This week I have moved on to Old Wilmington Tea co's Marrakech Mint. A very minty blend.
I drove across the bridge, if I was dreaming I had nothing to loose. If I wasn't dreaming, then I had to see this strange adventure through to the end. Another person directs me to turn left and I park my car alongside the castle. As I get out they walk toward me. I warily look them over. They are wearing what looks like a full coat of armor, almost like I had stepped back in time. They lifted their helmet and I found myself looking at.... myself.
"Welcome to our castle, the Prince has gone ahead to the throne room. If you will follow me I'll take you to him." She (I?) said and started to walk toward the castle
"Wait. Where am I, and who are you?" I asked, as I hurried after her, the confusion strong in my voice.
"I am Sarah. I'm a mirror chameleon. The Prince will fill you in on where you are."
"Chameleon? You don't look like a lizard to me" I looked her up and down, honestly looking for a tail. She stopped and turned to look at me.
"I mirror whomever I am looking at. It appears to be startling to those who have never met my kind. If you would please follow me the Prince will answer all your questions" She started to turn but before I could stop myself I asked
"What happens if you look at another mirror chameleon?"
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "interesting question. As there are so few of my kind, I can't answer that." She turned and continued walking toward the castle "I was brought here when I was very young, and have not met another of my kind. It is told that when we are together, our true self is revealed. But I have learned there is much myth and little truth in this land." She led me through a tunnel that curved through ornate carvings and sculptures. "While you are visiting this place, remember that nothing is as it seems. Even the Prince." She stopped before a huge set of doors and turned. She seemed to be studying me, weighing her thoughts before she continued.
"Many have lost themselves here. I do not know why you are here, or if you are destined to return home. But what the Prince says is true. What most others say is false, even if they make more sense." She paused and looked up. "I perhaps have said too much." She looked back to me. "be careful, do not lose yourself. Remember where you come from, and you will find your way home." With that bit of advice ringing through my head the doors were opened and she bid me to walk into the throne room.
I'm not sure I will ever be able to accurately describe the beauty of the room. It appeared to be carved out of a single piece of crystal. The ceiling glowed like the aurora borealis, while rainbows seemed to skip over the walls. Sitting on a jewel encrusted throne was the gentleman that had motioned me into this crazy land.
I walked up to him, and before I could ask he said "you wish to know why you are here. That answer is simple. You chose to come. The map can be easily ignored. Thrown away. You chose your path, and now the question is, what do you intend to do with it?"
I opened my mouth, but had no response. I swallowed and shook my head. "I don't understand. What is this place?"
The Prince leaned back and closed his eyes in thought before responding. "It is a place of magic. Only visible to the outside world a few moments out of a year we serve to keep the colors and imagination alive in all animals. When a map comes in possession to one in your world it can only mean that help will soon be needed. Very few have followed up on the map. That is why there is so much chaos in your world." He paused and studied me. "You are meant to do great things. But your work is not here. And it is not your job to fix the world. You must return, and be a witness to what is to come. Someday people will read your accounts of the events to take place, and will understand the deeper meaning behind them."
After a moment of silence I asked, "That is it? I venture into this unknown land just to be told to 'witness' what is going to happen?"
The Prince nodded "not all that receive the map are meant to be heroes. Most have no roll to play whatsoever. Very few actually pay attention." he glanced toward the doors. "your time here is limited, and you must leave now if you wish to return home. To stay here could prove detrimental to you, and your world. You may not be a hero, but like I said, you are destined for greatness and if you are here, that will not come to pass. Return the way you came. The path will open for you to return home, but never to return here."
I felt I had so many questions, but none would form in my mind as I was ushered out of the room. Sarah met me by the door and escorted me back to my car.
"Normally, you must find your way home." she said with a strange tone in her voice. "You must be special for the Prince to want to ensure you are returned safely."
I climbed in my car and started it up. Carefully I started to maneuver across the bridge. As I was halfway across something very large and dark descended in front of me. As adrenalin rushed through me, I slammed on the breaks and cranked the steering wheel, forgetting I was on a bridge. I screamed as I went over the side. The force of the airbag hitting my head caused me to see stars before everything went black.
When I next opened my eyes I was lying in my bed at home. I jumped up and ran to the window. My car sat undamaged and pristine in the parking lot. Sitting on the edge of the bed I shook my head as the details of the very vivid dream played in my head.
As I stood I noticed body aches that didn't make sense. If I had really been in a car crash like I dreamt, sure, but as I woke up with a perfectly fine car sitting in the parking lot I was baffled. Walking into the bathroom I looked in the mirror and gasped. My face was black and blue. But even scarier was the helmet Sarah had worn sitting on the shelf behind me. I turned and picked it up. It was real. As I turned it in my hands a piece of paper fell out.
I picked it up, and scribbled in hard to read handwriting was "I was ordered to get you home safe, and I have done so. Remember all you have seen"
I set the helmet back on the shelf. It would remain with me always as reminder to observe. As we watch the chaos unfold, we sometimes feel helpless in the face of it. The helplessness and hopelessness can fade when reminded of the magic that surrounds us. Simply look at a rainbow, or how a child can find wonder in rocks to realize that not all is bad with the world.
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