Ten Years Eariler

Sneaking out was not a common practice for ladies of the Avonlea court, but for Belle it was as practically her routine. No one would have noticed the twelve year old in the rose section of the gardens reading, since the entrance has a maze path towards the garden. Even calling it sneaking out was too much. Belle, while being the oldest child still living in the royal court, was not considered important enough to be given protective watch, due to the assumption she was in the inside of the castle main portion of the gardens. Sitting on the hedges hoping the thorns would not prick her arms through her pink shawl, Belle started to her newest book depicting tales in the Far East about a sorcerer searching the lands for powerful genies in order to complete his revenge. How she dreamed of going off to faraway places to learn new ideas as she would see a world vastly different from her confined space. Completely engrossed into her book not noticing a shadow had been appearing towards her for the last few minutes.

"Still sticking your nose into the pages of those dusty books, love?"

Raising her head up, a shock arose as though she was seeing a ghost in black leather with a wicked smile.

"Killian, brother dear how I have missed you" the two siblings embraced each other as though time had stopped, clinging on hoping the next minute would not be part of a dream.

"What happened to my little girl? She use to have so much dirt on her face; now appears a fairy before me, although she has a book. So some things haven't changed" The trait Killian always loved about Belle was her ability of being wise beyond her years, behaving more like his mother than a sister a decade his junior. Still despite how clever he knew her to be, it still worried him she would try to be as far from the castle's eyes as possible. Even if it was to do leisure activities due to his vast knowledge of how the cruel the world can be, especially to one who came from a background of privilege. His thoughts became less collected as Belle brought him back to earth with a smack on the face almost causing Killian to lose his balance

"Ouch what was that for?"

"For leaving last time and not even saying goodbye; if it had not been for the latest news about what occurred in the high seas regarding pirate activity, I would have believed you were dead which I am sure papa would have been spitting nails."

Even though Belle appeared relieved to see her brother, there was a moment of worry coming from her eyes. Killian could not tell whether it was the current situation or it was just her worrying about his safety. Pushing it aside as they walked towards the main gardens into the castle, Killian began telling Belle about his latest adventures in a strange land where anything can occur by simply wishing for it. Hearing the description of the land sounded promising, but the way Jones was describing, she was almost certain he was censoring some details of the island thinking they might have been too graphic for her to hear.

"Perhaps one day I can take you there. You can be anything you want even not able to age" Still somewhat skeptical, Belle smiled and just let the matter go as they were interrupted by an apparent woman appearing in her mid-thirties dressed in the finest red silks as her chestnut hair is covered by a golden hairnet. Alongside her was a boy of four years who was doted on as the pride and joy of the kingdom.

"Belle, what are you doing? You should be at your lessons this hour and…" her eyes widened seeing Belle's companion as the shock almost lead her to faint. Luckily her ladies in waiting were somewhere nearby to help in case a fall would occur. "You have some nerve coming back; your mere presence is an insult. How dare you show your face in this kingdom after what you did? Belle get the hell away from him"

"Great to see you too Lucinda, raise your voice any higher you might just start to implode from the pretence floating in the air. Tell me, is father still in the war room or has my arrival caused him to run in terror?" Ignoring the last bit, Lucinda grabbed Belle with so much force, her arm began to bruise harder as the healed lesions started to once again swell leaving Belle give one last glimpse towards Killian in complete tears. Unable to fathom what he was witnessing, Killian pulls his sword towards Lucinda's neck causing the ladies in waiting to scream in terror, while the youngest boy begins to cry as some nearby guards arrive drawing their swords

"Let her go or fainting is the least of your worries! I'm sure father will not be too proud in hearing you might have affected the baggage you are carrying, provided that it might even be his to begin with."

Seeing he might have been serious with his threat, Lucinda orders the guards to stand down letting Belle go putting her arms on Killian still in tears. "Now can you tell me where may I find dear father so I can make everyone's lives easier the sooner conduct my business?" Pointing the direction of the war room; Killian put his sword away, bowed then headed to the room before giving Belle is a kiss promising he will see her again before leaving even though he secretly believe he would break her heart again.

The war room appeared more massive than Killian remembered it as he notices Maurice sitting on his throne looking over a parchment pretending not to notice the arrival of the prodigal pirate. "Do you realise it is easier to say my eldest son is dead, rather than being known as the noble whose son betrayed the King's navy by taking charge of the vessel and becoming a pirate?

"Would you have preferred your 'eldest son' to have been a pirate or a provider for a dangerous poison used to murder thousands of innocents all for the sake of king and country?" the offense caused Maurice to stand and finally see his son directly in the eye since their interaction.

"I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED A SON WHO CARED ABOUT FAMILY HONOUR! Get out of my sight right now unless you actually have cause to be here which I doubt." Anger could not have stirred faster as Killian threw back his satchel toward Maurice catching realizing the contents were a bit heavy to discover a large drape of cloth torn and somewhat burned with a bit of the charred remains resembling a Pegasus.

"Property of your 'good king' and I had a rather good time burning it as a token of my appreciation for the years of service."

The burned shroud became the last proof of Maurice's fears not only had Killian did turn into a pirate but committed treason taking the family down with him by not only coming back but proudly delivering the evidence as a gift.

Regaining his senses, Maurice notices the guards summoning Belle to him slightly cleaned up in her face from the earlier incident still clinging on to her brother for dear life. "My girl, you are now of the marrying age and Prince Gaston has luckily asked for you hand despite the predicament your brother has put us in. I shall sign this contract and have you married off within the week"

"No papa, please no I begin of you! I have seen Gaston on very few occasions and his cruelty is rather known throughout the court. I do not love him, spare me a few years" Belle could not be any more surprised as the news of the newly family reunion and the announcement of a marriage.

"Have you gone mad? Belle is only a child, send me to face my sentence but spare her the lifetime of degradation from this marriage" Both the children's pleas fell to deaf ears as Maurice called out the guards back to escort Killian off the premises before slapping him across the face with the threat of never returning. Belle started running towards her Killian still crying, until Maurice pulled her back giving her a slap across the face as well.

"I will not hear any more foolishness; you must enact your duty immediately to spare us all the dishonour that pirate committed towards us. You are just as useless as your mother, the sooner I can be rid of you the more at peace I will be get out as well."

It all became clear; Killian was once again gone from her life, her step family barely tolerated her and her father had all but declared his resentment towards her. Belle was not sure how she got back to her room but she knew she must have walked back since there had been anyone near her quarters. Staring into the setting sun, she felt as though this sunset would be the last one she would ever see again

For two days, Belle had barely wanted to interact with anyone, not even her handmaidens as she was beginning to wonder about the life ahead of her. Even her usual strolls around the gardens or being in the library reminded her of Killian's visit and her father's proclamation causing more distress. As long as she could remember, all Belle did was dream of an exciting life. Now she is forced to accept the withering to waste while being cast off to her betrothed in less than a week. What was to be expected for a lady of noble birth than to marry well and provide the house with has many healthy sons as possible? Even for someone as young as Belle, she realizes there was no other option than to comply with her father's wishes all to repair his damaged pride. Just as Belle was about to turn the covers for bed, a noise appears on the window seeming little to be noticed. A few minutes later, the same noise again from the window appears leaving Belle frustrated as she look down to open to open the window in viewing the source.

"Killian I thought you left? What are you doing here?" rather than answering her, Killian climbs the building onto her room embraced Belle while scanning the room.

Staring into her big blue eyes, he started to kneel down to meet her in the eye knowing this was going to be a serious discussion. "Forgive me fair maiden but I cannot stand by as father decides to whore you out because of my mistakes. My ship leaves in an hour Belle, pack what you can you are coming with me".

Confusion had not even begun to describe the emotions Belle was feeling with what she had just heard. The fact that Killian came to here after being escorted out two days previous with the threat of death still lingered on Belle with a twinge of guilt. "You always use to say a ship is no place for a lady"

"I was sixteen and did not want you in any danger which is what I am doing now. Father has two children with Lucinda, a third on the way and his precious heir to carry on the damned family honour. I saw the bruises, you are clearly are not happy here and being married off to a brute will not be any better. Whatever reputation he wants to salvage you are not necessary for his plans in the long run so we are basically doing him a favour in ridding of unwanted children. Plus I promised mother I would always protect you. Although staying with me will also be dangerous; we will be on a ship most of the times and plenty of our dealings will not be arranged in an honest fashion…" Belle silenced him as she went to her wardrobe picking up a travel bag, extra pair of clothing, shoes and a cloak. Then began to put the necessary items she needed onto the bag whilst going to the dresser to change from her nightgown into a peasant shirt, light brown trousers and knee high boots along with a black bandana giving her a good disguise as a boy if spotted. Belle began to walk towards the window with her brother still stunned of what had just occurred within the last few minutes.

"You said the ship leaves in less than an hour? Come on we haven't gotten all day!"

Staring one last time at the place she called home; Belle could not help but feel sadden as would go off into the unknown packed with her only a few books, and her mother's necklace in tow. All her life Belle had wanted to brave even accepting her fate as a child bride for the sake of family honour. She knew Killian was promising her a harsh life as even though it was a chance to fulfil her lifelong dream of exploring the world without having to read about it from her beloved books. Despite whatever uncertainties Killian suggested would appear, somehow Belle knew it was not a decision she was regretting.