Chapter Twelve
Maleficent stood just a few feet from Aurora, and her presence made Aurora lose all the nerve she had shown to Regina a moment ago. She let Jefferson move her back a step besides the table as he tried to put himself protectively between her and both the Evil Queens.
Maleficent, she's here. She found me. After all these years she is finally going to kill me just like she did my parents… Aurora thought as she brought her hands up and gripped on tight to Jefferson arm as she asked, "How are you here the spell?"
"Oh, yes the spell." Maleficent laughed. "I don't know what the Dark One was thinking with that one. It was a nice beginner's trick."
"But a little remodeling of the south corner and …" Regina said with a wave of her hand. "here we are."
"To collect on our deal." Maleficent's smile widened.
"Collect?" Aurora asked. "What deal? With who?"
"Oh didn't Jefferson tell you about the deal he made for you?" Regina mocked Aurora.
"You made a deal with them… for me?" Aurora growled pushing Jefferson away from her in frustration.
"No Aurora that's not what she means." Jefferson pleaded as he grabbed at her. Aurora tried to pull away, but Jefferson managed to grab her tightly by the elbows.
"Let me go…"Aurora stopped and demanded an answer. "How could you! I TRUSTED YOU. I KNEW I SHOULDN'T..."
"AURORA, LISTEN TO ME! I made a deal with them to keep you safe. I have to find something for Maleficent and she will leave you alone. As long as you are here under Rumple's roof. Understand; I am trying to keep you safe."
"You can't trust her! Why would she make that deal? I am a threat to her crown, she wants me dead." Aurora looked up at Jefferson shaking her head.
"I made the deal because Regina; wouldn't let me kill the little thief." Maleficent moved a step closer to Aurora. Who moved back behind Jefferson "He" she pointed at Jefferson, "stole you right out from under my guards."
Aurora felt her anger grow and it quickly over took her feelings of fear. She wasn't some street rat on the run anymore, she had been learning how to use her magical abilities and it was now time to put Rumple's lessons to good use. Aurora took a deep breath as she stepped in front of Jefferson. "Jefferson only took out four of your guards. I took out the other dozen or so. He's not doing anything for you Maleficent. "
Maleficent laughed. "And tell me Aurora why exactly Jefferson won't be doing anything for me?"
"Because Jefferson is under my protection." Aurora stood her ground.
"Your protection?" Maleficent laughed cruelly. "Enough." Maleficent roared "You are never going to be Queen, and I don't acknowledge you are a Princess." She waved her staff, Aurora tried to do a protection spell but she was too slow.
Maleficent's spell hit Aurora and she went flying back across the table. Along the way she knocked over the vase which crashed to pieces on the floor and scattered red roses and water across the main hall's floor. The magic carried Aurora across the room until she hit the closed front doors. She tried to move but couldn't, as Maleficent closed in on her.
"Stop!" Jefferson screamed.
"You can't protect yourself let alone Jefferson here." Maleficent's voice crackled as she walked across the broken glass and spilled roses to stand in front of Aurora. "And Jefferson's little parlor tricks, he calls magic are not going to cut it with Regina and me to save you."
"Stop!" Jefferson screamed again. "Stop her Regina. This wasn't part of the deal." Jefferson pleaded as he grabbed Regina's arm.
Regina raised her hand and used magic to forced Jefferson down to his knees.
"You have me." Jefferson choked. "I promised to bring whatever it is you want back, Maleficent. I do that and Aurora was to be safe here. That was our deal."
"I know our deal Jefferson." Maleficent commented as she brushed a piece of hair out of Aurora's face.
"Don't touch me." Aurora screamed, trying her hardest to move away from the wall, but Maleficent's magic was too strong.
"What is it?" Jefferson demanded trying to get Maleficent's attention away from Aurora. "Maleficent what is it you want me to do? I will go do it now. Just tell me what it is you desire."
Maleficent stared into Aurora's eyes while she answered Jefferson's question. "The Black Cauldron."
Aurora gasped and shook her head "No!" Aurora tried once again free herself, but she still couldn't move.
"The Black Cauldron?" Regina asked. "Maleficent you can't be serious." Regina was startled and she released Jefferson.
"Yes" Maleficent smiled before turning from Aurora to face Regina and Jefferson. "The Black Cauldron."
"The Black Cauldron hasn't been seen in 2000 years. It's a story, it's not real." Jefferson stated as he shook his head in disbelief.
"Rumor has it the Horn King is closing in on it." Maleficent could barely contain her excitement.
"That's suicidal!" Regina stepped in front of Jefferson and slammed her hands on the table. "You may as well kill him now."
"Well I wanted that dear Regina. " Maleficent stepped forward crushing glass under her feet as she made her way over to the table. "But you just wouldn't let me do it out right, no matter how hard I begged for it."
"Jefferson dying was not part of our deal." Regina demanded.
"If he is as good as you claim he is; then he will be fine." Maleficent smirked.
"If you promise, you will leave Aurora alone, I will do it." Jefferson whispered.
"Jefferson no!" Aurora screamed.
Regina turned slightly to look at Jefferson a shocked and sadden expression on her face. "You would risk your life for… for her?" Regina asked in amazement.
Jefferson didn't reply he just looked up at Regina, until Regina turned her head clearly upset by Jefferson's decision.
"Do you know what the Black Cauldron does?" Aurora asked Jefferson. "It raises an army of the undead. The Black Cauldron was made from the ashes of an evil King so cruel and evil that even the Gods feared him. He was burned alive and his demonic spirit formed the Black Cauldron. "
"The Horn king is just a man." Jefferson tried to make light of the task.
"A man corrupted by magic. He looks like the goblins he controls, more monster than man." Regina said as she rubbed her hands on her arms clearly upset by what Maleficent had asked Jefferson to face.
"I am used to dealing with a man who is more monster than man. I can handle it." Jefferson said out loud more to reassure himself than Regina.
"Maleficent will use it to destroy my Kingdom. Regina she could go after yours as well." Aurora pleaded.
"It's not your Kingdom." Maleficent raised her hand and Aurora was lifted off her feet, and up the wall. Maleficent contuined to scolded Aurora as Aurora started to kick her legs and choke. "And it is Queen Regina. You really need to learn to respect your royalty." Maleficent turned her head back to Regina "Not that I would ever go after your Kingdom dear Regina, what are allies for if not to be allies."
Regina glared at her.
"Let her down. " Jefferson yelled getting back to his feet. "I will do it."
"Jefferson don't." Regina placed her hand on his hand to stop him from moving forward.
Jefferson looked at Regina and saw the fear for him in her eyes. Looking back at Maleficent he said "I will get the Black Cauldron for you!"
Maleficent dropped Aurora to the floor. Aurora gasped for breath as she tried to speak. "No, No. Jefferson." She managed wiping tears from her eyes. "You can't"
"You silly girl" Maleficent looked down at her and laughed. "Your parents' couldn't stop me from taking their throne, and you can't stop me from getting what I want" She kicked Aurora back a step. "and you never will."
"You are wrong." Aurora scooted back and scampered to her feet just out of Maleficent's reach. "I may not but I am not alone in my fight against you anymore." Aurora took a deep breath and screamed one word as loud as she could; "Rumplestiltskin!"
Rumple appeared in between Aurora and Maleficent. "I was wondering when one of you two." He looked over to Jefferson and back to Aurora. "would invite me to this interesting conversation."
"You knew they were here and you didn't …" Jefferson started.
"Do you really think anything magical could happen on my grounds without me knowing about it dearies? Why do you think i bothered with the protection spell in the first place?" He took a step closer to Maleficent. "Now you want to kill poor Aurora here and you are taking your angrier out on Jefferson, who was just working a job for me. In fact it is clearly know across the land that Jefferson and now Aurora are under my protection. So if you want to dish out punishment maybe you should direct it at me." Rumple paused to dramatically point to himself.
When Maleficent failed to comment Rumple added. "Coming to my home shows me you two have some nerve, and very little brains. I thought you were smarter than this Regina, but once again you disappoint me; dearie."
Regina opened her mouth to reply but quickly closed it deciding against it and looked away from Rumple's disappointed glare.
"Jefferson may have been working on your orders but he was the one who took Aurora away from my guards, not you. " Maleficent spat. "Why you two" She waved at Regina, "are protecting this worthless con-artist thief is beyond me. But he did make a deal with me Rumple. And as you always say a deal is a deal."
"Well Jefferson she does have me there. " Rumple walked over behind him. "You did make a deal with these two didn't you?"
"He did Rumple" Regina replied before Jefferson could say anything. "But Maleficent wasn't forthcoming with the item till now. I think she asks too much and I recant my part of the deal, thus breaking Jefferson's verbal agreement."
"Regina" Maleficent hissed. "If he dies you can always find a new boy toy to play with."
Regina's cheeks flushed for a second. "Maleficent, Jefferson talents extend beyond the bedroom. He is not just some worthless con-artist thief as you stated earlier. I do not wish to lose him for a foolish quest against the insane Horned King."
"Oh Regina the Horned King is no more insane than you or I" Rumple commented.
"Please the Horn King talks to the dead bodies he keeps around his castle. Do you really want to send Jefferson off to Morva to find the Black Cauldron for Maleficent? Do you want him to die? Because I can't believe you would want the Black Cauldron making it to Maleficent's hands."
"I am standing right here Regina" Maleficent reminded her. "At least pretend you are on my side, while we are in our enemy's castle."
Regina flashed Maleficent another deadly glare.
"It is better for Maleficent to have the Cauldron then the Horn King. Do you think he will stop once his undead army takes over all of Prydain? I have faith that Jefferson will do what he needs to do to finish the deal." He caught Jefferson eye, and Jefferson gave him a short nod of his head.
"No" Aurora huffed as she rushed forward, but Rumple grabbed her, and held her back from Jefferson. "No you can't!" Aurora complained. "Rumple, you can't let him do this for me!"
"I can and I will. Maleficent go ahead and take him." Rumple ordered. "Good luck, Jefferson."
"No!" Aurora screamed as she desperately tried to break free from Rumple's arms.
Maleficent walked around behind Jefferson and asked. "Well hatter do you have your hat?"
"Oh course, I don't go anywhere without it." Jefferson replied to Maleficent as he placed his hand on the bag at his side, but he never once took his eyes off of Aurora.
"No, stay away from him." Aurora screamed. Rumple had her lifted off the ground and she kicked the air under her feet as she continued to try to break out of his grip. "Don't touch him!" she shouted as Maleficent put her arm around Jefferson's shoulders. Rumple felt Aurora's skin grow warm. "I'll kill you for his Maleficent. I'll kill you, I swear I will!" Aurora screamed.
"Aurora don't even think about it. Control yourself dearie." Rumple whispered in her ear. "Now is not the time for Magic."
Jefferson felt the temperature start to rise in the room. Like it had that day in the alley before Aurora had taken out the guards. Taking out the guards was one thing but trying to use her magic without control against Regina and Maleficent would be deadly. I have calmed her down. "Aurora its fine." Jefferson forced a smile. "I got this."
His smile quickly faded as he froze with an uncomfortable look on his face as Maleficent purred in his ear. "I so do love a man with confidence, even if it is misguided. "
"This is going to make one hell of a story to tell you by the fire." Jefferson stated as he regained some confidence. He could see Regina face change from upset to curious about his last comment. At least if I die I won't have to worry about telling Regina we are through. Jefferson gave a little laugh. Because dying would defiantly be easier then telling her that.
"You better damn well come back and tell me it." Aurora forced out before the tears started to fall down her face. She stopped fighting Rumple and shook her head. "Jefferson …. I .."
"I know Rory…" he smiled one of his real smiles complete with that toothy grin of his. "I know." And that cocky smile of his was the last thing she saw as Maleficent and Jefferson disappeared.
"No!"Aurora screamed as if she had been dealt a life threatening blow. She felt her legs go out from under her and Rumple lowered her to the floor, where she sat silently staring at the spot Jefferson had been a moment before.
"What is your plan Rumpelstiltskin? " Regina hissed as she tried to hold back her own tears. "You wouldn't give Jefferson up for nothing, and you sure as hell don't want Maleficent to have the Black Bloody Cauldron, when you want this…" she pointed at Aurora. "this weak child to be Queen instead of Maleficent!"
"I'm not weak or a child!" Aurora growled getting to her feet, and as she did the temperature in the room went up.
"Control you newest pet Rumple." Regina hissed. "Or I may have to kill another one of your apprentices."
"This is entirely your fault." Aurora pointed at her. "If you didn't sell Jefferson out."
"Sell Jefferson out?" Regina turned on her. "I did what I could to keep him safe from that dragon. I wanted him to give you up but he has grown too attached to you to do so."
"Now girls." Rumple giggled. "I'm sure Jefferson was too afraid of betraying me to help you out dearie." He poked Regina in the shoulder as he moved protectively between her and Aurora. "Now I think it's time for you to leave. I would say you have over stayed your welcome but you were never welcome here in the first place."
"Be careful Aurora." Regina pushed Rumple's hand away. "Don't let him fool you. I use to be welcome here. I didn't become what I am now without a push from him. So ask yourself what is he planning on turning you into?" And with that comment Regina disappeared.
Aurora looked at Rumple as she questioned him. "Is that true? Did you make her into the Queen she is today?"
"Don't look at me like that. Her mother started her on her path years before she was born. Even your precious Jefferson and Victor played their parts in making Regina the monster she is today."
"Do you all plan on making me into something like that too? Is that the kind of Queen you want me to be?" Aurora wondered if she wanted to know the answer.
"That" He pointed in the direction Regina had stood. "Is not in the cards for you dearie." He moved closer to her to whisper. "And just so you get the foolish idea out of your young little head right now, before it goes any further. Jefferson is not your Prince. In fact he is not a Prince or Lord of any kind. Anything beyond friendship will now end well for you, or him."
Aurora pulled back from Rumple and stated. "If Jefferson does not come back by New Year's Day this is…whatever this has been is over and I am gone." She turned and started up the stairs.
"As you wish Dearie. If you want to play right into Maleficent hands, then by all means go right ahead and leave anytime you want to. No one is keeping you here. You could have walked out the castle gates any time you wished." His voice sang up after her. She turned and looked down at him as he added. "But we both know you are smarter than that. And today's little experience proved you are not strong enough yet to go up against Maleficent yourself."
Not having a good enough reply Aurora gave a little huff and in true Princess fashion she marched the rest of the way up the stairs and out of the room.