Erik's Reprieve [Temporary On Hold?]

~Chapter One~

Mrs. Potts' Point of View

     After Belle had left to go take care of her father, the Master has been acting out of the sorts, but I don't blame him. He loved her. Still does. These things do take time to heal. Cogsworth and Lumiere kept everyone's spirits alive. They constantly cheered everyone on, saying how Belle will return, but days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Nowadays, the two friends sit side by side, looking out the great window. In silence, they watch for Belle, our last Hope.

 Everyone's hopes are dying. They watch as flurries of snow start to rain down all around the castle. The Master's 21st birthday inches closer and closer each day. A dreariness has fallen upon the whole castle once again. Everyone saunters around slowly with a sad, hopeless look upon their faces; they know the fate that is coming upon them and they are ready for it. 

In the past couple of weeks, the Master himself, however, has been in a strange mood lately. He has finally come to terms with what is going to happen. One day, while Lumiere, Cogsworth and I were with him in his great bedroom, the Master bursted out laughing. Cogsworth inquired as to why he did this.

With a smile that stretched from one ear to the other, he said, "Belle showed me the meaning of joy. She talked about how we choose how we react to our situations." At this, he closed his eyes, looking like he was reveling in the moment. "This is my fate, and I will face it with a smile on my face. Even if she may never come back, her presence is still here." We all thought about this for a moment.

"Monsieur," Lumiere started, "why don't we throw a feast as a welcome to the new year as well as a way to celebrate your 21st?" The Master opened his eyes and looked down at Lumiere with a thought-filled expression.

"That's a wonderful idea. No doubt, my two best men will take care of everything." Then, he looked at me. "And of course, my best lady will also."

"Of course, Monsieur!" Lumiere exclaimed, hugging tightly his clock buddy. "We three will start right away!"

Looking back at the window, the Master remarks, "Don't finish too quickly."

"Why not, Sir?" Lumiere responds with a joyful grin still on his face.

"I am going away for a while." Cogsworth gasped.

"Why?!" We all three chorus. The Master's smile then fell.

"Because even though her presence may still be here, she is not. There are so many memories here. I want to go out and make peace with that." Cogsworth, Lumiere, and I look at one another and then nod. We turn to face the Master again. Cogsworth and Lumiere both put a candle and a wooden hand to their head in a salute.

"Don't worry, Sire!" Cogsworth began.

"We will look after the castle in your absence!" Lumiere finished. The Master looked back at us with a grateful expression on his face.

"Thank you."

"Don't wonder far, Sir. I don't know how far away from the rose you can be or if there is a limit at all for that matter."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Potts. I don't plan to go too far. I just want to enjoy the last of the nice weather before it turns cold." I nod approvingly of that. Then, seeing that there is no more to be said, Cogsworth and Lumiere run off to start the arrangements. I follow along behind them, smiling at their excited back and forth exclamations that consisted of statements like "We could do this!" and "We could hang this there!" 

Two days later, the Master left for his trip. He had decided to go to a meadow area with a spring in the nearby woods. Everyone was made aware of the trip, and they reacted in a similar way that Cogsworth and Lumiere did: the best salutes each one could make with what they had and never-ending promises to look after the castle in the Master's absence.

Everyone was also made aware of the upcoming festivities. The castle suddenly became lively. Everyone was brimming with life; they talked amongst themselves excitedly. Plans were drawn up. Decorators imagined together the beauty of the castle when they were finally finished with it. The cook and the dishes ready themselves and planned the meals that led up to the day and for the day itself. Even Chip hopped about excitedly and prepared for the big day. 

With all the excitement, I found time to get away. There are enough workers in the kitchen that they can spare a few moments without me. I am more of the supervisor anyway. In my moments of quiet, I find myself stealing away and looking out the great big window in the Master's room. I know he won't mind. While I am there, I also check on the rose. I reassured him I would when he expressed concern about it before he left for his trip. I remember as he smiled and responded with a "Thank you!" I smile to myself now as I think about it, but it is a small sad smile. Belle has taught you so much. I look out through the glass, longingly. Oh Belle, why haven't you come back? Have you really forgotten all about us? A tear escapes and makes its way down my porcelain exterior.

"Please come back, Belle. At least for him."