Saved by the Belle
Title Saved by the Belle
Word Count 499
Rating G
Summary An 11 year old Belle comes to the aid of a boy who will come to her aid later down the road.
Note: onceuponaland challenge was to create a childhood fic for a current character in OUAT
Belle licked her finger and turned the page. She had been drawn into this magical world with Ogre’s and Goblins and had lost track of time between reality and a war for a castle, when she was disturbed by shouting and laughter.
Belle plucked a piece of grass and slipped it in her book to track her place. The laughter and shouting got louder as she made her way around to the front of the castle where she saw Gaston, Lafou and another boy who she didn’t recognize. At first she thought they might be playing a game but it didn’t take long to see that Gaston and Lafou were playing keep away from the other boy and by the looks of it, it was no game to him.
“Give it back!” He shouted at them, he jumped trying to reach for the hat that passed between Lafou to Gaston.
Gaston held it over his head dangling it in front of the boy. “How bad do you want it freak?”
“Leave him alone!” Belle stepped forward with her hands on her hips. “Give it back to him Gaston.”
Gaston tipped his head back and laughed, “Sweet Belle, you’ve come to defend this guy?”
“Leave him alone or I’ll get the guards.” She tried to stand taller in hope that he’d go.
Gaston moved closer towards Belle, at 11 she was fairly average height but Gaston was not an average size 11 year old boy and towered over her. “Get the guards? Do you really think they would come to the defense of this gutter rat?”
It was true that her Father’s guards might not come to the aid of this boy over Gaston. “Please Gaston just leave him alone.”
“Well Belle you’re going to have to give me a better reason than that.”
Belle was tiresome of Gaston’s flirtations. She felt she was rather young to be involved with a boy and she particularly didn’t care for Gaston. Gaston was nowhere near the knights and prince’s she read about in her stories. “I promise I’ll go with you to the play tomorrow night…”
“The play?” Gaston whined, “Come on Belle do something fun with me like hunting. I’m sure you’d love that. My father’s just got me-”
Belle cut him off, “It’s the play or nothing Gaston now what will it be?”
Gaston passed the hat back to the boy, “Come on Lafou, and Belle I’ll see you tomorrow.” He and Lafou sauntered off.
Belle turned towards the boy, “Sorry about them. They can be cruel.” The boy stayed quiet, “I’m sorry I never introduced myself, I’m Belle.” She stuck her hand out.
He took her hand in his and shook it. “I’m Jefferson. Thank you for what you did, I hope I can repay you for this.”
“No bother,” She smiled mischievously, “I can’t go with him to the play tomorrow, father’s taking me on holiday.”
Jefferson smiled, “Well for my hat then, someday I must repay you.”