Chapter 36

Later on in the night, the peace and silence was broken by the sound of advancing footsteps. Maleficent shifted slightly, only waking when the footsteps grew louder.

"What the hell..."

Sitting up, the fairy's eyes widened as she caught sight of a few dozen soldiers marching their way through the Moors. Turning, she shook Diaval awake and motioned for him to be silent as he took in the sight as well. The feathers of both sets of wings bristled a bit when one of the men crushed the home of some of the flower fairies with his booted foot.

"Go hide Aurora, Phillip and the baby, Diaval...I'll handle them."

With a nod, he took to the skies and flew towards to cottage, keeping an eye out for any more soldiers. Maleficent flew up as well, moving around to hover in front of the advancing crowd.

"Turn back! I don't want to harm you, but I will if I must!"

When they simply drew their swords and stared at her, she narrowed her eyes at the dull, lifeless look in their own. A sudden dome of vines and branches encased the men, and the fairy used a bit of her new-found magic to free them, if only temporarily, from their mind control. Having left a small opening so she could speak to them, the tall woman approached their prison.

"Lady Maleficent!"

"What's going on...why were you sent here..."

"He...that man...he...wants you dead. He...controlled us! He's forcing us to invade your lands! Please...I don't know what you've done but his influence is coming back!"

A scream from the direction of the cottage caused the fairy's feathers to stand on end, and she flew off, leaving the men encased in their prison. Landing just in time to see one of the soldiers dragging Aurora from the cottage by her hair, another following with Phillip, Maleficent gave a sound akin to a growl. What she didn't expect, however, was to see the young Queen reach out and grab the soldier's sword before plunging it into his side where his armor split, causing him to release her. Aurora rushed to Maleficent, who picked the other man up in the air with a tree-branch, startling him into releasing the blond's husband.

"Where's Diaval?"

"I told him to take Celine and get her somewhere safe!"

Casting her eyes to the sky, the fairy watched for any signs of her lover, listening for the ruffle of feathers. Instead of the comforting sound of a gentle glide, she heard yelling and curses from a familiar voice. Glancing to Aurora, the blond nodding, Maleficent took to the sky, flying towards the voice. Her sharp green eyes soon caught sight of Diaval flying through the sky, being followed by an unwelcome presence. With another growl-like sound, the horned fairy flew forward, slamming into his side and sending them both tumbling towards the ground. A jolt of blue magic hit her, sending her flying away from him and allowing both to re-orient themselves.

"You just refuse to give in, don't you?"

"You will not harm my family."

"Family? They're HUMAN! HUMANS are not family!"

Maleficent let her magic swirl around her body, a rainbow of colors making themselves visible to the odd stranger. His eyebrow shot up and a small smirk curled his lips.

"Well now...what's this? It would seem you're a bit more powerful than I realized..."

"Damn right I'm powerful. It would be easier for you if you just left us in peace."

The odd man threw his head back, letting out an almost maniacal laugh, his dark red wings ruffling in the air. At hearing him laugh, Diaval moved to hover next to his mate, holding Aurora's tiny daughter in his arms. Gazing at him out of the corner of her eye for a split second, the fairy saw him give a slight nod, not taking his eyes off the attacker. Looking down, and seeing the majority of his brainwashed soldiers trapped in Maleficent's prison, caused the man to glare at her.

"You will give up eventually, Queen of the Moors...I will have this kingdom, as well as the other."

"You will have nothing when I'm done with you."

Another laugh escaped the odd fairy, and he flew down, freeing his soldiers before flying back towards the castle, the men following. Finally turning to face Diaval fully, she looked down at the baby in his arms, letting out a breath of relief when she looked unharmed. The male fairy leaned over and kissed his lover's cheek before moving to fly down to Aurora and Phillip again. Maleficent followed, landing behind him and watching him hand the baby back to the young Queen, who immediately hugged her daughter close.

"Thank you for keeping her safe, Diaval."

"Of course."

The former raven found himself locked in a hug by the girl after she handed her daughter to Phillip, the young King immediately pressing a kiss to the baby's forehead. Watching them, the horned fairy felt a smile tug at her lips, unconsciously placing a hand on her stomach. Catching the slight movement out of the corner of his eye, Diaval moved over and wrapped his arm around her waist once free of Aurora's hug. She let out a sigh and leaned her head on his shoulder, letting her eyes slip shut for a few moments.

"You okay?"

"Fine...just thinking that perhaps I need to put the wall of thorns up again...at least until this man is dealt with. He himself can fly right over, but his brainwashed soldiers couldn't get through."

With a slight wince, Diaval nodded and pressed a kiss to her temple before following her towards the border. With a swirl of green magic, the massive wall of thorns rose into existence again, blocking off the human kingdom's access to the Moors. With her magic depleted for the most part, the fairy retired to their nest, with Diaval opting to stay with Aurora and Phillip just in case he was needed. Months passed without another visit from the odd male, and in what seemed like days to the fairies, Maleficent was only a few weeks away from having her baby. Feeling a bit vulnerable, she didn't stray far from Diaval's side, and the two stayed at the cottage for the most part. The two of them moved outside to lounge by the lake near-by, the former raven wrapping his arms around his lover's chest, holding her close.

"Do you need anything?"

"No, birdie, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You seem exhausted..."

Maleficent shot him a look, and he turned his eyes away sheepishly, smiling slightly. The fairy gently elbowed him lightly, sending him a gentle smile in return before covering his hands with one of hers. Aurora and Phillip joined them after a few minutes, the blond holding her daughter close with a smile. Maleficent let out a light yawn, feeling oddly relaxed as the sun beat down on them through the trees. Diaval kissed the back of her neck with a smile, resting his chin on her shoulder and closing his eyes.

"It's nice out today, isn't it?"

"Mm, it is indeed."

As they sat around the lake, some of the magical creatures that lived in the Moors joined them, either frolicking in the water, having a mud fight, or simply relaxing alongside their Queen. The fairy in question rolled her eyes, continuing to watch them play. The four of them were soon joined by Joseph and Lilly, the horned fairy's parents settling against a tree between the two couples. Diaval chuckled a bit when Aurora let Lilly hold Celine, the baby reaching out and trying to grab a feather. Blinking when Maleficent shifted a bit, she took one of his hands and pulled it down to rest on her stomach, the life there darting around.

"Active, isn't it?"

"Most definitely."

The former raven nuzzled her cheek and grinned, moving his other hand to join the first on her stomach. Letting her eyes slip shut again, the horned fairy shifted a bit, relaxing back against Diaval's chest, letting the various sounds of the Moors relax her.

AN: I give you chapter 36 ladies and gents! I think all of you know what will be happening in the next chapter, so if you all have any suggestions for names, please, feel free to leave them in a review! I haven't decided if our favorite fairy will have a boy or a girl yet, so leave suggestions for both! Reviews make me a happy wolf!