Page 76 of Enchanted in Time
Mirabelle laid her hand on her chest and looked at Hannah in amazement. She walked hesitantly towards Hannah, who was smiling uncertainly. Encouraged, Hannah came closer and wrapped her arms around her. Mirabelle’s eyes filled with tears,and she wept. She wept all the tears she had held inside and buried beneath her anger and hate throughout her lonely existence. They came pouring out, and with every tear, she grew more beautiful and her heart grew warmer.
“What happened to Annabelle?” she asked.
“She emigrated to America with your father, where she married a very nice man. They had five children,” Hannah told her.
Mirabelle laughed out loud. “Five children?”
“She had a wonderful life. She was very happy, and she loved her children with all her heart and soul. I’m the child of her youngest daughter. Her name is Mira.”
“Mira? That’s what she always called me from the time we were children.” Mirabelle smiled wistfully. “My Annabelle...”
“My dear child,” the soul broke in, “my time has come. Now I may go at last. But I shall only be able to find my peace if I know that you will find yours as well.”
“What do you mean by that, Mother?”
“My love, you need to forgive.”
Mirabelle looked at Hannah uncertainly.
“Please, Mirabelle,” Hannah began, “forgive Prince Maximilian.” Irmgard whinnied in the background.
“He was not the one who spurned you at that time, my love,” her mother added. “It was his father. Do not forget that!”
Mirabelle pondered for a moment, and her lips broke into a gentle smile that hinted at her former beauty. She nodded slowly, and Hannah breathed a sigh of relief.
“Say it, my love, and the curse shall be broken. Then I shall be able to rest in peace, and nothing will stand in the way of your eternal peace.”
“I forgive him and his family,” she said, and she meant it. A shadow came out of her heart, grew brighter and brighter, and dissolved in the air.
“Very good, my darling Mirabelle. Now we may say goodbye, my love.” The soul wrapped herself around her daughter and gave her warmth and comfort.
“Thank you, Mama, for rescuing me back then.”
“I love you!” And with these words, the glimmer of light disappeared, and all that was left was the certain sense that Hannah and Mirabelle belonged together.
Hannah looked at the old woman in amazement. Almost none of the wrinkles and scars remained. Her hair was less disheveled, and her eyes were no longer as sunken and now had a gentler look. It was as if the mercy in her heart had softened some of the ugliness.
“You brought my mother back to me. I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you. That was not what I wanted. If only I had known who you were...”
Hannah stroked her arm. “It all turned out just fine. But where do I find Maximilian? Has he already changed back?”
“He lives down by the river. I’ve been watching him. He fishes and sleeps all day.”
Hannah laughed out loud. “What a life! I wonder if he even wants to turn human again!”
Irmgard whinnied with laughter. “Come on, Hannah, I’ll take you down to the river. I’ll light the way.”
Hannah took Mirabelle’s wrinkled hands in hers. “I wish you all the best. It would have been so much nicer if we had met under different circumstances.”
The old woman caressed Hannah’s hair, which reminded her so of her sister’s. “Thank you, Hannah.”
How much more beautiful she was now that her heart was warm again. The deep lines and wrinkles were still there, though fewer. Her hair had grown thin and gray, and her skin still bore the blemishes of the disease. But her healed soul shone through her eyes and cast her in a gentler light. The thoughtflashed through Hannah’s mind that there was no need for perfect features. To be beautiful, all you needed was a heart that was pure and kind. With a shining soul, one can attain perfect beauty.
“Wait just a moment!” Mirabelle went into the small hut and returned soon afterwards with the bags that Hannah and Maximilian had packed. “The prince will be needing his clothes!”
Mirabelle winked at Hannah, and the two of them laughed. Then they hugged each other for the last time, and Hannah ran after Irmgard, who had already trotted off and was gleefully prancing along and swishing her tail. “Fabulous how everything worked out! Now there’s nothing in the way of your going home to Maya, Malo, and Lennart!”
Hannah smiled to herself. “True, although I’d much rather see Emi, Leon, and Marco.”
