Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I'm simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD's get released.

Tomorrow's Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty-Nine – Mirror Image

Isabel whimpered softly, staring at the woman on the throne beside Kivar. Her hair was long and blond, curling softly about her shoulders; similar to the style Isabel had worn in high school. She wore a dress of sky blue, with an empire waist, and gold braid decorating the bodice.

"Isadra, what is wrong?" questioned the Ambassador.

"N-nothing," Isabel whispered. "I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed. I don't know what I expected, but this is a bit awe inspiring."

"It's meant to be," said the Ambassador. "There is nothing wrong with engendering a feeling of awe in those you are trying to impress, or conquer. Would you like to meet Lord Kivar now, Isadra?" the Ambassador asked.

"Ah, no, not now," Isabel said, trying to keep the panic out of her voice. She lifted a hand up to her hair, and slightly changed the hue to an even darker shade, then she rubbed her nose, altering its shape slightly. "No, I don't wish to disturb Lord Kivar," she added.

"Nonsense," said the Ambassador. "He is always delighted to meet an up and coming member of the diplomatic corp. Also, this will give him an opportunity to show off his beloved bride, Vilondra. She has been gone for so long doing diplomatic work for Lord Kivar."

"Th-that must have been very difficult for them," Isabel said, mechanically, while she pondered the words of the Ambassador. She turned slightly to allow herself a better view of the throne while ideas spun through her mind. "How long was she gone, Ambassador?" Isabel asked. "I'm sure I know, but all intelligent thought has just flown from my head." She smiled, and looked at the Ambassador like he was the Antarian version of God's gift to women.

"Don't worry, my Dear," said the Ambassador, patting her gently on the arm. "Being in the presence of such a commanding figure as Lord Kivar, is enough to befuddle even the soundest of minds."

"Oh, I don't think it's him that's causing me to become so flighty," she smiled at him, and lowered one eye, suggestively. Oh God, she thought, I'm going to make myself sick.

The Ambassador tried to straighten his aged body, and pulled in his stomach. He was flattered that such a beautiful young creature such as Isadra was showing an interest in him.

"Vilondra has gone for just over five years," he told Isabel. "She was away when a King Zan went insane. He had taxed our people so badly that they could barely survive. Rath, his second in command ordered the beating of anyone who dared to question any of Zan's policies."

"There was an uprising in the city, and the palace was stormed. They breached all the security systems. With so many people, the king was powerless against them. They killed him, and his second in command, and left their bodies in the courtyard for all to see. Lord Kivar finally managed to quell the rebellion. He then went to Vilondra and told her of the uprising that robbed her of her family. When he returned, it was to announce that they had married, and that Vilondra was going to act as an Ambassador on a neighboring planet, while she dealt with her grief at losing her family."

"That's right," said Isabel. "I remember. I can't believe I forgot the tragedy that poor woman has suffered. It's so sad," she feigned a sniff, and dabbed at a non-existent tear. "If you'd excuse me for just a moment," she added. "I'll be back in just a moment."

"Of course, dear," said he Ambassador, patting her gently on the shoulder. "You take your time. I'll wait right her for you."

Isabel walked slowly out of the Great Hall, trying not to draw any attention to herself. She found a small room, and ducked inside and locked the door behind her, ensuring that she had some privacy.

"If he mind warped them, we can undo it, I know we can," she said out loud. She sat down in a nearby chair, and reached for the locket around her neck, when she remembered Liz's story about what happened in the market place. "Those people knew the truth, and Liz said Kivar talked to them about the evil tyranny of the royal family. So which is it, was there a rebellion, or did he overthrow the royal family, and murder us all?"

Isabel slumped in the chair, saddened by the realization that the only way to find out the truth was to access the memories of the first Vilondra.

"Let me out of here!" Vilondra shouted, banging on the door. "I am your Princess, and I command you to release me!"

"Really, Vilondra," said Kivar, as the door opened. "What would your loyal subjects say, hearing you talk like a common piece of trash?"

"You are insane if you thing this stupid plan of yours is going to work!" she shouted. "The people of Antar LOVE the royal family. They would never believe the horrible lies that you are telling them."

"You stupid bastard, the bodies of my brother, and his best friend are in the courtyard. People have seen that, they know what happened," shouted Vilondra.

"No, Vilondra, you're wrong. For years, I've had spies working throughout the city, stirring up unrest against the royal family. I've been stealing from the royal treasury, and instituting new taxes to make up for it. And the beauty of it is, your stupid brother was too involved in his little dreams of a better Antar, to even notice. He wanted to make too many changes, too fast. It was so easy to create a feeling of unrest. I would have been foolish not to capitalize on it."

"Capitalize on it," spat Isabel. "You bastard, you created it. But I'm going to end it, right here. She raised her hand to shoot an energy bolt at Kivar, but he was too quick, and he struck her with his own bolt, killing her instantly.

"Pity," he said, looking at her charred body. "I needed her. But no worry, I can work around that." He shot another bolt at the body, causing it to burst into flames and disintegrate into a pile of ash.

Isabel sat upright in the chair, pulling herself from the memories of Vilondra. Beads of sweat dotting her forehead, and pooled above her upper lip. She tried to stand, but her shaking limbs wouldn't support her. She collapsed back into the chair, and began to weep.