Belle was left behind when the other residents of Storybrooke descended into the Underworld. But according to the spoilers for "Once Upon a Time" season 5, the blossoming romance betweeen Beauty and Rumple is not going to be overlooked.
Previously, it was reported that Wes Brown ("True Blood") was cast as Gaston for a flashback episode where Belle's background will be explored.
The character was once played by Sage Brocklebank who appeared in the first season for one episode.
"Gaston's storyline will take viewers back to Belle's (Emilie de Ravin) time before she met Rumple (Robert Carlyle), furthering the exploration of 'Once Upon A Time's' twist on Gaston's role in the 'Beauty & the Beast' tale," reported Variety.
Showrunner Adam Horowitz teased "Once Upon a Time" season 5 spoilers to TVLine when he confirmed that there's going to be a Belle-centric episode.
"We have plans to keep Belle busy," he said. "Although she didn't get on the boat [to the Underworld] with our heroes, she's important to the story and becomes very involved."
One of the suspended storylines was her looming romance with Rumple, but Horowitz said that they will give that cliffhanger a conclusion in the future.
"We left them in a place where that relationship was evolving," he said. "We're not abandoning any of those story threads."
Although it can be quite difficult for Belle to come to terms with the fact that Rumple has gone darker than ever after acquiring the power of the Dark Ones.
"We're hoping to pick up on them in an unexpected way."
The theme of the 100th episode will be "unfinished business," and reports claim that Emma will have a chance at saving not just Hook but Neal, as well.
There will also be a lot of characters who will make a return such as Peter Pan, The Blind Witch, Prince Henry, Sidney Glass, Cruella de Vil, Cora, Milah, Ruby and Mulan (for the LGBT episode), Guinevere, King Arthur and Merida.
Watch out for more "Once Upon a Time" season 5 spoilers which will be published here ahead of the return date on Sunday, Mar. 6, on ABC.