Plot. Aurora still has nightmares as side effects from her sleeping curse. They got better, But the nightmares start to change. Time set after Season 2 finale (so Phillip is here, too, sadly.)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters Aurora and Mulan. (Though if I did I would never again have to cry for my OTP.)
Chapter 1. An Ominous New Start
Fire. Soot. Embers danced around her, scorching any bit of her they could reach. This scene, this place, as horrifying as it was, it should be something she'd be used to by now. Snow White had confirmed this was a side effect to anyone who had been under the sleeping curse. It was a plague that stuck with her forever to haunt her. And yet, why was she so terrified in this burning room? Perhaps it was the sickening air of soot that filled the air. Or perhaps the mere memories of the many years she had to suffer in this room were enough to drive her mad. She knew however, not particularly sure of why, but there was something different this time. Aurora felt herself waking up before she could think on the matter further, only faintly hearing a voice call out her name.
"Aurora?" Phillip asked, in worry of his fiancé. He watched her gasp a large breath of air, just as she did when she awoke from her sleeping curse. The curse had lifted, hasn't it? Why did it seem like nothing had changed? He noted to ask these questions to Mulan separately. "Are you alright?" He asked as Aurora sat up. She still did not answer as if she hadn't heard him. Tentatively, he reached out to put his hand on her shoulder. It was then she finally took account of her surroundings. Her face was of worry, confusion, and most of all, fear. Phillip opened his mouth to ask the same question again, but before he could speak, they were startled by the sound of bristling branches and bushes.
The first thing Mulan noticed as she reached the campsite was a troubled Aurora. It seemed that the prince was comforting his, his princess. And she, the side warrior, had interrupted. She should have quietly walked away, giving them space once more. But, the look on Aurora's face looked all too familiar. It was the same worried look she had right before Mulan had put her heart back. She had to ask. 'Only because it is my duty to protect her,' Mulan convinced herself. She slowly walked towards the royal couple. She sat near Aurora, but far enough to give the two space. As she set aside the found firewood, she called Aurora's name. The princess, who had watched the warrior since she returned, gave a slight nod. Knowing she had her full attention, Mulan asked with utmost genuine concern, "Are you alright?" When Aurora merely bit into her lip and her eyebrows furrowed, Mulan did not need verbal confirmation. The fear in Aurora's eyes held an untold, but recognizable story. She knew where this fear was from as she had met it numerous times during their journey for Phillip's soul. "What happened in there, Aurora?"
Phillip could merely watch the interaction between the warrior and his princess. 'Where is there?' He asked to himself, wishing he could attribute more. But he knew now was not the time to ask. Now was the time to be a bystander. It would have been inevitable for the two women to build such a strong relationship between each other on a journey for how long. Mulan clearly knew what she was doing, and for Aurora's sake. And Aurora's wellbeing was most important right now. He could ask details later. Phillip stood up, excusing himself. When Mulan gave him questioning eyes, he merely said, "I will check up on the foreign man." He grasped her shoulder and whispered so that only Mulan could hear, "I trust you. Help her."
Mulan gave a nod as her consent. She watched the prince leave and drop the top cloth of the tent to give them privacy. Feeling secure, Mulan inched closer to Aurora. She looked into the troubled eyes of the princess. "Aurora," she whispered, "I'm here. Those nightmares can't hurt you." She got a shaking nod, but nothing more. Mulan looked down at the ground briefly. Then, she tentatively, worried of rejection, reached out and held Aurora's hand. Thankfully, the princess did not flinch. Rather, she squeezed Mulan's hand as if she was seeking for strength from the warrior. A soft smile reached Mulan's lips. "I will keep you safe," she said, "whatever the enemy may be."
At that very moment, Aurora could not help blushing when she saw the determination in Mulan's eyes. She had seen this determination so many times, but it always felt so more when the warrior vowed such dedication. She looked at their held hands and abruptly, tears came to her eyes. Holding the warrior's hand so delicately, Aurora brought the said hand to her cheek. As tears fell freely, she could let out only a soft strangled whisper. "Please hold me."
Worried, Mulan could only hold the princess tightly but careful not to break her as if she was a delicate, fragile being. Of course, Aurora proved she is as strong as, if not more than, Mulan was herself. But Mulan never felt so scared or worried as she did now with Aurora trembling in her arms. The only other time she had felt in such a way was when Aurora's heart was stolen away from the evil witch. Mulan wondered if Aurora's nightmares were even remotely close to such a threat. Or were they a premonition of a greater danger to Aurora? Mulan tightened her lips. 'Never again,' she vowed. She shall not fail the princess again. For now, Aurora was safe in her arms.