Chapter 2: Betrothal
I did not fall in love right away. No. In fact, it took some time. A betrothal, a death, a lost, a deal, and a new way of life had all come before I fell in love. It all started on a cool day in Avonlea. The cold winter days and given way to a warm spring. The flowers had yet to begin to blossom and it was still cool enough that I had to continue wearing my warmer dresses.
The day I met my betrothed was a day I had planned on going out riding with my father. It was still warm enough and I adored, Philippe. Father was to meet me in the stables.
"Father," I called as I entered hoping he was already there. "Father are you in here?"
"I'm right here, Belle," Father said drawing my attention to him.
"We're supposed to go riding today. Why aren't you dressed for it?" I asked noticing his clothing.
"Plans have changed," he informed me. "We have a visitor in the castle today. The eldest son of Lord Legume."
"Father, no," I said firmly. "I don't want to meet any more suitors especially not that cretin."
I grimaced as I walked over to Philippe.
"So, you know him?" Father questioned knowing that I didn't.
"Well, I know of him," I said. "He's supposedly the vainest man in all the land. Fancies himself quite the hunter, both of animals and women."
"At least give him a chance," Father pleaded. "Don't judge someone until you know their whole story."
"Well, I know enough," I said trying to storm off.
"Belle," Father called after me. "Wait. There's more at stake."
I stopped and turned to face him.
"On our northern borders, there have been skirmishes with the ogres. Good men have died." Father said with a heavy voice.
"That's horrible," I said.
"But Lord Legume has a powerful army. If you were to marry his son…"
"Marry him?" I interrupted with a scoff. "Are you mad? What does mother have to say about this?"
"She agrees with me," Father said firmly. "I'm not arranging a wedding, Belle. I simply want you to meet him."
I wanted to argue. I wanted to say that I should not be forced to meet a man I was sure I could not respect, but I was interrupted by a gentle voice.
"Am I too early?" a man asked and I knew that it was Lord Legume's son. My father had asked for me to meet him in the stables to trick me into meeting the man he hoped I would take as my husband.
"You're right on time, Father said politely. "Come in. Meet my daughter, Belle."
Father turned me to face a tall handsome man with black hair and blue eyes. He was dressed in a red overcoat and bow and quiver hung from his back. He looked prepared for the hunt.
"This is Gaston," Father introduced.
I politely offered my hand and Gaston kissed it.
"It's lovely to meet you, Belle," Gaston said.
I had to admit I was impressed. I thought Gaston would barge in and as soon as he got a good look at me, he would demand that I marry him as soon as the next day.
The man I met did not seem to live up to the tales and gossip I had heard. He was as polite and as charming as a suitor that could, maybe, win my heart.
"Gaston, I've heard so much about you," I said honestly.
"I'm sorry," Gaston apologized. "This is terribly awkward isn't it?"
And it was. It seemed we could not find the words to speak of how awkward our situation was.
"Do you hate their setups as much as I do?" he asked.
"Since you're asking, yes," I replied.
"I've heard you're a charming and intelligent young woman and you certainly live up to your name," he said.
"But," I pressed with skepticism.
"You've heard of me and you're not interested in this. Which is fine. I understand. If it is your wish, I will turn around and head home. No hard feelings."
I said nothing and Gaston turned to leave. I turned to my father and he gave me a look that told me that I should give Gaston a chance.
"Actually," I said stopping my new suitor form leaving. "Uh, one walk, couldn't hurt anyone.
I smiled at my father, silently telling him that I would try to get to know Gaston and he smiled back.
I lead Gaston from the stable. We walked a path I knew well and chatted idly. Gaston was slowly growing on me and I was starting to believe that what I had heard about him was false.
"I have to say, I am impressed how far you're hiked," he said after we had walked for well over an hour." I suppose your perseverance is matched by your beauty."
Really?" I laughed. "Does that line work with all you first dates?"
"Have we moved from moving walking to a date?" Gaston joked.
"You know what I meant," I said seriously and he chuckled.
"I bet you think that I'm the same Gaston as all the stories you've heard about," he said.
"I must say I've heard some unflattering tales," I admitted.
"Well, then I profoundly apologize. I have this friend, Lefou, who loves to spread tall tales to embarrass me."
"So, you're not this great hunger of women I've heard so much about?" I challenged.
"I hut only wild game, I assure you," Gaston said seriously. "My love life has been tragically empty. Actually, I've spent my whole lie looking for a woman of real substance."
What he had said continued to impress me and pull me in. It seemed he was looking for a woman who was more than just her looks. A part of me hoped that, perhaps, I could be the woman he was looking for, but another part of me said to keep this man at a distance, don't trust him, the tales could be true.
"Wait," he said not even a moment later and we stopped walking.
"What is it? I asked.
Gaston removed his bow.
"Wild creature," he answered. "Vey large, very close. Stay here."
He smiled at me before he ran off to face the creature.
Not being the type of woman who waited in hopes for the man to return safely, I quickly followed, calling out to Gaston as I went. Gaston was leaning over a large hole in the ground when I caught up to him. The hole was huge, large enough to fit at least 50 men easily.
"Well, I'm afraid this won't be much of a hunt," he said not surprised that I followed. "Whatever it was it fell into this old hunting pit."
He looked into the hole to see exactly what was inside.
"Impossible." He gasped.
He stood, a look of surprise on his face.
"What is it? I asked concerned.
"The war's closer than we thought," he said. "It's an ogre."
I gasped, shocked by the reveal.
"No, there's never been an ogre anywhere near the castle before."
I looked down into the pit to see the trapped ogre step into the sunlight.
"Look at him. He's barely full grown. He's just a child. Maybe, he wondered too far from home," I said trying to give a reason why such a 'small' ogre was so close to the castle.
"Or maybe, they're using their young as scouts and an entire army's following behind," Gaston said giving a different reason. "We have to haul him up, take him back to your father."
"What, no we can't," I pleaded, "We bring this creature back to the castle, the soldiers will torture him," I said pleadingly. "When have to find another way.
"This isn't our decision," Gaston argued back. "The whole kingdom could be at risk."
"I know and I realize you're only known me an hour but if you trust me, I can promise I can find out what this ogre's after without hurting him."
There was no way I could just sit back and let a child be harmed. Not even the child of the enemy.
For a moment, I thought I had lost. I felt in my gut that I had lost, but Gaston had surprised me again.
"Lead the way," he said giving min.
He smiled secretly at me and I smiled back
We took another hour to walk back to the castle
"Where are we going?" Gaston asked as I lead him down a couple of corridors.
"The library," I said not slowing.
"The library?" he asked.
"Yes," I said approaching the large doors and the end of the hallway. "I bet we can find our answers in a book."
I pushed open a door and entered my favorite room in the whole castle.
Our library wasn't the largest in the land but it held many important tomes with valuable information. Books that never failed me before.
"Wait here," I told Gaston as we approached a table and I dashed off in search of a book, I've read before, a book I was certain would help. Once I grabbed the book, I returned to Gaston.
"Here, I've found it," I said happily as I placed the book on the table.
"An Alphabetized Inventory of Magical Antiquities," Gaston said reading the book's title. "Sounds a bit dense."
"No, this is a wonderful look," I corrected. "It's a record of every magical item in the kingdom."
I opened the book and began my search.
"And you think one of them will tell us what this ogre is after?" Gaston asked not believing that I could find an answer that would help the ogre, not to any more harm.
"I'm sure of it," I said confidently. "That's why mother keeps these records, for emergencies like this."
"Your mother must be quite a woman," Gaston said softly. "To raise a daughter with this much fire in her."
I looked up from the book, flattered by his words.
"She was the one who taught me to love books," I admitted with a blush and a loving smile.
I picked up a book that was rarely only its shelf.
"Starting with this one," I showed Gaston my favorite book in the whole library, in the whole world. I handed him the book.
"Her Handsome Hero," he read. "Interesting. I wouldn't pick you for a fan of cheap romance."
"No, no," I said grabbing the book. "This is not like that. This book is about compassion and forgiveness. The things that truly make a hero. You can have it if you like."
I offered him the book.
"If this is indeed your favorite book, I shall read every word. Twice. Because I have a feeling I've finally found a woman of substance."
I blushed deeper as Gaston stared into my eyes. My heart began to pound and I was taken in by his words. We leaned in towards each other, our lips nearly touched, when I pulled away. I looked back down at the book I knew held the solution to help save the trapped ogre. I had found what I was looking for.
"Wait," I said. "Look. This is what we need."
"Mirror of souls," Gaston read.
"It says, if someone has evil in their soul, it will be revealed in the mirror's gaze. Their eyes will glow with demonic fire." I read.
"So, if we see no fire," Gaston said.
"Then the ogre means us no harm," I finished. "This mirror's but an hour's ride away. I can go now."
"Good. You can get the mirror and I'll watch over the ogre. But promise me," Gaston said grabbing my hand. "In case this creature's not innocent, you will bring back your father and his knights."
"I promise and I'll see you soon."
I quickly made it back to the stables, I ordered the stable boy to prepare Philippe for my ride. I rode as fast as I could and gathered the mirror, placing it securely into my saddlebag. I rode home just as quickly as I had got to the mirror. I barely stopped when I ordered a guard to get my father and a couple of knights and for them to meet me in the woods, close to where the hunting pit was dug.
When my father arrived with his men, I quickly explained the situation before removing the Mirror of Souls from my saddlebag.
"Gaston is keeping watch on the ogre and this mirror will help us learn the truth of his intentions," I said showing Father the mirror. Its reflective surface faced him.
"See Father, the eyes don't glow," I said proudly.
"I pray that your right, Belle," Father said as we began walking toward the pit.
"Gaston," I called as I saw him lying on the ground. It looked as if he had been attacked.
"Gaston," I called again and rushed over to him. "Are you alright?"
"It feels like I still have all my limbs," he said rising from the ground. I set the mirror down.
He was bleeding from a wound on his head.
"What happened?" I asked.
"The ogre had escaped. When I arrived he was waiting. An ambush."
"Then you're quite lucky to be alive," Father said.
"I am so sorry," I said taking out my handkerchief and wiping the blood from his face.
"This is all my fault."
"It's alright, Belle. Seeing yours concern makes it worth it," Gaston said gazing into my eyes.
"Well, you two have had an interesting first day," Father said helping Gaston to his feet. "Head back to the castle. I'll gather my soldiers. We'll hunt this ogre down before it can do any more harm."
"No," Gaston protested. "This ogre's tried to kill me. I shall return the favor. If you'd allow, I would like to lead the hunting party myself."
"You're a brave young man," Father praised. "If you feel up to it, the hunt is yours."
"Then, I'm coming too," I insisted. "There's still a chance to use this mirror."
I was not giving up.
"For what?" Gaston argued. "We know this ogre's a monster."
"Well, perhaps he was just defending himself," I argued back.
"Forgive her, Gaston," Father said. "She gets this idealism from her mother."
"Father, we must know the truth before we hurt him," I said trying to get my point across.
"Go home, Belle," Father ordered. "It's what's best."
I fought back the glare and choked down my angry words. I hated being told what was for the best when I knew within my heart that I was right.
"Belle," Gaston said drawing my attention to him. "It will be fine. I promise."
The men left me, off to the hunt the ogre.
There was no way I was going to be the obedient daughter and allow my father and Gaston tell me what to do or allow, possibly, an innocent child die when it did not need to.
I followed them on their hunt, the Mirror of Souls safely with me. We rode until the sun had set and it turned cold. The men only stopped long enough to light torches to see into the night.
By the time I had caught up completely and was off of Philippe, Gaston had already fired his first arrow into the ogre, knocking the frightened creature from its hiding place in a tree.
"Don't let it escape," I heard Gaston order.
He removed another arrow from his quiver and prepared to fire another arrow at the ogre.
"The thing about an ogre is," Gaston said confidently. "You gotta hit him right in the eye."
"No," I called running up with the mirror under my arm. I placed myself between the ogre and Gaston.
"What are you doing?" Father asked angrily. "Get away from that thing."
"I won't let you kill him without knowing the truth," I said fiercely.
"It tried to kill me," Gaston insisted. "And that's all I need to know."
He drew back his bow.
"No," I cried holding out the mirror as Gaston fired. The arrow shattered the mirror, missing the ogre.
I stared at the creature to see if he still got hit and I noticed the open wounds on his flesh. Bleeding gashes that looked cruelly placed.
"He's hurt," I said. "What happened to him?"
I looked into what was left of the Mirror of Souls. One lone piece of glass remained in its frame. Reflected in that glass was Gaston, his eyes glowing bright red. He had evil in his soul. All at once, the potential romance and fondness that had begun to blossom in my heart earlier that day were gone. Gaston was not the charming, kind man I hoped he was, but every bit the man I had thought he was. Maybe, even worse.
"Gaston," I said disgust written on my face. "You. You did this, didn't you? You tortured this ogre while I was gone. That's why he attacked you."
"I don't need an enchanted mirror to recognize a monster," Gaston said coldly. "I'm trying to protect this kingdom. Now step aside."
He prepared to fire another arrow.
"This creature isn't the monster, you are," I challenged. "And if want to shoot him, you'll have to shoot me first."
I didn't move from between the ogre and Gaston as I turned to see the ogre rise from his hiding spot. He gave me a nod of thanks and then ran off into the woods and back to his people.
"You made a faithful decision tonight," Gaston said gravely. "I just hope, for all our sake, it was the right one."
That night, I could not sleep. Too much weighed on my mind. I had almost given my heart and my hand to a man who fooled me for an entire day. I wasn't heartbroken, but I was hurt and ashamed. I wondered how long I could have continued to ignore the gut feeling I had told me not to trust Gaston. If it weren't for the ogre, would I have married that monster?
I made my way to the stables. I was brushing Phillippe's mane hoping to forget about my sorrows. Father found me.
"It's happened, Belle," he announced without any gentility to his words.
"What has?" I asked.
"The eastern regions have been breached. Ogres are coming. It's war," Father informed.
First, the northern border and now, the eastern. The ogres seemed to be preparing to attack many fronts.
"And you blame me," I said in a choked voice that did not hide my anger.
"Blame is not important now," he said and it was as good as him saying yes.
"What I did was the right thing," I defended.
"It was foolish and petulant," Father argued.
"No," I argued in return. "I did what I had to to live with myself."
"And now we're at war," Father said in a booming voice.
"Has it occurred to you that our mistreatment of their young could have caused this conflict not my act of mercy," I continued to argue, pointing the blame somewhere else.
"The reason why no longer matter," Father said taking a seat. "What does is what we must do what it takes to save the kingdom."
I sighed. I allowed my temper to cool and I could see him doing the same. Yes, I had my mother's idealism but, I had gotten my temper from him.
"I'm sorry, Father," I apologized. "I'm sorry that it's come to this."
"I'm sorry too," father said as I touched his shoulder. "Our army is no match for them."
"What will we do?" I asked.
"Gaston's kingdom. Their army could give us a fighting chance," Father said heavily.
"You think they will assist," I asked hopefully.
"With the right bit of diplomacy, perhaps," Father said giving me a look that meant something terrible for me.
"You want me…" I started to say.
"He still wants your hand, Belle. He could end the war," Father pleaded. "You'd be our hero."
I gulped back my tears and anger. I knew my father was right, but I still wanted to argue why I had to marry such a monster.
I heard the stable door creak open and knew it was Gaston before he spoke my name. Just like earlier that day, I felt like I had been pulled into a trap. I turned to star at Gaston. My heart was repeating my mother's mantra, 'do the brave thing and bravery will follow'.
"Has your father told you the good news," Gaston asked and I knew that I really had no choice in the matter.
"Our kingdoms will unite and we will defeat this threat," he continued to say. "And you will one day be sovereign over a land far greater than has ever existed. We will rule side by side."
He made it sound like power was all we needed and I hated him for that. His words said that the ogre war would not be the only war. The words spoke of a rule that conquered, fought, tortured, and was merciless.
I watched as Gaston kneeled down on bended knee and offered his hand to me.
"If you will be my queen," he finished.
It was a heavy weight placed on my shoulders when I took his hand after several moments of hesitation. Bile rose in my throat as I promised to marry the monster before me and he smiled as if I had pledged myself to him willingly.
I did not sleep peacefully that night or many a night after.
When morning came and my maid dressed me for the day, she babbled on and on about my engagement. Apparently, word of the news had spread throughout the castle. People congratulated me for days and days, happy I finally chose a husband.
Gaston was proud that he bagged a beauty such as me. He was always boasting about winning my heart.
"You know we'll have six or seven," he said during one breakfast.
"Six or seven, what?" I asked afraid of knowing the answer.
"Boys, like me," Gaston said puffing out his chest.
I grimaced at the thought.
"What if we have all girls?" I asked taking a drink from my tumbler.
"Not possible, my family only has boys," Gaston answered. "Just think of all of them. They will all be handsome, strong, and good hunters. You'll be so busy, you'll never have to pick up a book again."
I nearly choked on my juice.
"No, my Belle, you won't even miss the things."
I drowned out whatever else he said.
Mother could tell I was unhappy with the union. She came to me one night, Her Handsome Hero in her hand.
"Mother," I said holding out my arms as I did like when I was a child.
"I know, my girl," Mother said setting the book on the bed before embracing me. "Everything will be alright."
"How can it?" I sobbed. "Gaston is a monster. I know I have to marry him but do I really have to bear his children?"
Mother kissed my head and stroked my hair.
"Just one, Dearest," she said. "Just one. Only an heir."
I sobbed quietly in her arms.
Days passed and I was still in a hopelessly depressed state. I spent my time ignoring my fiancé. Strangely enough, the library was the perfect place. Gaston had not stepped foot in the room since his first day in Avonlea. The library was my safe haven.
Then, came the day Gaston was to return to his own kingdom. It had only been two weeks since we met. Two very long weeks and finally it was time for his army to join ours.
I was in the library early morning, reading a book on beasts and mystical creatures. It was fascinating. The legends, extinct and so on. Father came into the room, a smile on his face.
"Finally," Father said and I stood from the settee to greet him. "Gaston will leave today and will return with his father's men. We will have the men we need to defend our kingdom and drive back the ogres from these lands."
Father embraced me tightly.
"I thought I had to marry him first," I asked a bit confused.
"No, my girl, the promise of your hand was enough."
"Then, when the war is over, I won't have to marry him?" I asked hopefully.
Father frowned at me in disappointment.
"Of course, you will still have to marry him," he said. "You gave your word and you will keep it. The marriage will just have to take place after the fighting's all over."
I nodded grimly.
"Com now, it is time to see him off and it is not good for the bride to be not to say goodbye to her groom."
Father led me out of the library to the courtyard. There, Gaston had his horse ready to ride. He smiled his broad, overconfident smile at me and held out his arms for me to come to him.
At first, I did not move but a gentle nudge by my father got me going. Gaston embraced me tightly and I numbly returned it.
"Don't worry Belle," he said when he stepped back. His hands were cupping my shoulders. "I will return and this war will be won before it's even truly begun. We will be man and wife by year's end."
"Yes, of course," I said hiding my disdain with a smile.
Then Gaston kissed me. He wasn't an awful kisser but a harsh one. His lips felt hard on mine and I found that I was unable to return the kiss. My lack of response did not seem to discourage him. My mother's soft, polite cough got him to pull away from me and I was relieved.
Gaston was off and for a week I was free of his company.
During that week, word came from the battlefront. I had spent so much time avoiding my betrothed that I did not know that Father had sent men to fight. We were losing of course. We did not have the manpower or the weapons to win on our own merit. The ogres marched on, pushing their way through the kingdom. Our men seemed to do little but slow them down and I actually prayed for Gaston's return.
The week passed and Gaston had yet to return. Father was worried. Our forces and resources were becoming thin.
"Where is he," Father asked more to himself than anyone in the room.
"I'm sure he will be here soon, Maurice," Mother soothed she gently took Father's hand.
"He may have more men than he promised," I encouraged. "It could have taken him awhile to rally so many."
Father said nothing as he gazed grimly out the nearest window.
Another week passed and Gaston still did not show. Father's worry became anger as the days passed.
A third week came and went before Gaston returned to our kingdom. He was all smiles and ride as if he was returning at the time that was promised. Mother and I were not allowed in the war room when Father and Gaston entered. The heavy doors shut tight behind them. The doors were solid and thick but I could still hear Father's booming voice as he yelled. I could not make out any words but I could tell they were not for a lady's ears anyway. They did not exit the room until long after nightfall.
After that, I saw little of Father or Gaston. For months, they strategized and sent soldiers out to fight. Most did not return.
When the number of men became too low, instead of making the journey to his homeland once more, Gaston sent a dove. He said it was because he was needed here, but I had a suspicion that his reluctance was due to whatever Father had said to him in the war room on the day he returned.
New soldiers came and died and more were recruited. Supplies were beginning to run law and by late summer or armies were struggling. Gaston would often come to me and blame me for letting the ogre child go.
"If you hadn't been so stupid, we wouldn't be in this mess," he sneered one evening.
"Maybe, if they would have still come for their young," I argued back.
"Do you think that they are that sentimental, that compassionate? They are killing our men without a drop of wellbeing in their souls. Without mercy or care," Gaston yelled. "They will kill all of us without even glancing at us."
"Well, maybe you should join them," I said coldly. "Because you will sure slay all of them and never regret it."
For a moment, I thought Gaston was going to strike me, his hand was raised to deliver the blow, but instead, he stepped closer to me. He towered over me, trying to intimidate me. I just glared up at him boldly.
"You're damn right. They aren't like us Bell. They are vile creatures that need to be wiped from this earth," he said darkly. "You show them compassion and while they're facing you, I will fire an arrow into every one of their eyes."
I gulped and Gaston left me. Tears came to my eyes. The man I was to marry was crueler than the ogres our armies were fighting.
END OF CH. 2