La Belle en le Bete

[cgraven]

In a land far away, in a time long passed, there was a Chateau that sat in a green wood on a hill side. Its white walls sparkled in the sun, reflected the rose hues of the setting sun and was the manor of a Marquee and his Lady. He was a handsome figure of a man and she a great beauty. Yet all this beauty was only on the surface. To this vain couple was born a son, a misshapen child, though his face was fair, and his nature gentle he was cursed with a hump, his legs twisted, and they shunned him, no loving word came to this child, his youth spent locked in a lonely tower, he was never christened and they referred to him only as the beast. The only person that ever showed this forgone child the slightest kindness was his wet nurse but she had passed away years ago, and so this child who grew to manhood devoid of any human compassion grew to be as misshapen and twisted as his body was. Upon the death of his uncaring parents he became the Lord of the manor and slowly as if by magic, for such things existed in those times the Chateau and the green wood reflected his twisted nature, it became a wild unnatural place of twisted trees and tangled undergrowth.

The villagers came to his place of evil only once a year on the Day of Reckoning, the day when their taxes and tides where due and there they came face to face with the beast that was their Lord. He was a mountain of a man standing head and shoulders above all his twisted body heavily muscled, dark piercing eyes that seem to bore into their very souls gazed impassively at them. Soon the roamer grew that he was in league with the Evil One.

On the Day of Reckoning a merchant came to pay his yearly tides and taxes, yet this merchant had fallen on hard times he had lost three of his trading vessels. He begged the Marquee to be patient that he would pay all that was due when his fourth ship reached port. The beast roared sized the Merchant and threw him into a dark deep dungeon.

“Here you’ll rot till you pay me what you owe.”

Word soon spread of the merchant and his fate.

 

[sandmartin]

My father’s house was a busy place at the best of times, with much coming and going of clients and merchants alike. Passing merchants often stayed overnight, seeking protection within our walls for the land had grown dark and there was much fear abroad. We were not what you might call rich, but we were not as poor as a good many others and did what we could to help the fair folk of our village.

My father was a kindly man who would accept credit notes from people other merchants would deny. He knew that many of these notes would never be honoured, but if he didn’t help them they would surely starve. This was part of his downfall, but the recent loss of three out of four cargo’s had hit us all very hard and it was now his turn to beg.

I am his only daughter, my mother died giving birth to me and my father was so heart broken he vowed never to take another wife. Father’s return was overdue by two days and I was becoming anxious for news of him. A commotion outside caused me to looking out of the window overlooking the courtyard where I saw my father’s most senior aide hurrying across to the chamber of office. Following quickly in his wake were two other aides. It was from here that my father’s business was conducted and I guessed there was news of my father. With beating heart, I gathered my skirts and raced down to discover the cause of the commotion.

Upon entering the chamber of office I found the three men in serious debate. The chamber fell silent as I entered.
“There is news of my father?” I enquired.
“Yes my child.” The old aide sighed sadly, setting aside the scroll. “The Marquee demands immediate payment of the yearly taxes in exchange for your father’s release.”
“My father is to be held prisoner until the taxes are paid!” I cried in horror.
One of the aides quietly acknowledged that this was indeed the case.
“But how shall we pay without my father here to raise the sum?”
“Now you must not concern yourself, we will do everything we possibly can.”
“And what pray tell, exactly, do you have in mind?”
“Everything.” The old aide told me dismissively. “Now please leave us to conduct the necessary affairs in order to secure your father’s release as quickly as possible.”
“I will do no such thing.” I answered boldly. “This is my father’s house and in his absence I shall take responsibility.”
“My child you know nothing of how to conduct your father’s affairs.” He replied patiently. “Better to leave it to us who know better.”
“Then humour me. Tell me how you plan to raise the Marquee’s taxes when my father could not?”
“We will approach the other local merchants to see if we can call upon their support.”
“And what makes you think they will support us – they would like nothing more than to see us ruined that they can profit greater.”

He shifted uncomfortably, glancing at his companions as if searching for help. They offered him none.
“Then we must sell what we can.”
“There is little to sell, we have little enough land beyond these walls and if you sell this place we shall be ruined.”
“Do you have a better proposal?”
“I shall go and speak with the Marquee myself.”
“You must not undertake such a journey yourself – it is dangerous!” He exclaimed. “Besides, the Marquee as likely as not will refuse to see you if you do not bring payment.”
“He must see me – and you will not sell a single stone of this house before I return. I will instruct the Captain of the Guard to ensure no such thing happens. He and his men are loyal to my father.”
“Do you imply that we are not loyal servants of your father’s?” He sneered. “And why don’t you ask the guard to rescue your father?”
“I imply nothing of the sort, other than you are not to sell this house. As to the Guard, there is enough blood shed in this land without adding to it. Besides, my father would not wish the sacrifice of many men’s lives to save one, not even his own.”

With that I turned and left. It took me little time to prepare for my journey for I had little to take save a little food to see me to the Chateau and back. I set off on horse back and made good speed, hoping to reach the safety of the Chateau before dark. It was not safe for a man to travel the roads by night, much less an unescorted woman. By keeping to the small and narrow paths I hoped to escape attention and thus travel unnoticed.

As dusk began to settle it became obvious that I would not reach the Chateau before nightfall. Fortune was with me as I came across a trappers hut. Dismounting my horse I quietly approached, not quietly enough for the trapper appeared, bow at the ready.
“Who is that approaches?”

When he saw me alone he lowered his bow and called to his wife. They were kindly people and gave me shelter for the night. I told them of my quest, and was told my journey was in vain.
“He has a black heart that one. Most likely throw you in his dungeon to rot with your father. My advice to you is to return home at first light.”

The trapper knew my father and was sympathetic to my plight. Nonetheless he urged me to abandon my expedition, though I would not hear of it. At first light I set off and by mid-day found myself at the gates to the Chateau.

 

[cgraven]

Kaw …kaw….kaw

The call of the raven,broke the stillness of the morning, the great black bird came to rest on the turret of the dark gloomy Chateau, the beast hobbled to where the great bird of war came to rest.

“Ah my pretty what news do you bring.”

The Raven cocked its midnight black head and fixed the twisted man with its dark eye.

Kaw …kaw….kaw…….

rap…..tap…rap its wicked beak chipped at the limestone of the Chateau

“So we are to have a visitor, an uninvited visitor, is it my pet”

An evil twinkle gleamed in the raven’s eyes, one matched by that in its Master’s eye.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The lonely sounds of a single horse’s hoof beats echoed through the twisted cursed green wood, the branches resembling knurled arms reaching out to snare the delicate rider, threatening to snatch her from her mount. Dark haunted eyes peered out, then slinked away as the rider approached, there was an unnatural silence that wore the spirit down the deeper the rider penetrated the woods. The Kaw of the raven as it circled over head, the haunted howl of the wolf, the only sounds besides that of her mounts hooves.

Suddenly without any warning the iron gates of the Chateau rose before the rider, blocking her way. Slowly as if opened by some unseen hand they slowly swung open. The grating sound of iron on iron shrieked like the souls of the damned to allow the rider and her mount to enter.

CRASH

Those hideous gates slammed behind her with the finality of doom itself. The heavy oaken doors of the Chateau stood open, a dark gloom radiated from the dank building, even the bright sunlight of mid day could not penetrate the Chateau. A single torch in a sconce flickered dimly, as the young woman entered, another became visible far ahead of her down the long dusty corridor. As she past each torched, it gutted out in and unfelt wind. They lead her on to the great hall where the Beast sat upon his throne.


“Madmosielle why do you disturb my solitude?”

His voice was a deep, dark, rumbling that chilled the soul


“Madmosielle why do you come uninvited?”

 

[sandmartin]

A shiver of fear crept over me as I watched the shrieking gates open before me. What trickery was it that opened gates unaided? I urged my hesitant mount forward and as we rose up the long cobbled road, the gates crashed loudly, almost causing my mount to bolt.

A foreboding stillness settled around us, which steady clip-clop of my horses hoof’s seemed to intrude upon until we came at last to the Chateau itself. I slipped from my horse and nervously approached the open doors.
“Hello?” I called apprehensively, hearing my echo travel along the dark corridor.

Suddenly a sconce high on the wall lit as if by magic. I stood for several minutes wondering what would happen next before taking a tentative step forward. As I passed over the threshold of the doorway, a second sconce burst into flame further down the corridor.

Nervously I crept forward through the dim corridor. I stared up at the first sconce as I passed by and jumped in fright when it unexpectedly extinguished itself. Turning forward quickly, expecting to see the second sconce snuff itself out, to my surprise a third sconce, further along burst into flame and again I wondered at the source of such sinister business as this.

So my journey continued, as I passed each lit sconce it extinguished itself and another sconce flickered to life. At last I arrived in a poorly lit hall, though it was difficult to tell, I had the impression of a cavernous chamber with high ceil and huge stone pillars.

“Mademoiselle, why do you disturb my solitude?” A deep voice boomed out from the dark shadows.

I froze in terror for a moment, my eyes darting about the darkness trying to locate the owner of the voice. “Mademoiselle, why do you come uninvited?”

“I… have come… to speak… with the Marquee.” I stammered, still trying to find the man who spoke to me.
“And what is your business with him?”
“To petition the release of my father.”

 

[cgraven]

The Beast

“I… have come… to speak… with the Marquee.”

The young woman’s voice was soft and halting as she spoke, yet she stood their drawing herself up to stand erect before the disembodied voce her eyes darting about the dark chamber trying to find its owner. There was a muted sound of fabric rustling to the young beauty’s right, a soft dark wind whispered through the cavernous chamber.

“And what is your business with him?”

The deep rumbling voice came unexpectedly from the girl’s left a circle of light blazed up around the young innocent beauty, it bathed her in a rash white light revealing all of her subtitle charms.

“To petition the release of my father.”

There was a marked trimmer in that soft melodic voice.


“To petition the release of your father.”

Came the mocking return of her own word to her.

“And why should I entertain such a petition he owes taxes and tides and can not pay I am well with in my rights to cast him into prison till his debts are met.”

The voice that was almost inhuman in its deep rumbling came from directly in front of the frighten young beauty. Two torches burst into life to revel a figure draped in black, a hood pulled low over the creature’s face. The robes where flowing, giving no indication of the creatures form except that he was a giant of a man.

“I will not haggle with you Madmosielle like a common merchant, your father’s freedom will be granted only when the debt is satisfied.”

The creature studied her a moment then an evil grin spread across his unseen face.

“Madmosielle if you do not have what is owed me then I shall accept in it place.”

The beast paused for a moment before continuing.

“Your body and your virtue, to use as I please for the next year.”

Again he paused as he let the meaning of his demand strike home.

“That is the price of your father’s freedom Madmosielle.”

 

[sandmartin]

A small gasp of horror escaped my throat as the full impact of his demand hit me. My body, my virtue! In return for my father’s freedom.
“But how are we supposed to pay your taxes when the man you hold is the key to raising your taxes?” My voice quivered. “You keep him in chains and we cannot pay you – we both lose.”

I stared at the giant of a man before me and it suddenly occurred to me that he seemed to be hiding himself from me – but why? This realisation emboldened me…
“If you did something to stop the bandits and rogues that plague these lands my father would not have lost so much and would have been able to meet your taxes. Why is the land over which you reside dying – why are the people fleeing in droves? Because it is not safe and why should the people pay for something that is not afforded them – protection from the evil that stalks this land…”

I could sense his rage building and quickly changed tact…
“I offer myself in exchange for my father, if that is your wish – that he might be free to raise your taxes…” And here my voice faltered. “If my honour and virtue are to be treated like some commodity then let some good come from it…” I curtsied deeply and bowed my head, with quivering voice I said… “all I ask in return is that you take steps to rid the shadow of darkness that threatens to engulf this land and your people forever. I will remain here freely, of my own accord, for the period of one year if that is your wish…”

 

[cgraven]

The beast listened with quite amusement as the fair young beauty pleaded her case.

“But how are we supposed to pay your taxes when the man you hold is the key to raising your taxes?................You keep him in chains and we cannot pay you – we both lose.”

Her soft voice quivered with the emotion of her argument, yet the beast sat silent in the shadows. His silence only emboldened the young beauty and she became more impassioned and laid accusations that the evil that stocked the land was in some way his fault. The torches around the young beauty flared reflecting the beast’s anger. La belle’s voice then faltered.

” I offer myself in exchange for my father, if that is your wish……………………………“If my honor and virtue are to be treated like some commodity then let some good come from it…”

The young beauty curtsied deeply and bowed my head yet their was a stiff necked pride, a firry spirit in the young beauty despite the quiver in her voice.

“So be it ma Belle Chere, your body and your virtue for your father’s release.”

His deep voice rumbled, his eyes boring into her very soul like burning coals from beneath the hood draped low over his brow.

“You shall have no communications with your family nor any living soul outside the chateau, My word will be Law, obey or suffer the results.”

There was no give or take, his voice carried a finality that would not be argued with.

“Now go take leave of your father, then return here.”


___________________________________


The beast waited for her return, he would break this young beauty’s pride, humble her, and in the end her virtue would serve a dark purpose. Again the young beauty stood before him.

“You will wear these Madmosielle.”

He indicated a pile of clothing that consisted of a shamelessly indecent Chemise that would barely cover her firm young breasts. A skirt that would hang only to mid calf, with a slit almost to the waist so that every time the girl took a step her soft lily white thigh would be exposed to his view.

“You will change now and do not turn your back to me girl.”

 

[sandmartin]

Guided once again by the magical torches that lit and extinguished themselves, I followed the labyrinth of passages that took me down to the dungeons where I found my father. The door to his cell unlocked itself and swung open as I approached.

We hugged each other, and shed tears as I explained what had happened. I did not dare tell my father of the agreement I had made, it would have broken his heart and he might well have refused to leave had he known the full details of the arrangement. As it was I had a hard enough time persuading him to leave me in his stead to raise the taxes demanded by the Marquee.

We walked arm in arm, guided by the flaming torches, to the front gate. Our parting was sad, the discussions intent. At length I told him of the hunters cabin I had stayed in and suggested he would be safe overnight there. He remembered the man and assured me he would call by. With that we parted company.

I watched from the gate as he slowly made his way. My heart was heavy as I turned back and retraced my steps to the great hall where the Marquee waited.

 

[cgraven]

The beast waited for her return, he would break this young beauty’s pride, humble her, and in the end her virtue would serve a dark purpose. Again the young beauty stood before him.

“You will wear these Madmosielle.”

He indicated a pile of clothing that consisted of a shamelessly indecent Chemise that would barely cover her firm young breasts, her nipples just barely covered, a skirt that would hang only to mid calf, with a slit almost to the waist so that every time the girl took a step her soft lily white thigh would be exposed to his view the corset would highlight her trim waist and obscenely draw attention to her ripe breasts

“You will change now and do not turn your back to me girl, make no effort to hide your body from me or it will go badly for you Chere……………..”

His voice carried a dark warning as he paused.

“……………………..and your father as well for you will have breached our agreement.”

The beasts waited in silence for his first glimpse of the lovely young maiden to stand before him in all her virginal naked glory.

 

[sandmartin]

I stood in the great hall, peering into the shadows, wondering if he was present and if so, where exactly he might be hiding. When at length he spoke, I was taken by surprise at the sound of his voice breaking the stillness.
“You will wear these Mademoiselle.”

A torch burst into flame and I saw a small pile of clothing sitting at the base of a stone pillar. On seeing the clothes I thought nothing of it until he told me I was to dress in front of him. The scandal of it horrified me. No man had ever seen me exposed, this was debased and corrupt, he was despicable for even suggesting such a thing and the mere suggestion of it made me feel sick to the stomach. I was about to deny his request when he added that things would go badly for my father if I refused – I had little choice.

Wordlessly I walked across to the pile of clothes. They looked clean and fresh and I took some consolation from that. As my fingers untied the knot at the back of my dress, a dark cloud of suspicion crossed my mind. Quickly my eyes danced about the darkness, trying to penetrate the blackness surrounding me.
“Who else is here?” I called apprehensively.
“We are alone – just you and I.”

It seemed I had little choice other than to take him at his word. I pulled the wide straps of my dress from my shoulders and allowed the gown to glide down my body. If he was expecting me to act like some common tavern girl he was in for a surprise for I had no intention of making a spectacle of myself. I stepped from my gown and held it before me guardedly as I neatly folded before setting it down on the floor in front of me.

My fingers fumbled with the cord at the front of my bodice. I could feel myself flushing brightly as the unthreaded the cord. The cool air wafted in as I opened my bodice and exposed myself. Again I shielded myself behind my bodice as best I could as I folded the garment and set it to the floor at my feet. My long blonde tresses cascaded about me as I stooped, falling back against my breasts when I stood up and I made no attempt to brush my hair aside and reveal myself to him as my fingers groped with the cord at my waist.

The garment slipped down my legs, leaving me totally naked. This time I made no attempt to fold it. I quickly stooped down to pick through the pile of fresh clothing, but I could find no under-garment. Flustered, realising that I had removed more of my clothing than was necessary, I reached for my own.
“Leave it – you shall go without.”

Hesitantly, I glanced toward the shadow, then quickly grabbed the chemise and threw it on. I groaned inwardly, instantly shocked by the indecency of the garment. No matter how I tried, I could not make the chemise cover more of my breasts. Giving up, I hurriedly picked-up the skirt and stepped into it. I was even more appalled by the cut of the new skirt with its far reaching split up the side of my leg, almost to my hip.

At least I was covered. I thought to myself, tying the skirt off. I decided I would sew the split together at the first opportunity I got. Brushing my hands down myself and readjusting the chemise once again, I stood before him and waited.

 

[cgraven]

“You will wear these Mademoiselle.”

Slowly la Belle approached the pile of clothing her dainty hands going to the knot at the back of her dress, a cloud of suspicion marred the beauty of her soft angelic face.

“Who else is here?”…………………….. “We are alone – just you and I.”

The young beauty’s voice laced with apprehension. A deadly all consuming silence her only answer. The Beats watched as each layer of the young beauty’s garments where shed, peeled away like the layers of an onion to reveal her naked beauty to him, each move so sensual, so seductive. The crimson blush that kissed La Belle’s cheeks as her fingers fumbled with the cord at the front of her bodice, the stunning young beauty’s desperate efforts to maintain some semblance of modesty as she shielded herself behind her bodice before it slipped from her lifeless fingers, the way her long silken blonde tresses cascaded as she stooped, falling back to caress her firm young breasts she stood up, her fingers groped with the cord at my waist, her last skirt slipped down the sensual curve of her legs, leaving the girl totally naked before the gaze of the beast.

“Leave it – you shall go without.”


Came the gruff command as La Belle bent to retrieve the garment. The Beast smiled an evil smile as the trapped little beauty desperately tried to adjust the scandalous outfit she had been given, finally the futility of it became apparent, then brushing her hands down, and readjusting the chemise once again, she demurely stood before him and waited.

The beast studied La Belle from his shadowy world, the way the neckline of her chemise grated across her nipples half her areolas exposed to his vies the gossamer material high lightening her breasts rather than concealing them, the scandalous slit in he skirt that would expose her lily white high to his gaze with even the slightest movement, that threatened to expose the golden whips of hair that covered her virginal mound.

“Bon Madmosielle do not change a thing, it suites your new station in life.”

Slowly the bestial giant stepped from the shadows, into the circle of light that embraced her, he tower over the petite beauty. His massive hands rose to ease back the hood that covered his face. Dark pricing eyes met hers, a calmly face gazed down at the girl, yet the hump on his back, the twisted leg could not be hidden even by the lose drapery of his robe.

 

[sandmartin]

I watched the shadowy image materialise from the darkness. Fear spread across me like a smothering blanket. I was afraid that this monster who had seen me naked, toyed with me by dressing me so, now intended to have his vile way with me and strip me of my honour.

As he emerged into the pool of light, I was instantly aware that he limped very badly. Some quick of fate either at birth or by accident, had left him horribly maimed. But it was worse than that, as he became more visible I could see more of his twisted and broken form; the stoop in his back, and the horribly deformed shoulder that left him with a huge hump. My heart was filled with pity, and perhaps, clutching at straws, that was why he had so wanted to see me in the flesh; to witness another person, normal in frame of body. No woman would willingly allow him to look upon her, so he hid himself away in the dark.

His hood was folded back. My hand rose to my mouth in surprise and again I felt myself overwhelmed with pity. What cruel quirk of fate had been visited upon this man that left him so hideously mutilated? I was indeed fortune that I was not cursed with similar affliction. I did not run in terror from his great hall, nor try to hide myself away. Instead my hand fell quickly away, and I curtseyed.
“My Lord.” I said without falter in my voice. “If it pleases you, might I suggest a walk in the sunshine outside?” I saw a look of surprised confusion cross his face.

 

[cgraven]

Hiss dark hazel eyes drank in her beauty, the beast savored it like a fine wine, he stood just a breath away from her, the soft warmth of her supple body bathed him, the intoxicating fragrance of her innocence filled his nostrils. As he drew back his hood his giant form stiffen as her delicate hand flew to her sweet ripe full lips. The fear that had filled her soft eyes now turned to pity and the beast could feel the anger rise within his breast. He had seen that pity before in the eyes of his wet nurse, and she had left him. He could deal with the fear he inspired but not pity. His features turned darker more menacing. La Belle’s hand fell quickly away, then she curtseyed.


“My Lord If it pleases you, might I suggest a walk in the sunshine outside?”

Her voice was soft steady as this young beauty demurely lowered her eyes.

“I think you will not like the gardens here Mademoiselle, but first things first pick up those.”

The beast’s massive hand pointed to La Belle’s discarded clothing, he led her to a blazing hearth.

“Through them in Girl they do not belong to this house nor to a servant like yourself…………..Now come I believe you wanted to see the gardens.”

The gardens of the Chateau where a reflection of the Master of the house. Fair in blossom yet twisted and misshapen. The roses had thorns that could rip the stoutest leather, vines, and brambles slithered along the sides of the paths as if they where almost alive, and there where other plants, strange and exotic plants. Some had pods with long slender needles along their edges, sweet of fragrance a honey bee landed in one pod and it closed to devour its prey. A vein crept from the underbrush to slider up La Belle’s shapely calve caressing her silken thigh in its embrace.

 

[sandmartin]

“I think you will not like the gardens here Mademoiselle, but first things first pick up those.”
Reluctantly I picked up the neat pile of clothing. We were not a wealthy family, more fortunate than a good many granted, but the loss of these clothes would be felt back home when I returned. More importantly I was saddened by the loss of my undergarment. I threw them on the fire and watched the flames for a moment as they devoured the fabric. I turned away, wanting to put the sight from me.

We walked out into his garden. I remained at his side unafraid. Whatever fate awaited me by his hand would come soon enough, whether I chose to walk ahead, behind or at his side. A man does not dress a woman in such a manner without revealing his true intent, and in that I knew the future was unavoidable.

His garden was like nothing I had seen before, not even in the darkest depths of the forest on the few occasions I had been allowed to accompany my father’s hunting trips. Everything seemed to have a wicked twisted look about it, even so, the colours of the few flowers that were out were beautiful and as the warmth of the sun caressed my skin, I began to hum quietly to myself as we walked together.

To my amazement, some of those flowers appeared to twist around, like heads turning in a crowd. Stranger still, I could have sworn that some of those dark green leaves took on a paler, more vibrant colour.
“Do you not employ a gardener sire?” I asked casually, looking at the overgrown path along which we trod.

He stopped, and I stood beside him as he looked about the ill kept boarders that I felt sure must have blossomed with a rich parade of hues and flowers. Just as he appeared to be about to speak, something slithered up my leg, wrapping itself around my leg. I cried out in alarm and pulled my leg, only to feel the thing knot and resist my attempts to free myself.

 

[cgraven]

The Beast had to admit that this young beauty had spirit, a spirit that appealed to him yet he needed this young virgin for his own purposes.

“No the gardens tend them selves and feed their appetites quite by them selves.”

Her cry of alarm brought the beast to immediate action, his movements where swift, a swiftness that belied his twisted body, he tore at the vein that had slithered up the youthful beauty’s leg but even as he freed the tender child from its grasps others pulled at the girl’s bodice seeking to suckle her nipples with bud heads lined with little fangs. The beast’s massive hands tore at the plant, as he freed La Belle from their sensual attack, he swept the proud beauty into his powerful arms and his roar echoed across the valley and the plant shrunk back in fear. Quickly he carried the girl back into the chateau and lightly set her on her dainty feet.

“I do believe I told you would not like the gardens.”

He paused studying the trembling beauty before him.

“What do they call you girl?”

 

[sandmartin]

Flustered and still recovering from my fright, I readjusted my bodice before bending to examine my leg. I was horrified to see an ugly red welt twisting round my leg where the vine had caught me.
“What do they call you girl?”

I stiffened, sensing a trap. Did he mean my given name, or the name others used behind my back? I did not like the name, though it was undoubtedly a compliment, it was, I felt, undeservedly so.
“Maria.” I answered evenly, watching his dark eyes for any hint of jest. Was he toying with me?
“I should like to thank you for saving me.” I said, quickly changing the subject. “What was that thing that attacked me?”

 

[cgraven]

La Belle vainly tried to readjust her scandalous bodice. The stunning young beauty visible shaken from her encounter, as she bent to examine the ugly red welt that marred the smooth alabaster perfection of her leg the girl unwittingly displayed her deep cleavage and lily white inner thigh to the beast’s hungering eyes.

“Maria.”

Came her even answer her voice soft and supple as her young body. The teenage beauty had stiffened in alarm at his question, her eyes had searched his looking for something, something as yet undefined.

“I should like to thank you for saving me.”

Quickly Maria dropped her gaze, change the subject, her words tripping over her full ripe lips, in the frightful memory of her attack.

“What was that thing that attacked me?”

“Maiden’s bain.”

Came the dark rumbling answer.

“It was planted by the old Marquee and his wife.”

There was bitterness to the Beast’s voice his continence turning dark and threatening.

“Maria you will clean and wait on me as the servant that you now are.”

And so the young Beauty’s life changed she scrubbed the Chateau’s floors, waited on her master at table. The Chateau like the wild unkempt gardens seemed to have a life of it’s own, eyes that watched ever move of the young beauty, a drape blown by an unseen wind caressed her firm young breasts, toyed with her skirt baring her to the waist. Each night Maria would sleep at the foot of the beast’s bed ready to meet his needs, yet he demanded nothing of her lush young body. Then one morning he growled at her.

“Draw me a bath Maria”

 

[sandmartin]

My world changed, though I was content enough with my lot. It seemed a fair exchange for my father’s freedom despite the long days and heavy work. No sooner had I lugged the pails of water and scrubbed the floors throughout the Chateau, I had to do them all over again from the start. It was a never ending cycle.

I came to the conclusion that the Chateau was haunted, though this troubled me less as time moved on. I had no friends to chat with, exchange a pleasantry or share in a joke, so I took to talking to the birds that might perch by chance on one of the stone window ledges. They would cock their heads and eye me warily before flying off about their business. In between times I would hum and sing to myself as I laboured over the floors or sweated in the kitchen.

At night I slept in his chamber at the foot of his bed. At first I was apprehensive about this arrangement, uncertain of what to expect, but in time, as with all things, I got use to it and found it reassuring knowing he was there.

For the most part the Marquee left me to my own devices and as I got use to his grumpiness I found he was not so bad after all. He had a quick temper, yet it seemed to me that there was something deeper about him that I had not yet touched or found. On odd occasions I even found him to be warm and friendly, although these were fleeting moments and quickly passed, usually followed by long grumpy moods. It were as though he had let a mask slip and was angry with himself for it.

One morning he commanded me to draw him a bath and I sweated over the fires, heating the water to take up for his bath. His request was unusual in that he had never asked me to draw him a bath, preferring to do it himself, and when he did it was always of an evening…

 

[cgraven]

La Bell Maria settled into to her new life as a servant t the Beast with rare good grace. Her mood was bright and sunny while his was somber and withdrawn. Beast reflected on these simple but true facts as the petite beauty hauled bucket after bucket of hot water to fill his bath, the tub was more like a small pool rather than a tub. Maria was just pouring the last of that endless padre of buckets when the beast shed his long flowing robe; He was naked before the alluring young beauty.

True he was a hunch back, yet his upper torso was well muscled, his waist trim and his arms as large as most men’s thighs, his legs where strait yet his right foot was clubbed turned severely in causing his shuffling gate. Beasts body was thickly matted with the same ginger hair that fell in cascading locks from his head. Slowly with out so much as a glance at Maria he settled into the tub.

“Girl disrobe and come wash me.”

Beast’s mind had often wandered back to the first day they met, of Maria standing naked in the great hall and he longed to see that perfect body again, to feel he dainty hands upon his body. Why not he was the Master , and she body and soul his servant, his to do with as he pleased, after all that was her bargain, the price of her father’s freedom.

“Now girl”

His voice was stern yet more gentle than in those first few days after her arrival.

 

[sandmartin]

By the time I had finished lugging the pails of steaming water up to his tub I was exhausted. It took me a moment to realise that he was undressing before me. I became flustered, embarrassed by his open and evident lack of modesty as he undressed.

Quickly averting my gaze, I set about any number of tasks in an attempt to occupy myself: fussing over the towels which needed fold again more neatly, moving the empty pails from one side of the chamber to the other, wiping up the water spillage.

In spite of all my attempts to keep my distance and appear unconcerned by his nakedness, I could not prevent my eyes from stealing the occasional peek at him. I was not in the least revolted by his grotesquely twisted form, though I did feel pity toward him – that fate should have dealt him such a blow – combined with these feelings was a natural curiosity to see a naked man, any man.

He clambered gracelessly into the tub and settled himself down, the mystery that made a man so far as I was concerned, sank beneath the water unravelled as I continued to mop up the meagre spillage from the floor.
“Girl disrobe, and come wash me.”

My whole being went rigid with shock. Disrobe! Here… Now… While he wasn’t present!? I stood up, rubbing my wet hands down my smock nervously as I tried to think of a way to play for time and avoid such a request.
“Now girl”

Startled, I turned my back to him and slowly untied my bodice before letting my skirt fall. I turned, my face brightly flushed, and caught him staring at me. He quickly looked away, splashing water in the tub as I stepped forward feeling apprehensive and vulnerable.

 

[cgraven]

Beast watched as Maria demurely turned her fingers trembling as she undid the lace of her bodice, his eyes drank in the sensual curve of her young breasts, the swell of her virginal hips, the seductive sculptured turn of her calves as her skirt fluttered to the floor. The stunning young teenage beauty’s cheeks flushed crimson as she steeped into her Master’s tub.

Her young body was pressed close to his, the coarse hair of the Beast’s chest grazing Maria’s nipples. the Girl was forced to straddle his legs, his manhood now iron cored pressed against her virginal belly. Beast hand his young beauty a bar of soap.

“Lather your hands and wash me .”

Was the simple command. Beast longed to feel those soft delicate hands on his twisted form, the more he dwelled on the image of her sweet perfection in contrast to his twisted form the more aroused he became.

 

[sandmartin]

My face burned intensely as I climbed into the tub where he sat. I didn’t know where to look as I knelt in water in front of him. His eyes stared directly at my breasts and the hungry look on his face was simply too much for me. I was also acutely aware of his lust for me, erect penis pressed against my tummy like an iron bar and whatever curiosity I had first felt at seeing him naked was lost now. I didn’t dare to look down at him.

He passed me the soap and I tried to preoccupy myself with bathing him, running my soapy hands along his arms, his hands and eventually his chest. He stood up and for a brief moment I found myself confronted by his hugely swollen manhood before he turned around and bid me to scrub his back. I duly complied, standing up myself to reach the full height of him, washing his huge shoulders and back.

 

[cgraven]

Beast found the crimson blush that colored Belle’s from the tip of her nose to the tip of her toes quite enchanting as she demurely climbed into the tub. There was a momentary softening of his gruff nature as she kneeled between his legs but that soon faded as the petite beauty did everything in her power to avoid looking at him. His mood darkened yet his face remained impassive as her delicate hands lathered his upper body. Slowly he stood his mammoth ridge cock was just a breath away from the young girl’s soft moist full lips, he hesitated for a moment as Maria blushed scarlet, slowly turned so know she was faced with backside. A soft growl of pleasure escaped his lips as Belle slick hands massaged his back.

Suddenly he turned to face the girl again his huge arms enfolded her, crushed her to him, as his mouth claimed hers in a savage kiss, her desperate little struggles excited him. The feel of Belle’s bare breasts against his chest thrilled beast, he broke the kiss, his hands forcing the alluring young beauty to her knees to face his cock once again.

“Take me into your mouth and please girl.”

Beast smiled at the look of shock and disbelief on her young face as he gazed down on her.

“Or would you rather I claim your virginity Maria?”

He paused his eyes drinking in Bell's naked beauty, a beauty he lusted to possess.

“After all I do believe our agreement was Your Body and Your Virtue,……… to use as I please for the next year”


The Beast emphasized each word of the agreement that this young Beauty had so hastily made to secure her father’s freedom.

 

[sandmartin]

Slowly, fearing divine retribution would strike me down dead, I reached forward with both hands, pausing as my fingers tips closed about him, surprised when heaven's wrath did not appear in the form of lightening.

I moved my lips to him, closing my eyes as my mouth opened and I took him inside. My lips circled around him and he moved himself in and out of my mouth while my fingers held his massive length in their grasp...

 

[cgraven]

Beast look down in satisfaction as Belle moved her lips to him, closing her eyes as Maria mouth opened and I took him inside. Beast grinned as the young beauty’s lips circled around him and he moved himself in and out of hr mouth while Belle’s fingers held his massive length in their grasp.

“No girl don’t use your hands!”

His voice was gruff, then it soften a bit as he slowly began to instruct the young virgin on how to user her mouth to please him.

“Ummm yes that’s better Belle.”

He then instructed her how to use her tongue, how to properly suckle him. With each little success he praised Maria.