A.N: Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews, it's much appreciated. I hope I live up to your standards. I feel a little surreal, after this chapter there's only to be two more then this story will come to a close. That's strange to think of don't you agree?

Disclaimer: I do not own Maleficent and all rights go to their respective owners.

...

She was the most beautiful being he had ever laid eyes on, and that was before she had her wings. Now she was simply breathtaking.

How wonderful it was to soar and twirl beside her. Despite the horrors she had endured, she was smiling, fully.

He was almost envious of how wonderful she was at flying after only an hour of her wings restored. He remembered the first time he had tried to land as a man, he had stumbled and fallen, with no grace and tints of humiliation.

She'd said her wings had never failed her, he'd heard her talking to Aurora. Unlike himself, her landing was elegant and poised. The golden brown feathers folded behind her back, ruffling restlessly.

She turned towards him as soon as he had landed and become a man. Her arms wrapped his neck in a joyous sound of delight and love. He wrapped his own arms around her waist and twirled her around as he had done Aurora.

She placed her head on his shoulder, her breath deepening as she let everything that had happened sink into her core, and she could tell Diaval was doing the same. The two swayed softly, relishing the other's presence.

"Diaval, Aurora..." She mumbled, "We should go find her."

Diaval moaned his reply, but that Maleficent took it as his approval. She removed herself from his arms, immediately missing the warmth of his body.

His mistress avoided his eyes, looking down. She looked... self conscious.

Maleficent had noticed him staring at her. Suddenly she felt ugly and dirty. Maybe he didn't like her wings...

"I know you've never seen me like this," She started rather meekly, "I'm sure you'll get used to them. If you don't like them I can fold them most of the-"

"Mistress, do shut up." Diaval said, unbelieving at her self-consciousness. She was beautiful, how did she not see that? She always loved her wings, he thought she'd be nearly to the moon by now.

"It's just, I know they are beautiful but I don't know if you think so..."

"There could be nothing in this land more ravishing than the sight before me, Mistress. This is coming from a man and a bird alike."

Maleficent nodded, a small grin upon her face as she accepted his outstretched hand. All she wanted to do was fly, but if being grounded meant she could be held by Diaval she supposed she could resist.

They found Aurora sitting beside the creek, being comforted by pixie and creature alike. When the young princess turned it was clear she'd been weeping.

Her skin was blotched, and her eyes red and puffy, even the way she sat looked defeated.

Maleficent's face turned to one of relief and concern, and she broke away from Diaval's hand to comfort her young goddaughter. Aurora ran towards them, but was careful to embrace Maleficent softly.

She wasn't sure if her godmother had been able to heal herself fully yet. She knew she had been hurt she just couldn't see the injuries. Before Aurora could register what she was doing she was sobbing into the faerie's shoulder.

The two sank to the ground, holding each other for support.

"I've never seen a love so true." Diaval said, a shadow of a smile appearing.

"I have." Aurora replied, calming herself down enough to smile and look between the two. "Your wings, they've returned."

Maleficent nodded proudly, her wings responding by fluttering. She tucked a strand of Aurora's hair behind her ear. Aurora smiled and let out a breath of air she hadn't known she'd been holding.

"Is he dead? Is the King dead?" She asked softly, refusing to acknowledge him as her father.

"No, if he were there would be men here to take you away. Is it selfish of me to hope you never become their queen? I know what they think of women, you'd only be a possession of a husband there to make an heir and I don't want that for you."

"No, it's not selfish, it's loving. I asked if he was dead, but I care not. I want him dead so he can't hurt you anymore... I never want to be their queen, I don't even want to live in their realm."

Maleficent's heart lurched, Aurora was so innocent she should still be so. She shouldn't have to have such burdens and thoughts. And was she trapping Aurora by forcing her into a position that only ended with them staying in the Moors for the rest of their lives?

"If you never venture out, you'll be confined to the Moors for the rest of your life... "

"Was that not the plan all along Godmother? I would rather live my days out in wonder and magic than in a corrupt palace with a father a despise."

"What of the boy? You must hope to see him again, perhaps start a family?"

Diaval felt his protective side begin to come out, and promptly sat himself beside Aurora to shush it. He wrapped and arm around her in a half hug before drawing back. She accepted it before continuing her conversation.

"I hope to see Philip again yes, if only to tell him the truth. He believes me to live in a cottage, and that I know nothing of you except the stories. As for a family... Well, I don't think that can happen for me. I would be a useless wife and queen wouldn't I?"

Aurora's face saddened a bit, as she clutched her stomach and glanced at it.

"Why do you think that Beastie?" Maleficent crooned, glancing at Diaval for support before tucking a strand of hair behind Aurora's ear.

"Even humans can tell Godmother. When a girl's body is ready to bear children, she bleeds once every month or so, till her body can no longer bear children."

"Yes, I know." Maleficent whispered, readying herself for what was to come.

"I am sixteen, and I have not bled yet Godmother. I am maturing like a woman should but my body is refusing to bear child."

"That doesn't mean you're useless. Men out there, those people, they know nothing. A woman is not useless should she not bear children. They can be rulers, workers and healers, men just refuse to allow it."

"You'll always be my little hatchling. And even if your body allowed it, there would be no way I was letting you out of my sight." Diaval announced, smirking slightly.

"Do you think Philip would still want me? After finding out everything?"

"He would be a fool not to."

Aurora smiled and hugged Diaval, before moving onto her Godmother, again.

"Maybe Fate does have a way of sorting things out. You two are both back, the Moors is still protected, and Stefan and his palace hopefully rot."

"And you'll see your prince again." Maleficent added, before smirking as she said, "perhaps this time he won't bite you."

"Wait, wait, wait, what's this about biting?" Diaval asked, his brow furrowed as if he was cross.

"Keeping things from Diaval now Beastie? Scandalous indeed, but you should of told him."

"What do you know that I don't?" Diaval's was getting more and more rapid, his head swinging between both the fae and the princess.

"I never told him because he never asked, and it would be awkward."

"You told me without my asking."

"You're different, you don't freak ou-"

"Will someone tell me?!" Diaval shouted, frustrated beyond belief. This shushed the conversing women.

They both stopped, turned to him with the same look on their faces and broke out into a fit of laughter.

"Philip and I had a moment, that's all you need to know." Aurora said, her face still smiling brightly.

"And I expect you knew as well?" Diaval directed at Maleficent, giving her a pointed glance.

"I know all the juicy details as well." Maleficent smirked, "Next time Beastie you won't be so unpracticed."

Aurora smiled led and glanced at Diaval, who was struggling to catch up.

"I am very glad you two are back, but this conversation is venturing into dangerous grounds. I'll see you in the tree Godmother." Aurora announced, standing and giving both her godparents a hug.

She pranced off merrily, before Diaval could process more likely.

"W-wait what do you mean? What happened?" Diaval called after her, scrambling to stand as well. Upon looking back at Maleficent he saw the faerie shrug and take flight. He debated changing himself and following, or go after his princess.

In the end he followed Aurora. She was giggling madly, looking behind her as her pursuer advanced. The princess broke into a run, lifting up her skirts as she weaved in and out of the trees.

With a joyful laugh she swung herself away from him, effortlessly grabbing a tree branch and swinging onto the tree. She was fearless, as she jumped from one tree base to the next, eventually finding herself in her own tree. Maleficent awaited, smiling smugly as Diaval fought to keep up with her.

"Don't fret Diaval, it's okay to become less capable as you age, expected even. Aurora is a mere sixteen years old, nothing to be ashamed of."

"I would of caught our princess if she hadn't chosen to use her clear advantage of agility against me."

"As she should of to escape any kind of pursuer. Fret not Diaval, I jest."

"Of course, Mistress."

"If it's any consolation Diaval, you kept up quite well for a man of your age..." Aurora added with a cheeky shrug. She shrieked as Diaval lunged for her, aiming to tickle her stomach.

"Enough of that Diaval, how do you expect her to sleep with such excitement. Worse yet, how do you expect me to sleep?"

"You reprimand me yet not her?"

"You raised the Beastie, it's your fault should she have an attitude."

"That is not all me, you helped."

"Yes but what I gave her was perfection, everything else is you." Maleficent smirked, laying next to the snickering Aurora.

Diaval huffed and began climbing the branches of their great tree.

"I love you...!" Maleficent called up sarcastically, expectancy practically sewn into her words.

"Yeah, yeah, love you too." Diaval harrumphed, changing into a bird and nestling himself into his own nest.

"Goodnight Beastie."

"Goodnight Godmother, tomorrow will be bright, I can tell."

"I know, I can tell too." And Maleficent meant it.

A.N: So there's the chapter. And I'm no medical doctor but as I experience this myself, I know some girls never get their monthly due to birth defects making them infertile.

Things are looking up, our story comes quickly to a close but we've got those two next chapters to cling to. See you guys then. :)