That party…oh that dreadful party. It was the start of all our troubles. The real start of everything, the turning point in our story…well the first one and definitely one that turned it upside down.

Snow White had been so joyful and excited, and had looked like a raven haired, scarlet lipped angel sent from heaven to grace the ballroom floor. I had been excited for her, and was already hoping for at least a hundred tales of what a ball was like…a bit of a high hope, I understand, but I would have settled for fifty tales the next day with her.

But there was to be no next day. And there would be no hundred tales, nor fifty.

There would only be me, and my looking glass.

/

"You look beautiful, and it fits you like they took your own measurements." I repeated, for the fifth time.

"But are you sure?" Snow White stressed, looking over herself again.

"I was sure the last four times and I'm…well now that you mention it there is a crease in your hem behind you…"

"Where?! Where?!" And she spun around in circles like a dog trying to catch it's tail.

I snickered and she stopped, catching onto my joke. "Very funny, Mirror." She huffed, but smiled.

"You'll tell me everything, won't you?"

"Down to the most insignificant details." Snow White promised.

Music rose up in volume, seeming to seep out of the walls. "That would be the orchestra, stretching out their strings." She sighed. "I could return early…no one will be in here tonight what with the party going on…I wouldn't mind keeping you company."

"I wouldn't dream of robbing a moment of this evening from you." I replied. "One of us must live it, and you're going to live it to the fullest." I smiled. "Your feet must have blisters on them by the end of the night, or else you haven't danced enough."

She grinned, too happy to worry over anything. "I should go, half the guest out to be in there now, and I can't be the first, or the last or she'll take notice."

"Good plan." I nodded. "No off you go."

"Good night Mirror."

"Fly, fly off into the night." I watched her like I was watching my own dream.

"You are sure…"

"Just go already, Snow White!"

She left, and I was beside myself, in my glass, hearing nothing but bright, lilting music rise and fall. A mere taste of the true enjoyment happening down the corridors, but a lovely treat for me.

I swayed from side to side, eyes closed blissfully, enjoying the simple things about the moment. Lovely music, and no queen visiting tonight. There had certainly been worse nights.

I grabbed the edges of my white skirt, letting it flow around me with a few lazy turns, humming softly with the song of a few violins. I imagined what my friend was doing, eating fine food, and speaking with nobles from far and wide, and dancing with handsome (hopefully they were handsome, though with a face so lovely I'm sure Snow White would be asked to dance by every man).

Time passed as I sang to myself and swayed and pretended that I was with my friend, and that I knew about such joys of human life.

My trance was so deep that I had quite the shock when I turned around and saw that there were two people standing before my glass. "Oh!" I leapt back into the dove gray hangings and clutched at my heart.

I recognized one of them as Oswald, who was shaking like a scared dog. "This is it, the mirror I spoke of."

"She is impressive." A young man beside him nodded, and smiled at me. "I did not think something like a mirror would appear so frightened."

"It's alive…in it's own way." Oswald explained shortly. "You can ask it anything you need, just ask in rhyme, and do hurry, someone may be coming."

It was here that I started to doubt Oswald's loyalties. Perhaps this was why he had always been so shaky.

"Keep guard, will you?" The other man asked.

Oswald went pale as milk and began to stutter. "Well…well I…I, well…"

"Keep guard." The man gave the final word. "We'll be in no small amount of trouble if we're caught in here." And so Oswald went out and stood (shaking) on guard.

"Is he always so skittish? Oswald was much calmer before we sent him over here, years ago." I was unable of replying and stayed close to the hangings. "Are you always so skittish yourself?"

"Oswald is a spy?" I asked.

"Yes, though not a very good one." The man replied. He was young and fit and well dressed for the evening.

"He means to harm the queen?" I asked.

"No, and I believe he'd be too frightened to even consider it." The man went on. He cleared his throat. "If I may, there is something important I must know, and I've been told that only you are capable of giving an honest answer. Would you be able to tell me something if I asked?"

"I would." I answered. "Though I'm not quite sure if I should." I threw back my shoulders and set my face to a stern and serious expression. "Who are you?" I demanded. "And what do you need me for?"

"Rather suspicious for a mirror…" The man smiled, and I'm afraid to say it was so kind and genuine a smile that most of my sternness was lost. "Loyal to the Queen, are you?"

"No!" I blared. "I'm not fond of that vain and cruel woman, and I like her only as much as the next man does, which is no vast quantity, as I'm sure you've noticed. She's selfish and obsessive over beauty and just plain…well, mean!" I snapped.

"Dare we say, evil?" The man suggested.

"I suppose we could." I agreed. I cleared my throat again. "But just because I don't like her doesn't mean there aren't others in this kingdom I cannot let you take advantage of. Innocent people, and my few friends included." I looked at him seriously again. "Who are you?"

"Who are you?" He countered.

"It's quite obvious I think." I shrugged. "I'm a magic mirror."

"Yes, but how did you enter the mirror?"

"I don't know, I've always been in the mirror. Strictly speaking I've never entered or left it because this is where I've always been."

"You grew up in there?"

"Growing up isn't quite the right term." I tried to explain. "I've always been like this. I've never existed as a child."

"Incredible."

"To some, yes, the idea is unusual but grand." I crossed my arms. "Now I've told you plenty about me, I want to know who you are, and why you are here instead at this evening's party."

He smiled, friendly. "I have not come to smash your glass into a million pieces, have no worries."

This was a great relief to me, and I visibly relaxed.

"And your name?" I pressed.

"Prince Adalric, heir to the Northern kingdom."

I flustered briefly, and curtsied. "I meant no disrespect by pressing you so much."

My flustering must have appeared endearing, for he laughed good-naturedly and smiled more. "If I may, Keeper of the Mirror, there is still the business of my questions that need answering…"

"Oh, yes." I nodded. "Well…: I took in his charm (that is the problem with princes they are all so charming) once more. "Yes, I suppose I can answer whatever you came for. The Queen won't think to ask, and if she never asks, she'll never know."

"Thank you." He nodded.

"In rhyme." I added. "It's a silly detail, but the rhyme is vital…"

"Mirror, Mirror, our pact is made, so tell me if the Queen will be fair in our trade?"

I smiled at how easily he spoke in rhyme for me. "She will." I answered. "Or rather the counsel will, but she's left all that business to them, so you'll have nothing to worry about. Peace may soon be upon the realms, and all will prosper, with any luck."

"That is good."

"Well, I don't always give well received answers, but in this case I am glad that I was helpful." I said. "I don't often have new visitors, or ones that are half so pleasant as you."

Adalric and his handsome face stared back at me. "I'm glad a magic mirror thinks so highly of me." He paused for a second. "If I may, there is one more thing I wish to know…"

"If it is only one more thing, I don't see it doing any harm." I replied.

He cleared his throat. "Mirror, mirror, she fled under the cover of night, tell me if my friend is alright?"

A thousand images flew through my head. The forest at night, dark skies, tree limbs ripping at a dress and roots below threatening to trip someone. A large pack slung upon the maiden's back. I felt fear, and saw golden hair. A young women running as though she ran for her life, until at last she stopped, and seemed to take refuge in the shadows, nestling in the lower limbs of a tree I saw none of her face, but I felt something of her relief. I am safe now…and I hope that no one should ever find me…

"Yes, yes she is safe." I answered, and he looked relieved.

"Did you see her, can you tell me where she is?" He asked. "I'll ask again in rhyme if I must."

"No." I shook my head. "I…I…" I fought with what to say. "Did I tell him she was out in the forest now? Did I tell him that she did not wish to be found by anyone?

He had not asked in rhyme, so, somewhat bitterly, I lied. "I cannot tell you that. She is lost, and if she does not know where she is than neither do I."

He accepted my words. "But she is safe?"

"Yes, yes, quite well." I promised.

"Thank you.' He answered.

"If I may ask…who is she?" I asked. "I saw nothing much of her other than her golden hair…"

"She is from the Southern Kingdom." Prince Adalric was kind enough to answer. "I have known her since we were children, and we were promised to one another long ago."

"She has run away because she does not want to marry you?" I asked, quietly.

"No, no Elaine would have married me." He said. "Hopefully, not just out of obligation, but our relationship was nothing more than a bond between friends. No, she ran from her father. He has gone mad."

"What?"

"The king has lost all of his good sense, his mind is gone." The prince explained more for me. "He's been plagued by grief over the last decade, since he lost his wife. Only now has it truly manifested into something…something terrible…"

"Surely he would not wish to harm his own child?" I asked.

"We do not know." Adalrich shook his head. "He has fallen ill since she left, it's made him even more grieved. He rises from bed only to pace and speak more madness about locking her away in a tower where no one shall get her, or other vile ideas which are against the law of heaven and earth."

"Oh dear." I fretted.

My reaction, though only a worry, he took as genuine fear. "Do not burden yourself with that knowledge." He tried to calm me. "You are a mirror, safe from such things in the world. You'll always be safe in these walls."

"I wish I was not in these walls." I replied. "I've always seen these walls."

"Perhaps it is not so wonderful to be the servant of such a Queen." Adalric sighed. "But there is hope, she cannot live forever, and therefore cannot be your master forever."

I had no desire to tell him that the record of masters I had did not show me much promise for the future. Instead, I glanced up at him, smiled and replied "You are right. It will not last forever…it cannot…"

"There we go, Keeper of the mirror." Adalric grinned. "Hope for the better and it shall find it's way in time."

Charming, so very friendly and charming and one of the most pleasant people I had ever met. "Thank you." I nodded.

"I must say goodbye now before my absence is noted."

"Yes, of course, good bye." I wished him.

He nodded again. "Goodbye, beautiful lady in the mirror." He bowed to me with such respect, then turned and I was dismissed.

I blushed as he left. Beautiful…no one had ever called me that before. Beautiful lady of the mirror…

/

Snow White was kind enough to stop by after the party had died down, exiting in the crowd. She was still in a dream-like daze, as though music was still in her ears and her feet were still moving in a dance. "How was it?" I demanded as soon as she entered.

"Wonderful…wonderful and brilliant and absolutely perfect." She glowed. "I wish you had seen it. Crystal chandeliers were hung, and every dress was a different color, and it all just seemed like a beautiful dream."

"Did you dance with many men?"

"Oh yes." She nodded. "At first I was rather shy, I suppose I didn't want to be found out by anyone, but after I let one dance with me, they simply traded me between themselves. They were all lovely."

"Handsome?" I asked.

"Yes, many of them were handsome as well."

"Any favorite in particular?" I raised an eyebrow in question, catching her lamb's eyes.

"There was one in particular."

"How brilliant!" I grinned. "What was his name?"

She was too happy to even frown. "I don't know, I didn't even ask."

"Well did you tell him who you were?"

"Oh no, I couldn't give myself away."

"Never mind." I shook my head. "I suppose we can always figure it all out later." My well of knowledge would be able to fill in the blanks and put names to the faces, with little trouble. "You must be exhausted."

"Yes." She yawned then, realising it herself. "And I stand to get just four hours of sleep tonight too."

"Off you go." I shooed her gently away. "We'll talk of it all later."

"But don't you want to know about it all now?" She asked. "Don't you want to know what the Queen was like at the party? Or about the poor footman who was shaking so badly he spilt an entire bottle of wine?"

"Oswald…" I sighed. I would have to tell her of my own events last night. "Off with you, Snow White. Get what rest you can. Tomorrow we'll have the time for tales of dresses and dances and shaking footmen." I smiled. "And I'll have to tell you about the visitor I had during the night…"

"Someone came in here? Who?"

"A prince." I beamed.

She smiled. "I wasn't the only one who had something exciting happen to me tonight, I see."

I giggled, light and happy and feeling all was well with the world. "Enough, enough! You're moments of sleep are vanishing as we speak! Off with you to bed!"

Off she went, still in the violet dress, happy, beautiful, kind as ever. My friend, my darling friend…

There would be no meeting between us tomorrow.

/

It was probably only an hour after Snow White had left that I was interrupted from my peaceful meditation, by yet another visitor, this one quite familiar.

"Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, reveal yourself to us all!" The words were practically screeched.

The glass cleared and I beheld the queen, as I'd never seen her before. She was stripped of her fine clothes, clad in a dressing robe, which was falling from her shoulders and threatening to fall off altogether. Her hair was free of it's plaits and pins and the powders on her face worn throughout the night, fading.

"Your majesty…" I was taken aback. She was alone, her ladies-in-waiting likely gone off to bed. "Perhaps you had better…compose…yourself." I tried to speak to her.

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of th-?" It was as though I had been speaking to the deaf.

"I don't know why you must know this in the middle of the night, your grace."

"Who is she?!" The Queen demanded.

"Who are speaking about?"

"The lady in the violet dress!"

I froze. "Your majesty, I tried myself to avoid this conversation and where it was going. "You are tired. The evening has worn you thin. The woman in the violet dress is likely no one special. Some lord's wife, or sister."

"No one has seen her before, no one knows who she is." The Queen seethed. "Who is she?! Where has she come from?!"

"I don't know." I said, unable to stop my voice from shaking. "I did not attend the party."

I flinched as her face grew red with rage, fearing for the safety of my looking glass.

"Mirror, Mirror, on the wall…" She commanded, filled with anger that eclipsed all I had seen in her before.

"Please, please don't." I tried.

"Who is the fairest of them all?!"

I couldn't bear to speak, but the words were commanded of me, and came anyway. It was impossible to ignore the images of Snow White, in her beautiful violet dress floating around the ballroom with a smile on her face. To see how everyone had watched her and she hadn't even noticed over her own happiness. "Tonight…" I said, so softly, "…there is one who has grown more beautiful than you. Her face long hidden, it has now been found by the kingdom, and is thought more lovely than yours." I lowered my head in shame. "Lips red as blood, and hair black as night, with skin so pale, she is called Snow White."

"Snow White…" The Queen seemed to be almost in shock. "Snow White."

"It is nothing your majesty." I tired to protect my friend. "Memory of her will fade from tonight. Soon no one shall recall the lady in the violet dress…"

"Snow White…but how? How did she even manage to attend the ball?"

"It does not matter, she will never be seen by them again."

"Yes…" The Queen said. "Yes…she will not be seen again…by them or by anyone!"

"What?" I gasped. "What do you plan to do? Surely you won't…"

"She will be gone from my sight, from everyone's sight forever!" The Queen seethed. "She will not live to see another day after tomorrow!"

She turned and left before she could even hear me cry out. "No!" I yelled, falling upon my glass and slamming at it with my fists. "No, you can't! You can't!"

I beat against my mirror for what must have been hours until I grew exhausted and collapsed onto the floor, hardly conscious.

Memory of that man I had condemned before, a thousand years ago wafted through my head. I had just done the same again. I had all but killed my friend.

The 'mad king' bit is from Catskin/ coat of many colors. In the original tale, which like quite a lot of fairy tales is quite grim (haha, pun intended), the king is so grieved by the loss of his wife that he wants to marry a woman who looks just like her, but the only one who does is his daughter...yeah I decided to leave that Game of Thrones- esque far in the background.

The Queen approaches Mirror in only a bathrobe because in the original tale she went in her birthday suit (again, dark origins)

Adalric is a german name that I just searched up, because the fairy tales I'm using in this story are all German (or at least published as such). It means 'noble friend' and I found that it worked well, as a prince is definitely noble and someone who is charming would be considered a good friend.