The Best Tea Cup is Chipped Book 1

Escaping

The Huntsman hadn't been sure about passing a message to the Pied Piper. But he trusted Belle and if she said the woman would help her then he supposed they'd have to take that risk. It took a bit of work to track the woman down and even then, he had to sneak out from under the Queen's guard. Luckily, she was busy gloating over capturing Charming.

He caught sight of the blond just as she finished one of her shows having woven a spell with her music over the people making them more inclined to give their money. The Huntsman stayed mostly out of range but still had to put up a slight resistance to the call towards her that tried to twist at his mind. Once she'd collected her coins she left and he followed her till they reached a dark alley where they were alone. Then the woman stopped.

"You know it's dangerous to follow people like me." she said her voice soft and threatening.

"I have a message for you." he said deciding to get straight to the point. The Piper turned fixing slate grey eyes upon him.

"Oh?"

"You know Belle of Avalonea?" The woman bowed her head slightly.

"Knew. If you didn't get the message, she's dead."

"No. She isn't. She's being held prisoner by the Evil Queen." he said.

"What!" snapped the woman. In an instant the woman was in front of him.

"What proof do you have of this?" she asked.

"This," he said handing her the scrap of paper. The Piper took it reading it over.

"That bitch." she hissed.

"She needs to be rescued and she thought you could help. Incidentally you'll want to do it tomorrow the Queen is planning to confront Snow White and will be distracted."

"Oh, I'll help alright. Give me every detail you can." He watched a look of determination cross the woman's face and he knew Belle had been right.

OUAT

Belle would have paced the room if she'd had the strength. Alas that was not the case. By now she was so weak that standing was even a challenge.

She believed in the Huntsman and Alice but she did hope they'd come sooner rather than later.

Judging by her estimates it had been around a year since she'd been locked up. Oh what a year. Adventure books didn't usually go into this particular bit. Still, Belle wasn't giving in yet.

It was several days after she'd given her letter to the Huntsman that she heard a strange tune coming from below. It was faint almost like a lullaby. The tune continued getting louder and louder until suddenly she heard a thud and then the key turning in the lock.

Hope sprung in her chest as the door opened to reveal Jefferson and behind him Alice who was still playing the tune.

"Well, I see we got the right tower," said Jefferson giving her a trademark mad grin.

"Jefferson," said Belle though it came out strangled her throat dry. She'd not been given water that day.

"No need to talk. Plenty of time for that later," said Jefferson as he undid her chains.

"Can you walk?" Belle shook her head.

"Alright," as Jefferson picked her up Belle noticed that the music had slowed. Glancing over she saw that Alice was looking pale and suddenly Belle realized how much magic the woman must be expending over the large number of guards.

They began to descend with Alice eventually being forced to stop playing. With the music ceasing the guards began to stir. They were halfway down when one started to wake. Quick as a cat she saw Alice leap forward and slit the man's throat. Belle winced looking away.