The Christening had been going well. Her sisters had already blessed the little baby, and Merryweather was eager to bless her in turn.
The blue fairy flew over to the child, "Dear child, my gift shall be of-" A gust of wind interrupted her, the door slamming open and the tapestries flapping violently, some torn off by the gales.
A thunderclap struck the floor right in front of the royal parents, a jade inferno igniting and forming into an ominous figure.
A woman dressed in a black cloak, a headdress of thorns, a staff tipped with an emerald green orb in her hand, a raven on her shoulder. Her face was pale and her eyes cold. There was only one being that this could be.
"Why, it's Maleficent!" whispered Flora.
"What does she want here?" Merryweather scowled, only for the red Fey to shush her.
The dark fey looked around at those assembled, and smiled, "Well, quite the glittering assemblage, King Stefan. Royalty," she nodded towards them, "nobility," she gestured, "the gentry, and oh!" a soft laugh escaped her, looking over at the three fairies, "How quaint. Even the rabble." a mocking smile crossed her lips.
A growl escaped Merryweather, trying to go in to confront her, only for Flora to hold her back. "Why are you here?" the blue fairy demanded.
Another smile, "Why else would I be here?"
"You weren't wanted." sneered Merryweather.
"Not wa-!" a shocked look crossed Maleficent's face before she chuckled, "Oh, quite the contrary. I was invited to this little Christening, by the Queen herself." she turned to the baby's mother, giving her a polite nod.
"My apologies if Mistress Merryweather has offended you, Your Excellency." The nervous regent apologized. She knew from tales just what Maleficent's wrath was capable of.
Maleficent's lips curved upwards, "Offended? Why of course not." she purred, "and to show I bear no ill will, I too shall bestow a gift upon the child." She strode up to the baby and looked down upon her.
The baby looked up, curious, not having any inkling of what was happening.
Maleficent narrowed her eyes, before another smile crossed her lips. Yes, she knew exactly what she would gift the child. She looked over at all assembled and raised her voice. "Listen well! All of you!" she clacked her staff against the floor, making the baby flinch. "The Princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who knows her and, she shall grow with the gift of magic." She began to spin the orb atop her staff, which glowed ominously, "She shall be a Sorceress with no mortal parallel, eclipsing even Merlin. If she is not taught how to manage her magic before the sun sets on the eve of her 16th birthday, she shall bring ruin and chaos to all mortal men." the orb flashed, the Princess briefly glowing with the same magic as Maleficent's own spell.
Fear and uncertainty spread across all present, murmurs among the guests about what this could mean for them.
Maleficent turned to the stunned royals and smiled, "Unfortunately, I do not have time to stay any longer, but I thank you for your invitation regardless, Your Majesty." she dipped her head in the direction of the Queen. "When you want me to train your daughter to prevent your doom, you shall know where to find me." a dark cackle escaped her as lime green flames erupted from her form, the sorceress disappearing amidst the fire, her raven flying off and out a window.
"Oh, my little girl." the Queen looked down at her daughter, still too young to understand what had just happened to her.
"Do not despair, Your Majesties, Merryweather still has her gift to give." Flora said encouragingly.
"Then, she can undo this, curse?" Stefan wasn't even sure if that was the right term. Magic was a boon but, from Maleficent? Now he wished his wife hadn't invited her.
"Oh no, Sire." Merryweather shook her head,
"Maleficent's powers are far too great." Flora continued.
"But she can help!" Fauna pointed out, the two pushing the blue fairy towards the child.
"But-" she looked over at the other two.
"Just do your best, dear."
Merryweather nodded, rolling her sleeves up and gathering her magic, "Dear Princess, my gift to you is will of iron and heart of gold, that you may yet one day grow old. Your mind shall be as pure as snow, your soul untouched, that Maleficent's wicked roots may in you never grow." the sparkles of magic touched the baby, her spell cast, and her gift given.
She turned to the royals. "I have done all that I can."
"For now, at least." Flora added, "We will train the child herself when her magic shows. And, should a mortal teacher be needed, I think King Arthur will be willing to lend us the aid of Merlin for this."
"You believe so?" King Hubert scowled. "I think it would be simpler to hunt down that accursed woman and run her through."
"Oh, please don't!" Queen Leah said, eyes wide, "I have seen her wrath at work. There is only 2 who I fear more than her, and the Lord is one of them."
Hubert grumbled, "So be it then. But I still dislike this."
"We all do, my friend. We all do." said King Stefan, looking over at his baby daughter. Hopefully, Maleficent's curse would not come to pass, and he would indeed have an heir once he and his wife passed.