Part III: Facing the Mirror

"Beloved, let us look into the mirror."

What?!? She must have misunderstood!

"So far it has always taken you by surprise. Let's turn that around. Let us take it by surprise."

She turned away from Galathorn, and her voice grew cold and distant. "No. I don't want to."

"Beloved," she heard a whisper close to her ear. "Let me carry you to the place of forgiveness."

"Forgiveness?!?" She looked away from him, somewhere at the wall, as she spat out the word, secluded herself in anger and disappointment. To forgive – that! What would he expect of her next? She had thought he cared about her – and now, he was so concerned about THEM to wheedle her into acting as if nothing had happened? She felt betrayed.

"Ninglor. Dearest." Something in his voice, a note of vulnerability which she would least have expected, made her look at him reluctantly. His eyes, deep and dark, held hers with an intensity that took her breath away.

"YOU are the one I care about. You are my first and foremost concern. My first and foremost love. You are the one I will carry through waters … For your sake, I would give kingdoms and princes … And for your sake alone I would have you take hold of forgiveness."

There was a long silence. Only tears rolled from her eyes, dark and heavy, searing her cheeks. Finally, she looked up, pulled a face and tied to smile, mustering all her courage. "If you go with me, I'll try it."

The tenderness in his look enveloped her, enfolded her like a mantle. Suddenly she felt safe, ready to meet whatever demons were to issue from that mirror. She would face them this time, it would be different this time, for He was with her this time.

"I will hold your hand and never let go. I know you will have victory. I promise you my healing."

Her smile was still insecure, but this time sincere. Without realizing, she grasped his hand firmly, so firmly that her fingernails dug into his palms. "Well, then, let's get it over with."