Disclaimer: I own nothing. I do however claim right of inspiration because my mind is mine!
Also, this was brought about as a result of listening to In My Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride. I heard the song by chance and then this popped up, but I hadn't finished it. So send a bit of thanks over to LastStarOfTheNight for encouraging me to finish this.
In My Daughter's Eyes
Irene stood in contemplation within the shade of a great willow tree, absently watching her daughter run about the field and play-fight with her attendants. Heine and Juliet seem to barely keep up with the girl, but she knows they're only pretending to be at a disadvantage. Always so careful with her daughter.
Her daughter.
Irene hadn't realised how much she'd been hoping for a daughter until her child's gender was confirmed upon birth. Before that she hadn't spared much thought on it, yet the relief that washed over her in knowing she had a daughter put quite a bit in perspective for her.
Had her child been male, he would have likely resembled his father and despite all the effort made to ensure her child survived, Irene would not have been able to raise someone with the appearance of the man who had hurt her the most. Every time she would have laid eyes on such a child, she would have been reminded of her anger and eventually that anger may have carried over.
Her little girl is different, however.
Erza looked every bit like her mother, from her brown eyes and scarlet hair right down to her fair complexion and bone structure. At times the similarities were so pronounced that Irene worried that she had unconsciously gone through with her mad plan to enchant herself into her baby.
It was the main reason she had contemplated not telling her daughter who she was when she retrieved her from the Tower of Heaven.
After she was discovered by those humans, she hadn't had an opportunity to put her possession plan into action, and then suddenly her baby was taken from her and she was left for dead. A mistake her assailants now regret from within their afterlife, she is certain.
When she found that wretched tower, she had every intention of destroying all within sight. But then she found her daughter, alone in a room, chained and tortured, but with a desire of life in her eyes. Though the girl had no idea who she was, she'd smiled at her and Irene was nearly overcome with how fixated she was on the simple gesture.
Then the battle was over. The prisoners were free and she'd been somewhat surprised when the red head had walked up to her with awe and a shy smile, thanking her for the rescue and proclaiming her to be a hero.
She saw the belief in the words within her daughter's eyes and it cut deeper than any of Rung's words ever could. She'd felt so much guilt in that moment, knowing what she'd nearly done and what some part of her still wanted to do. To trust her so fully when she'd just met her – so naive, so innocent.
Irene had knelt down in front of her, asked her name, then spoke the heavy truth of the darkness in her mind and heart, but Erza just smiled at her, full and open. She accepted her and continued to even after Irene professed to being her mother.
Erza Scarlet.
Though likely not what she would have chosen, it is the name her child knows and calls her own. She was once told that names have power and could not deny this held true for her daughter. Erza means 'strong warrior' and the girl has shown that this was not a fib but rather an underplayed fact.
For the three years Irene had been imprisoned in her own home, her daughter had fought for her continued survival right alongside her, staying strong against the beatings and torture her mother endured on a daily basis and after that was finally over, Erza continued to fight for the four hundred years Irene was trapped in dragon form.
She fought during and after birth, then fought some more. Now, the eight year old knew nothing else and Irene's guilt refused her rest.
Would it have been better if she had gone through with leaving Erza in the care of the Magic Council?
"Mama! Mama, look!" Running up to her without any hesitation or wariness, Erza holds up a garland of flowers, bright smile in place. "I made this for you."
In the eyes of this child, she is a saviour. Someone worthy of bright smiles and flowery gifts. Irene doesn't understand it, cannot fathom it, even so she kneels down in front of her daughter, allowing the girl to place the garland around her head like a crown.
"You look so pretty! Like a fairy!" Erza claps her hands, eyes shining in adoration.
Irene smiles.
"If so, my daughter must be the kindest of all fairies."
Erza's cheeks flush red, but she looks pleased and in her eyes, Irene sees herself reflected in a glow of affection. "No. My mama's the best fairy."
In her daughter's eyes, she is a hero.
Strong and wise.
A wizard who appeared out of nothingness to save her, fearless of all foes.
Even so, the truth is that without Erza, Irene would not have this moment. Without Erza, she would not have had the strength to continue fighting and continue living this cursed half-life. This child is the true hero, a saviour sent to rescue her and make her into someone strong enough to endure and prevail.
Irene knows her failings, the darkness that lingers in the back of her mind, in the depths of her heart, but Erza's smile chases it all away. It makes her feel light and rewarded. Like all those horrible days spent in the dungeon and being humiliated before and by her people was no more than a distant nightmare. With one smile, the darkness turns to light and the pain becomes worth it.
All those times she considered giving up seem ridiculous now.
With Erza by her side, her days are bright. There is reason to wake up every morning, reason to look forward to the day and believe in a future that Irene had long lost hope for.
This miracle child who looks at her in pure delight without an ounce of fault or accusation, this tiny creature who welcomes her with open arms and a beaming expression. Her precious child who looks upon her with love and trust unparalleled to anything else Irene has ever known.
This child who is her every reason.
"My darling daughter." She pulls her into an embrace that Erza eagerly returns with bright laughter and chatter. She talks of what she would like to do further and how she wants to hurry up and continue their picnic so that she can eat more strawberry cake and swing around her training sword.
Irene agrees and caters to her whims.
Yes, perhaps Irene had ulterior plans for a while, but from the beginning her child had been her reason to continue despite the hardships and once again Erza strives to remind Irene of the source of her strength.
In those bright, smiling eyes, she sees herself wearing the flower garland and smiling softly in turn. She's sees a reflection of herself that gives her hope, a reflection of who she has the potential to be. The person she wants to be for her daughter, with all her heart.
"Mama."
"Yes, Erza?"
"I really like being with you. Thanks for coming to get me."
Oh, what a thing to say and what an expression to make: such a guileless, closed-eyed smile that lights up her entire face, head tilted to allow her scarlet hair to fall to one side.
Yes, the truth is plain to see.
Between the two of them, Erza is the one with a vision and heart capable of changing the world. A smile that warms the heart and brings with it a desire to continue bearing witness. To continue despite the desire to give up. To give when she feels she has nothing left to give, because that smile is all she needs.
"I cannot imagine life without you, my dear."
"That makes me really happy."
"Not as happy as you make me, Erza."
Erza fidgets with her sword, turning it around in her hands. "Hey, Mama?"
"Yes?"
"We'll come back here tomorrow, won't we?"
"We can come back as many times as you like."
Her daughter shifts position, leaning into Irene's side and Irene pulls her closer.
"I'll be as great a wizard as you are, someday. Then I'll save everyone."
In her daughter's eyes, there is a future where the world is at peace. Irene doesn't see it, but Erza makes her want to believe.
"Yes, my little knight. I have no doubt you will."
After all, she's already saved Irene.
Until Next Time -
Lyrical-Light
