Chapter 6: The Test
Briar Rose had reached the north edge of the forest, as the magic book had informed her. She had already come here before, during her daily walks. The woods were no longer a mystery to her. She perfectly knew that locating herself in the forest and finding a way out would be no problem. Indeed, she had found her way easily and it had only took her less than one hour to spot the borders of the woods.
Now, she would have to follow her instinct because she never ventured anywhere beyond the forest. She felt protected when surrounded by trees, streams, and bird songs, but once outside of her shelter, she felt vulnerable.
She grabbed the book in her purse and looked again at the page devoted to the Forbidden Mountains. The few lines written under the fortress' drawing was the key to find the fairy's domain, Rose knew it. All she had to do now was to decipher the meaning of those words. It probably was some kind of a...spell?
Due north where withered flowers lie,
Follow the sharp thorns until the dark shadows die,
When the red rose in front of you appears,
Drink its heart with a red tear,
So the path right ahead becomes cristal clear.
Fine. She needed to continue north. She raised her head to look at the landscape in front of her: an arid, deserted plain was stretching out towards the horizon where stood a mountain made of black stones.
Due north where withered flowers lie.
A greyish path which seemed to be made up of ashes and cinders was crossing this treeless plain.
Rose took the dark path right ahead when she noticed it was surrounded by thorns.
Follow the sharp thorns until the dark shadows die.
She smiled. She was on the right track.
She walked for one hour, following this long and straight road which seemed to lead nowhere, until she arrived at a fork. She looked alternately at the two paths which ran in opposite directions. The two roads were both trimmed with black thorns whose spines were as sharp as knifes.
Finally, this might not be as simple as she thought it would be. After all, how could she had believed for a moment that she could beat Maleficent? Or that the game was not cheated since the very beginning? She didn't stand a chance. This was madness.
Rose put her bag down and sat on the rocky ground. She sighed deeply and tried to organize her thoughts. She grasped the old manuscript and read again through the mysterious lines which should allow her to find the wicked fairy.
She must follow the dark path adorned by brambles until she found a red rose. But how could she know which way to choose?
Rose looked up at the two roads in front of her. Which one would lead her to the Forbidden Mountains? Which one would lead her to Maleficent?
By now, she was sure of that. It was indeed a trial imagined by Maleficent herself to prevent her from finding her. She wanted to test her. She wanted her to give up and turn around to come back to her fake aunts and her peaceful, simple life of illusion. But Rose didn't want to give her satisfaction. She had promised herself she would fight until the end. Even if this adventure lead her to a certain death, at least it would be worth it.
She finally stood up and lead towards the place where the black road forked. She tilted her head to one side, pondering what to do.
She had to read between the lines.
Thorns, spines, blood, rose...
The thorns were the complexity, the adversity, the trial, the ordeal...
The spines were hostility, hatred, cruelty, pain...
The rose was grace, beauty, love, passion...
The blood was the elixir, the purety, the solution, the release...
Of course.
Rose smiled. She had understood.
The blood was the key, the spine was the lock, the rose was the door, and the thorns were the wall.
Without thinking, Rose reached out and brushed a spine with a finger. While a drop of blood was escaping from her thin finger, the dark brambles separating the two roads disappeared to reveal a third path in the middle, which was first invisible.
A path hidden by a spell. Of course.
Smiling, Rose lead towards that track as dark and appalling than the first two and to her greatest surprise, the thorns which were covering up the secret way just returned to their rightful place, as soon as she had took a few steps forwards, blocking the way once again.
Thus, she couldn't say why, she thought of checking on the manuscript Maleficent left for her. She opened the page displaying the Forbidden Mountains. She was highly surprised to see another fortress, another magic castle, instead of the wicked fairy's domain she did hope to find. How could this be possible?
She turned the page.
The fortress of the Forbidden Mountain now stood on the second page. Of course, this book was establishing a rank of the most powerful magic places in this world. She didn't know how nor why, but Maleficent just became the second most powerful fairy on earth.
That reminded her even better of how foolish she was for pursuing that quest. Go pay a courtesy visit to one of the most powerful women this world had ever known whereas this particular fairy had made it very clear that she didn't want to have anything to do with her anymore. A great idea, indeed!
Rose swallowed bitterly as she put the old book back in her purse.
The young girl walked for hours, nonetheless she was happy. She had found the key. She had overcome the test. She had won. She had beaten Maleficent.
Once she had passed the fork, no more obstacle was waiting for Rose. Eventually, after three hours of endless walking, the princess reached the top of a cliff. Here stood a wall of dark and menacing thorns.
Rose slowly took a step forwards and glared at the huge brambles with spines as sharp as knifes. Her gaze was suddenly drawn towards a red gleam. She turned her head. A few meters away, on the left, close to the void, it was right here.
The red rose.
She moved closer towards the blood red rose. She outstretched her pale hand. She placed her finger on the rose's highest thorn. A drop of blood ran down the black spine.
And...
Nothing.
Stunned, Briar Rose pricked her finger once again. And again, and again. But all she did was in vain.
No. She couldn't have come this far just to fail now. She couldn't have overcome all the barriers to give up now, so close to the goal. The drop of blood must not be enough. She tried to remember the exact words of the spell.
Drink it with a red tear...
No. Something was missing.
Drink...
Yes, that was it!
Drink its heart with a red tear.
The rose's heart. Not its spines.
From the thorns to the heart. From hate to love. Blood merged the pain of thorns with the passion of the rose.
Without an hesitation, Rose put her finger gently in the middle of the rose's petals.
All of a sudden, all the blood red petals fell down at her feet, the spines broke one by one as the brambles slowly moved apart...
A stone bridge appeared behind the thorns which had completely vanished. At the edge of the bridge stood a great castle perched on top of a cliff quite similar to the one she was walking on. The frightening mansion was built in ruined green stone, with gargoyles as appalling as it was dilapidated, and which seemed to guard the strange castle from the top of these impressive walls.
The Forbidden Mountains.
Rose slowly stepped closer to the bridge. But before, a thought crossed her mind. She grabbed the book in her little bag and opened it at the second page.
The Forbidden Mountains was fading away. The ink was flowing down to the bottom of the page.
A strange idea occurred to her. She started moving, walking on the bridge carefully, while keeping the grimoire opened in her hands. Once arrived at the middle of the bridge, she threw an eye to the Fordidden Mountains' picture. It had totally erased and what was left was nothing but a blank page. Following her instinct, she turned the page.
The ink was gradually penetrating the first page, copying the castle drawing to perfection.
Rose took a few steps forwards. The image of the Forbidden Mountains was now perfectly clear, the beautiful drawing made of black ink engraved on the very first page of the mysterious book.
Maleficent is the most powerful fairy on earth.
Deadly slowly, Rose raised her head. She could distinguish a black shape far, far away, on top of the highest tower. A terrifying shadow with black horns, an immense cloak floating in the wind. Her face distorted with an eternal ruthless grin, showing her perfect white teeth between red scarlet lips, glowing in the dark.
Maleficent.
She had seen her coming.
She knows.
She let Rose come to her. She let her win.
Why?
With firm steps, Briar Rose crossed the bridge.
''Silence!'' Maleficent snapped angrily.
Diablo couldn't stop circling around the fairy in a frantic and impatient move. Her minions were cackling and gesticulating crazily right below, in the fortress' courtyard, creating a deafening hubbub.
As she spoke, the crow rushed into one of the nearest towers' window, for he didn't want to witness his mistress' fury. He remained vigilant though, waiting for Maleficent's reaction. The little imps froze instantly at the sound of the fairy's voice and shut their mouth immediately.
''Poor simple fools! Don't stand there doing nothing! What are you waiting for?! Go and welcome our guest!'' Maleficent ordered in a commanding tone.
The servants threw themselves towards the drawbridge in a same movement to meet the princess Aurora, shouting loudly, eager to fulfil their mission.
Satisfied, Maleficent retired in her tower in order to better watch her surprise guest peacefully, and most of all, more discretely.
Thus, the princess Aurora had succeeded. She had managed to find her and come to her, despite all the pitfalls she had thoughtfully placed all along her way.
So this damned prophecy might be true, after all...
That was definitely messing up her plans.
But what was the young girl holding so tightly in her little white hands?
Maleficent reached out above her staff and waved her hand around the yellow ball. A greenish smoke escaped from the scepter's top, in the center of which appeared Princess Aurora, slowly moving forward, but not less surely, on the ruined stone bridge. She was holding a thick black leather covered book against her chest.
Maleficent arched an eyebrow.
The Universal Book of Magical Power.
She had brought it with her. She must have used it as a guide. That was amazingly smart.
Maleficent's lips pursed into an amused smile. She must admit she had underestimated the princess. Her sweet Aurora seemed to have more than a few up her sleeve.
The wicked fairy let out a mirthless chuckle.
Why was she so delighted of the girl's presence in her domain anyway? She should be furious that she had overcome the trial she had imposed her! The princess Aurora, a sixteen year-old child, had beaten her...or did she?
No. She had let her come, she knew it deep inside.
But she had not said her last word yet...
After all, Maleficent would find a way to gain an advantage from this awkward situation. The princess Aurora shall regret thinking she could defeat her...
The wicked fairy raised a sadistic smirk before she vanished into a blaze of green flames. Her cruel laugh rang in all the dark rooms and corridors of the forbidden fortress.
A few seconds later, Maleficent was sitting on her stone throne in the great hall of the castle, stroking casually her faithful raven's feathers, which was perched on her long, delicate hand. She was patiently waiting for what was bound to happen.
''Mistress! Uh...I... We have found her. Princess Aurora, she is here!'' A raspy voice exclaimed, a very well known voice which Maleficent knew to belong to the imps' chief, who served her as handymen, Hector.
The fairy slowly glanced up, an icy and cynical smile crossing her red blood lips.
''So? What are you waiting for?! Bring her to me, you idiots!'' She spat with pure despise.
The little creatures moved aside to show an aisle in the middle of which appeared the princess Aurora who slowly straggered towards Maleficent.
The wicked fairy frowned.
Aurora looked so strong and determined only a few minutes ago. She seemed to have born the journey until the Forbidden Mountains just quite well.
Then why was she now struggling so hard to put a foot in front of the other?
When she finally stood in front of her, a few meters away from her chair, Maleficent straightened up. Speechless, she watched in stupor as Aurora's frail silhouette faced her, weak, shaking, broken.
The princess locked her purple gaze with the fairy's bottomless eyes. Her bright eyes which used to be so sweet, shining with genuine curiosity, were nothing more than empty blank holes. The only emotion these blurred eyes let show was disappointment. Deep disappointment.
Her cracked lips hardly opened.
''You...you are proud of yourself now, huh? Aren't you?'' She murmured, her voice unusually hoarse.
The young girl was about to take a last footstep towards Maleficent when her body tumbled forwards. Without a second thought, the fairy, while seeing the princess' legs breaking down under her weight, reached out and caught her, her tiny body falling into her arms. In the fall, her tattered dress lifted.
That quick move allowed Maleficent to spot red lines all over her calves and thighs. Blood was running down her white legs, flowing abundantly, endlessly.
That terrifying, desolated sight took the fairy's breath away. Maleficent's eyes widened in horror.
No. This cannot be!
The wicked fairy gritted her teeth. Eventually, she acknowledged her minions, standing all around her, seeming very pleased with themselves, for they were laughing out loud.
Then everything went back into place. She gently dropped off Aurora's body on the stony ground.
She could not suppress a mad laugh. The little black imps shut up instantly, suddenly seized with worry, blinking at their mistress.
''What have you done?'' Maleficent questioned, her voice so deadly calm that she sounded more frightening than ever.
One of her minions walked towards her and started to laugh loudly.
''Well, you told us to welcome your guest, and usually, uh... It means we can unwind a bit! So when we saw the little blonde come, well, uh...we just had a little fun! We knew it would please you, so...'' He explained before he let out a rough laugh which was soon joined by all his non elegant acolytes' laughs.
Maleficent burst out in an hollow, uncontrollable laugh, which had the only effect of redoubling her loyal servants' laughs.
All of a sudden, she stopped laughing and faded into view before she reappeared right in front of the creatures' spokesperson. She placed her staff right under the little joker's chin, who struggled to swallow.
''Did I ever grant you authorisation to have some fun? Did I ever allow you to touch my victim?'' Maleficent asked coldly, harshly.
''Uh... No, but...'' The little guard mumbled, hunching his shoulders, frozen in fear as he understood he just did a terrible mistake for which he was going to pay the high price.
''No! When I summoned you to bring me the princess Aurora, I asked you to bring her untouched and unharmed!'' The fairy yelled as she pressed her scepter against her slave's throat tightly.
Panicked screams started sounding loudly all around her, for the minions now knew exactly what was expecting them. Few managed to hide behind one of the destroyed stone walls.
A purple lightningbolt emerged from the yellow ball, burning and piercing through the little imp's neck who died miserably with a painful cry of suffering and agony.
Maleficent, still in an attack of boundless fury, howling in anger, wielded her staff towards her minions again and again, until they were all turned into ashes. The few survivors exited the throne room in a desperate rush, screaming in dread.
''Idiots! How dare you? You shall all die for your stupidity! You vile creatures! You worthless demons! You are all going to pay for disobeying me! You shall all burn into the fires of Hell for all eternity!'' She roared, her voice full of hatred.
She was cut off by a low weak noise coming from behind her. She turned around in one sharp gesture.
The princess Aurora, lying on the ground, was watching her sadly, her eyes fluttering closed, stretching a shaking hand towards her.
''Maleficent...'' She whispered, her voice almost inaudible.
When she laid eyes on this young, pretty woman, shattered by those despicable animals with no brain, Maleficent could not restrain a growl of concealed rage.
The wicked fairy leant down to scoop the girl into her arms. Aurora stared at her in melancholy.
''Maleficent... Please. D-Don't leave me...this time...'' She begged her, closing her eyes.
Maleficent looked down at the princess, frowning in confusion.
After all, Aurora had overcome the test, she had come to her, she had born the injuries caused by her minions against her will, all of that in order to throw herself into the lion's mouth.
So yes, it seemed only fair to Maleficent to heal and shelter her.
She might be cruel, but she had nonetheless a certain sense of justice. And in this case, she believed Aurora deserved to be defended. She must at least repair the damage she had never wanted. This was the least she could do to atone for her servants' sins.
Then will come the question of how she would punish her for her insolence and arrogance...
''Well, you came to visit me in my own castle. So no, I am not going anywhere, princess.'' She answered in a neutral tone.
The princess Aurora scarcely smiled, keeping her eyes closed, as if she no longer had the strength to open them.
''I had to— I needed to find you... Before...before it is...too late...'' Aurora managed to mutter before she let herself go against Maleficent's chest who looked down at the young girl's head rested against her breast in awe.
The princess had lost consciousness.
Maleficent pursed her lips, feeling overwhelmed by a new wave of anger while seeing what had become of her dear victim whereas she was turning her back, thinking she could trust her minions. She definitely coudn't trust anyone in this world.
The only person she could really trust was herself.
Maleficent raised her head, wiping these stupid thoughts from her troubled mind.
She vanished into thin air, with the princess still cradled in her arms.
Maleficent came back into view a few seconds later at the top of the nearest tower from hers. A bed appeared in the center of the room. The fairy carefully dropped off the princess' body on the white sheets.
Finally, she posed her elegant hand on the girl's forehead. A green glow enlightened Aurora's face and gradually spread through her whole body.
The princess' body flinched. She suddenly opened her eyes, her chest rose when she took a deep fierce breath, before she straightened up abruptly.
''I— What... What did you do to me?'' She asked, amazed to feel her body completely intact and painless under her tainted dress.
Maleficent chuckled. She sat on the edge of the bed and bent towards Aurora. She cupped her chin in her thin hand so that their gazes were forced to meet.
''Don't be so scared, Your Highness. I just repaired the errors committed by those stupid minions of mine. Mistakes they have come to deeply regret, I can assure you.'' She declared in a mournful tone which was meant to be soothing.
''What have they become?'' Aurora questioned her, frowning.
''They died,'' Maleficent replied, unconcerned.
''Oh. They— Have they suffered?'' The princess asked her again, worried.
''I suppose they have,'' the wicked fairy answered with a sarcastic laugh.
''Oh. But, you know...they didn't all deserved to die! They didn't all want to...to hurt me. One of them— the chief, I think— a certain Hector, am I right? Well, he tried to defend me. He didn't want them to touch me before they had brought me to you. Some of them were on his side, but they were only a few, so... It...it wasn't enough.'' Aurora murmured quietly.
A tear flowed down the Young woman's cheek, for she couldn't hold back the last and only track of the pain she had just suffered. Aurora closed her eyes, averting the fairy's gaze.
Maleficent let go of the princess' chin to wipe away the hot tear which just escaped from Aurora's purple eye, in a sweet and gentle caress.
''Are you asking me to show mercy to these creatures who witnessed the ordeal you just underwent and almost killed you without even flinching?'' Maleficent asked as she set her hand on Aurora's cheek.
The girl smiled, and without opening her eyes yet, she removed her hand from under the covers to place it upon Maleficent's.
''Yes.'' She nodded in a whisper.
''Your kindness will be your undoing, princess.'' The fairy stated softly, but not without a hint of bitterness.
Princess Aurora smiled sadly and opened her eyes to look at the older woman.
''It is already, Maleficent...''
''Really? And how is that?'' The elegant woman questioned her, arching an eyebrow.
''It compelled me to become the wise and obedient girl I am, whereas I know I should have followed my instinct from the very beginning...'' The young girl began hesitantly.
''Oh. And what is your instinct telling you, princess?'' Maleficent urged her before she freed herself from Aurora's embrace to slid her hand along the young girl's neck who thrilled slightly.
Maleficent had a satisfied smile. She liked to feel Aurora's body shivering under her touch.
''It's telling me to follow my dreams... Listen to that little voice which lead me and lure me towards adventure, passion, danger...towards you,'' Aurora concluded in a breath.
Maleficent's red lips curled up into a sneaky smile. She stroked Aurora's neck, then her throat. The girl didn't even dare to breath.
She gripped the younger woman's dress by the collar, pulling it sharply, lifting the princess' body closer towards her.
''You like it, don't you?'' She whispered into Aurora's ear, who was petrified with fear and desire.
''Like-Like what?'' The princess struggled to speak, her whole body quivering, as Maleficent's mouth was moving away from her ear and brushing her chin, her neck, her throat...
''Danger.'' Maleficent's smooth and provocative voice purred, while the princess felt a hot breath tickling her throat.
Aurora closed her eyes and sighed with delight.
''Yes...'' She admitted, defeated.
''And may I know what attracts you so much about danger, Your Highness?'' The evil fairy asked smugly, raising her head so her unreadable dark eyes bored into Aurora's.
Maleficent lowered her gaze to contemplate the girl's red rose lips shaking, unable to pronounce a single word. The older woman was still holding Aurora's chest against hers with her right hand grasping fiercely the princess' white dress' top. With her other hand, she pulled away a strand of golden hair which misplaced on the corner of the younger woman's dry lips.
The fairy felt Aurora's whole body shivering against her, and she found it simply delicious.
Maleficent smirked in satisfaction as she put one of her green fingers on the princess' mouth. The princess froze instantly. Then, she leant closer to Aurora's face.
''So tell me, princess? Did the cat get your tongue?'' Maleficent murmured, her mouth only a few inches away from Aurora's.
Slowly, the fairy caressed the young woman's lips with her fingertips. The girl couldn't perform the slightest gesture. Maleficent slipped her hand behind her neck. Aurora closed her eyes, still speechless.
Finally, she reopened her eyes. She raised a hand in a fast and precise move and grabbed almost violently the older woman's black cloak's collar, biting her lip as she got even more close to the wicked fairy whose mouth gaped in surprise.
''You... Maleficent.'' Aurora's sweet voice whispered, a few inches away from Maleficent's mouth.
The dark woman smiled slyly as she could not help staring one last time at the princess' lips, so close to her own.
The wicked fairy let go of the girl's collar and wrapped a thin hand around her waist. She rested her free hand on Aurora's cheek, before she finally placed it on the hollow of her neck.
''Oh dear. The sweet princess attracted to the Mistress of All Evil... How interesting...'' She commented with a sarcastic grin, while caressing gently the princess' neck.
Aurora put her head down, pressing her forehead against Maleficent's chin. She shook her head slightly.
''I don't care. I...I think that...whatever you do, I will always come back to you. I am unable to...to resist you,'' she sputtered pitifully as a tear rolled down her cheek.
''Ah, what a tragic fate of yours, princess Aurora.'' Maleficent replied, her voice filled with irony, while she lifted the girl's head, placing her hand under her chin.
The princess looked up at her in despair, as if she knew she was condemned for all eternity. And indeed, she was.
The wicked fairy drew the younger woman's face towards hers. Their noses brushed in a slight caress. Their breaths intertwined. The princess shut her eyes, feeling more powerless than ever.
''Unfortunately, my fate shall be just as tragic as yours...'' She whispered against Aurora's lips. A shiver rolled down the young girl's spine.
The princess tightened her grip around the fairy's collar, her shaky lips parted.
''Maleficent, I...'' She tried in a breath.
''Shush...'' Maleficent cut her off, putting a thin long finger on the princess' mouth.
Aurora immediately grabbed the older woman's hand, holding it tightly into her own with all her strength.
The misery with which the girl clung to that embrace caused Maleficent's smile to widen. The princess Aurora was at her mercy. She could do whatever she wanted, she knew that.
Aurora knew it too, but she didn't care. Nothing mattered anymore. Nothing but she and Maleficent, here, together, in the darkness of a cold and empty room.
The princess seemed to guess Maleficent was willing to break the contact to escape and leave her alone in the dark once again, for she sank her nails into the fairy's skin.
Suddenly, to her greatest surprise, Maleficent felt a squeeze, sweet and light, on her finger. Her eyes met the princess' which were staring back at her with deep sadness, as if ready to say farewell for tonight.
And for the first time in forever, that warm and pleasant touch made Maleficent shudder.
Princess Aurora was kissing her finger, slowly, gently, sensually...
Maleficent allowed herself to let her eyes close, giving herself into that tempting feeling, for a brief moment.
For all the powers of Hell, what is happening to me?
Eventually, she opened her eyes and looked down at her hand that the girl simply couldn't stop kissing.
This sick joke must end. Now.
Because if it didn't, only Satan knew what could happen then... And she couldn't afford it. She couldn't afford to make a single mistake. Aurora was her victim, and she had to die.
With that thought in mind, she waved her free hand in the air.
The girl's warm lips left her finger, her nails let go of her arm, her hand previously hung onto the fairy's collar slid down, her body fell down, her eyes fluttered closed, and her head hit a little pillow which had just appeared on the small bed.
The princess was plunged into a deep slumber.
Maleficent let out a low giggle. She put her hand on the young woman's cheek and stroked her so alluring mouth with her fingertips. She leant over the princess' body.
''Yes, that's it,'' the dark fairy whispered into Aurora's ear in a smooth voice. ''Sleep, princess. Sleep, for that is what you do best...''
The young girl's eyebrow seemed to furrow lightly in her sleep.
Maleficent vanished into a green smoke.
What in the hell had crossed her mind? Let herself be kissed by a young maiden? By the princess Aurora herself? That same girl who is supposed to cause her downfall?
Maleficent shook her head. She couldn't hold back a frustrated laugh.
This lust the princess had awaken within her body must disappear.
Or be satisfied...but that was obviously impossible.
In the end, the wicked fairy must admit Aurora was right. The prophecy was right. And she was wrong.
Maleficent clenched her fists. Whatever she did, she simply could not resist...
Then, only one solution remained available. An answer she had imagined decades ago and which she applied for sixteen years already. A solution which cannot be canceled.
It was too late.
She would get rid of Princess Aurora, at any cost, for that was the price of her freedom.
