Chapter Eight ¦ Making a plan

Maleficent sat by the river staring into the waves. She stared intently at her reflection hoping that as if by will power alone, her cousin may appear from the water. She had not heard from Diaval in a while and she was starting to worry that he had also been taken captive. As many different scenarios crossed her mind she noticed a shadow appear behind, Diaval stood there already transformed into his human self.

As Maleficent looked over her companion she could see sadness in his eyes. He looked tired and his mind seemed to be unfocused. Maybe spending so much time around her cousin had affected him too much she thought to herself.

'What news Diaval?'

'Mistress, I have news…it is not good news but it is news none of the less.' Panted the young man and he held onto a tree trying to catch his breath.

'Go on…' Maleficent listened intently to her raven companion as he told her all the monstrosities which were occurring in the castle. He told her about how the mad king was keeping her chained to her cell walls when he wasn't playing with her. He told her of the abuse she was suffering and the bruises on her body.

'….She has not lost her sharp tongue though she keeps calling me a pigeon I am a beautiful raven not a rat with wings! I keep telling her Mistress but she will not listen to me!' Exclaimed Diaval pouting, offended at the mere idea of being compared to a dirty pigeon. This caused a small smile to pass over the fairy's lips. She was glad that one part of her cousin remained the same. Even as children Ondine was the loudmouth, always getting herself in trouble with the fae elders for her antics, pranks and big mouth.

'Have you found a way to get her out yet?' asked Maleficent as looked back into the waves.

'Well I have checked her chains and I see they are made of iron….they are burning into her skin I saw the scars around her neck…' Maleficent's anger grew with each new piece of news.

'But there are key holes Mistress for her chains…I think I could try and find the keys and free her but I have no way to get her from the castle to here on my own. I will need help.' Diaval said. He had already formed a plan of action but he was only one raven, even if he transformed himself into a different creature he would not be strong enough to rescue Ondine after the stress from his transformation. The only reason he was able to stay a dragon for such a long time was due to Maleficent's magic.

'Yes, we will need some aid…but no fae..'


Back at her castle Aurora had arranged a meeting with the lords of her kingdom. Many of the lords and ladies of their land held a grudge against King Leo from battles past. Maleficent and Diaval sat in on the meeting to coordinate action.

'My queen we would like to offer up our best men to go along with Lady Maleficent's raven…umm…guard…man….' began one of the lords with a bow of the head towards the queen and Maleficent. Diaval who had taken his human form for this meeting sat next to his mistress rather uncomfortably, he was used to perching on her chair or on her staff but as a human man he had to sit in his own chair and be regarded by lords. He was uneasy by the glances he was receiving off of the group of lords.

'Yes, as Lord Gerrald said we offer to you our best men for you to form a team to rescue this poor maiden. The Mad King has spent to long torturing poor defenseless beings. Why I remember when he sent a troop of men into our kingdom and made off with our youngest children…all of our first born children. He came into our villages and slaughtered the children in front of their mothers and set the bodies a light in great fires….' The oldest lord chocked back a tear and signaled for the other men to continue as he sat back into his chair with a grunt.

'I am so sorry for your loss' my lords.' said Aurora with sad eyes. 'How is it that this man has gone unpunished and unchallenged all these years?' She questioned the lords who at that point exchanged awkward glances to one another.

'Well my queen, we could not challenge the mad king as he was an ally of your father…King Stephan. Your father commanded our armies but there was a strong alliance between the pair. The mad king takes pleasure in causing pain and suffering and well…erm…after you were born and sent away Leo became your father's chief adviser and ally. He would do the conquering of new lands in exchange for immunity of his actions and a peace treaty. After time your father gave Leo his own share of the kingdom. This is why your husband was sent by his father King John to try and make peace. King John your father-in-law is King Leo's baby brother…' stated one of the lords with a worried look.

'So let me get this correct my lords, King Phillip's father King John is the baby brother of King Leo. The man who was my father's chief adviser and executioner during his reign?' began Aurora as she rubbed her head in confusion.

'Yes, he was exiled by his father when he was a young man. King John took his place on his throne.'

'Beastie, your extended families history and lineage is fascinating but maybe another time would be best? Can we please discuss the plan to rescue Ondine?' Maleficent interrupted. ' The time we spent discussing minute details about the past will only mean Ondine is spending more time in the hands of the mad king.

' Yes, ofcourse Godmother..'


Sorry this is a short chapter but I should be posting another chapter later today :)