14) The Mirror

The Mirror (of Erised)

"And you are sure that whoever that is that you are talking about, isn't there anymore right now??" Arctic asked, not looking too sure about this plan. Khaos nodded and said "Follow me now." We all slowly start walking behind him again. With him on the lead, we slowly make our way deeper into the lighter area of the crypt. We step into a carefully carved out room, with a few stairs leading down to... a mirror. A big, old, heavy mirror with a worthy looking golden frame. "What is this.... This is so random!" Said Namir, and I had to agree. That mirror looked like it should belong into the castle, not down here in a wet, creepy crypt full of stoned coffins, ghosts, plants and bones laying around. The others seemed to think the same, being all baffled and especially Müsli looking  very unbeliving. "What is this.." I ask, slowly stepping closer. Astoria steps in front of the mirror, gasping in shock and ripping her eyes open. "I... I'm.. Im at the beach, look, look!!" She pressed, leaving the spot in the mirror, with Arctic stumbeling forward. "Whoah.... That is.. paradise..." he stared, looking absolutely dreaming and in love. "Wha.. what do you see?!" Astoria stared at him in confusion. "I see myself.. I'm walking through snow that's meters high!! There is a frozen ocean... and there is snow just everywhere!!" He was gleaming with happyness, while the others stared at him. "Does it show you... holiday locations??" I ask dryly, which Khaos commented with a huff. "Let me see again!" Astoria said, and Arctic moved. He sat down on his big fluffly butt, staring into the air, saying with a dreamy voice "I was... so fluffy and strong. I pulled so many sleds and there were dogs and people..." Astoria looked at herself in the mirror with everyone watching expectantly. She stared at it, with at least the same amount of dreamie-ness as Arctic. "I'm standing there with another horse... He seems to be my partner.. I have a partner!!" She exclaimed very excitedly, which led Arctic to side eye her. "We're on a farm with so many horses and there are dunes and the ocean...." "Enough!!" Namir exclaimed, walking over and scooching her out of there. He looked at the mirror himself now, all of us staring at him, holding our breath. "I... Oh my god.. I'm the best ranger horse on this planet.. and I.. I saved many people.. and look!! I got so many awards.. I look good!" He positioned himself nicely and gaped at us. I switch a glance with Khaos, we both seemed very confused. Müsli stammered "I... I want to look too!! Please Namir?" Namir seemed to have forgotten us, spooking at Müsli's voice and saying "Yes yes okay" and making space for the other one. Müsli slowly trotted in front of the mirror, looking at himself long. "Oh I'm so brave.. I'm fighting a dragon and.. and.. I got so much food! Oh that's all so nice food.. I love nice food.. And I got.. I got friends!" He nearly looked as if he was ready to cry. Astoria gasped and quickly walked over to him, nibbling on his neckline "You have friends, we are friends!" She said reassuringly. "Let me take a look at this Mirror please" Khaos said, nodding to me and walking over. He looked very closely at the frame, seemingly reading some of the engravements. Then he stepped in front of it... and froze. He just looked at his own reflection for quite some time in silence. "What do you see??" Hurried Namir, alongside Arctic who desperately tried to see what Khaos was seeing. Khaos took some time, just.. looking. In full silence. Then he slowly nodded, turning away from the mirror. He was just shortly looking at the others, and then walking over to me, which meant as the mirror was free again, Arctic, Astoria, Müsli and Namir all tried to stand before it at the same time, stumbling and scooching another around. "What did you see?" I asked, whispering to him. He just.. stared at the ground for a while and then looked at me. "I don't think the mirror is dangerous. The only danger it carries is, if somone is loosing themselves in it." He said calmly. We look over, at the 4 horses who tried desperately to be able to look at themselves in the mirror again by pushing the others away. "I understand" I say simply, nodding slowly. "Does the mirror show our future?" Khaos thought about that for a minute, then shook his head. "No... it does not. I am very sure, it shows our deepest desire." I look at him very suprised. "What was it, that made him go so still? What was it was he had seen?" I thought to myself, knowing I can't ask him. I sigh, and then walk over to the others. "Stop" I say very loud and very clear. Müsli spooked and jumped away, Arctic stumbled over the stairs, and Astoria walked backwards. Just Namir stood there, watching himself. Khaos said "Lets go, we can't stay here." In a tone, that made all of them comply. He snapped at Namir when walking past him, which promted him to trot quickly away, following the others out of this weird room. While walking past the mirror, i freeze slowly, holding my breath, staring at my reflection. I saw a different world. A dream, my dream. Foals and youngsters, living under my protection, me giving them the free and loving life they deserve. The grass was pink, the sky saturated, and next to me a humanly shaped figure. It took all my strenght to keep walking, and deep inside of me, I prayed that it showed the future.