The Enchantress (A Beauty and The Beast Tale)

Beginnings

Once upon a time is how happy stories are started. As such, this story will not begin with said phrase. Deep in the woods a cottage lay, quaint, but dark and dreary. This cottage stuck out like a sore thumb in the bright and lively forest surrounding it, the inhabitants following suit. Ethelinda Savill was one of them, living with her odd, and frankly emotionally abusive, mother. Ethelinda was born with powers, powers of a great degree. Her mother had hated her ever since she was born for this trait. She forbid her to ever use her powers for such is the work of evil. Of course, the rebellious teenager Ethelinda was would not follow such a rule. But, she would most definitely keep it secret.

Although she lived far from the village, the young girl did have one good friend, a very good friend. She first met him on a walk to the village, a very long walk, but a walk worthwhile.

"Young lady, would you like some help with that?" Ethelinda turned to see what stranger had spoken. She had been trying to lift quite a heavy crate for when Ethelinda went to the village she would help out with the local businesses whenever so needed. She smiled with a low sigh.

"If you wish to, I assume a mere crate can't be too much for you to carry." She responded, gesturing for the man to take the object from her arms. The man took the crate from her arms, responding with a small smirk.

"What is, may I ask, your name?" The charming stranger asked the enchanting woman. Ethelinda cocked her hip, placing her hands upon them as she too wore a smirk.

"So you help a lady with a light crate and expect a name in return, do you?" She teased. The man laughed shortly.

"If the crate was so light why did you agree for me to carry it?" The man tested.

"Why, I wouldn't want to hurt your confidence. I understand that is a large part of a man's ego." Ethelinda lightly giggled as she turned to walk away, her golden hair flowing with the wind. The man's jaw dropped, breaking into a smile as she walked away. He quickly placed the crate down and hurried after the woman.

"And you think turning a poor man down will help with my fragile feelings?" The man said, acting as if he had been ultimately betrayed. Ethelinda smiled with a short chuckle.

"Well, I wouldn't want you to be upset now would I? Ethelinda, will you be so genrous as to share yours?" Ethelinda remarked sarcastically.

"I suppose if you wish, Gawaine, my fair lady." The man took a small bow as Ethelinda smiled giddily in response.

"Such manners, Gawaine. You must get all the fair maidens in this village." She commented, twirling her hair around her finger.

"Well I hope you don't assume me to be limited to the village, for I have never seen you here before. You live outside the village?" Ethelinda nodded, taking into account the clear flirtation.

"It is my first time here, I live in a cottage in the woods, I figured I should see what life is held here rather than the empty forest. At least for a day." Her eyes were slightly saddened, but she hid them quickly as to not scare away Gawaine. Gawaine looked to her with sympathy, giving her a comforting smile.

"Well, I'm glad you did." He said simply. Ethelinda blushed, looking away momentarily.

"Well, uh, I really must go. My mother will be wondering where I am." Ethelinda once again turned to leave, this time in a more solemn manner.

"I hope to see you again." Gawaine called after her, but was not answered. Once Ethelinda had left he sighed.

"I'll see her again." He said to himself, hurrying off to his own home soon after.