Morning broke gloriously over the accursed land of Cora's horrendous castle. Fierce crimson and vibrant damson blushed against the sky in stark ribbons that wound about the sun and painted the underbellies of creamy clouds. Blithe rays peeped through the foliage of the dark, encroaching trees and showered over the jutting fangs of the ominous citadel like light upon sword tips.
Wispy trails of mist rose from the sable palace stone in the face of the suns glorious blazing wrath. The brightness gleamed off the smooth onyx transforming the sordid black into a pallid silver sheen that deceived the eyes. Gray smoke from vents and chimneys rose in thin tendrils to a pure azure sky, hiding the keeps treacherous aura.
Gold broke through the somber forest in faint slants that did little to penetrate the dark canopy and give light to the woodland floor. Spider webs gleamed with diamonds upon their silver strands and intrepid beast scurried out of their holes. In the light of day, the frightful night was pushed back into the darkest of dens and corners leaving the forest enwrapped in dawn melancholy. The land moved in agony to awaken, but even as the accursed woodland stirred from slumber, death radiated from the forest.
Belle hummed in a faint, cheerful whisper to herself as she stalked vapidly through the castle of her malicious mistress. Navigating the long, forlorn stone corridors she took simple pleasure in pausing a while at the thin, arrow slit windows that flanked the halls on either side.
Bright warmth hit her skin in a welcome kiss that beat back the gloom in the castle for a few hours. Sun dappled her flesh from the shadow and the light, instilling a bit of cheer in her dreary mornings. Her silky chestnut hair danced with the luminance and glowed nearly a copper shine. A smile broke upon her face with the simple blessing of purest sun light.
The only windows without the dreaded crimson glass were the arrow slits long made to defend the keep from siege. Often if her cruel mistress wasn't awakened she dared take but a scant moment in time letting the golden rays hit her cheek and watch the lazy sun motes float to the cold gray stone of her eternal prison.
The world of her eternal slavery seemed not so bad with the sun slanting in through the windows giving light to the gray dankness and old runners that snaked about the castle floors in ruby trails.
In her low position she had to find a moment of peace and happiness where she could afford, even in little things. Cora detested the smaller things in life and enjoyed tormenting her slave when she was bored or saw that her captive found some sort of enjoyment. Belle was denied most things, but some wee treasures were so small, Cora could not even fathom her taking comfort in the moment.
In her cruelty to take every ounce of happiness from her slaves life, she would never think Belle cherished a simple ray of light from an ugly small window slit gouged in the stone on her way to begin her chores.
A regretful but thankful smile crossed Belle lips as she moved from the slash of gold upon the coarse gray stone wall. Once more in dreariest shadow she continued on her way. Even when Cora was still lying in bed, she could only linger a few heartbeats in the spear of sun.
If Cora ever caught her simply standing around that was more than sufficient grounds to let her malicious cruelty wantonly lash out. Of course Cora didn't need a reason to make miserable her slave, but she never missed an opportunity when the rare time she saw herself in the right to punish her so arose.
When she had first arrived Cora had once summoned a ravenous pack of wolves to chase her after a day of hard labor. She could barely move her stiff legs, her body bruised from being struck, but had to run in abject terror all for her mistress' amusement.
At that moment as she begged for the magic to cease, she knew the woman would never show an inkling of kindness to her nor let her have any happiness.
And now there was another one.
At the thought of the Dark One, the beauty sighed lugubriously. A groan tumbled from her mouth as she slogged wearily into the larder and kitchens. Wearily running a hand through her thick tresses, the beauty silently cursed her lot as she had the first night in Cora's detested keep.
First she had to deal day to day with Cora the cruel and now the Dark One of all people!
Legend told that the Dark One taught the cruel Cora how to perform her sinister magic. Rumors upon the wind whispered they were so like minded they had become lovers long ago. If the rumors were true how terrible was the teacher and lover compared to the student?
A shudder slithered up the beauty's spine at the horrid thought. What if he, this knew and yet ancient dark lover of Cora's, was worse than she? What if he made Cora's abject cruelty look kind in comparison?
Still, she argued to herself, ever willing to look on the bright side even in her dim prospects of forever as a slave, he had not been terrifying last night. The Dark One did not try to test her or deliver a cruel jest, even when she was late with his load of straw. He nearly got her punished for the cup incident, but she didn't think he meant to get her in trouble.
Thoughts whirling, the beauty bent down and stirred the still warm ashes in the hearth with a heavy iron poker. Heat faintly whispered from the iron belly and a low glow lingered beneath the gray ash like her troubled thoughts. Adding fuel to the thin, intrepid tongues of flames, she set to the monotonous task of preparing breakfast for her mistress, and now her master.
She had never been a fine cook, and Cora had been vocal and abusive about that enough, but over the years she had learned many a skill she would have never been privy to harness as a princess. Albeit she had learned the trades to survive and to relieve the beatings at Cora's hand, but she knew them well enough.
Putting on the heavy, black iron kettle of water, the enslaved woman took out dough she had stowed away and shaped them into loafs. The sticky mass was a faint touch of yellow and big enough to make two fairly sized loafs. Cora wanted fresh bread daily and she was particular about how she had her loaves. She could tell if the bread was a day old or hours old.
Grimacing, Belle instinctively massaged a portion of her left arm as though reliving an old memory. She had learned not to try to trick Cora the hard way.
Diligently kneading and molding the bread into form, she slipped the dough into an oven she took fresh berries and a wedge of pasty white cheese from a cool cupboard. Cora wasn't very big on breakfast, something the beauty thanked any star of luck she still had left twinkling in the heavens for.
Slicing the cheese and putting the berries in a bowl she prayed the simple meal and tea would be sufficient for the morning. She had no clue what the new member of the castle was particular in eating, but she hoped he was as unconcerned as Cora.
~8~8~
Light crept tenuously into the windows of Cora's chambers in waves of soft, oblique gold. Streams of warmth tricked through the thin, gauzy curtain upon her red windows that turned the light from gold and into a thick vermilion hue.
Brave birds chirped along the castle turrets and the dead trees. The world was fresh and new and alive!
Cora hated mornings.
Screwing her eyes shut the witch put up a hand in front of her face to block out the sun. "Blast the light." She hissed almost like a curse. "One day I'll figure out a way to paint the sun black as night."
Mornings still reminded her of her life before magic and meeting the Dark One. Her old life revolved around rising with the sun and grinding other people's goods whilst her drunkard of a father frittered away the little money they made with his head in a keg of sour ale. She was always the first up and the last to go to bed.
"Still no lover of the dawn I see." Rumpelstiltskin trilled merrily in reply. Padding close to the ostentatious bed, he blocked the light with his skinny figure and he smiled down on the witch. "You never did like rising early. Nasty habit for a simple miller's daughter."
Cora could have cursed at his ever cheerful chirp. Fighting the urge to conjure a spiked pillow and toss the deadly missile in his direction she drowsily sat up on her elbows. Her eyes quickly adjusted and found the fiend next to the bed.
Fresh faced and smiling like a mad man, he looked as though he'd been up for hours. A twinkling impishly danced in his solid obsidian depths. His clothes, now brown brocade but no less flamboyant, donned his figure along with tight black leather pants and knee high black boots.
Canting her head to the left she side as her almond eyes sized him up like he was a delicious sweet. Certainly he had seemed so last night on top of her. His love making had not changed with all their time apart. He was still just as dark and angry as ever.
"Why up so early?" She groaned sleepily and held out her hand for him to grasp. "Come back to bed. What's the hurry?"
Her naked form moved sensuously under the thin silver coverlet. Every curve formed beneath the diaphanous sheet, leaving nothing to the imagination.
The bed beneath her was one of the highest quality. Plump goose down filled the ivory colored mattress and silver silken sheets and pillows flooded the wide bed. Comfort was something Cora had always wanted and now she had every luxury at her fingertips. No luxury was ever spared with the need came to her relaxation.
His dexterous claws twitch covetously as he fixed the last brown button on his jerkin. The sight of her lounging away in the luxurious bed was a temptation to his senses. "I have far away business to attend Dearie." He informed her with a small grin showing rows of yellowed and black teeth. "Besides I'm starving."
"I usually eat later, but I can have the slave bring us something up." The witch yawned politely behind a small, magic worn hand.
The Dark One hummed to himself, toying with the contemplation inwardly. Cora was a delight he had too long been away from. He could save himself a few moments longer from his tasks, but no, he reminded himself, business first, always first.
"Sorry Dearie." He bowed deeply. "Another time perhaps."
Hiding her agitation she flicked her hand to him as though sending away a lover. "As you wish."
Leaning over the bed he bent down caught her up in an explosive kiss. Hot breath ghosted against her flesh as he looked into her devilish eyes. "Later." He swore in a husky whisper. "I promise."
Satisfied with his response her agitation melted into a puddle of sleepiness. Turning away she once more lost herself in the coverlets and silk.
Staring down upon her, the fiend felt his dark heart glow with lascivious lust. The urge to kiss her all over her body pulsed hotly in his veins. There was something about Cora, so deliciously malevolent he could hardly restrain himself from being far away.
Suppressing the thought the monster sharply turned away. Determination wrinkled his scaled visage into a grim frown. If he stayed any longer he was as like to toss his plans to the wind and pounce upon her.
Though he could have summoned himself down to the Main Hall, the Dark One strode out the door. A habit of his was to get associated with a place first. If he was to live with Cora then he should know the castle by foot.
Drafty coldness bit at his skin from the long, forlorn hall of gray stone as he stepped out, but he didn't mind. The faint tempting aroma of freshly cooked bread sailed upon the draft from the kitchen, making his stomach roil with need. He had not been lying when he said he was hungry.
Taking a deep breath, the fiend traversed down the halls letting the scent of freshly backed bread lead him to the lower tiers of the ominous castle.
~8~8~
Belle's stomach growled in empty displeasure of some ravenousness wolf as she took the fat loaves of bread from the oven with a paddle. Wisps of fragrant steam danced around her alert senses making her stomach ache with a hard pang. Though she cooked, she cooked for Cora alone and her mistress never cared if there were leftovers. Usually there was something left after every meal, but sometimes, like yesterday's supper with the Dark One, there was not.
"Smells divine, Dearie!" The Dark One exclaimed, tittering closely in her ear.
Surprised, Belle jolted forward, her hips hitting the large stone table in the larder. The wooden paddle holding the bread careened forward but landed on the stone tabletop. Like some peculiar disks launched in a game, the warm loaves skidded to the edge of the table. They came to the very cliff, wobbling on the precipice, but remained.
Relief flooded the enslaved beauty as she grabbed for the warm bread and brought the loaves to safety. Placing the warm bread back on the paddle she wiped her sweating brow with the back of her wrist.
Blood raced wildly through her veins, making her heart leap with lightening. That could have been a disaster of the worst sort. Heaven knew what Cora would have wrought upon her defenseless slave without her regular breakfast.
Swiveling to face the Dark One, her eyes cobalt blazed with anger. A biting retort tingled on her tongue. Did he know how much trouble he could have just gotten her in!
In a moment the horrid thought of snapping at him fled from her pounding blood like frost against a summers sun. This was her master now, Cora's teacher, the Dark One; she would be a fool to reprimand him or deliver the ire brewing in her fluttering heart.
Biting her tongue she bent her neck respectfully, her word soft and cowed. "The mistress has new bread every morning." She replied as though he had not nearly cost her some punishment.
"Good." He hummed in a slight trill. "Lovely stuff freshly cooked. I'll have that with tea."
She nodded studiously. "I'll bring you a plate in the main hall."
"No need. I can eat here." He flourished his gray- gold talons about the warm kitchen and to a stool by the stone table. There were times for pomp and grandeur but a simple breakfast did not call for such bother.
He couldn't remember the last time he had eaten in his great hall in the Dark Castle. When he did eat his meals were either a quick bite in the kitchen or a plate in his apothecary.
Laughter, wondrous and soft, bubbled unexpectedly from Belle's lips. A thin smile traced her lush mouth at his absurdity. "The mistress would have my skull for a tankard if you ate here." Abruptly, as though she just recognized the strange merriment toward her new master, her laughter ceased. What was she thinking to laugh so suddenly at him? Would he think she was laughing at him?
A frown formed on her mouth as she looked down. "I mean… the mistress wouldn't approve."
Staring at her, the fiends eyes pinioned interestingly on the beauty. A small inkling of her… Belle had slipped out from her formality of a servant for just a brief instance.
The tiny window was an intriguing one. A woman enthralled to a cruel witch still found the wherewithal in her to laugh. Most would have been bitter slaves taking every turn to curse their captors not indulge in laughter.
"Fine." He finally remarked slowly. "I'll take my meal in the main hall, slave. Be quick."
"Would you care for your tea in your chipped cup?" The beauty queried delicately. She had no clue where the words came from only that they seemed right she should ask. He had wanted the cup after all.
The chipped cup? He'd forgotten about the little bibelot since the end of tea but the mention of the strange trinket brought his mind back. How had she remembered something so useless; a moments little oddity?
He shrugged laconically, feigning insouciance to hide his surprise. "I think I will."
She bobbed a curtsey. "It'll be but a moment."
Satisfied, the Dark One winded his way through the seemingly endless, drab corridors of Cora's castle. Finally the labyrinth led to the main hall. Opening the door, the Dark One was greeted by a lounging Cora.
Dressed in a silver gown, the incorrigible sorceress sat rigidly in her high-backed chair. The witch donned a painted smile as she languished in her soft seat. "Having fun exploring, Rumpel?"
"You know I like to get acquainted with places." He purred like some big cat, his voice dripping with innuendo. "Lots of places."
Her smile wormed its way into a ruby smirk. "Since you awoke at such an abysmal hour, I thought I might as well join you so we can talk of more serious things. I'm making plans, Rumpel. Big plans. Wonderfully destructive big plans."
"Do tell, Dearie?" An impish, curious grin donned his lips. There was something feral about his smile, like rabid wolf's lips frozen into an arch.
Even as the words left his mouth a side door swung open. The brown haired beauty gracefully entered, tea tray in her calloused grip. Her body slammed to a halt to see Cora in her usual chair so early. Porcelain heaped with fresh food rattled but remained in place. Panic momentarily contorted her features before she tucked her fear away.
Tilting her head down submissively, the brown haired beauty inched tensely towards the table. The delicate items on the tray shook as she gently laid down the goods for the Dark One. "Forgive me mistress. I knew not that you'd be up. I'll fetch breakfast right away." She apologized.
Cora flicked a hand in her direction. The girl winced as though expecting to be struck but remained where she was. "See that you do, slave."
Quickly the girl turned to set forth to her mistress command. Relief filled the beauty with a graceful wave. The mistress didn't seem in a dangerous mood today.
"Wait." Cora stopped her before she could even take a step.
Atremble, Belle turned back to her mistress. What had she done so early to anger her mistress?
Displeasure stamped across the witched cruel, angular visage as she motioned to the laden, silver tray. "I thought I told you to be rid of that cup. Are you deaf as well as stupid now?"
"I asked for it." Rumpelstiltskin broke in before he even knew what he was doing. Both ladies turned their eyes to him. Leaning back in his chair he motioned to the cup. "I told you Cora I liked my little chipped treasure. I asked for that cup specifically."
That hadn't been the truth, but his words might as well have been. Had he remembered he would most certainly have asked for the cup. What difference did the slave girl reminding him make?
"Oh very well." Annoyance snapped in her voice. Irked she took her ire out on the beauty. "Well get going slave! My breakfast will not serve itself!"
Nodding swiftly Belle dipped out leaving the sorceress to themselves.
Soothing herself the witch grinned with venoms pleasantness. "Now where were we?"
"Something about disaster." Rumpel giggled alluringly, his mouth twisted into a thin smile.
Cora nodded, her smile renewed. "Deals have gotten scarce, Rumpel. The good fairies ranks have been bolstered. The kingdoms have settled mildly and ogres have been driven back to their marsh. This world is too peaceful… to…." Her lips twisted in a disgusted sneer. "Happy." She spat the word like poison upon her snakes tongue. "It is high time this world bent their necks and cowered to pain. I plan to give us both so many desperate souls, we will relish in their cries. Happiness' reign is long overdue to perish. Misery is the only true state of being for those who are weak."
"As for myself, I can't argue with you there." Trilled the Dark One. He languidly flourished his spindly talons. "But I dare suppose everyone else would not be so inclined to your thinking."
"Then they're wrong." She stated flatly just as Belle slipped back into the room. The girl was a specter floating nervously on the shadows as she came forth. Crossing her legs and ignoring the slave girl, the witch stared intently upon the Dark One. "Misery infects the weak. We both know this very well."
To prove her point she tilted her head up to the silent slave girl. "You are miserable here, toiling away day after days with no chance of seeing family or friend again." Cora stated matter-of-factly. "You aren't happy. Do you believe others who are as pitiful and weak as you deserve to be joyous? Only the strong deserve happiness. This weak world doesn't deserve anything that will please them, does it slave?" She crooned mockingly to the beauty.
Staring down at the tray, the blue eyed servant focused on the gilded tea pot wafting up steam. Diligent fingers curled tightly over the silver handles of the tray to keep her hands from trembling. Her mouth clamped shut stoically though fear pulsed from her slender form. An aura of stalwart determination bound her soul and echoed off her skin like knights armor.
A frown melted Cora's assured grin. Her eyes narrowed into thin, serpent slits upon the beauty like an eagle with prey in sight. "I asked you something slave." Her words hissed viciously, brimming with danger.
"Everyone deserves to be happy." Belle whispered clearly, daring to flash an askance glance at the witch. Her words were soft but dripped defiance. Though she was a slave she would not surrender her beliefs.
Anger sprang to Cora heart at the rebellious words from her beautiful slave. Jumping from her chair she met the girl face with the back of her hand.
Pain erupted in dizzying spirals in Belle's skull as the blow rent her senses asunder. Fire bloomed hotly in her cheek, biting mercilessly at her skin. Blood oozed from the left corner of her trembling mouth.
Miraculously she managed to stay aright though she wobbled from the fierce strike. Awash with pain, she dared not look at her mistress nor touch the wound. To stay still was the best route for the storm to wash over her.
Fury danced as sparks in her eyes as Cora stared at the rigid beauty. "Stupid… insolent little noble chit. Did you think that was brave of you? Did you think defying me would gain you anything?"
Breath heaved from her flaring nostrils like some angered dragon. She looked about to deal a second blow to the helpless slave girl.
Instinctively, Belle braced, her eyes closed and body stiff. Now that she knew what was coming she could resign herself to the blows.
Suddenly, almost manically, the cruel sorceress' ire soothed. Like a freak wind she transformed back to her partly smiling self. Dropping her hands she stared almost sweetly at the beauty. "Well your rebellion has gained you something." She smiled cruelly at the trembling slave. "You've earned a day scrubbing the dungeon stairs. Every inch of them. You can kiss goodbye any scant minutes of free time you ever had for the day. I will know your every step. And if you pause but for a small rest, save when I let you leave to crawl your little cage, I will break your neck and toss you out for food for the wolves."
Silent as death the beauty stood humbly taking Cora's darts thrown at her fatigue and stalwart heart. Not daring to speak she nodded as Cora finished her pleasantly malicious punishment.
Satisfied the witch let the tributary of her explosive anger flow free. Victory curved upon her lips in a ruby crescent. "I'll take breakfast in my apothecary so you can get to work slave." She smirked cruelly. "Rumpel join me when you can."
With her will spoken, the witch disappeared and with her half of the tray.
Nursing the fragrant tea the Dark One chuckled carelessly into the rim of his cup. Who knew mornings in Cora's castle outside of her luxurious bed could be so entertaining? Cora still indeed had a temper but this slave girl had something lurking deep inside her as well. Spirit, rebellion, defiance, she still held those somewhere past the obedient slave and cowed servant.
"You could have just agreed you know." He commented lightly behind the rim of his chipped cup. His black talons drummed against the crack in the trinket. "You didn't' have to mean your words, but arguing perhaps would have saved you pain."
"I won't." Belle sighed simply as she took up the tray once more. Defiance steeled her words to a swords edge.
Her back already ached with the coming pain of her chore, but she gladly took on the agony. Better to be in pain than submit to Cora what was not in her heart. The witch had taken many things, her pride and her freedom, but she would never have her beliefs or her spirit.
The Dark One quietly huffed a thoughtful laugh. Mist swirled about his face in mystical pattern as he smiled. "Brave." He commended lowly as she departed.
Smiling thoughtfully, the Dark One mused upon what had just transpired against Cora, the cruelest woman he knew. The girl had defied her, knowing she would be punished for her words but still had chosen pain. She had stood her ground against a mistress that could work a thousand dark enchantments upon her and had not bat an eye. That was brave if nothing else.
Oh yes, he nodded inwardly to himself, the word sticking out like a beacon. This Belle creature was most certainly brave.