I think you are all going to really love this scene. Really iconic. But shhh...don't worry. I won't spoil it for you!
XxxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXXxx
He and she walked through the large doors into the even more massive Great Hall. The doors slammed shut with a resounding ring, almost signaling yet another turning point in their relationship. The day had been spent between an angry master and a head-strong slave. Though these prominent positions were still buzzing in the back of their minds, both knew that it would be impossible to pretend that that afternoon had never happened. The beauty and the beast were finally friends. There was no going back, even if they wished to.
The windows filtered nothing but ashen blackness. No stars dotted the inky firmament, no moon gave off its luminous glow. The dark crept up the reddened walls of the room, giving the gory appearance of fresh blood running down them. Black shadows heightened about the room, snarling figures which crept only in the deepest recesses of imagination. What few candles there were, brought an ominous, dusky, haunted look to the abode of the Dark One. And yet, there was nothing frightening to Belle. The many months spent in the Dark Castle had willed her mind to adjust. If she were to be honest, nothing really frightened her about the Castle. Not the darkness, the gloominess, or even the hellish nature of its master. No. They even went so far as to hold a certain appeal to her mind. Even the Dark One at her side. This thought brought a faint blush to the beauty's cheeks. She was thankful that the room was dark enough that her companion could not see. Her hands twisted together in anxiousness. How could she even allow herself to think such a thought?
The room was dark and cavernous and mysterious, just as the Dark One wished it. He found that the very secrets of the rooms above leaked their scent throughout the wide expanse of the Great Hall. The walls appeared to drip blood, he found it pleasing in his own feral way. That's why he had chosen the color of red. He found the glow of the candles to bring a comfort that would have made many tremble. The only difference from the past was that now his darkened Hall held a piece of beauty that it had never witnessed before in such utter inky blackness. Never had his slave come to the Great Hall when it was so dark and frightening. And now, for the first time it seemed the room was finally taking in her presence. The faint light cast shadows all about the room, but he found that they only illuminated the porcelain of her cheeks. They were reddened, but he attributed it to the cold of the outer doors. It was still winter there though it may have been spring in Sherwood. The blooming of the trees, the growth of the grass, the melting of the snow, had all been lovely to the beast. Even if he would have never admitted it, it brought comforting memories of life before his curse. His life with his son. But nothing that day had seemed more beautiful than the woman at his side. His eyes roamed across her, outlined by the shadows, and he saw that she was just as lovely as she was amongst nature. The faint twinkle was still in her eyes. The blood-red lips curved into a faint smile. How many times today had he caught himself imagining what it would be like to press his own lips against hers? Rumpelstiltskin reeled at the trail his paths had taken. He shook his head and forced himself to look away from his beauty as he placed the bow and quiver around the back of his large dining chair. How could he ever think of her in such a way?
Her sudden voice forced him to jump slightly. He cursed inwardly. No one had ever been able to put him out of ease more than her. Her mirthful smile met his eyes as she giggled, "I guess you won't be needing those anymore," she observed lightly, speaking of the abandoned bow and quiver. She brought her calloused, worn fingers to the clasp at her throat and undid it. The cloak fell from her shoulders and she gently folded it around her arm.
Rumpelstiltskin chuckled quietly, "No. I suppose not." He had tried to make a quip come forth from his mouth, but he had become so tongue-tied that he had been able to think of nothing else to say.
For several long seconds, the beauty and the beast did nothing but stare at each other, momentarily at a loss for words, lost in the glow of their eyes, still visible in the darkness that shrouded the room.
Rumpelstiltskin was the first to break the spell and he cleared his throat in an attempt to clear his mind. Awkwardness seemed to cloud around them and stifle them until Belle tightened the cloak around her arm as if it might bring her some kind of strength or comfort.
"Well, if there is nothing else," she smiled faintly, her eyes sparkling with warmth unwavering, "I bid you goodnight, Rumpelstiltskin." She bowed her head slightly and turned to leave.
Rumpelstiltskin watched her, counted her steps as she neared the door, the ache of being left alone growing more and more painful. "Wait," he called after her. She turned around, and he licked his lips. "There is one more thing." He gathered enough courage to stride towards her and he forced himself to not shiver as he stood so close to the beauty that the cloak she held in her arm brushed against his sleeve. "There is something I want to show you."
Belle's curiosity instantly peaked and she grinned largely. "What?" She inquired, barely able to contain her excitement.
The Dark One chuckled, "Aren't we a curious one?" He managed to quip, some of the confident imp returning to his stance and voice, "Well, we best get along then. Before you die from your anxiety."
A small giggle once again left her lips as she felt the blush returning. He was so close that it was almost as if his teasing her made no correlation with her brain. She forced herself to look away absently. "Shall we go?" She forced herself to say.
Rumpelstiltskin nodded, "Yes, we may."
He led her up several flights of stairs until it seemed that they had reached the very tallest tower of the castle. Rumpelstiltskin stopped outside a large door and she glanced at him curiously. "Where are we?"
"We are on the third floor," he replied with a forced calmness. He was desperately seeking to hide his anxiety. He hoped she liked his gift. "This is a large room tucked away on the north side of the house. On the second floor, there is a private stairway leading off of it that wraps about the castle to the front. You could call this a tower, dearie." He flicked his palm up and the door clicked. "From now on it shall remain unlocked for your use."
Belle peered inside but saw that she was yet again standing on the threshold of a staircase. Small sconces, holding magically burning flames, were the only source of light as she tread softly upon the stone floor behind her master.
"Close your eyes." he suddenly commanded and turned around. Her eyes widened in shock, but he only nodded. "Close your eyes."
Belle did as she was told, albeit uncertainly. She raised an eyebrow. "Now what?"
"Now," the fiend replied beyond her closed eyelids, "Now you take hold of my hand." Belle reached out until she felt her fingertips brush against his. She sucked in her breath at the instant bodily contact and was about to recoil when his hand gently clasped hers. "Don't worry," he whispered reassuringly, "I won't let go."
Belle's breath hitched in her throat. Though she did not know why, she could not help but feel that his words were double-edged, containing two different meanings. Even more confusing, was the uncomfortable churning of her stomach at such words. What is wrong with me? She asked herself exasperatedly as he led her gently up the last few steps.
"Keep your eyes closed..." His light, tittering voice drawled quietly. Belle felt herself being pulled gently and her feet were once again on a stone floor. She felt Rumpelstiltskin release her hand, it felt oddly cold now without his warmth, and then he circled around her until he stood behind her back. "Now, you may open them," he whispered so low she could barely hear.
On command, she let her eyelids flutter open and nearly shut them tight again at the surprise of what lay before her. It was a library! A large, circular room filled with hundreds of books from floor to ceiling. A large hearth sat between two large shelves. There was a golden woven rug and an armchair. A window sat directly opposite her, through which she could see the black expanse of the nighttime sky. Her mouth fell open and she gasped.
"Do you like it?" The fiend asked anxiously from behind her.
Tears pricked at her eyes at a sight that she had sorely missed. How she had missed her books and her favorite pastime of reading. "Like it?" She whispered in awe, "It's absolutely beautiful." When she had been in her father's court, with the title of a princess, recognized as nobility, her library had been her one escape. She would lock herself away for hours on end, allowing her books to take her to worlds of myth and legend, to lands of imagination.
She stepped cautiously towards a shelf of books and gingerly ran her fingers along the bindings. Her fingertips were covered in dust but she did not care. In an instant, she whirled about to face her master. "You did this for me?" She asked in disbelief.
Rumpelstiltskin waved his hand in feigned boredom. "It is yet another room for you to clean."
Belle's eyes sparkled with happiness. He was not bored at all, though he tried to show otherwise. To see such glee written on her face was a comfort to him. To see her smile brought happiness to his own blackened heart.
He continued, "I expect you to complete all of your other chores, but, whenever you are finished, this room is at your complete disposal."
She nodded, barely comprehending his words, before she was back to studying the many books. "I just can't believe it," she revealed to the imp, "So many of the books are the same as those I had back in Avonlea. It's almost as if I'm home again."
The fiend stood shocked as she seemed unperturbed, distracted by her newly received gift. Hadn't she once said, in the first month when she had arrived, that the Dark Castle would never remind her of home? Surely she couldn't really mean it, he tried to reassure himself, It is merely the excitement.
"Thank you." He barely heard her as his own thoughts consumed him.
"Hmm?" He queried as he focused on the happy beauty once again.
"Thank you," she repeated. For the first time, it would seem Rumpelstiltskin was actually left dumb-founded. This woman who had, only a few months ago, been cursing his name, was now thanking him. There was a spark of genuineness in her tone. He could not speak and only watched as her lips quirked into a grin.
He raised an eyebrow, "What is it?" He asked curiously, "Why are you smiling?"
Belle smiled fondly and her eyes twinkled. "When I came here with you, I thought you were a beast and a cruel, ugly monster. But..." She placed a hand over his scaly fingers, "You're not who I thought you were." She sighed contentedly, "And I'm glad."
Rumpelstiltskin was again left speechless, void of any quips that he would have used to make himself appear indifferent. Why could this woman leave him in such a disheveled state when masses of armies could not deter him from stating a quip?
"Would you like to read with me?" She asked quickly.
He smiled thinly and pointed a finger at her, some of the mischievousness miraculously returning. "It's nearing eleven. And you have chores in the morning."
She frowned playfully, "I just thought that since you gave me such a gift, I should make use of it the first chance I got. And it wouldn't be too long, I promise." She seemed akin to a little child asking a parent for permission. But that smile was too much for Rumpelstiltskin to refuse and he nodded.
"Fine, but none of your silly romances."
"They're not silly," she argued, "They're..they're..." he eyed her knowingly and she shrugged, "I guess they're a bit foolish," she allowed.
He mocked, "Yes, my Belle. Just a little bit." He smiled and switched the topic, "So what will you be reading tonight?"
"I think there are far too many to choose from." Her eyes scanned the shelves until it fell to a pile of books upon the mantle shelf. She sidled over to it and grunted at the sight of dust, "Do you ever clean this place?"
"I do believe," he mocked, "That that is now your job." He giggled impishly, and Belle fought hard not to smile at his impish antics. She was enjoying his playful banter more and more every day. Turning back around to the stack of four or so books, she began to read the titles. Then, her eyes caught the book on the very bottom and she grabbed it, lifting it free from the other books atop it.
"This one," she decided, "My mother used to read it to me when I was very young."
"Very well, dearie," Rumpelstiltskin nodded. He flicked a hand and the hearth spring to life, adding a pleasant warmth to the room. Belle nodded her thanks and sat down beside the fire upon the golden hued rug.
"Did you make this from the gold you spun?" She asked as she fingered the handy craftsmanship.
He nodded as he took a seat beside her, his back leaning up against the armchair. In hindsight, he wondered why he had not taken the actual plush chair, rather than sitting on the hard of the floor which traveled through the thin rug. But he quickly dismissed it and smiled proudly, "Aye, that I did."
"It's beautiful," Belle admitted more to herself than to him and then turned to the Dark One and grinned. "And now we begin the story." She opened the heavy binding of the tome and turned to the first page. She cleared her throat once and her master scooted to make himself more comfortable. His right leg was scooped up underneath him and his other leg was hugged into his chest. His arms lay limply by his side. He found that through readjusting his position, his arm very nearly brushed against Belle's shoulder. The closeness was near overwhelming but then her soft, clear voice began to read and he allowed himself to stare into the flickering flames of the hearth as she began the story:
"Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away, but she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. The prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart, and as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast, and placed a powerful spell on the castle, and all who lived there. Ashamed of his monstrous form, the beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world. The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his twenty-first year. If he could learn to love another, and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time. As the years passed, he fell into despair, and lost all hope, for who could ever learn to love a beast..."
Who, indeed?