Belle did not know where to go. The day was bright, the air breathing of spring but the good weather lost all its charm. It was the first time she could step out the castle in weeks but there was no joy in it. She walked out slowly and let her feet carry her ahead.

She didn't pay attention to the threes around the road or birds hopping on the branches. How could he do that to her? Belle was hurt to receive such treatment but it pained her even more to realize how hurt he must have been. Rumpelstiltskin let himself believe she betrayed him and nothing she could say to convince him otherwise.

She considered her options. She could return home, surely there was enough gold to hire a coachman and find her way back to her father's lands. Belle missed her papa, she really did but even being homesick, her intuition told her it wasn't yet time to return home.

Belle could stay in a village; perhaps people were in need of a midwife. She knew little, just some herbs and simple potions, but she could learn fast if someone was willing to accept her. Midwife was a good occupation; she would help people and ease their pains not only by healing them but offering her advice.

Either way, she had to make it to the nearest settlement. Belle walked and walked, to her luck there was only one road, that twisted and turned around the forest but did not split into different paths. She reached the village only at dusk, her feet humming with tiredness. She'd never walked so far, but it took her mind off things and brought her peace. Belle no longer worried about her future or Rumpelstiltskin. All she wanted was a roof over her head and a bed. All she required was sleep.

Belle spotted a group of children playing in front of a small shack. She approached them but when she opened her mouth to speak, an older lady snatched the little ones and dragged them into the house. It striked Belle as odd, but maybe the locals were careful around the strangers. She cleared her throat and asked the woman for directions to the nearest inn, making sure her voice did not sound threatening. The woman just bulged her eyes out at Belle but said nothing in return.

They didn't speak another language here, did they? Rumpelstiltskin did have a slight accent but he could have acquired it from travelling. Belle hoped that if they did use some other dialect here, she could explain her needs with gestures. But other people she met refused to talk to her as well. They'd stare at her and whisper to each other as she passed but none offered his help.

It was getting darker and Belle could not see where she was going. Her feet stumbled across the small pebbles on the road and sank into mud puddles accidentally. She couldn't understand why those people did not want to help her and why some pointed at her with their fingers. Belle reached the other side of the village before she saw a sign, with the paint faded and chipping, which promised her a comfortable bed and a healthy breakfast at a modest price. Relieved, she pushed the door and walked it.

The tall man behind the counter did not greet her nor did he respond to her soft wish of good evening. He was rather thing and had long mustache which were partially grey. They looked like they'd been powdered with flour, Belle mused.

"I would like to have a room for several nights," she said politely. The man blinked and looked at her. Frustrated, she thought even the dullest innkeeper could figure out the reason why a woman would come into his establishment at the fall of the night.

"A room," she repeated slowly and pondered what other language the folk could speak. Should she try Mercian? But she couldn't recall the word for room in it.

After a few moments the man spoke. His voice was clear and there was no thick accent in his speech.

"You come from the Dark Castle, do you not?"

Belle failed to see how it mattered.

"Yes, yes," she said, exasperated. "I am tired, please find a decent room for me to rest."

"I'm afraid we have nothing to offer to you," the man spoke slowly and eyed her to the point where it was impolite. Belle knew he was lying – behind him was a board with keys to the rooms and only few of those were missing from their places. He had plenty of chambers available and she was getting irritated by his delay to show her to one of them, whatever the source of his hesitance was.

"You don't understand," Belle tried again, pushing the hood of the cape off her head. Perhaps he mistook her for some beggar with her making the way on foot and her cloak splattered with mud. "I have the money to pay you," she added, shaking two large gold coins onto the counter.

But the sight of gold did not persuade him.

"We've got nothing to offer to you," he emphasized the last word. "Take your gold and leave."

Belle looked at him, awe-struck. How did it matter whether she came from the castle or not? Did those people think she was cursed or diseased? At least it explained why no one on the streets wanted to talk to her.

"Keep it," she said to the man and made no move to pick up the coins.

It was chilly outside. Belle thought it would be no use to try knocking on doors asking if she could stay for a night. Even the owner if the inn refused to give her lodging for a night after she offered gold. She looked around. She was too tired to make her way back to the castle. Her feet hurt and she was hungry. Just to add to her misery, it began drizzling.

With a sigh, Belle walked to the nearest building. It reeked of dung and turned out to be stables. Well, it was better than nothing. She found the spot of stacked hay and leaned against it. The smell wasn't too bad once she got used to it. Belle closed her eyes. At least it was warmer than outside and dry. She fell asleep immediately, her fatigue overpowering her worries and even the snorts and neigh of horses did not disturb her rest.