She could hear the waves lap up against the boat as it rocked her. She huddled under the small amount of blankets a tingle from the cold tingled up her spine. She wraps her cloak around her more trying to cover her exposed feet. Ankur wasn't joking before, his snores pierce the small room like a thunder storm and yet she finds comfort in his presence. All her life she had met men who were poignant, constantly finding her beneath them. When Ankur stared at her he saw far beyond her womanhood, but it is if he peered into the depths of her hearing her screams for more. For so long she would bite her tongue and go along with society because that is what she was bred to do. It was like her life was constantly a crowded room and she alone screaming at the top of her lungs and no one could hear. No one but Ankur. She feels a sense of release in that thought she isn't the only lunatic screaming in a crowded room she has a companion screaming along with her.

She moves on her side and realizes that the floor hasn't been kind to her back. The pain begins to form but instead of dwelling on it she closes her eyes listening to the seagulls' symphony. She had read a novel once about creatures that dwelled in the depths of the ocean. The creatures possessed a torso and face of a human but the body of a fish. For a moment she imagines the song of the mermaids singing about their wishes and dreams. She knows it's nothing but folly but for a moment it brings a since of magic to her life.

The small creaks from the peephole allow a minute amount of sun to shine through. She can feel it slightly careers her frozen cheek. She lifts herself up the rays catching her eyes she spreads her hands out as if she can grasp the rays from the sun.

Ankur awakes at that moment. He is about to speak when he catches the sun dancing off Belle's hair. For a moment he believes he's dreaming of an angel one that's fallen from heaven. He's only felt that way once in his life when he met his wife Gauri. He thought life had frozen no one alive accept the both of them. Then he had to leave her alone back in Agrahbah in order to come back with money so they could survive. He had left her in the care of his younger brother promising that the both of them would never starve once he returned.

Belle turns around and notices that Ankur is awake. She pulls the cloak over her shoulders trying to be decent. Some customs had to be kept intact. What type of women did he believe her to be. She had run away from her home, stalled away on a ship, and slept in the same room as a man who wasn't her husband. Her morals have been tested in every way possible and yet she sees no judgment in his eyes as he smiles.

"Well good morning, I hope the sun hasn't bothered you."

Belle shakes her head slightly as she pushes a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. She glances back around at it then towards Ankur,

"On the contrary it's quite lovely."

Ankur moves to a sitting position grabbing his boots and putting them on his feet. He smirks at her comment shaking his head.

"You say this now. Wait a couple more days when it blinds your vision for hours. Or pierces your skin,"

"I've had the burn before."

She notices the smooth strokes of his fingers as he places each shoe on carefully. The slight darkness of his hair falling slowly over his shoulder.

"You have?" He asks starring up at her through his dark lashes. She nods her head,

"I was quite the unruly child. My parent's couldn't drag me inside despite their efforts. I was always rolling around in the dirt and lying in the field of daisies. That's when the sun burned me."

"I see. Well it seems like I have much to learn about you Miss Belle."

He gathers his small white garment that looks like a sheer shirt and begins to place it over his muscular physique.

"May I do anything to help?" She asks.

Belle stands up folding her hands in front of her. She feels so helpless in this room unable to do anything to add Ankur. He is so kind not turning her in allowing her to share his bed corridors. She feels the least she could do is help him tidy the room. She grabs the sheets and begins to fold them properly.

"There is nothing to do. The beauty of ship life I suppose. I will be back midday to bring you lunch. Remember to hide if anyone comes in."

Belle nods her head as she folds the last blanket placing it in the corner of the room.

"Of course."

"Have a pleasant day Miss Belle." Belle nods her head.

"As do you Ankur."

He lunges towards the door opening it. She can hear the yells from the men outside and feel the slight breeze from the sea. Her freedom is so close she can taste it. He closes the door and she feels like her freedom has left with him. She knows she must be patient she has made it so far. However, being kept in this dark desolate room makes her feel so lonely. She thinks about her mother for a moment and how she would allow her to catch fire flies in a jar so in the darkness she could have some light. Her mother would be so proud of her now knowing that she is following her dreams. That is what allows her to be content as she folds her herself in the corner of the dark room waiting to feel the kiss of the sun once more.

7 days later

The shriek of thunder echoes in the room as the waves slam against the boat's side. Belle has been awake trembling in fear of drowning. Ankur has been gone trying to help everyone above deck. She looks through the peep hole and sees the white thunder bolt rip through the black clouds in the sky. She shudders and falls down on the ground her entire body trembling. She believes this to be her end she had made it so far so close to taste what she had been missing. The boat moves vastly as she flies towards the far left of it being thrown towards the boats walls. She screams in fear but realizes no one knows she's in this room. She would die alone not even her father would realize what happened to her.

Just then the door to the room opens and Ankur rushes in water dripping from his hair and skin. He rushes to her.

"Belle are you okay?"

She nods her head placing her hand against her head. She feels nothing but a pounding sensation overwhelms her from where she was smacked.

"I believe so."

"It is over Belle the storm is passing we will be fine." He promises.

She wants to believe him but the spinning sensation won't allow her to believe anything. She sees Ankur's face but it's melting away into darkness.

Time passes

Belle awakes to the clear brightness of the sun beaming down onto her kissing the tips of her nose. She smiles at it's embrace the warmth spreading through her body like butterfly kisses. She doesn't remember much in fact the last couple of hours seem to be a total blur. She moves her arms and realizes that she is no longer wearing her regular dress but a sheer satin gown that drapes flimsy over her physique. She realizes her arms are completely exposed starting to freckle from the delicate sun. She's extremely incident and it causes her to shoot up covering her exposed parts in the process.

"Ah you're finally awake," a sultry voice says to her.

Belle turns around and notices a beautiful woman walking towards her. She has never seen someone so lovely before in her life. She's scantily clad even worse than Belle. She's wearing a teal colored top that shows off the trail of her shoulder blades and the depth of her collar bone. Her skin is beautifully colored like the sand along the seashore. Her big round brown eyes, lighter than Ankurs, stares at her curiously. She's wearing puffy teal colored pants as well with no shoes. She tilts her head to the side and her long flowing midnight hair flutters over her shoulder down to her exposed stomach. "Pity you fragile little thing you're not use to the sun yet. Are you dizzy?"

Belle shakes her head and notices that her hair is no longer pinned back. As it properly should but sprays along her shoulders curling at the tips from the heat. Her mouth purses slightly, "Are you mute? Ankur forgot to mention that you couldn't speak."

"Where is Ankur…" Belle mutters out.

"Ah, there we go she isn't a buffoon."

Belle bites her tongue as the lovely young woman goes towards her dresses which she is quite sure is made of pure gold. She turns and notices that she is in some room, she presumes this woman's room. It's decorated with teals and golds. Objects to which she's never seen before collect along the walls of this woman's abode. A long multicolored rug lounges against the floor and the sheer golden curtains blow against the wind.

"Where is Ankur?" Belle asks.

The woman digs through her drawers as if she's looking for something. She picks up a white towel and brings it to her. Belle looks at the towel and takes it hesitatingly.

"It's for the sweat that will come." Belle nods taking it into her hands. "Ankur will arrive shortly. He is out collecting remedies for you with his brother. I assured him you were fine but you understand how men can be."

Belle wipes the side of her face then trailing down towards her neck where she's sticky from the heat. She looks up at the woman and gulps.

"Where exactly am I?"

"Well Agrahbah of course. Do you not remember anything?" Belle drops the towel her mouth slightly agape. "I take that as a no. Well, you are in my palace my papa, the sultan, welcomes you with giving arms." She stands gathering a pale fuchsia scarf wrapping it around her arms. "Only because you're a friend of Ankurs my fiancé's husband." Belle is completely mute. "I hope you have a speedy recovery so that we can place on the next boat back to France."

"No," Belle says without thought.

The princess raises her dark eye brow to her. She folds her arms around her chest.

"How dare you disagree with me. Do you know who I am? I am Princess Jasmine the daughter of the sultan of Agrahbah."

Belle's chest moves up and down in anger. Who is this woman to belittle her like a rat in the streets of Paris. They are the same kin, both females, and she shows her little respect and kindness.

"I cannot go back to France I have nothing there." She reaches out her hand in order to touch Jasmine's but she winces away.

"Agrahbah is no places for your kind. All your people do is bring ruin to our values, our history, our culture. My father may be blind but I am not. I will refuse to let my kingdom perish." Belle shakes her head

"I am but one woman how could I cause such ruin? If anything I welcome this place. I have only dreamed—"

"Jasmine," The voice of Ankur soothes Belle's ears.

Both women turn to face Ankur who is sitting in the middle of the doorway. He notices the hostility in the room and shakes his head, "giving poor Belle the royal greeting I see?" Jasmine snubs her nose and turns to face Ankur.

"You may trust her but I do not. Where is Aladdin?" Ankur shakes his head.

Belle notices he looks different now. No longer in the poor attire that he wore days before but in satin draped around his frame causing him to look royal as well.

"Aladdin is awaiting us in the courtyard. He expected to have a lunch with you and our new visitor."

Jasmine doesn't say anything she merely paces out of the room with haste. Belle turns to face Ankur and both their eyes meet.

"I am so sorry—"

"Do not fret she's like that to most people. She is merely cautious that is all. Come," he reaches out his hand.

Belle stands up wrapping her arms around her shoulders trying to cover her bare skin. He notices her uncomfortable behavior and chuckles. "It is a lot warmer in Agrahbah we do not wear all those clothing like in France."

"It is hot in the summer in France as well. I feel utterly naked." Ankur nods.

"Come, let us find you a shawl. I have someone I want you to meet.

Thank you to everyone who continues to read this story! I had so much fun writing this chapter and finally Belle is in Agrahbah! Don't worry next chapter she meets Aladdin! Please comment and give me feedback its very much appreciated.