"Shh, shh, we're almost there"
"COME BACK HERE YOU FIANCE STEALING FAE!"
Alissa ran faster clutching the newborn to her chest. The door before her swung open by magic, slamming shut once she'd crossed the threshold. Regina wasn't far behind but the spells would allow the precious few minutes Alissa needed to send Christina to safety. Pressing a kiss to the baby's head, Alissa tightened the blanket around her before setting her gently in the center of what would soon be a portal.
The magic was wispy at first weak, flickering but as Alissa's urgency grew so did the magic.
The door was splintering, Regina's attacks fueled by pure rage.
The light was intense. Blinding even.
"GOT YOU!" the door blew to pieces, Regina entering.
As Alissa spun to defend her child a thought wormed its way through the adrenaline haze.
Would Mother have done the same for me?
The portal once shimmery blue with Dracula's castle in sight turned green the castle was replaced by one Alissa knew all-too-well.
No
But, Christina was gone before Alissa could correct the spell.
…...
Maleficent's brooding was interrupted by a most peculiar sound. The cries of a baby. At first, she dismissed this as a memory, phantom sounds that would haunt her. The cries, however, grew louder and louder into unending wails that were undoubtedly real. Standing quickly, Maleficent with all grace pushed aside, sprinted to the source.
Alissa's bedroom was just as her daughter left it, graced by sunlight, the walls painted with bright fantastical murals, bright white furniture. The same four-poster bed.
The wails came from the bundle in the center. Nearing cautiously, Maleficent pulled the blanket away to reveal a crying baby girl.
There was a name stitched on the blanket-Alissa's handiwork-Christina.
This baby, this wailing infant was her granddaughter.
Why would Alissa send Christina here? Maleficent knew that this must have been a mistake. Alissa never wanted to see or speak to her again so it must have been a mistake.
Taking the infant in her arms, Maleficent managed to quiet her, watching with a small smile as she shifted around but didn't fuss.
That's when she saw it in the mirror. Christina had the dragonmark on her neck. Maleficent could only focus on this for a second as Christina reached up, wrapping her tiny fingers around Maleficent's own/
she'd been given a second chance.
A chance to amend her first mistakes.
There and then Maleficent vowed:
"I'll take care of you"
…...
A day later Maleficent's older daughter, Lucinda arrived with the most exciting news.
She was confused, however, to find her mother directing the servants to build a nursery not two doors away from the old bedrooms. In all her studies, Lucinda had found there were spells to grant the caster a child but these came at a great cost, ripping away the best parts of oneself to give them to a child they could never truly love after. Had her mother snapped? Was she really so desperate?
"Mother did you-"
Maleficent turned to her oldest with a smile, a real smile not a wicked smirk, holding a bundle in her arms.
"Hello, Dear"
Lucinda couldn't tear her eyes from the cooing bundle her mother held.
"Where did-"
"This is your niece, Christina,"
when the pieces fell into place, Lucinda snarked: "Alissa was always first"
Maleficent's eyes moved from Lucinda's face to her stomach, "Congratulations dear I'm sure-"
Christina started to fuss. Lucinda rolled her eyes, "Can't you get someone else to do that?" she questioned when Maleficent began bouncing Christina.
"I could but I won't"
"So it begins again" Lucinda disappeared in a puff of smoke.
…...
Maleficent wasn't ever more than two feet away from Christina. It didn't matter if it were a meeting or simply responding to letters Christina was always there much to the dislike of Lucinda and Faybelle soon after.
That's how it was and how it would be from then on.
…...
A few years later:
Maleficent eased open the door with a small smile. Christina slept soundly, unaware of her presence or the day's importance. The elder fairy watched her for only a moment before it was time to wake Christina.
"Christina?" she whispered, "It's time to wake up"
Christina shifted, eyes fluttering open, hazy with sleep, "Morning Grammy"
"Good morning my little love bat, Happy Birthday"
Christina blinked, "It's my birthday?"
Maleficent didn't know of any child that tended to forget their birthday. Children were excited by the promise of friends, sweets, presents.
Christina, however, was prone to forgetting these things. Content to follow her grandmother like a little shadow day in day out, asking questions, observing things around her.
"Yes, come, I have a special breakfast waiting"
Christina nodded, sliding out of bed with her favorite stuffed dragon in hand, Pickles she called him.
Down the stairs to the dining room glowing with candlelight. The table set, waiting; servants slouched against the wall only to straighten at the sound of approaching steps.
"Good Morning, Little Princess" they all greeted in their gravelly voices, smiles tugging at their lips, smiles that disappeared with Maleficent's entrance.
While it was true she hadn't fallen into fits of anger since Christina's arrival none wanted to push their limits.
Maleficent helped Christina into her chair pushing her in before taking her own seat.
The servants would remark for years to come that it was a strange thing to see the Queen-The Mistress of All Evil-help, protect, and dote on the granddaughter so unlike her.
But the oldest of the servants knew this wasn't the first time.
With the wave of a hand, breakfast soared into the room so nicely presented that it was almost a shame to eat it. Nonetheless, chocolate pancakes heaped with whipped cream were devoured by one hungry hybrid who hadn't quite grasped table manners just yet.
"Christina," Maleficent chided softly, "Slow down before you choke"
Christina wanted to say sorry but her mouth was so full she looked like a squirrel. When at last she could swallow she apologized meekly, pushing her plate away.
"Do you know what today means?" Maleficent asked to keep Christina from repeatedly apologizing.
"Today means you're officially old enough to begin your magic studies"
"But I don't have any yet"
"It just needs some coaxing, it's hiding right now"
"Hiding?" Christina pondered this with seriousness none would expect from someone so small.
"Hiding right here," Maleficent playfully tapped Christina's nose, "And here," she lifted Christina's hands, "Everywhere"
"So we find it today?" Christina asked, eyes crossed to look at her nose.
"Yes"
"How?"
"I'll show you later"
…...
after the breakfast dishes had been cleared away, Christina skipped back to her room to get dressed for the day. Pushing open the door she let her eyes sweep over the room, studying every bit to make sure nothing had changed in her absence. The walls were still pink, her canopy bed was still made up with shades of purple, the legs of the bed carved with tiny dragons and even smaller butterflies that moved when you weren't quite looking.
Moving farther into the room, she spied the vanity table with its crystal-lined mirror, far taller than her. the shelf where books were always changing places, whether this was magic or Diablo doing it Christina wasn't for sure.
Padding softly across the stone floors, Christina pulled open the closet door. Dresses in different shades of purple and black, of all different fabrics, met her.
"That one," Christina decided, flying to reach it.
Pulling it from the hanger, she dressed before stepping in front of the mirror on the back of the closet door.
"Pretty," Christina cheered, spinning, the skirt fanning out around her.
The black silk dress was saved for special occasions or for days where Christina sat still for long periods of time.
"You look beautiful, Dear," Maleficent smiled, "Come sit"
"Do you know what else this birthday means?" Maleficent asked, brushing Christina's hair.
"I have to start school"
"That's right"
"I don't want to go to school"
"I know school can seem scary Christina, but you'll like this school"
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I went there"
Christina's shocked face was adorable, whenever Maleficent saw it, she couldn't help but grin.
"What?"
"You're like a doll"
"I don't see it"
Silence fell, Christina stayed still, not moving until her hair was braided.
"Pardon, my intrusion-"
"What is it Diaval?" Maleficent questioned.
"You have a visitor"
"Grimm," Maleficent rolled her eyes, taking Christina's hand.
"I don't like him, Grammy," Christina whispered.
"I know but being Queen or a Princess means dealing with people you don't like"
"How do we deal with it?"
"By putting our shoulders back, standing tall, and being calm, can you do that for me?"
"Yes. I can try"
Grimm was waiting for them in the throne room as usual. Maleficent took her seat while Christina hopped into the tiny matching throne beside it.
"Grimm, to what do we owe this displeasure?"
"I heard that Christina's turning six today"
"Yes, and?"
"It's high time she started school-"
"She won't be attending a school run by you or any of your associates"
"But-but-" Grimm sputtered before eyeing Christina, "It is the best education she could ask for"
"I won't grow up to curse a prince whether he deserves it or not," Christina declared calmly, "Faybelle can"
"But it's what you're meant to do"
"I am not meant to do anything! I won't be forced to do anything"
"Not even rule," Maleficent interjected.
"Yet, she takes the title of crown princess so readily?"
"Because I want to rule"
"You heard her, goodbye, Grimm"
Milton was booted from the castle before he could argue.
…...
A few months later:
Most young fairies resembled tiny balls of glitter, flying from plant to plant.
Christina, clearly did not.
So the others stayed away from the darkly dressed princess with tiny horns. This hurt Christina at first until she realized that being left alone meant more time for her books, for magic practice for the things that others her age didn't care about. More concerned with getting in the good graces of the daughters of the three good fairies,
so, on yet another perfectly sunny days when her classmates took to the skies flying and laughing with joy, Christina, skipped to the large oak tree on the edge of the schoolyard, next to the koi pond before settling down to read a large spellbook she'd borrowed from the library at home.
I want a magic mirror Christina thought, examining the picture before her.
"It's a witch!"
"What's she doing in the Fairylands?"
"She's disgusting!"
startled by the sudden commotion Christina glanced up.
The little witch in question was a smoldering ball of fire and tears.
Every other fairy either taunted or ran away. Filled with fiery indignation, Christina stood up, placing her book in the grass, "Leave her alone!" she ordered, "Shoo"
the remaining fairies scrambled away as tiny as Christina was the reputation of her family proceeded her.
"Please-please," the witch cried when Christina knelt in front of her, "Please, don't hurt me"
"I won't hurt you," Christina promised, "Come on," she helped her to her feet, "What's your name? Where are you from?"
"Melinda, my name's Melinda, I'm from Oz"
"That's an awfully long way from here," Christina observed, "Let's get you cleaned up"
"I-I can't be touched by water," Melinda whimpered, "I'll-"
"Melt? You must be the witches daughter"
"Are you going to run away now?"
"Don't be silly, I'm going to help you," Christina giggled.
"You're not scared?"
"No"
Christina took Melinda inside, away from the prying eyes of the snickering fairies.
"What's your name?" Melinda asked when she realized she didn't know it.
"Christina"
"You're the-"
"Yes, in here"
Christina led Melinda into the first empty classroom she could find, making a beeline straight for the class books
"What are you looking for?" Melinda asked, "Can I help?"
"There was a recipe in one of these books to cure water burns, I know there was"
"Cure water burns? I usually wait for them to heal on their own"
"How long does that take?"
"Forever"
"Ugh, I can't find it!"
"That's okay, I'd really just like to talk"
"Okay," Christina gave up her search, sitting next to Melinda, "How did you get here?"
"By accident, Mother doesn't want to teach me magic, she says I have to learn on my own I only meant to get to Auntie Glinda's I guess I overdid it"
"She said she wouldn't teach you?"
"She doesn't want to, she doesn't care"
"That's not right" Christina declared, "Grammy says it's important to teach magic"
"She teaches you? What about your Mommy?"
"I don't have a mommy or daddy, just Grammy"
Melinda, who was already turned lavender with nerves, turned violet with embarrassment. Pulling her hair over her face in shame.
"It's okay," said Christina, brushing Melinda's hair from her face, "I'm not mad at you"
"You aren't?" Melinda whispered, blue eyes swimming with unshod tears.
"No, please don't cry, you'll hurt yourself," Christina begged, "I don't want you to hurt yourself"
"S-sorry"
"It's okay," Christina promised, wrapping an arm around the witch.
When Melinda stopped shaking, Christina stood returning to the books which she flipped through speedily flipped through, still hunting for the cure for water burns. Melinda took a few deep breaths, with each her skin faded back to its regular tan. Once completely calm she stood, brushing the remaining grass from her clothes, and crept behind Christina.
"How can you read it?" she asked, twisting her head to either side, trying to read over Christina's shoulder, the 'words' on the page weren't any she'd ever seen, leaning more toward pictures, squiggly pictures.
"It's fae writing, to me, it looks like the words in any other book"
"What's it say?"
"This page is is a spell for flowers, see, this is the word for flower" Christina pointed to something that looked vaguely like a smeared lily.
"What kind of flowers?"
"Whatever kind," Christina laughed turning the page, "This is a mermaid spell, see the thing that looks like a tail"
"Why would a fairy need a mermaid spell?"
"Maybe they want to go deep-sea swimming?"
"Oh"
After a few more pages, Christina found what she was looking for.
"Oh no"
"What's oh no?"
"The school has everything but the fire flowers"
"Fire flowers?"
"Yeah"
"Are they like fire blossoms?"
"They're kind of like cousins but fire flowers only grow in Narnia"
"The place ruled by the lion?"
"Aslan, yes"
"Well, I'm happy to see you've finally made a friend, Christina"
The two jumped, Christina, dropping her book as they turned to the doorway.
"Hi, Nanny, this is Melinda"
"Hi," Melinda waved meekly.
"Hello"
"I was trying to help, Melinda but we need fire flowers to make this"
"I think fire blossoms will do just fine"
"Okay"
Melinda sat on a nearby stool watching with interest while Christina mixed up ingredients under Nanny's watchful eye.
"Do you put the whole flower in?"
"No," Christina said, "We have to crush it"
"Poor flower"
"I always plant more"
"That's a good idea"
"Do you want to help me?"
"What if I mess it up?"
"You won't I promise"
Shakily, Melinda joined Christina at the cauldron, "Here," Christina passed the long-handled spoon to Melinda, "You stir I'll crush the flower"
Melinda watched with interest as the liquid faded from one color to the next. At the nearby worktable Christina dutifully pounded at the flower with a maillot until, much to Melinda's surprise, juice squeezed from the remains of the orange-red petals. Gathering the flowers' remains, Christina dropped them into the cauldron which resulted in a puff of smoke before the liquid faded from rosy pink to a dismal gray.
"I think I liked it better when it was pink"
"It's not done yet, it'll be clear once it cools then it's done"
"What do we do until then?"
"I can show you more of the book"
"I'd like that," Melinda said before asking something that had been on her mind, "Christina, can-can we be friends?"
"Of course we can"
…...
Posting it now so it doesn't drive me bonkers. Don't judge me, okay? What do you guys want to see next chapter? So many different things to see! Take your pick!