G is for Glimmer
She made it to the road. It was almost habit now; leaving the cottage, turning into an animal, and then hightailing it to the road. She had discovered this wide, flat path at the edge of her Wilds some weeks past, and now every time she could get away, she was there, watching it. She was fascinated by the carts and all the things in it, and the people in strange clothes who laughed and talked on their journey. She wondered where they came from, and where they were going. Today, she was going to find out.
She went as a bear, a small black bear with powerful muscles and unending stamina. Flemeth approved of this form, and Morrigan was starting to see why, she barely noticed the long distance. It wasn't long before the road opened up, and she got her first glimpse of a town.
It was amazing, this town. More people together than she'd ever seen in her life and houses all packed together, some twice as big as her own cottage in the wilds. Horses, and animals, and dogs were everywhere. There were even carts, both empty and full. She noticed people clasping hands, embracing each other. Some were laughing, some were yelling. It was almost overwhelming, but strangely enticing. She had to see more.
But not as a bear. One of the dogs would do nicely, but she hadn't done enough study on it. A bird then. Birds could always get close. She quickly transformed again, and flew straight into the middle of town. Nobody took notice of the little bird sitting on a fence post, watching everything go by. A glimmer in the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she flew over to see what it was, and was astounded by what she saw.
It was a carriage, unlike anything she'd ever seen. It sparkled and shimmered, brighter then the sun. The horses attached to it were the purest white, and they wore feather plumes in their manes. There was a man in the driver's seat; he wore a brightly colored jacket that looked to be of the finest material. Standing outside of the carriage, talking to one of the other townsfolk, was the most beautiful lady she had ever seen. She soft blond hair done up in an intricately braided coif with little gems stuck in everywhere. Curls hung down to frame her heart-shaped face and emphasize full red lips and large green eyes. She was dressed in silk of the brightest red trimmed in gold. She wore so much jewelry that she sparkled like the carriage. So this was beauty and wealth.
The window of the carriage was open, and Morrigan was curious if the inside was just as beautiful as the outside. She flew in, completely over the head of the lady, and landed on the seats. They were red and thick, and soft. It was hard to tell under her talons, but Morrigan suspected that this was easily about ten times softer than her sleeping pallet in the cottage. There was something stuck in the cushions, a handle of gem encrusted gold. She tried to pull it out with one foot, but she was much to small. She glanced out the carriage. There was no window to the front, so the driver wouldn't see her, and as luck would have it, the lady stepped away. She shed her bird form and quickly yanked at the gold handle.
It was a mirror. Morrigan saw her reflection in the clear surface. She saw a skinny, scrawny child, with a serious, thin face, and messy dark hair. Her clothes were dirty rags. How could she ever hope to be like the lady? Morrigan felt a sudden stab of jealousy and desire. She was a girl from the Wilds, an outsider. This woman had everything, and all she had was a cottage in the swamp and Flemeth. But maybe...
Morrigan stroked the edges of the mirror. The woman would never miss it. She had so many pretty things. Morrigan just wanted one. She heard movement outside the carriage, and she froze. They were coming back. Quick as a wink she opened the other door and tumbled out, racing down the road and away from the carriage as fast as she could. The golden mirror was still in her hands. She wanted to shout with glee, but instead, she just kept running.
Flemeth was gone when she got home, so she spent some time playing with the mirror, turning it over and over in her hands, sending reflected beams of light dancing around the cottage. She stared at her reflection, playing with her hair, and pouting her lips in imitation of the blond lady. She traced the etched design of the mirror's frame.
"Morrigan? What is that?" Her mother's voice startled her. Instinctively, she hugged the mirror to her chest.
"N-nothing, mother." She said, trying to think to think of some way to hide her prize.
"Don't lie to me child. Don't ever lie to me. Give that here." She held out her hand, but Morrigan merely shook her head and held it tighter. Flemeth rolled her eyes and pried the mirror out of her daughter's hands. Morrigan resisted as much as she could, but Flemeth was just too strong. She lashed out with a small cold spell, but Flemeth brushed it off like it was nothing. Flemeth gave one more yank and pulled the mirror away from Morrigan, sending the girl backwards. Flemeth examined the mirror for a moment, and then slapped her in the cheek with an open palm.
"Don't ever try that again." She admonished. Morrigan rubbed her injured cheek. "Where did you get this?"
"I...I..." Flemeth slapped her other cheek this time.
"Don't waffle. Did you steal it?" Morrigan hung her head. She couldn't look her mother in the eye. "You did, didn't you? You went into town and you stole it." Flemeth peered at her, waiting for a response, but Morrigan pursed her lips tightly and said nothing.
"You risked discovery for this bauble? You really are a stupid girl. Look at me, Morrigan." Morrigan slowly raised her eyes to meet her mother's. They were dark and angry, like an incoming storm. Flemeth held her daughter's gaze and lifted the mirror above her head, daring her to do something. She brought her arm down with a snap, send the mirror into the floor, shattering into a million pieces. Morrigan threw her arm over her face to protect it from shards. Flemeth snorted, and turned towards the kitchen.
"Clean that up, girl." She said. Morrigan lowered her arm, and stared at the destroyed remains of the mirror. Beauty shattered. A single tear glimmered at the corner of her eye.
A/N: The thing about the golden mirror has always been one of my favorite things about Morrigan; that and her inexplicable love of shiny things. Flemeth clearly doesn't see it that way.
