Alrighty then, on to part 2 of the 11th chap.
Chapter 11: The Magic Mirror Part One
Still Amelia's POV
Amelia was very grateful as she made it through the mirror and landed gracefully on the grass with her feet instead of hurtling toward the ground painfully. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and faced the mirror, hoping for everything to work as she planned. Amelia held her hand out and looked at the ring. Uh, she started to wonder. What am I supposed to do? Her shoulders slumped with weariness and she just kept thinking of what she really wanted. Amelia wanted this place to be a peaceful world without evil ever getting the chance to intrude. She wanted to fulfill Kiari's promise and start her life over without all the trouble that had recently been part of their lives. She wanted to close the mirror…
"So, where have you gone to."
Wait a second! Amelia knew that voice! Her eyes flapped open and she gasped with an unbelievable expression on her face.
Cedric was standing on the other side of the mirror.
"Hmm, it looks like Phobos was right. He thought you would try to do something like this. It pains me, but I have to give my compliments on your fine work. Now Phobos has another world he can gain!" Amelia became angry with Cedric's words. She didn't even know anybody in this strange, new world, but she wouldn't leave a soul in the hands of Phobos willingly.
"Well, he might have to wait a long time considering that this thing is about to close!" Amelia cried. Cedric roared and was trying t charge through the mirror, but its frame was getting smaller and wouldn't let him through. Amelia gazed in amazement at the ring swirling with colors, more specifically the five colors she had become very familiar with, that were shooting straight toward the mirror which continuely shrunk until it was almost gone.
"We will get through! And when that time comes, the Heart of Candracar and the universe will be in Phobos's power!" Amelia heard Cedric growl before the mirror disappeared with a small pop. Amelia blinked, thinking silently through all of what had happened. She was safe; she was free! Amelia put on a sly smile and silently creeped out from behind the bushes. She smiled as she walked along a road. There were many people shopping and chatting with their own smiles on their faces. Boys ran around kicking balls and getting in the mud, much to the distress of their parents, while girls girls were clean and playing make-believe games with their rag dolls. Amelia listened closely to their conversations as she walked by and stopped for a second for a deep breath of the cool air. This place, Amelia thought dreamily. It's almost like Heatherfield, except, I don't feel all of the terror that has traveled with me practically all of my life. She looked up and stopped her daydreaming at a little girl's cry.
"My doll! Ben stole my doll!" a little girl with long, blonde hair cried. Amelia saw the boy running away from her with a doll with red hair and a blue dress clutched in his hands. As he ran by, Amelia expertly snatched it away from Ben and handed it to the girl.
"I think this belongs to you." She said as she placed it in the child's arms. The girl nodded shyly.
"Thank you miss."
She ran away hugging the doll while the boy scowled. Besides the mean boy, there didn't seem to be any sign of evil here. It was as if Meridian hadn't even touched this place, or even heard of it. Well, she thought guiltily with her hands in her pockets as she moved quietly alongside the road once more. That is, until Cedric saw me crossing through the mirror. There was no doubt that he would inform Prince Phobos, who would wait eagerly for Amelia to open the mirror again in his thirst for power and control. Amelia's lips tightened. That was it. She couldn't ever leave without putting this world in danger somehow. There was no turning back, and Amelia knew it.
"Hey! Watch out!" Amelia spun around and saw a barreling wagon right in front of her. Her eyes opened wide with fear before she instantly made a quick decision to move. Before she could react, however, a man slammed into her side, sending them both tumbling in the dirt.
"You really have to be careful with the road around here." The man said as he stood up and started brushing his arms. Amelia shook her dress and stood up just as quickly.
"I could have done without the hard fall into the dirt." She retorted. He looked at her with a startled expression.
"I just saved your life! Don't I get any respect for that?" he asked with a confused look.
"What do you want? A hero's acclaim? For your information, I would have moved." Said Amelia stubbornly. The guy looked appalled at her statement but then cleared his throat.
"Well, I'm sorry that I helped you, even if I'm sure you would have moved at the very last moment." He said politely. Amelia would have thought he was mocking her if it weren't for his apologetic and politeness expressed in his voice. She moved over to her right and she could actually see him without being blinded by light. The man was tall with pants and boots. He had curly black hair and hazel green eyes, and Amelia actually found herself blushing.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Henry Whitfield." He told her with a slight bow. Amelia turned her head slightly as if not daring to believe he was being a gentleman to her and then held out her hand.
"Amelia Beckley." Henry bent down and gave her hand a small kiss.
"Well, I hope, Miss. Beckley, that you have a nice evening." He tipped his hat formally and started walking. Amelia watched him curiously as he walked. She started to remember all of the things Becca and Danielle used to say about boys, right before they had all become Guardians of the Veil. 'If he looks back, he's interested.' Please look back, Amelia willed silently. Henry reached the end of the crossing, and sure enough, he glanced back with a smile. Her eyes opened wide and she actually grinned to herself before taking off in a sprint.
"Wait! Wait!" she called out. He turned around as she caught back up with him.
"I, I'm new here. I don't, really know anything about-it's all these new places-"
"Oh calm down. It can't be that different from where you came. The earth won't change as drastically as you are acting like it has unless you are from a different planet." Henry joked.
"Uh, funny you should mention that." Amelia said, running a hand through her hair.
"Tell you what. I'll tell you all you need to know about around here if you accompany me on the walk." Amelia looked to the side with a shy smile and then turned back to him.
"I would love that, Mr. Henry Whitfield."
(5 Years Later…)
Dear Diary, Friday, December 19, 1905
I have a feeling that this is the last time I will ever write in this diary. I will entrust my will in this book, although I already wrote it separately because I don't want just anyone to read this and know that I am, was magical. I have already told Henry because I cannot bare having to lie to him about a great part of me. Of course, he was quite astonished, but he gave his usual understanding smile and got over it. Could I have met a better man to spend my life with? These past five years have meant so much to me, it's hard to put in words the feeling of freedom and blissful happiness I have spent in this world with my new friends and family. I am very ill and I expect that these are some of my last moments alive. I have some things to do before I pass on though, and one of the first is to make sure I know that that mirror will be passed on in the family. I think Henry has explained why I have to go from here to James and John, but not about how I was going. When I pass back to Heatherfield, I must be very careful and wait until the Oracle makes me become permanently a part of the Council. I know I have a lot of explaining to do to everyone, but I hope they understand. The Heart of Candracar is humming with happiness as it knows that it is going back home, where a new keeper will be appointed soon. I have had the idea of Guardians in this world lingering in my head for quite some time now. The Oracle may not agree, but it's not fair for parts of the universe to be protected while the others are left vulnerable if evil inflicts. He may suggest that I pass the mirror to Guardians of new generations, but I have made it clear that I only want someone of my own blood in control it. It is their right and I know I can trust a girl in my family line to protect it. I just have to make the Oracle understand everything. This diary will only be able to be opened from whoever will wear my mother's ring. I will return to Carver Caves before my journey to Candracar. That is the place where I could be alone and enjoy all of my memories in Heatherfield. I will say goodbye now and I send my love to Henry, James, John, Danielle, Becca, Sarah, and all of the other people I have met who have touched my heart. To the protector of the magic mirror, do be careful and explore beyond the limits of your imagination to surpass the moon and stars. I can't wait to reunite with Kiari in Candracar. I'm finally going home.
Amelia leaned back on her pillows with a heavy heart. Henry would be back any moment with the children. Her lip trembled at saying goodbye. Would four and a half year old James and three year old John even understand that I am leaving them at such a young age? I wish I could stay longer, but I guess can't postpone my duty any longer. Amelia looked up as Henry led the two boys in. She tried to smile for their benefit as much as hers. They ran over and knelt down next to her while Henry stood gloomily in the doorway.
"Mommy, where are you going? Will you come back with presents?" John asked. Amelia bit her lip and stroked his cheek gently.
"No sweetie. I won't be coming back."
"Why do you have to go? You can't leave us. Who will take care of us?" James questioned with tears in his eyes. Amelia felt her own tears coming out in the corners of her eyes.
"Your father will. I will watch you from the stars. Remember as you say your prayers at night and look out the window, that the brightest star is me smiling down at you. Even during the day when you can't see the stars shining brightly, you will know that I'm always there helping you." John started crying openly now and she reached her hand out to wipe his tears away. John grabbed her hand and lifted it to his cheek.
"Mommy," he started. "Your hands are so cold." Amelia pulled her hand back and started rubbing her palm, sidetracked. Her eyes moved up in front of her, behind the foot of her bed. The mirror was gleaming and Amelia was sure she saw a memory of hers flash by it before it was gone.
"See that mirror boys? That mirror and this diary are very, very special to me. Please, as a last favor, promise me that you will take care of it and pass it along through the family so that it always stays with us. Will you promise?"
"Yes mam."
"We promise." The two boys threw their arms around her tightly and she held on tight as if not daring to let go. It is the worst feeling in the world to let your kids go.
"James, John, I need to speak to your mother now." Henry whispered. They both released their grips and looked up at their mother sadly before leaving the room.
Watching them go was the hardest thing for Amelia and she started bawling as Henry ran over and held her tightly.
"I can't do it. I'd rather stay here with you!" she cried. Henry rocked her back and forth like she was a wailing baby.
"No, you must go. You will be able to help people now, like you used to. You are going to leave us soon anyway. Don't you want to see your best friend?" Amelia stopped crying, but she could feel her face sticky from her tears.
"I know you're right. But I don't want to leave you…"
"I'll be sure to look for the brightest star every night before I go to sleep." He told her with a small smile. Amelia could still see past his eyes into the hurt he was truly feeling. But if he really wanted her to, she would do it.
Henry helped her get out of the bed and onto her feet. She wobbled a little, but then was able to slowly walk forward with him holding her arms. He stopped and looked at her expectantly. Right, she thought, holding her fist out. The ruby ring sparkled on her finger and then pulsated with magic. Five colors started swirling around and shot at the mirror with pure force and power. The mirror started swirling with blue magic and Amelia turned back to her husband.
"Henry, I-" he came down and gave her a kiss on the lips. He pulled back and she looked at him hopefully.
"Go." He told her firmly. She nodded and was about to step forward. Amelia took one last look at what she was leaving behind and stepped through the mirror, back to the place where she swore to never look back again.
Her feet touched the rocky ground of a place that she had known well. Reaching out to where she remembered her candle to be, Amelia quickly lit it and set the candle down. The light shone around the small room and she sighed as she looked at all of her possessions she left behind.
"I'm back." She whispered.
"Well, it's about time."
Amelia blinked and turned around slowly with a moan. Of course Cedric would be there! Nothing ever went smoothly.
"See, this is why I left." She muttered. Amelia noticed Cedric glancing back at the mirror and edging closer to it.
"So, why did you come back?" he asked. Amelia knew he was trying to distract her.
"That's really none of your business." She snapped. Her feet stumbled again and she grabbed a hold of the wall to keep her balance. Cedric looked her up and down and then started to laugh.
"You're ill! You came back here so you could go up to Candracar! Well, that should make this easier." He charged forward and Amelia barely had time to spin around and hold out her hand. The magic mirror got smaller and smaller before it disappeared as Cedric past right through it and slammed into the wall. He shook his scaly head and bared his teeth angrily.
"What's wrong Cedric? Did I beat you again?" she asked with her eyebrows raised.
"Open it now, or you may go up to Candracar sooner than you think."
"The sooner, the better. That way there will be no one able to open the mirror!" she exclaimed. "Nobody," she started while bringing the Heart of Candracar again and putting it close to the ring. It zapped it with magic and she continued.
"Nobody but my own family line can pry this ring off of my finger!" Cedric got up and slithered forward to attack, but Amelia gathered all the energy she could muster and threw it at Cedric. He flew past the room and even past a very long passageway until he landed with a thud on the wall.
Amelia fell down to her knees breathing heavily. She was very dizzy and could feel all of her energy draining from her. The sharpness of her vision started to fade and the caves started spinning. The Heart of Candracar started throbbing in her hand faster. Her own heart started beating slower…
Amelia opened her eyes to the familiar sight of Candracar. Everything was sparkling and glowing, just like it always had. It had seemed like a very long time since she had once walked up here asking the Oracle for answers. Yes, a very long time…
"Amelia?"
Amelia opened her eyes again and saw Kiari's black hair tied back and her eyes sparkling brightly, just like they always had. Her face was mixed with relief and happiness.
"You're here! We didn't know what happened to you! But I told the Council that you had to find another place to be free from your heartache." Her eyes shifted to the side. "They were really mad at me. They couldn't see you or anything. It was horrible because some didn't know what even became of the Heart."
"Well I'm here now. There should be no more need for worrying." Amelia announced strongly. She strode over to Kiari and then they hugged each other. She had waited five years to see those blue eyes look at her like that. They pulled away and sighed before walking toward where the Council would be sitting.
"I'm telling you, we need new Guardians!"
"Cedric has gone back to Heatherfield! What if he causes more trouble to Earth?"
"Forget Cedric, what would Phobos do?"
"Oracle, what are we supposed to do? Without the Heart of Candracar-" Amelia thought it was time to make her grand entrance. She walked in with Kiari by her side the whole time.
"Who is that?"
"Is that-Amelia?" Amelia cleared her throat.
"Yes. I'm back. I will not say that I'm sorry for leaving, but I am terribly sorry for leaving without consulting the council first." Amelia nodded in the direction of a lot of the Council. She spotted the Oracle and Tibor walking toward her. Amelia held her breath as the Oracle put a hand on her shoulder.
"Welcome back. Come with me Amelia, Kiari, Tibor." The Oracle said. Luba strode toward them and the Oracle looked back.
"I suppose you should come too, Luba." He said. Amelia and Kiari gave each other sidelong glances and then continued walking behind Tibor and the Oracle. They finally reached a space where no one could pry on them and Amelia stopped.
"You might have been wanting this, Oracle." Amelia summoned the Heart of Candracar and slowly handed it to the Oracle. Every second that she moved her arm forward felt like she was giving away a part of herself. It hurt so much.
"Thank you Amelia." He said kindly. "Now, we don't really need to know of what became of you because you are standing here now, and we know about the ring, Cedric, and the mirror. What we need to figure out is what to do now." Amelia was startled. This wasn't what she was expecting at all. She was ready to tell of exactly what happened to her, but the Oracle didn't need to know that. They all stood there in silence before the Oracle spoke again.
"I know you have something on your mind Amelia. What is it that bothers you." He spoke so smoothly and softly, Amelia felt it wrong to not say anything.
"Well, I was thinking of Cedric, and of how he might someday actually be able to get through the mirror and let Phobos obtain that world and many others."
"Get to the point." Luba said bordley. Kiari scowled behind her.
"I think that we should make new Guardians to protect the world I ventured off into and the rest of the worlds the Guardians of Heatherfield can't venture by using my mirror." She finally admitted.
"Why can't we just anoint new Guardians and then give them the mirror?" Tibor asked. Amelia rubbed her shoe around in a circle shyly.
"Uh, maybe because I made it so no one who isn't in my family line could take the ring off of my finger." Amelia told them with her face glowing red.
"So what you are basically asking," Luba started with a roll of her eyes. "Is for someone in your family to be a Guardian and protect your wonderful world."
"Well, I never really thought of it that way, but that will do." Amelia answered thoughtfully.
"Well of course you-" The Oracle held out a hand to silence Luba.
"I see Amelia's point in having more Guardians. Phobos might have his servants positioned by the caves in any sign of it opening. But, Meridian hasn't effected that world yet. If, and only if, evil passes through that mirror, new Guardians will be ready to serve their role." The Oracle had spoken, and Luba and Amelia nodded.
"But, even if their will never be Guardians, I would still like one of my daughters to be the protector of the mirror and wear the ring. There is only so much my boys can do without it."
"Hmm," The Oracle closed his eyes thoughtfully. "It would be her right. That I agree to." Amelia felt herself smiling in happiness. That is, until Luba interfered again.
"But how, might I add, would any child of yours get the ring when they are in that other world, while your body is lying in the caves of Heatherfield." Luba asked with a false sweet voice. Amelia felt like she had been hit by a brick, and then swallowed it.
"Yes, how would that be so?" Tibor wondered. Kiari suddenly stepped forward. She had been so quiet, that Amelia had barely remembered that she was there.
"May I suggest something Oracle? Even though you may not agree?" she asked with a real sweet voice.
"You may." He gave his permission with a nod.
"Maybe, when there is a Keeper of the Heart of Candracar living at the same time as Amelia's first girl, the Keeper could use the Heart of Candracar to help open the mirror and they could switch worlds shortly for the girl to retrieve Amelia's ring." Amelia looked up hopefully, but the Oracle was shaking his head.
"No, I'm sorry, but I don't think we can do that."
"But Oracle, what else can we do? The Keeper is someone of strong value and can stay in my world for a short period of time. We need to have this secured and safe, otherwise, we never know if Phobos can somehow figure his way past my magic and have a doorway to worlds that he would control. What do we have to lose?" Amelia asked. He closed his eyes again and started to think. Kiari moved over to Amelia and held her hand, giving her hope. The Oracle sighed and opened his eyes.
"It will be done."
"No Oracle! You can't do that. And you can't let more Guardians be appointed when we can't even watch them-"
"There might not even be new Guardians." He explained. "Amelia has the right to give her gift to anyone she chooses." Luba pursed her lips while Amelia nodded again. The Oracle blew some magic around and their agreement settled in the air.
It was a pact.
The Oracle and Tibor walked back to the Council. Luba walked by Amelia and whispered in her ear.
"I know you. No interfering. I will be watching you. Don't even think that you can say anything to anybody without me knowing." She took a glance at Kiari and then walked after them toward the Council. Amelia felt angry. She didn't want Luba to watch her like a hawk just so her wishes wouldn't come true! Who did she think she was? Well, Amelia thought with a breath of frustration. I'm going to make her eat her words. I can interfere and help the girl, right under her very nose!
"I'll see you later Kiari, okay." She said as she started walking away.
"Oh, it's okay. I have to join them now anyway. Amelia heard her shuffling back into the hall and Amelia sniffed again. She could send something for the girl to read and understand. Maybe in her diary. Wait, she thought again with her hopes sinking. Only someone can open it if they have my ring. This is my only chance, while Luba isn't looking! There must be new Guardians to protect the world that I love so much! My first daughter will be the protector of my ring and mirror! And I will find a way to send a message to her. Somehow…
Amelia looked aback in the directionLuba took angrily and then stormed away into another room. A peaceful room where there was no one to bother her in her own personal mission. She was going to make sure that there were Guardians in the world she had found and loved so much! Whether it be her own granddaughter, or some other unprepared girls. She was going to make it happen! And she was going to leave her message for that girl to read it and understand what she was giving to her, why everything was going to happen in a certain way. The Oracle announced his decision that the future keeper of the Heart of Candracar and her future daughter could switch worlds so that the girl could retrieve the Ring of Secrets, a magical heirloom that would be hers and hers alone. The Oracle said that Guardians for that world, her world, weren't to be chosen unless evil passed through the mirror. Well, Amelia thought dryly. Nothing is going to stop Phobos from getting all the power he can obtain! This world is destined to be doomed!
"Unless my message is clear." Amelia said. She wrote something down and unleashed her magic on her words.
"Let these words be etched on the mirror. When she sees them, she'll know!" she cried. Amelia thought again with a worried expression. At least I hope she does. If evil somehow does leak through the glass...the fate of the world depends on it.
Well, I just have to say that I'm sorry it took so long to bring up this chapter. The Internet is still down at my Mom's, which is where I am during the week. Believe me, I've had this chapter done for over a month now, along with chapter 12, which will come within this week (I mean it this time because I have figured out how to work this cd thing with my chaps). I just finished the first chap of P.o.w.e.r. two days ago and I'll go post that nowas well. Thanks for anybody who can put up with this cause I can normally update my fics without any problem and I'm so sorry for the wait. I still like reviews though!