Ariel tossed yet another dusty garment aside. It was not that she was overly picky, her current attire would attest to that, but every item she pulled from the chest was made from such an awful, scratchy substance that she detested the thought of having it constantly against her skin. She was growing uncomfortable. Eric had been feeding her from the local pond, and though it sustained her well enough, it did not nourish her entire body the way the sea could. She was cold, and the rags she had been brought here in were falling to pieces.

She dug deeper into the last chest, when her fingers suddenly felt something smooth and cool. Excitedly she pulled it from the bottom. It was a long dress, not nearly ornate as the others, made of a smooth, shiny material that reminded Ariel in a way of the scales on her tail. Quickly she shed her rags, using some of the water Eric had left to wash, and pulled the dress on overhead. It slipped easily against her skin, and Ariel could not resist the urge to hug herself.

The surface world, she had learned, had many awful things, but some of them were truly wondrous. She remembered, suddenly, the old mirror she had found while exploring one particularly dusty corner, and scampered over to find it, suddenly eager to see herself in the fine clothing of the surface world. She found the silver item, and held it up excitedly.

If Ariel had a voice, her scream would have echoed to the sea. There, staring back at her, was the Enchantress.

She dropped the mirror, scrambling back, panting wildly. She had not seen the Enchantress since she had been hidden here, but her heart would never forget that face, either of them.

A voice suddenly filled the room, drifting eerily from the mirror, and Ariel covered her head in terror. What magic was this?

It floated, the unmistakable sounds of the Enchantress's voice, asking the room a question.

"Show me mirror, so that I may see, who could be fairer than me."

There was no answering voice, no anything at all, but Ariel stayed huddled where she was, staring at the mirror.

Soon she heard footsteps at the door, and Ariel burst forward as the center window was opened.

"Woah!" Eric stumbled backwards, dropping a few items on the ground. The mermaid was ripping at the bars, pointing frantically back into her room. "What is it?" he asked, alarmed by the panic written on her face.

She scrambled away, to the desk in the corner, there was the harsh sounds of scribbling, and she returned, panting, shoving the paper at him.

Eric took it, unfolding the crumpled paper. There written was the symbol they had determined would mean the Enchantress, but it was drawn inside of an ornate shape that Eric did not understand.

The mermaid stood at the door, gripping the bars, her eyes filled with terror. Eric was wary. They had established a pattern over the past weeks. He would bring her provisions, and learn what he could of the Enchantress and how this mermaid had come to be here through scribbled drawings and at times frustrating charades.

He knew she had followed a ship. And met the entrance, been given legs in exchange for a voice, the why was still a bit fuzzy, as was why she had repeatedly drawn a big mouth ogre in the ship she had followed. She had a bit of an exasperated temper, but she had never been frantic, and she had always stayed well away from the bars.

Now she clung to them, tears of terror in her eyes. Even though he had heard of how deceptive mermaids could be, preying on sailor's emotions and desire to help, he still instinctively wanted to calm her. He tried to fight against it, what if this was a ploy to get her out?

"You saw the Enchantress?" He asked, and she nodded frantically.

"Where?" She turned and pointed forcibly at the center of the room.

"She was here?" Eric asked, not liking the shiver that raced up his spine. The mermaid stomped away, and pointed emphatically at an object on the ground. It looked like an ornate dressing mirror, and he realized its matched the shape in the picture she had drawn.

"She was here... In a mirror?" he tried to keep the disbelief from his tone, but she suddenly wrapped herself in her arms, her gaze fell and her lips trembled as tears began to fall.

Eric looked away. This was a trick. There was a tiny, sniff of sound as the girl wiped at her tears. Eric realized suddenly that she had changed. Gone were the tattered rags, she wore a straight gown of deep emerald silk that floated to the floor, it made her look regal and almost fierce with her high cheek bones and flowing red hair, if she didn't look so completely alone.

"May I have the mirror, please?"

She started and scowled at him indignantly through her tears, like wondering how he could expect such a thing.

"I need to see it," he repeated, somewhat sternly, and he watched as ever so timidly she reached out and nudged it with her toe.

Nothing happened. Growing somewhat bolder, she slipped sideways to one of the chests, never taking her eyes off of the mirror. Reaching down she snatched up a handkerchief and carried it forward. Stooping, she used it to carefully lift the mirror. She trembled as she did so, still obviously frightened, but carried it forward determinedly. Eric took it gently from her through the cracks in the bars.

"Thank you," he gave her a small smile, and she blinked at him, he not realizing it was the first time he had done so.

Stooping he shoved the mirror into his pouch, then quickly removed her food. He had meant to ask her more things today, but finding out about this mirror was too immediate a priority.

He said as much as he handed her her food. She nodded, looking frightened, and he almost asked if she would be okay, before he grimaced and turned decidedly away.


"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!"

Miss Potts dropped her tray as the roar filled the palace, and she and Belle stared at each other in startled alarm. Then they were both hurrying out of the kitchen towards their master's study where Marcus's shout had come from.

Andrew met them in hall, and they both demanded to know what was going on.

He regarded them, for once at a loss as how to respond.

"It would seem," he stuttered, "That Eric has returned."

Belle gaped at him in astonishment as Betty slumped against the wall, hand on her chest as if she felt faint, "Oh thank heavens," she muttered in relief.

Marcus surged up from his desk, staring at the man in astonishment. Eric rubbed the back of his neck, looking bashful. He had known they would wonder what had happened to him, but the look of sheer relief he was not expecting.

He had honestly not known if he was even able to leave his position as guard, except to nearby towns for supplies, and this was the first real thing he considered was worth risking it.

"Well I, I can't tell you what I have been doing..."

Marcus passed a hand over his face, "Are you safe? Are you well?"

Eric nodded.

"Then sit." Marcus ordered, pointing to a seat, "And do not even think of leaving.

With that Marcus strode brusquely to the door.

He was not left alone overly long when there was a slight knock heard and the door squeaked open. A young woman appeared, one Eric had certainly never seen before, with heart-shaped face and stunning brown eyes.

"Lord Eric," she greeted him warmly. "I've brought you some tea. We are really so glad you've returned, Lord Marcus has been most worried about you."

She spoke as she poured the tea, and Eric took his cup, a bit bewildered, "Its, its just Eric," he managed, he wasn't 'lord' anyone, and he wasn't entirely sure a king would have done much worrying over him. "Forgive me, but, who are you?"

"Oh!" she blushed prettily, "I've just heard so much about you it felt as if I already knew you, my name is Belle, I'm a servant here."

Eric smiled, deciding he liked her open friendliness. She was a bit forward for what he normally saw in a servant, but he supposed many in this castle were.

"It's lovely to meet you, Belle, and thank you for the tea, tell me," he leaned in, 'Do you know where King Marcus went?"

She frowned, "I imagine he's gone to tell Lord Philip of your return. They've been searching for you for weeks"

Eric felt guilt stir. He had not considered while he was gone that they would truly worry about him. They had formed friendships on the battle field but he had always imagined that once they returned he would retake his station as captain of the guard. Who was he that a king or a prince would care to search for him?

Belle left him on his own then, and he sat for some time. The sound off quick steps in the hall alerted him before the door swung open and Philip stood there, staring at him.

"He really is here!" he exclaimed, as if he had not believed Marcus when he told him. Eric stood to greet his prince. He extended a hand, and was not prepared to be suddenly enveloped in a hug. Philip gripped him, pounding his shoulder roughly before pushing back.

"I swear I never thought I would be this happy to see your face." Philip quipped, but there was a real depth in his eye that suggested he was more moved than he let on.

Philip watched as Eric settled back down, clearly a little embarrassed, but he didn't care. He had lost so many men lately, the thought of losing a friend, one who had taken his own place, was too much. Hearing Eric had been found was the first truly good news he had had in a while"

"Now," Marcus settled across from him, Philip leaning casually against the mantle, "You were saying?"

Eric cleared his throat. "I can't tell you what I've been doing, it's part of the contract, I wasn't even sure I could leave, which is why I didn't reach out sooner," he looked to both men, "And I am sorry for that. I didn't mean to cause unnecessary concern," Philip scoffed under his breath, but Marcus waved a hand to quiet him.

"I can tell you." Eric continued, "That I'm in no serious danger, what she has asked me to do is not," Eric paused, not sure how to explain without breaking the covenant.

"We know she could not have asked you to do something evil, Eric, as you're still alive."

Eric nodded, relieved and grateful they understood. "I am in a position to learn things about the Enchantress, nothing major has been revealed, but today this happened." He pulled the mirror from the pouch, still wrapped, and showed it carefully to Marcus. He realized suddenly that the mermaid better not have lied to him because if she had, he was about to look very foolish.

"The Enchantress appeared... In that."

Philip gawked as if he was certain he had not heard right, but Marcus only looked mildly surprised. He held out a hand and Eric happily handed it over.

"It must be a looking glass," He commented as he studied the back of the mirror.

"What's so special about that?" Philip asked, pushing off the mantle to take a closer look.

"I meant one of the original looking glasses, before they were produced without magic for vanity's sake." He turned it over and began to slip the cloth off.

Eric stuttered out a warning, afraid the Enchantress would be able to see them if he did that. Marcus's answering smile was half amused, half reassuring,

"Looking glasses can be tied, but the connection can only work one way. If the Enchantress appeared in here, it must mean she was using one tied to this, but this one is not tied to hers. She won't be able to see anything this is used for."

"What are they used for?" Philip asked, Eric was too busy being relieved.

Marcus used the cloth to pass over the glass, rubbing it free of dust, "They'll show you anything you ask," he held the mirror up, "Show me the gardens."

There was a slight sheen of light then the gardens appeared in the glass, Marcus's murky reflection over top. He watched for a moment some children from a nearby school playing along the paths, a laughing Belle chasing them. It was a pretty scene.

"Fascinating." Philip murmured, coming in for a closer look. But Marcus set the mirror down and the scene vanished. Philip frowned.

"What was it the Enchantress asked to see?" He asked, and Eric shrugged.

"I'm not sure, I wasn't there when it happened."

"Then how..." Marcus began, but stopped, remembering the rules of Eric's covenant, he couldn't reveal what he had been doing. The rules did not specifically cover the mirror, though, and Marcus leaned in thoughtfully.

"If we watch this mirror, we may well learn what the Enchantress is searching for. It could be a help in defeating her."

Philip was nodding along, "Yes, but who do we know that has nothing to do but watch a mirror all day?"

Eric rubbed the back of his neck, "I may know someone..." he said slowly. He frowned, looking at them both suddenly, "You don't happen to know how to teach someone to read, do you?"

Philip looked at him like he had lost his senses, and Marcus just chuckled a little, "Well to be honest, she mostly taught herself."


Belle stood staring at the two men in front of her, as they both stood waiting for an answer. Marcus looked mildly amused, and Belle was struck by how much lighter he looked knowing Eric was alright, and now it seemed they had something to use against the Enchantress.

"You want me to, at dawn each morning, stand before a mirror and... Teach it to read?"

"And to write," Eric was nodding, "Mostly to write."

"Why?" Belle found herself asking again, before shaking her head, "I know. You can't fully explain." She looked past the brown-haired man in front of her to Marcus, "And this makes sense to you?"

He nodded simply, and Belle sighed, "Well, then I suppose I can do it." Eric grinned, clasping her hand in thanks, before backing away.

"I should get back, thank you both." He turned and jogged down the corridor, and Belle turned a questioning look on Marcus who merely shrugged and walked away.