The Dreamer and the Hunter - A Beauty and the Beast Story

A Compromise

Gaston once again sat on Belle's couch, eyes closed, a small smile on his lips, listening to her beautiful voice carry him away - it truly was amazing the power of it.  It was her turn to choose the activity for them to do as friends and naturally, she had chosen reading.

His eyes opened and the smile fell when he realized the room had gone silent.  He looked over at her.  "Why did you stop?"

She closed the book.  "That's it."

"Oh." He hadn't realized how close to the end they were.

She got up and returned the book to its place on the shelf.  "Yes, it's always a little sad when you finish a book."

He wasn't quite sure if he would say sad, but it wasn't as much of a relief as he had thought.  

She continued. "For so long you've been away in this exciting world and then, suddenly, reality sets back in." She came and sat back down, looking thoughtful.

"You really hate it here, don't you?" he said after a pause.

"It's not that I hate it," she clarified.  "Just that I want - well, more."

"What more could you want?"

"More excitement, adventure, acceptance." She added the last part almost to herself.

"But you can have all that here."

"Again, easy for you to say.  I want to see the world, see more than just this town and its borders.  I've heard Paris is actually quite close -  I've always wanted to see Paris.  And other places too, such as England and Italy.  All the places I've read about." Now she seemed lost in her own world.  "It's a dream of mine." She reached for another book, the one he had given her. "See this is a book of fairy tales from all around the world. All those different cultures and places fascinate me. I can read about them all I want, but actually going to them..." Her words trailed off as if for emphasis and she sighed.

He was shaking his head. "Don't you ever get bored with reading? I mean staring at words for hours must get tedious."

She shrugged.  "Not usually. And they're not just words.  Alone they may be, but together they're a story."

"What if you start a book and don't like it?"

"Well I try and give it a chance. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised.  My mother always used to say 'don't judge a book by its cover'".

"That is definitely something you would say."

"Well, it is the right thing to do, not to judge right away and based on only outer appearance." She put emphasis on this.

He must have sensed her hinting for he stood and changed the subject.  "Well, fascinating as this was, I should be going.  I have a busy day of hunting ahead of me tomorrow. I have to try and track at least some animals, for they've been scarce lately."

"Oh." She was nodding, again looking thoughtful.

He stared at her, sensing something.  "What?"

"Well, I was just thinking, perhaps I could come with you." She hoped this sounded like more of a suggestion than a question.

He stared at her and then the shock broke away and he scoffed. "You, come hunting?" he cried.

"Yes, it could be your activity for our time together, a compromise remember.  You can show me something you like doing. Besides, I've never been hunting before, and who better to show me?"

She had just complimented him.  His heart skipped with glee and he smiled.  "Well yes, who better? Very well Belle, you have yourself a deal.  But we leave early, and you're sure you can keep up with me?"

She raised her eyebrows.  "And what makes you think I can't?"

He grinned at the obvious challenge in her voice.  He always loved a challenge.  "I suppose we will see. We have an early start tomorrow." He headed for the door and put on his hat.  He turned back to her.  "Tomorrow morning then."

She nodded in confirmation.  "Tomorrow morning."

An adventure awaits.

(I also like this picture cause you can see the rings on their little fingers :) Thanks for reading!)