Over the next few days, Diaval noticed a change in Maleficent's behavior. To be honest, it didn't take a particularly observant person to register the difference. But being so close to Maleficent, Diaval was more worried than anyone else whom had noticed.

Maleficent and Katherine sat in the Rowan Tree for hours at a time. If Diaval was nearby, they dropped their voices to whispers, or began a new conversation about whether bilberries or blackberries were tastier. Diaval gave them their privacy, quietly puzzling what the two were up to. It occurred to him they were maybe trying to reverse the spell that Maleficent had placed on herself, but when he politely asked this, the girls assured him they were doing nothing of the sort.

Being tiny and hard to detect when wishing to stay hidden, Robin offered to spy on the girls. Diaval was against this suggestion.

"What if they're planning something dangerous?" Robin asked. Diaval shook his head.

"I don't know what Maleficent and Katherine are talking about so much, but I doubt it's dangerous. They're both good people, and besides, Maleficent is a twelve year old and Katherine is the timidest person I've ever met. I trust they aren't doing anything unwise. For all we know, maybe they're just discussing the most attractive boys in the realm," Diaval said, throwing his hands up. Robin frowned.

"I don't think that's what they're discussing…."

"I don't either, but I haven't a clue what girls talk about other than boys," Diaval said. "The girls in the villages only converse about young men."

"How would you know that?"

"I've overheard them when I'm in the village. I go there to see how the subjects of Aurora's kingdom are faring."

"And how are they doing?"

"They're good, very pleased with Aurora's rule. They like her a lot. Their only woes seem to be that they cannot create a proper ship name for Aurora and Phillip."

"Whatever does that mean?"

"I have no clue."

Aurora came to visit the Moors four days after the meeting with Phillip's parents. She had apologized profusely about having brought Maleficent to the castle only to be offended by King John's manners. Diaval could tell that she was feeling very horrible, and thought herself to be a rude, inconsiderate friend. Of course, Maleficent assured Aurora that it was alright. But Aurora continued to worry that Maleficent was upset with her, probably because the girl spent most of Aurora's visit with Katherine.

"Aurora, it's alright," Diaval told her as they walked through the Moors. "I think perhaps Maleficent is clinging to Katherine because she is the one Maleficent can most relate to. They're both stuck in younger bodies, although Katherine kept her memories."

Aurora sighed. "I shouldn't be upset. Maleficent only wants to spend time with Katherine, and it makes sense. Katherine is, visually, the only thing in the Moors that hasn't changed for Maleficent. Everything looks different. Maleficent's subconscious would recognize what her eyes found foreign familiar, but that might only confuse her more. In an alien situation, Katherine is the one person who brings Maleficent a sense of true familiarity."

Aurora stayed the night. With three people, one tiny faerie, and one raven lying in the nest, it was quite crowded. It didn't take long for Diaval to wake up when he felt Maleficent fidgeting. Tucked by Maleficent, he transformed and immediately Maleficent's arm smacked his. She groaned in her sleep, waking Robin.

Gently, Diaval touched her arm. "Maleficent," he whispered to her.

"Is Maleficent alright?" Aurora asked quietly. Diaval jumped a little - he hadn't realized that "Beastie" was awake.

"Nightmare," Robin replied, hovering by Diaval's shoulder.

Stroking Maleficent's hair, Diaval said, "Maleficent, it's a dream, wake up, wake - "

Gasping, Maleficent awoke. Her head whipped side to side as she grabbed at reality. Once she was clutching it in her hands, she calmed down.

"D-Diaval," she whimpered, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"It was a nightmare, you couldn't help it. Are you alright?" Diaval asked. Aurora was at his side, holding Maleficent's hand.

Before Maleficent could reply, a grumpy, sleepy voice on her left side asked, "What's happening?"

"Maleficent had a nightmare," Robin told Katherine. Katherine gave a huff and rolled back over. Diaval felt a stab of anger, but he needed to focus on Maleficent's recovery.

"I dreamed about King Henry's army attacking the Moors again," Maleficent said. "I mean, it was the same dream I had last time. Exactly the same."

"I'm sorry," Aurora said. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Maleficent shook her head, taking a deep breath. "No. I'm fine, I'll just - I'll just go back to sleep."

The faerie lay back down, but her eyes remained wide open.

"Alright," Diaval said softly. "Good-night, Maleficent." The shape-shifter turned back into a raven and cuddled by her chest, hoping to bring her some comfort. After a moment, Maleficent began to stroke his feathers. Aurora also laid down, although she and Diaval didn't close their eyes until Maleficent's breathing evened out, and her hand came to rest on Diaval's wing.

The following day, Katherine and Maleficent went off by themselves. Diaval watched them leave the Rowan Tree. He considered asking to join them, to keep an eye on them, but he thought they would probably wish for him to leave them alone. They were only going for a walk, certainly they wouldn't run into trouble. To keep his mind off them, Diaval took his own walk with Aurora. Robin stayed at the Rowan Tree, probably trying to think of ways he could capture Maleficent's attention. Probably by proposing they play a joke on the three pixies. Diaval almost hoped they would do that. While he had never approved of Maleficent's teasing the pixies, to see her resume the habit would be reassuring.

Aurora and Diaval chatted casually, avoiding the topic of Maleficent and Katherine's secrecy. Aurora was happy because Phillip's parents appeared to like her a good deal, which pleased Diaval. Hopefully King John wouldn't give them any issues. Aurora excitedly told Diaval that she believed Phillip would formally ask to court her soon. Diaval wasn't sure what to say on that subject. He suspected, had she been around, Maleficent would be the one Aurora would be confiding in. Aurora would have much more fun getting all worked up with twelve-year-old Maleficent than Diaval.

A few hours were spent at the Rowan Tree waiting for Maleficent and Katherine's return. Diaval became uneasy as the sun threatened to set.

"Do you reckon something's happened?" Robin asked, pacing in the nest. "Has one of them gotten hurt?"

"I hope not," Aurora worried. She stood up. "I'm going to look for them."

"I'll come with you," Robin said quickly, rising into the air. "Diaval, stay here in case they come back here."

"Alright," said Diaval, frowning. He didn't like waiting in the nest, unable to join in the search. Of course, Maleficent and Katherine were probably just fine. Why wouldn't they be? They had been acting odd recently, but perhaps it was a pre-teenage girl habit. With only a little experience with Aurora, Diaval knew next to nothing about girls Maleficent's current age.

Aurora and Robin hadn't gotten too far off when Aurora called, "I see them!"

A figure soared toward the Rowan Tree, a girl running beneath her. Maleficent landed before Aurora and Robin. Diaval turned into a raven and swooped over, transforming back into a man when he landed.

Her eyes sparkling with excitement, Maleficent announced, "We did it. Katherine and I found a way to truly turn back time."

Aurora, Robin, and Diaval were stunned. Katherine reached the group. When she stopped running, she opened her mouth, grimaced, then closed it. She looked a little green and she looked dazed, like she was waking up from a deep sleep, but Diaval was more concerned with Maleficent's declaration than Katherine's appearance.

"You want to go back in time?" Aurora said slowly.

Maleficent nodded. "Yes. That's what I was trying to do in the first place, right?"

"Yes, but the spell - " Diaval begun.

"We changed it, so it really does turn back time," Maleficent said, beaming. She reached in a pocket and pulled out a little glass vial Katherine must have made. Inside was a potion, as green as one of the leaves on the Rowan Tree. "If one takes this potion, then says the incantation, they will be transported to the time they desire. The potion helps to protect one from any damage that turning back time might do, like stealing memories or possibly even physical injuries. Katherine and I only just completed the potion and the spell today. The spell is right here."

Diaval was taken aback when Maleficent pulled out a scroll. For a moment, he thought it was the one with the original time spell printed on it. He quickly realized this parchment was not as aged.

"I - I didn't know you wanted to go back in time," Aurora said, blinking. "I thought you just wanted to reverse the effects of the spell…."

"You said you weren't working on anything like this," said Diaval. He sounded more accusing than he had meant to. Maleficent assumed a defensive expression, her eyes narrowing.

"It wasn't any of your business what we were doing," she told him. "And whoever said I wanted to reverse the spell, Aurora?"

Aurora shook her head. "All we've discussed before is how to get you back to how you were."

"But I don't want to be how I was," Maleficent scowled. "I was evil, I was vile, I was - "

"Maleficent!" Robin cut her off sharply. "You were not vile - "

"I was a monster!" Maleficent cried. She glared at Robin, then lowered her voice. "I cursed a baby. I caused Lydia grief. I created a throne for myself. What I did was unforgivable."

"You changed," Diaval promised. "You can't reverse what you did, but - "

"But I can," Maleficent said, waving the scroll. "I can go back and mend the relationship between Stefan and Lydia, and Stefan and me. Lydia won't go mad because she and Stefan will end up together, and - "

"And I won't be born," Aurora said softly. Everyone froze and looked at her. The triumph in Maleficent's eyes melted away, replaced by horror.

"I - I didn't realize - "

"How?" Diaval exclaimed. "Maleficent, this is a bad idea - no one can go back in time - "

"It's the only choice I have," Maleficent whispered. "I can't live with who I was - "

"It's in the past - "

"It doesn't have to be! I could change that!"

"And Aurora won't ever be born if Stefan doesn't become king! You won't ever meet me if you don't leave the Moors after Stefan's betrayal! The kingdoms won't be united under Aurora!"

"I can go and save you! Stefan and I will convince the kingdoms to unite! Aurora can be Lydia's child - "

"No!" Aurora recoiled at the idea. "I'm sorry, but - I wouldn't. I am my mother and my father's child. I wouldn't be the same person I am with Lydia as my - my mother. If she had a child, even a girl, it would not be me."

"Maleficent," Diaval said. He walked in front of her, touched her arms, and knelt, looking up to her. Conflict shone in her eyes, the green and gold and blue at battle with each other. "I know you're hurting. I know this is confusing and hard. You're such a good person, and you can't bear the idea of ever having been someone so... different. But you're strong. You're loyal, loving, and kind. Please, take a moment and think what would happen if you went back in time. You don't even remember what happened between you and Stefan, you've only heard stories. You can't guarantee knowing exactly what to do to appease Lydia and unite the Moors and the humans. And Aurora won't be born if Stefan doesn't become king. Maleficent, it's a hard choice to face what happened in your past, but you can't try to change it. The results will be too unpredictable."

"I know," Maleficent said, her voice quiet and hoarse with held-back emotions. "I know it will be unpredictable, but I have to try. You're wrong, I can't face what I did. I'm not strong enough. I have to change it, Diaval, I have to."

"Maleficent, I believe you can do it. You've already faced your demons before, you can do it again," insisted Diaval. "It will be hard, but you can't let our family be torn apart because of that."

"I caused so much pain, I want to change that," Maleficent said, tears falling down her cheeks.

"If you do this, our family will be lost," Diaval said. Maleficent shook her head violently, squeezing her eyes shut.

"I don't know what to do…."

"Maleficent, do it," Katherine said in a hushed voice. "Fix your mistakes…. Create a new life without pain and struggle…."

"Pain and struggle can't be avoided, Maleficent, not if you open yourself up to love," said Diaval. "You just have to be strong enough to hold onto your happiness and fight through the bad moments. The past can't be changed. You can only learn from your mistakes and protect what you have now. You have a family that loves you. You have a home."

Maleficent tightened her grasp around the scroll and vial, her eyes still closed.

"Maleficent, if you have to do it," Aurora said, and Diaval shot her a panicked look, "do it. It's alright. I just want you to be happy, I truly do. If changing your past eases your burdens... do it."

A long minute passed in silence.

"I don't want to face my past," Maleficent said. She dropped the scroll and opened her eyes, looking up at Aurora. "But I can't lose my family."

Katherine screamed and collapsed.

"Katherine!" Maleficent cried, whipping around. One of her wings almost knocked Diaval over. "Katherine, what's happened?!"

Diaval was stunned. Katherine was writhing on the ground, clutching her head. Maleficent knelt at her side, trying to grab Katherine's arms.

"Katherine!"

"She's inside me!" Katherine shrieked. Diaval, Aurora, Robin, and Maleficent gathered in a circle around her, trying to help, but there wasn't anything they could do. "She's going to kill you! Poison! Spell! Maleficent! R-r-run!"

"Maleficent, put her to sleep!" Diaval yelled over Katherine's mad cries.

"I don't know what you mean!"

Maleficent's eyes were wide. Diaval realized she didn't remember how she put people to sleep, with or without curse-free magic.

"Blow!" Was all Diaval could think of to say as he tried to help pin Katherine down. She kicked Aurora in the stomach by accident, and the queen fell onto her side with a cry of shock and pain.

Instinct seemed to take over, triggered by Diaval's comment. Maleficent lifted her hand, summoning a spell to her palm, and blew gold dust in Katherine's face. The girl gasped, inhaling, and the magic instantly put her to sleep. Her arms fell onto her chest, and Katherine stopped twitching.

Maleficent trembled, her face as pale and white as the moon. She looked at her hands, then back at Katherine. "I don't understand, what was that? Katherine's attack, not my spell."

"Lydia, I think," Diaval said, helping Aurora up. "Are you alright?" Aurora nodded. Diaval continued, "Katherine kept talking about a 'she.' Did Lydia do this to Katherine?"

"I don't know," Maleficent said. "Katherine's never mentioned anything about Lydia…. Why would Lydia be doing this to Katherine?"

"I don't know," said Robin. "But has Katherine been acting unlike herself recently?"

"Yes! I didn't realize it until now. But Katherine kept pushing me and coaxing me to make the spell to turn back time." Maleficent sighed. "Not that I needed much coaxing. But she convinced me it was for the better when I was a little doubtful. And I was a bit confused, because before Katherine said to not try to turn back time."

"Lydia could have been doing… something to make Katherine bend to her will. Lydia wants this spell to be made," Aurora said. "And now that she's lost control over Katherine…. Lydia will try to find us."

...

Reviews, please?

Constructive criticism and random jokes welcomed! Thanks to a guest, for the joke on Chapter 19. (Glad to see another Maleval shipper. I might be looking in the wrong places but I've seen little Maleval activity lately, and it makes me sad)

Thanks for reading!

Kitty