Chapter 20- A Winter's Ride

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It was a day that looked just like a painting.

I always loved wintertime. There was something extra special about riding Rosie outside of Villeneuve through the first big snow of the season. She loved it, too; Rosie was a true cold-weather horse. She loved the brisk air and the feel of kicking up the powdery white stuff that she hadn't seen or felt for many months. She would raise her head high and snort and nicker happily, knowing that the tedious heat and toil of her labor in hot seasons would be relieved for a while.

So this was what I was doing. This first snow- a little late coming in December- as a sight to behold as it coated the turrets and stairs and high rooftops of the castle.

The rest of the staff spoke of the 'eternal winter' that had surrounded them for many years. Prince Adam had assured the staff this morning that 'this would now be only temporary.' Those of us who hadn't been part of the curse couldn't see anything less than joy over the splendor and beauty of the new season.

But later this same morning- apparently the Prince and Princess had caught the winter spirit. When I saddled Rosie and started to ride across the front gardens to the gate, there they were- out in the snowy lawn, throwing snowballs at each other like a couple of naughty children!

"Your Highnesses?" I said to them, startled. Belle's face and hair was soaking wet with the remains of a snowball. She brushed slushy remnants off of her burgundy shawl and blue dress, laughing. Adam was picking up snow in his hands and packing it into another snowball.

"Good day!" greeted Adam, his face and cheeks red. He had grown a neatly trimmed golden-brown beard, and he wore a fur cap. The entire effect, along with a brown fur shawl over his breeches and high boots, made him look more like one of the hardy farmer's sons in Villeneuve, than His Royal Highness the Prince.

"Good day, Your Highness! I'm off for a little ride. The road to Villeneuve must be covered high with snow. Do you wish for me to check out the conditions and arrange for wagons and workers to clear it?"

"Yes, that would be very helpful. Thank you Monsieur," Adam replied. "There is rarely a day when someone doesn't need to go into town to buy eggs or milk."

"Perhaps we ought to keep some cows and chickens here at the castle," Belle lovingly suggested to her husband.

Adam looked at her and made a face. "But, mon ange- our lawn! The grounds and gardens. They aren't meant to be...a barnyard."

Belle gave him a half-pleading grin. "I rather miss the chickens that Papa and I had to sell last summer."

Adam sighed and tossed the snowball he'd been making at the stone staircase, where it landed on the lowest step with a wet, squishy sound. "Very well then. We could find some space for livestock," he concurred.

"Merci," said Belle, embracing Adam joyfully. She glanced at me on my horse. "Good to see you out here, Stanley. Have a nice ride!"

"Thank you!" I said. I glanced back toward the stables, holding onto the horn of Rosie's saddle and making her stay still. Lefou hadn't left the stables yet. I waited for a moment until I finally spotted him on Ami, who was stepping slowly, with caution through the deep snow. His horse stopped again, stubbornly holding back.

Lefou tapped Ami's sides with his boots. He spoke encouraging words to the animal in his usual, cheery 'talk to the horses' voice. "C'mon, Ami! You can do it! It's okay. I won't let anything happen to you this time. There you go! Isn't this fun?"

"Bonjour, Lefou!" said Belle cheerfully when she saw him. "I assume you're accompanying Stanley on a ride as well?"

"Bonjour, Belle! I sure am. Just have to get my horse used to winter again. He's a little, um, traumatized."

"Traumatized?" said Belle. "Oh...I understand! Phillipe was a little scared of the woods for a while. Because of the wolves."

"Well, it isn't exactly wolves, or the woods, that Ami is scared of. It's...snow itself," Lefou said to her.

"I see. Was he caught in a blizzard before?" Belle asked.

"Yes- he was," Lefou replied, nodding. "One December, the weather was just like this when G-" Lefou paused and rephrased- "when I took Ami on a hunting trip. The storm got really bad. Poor Ami became completely exhausted and collapsed." Lefou glanced affectionately down at his trusty stout horse, petting his mane. "But we all survived it. He hasn't been much of a fan of snow ever since."

"I completely understand," said Belle warmly. "I suppose you just have to keep reassuring him. And furthermore, I do hope you avoid hunting trips in winter from now on. For your sake as well as your horse's, Lefou."

He nodded. "I promise I will. Thanks, Belle! Have a fun snowball fight with your husband!"

"I think we are done here with snowball fights, though," Belle replied, laughing. "How does building a snowman sound, Adam?" she suggested to him.

"Sounds perfect. We ought to get Chip and some of the other children to join us!" said Adam.

We waved at the happy couple, married for only three months, and crossed the open gate into the forest trail, where the snow was just as deep. I rode several paces in front, so that Rosie made tracks for the stubborn Ami to follow.

"I love this time of year," I said. "And Belle's right. No more risking your life or your horse's on any hunting trips!"

"Don't worry, Stanley," Lefou replied. "Hunting trips aren't a big part of my life anymore, I guess. It wouldn't be the same," he added, his voice lowered.

"You know, you can say Gaston's name in front of Belle. She won't be offended if you do."

"I'd feel weird bringing him up in front of her. It's like...you know!"

"I understand. But she's Belle. She's not made of spun glass. She's a strong lady and she won't be offended if you accidentally say the name."

"Well, I just can't," I heard Lefou say behind me, followed by "Ami! C'mon now! Please? Okay, an apple then. Have a blasted apple already!"

Patiently, I stopped Rosie and allowed her to turn in antsy circles around in the snow. Lefou pulled an apple out of his coat pocket and jumped down, feeding Ami the treat. "Look! Look at your Rosie-girl. She's having fun and she wants you to chase her," he cajoled Ami as he remounted him.

I urged Rosie into a trot, and I heard Lefou and his horse moving a little faster and more confidently, catching up with me.

"Did you think of a name for the foal yet?" he asked me.

I pet Rosie on her mane. "No, I haven't. Say, Étienne, can you hand me one of those apples in your pocket? Rosie's eating for two."

"Of course." He took out out another apple, and tossed it ahead to me. I caught it in one hand and dismounted, feeding the expectant maman horse. She was due with a foal in late June, but she could still be ridden on short trips. Lefou and I both held this little hope that a foal would be born on the Prince's next birthday. Another mare, the one named Cannelle, was going to have a foal around the same time. Ami was the sire of both.

We rode down the slight sloping hill, to the curving path that wound through the trees. The sun came out and we welcomed the slight rise in temperature. Bits of wet snow fell from the tall evergreens; some of it landed on my head. I took off my hat and shook it off. At that moment I could hear another horse nickering on the trail ahead of us.

"Stanley, someone's coming! Who would be riding all the way from town in weather like this?" Lefou asked me.

"I don't know. I wasn't expecting anyone."

It wasn't long before the rider came around the bend in the trail and revealed herself. It was a lady, wearing a silver fur coat and matching winter hat, riding a white horse. She looked almost regal. We guessed her age to be around ours, and she was very pretty, with blonde hair and a fair complexion.

"Oh, hi! Bonjour, mademoiselle," Lefou greeted, now riding aside me. He backed off a little to allow her and her horse through. "Are you coming to visit the Prince and Princess?"

"I am." She stared at us for a moment with a scrutinizing expression. "Bonjour, Monsieur Lefou and...Stanley...I don't recall your surname. Pardon me."

Lefou and I looked at each other in confusion. We had never seen this woman before in our entire lives.

"Mademoiselle...would you mind...reacquainting us?" asked Lefou. "I'm glad you know us, but we don't remember you."

She smiled. "Do you promise not to be afraid?"

"Huh?" I said, feeling confused at first, then dumb for my utterance.

"Why would we be afraid?" Lefou asked.

We discovered the answer the next moment. "Mon D-" I spluttered, in absolute shock.

A pale white glow surrounded the lady, enveloping her in a strange mist. When it cleared, the pretty blonde had transformed into a careworn woman in rags, like a beggar. I recognized her right away. Lefou gasped for a moment.

"Agathe?" we both said at the same time.

"Oui. It is me. Agathe," she said. "Of course you must have heard the whole story involving my history with Prince Adam. And the castle and servants."

Lefou nodded. "Yes, we heard about it all right." I caught the slightest bit of irritation in his tone. "You're the one who did-" he gestured backwards towards the castle- "all that."

"Oui. I did, as you say, 'all that.'"

"Did His Highness forgive you?" Lefou pressed, his tone now bordering on bitter. "I've had some time to think about the whole story. I know all the facts now. And, I've come to the conclusion that what you did wasn't what I'd call...the kindest use of fairy power, if you ask me! I'd like to know, was it all worth it? You think Jean Potts and little Chip Potts wanted to-"

I gave him a little elbow poke to the shoulder, from my position on my horse. "Lefou! What are you doing?" I whispered. I couldn't believe he was starting an argument with a powerful sorceress, or witch, or whatever you want to call her.

"Stanley!" he whispered back to me. "I've been wanting some answers about this. And now's our chance!"

"Our chance?" I looked over at Agathe, who appeared just as peaceful and serene on her white steed as she did before she'd transformed. It was funny how she still resembled the prettier and more elegant form of herself, yet different.

"I have no thoughts on this matter, Mademoiselle Agathe," I told her. "But I wanted to let you know that I liked your tankard throwing trick a while back. That was incredible."

"Merci," she replied. "I try to avoid casting hexes, and doing such things to people. Ever since that time, I've avoided that establishment. Too much temptation." She smiled at us. "Monsieur Lefou, to answer your question, His Highness has no ill will towards me for the curses. And I understand that it didn't appear to be kind at first, but in the long run, he is much better off than he once was."

Lefou listened calmly to her explanations. He seemed to be satisfied for a moment. Then, he asked her another question.

"And what about Gaston?"

His words hung in the cool air for a moment as Agathe's eyes widened in surprise, perhaps alarm. Her little smile faded. She didn't answer him.

"Mademoiselle? Or Madame, if I'm not correct-"

"Mademoiselle is correct," said Agathe.

"Mademoiselle," Lefou said, his voice softer, more pleading. "Please. With all due respect, do you have information for me on what happened to his body after he fell from the collapsed bridge? You're my last hope of someone who can tell me."

She met his eyes with a look of compassion and sadness. "I was afraid you would ask me that, Monsieur Lefou. But you see, I had to make a quick decision that night, and so what I did...likely was done in haste. I-"

"You did something to Gaston?" Lefou asked, his voice tense again.

Oh, dear Lord. Merde! I was hoping that this issue would be put to rest, and now it was being dredged up again. Exhumed just like a...well, you know. Yet, I was curious, too. I wanted to hear what this great magical being had to say.

"Monsieur Lefou, can you come down from your horse for a moment? I want to speak to you without having to shout across the air." She carefully dismounted her horse. Lefou did the same. She took a few steps toward him, giving him a solemn look.

"I made him...disappear," she said.

"You made him disappear," Lefou repeated. "Why did you make Gaston 'disappear?'" he said in a tone of annoyed skepticism. "Is he-"

"Monsieur," Agathe said comfortingly, though interrupting what he was about to say. She placed her hands on his shoulders. "That morning, people were being freed from the curse. Your fellow townspeople were outside, on the castle grounds. People were celebrating everywhere! I couldn't chance the thought- I mean to say..."

She reached down to clasp both of his hands in hers and squeezed them. "I explored all my options. And I decided to consider a...slightly less gruesome alternative," she told him.

"What?" His eyes widened. "Were you- did you-"

I had no idea what Agathe meant. 'Less gruesome alternative?' What did that mean? Did it mean that Agathe simply made his body disappear, so the discovery of a gruesome casualty wouldn't ruin the celebration and joy of that morning? Or did it mean she could've actually brought Gaston to life? Like she did for Prince Adam, as a Beast? Could she have sent Gaston away alive, in some kind of exile? Did her vague term 'disappear' mean that he was alive, and far away, perhaps in a special prison she'd fashioned for him?

I was still confused.

"I was lingering around the premises that night, yes," Agathe revealed to Lefou. "I saved Monsieur Maurice's life as soon as the two of you had left. I brought him back to the village safely."

"I did not want that to happen, Mademoiselle Agathe!" Lefou said, upset. "It's my biggest regret! If I'd only known and if I wasn't so-"

"Lefou," I interrupted, more confused now. "What does your question about Gaston have to do with that night you followed Maurice into the woods?"

"Stanley, it doesn't. But I know Agathe was in the forest. She was there, watching and listening." Lefou looked back at Agathe with shock. "Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you for saving Maurice's life and bringing him safely back to town. If it hadn't been for you, I would've been complicit-"

"Monsieur," Agathe said firmly, reaching out to touch Lefou's head by his temple. "I understood your dilemma. I know the type of man Gaston could be. You are not a bad person. And as for your friend Gaston, I chose to...erase the gruesome results of his fall. He is at peace now. That is all I am going to say."

While she spoke to him, she kept her hand gently pressed onto his temple. I noticed his expression change- from tension and sorrow, to peace and comfort.

She still didn't answer his question as to whether Gaston was dead or alive. I looked at the magical lady, wanting to argue and tell her that she was being way too vague and mysterious, and weird.

She looked at me then, fixing her gaze in my eyes. I decided, suddenly, that it was okay. Gaston was gone. Gaston was at peace.

"Monsieurs, it has been pleasant to speak with you both again," Agathe said with a kind and friendly air. "I must go on, and ride to the castle to visit His Highness and Belle again. I wanted to ask if my powers could come to any practical use. It is going to be a harsh, cold winter ahead."

She mounted her snowy-white horse, and with a misty glow and a swirl of pastel colors, she transformed into her lovely and regal-looking form again. I wasn't alarmed this time.

"Au revoir, gentlemen," she said, riding in the opposite direction, to the castle.

"Mademoiselle Agathe?" Lefou called out.

She turned around. "Yes?"

"The snow on this road to Villeneuve is very pretty to look at," he said. "But it makes it difficult for people to travel back and forth. Could you, um, magically melt the snow? Only on the trail, though? Nowhere else. Just the trail, so everybody will be safe, and so we won't break our backs shoveling all day."

She smiled at us. "I'm happy to oblige." She waved her hand, and the snow began to melt on the path. The water evaporated, leaving a good, dry trail of trodden earth for our horses and carriages to travel safely.

"Merci! Thank you!" Lefou and I both exclaimed, as she disappeared over the hilltop.

"Stanley?" he asked after we'd ridden to the halfway point to Villeneuve. The sun was fighting clouds, and the breeze continued to blow loose snow from the trees onto our faces.

"What is it, Étienne?"

"I feel...so happy right now. And peaceful. I'm as merry as a schoolboy!"

I laughed. "And yet, you never attended a school."

"Do you think Rosie could handle a ride all the way to Villeneuve? I know she's expecting and all."

"I think she can. She's halfway through her gestation and she's been antsy to get out lately. Speaking of expecting- guess who else is having a baby?"

"Princess Belle?" Lefou asked excitedly. "The bets are on that we'll see a royal baby by the end of next year!"

"Non," I said. "If it were her, I'm certain you and Mrs. Potts would find out about it before me. "No- Martine is. She's expecting again!"

Lefou was overjoyed. "Oh my gosh! I hope everything...works out this time and their baby is born! So we're gonna be uncles again?"

"Yes, Étienne. You and I are both going to be official- and unofficial- uncles again. Should we ride down and say hello to Dick and Martine, and Tom and Marie? It's Sunday, so Dick and Tom are off work. I'd like to invite them all to the Christmas Eve ball in a few weeks."

"I'd love to. Another ball," Lefou said, with a sigh of exasperation. "Does that mean you'll have to help sew a hundred more new ballgowns?"

"No. Madame de Garderobe and Cadenza are due to be back right before Christmas. So we won't have time to plan all of that. Everyone is wearing what they have. Étienne, if you wore your black and gold uniform again, I'd love it."

"I will, if you wear yours. We can make it more festive by wearing red bow ties and jingle-bell caps on our heads. Remember the tavern's party last year?"

"Oh, mon dieu!" I laughed. "My cousins with their hideous red and green outfits? Remember? And the way Gaston would put his boots in the fireplace and expect 'Pere Noel' to bring him all the gifts he expected from all of us?"

"I know!" Lefou laughed fondly. "He was easy to buy for, though! Knives, ammunition, a new hat, gloves, more hunting gear and stuff. Gaston was like an overgrown little boy, when you really think about it. I'm not sure he ever matured beyond age twelve or thirteen or so."

I nodded. "I guess he was."

"You know what Belle said about me not going on hunting trips in wintertime anymore?" Lefou asked, his tone more solemn.

"Yes?"

"I think she said that because she learned more about Gaston's past. Gaston's own father died when he was stranded in a blizzard while hunting. He was thirteen years old when his father died. And of course he lost his mother when he was eight."

"How did Belle learn about that?"

"She and I talked a few times. Every once in a while, when Belle comes to feed and pet Phillipe in the stables, we have a nice talk. And a few times it's led to Gaston. I didn't even want to say his name in front of her. She asked me about his past and his upbringing. I suppose she was curious about why he became...the person he was."

"I'm glad she wanted to know more about him." I said, speeding Rosie down the hill. I took a deep breath of beautiful winter air. "He was one of a kind, that Gaston."

"No one in town half as manly," Lefou said behind me, singing the phrase a little.

"But no one in town loves you half as much as me!" I yelled back.

"I love you too, Stanley!" came his shouted reply. He urged Ami to ride side by side with Rosie and me.

We soon entered Villeneuve, its rooftops snow-covered, sparkling white and picturesque. A few children were skating on the frozen river, just like Dick and Tom and I used to long ago. The clock on the tower was about to chime noon.

...

The End

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A.N. Thank you to everyone who read, and reviewed this story. Thank you especially to TrudiRose, for suggestions and advice whenever I asked! So many times I was stuck on chapters. I have a new story in my mind, another Gaston-centric fic. I'm pretty busy with life right now, so I probably won't be posting a new story anytime soon. I'm always happy to hear from you readers. It makes me a little sad to finish a long novella fanfic, because the excitement of updating is over. I hope to write and post again once I'm ready. Happy Holiday Season!

-Civilwarrose