Belle was sweeping the hallway outside of Rumpelstiltskin's spinning room. The hem of her blue dress swaying subtly side to side as she hummed softly to herself. The bristles of the broom collecting the small amount of dirt into a pile. She had begun to dance with it getting lost in a day dream. She had never been a typical princess, she didn't miss the lavish banquets or the grandeur of it all as a whole. It would be a lie to say that she didn't miss the Masquerades and Balls. Her full lips drawn into a contented smile as she thought of the ladies of the court dressed in fine extravagant dresses, being swept across the dance floor by a sharply dressed gentleman.
Belle had danced down the length of the hallway and was wearing a rather far-off look when she heard Rumpelstiltskin's petite high-pitched giggle. He had been watching her silently for only a moment or so but between the waltz tune she was humming and her peculiar dance partner he could not help but cave into amusement. Her eyes met his and instantly the pallid white of her cheeks became a glowing red. She stopped in her tracks and hesitated before asking. "Is there something that you needed?" Belle's voice soft with uncharacteristic shyness.
He had almost wanted to apologize for her apparent embarrassment, shaking his head. "Perhaps I could cut in?" gesturing to the broom and giving her a kind smile. "and some straw when you have the chance, Dearie."
Belle nodded and bent down gently collecting the pile she had swept up and heading off to fetch Rumpelstiltskin more material to be spun. Returning to his wheel the imp's mind now began to wonder into it's own fantasy. The beauty had little grace when it came to walking or every day activities but the way her body moved with the broom. She had been lithe and light on her feet, it was the only time that he had seen the princess look truly care-free. Rumpelstiltskin gathered the collection of coins at his feet as Belle entered the room with a large tuft of straw.
"Here you are." she spoke cheerfully, deciding not to think on how he had flustered her.
Rumpelstiltskin gave a soft nod and took the hay gratefully, "Thank you Belle. Have you finished that story of yours yet?"
Belle shook her head no, "I'm nearly done with it and I think the ending is going to be magnificent." she said a bit breathlessly.
"I'll send in Mrs. Potts to the library." he placed the straw down beside the wheel letting her know she was done cleaning for the day.
His reward was her genuine smile, her eyes alight at the thought of getting to drink in the epic ending of King Arthur. How he adored that delicate bow of her lips were drawn into, with that a delightful whim sparked in his mind. The girl had gone off eagerly and he was left to his wheel. As he spun the gold that was produced came out not as it's usual coins but fabric.
Belle was unable to become absorbed in the story, her mind returned to last night here in the library. She still wasn't certain that she had made the right choice coming here to the dark castle. Given her small humiliation earlier she was clouded in doubts, with the privacy to dwell on them. Staring blankly at the pages wondering why she had made a deal in such haste when she was so desperate. Her face was furrowed in worry when Mrs. Potts and the little chipped cup came rolling in on a tea-cart. "Would you like something to drink?"
She nodded, "Thank you, yes please." Placing her book upon her lap not wanting to be rude herself.
"Belle!" chimed the excited voice from the little cup Chip. "It was my turn out of the cabinet today! What are you reading?"
Giggling the young woman took him into her hand and read him the title of the book. "King Arthur and the Holy Grail." answering him and lifting the rim to her lips taking in a sip of perfectly steeped tea.
Mrs. Potts gave her a motherly look, she had not missed how pensive Belle was a moment ago. "Something on your mind Dear?"
Nipping her bottom lip as she swallowed the herbal tea, "As a matter of fact, yes." Belle nodded glad to have someone to talk to about her thoughts. She hesitated a moment trying to word it correctly, "I'm afraid I made the wrong choice in coming here. I had only been thinking of who I could help in that moment, I would have been queen. I could have helped so many people. I could have had a purpose, I think I traded away my destiny."
"You can't trade something that isn't yours to give." the tea pot spoke wisely, "You did exactly what you needed to and you saved the lives of the kingdom in a hopeless moment. As for your purpose here now, time will clear that up." As peculiar as it was to be given advice from an animated item Belle absorbed it and felt some of her doubts melting away.
Chip frowned at Belle, "Why don't you want to be here Belle? Don't you like us?"
"Of course I like you!" she said in a comforting voice, "You two are my only friends in the world and I am grateful for that."
His frown vanished and he giggled as she took another sip from him, "That tickles!"
Belle vented the rest of her worries to , feeling relieved and more sure of herself as the things that had built up in her mind were aired. Who was she to think saving the kingdom was wrong? It was her one act of valor and she would cling to that notion for the rest of her life, it would be her happy thought in a dark place. After awhile longer excused herself and Chip from the library. Belle delved back into the depths of King Arthur's court, her mind cleared and able to enjoy the story.
Night had fallen when she had closed the pages, it had fed her romantic imagination. Tucking the book back on the shelf and leaving the library heading back upstairs to her bedroom. She strolled by the spinning room and saw that Rumpelstiltskin was not at his wheel, Belle could only assume he had gone to take care of the boy he mentioned the night before. Taking the winding staircase to her room yawning as she closed the door behind her. She spotted a great white box with a note on-top of it sitting on her bed. Raising one brow curiously picking up the parchment. "I would like to see you in this. Take tomorrow off and meet me in the Ballroom at sunset." After reading the note she folded it up and set it back down.
Belle opened the gift-box and gasped when she saw the most gorgeous gown she had ever laid eyes on. The material was that of liquid gold, she ran her fingers along it and despite it's metallic look it was as soft as silk. Picking it up eagerly and draping it in-front of her wearing a wide-eyed grin. The intricate rose pattern that trimmed the top of the bodice was something to be admired, the careful stitching along the corset was truly an art form. it was the most stunning gift she had ever been given, it meant something more knowing that this was clearly crafted by Rumpelstiltskin. As cold as he could be she could see that he was generous when the mood suited him. She began to sway humming a small tune to herself dancing around with the dress in her arms, hardly able to wait until she would wear it tomorrow night.