She wasn't sure where she was, she felt so disoreinted, and exhausted. She was surrounded by a thick darkness that made it impossible to see anything at all. The air was so cold she was unable keep her teeth from clinking together, or her legs from shaking beneath her. She wanted to move, to find a way out of whatever place she now was, but she didn't know which way to turn, which direction was which, and her body felt so heavy and weighed down.. The air in the room seemed to be getting colder with every passing minute, and there was an eerie silence that was settled around her, all she could hear was the amplified sound of her own breathing. She was trying her best not to let the panic she was beginning to feel consume her, but it was becoming harder to control. She felt as if she was beginning to slowly drown in the sea of darkness that she was surrounded in with no possible way to escape, no surface to break through. She wanted to scream for someone, anyone to answer her, to find her, but when she attempted it, she found she had no voice at all, she was completely mute.

She was beginning to feel frantic, and desperate. She closed her eyes tight to a more familiar darkness and hunched down to sit on the icy floor, pulling her knees into her chest, and resting her forehead against them. She wasn't sure how long she sat there huddled in that position, an hour, two, maybe more.. Just when she feared she couldn't take it for much longer. She caught a faint light coming into the space surrounding her, and suddenly the room began to fill with a warmth that calmed her instantly. The silence that was surrounding her no longer felt uncomfortable or frightening.
Just then the heaviness that had been weighing her down felt as if it had been lifted off, and she suddenly had the sensation she was floating, feeling lighter then air. And it was wonderful. Never had she felt so safe, and calm. It felt like home..

Belle awoke with a start, jumping up from her sleeping position, with her pulse racing, her skin feeling as if it was on fire, and her breathing coming up short and quick. She felt as if her heart was going to beat right out of her chest and fall to her feet.
Closing her eyes it she began to focus on reigning in the wild beatings, and to calm her laboured breathing. It was then that she realized something wasn't quite right..

She was in her room, comfortably in her bed. And she knew she didn't come to be there on her own.

And when the only explaination of how she came to be there, entered into her mind, her heart began to beat at an even faster pace. He had carried her here. He came. She could feel the sting of tears that were beginning to form in her eyes. He cared enough for her to carry her here, to keep her comfortable. He could have just left her there, it would have been so easy and simple. But he didn't. Even though he may not feel the same for her as she did for him, he at least cared. No matter what he claims, no matter what he himself believes, she knew he did.

It was the middle of the night but she couldn't control herself. She threw back her bed covers and jumped out, planting her feet on the icy stone floors, shivering at the contact. She didn't know what would happen if she left to seek him out, but she just wanted, needed, to see him.. Even if it was just for a short moment it would be enough.

She lit herself a candle that was resting on her night stand to make out her way in the darkness that incased the castle walls, and swiped her shawl from off the nearby arm chair wrapping it around her form to keep away the deep winter chill. Making her way across the floor she cracked her door open slowly. She winced as the hinges seemed to scream in protest, the castle amplifying its sound. Leaving her room, she began to make her way down the long corridor, her heart picking up tempo with every step she took. She didn't really know what she was doing. If she had any intelligence she would just go back to her room, get back into her soft bed and wait till morning, forgetting this crazy idea to seek him out in the dead of night. But she just couldn't. She needed to talk to him, see him, and she didn't think she could wait till morning.. Besides, she reasoned, it was probably the only possible time she'd be able to have the chance of finding him. He was keeping his distance, and he wouldn't give her much opportunity to find him during the day, he wouldn't be expecting her to seek him out at these hours. This seemed to be the only way, her only chance.

She wasn't possitive on where she was going, she had no idea on where to find him, or how he was going to react to seeing her, especially at this time of night.. Somehow though, her feet had brought her unconsciously to the library. She didn't understand why they would. He wouldn't possibly be in there.. Regardless, she opened the doors and entered her favorite room of this whole domain. It always made her feel warm and at home when she was here. The stories that were bound and spread across the dusty shelves, all along the high walls really lifted her heart, they made her feel welcomed. The Different worlds, the different adventures, the different loves.. She could be a part of them all, get lost in them..

"That is a very easy way to catch cold Dearie."

She spun around quickly at sound, almost losing her balance in the process. Dropping her only source of light, her hand flying to rest over her wildly beating heart, both from the surprise, and from just hearing the sound of his voice. It had felt so long since she heard it, she hadn't realize how much she had missed it..

When had she become to love him so, that even the sound of his voice made her heart race uncontrollably?

She could only make out his silhouette in the darkness that surrounded them, but in a short moment she hear a faint snap, and the room illuminated in a soft orange glow, as the fire place in front of him roared to life with a steady flame that warmed the space around them. Causing her to shiver in its comfort.

"Sit, get warm, before you catch your death and I have to replace you."

He wasn't looking at her but gestured for her to occupy the chair across from him.

After a short moment of hesitation it took for her to gain her wits, she obeyed, picking up the item she dropped placing it safely atop the corner table closest to her, and taking the seat. Bringing her knees to her chest, covering her feet under her gown, she had realized that in her haste to seek him out she had forgotten her slippers, leaving her feet all but frozen, as she tucked them away. She shiver once again, at the instant comfort the warmth from the fire brought to her form.

She then took in the person sitting across from her. He still wasn't looking in her direction, but continued to stare ahead into the flames.

This wasn't exactly what she had been exp.. no scratch that, she really didn't know what she was expecting.. If he was surprised by her presence in the night he didn't show it. He was the very picture of neutrality, his expression was completely blank of emotion, his hands were placed in front of him in a gesture of prayer, and his legs crossed in a gentlemanly manner. He was dressed, no longer in his dragon hied robes but wore a simple silken blood red shirt that hung loosely to his form, and she couldn't help noticing how well it suited him, how good he looked in it..

Her cheeks felt hot to the touch at her thoughts, but she blamed it on the heat radiating from the flames.

No longer able to bare the continued silence, she decided to finally break it.

"I.. I just wanted to thank you for what you did." She breathed, the words not much above a whisper.

After the words were said he still refused to look at her. Part of her wanted to jump up from her chair, grab ahold of his face between her hands and force him to look her in the eyes and really notice her. But she refrained herself from acting on that impulse.

The minute it took him to respond felt as if it was stretched to be much longer. Her nerves were beginning to feel completely shot, and she couldn't help the feeling of exhaustion that they were causing, as she waited for him to say something.

Waving his hand dramatically, he dismissed her thanks.
"No matter. Couldn't have you very well catching your death. I have no use for a sick and ailing servant, you would end up just being a nuisance."

His tone was clipped, and his words were harsh, they left her feeling their sting, but she pleaded with herself to stay in control and not to let him see the effect his words really had on her. She refused to let him push her away. And she knew he was definitely trying, there was no doubt after these past weeks.

"It was 'Not' of no matter. Regardless of your reasoning or intentions for doing so, it was thoughtful, and kind. So please just accept my appreciation."
She demanded. Keeping her voice steady and her words strong, hardly the things she was truly feeling underneath..

His head finally snapped up in her direction, his features held a look of faint surprise and confusion, at her demand, but she could also see the irritation that her words caused him. He was, no doubt, expecting a very different reaction to his harsh words.

Quickly masking his expressions he began once again to dramatically wave his hand through the air.
"Why, indeed my lady! Your thanks are humbly excepted by your ever loyal servant."

If he had been standing he would have bowed in exaggeration. He was clearly mocking her, but she refused to succumb to it. She knew he was doing his best to push, and keep her at a distance, and she wouldn't let him do it anymore.

"Why have you kept yourself away?" She asked. Her voice low.

"Why does it matter? You should feel quite relieved I don't seek your company. In more then one way I might add."

His words caused her face to flame and her heart to feel as if it was going to beat out of her chest once again. His intention was to scare her now, that was clear. And though his words caused a chill to run up her spine, leaving her nerves to tingle from her toes to her finger tips, she didn't believe that fear was the emotion that brought it out..

He smiled wickedly, believing he had been successful in getting the reaction he was aiming for at his insinuation.

"Do not thee fret Dearie, that one was a quip. Not serious." He teased, lacing the words with a soft devilish chuckle, swinging his index finger from right to left, in a gesture accusing her of thinking, or being naughty.
He turned back to stare into the flames once again, his wicked smile still in place.

"But.. I'm not relieved. I miss your company.." She whispered.

He gripped his arm rest tight at her admission. His smile falling away from his face instantly.

"Go to bed." His hissed through clinched teeth.

After a short moment, she slowly rose from her seat to obey. She could tell he had shut down. Sighing in defeat, (but only for this night) she reasoned, this was going to take time, and even though tonights encounter was short lived, it was still a good start. She wouldn't give up doing her best to convince him she cared.

"I'll say goodnight then."

He didn't return the sentiment, but continued to stare ahead. An expression she couldn't put a name to, spread across his features.

She made her way to pass him, but suddenly stopped her leave just before. Taking herself a deep shaky breath she quickly bent down pressing a chaste kiss to his discolored cheek, whispering another quick goodnight in his ear. Then making haste in her retreat. Not before seeing his unidentified expression fall away into one of complete surprise and disbelief, as he raised his hand to cradle the side of his face.

Yes she would convince him. She just needed to give him time..

THANK YOU SO MUCH! For all your R&Rs. I'm no author.. but I enjoy this. So thank you for all your support! ;)