Chapter 5: Diaval and Artemis start to bond

Artemis's POV: (the next morning)

I woke up to the sunlight streaming into the room through the window and smiled a little knowing that I was safe here in the Moors. As I sat up in bed I noticed the new dress Maleficent said would be there and got up to go put it on. After I put it on, I walked over to the mirror and looked at my reflection. The dress was a long white dress,with long puffed sleeves and Purple lining along the neckline,shoulders and waist. It was a beautiful yet simple dress, I then took the brush that was on the table and started to brush my hair out to make it look a little more decent since it started to come out of the style it was in for the ball last night. After I was finished getting ready, I walked outside and smiled a little feeling safer here than back home.

"Good morning Artemis, can I escort you to the dining room at Maleficent's castle for breakfast?" I heard Diaval say and I turned around and smiled as I saw him.

"I would like that, and after would you and I go for a walk around the Moors I'd like to get more familiar with the forest."

"Of course, I'm sure that can be done. We'll ask Maleficent." I smiled as I looped my arm with his and we walked towards Maleficent's castle. As we walked I couldn't help but wonder about what was happening back home.

"If you'd like I could ask Maleficent if I could go check on Mags for you." he said and I smiled.

"I'd really like that, I'm worried about how she's doing."

"Well, then I'll have Diaval go over to your kingdom and check on her after breakfast. That way when he gets back you and him can go on your walk." I looked up and saw Maleficent was walking over to us.

"Thank you Maleficent." I said grateful.

"You're welcome, that way we can also know what exactly is going on as well so we know what to expect." I nodded and we all walked towards. I looked around at all the sights and smiled. Everything was so much more beautiful in the light.

"Is it always this beautiful here?" I asked Maleficent in amazement and she smiled.

"Well I'd like to think so as does Aurora." I smiled softly as I followed her into the castle.

"I met Aurora once briefly. She's really nice and she talked highly of you." she smiled and nodded.

"She had mentioned you as well and said you were a kind person, i'm sorry i didn't recognize you last night."

"It's alright my lady." i said not exactly sure how to address her.

"Please any friend of Aurora's can call me Maleficent." she smiled and led us into the dining room. We all sat down at the table and began to eat in silence and it was nice. Not like back home where it was lonely, it was more comfortable and soothing.

Mag's POV:

I sighed as I ran back and forth through-out out the castle. It's a good thing I managed to get a hold of Susie, the family's historian at the party. She managed to find me a bracelet that can change not only my appearance but my voice. I really owe her but after the explanation of what is going on I have to first make sure I can keep up the charade. I had to admit Artemis sure has a lot to do. From her studies to trying to play along to please that horrible fiancée of hers she has a lot on her plate.

" Well should be done barking instructions for the day. Which means it's time to breath." I give a small smile before walking to the window and peeking out as I look at the forest off in the distance. Oh Artemis, I do hope you've managed to find Maleficent. I thought as I worried about my best friend. I really hope she isn't hurt. Just then I saw a crow flying towards the window I was looking at and from the looks of it, it came from the Moors. It soon dawned on me that it must be Diaval and I looked at him. I held out my hand for him to land on and smiled a little as he did.

"How is she? Did she make it to the Moors alright?" I asked panicked and he nodded letting me know she got there safe.

"Will you tell her that I'm glad she's safe and that I'm doing what I can to keep the king and Vladimir from suspecting anything?" he nodded and I sighed.

"I really hope that the king realizes how horrible Vladimir is." he nodded to that statement and I knew he agreed with me. He then took off and flew back towards the Moors.

Diaval's POV:

I flew back to the Moors after checking in on everything and wondered just how bad this Vladimir guy was and what exactly he did to Artemis. I landed in front of Maleficent and she changed me back into a human and I sighed.

"They don't know she's missing just yet. Her friend Mags is disguised as her but i'm not sure how long she can keep it up." I told her and Maleficent sighed.

"This is more complicated than I feared. Thank you Diaval now why don't you go spend some time with Artemis and i'll start to plan our next move to help." I nodded and walked off to find Artemis. I really want to keep Artemis safe but I also don't want to push her into telling us everything until she is ready. I walked to Artemis's cottage and knocked on her door.

Artemis's POV:

I walked to the door opening it to see Diaval there.

"So what's the news? Is Mags ok?" I asked worried and he nodded.

"She's fine, she's pretending to be you but she's ok." He said and I sighed.

"I'm just glad she's ok." I moved out of the doorway to let Diaval in and he walked in. I closed the door and walked over to the couch.

"S-so I wanted to ask you something if that's alright." I said and he nodded.

"Of course."

"Would you consider accompanying me on a walk?" I asked and he smiled taking my hand.

"I'd love to. Shall we go now?" he asked and I nodded smiling as we stood up. We walked out of the cottage hand in hand and he led me along the pathway.

"So tell me about yourself." he said and I bit my lip.

"What would you like to know?"

"Tell me about your childhood."

"Well my mother basically raised me alone. Father was always busy with his duties as king and I only got to see him for an hour when we had our tea. Mags and I met one day when mother and I went into the village and mother decided to take her in and we became very close. She's my best friend and my sister." I said looking down thinking about Mags.

"It's why i'm so worried about her. I don't want her getting hurt because of me." Diaval took my hand and I looked up at him.

"I'm sure she'll be fine. And I'm sure Maleficent will help make sure she is safe." he said and I hugged him.

Diaval's POV:

She hugged me and I was surprised. I'm not used to people other than Aurora hugging me. I slowly started to relax and hugged her back smiling softly.

"I'm really glad I met you Diaval."

"As am I Artemis. You are a wonderful and caring person." I said as I took her hand again and led her down the path. I led her to a meadow and helped her sit down and then sat down next to her.

"Diaval?" she asked looking out at the horizon.

"Yes?"

"I wish that father had chosen someone as nice as you instead of that awful Vladimir." she said looking down at her hands.

"What exactly did he do to you?" I asked worried.