A/n: Three things. One, I am still looking for a beta (PM me if interested) before I give up trying by the time I finish the next chapter. Two, thank you all so much for supporting this story, seeing all it's stats that grow everyday make me grin like a goof. Three, I am incredibly sick right now, and feel terrible :(

A/n2: See end of chapter.

Chapter 6

Diaval was currently sitting beneath the shade of a tree. It's multicolored leaves getting knocked off every so often by the cool wind that blew across the land. The man-raven finding himself having to pick leaves from his form when they got to be too many on his person. Until then, he was content to have them landing on him.

The black haired man thoughtfully chewing on an apple as he watched Aurora with her subjects from his position. She was currently smiling and laughing as she played with various fae-folk; the occasional high pitched squeal coming from her when she was hit with an unexpected glob of mud from one of her "opponents".

He was glad she was able to find a way to genuinely smile after all she had been through while away from the Moors. Maleficent had recanted the tale to him, far quicker than Aurora had told it, while also telling the most important details. The horned woman was no storyteller by any stretch, but, Diaval had accepted her words as he had no desire to make Aurora recall or even repeat her tale if it could be avoided.

That had all been a nearly two weeks ago, though it felt longer. It had taken time, but slowly, Aurora branched out from the safety of Maleficent's nest. The blonde wishing to interact with her subjects just as much as they wished to interact with her. While Diaval seriously doubted that the fledgling had fully recovered-both physically and mentally-he was simply glad to see and know that she had not been completely broken by the humans, Phillip most of all.

Diaval felt a protective, fatherly, urge swell up inside of him. In an odd way, he could very well be seen as Aurora's father, having helped raise her when she was a baby. By that logic, Maleficent could be seen as the fledgling's mother, however, he dare not say that aloud and certainly not to the winged woman (he felt the ghost pain of where she had hit him with a particularly biting spell when he had said such a thing years ago, and had learned his lesson).

Though not Aurora's father by blood, he had come to see Aurora as his hatchling over the years. And as such, the pale skinned "man" couldn't stop the frown that came onto his features as he thought more about the human prince. It angered him to no end when he had learned of the young man's treachery, and only increased his ire when he thought about it. Phillip had hurt Aurora, causing her more pain emotionally than he had physically.

The twisted irony of the situation was not lost on the Diaval either, how Aurora's betrayal at the hands of someone she trusted and cared for her was all but a reflection of Maleficent's own betrayal to the girl's father years ago. Events that had left both women wounded deeply, although, Aurora seemed to be taking it in stride compared to Maleficent's reaction, which was to make Stefan suffer deeply. However, Diaval didn't get to be his age by being stupid, though he was sure his Mistress would argue that statement.

Despite what he was seeing from Aurora now, he knew her well enough to know that her current state among her subjects was not her true state. Yes, she was laughing and smiling with them, and yes, they were real, but they were not her true gestures. He noticed in the lulls how her smile would vanish, how her shoulders would slump, and how the light in her eyes wasn't as bright as it once was.

Not that he expected her to be as innocent, as pure, as she had been. Well, that was not entirely true. Diaval very much wished Aurora could be as she was before it all happened. That they could go back and prevent Phillip from ever harming her. Hell, he wished they could go back further than that: before kingdoms and crowns and royalty, to when Aurora was simply just a content peasant girl.

But, he knew as well as any raven that the sun always rose into the sky first, and went down second. Regret was something, if survived, that could only be learned from. There was no going back, one either moved on or wallowed in their misery or despair.

Luckily, Aurora had a very good support system, and even if she wished to simply lie about in sadness, neither Diaval nor Maleficent would allow it. Still, there were times when both elders knew when to leave Aurora to her emotions and let the young human get it out of her system; however, other times, the negative emotions would be kicked in the butt, and Maleficent (who had never been one for patience) would all but drag Aurora out into the Moors to interact with it's inhabitants.

A method that worked well, as after a few minutes Aurora would be off and interacting with her subjects as she was currently doing. Diaval couldn't help chuckling to himself as he thought of Maleficent's methods while taking a bite of his apple. The woman was rough, but genuine, and whether Aurora saw it or not, Maleficent was doing what she was doing for herself as much as she was for Aurora.

He knew without the horned woman voicing it that she did not wish for Aurora to become as she had once, filled and consumed by rage and revenge (no matter how justified). Maleficent refused to allow those demons to take hold of Aurora, which was why the Moors protector went outside of her own comfort zones to see that her own history didn't repeat itself through Aurora. Diaval was more than willing and happy to assist in that.

It explained why he was currently in human form looking over Aurora. As much as Maleficent would have preferred to stay by Aurora's side, the faerie did have her own duties as Guardian of the Moors; which left Diaval to look after Aurora while the multicolored eyed woman was off on patrols.

By the time Maleficent finally returned noon had come and gone. She landed easily not too far from Diaval, the flapping of her wings the only signal to her presence. He turned to greet her, noticing how Maleficent's attention was focused on Aurora as to be expected.

"Find anything dangerous while out on patrol?" he questioned in a tease, as he tossed the apple core aside for another creature to feast on. Even ignoring the current events and situation, Maleficent had always been close to paranoid when it came to the Moors safety for as long as he'd known her. Though, he supposed, as he did with many things concerning the magical woman, she had not always been as she had.

"Shall I turn you into a dog?" she countered, keeping her eyes trained on Aurora even as she addressed the raven turned man. "Or maybe I'll turn you into a cat? They eat birds too you know?"

Causing the man to roll his eyes as he pushed himself from the ground. Dusting the colorful leaves off his person as he stood to his full height, adjusting his clothing as well as he preened his human self. "They're just as bad a dogs. Worse even. Cats toy with birds. Won't even kill 'em, but torment 'em until they die," he informed her quite seriously. "But at least they aren't as filthy as dogs."

A hum from the pale woman was all he got in response. "I'll be sure to remember that," the taller of the two said after a moment before turning her attention to him. "I need you to check on the status of that army." Her words immediately getting his full attention. "While I'm not complaining, but it seems odd they haven't attacked yet, or even ventured into the Moors yet.

I'd go myself," she continued when Diaval opened his mouth, probably to ask the question she had the foresight to answer. "But a single raven is far less suspicious that a winged woman with horns."

He closed his mouth. She did have a point. He couldn't stop the smirk that came onto his face and Maleficent noticed immediately. What comment was being hatched under that ebony hair of his.

"So...yer sayin that a raven is better for this job than you?" Diaval questioned, eyes alight with amusement and mischief, as he eagerly awaited her answer. "It's nothing to be ashamed about. We ravens hav-ack! Ack! Ack!"

Being cut off mid-tease as she turned him into a raven with a flick of her wrist. "Don't get cocky," she drolled out, not answering his question. Though, her turning him into a raven mid-conversation was all the proof that Diaval needed.

With one final squawk, making sure to ruffle his feathers proudly, he took off for the direction he had last spotted the army. Once Diaval was gone, Maleficent perched herself in his spot. Resting her back up against the tree as she watched the same sight as the raven had of Aurora involved in a game with the wallerblogs.

It wasn't long before Aurora found herself approaching the faerie. The shorter of the two panting heavily as she wore a smile on her features as she was covered from head to toe in mud. "Hello Godmother," came the greeting between breaths, as the Queen stopped a few steps away from the older woman.

Maleficent didn't answer right away, taking in more of Aurora's appearance first. "Hello Beastie," she finally greeted, giving a slight tilt of her head. "Given your appearance, it is safe to assume that you enjoyed yourself?"

The shorter of the two nodding in response, not that Maleficent needed the confirmation, it was plan for any to see.

"Well, you will need to clean yourself off," Maleficent stated as she stood from her seat on the grass. "You are quite the dirty thing and I shan't have you dirtying up my tree or-" Being cut off as Aurora attacked her with a hug.

Successfully transferring the mud onto the tall faerie.

"...me." the tawny feathered woman finished, looking down and seeing Aurora looking up at her with happy eyes. It was only due to that did the fae not complain about the mud getting into her wings. "It seems the appropriate thing to do now is for us to both have a bath." Maleficent said as she altered her statement, as if she had meant to say that all along.

The blue eyed woman stayed pressed up against the brunette for a few more moments, giving one final squeeze, before letting go and stepping back a bit.

"Troublesome thing," Maleficent sighed fondly, as she adjusted her wings against her back. "Come along Beastie," she beckoned, turning and leading the way, Aurora quick to follow.

Aurora sat still while Maleficent washed her. Resting between the faerie's legs as Maleficent washed her hair; humming in approval when she felt those sharp, talon-like, nails rake against her scalp as they moved through her hair.

Allowing the taller woman complete control of her head as Aurora surrendered to the administrations.

As usual, Maleficent had led them to a private alcove, with it's own personal spring. Aurora could only assume that Maleficent had claimed this spot as her own personal haven, as it was never occupied, no matter what time of day they came here. The human was certainly grateful for the privacy that the alcove allotted, much in the same way Maleficent's tree did, as she felt the need to recover after spending so many hours entertaining the other inhabitants of the Moors.

Normally, Aurora would bathe alone, Maleficent having groomed herself long before Aurora woke, but, given that the blonde had gotten the faerie's wings dirty, the multicolored eyed woman had little choice but to join her. Still, it wasn't as if this was the first time they'd bathed together.

To Aurora's understanding, Maleficent used to bathe her as a child as, in Maleficent's own words, "those three idiots could not be trusted to do so without you nearly drowning."

"Do you know much about the army?" came the inquiry as the guardian continued on with her task, making sure to give the back of Aurora's head a good scrubbing, not wishing to miss any mud there. "Like who could be siding with the boy?" Refusing to refer to the young prince by his name.

"No," came the answer, as she felt the faerie remove her hands. "Or rather, I am unsure who would take advantage of this situation, as I did make rivals," she amended, as she felt herself gently being pushed forward, further into the water.

The winged woman hovering behind her, and carefully pushing Aurora downwards, into the water. The shorter of the two complying without complaint, as she took a breath before she was submerged within the soothing waters. Staying down there a few moments before resurfacing, repeating the process a few more times before finally remaining above water.

"Rivals?" Maleficent repeated as she began washing the rest of Aurora's body. Starting with the queen's back, scrubbing at the marred skin. Aurora never brought up how roughly Maleficent washed at her back. She knew the faerie didn't mean to hurt, and that the unconscious action came from seeing the scarring on Aurora's back.

To which the blonde gave a nod. "Yes. Over the years, I did make my fair share of rivals and enemies too I suppose," came the beginning of an explanation. "There were those who didn't like my kingdom being ruled by a woman, that I did not wish to marry their sons and unify our kingdoms while putting a king on the throne," Aurora listed off as she felt Maleficent take hold of her arm and stretch it out, before cleaning the limb as well.

"There were also those who were upset that our lands did not become trading partners," the younger of the two continued, as she felt Maleficent switch to her other arm. "Then of course, there were those upset that I ruled the Moors and did not exploit the land."

"So it could be anyone then," Maleficent stated simply. "Fortunately, when Diaval returns from scouting, what he reports should be able to narrow down the possible enemies quite a bit.

Turn around," she ordered, drawing her hand back as Aurora complied. The champagne haired youth looking up at the taller woman before Maleficent set about her task of cleaning Aurora's front.

Her soapy hand sliding across Aurora's slick skin, leaving soap bubbles in it's wake. Rubbing in circles across the fair skin, as her task took her from Aurora's neck and shoulders to the young woman's breasts; not hesitating once she reached the area, running her hand across the mounds and beneath them.

Maleficent's hand continuing on downward, toward her charges flat stomach. The pointed eared woman deeply involved in her task of making sure Aurora was well groomed. A light laugh coming from the former princess pulling Maleficent from her task a bit.

"What is it that you find amusing Beastie?" came the question as the faerie continued on with her administrations. Adding her other hand, as she cleaned along Aurora's front; taking the time to lead them back over to the side of the spring.

Placing Aurora between herself and the rocks, as she pushed the young human up and out of the water slightly to expose more of her body.

"I am thinking about my servants," the former peasant confessed, as she looked down at Maleficent who was at a lower level than she was in this position. "When bathing me, which I insisted they didn't have to help me with, they would always flush whenever they got to my front.

They became so embarrassed," she told the horned guardian, as Maleficent took hold of one of her legs and began to clean it. "I never understood why." came the admittance, as a sigh escaped her lips as she felt those hands working their way up from her toes, along her calf, and toward her thigh. "I mean, there was nothing to be embarrassed about. We were all women."

A low chuckle coming from Maleficent as she placed Aurora's leg down before grabbing her other one. "Humans exist by rules that the fae do not, and have all sorts of taboos that make no sense to those not of their kind." Repeating her actions as she had done for the previous leg.

"It was little more than simple grooming," Aurora insisted. "Nothing to be ashamed about, just as there was nothing to be ashamed about the naked body." Remembering the times were her servants would squeal like children whenever they saw Aurora without clothes.

"You must remember Beastie, that you were raised by Moorlanders and a raven," the older woman reminded. "As such, you were not raised with the same values, and things such as 'modesty' and 'taboo' having no meaning to you.

As opposed to your brethren, you see things that are perfectly natural without becoming ashamed of them or sexualizing them," the faerie continued. "Unlike them, you have no social stigmas placed upon you." Finishing off Aurora's leg, placing it down, before drawing the young woman into the water once more.

The soap rinsing off, as Maleficent's hand went between Aurora's legs, easily brushing through blonde curls, while the other went to the queen's backside. All the while Aurora resting her head against Maleficent's shoulder as she savored her bath. The queen of two realms grateful that despite how many things in her life had changed, there were still things that remained the same.

Only removing her head when she felt her godmother withdraw her hands from her body. "Now you," Aurora stated as she looked up at the faerie, who nodded in response. Feeling her hands tingle from Maleficent's magic, as the faerie covered them in soap, before began her task of washing the faerie.

"I want to do whatever it takes to stop Phillip and the army," Aurora said seemingly out of the blue, picking up their original topic, as she started with Maleficent's hands, working her way upward towards the winged woman's shoulders and neck. "I don't want anymore people to get hurt like I did," her voice becoming soft as she made it to Maleficent's other arm, before starting on the brunette's chest.

Stopping her task when Aurora felt hands come to cover her own, earning her eyes to seek out Maleficent's. "We shall find a way to stop them Aurora," came the firm statement, as multicolored eyes shined with conviction. "But, it will take time. Rushing into battle unprepared can lead to more people getting hurt, or worse.

Be patient Beastie," Maleficent requested, bringing a hand up to rest atop the human's head. "Your kingdom shall be returned to you, it's threat vanquished, and the boy dealt with. I promise you."

Langston let out a groan as he leaned back in his chair, enough to bring the front two legs off the ground, as he rested his crossed legs on the table, while folding his arms across his chest. "Can someone explain to me why we haven't gone after the adorable little queen?" he wondered aloud, for what had to be the thousandth time since Aurora's escape. "I mean, it's not like we don't know where she ran off to, that's a given."

"Patience Langston," Phillip said, as the young man rested lazily in his seat. One elbow propped up on an arm, as he rested his head atop his hand. "I am not ready just yet to have my men turn their attention to the Moors.

I would be a fool to not know of the dangers that land possesses," he added. There was more to worry about than just the land's winged protector. There were also the creatures that had fought alongside her, when King Henry had tried to invade all those years ago. That wasn't even taking into account unheard of creatures, who would probably be no less fierce, the young prince was sure. "For now, allow the Queen to feel safe with the land's guardian. I'm sure she's on edge, believing men to be coming for her any day now, and it's nice to think that she's on edge, even within it's borders."

A smile coming onto his lips the longer he thought about it. Besides, he'd spent too much time planning, simply to go and muck it up by rushing in blindly; thus, ruining all that he had worked and waited so patiently for.

His second let out an overly dramatic sigh. "Then what am I supposed to do then?" the young merc demanded to know, as he tossed a hand up to show his frustration. "I've been in this God forsaken castle for two weeks now, and haven't killed anybody since we overran this place.

Do get me wrong, I love spending my days raping women as much as the next man, but sex can only go so far," he added, remembering the various female servants he, and many other men, had been having their way with as the days passed. "I need some action. Something that will get my blood pumping in a different way."

Smirking when he saw one of the servant girls bring in a tray of ale. Sitting one before Phillip and the other before himself. The girl trembling as she approached him, eyes cast downwards as she placed the tankard on the table for quickly scurrying away.

Phillip made a noise as he picked up his drink, swirling it around. He didn't worry about poison. Someone had tried to do that when the workers were feeling particularly rebellious, and killing the culprit and hanging their body up for the others to see managed to kill that spirit.

Still, he felt he needed to give Langston something to do. The man could only go so long without swinging his sword before he started to destroy the place. Plus, he'd prefer it if his second didn't get too rusty with his fighting skills.

"Alright Langston," the prince began, taking a sip of his drink. "I have a task for you." Seeing how the muscled man immediately perked up. "Two things. First...I want you to get together a team of expendable men, and have them scout of the Moors.

Make sure they enter at different locations and at different times," Phillip said as he gave his orders. "If any of them manage to survive their trip, that's fine, we'll have some information, if not...well, it will certainly add to Aurora's distress."

Langston giving a firm nod, before the prince continued. "Second...take some of the men and go out and cause some trouble within the town, and other small villages around the castle. Do so within the royal armor, and make sure that the crest is visible.

Also, minimum killings, but enough to get the people on edge. Have them panicking and starting to distrust their Queen for allowing her men to commit such acts," he said. "I trust this activity will burn off some of that pent up energy you seem to have."

"Aye, it will," Langston confirmed as he stood from his seat. Downing his drink in one quick swig, before slamming the empty tankard on the ground. "I'll go about doing it right now." Giving a salute to Phillip before marching out of the room with eager steps.

Phillip sat there for a few moments until he had consumed his own drink, at a much slower pace, before deciding to head down to the dungeons and pay a special prisoner a visit.

"Knock knock," Phillip said as he entered into the dark, dank cell, that smelled beyond horrible. "Hope I'm not interrupting you," the taunt easily falling from his lips as he smirked, while holding a torch to illuminate the otherwise pitch black room.

Watching as his prisoner groaned in pain from the sudden, unexpected introduction of light. Eyes immediately slamming shut, as their head turned away from it. Causing the chains that held them to rattle from the movement, as they were forced to stand in the center of the room.

"I've been meaning to tell you this for a while now, but I've been busy, running a kingdom and all," the prince said, earning a glare through dirty hair from the chained prisoner. The fair skinned man relished in the heated glare. "But, Queen Aurora actually managed to escape a few weeks ago, and is now tucked away safely in the Moors."

Enjoying the look of surprise that passed across the filth covered prisoner's features.

"Of course..." Phillip drew out as he began slowly walking around his bound "guest", as both to taunt and inspect. "Safe isn't exactly the proper word, as I know where she is, so she can't be fully safe if I know where she's attempting to hide."

The chains rattling once again, as his "guest" struggled to follow his movements. Phillip once more being hit with a look of absolute hatred. Oh, how it amused him so.

"You know, she used to look at me the same way," the prince brought up casually. "With complete hatred. When she wasn't screaming herself hoarse and crying like a helpless baby." Having gotten in the prisoner's face to say the last part of his sentence.

Drawing back when his "guest" tried to lunge at him, barking laughter escaping him as the brunette tossed his head back.

"Glad to see you've still got some spirit in you," the young royal praised. "Nice to know that it has yet to be beaten and fucked out of you," taking a few steps back. "Of course...you may just lose that fighting spirit if you ever see Aurora again.

I mean, it's not as if she'll ever look upon you with joy again," Phillip continued to taunt. "But she isn't the only one now is she?" An amused smirk playing on his lips as his words succeeded in working the prisoner up.

"Well, seeing as how I've told you all I came to tell, and you aren't dying, it's time I take my leave," Phillip announced, as he opened the heavy cell door. Stepping out and shutting it behind him, immediately encasing the cell in absolute darkness. The clicking of the lock echoing off the walls. "I'll be sure to come back and visit you soon. Perhaps I'll even bring friends along next time.

Until then, do take care...Prince Phillip." Leaving the young man alone as his footsteps echoed off the walls before completely disappearing, wrapping everything in silence.

A/n2: What? You didn't honestly believe it was that simple did you? Oh no, I'm not done screwing with you just yet.

Side note: To those following my other Malora story, I plan on updating that within the next day or two, so no worries, hasn't been abandoned...just hard to write one smut scenario, when four more scenarios as beating the one across the head with a brick ^^;