Coming back home to Avonlea was risky. If she was recognized, she’d be taken back to her father immediately, though not as a prisoner, of course. No. They thought HER the prisoner, under Rumplestiltskin what with agreeing to a deal that sealed her fate. A deal where she was to live her life as his servant, a caretaker of sorts, in exchange for her Kingdom’s safety.
The deal had been struck, but several weeks later, it had fallen through. All because she fell in love with him and, despite what he claimed, he fell in love with her, too. Something that had nearly freed him from the Dark One’s curse, but he didn’t see it as freedom. He was angry with her for nearly taking away his beloved power, even claimed she formed some sort of alliance with the Queen to take him down. Yes, it was the Queen that told her about True Love’s Kiss, but it wasn’t meant to be an attack. It was meant to be his… salvation, and their own, given how they felt for one another.
Instead, he threw her out. Claimed he didn’t care for her and sent her on her way. Her time after that had consisted of traveling the land and actually freeing someone from a curse - a Prince, he turned out to be. A curse that made him into a dangerous beast, tormenting the land around them and the people within. After doing so, Belle debated going back to Rumplestiltskin, trying to convince him that they could be together, that perhaps they could love one another without breaking the curse, but… it was too painful a thought. He probably wouldn’t listen and perhaps next time, he’d send her back home which she couldn’t allow.
As much as she missed her father, returning home isn’t something that she wanted. Forced to marry someone she didn’t love? And having her freedom once again limited? She couldn’t stand the thought and she didn’t want to put them in any danger, so… she came to the port. Determined to leave the land and start anew, before her father figured out she was no longer Rumple’s servant.
Dressed in comfortable attire for traveling and fighting, and with a hood worn over her head to hide her face, she made her way through the port, in search of transportation across the sea - a place she has longed to visit.
“The Kingdom’s Transportation is on hold for the time being, got a storm brewin’ out there in the waters, but if you’re that desperate to travel, there’s always a’ someone searchin’ for a crew.” His voice was quiet, as though careful not to have anyone hear him. Belle’s brows furrowed in confusion. What exactly did he mean by that?
Obviously he couldn’t elaborate on it, clearly hiding something.
“Someone searching for a crew?” Belle mumbled to herself, glancing around the tavern for anything of the sort.
Discreet though it was, there was indeed a sign-up going on in the corner of the inn. It made no song and dance about it being anything ‘on the account’, nor likely would it if the town wanted to protect its reputation, but it certainly wasn’t drawing heavy attention to itself. Several overly seasoned sailors clustered nearby, watching a side-burned, portly man hand a quill to one of their fellows.
“Ye’ll not regret it,” was the pitch. “A life of adventure awaits with our Cap’n Sparrow. All ye could ever desire, so pay no mind to what they says about the black ship.” The men changed over, another one taking his seat so he could sign his ‘x’ on a document he couldn’t read.
Nearer to Belle there was a quiet figure, an old book in one hand, a tankard in the other. His tricorne hat was tipped down so far it was a wonder he could see the pages, his tanned face framed by braids and colourful trinkets.
The man lifted his head and smiled, not making direct eye contact with her but addressing her all the same.
“Looking for someone, darlin’?”
romaincrisis
kianamaiart
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
snowghoul
theartofmadeline
titsay
