Hello all! Thank you for your patience while I have been working on this. This is a sequel to my other fic, The Girl Behind the Dragon, I would highly recommend that you read that before hand if you have not as this story is a continuation of it and assumes you have already done so. I will try to update as I can. Please let me know what you think and I hope you enjoy!

"Try again."

"Mother I've been at this for an hour."

"Yes, and you will be at it till you are able to successfully complete the spell."

"You wouldn't make Kas sit here for an hour," she muttered under her breath.

"Care to run that by me again?" Helen asked sternly.

"It was nothing mother," she quickly replied.

Helen stopped her pacing once she was behind Eleanor and placed her hands on the nine-year old's shoulders. "Your brother's lessons are only an hour at a time, but I am sure he would much rather switch his multiple training sessions a day for your one lesson a day." Leaning forward so her head was level with her daughter's she continued. "I know what you are going through trust me, but the sooner you gain control over your powers the more of a threat you will become."

"You've had me practicing since before I can remember."

"And that was because you couldn't control your magic. Now again."

"You know I am better with ice magic."

"Yes, but you must have multiple options in your arsenal to give you the advantage over your opponent. Now don't make me ask again." Eleanor sighed and rolled her eyes. "Unless of course you would rather continue your lessons with your grandmother…"

"NO!" She quickly interjected. Helen smirked and resumed her pacing around the room.

Eleanor continued practicing conjuring fire for the next half hour until she finally could call forth an icy blue flame that when compared to her mother's magic looked white.

"Finally!" She turned around with palm extended to show off her work.

"Very good, now you are done for the day with me." Eleanor hopped up from her seat and quickly headed towards the door. "Wait." She paused and turned back with a grimace on her face expecting chores. "I want you to continue to practice that on your own and inform your brother that you two will be having a conjoined lesson tomorrow."

"Conjoined?"

"It means combined. I expect you both in the court yard promptly after breakfast."

"Yes mother." She curtsied and exited the room.

Helen motioned for the book that Eleanor had been using to come to her. The book in question slowly floated towards her until it sat motionless in the air for Helen to grab. She left Maleficent's study which was open in the afternoons for Eleanor's lessons and headed to return to her own study.

With the passing years Helen felt that her own space to study was necessary. She took one of the old, abandoned rooms that was on the far side of the castle that had fallen into disrepair. She repaired the crumbling walls so that the room wasn't completely exposed to the elements. Few rarely went to that side of the castle, so distractions were at a minimum.

At least that is what she told Maleficent upon taking the room as her private study. The truth of the matter was that she preferred this side of the castle for the view of the sunset. It was one of the things about the Forbidden Mountain that she truly enjoyed seeing daily.

As she slowly returned to her study she took a detour to see the progression of Kasparov's lessons. The boy had started lessons shortly after Eleanor had started hers. Helen was hesitant at first to equip the young lad with a sword, but with time and much practice he had started to show promise. Brenner had overseen teaching him the basics as he was the only one that Helen came remotely close to trusting with such a task. The first few lessons she would watch the two of them in the court yard from one of the overarching walkways to ensure Kasparov's safety. As he progressed and as Eleanor required more supervision with her growing magic, Helen started diminishing the amount of lessons that she would take part in observing.

Kasparov was in the courtyard with Brenner instructing the basics of archery. Helen knew that in order to keep him alive and to be a challenge to Phillip Kas would need to be proficient in multiple forms of combat. Even though he was a quick study, he was far from ready to take on a seasoned veteran of combat. Although loyal to Helen to the ends of the earth, Brenner was not going to be able to get Kasparov to that level.

"You aren't pulling back far enough, that's why you keep shooting short of the target."

"Well it would help if the bow were my size and not so heavy."

Helen couldn't help but chuckle at how much Kasparov reminded her of herself when she had lessons. She continued on her way to her study occasionally sparing a glance at the book in her hands. Upon reaching the confines of her destination, Helen shut the door behind her and placed the book that she was carrying on her desk. Along the far wall there was a portion where the stone had crumbled away throughout the years that allowed a large view of the surrounding mountain range. When they were younger, Helen would not let the children enter her study for fear of them becoming to curious and falling through this makeshift window.

Standing before this gash in the wall, Helen braced her arm against the remaining stones that were present. Overlooking the mountain peaks, she let out a sigh. Perhaps I am expecting too much from the children at this point, but then again there isn't much time before they are of age.

"They are making progress as expected. They will be ready in time, provided you continue to push them both to their full potentials and don't coddle them too much." The voice of her sister responded.

I don't coddle them.

"Say what you will, but there may come a point where you need to be firmer with them if you want them to be able to fulfill their respective parts in your curse." After staying silent for a few minutes, Lilith continued, "If you don't believe me ask mom. She will give an unbiased opinion since we both observe things through the same pair of eyes."

Fine, I'll talk to mother if it'll get you to shut up for a bit.

Lilith replied with a slight chuckle. "You see little sister, I only suggest what is best for the family."

At that point, a small green flame had appeared out of the corner of Helen's eye on the corner of her desk. She turned to see that a small piece of parchment had been left as soon as the transient flame extinguished itself. Picking it up, Helen looked down to see that in thin, delicate writing the words 'I need to see you' were written. Turning the parchment over, Helen scribbled 'My study? I just left yours'.

She sent it ablaze in a small blue flame and watched as the parchment disappeared with the inferno that surrounded it. She turned to sit at her desk which was similar to Maleficent's but smaller and made of a brighter wood. Sitting down on the side of her desk, she stretched her arms out as she let out a small yawn. Green flames burst up from the floor next to her as soon as she started doing so.

"Tired already?"

"Teaching is more exhausting than it looks."

"How is she progressing with lessons?" Maleficent started to pace around the room.

"She can conjure a flame, small at that."

"Hmm…"

"I'm having her practice with Kasparov tomorrow, both working on accuracy when on the offence."

"Will you be able to be strict enough with the two of them. Both have a way of loosening your grip when they are together."

Pointing to the side of her head, Helen replied, "We've already discussed this, and I will be unrelenting until they both are successful. Perhaps I'll take a page from your book for this one." She slid off the edge of her desk and started to walk over to where her teacher had started pacing.

"Hmm, that would be most interesting to see indeed. I will be in attendance to observe."

"Still get a kick out of scrutinizing my every move?"

Maleficent laughed and replied, "I was not planning on critiquing your work, but if you would prefer that I do along with the children's I will."

"I've had my fair share to last me the rest of my lifetime and then some."

With a smile on her face, Maleficent turned and placed her hand under Helen's chin. "But it has made you the strong woman that you are today."

The happy moment was brought to an abrupt halt with a knock at the door. All traces of happiness were wiped from the women's faces as Helen bid the visitor entrance. The knock at the door belonged to Brenner. Since the birth of the twins, he had grown taller and was almost as tall as the others in the castle guard. Kasparov by now was almost the same height, but they knew that soon he would overtake him. It was only a matter of time before he started to hit his growth spurt.

"Your Excellencies," he said with a low bow, "I've come to report on the young prince's lesson as you commanded."

"And?" Helen inquired with a stern voice.

"He is struggling with a bow but has shown progress with the sword."

"Is he able to land a blow when dueling?"

"Not yet, but with more pract…"

"Then he is not progressing fast enough. Continue to work on the basics of archery with him for tonight's lesson." Turning towards Maleficent she continued, "It appears that I will need to find a more suitable tutor that will mold him into the fighter that I need him to be."

"Yes, my lady," Brenner replied

She turned back to Brenner. "Your assignment is almost complete. I asked you to teach him the basics, and you have done so. Continue to show me that the boy is making progress and I will keep my word of promoting you to captain."

He bowed his head, "I will not disappoint you my lady." With a low bow he addressed Maleficent, "Your excellence," and proceeded to leave the room.

Once the door was closed, Helen covered her eyes with one hand and crossed the other arm across her stomach. Letting out a sigh she replied, "I was hoping I'd have more time to find a new teacher. I haven't even started looking yet."

"Procrastinate much?"

You are at fault here too.

"Any thoughts yet?" Maleficent asked.

Moving her hand from in front of her eyes, she slid it across her face and rested it under her chin. "I have no idea where to start. Any who are skilled enough to do so are pledged in service to Phillip. And they would never go back on their word, something along the lines of loyalty and honor."

"There is one who might be willing to take the job." Helen curiously looked over at her adopted mother. "You might not remember him, but he pulled quite the scandal when you were a little older than the twins. He tried to not only get King Stephan's most trusted knights to bicker amongst each other but tried to use their paranoia to cause a war that would in the end allow him to become the King's elite and most trusted knight after settling the quarrel."

"I don't remember that at all."

"As I said, you were young, and I did not expect you to."

"So, what happened to this knight? Even if he was unsuccessful with starting a war I'm sure he would still be loyal to the royal family."

"Stephan discovered his ploy before the argument escalated. When he found out who tried to start the war Stephan banished him from the land. Since then he wandered from kingdom to kingdom offering his services as a mercenary, until he was captured."

"By who?"

"Me of course. You were sixteen at the time."

"You mean he is still alive?! He has to be in his sixties by now if so."

"He would be, had I not used the same sleeping spell on him that I had incorporated into Aurora's curse. By now he would look only a little older than you."

"Are you saying I look old?"

"Hardly. However, he will not know of anything of your curse and the current monarchs. This may play to your advantage."

"Our advantage." Maleficent looked quizzically at Helen. "I consider this plan yours just as much as it is mine."

"And why is that?"

"You've helped me along the way far too much for me to take all the credit."

"Perhaps. After all it is your first. Your future endeavors will be independent from me."

"If all goes according to plan, there will be no need for any 'future endeavors'."

"Of course, my dear, now how about you run your lesson plan by me for tomorrow's test of skills."

The two continued to talk late into the afternoon about lesson plans for the children. When it came time for Kasparov's evening lesson, Helen and Maleficent both left to observe the boy's progress. Taking their time, both enjoyed the silence that surrounded them as they walked to the walkway that they used regularly to observe the activities of the court yard. Diablo appeared as they arrived at their destination. He cawed at Helen who simply growled back at him.

"Behave you two," Maleficent said to both parties not taking her eyes from the center of the court yard where Brenner was bringing out bows and quivers full of arrows.

Leaning across Maleficent so she was staring into the bird's eyes, "Don't tempt me feather brains. I've always wondered what raven 'en flambé would taste like." She lit a flame in her palm and brought it close to the bird's face.

"Enough," Maleficent said sternly while placing the hand that was not holding her staff on her daughter's shoulder. Helen extinguished the flame and returned her attention to the row of archery targets that were lined along the edge of the court yard. Maleficent returned her hand to her side, her gaze never faltering.

Kasparov walked to where his tutor was waiting for him. "Ready for round two?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

"Perhaps you will be more confident in knowing that you have additional eyes watching you tonight." The boy started to turn around until Brenner stopped him. "Don't look for them. Just show your audience how well you can do. Tonight, you are to work on accuracy. You will not be able to leave until you are able to loose an entire quiver onto the bull's eye. This will ensure that you are ready for your lesson in the morning with her Excellency."

Kasparov slowly reached for an arrow with a shaky hand and nocked it into place. He pulled the bow up into position and brought the tattered feathers of the arrow back to his mouth as best he could. Taking a deep breath, Kas let the arrow fly from his bow hoping that it would reach its destination. The arrow embedded into the target on the outer edges of the circle. The boy let out a frustrated grunt and grabbed another arrow.

Maleficent and Helen watched with no words passing between the two. They continued to watch as Kasparov continued to release arrow after arrow into the target before him. It wasn't until he was on his third quiver of arrows that he was able to finally hit the center of the target. They watched as the boy turned, trying to find them to gauge their reactions. Once he found them he saw the slightest hint of a smile on his mother's face even though she was trying to remain as emotionless as her superior.

Turning back to his task before hand Kasparov continued to aim for the target, hoping that soon he would be able to complete the task at hand and be able to finish his lesson early. The sun continued to set as Kas continued to get closer and closer to releasing a full quiver of arrows onto the bull's eye of the target. After ten full quivers of trials Maleficent finally spoke, breaking the silence between the two spectators.

"I will see his progress in the morning. Don't torment yourself by staying out as late as he does if it takes him all night."

"I will wait a reasonable amount of time, but yes, I do not plan on staying much longer."

"Very well. Until tomorrow my dear."

"Good night, your Excellency," she replied with a small curtsey which had become customary between the two whenever they were able to be seen by the eyes of others.

Maleficent nodded and proceeded to walk towards her chambers for the evening. Helen returned her attention towards the boy who by now could have half of a quiver reach its intended target. Helen continued to watch for another hour until deciding that the boy would be out here longer than she had hoped. Around the courtyard a few of the guards could be seen lighting torches to allow for the young prince's lesson continue without impedance. He was at the point of missing two or three shots on the outer rings of the target with each new round.

A set of footsteps distracted Helen from the scene in the courtyard. Turning towards the oncoming sound she was surprised to see that it was Eleanor.

"Knew I'd find you here!" The girl said excitedly as she quickened her pace.

"And what are you doing out here so late?"

"I came to find you. When you and Kas were not at dinner I assumed that this is where you both would be. It seems I was right."

"Your deduction skills are improving."

"Thanks," she replied with a toothy grin. "In all honesty dinner was rather awkwardly quiet with just me and her Excellency. "

"Did you two discuss anything of interest?"

"Not really. She just asked about lessons. That is all she seems to ask about."

"She does have genuine interest, she was just never very good at communicating with children."

"Oh," she then turned to peer down at her brother. "Come on Kas you can do it!"

This caused the boy to turn his attention up to the walkway that his sister shouted from. He raised a hand in a wave and turned back towards the target. "Your concern for your brother is touching, but you need to let him go through his lessons without distraction."

"Yes mother." The two continued to watch as Kasparov grew closer and closer towards his established goal. After another half an hour of watching Helen turned towards Eleanor who was transfixed on what her brother was doing.

"I suggest that you turn in for the night shortly. There will be no excuse for not being at your lesson in the morning."

"Yes mother, I won't be late. I just want to be here... HE DID IT!"

Helen turned back towards the court yard to see that Kasparov was holding his bow up in the air in victory of his accomplishment. "Mother did you see?" he shouted up.

"Yes, well done. Now get ready for bed. As I just told your sister I expect you both on time to tomorrow morning's lesson."

He nodded in understanding and quickly started putting arrows back into quivers. Helen turned back towards Eleanor and sternly stated, "Bed, now."

"Alright, I'm going." She said and turned to head to her room. Helen watched her head back across the crosswalk and disappear down the corridor that lead to where her and her brother's rooms were. When it became time for the two to have their own rooms, Helen decided to have them placed in the middle of the castle, between hers and Maleficent's rooms. Here they were safest and less likely to be noticed by anyone foolish enough to approach the castle grounds.

No one outside of the Forbidden Fortress knew of the children's existence, and Helen planned on keeping it that way. Since her attendance to Phillip and Aurora's coronation she had kept herself out of the public eye, knowing that she had no allies other than her mother. A few months after the incidence it had been announced throughout the realm that the young monarchs were expecting their child, but unbeknownst to them Helen already knew the outcome of the pregnancy. Aurora had almost come to full term when she had grown ill. They consulted every form of healer from within the kingdom to each outside that they had connections to.

It was the three good fairies who were able to help turn Aurora's health back to what it was beforehand. They thought that the illness was part of Helen's curse trying to steal their unborn child. It wasn't until two weeks later that Aurora had the child, a still born. No amount of magic could bring back the child's life. The kingdom mourned for their king and queen's loss.

Phillip in a fit of rage had a squadron of soldiers charge the gates of the Forbidden Fortress. The guards kept most at bay and it wasn't until Helen had come out from the barricades in flurry of smoke and flames that the mere sight of a dragon's head was all it took to get the remaining few of Phillip's forces to run back down the mountain. It was the day afterwards that the twins were born.

Since their first breath the children had not left the confines of the castle and remained unaware of life outside of it. Helen knew at some point they would have to see what the world they lived in viewed her as, what they truly thought of her.

Once Eleanor had left her field of vision Helen started to walk towards he own room, finally feeling the last bits of energy leave her system. Normally she would have teleported herself back to her room, but with how exhausted she was she did not have the will to attempt such an act. Reaching the door that stood between her and what little sleep she would get Helen pushed the door open and locked it behind her. Sitting on the edge of the bead she massaged the sides of her head hoping that it would relax her train of thought that continued to rage like a storm in her head. A moment of silence was what she craved most then.