A/N: oh Merlin, this has been too long in coming.. I'm so sorry! Still, I hope you enjoy the slightly longer chapter. And now we've got all this crap out the way, we can get to the good stuff. Yay! Anyway, please review and stuff, makes my heart soar.
Many thanks to my fabby beta Tess, TnT6713: net/u/2855119/TnT6713

Kurt was sitting in the flower filled meadow, an unopened book in his lap. Instead, he was watching the sun slowly set and thinking about his future. He knew he couldn't stay here, he just wanted to escape. The earlier encounter with David and Azimo only confirmed how he didn't fit in here. He was different... special. There must be more than this provincial life.

At the sound of thundering hooves, he leapt up, petrified of being trampled by whatever creature was careering into the meadow. Instead, it was his own horse. He caught the reins, pulling the animal down, stroking his nose to try and calm the frantic creature.

"Hey, calm down, calm. What's wrong? Where's... where's my Father? No..." Kurt bit his lip as a million scenarios flashed through his mind. He had to find his father, before anything could happen to him. Kurt couldn't lose him. He threw the reins over the stallion's head and put his foot in the stirrup, mounting with ease.

"Come on boy, we have to find him" Kurt kicked the horse on, cantering from the meadow.

The horse twitched his ears as the pair trotted through the woods towards the castle, retracing Burt's journey. The wolves were long gone, but their scent still lingered, making the stallion anxious. He neatly leapt over the fallen log from before and Kurt tugged on the reins, halting their movement. The boy dismounted, peering at the ground.

"Footprints..." He took the reins of the horse and began to follow the trail. He examined the prints, tutting concernedly at the appearance of the wolf prints. He was still looking at the ground when the horse suddenly stopped, flicking his head and tugging at the reins.

"What on earth?" He glanced up and took in the site before him. "Oh..."

A dark castle loomed over head, slate roofs and glass windows gleaming in the setting sun. Noticing the sparse lights in some of the windows, he heaved one the heavy gates open, leading his horse in. Shutting and bolting the gate behind him, he looped the reins round and secured the stallion.

"There. You stay here boy, nice and safe." Kurt rubbed a hand over the horse's nose, feeling the breath warm his hands. "I'll be back soon."

With a last glance at his pet, Kurt began the long walk up the drive.

Summing up all his courage, Kurt lifted his gloved hand to take the brass knocker, rapping smartly on the oaken door. He stepped back, humming worried under his breath. Please let someone be home, he thought. He jumped in surprise as the door creaked open.

"Courage..." he muttered to himself as he stepped inside. "Hello? Is anyone here? Hello? Father?" He crept further in, shuddering as the door slowly close behind him. His eyes slowly adjusted to the low light and he began to pick out details. Spotting a sweeping staircase ahead, he headed for it. He had to find his father.

Meanwhile, in the kitchens, a young tea cup hopped towards its friend.

"Mercedes! There's a boy in the castle!" He did a little twirl, landing awkwardly on his chipped base. The teapot gave him a reproaching look.

"Now Artie, don't tell such lies. Come on, you need a bath, into the tub!" She shepherded the tea cup into the sink, tutting as he blew bubbles. A laugh came from a coffee pot who was drying himself with a tea towel.

"Leave the young cup alone Mercedes." He chuckled lightly, rubbing the towel over his bronze body, frowning slightly. "Damn those cool ranch Doritos..."

Suddenly, three feather dusters came swishing into the kitchen. The lead one, her feathers a creamy blonde, spoke first.

"A boy, we saw a boy in the castle!" She grinned excitedly.

"He looked lost..." The white blonde spoke softly, full of concern.

"He looked about as gay as the unicorns that Brit is so fond of." The brunette rolled her eyes and smoothed her feathers. "The Master is going to want to keep that as a pet."

The cup popped in the sink, spurting water, grinning.

"See. Told you!"

Kurt continued his way through the castle, not noticing the suits of armour that turned their heads as he passed or the clock and candlestick that were arguing. However, they noticed him. Rachel broke off mid shout, resting a candle on Finn's case.

"Did you see that?" The pair stared at each other for a long moment before jumping off the piano they were standing on, running to the archway and peering round at the retreating figure.

"It's a boy!" Rachel exclaimed happily. "Don't you see? He's the one. The boy we have been waiting for. He has come to break the spell!"

She skittered off down the corridor after Kurt, Finn following worriedly. They reached the door which lead to the corridor where Burt's room was. Together, they pushed the door open before ducking behind it. At the noise, Kurt turned.

"Father? Hello?" He rested a hand on the door, carefully pushing it open a little more, before walking through into the long corridor. "I could have sworn..." He frowned, puzzled, but pressed on down the corridor. "Father?"

An echoing voice filled the corridor. "Kurt?"

Kurt rushed over to the door, knocking softly. "Father, is that you?"

"Kurt, how did you find me? No, there isn't time. You must leave this place!" Burt called through the door. He couldn't let his son be found.

"No! I can't leave. Father, who did this to you?" Kurt pressed his ear to the door, anxious to hear his father's words.

Suddenly, a cold gust of wind filled the corridor, extinguishing the lights. A heavy hand hit Kurt's shoulder, violently pulling him away from the door. Kurt fell to the ground, a cry caught in his throat. His cloak hood fell from his head as he glanced around in the dark.

"Who are you, who's there?" His frightened voice echoed around the stone walls.

A growling voice answered from the shadows. "The Master of this castle."

Kurt summed up all his courage, taking a deep breath. "I've come for my father. Please, let him out. Can't you see he's sick?"

"Then he shouldn't have trespassed here. There's nothing you can do. He's my prisoner." The growling voice replied, and something swished in the shadows.

"Oh, there must be some way I can...wait! Take me, instead!" Kurt pleaded, turning away from the door to directly address the shadows.

The voice seemed to soften. "You... You would take his place?"

"If I did... would you let him go?"

"Of course. But you must stay here forever." The voice seemed to be almost warning him.

Kurt swallowed. "Step into the light?"

The shadow stirred and then a leg appeared in the shaft of light, followed by another and then a body. The humungous form of the Beast slid into the shadows, but he looked ashamed of himself. Kurt fell backwards, leaning on the door. He turned his head away from the creature before him, talking to his father.

"I'm so sorry... but I can't let this happen." Kurt stood, turning back towards the Beast and straightened his back, standing tall. "You have my word."

"Done." The Beast darted forward and swiftly unlocked the door, dragging Burt from the room and down the corridor. Burt desperately struggled, reaching for his son, but he was helpless in the arms of the Beast.

"No, you can't do this! I demand you let me go! Kurt, Kurt!" His cries echoed off the walls of the corridor as Kurt stood listening, tears shining in his eyes. His knees gave way before him and he fell to the floor, head in his hands.

The Beast returned minutes later. He offered Kurt his paw before retracting it, obviously thinking better of it. Instead he just beckoned to the boy.

"Come with me. Let me show you to your room."

Kurt looked up, surprised. "But I thought..." He bit his lip, rising from the floor as the Beast swept away in a swish of red cloak, picking up Rachel who had been standing in an alcove. The Beast lead Kurt down the corridor in silence until Rachel began to whisper to him.

"Blaine, say something!" She gave him a sharp look and he rolled his eyes at her, but obliged.

"I... uh... hope you like it here." He glanced at Rachel for approval and she motioned for him to continue. "My name is Blaine. The castle is your home now, as well as mine, so you can go anywhere you wish... except the West Wing."

Kurt paused in dabbing his eyes, looking intrigued. "What's in the West Wing?"

"It's forbidden!" Blaine spat angrily before taking a controlled breath, carrying on down the corridor as Rachel glared reproachingly at him. Kurt followed reluctantly, shocked by the outburst. The Beast paused at a door and opened it, candles lighting as he did so. He looked back at Kurt, softening his voice.

"If there's anything you need, my servants will attend to you. And..." He glanced at Rachel, who was mouthing and gesturing. "And I'd like you to join me for dinner."

Kurt stared up at him incredulously, before running into his room, slamming the door behind him. Shocked, Blaine slunk away as Kurt flung himself onto the plush bed and started to sob.

Outside, the rain began to fall.