Ok boys and girls let us have a talk. I know many of you are mad about my killing Belle. You want the perfect ending for Belle and her Prince, Gaston's death and all those complications to simply vanish. (Am I right?)

But! You already have that ending! The movie was the perfect telling of this story with the perfect ending we all wanted.

Now is our chance to have a different story that hasn't been told yet.

Please Review and as always Thank You for Reading.

Chapter 14: Castle in the Woods

He had been on his way to the study when he felt a gust of wind blow down the dark hallway. It was late and most everyone else was asleep, but he didn't sleep much these days. He motioned for the page carrying the candelabra to follow him as he made his way slowly toward the main door.

As they rounded the corner he saw what appeared to be woman leaning wearily against the door like it was the only thing keeping her standing. Motioning for the light to be higher he walked closer his curiosity peaked.

As the light reached her face he froze…a faint hope formed in his heart.

It can't be!

Before he could even think to stop himself he spoke her name, his voice filled with hope.

"Belle?"

She turned and disappointment filled him. There was most certainly a strong resemblance. But it wasn't Belle, but who was she?

Startling violet eyes stared back at him. She was shaking uncontrollably from the cold. Her arms were wrapped around her middle as if she was in pain and even in this faint light he could see her lips had turned a worrying shade of blue. She was exhausted and seemed confused, but one thing that was horribly clear was the fear in her eyes.

Jacqueline turned to the voice. A man stood in the small patch of light, he was stooped over resting heavily on a cane while his other hand clutched his chest over his heart and his face was contorted in pain. The last thing she remembered seeing were his light blue eyes that were filled with so much sadness, and something else, concern? And then everything went black.

He watched her eyes roll back in her head as she crumpled to the ground unconscious. Turning to the page he commanded.

"Get Help!"

The boy set down the candlestick and disappeared into the darkness. With great effort he managed to lower himself to the floor and place her head in his lap. Taking off his long coat was difficult but he managed to drape it over her and then commenced to rub her arms frantically trying to return the warmth to her body.

He knew she most likely couldn't hear him because he suspected she was going into shock, but he spoke all the same.

"Don't worry you are safe here…We will keep you safe."

2 days later

"Her fever has broken, I believe she will make a complete recovery."

"So she will be alright?"

Jacqueline listened to the voices, but all around her was darkness. Where were they coming from?

"Yes, it is remarkable she didn't die out there in the snow! I am convinced only a few more minutes and she would have."

"Well thankfully she didn't. If you'll excuse me I must tell the master."

The voices disappeared and silence returned taking her back down into the darkness.

Many hours passed before she awoke again, and when she opened her eyes she felt for sure she must be dreaming.

High above her head hung a canopy of deep royal blue velvet with golden cords and fringe edging the sides. She could just imagine a million silver stars winking at her as if it were the night sky. Dragging her gaze down she looked at the covers. She was buried up to her neck beneath a thick comforter of powder blue that was covered with intricate designs of leaves and climbing vines all done in golden thread. It was so warm and soft she wondered if it was full of feathers.

Looking over the foot of the bed which seemed to stretch forever in all directions she saw a warm fire blazing in the fireplace across the room.

Where am I?

She moved the blanket to the side and sat on the edge of the bed. Her arms felt like lead and she was actually tired from the effort. Ignoring her bodies obvious warning signs that she should stay where she was she stood, and immediately regretted the decision as the room started to spin.

Grabbing a nearby chair to steady herself she closed her eyes and took deep breaths trying to slow down her spinning head. Opening her eyes slowly looked around the room that could have fit the entire home of her childhood.

Where are my clothes?

Looking down she saw she wore a nightgown that was clearly worth more than anything she had ever owned. Taking a moment of reverence she allowed her fingers to brush the lace cuffs and felt goosebumps on her arm at the feel of the silken threads. Looking back around the room she saw no evidence of her clothes anywhere. She wasn't too concerned about this at first but then a horrifying thought struck her.

What if whoever found me tries to send me back!

That was NOT going to happen!

Using various objects to support herself she crossed the floor to an armoire. If her clothes weren't here maybe there was some she could take. She knew she should have felt guilty at even the thought of stealing but clearly whoever owned this place could afford to buy some new clothes.

Her disappointment and frustration were great at finding only a pair of slippers and a silken robe in the armoire, both were also blue. She was definitely noticing a color scheme here. She liked the color personally but whoever had decorated this room seemed to have an obsession.

It will have to do.

Some of her strength was returning to her along with her increasing desire to leave this place before she was forced to pay for having staid, or worse they sent her back to where she came from.

Pulling on the robe she found it to be a good fit but a tad short. Next the slippers which were also on the snug side. Her heals fell of the back a good half an inch but she figured she would just keep to her toes once outside. On instinct she was about to go make the bed out of habit before leaving when she realized.

You are stealing this lady's slippers Jacqueline do you really think she will thank you for making the bed?

Grabbing the large brass door handle with both hands she turned it slowly and as quietly as possible. She was a little impressed at how the door swung on its hinges without even the slightest noise. Looking both ways she exited the room and made her way down the long hall.

She wondered forever, down staircases, through corridors, past expansive drawing rooms, and through countless galleries until her head had begun once again to spin. At first she had supposed this place to be a small Chateau of some kind but now it was obvious that she had grossly underestimated the magnitude of the structure.

She had so far been able to get by unnoticed and she had begun to believe that she had finally made it to the servant's level which should have an exit from this labyrinth when coming behind her she heard voices.

"What do you mean she's gone?"

"She is gone Sir!"

"Well she couldn't have gotten far…"

Jacqueline was pretty sure she was the one who was gone and that they were looking for her.

Providence was on her side for just a little ways further she saw a door. Hurrying as fast as she could in the ill-fitting slippers she bolted through the door and didn't even bother closing it behind her. Sure enough she now stood on a gravel path. She supposed that when it wasn't covered in snow this must be a garden.

Hearing footsteps from behind she began to run again but it wasn't long before she began to feel dizzy and had to stop. After taking several gulps of air she once again heard the faint sound of footsteps. Looking around frantically she noticed a large wooden sliding door.

She ran for it, sliding the heavy door just enough to slip inside and immediately closing it as fast as she could before whoever was looking for her caught up. Anxiously awaiting her chance to once again flee she waited with her hands on the door ready to open it at any moment. When she suddenly felt hot breath on her neck making her hair stand on end.

Slowly she turned.

She found herself staring into the eyes of a large black stallion who whinnied at the intruder to his domain.

Jacqueline's heart stopped. She was deathly afraid of horses ever since she had witnessed a girl in her village be killed by one when she was six. Since that day she had stanchly refused to go near one and kept her distance from even the smallest pony. And here staring back at her was a horse that was taller than any she had ever seen before.

She was to scared even to scream though her mouth moved to make the sound that never escaped her throat.

The great animal could sense her fear and began to act in response. Lifting his large hooves he pounded the ground. Jacqueline scrambled away only to find herself staring face to face with more of the terrifying beasts. Backed into a corner she slumped to the ground and covered her head with her arms sure that at any moment she would be trampled to death just like Adele all those years ago.

The horses suddenly all became excited, whining and clomping there hooves against the stable floor. It didn't matter that they were all in stalls she was sure it wouldn't hold them.

Jacqueline began to shake from the fear coursing through her bones.

"Please don't hurt me, please don't hurt me, please don't hurt me…"

She flinched when a hand kindly touched her head. Squeezing her eyes shut certain that the horses had broken out and come for her. She didn't even realize that the animals no longer made any noise but stood calmly in their stalls.

"Hurt you! Why Mademoiselle no one will hurt you here."

Jacqueline opened her eyes and looked up into the smiling face of an old man who had all the kindness of the world in him. His large eyes were slightly hidden by his tiny spectacles which didn't seem to fit on his nose which resembled a long candle which has begun to meltingly droop at the end. His face was covered with wrinkles and his limbs were stick thin but despite his obviously advanced age he used no cane.

The kind stranger held out a hand and helped her stand.

"Now let us get you back to bed eh? You shouldn't be out in the cold like this."

Like a child Jacqueline allowed herself to be led by the elderly gentleman out of the stables and back into the grand building.

She was still to shaken to talk but that didn't seem to matter to him for he had no trouble filling the time it took to walk back to her room.

"My name Mademoiselle is Lumiere, I am the steward of the master's household. Those these days I must admit it is a title in name only for Chip has taken on all my responsibilities and would have had the title long ago too. But he has allowed me to keep it out of consideration. Such a dear boy."

As they walked he informed her that she was in a Castle not a Chateau and that if she should need anything the servants would bring it to her.

"And if you should want to go exploring again." He gave her a knowing smile.

"Just remember that your room is called the blue room. That way if you should get lost a servant can help you back."

"That's a good name for it." Jacqueline said and the little man seemed delighted at the sound of her voice.

"Yes it is, the master has a fondness for the color but that room was used by the Countess Catharine de Valier on her infrequent visits to court and she had rather an obsession with the color for its supposed calming affects. She suffered from nerves you see."

"Will she be mad that I took her slippers?" Jacqueline didn't know why she asked such a stupid question. Of course a Countess would be angry a peasant had taken her slippers. It was just that she liked this little man very much and wanted to talk to him. He reminded her of her Grandfather, whom she hadn't thought of in years.

"I doubt it since the ancient lady died at her estate two years ago." The steward seemed to find this very funny but Jacqueline had a hard time seeing the humor in death.

"Besides very few of the rooms are used now days. With the exception of the advisers very few courtiers grace us with their presence these days, except for Christmas that is."

With that he turned to her with a large smile.

"That is why we are all so pleased to have you as our guest! Life is very unnerving for a servant who is not serving."

With that they arrived at the door which he opened for her with a flourish. After coming up from his bow he looked at her a moment unmasked.

Jacqueline wondered why he looked at her so intently, like he felt he knew her somehow.

"I will send a maid up with soup, but right now it is back to bed with you!"

With that he closed the door behind her and Jacqueline could hear the shuffling of his feet down the hall. Suddenly feeling exhausted she decided to do as he had suggested and climbed wearily into the soft bed. If the soup ever did arrive she was unaware of it because she immediately fell into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning

Jacqueline's exhausted sleep lasted the remainder of that day and well into the next. She didn't know it at first but when she awoke it was already ten o'clock in the morning. Upon opening her eyes she was greeted by the smiling face of a woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties with dark hair pulled tightly back into a bun under her mop cap and a spring of freckles covering her face. Even her green eyes had flakes of brown in them.

Her face was a perfect oval like the rim of a cup and was bursting with curiosity.

"Good morning Mademoiselle, my name is Porcelain Potts. With that she gave a little curtsy and moved to help Jacqueline sit up against the pillows.

Jacqueline had gotten over her initial fear because of the kindness of Monsieur Lumiere. However she was still wary that these people were just waiting for a chance to send her back to her father's. Deciding that if they didn't know who she was it would be harder for them to find out where she came from she made up her mind to not tell them anything relating to herself.

By now Porcelain had finished fluffing the pillows and was busy making sure the covers were tucked snuggly around the bed. Jacqueline had never been waited on before and didn't know exactly what to do so she just sat there waiting for the maid to speak.

The rotund little maid sighed in satisfaction at the fact that her charge was now effectively imprisoned in a cocoon of warmth. Jacqueline attempted to smile in return hoping that would make her stop looking at her like she was trying to remember where they had met before.

The maid snapped out of her daze at the sound of a knock at the door. Bouncing over she opened the door and an equally chubby man stepped in holding a tray of food. He whispered something at the maid before glancing at Jacqueline who once again had little choice but to smile in return.

Apparently this was a bad idea because he got the same quizzical look on his face and only left the room when the maid closed the door on his foot.

Porcelain hopped back over to the bed and set the tray across Jacqueline's lap. Immediately her stomach began to growl in response and she shoveled food into her mouth like a wild animal. The maid didn't seem at all offended by this and instead began rummaging through the wardrobe whilst the girl ate.

"That was my brother Claret."

Trying to be polite Jacqueline tried to think of something to say in response between mouthfuls of food.

"Do you have many siblings?"

"Oh my yes! Let's see, the oldest is Earl he is the butler. Then Camellia, and Pepper are maids, Lavender and Herb are gardeners, Honey, Crystal, and Claret work in the kitchens, Gray and Ceramic are footmen, Wilton is a stable hand, Chip is the steward in training and I am the housekeeper. At your serves."

Once again the woman curtsied her little cap bobbing atop her head.

And I thought I had a big family.

She was just finishing the last of her toast when Porcelain came to take the tray away and help her out of the large bed. She left Jacqueline standing there as she went to retrieve something from the armoire, Jacqueline figured it must be the robe since there was nothing else in the closet when she looked before. But to her amazement the housekeeper returned with a beautiful dress of light pink with scalloped edges and delicate sleeves.

Normally Jacqueline didn't care for the color but this dress was so exquisite and intricate that the color was the last thing she noticed.

"Madame de la Grande Bouche was up late taking this in to fit you."

Reverently Jacqueline touched the gown.

"Who is Madame de la Grande Bouche?"

Porcelain giggled "She is a lady in waiting, but you can just call her Madame."

"And what should I call you?"

"Me? Why my dear just call me Ms. Potts."

Ms. Potts helped Jacqueline out of the nightgown and began lacing her into various articles of underclothing. There was a chemise then a corset, petticoat, silk stockings, garters, satin slippers and then at last the gown. Jacqueline looked at her reflection in the full length mirror as Ms. Potts tied the satin sash just under the bust line giving the silhouetted empire waist that was the fashion.

Jacqueline turned first this way then that admiring the excellent fit and the overall splendor. There is something special about when a girl wears a beautiful dress. It makes her feel like the loveliest creature in the world.

"Now let's do something with that hair."

She motioned her over to a vanity and commanded her to take a seat. Jacqueline obeyed still in awe of the beauty around her. Her hair was now a wrathful nest of entangled curls, but Ms. Potts didn't seem daunted.

Picking up a silver backed brush she braved the attack! Pulling through the curls with a vengeance Jacqueline thought her neck would snap in two! She had to dig her claws into the chair to keep from taking the brush away and hitting her with it.

Ms. Potts brushed her hair until it was glossy and smooth. Brushing the hair over her hand until the curls bowed to her will and formed large shining chestnut waves and curls according to the fashion she wished. Pulling the sides away from Jacqueline's face she fastened the locks with a large pink ribbon. Then beaming she sat down the brush and admired her creation.

Jacqueline felt she looked rather childish but none the less pretty. She was going to thank the housekeeper but she never got a chance for once again there was a knock on the door.

Ms. Potts scurried to answer, opening the ornate double doors Lumiere entered a smile on his ancient face.

"All ready I see, shall we?"

He held out his arm to lead her but Jacqueline didn't move.

"Where are we going?"

"Why to see the Master."