Everywhere Maleficent went, she was accompanied by two guards; everywhere she went, all eyes were upon her. No one would make any attempt to speak directly to the dark fairy, but Maleficent could hear them gossiping; whispering to one-another about her presence.

They were fearful of her being there at Stefan's castle. Suppose there was no surprise; Maleficent was notorious for many an ill deed. Every room she entered; every hallway she traversed, a fearful silence would almost always follow. They would try to make themselves scarce; avoid eye-contact with her, but at the same time, they could not help but watch her every move. They had a fear that she would do something of ill intent at any second; they watched her, as though she were the hungry wolf, ready to descend upon the injured lamb. They watched her, as though she were the thief; the murderer, trespassing into their home, while they, the helpless children, sought shelter underneath the beds, hoping, and praying, that their presence would go unnoticed.

But Aurora? When they crossed paths, the young girl made no attempt at avoiding Maleficent. She greeted the sorceress with courtesy, and spoke in a polite way.

"I'm hoping you had a pleasant sleep?" Aurora started with a smile. Maleficent, however, said nothing in response; instead, the fairy cast Aurora a cold look, and princess' smile was quick to fade away. "No?" The blond-haired princess bit her lower lip slightly when the fairy looked away.

"So, I guess there wasn't much sleep gained," Aurora mused to herself. Perhaps it was best to drop that subject altogether.

"I heard that the three fairies will be visiting today."

"Hmm? Oh." Aurora clasped her hands behind her back. "Well... Yes."

"Have you any plan to inform them of my presence?"

Aurora lowered her head at Maleficent's inquiry. "Yes. I can't hide this kind of information from them," the princess stated. In response, the sorceress chuckled, and shook her head.

"I'm sure they will praise you for your actions," remarked Maleficent, and it was clear that her words were laced with sarcasm.

Aurora knew exactly where the conversation would lead if she were to respond, and she did not want to argue about it. Especially with Maleficent herself. The young woman took a slow intake of breath, and decided to lead the conversation in another direction.

"I... Was wondering if you would be joining us for dinner."

"I beg your pardon?" The fairy stared at Aurora with an arched eyebrow.

"Well, I heard the results weren't exactly... Pretty, the last time you didn't receive an invitation," Aurora started. "So, I thought I should invite you for dinner... So we don't have a repeat of last events."

Maleficent laughed at Aurora's words. "How thoughtful of you, but I highly doubt your parents would approve," the fairy started(with the knights nodding their heads in agreement to what Maleficent had said). "Do you honestly think I would get along with all the others at the feast? Such a meeting would end in disaster, most likely; and besides that, I don't have my powers. For the moment, there is nothing to be concerned for."

"My lady," one of the knights started, clearing his throat. "I'm afraid I must agree with madam Maleficent. If the sorceress were to join in banquet, it would have to be approved by the king, and queen."

"And she is bound to cause problems," added the other, prompting the fairy to roll her eyes. Were these men honestly that gullible to speak their mind in front of the fairy herself?

At that moment, the two knights fell silent when they were looked upon with a frown; not by Maleficent, but by Aurora.

"Please, I want to treat her as a guest, not a prisoner," said Aurora, shaking her head. After Aurora spoke, the fairy smirked.

"I thank you for your offer, but it is not for you to decide whether I shall attend or not," said Maleficent.

"I'll ask my mother, and father," Aurora responded. By the devils blood, Maleficent almost felt sorry for Aurora, for being so naïve.

"Absolutely not!"

Aurora frowned slightly upon hearing King Stefan's exclamation. Although, if she were to be truthful with herself, she honestly wasn't surprised by her father's response.

"I was just trying to be polite," Aurora started. "And besides, she can't use any of her powers at the moment, so she wouldn't be cursing the silverware, and having them chase the attendants around the table."

A loud smack was heard as the king slapped his hand upon his forehead. He loved his daughter greatly, but she was going too far.

"Aurora, I admire you for your big heart," King Stefan started. "But you're asking for too much. Even though she is without her power, she can, and most likely will cause problems by way of word."

Mockery, and insults? Words to provoke anger? Aurora turned to her mother, only to find the queen shaking her head.

"I'm afraid I must agree with your father," said Queen Leah. "Maleficent is gifted with a sharp tongue. I fear she would cause a disruption, if she were to join us for dinner."

Aurora lowered her head slightly. Was Maleficent that bad? Aurora couldn't bring herself to exclude Maleficent. But then again, she wasn't as familiar with the fairy as her parents were.

Maybe it was a bit much. Maleficent had cursed Aurora when she was a newborn, and her parents were definitely not about to forget the act, nor were they ready to forgive the fairy anytime soon. There needs to be more time.

Before Aurora could add anymore, the voice of the duke sounded out. The young woman turned her head to see the duke, greeting the three royals with a gracious bow. "My ladies, Aurora and Leah; King Stefan, I come to inform you that the Three Good Fairies have arrived."

"They're here?" Aurora mused to herself.

"Ahh, splendid," started King Stefan. "Inform them that we will be meeting with them shortly."

The duke bowed, and turned back to the door. After a moment, Aurora sighed to herself. It was wonderful seeing her aunts again, but... Now, she was nervous. What was about to happen?

"Goodness, time does fly, doesn't it?" Said Fauna as the trio of fairies fluttered down the grand hallway. A year had passed since they returned Briar Rose to the king and queen; a year since the day Aurora fell into an enchanted slumber. Maleficent had been vanquished; the evil fairy would be causing no further harm to anyone. At least, that was what they thought. In a few moments, the three would soon discover that Maleficent was alive, and that she was there, in the castle.

Aurora stood alongside her mother and father, and watched as the three fairies approached. Courtesies were given, and greetings were exchanged.

"How does the day greet you?" Inquired King Stefan.

"Splendidly," Merryweather responded.

"Everything has been quite peaceful this day," added Flora. Fauna smiled, and nodded in agreement.

"That was curious," Aurora thought to herself. Normally, the green fairy would be speaking of flowers blooming, and butterflies fluttering.

"How has Aurora been?" Inquired Fauna, and drawing Aurora from her thoughts.

"Oh. I have been quite well," said the young woman, nodding her head with a smile. "It is wonderful to see you again; all of you."

"And it is most splendid to see you again, dear!" Fauna responded with a brightened smile.

Yes, it was quite wonderful seeing the three fairies again, but Aurora was uneasy. What would they say? What on earth were they going to do, once Aurora told them of Maleficent's presence? Seeing their reaction was something Aurora had no anticipation toward, and she was dreading the time where she had to tell them. To add to that, as cheerful as Fauna was, Aurora could somehow tell that there was something on the green fairies mind. What exactly, she wasn't sure, but somehow...

Somehow, Aurora could sense that Fauna suspected something.

"Where am I supposed to start?" Aurora wondered to herself. She couldn't just start up and tell them: 'Oh, by the way, I found Maleficent and took her in. Just thought you'd like to know'. Goodness, she had doubts that such an approach would end well.

"Umm, excuse me," started Aurora.

"Yes, dear?" The fairies asked simultaneously.

Okay, she needed to take things a bit slowly. Aurora turned to her parents, and asked: "Would it be alright if I spoke to them in private?"

The king and queen glanced back at one another. After a moment, the king looked back to Aurora, and nodded his head. Turning back to the three fairies, Aurora led the three of them to a nearby hallway, to speak to them.

"Is there something wrong, Rose?" Asked Merryweather with a slightly concerned tone to her voice.

"I'm not quite sure," Aurora started with a frown. "Flora, Fauna, Merryweather, I need to tell you something...