The war is closing around the castle. The sky a blood red from all the lost lives. Father is devastated of what has become of the kingdom, waits for our only savior. We all sit in silence, some playing with their fingers, others tapping their feet impatiently. Every single person around the round table thinking of another solution, none believes in the man to save us. I also think for solutions, but not cutting hope from my heart. The silence in the room is deafening. As I stand up to say something, a knock on the door alarms us all. The first thought in my mind is: It must be him. He has come to save us all. I, as the only girl out of the 10 men (26 counting the guards) say, "It must be him." The look on my father's face says other wise. My father says,"It can't be him. How could he have past the walls without stumbling into a guard? Impossible." All the guards in front and everyone out of there seats behind the guards, waiting to see who is behind the door. My father tells the guards,"Open the doors with caution, " from behind them, also out of his seat. The doors slowly open to revile....... Nothing. No one. There was no one behind the door. Everyone synchronically sighed in disappointment. Wondering what that knock was, I stick my head out of the door, every head watching me. "Well, that was a little let down," says a mocking voice. Now all heads twirling to the voice.
A man/beast (Looks like a human, but not a human.) with rough skin and a wicked smile that would make the devil itself cry for it's mother (for I do not know if the devil has a mother. What an interesting question. Does the devil have a mother?). The man/beast once sitting in my father's chair and now up ready to speak. Who does he think he is? Sitting in the king's chair. A better question is: How did he get in the seat without any of us realizing? Gaston moves in front of me. I think he is trying to protect me from him. But then again, Gaston is a mouse, for the cat is the man. The man walks around the room examining everyone while everyones eyes are glued to the man. He makes his way to my father and my fathers says,"Who are you?"
"I am Rumplestiltskin," the man says with a smile. "You have called me to save you," he adds with a laugh.
"What do you mean?" says my father.
"I mean: I can end this beautiful war and bring back the horrible, singing, birds," Rumplestiltskin says with yet, another laugh.
My father's eyes spark with hope. He says,"Can you really do that?"
"Of course I will," Rumplestiltskin says with a childish voice and with gestures with his hands. "But I shall use magic." He adds. "But. All magic comes with a price. One you may not be willing to pay." He is now, no longer smiling. His face is nothing but dead serious. A price? What could he want from the king that was something he could not pay? He is the king for god sake.
"What is this price? I'll pay you jewels and gold." says my father.
The man laughs and says,"What am I to do with jewels for I am a man? And what am I to do with your gold when I make gold? I want something a bit more special." He smiles and adds,"My price, is her." He says pointing at me.
Gaston moves in front of me and fathers says,"No." Gaston adds,"The young lady is engaged. To me."
The man says,"I wasn't asking if she was engaged. I'm not looking for Love." When he says love, he says it in a disgusted voice. Like the idea of love to him was the worst thing possible. "Im looking for a care taker. For my rather large estate." He pauses then adds,"It's her, or no deal"
My father doesn't wait a second to respond,"Get out." and when the man did not move a muscle, my father yells,"Leave."
The man walks towards the door and says,"As you wish."
Of course I can not stand still. My whole kingdom, life, friends, and family were all going to burn down, all over one girl. Me. Just as the man was going to step out, I said,"No. Wait." I walk to the man and say,"I will go with you."
As soon as I say that Gaston says,"I forbid it." The man laughs and I say,"No one decides my fate but me. I shall go." I look at the man and he says,"It's forever dearie." I respond with,"My family, my friends. They will all live?" The man says,"You have my word." And I say,"Then you have mine. I will go with you forever." The man laughs and says,"Deal."
My father, about to faint from the shock says,"Belle, you can not do this. Belle, Please. You can't go with this beast." I hug my father one last time and say goodbye.
