Belle

"You can't tell what's in a person's heart until you truly know them."

Belle is one of the main characters of Once Upon a Time. Formerly a beloved princess in a disgraced kingdom, Belle was chosen by Rumplestiltskin to pose as his caretaker in exchange for her family's well-being during the Ogre Wars. Eventually, Rumple and Belle fell in love. Regina then kidnapped Belle before she enacted the Dark Curse and Belle became trapped in the town of Storybrooke, Maine. Shortly before the curse is broken, Belle is freed and reunites with her beloved former master. Belle is then forced to adjust to a newfound life in Storybrooke with Rumple, who seeks to be a better man for her. However, the fair beauty is tasked with helping him along on the bumpy road to redemption.

Before the Curse
"''You just don't think I can love you. Now you've made your choice and you're going to regret it forever. All you'll have is an empty heart... and a chipped cup."

Sir Maurice, Belle's father, grows increasingly concerned with an Ogre war that is devastating his land. Out of despair, he reaches out to Rumplestiltskin, the Dark One, and the latter proposes a deal to him: he will protect his land, in exchange for his daughter, whom he intends to keep as his servant. Belle agrees to go with the beast, sacrificing herself for the sake of her land and her loved ones. At the Dark One's castle, Belle is given a rough treatment, being forced to sleep in the dungeons. Whilst working for her new master, she accidentally chips a cup, and a relatively sympathetic Rumple goes easy on her.

Belle continues to cry in her cell, much to the annoyance of Rumplestiltskin who gives her a pillow to muffle the racket she's been making. A noise is heard upstairs and Belle follows her keeper as he goes to investigate and discovers a thief trying to steal a magic wand. Rumple apprehends the thief and takes him prisoner, meaning that Belle is forced to listen to the sound of his torture all day long. Feeling sorry for the thief, she sets him free, causing Rumple to become heavily distraught. He tells her that she fell for a rouse as the thief took the magic wand on his way out, but Belle still believes their to be noble intentions behind the robbery. To punish her stupidity, Rumple forces Belle to accompany him as he goes to find the thief so that he can kill him, but when they begin to lose track of him, they meet with the Sheriff of Nottingham, who offers to tell them of the thief's whereabouts in exchange for a night with Belle. Rumple refuses this offer and takes the sheriff's tongue, saying he can have it back if he tells him what he wants. The sheriff agrees and tells Rumple that the thief goes by Robin Hood and is hiding out in Sherwood Forest. Rumple and Belle find Robin and see him cure his dying love using the magic wand. Belle tells Rumple that this proves Robin's good intentions, but Rumple continues to take aim with the bow and arrow. They see that the woman is pregnant but Rumple fires anyway, however, his arrow misses, and as this is a bow that never misses its target, Belle takes it to mean there is some good in Rumple after all. When they return home, Rumple shows Belle a room full of books that she's able to read, and she is very thankful, despite him telling her that it's merely another room to clean.

Whilst Belle is up on a ladder trying to fix Rumple's curtains, the Dark One is spinning at the wheel and asked by his maid why he does this so much. He explains that it helps him forget things, leading her to wonder what he needs to forget. Not answering, he jokes that it must have worked, and Belle laughs. Rumple then wonders what she's doing herself, and she tells him that she's trying to open the curtains to let the light of Spring in, but they're stuck. She asks if he nailed them down, and he says that he did; she continues to try to get them open, but the curtains tear and she falls from her ladder, leading Rumple to catch her in her arms; an awkward yet romantic moment ensues, and he promptly places her back on the ground. Later, Rumple and Belle are conversing, during which time she admits to her past ambitions of heroism and that she had no interest in her old fiancé Gaston, and she soon mentions having seen small clothes in his closet, as if for a child. He admits that they were his son's, and Belle is curious to hear about him. Before she can do so, there is someone at the door, and Rumple answers it to Belle's former fiancé, who demands that the beast unhand the lady. However, he simply uses his magic to transform Sir Gaston into a rose, killing him, and gives the rose to Belle as a present.

In his castle's library, Rumple lights a candle for Baelfire's birthday, stating that it's been too many years to count, but he hasn't stopped counting. Belle soon walks in but is told to go away by her master, who snuffs out the candle. She apologizes, not having realized that he was carrying out a remembrance, and Rumple explains that it's his son's birthday. Belle wonders how old he would be now, but Rumple tells her that he's not dead, he's just "lost". She doesn't understand what this means and asks how this came to be, and Rumple tells her that it was due to his cowardice. She assures him that it's not too late for him to redeem himself, but Rumplestiltskin denies this, stating that his ending will not be a happy one.

Rumple soon becomes so friendly with Belle that he lets her go; he tells her that she is to go into town and buy some more straw for him to spin, and when she returns, he will tell her all about his son, Bae. She asks if he trusts her to come back, to which he admits that he never expects to see her again. To the Dark One's shock, Belle later returns with the straw he requested, and asks to hear about Bae. He tells her that his son was lost, and that there's not much more to tell. She wonders if he's loved anyone else since this occurred, and it isn't long before the two of them share a passionate kiss of true love. This kiss begins to return Rumple's skin to normal, robbing him of his magic, and so he quickly stops. Belle tells him that it was working and that true love's kiss can break any curse, even his, but this leads him to wonder who told her this. He soon realizes that this was Regina's attempt to rob him of his powers, as the Queen conversed with Belle when she left the castle, but his maid continues to try to convince him that her love is true. She asks why he won't believe her, and he exclaims that no one could ever love him, proceeding to throw the girl back into her old room in the dungeons. He then goes into a fit of rage and begins smashing up his belongings; he throws his tea set at the wall, smashing each cup, but stops short of the one that Belle chipped, which he keeps around. Later, he lets her go, telling her that she's free and that his power means more to him than her, but she refutes this, saying that he just doesn't think she can love him; but now he's made his choice and he's going to regret it forever, and all he'll have is an empty heart and a chipped cup. She leaves.

When Dreamy shares his feelings with Bossy at a local pub, stating that he can't make them out. Belle, who is sitting next to him, tells him that he is in love. Dreamy wonders what love is like, to which Belle replies that it is the most wonderful and amazing thing in the world, but also that it doesn't always last forever. Dreamy tells her that Nova, the fairy he is in love with, probably doesn't even love him back, for all she talked about was meeting with him at the top of a hill to watch the fireflies. Belle chuckles and tells him that her intention was not to focus on the fireflies, but to ask him to come and be with her at that spot. She adds that she has already had her heart broken enough times to know when someone is reaching out. She insists that he go see Nova while he still can.

The next day, Belle is drinking in the bar when Dreamy approaches her, thanking her for her advice about love. After noticing she seems to want an adventure, he tells her to go on a hunting party for a creature named the "Yaoguai"; she happily listens and goes on the trip. Whilst on the wagon with her companions, Belle reveals that she knows how to track the beast using books. After the men make sexist remarks, she gives them the wrong direction before being kicked off and left on her own. Within hours she finds the beast's cave but is attacked, however, Mulan, who was hunting the beast, scares it away. At the village being tormented by the Yaoguai, Belle is attacked by the companions she tricked, but Mulan saves her yet again. The two women team up to slay the beast. Mulan's leg is injured from the fight so she is unable to slay the beast, so she gives Belle her sword. Belle enters the village which is under attack and she fights off the beast, stopping it when she pours water onto its fiery mane. The beast writes in the ground that he needs help, so Belle, using her wit and fairy dust Dreamy gave her, turns the beast back into a man, Prince Phillip. She takes him back to Mulan so they can both be treated for their wounds. She leaves the two together and sets off to find Rumple, but she is captured by Queen Regina. Shortly after Belle is captured by Regina, who holds her as her prisoner in the Dark Palace, the evil queen visits Rumplestiltskin and tells him that Belle committed suicide after being shunned by her family.

Unbeknownst to Rumplestiltskin, Belle is held captive by Queen Regina and she is held in the Dark Palace. Captain Hook eventually learns of Belle and her relationship with Rumplestiltskin, so he leaves Neverland and he breaks in to the Dark Palace to find her cell, hoping to gain information on how to kill Rumplestiltskin. He eventually reaches her cell and when he enters, Belle asks what he's doing. He explains that he needs her help in killing Rumplestiltskin and adds that Rumplestiltskin is attacking her father, in hopes of convincing her to help. Belle does not believe him and states that she can talk and reason with Rumplestiltskin because he's not a monster. When Hook does not budge, Belle states she doesn't know how to kill him, and she doesn't want to. Hook finds her useless and then admits that he didn't come to save her. He knocks her unconscious by punching her and then he prepares to kill her. However, Queen Regina enters the cell and stops him by removing his Hook. She explains that Belle is a valuable chess piece.

Season 1
"I was told to find you and tell you that Regina locked me up."

After Mr. Gold kidnaps and beats up Belle's father, Moe French, for stealing the chipped cup from his home, Regina heads over to the hospital and gives the residing nurse a rose, claiming it's because she knows how hard she works. Regina asks if anyone has come to visit "her", and the nurse assures her that nobody has, not that day, not ever. Regina keeps walking straight ahead, going through the sealed rooms of the mentally insane, and finds the door belonging to Belle. She lifts open a small flap in the door that shows the cell of Belle's cursed counterpart, prompting her to look upwards. Regina looks at her and smiles, wickedly so.

Jefferson pretends to be a doctor and sneaks down to the psychiatric ward to free Belle's counterpart. When he finds her, he tells her to go and find Mr. Gold and to tell him that Regina had locked her up, promising she will be protected by him. Belle understands this task and she later visits Mr. Gold's shop. She finds Mr. Gold, who is shocked to see her. She tells him that she was told to say Regina had locked her up and then asks if that means anything to him. As Gold struggles to believe Belle is alive, she tells him she was told he'd protect her. Gold breaks down crying and says he will protect her. Failing to recognize him, Belle asks if she knows him. Gold tells her she doesn't, but she will. Later, he leads her out into the woods, and, due to Emma Swan successfully breaking the curse, she remembers her life, and tells Rumpelstiltskin that she loves him. She then witnesses him creating the purple smoke that spreads across Storybrooke.

Season 2
"Trust me, I'm... sort of an expert when it comes to rehabilitation."

At the well, moments after Rumplestiltskin had brought magic to Storybrooke, he asks Belle to tell him what happened to her. Belle tells him that she was abducted and locked away for twenty-eight years by Regina. Rumple swears to get revenge, but Belle begs him to promise he won't kill Regina; which he does and they both kiss. Rumple takes Belle back to his store and gives her some new clothes to change into. As he gets her the clothes, he also gets a pendent which he uses to mark Regina so a Wraith, a magical soul sucking creature from the fairytale land can come and kill her for him, this not breaking his promise to Belle. When the creature arrives, Rumple tells Emma, Snow and Charming that he brought it to take care of Regina. Belle overhears this conversation and leaves, upset with Rumple's betrayal. However, after having a change of heart, Belle realizes that she needs to help Rumple become a better person. She returns to his shop and is touched to see that he kept the tea cup she had chipped whilst working for him.

Belle is awakened at night after having a nightmare featuring Rumple, still an unchanged man. She wakes up and finds herself in bed alone, so she goes to look for Rumple. She finds him in the basement of their house, turning thread into gold and practicing magic. When she questions him about this the next morning, he lies to her, so she leaves, disappointed in him. She visits Granny's Diner and curiously tries out iced tea, which she falls in with. She meets Ruby at the diner and Belle explains she's been a "kept" woman until recently. She also tells the girl she may be headed for a bad breakup. Ruby offers her a place to stay, gratifying Belle. Belle then explains she wants a living, so Ruby suggests the library when she tells her she likes books. Belle visits the library, but it's closed, so she looks through some boarded up windows. She is suddenly approached by a man who kidnaps her. She's taken to her father, who was looking for her after discovering she was being held captive by Rumple. Belle explains she chose to stay with Rumple. Realizing she loves the beast, Maurice orders Smee to go with their other plan. Belle is then taken away by Smee to the mines where she is handcuffed to a cart and pushed over of the town boundaries. However, Rumple saves her with his magic before it's too late. After a quick reunion, Belle tells her lover and father she never wants to see them again. Belle is later mysteriously given the key to the library. Whilst there, she finds out it was Rumple. After seeing he gave it to her as an act of kindness and not a plot to win her back, she decides to forgive him and asks him for dinner.

At Granny’s Diner, during the celebration for the discovery of the diamonds in the mines, Ruby is approached by Billy, who not so subtly tries to get a date with her. Concerned that she may be turning into a wolf, Ruby tries to turn him down but has difficulty, so Belle saves her by telling Billy they’re having a girl’s night. After being thanked, Belle explains she can spot a girl in trouble, but wonders why she was as Billy seemed nice. Ruby tells her it’s complicated. Later on, when Billy is found dead, everyone accuses Ruby of killing him whilst in her wolf form. Certain that she didn’t do it, Charming and Granny asks Belle if they can hide her at the library, she agrees. When Charming thanks her, she tells him “of course” and then says it isn’t every day you find out your friend is hunted. When Granny announces the mob is six blocks away, Belle is shocked to learn she has wolf hearing too. Charming and Granny then leave to prove Ruby’s innocence. He asks Belle to call them if the mob arrives. Later, Ruby tells Belle to leave as she’ll be turning into a wolf soon. She says the chains should hopefully hold, so Belle explains she’s staying. Ruby warns Belle of how dangerous she is, but Belle tells Ruby that she and Charming can see the good in her, so wonders why she can’t. Ruby then sneakily locks Belle with some chains, stating she is a monster. She announces that she’ll give the mob what they want, a wolf. Belle says they’ll kill her, but Ruby asks if that’s what she deserves. Even later that night, when King George is found guilty of the murder and Ruby is saved, Ruby tells Charming that Belle is still locked up, so he leaves to free her.

Belle and Rumplestiltskin go for a date at Granny’s Diner and they are given some very delicious food by its owner. After Rumple and Granny have an awkward encounter, he explains to Belle that they have a complicated relationship. Belle assures him that it will just take people time to get to know him, like she did. Regina interrupts their meal, claiming they need to talk. Rumple seems reluctant and then introduces Regina to Belle as the woman who locked her up for twenty-eight years. She offers to leave, but Rumple stops her, stating nothing will be kept a secret, so she can hear their conversation. Regina reveals that Cora is coming from their land and they need to stop her. A scared Rumple says that she’s dead as Regina saw the body; Regina says she must’ve been taught magic well. When Regina points out that it’ll be "unpleasant" for both of them is she arrives, Rumple says he can handle her as he "won last time". Regina points out that there is a difference this time as he cares about someone; he has a weakness, Belle. A confused Belle asks who Cora is, so Rumple assures her that it’s someone she’ll never meet.

Belle is present in Mr. Gold's pawn shop when she presents the latter with a picnic basket filled with baked goods. He thanks her, stating everything looks delicious, however, they're soon interrupted when Emma, Snow and Charming enter the shop stating that they know he killed Archie Hopper, who had been murdered earlier on by Cora in disguise. Belle is shocked by the news that someone has died. When Emma explains all the evidence points to Regina, making the death seem suspicious, Belle sarcastically questions if Regina is capable of doing something that evil. Gold insists he didn't do it and offers to prove it by asking the witness, Pongo. When the dog is brought into the shop, Belle is touched to see how well Gold reacts to him. Gold explains that they can extract Pongo's memories harmlessly so they can see what happened at the time of Archie's death. When Emma has doubt trusting Gold, he points out that she'll be the one using magic. Using a magical dream catcher, Emma is finally able to see what happened during Archie's death, and everyone, including Belle, is horrified to see that it is in fact Regina who choked him to death.

After attending Archie's funeral, Belle is called by Mr. Gold who announces that he's found a way to leave town by charming the object he cherishes most (Baelfire's shawl). As it's something he must do alone, Belle is disappointed that she won't be joining him. Later on, when Belle arrives at the library, she's attacked by Captain Hook and she traps herself in the elevator, allowing herself time to call Gold for help. When Gold arrives, Hook has already left the library. As they head back to the shop, Belle demands the truth about why Hook hates him. He explains that Hook was responsible for Milah leaving him and Baelfire being motherless. When they arrive at the shop they find the shop has been destroyed and Baelfire's shawl has been stolen. As Gold leaves to get the shawl back, he leaves Belle behind with a gun to defend herself. After finding a knot Hook left behind, Belle realizes he came on his ship. She heads to the docks and uses her wit to find the hidden vessel. Once on board she finds and rescues Archie. However, she's found by Hook, who reveals that Rumple killed Milah. She attacks Hook and escapes and is then saved by Gold, who viciously beats the pirate and tells him to stay away. Later on, Belle says goodbye to Gold as he crosses the border, but she is shot by Hook and falls over the line and loses her memory. She is then nearly hit by a car that loses control when entering town.

Shortly after being shot, Belle cowers on the ground, confused and in pain. As Emma, Snow and Charming arrive to the scene of the accident, Rumplestiltskin heals Belle's wound using magic, horrifying her. After being comforted by Snow, Belle is taken to the hospital, where she rests in a bed. As she sleeps in her hospital bed, Rumplestiltskin stands over her and watches her sadly. He leans in for a kiss, hoping to return her memories with true loves kiss, but as she awakens from her sleep, she doesn't react the way he'd hoped. Upon seeing him, she screams with intense fear, devastating Rumple, who leaves shortly after. After calming down, Rumplestiltskin visits Belle with the chipped cup, hoping it will help her remember. After being told to be careful with the treasured cup, Belle examines it, but only sees it as a simple cup. Rumple tells her to focus and states it is her talisman, confusing her. Rumple explains that she dropped it in his castle and she thought he'd be mad, but she becomes nervous and even more confused. She gives the cup back and tells him that he should leave, but he insists that she focus on the cup as it's charmed by magic. A scared Belle begs him to leave, but he refuses again, trying to give her the cup back. After a slight squabble of passing the cup to one another, Belle smashes it against the hospital wall, devastating Rumplestiltskin. Belle begs for a final time for him to leave, he agrees and apologizes before leaving.

Belle is seen at the hospital, watching television, when she is visited by Ruby, who stops by to give her a basket of her belongings as well as a new book to read. Belle is thankful and Ruby explains that the two of them were good friends as Belle was a regular customer at Granny's Diner, where Ruby works. Upon hearing this, Belle believes Ruby to be trusted and brings up the subject of magic, saying that she saw Mr. Gold holding a ball of fire in his hand as well as him heal her arm in an instant. Ruby tries to explain this away, stating that the medication Belle is under must be giving her wicked nightmares, but Belle exclaims that she knows what she saw. Ruby then addresses Belle by her name, but the latter demands to know why everyone keeps calling her that, clearly not recognizing it as her name since losing her memory. She soon becomes so distraught over the matter that a nurse is forced to sedate her and carry her back to bed. Later, Belle is approached by Greg Mendell, the man driving the car on the night of the accident. He says that he heard her conversation with Ruby about magic and Belle assures him that she isn't crazy as she knows what she saw. Greg then tells her that he knows she isn't crazy, because he saw the exact same thing.

Belle is still residing in her hospital bed when she is visited by Regina. Belle doesn't remember the mayor, and wonders if the two of them were friends. Regina then explains that she needs Belle in order to find something of Mr. Gold's - meaning his dagger - but Belle does not remember Gold, and states that she therefore cannot help Regina. At this, Regina knocks Belle out with a wave of her hand and uses magic to cause the belongings in the latter's handbag to fly around the room. With this, Regina retrieves a piece of paper with a note attached to it containing numbers, referencing a book in Belle's library. Believing this to be the location of the dagger, Regina leaves, unaware that Greg Mendell was watching the entire scene and filmed Regina using magic on his cell phone, with plans to use this to expose the magical world. At the library, Regina, Cora and Hook search for Rumple's dagger in the place that Belle's information indicates, but they instead find a treasure map. Hook translates the map and pinpoints the dagger's location, however, Cora knocks the pirate out and sets out with her daughter to find the dagger without him.

While Belle rests in her hospital bed, she receives a call from Rumplestiltskin. She calmly repeats to him that she doesn't remember who he is, but he understands and then informs her that he's dying. A clearly uncomfortable Belle apologizes to him. He then goes on to say that he knows she doesn't know who she is, so states he'll tell her. He tells Belle that she is a hero who helped her people and that she's a beautiful woman who loved a really ugly man. As he talks, Belle seems to become more and more emotional. He then tells her that she finds goodness in others, and when it isn't there, she creates it. Gold then confesses that she makes him want to go back, back to the best version of himself, claiming that has never happened before. As he continues, Belle begins to fight back her tears. He then tells Belle that when she looks into the mirror and doesn't know who she is, then she is what he just told her. With both now holding back their tears, Gold hangs up the call after finishing his goodbye.

Belle is visited in hospital by Mr. Gold who tells her that he wants to help her regain her memories, she is thankful and he proceeds to get her discharged. After Gold leaves, Belle is approached by Regina, who hands her a charmed matchbook which causes the girl to "remember who she is". Mr. Gold wonders where Belle is when he returns to her room and discovers the matchbook for The Rabbit Hole, a club in the town. He finds Belle there, playing pool, with the new identity of Lacey, a party girl with loose morals. She dismisses Mr. Gold who asks David for advice. The prince tells Rumple that when he was cursed, there was still a sliver of Charming within him, and that the same will apply for Belle. Gold again approaches Lacey in The Rabbit Hole and asks her out on a date, she agrees to meet him at Granny's Diner that evening, much to his delight. The two of them are later seen on their date where Lacey appears completely unalike to Belle, until she subconsciously quotes her old self, causing Gold to become excited and accidentally spill his drink over her. She goes to the bathroom to wash it out but never returns, when Mr. Gold investigates, he discovers Lacey in the back alley making out with Keith, a guy she was talking to in the club earlier. She admits that the date wasn't going well at all as Mr. Gold is too nice for her. Later, Gold approaches Keith in an alley and begins to beat him severely, Lacey sees this, and takes pleasure in the fact that Mr. Gold really is as dark as they say. She continues to watch excitedly as Mr. Gold violently beats Keith presumably to death.

When Tamara and Greg drive a captive Captain Hook into Storybrooke, Maine, they keep him tied up in the clock tower, where they ask him to do a job for them. He initially refuses, saying that he's already killed Rumplestiltskin, meaning that his being is sated and his life's purpose has been fulfilled. The two of them then pull his chair up to the transparent clock face and put his telescope to his eye where through it he sees Mr. Gold and Lacey walking out of an establishment, talking happily after a presumable date. Hook is extremely angered to see that Rumplestiltskin is alive and happy with Belle and Tamara makes it very clear that Hook has failed in his revenge mission. Greg brings up the matter of the job again, and asks Hook if they have a deal, at which he accepts their offer.

Lacey and Gold are seen terrorizing Dr. Whale for staring at the former when Neal rushes out and restrains his father, letting the doctor go. Gold gives Lacey the keys to the pawn shop and tells him to wait there as he talks to his son. He soon returns and as the two of them are drinking together, they are visited by David and Mary Margaret, who say that Regina is missing. Gold is initially happy until David points out that he's owed a favor and the pawnbroker is forced to help, telling Lacey to wait in the other room. She obliges but eavesdrops on the entire conversation, seeing Gold charm a bottle of tears and telling Mary Margaret that it will enable her to magically experience whatever Regina is. She is very impressed by the fact that he can do magic and wonders why she was not told sooner, at which he tells her that it comes at a price and always drives away his loved ones. She promises not to leave him before asking if his magic will be able to keep her young so that they can be together forever, and Gold answers positively. However, he also reveals that being immortal doesn't mean one can't be killed, and that there's a prophecy saying that someone will be his undoing. Lacey advises him to get rid of them, but he says something is standing in his way. She says she thought he was the kind of man who let nothing stand in his way, and he tells her that he is, contemplating something.

Rumple arrives at his pawn shop to find the dwarfs raiding his shelves in search of something of Sneezy's, explaining that Mother Superior concocted a potion to return the memories of those who have crossed the town line, if it is drunk from a treasured item. The dwarfs take what they're looking for, but before Grumpy leaves, he gives Rumple some of the potion to be used on Belle. When Lacey asks what the conversation was about, Rumple refuses to tell her, not wanting to bring her memories back just for her to die. However, Gold later shows Lacey the broken chipped cup and repairs it with magic, before pouring out some potion and serving it to her. Lacey then fades away and Belle returns, hugging Mr. Gold who apologizes, saying that he didn't want to wake her up to die. Soon enough, Emma and Regina stop the fail-safe and the town is turned back to normal, however, Gold and Belle witness Greg and Tamara jump through a portal - with Henry. They plan to use the final bean to find Henry and return him home, but when Belle tries to get on the ship, Gold tells her that he needs her in Storybrooke to cast a protection spell, to stop Greg and Tamara's people from entering town. She assures her love that she will see him again. ("And Straight on 'Til Morning"/"Dark Hollow")

Season 3
"I told you I'd see you again."

Belle sadly watches from the docks as the Jolly Roger crew set off to their destination, Neverland. As she stands crying, Blue, Archie and the dwarfs come running up to her, excitedly yelling that they've been saved. Noticing the sad look on Belle's face, they ask what's wrong, so she explains that Henry has been kidnapped and taken through a portal. Blue wonders where the portal is to, but Belle doesn't know. She then reveals that she stayed behind because she had to, showing a potion and enchantment. Blue recognizes this as a cloaking spell. The fairy asks why they need this, so Belle explains that other people are coming. They head down to the mines and Belle notes that they need fairy dust. Blue explains that it runs through the walls, stating they need to open a vein and it'll carry the magic through town. The dwarfs dig a hole into a rock, but Belle becomes reluctant and asks Blue to perform the spell. However, the fairy states that Belle must do it as Rumple instructed her to. Belle does so, and a spell fires out, casting a cloak around the town. However, just before it completely takes form, two men that the spell was supposed to keep out make their way into town.

As Rumplestiltskin sits alone in the jungle of Neverland, he hears strange sounds surrounding him. As he examines the area, he notices someone steal the doll that Felix had given him earlier. An annoyed Rumple says it doesn't belong to them and chases after the hooded figure. He catches up to them and discovers it to be Belle, much to his surprise. He asks how she got to Neverland, but she ignores his question and points out that she thought he didn't dress like the Dark One anymore as it was his past. He claims that it’s now his future as it’s the only way to save Henry. Belle points out that he hasn't completely become the Dark One, saying there’s still hope. As she leans in to kiss him, Rumple realizes that it’s not really Belle; she giddily confirms this, saying she’s still in Storybrooke. He asks if everything is fine, which she says it is. Rumple becomes distrustful of Belle and accuses her of being a vision conjured up by Pan, but she tells Rumple that he imagined her, asking why. Belle takes Rumple to a cliff at the edge of Neverland, and tells him he’s holding back when she asks why he brought her here through imagination. He finally admits that he’s a coward, like his father. He then realizes that he brought Belle here because she always saw the good in him; she states she still does. Rumple reveals Pan’s deal to Belle, worried that he’d make the wrong choice, so she convinces him not to, knowing he’d regret it, like he did with Baelfire. She gives him the doll, which his father gave him, and tells him to let go of the past. Belle’s vision then leaves Rumple, just before he drops the doll into the deadly sea.

As Rumple puts paint over his face, the vision of Belle returns and she tells him he always felt more comfortable behind a mask. Rumple says she was the only one who could see past the mask of the monster. She wonders why he's putting it back on now, so he explains that he needs the monster to save Henry. Belle reminds Rumple of the prophecy, so Rumple takes this to mean she doesn't believe he can do it. She explains that a lifetime of self interest is a nasty habit he hasn't been able to break. He tells Belle that things are different now; he has nothing to live for, however, Belle asks about her as she's waiting in Storybrooke. Rumple tells her she shouldn't be, as when he said goodbye, it was for good. He then tells her even if he did return, she'd leave after she eventually sees him for what he really is. After Rumple is reunited with Bae and the loses him again, Belle apologizes to him, stating that Neal should have trusted him. Rumple asks how he could have after everything he's done. Belle assures Rumple that Neal may not have known what was in his heart, but she does. She asks why he's so upset as Bae is alive, so he explains that the prophecy remains and Henry is still his undoing. Belle points out that with something to live for, his nasty habit has returned. However, Rumple ignores this and then tells Belle to go away, causing the vision to vanish.

The vision of Belle again appears to Rumple, and realizes that he doesn't know what to do. He admits that he doesn't, and so she advises him to come home to Storybrooke, something which he seems reluctant to do as it would mean leaving Henry, his family, behind. Belle continues to beg him to come with her so that the two of them may start a new family, their own family, as that's what she wants. Gold, confused, tells her that she can't want anything as she is a mere figment of his subconscious, but she assures him that she's really there, requesting that he take her hand, believe in their love, and then they can go back home. However, when Rumple eventually decides to take Belle's hand, the girl begins to choke before he can do so. The source of this is revealed to be Regina, who is strangling Belle with magic. Rumple, scared for his true love's life, tries to get her to stop, but Regina is astounded that the Dark One is falling for such an obvious trick. As she continues to choke Belle, she advises Rumple to look at who he's really dealing with, and with that, the vision of Belle reveals itself to be Peter Pan's shadow in disguise, which then rises up and flies away. ("Ariel")

Rumple and Regina give Ariel a briefing on what she must do once in Storybrooke and Rumple gives her a shell, instructing her to give it to Belle as she'll know what to do with it. Ariel travels to Storybrooke and is met by the dwarfs. They take her to Belle, who is upset about Rumple's fate. Ariel brings news that he's alive and then gives her the shell. They later visit Rumple's shop together in order to figure out what it is. They soon find out that the shell projects a message recorded by Rumple and in it, he asks Belle to find an item in his shop. Realizing the chipped cup must be involved, Belle wonders what she could do with it. She puts it in the cabinet it once lived in, and once in place, a magical light appears, unlocking a hidden door. Belle opens the door and takes out a box, surprised at what she's seeing. Ariel wonders what it is, so Belle explains that it's Pandora's Box. However, before they can leave, the two unwelcome visitors arrive with guns and tie the two girls up. They take the box off them and leave to destroy it, so it can't be used against Pan. The girls manage to escape their binds by turning Ariel into a mermaid again, and once free, they head to the mines and stop the men from destroying the item. They become upset and state they were only trying to save their sister, whom Pan has prisoner. Their sister is Wendy Darling. Later on, Ariel swims back to Neverland to deliver Pandora's Box, and in return, she is given full control over her legs and tail. She then heads back to Storybrooke.

Belle accompanies Ariel to the docks so she can find her true love, Eric. They discover Eric working as a fishmonger and Belle gives Ariel the confidence to go up to him. The two reunite romantically. As this happens, Belle notices the Jolly Roger in the sky, returning to Storybrooke having successfully saved Henry... or so they think, as Pan has switched bodies with Henry secretly. After the ship lands and a welcome back party has gathered, Belle reunites with her friends and lover, Rumplestiltskin. Later on, Belle assures Rumple that neither Pan nor Henry were his undoing so he can stop worrying and move on with his life, adding that there are countless paths to take. Rumple says the only path he's interested in is the one that involves her. After the Blue Fairy is murdered by the Shadow, Pandora's Box is opened to question Pan inside... but it's revealed that Henry is in Pan's body. Knowing Regina is in danger, they head over to her vault where she's protecting "Henry". When the group, including Belle, arrives, they discover that the Dark Curse has been stolen and realize Pan plans on re-enacting it.

A plan is formed to get Henry and Pan back into their own bodies so that the former can give Regina - the original caster of the Dark Curse - the scroll that Pan currently possesses so she can tear it and undo the original curse before Pan's new one can take full effect. Belle heads to Gold's shop with her true love whilst the Black Fairy's wand is retrieved. Once this task is complete, Rumple uses the magically powerful object to undo Pan's spell and put Henry back into his own body. As everyone sets out to find the boy, who's now in possession of the scroll, Belle notices that Gold isn't joining them and questions him about it, at which he tells her that he has some unfinished business with his father. Belle and the others soon find Henry, who hands over the scroll, but it's not long before it's stolen by Pan, who uses his magic to freeze everyone on Main Street. He plans on killing Belle and Baelfire, as they are the two his son loves most, but before he can do so, Rumple exits his shop, now powerless due to the anti-magic leather cuff on his wrist, and approaches his father. He says goodbye to his son and true love, telling the latter that she made him stronger, and Belle begins to tear up as Rumple summons his shadow and reunites with his magical dagger, using it to stab Pan in the back. This then causes Pan to turn into his former adult self, Malcolm, who assures Rumple that the two of them can still be happy. However, Rumple replies by saying that he's a villain, and villains don't get happy endings. A magical glow then ensues from the stab wound, consuming them both, and soon enough, there is nothing left but the curse scroll, both of them now dead. Due to this, Pan's immobilization spell breaks and allows Belle to collapse to the floor in tears, utterly devastated over losing Rumple. But with he curse fast approaching, there's no time to mourn, and after Regina sacrifices Henry, the one she loves most, she is able to tear the scroll and use its magic to send everyone back to their home in the Enchanted Forest. Meanwhile, Emma leaves town with her son, the two of them being given new memories due to Storybrooke being totally erased.

Belle returns to the Enchanted Forest along with every other resident of Storybrooke and she begins to trek to Regina's palace when it's decided by the Charmings that that's where the reformed kingdom shall be run from. On the way there, she approaches Baelfire and reveals she heard something he said about wanting to return to Rumple's home and see if there's any magic that will be able to get him back to Emma and Henry. She proceeds to point out that they never saw Rumple's knife when he died, meaning there's a chance he's still out there somewhere and that they could get him back. As the journey goes on, Regina and Snow are attacked by a flying monkey but rescued by Robin Hood, who joins the others and reunites with Belle, telling Baelfire that she once treated a thief with more kindness than he deserved; Neal comments that she does that a lot. They finally arrive at the palace but are surprised to discover that it's enclosed by a protection spell - one that isn't Regina's - meaning someone else has taken up residence inside.

Belle is present when a flying monkey attacks and she identifies the creature's origin as Oz, having read about such things in her books. Most people are surprised to find out that this place is real, but Regina assures them that Belle is right, meaning that they're up against the Wicked Witch of the West. Regina and Robin Hood break into the castle by going through a series of secret tunnels that run beneath the protection spell. They manage to get inside and disarm the spell entirely, and when everyone outside sees this, Charming orders them to storm the palace. Belle goes with everyone else, and as this is happening, Regina confronts the Wicked Witch, known as Zelena, who flies away on her broomstick after a hostile confrontation, during witch she revealed herself as Regina's half-sister.

Whilst living at the Dark Palace, Snow announces to Charming that she's pregnant, but this makes the prince scared because of what happened with Emma, thinking he won't be a good father because he never got to raise his daughter properly. To vanquish these fears, he heads into the woods in search of night-root - a plant that, if digested, will eradicate all fears - but instead finds a princess named Rapunzel locked in a tower. He rescues her and brings her back to the palace, where she's finally reunited with her parents. Belle witnesses this event, along with everyone else in the hall at the time, and appears gladdened when Rapunzel hugs the King and Queen.

Belle and Neal head to Rumple's old castle together in order to find a way to resurrect the Dark One, and Belle thinks the way to go about this is to inspect the rather extensive library, for there could be books on the subject. They light a candle to help them see better, but to their surprise, the candlestick begins talking. Suddenly, a face forms out of the fire, and the mysterious being introduces itself as Lumière, explaining that he was trapped in this form by Rumplestiltskin when he was unable to uphold his end of a deal and can only come out when his candles are lit. He helps the pair of them, when they say Rumple will be able to reverse what was done to him, by showing them a large book in which a key is kept: the key to the Vault of the Dark One, where the very first Dark One was made. They find this vault within a snowy clearing and light up Lumière once they do. When they dare to question his knowledge, he argues that he's been kept up in that library for over two hundred years, despite Belle knowing that it was built not long before Regina's curse was cast. This leads the candelabra to admit that the Wicked Witch was in fact the one to imprison him so that Neal and Belle would resurrect Rumple and she would be able to control him, but Neal simply takes this to mean that it can be done, despite Belle protesting that it must be the wrong thing to do. Deciding that the cost is worth it, Neal places the key into the center of the vault and burns his hand as he does so, causing it to open and for Rumple to form from the inky blackness. Suddenly, Neal collapses and the Wicked Witch arrives on the scene, explaining to them that a life must be exchanged in order for Rumple's to be saved, ergo Neal is dying so that his father may live. Rumple tries his best to save his son, but the Witch points out that he can't keep Baelfire as well as his dagger, and so he hands over the latter, allowing himself to absorb his son and keep him sustained within his own body. However, two minds in one head drives Rumplestiltskin to insanity. Zelena, now in possession of Rumple's dagger, orders him to kill Belle, but Lumière has a flash of conscience and uses a tendril of fire to ensnare the witch, giving Belle enough time to grab him and run away, deeply saddened.

Belle returns to Storybrooke, Maine after the new curse is cast by the Wicked Witch of the West, meaning she nor any other townspeople remember the last year of their lives spent back int he Enchanted Forest, including who cast the curse. She is among those that gather at town hall after Emma's return to the town and the blonde tries to convince everyone that she will get to the bottom of things. Belle stands up and asks her if she knows who cursed them or why they were brought back there, but Emma answers negatively, leading Grumpy to accuse Regina. The Queen becomes very angry and causes an earthquake with her magic, before she teleports out. This seals everyone's suspicion that she is responsible, but this was in fact a plan hatched by her and Emma to buy them more time to catch the real culprit. They fail at doing so, but manage to deduce that the Wicked Witch is who they're up against, not knowing what she looks like or who she is in Storybrooke.

Zelena enters Mr. Gold's shop and is met by Belle, who she assumes to be Mrs. Gold. However, she says this isn't so, and when Zelena proceeds to ask where Mr. Gold is, Belle awkwardly reveals that he's dead, before introducing herself. Zelena soon reveals that she's looking for a gift for Mary Margaret, explaining that she's her midwife and she wants to get her a present for their first meeting, adding that, curse or no curse, a girl's got to work. Knowing Mary Margaret, Belle assures her customer that she has just the thing, turning around to go and search for the item. Once she does so, however, Zelena freezes her with magic, being the Wicked Witch of the West in disguise. She then uses the blood of Rumplestiltskin, who she's keeping prisoner, to open his blood-locked safe and steal night-root, which she later uses on David Nolan.

Belle is paid a visit to in Gold's shop by Emma, David, Mary Margaret and Hook, who reveal that Rumple is in fact alive and ask her to do some research whilst he is being searched for. She agrees, having Hook assigned as her helper, and as they are rummaging through books together, Neal bursts into the shop and collapses. Belle takes him to the hospital where Emma notices a strange symbol burned into his hand, taking a picture of it and sending it to Belle, asking that she do a little more research. She agrees, and a while later, she calls Emma with urgent news, explaining that the symbol on Neal's hand comes from the key to the Vault of the Dark One, and if Neal used that to resurrect Rumple, he should be dead right now. At that point, Neal collapses, and it's revealed that he and his father have been sharing a body. Emma separates the two of them with her magic so that Gold can tell her who the Wicked Witch is, but this begins draining Neal's life. He dies, much to his father's and Emma's dismay, and soon enough, Snow and Charming show up in the pawn shop in order to break the news to Hook and Belle. The latter is in need of comforting and begins crying as Mary Margaret gives her a consoling hug.

Belle attends the funeral of Neal Cassidy, incredibly saddened by his sudden death, and she proceeds to the wake at Granny's Diner afterwards. Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West, soon bursts in, revealing herself to be Regina's half-sister and she challenges the Evil Queen to a fight that night on Main Street, before leaving. Knowing that Regina doesn't stand a chance whilst Zelena has the dagger that controls Rumplestiltskin, Emma hatches a plan to free Mr. Gold. She heads to Zelena's farmhouse to make sure the coast is clear before allowing Belle to run down into the storm cellar where Rumple is being kept in a cage. She manages to unlock it, but Rumple tells her to leave, worried for her safety. She argues that he could never hurt her, but he says that that's futile, begging her to go. Zelena soon reveals herself to be in the room and Belle runs out, crying, telling the others that the Wicked Witch is toying with them. Rumple then comes out of the cellar, under Zelena's control, and tells everyone that if they get in the way of her chance to destroy Regina again, they will all die. That night, the fight takes place, and Belle is in attendance. She witnesses Regina be flung through the face of the clock tower where Zelena tries in vain to take her heart. Knowing that the witch already has David's courage, and now wants her heart, Regina realizes that she's gathering ingredients for something bad.

Belle is at Mr. Gold Pawnbroker & Antiquities Dealer when Ariel and Hook stop by, currently searching for Prince Eric and thinking they might be able to find one of his possessions in the pawn shop on which they can use a locator spell to track him. Belle is happy to be reunited with her mermaid chum, and begins to help her search for something of Eric's whilst Hook wanders into the back room, inadvertently finding a cloak that once belonged to the prince. Ariel recognizes it immediately when she finds the pirate inspecting it and thanks him for advancing the search. Belle then fetches one of Rumple's locator spell potions and pours it on the cloak, explaining the spell's effects to Ariel. Ariel thanks Belle for helping her, assuring her that she didn't have to, but Belle assures her in turn that she did, hoping that, if Eric is found, the good news could be contagious. Before long, the cloak is lifted into the air and flies out the door, moving towards its owner. Ariel and Hook follow it, but it leads under the sea, and they deduce that he must have drowned. However, it's soon unveiled that Ariel isn't Ariel at all, but Zelena in disguise, whereas the real Ariel has been living happily ever after with Prince Eric on an island in the Enchanted Forest, which was outside the new curse's proximity.

Belle is shocked and angry to find Regina rummaging through the items in Mr. Gold's shop and the Evil Queen explains that Zelena has stolen her heart and she needs to know what she plans on using it for, if not killing her. Belle refuses to help, reminding Regina of all the pain she's put her through such as locking her up in a tower and then again in an asylum for twenty-eight years, but the Queen apologizes for her wrongdoings, going on to point out that Rumple will be freed if Zelena is defeated. Belle decides to give her a second chance, and Regina requests the magic candle that was used to kill her mother so that she may hold a séance and learn more about her half-sister's past. Whilst this is occurring, Belle hits the books and, knowing what ingredients the Wicked Witch possesses, she stumbles across what Zelena's ultimate endgame is. She quickly rushes to Granny's Diner to alert Emma that Zelena plans on going back in time, and they then rush to Regina's house to explain this to Mary Margaret and the Mayor. It is realized that the missing ingredient is Snow's unborn child and that the reason Zelena wants to go back in time is to kill Queen Eva, Snow's mother, who is responsible for her being given away, thus making it so Snow, Emma, Henry and Regina were never born.

Origins
The character of Belle is based on the homonymous character of the popular fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. The first published version of this tale was a rendition by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, in 1740. There are many adaptations of the story, the most popular - and the one followed closely by Once Upon a Time - being the 1991 film adapation by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The general story is that of a young beauty who is promised to care for a horrifying beast, in his sumptuous home. The woman, Belle, eventually melts the cold heart of the beast, and they fall in love with each other. The beast then gives her the choice to stay with him or go back home, and Belle chooses to return to her family. However, she comes back after learning that the beast is in pain. It is then revealed that the monster used to be a handsome prince, who was cursed and transformed into a horrifying creature and, should he be unable to find love even in his hidious new form, he would perish untimely. Belle's kiss of true love reanimates the beast and breaks the curse, allowing him to revert to his previous human form, and they then marry and live happily ever after. In Once Upon a Time, Rumplestiltskin, the antagonist of yet another fairy tale, assumes the role of the "beast".

Gallery
Gallery of photographic stills released to promote the character.