"Your Majesties." I heard a sultry voice fill my ears, pricking my attention. And suddenly it was very, very quiet, eerily so. I could feel the tension thick around me. What was going on?

Abruptly, my dream-state was over. Feeling began to flood back into my body. It felt like searing blood was filling my veins. Warmth was all that I felt, absolute, lovely warmth, but almost painfully on my lips, and creeping down my face and neck.

I could slowly feel my body adjust back to normal, stretching my fingers to clutch the soft fabric below me, my eyelids still heavy as I struggled to open them. I began to realize that there was something soft and warm, moving against my lips.

And just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, leaving my lips feeling cold and bare. I frowned at the lost contact, and forced my eyes to open, despite the aching feeling. I thought I was ready to face whatever it was, but when my eyes opened to this I was stuck staring in disbelief.

Green skin, black horns, and dragon eyes blurred into view. The eyes flickered down to mine. They began to widen in shock and then she seemed as frozen and confused as I was.

I had so many questions swirling in my head. Why wasn't I dead? Why was she here, in the royal palace? Hadn't they known, she was the one who tried to kill me? And then, Why was she so close to me?

I nearly choked as I realized how close in proximity we were. I could almost reach out and touch her face, and was subconsciously leaning in to do so, but suddenly the guards appeared. They must've known exactly who she was because the room was in commotion as the guards rushed towards us, or more so her.

She started to back away from me, her eyes wide, horrified, never leaving mine and blood red lips pressed in a thin line. But why was she so afraid? I wanted to grab her and make her stay, scream at the guards to leave her alone, but a feeling of lethargy still plagued my limbs. I managed to sit up as she backed away, I wanted to call out to her, but my limbs and voice simply weren't complying. I began to reach out for her, fingers nearly brushing her arm, when the guards began to close in. She turned quickly, stepping fast towards the exit. I mustered up every bit of strength I had to stand and take a shaky step after her, muscles aching in protest.

"WAIT!" I yelled, before she disappeared with a column of thick green smoke.

Everyone was suddenly still as statues, including me. A feeling of misery swept over me, and I found my world beginning to fade once again, as I spiraled to the floor.

When my eyes fluttered open, the first thing I became aware of was the light flooding through the windows, illuminating the room in a golden glow. The sheets around me were pale pink, and the large room was different shade of it. Huge windows stretched to the ceiling and an elegant balcony jutted out from a curtained archway. I began to sit up, but dizziness hit me hard, just as double doors opened.

A golden blonde woman walked in before realizing my consciousness and stopping where she was, wide bright blue eyes mirrored back at me. This woman, at a glance, looked almost exactly like me. Until I spotted wrinkles next to her eyes from smiles, and laugh lines. This was clearly my mother.

"Aurora." She regarded me, tears already filling her eyes. She crossed the room, throwing her arms around me in a tight embrace that made me stiffen before I reluctantly returned it. "I've missed you so much." She whispered before pulling back to arm's length to look at me again, dabbing at her eyes.

I just stared at her, I didn't even know what to say, I couldn't miss a woman I hadn't even known before today. And I cringed at the name. Aurora was a beautiful name, much more beautiful than Briar Rose, but that just wasn't me. Aurora was a princess, Aurora was to be a queen and to marry a prince and live happily ever after. I was not that. That was not me.

Then suddenly, the doors opened again, revealing a dark haired, middle aged man, with a scruffy beard, and trimmed mustache.

"Aurora." He gasped, as his dark eyes looked to me. This was my father, as he wore a long flowing robe, regal purple in color, a golden crown atop his head. He walked to the side of the bed, smiling. They just smiled at me for what seemed like a long time, I was starting to squirm under their gaze.

The king.. er my father, opened his mouth to say something, but before he could start, three loud pops rang through the air as three brightly colored fairies appeared in the room next to them.

"Rose!" They all yelled before rushing to the bed and pulling me into a crushing group hug, which I was hesitant to return, remembering that only a short time ago I believed these women to be my aunts, not my fairy god mothers. I wasn't exactly sure how to feel anymore… I felt… betrayed.

"Oh, Rose." Flora breathed as they pulled away. "I'm so glad you're awake."

"We thought you'd never wake, Rose." Fauna whispered.

Suddenly, the memories of the day before flooded my head, overwhelming me with visions of evergreen skin and

"Where is she?" I asked unexpectedly, surprising even myself as I finally found my voice. Everyone seemed to look at each other as the room fell silent and the awkward outburst and uncharacteristic hostility in my voice.

"Who?" Fauna asked, her voice an octave too high.

"That woman, where is she?" I asked again. She was consuming my mind, and a great feeling of despair flooded my head when I realized I might just never see her again.

"What woman!?" Flora cried, even though it was quite clear everyone knew who I was referring to.

"With the green skin, who is she? Where did she go?" My temper was rapidly growing as they refused to answer me. I was fed up with being lied to. My whole entire life was built on lies and I was not going to put up with it any longer. I didn't even know what I wanted to do with the information, I just hated that I was treated like a child. I wasn't allowed to know what was going on because I might not be ready for it, and I don't know what's best for me.

"Rose I don't think…" Flora continued, hesitantly.

"Tell me where she is!" I shouted. I knew they were going to think me an insolent child for such a fit, but my temper was wearing thin and I was annoyed at their effort to protect me. But I wouldn't even be in such a mess if it wasn't for their magic. If it wasn't for that woman… But at least I wouldn't have been lied to. I wouldn't be confused as to who I am or where my heart lies or who to trust. Maybe I wouldn't be as naïve or daft. I could live with her curse, but I can't ever look at my aunts, or fairy godmother's, or whatever without feeling absolutely betrayed.

"Rose, Maleficent is dangerous. You can-" Merryweather began, pleadingly.

"Maleficent…" I let the name roll around on my tongue, tasting it. It caused me to shudder. It was exciting, fear inducing.

"Please, Aurora. Don't do anything to get yourself in danger…" The queen began, I could tell she was deeply disturbed by my outburst. "That witch is nothing, but pure evil."

I whipped my head around to look at her, furiously.

"She's evil?! At least I know where she stands, at least I know how she feels, who she is." Hot tears began streaming down my face as I was growing even more and more resentful. "I have no clue who you even are! Or any of you!" I glared at the three fairies, who cowered into a huddle. "I don't know who you are anymore, my whole life is a lie…" My resolve began cracking, I could feel my walls breaking, like a dam, emotions pouring over like a flood. "I don't even know who I am anymore." I whispered, dramatically falling to my knees sobbing.

I hated myself for this. I mentally berated myself for such a show. I wasn't brave or powerful or serene as Maleficent, who I admired so much. I was a wreck of a whiny teenage girl. No wonder they treated me like a child. I was so weak and cowardly…

"Maybe we should leave her to her own devices for now Stefan." I heard the queen whisper, and I took my hands from my face to look at her, eyes fixated on the floor. The tears still streamed, despite my effort to keep them at bay.

"Perhaps you're right." The king agreed, solemnly. He hesitantly stepped towards me, like I was some kind of rabid animal, before pulling me into a stiff hug that I didn't bother returning and awkwardly kissing my hair. He strode out the room. The queen was whispering in a hushed tone to the fairies. They all nodded and she turned to look at me longingly. I gave her a cold look back before she quickly walked out as well, shutting the door behind her.

The room was left in comfortable silence for a while. Well much more comfortable after such an scene. Like the clear skies after a storm. Except without anything resolved or any hope to hold.

The fairies were guiltily eyeing me as I climbed on top of the bed, tears slowing, wiping my nose and cheeks with my sleeves as I laid back on the bed, stretched out, staring blankly at the ceiling. Dread filled and weighed down my heart, my stomach a brick.

"Rose…" Flora squeaked after a few minutes. My eyes dropped to hers, and I looked at her just as blankly. She swallowed before continuing. "We are very sorry for what we have put you through. But it was to protect you, it was for the be-"

"Stop." I began, sitting up to look at her fully, exasperated that she'd even say that. "Stop right there."

She looked at me, most likely frightened out the sudden turn in personality I've had, I know I most certainly was surprised at my actions.

"You dare say those things to me? How do you know what's best for me? You don't have a clue what I want or what I need, so don't you dare ever assume things, or keep things from me ever again. I can't even trust you." Tears began to fall again, and I fell back onto the bed with a thud, exhausted completely from so much crying and despair.

"Rose…" Flora took a step forward, hand outstretched, wanting to comfort me, the other two completely silent.

"I want to see Maleficent…" I whimpered quietly, more so to myself than them. I thought they might not have heard me I was so quiet, but I heard one of them gasp.

"Rose…" Fauna began, no doubt ready to scold me for such a thought.

"I'd much rather see her than you three." I stated, plainly. And I could practically feel the hurt radiating off of them. I frowned for a second. I was known for my kindness, something I took pride in. But I just couldn't take it anymore. How could I be kind when I was so unhappy. The only thing I felt could make me happy right now was leaving this place, this was a life I did not want, but I had no say in.

"I want to see Maleficent…" I whispered again, tears yet again coming, slowly, peacefully, as I rolled over and stuffed my face in a pillow, in such despair, my heart aching in my chest. Why I wanted to see her so badly, I didn't know, I tried not to think why. It hurt my head, and confused me to try and think about it, so I just ignored why. I just wanted to see her. For some reason I knew if I got to see her again I'd feel so much better, and safer, and secure.

Which was awfully odd, for she had tried to kill me, she was the one who caused my life to be so terrible, it was the fairies course of actions, but her curse set off the chain of events that made me live a lie of a life since birth.

"Briar Rose-" Merryweather stepped forward to try and comfort me or tell me how wrong I was but both were unwelcome.

"Leave." I growled at them. They were just making it worse, I didn't want to hear another word about Maleficent, or how I should be grateful for them keeping me alive, even though it was worthless in the end, the curse happened anyway. "I want to be alone."

The three fairies looked at each other sadly before walking out the door. Merryweather paused to look back at me, guiltily.

"Sweet dreams, Rose." She whispered before shutting the door.

The sun was only just beginning to set, but I suppose that I was tired enough to go to bed. I relaxed against the fluffy pillow under my head, pulling the pink blankets up to my neck. But sleep wouldn't come as thoughts plagued my mind. Especially of elegant green skin and dangerous green eyes.

I didn't care why I wanted to see her, or if she even wanted to see me. She was the only person I wanted to see right now.(She was the only person I wanted to see right now, might be better) I was done with that boy in the woods. He was a lost cause anyway. I would never be able to live happily ever after with him.

But if I could escape here, I could run away, I could find Maleficent… But where would she be? Where would a fear inducing, witch or sorceress take shelter?

One place flashed through my mind. The castle in the Forbidden Mountains. I asked my aunts about it after spotting it one day as a child, after a walk in the woods. The plateau jutting out of the stormy gray mountains, surrounded by the thickest brambles I've ever seen.

"Evil lives in that castle, Rose. Don't go near the Forbidden Mountains, do you hear me?" Fauna told me as a child. I nodded obediently, but I always gazed at it in wonder and fascination every time it was visible. Evil lives in that castle… That must be where Maleficent is.

Once that thought entered my mind, it was impossible to get out. I knew it was dangerous to leave, to seek my attempted murderer, but the idea was scratching at my thoughts like a caged animal… Or monster…

I couldn't take it, before I even had time to think, I slipped a robe over my dress, and slid on my shoes. I strode to the elegant little balcony, and without even thinking, blinded with determination, I vaulted the railing. Thankfully, the balcony was only up one story. I landed ungracefully, but I managed to keep upright. The balls of my feet ached in protest, but I walked on. Into the deep thicket of forest to find the only person I could trust right now. I hoped…