Chapter Text
Avonlea, the once beautiful and prosperous kingdom by the mountains and the sea, had completely fallen to the savagery of the ogres. Nobody knew what to do. Not even Princess Belle. Yet... It was just as well. Even if Belle had had any good ideas, no one would have listened to her. Mostly because was a woman. But she also had her work cut out for her in other ways across the board: since the day of her her birth, she had been engaged to Prince Gaston, of the kingdom called Emberstone. Belle's future was inescapable.
The young royals had been friend, once, when they were children. Adulthood brought new things. Chiefly... Gaston being trained to be the future king of Emberstone because it was destiny. Belle was the groomed against her will in the ways of being her fiancé's wife. Being called 'Princess Of Emberstone' was a role she did not covet. Or even want.
Gaston? He grew into someone completely different. A stranger. Someone mean, vain, stupid. The prince also enjoyed hunting. It was a sport he engaged in. Often.
But Belle had an escape. She read books, just about anything she could get her hands on. The princess was even fluent in several foreign languages by age fifteen. Belle especially prided herself on this on this last part and she knew she that was the smartest person in her home. Even if no one would say it to her face.
Gaston regarded Belle furthering her intelligence as a waste of time. So did his parents. But there was nothing they could effectively do about it. Belle's father was indifferent on the matter. And... he had other things to worry about. Belle's mother had unfortunately passed away. She had been Belle's greatest supporter in encouraging her to find her happiness elsewhere. The beloved queen had only been gone for six months. But Belle was determined not to give up on getting out. Her father was aware.
But now the only child of King Maurice had no choice other than to forge her own path. All by herself. However... Belle in recent times had grown trapped. Glowing battlefield fires in the distance did serve as a constant reminder. Belle's feeling of entrapment had only increased now that the kingdom had gone to war. It certainly didn't help that at King Maurice's request, Gaston hd moved in to the castle. He was also given the role of second-in-command. And now there was no escaping him. He was around. All the time. Belle felt scared.
Gaston was also very adamant about having sons. Expanding the family line mattered greatly to him because his kingdom was dying. He was the last son of his house. A male heir had to be produced. Gaston had also thought about pushing the wedding date up. Just in case.
Belle agreed to her fiancé's wishes to start a family. But reluctantly. On one hand, being a mother had always been expected of her. But... on the other? It was also something she actually wanted for herself. Illegitimacy didn't matter to Belle because children were innocent. She just privately wished not to bear a son. The last thing she wanted was to be responsible for Gaston's family line living on. Why? Every once in awhile... the prince would hurt her. Physically.
But the gods heard Belle's wish. It came true when she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Belle was over the moon about her but Gaston was not. So they tried once more after some time had passed. This baby did not make it. She was born asleep. More time passed. Belle bore another child. One more baby girl.
Convinced life was working against him, Gaston let his anger out on Belle more and more. Those aware actively looked away. Belle still clung to hope she and her would escape. But now it was a tad more difficult to believe. She smiled less. And held her head lower. But then the princess had in recent times realized that she was expecting another child. Nobody knew. Belle was beginning to feel crushed about all of it. None of this was any way to live. And her children deserved more.
Maybe they could make to The Enchanted Forest. Belle had long heard it was a sanctuary. Now... It was just the matter of a proper exit plan. And soon.
Late evening.
The sun had long set. Any commoners in or near the castle marketplace had gone home. Belle's children were even sleeping. It was quiet in the castle now. But the dim glowing light out yonder indicated that the Ogre Wars raged continued. No end seemed on any horizon. And what plans Belle had had for herself that evening where thrown off when a servant had appeared with a message: the king wanted to see her. Now.
The princess entered the war room. King Maurice was poring over documents on his planning desk. His full council stood gathered around him, helping. Chief amongst them was Gaston.
Belle said boldly as she entered, "Papa? I heard you wanted to talk?"
"Indeed." said the king to his daughter. "It is no longer safe here for you. Or your children. All of you are to leave at daybreak."
"Where for?" Belle said blankly.
"Farrador Hold, King Irving and Queen Beverly's castle in the kingdom of Emberstone. Gaston's parents will keep you safe." responded Belle's father. "Emberstone is presently benefitting from peacetime. And astounding riches. I will be sure to pen a message for you to take along."
Belle felt her heart did a nasty flip. Gaston's parents were less fond of her than their own son was. Both were also said to be allies of Regina, the newfound 'Evil Queen.' Belle could not imagine a future in a place were someone so horrible could turn up a moments' notice.
The princess voiced her protest. "No, papa! We can't go because I refuse!"
Two of the king's men immediately restrained Gaston when he tried to lash out at Belle for being rude. But the man in charge only had focus for one person.
King Maurice rose to his full impressive height as he retorted, "Emberstone will be yours the day that you rule at the side of your soon-to-be-husband as his queen. Why do you hesitate? Embrace your future: it is what is!"
"But..." Belle then fell quiet at King Maurice's expression.
He had successfully sealed her fate to one she didn't want. This was not end. Belle could so much better.
King Maurice's voice broke her thoughts. "I will not hear any more opposition. Go pack. Or shall I send a servant to help you?"
Belle shook her head. "No thank you. May I go?"
"Yes.” approved the king. “I will send someone to check on you in an hour's time."
Belle echoed a mantra to herself as she trekked back to her bedchambers from there. It's now or never. We really have to go. Tonight.
By the time she returned to her bedchambers, her mind was made up. She was in danger. So were her children. Leaving? Her one true option. Tonight, she was forsaking her entire world. All for even the possibility of a chance at freedom. Belle put on her best travel clothing before filling her favorite pocket utility belt of the utmost necessities. She then found warm clothes for her children. And she also fastened a sling across her front. It would come in useful outside. She from there then sat on her firstborn's bed.
"Violet, my sweet." Belle pulled her three-year-old into her lap. "It's time for up now. Come on."
Princess Violet's eyes fluttered open. "It's morning, mumma?"
"The sun has yet to wake. But you know what?" Belle stood Violet on her feet and made fast work of dressing her. "I've decided we're going on a journey."
Violet was immediately more awake. "Is this real?"
"Yes, Violet.” Belle promised. “There you are."
Violet wore now a clean dress, warm stockings, and her favorite sleeved cloak. She was almost ready to go. And she had no idea as to the true cause of their fleeing. But Violet just looked at Belle with all the love and trust in the world. Her mother could do her no wrong. Ever.
"I love you." Violet kissed Belle on the cheek. "So much."
"I love you, too." Belle hugged Violet and fixed her cloak hood in place. "Go put your shoes on. Be sharp."
Violet hurried off. "Okay, mumma."
Belle used this interval to get her other child ready. Princess Jade was an infant. Easygoing, too. Getting dressed in warm clothes didn't make a difference. Her sling was its own little haven.
Once Belle felt sure they had all they needed, she lit a lantern. Darkness was her oldest fear. She and her children escaped down a long-forgotten tunnel in the bedchambers. It lead to a road outside: the peasants' market thoroughfare. Utilizing it tonight was a start. What of? Belle didn't know. Yet.
Eventually…
Belle's ears perked up at a new unwelcoming new sound. Rallying yells from the nearby royal stables could be heard. Gaston and his men had realized what happened. Now they were preparing to leave by horseback to start a recovery operation. Trouble.
Some way up the path, a woman dressed for traveling and sporting a bright red cloak could be seen by the pale moonlight. Her day at the market had been profitable. Now to make the journey home. A nearby inn was her next stop.
Going straight home at this time of night was unwise because her horses were laden down with her wares from the day. Bumping into bandits did not sound fun. They were sure to be on the prowl, what with all the political unrest in the next realm over. But the woman had seen Belle on the road. And she heard the commotion. She watched Belle pause as she tried to figure out her next move. Choosing to move quickly, the woman in red tied her horses' reigns to a nearby tree branch before proceeding to double-back through the tall grass along the side of the road.
She moved quietly until she was but a few feet from the other woman, crying out in a loud whisper, "Come quickly now! Please, Princess Belle!"
She saw her ally quickly. And she felt peace at once because there was a familiar feeling about her. Belle just couldn't figure it out, but she still hurried over at once. The older woman pulled the princess into grass with her when they were level. And she blew out Belle's lantern. Her actions were not a moment too soon. Gaston and his men thundered by on horseback. None realized that Belle could have hidden on the side of the path. So they were out of sight very quickly.
Belle said upon the coast being clear, "Wow. Thanks for your help. I mean it. You saved us..."
The other woman had pulled her hood back now. Overhead, the moonlight illuminated her face. But Belle's heart skipped a beat. Here was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen in her life. An angel.
Thoughts like these invaded the other woman's mind about Belle but she still remembered herself when she spoke. "You are quite welcome, princess."
Belle gave a soft laugh. "You just saved my family. For that... I say that you have more than earned the right to call me by my name."
"Then, Belle, I'm honored to know you." the woman said to her. "Does this mean we're friends?"
"Yes. Without a doubt." Belle replied. "Please tell me your name."
The other woman gave Belle a dazzling smile. "They call me Red. It's been like that as long as I can remember. But my true name is different."
"I'm sure it's very lovely. So is Red. And," Belle said mischievously. "It has always been one of my favorite colors."
Red beamed at the praise. Then she politely indicated Belle's children, curious. It was with a start that Belle remembered no one outside of the castle walls knew she was a mother. This had been at Gaston's insistence. No common-folk were to know of any royal offspring until one son had been produced.
"May I ask who these little ones are?" queried Red with great interest.
"Violet is first. She is three now." Belle touched a hand to her sling. "In here is Jade. She was born late during the summertime."
Now Red regarded Belle's offspring once more. Jade slumbered on. But Violet managed to blow a kiss before falling asleep on her feet and stumbling forward.
"Belle," Red said as she caught Violet and held her. "Where are you even going?"
She shrugged. "Anywhere but here. My endgame is The Enchanted Forest."
Red's tone became surprisingly firm as she said, "No. It's a bad idea. The whole place is in disarray."
Feeling like she lived under a rock, Belle said, "Why...?"
"King Leopold was murdered." Red answered grimly. "His beloved daughter? In the wind. And... The king's wife..."
"She is this 'Evil Queen' there have been whispers of,” Belle realized. “Huh?"
"Correct." Red confirmed. "But she wouldn't have a reason to be interested in you unless you've crossed her."
"Then let us thank the gods I have not." Belle shivered. "I have never even seen Queen Regina. But it is a fact that she is friends with Prince Gaston's parents."
Red made her home in a village on the edge of The Enchanted Forest, but she still knew about all of the wild goings-on. Gaston had also crossed her path a few times at the market. He was not nice. If his parents were anything like him, then she wanted no association there. Or with his parents. It could only lead to trouble.
"Come with me. I'm off to an inn because my day at the market was long." Red told her companion after a few beats of quiet. "I'll go home in the morning."
Belle blurted before she could stop herself, "Are you married to anyone?"
The older woman laughed even more. "No. I haven't a husband waiting for me anywhere. But at home? I live with my grandmother and my daughter."
"Okay." Belle did her best to recover from her previous inquiry. "Red, where is the inn?"
"Down the way. But our journey will be fast on my horses. A dear friend of mine runs the place." Red answered. "She can give us a private room."
Belle began to like what Red was telling her, so she asked her, "And what of tomorrow?"
"Come home with me. There, I can give you everything you need to go further because helping people is part of whom I am. You are my friend. I want to help." Red rose up, balancing the fast-asleep Violet on her hip before extending her free hand to Belle. "I live in Westgate. It isn't far from The Enchanted Forest. Should you change your mind about anything? Your children are welcome to make your home with us."
Feeling both safe and taken, Belle said, "Okay. We will come with you."
Red pulled Belle up to her feet. The princess teetered moment as she had a small vertigo bout. Her action still gave Red a clue about a missing link.
She steadied her friend as she said, "How far along are you?"
Belle's heart jumped in surprise for the umpteenth time that night. "H… How did you know?"
Red winked at her. "I've been the village midwife since I was a few years younger than you are now."
"Amazing." marveled Belle. "There is a little one on the way, but I would rather not discuss it in the open."
Red understood. "That's fine. Does anybody know?"
Belle shook her head. "Just you. It has not been safe to share at home."
"Alright. I'll not tell a soul unless you want me to." Red now nodded in the direction of whence she had had come. "I have a pair of horses up ahead. Give me your hand. We can walk to them."
Belle held up her hand to show Red, giggling. "You still haven't let go."
Red turned the color of her name. "Alright. I won't let you fall. Come along."
"Then I'm all yours." Belle returned.
So Red led Belle along the path. She even told her companion about herself as they went. The midwife did hold back her actual name. Belle pretended not to notice. But she did, however, quite cheerfully provide facts and anecdotes about her own life. At least... from the happier times. Red listened with vast interest. Her liking for Belle was increasing tenfold. Same for Belle's liking of Red. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.