A/N: Yea...so after telling Baku the new chapter was up I fell asleep and woke up to her telling me that the first chapter is what was up...Imagine my frustration as I forced myself out of bed to correct the issue...Have pity on me, it was about midnight I uploaded so I could go to bed!
Eight moons passed, eight moons of late night feedings, of diapers being changed at what felt like all hours. Emmett was growing quickly, the downy wings flapping slightly, but were otherwise useless on him so far. Maleficent sat above him in her Rowan tree, content to watch her son crawl about the nest, various toys spread about to occupy him.
Aurora had been back and forth between the Moors and the Human kingdom, reluctantly leaving her family behind each time. She'd just left that morning, apparently there had been a few raids on the opposite side of the kingdom, farmers and their families harassed for their goods and livestock. The Guardian of the Moors glanced down once more to check on the royal heir, smiling as she watched him attempt to stand, plopping back on his rear end when his legs continued to fail him.
"Determined little Beastie…" she smiled, gracefully slipping from the tree. Emmett looked up as she touched down in the nest, a beautiful and happy smile at the sight of his mother, he immediately turned and crawled towards the faerie. "Shall we take a walk, little one?" She bent low and picked up the blonde boy, smiling as his little hands caressed her face gently. She turned and made her way away from their little home, his eyes curious, watching everything around him, the trees, the creatures of the moors, the other faeries that flitted about.
Maleficent brushed her lips across his forehead, stopping as they arrived at the edge of a pond, taking a seat at the edge, legs crossed as Emmett sat in her lap. He cooed, glancing up at his mother, then towards the gently moving water, lapping the edge. He reached towards the water, kicking his feet, attempting to slip from his mother's grasp. The Guardian smiled and shook her head.
"You're still too small, little one." He seemed to understand and pouted, face screwing up as he began to cry. Maleficent frowned at this, hating it when Emmett was so difficult with her. Black wings of a raven alighted upon a nearby stone, cawing softly-as softly as a raven could-, hopping closer to his Mistress and her son. Emmett's face immediately slackened, smiling brightly at the pretty bird. Diaval hopped onto Maleficent's knee, wings fluttering for Emmett's amusement, the young prince' own wings fluttering in response. Diaval hopped away and changed to a man, Maleficent having granted him the ability of willfull change years ago.
"How's being a mother treating you, Maleficent?" The man spoke, smiling as Maleficent allowed Emmett to crawl towards his uncle. Aurora had been the one to suggest Diaval be the 'uncle' to their son. Actually, she suggested Faerie Godfather, to which Maleficent narrowed her gaze, reminding Aurora that technically Diaval was a raven, not a faerie. Aurora had waved this off, and stuck with the idea, and though nothing was official, Diaval was happy playing Uncle to the little prince.
"It's treating me well, I suppose. I'd prefer Aurora's more constant presence but…her kingdom requires her presence." Diaval nodded, a hand just behind Emmett's back as he sat up shakily, wings flapping as he grasped Diaval's hand in wonder.
"Fair enough, I'm sure she'd much prefer be here with you both as well. Don't you, little princeling?" Emmett giggled and clenched and unclenched his fists. "When do you think he'll be ready to fly?" Maleficent's shoulders shrugged easily.
"I did not fly until my fourth year. It may be the same for him, time will only tell." Diaval nodded, watching Emmett crawl away from him and back to Maleficent, grasping at the feathers of her great wings, squealing as they lifted slightly, taking him with them just a few inches before lowering him again.
"Is it wise, though? Placing him on the throne?" Maleficent shrugged her shoulders slowly.
"Aurora and I have…discussed it. He will be allowed to choose…we plan for other children, at least one more when he is older. But…I do not know how he will adjust to being the prince of two kingdoms, two very different places…" Diaval nodded slowly, watching his mistress carefully.
"Do you fear the people's reaction?" Maleficent chuckled and nodded slowly.
"Of course, I do! These people have accepted our 'marriage' and our bond. Emmett has not been christened by their god, this causes discomfort. They've yet to see him, and time moves quicker to that time…I fear for his safety, for his happiness…" Diaval said nothing, understanding her fear, her uncertainty. This child would not grow up without other children, or other humans. Unlike both his mothers he would be gifted with the chance to be surrounded by many people from different cultures, different traditions. But at the same time those same people would see her son, would they see a future King? Kind like his Queen mother? Or would they see a faerie? Powerful, a threat to their kingdom, just as they'd seen his Guardian parent. Maleficent shook her head, allowing her gown to slide from her shoulder, bringing Emmett up for his mid-day feeding. Diaval hummed softly and smiled warmly.
"I think he will be fine, Mistress…" Maleficent glanced at him a moment, then back to the babe in her arms.
"I truly hope so, Diaval. I really, truly, do…"
Aurora and Maleficent sat in the King and Queen's thrones, respectively. Maleficent was dressed in her usual fair, not out to impress, despite the council insisting she do so. One quick glare from her and a chuckle from their Queen put an end to their complaining. Aurora, however, was under obligation to wear the heavy, nearly burdensome cloak, crown, and various regalia. The thrones had been placed almost touching each other at Maleficent's insistence, Emmett dressed in a princely onesie, settled happily in the Guardian's lap.
Emmett cooed softly, gazing at the large mass of people in the hall, the guards trying to create some order so that people may come up, offer gifts to their crown prince, kind words to the royal parents. Emmett was glad to see each person, not a one shocked or disgusted by the soft down at his back or the soft, sensitive horns atop his head. Despite the positive reception Maleficent could not help but feel unease with so many humans and strangers around her son. She knew the Moors, knew her people, but she'd never forget her years as Guardian against the greed of these very people. She recognized the son of a captain who'd tried to run a blade through her, the daughter of a vicious land owner who'd tried and failed multiple times until Maleficent was forced to 'dispatch' him.
Aurora could feel her mate tense beside her, reaching between them and touching her arm gently, ignoring decorum as she leaned over and whispered in the faerie's ear softly. "Relax, my love…Emmett has received nothing but love from everyone here…" maleficent lowered her chin slightly and spoke back carefully. "How much is true, and how much is a simple façade?" Aurora simply continued to smile. "Do you doubt our captain?" Maleficent glanced to her left, Captain Lasco watching each person approach and leave with the eyes of a hawk. He was incredibly protective of the princeling when he was visiting from the Moorlands. At first Maleficent found it unnerving, but as she watched him play with, care for, and honestly love her son, she accepted he was a suitable human for Emmett to be around. He was a good man, and that was acceptable to her. She relaxed slightly, knowing if for some reason she was taken quickly, that Aurora and the Captain would protect her son with their lives.
It seemed as if many hours had passed, but it was only two, the guests finally filing out of the hall, leaving mothers and son alone finally, Maleficent releasing a slow breath and standing. Aurora shrugged off the heavier bits of what she considered a pompous costume and grinned at her son, taking him happily and spinning atop the steps, causing him to squeal and giggling in her grasp.
"Who's my darling boy!" He seemed to answer with another squeal and wing-flap, making her laugh excitedly. The captain finished locking the doors and bowed to his Highnesses before taking his own leave. Maleficent smiled as Aurora spun and danced with their son in her arms, singing happily to him,excited for the future. Aurora danced back to her mate, leaning up on her toes, still a few inches shorter than the faerie, pressing her lips against the guardian's.
"I love you, my stubborn faerie." Maleficent let a smile tug at her lips as she nodded, fingers caressing her cheek gently.
"I love you, my reckless Beastie…now stop spinning him, or he'll…" She was cut off as foul liquid spilled from his mouth, not much, but enough for Aurora to stop her spinning and dancing. Aurora groaned softly.
"Ah well…time for a bath anyway." She smiled, gently wiping the corners of his mouth, rubbing his back soothingly as she led the way out of the room via a personal entrance towards the baths, a chuckling Maleficent in tow.
"I tried to warn you."
