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What Lies Beneath the Tainted Mirror Miriam's weary eyes were fixed on the empty wave- soaked beach. Her glance strayed from the beautiful tableau that stretched endlessly in front of her. Fingers of crystalline sunlight caressed the grey sky, slowly thawing the chill of the previous night. The bleak, ashy darkness shifted into tinges of purple and green, before finally surrendering to the pale, silvery radiance of a new day. Now the turquoise sea shimmered and glistened against the cerulean sky. A few low clouds drifted indecisively over the horizon. They make-shifted into various shapes, casting shadows that danced restlessly along the beach. The frothy waves pirouetted and pummeled in heavy throbs. Only the sound of the seagulls calling one another interrupted the gaps of silence between the swishing to and fro of the waves. The air was heavy with the soul sparkling scent of brine. There were no fishing boats today, no fishermen, not a single human being near by. She was all alone, very much like her small cottage, aloof and untouched. Miriam sat still in her rocking chair, with her hands resting on its cracked, uneven arms. Strands of silver blond hair escaped her neat bun as the wind blew in her direction. It was a mild blow though, almost like a gentle pat on the head. The sun rays reflected on the mosaic-tiled terrace high-lighting its vibrant combination of unusual colors. Her dark eyes, still unwavering, seemed fixed on the sandy beach which was now whiter and brighter. Her calm unruffled face betrayed no emotion, except for one. Grief. That haunting, taunting, consuming emotion. Encased in the merciful numbness of shock, Miriam's mind was lost in its own darkness. She sometimes groped around in the shadows of thought that went hand in hand with echoes of the past. Only there she would linger with the memories of what had been and were no more. Sounds, smells, and sights of the present mattered so little now, and bit by bit she allowed them to desert her as she drowned in her own well of isolation. She was now so different from the vibrant, apple-cheeked girl that was so full of expectation. Anguish etched her soft features, setting them into a hard, resolute façade. There was a certain lacking in her posture. She no longer carried herself with joy or certainty. An attributed loathing saddled itself deep inside her towards all that is beautiful and alive. Along with the loathing and indifference came those painful questions that badgered her, stifled her, and ever so ferociously tormented her. "Why?" Her mind asked. "Why take away my happiness?" "Why take away my baby?" "Why take away my husband's love?" "Why kill me and then leave me alive?" "Why" Again her weary mind interjected, as it went on and on, questioning. She remembered a time not too long ago where she'd had the perfect life. A home to care for, a husband to love, and more importantly a baby to nourish and adore. What more should a woman possibly want? She knew deep down that it was all too good to be true. Her natural intuitive personality allowed her a glimpse of what was yet to come. She would stare for hours at her perfect newborn, and wonder endlessly at her husband's desire and devotion. She would ask herself if any of that was real. As a little girl she was accustomed to a life of hardship, misery and poverty. With a filthy rat hole for a house, a drunken, jobless father whose only pleasure was battering and beating her mother, this weak creature devoid of any will or wit for that matter. Her only source of joy was her regular visits to her grandparent's house in the countryside, but that didn't prevent her from having to work from an early age to support her broken family. She had to scrape floors, clean other people's filth to make a living, cook meals for other families while hers barely made it. Yet she was happy, and that intuitive nature of hers divined of a good fortune crossing her path, and as usual she was right, like a fortuneteller shuffling through her cards. Soon enough she met a wonderful man who became her husband, and with love and stability she was able to say goodbye to her putrid, acrid life, of misery and hard labor. The sun had long set, leaving Miriam behind in the dark. She remained motionless in her rocking chair, in spite of the growing bitter cold. The wind picked up with an angry howl as if protesting against her indifference. She finally stirred and shifted causing the old wooden chair to squeak noisily backwards. Miriam lifted her heavy eyes towards the sky in search for the twinkling points that would illuminate the darkness. She sat and wondered if her child was amongst them, but today the night was cold and black, like her heart, devoid of anything. She decided to go inside, and as she did, a silver- framed photograph of a baby girl greeted her. Miriam lingered in front of her daughter's image for a while. A mellow smile escaped her lips, her throat now clogged with emotions and her eyes stung with unshed tears. She refused to cry, for what good were her tears if they couldn't bring back her loved ones. With quiet and unconscious grace, she moved further inside her cottage towards the sitting area. It was a year ago when the rainbow of unending happiness shattered to pieces. She laid her daughter in her crib to sleep, surrounding her with pillows for comfort, and with a contented smile on her face, Miriam left the baby, and went off to finish her chores. Hours passed and the baby made no noise or fuss. Miriam thought it unusual, but she was almost done. Minutes later she came in to check on her baby girl. There was something strange about the baby. She slept with her head so close to the pillow and her body seemed too still. Miriam held her breath and felt her heart hammering against her chest. She tried to wake her up gently, by tickling her palm but the baby didn't respond. She lifted her legs, but they fell limply from her trembling fingers. Miriam finally decided to hold the baby and that's when she noticed her bluish face and purple lips. She was cold as ice, and her head moved slightly to the side. Miriam felt for her baby's pulse but there was none. She dressed franticly, wrapped her baby in a blanket, and hurried to the nearest hospital. She was admitted to the emergency unit. Upon hasty inspection, all the doctors available tried to revive the child, but it was to no avail. Minutes later her daughter was declared dead. The doctors' words were like unstoppable bullets aimed at close range, so swift and so lethal. The felicitous bonding and joy of motherhood was shattered, torn, and brought down by death. Miriam threw pieces of log and paper in the slowly mounting fire where they shifted distressfully, sizzling and humming. Her hard set face felt the surging heat emanating from the now crackling fire that burnt hungrily in the marble fireplace. Again she gave herself up to this willful, selfish, tyranny of silence, but the silence was permeated by an unrecognizable noise. Miriam ignored it for a while, but then the noise became louder. Miriam listened carefully, and her eyes invariably tried to follow the source of this noise. She walked in circles around the small sitting room until she came face to face with a large full-length, tainted mirror that had seen better days. It stood unceremoniously in the corner facing the terrace. The weathered mirror was barely a mirror any more. It was splashed with corroded black clouds along its edges. A large diagonal crack threatened to break it in two pieces. Miriam stared at her reflection for a while, and saw a woman, so rigid and heartless, with bitter eyes and a stiff mouth. The edges around her face seemed darkened, and hard, so unlike her porcelain complexion. She wondered. Who is this woman. She heard the noise again. Strange, implacable heartbroken music slowly flooded Miriam's ears, like listening to sea waves through a seashell. Miriam felt her eyelids droop heavily, and as she looked deeper into the mirror, her consciousness started to slip when she heard someone whisper her name, like a faint flicker of thought. "Miriam…" The world around her faded and dissolved. She slowly slipped into the darkness, and from there a blessed illusion crept in through the sphere of her eyes, placing her in a magical teleporter that carried her light invisible self to a place least conceivable. Miriam opened her eyes to the smell of spring and dampness, to the feel of wet grass, grazing her soft hands, and to the melodic cacophony of tweeting larks and sparrows. She managed to stand up but felt as though she couldn't breath. Something slipped from her head, a piece of colorful cloth, a bandana of some sort. A look of incredulity kindled her face as she inspected her fastidious outfit. She wore a pair of peasant sandals, a long, brown bloomer that felt soft against her skin, and a four layered skirt, each layer a different color ranging between blue, green and light shade of pink. A blouse with an overly tight bodice hugged her upper body, and was probably the reason breathing was difficult. The blouse had dark green sleeves that contrasted with the maroon red bodice. Miriam's nimble fingers felt the silver loops that hung from her ears, and traced the heavy beads she wore around her neck, among the beads hung an amulet made of jade encased in glass. It hung loosely from a silver chain. She stood silent for a moment attempting to discern her own state and these surroundings that were of incredible fictitious proportions. She was a soul that woke up to find itself wandering, unwanted and lost between spheres. Miriam raised her hand to cover her face against the golden haze of the sun. She searched for a shady spot under a tree, and as she did she noticed a lake sitting in an almost zigzag form. She followed the lake as it forked its way into two different directions. She moved to the right almost without thinking, and as she advanced she took in the beautiful scenery that bloomed ahead. Red pines glowed copper in the bright light. Cedar trees loomed majestically with their reddish pink tips. White and red rose bushes perfumed the air. She went on and her eyes travelled to the lake. There was a curious stillness about it, it looked solid and still, like a mirror. Miriam peeked at her reflection on the smooth surface. She saw herself, but her hair was white as snow, and her face had aged beyond its years, looking tired and lifeless. It lacked the ardor that youth usually implements. Darkness edged around her face. "This can't be me. Who is this woman?" "Oh yes, that's you all right." An invisible buzzing voice answered her. Overtaken by a sudden surge of panic, Miriam took one step backwards; her eyes darted back and forth in search of the voice. "Who is this? Why can't I see you?" The sun started to set and with the rising dark, came a flying point of light that flew in circles around her, causing fear to seep through her heart. "What is this, are you going to hurt me?" The creature fluttered its tiny wings until it was barely inches from Miriam's nose. It looked like a beetle with a glowing end. "Allow me to introduce myself, and I'm sorry to have startled you. I've been waiting for you a long time. My name is Wynona the firefly. " Miriam wanted to pinch herself, she couldn't believe her eyes. This was a talking firefly. "What do you want from me, and how did I get here." "You are the Gypsy Fortuneteller. We've been waiting for you for so long. You are here to fulfill the prophecy and free Princess Vera." Miriam's face contorted into a frown. "I'm not a gypsy or a fortuneteller, and who is this prince Vera?" "Yes you are the Gypsy Fortuneteller, and Princess Vera is the fairest Silver Fairy, and the future queen of Fairy Land." "What are you talking about? My name is Miriam Parker, and I'm not a fortuneteller." "We're running out of time, if we don't give the amulet back to the Mighty Griffin, the Princess will die!" "You mean you want this thing?" Miriam held the glass- encased jade and waved it in front of the creature. "If that's what you're after take it and let me go back." "What you're holding is only part of the enchanted amulet. Look at the bottom part of the glass shield, you'll find a hole in the shape of a diagonal. That is where the other piece will fit." "Fine. Take it and go find the other piece." Miriam reached behind her neck for the clasp. "No, only the Gypsy Fortuneteller knows where the other piece is hidden. Only you do." Miriam's frustration reached its peak. She turned her back to the creature and walked through the darkness, but the fluttering firefly followed her. "We know all about you and your baby." Miriam froze in her tracks. Hot tears steamed from her eyes at the mention of her baby. She turned around to face the firefly, but was unable to speak. "She's in a better place now, sometimes the fairies get to play with her from time to time. I've seen her once." Watery eyes smiled at the firefly, but words couldn't formulate in Miriam's mouth. "You have to save the Princess. If she dies, the stability of both our Worlds will be lost. Fairy land would be destroyed, leading to the destruction of your world as well. Both worlds must co-exist. If one goes down, the other will follow." Finally Miriam was able to speak, " But, I'm no fortuneteller believe me, I can't help you." "Yes you are. You've been able to foresee all that's happened with you through your life, you are the intuitive soul incarnated. You have the gift." "Well, maybe I do have this supposed gift, but where do we start?" "First we need to meet the King and Queen of the Fairies." "All right let's go, but isn't it rather too dark to go anywhere?" "Your amulet has the power of teleportation, it could take you anywhere. Order it to take to the Golden castle of the King and Queen and you'll be there in the blink of an eye." Miriam held the amulet in both hands, closed her eyes, and ordered it to take her to the Golden castle. When she opened her eyes she found herself in the most extraordinary place she'd ever seen. She stood in front of double doors made of pure gold, they opened beckoning her inside. She held her breath and took a few steps forward and found herself standing in a great hall. The floor of marble shone like glass. Walls of gold shimmered and glimmered with regal luminescence. At the far end of the hall, seated under a canopy with elaborate illumination of every color imaginable, were the King and Queen of Fairyland. "At last, the fortuneteller." Boasted the king with relief. The Queen smiled warmly at Miriam, reminding her so much of someone familiar. She smiled back, and bowed in curtsy, and as she did, it struck her. They both looked almost exactly like her grandparents, and this castle reminded her of the bedtime stories her grandma used to make up to put her to bed. Those were among the happy times of her life. She remembered the endless mornings she spent at her grandparent's house eating cookies and drinking milk, playing and trotting happily in an attempt to escape the misery that awaited her with her parents. "Yes your highness. I've come to help. What shall I do?" "My, my, you should unearth the second half of the amulet, and save my grand- daughter." Exclaimed the King impatiently. "Now, please Arthur, let the Fortuneteller rest, she has just arrived, where are your manner!" The Queen's warm words melted all the uncertainties that weighed heavily on Miriam. "Oh, do please rest, would you like some cookies and milk." Asked the King more gently now. "No. Thank you, I would just like to know why this amulet is so important." Miriam sat down on a golden chair and beside her sat the King and Queen. "This amulet is enchanted, it has magical powers. It was meant to protect our grand-daughter, Princess Vera, from the force of evil that took away, her parents, my son Prince Elidor and his wife." The Queen paused for a moment to wipe her tears before she continued, "But for fear of this amulet falling in the wrong hands, Vera decided to burry the second half of it in a place where only she would know." The King picked up from the Queen and went on with his story. "But without the second half the amulet's protective powers are rendered useless, and when she was captured by the evil forces, that haunted her soul, and changed the happy, loving girl that she was, into a dark, isolated person. She became weaker and completely deserted the amulet which eventually got lost, that's when the Mighty Griffin took her." "So this griffin is evil right? And you want to free her from him?" "Nooo he's the guardian of the kingdom; he had to take Vera to stop her from completely surrendering to the dark forces." Defended the Queen. "At New Years Eve, Princess Eva should be crowned Queen, and unless she returns to her normal self, the Kingdom would perish." "So what is this prophecy and how did this half of the amulet land around my neck." "The Mighty Griffin said that only a Gypsy Fortuneteller that comes from another time and place will save the princess and free her soul from the dark forces." "May I ask why the princess surrendered to the dark or evil forces or whatever, there must be a reason?" The King and Queen sighed in unison. The Queen looked away, and the King shook his head. "She lost her baby and the love of her life, Prince Harry, and with it the prospect of living happily ever after." Miriam's eyes brimmed with tears, she knew exactly what it's like to lose her loved ones. Only now she understood why the princess let herself get lost to the dark forces. " So you don't know where she hid the other part?" " Only you know." Came the King's desperate answer. Miriam wracked her mind hard. There must be a clue. This world seems somehow connected to hers. The King and Queen looked so much like her Grandparents and the Princess had weathered a loss like she had. She decided to take a trip back down memory lane, perhaps there she could unravel something. Her grandparents died a week after her ninth birthday. She used to spend all her time at their cottage in the countryside. She tried to remember her birthday gift, the last thing she ever received from them. She concentrated and wondered at the same time. How come she doesn't have this precious gift with her, how come she can't remember it? She tried to trace back the events of her birthday. She remembered a huge birthday cake, kisses and warm hugs, then a pretty little box. What was inside? She asked herself. Unconsciously her hands picked at the beads she wore and then travelled to the amulet. She looked at it and then it hit her. "I know where the second half is." The King's and the Queen's faces danced with delight. "Order the amulet to take you there, and connect the two halves. When it's done you'll find yourself in the Griffin's abode. Don't be frightened. He'll tell you what to do. " Miriam did as she was told. She closed her eyes and ordered the amulet to take her to the place in mind. Her head whirled with memories of her younger days, and her brain echoed the voices of the past. When she opened her eyes she found herself standing in front of a dark cave that opened like a door left ajar. She peered inside the dark cave and crawled in on her hands and knees, for the entrance was narrow, it only allowed her to stand tall, when she was nine. She remembered exactly her grand parent's last birthday gift. She could see it clearly in her mind. It was a silver necklace with a jade stone as a pendant. The cave was her hiding place and refuge away from her home. Miriam hid it in the cave so that her father wouldn't find it when his temper flared. She didn't want her father to take it away from her and sell it to get his booze. Her mother was a weak creature who couldn't defend her or help her in any way. Miriam found the second half of the amulet glowing in the dark. She connected the two parts until they fit into a single piece. Suddenly the cave suffused with light from every corner and it was a cave no more. She stood in a huge hall twice as big as the Fairy Castle hall, and there she saw the most unusual thing. A Mirror. Her Mirror. The tainted mirror that stood unceremoniously in her cottage. The one with a diagonal crack and corroded black clouds lining its edges. In it she saw the uneven reflection of the mighty Griffin. A huge creature of humongous proportions he was. He had the muscular body and hind legs of a lion with its light buff color and fatal claws and the white head, enormous wings and black tail of an eagle, with sharp talons, and feathery protruded ears. The creature held himself with an air of superiority and pride. He was the guardian of the kingdom and the most fearsome creature there was on this land. "Fortuneteller, I see you fulfilled the prophecy." "Yes…Yes," Miriam stammered, as she held the amulet with both hands, "Here it is, take it and free the princess." She placed the amulet on the floor not wanting the Griffin to come near her. "It is done. Look into the mirror." Miriam turned around and looked into the mirror which wasn't tarnished or cracked anymore. She saw a beautiful woman with long silver blond hair, looking right back at her with almond shaped eyes. She wore a blinding white robe edged in gold. A crown of the palest silver topped her head. A smile played along her lips and her porcelain skin glowed radiantly. "It is you Miriam, you're the princess." Boomed the Mighty Griffin. "But I was the fortuneteller." "Yes you were, Miriam. You lived your life prophesying what was to happen to you. You abandoned the beauty and the grace within you. You abandoned the princess inside you. It is not wise to look further into what is to come. Be the princess that you are Miriam. Think only of love and all that is good, and don’t surrender yourself to the darkness of grief and loss. " "What about my baby?" "She lives in a world far better than yours. You have a prince, a husband who is still there for you. Desert him no more or he too goes to where no one returns." Miriam felt her eyelids droop heavily. The world around her faded and dissolved and quickly she slipped away from this magical realm, into her own world. She woke up to find herself lying in front of the tainted mirror which was no longer tainted. She heard the sound of the terrace shutters banging back and forth against the wall back and forth, as the wind blew strongly. She was still drowsy when she heard the jingle of keys, accompanied with the cottage door creaking open. "Honey, what are you doing on the floor. My God, the shutters are open. Do you want to kill yourself from the cold." Miriam's husband, Harry firmly shut the shutters and came over to where his wife was lying. He looked at her face, taking in her consummate beauty. The darkness that edged her face was gone now. She looked like she had before they lost their child. Miriam sat upright allowing her eyes to take in the whole of her husbands face. A huge smile crossed his face like rainfall over dried land. She planted a soft kiss on his lips, " I love you, and I'll never stay away from you again." |
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