A.N: Hello my lovely readers. So, time for another chapter... I won't disclose the certain mood of this one but trust me, it's going to be intense.
Disclaimer: I do not own Maleficent and all rights go to their respective owners.
...
"Aunties, please..." Aurora begged with a smile on her face, trying to make her three aunties stop mussing her hair.
"Oh but it's so different. When did you start wearing it in a braid? Not that it's bad, it's really pretty, but it's just... different." Thistlewhit asked, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"I like it, Godmother does it for me every morning."
A frown appeared on Knotgrass's face as the faerie was mentioned.
"I don't know how you came to call her 'Godmother.' Or how you came to live with her."
"She's my faerie godmother, that's how." Aurora quipped back sharply, she understood their difficult relationship but when her godmother needed defending she would step up.
"Yes, well I just think it's odd. The faerie that cursed you, becoming your faerie godmother." The pixie chuckled, shaking her head like it was all a silly affair.
"Well I'm happy for Aurora, if she's happy I'm happy." Thistlewhit argued back, patting Aurora on the back.
"I never said I wasn't happy for her I just think it's odd!"
"Oh you two! Just stop! Now, are you all going to be living in the Moors again?"
"We never thought about it Dear, I suppose we could..."
"I certainly wouldn't stop you." All four of the women turned their heads as new voice entered the conversation.
Maleficent strode towards the group, regal as ever. Aurora's face lit up into a grin as her godmother came closer.
The three pixies' eyes nearly bulged out of their skulls, Maleficent had greatly changed her wardrobe, it was less dark. They remembered vaguely that this is how she used to dress, but that was a long time ago.
"It isn't nice to stare." Maleficent commented, her face a picture of cold beauty. "As I said, I wouldn't stop you from living amongst the Moors again. You did have some part in Aurora's upbringing."
"What do you mean some?" Flittle asked, "We sacrificed sixteen years to raising her." It wasn't meant as a malice, and that much was clear, because the pixie looked thoroughly confused.
"And I doubt she would of made it past three weeks had me and my servant decided against interfering." The Queen of the Moors remarked, a shadow of a smile crossing her face.
"As I said, Godmother's been looking after me since I was a baby."
"Well, I-I-" Knotgrass stuttered, not knowing what to say.
"Though, Aurora was a lot easier to feed as a baby... That's been one of the most challenging aspects in keeping the little beast here."
Aurora giggled and briefly Maleficent smiled, and the pixies were still confused.
"Challenging? Please, Godmother exaggerates. I find food by myself fine, she just thinks I have the stomach of a horse."
"You do." Maleficent remarked, brushing a strand of hair behind Aurora's ear. "I'll let you all continue your visit. If you choose to live in the Moors again, I welcome you."
"Th-thank you." Thistlewhit muttered, bowing to Maleficent as she thought she should.
"Of course. Even a queen cannot deny the Princess's wishes."
And with that Maleficent left, bowing her head towards each of the pixies.
"Princess?" Knotgrass asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not of the human kingdom, I don't want to ever step out of the Moors again." Aurora explained, scrunching her face in distaste.
"Why? Your father really wants you back."
"Because of what he did to Godmother, and that's all I'm saying on the matter."
"So you're a princess here?" Thistlewhit asked sheepishly, becoming very awkward.
"Yes, isn't it wonderful? Godmother asked me if I wanted to wear a crown, but I thought it was the silliest thing she'd ever suggest!" Aurora giggled, turning herself around.
"You look very... happy." Knotgrass concluded, her upper lip tight.
"Oh I am!" Aurora said happily, though she knew there was a sadness in her heart.
"And well taken care of. Where did you get such a fine dress?" Flittle said, gesturing to Aurora's salmon coloured dress.
"Godmother gave it to me. Shall we walk?"
"Of course." All three pixies said at once. They had determined that Maleficent did care for Aurora and was perfectly capable of taking care of her.
...
The next morning Aurora woke before first light. She could barely see, much less navigate herself, but for her godmother she would try. She had some investigating to do.
She moved her head towards her Godmother, checking to make sure that she was still asleep.
Aurora carefully and slowly moved away and lowered herself from the tree.
"Forgive me Godmother, I promise I'll be back." She whispered, before disappearing into the fog.
...
Diaval had let his tears fall freely watching his mistress. She'd thrashed in her sleep, before waking with a scream. What she'd been dreaming of he could only guess.
What had broken his heart completely, was her conversation with Aurora. Is that what she thought had happened? He had hit her because she angered him?
No matter what she did, he wouldn't ever strike her. She could of mocked everything aspect of his life and himself, he would still never hit her.
Aurora was right, his wise little fledgling could see.
The next night was the same, except she didn't cry out. Aurora remained asleep and Maleficent was able to find sleep again, and so Diaval was left alone to watch them sleep and think.
"So is this all you do?" He spoke for the first time in hours, just when the sun had begun to appear. "You don't need to eat?"
"No..." Giselle said, almost puzzled.
"I'm hungry I need something to eat." Diaval said, "And not worms if I can't change into a raven."
They'd taken his pendant, one of the only things his mistress had ever given him.
"Oh..." Giselle seemed unaccustomed to such a thought.
"Fine, I'll find you something to eat. You're staying here though."
She pecked his lips quickly, to which he disgustedly jerked his head back from.
Diaval watched her, confused as she stood and began to walk away. As soon as she was gone, he tried to stand and walk only to find himself bound to where he sat. He struggled with all his might.
He didn't know how long he sat there and struggled, it could of been hours or fifteen minutes. He suspected somewhere inbetween based off the sun.
Diaval's movements ceased when he heard twigs snapping as the siren came closer.
"Diaval?" It wasn't Giselle, it was Aurora. How had she even found him?
"Aurora? Aurora what are you doing here?" It couldn't possibly be her, it was a trick by these sirens. Surely they could shapeshift.
"Looking for you. I searched the entire Moors, and then it was just these woods and I thought that Godmother would forgive me for coming here if I had a good reason."
Diaval whipped his head around frantically. She could come back at any moment.
"Hurry now, free me."
She nodded and knelt in front of him, beginning to work on his bindings.
"What is this made of? I can't untie your feet." She was struggling with the bindings on his feet.
"I don't know. Aurora you have to know, I never wanted to hurt your godmother. These things were controlling me." Diaval tried, using his now free hands, to help her with his feet.
"I know, and what things?"
Just then a hand shot out of the water, grabbing onto Aurora's foot. She gave a shocked scream and grabbed onto his hands.
"Those things." Diaval said, frantically holding onto the girl's hand.
Aurora kicked her other foot, managing to free her captured one. She scrambled backwards, still clutching her godfather's hands.
"Aurora, the pendant which allows me to change forms is somewhere along the rocks."
"Okay." She said quickly, rushing to where he indicated.
It took the princess only a few minutes to find it. Tossing it to Diaval, she noticed the forms of... girls forming with short bursts of light in the water.
Diaval, turned into a raven, was able to escape his bindings. With a frantic squawk he turned back into man, gesturing for Aurora to come to him.
When she did she threw her arms around the raven-man. Suddenly all the relief flowing through her at once. Diaval returned the hug, you can imagine his delight in just seeing the girl again, let alone being able to embrace her.
"Godmother and I have missed you so, you must explain to her what's happened."
"I know. God, I never wanted to hurt her. I feel as though I've messed things up forever."
"You have." Both their heads whipped around, finding Giselle blocking their entance to the path.
"But, I'm quite sure it would make it very entertaining if you returned to her, broken and begging for forgivness."
He could hear the other siren's response in the background, eagerly agreeing. Giselle was the obvious leader.
Diaval pulled Aurora protectivly closer to him, his animal senses dulled but working in this form, he knew they were surrounded.
"So you'll let us go then?" Diaval asked, jutting his head up in an attempt at showing himself strong.
"Hm, no 'us', just you. She stays."
Diaval hissed at her response, and Aurora tensed.
"No. I'm not leaving Aurora here with you creatures."
"Then we can have both of you. With your disappearance though, Maleficent will surely choose to end her life..." Giselle taunted, circling around them.
Diaval discreetly drew Aurora further away from him, hoping she would understand. She did, but she didn't want to.
"And if I refuse?"
"She can't go and blab to Maleficent, so you either leave her and escape yourself, or we can take both of you. I doubt you want to take the latter."
"If I leave her, what will you do?"
"We won't kill her if that's what you're thinking."
You would think Aurora would become wary at his words, but she had complete faith that Diaval would do what was best.
Diaval was in a state of panic. Yet as jumbled as his thoughts were, he was able to formulate a plan.
His body moved as Giselle circled, but kept Aurora facing forward. As soon as Giselle was the furthest away from her as she could get he acted.
With a hard shove forward Aurora bolted into the path. She felt bad for running without knowing that Diaval was behind her, but he obviously wanted her too. For the most part, she was very obedient.
Giselle gave a strangled scream as the girl ran, and immediately went to chase her. Diaval was fast to act though, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. He flung the siren towards the lake, and began to run after Aurora.
Diaval could make out the shape of Aurora ahead of him, her golden hair whipping around to glance behind her.
Her dress was torn, and her arms were scratched but she looked unharmed.
Aurora faltered, a small smile gracing her lips as she saw Diaval rushing towards her.
"Keep going, I can see the end of the wood." He all but shouted, grabbing the beauty's hand and pulling her along.
He knew that the creatures were pursuing them, he could basically feel their touch on his arms.
As soon as she was sure the faerie could hear, Aurora shouted for her.
"Godmother! Godmother!" The girl shouted, tripping over her own feet. They were literally two feet away from the end of the woods.
Diaval felt her weight being ripped away from his grasp, and he dug his feet into the ground in an effort to stop. Aurora screamed and tried to pull away from Giselle's grasp.
Aurora grabbed onto the branch of a tree, crying for Diaval to help her.
Diaval tried to free her, but couldn't. Giselle only wore the mask of a human girl, she was a monster and a strong one at that.
A sudden burst of energy threw Diaval and Aurora onto the ground, and blasted Giselle and any of her following 'sisters' back ten feet.
Diaval scrambled up, and quickly helped Aurora to her feet. She gave a sigh of relief, making the short trip out of the forest.
Her arms wrapped around her godmother as soon as she was out, her breath jagged and panting.
"Godmother you heard me." She exclaimed, embracing the faerie tightly.
"Of course my dear, I told you not to go into those woods." It wasn't a scold, more like an exclamation of relief and fear.
Diaval suddenly was hesitant to leave the forest, he had no right to intrude on this.
"I found Diaval." Aurora murmered, feeling her godmother tense.
It was then Diaval decided to exit the woods, his head bowing to his queen.
"Mistress." He greeted, an ache in his chest as her face turned into a façade.
"Come, we need to leave from here. I'll deal with those vile creatures later."
He nodded, and as she began to walk away with her arms around Aurora, Diaval could only watch. He stayed a fair amount of paces back, longing to touch her but knowing he couldn't.
He remembered the conversation she had had with Aurora, and a small spark of hope alit in his heart. If she let him explain, then perhaps he could fix it. He had to try.
A.N: Alright, it's inbetween happy and angsty. Happy? Lol I'm joking, but yeah. Diaval's back, yay! And them sirens bout to get what's coming to them.
On another note, Aurora and Diaval's relationship is quite strong in my story. I believe it would be, he raised her. Also, considering the amount of time Diaval spent with Maleficent, he probably got just as close to her as she did. But to me the relationship is purely a sort of father/daughter relationship.
With that, I end this chapter. Thanks for reading and please review!