Virtue before Wit and Beauty (Two)
Virtue before wit and beauty
Part Two: Growth
Note: I do not own “Once Upon A Time” and I do not make a profit from writing this story. I’m just amusing myself.
Authors Note: This takes place in a vague time before The Dark Curse was enacted by Regina. This will be a collision of many characters, just a heads up.
Setting: Enchanted Forest
Rating: PG13
Warnings: N/A
Genre: Angst/Drama
Word Count: 1,096
Cast: (in order of appearance/mention) Belle, Princess Jasmine (OFC), Red Riding Hood, Jiminy Cricket, Geppetto, The Beast, Queen Regina, Aladdin (OMC), Granny, Pinocchio,
Chapter Summary: As Belle rests, she bonds with those who are trapped in the storm with her.
It was sometime the next day when Belle awoke. She was aware that the Princess was no longer beside her, but instead the woman in the red cloak. As her vision focused, Belle became aware that the Talking Cricket was curled upon the woman’s chest, chirping as he slept. It was oddly adorable and started the lull her back to sleep, unable to help it; she closed her eyes and succumbed to slumber.
A loud clap of thunder startled Belle from her sound sleep, she jerked awake with a gasp. She was alone now; the storm was still raging outside. She could hear the others talking comfortably in the other room and rose slowly. She ached from the long hike the previous day, and a part of her, a large part just wanted to go back to sleep. Instead she carefully made her way into the doorway, peering into the main room. Geppetto was working at his craft, appearing to be carving something into an expansive piece of wood. At the table, Jasmine, Red Riding Hood, The Beast and Jiminy Cricket sat talking amongst themselves. Both the Beast and Red looked up upon hearing her, he nodded her over and she approached the table.
“Good afternoon, Belle,” The Beast greeted, sliding a bowl of food to her, “Eat.”
Without second thought or hesitation, she did. She mumbled a thank you to Geppetto, who merely laughed softly.
“How long were you prisoner?” Jasmine asked, seeing Belle’s reaction to food.
Belle swallowed her bite, glancing up at the three, then lowered her gaze, “I…I think it was close to 40 years…”
“Why did she take you? You’re not Royalty, you have not a scent of magic or power, you’re just a girl,” Red said, inhaling deep as she leaned close to the girl.
“That is true. All my life I had been a prisoner, if not behind walls, in mansion or a cell in a Castle dungeon. I believe she kept me to hurt someone else,” Belle said.
Jasmine’s brows shot up, “For all that time? That’s extreme, isn’t it?”
“I see you don’t know our Queen very well,” Red muttered.
Jasmine’s eyes narrowed, “I’m new in town,” her voice was cold, hard, and Red just smiled.
“Princess with a temper, I like that,” she grinned.
“Oh trust me, there will be more of that, especially when I get my hands on that betrothed of mine…” Belle was almost afraid of the absolute glee in the Princess’s eyes as she said that.
The Beast laughed, it was rich and warm, it caused all of them to smile, “Good to see you haven’t changed,” he shook his head.
“Why should I? I’m a catch,” she said with a wink.
For the first time in years, Belle felt like she was amongst friends, if not family. It was a comfort that she craved so deeply within she wished time would stop and she could remain here with them for all time. But before she knew it, Red Riding Hood was climbing to her feet, bolting out the door, into the storm. She came back a few minutes later with a dead deer around her shoulders. Belle was aghast, first at the dead animal but then the fact Red was carrying it on her own, it’s weight was nothing to her. Like it was just her cloak around her.
“Apologies, I’m aware that the storm will not let up anytime soon and I thought it would be a good idea to catch dinner…” she said, blushing as she carried it out of the room.
Geppetto watched her go with a smirk, “Thank you,” he said.
“How did…” Belle trailed off as Red returned, wiping blood from her hands onto her skirt. She swallowed hard, images of Regina’s face coming back to her.
The Beast noticed, placing a large paw onto her shoulder, “Easy, Belle, it’s alright,” he murmured, which sounded more like a purr.
Red knelt beside Belle, noting her momentary panic, “Belle, I’m sorry if I frightened you…I cannot help my monstrous instincts. I’m sure The Beast knows what I am and the Princess has figured it out, but do realize it scares me as well.”
“What are you?” Belle asked, tilting her head, Red smiled softly, and it was almost hypnotizing as Red’s eyes shifted from their light color to a golden color and remained that way. They did not appear human, but…”Wolf…” Red nodded slowly.
“It’s the curse of my bloodline. My Grandmother was turned, birthing my Mother who mated another wolf, and now…here I am…I did not chose this life and though I have destroyed many lives and people, I live my life now to use my inheritance to assist the good in life.”
Belle tentatively reached out to cup Red’s face, “That’s alright; it’s just an adjustment I have to no longer being a captive.”
Red nodded, “I understand.”
As she rose, she sat beside Belle, clasping her hand. Belle was still surprised how welcoming these people were to her. They didn’t know her but they trusted her. It was something she did not take for granted. The group continued to quietly talk as the hours waned. As dinner approached The Beast and Red went off to butcher the animal, leaving Belle, Geppetto and Jasmine.
Soon dinner was on the table, and Geppetto’s mysterious son finally appeared. Which was surprising, after all, he was a wooden child. He seemed to be fearful of the Beast at first, but soon the boy was laughing at the Beast’s tales and was perfectly at ease. Belle’s eyes flickered to Jasmine who was grinning at the Beast’s side, studying him close. She wondered what the Princess was thinking as she looked at The Beast, if she was remembering the man she used to know.
Later, Belle decided when they settled in, she would find the courage to ask Jasmine, just who the Beast really was.
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To be coninued
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Just wanted to have a bonding chapter to loosen Belle up.