
@nynaeve88inspiration that top left picture – wow! I want to go there, so gorgeous š
Belle French whistled happily to herself as she did the regular maintenance her boat required. She had always wanted to see the world but had thought it would remain just a dream. The sudden shocking death of both of her parents right before she was supposed to start college had been devastating. However, it had provided her with an opportunity. She had used her inheritance to buy a boat which she sailed all around the coast of America.
It was a nomadic existence and she had loved it, all the new people and all the new places. Eventually however she found herself returning to Storybrooke marina and the surrounding bays. A small town in Maine, with brutal winters, felt like an odd choice when she could have chosen somewhere in Florida. However, it felt like home.
Dun dun dun. Cliff hanger music.
āWhat changes
do you have in mind?ā Belle asked bravely.
āYou are currently allowed to dock for free, from now on there will be a monthly charge,ā Gold began calmly.
āYouāre charging us rent?ā Leroy said disgustedly.
Gold continued like he hadnāt heard.Ā āThe water and the electric will be cut off until meters can be installed by each dock. The fee will be required monthly along with the docking charge.ā
āYouāre cutting off the water and the electric? For how long? How do you expect us to stay docked without it?ā Belle asked in shocked disbelief.
āThe same way you manage while sailing Iād imagine.ā Gold shrugged.Ā āItās not my concern. This is now a private mooring dearie, the city wonāt be subsidizing you any longer.ā
āYou canāt do this Gold,ā Leroy growled.
āThe monthly dock charge will be required on the last working day of every month, or your boat ..ā Gold looked at Leroyās boat and sneered.Ā āSuch as it is. Will be repossessed until payment is made. You are of course welcome to set sail if you donāt like these conditions.ā
āThatās what you want isnāt it.ā Belle suddenly realized. Her shock at the sudden change in circumstances giving way to eerie calm.Ā āYou want us out of here. Why?ā
āPlease have the rent available for collection, or deliver it to the shop by the 30th,ā Gold finished.Ā āHave a pleasant day.ā
Gold turned and strode away. Belle watched him leave, feeling the anger start to creep over her. How dare he? He couldnāt do this, could he? This wasnāt right or fair. Surely there at least had to be a notice period or something.
āI canāt believe I have to pay that monster rent – again,ā Leroy bemoaned.
āIām not going to,ā Belle decided.Ā āHe said we could set sail and I will do just that.ā
āYouāre leaving Storybrooke?ā Leroy whispered.Ā āOh sister Iāll ⦠you just be safe out there,ā he said gruffly.
Belle smiled softly and gently hugged him.Ā āIām not leaving either. Thereās a lot of bays around here. Iāll just put down anchor. It wonāt be as convenient but Iām not going to let Gold win. He wants us to dance to his tune, well Iām not going to play his game.ā
Leroy sighed and looked forlornly at his boat.Ā āI donāt dare take her out. If Gold wants us gone, if he has plans for the marina, I donāt know what Iām going to do.ā
āDonāt worry,ā Belle reassured him.Ā āGoldās not going to get away with this.ā
Note: Iām not sure if I didnāt just resolve one cliffhanger, to walk straight into another one /facepalm. Anyway, this fic will get the treatment at some point. Iāll clean it up, expand it and finish it, like I have with the other prompt fics Iāve continued. As always feel free to send in prompts if you feel like it š





