The page had raced his poor horse until the animal's heart had burst, the message arriving in Hubert's court less than a day after Stefan had placed his seal upon the parchment. Hubert's response had been just as dramatically rapid – his troops assembled and marching out by nightfall, torchbearers leading the way that the army could continue on its way unimpeded by the dark. By the evening of the third day, Hubert's soldiers were billeted with Stefan's and Hubert himself was drinking a fine wine with Charlotte and Stefan, each trying to postpone the moment at which one of them was going to have to bring up the subject of the next day and the attack on the Forbidden Mountains.
Their reunion was rudely interrupted by the arrival of Maleficent, who had spent her afternoon watching the soldiers amassing in the courtyard and trying to calculate their chances of success – slim, at best, by her reckoning – without making it too obvious to any of the three fairies that she was paying particular attention to the archer division that just happened to be under the command of Captain Chevalier. Having decided that Hubert, being the more experienced soldier, would be more likely to listen to reason and accept her help with the assault on her former home, she was determined to talk to him.
"Your Majesties," said Maleficent entering the room, her long cloak sweeping behind her, ending the sentence with a low bow. She tried to ignore the three fairies fluttering in worriedly behind her, Flora wringing her hands together as she mumbled some kind of apology to Stefan for not keeping Maleficent out of the way.
"Yes, Excellency?" replied Stefan politely. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"I was hoping I may be granted an audience with King Hubert," she gave another majestic bow to Hubert, dropping her eyes in exaggerated deference.
"I don't see why not – after the meeting has adjourned," replied Hubert. "For now, I am sure that you can appreciate that this discussion is private and, in turn, we would appreciate your immediate departure." Maleficent nodded her acquiescence, scowling at the dismissal only after she'd left the room, sitting uncomfortably on a low balcony to wait.
"He agreed to see you at least," said Fauna. Maleficent grunted in response.
"I don't understand why you're so desperate to help," Merryweather added, curiosity getting the better of her – she'd have normally left Maleficent to sulk a little longer.
"I just think I'm better suited to attacking a host of magical creatures than Stefan's army," Maleficent answered quietly.
"What about your minions? You're happy to kill them now?"
"Not quite. But you cannot begin to imagine how long it took to tame them, how much their compliance depended on my constant magical control. I know what they'll be like when the army gets there – the same vicious, cruel creatures I encountered when I first went to the mountains."
"I would have thought you'd have had some affection for them."
"I have affection for nothing." Maleficent glared out of the window, tired of Merryweather's goading.
"Well, we know that's a lie." Delighted she was having an effect, Merryweather had decided Maleficent was due some time on the receiving end of mild bullying for a while.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I notice you've taken a lot of interest in the army during the last few days?"
"Don't be ridiculous." So he would be joining the attack on the mountains – she wasn't surprised that Chevalier would be there, given he was one of the older captains and as result had a steady head in the heat of battle. Besides, he'd already seen what the beasts could be like at first hand. She recalled looking out at the mounted archers division earlier that day in a rare moment of peace - Chevalier was already on horseback, his armour shining in the midday sun. Maleficent had allowed herself to drink in his appearance – he was the only person she could remember protecting her in many years and felt a great deal of gratitude towards him. She tried to convince herself that he was not as handsome as she viewed him to be, but failed. Glancing casually in his direction again, she had permitted her gaze linger on the dark hair and short beard. Perhaps he would be dead by this time tomorrow, never knowing how he had touched her life. She tapped her hand irritably on the stone parapet and gave a frustrated sigh.
"Something on your mind?" asked Flora, bringing Maleficent back to the present.
"He's not going to win this fight. You know that as well as I do. If this attack had been my idea and Stefan's troops died in vain, he would have my head hanging above that gate," Maleficent waved a hand vaguely in the direction of the southern gatehouse. "Why won't he accept that he needs my help?"
"You really have to ask?"
"No, not really." She looked down and, not for the first time, wondered what the point of her survival had been. "I'm tired of being surplus to requirements."
"You'll never be that," comforted Fauna.
"This isn't who I am," said Maleficent. "I'm not this weak." She stood and turned to leave. "I'll be in my quarters – please alert me when Hubert can see me."
"Why should we be your messengers?" demanded Merryweather.
"Because that is what I require you to be." Maleficent swept away down the corridor, cloak masking her movement as she stormed back to the gatehouse, the better to clear her head in private.
"If she thinks for one minute..."
"Merryweather, we don't need her to be our enemy," chided Flora.
"I, for one, am not running around after her." Flora and Fauna nodded their agreement. They waited for a while longer until King Hubert emerged from the private chambers with King Stefan and Queen Charlotte.
"Where is she then?" boomed Hubert.
"She was tired of waiting and went back to the gatehouse, sire," replied Merryweather curtly.
"I have to disapprove of the way you allow her to roam the castle, Stefan."
"Actually, she's not allowed to roam the castle. She shouldn't have been in the keep at all," Stefan finished, with a quick glare at the three fairies.
"Please go and tell her that if she wishes to meet with me, she shall have to make her way to the Great Hall within the next half an hour – after that, I shall be unavailable." The three fairies curtseyed as Hubert was swept away to the hall with his oldest friend and his wife.
"Merryweather?"
"Yes, Fauna?"
"Do you want to be the one to run after Maleficent and give her the message, or shall I?" Fauna's question reminded Merryweather of her earlier outburst and the youngest fairy scowled. Cursing all the way, Merryweather flew off at top speed to the gatehouse.
Maleficent was glaring at the fireplace, daring the stonework to cross her. She was in the mood for some pointless violence – something that would confirm her identity. She didn't appreciate being dismissed, or ignored, or shouted at, or run through with a sword, or watched constantly day by day. Furious though she was, she was still maintaining the hope that Stefan would welcome her back to court one day, even though she would have denied this to anyone who dared question her motives. Maleficent was impatient to be back in her old position again and her thin temper was resurfacing, suggesting to her that some form of revenge was possibly in order if the two monarchs spurned her again tomorrow.
"No..." she whispered, shaking her head. "I know where that road ends." She ran a hand over the scar on her chest, remembering the pain and also how she'd been cared for in the aftermath. "Who am I?" Maleficent fought back tears that threatened to destroy the image she'd been painstakingly recreating for weeks now as a knock on the door announced the arrival of an irate and out-of-breath Merryweather. "It's not locked," called Maleficent, sinking into the chair she was lounged in even further. Merryweather flew into the hall, looked around for a moment and entered the small living room.
"King Hubert says if you want to see him, hurry up, he's in the Great Hall and he's not waiting forever."
"Those are your words, not his, I take it?"
"The meaning's the same." Merryweather turned to go.
"Wait!"
"Why?"
"Because I want to talk to you."
"You haven't the time and I haven't the inclination."
"How do you remain so bloody enraged all the time and still remain on the side of good?" The question asked, Maleficent looked across at Merryweather and waited for the response. Merryweather considered a sarcastic reply, but then decided to give the question some consideration.
"Practise," she answered, and left. Smiling, Maleficent rose from her chair and headed to the Great Hall.
Hubert was pacing the floor, sure that he'd given more time than he had intended for Maleficent to arrive. Finally he heard light footsteps making their way across the floor to him and he turned with as much grace as his rotund frame would allow.
"Excellency." Hubert held out a hand, not really expecting Maleficent to follow convention and take it to curtsey. However she did and even risked a polite smile as she answered.
"Thank you for seeing me."
"I take it you wish to speak with me about the attack tomorrow?"
"Yes. I would like to offer my assistance."
"Stefan had refused your help?"
"He is uncomfortable with the idea of his army within my old castle and surrounded by my former minions while I am also present."
"Are you surprised?"
"No."
"Yet now you come to me and hope I will counter my ally's response to you?"
"Yes." Maleficent decided to risk all in order to secure herself a position at the battle. "I am sure he has told you what I – what we have all – been through in the last few weeks. I have changed and seek only to serve. Please, sire, I beg you for this chance to prove myself!" The word 'beg' had nearly choked her and Hubert had noticed.
"No – that is my final word on the subject. Good night." With that, the monarch left and Maleficent stood, enraged and rejected, in the Great Hall.
"To Hell with you all then!" Maleficent stormed for the exit, only to run into Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora, both of whom looked concerned. With a strange clarity of observance, Maleficent noticed Aurora had been crying. All three were now staring in surprise at each other and this was the last thing Maleficent needed right now. "Your majesties," she managed, stepping out of the way.
"Excellency – you are not joining the fight tomorrow?" Aurora asked quietly.
"No. Your father refuses to allow me to march with him."
"And mine?" asked Phillip.
"Refuses to discuss the matter further." She felt her anger at the world in general subside and watched the royal couple try to digest the news that the self-proclaimed best hope for victory was unable to join their fathers on the battlefield tomorrow.
"I am sure my father knows what he is doing," said Aurora. She sniffed a little, not at all comforted by the weak hope in her statement. Without thinking, Maleficent waved her hand and created a black silk handkerchief which she handed to Aurora without a word. As Aurora dried her eyes, Phillip stared at this unexpected act of kindness. Now embarrassed, Maleficent ignored protocol and turned her back on the pair as she headed out into the night.
Passing houses and closed shops, she tried to ignore the feeling of panic encircling her chest – tomorrow the armies of the two kings would be destroyed – they were outnumbered, there was nothing she could do – she was helpless... They would be destroyed and then there would be nothing to keep the goblins in check, nothing to stop the raids on villages, the death, the end of all of this. She imagined a dark pool of blood spreading out from the mountain, engulfing all in its path. Her conscious mind captured by the image she'd seen so many times in her dreams, she rounded the corner and into a group of soldiers. The young corporal she'd walked into turned and was very probably going to swear at her were it not for the fact the first thing he'd seen as he turned was her bejewelled hand. Looking up, and then further up, the corporal realised who had bumped into him and swallowed the insult he'd been about to utter. An uncomfortable silence spread out from the pair, the corporal's friends seeming to melt into the dusk as they weighed up Maleficent's reaction to this.
"I'm so sorry," mumbled the corporal, hoping those wouldn't be his last words.
"My apologies, I walked into you. Good night, and good luck tomorrow." Maleficent walked away without a backwards glance, not seeing the corporal sag with relief as his friends rejoined him, most in a state of disbelief while one or two cracked jokes about his lucky escape. Maleficent didn't care too much – most of the group would be dead by the next night in any case and if they lived there would be perhaps five more people in the world who didn't regard her with intense fear and loathing.
She paused at the doorway of the gatehouse, her hand above the handle, and glared at an appallingly sweet, red rose that had been tied there. She untied the flower and threw it to the floor, ignoring it as she walked into the gatehouse. Of all the ridiculous... Over the last two nights, there had been a rose tied to the handle awaiting her return – both flowers had been thrown to the floor and disappeared by morning. She had a fair idea of who was watching her abode, who was presenting her with the flowers. But flowers were a ridiculous gesture of attraction and she was determined that there was no way the rose was going to make its way into the house. It could be the last one he leaves you. Maleficent paused. She rarely considered herself attractive, preferring those who did observe her looks to think terrifying or evil rather than beautiful. Besides, she was under no illusions about her appearance. However, for whatever reason, someone – very probably Chevalier – had decided that it was worth leaving her a rose, regardless of how ugly she was and how mean she could be. Before closing the door, Maleficent checked for anyone watching, and retrieved the rose silently. Despite her care, in the darkness of the night, Chevalier smiled before heading back to barracks.
In the early morning light from her perch on the gatehouse parapet, Maleficent watched as the archers assembled with the rest of the army in the courtyard of Stefan's castle. She tried not to look for Chevalier, knowing that Fauna would notice if she spent too long staring in any one direction. Fauna and Flora were standing either side of her on the battlements, looking down at the army inside the castle, while Merryweather stood behind them and looked out towards the Forbidden Mountains. Maleficent scanned the army again, found Chevalier and quickly looked elsewhere.
"I should be helping," said Maleficent to the world in general. "Why won't they let me help?"
"Because they hate you. You are the sole reason King Stefan lost his daughter for sixteen years and he's never been able to trust you," replied Merryweather from behind them. Maleficent raised a hand over her shoulder and fired a small lightning bolt at Merryweather, who shouted in protest. Flora saw Maleficent give a quick smile, before swiftly regaining her composure.
"Was that completely necessary?" chided Flora. Maleficent lowered her eyes at Flora then threw up her hands in supplication.
"Please forgive me, I forgot my place. Not that I have one of course. I do hope I did not offend you, Lady Merryweather," Maleficent gave a low, dramatic curtsey to Merryweather. Flora and Fauna hid amused grins to avoid upsetting Merryweather – even bent double, Maleficent was still taller than them all and to see her paying homage to Merryweather was amusing. Maleficent played to her audience and kneeled down, crossing both hands across her heart and tilting her head to the side. "I do hope I have not destroyed our last chance of ever becoming friends."
"There was never a chance we would get along," snapped Merryweather, turning away and storming off into the tower. Maleficent laughed and stood up, brushing some dust from the front of her red robe. She looked at the other two fairies.
"Oh, and now I'm hurt," she whined, pouting slightly to make the pair laugh.
"That was mean," said Fauna, stifling a giggle.
"I know." Maleficent gave a fabulous smile and leaned casually against the parapet, feeling brighter than she had in days.
"Are you going to make it up with Merryweather?" asked Flora.
"Maybe. I'll let her rant for a good while first though."
"Why?"
"She does so enjoy it..."
"It's such a shame you two cannot get along," said Fauna, just a hint of sadness in her voice.
"On the contrary, I'm very fond of Merryweather." Fauna and Flora exchanged looks of sheer disbelief. "I'm just not entirely sure why," finished Maleficent, heading off to find the aforementioned diminutive, ranting, fairy.
"Do you think we'll ever understand her?" asked Fauna.
"Not a chance," replied Flora.
An hour later, Merryweather appeased and the four fairies vaguely on speaking terms once more, the army assembled in formation in front of the South Gate, ready to march on the mountains. The three good fairies huddled to the left of the gate out of the way. Maleficent stood, hands on hips, in the centre of the gateway. Stefan rode up to her, dressed in full armour with a sword at his side. He pulled off his helmet and looked down.
"You can't possibly be thinking of going. You've known Aurora a matter of weeks and now you're going to throw away your life," said Maleficent. "At least let me go with you – I could help you!"
"Get out of my way," said Stefan, unable to back down in front of his troops, but impressed with her persistence.
"And your men – do they realise they're riding to certain death?" asked Maleficent, a little too loudly in order that as many soldiers as possible would hear her. She realised she'd made a mistake when Stefan drew his sword.
"Out of the way," he edged the horse closer to Maleficent, bringing the point of his sword close to her eye level. She didn't flinch.
"I don't want them to rebel Stefan – I just want them to insist I come with you."
"Why?"
"Because these men do not deserve to die just because you are too proud to ask for my help." Maleficent tentatively raised her hand and pushed the sword away from her face. She looked up at Stefan. "For the last time, let me come with you." Stefan sheathed his sword and beckoned for Maleficent to come closer to his horse.
"If you ever try to upstage me in front of my men again" he hissed into her ear, "I will personally ensure you never see daylight again."
"How, exactly?" she hissed back. "I can follow the army – they need never know you agreed."
"No. I will show you the strength of this army and, believe me, if I find any evidence that you caused the goblin uprising on the Forbidden Mountains, I will have you killed." He sat up straighter on his horse. "I am sure that I will not find any such thing, however," he finished with a nod, putting on his helmet and reining the horse around quickly, forcing Maleficent to the right of the gateway. Stefan drew his sword and raised it above his head. The army saluted in unison and followed Stefan. Maleficent watched them pass her at high speed, finding it difficult to stay out of the way. She edged back and headed into the castle. Once inside, she ran at top speed to the top of the South Gate, fighting tears of frustration. She'd tried to be an ally – hadn't she? She'd obeyed every instruction. Well, most of them. She hit the stonework petulantly.
"And what did that stone ever do to you?" asked a female voice from behind her. She turned to find Charlotte watching her and dropped to a curtsey.
"Your majesty."
"I understand your need to ride out to war."
"I tried to be your ally. I wanted to help you."
"I know."
"I don't think I can follow the king's orders any longer. Too many lives would be lost if I were to do so."
"Including the life of a captain you took pains to ignore earlier," said Charlotte. "I saw you in the courtyard, watching the mounted archers and trying not to be seen. He seems to have made quite an impression on you."
"The captain is intriguing, but I'm afraid you should not listen to the gossip of three old crones your majesty," laughed Maleficent. "I may have changed – a little – but I think falling in love would be taking things a little too far, don't you think?"
"Perhaps. But then I did not mention falling in love."
"I simply wanted to point out how ridiculous the notion was."
"May I ask why you felt you needed to?" Charlotte looked sideways at Maleficent and smiled. Maleficent leaned her elbows on the parapet and rested her forehead in her palms.
"You are incorrigible! I have talked to the captain and find him interesting. That is all. As Stefan has marched the poor boy out at the head of his unit, that is all I am ever likely to think of the captain." Maleficent sighed. "I cannot believe we are discussing this."
"What would you rather discuss? Our plan to attack the mountains?"
"Yes. Is there no way I can help you?"
"I did try to convince Stefan - as did Aurora - that you would be more use to him on the battlefield than watching from a tower, but he could not be shifted." She walked forward and rested her arms on the battlement. "The armies will be unable to move as quickly as a single rider as of course they will be on foot and will need to rest in order they do not arrive fatigued. So realistically, it will be late evening before they reach the mountains. Which are, by the way, only two hours' ride from here on a fast horse."
"So one could, in theory, ride out to meet the army and not be detected due to the cover of night?"
"In theory, yes."
"Would such a person be able to find a horse – after all, your entire army just left on what appeared to be all of your horses?"
"Prince Phillip's horse Samson will be saddled at six o' clock tonight when the prince decides to take a ride out to the forest. The groom will leave the stables at quarter past the hour, but the prince will not arrive until secen. It would be a shame if the horse were to go missing in that time."
"Indeed. A dreadful shame."
"Make sure my husband comes home in one piece," said Charlotte, touching Maleficent's arm lightly. The fairy nodded and Charlotte left quickly. Maleficent scanned the top of the tower and saw three pinpricks of light trying to hide behind a stone. She marched over and the pinpricks swirled outwards into the three good fairies.
"We followed the queen," said Fauna by way of explanation.
"You heard everything?" asked Maleficent.
"Yes."
"Old crones?" asked Flora.
"An accurate choice of words I thought," said Maleficent. "Do you propose to keep me here and obey Stefan? If so, you have very little time to alert the guards."
"No. We are going to help you steal Phillip's horse and guide you out of the castle," said Flora.
"And we're coming with you to the mountains," added Merryweather.