A/N: I'm so sorry for the delay. I had the hardest time writing this chapter… probably because it is a filler chapter but alas it must be done in order to set up what is to come. The good news is that while I was figuring out this chapter I began the outline for the next one! So hopefully the next chapter will be out by the end of the month or the beginning of the next one but unfortunately no promises as I am in training for my new job.

Anyways enjoy. I don't know how I feel about this chapter but hopefully ya'll like it. I am sorry if it is a bit confusing but I am warning you now that there are a couple of POV changes/setting changes, however, it should be obvious on where they are.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything evolving Maleficent, Disney, characters or locations involved in this story. All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 11: To Merge

The cold left his body numb, yet he could still feel the slight vibrations of the shaking girl wrapped in his arms. Pulling her even closer to him, it gave them both a sense of comfort as it was the last night of Aurora's freedom. He could hear her quietly sobbing into his chest. Diaval gazed down at their reflections in the lake, smiling softly as he felt his heart breaking piece by piece. This would be the last time he held her like this.

"Diaval, there is something I must ask you," Aurora stated as she leaned back in order to look him in the eyes."How was the curse broken?" You could say that he was baffled as she had never asked about it before. Diaval had assumed that Aurora didn't want to talk about it as so much has happened. "My aunties say that they cannot remember what it was. They also don't know how I woke up. My aunties know nothing about the rest of the day." He desperately wanted to tell her. He wanted to tell her all about his feelings for her. Yet, how could he? If 'true love's kiss' was the answer, then he was the answer. He was too afraid of the rejection, of possibly losing her to the disgust of him also being a bird. It was better that he didn't tell her. Not yet. Right now it didn't matter as she somehow always found a way into his arms.

"I think it best for you to ask your Fairy God-Mother."

"I already did." He was surprised. He never realized that this was bothering her that much. "She told me to ask you. It is your decision she says. Now please Diaval, won't you tell me?"

"I am sorry Princess. I cannot. Not yet." He reached out and stroked her cheek. He pushed back a couple of her golden strands behind her ear and gave her the smallest smirk. "Trust me."

"I do." She replied, smiling softly at her Pretty Bird.

It had been three months since Aurora had left the Moors and moved into the castle. Yet, Diaval's mind always went back to that night at the pond. He had finally decided to wait and see how Aurora felt about him before revealing anything about the curse and the 'cure'. He wasn't ready to let her go quite yet, but he also wasn't sure if he was willing to give up his wings. Everything was too conflicting, especially since Prince Philip had stuck around for so long. He had finally left for his own kingdom yesterday. Even though it was most likely that he would return, it was nice to have it the way it was before the Prince entered their lives. He watched as Philip kissed her hand, promising to return to her. It was a sickening sight. At least for him, it was. What was more sickening was that Aurora seemed to miss the boy. She smiled a lot less, her eyes were sad. It was as if she was lost. For the first time in her life, she was alone. Diaval kept his promise though. He visited her everyday, albeit in his raven form but he was still there. However, not in the way she wanted.

For you see, Aurora had many thoughts lately. She thought about her deceased father. He used to sit in this exact chair. That's right. A chair. The throne didn't really mean much to her. Although sometimes, she wished it did. She wished she could have met her mother. She wondered what she was like. She hoped nothing like her father. She could only wish that the circumstances were different. Aurora certainly knew she couldn't burden Philip with these thoughts. She wanted to talk with Diaval but he only lingered as a bird. It was disappointing really. Aurora then realized that she had hardly been paying attention to Frederick as he listed off the many things that still needed her to resolve somehow. Frederick was the royal steward. His job was to take care of the estate as well as how one would describe as administrative tasks. Meaning that all of the complaints came to him. Once he reviewed them, he would relay them to the Queen. Frederick was rather, short, plump, and downright uptight. However, he always had brilliant ideas on bettering the kingdom.

"Finally, there are still those concerns about the Moors." This piqued Aurora's interest as always. Although Aurora was not fully aware of the problems that had been occurring between the two kingdoms for not only the past sixteen years but even beyond that. What she didn't realize how insane her father truley was and not only him but her grandfather as well. What was so dangerous about the Moors? "They want you to give up the throne in the Moors and solely rule this kingdom."

"Why? The Moors poses no threat to anyone nor anything."

"Your primary focus should be on restoring the people's kingdom, not the kingdom of plants."

"They are living beings too. You should really give them a chance Frederick."

"Well, then you must figure out a way to combine the two. Let the people experience the Moors like you did." Now there was an idea! The Queen smiled inwardly. This would be the perfect opportunity to regain some normalcy in her life. She could invite her aunties. How could people fear them? They were also quite sweet... when they weren't arguing that is. Perhaps even her fairy-godmother could come. Yet, she also knew it would be impossible for her to stay but perhaps a visit every once in awhile couldn't hurt. Maleficent, is after all, the most powerful fae. Even though Maleficent cursed her, the people could see that she was to no longer be feared. As well, Diaval could grace her presence with more than just his raven form. She missed him. She missed their talks and although he was technically keeping his word, it was not what she intended nor what she wanted.

"Also your Majesty," Frederick's voice interrupted her thoughts of how she would get them all to agree of coming to the kingdom, "there seems to be a bird in the castle. Shall we depose of it?"

"A bird?" Aurora smirked. She knew who it was. She felt her heart beat a little faster. It always seemed to happen when she knew Diaval was near. "No. Leave him."

"Your Majesty it is a black-bird. They are signs of misfortune and death."

"Not all of raven's are horrible Frederick. You should try to lighten up a bit." Once again smiling inwardly, knowing that her Pretty Bird was still watching over her... even if it wasn't the way she wanted.

Philip rehearsed on what he would say over and over on his ride home. He had already felt bad enough leaving Aurora alone but he also had to report back to his father. However, this could be his only chance to help Aurora as well. The truth is, he loves her. He truly does and it killed him that he didn't break the curse. Yet, here she was; beautiful, charming, absolutely brilliant, and most importantly awake. He loved getting to know her and he wanted her to be his wife. His parents would be so proud that he found a woman as lovely as she is. It was just like his mother's fairytales, they were coming true. It took him a full day's ride without rest to return to his own castle. As soon as he saw the iron gate, his heart began to pound wildly. "Announce me!" he yelled as he galloped past the gate's guards, riding his stead into the palace's throne room where his parents sat in their regal places.

"Philip my boy! His father greeted him with a shocked expression as the boy leaped off the horse, sending it into a frenzy as servants chased after the loose animal.

"Father! Mother! I have terrific news!"

"Philip, did you have to bring the horse with you? It is not proper behavior!" His mother complained while voices could still be heard in the distance yelling to catch the 'blasted horse'.

"That kingdom you sent me to…."

"Yes, well then. How is King Stefan? How are the people? Did you find the Moors? Did you find any creatures?" His father interrupted. King John wanted to merge the two kingdoms as half was already residing within his castle walls and the declining soil in Stefan's kingdom, it only made sense to save those who've remained there for so long.

"Father please listen. I found a girl. She's perfect and I want to ask her to marry me." He spoke quickly, ready to turn around and return to his beloved Aurora.

"Oh, Philip! That is wonderful news!" his mother exclaimed gleefully.

"Who is she?" His father questioned, but also as thrilled as his wife.

"Her name is Aurora..." Prince Philip's parents listened to his romantic tale with great attention gleaming with pride, joy, and oh so many questions about the girl, as well as the infamous Moors that they had heard so much about from the other villagers.

Meanwhile…

"I want you to move into the castle as a representative of the Moors." Aurora spoke with such authority that Diaval was mostly confused but also impressed on how well she was taking to her new role as Queen. There he perched with the three oblivious fairies nearby in the Queen's chambers. The fairies were so delighted that they happily accepted and had already begun to argue over how to redecorate the entire castle.

"That includes you too my pretty bird. I already know you've been around the castle. Fairy God-Mother must take care of the Moors." Diaval nodded his head and cawed as if to agree. After all he was here all the time anyways. "Diaval, I want you to be here in your human form. I miss you." His heart skipped a beat at those words. His beady black eyes watched her leave. If she knew he was around, why would she miss him? Humans were so confusing just as much as being human.

A/N: Don't forget to leave a review or follow/favorite me or the story.

~novalightstar