Queery Tales; Where Rainbows Begin

Beauty and the Beast

The Iris
Once upon a time there was a man who lived in the city. While he was widowed, he had six boys whom he loved very much. All the boys lived very well, and they were all loved by the people they spent time with.
One day, however, the father received news that one of his envoys carrying a lot of money had disappeared. He was forced to give up everything and move to his last property, which was a house in the woods. His sons tried to get help from their friends, but because of their lack of power, their friends didn't want to know. So they each sold all their precious items and kept only a few things and moved to this house. Each had to learn to live life on their own. Cutting wood, cooking, sewing and repairing, and it was all they could do to stop them missing their old life.
A few years later, word came to the man that their ship had been found, and that the money was waiting for them. It was in a far off country and the father had to travel to go and get it. When word reached the sons, they all asked their father to bring them things like expensive clothes, good tobacco and many other things. But the youngest son did not.
'And what can I bring you Leon?' asked the father to the youngest son.
'Nothing father, you need the money more than I need anything.' Leon answered.
'Surely there is but something I can bring you back, so that you are not disappointed.' The father said.
'If it would please you to bring me something, then you could perhaps bring me an Iris, for there are so few flowers around here, and I wish to see one again.' Leon answered. His brothers laughed at him, saying that he could have anything he wanted, but Leon did not listen. So the Father set off to retrieve his money while the sons looked after the house.
When the father arrived at the distant land, he asked for where his ship was, and he was informed that it had been disbanded. All the crew assumed he had died or not heard of their return and took the money in equal lots. Dismayed and heartbroken, the father returned home.
On his way, he took a wrong turn and was lost in a forest. It was growing dark and bitterly cold. The father searched for a place to sleep when he saw a fox sitting by the road. The father feared that it would attack him and his horse, but the fox then turned and walked down the path. After taking a few steps, it looked back, as if to encourage him to follow. Taking his chances, the father followed the fox at a distance. Finally, he saw lights ahead. Seeming strange, he headed towards them. When he looked to see if he was still following the fox, he found it had disappeared. The father headed towards the light until the trees cleared and he found himself looking at a beautiful castle. Going to the castle, he opened the gate and followed the path to the door. On his short walk there, he saw many gardens and water fountains, and then he saw a stable. Knowing his horse would be safe there for the night, he left it there to eat and drink from the hay and water supplied. Going up to the castles front door, he knocked. There was no answer.
'Hello?' called the father to the nearest window and at the front door, but no one answered. He tried the door and it opened. Entering, he saw a beautiful entrance hall, decorated in white and gold and not a speck of dust could be seen. He headed towards the stairs when something moving caught his eye. Turning, there was a hare. The hare hopped forward a few paces towards a room, and the father followed. Inside, he found a warm lounge-room. There were many comfortable chairs, a roaring fire and some food set up on a side table. Looking around, he found the hare had disappeared. Sitting in the seat closest to the fire, he looked at the food. It smelled good and he was hungry. He started eating. Soon, he had finished and sat back, feeling full.
'I should thank my host when he comes to greet me, so I shall wait here in the meantime.' So he waited and soon fell asleep.
A chiming awoke him. Looking at a clock on the wall, it said six o'clock. The man sat up, thinking he had been rude to sleep while waiting for his host to arrive. But next to him was a breakfast and a hot tea. He ate and drank and then set off for the entrance hall. There was still no sign of anyone living in the castle. He sighed and went out into the courtyard. He decided he would walk around the gardens until it was a little more light so he could see where he was going clearly. While on his ventures, he came to a pond, and around it grew Iris's.
'Oh how beautiful.' He exclaimed. 'I can at least grant Leon his request, if nothing else.' He went to the bed of flowers and picked the most beautiful blue Iris he could find. But then it happened. From out of a nearby bush leaped a hairy beast. The father fell over in fear.
'How dare you!' roared the beast. 'I feed you and give you shelter, and this is how you thank me? By defacing my garden?'
'Please forgive me!' begged the father. 'I merely wished to give an Iris to my youngest son who requested it of me.'
'It makes no difference, you must now make a choice. Either to live here forever as my slave or to bring one of your sons in your steed. But they must come willingly,' The beast said angrily.
'Please let me go and consult my sons on this matter.' said the father. The beast thought for a moment.
'Very well. Your horse knows the way home from here. You have one week to either come back with one of your sons, or come back alone.' the beast said. He pointed the direction of the stables and the father ran. He got on his horse and fled the castle.
Upon his return home, the father told them of his adventures and what had happened. The sons were dismayed at what had happened, then blamed Leon for what had happened because of his foolish request.
'If the trouble was caused by my wanting something so simple, then I will go in my fathers steed.' Leon said. There was a pause after he had spoken.
'No, I can't let you.' his father begged.
'I want to. This is my burdon to bare, and I shall bare it.' Leon said. Knowing he couldn't change his sons mind, his father got them ready to leave the next morning. As they were getting ready to depart, Leon id his brothers farewell, and they tried to get him to stay, But Leon was determined to go. So off they rode, the horse taking them to the castle.
'I see you have returned.' The beast said to the father.
'Yes.' The father said timidly. 'This is my son, Leon.' he introduced. The beast looked Leon over.
'Very well. You two may stay here tonight.' The beast said. He led them up the stairs and to a bedroom with ajoining dinning room.
'Dinner is in an hour.' The beast said, and then left. The father and son sat and talked for a little while, and then dinner was served. Leon, his father and the beast sat in silence while they ate. When dinner was finished, the beast stood up.
'In the next room, you will find many treasures and clothes. Take the two trunks and fill them up with what you want for your brothers, and then leave them. You may then go to bed. In the morning, a bell will toll that breakfast is served. After you have eaten, it will toll again and you must leave straight away.' The beast said. 'The trunks will be waiting for you on your horse.' The beast turned and left without another word. So the father and his son went into the next room. Inside were many fine suits, shoes, jewels, money and other things. The father and son spent a long time picking out things and placing them into the trunks. But no matter how much they put into the trunks, they seemed to have more room. Finally, the trunks were full. One had all the clothes they could desire, and the other was full of money and jewels. Leaving the trunks, they went into the next room and slept.
The following morning, a bell tolled and awoke them. Dressing quickly, they went into the next room and ate. There was no conversation. Finally, after breakfast, the bell tolled again and they set out into the courtyard. There stood the fathers horse. The trunks had been loaded onto him and he was ready to go. The father hugged his son farewell, and mounted the horse. The horse set off instantly. Leon stood at the gates watching his father until he was surrounded by trees and out of sight.