--Somewhere Unknown, but known to the Heart.--

A far and distant land had enchanted her dreams. She was driven to the point of near insanity as she feverously tried to find her way through the forest. Belle had been on what seemed to be a never ending adventure since Rumpelstiltskin had stolen her heart. He had tossed her aside as if she never mattered and that her heart was less precious than a pebble on a cobblestone road. She frowned as she smacked a wasp away from her face. This was not a land she knew of and the creatures were deadly. Belle growled and pushed through the heavy brush throwing her young body into a clearing.

She slowly stood up and brushed her traveling attire off to rid it of the dirt that she had acquired through her attempts to get to this very spot. Her ice sapphire eyes examined the area. A willow tree stood proudly as the long branches swayed in an almost magical and dancing manner.

“Hello?” Belle whispered into the wind knowing that someone was there, but not being able to see them.

--Storybrooke— 

Mr. Gold had gone to Neverland and left her in charge of the shop. She kept having nightmares about him dying and that he would never return. She tapped her fingers on the antique countertop that held some of Mr. Gold’s most prized items. Bags had laid themselves under her eyes without her permission. She sighed from pure exhaustion while looking in the mirror. Belle had always had a true heart and had always loved Rumpelstiltskin. She had tolerated his rage and tamed the darkest parts of him, and yet she worried.

There would never be a truer love than the love that she held for him, but he was never there. She frowned while wiping down the countertop. Rumple spun gold, and Belle cleaned. She needed to idle her mind from the nightmares that she was having every night. She wanted to scream and break down, but she knew she had to remain strong for him. She stared at her chipped cup that he had kept the entire time and a small tear found its way down her cheek.

“I need some fresh air.” She stated out loud and completely unashamed that she was speaking to herself. Belle grabbed her jacked and headed outside. She quickly flipped the sign to closed and locked the door behind her. For a moment she stared at her reflection in the glass of the door and wondered if she was doing the right thing leaving the shop behind. It had been her only connection to him and his things, but for her own sanity she decided against lingering and took off down the street in a brisk and demanding walk.

People waved to her and made small talk with her, but the entire town knew how dedicated Belle was to Mr. Gold. They had watched her create havoc as Lacy, but were not surprised when Mr. Gold had found a way to return Belle to normal. A small sense of respect for the man she loved transpired within their conversations. He was feared, but she was loved. She smiled sweetly and made small talk trying to keep up appearances and hope. She knew the moment people saw her crack they would panic. She believed in Rumpelstiltskin and knew he would return to her. He had to. They had been through so much and had never been given the chance at love. There always seemed to be something preventing them from behind happy, moments of love, but never a lifetime. A battle always had to be fought. They were tested constantly, and she would fight for him until the bitter end. He HAD to come back. She would cease to exist without him.

Maybe you should consider getting a dog?-- One of the dwarves had suggested to her that morning. She had agreed. It might help kill some of the loneliness.

Belle stopped at the local pet store and looked in the window. Nature was abundant and trees seemed to be growing freely within the shop. It was like having a piece of the Enchanted Forest in front of her. She smiled a weak smile and entered the shop.

“Hello?” She stated in a questionable manner. The only thing she heard was nature.


ooc: Grandmother Willow

--Somewhere Unknown, but known to the Heart.--

The wind carried away the many leaves as Grandmother Willow knew what she had to do. She felt the wind telling her about a child. A child that might not know her true heart but could use it. Anything could happen with the child, but she knew she had to be there for her. Just like she has been for many people there. The wind told the story, and her roots could feel her getting closer and closer. The creatures knew what they were doing leading them closer to her. Grandmother Willow slowly opened her eyes as a girl stood in front of her. 

A image of Grandmother Willow appeared as the wind slowly surrounded Belle. "Hello my child." Grandmother Willow said as she gave a smile to the female. "Don't be scared. I won't do anything." The old willow said as her voice was deep but soft, telling her that she wouldn't do any harm.

--Storybrooke--

Storybrooke never ended for Grandma Wood. She had her powers after the curse that broke. Grandma Wood was happy to have her powers back again. It was something special she always had. She could control the wind in her tree form and had her vines that she would use. It changed when she got her freedom. She had been for ages a willow and then she was free. Something she never thought would happen. It was so much for her, but she enjoyed every free minute she had. She could run in the forest, be with the animals and her trees. She had a connection and she always would have. That is what happened with Willow. 

Now she was standing there, the curse took her and bringing her to Storybrooke. If anything she enjoyed at her age, it was the animals she had in the shop. If it was a dog, a bird or a cat. Anything that you could or wanted, Grandma Wood had it. She wasn't a person that sold many pets, but that was okay. People still went to her to talk to her because something inside Grandma Wood told her that people needed advice. If it was the fact that she was old with many experience, or maybe it was the heart she had for people. That golden ear to listen to people, and see behind them. The real heart behind the person. Either way she enjoyed it very much in Storybrooke. 

Sooner or later the curse broke and Grandma Wood remembered who she was. The shop changed as the nature grew making it a part of the Enchanted Forest again. The animals enjoyed it more then being in the cages, as she gave them the freedom. The freedom in shop and every day she enjoyed spending time around that particular shop. A new day appeared for Grandma Wood as she turned around to look outside the windows of her home. Grandma opened the window as the wind slowly flew around her. A fresh air and a few leaves like always surrounded her. A smile appeared on the old ladies face, as she touched the rose next to her bed. It grew slowly but precious as she saw the beauty in it. The wind told her something about Belle. She was going to visit her, so the old lady prepared herself for Belle.

As fast as the old lady could walk she headed to the shop as she opened it. The animals run quickly to her, as she petted one by one giving them the food they needed. It was nice to see that the trees grew perfectly around here. The animals enjoyed it and she also enjoyed it and that was good enough. She walked to the back to grab some food, as she suddenly heard a voice. While Belle opened the door the wind flew by again surrounding the forest, Belle and the animals. 

Grandma Willow then walked out from the back to the entrance as she gave a smile. "Welcome child."Grandma Willow said as the smile stayed on her face. 

Belle French