Maleficent could have transported them both through her magic fire, but she didn't want to frighten Rose, who was unprepared. Besides, the first times you travelled that way, you were bound for a bout of nausea. And while Maleficent wouldn't be bothered, she suspected that Rose would be terribly embarrassed to be sick in front of her. So, walking it was. She stopped to pick up a broken tree branch and make a new staff out of it. Rose viewed this with great interest.

"I wondered about your staff… do you need it?" she asked shyly.

"For magic? No. To walk? If I walk long distances, yes."

She blew at the top of the staff and a greenish glow enveloped it. It got stronger and then it just went out like the flame of a candle. Maleficent nodded to herself, pleased, and resumed walking. She could sense that Rose was withholding a question, and she answered it before the Princess had gotten too worked up about how to ask it.

"I was injured in a battle a long time ago," she said. "I was young, arrogant and hot-headed, and I overestimated my skills."

A terrifying grin spread across her face.

"My opponent however, never overestimated anything again."

"I see that arrogance hasn't fully worn off with time," Rose teased, then closed her mouth so fast she nearly bit her tongue off. Maleficent laughed.

"Witty," she said appreciatively, and Rose relaxed. "But I prefer to see it as confidence."

"Oh, yes, of course you do," Rose said, still teasing. Maleficent gave her a playful push.

"Watch it, Rosie, you are getting rather cocky yourself."

Rose giggled. Maleficent glanced at her and felt an unaccustomed emotion; like a warm, strong hand squeezing her heart. It made her want to cry and laugh at the same time. She stopped, bent down and kissed Rose, passionately and thoroughly. When she pulled back, they looked into each others' eyes, speechless.

"That was…" Rose began, searching for words but ending up being too distracted by Maleficent's glowing eyes and her own pounding heart to find any.

"…yes…" Maleficent replied. "It was."

Rose reached up and put her arms around Maleficent's neck.

"Kiss me again."

"Gladly."

The sky had darkened to black when they entered the gates of Maleficent's castle, but the moon was full and spread a cold, white light over the scenery.

"So…" Maleficent said. "What do you think?"

Rose glanced at the surroundings. It seemed more like a ruin than a castle where someone could actually live, but she wasn't going to use such bold words. Not tonight, anyway.

"It's… it looks a bit… run down…" she finally said. Maleficent's lips twitched.

"It does? How so?"

Rose was certain she was being teased, but she couldn't see how. The castle certainly wasn't in a particularly good shape, and Maleficent didn't seem like someone who would enjoy living in a rundown place like this one.

"The walls are cracked. Pillars are crumbling. Tapestries are torn and dirty." She trailed off and glared at Maleficent, who obviously struggled to keep from laughing. "What? They are!"

"Are they, really?" Maleficent said, flicked her fingers in front of Rose's eyes and mumbled two words; "See clearly."

And Rose did.

The castle was magnificent. Indescribable. Rose could only stare, her mouth open in utter shock. Nothing was broken, filthy or messy; it was the most beautiful building Rose had ever seen.

"It's only a spell to disguise it to others," Maleficent explained. "I prefer to be alone, without prying eyes. And you can imagine how much solitude I would get if everyone saw this…" she made a gesture with both arms.

"It's amazing," Rose said. She was breathless.

"I don't want to be rude, but I really need to wash myself; I have ashes all over me. Will you excuse me?"

"Of course."

Maleficent escorted her into a room with a large fireplace, comfortable chairs and books. There were books everywhere.

"I don't even know if you read," she said, almost apologetic.

"I do."

"Well then…"

She seemed reluctant to leave. Rose knew she was reluctant to let her go. They looked at each other, not speaking, not thinking, only feeling. Finally Maleficent averted her eyes and shook her head as if to clear it.

"I will be back in a little while."

"And I will be waiting."

"Awk! Awk!"

"Don't go there, Diablo. I don't even know what I'm doing with this girl. She's far too young for me, and I'm far too harsh for her."

Diablo rolled his eyes and pecked at her horns.

"Stop that."

He did it again, cawing urgently. Maleficent couldn't help smiling.

"Yes, I know it's time I move on. It's just not that easy. You of all should know that it's hard to adjust to a new life."

Diablo sighed and relented.

"Go and keep Rose company. I will be down soon."

He nodded and left her alone. Maleficent began to peel off her cloaks and robes while she wondered what she would wear this evening. She realised to her own amusement that she was nervous. Excited and nervous. How long since she felt anything other than weary annoyance with existence?

Too long.

When Maleficent descended the stairs, Rose's breath caught in her throat. The fairy had changed into a long, dark red dress and a thin black cloak, much different from all the layers she had been wearing earlier. Rose could have sworn Maleficent's sharp features looked softer and her frame not as skeletal. She wondered if it was part of the spell; that Maleficent wore a bit of a disguise herself when she wasn't in the safety of her own home… or if Rose simply saw her in a different way. Whatever the reason, her beauty nearly rendered the Princess unconscious.

"Uh…" she said.

"I take that as a compliment," Maleficent joked. "How about dinner?"

"That would be lovely." Rose tried to pull herself together. She suspected that she didn't do a very good job, but Maleficent only smiled. Rose thought she could die for that smile alone.

"Where is Aurora?" Philip struggled to keep his voice calm; he was after all speaking to a Queen, but he failed quite terribly.

"All I know is that she, like myself, did not want to watch when you burned Maleficent. It's quite a barbaric ritual, not very suitable for the eyes of a young woman. I should imagine she went somewhere to be alone for a while."

"She is my wife!" Philip yelled. Queen Leah looked up from her sewing and her eyes flashed with anger.

"Don't you dare yelling at me, child," she said in a dangerously sweet voice. Philip blinked. "I am well aware of your marital status. I am also aware of the fact that she is overwhelmed by her whole new life and needs time to herself when it becomes too much. If you possess anything reminiscent of wisdom, you will leave her alone until she decides to return."

As if she ever would, she added inwardly.

For a moment it seemed like Philip was going to slap his mother-in-law, but then he backed off and lowered his hand. Leah stared coldly at him, but within, she was terrified. Not for her own sake, but for Rose's.

Oh my baby, she thought, stay away. He must never find you.

While her husband stormed out of her mother's room, Rose raised her glass and examined its content. She had expected Maleficent to serve wine with the food, but the fluid in the glass was colourless. She hoped it wasn't even stronger than wine; she did not care much for the potential embarrassment, not after such a magic evening. But when she carefully took a sip, she blinked in surprise.

"Water?" she said. "You don't drink wine?"

"Yes, I do. But I didn't want you to believe I would try to muddle your thinking and take advantage of it. However, if you prefer wine, I can conjure up a bottle right away."

"No. No, it's fine." Rose smiled. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For respecting me."

Maleficent seemed a bit embarrassed.

"Well, clear heads make the wisest decisions. And I admire wise decisions," she muttered and drank from her own glass.

"Why do they call you evil?" Rose blurted out. "I can't see you as evil."

"Contrary to what some people claim, nobody is pure good or pure evil. Good and evil are in actions, not individuals. I have done plenty of harmful things to others. Some with and some without malicious intent." She shrugged. "I have also done good. But it's difficult to do good when you are hurting."

Rose wanted to say something to comfort her - friend? Lover? No word really seemed to fit their relation, so for the time being, she settled for the word companion - but Maleficent merely cleared her throat and changed the subject.

"Would you like dessert?"

A/N

YES! The story is finally cooperating with me, thank you very much! LOL

And thanks to everyone who review, favourite and follow this, I can hardly believe it. Thank you so much everyone! I too am very happy to be in this fandom and I'm very happy that you're having me. Love all around! 3