MALEFICENT
The day I gave up my reign to Aurora was the day I felt whole again. My wings had been returned to me and they lifted me higher and higher from the pit of revenge I had fallen into years ago. For years after my betrayal by Stefan, I had slowly lost myself, and I became someone I did not wish to be. But I felt myself returning now. I could feel the breeze in my hair and the weight of my wings and I knew I was back.
But did they? Did my people know? I was feared for over 16 years, and that kind of fear does not disappear in mere moments. I glanced over to Diaval, my faithful servant. He was standing beside Aurora, congratulating her. She smiled the brightest of smiles and threw her arms around him. He looked rather stunned for a moment, and then hugged her back.
Aurora was a busy girl now, and the hug was short-lived. She left to talk to other people of the moors, as she would most-likely be doing all day. Being a leader (or should I say a good leader) is hard work.
Diaval turned to me and smiled. He stepped towards me.
"Mistress," he said bowing, "I am so very happy for what you have done."
"Thank you Diaval."
"Mistress, if I may have your permission, I would like to go to my nest now. I am quite tired."
I waved him off, and watched him disappear into the dense forest.
I cursed myself inside. I knew he deserved to be free. I knew that he had helped to save my life in the castle. Diaval had always been faithful and although he had thoroughly disapproved of my actions until now, he carried out my every order.
I wished now that I could know what he thought. Did he judge me? Was he disappointed? As a servant, he had a right to act respectful. And I wished deeply that his respect for me really existed, although I knew it was long gone. Or maybe it was never there in the first place. The thought made me miserable.
And my misery led me to do the one thing I had always failed to do. The right thing. This could wait no longer. If I wanted to change, I had to act on every good thought I had, the moment I had it.
I walked quickly through the woods to Diaval's nest, but I was surprised to not find him there. I looked around for a few moments, and wandered a bit, until I heard humming down by the river. As I peeked out from behind a tree, I saw him, bathing in the water.
I felt a rush of heat through my body for a reason I could not understand. I had seen him bathing many times. I was his mistress. I was above this. No reason to feel uncomfortable. I gathered myself together and stepped out into the clearing.
DIAVAL
"Diaval," A voice said from behind me.
I jumped, startled, and turned to find my mistress upon the bank of the river.
"M- Mistress!" I shouted. I ducked down into the water, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. I expected my mistress to roll her eyes at my response and tell me that she'd seen me bathing many times. But she didn't. Instead I was quite surprised by her reaction.
"Diaval," she said, "when you are finished, would you kindly meet me back at your tree?"
"Yes, mistress," I replied, a little stunned by the politeness of her order. Not a moment after I replied she spun around and walked off faster than I had ever seen her walk. What was going on?
I finished my bath quickly, curious of Maleficent's strange behaviour, and jogged to my tree. She was standing in front, staring intently at the treetops above. When she heard my footsteps, she turned to stare at me. It was a few moments before she said anything and her stare down was incredibly harsh. I felt as if she was staring right through my clothes, and suddenly felt foolish.
Finally she spoke. "Diaval, you have been a most faithful servant, and because you saved my life in the castle you have repaid your life debt. I am going to free you now, and return you to your raven form."
As she spoke she seemed rather sad. It made me sad too.
"NO!" I protested.
Maleficent looked confused. "Is that not what you wanted?"
"While I am grateful for my freedom, please do not return me to a raven forever. I have spent too many years as a man and would live a miserable life. I cannot live as only a bird anymore."
Maleficent contemplated my plea for a moment. "Alright Diaval, you can remain in your human form, but I will give you the power to change to your raven form whenever you wish."
"Oh, mistress, that's… that's amazing. I- I can't thank you enough!" This was turning out to be a truly amazing day.
Maleficent waved her hand, burning with magic, and muttered something under breath. It sounded very much like, "Anything for you Diaval." I blinked.
"What?"
Maleficent's eyes flashed upward to meet mine and she responded coolly, "I said, I must be going Diaval." And she left. But I knew that was not what she said.
I watched her walk away with her head held high and her back straight. She was the only being I knew that could strut without seeming arrogant or losing her elegance. Someday I would tell her how much I admired that.
I climbed up into my nest and fell into a dreamless sleep.
