Several days passed and the recovery was painful. Aurora had several bouts of abstinence and Maleficent helped giving soothing teas or distracting her with other things. Emma was always with her to watch. Nearly a month passed before she felt better.

"Do you know what she's planning?" Aurora asked Emma who helped her to dress.
"Calm down, you'll find out soon."

After buttoning up the dress, she combed princess's hair and said.

"Done, you can go. She is waiting and you know..."
"Maleficent hates to wait. Well, see you later!"

Aurora ran into the courtyard of the castle where Maleficent had arranged to meet with her. What surprised the fairy had prepared for her? The blonder had no idea. The courtyard was completely empty, which was unusual at that time of morning. Where was everyone?

"Hi, Oscar! What is going on?"

Her mascot looked up and Aurora heard a roar from the sky. Her eyes widened at seeing a brown dragon with silvery spots flying in circles over the castle. The creature was descending gradually until landing softly in the middle of the courtyard. Riding on its back, riding a large saddle, was none other than Maleficent. Aurora looked as if hypnotized for the magnificent scene of fairy riding that dangerous beast and holding the reins as if she had full control of everything.

"Will you just stand looking?" she asked giving that smirk.
"This is... is... Wow!" The woman held out a hand and said.
"Happy birthday, princess."

Aurora was speechless for a few seconds and then asked with a trembling voice.

"My birthday? It's today?"
"Oh, you foolish! Forgot your own birthday! Come on! It's much more fun ride the dragon than just look with this silly face."

She came out of that shock and held Maleficent's hand, who lifted her off the ground and helped to ride behind her.

"Come closer and hold me tight. The takeoff is usually difficult, so be careful!"

Oscar settled down in front of Maleficent, who with a flick of the reins caused the dragon take off at an incredible speed, catching Aurora by surprise. More than fast, she hugged the fairy tightly, pressing her body against hers and closed the eyes. Maleficent, on the other hand, had no difficulty in staying firmly despite the high speed of the dragon. She controlled the beast with great mastery.

"I said takeoff is difficult. Keep holding tight!" After the initial turmoil, it wasn't necessary the princess hugged her so hard, but it was obvious she was loving that physical contact between them. It was so good to feel the girl's body pressed to hers, those arms around her waist and those firm breasts against her back. She could also feel her heart beating, and after a while, it seemed to beat in tune with her own.

When the speed of the dragon fell, Aurora could open her eyes and saw with wonder they were flying near the clouds. Below them, the gorgeous landscape of the prohibited lands throughout its length. The Maleficent's lands were much bigger than she thought. In some ways, could be considered a kingdom.

"Look how the clouds are close! There is no danger to be shocked against it?"
"Of course not! Clouds are only tiny particles of water and ice. It doesn't hurt anyone. Want to see?"
"My goodness!' the blonder screamed when the dragon went through a big cloud. Everything clouded around and cleared again. "We went through a cloud? I can't believe!"
"You can believe, princess. C'mon, we still have many things to see!"

Maleficent flew over the great plains and also the snowy peaks of several mountains where Aurora could see white dragons flying around.

"Are snow dragons. They prefer cold places."
"And here is really cold!"

The dragon was flying at a high speed, the main characteristic of that species. Maleficent was leading making it seem very easy which in fact wasn't. Looking from above, Aurora saw that most of the lands were uninhabited, with only a few villages and some areas of planting.

"I try avoid human occupation. Otherwise, all this would be devastated like happens in other kingdoms."
"But people need to eat..." Aurora justified.

"There are more efficient ways to cultivate the earth without having to clear large areas. Moreover, humans breed like rats and cause the destruction of everything around. Destroying forests, the climate is affected."
"I didn't know..."
"People also don't know. It will take ages to understand it and even then the destruction won't be stopped easily. But let us leave this matter aside. Today is your day!"

The tour lasted for over an hour so Aurora could see the forbidden lands from above. They traveled to the frontier, where the forest planted by Flora was.

"I never understood why they did this forest."

Maleficent replied showing displeasure.

"They want everyone to believe the forbidden lands are a horrible place to live, so don't allow them to go through the frontier."
"It's a lie!"
"A well disseminated lie."

The dragon stood in the air for some time, flapping without going anywhere and Aurora could see, far, the silhouette of the palace and felt sadness. More than fast, she pushed that thought out of her mind not to ruin her day.

"There's a place I want to show you. I know you'll like." Dragon went away quickly and once again Aurora was amazed to see a beautiful crystal clear lake surrounded by pine trees which in addition the green color, also exhibited amber and some shades of brown and red. Behind pine trees, mountains with snow capped peaks.

The beast landed on the shore of lake which was covered with grass and plants with yellow and purple flowers. Maleficent down first and then helped Aurora holding her by the waist. The young woman, in turn, rested the hands on her shoulders and when was placed on the ground, their bodies became very close.

Maleficent kept the hands on her waist, looking at those beautiful eyes that were sometimes blue, sometimes slightly violet. Aurora held her gaze feeling the heart pounding in chest. They were almost embraced.

"It's the most beautiful present I got! Thank you very much!" She said with flushed face and bright eyes.
"You're welcome, princess." She slowly released her and the two were walking along the lakeshore. Oscar flew freely, circling in the air and having fun.

They walked in a calm and comfortable silence for both, just enjoying each other's company. Aurora breathed deeply the fresh air feeling invigorated by leave the castle after months of confinement. A large mountain behind pine trees caught her eye.

"That mountain looks different from the others."
"It's a volcano."
"Really? It doesn't seem to."
"Because is inactive."
"It doesn't erupt anymore?"
"In that case, would be extinct. An inactive volcano can stay years without activity and erupt at any time."
"This happened in the past?"
"Yes. This volcano erupted and covered the entire kingdom with lava."
"Really? I've never heard!"
"It happened countless millennia ago, long before people inhabit this kingdom."

Aurora was stunned.

"How do you know so much?" Maleficent gave her typical arrogant smirk.
"I have lived long enough to learn."
"It must have been terrible when this volcano erupted. I hope it never happens again!"

She stopped walking and held out her arms, as if showing around the landscape.

"See those lands? It's beautiful, isn't it? All this was only possible because of this great 'tragedy' of the past. The volcanic soil is one of the most fertile in the world. It's thanks to it that this country never crossed lack of food."
"I hadn't thought so."

She gave a bitter smile.

"Nobody thinks. People always see tragedies like something bad. Maybe it's the short term, but that's how nature works."

Aurora heard all amazed, finally understanding what Maleficent meant.

"Chaos is as necessary as the order. It is where stars are born. Everything that exists today and will exist comes from chaos. People hate me because they want to live stagnant, but I make them come out of comfort zone. No one likes change."
"I liked the change."

The fairy lowered the arms and looked at princess's face. She was sincere, which surprised her. Her gaze had fascination, admiration and respect. There was no hatred, anger or fear as always with other people. She really liked the way to look.

"Oscar!" Aurora squeaked suddenly when the little dragon flew creeping over her head. He came back and Maleficent said.
"It seems he wants to play."
"You naughty! Wait till I catch you!" She went away chasing the dragon which flew quickly, sometimes stopping so she could join him.

Seeing Aurora running with Oscar, so beautiful and smiling, her heart beat in a way that had never beaten before causing her to put a hand on chest. Which meant that strange feeling that was dominating her? No, it couldn't be true! Was that possible? She refused to believe. Suddenly, it was as if a veil had been lifted from her face and finally she can see the reality.

Where that feeling come from? When it started? She didn't know. Everything happened without her noticing, slowly and gradually. Or that feeling has always been inside, but asleep? Maybe she could ever know. It was out of her control and if there was one thing she hated was not being able to control something.

Besides she can't believe what was feeling, she also didn't imagine how that feeling came over without her noticing. In no time she suspected that such a thing could happen.

When Aurora was born and Maleficent realized her importance, she never imagined things could go so far. And at any moment she noticed even when began enjoy the company of young woman, always wanting to be with her, or having outbursts of jealousy when a man showed interest for the beautiful princess.

It wasn't easy for her accept that feeling. If it were anyone else, she would never take it forward. In fact, she wasn't even able to feel such a thing for another human. But was Aurora, her half. And finally she understood what the concept of 'half' went much further than she imagined.

"Looks like you caught me, princess." She muttered seeing Aurora running with Oscar. The young woman looked toward her laughing jovially, making her heart leaps again. Apparently, she was in a dead end. Or she lived that feeling, or kept it hidden forever.