Hurricane

Chapter 4: Gratitude

It doesn't take Diaval by surprise when the first thing his mistress asks when he lands in the Moors and she transforms him from raven to man is not how he is, but what information he has gathered from spying around the castle and the communities under King Stefan's reign. Maleficent is only treating him like how any master would treat a servant. She's efficient, formal and straightforward, especially when she's been waiting for his news for quite some time. It also doesn't take him by surprise when she commands him to rest after he delivers his report. He knows he has new duties to do tomorrow, and he needs his strength if he is to perform well.

What takes him by surprise is the assemblage of fruits laid out on a large leaf that he saw next to him when he woke up.

"Diaval!" His mistress's voice rings out clearly.

"You called, mistress?" He gives her a little bow.

"It has come to my attention that you have quite repaid the life debt you owe me. Therefore, it is only right that I release you from your servitude. You are free to do as you wish from now on. Also, I apologize for not realizing this sooner." Maleficent delivers the statement in a way reminiscent of something rehearsed. Diaval picks up on this. He looks her straight in the eye and asks, "Are you sending me away, mistress?" The unspoken question is "Do you want me to go away, mistress?" and he is hoping that Maleficent can hear it and respond accordingly- that is, in the way that he wants her to respond.

Her face loses its severity, and she replies, "I am no longer in the position to tell you what to do. As I said, you are free to do as you wish. If leaving the Moors is something that appeals to you, then you may do so."

A small smile comes unbidden on his lips. "And if I wish to stay?"

Her body relaxes, unconsciously. "Then you may stay. But refer to me as mistress no longer."

"It will be hard, as I have been used to doing it for years on end, but I shall try… Maleficent." The name is new on his tongue, but it doesn't feel foreign. After all, he has tried saying it, in his mind and even vocally when his mistress wasn't around, if only to marvel at the uniqueness of it.

Her eyes are shades lighter now, and he gives a sigh of relief internally knowing that the hard part is over, so to speak. He can only hope there are no more surprises like that in future conversations. His reverie is broken by her voice. "I do have another concern, Diaval."

"What is it, mi- Maleficent?" He asks apprehensively.

"Since you are no longer bound to me as a servant, and since I've promised to let you do as you please from now on, it would not make sense if I still hold the power to transform you into any form of my choosing."

"What exactly do you mean? Do you propose to keep me in this form from now on?" He shudders at the thought of being human for always. He has gotten used to being human, but he would still like the ability to fly as a raven once in a while, thank you very much.

"What I propose is that I apply the necessary magic that will let you transform at your own will. It will require a lot of magic, but it is only right that I grant you that ability, don't you think?" She stands up from the boulder she is seated and moves closer to him.

"If it will tax you immensely, then there is no need to do it, Maleficent. I am quite alright letting you have the ability to transform me. I can just ask you for a form I wish to have, can I not?" The idea of being able to transform at will thrills him, especially since it means Maleficent can't threaten to transform him into a dog anymore, but he is worried about the toll it would take on her physical body.

"I insist. The process will leave me weak for a few days but I will be able to recover fully. It's not that big of a deal, really."

Well, if this is something she wants to do, who is he to deny her? He has always wanted to do whatever it takes to keep her satisfied, and if it will turn out also to be for his benefit, why would he say no? So he gives his consent and he sees strands of her magic sprout from her fingers to his chest, while offshoots of magic seem to come from everywhere, growing bigger and bigger until it enveloped them.

It is only after she's sound asleep from exhaustion and he's gotten tired from trying out whatever form comes to mind that he realizes she has granted him quite the gift. It's quite a long way from the fruits of nearly two decades ago, but the message is still the same.

It's been quite some time since the day Maleficent has granted him the ability of transforming at will, and he has enjoyed the ability immensely. He often gloats about Maleficent losing the leverage of transforming him as a dog and Maleficent has often said she regrets what she has done for him, but he knows she truly didn't want to take it back.

A lot has happened ever since Aurora was crowned queen. It was a lot of work and responsibility for their hatchling, considering she was practically cut off from the world for sixteen years, but she has performed admirably. She was now not only loved by all, but also deeply respected and revered.

Aurora is now not only queen but wife to Phillip. He should know; he walked her down the aisle himself, after all. She's currently doing a lively dance with her husband, the other guests dancing around them and some preferring to watch and clap along. He's part of the latter, but opts to watch from a distance, beside Maleficent. It would be obvious to anyone, even those who do not know Maleficent the way he does, that she is overly fond of "the beastie" and that she is happy for Aurora. He decides to break the silence by pointing this out.

"You seem happy, Maleficent."

She continues to observe the celebration. "Of course I am, Diaval. The beastie is happy, is she not? That is all I ever wanted." He smiles. Comfortable silence ensues between them.

"Diaval?" Maleficent's voice is soft. A part of his brain thinks he likes this softness.

"Yes?"

"Thank you." Diaval turns to look at her then, eyes wide in surprise. She must have sensed this because she returns his stare.

"Why do you seem so surprised?"

"Probably because I have never heard the words from you before. Also, I don't know why you're thanking me."

"Aurora is safe and happy. I realized that this could not have happened for her without your aid. Her happiness is in no small part because of you."

"It was all you, mistress. She loves you best because she knows you're the one who loves her the most and this wouldn't have happened for her if it weren't for you." He says empathically. She shakes her head.

"But I wouldn't have been able to do it if it weren't for you, Diaval. All these years you have stayed by my side and helped me. You have been an excellent servant, and an even better friend. So thank you."

"Did you have too much wine, Maleficent?" Diaval jokes. "This is incredibly uncharacteristic for you."

Maleficent frowns. "I guess it is. I must apologize for not voicing out my appreciation sooner, then. I've been too arrogant in thinking you were only doing what was asked of you so I did not have to acknowledge you for it." He chuckles and shakes his head at Maleficent's cluelessness. They've long gone past the point where they need to explicitly tell each other what they're thinking, he reckons.

"Don't apologize. You shouldn't worry about it; you never needed to say it out loud. I knew." Diaval takes her hand in a sudden wave of boldness, keeping his eyes fixed on the married couple dancing and the people cheering.

He feels her eyes linger on him a little longer, then shifts them to watch the festivities again. He almost gloats about the fact that she doesn't pull her hand away.

A/N: Chapter 4, everybody. Bit of an underwhelming response for last chapter (more so than usual), but I've written 9 of the 12 intended chapters already so all that's left is to post them, really. Still, thank you to those who have followed, favorited and reviewed! I appreciate your kindness, truly I do. This story has exceeded a thousand reads so I'm quite happy about that.

For those who have given me the following prompts: Fear, Lust and Tenderness, I have written those already. Those will be the next three chapters. I've also written/am intending to write: Nostalgia, Sadness, Self-Loathing, Ardor and Love. If you have more prompts, just leave a review. I am more than willing to extend this collection.

Cheers!