The Silent Sound of Loneliness
Fandom: Once Upon A Time
Summary: reimagined ending of, Skin Deep, Season 1 Episode 12. Belle is being held captive by the Dark One. With the help of isolation he hopes to break her down and mold her back into his own imagine.
Warnings: isolation, imprisonment, and brainwashing
@fuckyeahbelleandrumpelstiltskin @dontshootmespence @reiding-and-writing @beautifulfccl
The self made tally marks on the limestone wall blurred together as Belle’s eyes drifted shut, trying to pull up memories of stories to keep her sane, of stories that would help her solve this nightmare she found herself in. But as each day passed and as each minute came, the illusion of time became it’s own form of torture. She watches the sun rise and fall each day, watched the sky turn colors throughout the day from the small window before returning to the deep ebony of nightfall. Food, a measly portion of gruel, was delivered and eaten but Belle kept no memory of it, somethings just fell away with time.
It was one morning when the white marks against the cold stone became unfocused in her eyes that Belle slowly felt the slip. It was not a shove or a harsh pull but a soft little tug, like a temptation to eat a delectable dessert but she knew she needed to stay on top of her game, she had to resist the pull to give up.
Belle began reciting facts, basic ones at first and then more elaborate ones to keep her grounded. To the outside viewer it seems like trifles that she was rattling off. She always ending by confidently saying “My name is Belle French. I am 23 years old. This will not break me down. I will not be defeated!”
Day after day Belle would do this, pace around the room talking to herself, stopping only to eat quickly before resuming her pacing before eventually falling into a fitful sleep. Each time she tried to open her eyes the tug became a little stronger and a little more desirable.
Belle had left her town of Avonlea only to find herself imprisoned in a tower of the Dark One’s mansion, which she had no idea of the location. She thought accepted this deal was the right thing to do, her father need that Beast’s help in a war they were losing against the ogres. Belle’s servitude was the price for their protection but she had never imagined she would have ended up like this. He showed Belle to her "room", which was a dungeon cell and locked the door behind her. The white chalk ran out at 124 tally marks which is when he started coming over less and that was some while ago. She screamed and screamed and screamed. The overwhelming loneliness was too much to bear!
She begins to think of home and the many books that filled the rooms, to avoid letting the lonely in and slipping away from reality. Belle began to reminisce about her childhood. Her mother was the reason she adored reading after she introduced Belle to Her Handsome Hero, a tale of compassion and forgiveness, when she was a small child. This novel went on to be Belle’s favorite, even into her adult life.
Her Handsome Hero preached benevolence when Gideon was traveling through the war torn countries of Copros and Ashela. He was an outlaw running from Copros. Gideon passed by a pretty pauper who was steal a loaf of bread which instilled in him a desire to help this young lady. Gideon later found out her name, Guinevere. During the climax of the novel Guinevere, who’s secretly the princess of Ashela turns in Gideon to Copros Officials. After realizing this action didn’t win her, her father’s love Guinevere Rescued Gideon. It was hard for Gideon to forgive her but with time forgiveness came. Eventually their were able to rekindle their romance and get married. Belle has always admired these two characters. She thought back to morals of the story and started to question whether the Dark One had any compassion for her.
“Obviously not! I mean only a sick masochistic beast could do this to another human being,” Belle yelled in frustration. Belle pondered weather she could find the man behind the monster. He is this repulsive carcass, who seems a beast. But what if he secretly dreams of beauty, Belle questioned.
The smell of books was always a comforting one and even as Belle laid on her freezing iron cot still under the paper thin blanket she felt a wave wash over her. Her memory was taking her back, inviting her to remember the smell of something that gave her so much comfort, just like the stories in the books she read. They filled her with joy and hope. A reminder of being safe and happy when nothing else could make her that way. The images became a steady stream, a story wrapped around her taking her away from the tower and the ever encroaching feeling of loneliness. Each day that Belle awoke was a day spent in a dream. The edges of reality blurred as the stories became reality and reality became nothing more than a dream.
It was not a single moment that Belle decided to surrender herself to the loneliness but slowly over time. There was this overwhelming urge to let go, the tugging in Belle’s chest was unbearable.
She was tired of muffling her cries of anguish.
Tired of feeling hopeless.
Tired of feeling empty.
Sad.
Useless.
Belle was just tired.
“I surrender,” She admits, softly, as if it is a sin.
unexpectedly, the heavy wooden door creaked opened. Belle was unfazed by the intruder, remaining as she was, sitting at the edge of her bed with her knees tucked into her chest while her arms wrapped around her legs. It was only when the intruder kneeled down in front of her that she bothered to meet their gaze.
It was the Dark One.
Of course.
Who else would it be.
“You all right, Dearie?” He coos, bringing his hand up to tuck a couple of stray ebony locks behind Belle’s ear.
Her expression was forlorn. Belle continued to stare at the Beast with her dead vacant grey eyes which held force life behind those dreary eyes. They were once a cheerful Sapphire color which now reflects her current predicament. The Dark One turned away and began pacing the small cell.
“The physician diagnosed you with hysterical tendency,” he said “you were acting out your erotic fantasies which came from the bad habit of reading novels.” The Dark One hissed though a clenched jaw. “Remember Belle, You kissed me after returning from town when I sent you on an Errand to buy straw for my spinning.” He Shouted, recalling that moment when he became furious and broke off the kiss. “I threw you in my dungeon in hopes that the doctor’s remedy of the Resting Cure will heal you!”
Belle did not have the strength to say anything, she just nodded in response.
“you know reading books will confuse your thoughts...I just wanted to take action to help after you came onto me” He coos, while lending his hand to help her off the bed.
Just like Gideon did for Guinevere, Belle Thought to herself. All of this was to help me. I should have know that he only had my best interest at heart. There was only ever a man, no Monster to be found in him.
Belle stares at him for a second, and then a smile, a real smile, as beautiful as the dawn, blooms on her face. She has found her handsome hero.
“You are not trapped,” he said, gliding her towards the dimly lit hallway with a predator’s grace.
A Malicious grin appeared on The Dark One’s face. Yes! he thought to himself, as he watched Belle sauntered down the hall ahead of him. She is now forbidden from exercising her mind in any way. That will show her that conspiring with Evil Queen to rob me of my powers was futile. Ppfff...as if true love kiss would be enough to erase my powers. For I decided long ago to choose power over love!
