Maleficent had no expectation of seeing Aurora again, yet to her surprise as she headed towards the stream, she found the blonde knelt by the water's edge, assisting a Mushroom Fairy in retrieving water for some injured forest sprites.
When had she gotten there?
Why had she returned?
The faerie was not one to second guess herself, though she did think of options to not confront the girl.
Especially not after what had just happened with Stefan.
However, before she could decide on a course of action, Aurora stood, eyes landing on her.
Aurora had never found the faerie to be intimidating, however, now as Maleficent stood before her with her wings spread behind her she found herself falter.
What if Maleficent wouldn't forgive her?
She wondered, because despite everything Maleficent had become a constant in her life and even the idea of losing that permanently caused her heart to ache.
"Godmother…" she began, the title coming out of habit now, though she averted her eyes in order not to see the faerie's reaction.
After all, if Aurora had any right to be angry at Maleficent, so did Maleficent have the right to be upset with her.
"Aurora."
Maleficent's tone was hard to read, probably more so because Aurora could not bring herself to meet the woman's eyes.
Was she angry?
Indifferent?
Aurora wanted to apologize.
To perhaps explain herself and maybe get some clarification, however, she couldn't seem to form the words.
Not even when she heard the woman approach her.
It wasn't until she felt the warmth of golden magic swirling around her, overtaking then erasing the throbbing pains left behind by her father's rage that she took a step forward, hugging the fairy.
"I'm sorry. I should have never…"
She began, all the stress of the past few days boiling to the surface and coming out as a mess of sobs.
"No."
Maleficent's voice cut her off, the word nearing a command.
"No, Aurora. You have every right to hate me. What I did was inexcusable."
Aurora didn't know what to say then. Never before had she heard Maleficent's voice take such a soft, dare say even sad tone.
"You broke the curse, Didn't you? Philip told me he saw you and Diaval leaving shortly before I woke up."
She questioned, feeling the woman let out a shaky sigh before wings folded around her.
"I suppose I did, Beastie."
The words were barely more than a whisper, though it spoke volumes to Aurora.
Especially as she felt her godmother fully return the embrace, now with both arms and wings.
Maleficent was exhausted to say the least, although, she also found it impossible to sleep.
Especially after the long talk she had with Aurora.
The mess with Stefan would be easy to cover up, after all, magic truly could do a lot of things.
However, the mess that was her goddaughter only time could heal. She had far too many doubts and emotions than could be sorted in a matter of days.
Doubts that she still trusted Maleficent enough to share.
The faerie was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the sound of small wings approaching her until someone spoke:
"Maleficent."
mentally cursing the owner of the voice behind her, she turned to face them.
"What?"
"It's about Aurora. What is she to do now that...You know…?"
Maleficent closed her eyes then, keeping her expression calm even though the question caught her off guard.
"She should decide her own fate. Ask her once she is awake