurt friend in need."

"Thank you. I had no idea…"

"No problem my lady. I think the chef is about to put the leftovers away. I will be back shortly. Maybe I can catch him. You didn't hear this from me, ever since the ogres passed your town, he's become worse of a man. I knew he was beyond repair when he ruined his own daughter. I will see you soon Belle.

The door shut, then he came back and poked his head in.

"Is there anything else you need?" Belle looked into his eyes.

"A rose, I don't care how long it takes you. A rose. Dead or alive." He bowed his head and left.

After a much needed long nap, Belle was woken by a knock on the door. It was her new friend, the guard.

"Come in," she said.

"I am sorry about the wait, I couldn't catch the chef. So I hope this meal will do. Honestly, I think you need more meaty substance to rebuild the strength you lost." Belle looked down at the small game hen, garnished with spices and parsley, and the small serving of corn, and sage.

"I don't know how you deal with this. It's amazing how women can deal with anything. Lord knows what I put my mother though growing up." Belle smiled. Something she forgot she could do since the whole situation.

She looked up at him. Belle never took the time to identify her new friend. He appeared to be a sweet boy, alittle younger then her, about 17. His large brown eyes twinkled, he had so many freckles on top of his dark complexion. His jet black hair appeared to be smashed by his helmet. He was a skinny one alright. He looked like he was still growing.

"I don't remember you, when did you come to serve my Father?"

"A couple months ago. My name is Al, short for Aladdin." Belle smiled.

"Such a unique name, I'm sorry if I came off as rude not asking for your name. You have been the kindest to me so far."

"It's ok Belle, you have been through a lot. " She looked at her plate and slowly started to eat.

"Oh," he exclaimed. I forgot something."

He grabbed the tubular package he set down when he came in and took out the contents, a rose. He handed it to Belle. Her eyes opened wide and twinkled like a child on Christmas.

"A rose… Thank you Al."

"It was no problem at all, my Mother grows them as a hobby, as soon as I told her about your misfortune, she made it a point to find the best one." Bell touched it and looked at it like a rare jem.

"Your Mother is truly gifted."

"Why did you want a rose," he asked. Belle was choked up.

"Rumplestiltskin gave one to me. It was such a small gesture to him, but such a big one to me. I have received so many beautiful gifts in the form of jewelry from other suitors, but that one rose, it really got to me. If I can't have, or be with him, at least I have this, to remind me of him. I could be making it worse for myself, but then-" she was cut off by Al.

"What do you have to lose, Al completed her sentence. Bell nodded her head.

"Yes, exactly.

"Well Bell, I have to go help one of the guards, I will be back later or tomorrow. I will make it a priority to be in charge of your stay." Belle thanked him, and he left.

She sighed as she looked at the rose.
"Oh Rumple, you have turned me into a love stricken, heart broken girl."

She closed her eyes and thought about the moments, their moments. The best one she could remember was their kiss. The last one was the worst. Not when she walked away to leave forever, but when he threw her in the dungeon out of misunderstanding her, and how she screamed "I love you", while in tears.

Belle drifted off to sleep again. The only way she could escape this reality.