Beauty and the Beast Once upon a time, there lived a merchant with three lovely daughters. The loveliest of the these was named Beauty--for obvious reasons. She was raven-haired, with emerald green eyes and a perfect figure. She was also as sweet-natured as she was lovely, which was a contrast from her two sisters--Incontinentia and Pathos-- who were somewhat selfish and tended to complain about many things. Because of her gentle nature and generosity, Beauty was her father's favorite, and her sisters were often jealous of her and plotted against her in petty matters. Beauty's father took quite a lot of business trips, leaving the three girls alone for several days at a stretch. Her two sisters often used this opportunity to call in their boyfriends for an orgy, but Beauty never participated in the licentious activities, since she had decided to wait until she was truly in love before making love with a man. On the other hand, Beauty never betrayed them to her father, and she often watched longingly through a crack in the door as her sisters coupled wildly with the brawny village lads. One day, just after the the tired-but-happy young men had left to go home and sleep it off, Beauty's father returned, looking pale and shaken. Beauty rushed out to meet him. "Father! What's wrong? Why do you look so frightened?" she asked as she held the horse's reins for him to dismount. "Oh, Beauty, something terrifying happened on my way home from the neighboring kingdom!" he moaned, looking utterly miserable. There was a beautiful white rose in his hand, she noticed, but he seemed to have forgotten he was holding it. "My dear child, we are undone!" he continued. "On my way home, I lost my way and came upon a strange estate just before dark. A storm was brewing so I stabled my horse and entered, hoping to ask the lord of the manor permission to stay the night. I could find no one--not even a servant--in that huge castle, but a freshly-cooked meal was laid out on the table, still steaming hot." "How strange," Beauty mused as she helped her distraught father into the house. Her two sisters gathered around and also listened as he continued his story. "I was very nervous, and suspected witchcraft or magic was present within this castle, my dears, and I wanted desperately to leave. But outside the storm had broken with a fury, so I was trapped. Finally, I sat down and ate the meal, leaving a gold coin and a note thanking the missing tenant for his hospitality. I spent the night in the smallest bedroom I could find, not wanting to impose any further than necessary, and in the morning saddled my horse and began to leave, once again leaving a coin and a note of thanks for whomever might find it." "Well, Father, I can't see anything so terrifying about what you have told us so far," Pathos remarked, rapidly becoming bored. "Ah, but the worst is yet to come, daughter," he remarked gently but with an air of despair that made Beauty shiver. "As I was riding past the immaculately tended gardens of the estate, I spied a rose bush with the most beautiful, perfectly-formed white roses I had ever seen. Knowing how much Beauty loves roses--and white ones in particular--I dismounted and plucked the largest bud to bring home to her." At this moment, Beauty's father finally remembered he was still holding that rose--which was just beginning to open and which magically showed no signs of withering from lack of water--and handed it solemnly to Beauty, who blushed modestly as she took it. Pathos and Incontinentia "Hmph"ed and scowled jealously at their younger sister. "So! She gets a flower and we get nothing!" Pathos complained. "My dears," the father explained tiredly, "I have brought both of you many new dresses and jewels from my trading expedition. How can you begrudge your sister something as insignificant as a flower-- even a magical one such as this." "It has magic?" Incontinentia exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with greed. "Can it bring wealth or do any special magic?" she asked hopefully. "No, daughter, it only lives magically apart from its natural source of water and life, until it is returned to the castle. And that brings me to the most horrible part of my experience. "The moment I plucked that bloom, a terrible roar issued forth from behind a nearby hedge, sounding for the life of me like a lion in great pain and anguish. The hedge parted, and a terrible-looking creature charged towards me. He was over six feet tall, had the body of a man--although he was covered in tawny fur everywhere I could see--but had a massive head with a lion's mane and eyes. His hands had sharp claws, as did his feet, and when he roared I could see his fangs gleaming. "'Why have you done this to me?' he roared, and as I dropped to my knees in terror, I was also amazed that he could speak as a man might speak. 'You have plucked one of my dearest, most prized creations! Was the food and lodgings I offered you for the night not enough, you ingrate?!' "'I am sorry, my lord! I am grateful for your generosity of the night before, and I've left you two gold coins in payment. But I didn't think that plucking a mere flower for my daughter could anger you so.' "The creature moaned in sorrow as he looked at the torn stem on his rose-bush, and as I watched him I sensed a connection somehow between this creature and the flowers he tended so lovingly. In fact, as I watched, he touched the wounded stalk with a clawed fingertip and it instantly healed. Then he approached me and gently touched the end of the stem I still held as I knelt there in shock. It also magically sealed itself. "'This is only temporary, I am afraid,' he sighed as I stared in awe. 'This flower will eventually die, and when it does, a part of me will die with it. The only way you can repay me for your thoughtlessness is by sending me one of your daughters to keep me company in my lonely castle. Only that gift of life and love can replace this precious part of my existence, which will wilt and die soon after it is returned by your daughter to my domain.' "I begged him to re-consider, and offered him my own life instead. He finally took pity on me and agreed that I could donate my own life in place of one of yours. And so, dear daughters, that is what I must do. The beast has given me two days to attend to my affairs before returning to spend my remaining days in his enchanted castle." "No!" cried Pathos and Incontinentia in chorus. "We will be penniless!" Pathos continued. "We'll lose everything if you go away and forfeit your business. It's Beauty's fault all of this happened in the first place! Make her go stay with the beast, instead of you!" "Yes!" Incontinentia chimed in. "It's her damn rose that's brought this calamity on us all, so SHE should go!" "No, daughters! How can you even think such a thing?" Beauty's father gasped, as Beauty sat with silent tears rolling down her cheeks. "Yes, Father," she said with quiet resignation. "It IS my responsibility to go and pay the price for this precious, magical rose. I couldn't live, knowing that you were imprisoned for the rest of your life for something you did for me. I'll go." "No, Beauty!" her father groaned, thinking of the kind of life she would lead in the hands of that creature. "Yes!" her sisters shouted, thinking that they would be doubly blessed by losing Beauty and retaining their father's money-making talents, all in one fell swoop. * * * * Beauty's calm determination won the argument, and the next morning, after a tearful farewell to her father (her sisters slept late), she mounted her horse and set out in the direction of the enchanted land of the beast. The magic rose led the way by leaning on its stalk, pointing the way to the castle. Late that afternoon, Beauty arrived, and stared in wonder at the magnificent estate and formidable castle of her new lord and master. She looked down at the white rose, and was saddened to see it wilting before her eyes, its magically-extended life running out at last. "Welcome, Beauty," a deep, vibrant voice purred from the darkening hedges, and Beauty looked to her left fearfully as a tall, strangely regal creature stepped out of the gloom and approached her. Her horse shied away momentarily, but then settled down as the creature crooned soft words to it and rubbed its nose with a gentleness that belied his fierce countenance. Then the beast reached up and touched the dying rose, sending two or three withered petals scattering upon Beauty's lap. He sighed deeply and looked up into Beauty's eyes, again with that surprising gentleness of expression. "I--I'm sorry your rose has died, my lord," Beauty stammered, still afraid. "I've come to repay you for its loss with my life." The beast smiled reassuringly and stroked the girl's hand for a moment. "So I see, Beauty. I had expected your father to return, but I'm more than happy to see you, instead. And I promise you I'll never harm you, my dear." Beauty heaved a sigh of relief, and then found the creature helping her down from her horse, which was quite placid and content in the beast's presence now. For that matter, Beauty felt herself rapidly becoming at ease in his presence, as well. "How do you wish me to address you, my lord?" she asked shyly as they led the horse to the stables. "You may call me Sir Beast, or, if you wish, just Beast," he replied as he unsaddled the horse and shooed it off into a well- supplied stall. "Well, I suppose I could call you Sir Beast, my lord," Beauty murmured. "But don't you have a real name?" "I used to, before the evil magician turned me into a beast. When I was a man, my name was Var. You may call me that, if you wish." "Var... Wasn't there a prince of that name in the neighboring kingdom? I had heard he disappeared mysteriously quite a few years ago, when I was still a young child," Beauty said as they walked to the castle together. "I am he," the beast replied sadly. "I was enchanted by an evil magician in my father's court who wanted control of our kingdom, and now I must stay in this form and in this enchanted place for the rest of my life. If I ever leave its borders, I will die." "Oh, how terrible!" Beauty cried. "Is there no way to break that spell? I seem to remember something about a kiss breaking most spells." "Well, I doubt that's true," Var replied with a smile. "Besides, who's going to kiss me the way I look now? I might as well be a frog!" "Oh, I don't know about that," Beauty smiled, lifting a hand to stroke his furry cheek. "You don't look so bad to me, especially now that I know who you really are. And if a kiss might break the spell, I think it's certainly worth a try. Don't you?" As she said this, Beauty turned to face the creature and felt an unexpected thrill of excitement when his strong arms encircled her waist. Smiling tenderly, Var lowered his face closer to Beauty's and closed his eyes as she stood on tiptoe and kissed him gently on the lips. As Beauty's lips met Var's, she was surprised at how human they felt under the soft, tawny fur. She felt his arms tighten around her as he returned the kiss, rapidly drawing them both into a whirlpool of shared passion. That simple kiss, begun as a gesture of compassion, was now sending waves of arousal coursing through both of them, and Beauty gasped in awe as she felt the Beast's hardening shaft pressing against her through his tight breeches, straining to be released. She thought of the young village lads she had spied on through her sisters' doors, and nearly laughed at the realization of how poorly-endowed they were compared to this magnificent man- beast. When they finally pulled apart, Beauty remembered the supposed goal of that kiss, and looked anxiously to see if the enchanted prince had changed back to his proper form. But he still looked just as he had before she kissed him--with the exception of a wonderfully joyful gleam in his eyes that had been absent before. "I guess it didn't work, did it?" he asked, stroking her cheek with one furry hand as his other arm remained around her waist. "No, I'm afraid not," she sighed. "But it was nice, anyway. You know, you don't seem like a beast at all when we're kissing." "Then perhaps we should do that more often, so your stay here will be more pleasant to you." he grinned mischievously down at Beauty. Beauty blushed slightly, but then graced the beast with a charming smile. "I think I'd like that, Var." Then she paused, thinking, for a moment. "You don't suppose it might take...uh, more than just a kiss to reverse the magic spell, do you?" she asked, both fearfully and hopefully. Var chuckled and embraced Beauty, caressing her lovingly with both hands. "I doubt it would change a thing, dear. But it would certainly be a pleasant way to pass the time, wouldn't it?" "Yes, but I've always told myself that I should wait until I'm truly in love with a man before I do that with him," she sighed, looking confused and uncertain as to what she really wanted. "Then I shall have to make certain you fall in love with me, won't I, Beauty?" the beast murmured huskily, gently kissing her ear, her forehead, and finally her lips again. "I shall make that my life's endeavor from this moment on, my darling. And only when you have fallen thoroughly in love with me will I take you to my bed." They melted once more into a lingering kiss, then ambled up to the castle arm-in-arm as the sun set in a blaze of orange and purple. Beauty found herself in the midst of a splendor she'd only dreamed of living in before, and gazed with amazement at the fine tapestries, golden ornaments, and immaculate, well-tended furnishings of the Beast's home. He explained to her that everything was kept tidy magically, and that there were no servants living there--only himself. And now Beauty. * * * * The days and nights passed slowly and blissfully for Beauty and her gallant beast, and Beauty gradually found herself wanting more each time Var kissed her. And each night, as she lay alone in her bed, she yearned to have him next to her, to feel the warmth of his body against and within hers. She would often drift into fantasies about him before sleep overtook her, and would ache with desire until her hand sneaked downward to her loins to relieve the frustrated throbbing. That helped, but it was no substitute for what she really wanted: her gentle, loving, and well-endowed beast. The magic of the castle was quite intriguing to Beauty, and she found it helping her dress, undress, and even bathe--as if invisible hands were surrounding her and assisting her. Sometimes it seemed like a warm wind attending her, but other times she could feel the warm pressure of invisible hands and would look around quickly to try to find them. She never saw them, but Beauty quickly became accustomed to their presence in her life. And one night, she discovered the invisible, magic hands helping her in another way. As she dreamed, half-asleep, about her handsome beast, and spread her legs with aching desire, she felt a hand caressing her leg. Slowly, the hand moved upward--invisible as always--until it reached her loins. Moaning with need, Beauty drew her legs further apart and closed her eyes. Her pelvis rocked slowly up and down against the massaging fingers, and her breathing grew ragged as she felt an invisible tongue joining the hand in this exquisite torment. With inexorable patience, the invisible hand and tongue brought her to a level of ecstatic arousal she hadn't thought possible. Finally, arching her hips against the hand, she gasped loudly and clenched the sheets as her loins pulsed in orgasm. On the climax went, for second after long second, until Beauty collapsed, exhausted and satisfied, back against the sheets. She quickly fell asleep, wondering whether her beast was also ministered unto by those magical hands; and as she slept she dreamed that she provided the hands and mouth as Var moaned in ecstasy on his bed beneath her. The next morning at breakfast, Beauty and Var sat in warm contentment and stared at each other with barely masked desire over their food. "Beauty," Var began hesitantly. "Have you fallen in love with me yet?" "I...I'm not sure yet, Var," she said in confusion. "The feelings I have are so new to me, that I'm not quite sure how to sort them out. I feel quite drawn to you, and I enjoy being in your company; but whether that is love or not, I can't say yet. I'm sorry, dear beast." The beast smiled and took her hand gently in his. "I understand, Beauty. Love is something that doesn't happen overnight...and it's more than just a feeling. It's also a commitment that can't be made lightly. Take your time, my darling. I've waited this long, so I know I can wait a little longer." Then they forgot breakfast and melted into a languorous kiss-- and as the beast's hands crept over Beauty's breasts and down toward her loins, they felt like the invisible hands of the night before to her. Could it have been his hands, she wondered as she pressed herself closer to his muscular body and felt his shaft hardening against her. Perhaps it would happen again tonight, just as it had last night, she hoped as they reluctantly released each other and returned to their breakfast. That night, Beauty kissed her beast long and hard before retiring, and when they finally parted in the hallway outside her bedroom, they were both panting with desire. She quickly stripped her clothes off and jumped into bed naked, spreading her legs in invitation under the covers and begging her dream-beast to come quickly to her. Within a few minutes, Beauty's eyes were drooping sleepily down, and as she felt the warm hands creep up her thighs she let sleep take over. It was then, in her dreaming state, that her beast came to her visibly. The night before, she had stayed awake during the erotic treat, but now, in her dreams, Var was hovering over her, caressing her breasts as his smiling mouth slowly lowered itself to her loins. She moaned as the tongue gently probed and flicked across her most sensitive, secret places, and when it homed in on her clitoris, she arched her pelvis against it, already near her climax. "Not yet, my Beauty," Var's voice whispered in her sleeping mind as the tongue eased back slightly. Beauty chuckled softly, reveling in the thought that this delicious torment might go on for an interminably long while. She gasped, though, as she felt his finger entering her untried vagina, probing just deeply enough to tease the delicate barrier stretched partly across the opening. His finger then eased just beyond the membrane without tearing it, and pressed gently up against her pubic bone while Beauty marveled at the strangely pleasant feeling that unusual stimulation produced. Then his tongue went back to work on her clitoris, swirling and flicking determinedly against the swelling bud of tissue. Beauty again gasped and arched her pelvis against the tongue, and this time the finger within her slit also returned the pressure upward even as the tongue bore down on her clitoris. The combination was unbelievable, and she cried out hoarsely and ground her hips even harder against Var's mouth, shuddering with the approaching climax. This time he let her come, and Beauty clenched his shaggy head with her hands and her thighs as her loins throbbed with spasm after spasm of orgasm against his finger within her. Finally, it was over. Beauty lay on her back, too exhausted and satisfied to move, while her Beast gently kissed her all over her sweat-moistened body. Then he gently turned her over onto her stomach, and Beauty smiled as she felt him spread her legs wide. She hiked her rear slightly into the air as she felt Var's hand reach under her, cupping her pelvis warmly as he began to massage it. The warm sensation spread outward from her loins as her still-sensitized clitoris responded to the firm, indirect pressure. Beauty slowly pumped her loins against the hand, while Var's mouth and other hand remained busy, kissing and stroking her back and neck. The lazy pleasure grew for a long time within Beauty's loins as she rutted against the beast's hand, and she found herself wishing for his shaft to fill her up and consume her. But that was not to be; a commitment had to be made first, before she could be truly possessed by her wonderful beast. And the time was not yet ripe, she knew. After a few more minutes of erotic torment, Beauty came again, moaning into the pillow as she ground against the warm, unrelenting hand. Then she slept dreamlessly until morning. That day, Var seemed almost frantically aroused whenever he was in Beauty's presence, and she felt guilty for not having also satisfied him the night before in her dreams. She vowed silently to rectify the situation that night, by going to his chambers herself, not just in a dream. She still wasn't certain if she loved the beast or not, but she was determined to give him the same exquisite pleasure he had given her the night before. She realized that if things got out of control, her hands and mouth would not be enough and she would lose her virginity; but now that seemed a small price to pay, for the chance of watching her magnificent beast moaning and pumping in orgasm. The night seemed never to arrive. Beauty and Var stared across the supper table, barely touching their food, until at last the tormented beast pleaded a headache and asked if he might retire early. "Of course, my poor dear," Beauty murmured, rubbing his temples as she kissed him goodnight. "And perhaps you'll have a very pleasant dream to take your mind off of your discomfort," she said, smiling slyly. His eyes widened slightly. "One can always hope," he grinned as he turned and left the dining chamber. "One can, indeed," Beauty chuckled to herself after he was gone. She quickly went to her own bedroom, bathed, dressed in a lacy, almost scandalous, nightgown, and waited until she thought Var might be asleep. At last, Beauty could wait no longer. As quietly as she could, she slipped from her room, tiptoed down the carpeted hallway to Var's door, and slowly turned the doorknob--praying all the while that the door wouldn't squeak. But the magic of the castle was on her side, of course, and the door opened in perfect silence as Beauty crept into the beast's chamber. She had never been in there before, and she nearly gasped at the size and splendor of it. It was even grander, more regal than her own room--which she had thought was absolutely fit for a queen. Well here, obviously, was a room fit for the greatest of kings. Var was indeed asleep, but his sleep was troubled and he tossed and moaned softly as Beauty silently approached. He turned over onto his back, kicking the covers mostly off while Beauty watched, and her eyes widened in awed appreciation as she looked at his nude body. He was magnificent. He was also already aroused, she noted, as she crept onto the bed and knelt between his spread legs. His shaft rose in acceptable proportion to the kingly chamber in which he slept, and Beauty shivered a moment with delight and fear at the thought of something of that girth trying to fit within her narrow loins. Then she set to work on him. Lowering her head and sweeping her hair back out of the way, Beauty first tickled the swollen head of the cock with her tongue. Var moaned loudly in his sleep, and instantly thrust his pelvis up, searchingly, as his legs spread even wider. Beauty grinned and enveloped the knob in her mouth, swirling her tongue slowly around and around. Her hands then encircled the shaft, one above the other, and began pumping while her mouth plunged down, taking as much as she could without choking. Again her beast groaned, clenched the sheets, and began pumping rhythmically within her hands and mouth. The rhythm now set, Beauty and the beast plunged up and down against each other, both with their eyes closed. Within a very few minutes, Var's thrusting became frantic, and he shuddered and gave a strangled roar that sounded as much like a lion as a man. Semen shot from his shaft as Beauty raised her head to watch. Her hands still pumped as he continued to ejaculate, and she grinned as she concentrated on milking every last drop, every last shudder out of her beast. When she was sure he was done, Beauty gently massaged the large, firm testicles hanging between his legs as she watched his shaft slowly droop until it lay wetly on top of her hand. Again she found herself wishing that wild, frantic plunging of his could have been within her loins instead of her hands. But there was no rush, really, she decided as she gently released his genitals and eased off the bed while listening to his gentle snores. Someday they would. Someday. She covered him up, tiptoed back to her room and slept soundly, dreamlessly, the rest of the night. The next day Var looked wonderfully refreshed, and gave Beauty quite a few quizzical glances, as if trying to decide if she'd had anything to do with that wonderful dream of his. He also stayed very close beside her all day, and she revelled in his caresses and gentle words. As the day wore on, Beauty felt her heart and her mouth coming closer and closer to saying those words and making that commitment that would place her permanently in his arms and in his bed. She began to realize that she really did love this enchanted beast. But could it work? Could they really live this way, with him the way he was? She just didn't know; and that tiny hesitation was all that kept her from saying those three magic words that day. Just after supper, as Beauty's mind was once more filled with thoughts of Var, the words were again on the tip of her tongue. But before she could speak, a raven flew through the darkened, open window of the dining hall and landed on the beast's shoulder. There was a message in its beak, and Var quickly took it and read it while Beauty stared with curiosity at the strange sight. Var's furry brows knit in concern as he read the message, and he looked up at Beauty anxiously. "What is it, Var?" she asked. "Beauty, I left this raven with your father in case he needed to get in touch with me about anything. Now, it seems he is ill and needs you to attend him for a few days." Beauty gasped in alarm, wondering if her father was in danger of dying. "Oh, Var, what can I do? Will you let me go to him? Is he..." her words were choked by the tears in her throat, and Var came over beside her and held her against his warm chest. "Don't be afraid, my love," he murmured to her. "Of course I'll let you go to him. And no, he says he isn't all that sick, really. It's just that your two sisters are apparently not very good at being nurses." At this, Beauty couldn't help but chuckle through her tears. "That sounds like my sisters, all right. May I go in the morning, Var?" "Yes, Beauty. Your father says he should only need you for a few days, so will you promise me to be back here within five days? I'll miss you terribly, you know." Beauty hugged the beast even tighter at that reminder of her feelings toward him. "Oh, Var! I'll miss you too. As much as I'll enjoy being with my family again, I'll enjoy returning to you even more. Will you be alright here?" Var nodded solemnly. "For five days, yes. But I'll be giving you another magic rose to lead you there and back, and if you and the rose don't return after five days, I'll die." "Die?!" she gasped, staring up at him in panic. "But...but, then how can I dare leave you at all, Var? I can't risk losing you!" "You won't lose me, Beauty," he said firmly. "I'll be just fine. Go and tend to your father, but remember to return by the evening of the fifth day." "Oh, Var. I'll miss you so," she sobbed, melting in his arms again. She felt herself being picked up and carried. Then, she was curled in his lap on the large couch by the fire. Crying gently as her mind jumped back and forth between worry for her father and worry for Var, Beauty gradually fell asleep in his arms. They both slept there, curled up together by the fire--which magically sustained itself through the night to keep them warm. At the first light of dawn, Var gently woke Beauty by kissing her and stroking her breast for the briefest of moments. She opened her eyes, at first disconcerted about where she was, but then remembered and smiled at her beast. "Good morning, Var," she whispered, reaching up to return the kiss. "Good morning, darling," he smiled, and gave her breast one more playful squeeze. It was a liberty he rarely took, for fear that his passions would leap out of his control. Waiting was so very, very difficult, and if it hadn't been for those wonderful dreams he'd been having lately, he was sure he'd have gone crazy with frustration. "Grab some breakfast quickly, Beauty. Your horse will be saddled in a few minutes," he said as he helped her to her feet and tried to ignore the throbbing bulge in his pants. "I wish you could go with me, dear beast," Beauty sighed as she took a handful of muffins from the table on her way out the door beside Var. "You know that's impossible, Beauty. But if you wear this ring of mine you'll be able to feel my presence and know that I'm well while you're gone. That should be some consolation to you." The beast took a ring from his smallest finger and slipped it onto her ring finger. It was much too big, but within seconds it magically adjusted itself to a perfect fit. The blood-red stone glowed slightly, and when Var kissed Beauty again, the stone fairly dazzled her with its sudden intensity. Beauty again hugged him just before mounting her horse, and choked back the tears. "I'll miss you so, Var. And when I get back in five days, there's something I want to tell you," she said suddenly, impulsively. Again the ring exploded with light as Var's face broke into a smile. Then I'll be waiting by the front gate for your return in five days, Beauty. And here is your magical rose to lead you back to me," he said, handing her a flawless, white rose he had just plucked from a nearby rosebush outside the stables. Silently, she took the rose and held it solemnly as Var walked beside her horse toward the front gate. At the gate, however, he stopped--and it was all Beauty could do to force herself to ride away from him. "I'll be back, Var," she shouted through the tears as her horse began galloping excitedly down the path toward its old home. * * * * "Look! There's Beauty," Pathos called to her sister as she looked through the kitchen window and saw the horse bolting out of the dark woods. "Well, it's about time we got some help around here," Incontinentia grumbled as she came downstairs from their father's room. "I've done all the nursemaiding I'm going to do!" She flopped down on the couch and didn't bother getting up to greet Beauty as she rushed through the door. "Is Father all right?" Beauty gasped as she rushed toward the stairs, then stopped to greet her sisters more properly. "How have you both been?" she added quickly. "Worked half to death, thanks to you," Pathos snapped from the kitchen, not bothering to come into the parlor to greet Beauty. "The old coot ACTS a lot sicker than he is," Incontinentia said, as she looked with jealousy at the obviously expensive riding cloak Beauty had just tossed over a chair. "Well, it looks like you've found quite a sugar-daddy out there in the woods, judging by the looks of your clothes, little sister. So tell me, does he howl at the moon, or only at you?" she snickered. "Neither!" Beauty snapped as she turned her back on her sisters and raced up the stairs to her Father's room. "Father," Beauty called gently as she entered, afraid he might be asleep. But his eyes snapped open as she approached the bed, and Beauty flung herself into her father's arms as they both wept for joy. "Oh, Beauty! I've missed you so..." he whispered hoarsely. "I didn't know if the raven would really take the message or not. But this beast is truly a good beast, because he's sent you back to me, at least for a while." "Yes, he's a good beast, Father. I've been so happy there, even though I've missed you too," Beauty smiled as she fluffed a pillow for her father and made him lay back on it. "How have you been, child? Has Sir Beast treated you well?" he asked, as a minor coughing spell, brought on by the excitement, subsided. Beauty smiled with the remembrance and looked down at the ring as it glowed warmly. "Oh yes, Father. He IS good to me. He's the most wonderful person on the face of this Earth...except maybe for you," she teased. "And did you know that he's really Prince Var, from the neighboring kingdom? He was enchanted by an evil magician to keep him from inheriting his kingdom. Under all that fur, he's just as human as you and I are." Her father smiled with sudden insight and took Beauty's hand in his. The ring continued its warm, pulsing glow, and it looked almost like a beating heart. "You love him. Don't you, Beauty?" Beauty's eyes glowed, reflecting the light from the ring. She nodded, smiling sheepishly. How had she managed to keep that knowledge secret from herself so long, when her father had known instantly? "I DO love him, Father. And he loves me. But I just don't know how it can work out..." she sighed, wondering what their children might look like, if they could even have any." Her father squeezed her hand. "Don't be afraid to grab love when you've found it, dear," he chuckled understandingly. "It WILL work out. Don't you know by now that love works miracles? Trust it. Trust him." Beauty felt the warmth of the ring on her hand again, and looked down at it. "Love works miracles..." she whispered. "Could it reverse a spell?" she asked, not really expecting an answer. "Yes, I'm sure of it," her father said, placing his hand on the ring, sharing the warmth with her. He also felt something else in the magic of the ring as he touched it: he felt his lungs clearing with every breath he took...the pneumonia fleeing in the face of the potent magic and love within the ring. The energy, which had left him a few days ago when the fevers began, returned with every beat of the ring's heart and his. Beauty, looking over at her father, noticed the change in him. The color had returned to his face, his breathing was no longer labored and wheezing, and his eyes suddenly twinkled with the old mischief she was accustomed to seeing in them. "Father...you look worlds better all of a sudden! How..." she looked down at the ring, as he removed his hand from over it. It was dimmer, and it pulsed faster than before, but even as she watched the glow gradually brightened again and returned to its steady beat. "The ring did it," she said in awe. "Actually, I think Var did it, Beauty," her father said as he sat up, practically well already. "Let's go down and surprise your sisters." * * * * The next few days fairly flew by as Beauty and her family made up for lost time. Even Beauty's sisters seemed glad to have her home, so she could do most of the cooking. They hadn't taken into account the fact that she'd done most of the chores around the house before they jealously urged her to go off and live with the beast. In her absence, more household duties fell to them, so they were relieved to have her back, even if only temporarily. Beauty was happy visiting home again, but her mind kept drifting back to Var, and she looked at the pulsing, blood-red ring often and longingly. "I'll be home soon, my love," she whispered to the ring, hoping Var could hear her. Every time she said it, it seemed as if the ring pulsed brighter for a moment, but she couldn't be sure. Beauty had been surprised to find a treasure trove of jewels and coins stuffed into her saddle bags the day she arrived, and her sisters immediately began fighting over the glittering gems. "Do you think he has any more?" Pathos asked Beauty, her eyes glinting with avarice. "I really don't know," Beauty sighed. "We live in a fine castle, but I have no idea much money and jewels there might be there. It's just not important. Can't you see that?" she asked. No," Pathos and Incontinentia said in unison. They went off to a far corner of the house and conferred secretly for some time, while Beauty and her father sat by the fire and talked. The magic rose sat on the mantle, and Beauty glanced at it almost as often as the ring. She felt relieved to see it still looking fresh and beautiful. Without it, she might never find the enchanted castle when it came time to return. When the evening of the fourth day finally arrived, Beauty could barely eat supper for excitement. Her father was sad at her imminent departure at dawn, but he smiled with understanding at her anticipation and impatience to be off; he had been in love once, a long time ago. Beauty's sisters, however, were acting very suspiciously that night. They seemed surprisingly reluctant for her to leave, and kept trying to convince her to stay just a couple of days longer. "I can't stay any longer," Beauty repeated for the third time. "I have to get back tomorrow morning." "Well, I don't see why another couple of days would matter so much," Pathos snapped, thinking of all the cooking and sweeping she'd have to resume doing in Beauty's absence. "Because Var will die if I don't return, that's why," Beauty finally admitted. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going to bed early. I've got a long ride ahead of me tomorrow." "Oh, okay. Good night spoiled princess," her sister sneered. Then, after Beauty was upstairs and out of hearing, she and Incontinentia began whispering earnestly, occasionally glancing up at the rose as they did. * * * * It was barely dawn when Beauty dashed down the steps and out the front door to the stable. Her father was already saddling her horse, and he choked back the lump in his throat as they talked about old times and future times and when she might get to return again. When the gray sky was just turning rosy, they tied the horse to the post by the door and went inside to get Beauty some breakfast to take with her. Not surprisingly, her sisters had not come downstairs and started breakfast, so Beauty and her father had to settle for milk, cheese, and last night's bread. "Oh, I almost forgot," Beauty said in between large swallows of milk. "I've got to get the rose." She went over to the mantle, reached up, and gasped in horror. The rose was gone. "Father, have you put the rose somewhere else?" she asked, as she shakily sat the glass of milk down. "No, dear. Isn't it on the mantle? It was last night." He brought a flint over and lit the lamp by the fireplace so they could see better. "Maybe it just fell off onto the floor, Beauty." They began looking around the fireplace, under chairs, and on the hearth. Then Beauty glanced into the cold ashes of the fireplace and saw a charred stem. Reaching in with trembling hands, she pulled out what she knew to be the remains of her magical rose. "No-" she whispered, and her father rushed over to her and stared in shock at the blackened stem. "How am I going to find him now?" she asked in a small voice as the tears dimmed her view. On the stairwell she heard a snicker. "Now you have to stay here, miss fancy pants," Pathos and Incontinentia taunted. "And when he's dead, we'll all go and live in that fancy castle and find the rest of his treasure." "And how do you think you're going to find the castle without the rose?" Beauty screamed, all control gone. She rushed from the room, still holding the charred stem, and bolted through the front door to where her horse was tied. Her father was right behind her, and glared wrathfully at her sisters as he passed them. They looked at each other anxiously, wondering if the rose really was the only way to find the castle. They had assumed it would be easy enough to find in any circumstances, but perhaps they shouldn't have burned the rose after all.... "Beauty, don't worry," her father said as he helped her untie the horse. She was trembling too much to accomplish even that simple task. "You'll find him without the rose, child. You're love will find him. Trust it," he whispered intently in her ear as he hugged her one final time. "Are you sure, Father?" she choked through the tears as she mounted the horse. She glanced down at the ring and gasped. It was much dimmer, and the pulse was rapid, erratic. She wheeled the horse around in panic and galloped towards the woods. "Remember love!" she heard her father shout in the distance as she plunged into the undergrowth. Beauty rode all day, until her horse was ready to drop. At sunset, she stopped in a clearing and stared around at the woods surrounding her, looking in vain for the path she knew had to be there. All day she had looked at the ring as she rode. It was even fainter now, and the pulse was slowing. "Var, help me find you," she moaned in despair. Even the tears had stopped flowing. Remember love. Those were the last words she heard her father say as she galloped off in panic that morning. What did he mean? She sat on a rock while her panting horse rested, and stared at the dying ring. "I love you, Var. Whether as beast or man, I love you! Don't die, please. I'll find you somehow." She lowered her head and tried to think. She knew she couldn't keep riding in circles on an exhausted horse. Without the rose... She sat up suddenly and felt in her skirt pocket. She'd absently stuffed the charred stem in her pocket as she rode away from her house, and hadn't thought of it again. Now she took it out and looked at it. The bud had been burned completely off of it, and the once-flexible stem was now dried and hardened from the fire. But as she held it up, she saw it bend ever so slightly to the left. "My God..." she breathed, then jumped up as if the stone had just turned hot. Jumping onto the horse, she urged him out of the clearing in the direction the stem had pointed. Fortunately, the direction it pointed to was due west, so she kept the horse aimed at the orange glow of the already-set sun until it faded. She stopped and again held up the stiff, black stem. She could barely see it in the dusk, but it bent forward and ever-so-slightly to the right this time. She eased the horse slowly through the dark undergrowth, hoping it wouldn't step in a rabbit hole in the dark. Another few minutes of walking, and Beauty couldn't see a thing. She dismounted and led the horse in a straight line, glancing down at the ring occasionally. Even in the pitch dark, she could barely see it glowing and throbbing. Then she felt gravel under her feet. Pulling the horse through the last of the undergrowth, she emerged on a smooth, level path. This was it! "I'm coming, Var!" she shouted as she remounted and galloped dangerously fast down the broad path, which had appeared as if out of nowhere. She could barely see the light strip of the path ahead of her in the starlight, but the horse seemed to know the way now, for it streaked fearlessly through the dark. Abruptly, they were at the gates, and Beauty would have continued riding frantically up to the darkened castle, but the horse stopped just inside the gate. Confused, Beauty gave it it's head, and it trotted toward a tree next to the gate, stopped again, and neighed. There was a dark shape on the ground under the tree, and Beauty jumped off the horse and ran over to him--for she knew it was Var. "Var, I'm here," she cried, throwing herself onto his body, weeping frantically. "I love you, my beast! Oh, I love you! Wake up!" His body was still warm, and his heart was still beating weakly, but he seemed too deeply asleep to hear her. She kissed him as she lay on top of him, and still he slept, so very near death. She thought for a moment, and finally realized the only way she could get through to him in this stupor. If she couldn't tell him she loved him, she'd have to show him. Quickly, she reached down and unfastened his breeches, and was pleasantly surprised to see that his shaft was partially hardened even now. She brought her mouth down and began to work on the sleepy organ, bringing it to full attention. At last she could feel the throbbing of blood within it as it stiffened and grew. The beast moaned slightly, moving his head a little and mumbling incoherently. Keeping one hand on his shaft to hold it at attention, Beauty pulled up her skirts, ripped off her undergarments, and straddled Var. She felt the head of his organ, still slippery and wet from her mouth, pushing against the mouth of her vagina, and looked over at Var's face. A full moon had just cleared the top rampart of the castle, and shone on his beautiful, leonine face. Beauty felt her loins throb with arousal in that moment, and plunged downward, impaling herself on that regal staff. She gasped loudly with the sudden twinge of pain, but then marvelled at the feel of his throbbing cock filling her loins. Var moaned again, and his eyes twitched under the closed lids as she began moving up and down on his organ. The small amount of blood released by the tearing of her hymen added to the lubrication, and as the slight residue of pain faded, Beauty began to enjoy the feel of his thick cock moving within her. And as she pumped up and down, she watched his face. A few moments later, Var's eyes struggled open and his mouth moved slightly. "Beauty..." he whispered weakly, his pelvis beginning to try feebly to thrust upward, aiding her efforts. Beauty's eyes widened in joy. "Var! Var, I love you!" she cried, leaning down to kiss him. He returned the kiss, and to her great relief she felt his arms wrapping themselves around her body. He was still weak, but his strength seemed to be returning with every pump of her loins. "I was afraid I'd lost you forever," she said, shuddering slightly with growing arousal as her clitoris ground against his pelvis. "But you DID find me," Var murmured, kissing her cheek, her ear, her forehead, as his strength slowly grew. "I knew you'd return. It was that belief that kept me alive after the rose was destroyed." Feeling his energy surge along with his growing arousal, Var turned over with Beauty still impaled on his shaft, until she was beneath him. Then, spreading her legs wider with his own, he began plunging earnestly within her. Within a few minutes, they were both moaning with impending climax, and their lips met in an open-mouthed kiss at the moment of orgasm, stifling each other's cries of passion. Beauty shuddered with ecstasy as she felt Var's semen pulsing deep within her, and as she clutched his head in her hands and drew his mouth onto hers again, she thought there seemed to be less hair than she'd remembered him having. But that thought was quickly lost as she drifted toward satisfied sleep, there in the field. "You've saved me, Beauty. Your love has saved me," he murmured in her ear as he wrapped his cape around them both and rolled back over so she could lay on top of him for the night. "My father was right," Beauty whispered sleepily with closed eyes as she snuggled close to Var. "He said love could work miracles." "Or break spells..." Var whispered, more to himself than to Beauty, for she was already asleep. * * * * Beauty awoke to feel the early morning sun warming her cheek. Her other cheek was warmed by Var's chest, and she reveled in the sound of his heart pounding so strongly under her ear. Only gradually did she realize that his chest and neck were no longer covered with the thick fur he'd had before. Looking up into his face, she saw a handsome man, in his late twenties, with a neatly-trimmed golden mustache and beard, and tawny-blond hair falling in short, curly locks about his face. He slept with a peaceful smile on his lips. "Var?" she whispered, shaken. A small part of her was suddenly afraid it wasn't him any longer--that he wouldn't know her at all. The eyes flickered open. Beautiful green eyes, human eyes. "Ah, Beauty. Good morning, love," he mumbled sleepily. "How do you like what your beast has changed into?" "Then it's really you, Var?" Beauty sighed in relief. "I was afraid you wouldn't remember me." She felt him pull her face down to his lips and he kissed her gently. "How could I ever forget your love, Beauty?" he said after the kiss. "Your love is what broke the spell and returned me to my proper form. I love you, Beauty. Will you marry me?" Beauty nodded and kissed her beast-turned-prince joyfully. Then her horse, grazing near them, nudged her playfully with its nose until she and Var got up, laughing. She turned to walk toward the castle for breakfast--and saw that it was gone. "Var! What happened to it?" she asked, suddenly a bit afraid again. "Well, I guess it dissolved along with the magical spell last night. But we're quite close to my kingdom, so we can ride there and I can reclaim my position as heir to the throne. I've missed my parents so much...I can't wait to see them again. And to introduce them to my future wife." "But I'm not a princess or anything, Var. Do you think they'll accept me?" she asked as Var helped her up into the saddle in front of him. "Of course, Beauty," he chuckled gently. "You saved my life, and what's more important, I love you. That's all that will matter to my parents, my darling. And your family can come to live in our kingdom in a fine house, so you can visit them often." With those reassurances, Prince Var rode back to his kingdom with Beauty, where they were soon married. Var had the evil magician--who had risen to the post of Prime Minister in his absence- -executed, and quickly helped his father restore order to the kingdom. Beauty's father and sisters were brought to Var,s kingdom to life, and Var even arranged reasonably good marriages for the two sisters. Their father had finally managed to beat some of the meanness out of them following their stunt with the rose, so by the time they arrived in Var's kingdom, they were actually pretty docile and agreeable. Beauty and Var lived happily ever after. Of course, every once in a while, Var would suddenly grow a little larger and furrier than usual, and when he and Beauty made love during these times his roars of ecstasy could be heard throughout the castle. But Beauty didn't mind at all. She really loved that furry, horny beast just as much as she loved the handsome prince. The End.