Chapter 9: Tears of Remorse

''This one last gift, dear child, for thee,

The symbol of thy royalty,

A crown to wear in grace and beauty,

As is thy right, and royal duty.''

So that was all? A heavy golden crown, a sparkling blue dress, and a perfectly unknown prince?

That was all her real life, Princess Aurora's life, offered her?

If that was so, then Maleficent's curse was an act of mercy. Perhaps even the true key to her freedom... Why not?

She looked at the reflection the gold mirror gave her: a beautiful young maid of sixteen with hair of sunshine gold and lips as red as the rose was trapped in it, buried in her deadly silence. Her purple eyes were shining with tears ready to fall, her hands were trembling, her lips pursed into a grin of pure despair.

Then, her reflection seemed to fade away, and the mirror showed her what she wanted to see most.

Maleficent.

She was sitting on her stone throne, petting her raven's feathers with elegance, like always. But the gleam in her eyes had changed. There was no more mockery, no more lust, no more cruelty in those dark empty pupils. Only something odd and unexpected Aurora didn't recognize at first, for it was utterly impossible for Maleficent to feel, and even more to show, that strange emotion she couldn't scarcely put a word on herself.

Therefore, the princess tried to remember her last interactions with the wicked fairy. And everything abruptly, painfully came back to her mind. That obsession, that desire, that attraction...

She must forget all of it, now.

Surely, Briar Rose will never forget Maleficent, but Princess Aurora had to. And this literally shattered her heart into million pieces.

Still, one question remained stuck deep inside her tormented mind: forget Maleficent and be the perfect girl everyone wanted her to be, or let Maleficent's memory survive and let herself go straight to her own downfall?

Why did she have to choose?

She didn't want to be Briar Rose, yet she didn't want to be Princess Aurora either. She wanted to be both. She wanted to remember, and most of all, she wanted to live.

But Briar Rose as well as Princess Aurora was dying tonight.

So what was the matter anyway?

Maleficent... She heard her own voice whispering in her head.

She coudn't handle it anymore.

She burst into tears as she bent her head on her dressing table, hiding her face in her folded arms.

She believed she heard some pleas coming from behind her back, but she didn't bother to listen. Her aunts must think she was sad because she would never be able to see the young man again. They always thought she was the naive one, but the truth is...they were. Unfortunately, those three old ladies had never understood a thing.

She didn't care about the boy, he was just a hobby, a hint of an ephemeral happiness in her worthless life, nothing more. She didn't want to see him again, actually she secretely hoped she would never see him again, because she felt he was not the man he pretended to be.

Visions are seldom all they seem...

She didn't care about the young man. He stole her song, he stole her words, he almost stole a kiss from her!

But the reason why she was now crying in front of that damned mirror had nothing to do with the boy. It rather had everything to do with a certain dark fairy...

She was desperate.

Desperate to know she was doomed.

Desperate to understand no one would ever save her.

Desperate to leave before she could say farewell.

Desperate to love and hate the same person so much.

Desperate to die because of her.

And now...

She had no more control over her body, she couldn't prevent the tears from flowing down her cheeks, nor her shoulders from shaking, jerky motions launched by violent, endless sobs.

She couldn't even hear the three fairies take their leave. Well, they could leave or stay, it wouldn't change a thing anyway.

MALEFICENT!

She felt her voice shouting and vibrating inside her, as if it wanted to get out of her head and finally say at loud everything that had been concealed within the meanders of her mind for too long.

She was never going to see her again.

Everything was over.

So it was the end, wasn't it?

If it was so, then she was ready to accept it.

After all, there was nothing worth fighting for in this life which awaited her on the other side of the mirror, on Aurora's side, on the Princess' side. That was pointless.

Suddenly, a soft cold touch brushed her golden locks. She dared to imagine those long, thin fingers gently stroking her hair. But she couldn't believe it. She couldn't afford it. It was impossible.

No, it can't be. And yet...

A voice she knew too well resounded in her head. She didn't perform the slightest gesture, for she was too afraid the voice would simply vanish and never come back.

''My, my!'' The voice echoed in her head, causing her to shiver. ''Sweet Aurora... You look so mournful. May I ask why so melancholy?''

''I...I am going to die.'' She thought, putting all her strength and determination in that single thought, guessing that the older woman was simply going to hear her, just as she always seemed to do.

''Why, no! You are just going to fall into an everlasting slumber, dear.''

''But I will die before I can wake up...''

''Of course not! Merryweather might be a wretched good fairy, but she did manage to use the little magic she possessed to try and save you. I don't know if we could really affirm she did succeed yet, but at least, you will stay quite alive for a hundred years until a brave prince charming comes and saves you. How wonderful, isn't it?''

''And what if I didn't want to wake up? What if I didn't want to be saved anymore?''

''Oh, sweet Aurora... Why so tragic? Maybe everything is not over yet, who knows...?'' Maleficent's deep voice whispered in Aurora's ears, as if she was truly here, right next to her.

''Maleficent, did you come to say farewell?'' Aurora asked, a slight hint of weariness in her voice.

A dark, but beautiful sound made itself heard. Maleficent chuckled.

''One could pretend that, indeed...'' She replied smoothly, her voice more enigmatic than ever.

''Then what are you doing here?''

''Why, isn't it obvious? I came here to carry out my duty, of course.'' The fairy sounded no more sarcastic, nor ruthless, but rather hesitant and perhaps even a little distressed.

''Fine. I guess it had lasted for too long already. I'm done waiting for the inevitable, Maleficent. So now, please, let's finish this.''

For a while, Maleficent didn't say anything. Aurora, her head still dissimulated in her arms, didn't even find the power in her to look up at the wicked fairy as she thought she had left her without a word, like she always did. And most of all, she didn't want Maleficent's hands to stop caressing her hair so gently.

Finally, the older woman spoke, her voice slightly, unexpectedly hoarse.

''There is still one way to prevent this, Aurora...''

''I spent the last days of my life trying to reach you. I am not running from you, Maleficent. I never was, and I never will.''

The fairy sighed. Somehow, she almost seemed disappointed, but still there was a small ounce of hope in her voice as it resounded melodically in Aurora's mind.

''Very well. If that is what you wish, then so be it. Stand up and follow me, you foolish princess!''

Aurora felt her head slowly raising from her arms before it turned towards the opposite side of the room, which was flooded with an eerie, mesmerizing yellow green light. And she had the impression that, no matter how hard she would try to prevent her eyes from staring at it, which she didn't want to, she wouldn't have succeeded anyway. An odd greenish glow was escaping from the dark, austere fire place.

Strangely enough, when her emotionless eyes laid on it, she knew exactly what to do. She didn't know how, she couldn't say why, she just knew.


Hypnotizing Aurora was not difficult at all. Anyone who could see her right now would meet nothing but wide eyes, furrowed eyebrows, determined steps, and slow, graceful moves driving straight, stiffened limbs forward as if drawn by a powerful and indestructible force coming from nowhere.

But Maleficent could not only see her pretty face distorted by that twinkle of pure evil the wicked fairy had breathed into her, she could also read the twirling, chaotic thoughts confined to her mind. That is how she was certain the princess was walking through the dark corridors and climbing the endless spiral staircase of her own free will, as sure as the dawn will come.

Truth to be told, Princess Aurora was actually not forced to do anything, even though the older woman had the feeling that if she asked her to slit her own throat right now, she would do as she said without an hesitation.

But the most frightening about that was probably that Aurora was ready to die. She had given up.

When the fairy told her to stand, she slowly straightened up, her head raising from between her delicately intertwined arms, her eyebrows gradually arching as her attention was immediately caught by that green gleam. Her gleam.

And so she stood up.

Maleficent invited her to follow her.

She walked towards the fireplace and went through it as the stone wall vanished into thin air, without a second thought.

Then she commanded her to ascend the tower, and she climbed the steps without bothering to glance down at her feet to make sure she was about to stumble.

As she was leading the princess to her demise, the fairy spoke to her, though she wasn't sure if she still could hear her voice.

Follow my light, princess, I shall keep you safe...

The young girl could not avert her gaze from that greenish glow that was floating in the air just before her, like an invitation she was willing to comply.

Follow me into the dark, don't be afraid, Ô my dear Rose...

Aurora reached the top of the highest tower where a small empty room awaited her.

Now, it's time... Maleficent thought for herself hopelessly.

A black spinning wheel suddenly appeared, enlightened by that same green blinding light.

Yes, go princess, do what you must...

Aurora walked towards the strange unknown object, glaring at it with both determination and curiosity.

And I shall give you what you wish...

''Touch the spindle!'' She said aloud, her voice dry as she tried to hide that dreadful hesitation which gripped her heart.

Your freedom...

The princess outstretched her hand...

Suddenly, everything stopped in Maleficent's mind. It was as if she finally saw everything clearly, for the first time in forever. She heard her own voice screaming in her head, trying to escape from that troubled, wicked brain, in vain.

NO! Don't! Don't do this, Aurora! I...I don't want you to die.

What if the princess' death was not the solution she really needed?

The young woman abruptly removed her hand hesitantly, frowning ever so slightly.

Maleficent could hear the princess' soft but not less broken voice murmuring in her head.

It's too late. You already killed me, Maleficent.

So everything was finally over. Still, the evil fairy wanted to start all over. She wanted it back. She wanted all back.

Instead, she yelled, ''Touch it, I say!''

Aurora raised her hand and pricked her finger.

NO!

However, Maleficent could do nothing but watch the princess as she closed her eyes and fell to the ground. All she was able to do was to scoop Aurora's body into her arms and stare at that beautiful, deadpan face she would never see again.

As she felt her empty, inexistent heart ache, she held the princess tightly against her chest.

She wasn't under any spell...and she suffered so much she decided to kill herself.

Because of her.

At that very moment, something very odd, very impredictible happened. Something impossible, still...

A drop of water fell from the fairy's cheek and disappeared into Aurora's golden hair.

That view took Maleficent's breath away.

A tear.

What is that supposed to mean?

This was a tear. Her tear. But a tear...of what?

She didn't care anymore. She didn't care about the curse. She didn't care about the prophecy. She didn't care about the three good fairies who were rushing towards the tower top. She didn't care about anything.

Oh, my sweet Aurora... I didn't want you to die. I never wanted you to die. All I ever wanted was freedom, just like you. Now what is done is done. And you will probably never understand why I did that to you, and you would be right. But I can assure you I won't let you die in this cursed, everlasting sleep. No matter how, I shall wake you up, that I promise you.

That is what she wanted to say to the unconscious girl in her arms. But that girl was now plunged into a sleep like death, a sleep from which she will never be woken.

And I will stand by your side until I find a way. Even if I have to wait for a thousand years, or for all eternity, I shall wait for you, my princess...

Another tear rolled down the fairy's cheek, but she didn't pay it attention, for all her attention was focused on the beautiful lifeless princess.

Eventually, she became fully aware of the three stupid fairies' arrival. She struggled to let go of Aurora's delicate body which she deposed carefully on the stony ground before covering it with her cloak in a respectful gesture, as if she didn't want her protégée to get cold.

At that very moment, she could burn those three useless faires alive without any remorse. These women had promised to protect the child from her, and they failed miserably. She never thought she would say that one day but, this time, she had really hoped those idiot fairies would beat her, for once. But they just couldn't, of course.

For no one could ever defeat the Mistress of All Evil.

Oh! She truly hated to lose, that was true, but for the first time in ages, she had really wished she would lose at least one battle. And the only fight she wanted to lose, she had just won it without any effort. The princess gave herself to her, and the three stupid old ladies couldn't do anything to stop her, like always. They were and will always be worthless.

Maleficent clenched her fists as she summoned her staff.

Why did she always have to win?

At that moment, her hatred was more powerful and destructive than ever. She hated the three good faires, she hated their mother, and most of all, she hated herself.

So when the three women entered the dark room, she was ready to greet them with a voice filled with pure despise and anger.

''You poor simple fools, thinking you could defeat me! Me, the Mistress of All Evil!''

Of course! No one could ever win against her, not even when she wanted it so badly.

Ah! Now, she, the Mistress of All Evil, the most vengeful and rutheless fairy on earth, wanted to lose! All of that because of that imbecile little blonde girl! How pathetic.

She burst into a maniac laugh, which was more aimed to hide her own misery rather than to frighten the three old ladies, for the bad was already done after all.

As she vanished into a brazier of green flames, she felt an odd wetness drying on her cheek.

Finally, she understood.

For the first time in forever, Maleficent, the Mistress of All Evil, cried.

It was not a simple tear of sadness, a tear of anger, nor a tear of joy, even though some might think she should be happy now that her plan had been fulfilled after all this time.

But the truth was she wasn't happy at all. She was just like the princess had been a few minutes ago, when she was still awake and waiting for her eternal sentence: desperate.

She was so afraid the princess would have lead her to her undoing that she prefered to destroy her first. She didn't even try to understand, nor to find another course of action, even though she knew very well there was one. So she condemned her to protect her own freedom. Yet honestly, it was not about freedom. It never was.

It was all about fear. Fear that someone could ever love her, and that she could love that person in return. Love is weakness, after all.

What if she had been wrong since the very beginning? What if she misinterpreted the prophecy? What if Aurora was not her weakness? What if she was not the most powerful fairy in the world, but nothing more than a pitiful coward?

A miserable and hopeless coward who did all of that for nothing but fear.

Then, she understood, and everything made sense.

Those long last sixteen years... All those days spent searching for the woman who had the power to ruined all her plans, all those moments spent with the young Aurora, trying to scare her and push her away, playing with her heart and body as if she was nothing, and now... Aurora was asleep for one hundred years.

But what was a hundred years to a fairy's lifetime? She had already waited for sixteen years. And she had waited for a thousand years to kill her as soon as she learned what this girl could do to her. She had promised herself to wait for her. But she first wanted to wait for her just so she could kill her with her own hands.

But now she was plunged into a sleep like death, and all she wanted was to wake her up.

She had made an awful mistake.

And there was only one proof. A shameful, invisible proof.

Of course, Maleficent sighed deeply.

Tears of remorse.


''A most gratifying day. For the first time in sixteen years, I shall sleep well.'' Maleficent giggled as she locked the dungeon door behind her, leaving the cold miserable place where she had left the poor Prince Phillip to rot.

Of course, she wouldn't let that idiot save the princess. Even if he tried to wake her up, he would certainly fail anyway. Moreover, she was not quite overjoyed at the idea of that stupid boy breaking the curse by kissing Aurora. Actually, the only thought of it was simply disgusting.

That vain and narcissist young man had to stay away from the princess.

Poor simple fool, thinking he could break his chains and go get the beautiful sleeping princess in Stefan's castle! As if she was going to let him...

Of course, she wasn't. This man was nothing to her, as certain as he was nothing to Aurora. And consequently, he had nothing to do with the princess, the fairy will make sure of that.

She entered her room on the most retired tower of the Forbidden Mountains, sighing.

She thought she would finally get the beauty sleep— how ironic— she deserved since everything had occurred as she had always planned, but yet...she couldn't sleep.

She couldn't get the sweet Princess Aurora's face soiled with tears out of her mind. She couldn't stop hearing her pleas, her shaky voice begging her to put an end to her miserable life, nor she could ever forget her words, still resounding painfully in her fairy ears...

You already killed me, Maleficent.

To be honest, she wished she had actually been able to kill her, but... When she had first learned Merryweather had transformed the death sentence into an everlasting sleep, after a few years of wrath and fury, she had finally admitted she secretly hoped the good fairies would find a way to defeat her curse. And for once, they had succeeded. That was probably the reason why she never tried to change the spell again, nor to cast another one, even though she had obviously the ability to do so. But instead of that, she told herself that perhaps, an eternal slumber was not such a bad idea. The innocent princess would not die and she, well, she would have time to think about what she should do when the young woman would wake up.

But if the girl were actually dead, everything would be easier...

But it was too late. The princess was still alive, plunged into a sleep like death, and the prophecy was now proving itself right. Aurora will indeed be her undoing, no matter how, and no matter what she did. She couldn't help it. It was her curse. And unlike the princess' spell, she had no way to break it.

Oh, if only you knew...

Lost in her most disturbed thoughts, she couldn't hear her pet's frantic croaks that were getting louder and louder. When the screams stopped, she became fully aware of the fact that there had indeed been some noisy cries which came from outside.

Alerted by Diablo's calls, she threw herself out of her bedroom and at the sight before her, she couldn't surpress a yell.

''No. NO!'' She screamed as she saw her beloved raven turned into stone, forever frozen in time, spreading his black wings for all eternity.

These wretched fairies were going to pay for this!

She felt suddenly overwhelmed by a fearful and merciless rage which set her whole body on fire. She leant over the balcony.

So the three stupid ladies had managed to beat her after all... The prince Phillip was now escaping her castle on his horse, rushing towards the stone bridge which crumbled piece by piece under his feet, the three little lights flying next to him helping him reaching the other side of the fell.

Nothing could stop him. Not even her goons throwing rocks and arrows at him without stopping, since everything they did was turned into some ugly and pathetic bubbles and flowers by the three damned fairies' magic. As always, her minions were useless. How surprising!

Alright. It seemed she had to fix it herself, once again. She climbed to the top of the highest tower and waved her staff in the air above her head, creating a great spell made of a delicious rumbling mix of purple and black lightning bolts.

Laughing at loud, she watched the prince as he found himself trapped in the middle of dark brambles. But this didn't stop him either. He cut all the thorns one by one with his sword, still supported by the three good fairies.

And Maleficent despised cheating above all.

''No! This cannot be!'' She howled at the sky before she transported herself through the air, reappearing right between Phillip and Stefan's castle, in a burst of green and yellow flames.

This imbecile was not going to save the princess. She won't let him put a single foot into Aurora's bedroom.

For if she couldn't have her, nobody would.

Now she was going to teach that fool a lesson.

''Now, shall you deal with me, Ô Prince, and all the powers of Hell!'' She claimed as she raised her arms towards the sky.

Her body gradually grew up, her back stretched out, her hands turned into immense claws, and her huge mouth opened, letting out a blast of green fire.

She must admit it, it felt so good to be a dragon again.

But not as much as seing this gleam of fear and horror crossing the prince's eyes.

Who has the power now, Ô prince? She thought, laughing for herself.

Prince Phillip quickly got back to his senses when Maleficent blew a green brazier straight to his shield. He seemed to think for a little while before he finally decided to fight back.

So handsome, and yet so stupid... What a pity.

Maleficent fought the little man with pleasure. He managed to surprise her one single time, knocking down his blade on her muzzle. She was confused for a second but she did not lose more time and threw a blaze of yellow flames all around her full force, burning the forest of thorns she just built a few minutes earlier.

She attacked Prince Phillip directly, drawing him on the top of the cliff and pushing him slowly but surely towards the void.

She was going to achieve him, when the three fairies appeared next to him.

Oh Satan, please! Not again! Why do they always have to be here just when we don't want them? She growled.

Then she believed she heard a low and disgraceful masculine voice in her head. It couldn't be, but still...

''You will never have her. She will never love you. Princess Aurora is mine. Leave her alone, you monster!''

Phillip was staring right into her gleaming yellow eyes with pathetic, human anger. He thought it so strongly she had been able to hear it, as if he just said it aloud.

These words echoed endlessly in her mind.

She will never love you...

Mine...

Monster...

So that was it. She was here, in all her glorious dragon form, fighting against a worthless prince and his three little colourful saviours, just in order to win the love of a young and innocent princess?

And all of that for nothing?

What does he think?

What does this stupid boy expect?

How dares he?

Maleficent let out a frightening groan and bent towards the wretched prince, opening her mouth with fury, finally decided to burn him alive and get rid of that pitiful enemy right away.

Suddenly, an awful and indescribable pain gripped her heart. She looked down, stunned, to see a pure red fluid flowing abundantly from her chest.

She felt her body slowly tumbling forward.

The last thing she saw before her huge black and purple dragon body hit the ground full force was the disgusting glow of pride and satisfaction shining in Phillip's brown eyes.

And everything went black.


''Congratulations, Phillip!'' Flora smiled at him, patting his shoulder. ''Now that you have vanquished the dragon with bravery, let's wake up a certain Sleeping Beauty, shall we?''

''But Flora, we have a kingdom to wake up!'' Merryweather reminded her.

''Oh, yes. I almost forgot... Very well, then.''

''But we should lead Prince Phillip to Rose's bedroom first, shouldn't we?'' Fauna asked shyly.

''Rose?'' Phillip cut her off, widening his eyes.

''Uh... Well, we'll explain you everything later, I promise. But for now, please, just go!'' Flora urged him, waving her small hands frenetically.

''Yes, yes!'' Merryweather pushed him towards the castle, gesturing to the highest tower. ''Up there, she rests. Now go and wake her up. We'll take care of everything, don't worry. Just go to the throne room when everything is over and when you two are finally reunited.''

Phillip nodded and started climbing the stairs leading to Aurora's bedroom.

When he finally reached the tower top, he saw her.

Her. The Princess Aurora. The young maiden he followed and danced with into the woods.

Lying on her bed, perfectly still, her white hands whose delicate fingers were intertwined around a red rose folded upon her waist, her eyes shut, her porcelain features peaceful.

Indeed, there she rested in peace, in all her grace and beauty. But that rest was not to last.

Phillip smiled as he came closer to the princess' bedside.

She was for sure the fairest of them all. Well, he must say he was not so bad himself, yet when the young girl first saw him, she tried to run away... Why? Wasn't he good enough for her? Did she meet someone else in the forest before he came to her? Did her heart belong to someone else? No, that was impossible.

He leant over the princess' body and pressed his lips on hers.

Princess Aurora didn't even deign to flinch. Her eyes remained closed, her lips still as cold as ice, and her skin as pale as a ghost.

No, this couldn't be! The princess was his betrothed, she had to wake up so he could marry her and rule at her side.

He kissed her again, but nothing happened.

How dared she? She was his and he was hers, it should work!

Perhaps only a chaste kiss was not enough for her?

A smirk distorted his thin mouth as a delightful idea crossed his mind.

Without a second thought, he started kissing her throat, her neck... He pulled away this ridiculous dress from her shoulders in a harsh, impatient motion, letting his lips wander around her smooth, welcoming cleavage. Consumed by lust, desire and anger, he grasped the dress top in both of his hands and started ripping it off sharply, before he slid his hand under the blue fabric with a groan of pleasure.

Suddenly, an invisible, powerful force struck him right in the face, throwing him away. He hit the wall before he could even realize it. He screamed in pain as he put one of his hand to his head, feeling a strange sticky liquid running down his forehead. Blood. He growled.

Finally, he dared to look up and what he saw litterally took his breath away.

His throat became dry, his eyes widened in terror, his jaw dropped when he saw the hot, dangerous green flames surrounding him and a well-known black shape standing into the brazier.

He tried to move but as soon as he raised a shaking hand, he instantly felt his entire body ache as he became fully aware of his current situation: his body was chained again, but there were no simple iron chains this time...

These chains were made of strong, unbreakable thorns whose dark spines were digging into his flesh, into his arms, his legs, his chest and his...

''AAAAH!'' He couldn't help shouting with sorrow and fury, he couldn't say, probably both.

The green flames slowly disappeared, and only one thing remained right in front of him. Deep dark eyes stared right back at him, boring into his very soul as if they were going to eat him alive. It looked like a nightmare, yet he knew it was a daydream.

Maleficent.

''Well, well. It seems to me that you actually are in a quite uncomfortable situation.'' The fairy stated, her red lips pursed into a menacing smile.

His blood froze in his veins when she took a step closer, putting her hands upon her staff. Phillip struggled to hold back tears of suffering as he felt the thorns' grip tightening around his chest and neck, the spines sinking into his arms and cheeks.

''Now that I am sure I have your full attention... Let's have a little chat you and me, shall we, Ô prince?''