The Bard and the Beast By Lady Leonie Disclaimer: Story and characters are the properties of the tale Beauty and the Beast. Characters are also owned by Studios USA, Renaissance Pictures, MCA. Feedback: ladyleonie@yahoo.com A long long time ago in Ancient Greece there was an Immortal named Ares. He was the chosen god of war and forever at odds with father, the king of the gods Zeus. One day fed up with Ares vanity and arrogance Zeus decided to test the worthiness of his son. Disguised as an old beggar, Zeus went to Ares temple. Once there he placed a fitting sacrifice at Ares alter and asked for his aid. When Ares appeared and took in the old mans appearance he looked on him with scorn. Zeus asked for Ares aid in defending his village against an evil demon. Ares laughed at the little man and told him that he was the god of war, not charity. Dismissing the man Ares began to leave, but before he could disappear Zeus resumed his own form and ordered Ares to halt. "My son, I have looked away from your evil deeds and indifference to the mortals for long enough. Your position as god of war was meant to protect the mortals from evil but instead you use your power for your own selfish purposes. So from this time and place I strip you of your godhood and for punishment of your many crimes you shall display to the world the ugliness you carry within. I am however not cruel and will reverse this spell if you can find one mortal who is able to see the good in you. Farewell my son!" In a bolt of lightning Zeus disappeared. Ares howled to the heavens. "Father!!!" as he watched himself transform into the minotaur. Many years later in the small village of Poteidia a young woman sat reading under a hearty shade tree. Lost in her own little world she did not hear her father approach. "Gabrielle, Gabrielle, where are you my dear?" Gabby looked up from her scroll and greeted her father. "Where are you off to father? " Her father sighed "My dear Gabby, if you would take your head out of your scrolls long enough you would know I must go in to Athens to sell our horses." Her father kissed her tear stained cheek and climbed up on the wagon. "Don't cry my little one, I do not wish to sell the horses either. If we are to have food on our table this winter it is a necessity. Now you mind the farm while I am gone and make sure to put fresh flowers on your mothers grave every day. Now cheer up child and tell me what I can bring you home from my travels. " Gabrielle thought for a moment and glancing at the spot where her mother now rested asked her father to bring home some roses. Her mother had always loved roses. Brushing the tear from his own eyes, Gabrielle's father promised to bring home as many roses as he could find and slowly went down the road with several horses trailing behind him. He had only been on the road a few hours when a terrible storm rolled in. Great flashes of lightning ripped across the sky. Thunder roared and frightened the horses. He rushed to find shelter from the storm and in the distance saw an abandoned temple. Just as he came to the gates surrounding the temple a lightning bolt struck the harness attached to his prized horses setting them free to run in terror through the nearby forest. Barely able to control his wagon any longer it plowed through the fence before halting at the temple doors. Father ran inside and out of the rain. Looking around he was frightened by the dark decay all around him. Growing up he had heard stories of a horrible creature that haunted a place such as this and hoped he had not stumbled into such a place. Finding a dark, dry corner he curled up and went to sleep. Father woke up and painfully stretched his cramped limbs. In the early light of the dawn the temple did not look so foreboding. Somehow a fire had started in the huge fireplace, "probably lightning" he thought. As he sat and warmed his hands by the fire he caught scent of a delicious aroma. It smelled like fresh baked bread. Following his nose he found a small cooking area and on a stone sideboard there was all matter of food displayed. The fresh bread that had drawn him there, platters of thickly sliced meats, fresh fruit. It was a feast fit for a god. Sure that no one would mind if he only ate a small bit before he left, he filled a small plate and sat down to eat. As he was swallowing the last bite he heard the sound of hoofs clattering on the stone floors. Certain it was one of his horses returning he ignored the sound. The sound got closer and out of curiosity he turned and came face to face with the minotaur. Never had he seen so horrible a creature. The head of a bull, the torso of a man and the legs furred with cloven hoofs. He could swore that his own death was reflected in the deep brown eyes before him and cringed in fear. The best stepped closer taking in the mans empty dish. " I see you have made yourself welcome in my home." The almost mellow voice coming from the creature surprised father and he was left speechless only nodding his head in reply. The minotaur seeing the mans fright took a step back into the darkness. "The storm is rekindling, you may stay until it passes, but do not abuse my generosity." With that he slipped back into the shadows. Flooded with relief Father sat back in the chair for a moment before refilling his plate, this time heaping it full. Once his belly was full he began walking around the temple. From a nearby window he could see a beautiful rose bush winding up the temple wall. Remembering his promise to Gabrielle he reached out and pulled several of the blooms from their thorny home. When he had picked a bouquet fitting for a gift. He placed the flowers carefully in his sack. Just as the beast had predicted the storm began to rage once more, but quickly dissipated. When the sun once more began shining and the clouds returned to their snowy white hue he gathered his things to leave. Just before crossing the threshold a mighty hand spun him around. " I give you my permission to stay and you repay my kindness by stealing from me!!" he raged. Father looked with fear on the beast. "I stole nothing from you. I took only the food and shelter you offered." "You lie, little man! In your sack you carry is something that belongs to me." "The only thing I carry are my belongings and a few roses for my daughter." "My roses! You did not ask for them, therefore they are stolen. Theft is punishable by death in my temple." "Please no sir, I meant no harm. I took them as a gift for my daughter. There was no malice in my actions. Please spare me and I will do anything. " "Anything? This daughter you speak of, bring her to me. She can serve me in exchange for your life." "I cannot give up my daughter, she is all I have left. Please ask anything else." "There is nothing else. But I am feeling merciful and will only require your daughter for hmmm....6 cycles of the moon. At the end of that time she will be returned to you and with her a bag of dinars. This is my offer take it or die now." Gabrielle heard her fathers wagon as it rumbled down the road toward their home. She dropped the dough she was kneading and rushed out to meet him. "Father, you have returned early. Did you get a good price for the horses.' Gabrielle could tell something was very wrong and followed her father silently inside. She had never seen her father so weary. When she asked what had happened, she listened amazed at his tale. At first her father refused to let her go, but Gabrielle insisted that it was a small price to pay for his life and the money it would bring. So the next morning after a tearful farewell she headed out for the minotaurs temple. Ares sat watching from his chamber window as the small female figure tentatively entered the through the gate. Even from his view point he could tell she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Her long flowing hair was the color of honey and when she had looked up could make out her delicate features. "Maybe she is the one." he thought. After all this time he had almost given up hope of ever regaining his redemption, but somehow sensed that this girl might be the answer. Gabrielle stepped through the temple doors but unlike her father, she could see the hidden grandeur under all the dust and cobwebs. "I can see why this creature would be so desperate for a maid." she laughed to herself. Walking into the great hall she found a note on the table. "To the thiefs daughter, take your belongings to the chamber to your left. You can begin your duties at your leisure." The note was simply signed with an "A". Thinking it was peculiar that a beast would have such sensible penmanship she found her way to the chamber. Unlike the rest of the temple this room was immaculate. She looked in awe at the beautiful furnishings and gasped when she saw a golden urn filled with dew covered roses. Things were not what they appeared, she thought as she put her things away and began exploring. Each chamber was as neglected as the last and not one to see such things sitting in disarray tore a piece of cloth from her dress and began to dust. Before long her stomach began to rumble and she went in search for something to eat. The huge table in the dining hall was filled with delicious smelling food. After washing her face and hands as best she could, she sat down filled her plate. Once her hunger was served, Gabrielle returned to her chamber and crawled up on the large ornate bed to take a nap. While she slept Ares crept into the chamber from a hidden door and looked down at the beautiful girl. Unable to resist he reached out his hand to touch her face. Such beauty and peace radiated from the girl. He pushed back a lock of her golden hair and wondered about what color her eyes would be. He soon found out when Gabrielle awoke abruptly and her emerald green eyes opened in fright. The girl let out a loud scream and Ares backed away. "Hush girl, all that screaming will give me a headache. I'm not going to hurt you. I just wanted to see if you were settled." Gabrielle sat mesmerized by the sound of his voice. It was so honeyed and smooth compared to his ugly appearance. "I'm sorry, but you did startle me and my name is not girl. Its Gabrielle. What is your name?" "Just call me Beast, Gabrielle. I will leave you to your nap but I wish for you to join me for supper. You will find clothing in the chest over there. Feel free to choose what you like. Until then Gabrielle." Gabrielle watched the beast lumber out the door. He was all that she had imagined, but not anything she had expected. For such a hideous creature he had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. They had seemed so sad and she had been compelled to reach out to him. Shaking her head at her own foolishness, she laid back down and tried to go back to sleep. It seemed only a few moments that she had finally fallen back to sleep when a knocking on her door awakened her. The chamber was now dark with the sun having long set. A little disoriented she began to walk to the door. Before she could open it the banging grew louder. Gabrielle swung the door open just as Beast was about to beat on it again. "I believe I asked you to join me for supper? I have waited for an hour and now the food is cold. While you are here you will obey my orders." "I'm sorry you have been waiting, but I only just awoke. If you wanted me to come sooner you should of come knocking sooner. Now if you will excuse me, I'll go change and come join you. " Gabrielle slammed the door in Ares stunned face. He could hear her grumbling through the door about insensitive jerks and their orders. For the first time in years Ares felt like laughing. Gabrielle stepped into the now clean hall and joined the beast. Ares could hardly catch his breath as he stood overwhelmed at the difference some finery made. The dusty beauty from earlier was now a stunning sight in the jeweled gown he had given her. Slowly remembering his long dead manners, Ares pulled the seat out for her to sit. " I see that you have been busy already, Gabrielle. This chamber has never been so clean." "Why thank you, bea.... isn’t there something else I can call you? " "For now Beast is fine. That is what I am after all. I couldn’t help but see your scrolls when I was in your chamber earlier. Are you a bard?" "I wouldn’t go that far, but I do love to write and read stories about grand adventures. I venture to say that I have never lived any myself, but this may prove to rectify that." Gabrielle looked at the beast and shyly smiled. "When we finish our meal, will you tell me one of your stories?" "I would be honored." Gabrielle recited one of her tales as Ares quietly listened. When she was finished and it was time to retire the beast helped her to rise and escorted her to her room. Before leaving he asked her a question. "When you look at me what do you see? " Not sure how to answer she simply replied. "I see you beast" Ares nodded his head and left her alone. That day set the tone for all the days to follow. Each day she kept the temple clean and each night she joined the beast for supper followed by he telling a story from her scrolls. Every night he escorted her to her room and asked the same question. "When you look at me what do you see? and always she would answer " I see you beast" Time seemed to pass quickly, but Gabrielle was still longing to be home with her father. One night after dinner Ares asked why she appeared so sad. " I miss my father, Beast. He is all alone and I am sure he misses me as well. We are all we have. " Hoping to relieve some of her homesickness he relieved her of her duties the next day and asked her to join him for a outing. Glad to be out of the temple for once she agreed. Ares took her to a spot he knew of deep in the woods. There hidden behind the foliage was a beautiful waterfall surrounded by every flower imaginable. The two sat by the water and enjoyed a nice picnic lunch and Gabrielle told him about her mother. Ares could see the covetous looks Gabrielle was giving to the pool of water under the waterfall and asked if she knew how to swim. Jumping at the chance she told him yes and asked if she could swim for awhile. Nodding his head he turned so she could remove her clothes and dive into the pool. The temptation to watch was very powerful and when he was sure she could not see he peaked. Never before had he cursed his state as he did now. Looking at her in all her glory splashing around like a water nymph in the pool. He would give anything to be able to join her there and share her joy. Gabrielle dove under the water and when she did not come back up he rushed to the waters edge. Suddenly Gabrielle resurfaced and began thrashing around screaming. Wrapped around her was a huge snake. As it pulled her back under without thinking he dove into the water. His great weight and cloven feet made swimming impossible, but he managed to get to where she had gone under. Sinking beneath the water he saw the serpents tail and gave it a mighty tug. It quickly let go of its victim to attack its attacker. Gabrielle, now loose from the serpents coils rushed to the shore to watch in horror as the beast fought with the snake. Finally with a mighty roar, the beast gored the snake with one of his horns and threw it to the shore at her feet. Gabrielle jumped back from the carcass and looked for the beast, but he could not be found. Diving once more into the water she could see him sinking helplessly to the bottom. Her lungs nearly bursting from lack of air she grabbed on to his lifeless arm and began pulling him to the surface. Finding a strength she never knew existed she managed to pull him to shore. When he didn’t move Gabrielle began beating on his chest begging him to wake up. Suddenly his eyes opened and Gabrielle threw her arms around him thanking him for saving her life. That night at dinner the beast surprised her by telling her that she has permission to go visit her father. The condition being that she must return in seven days, no later. The next day when she was ready to leave he once again asked her "When you look at me, what do you see?" This time she answered "I do not know." Gabrielle had been home for 4 days when her father took ill. Sitting by his bedside she found herself wondering what the beast was doing and if he missed her. When her father took a turn for the worst she could not leave his side and the 7 days came and went. Afraid of what the beast would do but, unable to leave she could only hope for his forgiveness. Finally her fathers fever broke and when he was better she returned to the temple. When the time had come and gone for her return Ares began to give up hope. As he sat by the fire Zeus appeared. "Hello son." Ares anger would not let him acknowledge his father. "I see that you have not changed after all. I saw the girl Gabrielle and how you saved her. Where is she now?" "She left me." "Ahh. I see. So you managed to mess this up too. " I suppose so. You have had your fun, Now leave!" "As you wish, but know this. I will not return. Only you can lift the spell now. I wash my hands of you." In a flash of light he returned to Olympus. "Good riddance, father." Ares stood up and made his way to his weapons room. On the wall hung proudly was the Sword of Ares. Taking the sword down he watched the firelight glitter off the razor edge. It would be so easy to end it all. Gabrielle had been his last hope and now she was gone. Positioning the blade next his heart he began to push. "STOP!!!!' What are you doing?" Gabrielle ran to the beast and pulled the sword from his hand. "You came back, why? " "Because you asked me to and ...and because I missed you." "You missed me?' "Yes, I missed you. My father was ill or I would have been here sooner. I’m very sorry. Can you forgive me?" " There is nothing to forgive, but I need to ask you a question." "What do I see when I look at you? Is that the question?" "Yes" Gabrielle smiled up into the dark face of the beast. " I see the most beautiful soul in the world. I see someone who saved my life, risking his own. I see a face that I have grown to love." Ares jerked away from her and began to twitch and moan. Concerned Gabrielle rushed to him and was knocked back by a bolt of electricity. Before her eyes the beast transformed into the most handsome man she had ever seen. In shock she sat down and looked up in amazement as he walked towards her. Ares reached down and took her hand pulling her up to him. When she looked into his eyes they were the same deep brown as the beast. "Beast ?" she asked quietly "Not anymore, thanks to you. You saw what was within me that even I didn’t know was there. Now I am as I was before." Striking a bow before her. "Let me introduce myself, I am Ares, God of war and the man who loves you with all his heart." Finally free he was able to do something he had wanted to do ever since he had met her. He leaned down and kissed Gabrielle. A voice behind them ended the kiss as Zeus made his presence known. " It seems I was mistaken son. I was the one who messed up this time. Even in your hideous form you won the heart of this girl. What are you going to do now. Go back to your wicked ways or be the god I know you can be?" Gabrielle looked back and forth at the two men still confused by all that had happened. The beast was really the missing god Ares and this man was Zeus king of the gods. "Wow, what a story this is gonna make!" Ares and Zeus heard the remark and began to laugh. "How could I ever go back to what I was, when this is what I have now." Ares once more took Gabrielle into his embrace. "Well so be it, but I cant have a mortal for a daughter in law. Your mother would have a fit! Gabrielle henceforth you are among the immortals. Keep Ares in line and I'll make you the goddess of Patience. For surely you have it in vast amounts to have done what you have." The couple were oblivious to Zeus's decree wrapped up in their newfound love and like all good tales should end. They lived happily ever after. The End